Podcast
Serious Circus
David C. Smalley hosts Serious Circus—a sharp-edged comedy podcast exploring personal stories, current events, religion, politics, and the darker side of comedy—featuring bold conversations, serious laughs, and a Dogma Debate segment, where opposing voices still throw down.
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Catalog
Episodes
- #837 - Make America Hot Again?May 20, 2026 · 36 minWhat happens when David C. Smalley brings his wife Angelica Smalley onto Serious Circus for her first-ever podcast appearance?
After watching coverage of the viral “Make America Hot Again” conservative dating movement, David and Angelica unpack the bigger conversation around modern dating, masculinity, toxic masculinity, gender roles, liberal vs conservative relationships, marriage expectations, emotional safety, provider culture, and what actually makes someone attractive in a relationship.
Do conservative dating values create stronger relationships?
Are liberal relationships too undefined?
What does healthy masculinity actually look like in modern marriage?
This episode gets into all of it.
Follow Angelica:
@angelicasmalley
Follow David:
@davidcsmalley
davidcsmalley.com
Stay tuned for more conversations on culture, politics, relationships, religion, and comedy.
- #835 - Barry KatzMay 14, 2026 · 1 hr 48 minIn this episode of Serious Circus, host David C. Smalley sits down with legendary comedy manager and industry insider Barry Katz for a deep dive into what it actually takes to succeed in stand-up comedy.
Hear behind the scenes stories about Chris Rock, Katt Williams, Dave Chappelle, Jerry Seinfeld, Dane Cook, and more, along with raw insights on:
• Why most comedians fail to break through
• The myth of “followers = success”
• Why elite comedians obsess over being undeniably the best in the room
• The difference between talent, work ethic, and true greatness
• How comedy careers are actually built (and destroyed)
From backstage with Jay Z and Beyoncé to lessons learned from decades in Hollywood, this episode breaks down the real rules of entertainment success—no filter, no fluff.
Barry Katz is available at:
Instagram: https://instagram.com/barrykatz
Website: https://barrykatz.com
David C. Smalley:
Instagram: https://instagram.com/davidcsmalley
Website: https://davidcsmalley.com
🎙️ Podcast: Serious Circus
- #830 - Crowd Work ComedyMay 13, 2026 · 1 hr 12 minFour comedians. No filters.
David C. Smalley, J. Mandyam, Jeff Horste, and Jason Collings dive into the real debates happening inside stand-up comedy right now:
– Is crowd work authentic… or strategically prepped?
– Are comics writing full hour specials anymore?
– Is everyone just chasing viral 60-second clips?
– What happens when a comic breaks down after being heckled?
– And what were the worst day jobs before making it in comedy?
This is the real behind-the-scenes conversation comedians have after the show. No crowd. No filter. Just comics talking shop.
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Serious Circus Podcast
Follow the comics:
David C. Smalley
https://www.instagram.com/davidcsmalley/
J. Mandyam
https://www.instagram.com/godhatesj/
Jeff Horste
https://www.instagram.com/jeffhorste
Jason Collings
https://www.instagram.com/jasoncollings/
If you love stand-up comedy, behind-the-scenes debates, and comedians roasting each other — stay tuned
- #832 - Comedian SuedMay 13, 2026 · 1 hr 35 minWhat happens when a comedian gets served a $27 million lawsuit… on stage at The Comedy Store?
In this episode, David C. Smalley sits down with Learn More, Shang Forbes, and Vipul Munshi for a wild conversation covering everything from real-life comedy drama to industry shifts happening right now. They break down the viral moment Learn More got served legal papers mid-set, what led up to it, and what could happen next. The group also dives into a heated back-and-forth between Shang and Smalley over a viral wedding clip that sparked debate online.
The conversation expands into how platforms like Kill Tony are changing the path to becoming a headliner, skipping the traditional grind—and whether that’s a good thing.
Plus:
– Handling hecklers in real time
– Comedy industry politics
– Marriage, relationships, and parenthood
– Roasting, jokes, and unfiltered moments throughout
This episode is packed with comedy insight, real tension, and nonstop banter.
Serious Circus Podcast
Follow the comics:
David C. Smalley
instagram.com/davidcsmalley
Learnmore
instagram.com/learnmore_jonasi/
Shang Forbes
instagram.com/comedianshang/
Vipul Munshi
instagram.com/comedianvipulm/
- #831 - Preacher Greg Locke Gets ROASTEDApr 29, 2026 · 1 hr 38 minIn this episode of Serious Circus, David C. Smalley and Jeff Horst revisit a classic Dogma Debate episode featuring Greg Locke—and it escalates quickly.
We pull some of the most intense, controversial, and unbelievable soundbites from the original episode and react in real time. What starts as a throwback turns into a full-on breakdown, with sharp commentary, unexpected turns, and plenty of roasting along the way.
From bold claims to chaotic moments, nothing is off limits. If you’re into debates, commentary, or watching wild moments get dissected with humor and honesty, this episode is for you.
Follow the Comics
Jeff Horste
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeffhorste
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeffhorste
David C. Smalley
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidcsmalley
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@davidcsmalley
- #829 - CLASSIC DOGMA DEBATE: Christian Missionary vs. David C. SmalleyJan 5, 2026 · 3 hr 16 minThis episode is a replay from the Dogma Debate archive. Originally released as Episode 472, this conversation features a debate with a Christian missionary living in Africa. It’s one of the more discussed episodes from earlier seasons, revisiting core questions about belief, evangelism, and worldview.
While new episodes are on the way, we’re highlighting past conversations that listeners continue to revisit and engage with.
- #827 - Cops Behaving BadlySep 18, 2025 · 1 hr 3 min"Can you get a DUI on a bike? Yes, I've done it!" Jeremiah Watkins & Daniel De Leon join David in studio for some Serious Circus.
- #826 - Trump SupporterSep 3, 2025 · 1 hr 29 min"Women shouldn't vote." Yep. He really says that. Brandan Jordan, Michael Regilio, and Malik B join David in studio for some serious circus.
- #825 - Trump's Terrible 29th Week - FinaleAug 9, 2025 · 1 hr 40 minMichael Regilio makes a big announcement. Michael and Travis discuss the week of Trump
- #824 - Most Famous Ex- Trad Wife in the WorldAug 6, 2025 · 1 hr 50 minJennie Gage was once a devout Mormon, a Christian nationalist, a white supremacist, and a proud Trump supporter. In this gripping episode of Dogma Debate, she shares her raw, courageous journey out of an ideology built on fear and control. Her story is one of reckoning, transformation, and the power of asking hard questions. Don’t miss it.
- #823 - Trump's Terrible 28th WeekAug 1, 2025 · 1 hr 11 minBolsonaro is emboldened by Trump's 50% tariff on Brazil, Texas redistrics, Should senators and such divest? Harvard bends the knee, EPA says Everything Polluters Ask for they get. Epstein (of course)
- #822 - Trump's Terrible 27th WeekJul 26, 2025 · 1 hr 6 minEpstein Island,Tim Kaine Returns, Tulsi G and the Crazy Bunch and South Park. More at dogmadebate.com
- #821 - Is Religion Good For Society?Jul 25, 2025 · 58 minBrittney Hartley is an atheist spiritual director and author of No Nonsense Spirituality. She joins Michael Regilio for a wide-ranging discussion including Fundamentalism v nihilism. More at dogmadebate.com
- #820 - Charlie Kirk, Drunk Senators & the MAGA Machine: An Insiders ConfessionJul 21, 2025 · 1 hr 10 minCaroline was a high schooler when she met Charlie Kirk. What came next was years inside the beating heart of the MAGA machine.
On this episode of DOGMA DEBATE, Caroline sits down with Michael Regilio to pull back the curtain on Turning Point USA and the darker truths behind the conservative youth movement.
From wild parties with Republican senators to underage girls being handed alcohol at political events, Caroline exposes the chaos, the hypocrisy — and the real cost of loyalty to the far right.
If you think you know what the MAGA movement looks like from the inside… think again.
- #819 - Trump's Terrible 26th WeekJul 19, 2025 · 1 hr 24 minThe Late Show is no more, Trump steals FIFA trophy, New old Coke(not), Tucker Carlson and Jeffery Epstein. More at dogmadebate.com
- #818 - Trump's Terrible 25th WeekJul 14, 2025 · 50 minEpstein Epstein Epstein. (plus more news but seriously... Epstein) Guest co-host Josh Edelman joins. More at dogmadebate.com
- #817 - Conservative v LiberalJul 12, 2025 · 1 hr 12 minDallas Duff returns to discuss and defend Trump. Michael Regilio is of a different opinion. Weekly Roundup show will be out this weekend. More at dogmadebate.com
- #816 - Throwback ThursdayJul 11, 2025 · 31 minDavid debates Fuz Rana, a PHd in biochemistry holder and devout Christian. For access to this this episode and all 816 episodes of Dogma Debate go to dogmadebate.com
- #815 - Trump's Terrible 24th WeekJul 6, 2025 · 1 hr 3 minHappy Birthday America, we hope it's not your last. Floods in Texas that NOAA failed to forecast because of DOGE cuts. Spoiler alert: climate change is real. MTG is convinced weather machines are real. Alligator Alcatraz, Atheism and Elon's new political party. It's all part of Trump's terrible 24th week. More at dogmadebate.com
- #814 - Did Trump Even Win in 2024?Jul 1, 2025 · 57 minAuthor Megan Kelley Hall joins Michael Regilio to discuss the growing notion that 2024 was stolen. Oh boy, here we go again. More at dogmadebate.com
- #813 - Trump's Terrible 23rd WeekJun 28, 2025 · 1 hr 29 minGiant Supreme Court decisions (Does Regilio really agree with the conservatives on one) ICE gone wild, Trump tweets at the Ayatollah, Republican congresswoman blames democrats because doctors don't want to give abortions. Michael Regilio and Travis Clyburn discuss the weeks news. more at dogmadebate.com
- #812 - Throwback ThursdayJun 27, 2025 · 27 minSet the wayback machine for yesteryear. David C. Smalley debates Sean Connelly. More at dogmadebate.com
- #811 - New Apostolic Reformation ExposedJun 25, 2025 · 58 minAs the country reeled from the politically/religiously motivated murders in Minnesota, the killers association with a religious movement called the New Apostolic Reformation raised questions. Author of Weaponized Religion: From Christian Identity to the NAR and host of the Leaving the Message podcast, John Collins joins Michael Regilio to discuss the history and trajectory of the NAR. More at dogmadebate.com
- #810 - Christian v AtheistJun 24, 2025 · 1 hr 10 minChristian Billy Mazur thinks the end times prophesied in the Bible are happening now. Atheist Michael Regilio is not convinced. More at dogmadebate.com
- #809 - Trump's Terrible 22nd WeekJun 21, 2025 · 1 hr 6 minTucker v Ted, Iran, Asbestos, Flag Poles and Turtles. It's all part of Trump's America. More at dogmadebate.com
- #808 - Throwback ThursdayJun 20, 2025 · 43 minOriginally episode 347, David C Smallewy has a great conversation with a doubting christian. For the full episode join our patreon at dogmadebate.com
- #807 - Trump's Terrible 21st WeekJun 14, 2025 · 59 min@clyburncomedy joins to discuss the insanity that is Trump's America. LA under siege, military parades, Werner Herzog(for some reason) and more. More at dogmadebate.com
- #806 - "MAGA Granny" Pam Hemphill speaks outJun 13, 2025 · 58 minMAGA Granny Pam Hemphill joins Michael Regilio to discuss everything from her participation in J6, to her time in a federal prison, to her leaving MAGA, to her refusing her pardon from Donald Trump to her thoughts on our current situation. This is a must listen episode of Dogma Debate. More at dogmadebate.com
- #805 - Throwback ThursdayJun 13, 2025 · 34 minGoing all the way back to 2017, it's a snippet of episode #312 Pastor v Jesus Mythicist. David C. Smalley and David Fitzgerald debate Pastor Drew Sokol. More at dogmadebate.com
- #804 - Christian v AtheistJun 11, 2025 · 1 hr 14 minWhat started as a debate about Jesus turns to shape shifting lizard people, witches and flat earth. Folks, I give you Roy Ellison. More at dogmadebate.com
- #803 - Trump's Terrible 20th WeekJun 7, 2025 · 59 minTrump/Musk Flame War, Co2 reaches highest levels on record, Christian Bigotry, Nixon, Luke Skywalker. More at dogmadebate.com
- #802 - Throwback Thursday Christian GrandmaJun 6, 2025 · 35 minCindy is a lovely lady with some bad arguments for God, and the supposed morality of God. David C. Smalley is an atheist who has heard it all and can push back with the best of them. For the whole episode and hundreds more, go to dogmadebate.com and join our patreon.
- #801 - Growing Watermelons in the Bathroom to Fight FascismJun 4, 2025 · 50 minOlivia is a homesteader who believes self sustainability is a bulwark against fascism and climate change. She is part of a growing movement and joins Michael Regilio to discuss the silver lining in the storm clouds ahead. More at dogmadebate.com
- #800 - Trump's Terrible 19th WeekMay 31, 2025 · 46 minPardon me, actually, pardon everyone. Crypto scam, MAHAhahahaha RFK jr is a joke. More at dogmadebate.com
- #799 - Throwback ThursdayMay 29, 2025 · 32 minListen to a snippet of a classic episode. This week we peek at episode #244. David debate Eric Hovind. More at dogmadebate.com
- #798 - Former Jews For Jesus MemberMay 28, 2025 · 1 hr 10 minRicardo Navas was a devout Messianic Jew. He joins Michael Regilio to talk about what he used to believe and how he found his way out. More at dogmadebate.com
- #797 - Trump's Terrible 18th WeekMay 24, 2025 · 55 minThe world is on fire (literally) Havard at war, Meme coin o rama and Germany and Russia square off for the first time in 79 years. What could go wrong. It's the weekly round up. More at dogmadebate.com
- #796 - Throwback ThursdayMay 22, 2025 · 31 minListen to a snippet of a classic episode. This week we peek at episode #269. For the whole episode and a whole lot more, go to dogmadebate.com and join our patreon
- #795 - Former Public School TeacherMay 22, 2025 · 1 hrJohn Springer was a high school teacher in L.A. for 23 years. He taught US Government and US History, so John is more than qualified to talk about the dismantling of the Dept. of Education and all things Trump. More at dogmadebate.com.
- #794 - Is Christianity Bad For Genetic Diversity?May 20, 2025 · 40 minDearie is a sci-fi novelist. He also holds novel criticisms of Christianity, and perhaps a solution. more at dogmadebate.com
- #793 - Trump's Terrible 17th WeekMay 17, 2025 · 1 hr 4 minBirth Right Citizenship, South African refugees, Grok, sea shells by the sea shore. Michael Regilio and Travis Clyburn break it all down
- #792 - Ex-Trad Wife Tells AllMay 14, 2025 · 36 minMeredyth Willits was a trad wife (traditional wife) but after her divorce struggled to catch up with a life she had put on hold. Now as a new generation of young Christian women follow trad wife influencers into this patriarchal life she offers her warnings. more at dogmadebate.com
- #791 - Trump's Terrible 16th WeekMay 10, 2025 · 1 hr 20 minPope Leo, Elon Musk, Donald Trump and Star Wars. More at dogmadebate.com
- #790 - Trad WivesMay 9, 2025 · 31 minA recent viral clip of a racist "trad wife" from the Piers Morgan Show sent me down a rabbit hole. In this episode we enter the world of the women embracing the traditional role of wife. Staying at home, having babies, cleaning and cooking for their husband and being a trad wife. More at dogmadebate.com
- #789 - Hope For The HopelessMay 7, 2025 · 1 hr 7 minDavid C. Smalley and Michael Regilio examine the erosion of the wall between church and state and talk about solutions. More at dogmadebate.com
- #788 - 100 Days of TrumpMay 3, 2025 · 41 minTravis Clyburn and Michael Regilio dive into the muck that is Trump's Terrible 15th Week. More at dogmadebate.com
- #787 - Project 2025 Is HereApr 30, 2025 · 51 minfollowtheleighder is writing her masters thesis on Project 2025. She joins Michael Regilio to discuss. More at dogmadebate.com
- #786 - Trump's Terrible 14th WeekApr 26, 2025 · 50 min100 days of Trump and America is almost unrecognizable. Travis Clyburn join Michael Regilio to break it down. More at dogmadebate.com
- #785 - Trump's Claims Of Antisemitism Are About Bringing Universities To Their KneesApr 23, 2025 · 35 minSandy Tolan is a writer for Rolling Stone and The Gaurdian and is professor at USC. His new piece in Rolling Stone Trump's Claims Of Antisemitism Are About Bringing Universities To Their Knees is an informed look at the real motivations behind the Trump administrations war on higher education. Sandy Tolan joins Dogma Debate in this episode. More at dogmadebate.com
- #784 - Trump's Terrible 13th WeekApr 19, 2025 · 1 hr 2 minTravis Clyburn, Matthew Robinson and Michael Regilio talk all things Trump. More at dogmadebate.com
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