Emily Winter

Emily Winter is a writer, stand-up comedian, PODCASTER (Comedians With Ghost Stories) and producer of Backfat, Side Ponytail, and Karen. (Come through, NYC!) Follow her on Twitter.

Tell us about Comedians With Ghost Stories.
I run a live, comedic variety show called BackFat, and every year we throw a special storytelling show of comedians with ghost stories. I love this show and look forward to it all year, so I decided to turn it into a podcast! Each episode features a comedian telling me about their supernatural experiences. 

What makes a good podcast host vs. what makes a good comedian?
Comedians can be good hosts and guests because they’re comfortable performing and being vulnerable. On the other hand, I think a lot of comedians feel that having a podcast is part of their job, so they create one even though they don’t have a particular passion or mission for their podcast. 

Hosting a podcast is really different from doing standup comedy. In Comedians with Ghost Stories, my main job is to listen and ask good questions. 

I believe it is limited, do you have plans to extend or turn it into something else? Who will be on it?
The podcast will run from now until Halloween. If it’s popular, I’d love to do it again next year. One great thing about being a comedian is that my network is so big, and there are no shortage of comics who’ve had a supernatural experience. So far, I’ve recorded podcasts with standup comics, comedy writers and even a comedy radio host! 

Are ghosts funny? Are ghost stories?
In both ghost stories and jokes, tension is continuously heightened and then released. I think they’re really similar structurally, and I find that fascinating. So yes, I believe ghost stories can be funny! 

What's your favorite, like, scary story trope. Mine is evil adopted kids/orphanages.
Anything with priests or nuns. I guess that’s the Catholic school girl in me.

Are there too many podcasts?
Yes.

If you were going to start another podcast (don't worry about people liking it or any of the logistics) what would it be?
Etiquette. I can’t believe how many functioning adults are inconsiderate, ill-mannered and self-centered! I’d like to teach people (men, mostly) how be more empathetic and kind in small, routine ways. 

What's been your biggest challenge in making the show, so far?
Editing takes a long time. 

What's been the most enjoyable thing about making the show, so far?
Hearing the ghost stories!!! My guests have REALLY come through with good ones. Their stories are better than I could have imagined. 

Who do you wish had a podcast? 
Elizabeth Warren. 

Can you remember any of the first podcasts you started listening to? 
WTF with Marc Maron was my first podcast! I used to do yoga to it and dream of dating him. Now I look back and I’m like, “What?! Gross!” But he seems very nice.