On an early episode of our new podcast series, we invited Heather Jay, a Detroit comedian, to be a guest on our show. My co-host at the time, Mike Geeter, had recently taped a performance for the Comedy Central show Kevin Hart Presents: Hart of the City. In the show, superstar Kevin Hart travels from city to city, showcasing upcoming comedians. Mike was selected for the Detroit episode, and the show was set to air soon.

As Mike and I discussed the upcoming show with Heather, I made a joke about Kevin Hart's height. It was a cheap shot, and not a very funny one, but since I am the same height as Kevin, I thought the irony would carry the joke across the finish line. It didn't.

Off the mic, Heather gently chastised me for the joke by telling the story of a stand-up comedian who had moved out to Los Angeles and, at one point, performed an entire set making fun of Eddie Murphy. While the set killed in the club, word got back to Murphy, and this aspiring comedian was quickly shunned by the comedy community. His career never took off.

I've launched a podcast about the Detroit arts and entertainment scene with Becky Scarcello and Jag called The D Brief. In this column, I am sharing the lessons I learn from it for other radio broadcasters who want to do the same. Subscribe: Apple Podcasts • ...

I've launched a podcast about the Detroit arts and entertainment scene with Becky Scarcello and Jag called The D Brief. In this column, I am sharing the lessons I learn from it for other radio broadcasters who want to do the same. Subscribe: Apple Podcasts • ...

I've launched a podcast about the Detroit arts and entertainment scene with Becky Scarcello and Jag called The D Brief. In this column, I am sharing the lessons I learn from it for other radio broadcasters who want to do the same. Subscribe: Apple Podcasts • ...

I've launched a podcast about the Detroit arts and entertainment scene with Becky Scarcello and Jag called The D Brief. In this column, I am sharing the lessons I learn from it for other radio broadcasters who want to do the same. Subscribe: Apple Podcasts • ...

I've teamed up with Detroit comedian Mike Geeter and Detroit tour guide Becky Scarcello to launch a new podcast about the Detroit arts and entertainment scene called The D Brief. In this column, I am sharing the lessons I learn from it for other radio broadcasters who ...

I've teamed up with Detroit comedian Mike Geeter to launch a new podcast about the Detroit arts and entertainment scene called The D Brief. In this column, I am sharing the lessons I learn from it for other radio broadcasters who want to do the same. Subscribe: Apple ...

I've teamed up with Detroit comedian Mike Geeter to launch a new podcast about the Detroit arts and entertainment scene called The D Brief. In this column, I am sharing the lessons I learn from it for other radio broadcasters who want to do the same. Subscribe: ...

I've teamed up with Detroit comedian Mike Geeter to launch a new podcast about the Detroit arts and entertainment scene called The D Brief. In this column, I am sharing the lessons I learn from it for other radio broadcasters who want to do the same. Subscribe: Apple ...

I've teamed up with Detroit comedian Mike Geeter to launch a new podcast about the Detroit arts and entertainment scene called The D Brief. In this column, I am sharing the lessons I learn from it for other radio broadcasters who want to do the same. Subscribe: Apple ...