Episode 487

with Tom Scharpling, Mohanad Elshieky, and MAITA

Host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello reminisce about the best moments of the last 18 months; writer and radio host Tom Scharpling (The Best Show) explains how his dislike for Billy Joel began as a teenage misadventure to Madison Square Garden; comedian Mohanad Elshieky describes why navigating checkpoints is better than talking to his Uber driver; and indie rock group MAITA perform "A Beast" from their album Best Wishes.

Tom Scharpling
Comedian/ Radio Host

Tom Scharpling has hosted the weekly radio call-in comedy program, The Best Show with Tom Scharpling, for 18 years. He and his comedy partner Jon Wurster released a 16-disc compilation of their greatest hits, The Best of the Best Show, in 2015 to critical acclaim. He is also known as the voice of Greg Universe on the hit Cartoon Network animated series Steven Universe and as a writer-executive producer for the Emmy Award-winning show Monk. In his new book, It Never Ends, Scharpling is sharing a story he has never told before—his own. With this memoir, he sheds light on the turmoil that still follows him, and how he’s risen above his circumstances to get the most out of life while steamrolling the chumps along the way. Twitter • Instagram

Mohanad Elshieky
Comedian

Mohanad Elshieky is “an undisputed genius of comedy,” according to the Portland Mercury. He made his national TV debut on Conan, has been featured on Comedy Central, and was listed as one of Thrillist’s “50 Best Undiscovered Comics”. Elshieky is currently a digital producer on Full Frontal with Samantha Bee and co-host of the I’m Sorry podcast, a show about public and personal controversies and when to say “I’m sorry”. The Libyan-born comedian has a special skill for making you laugh at the seemingly unlaughable, combining a deceptively laid-back demeanor with his whip-smart perspective on politics and culture. Elshieky zeroes in on topics that seem off-limits—then surprises you with how hard you’re laughing. Website • Twitter

MAITA
Band

MAITA is a Portland-based indie rock band fronted by Maria Maita-Keppeler. The group was named Portland’s Best New Band of 2020 by Willamette Week and their song, “Someone’s Lost Their Wallet” was selected as a “Song of the Day” by KEXP. MAITA released their debut full-length album, Best Wishes on the Kill Rock Stars label in May of 2020. NPR calls the album “a clear-eyed look at growing up and holding yourself responsible for actively creating the life you want to live instead of just waiting around for it to happen.” Luckily MAITA isn’t waiting around for anything; their next album, I Just Want to Be Wild For You, is set to release in February 2022. Website • Listen