Funny In Failure

#335 Sonya Walger - Star Of your Life

SONYA WALGER is an actor, author, writer and podcaster. She most recently starred in Apple's sci-fi series FOR ALL MANKIND as astronaut "Molly Cobb," and the horror/thriller film NEW LIFE. She also can be seen in Amazon's NIGHT SKY opposite Sissy Spacek and J.K. Simmons, and Epix's GET SHORTY with Chris O'Dowd and Ray Romano. Sonya is perhaps best known for her role as "Penny" on ABC's hit series LOST as well as other series including FLASHFORWARD, THE CATCH, TELL ME YOU LOVE ME, and MIND OF A MARRIED MAN. Sonya's novel LION was published in February 2025 by The New York Review Books. Her new novel, WIFEHOUSE, will be published by Union Square Books April 7th 2026. We chat about her love of books and full time writing, Lost, her new book Wifehouse, intuition, auditioning, being invited back to shows, waiting for the phone to ring and empowering yourself, friendships, the power of journaling + plus more! Check Sonya out on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sonyawalgerofficial/ Website: https://sonya-walger.com/ Wifehouse Book: https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/sonya-walger/wifehouse/9781454963301/ ------------------------------------------- Follow @Funny in Failure on Instagram and Facebook https://www.instagram.com/funnyinfailure/ https://www.facebook.com/funnyinfailure/

#334: Emmanuel Sonubi - Finding Another Way

Emmanuel Sonubi is an award winning stand up comedian , TV personality, presenter, actor and writer. He is one of the UK's most in-demand comedians, whose rise through the UK comedy scene has been rapid and widely celebrated. Since making his debut in 2016, he has progressed from open mic nights to headlining major venues and hosting the iconic BBC stand-up showcase Live at the Apollo. You may have also seen him on QI, Celebrity Mastermind, The John Bishop Show, Comedy Central Live, Pointless Celebrities, Have I got News for you, Unforgiveable, The Stand Up Sketch Show + more. Known for his commanding stage presence and razor-sharp storytelling, Emmanuel has received significant industry recognition. His show was nominated for the Edinburgh Comedy Award for Best Show in 2023, following a Edinburgh Comedy Award for Best Newcomer nomination in 2022. He has also been nominated for Chortle Award for Best Club Comic and won Mervyn Stutter's Spirit of the Fringe Award for Best Show in 2025. Following a sold-out run at the 2025 Edinburgh Festival Fringe, UK comedy powerhouse and two-time Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee Emmanuel Sonubi returns to Melbourne with his powerful show Life After Near Death. The show runs from 7th to 19th April playing at the Melbourne Town Hall,  In Life After Near Death, Emmanuel recounts surviving heart failure — and living to tell the tale. A deeply personal, refreshingly honest and outrageously funny take on life, facing the cause of trauma and finding unexpected comedy in the toughest moments. One of the UK's most in-demand comedians, Emmanuel Sonubi seamlessly blends earnest stories and big laughs, with an unstoppable energy and razor-sharp wit. Don't miss your chance to see this masterclass live in Melbourne!  We chat about being a bouncer and the reason why he left, nearly dying and health journey, never having a bad gig, unique start to comedy, speaking up and not arguing, quitting entertainment and why he came, writing joke journals for his kids, doing an hour set with 20 minutes material, not lying, envy plus plenty more! Check Emmanuel out on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emmanuelstandup/ Website/ shows: https://www.emmanuelstandup.com/ Melbourne Comedy Festival tickets: https://www.comedyfestival.com.au/browse-shows/emmanuel-sonubi/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/emmanuelstandup ------------------------------------------- Follow @Funny in Failure on Instagram and Facebook https://www.instagram.com/funnyinfailure/ https://www.facebook.com/funnyinfailure/

#333: Anthony Locascio - Why Can't I Enjoy This?

Anthony Locascio is a stand-up comedian, actor & podcaster. Since beginning stand-up in 2017, he has written and toured a new full-length show every year, with highlights including Don't Call Me a Wog! (2022), Heart of Darkness (2023), and the critically acclaimed Pappou (2024–25). Pappou toured twice around Australia and internationally to London, New Zealand, Canada, and New York, before being filmed at a sold-out Enmore Theatre and released on YouTube in 2025. His debut special Confirmation (2020) was distributed worldwide by Comedy Dynamics on Amazon Prime and Apple TV. Anthony has sold out seasons at Sydney Comedy Festival, Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Adelaide Fringe, Perth Comedy Festival, and Brisbane Comedy Festival, and was hand-picked for the prestigious Sydney and Perth Comedy Festival Gala showcases in 2021 and 2022. Alongside his live work, he has appeared on Triple J's Hack, SBS Sport, beIN Sports, Today EXTRA on Channel 9 and Sunrise on Channel 7, and performed or hosted major events including the Greek Festival of Sydney and the Italian National Ball. In 2025, he also curated and hosted the inaugural Greek Australian Comedy Gala and the Italian Australian Comedy Gala. Self-managed from the start of his career, Anthony has built a loyal following online and on stage, working across comedy clubs, community festivals, corporate events, and screen projects for brands such as Nando's, NexGard, and Pedestrian TV. His mission is to challenge clichés around "wog comedy," representing his Greek and Italian heritage with a modern, nuanced voice that resonates far beyond those communities. Divine Comedy is now out! Blurb below: World Tour. Sold-out Enmore Theatre. Dream wedding on the horizon. 2025 was set to be the best year of Anthony's life - then everything fell apart. With his heart in ruins, desperation (and destiny) pushed him into a Vipassana meditation retreat. The Divine Comedy is the story of ten gruelling days of silence, where Anthony journeyed to the depth of his mind and battled the hive of evil clowns behind his lifelong misery, and somehow returned with his soul intact. We chat about acting, 10 day silent retreats, radical honesty and accountability, love of musicals, integrity, pain, misery, honesty and suffering, acceptance, big mindset and mental shifts, love of musicals  + more! Check Anthony out on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/locash.comedian/ Website: https://www.anthonylocascio.me/ Melbourne Comedy Festival: https://www.comedyfestival.com.au/browse-shows/anthony-locascio-the-divine-comedy/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/locash.the.comedian/ ------------------------------------------- Follow @Funny in Failure on Instagram and Facebook https://www.instagram.com/funnyinfailure/ https://www.facebook.com/funnyinfailure/

#332: Thor Stenhaug - The Rule of Jante

Thor Stenhaug is a Norwegian born, London based standup comedian and actor. He regularly performs in some of the biggest comedy clubs across the UK. He is a Channel 4 Sean Lock Award Finalist and he had a completely sold-out run at the Edinburgh Fringe 2025 with his debut show "One Night Stand Baby". Thor has headlined top comedy clubs across the England, and recently completed a run at Soho Theatre, London. Thor has offered tour support for Vittorio Angelone, Fern Brady, Josh Widdecombe, Larry Dean and Jack Dee, and was shortlisted for British Comedian of the Year - despite not being British. Thor will tour One Night Stand Baby across the UK, Australia and more! We chat about being a one-night stand baby, being a Harry potter walking guide, practising small talk, learning English, sneeze breaks, stories from writing for the local newspaper, being a comedy doorman in Norway, the rule of Jante, his Melbourne shows, bombing & silence, tours plus plenty more! Check Thor out on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thortellsjokes Website: https://www.thorstenhaug.co.uk/ Melbourne Comedy Festival: https://www.comedyfestival.com.au/browse-shows/new-order/ ------------------------------------------- Follow @Funny in Failure on Instagram and Facebook https://www.instagram.com/funnyinfailure/ https://www.facebook.com/funnyinfailure/  

#331: Luke McQueen - Authenticity & Humour

Luke McQueen is an award-winning stand-up comedian, writer and actor, who you will have seen on 'The Moth Club', 'Comedians Giving Lectures', 'The Stand-up Sketch show' and 'Roast Battle'. Luke has written and starred in a number of short films over the years, with his performance in 'Last Dates' receiving an honourable mention at the LOCO film festival and his film 'Trevor' receiving a special commendation the following year. More recently Luke was cast for a small role in Nicolas Cage movie 'The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent' and he's just wrapped filming a starring role in 'Hostages', a debut feature from director Jim Owen. Luke will also be in Melbourne for the comedy festival performing his hit show Comedian's Comedian. Check it out! Links below. We chat about someone putting things in his football boots, directing and acting, his many comedy pranks, Edinburgh and long tour runs, forgiving your enemy, pressure, not being invited on the comedian's comedian podcast and making a show about it + more! Check Luke out on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrlukemcqueen/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MrLukeMcQueen Melbourne Comedy Festival: https://www.comedyfestival.com.au/browse-shows/luke-mcqueen/ ------------------------------------------- Follow @Funny in Failure on Instagram and Facebook https://www.instagram.com/funnyinfailure/ https://www.facebook.com/funnyinfailure/