Welcome Back! We're adding to our co-host roster – let's welcome, rising star, Samir Abdul to the PCWB squad!

Samir Abdul, originally from Darfur, Sudan, is an international comedian shaking up Chicago’s comedy scene. A survivor of the Darfur genocide, Samir blends personal stories of resilience with sharp, witty observations on American life.

In this episode, Sepehr, Mike, and Samir discuss life as an immigrant in comedy, how he almost accidentally became a child soldier, and an infamous Roast Battle between Mike and Samir.

Listen to A Professor and a Comedian Walk into a Bar wherever you get your podcasts and watch new episodes on YouTube.

Follow us on Instagram: pcwbchicago

SAMIR ABDUL: 👉 https://samirabdul.com

MIKE'S WEBSITE: 👉 https://www.mikeknightcomedy.com/

SEPEHR'S FACULTY PROFILE: 👉 https://sites.northwestern.edu/sepehrvakil/

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Hosts: Mike Knight & Sepehr Vakil

Producer: Raphael Nash

Recorded in front of a live audience at Northwestern University, Sepehr and Mike welcome renowned stand-up, actress and podcaster, Zainab Johnson, and esteemed professor of African American Studies, kihana maraya ross. The group discusses Trump's continued attacks on universities like Northwestern, balancing resistance and joy, and maintaining self-awareness in comedy.

Originally recorded on April 3rd, 2025.

Listen to A Professor and a Comedian Walk into a Bar wherever you get your podcasts and watch new episodes on YouTube.

Follow us on Instagram: pcwbchicago

ZAINAB JOHNSON: 👉 https://www.zainabjohnson.com

kihana maraya ross: 👉 https://blackstudies.northwestern.edu/people/faculty/kihana-miraya-ross.html

MIKE'S WEBSITE: 👉 https://www.mikeknightcomedy.com/

SEPEHR'S FACULTY PROFILE: 👉 https://sites.northwestern.edu/sepehrvakil/

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Hosts: Mike Knight & Sepehr Vakil

Producer: Raphael Nash

Editor: Sandra Salib

Sepehr & Mike have an impromptu convo to catch up on the recent grant terminations by the Trump administration, and how they are affecting their work, Northwestern, and academia at-large.

Listen to A Professor and a Comedian Walk into a Bar wherever you get your podcasts and watch new episodes on YouTube.

Follow us on Instagram: pcwbchicago

MIKE'S WEBSITE: 👉 https://www.mikeknightcomedy.com/

SEPEHR'S FACULTY PROFILE: 👉 https://sites.northwestern.edu/sepehrvakil/

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Hosts: Mike Knight & Sepehr Vakil

Guest: Elizabeth Tipton

Producer: Raphael Nash

This week on PCWB, we’re diving into the state of journalism today and if artificial intelligence has a place, segregation versus self-selection, and everyone's current fave hot topic, the cost of eggs, with Senior Lecturer & Director of Audio Journalism Programming at Northwestern, Natalie Y. Moore.

Listen to A Professor and a Comedian Walk into a Bar wherever you get your podcasts and watch new episodes on YouTube.

Follow us on Instagram: pcwbchicago

NATALIE Y. MOORE: 👉 http://www.natalieymoore.com

MIKE'S WEBSITE: 👉 https://www.mikeknightcomedy.com/

SEPEHR'S FACULTY PROFILE: 👉 https://sites.northwestern.edu/sepehrvakil/

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Hosts: Mike Knight & Sepehr Vakil

Guest: Elizabeth Tipton

Producer: Raphael Nash

It's Women's History month, and Sepehr & Mike talk with statistician Elizabeth Tipton on why finding your people and building community is a necessity when working in STEM as a woman. Plus, they explore America's volatile engineering pool in the new Trump administration, and exploring the idea of Intelligent vs Smart in academic spaces.

Listen to A Professor and a Comedian Walk into a Bar wherever you get your podcasts and watch new episodes on YouTube.

Follow us on Instagram: pcwbchicago

ELIZABETH TIPTON: 👉 https://www.bethtipton.com

MIKE'S WEBSITE: 👉 https://www.mikeknightcomedy.com/

SEPEHR'S FACULTY PROFILE: 👉 https://sites.northwestern.edu/sepehrvakil/

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Hosts: Mike Knight & Sepehr Vakil

Guest: Elizabeth Tipton

Producer: Raphael Nash

In Episode 7: Is America still appealing to immigrants? Is Trump undoing history? What does black conservatism look like these days? Mike and Sepehr chat with Professor Saida Grundy and comedian Clark Jones about racism and the black perspective under the current administration. Tune in!

Thank you for supporting our channel, Please share this video on your social media to spread awareness. We appreciate the support!

Tap the link in bio to listen now on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you pod. #PCWBpodcast

SAIDA GRUNDY: 👉 https://www.bu.edu/afam/profile/saida-grundy/

CLARK JONES: 👉https://www.theeclarkjones.com

MIKE'S WEBSITE: 👉 https://www.mikeknightcomedy.com/

SEPEHR'S FACULTY PROFILE: 👉 https://sites.northwestern.edu/sepehrvakil/

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Hosts: Mike Knight & Sepehr Vakil

Producer: Raphael Nash

Editor: Sandra Salib

In our 6th episode Mike and Sepehr chat with Professor Julissa Muniz and comedians Kathryn Gongaware and Kyrie Da Comic about prison, policies and politics. Tune in!

This episode was recorded before the 2024 election

Thank you for supporting our channel, Please share this video on your social media to spread awareness. We appreciate the support!

Tap the link in bio to listen now on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you pod. #PCWBpodcast

JULISSA MUNIZ: 👉 https://www.julissamuniz.com

KATHRYN GONGAWARE 👉 https://www.instagram.com/kathryngong/

KYRIE DA COMIC: 👉 https://www.instagram.com/kyriedacomic/

MIKE'S WEBSITE: 👉 https://www.mikeknightcomedy.com/

SEPEHR'S FACULTY PROFILE: 👉 https://sites.northwestern.edu/sepehrvakil/

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Hosts: Mike Knight & Sepehr Vakil

Producer: Raphael Nash

Editor: Sandra Salib

In Episode 5: How is AI effecting education? What are Trump’s contributions to the border crisis? How different is Institutionalism vs Gentrification? In our 5th episode Mike and Sepehr chat with Professor Alex Hannah and comedian David Donnick about election predictions and what’s best for America. Tune in!

Thank you for supporting our channel, Please share this video on your social media to spread awareness. We appreciate the support!

Tap the link in bio to listen now on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you pod. #PCWBpodcast

ALEX HANNA: 👉 https://alex-hanna.com

DAVID DONNICK: 👉 https://www.instagram.com/daviddonnick

MIKE'S WEBSITE: 👉 https://www.mikeknightcomedy.com/

SEPEHR'S FACULTY PROFILE: 👉 (https://sites.northwestern.edu/sepehrvakil/)

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Hosts: Mike Knight & Sepehr Vakil

Producer: Raphael Nash

Editor: Sandra Salib