Freddie Simone always had a "back end fantasy" of doing comedy. But she thought: "No little black fat girl from Columbus." Then she saw Whoopi Goldberg. In this episode of First Mic, Freddie shares how free headshots from a photographer friend led to a comedy workshop, which led to her first open mic, which led to a Funny Bone graduation show where the ENTIRE room screamed her name. "It felt natural as fuck. This is where I'm supposed to be." What you'll learn: Why your coworkers begging you to come back from vacation might be a sign How divine intervention can line everything up when you're ready Why vulnerability ("we all fucking fart") connects with audiences The advice she wishes new comics would hear: NO MORE DICK JOKES Freddie also drops her realest advice: "Tell me how you fixed a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with no peanut butter and one piece of bread, which a grandma yelling at you. Give me extreme, unique situations." 🎙️ Where to find Freddie Simone: Instagram: @freddie.simone TikTok: @freddie.simone / @columbusown Facebook: Freddie Simone Website: freddiesimone.com Podcast: Enlightened Idiot (Saturdays 10 PM on YouTube) 📍 Filmed at Rehab Tavern, Columbus OH 💬 What did people tell you that you should do before you actually did it? Drop it in the comments!