Garage Monologues with Jay Swanson
Jay Swanson takes his garage monologues to the couch, where anything goes. Friends drop by to ruin the monologue element and discuss everything from what goes on behind the scenes to current events and more.
Episodes
On injuries, training, and getting ready for the first marathon, with Paul Taylor
Garage Monologues: Season 4, A Season of TransitionEpisode: Paul Taylor, Part 2On injuries, training, and getting ready for the first marathon, with Paul TaylorWelcome back to Garage Monologues. This season follows three immigrants through major life transitions in Paris. In this episode, Jay catches up with Paul Taylor on the training. They talk about how an invitation from the Paris Oly
I've Never Felt More Welcome; on Comedy in Paris with Tamer Kattan
Garage Monologues: Season 4: A Season of TransitionEpisode 5: I've Never Felt More Welcome; on Comedy in Paris with Tamer KattanWelcome back to Garage Monologues where we're following Jay and three of his friends currently going through big transitions in their lives. In this episode, Jay checks back in with Tamer Kattan on his progress building a stand-up set entirely in French.Today's e
Ignoring advice, comparing cultures, and combatting negativity with the Season 4 guests of Garage Monologues
Garage Monologues: Season 4, A Season of TransitionEpisode 4: Ignoring advice, comparing cultures, and combatting negativity with the Season 4 guests of Garage MonologuesWelcome back to Garage Monologues. In this episode, Tamer Kattan, Jane Bertch, and Paul Taylor join Jay together for the first time for a round-table check-in recorded at Back Market's studio. They get into whose advice
Patreon Exclusive: Over 200 new coffee shops in Paris - The Paris Coffee Scene with COMYU founder Rod Jounet
Garage Monologues: Bonus EpisodePatreon Exclusive: Over 200 new coffee shops in Paris - The Paris Coffee Scene with COMYU founder Rod JounotA bonus one for our Patreon supporters, exceptionally made live for the public as well! Jay sits down with Rod Jounot to break down Paris's exploding specialty coffee scene. Did you know that around 200 new shops have opened in Paris in the last 18 mo
The System is Not Working; Why Jane Bertch is Changing Careers
Garage Monologues: Season 4, A Season of TransitionEpisode 3: The System is Not Working; Why Jane Bertch is Changing CareersWelcome back to Garage Monologues. This season follows three immigrants through major life transitions in Paris. In this episode, Jane Bertch joins Jay Swanson to talk about leaving banking to found La Cuisine Paris, and why, years into running a successful business,
Leaving Apple for a Career in Comedy (ft Paul Taylor)
Garage Monologues: Season 4, A Season of TransitionEpisode 2: Leaving Apple for a Career in Comedy (ft Paul Taylor)Welcome back to Garage Monologues. Garage Monologues is a conversational podcast following immigrants to Paris as they build or expand on their new lives in the City of Light. Through the lens of Jay Swanson, we delve into their roadblocks, triumphs, and everything in between
Creating a Comedy Show in French (ft Tamer Kattan)
Garage Monologues: Season 4, A Season of Transition Episode 1: Creating a Comedy Show in French (ft. Tamer Kattan)Welcome back to Season 4 of Garage Monologues. After a brief hiatus, the podcast returns, and we're trying something new: instead of standalone episodes, this entire season follows three friends through major life transitions in real time.All of it takes place in Paris, tracki
The missing TEDx Talk
I may have given a TEDx Talk last weekend, and it might never see the light of day...Although we CAN fix that.Thanks for all your support in making this show! To support my creative projects of all stripes (but mostly YouTube videos) be sure to jump in with us over at https://patreon.com/jayswanson
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My Dad Tries Mystery Grocery Store Cheese
In this long-overdue episode, my dad has to try mystery cheese from the grocery store because no one has the missing cheeses from my list (and the rest are closed). It's been one of those weeks 😂Thanks for all your support in making this show! To support my creative projects of all stripes (but mostly YouTube videos) be sure to jump in with us over at https://patreon.com/jayswanson
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These Are a Few of My Favorite Things
Sunshine on Cooper is definitely high on this list, but in this episode I talk about a handful of practical things I've been doing to affect my mood, improve my days, and help me get out of the rut that I fell into for a few weeks there. I hope they're helpful =)Thanks for all your support in making this show! To support my creative projects of all stripes (but mostly YouTube videos) be s
Despite Being Great, The Last Two Weeks Have Sucked
They can't all be highs, but what do you do when your best weeks somehow feel like the worst? I hit some real walls this last month, especially in the last couple of weeks, and I haven't had a good chance to share about why. At the same time, there are so many great things happening and so much to be grateful for. Life is downright confusing sometimes.For me it serves as a good reminder t
Overcoming Imposter Syndrome with Mark Shrime
I've known Mark Shrime for almost 13 years. He's a surgeon, author, and American Ninja Warrior. Grab a copy of his book here: https://amzn.to/3n5Ijn3 And enjoy our conversation as we dive into the struggles of impostor syndrome, living abroad, and doing our best to share what we love with the people we love.The cheese list, for those who'd like to try and follow along:Brie de MelunCancoil
Puxan on What it Means to be French
Puxan sits down to try some delicious cheese with me, wax lyrical on what it means to be French, and discuss our place in the world. Enjoy!https://instagram.com/puxanphoto for all his photographic skillsAnd thank you so much for listening! You can support the show and get future episodes in real time at https://patreon.com/jayswanson
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Good News Future Citizens!
I've got good news! Fresh off the presses (or out of the post, rather). The Road to Citizenship continues, as do updates around the 2023 guide and coming of the app. Thanks for listening! You can support the show and all my work by becoming a Patron at https://patreon.com/jayswanson
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Building Friendships Abroad with Matt Jordan
Matt Jordan is a great friend I've had the pleasure of knowing for the last few years, with whom I just returned from a five day trip to Lapland (Finland) with a group of ten friends to celebrate his birthday. We had a blast, and our conversation about Matt's road to French citizenship led us to the importance of friendship, the challenges of making them (particularly in France), and the
French Citizenship Application and Paris App Updates
This is the week I get my citizenship application in, if all goes well, and there's a lot of momentum building behind the Paris app too! Keep your eyes and ears peeled for early access to the app, hopefully in the next few months (Spring 2023) and cross your fingers that my application is accepted by the French government without too much hassle =DSupport the show and all my work at https
Emily and the Road to Citizenship
It's time to start my road to French citizenship! Today's guest is Emily Guernesy, the newest addition to my team, who shares her very recent experience taking the French citizenship interview. We also try 13 French cheeses as we chat, in my quest to try every protected French cheese.If you're enjoying these episodes and would like the podcast to continue, be sure to support it over on ht
On Leaving the Church
As promised, the longer more linear story of how I was raised in the church and why I eventually left it. If you want to hear these podcasts as they drop in real time, become a Patron and jump into the member's only feed at https://patreon.com/jayswanson - you'll find the instructions in your welcome message.
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Nathaniel Drew on Quitting YouTube
Nathaniel Drew talks about the ever-evolving nature of creating, YouTube, podcasts, and where he hopes to go from here.If you want to hear these podcasts as they drop in real time, become a Patron and jump into the member's only feed at https://patreon.com/jayswanson - you'll find the instructions in your welcome message.
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Thanksgiving Extravaganza!
It's a Thanksgiving Extravaganza! Which means it's time to look back on the year and be thankful. What are you thankful for? Spoiler: I'm thankful for YOU. Thanks for listening <3Want to listen to me go on about how thankful I am ON Thanksgiving next time? Head to https://patreon.com/jayswanson right now, become a Patron, and you'll have access to my members-only feed where these episo
Kate on Dating French Men and Working for Me
Ever wondered what it's like to date French men, or work for an American man in France? Kate has you covered. We covered a lot of ground in this episode and there's plenty more we could have gotten into, but time is short when old friends are afoot.I hope you enjoy this chat with Kate: Sender of Stickers!Want to listen to these podcasts fresh out of the oven and without ads or interruptio
The Story Behind The Game - Secret Project Number Two
The behind-the-scenes of Secret Project Number Two - about a decade in the making. I've been working on an app to make your next trip to Paris even easier and filled with more fun. Now to see if we can make it work for real.This episode dives into the origins of "The Game" from a few years ago, the process I've been going through so far to get an app into the world, and the dangerous turn
I Haven't Told You Everything
I got a severe dressing down for my lack of depth and the total lack of story in my last few vlogs from a close friend and trusted advisor, and I think it helped things click. Dorian and Ashley both called me out for being boring recently, and they both had excellent cases. Part of that is a lack of story structure in my videos - something that's an issue related directly to my fears in s
On Becoming French - With Jess Jeacle
Jess shares her experience in gaining French citizenship, and we both talk at length about the pros and cons of living in France and settling in for the long haul in Paris. Jess has been a friend basically since I moved to Paris, has worked with me a little, and knows me very well, so her insights were a lot of fun to glean in this episode. I hope you enjoy it!Head to https://patreon.com/
Saying No to Better Say Yes
How taking breaks, saying no, and focusing on healthy priorities is having real, tangible results.Among the many, many lessons I've learned and managed to start applying, saying no more often has been one of the hardest but one that brings about the most benefit - because it means when I say yes, it's yes to what I want. Or at least to what's best.https://garagemonologues.com
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The Story Behind Kill the Swimmers
A little more TMI for you as we dive into the behind the scenes of Kill the Swimmers, the mini documentary I made about my pandemic project: searching for a way to render myself temporarily infertile. If the idea of male contraception is a bit much for you, this episode might not be one to listen to. Otherwise, enjoy!Kill the Swimmers video: https://youtu.be/Dx3N5uzJDrITheme by @SonnyGre
Lindsey Tramuta - French Home Ownership & The Necessity of Men
Lindsey Tramuta comes on as the Garage Monologues Season 2 opener, to talk about everything from home ownership in France to the reasons we need more discussions (and videos) surrounding things like reproductive health and how to bring men into the broader conversation (as spurred by Jay's recent mini-documentary Kill the Swimmers).You can find her at https://lindseytramuta.com and on Ins
New Years Bonus Extravaganza!
Happy New Year! I am so excited for everything coming in 2023! https://patreon.com/jayswanson In this episode I look back at 2022 and some of the highlights in what was a crazy year. Then look forward to 2023 and everything that's got me excited about Paris, app development, and saying no to all kinds of things - even the projects I was most excited to launch this year that just won't mak
The Season One Finale
The Season One Finale - reflecting and looking forward. It's interesting to hear my thoughts here, five months later, as they reflect both how I'm looking to 2023 and how I've half-handled the last half of 2022. I definitely have some patterns to break.Be sure to snag a two year plan with four months free from the sponsor, NordVPN using my link https://nordvpn.com/jayswansonvpnThe experim
The Sister Episode
The sister episode - where Kaarin, my little sister, joins for a chat in her back yard in San Diego, California to spin her insights into gold for my benefit, as well as a little pain, and your complete listening pleasure. Thanks to today's sponsor <a href="https://nordvpn.com/jayswansonvpn">NordVPN</a> who are offering my listeners 4 months free when buying a 2 year plan! If
Garage Gratitude
Originally posted in May 2022, Garage Gratitude is a dive into exactly that: what I'm grateful for. And largely, it's you! But also many other things. I hope you enjoy! Be sure to grab NordVPN using this link <a href="https://nordvpn.com/jayswansonvpn">https://nordvpn.com/jayswansonvpn</a> and get those loans REDUCED!And if you want to jump into Patreon today, you'll have the
The Dream Paris Apartment with Paul Taylor
Paul Taylor stops by to discuss buying an apartment in Paris, and the challenges of building and maintaining community in an urban setting with the additional challenges of having a family.Whether it's the challenges of having kids, finding a place to live, or managing to cross paths with friends, we cover it all in this episode of Garage Monologues. You can find Paul at https://paultaylo
No More Hard Things
I spent a lot of the last year doing a lot of hard things. I burned out on vlogging, got my French drivers' license, lost 50lbs, and adopted a puppy in the midst of carrying out a ridiculous self-experiment (as yet undisclosed when recording). I could use a break.https://garagemonologues.comWant to get fully caught up on these podcast episodes? You can get access to the members only feed
Champagne, The End of Season 8, and a Brutal Tax Story
The very first Garage Monologue as a podcast is more of a dialogue between Jay and @puxanphoto, who dropped by to pop a bottle of champagne and celebrate the end of season 8 of Jay's vlog, talk about the behind the scenes, and draw out a brutal story from Jay's recent brush with the French tax man. It's episode 5 of the first season in real terms (the first four were video only) but it's
Welcome to Garage Monologues!
Good morning! Jay Swanson here, and welcome to Garage Monologues. This podcast was originally a video series for my Patrons, inspired by my old garage monologues back when I was daily vlogging. A Garage Monologue, in case you’re new around here, was something I did back in a more difficult era of my life. I was living with my parents, spending all of my time, energy, and money on doomed p
