Meet Jen O’Neill Smith: Comedian and Co-host of the Dumb Love Podcast

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jen O’Neill Smith and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jen, what’s the end goal, career-wise?
As someone that works a full time day job, does stand up comedy at night, co-hosts a podcast, and co-produces a comedy festival…I just want one job. ONE JOB that I love doing. My dream is to be able to support my family while doing something creative that I enjoy doing full time. That’s atypical for creative endeavors but I’m working on it. 

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a stand up comedian and co-host of the podcast, Dumb Love, with fellow comedian, Sally Brooks. I didn’t get into comedy until after I had kids. There are so many times when I want to kick myself for not starting earlier, especially when I was living in NYC and was pretty much living in comedy clubs as a patron. It’s easy to think “where would I be at this point if I had started then?”. To be honest, I don’t know that I had the confidence or general life experience to write good material when I was younger. I don’t know that I would’ve been able to emotionally handle a room full of people rolling their eyes at me while I spoke, but when you’re a mom, that’s just a Tuesday. I think I advanced quickly in comedy once I did start because by then I knew my voice. Sometimes it takes younger comics a minute to find theirs. My point in saying all of this is it that if you have something you’ve always wanted to do, and think its too late to start, it’s not. Vera Wang didn’t design her first dress until she was 40, and that is my favorite piece of trivia to flex on people.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
My absolute favorite restaurant in Atlanta is Argosy in East Atlanta. It’s gorgeous, the food is amazing, the drinks are great, and they have this great room in the back called The Brigantine with skeeball, pinball, another bar back there..it’s great! They also have a new brewery in Oakhurst called Sceptre that I love. Another one of my favorite spots is The Midway Pub, which is also in East Atlanta. When you’re there, you’re family- not in and Olive Garden-y way, but in a beer garden-y way. If you want to see some great live comedy check out The Laughing Skull Lounge, The Punchline, The Highland Ballroom, or Star Bar on Monday nights. Most of these are not open during Covid, but definitely check them out after we are out of this mess.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would love to dedicate my shout out to my husband Zack, and my two children, Sully and Louise. Without them I wouldn’t be able to do what I do…mostly because I wouldn’t have anything to write jokes about. I love you with all my heart.

Website: www.dumblovepodcast.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenoneillsmith/
Other: Dumb Love Podcast

Image Credits
1) Phillip Murphy Photography and 2) Lola Scott Photography.