Thus, I began to engage in it. I experimented and soon began gaining considerable attention. Individuals approached me, expressing that, “Absolutely, this is necessary. We require someone voicing this viewpoint.”

OSV: So you have previously performed stand-up?

Fulwiler: Sure, I’ve been performing stand-up in the Austin venues for approximately a year and a half now.

OSV: What topics do you make jokes about in your performances?

Fulwiler: I often discuss the absurdities of suburban existence, that contrast between the life you may dream of having and the truth of being ensnared in traffic in the suburbs while raising kids. That kind of theme. It involves a great deal of observing the life of the average contemporary parent and all the ways it can be somewhat ludicrous.

OSV: Did you find stand-up comedy challenging?

Fulwiler: During the initial months of my journey in stand-up comedy, particularly while performing at regular comedy clubs, I consistently failed to get laughs. It was quite challenging for me to elicit laughter, but this experience honed my abilities. If I’m encouraging my followers to purchase tickets to see me perform stand-up, I want to ensure that I’m delivering top-notch comedy. The best way to gauge the quality of your comedy is by successfully making people laugh who are unfamiliar with you. That’s why I always maintained that I wouldn’t embark on a tour until I could reliably get laughs from audiences who didn’t know who I was, as that’s the only way I would ascertain that my material is genuinely strong. It required a year of frequent failures at clubs before I was able to make audiences who didn’t know me genuinely laugh.

OSV: What was the transition like from failing in clubs to touring and filling up theaters?

Fulwiler: To improve rapidly, it’s an incredibly humbling experience. You record each set and then gather a group of individuals to view the footage and discuss what didn’t go well. At times, as Catholics, we pray the Litany of Humility; however, I truly experienced the essence of that Litany. It is the most ego-shattering thing one could do. Yet, it was that Catholic sense of humility that allowed me to endure ongoing psychological challenges. After several months of this practice, we began to notice progress. We would state, “Alright, I received a small laugh here, now what prompted the audience to laugh? Let’s expand on that.” It was that intensely uncomfortable process of reviewing the video and recognizing mistakes that educated me on what I needed to grasp.

OSV: Is it possible for a practicing Catholic to be an effective stand-up comedian?

Fulwiler: I’m simply aiming to create quality comedy, not specifically Catholic humor. My faith is evident in the jokes I share, yet I don’t label it as Catholic comedy. However, I would argue that Catholics are positioned to be exceptional comedians because effective comedy requires a link to the truth. If one fails to grasp what is objectively true regarding humanity and the world, then humor will elude them.

OSV: What are some additional elements of effective comedy?

Fulwiler: It’s essential to grasp human nature, and my Catholic background significantly aids me in this regard. Another crucial aspect is the buildup and subsequent release of tension. A key factor is being at ease with your true self as an individual. You can’t put on a façade while performing stand-up comedy. You cannot impersonate someone you aren’t. A journey I undertook was to embrace my true identity and find a way to present that on the stand-up comedy stage genuinely.

OSV: Do you “differentiate yourself” from other comics?

Fulwiler: Generally, I am among the rare women who take the stage. In this environment, possibly 10% of comedians are female. Additionally, I am consistently the sole clean comic in these performances. It’s quite challenging to elicit laughter from those audiences as a woman and as a clean comic. I have truly had to struggle for those laughs.

OSV: As a Catholic, do you regard stand-up comedy as an additional platform for spreading the Gospel?

Fulwiler: I believe that whenever Catholics are able to express themselves in the public domain, it serves as a positive testimony, and I think it sparks interest among people. Particularly with some of my comedic style, I often make light of my journey from an atheist upbringing to becoming Catholic. I anticipate that this will intrigue some individuals, prompting them to learn more about my story. I always want to clarify that my stand-up routines are not aimed specifically at evangelizing, but I do hope that they will help others become more acquainted with Catholicism and serve as a positive witness.

OSV: Is it possible to pursue comedy as a full-time career shift?

Fulwiler: I truly have faith in allowing God to guide me step by step, and I felt inspired to take this action. I’m uncertain about where God is directing this journey. We’ll find out what unfolds next. Up to now, I’m finding joy in it. I hope this experience carries on into the future. I intend to visit additional cities and make more tour stops ahead. I genuinely wish for this to be just the onset, but I remain receptive to whatever God is orchestrating in this situation.

OSV: Will you continue with your radio program?

Fulwiler: I certainly hope so. I adore my radio program, and I believe it greatly enhances my stand-up comedy endeavors. I incorporate a great deal of humor into the show, which aligns perfectly with my comedic work.

OSV: What insights have you gained regarding your own beliefs as you embark on this journey?

Fulwiler: It has been quite fascinating. I test my material at various comedy venues, so clearly I find myself among individuals whose lives differ vastly from mine in every aspect. However, it has been an amazing experience to discover how much we share in common and to connect with many of these individuals. It truly has been a wonderful journey to step outside the Catholic bubble I’ve inhabited for such a long time and interact with a diverse range of people. You can never predict what God might achieve in such situations.

OSV: What were your activities prior to becoming a Catholic speaker and author?

Fulwiler: I was a software developer. I began with a blog, and readers began to take notice. This progression inspired me to author a book, which then opened the door to radio, ultimately guiding me into stand-up comedy. I perceive every aspect of my professional journey, from the blog to the comedy tour, as part of a unified experience. It fundamentally revolves around communication. Whether it’s expressing ideas through a blog entry about your transformation or crafting a stand-up sketch regarding a bizarre incident at a parent-teacher conference, it’s all fundamentally communication. I regard all of this as one cohesive endeavor.

OSV: What additional information would you like the audience to have about your comedy tour?

Fulwiler: Another reason I am undertaking this is that I recognize a significant necessity to bring more individuals into my sphere, especially those who tune into my radio programs, along with Catholics and other individuals of faith, to have chances to gather and connect in an enjoyable, casual manner. I believe it’s crucial for reinforcing our parish and Catholic communities that we have the chance to come together, share a drink, and simply unwind. My aspiration is that when I bring my tour to various cities, people will take advantage of it to meet up with other similar-minded friends, dine out, have fun, and just spend quality time together.

Brian Fraga is contributing editor for Our Sunday Visitor.