This week on Mania and Melancholy, we ride shotgun with Aaron Benjamin—comedian, car enthusiast, and general manager of Denver Comedy Underground—for a wide-ranging conversation that blends turbocharged passion with personal insight.

We cover:

• Why Japanese cars are like samurai swords and American ones like battle axes
• Turbochargers, torque, and how efficiency shaped an entire culture
• How car engines actually work—displacement, combustion, turbocharging, torque, and why some engines feel like they kick you in the chest
• Why older Japanese cars with 200K+ miles still run like new—and what makes them special under the hood
• Running a top-tier indie comedy club and balancing friendship with leadership
• Staying grounded in comedy, car culture, and personal values

If you’ve ever fallen in love with a car, a craft, or just the idea of going fast and far—this episode is built for you.

Long time friend Caelin Jones and I discuss what this world will look like with the advent of A.I. and where Republic of Dagestan is located.

Adam Pena is back to answer the real questions about raw milk and how women really work... kinda...

I sit down with Denver Comedian and friend Grayson Schrom! We discuss how Grayson overcame his problems with alcohol and became a new man and go on some fun tangents along the way!

...

Adam Pena is Denver comedian and firefighter. We discuss Adams recent trip to Ethiopia.

I sit down with Fighter, Martial Artist, and Comedian: Max Madorsky! Max is amazing Figher and Martial Artist and has the following titles to his name: WKA National Title, Amateur LW MMA Champ. 3X CO Muay Thai Champ, Founding member Elevation Fight Team, Former Fairtex, Powerhouse, and Tulum MT Fighter! Join us as we explore Max journey from Thailand to Mexico back to Colorado, It's a wild ride!

Jacob Humphries is a stand-up comedian in and is the resident twink at the Denver Comedy Underground. Jacob and I talk about his journey from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina to Denver Colorado, as well as his journey with his long-time girlfriend. Join us as we discuss how Jacob’s relationship helped him grow as a comedian and as a man.