The room hummed with anticipation as Brent Gill, host of Good Session, prepared to wrap up another successful outing of his touring comedy show that allows audience members to ask comedians for advice on their deepest, darkest issues. As is customary, the experience concludes with an opportunity for a member of the audience to come onstage and ask a question that has not been answered that evening.
A recent attendee made sure the night ended on a high note. "Should I feel bad for sleeping with my mom and aunt's friends when they initiated it?" the man asked. The audience burst out laughing, while others gasped in disbelief. The panel of comedians exchanged stunned glances before diving into the chaos, ready to deliver their signature mix of sharp wit and unfiltered advice.
"These women definitely committed a crime, because this kid was like fifteen years old, so it was just kind of insane," Gill says of the experience. "When they do come onstage, they're always a little outlandish and have wild stories."
This is Good Session — a show where no secret is too scandalous, no question too wild and no joke off-limits. Taking place regularly at Comedy Works Downtown in Denver, including an upcoming show on March 19, Good Session is equal parts stand-up, crowd work and a group therapy session gone off the rails.
Audience members anonymously submit their most burning questions and deepest secrets, and a group of three comedians, led by hosts Gill and Rubi Nicholas, roasts, riffs and attempts to offer some (very unlicensed) advice. But it’s not just about getting laughs. This interactive experience is about breaking down barriers, normalizing conversations about mental health, and, as Gill puts it, “opening the doors to therapy for the whole audience.”
"I realize that a lot of my audience is men," he says. "And many are that genre of man who is like, ‘I don't do therapy. I'm a man.’ This is a way for me to kind of open them up to the idea of seeking help in a non-judgmental, fun environment."
Gill, a comedy veteran who has been active in the Denver scene since 2005, has always been fascinated by the intersection of comedy and mental health. “I've been through some heavy air quotes around fun trauma in my life, so I've had some pretty interesting therapy sessions and stuff like that," Gill says. "I feel like, in these days and age, therapy is in a Renaissance. Everybody is way more okay with talking about therapy and we’ve really had a tremendous response."
After experimenting with different formats, Gill landed on the current structure: an interactive, crowd-driven show where the audience determines the night’s direction. Each performance features a rotating panel of three comedians, plus Gill as the host and Nicholas running the tech and live chat.
“It’s like the Facebook comments section came to life,” Gill explains. “We are the only ones that can see the chat room, so it doesn't distract the audience but folks come up after the show and say, ‘Oh, you used three of my jokes,’ because people are throwing their version of jokes at us that are very funny. You can see people get excited when we read their things. I've been doing comedy for so long, and this show always feels so different."
Since its debut in June 2024, Good Session has evolved into a powerhouse show with a devoted following. Originally based in Austin, where Gill now lives, it has since expanded, with Comedy Works serving as a regular stop on the tour.
“Comedy Works is my home club,” Gill says. “I started here; I’ve done shows here for most of my career, so bringing Good Session back here just feels right.”
Currently, the show is performed every other month or so, but he hopes to expand this. "I had a show that was similar to this back in 2013 but it was with weird news instead of therapy-related questions," Gill says. "I just feel like there's a little more value and good that we can do for my audience, and I'm hoping the rest of the world if keep playing our cards right with this variation of the show."
The questions range from the absurd to the deeply personal. Some people ask for lighthearted advice while others grapple with more serious issues, like struggling with their identity or past trauma.
“We get people who are really in need of therapy,” Gill admits. “We'll get a lot of questions where people are kind of questioning their sexuality and they're like, ‘How do I tell my partner that I think I'm the other way?' We try to help as much as we can, but at the end of the day, we always remind them: if you need real help, seek it out.”
Though Good Session thrives on humor, its ultimate goal is to destigmatize seeking help. “The comedy world has always struggled with mental health,” Gill says. “We’ve lost so many comics to addiction, overdoses and suicide. We want to emphasize that yes, this show is fun, but if you’re struggling, there are people who care about you and want to help.”
To reinforce that message, Good Session has partnered with BetterHelp, an online therapy platform, to provide resources for audience members who may need professional support. At the end of every show, Gill makes a direct appeal: “If you need more help than what we gave you tonight, please consider therapy.”
Nicholas, the show's co-host, echoes that idea. “Comedy is therapeutic," she says. "Most comics are already great at taking trauma and finding the humor in it. By bringing a little light into the darkness, suddenly, it doesn’t feel so overwhelming. Our community is fraught with lots of issues, but for people trying to heal, it's important to show that there's a group of folks that have gone through tragedy and are still laughing."
What makes Good Session so dynamic is its unpredictable nature. “This is a show for the audience, by the audience,” Gill says. “They dictate where it goes. To my knowledge, there aren’t many comedy shows like this — where the crowd controls the content, and we react in real-time.”
And people are hooked. After each show, audience members rush to tell Gill and Nicholas that their questions were featured, that their jokes got used, or that they finally felt comfortable discussing something they’d been holding onto for years.
With its mix of unfiltered comedy, raw honesty and an underlying message of support, Good Session is often a cathratic release for attendees. One where you can laugh at your darkest thoughts, share your weirdest secrets, and maybe, just maybe, walk away feeling a little lighter.
"The audience gives us their pain, and we make the art,” Nicholas says. “And that’s a pretty beautiful thing.”
Good Session, Wednesday, March 19, Comedy Works Downtown, 1226 15th Street. Tickets are $14; learn more at comedyworks.com.
A recent attendee made sure the night ended on a high note. "Should I feel bad for sleeping with my mom and aunt's friends when they initiated it?" the man asked. The audience burst out laughing, while others gasped in disbelief. The panel of comedians exchanged stunned glances before diving into the chaos, ready to deliver their signature mix of sharp wit and unfiltered advice.
"These women definitely committed a crime, because this kid was like fifteen years old, so it was just kind of insane," Gill says of the experience. "When they do come onstage, they're always a little outlandish and have wild stories."
This is Good Session — a show where no secret is too scandalous, no question too wild and no joke off-limits. Taking place regularly at Comedy Works Downtown in Denver, including an upcoming show on March 19, Good Session is equal parts stand-up, crowd work and a group therapy session gone off the rails.
Audience members submit anonymous questions, and three comedians, led by hosts Brent Gill and Rubi Nicholas, offer advice.
Courtesy of Good Session
"I realize that a lot of my audience is men," he says. "And many are that genre of man who is like, ‘I don't do therapy. I'm a man.’ This is a way for me to kind of open them up to the idea of seeking help in a non-judgmental, fun environment."
Gill, a comedy veteran who has been active in the Denver scene since 2005, has always been fascinated by the intersection of comedy and mental health. “I've been through some heavy air quotes around fun trauma in my life, so I've had some pretty interesting therapy sessions and stuff like that," Gill says. "I feel like, in these days and age, therapy is in a Renaissance. Everybody is way more okay with talking about therapy and we’ve really had a tremendous response."
After experimenting with different formats, Gill landed on the current structure: an interactive, crowd-driven show where the audience determines the night’s direction. Each performance features a rotating panel of three comedians, plus Gill as the host and Nicholas running the tech and live chat.
“It’s like the Facebook comments section came to life,” Gill explains. “We are the only ones that can see the chat room, so it doesn't distract the audience but folks come up after the show and say, ‘Oh, you used three of my jokes,’ because people are throwing their version of jokes at us that are very funny. You can see people get excited when we read their things. I've been doing comedy for so long, and this show always feels so different."
Since its debut in June 2024, Good Session has evolved into a powerhouse show with a devoted following. Originally based in Austin, where Gill now lives, it has since expanded, with Comedy Works serving as a regular stop on the tour.
“Comedy Works is my home club,” Gill says. “I started here; I’ve done shows here for most of my career, so bringing Good Session back here just feels right.”
Currently, the show is performed every other month or so, but he hopes to expand this. "I had a show that was similar to this back in 2013 but it was with weird news instead of therapy-related questions," Gill says. "I just feel like there's a little more value and good that we can do for my audience, and I'm hoping the rest of the world if keep playing our cards right with this variation of the show."
The questions range from the absurd to the deeply personal. Some people ask for lighthearted advice while others grapple with more serious issues, like struggling with their identity or past trauma.
“We get people who are really in need of therapy,” Gill admits. “We'll get a lot of questions where people are kind of questioning their sexuality and they're like, ‘How do I tell my partner that I think I'm the other way?' We try to help as much as we can, but at the end of the day, we always remind them: if you need real help, seek it out.”
Though Good Session thrives on humor, its ultimate goal is to destigmatize seeking help. “The comedy world has always struggled with mental health,” Gill says. “We’ve lost so many comics to addiction, overdoses and suicide. We want to emphasize that yes, this show is fun, but if you’re struggling, there are people who care about you and want to help.”
To reinforce that message, Good Session has partnered with BetterHelp, an online therapy platform, to provide resources for audience members who may need professional support. At the end of every show, Gill makes a direct appeal: “If you need more help than what we gave you tonight, please consider therapy.”
Nicholas, the show's co-host, echoes that idea. “Comedy is therapeutic," she says. "Most comics are already great at taking trauma and finding the humor in it. By bringing a little light into the darkness, suddenly, it doesn’t feel so overwhelming. Our community is fraught with lots of issues, but for people trying to heal, it's important to show that there's a group of folks that have gone through tragedy and are still laughing."
What makes Good Session so dynamic is its unpredictable nature. “This is a show for the audience, by the audience,” Gill says. “They dictate where it goes. To my knowledge, there aren’t many comedy shows like this — where the crowd controls the content, and we react in real-time.”
Good Session is often a cathratic release for attendees.
Courtesy of Good Session
With its mix of unfiltered comedy, raw honesty and an underlying message of support, Good Session is often a cathratic release for attendees. One where you can laugh at your darkest thoughts, share your weirdest secrets, and maybe, just maybe, walk away feeling a little lighter.
"The audience gives us their pain, and we make the art,” Nicholas says. “And that’s a pretty beautiful thing.”
Good Session, Wednesday, March 19, Comedy Works Downtown, 1226 15th Street. Tickets are $14; learn more at comedyworks.com.
