Meet Laura Groth | Clean Stand Up Comedian and Public Speaker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Laura Groth and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Laura, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
Being a comedian starts first in your mind; in being able to see humor everywhere you look. The only real shift that’s happened is now using more of my personal time to write down the jokes and work with them a bit. I’ve also allowed myself more time to be creative in any way that strikes me. I used to shut down that side of me because it wasn’t an efficient use of time, but creativity in all areas leads to more efficiency and way way more fun.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am a stand up comedian, which means that my art takes form first in my brain, then with a pen, and after I cross off about 90 percent of what I wrote, then the art is recognizable as humor. What sets me apart from other comedians is that I’m clean by nature, so half my act isn’t talking about what I can’t talk about since it’s a “clean show”. I just like to write jokes that my momma can listen to, and I won’t owe her any money after for her swear jar.
The jokes I’m most proud of, and love to tell the most, are my Christian/Bible jokes. I love God and I read the Bible…there’s so much more humor in that book than people realize. I love taking the religion out of jokes, and making people realize it’s okay to laugh, even when talking about God. And that they can approach God and the Bible not just with heavy hearts, but also with levity and joy.
I’d still consider myself a baby comedian, and I’m thankful for every single opportunity where somebody trusts me to bring joy to their audience with only some words and a microphone. I wouldn’t say my journey has been typical of most comedians. It was never a dream of mine, nor a deeply held desire. But one night after going to the Improv and knowing every single one of the headliner’s punchlines before he said them, in spite of never hearing that material before, I knew something had changed that night. I started taking classes with the brilliant Tony Vicich, and the rest has been a nerve-wracking series of opportunities I could’ve never dreamed for myself but am so grateful to say “yes” to. Thankfully comedy is more of a night time thing, so I’m still able to be a homeschooling mom to 4 kids, all with their own activities that none of them can drive to yet.
What I’ve learned is also what I want the world to know: say no to comfort, and yes to opportunity!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I love living in the valley, but I don’t love all the crowds that come with the “in” spots, so on their visit, I’d take them to Topo in downtown Gilbert, because every AZ visit should include a prickly pear twist cone (I love it so much, I even went on Check Please, Arizona to talk about it). We’d go hiking in the Superstitions, especially if it just rained so we can see pools and mini waterfalls. I’d take her to the White Mountains, like the Big Lake area, and Alpine; they don’t call that the Alps of Arizona for nothing. There was snow on the ground there in July!!! In ARIZONA!!! I’d take her shopping to the cutest boutique in the valley-Momo’s Mercantile in Tempe. You can shop from different small women owned businesses, and connected to their store is a coffee shop and nail salon. Talk about one stop shop. Because she got hungry again, I’d take her to one of my favorite places in the entire valley…Wild Berry Cafe, in Mesa. The owners are the absolute best, the staff has never been anything but kind, plus we’re the youngest by decades every time we go in. Who doesn’t love to feel young? But, like, I love comedy, so I’d probably take her to a couple shows. My first stop would be to see Clean Comedy USA’s First Saturday show-the first Saturday of the month, they put on a clean comedy show in Chandler that will make your abs and cheeks hurt from laughing so much, they get in a mix of local and touring comedians to start your month off right. I also love going to JP’s Comedy Club in Gilbert. My ears just bleed a little more there. And before she leaves, I’d take her to Blue Wasabi for Happy Hour. I don’t even like typical sushi, but those Get Clucked and Chicken and Waffle rolls…does food get better?

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would never have been able to experience the things I have without Jesus guiding me, and my husband being the coolest of all time. He’s the hook things on the track to my rollercoaster life; I may go through all the ups and down available in a single day, but I’ll never fly off the rails because he’s got a grip on reality.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lgroth13

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/laura.c.groth

Image Credits
Elly C Photography