In the age of social media, the way in which we interact with and understand the world around us is forever changing. We depend mostly on our screens and our echo chambers to understand the latest cultural, political, and sociological happenings, and put a certain trust into the people and publications that we follow to help shape our world view.

At the intersection of current events, humor, and social media, here lies Dan Toomey. After studying journalism at USC, the writer, comedian, actor, and electric guitar player worked briefly as a journalist before starting his current position as a video creator for Morning Brew, a media company that specializes in news and updates in relation to the world of business. Dan uses his humor and journalistic background to create lighthearted content for his audience, breaking down otherwise stiff, complicated business news into entertaining and digestible news.

He also started his own channel alongside Morning Brew, known as Good Work. Here, he investigates business and workplace culture through the comedic format of fake business news, most recently tackling the Zyn epidemic, and in turn, shortage. Dan has been recognized for his ability to combine comedy and entertainment with relevant news-forward subjects, previously being selected as New York Comedy Festival's “Content Creator to Watch” in 2022.

Alongside his professional and creative pursuits, Dan lives in Brooklyn and regularly performs standup and improv comedy around the city, with an upcoming show at the DC Comedy Loft on July 17. In a conversation with FLAUNT, Dan speaks on his background, career, humor, creative process, and most importantly, which songs he likes to play on the electric guitar.

When and how did you first become interested in comedy and video creation?

It was exactly age 12 when I knew I wanted to be a comedian that people more often refer to as an “internet comedian.” I was on YouTube and saw one of those videos of those soldiers being greeted by their dogs when they come back from war and thought “this could be funnier.”

After that I invented online video comedy sketches, got ripped off by everyone for the last decade or so, and am just now getting the recognition I deserve. So thank you for this interview. Fun fact: I also got pretty good at the electric guitar during that time.

How do you think your background in journalism and broadcast journalism influences your comedy now? Were you always able to find humor despite sometimes working on the more serious or grim side of the news?

As a former journalist, I find that my comedy–much like the news–is best read in Anderson Cooper’s voice. It hasn’t happened yet, but once it does I promise that all of my videos will make a lot more sense. One day I’m hoping Anderson will join me onstage like he does on New Years with that guy who yells at the women on Bravo, and we can perform for a crowd of dozens, if not tens. Then, I truly think, my comedy will reach its final form.

In terms of the grim side of the news, I’ll admit that it is tough. One time I made a video where I had to pretend to be disgraced FTX founder Sam Bankman Fried. As one of the first investors in FTX, I was literally bleeding thousands of dollars by the minute as I recorded that stupid thing. God, I’m such an idiot. No amount of Twitter clout I got from that video will erase the mental scars I have from gambling the money I was saving for that engagement ring. I’m too angry now to finish this question. Can we talk about something else? I play the guitar, too! Ask about that.

When making a video or getting ready for stand-up, how do you know what the public will find funny in relation to what you find humor in?

I always know what the public will find funny. Some say it’s a “Spidey Sense.” Others say it’s “Dan planting people in his audiences and paying Instagram robots to engage with his content so he presents as a successful comedian when in reality it’s all just a house of cards that will one day come crashing down.” Once I figure out who’s saying that, it’s game over.

What does your creative process look like, and which part of it do you enjoy the most? Which is most difficult for you?

The only legal part of my creative process that I can mention is paying a guy named Kyle $20 at around 3 AM. After that, a lot of bad stuff happens, but eventually a brilliant joke or a video comes out. The part that I enjoy the most is also the most difficult part. Sadly, this magazine prevents me from discussing it. I also play the guitar, if none of your readers knew that yet.

How does your process differ when creating for a live show versus creating videos for the Internet?

For live shows, I make sure that everyone in the audience is drinking while I’m up there. The yuck-yucks are gonna come a lot easier after a Coors or seven, let’s just say. And to be honest, this isn’t much different than how I create videos. In fact, if you’re watching any of my videos, you should be drinking. If they’re not funny to you, keep drinking until it is. I don’t make the rules, that’s just comedy.

You recently did a show in New York and you have an upcoming one in DC. How do you consider the location or city you’re performing in? Do you ever tailor your comedy to a specific city’s audience?

The only time I will tailor my comedy to a specific city’s audience is if I’m ever in San Francisco. Any place with that many cafes for coding and autonomous vehicles deserves to be sucked down a black hole. The hell I will unleash to that audience will be a long time coming and well deserved. If anyone from San Francisco wanted to hear me play the guitar, I would do it. But all I think they listen to there are ambient tones and Steve Jobs’ audiobook.

What are some of the obstacles that writers, actors, and comedians are facing right now, and how do you confront those obstacles?

Some struggle to be multi-hyphenated, but fortunately I’ve overcome that obstacle with recently learning the electric guitar (see feature photo, of me with my signature guitar).

With digital and social media-based job, do you ever feel you need to disconnect? How do you recharge, relax, and stay afloat amidst the immediacy that comes with the nature of your occupation?

Amen! Going for runs is huge. Also playing my signature electric guitar. I’m kinda pissed you haven’t asked about that yet. Can you ask about the guitar?

What is the best part of what you do?

Easily the Flaunt Magazine interviews. This is what keeps me going! Please keep doing these with me or I won’t last much longer!!

What songs can you play on the electric guitar?

Ugh, YES! YES!!!!! I just got a new charging cord for my loop pedal at home, so I’ve been trying to figure out “Cerca De Ti” by Hermanos Gutiérrez. Also “You Have Bought Yourself A Boat” by MJ Lenderman absolutely rips. The licks on that song sound like fiery angels plummeting down from heaven, wearing camo baseball caps and hitting home runs into the cornfield from Field of Dreams. His new songs that are out absolutely rock. I make focaccia to them. I can also play “Sweet Home Alabama” really bad for a few hours at your local Guitar Center. Other than that, I’ve been working on adding bones to my hands so I can play “Neon” by John Mayer and any song by Thundercat on bass. I also play bass, by the way. We can talk about that next interview.