Why This Comedian Ran for NYC Mayor During COVID

Stand-up comedian Stacey Prussman ran for NYC mayor during the height of COVID mandates — and her reasons might surprise you. In this Big Questions episode, she breaks down the reality of cancel culture in comedy clubs, why free speech matters more than ever, and what happens when a libertarian challenges New York's political machine.

What You'll Discover:
• How comedy clubs became battlegrounds for free expression
• The brutal reality of ballot access in New York politics
• Why most comics lean left (and why she doesn't)
• Her policy vision for reviving NYC's nightlife and culture
• Personal stories from the road and political trenches

Stacey shares insights on:
Gender barriers in stand-up and the "funny is funny" philosophy
Libertarian Party internal debates and direction
COVID mandates, vaccines, and personal choice
Education policy and cultural revival in NYC
Her comedic and political Mount Rushmore

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CHAPTERS:
00:00 Why a Comedian Ran for Mayor
00:45 From Acting to Stand-Up: Stacey's Origin Story
03:20 Breaking Gender Barriers in Comedy
05:05 Cancel Culture's Grip on Comedy Clubs
08:55 NYC's Underground Comedy Scene
13:50 Why Comics Are Mostly Liberal (And She's Not)
18:05 Her Libertarian Awakening
20:45 New York's Rigged Ballot Access System
26:00 Inside Political Campaigns & Policy Writing
31:40 Libertarian Party Civil War
36:10 Running for Mayor During COVID Lockdowns
41:00 Vaccine Mandates & Personal Freedom
45:10 Silly Questions: Her Libertarian Type
46:20 Saving NYC's Nightlife & Culture
50:00 NYC Food Stories & Comfort Picks
52:40 Comedy Mount Rushmore
54:30 Political Mount Rushmore
57:00 Air Guitar Finale

🎙️ About Big Questions with Big John
Thoughtful, unfiltered conversations with people challenging the status quo on politics, culture, and freedom.