Meet Keller Paulson | Comedian, Musician, Actor, and Podcast Host

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

Hi Keller, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I have always been an adrenaline junky. I used to snowboard and skateboard, I’ve gone skydiving; I’m always pushing my limits and testing what scares me. This directly transfers into how I live my life. Not in a lawless, chaotic way. But, in a way that keeps me alive. If something scares me or seems risky, I’ll ask myself where that’s coming from or why I feel that way. If it’s something that’s intended to keep me safe and out of harm’s way, I can understand that. However, if what I’m feeling is based in fear of the unknown or fear of change, I know that it’s something worth checking out and pursuing. In order for me to grow and learn more about myself and gain experience, I need to continue to take risks.

Oftentimes, due to comfortability and reliability, people stay in a job that doesn’t fulfill them, in a relationship that doesn’t fuel them, in a community that doesn’t push them to grow. I was a touring musician with a successful group and taught music lessons on the side. I wasn’t feeling fulfilled and had felt myself plateau in my growth. Something else lit up in me – I wanted to work towards hosting a podcast alike late night talk shows, but in a long-form format. I wanted to try stand-up comedy. I wanted to try improv comedy. I wanted to try writing and acting. Within a year, I had chased and taken part in all of these. They have undoubtably shaped who I am today. As a successful comedy improviser and educator, stand-up comic, public speaker, and podcast host, taking risk has helped me grow into a more fulfilled person. I still continue to play and make music, but I have pursued new paths that have taught me more life lessons that connect me to new individuals I would not have known before.

Thoughtfully taking risks have helped push me to grow and realize that a life without growth is a stagnant life. I will continue to take risks. I will continue to grow and try to learn, understand, and empathize more with the world around me and within me.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
By no means do I feel that I have it figured out or that I’ve even “made it”. What I do is constantly evolving and changing and growing.

I focused all of my energy on being a musician for the longest time. And, I was successful in doing so. I began my professional career playing music full-time. I taught private music lessons and taught at two colleges. I chased “the dream” and joined and toured with a successful group for two years, living life on the road. When that became too much of a hardship, I left and transitioned back to a local lifestyle.

However, I still had the “performer’s itch”; wanting to perform and create more. This is where stand-up comedy and improv comedy came in. Since I began, I’ve been able to share the stage with comedy greats like Andy Haynes, Gabriel Rutledge, Derek Sheen, and Nick Guerra. Shortly after I started stand-up, I started my podcast, “Keller’s Couch”, which is essentially a long-form late-night talk show.

It’s never easy pursuing a career in the arts. You are your own boss, marketing and PR team, accountant, booking agent, so on and so forth. However, this doesn’t deter me. If anything, this drives me more. I’ve learned that the most important thing that one can carry, in their job and out, is to be a kind, empathetic person. This creates lasting relationships that will serve you like none other.

I’m ever-changing and growing into the artist I want to be. It’s the pursuit that keeps me alive. I’m happy to keep learning and evolving.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I love food. So, this is the first thing that would be within focus. Here in Billings, MT, we have amazing eats. We would dine at the delicious Fieldhouse Cafe, Cham Thai, Walker’s Grille, and hit up some local joints like Rockets Burritos and the Burger Dive.

However, it wouldn’t be a trip without going to my favorite place in Montana – Sioux Charley Trailhead just out of Nye, MT. While we’re out in that area, we would hit the amazing art instillation at Tippet Rise in Fishtail. This wouldn’t be the end of our art tour though! Billings has amazing art venues like the Yellowstone Art Museum, Kirks’ Grocery, and my great friend’s Montana Gallery.

Also, it wouldn’t be a trip without checking the local cinema out! Art House Cinema is one of my favorite places here in Billings. It is a 60 seat theater that has a bar and plays some of the best independent films I’ve ever seen – including big Oscar nominees! As a film buff, this would be a hot spot for me.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There have been so many people, groups, books, and more that have helped me get to where I am today. As a person, I have three books I will take with me to my grave; “Man’s Search for Meaning” by Viktor Frankl, “Siddhartha” by Herman Hesse, and “The Four Agreements” by Don Miguel Ruiz. As an artist, the book “Steal Like and Artist” by Austin Kleon has helped provide me with focus when I’m in a rut.

Some people that challenge me and have pushed me to grow include my high school band teacher, Shawn Weis, my first percussion instructor, Terry Gunderson, my college percussion instructors, Ronnie Bedford, Eric Hollenbeck, and Shilo Stroman, my frequent writer and collaborator, DeLaney Hardy Ray, and my brothers in comedy, Will Goodridge and Ken Palmer. My close friends are my biggest encouragement; Matt and Sean O’Connor, Pam Kemmick, Sydney Ausen, Molly Fedje, Grant Jones, Matt Blakeslee, and Ryan Colbert.

Also, my parents have both been incredibly supportive in every facet of my life. Lastly, nobody hears my woes and my successes with a gentle ear and helpful word more than my sister, Kim.

Website: www.kellerpaulson.com

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

Image Credits
Ryan Berry, Ryan Colbert, Charlie Mulluk, Jenna Martin, Mckay Jaffe.