First Day Back

Stitcher and Tally Abecassis

4.6 (630)
PERSONAL JOURNALS

First Day Back is a documentary podcast series about people facing and trying to overcome life’s most challenging moments. Each season, host and creator Tally Abecassis tells the story of someone attempting their own personal comeback.In 2019, First Day Back is back. On May 3rd 2017, comedian Jason Weems collapsed on stage from an asthma attack. His heart stopped beating for a full 5 minutes. Jason was lucky enough to be revived by a member of the audience. Now the Baltimore comedian is dealing with his death the only way he knows how: by making jokes about it. Jason wants to turn these jokes into a 1 hour special that he hopes will make him a household name. For the past year, Tally Abecassis and the First Day back team have been following the life and career of Jason Weems, a man who lives and died for comedy.

See All (28)

TRAILER

Introducing First Day Back Season 3

First Day Back returns this season with the story of Jason Weems, one of Baltimore’s biggest comedians. Jason’s life changed on May 3, 2017 when just minutes into a set, he had a severe asthma attack. It was so bad, his heart stopped. Sixteen hours later, he was barely alive, recovering in a Philadelphia hospital. This season on First Day Back, host Tally Abecassis follows Jason as he tries to come back…from death. He wants to keep doing comedy— the stage is where he’s always felt the most alive. But now it’s a place of real trauma. Can Jason Weems transform the worst thing that ever happened to him in to the event that changes his life? Listen to the trailer now and subscribe on Stitcher, Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen. New episodes drop every Wednesday beginning January 23, 2019.

S3

•

3 min

4.6

out of 5

630 Ratings

Thank you for making this!

02/24/2023

LG23_

Honestly I never make reviews, but couldn’t help to let you know how thankful I am for your podcast Season 1. As I was heading back to work after 7 years off to care for my kids while they were young, I found there wasn’t any dialogue out there for me now. I was no longer a “stay at home mom” but didn’t feel like I fit in the “working mom” category because I didn’t return right back to work. A friend recommend your podcast and I was so happy to hear another person articulate all the mixed emotions I was feeling. Thank you for making me feel less alone in the new path I was embarking on.
Please come back!

04/07/2020

justjennitoo

Will there be another season?
Come on, you can do better...

05/02/2020

BAlisonMarie

Season 2 Episode 1 Lucy is a really bad actress. That accent is so obviously fake. She can’t even keep it going for this podcast. So why isn’t Lucy in prison? If roles were reversed and the husband killed her, blacked out and suddenly speaks with a stupid, nonsensical inauthentic accent, he would be serving life in prison. Pick better topics. There are far worthier and more interesting stories to tell.
Lovely and moving

02/14/2020

marlysian

Abecassis is a generous soul and this is a wonderful show!

First Day Back is a documentary podcast series about people facing and trying to overcome life’s most challenging moments. Each season, host and creator Tally Abecassis tells the story of someone attempting their own personal comeback.In 2019, First Day Back is back. On May 3rd 2017, comedian Jason Weems collapsed on stage from an asthma attack. His heart stopped beating for a full 5 minutes. Jason was lucky enough to be revived by a member of the audience. Now the Baltimore comedian is dealing with his death the only way he knows how: by making jokes about it. Jason wants to turn these jokes into a 1 hour special that he hopes will make him a household name. For the past year, Tally Abecassis and the First Day back team have been following the life and career of Jason Weems, a man who lives and died for comedy.