Brandon Johnston wears more hats than most—Marine, EMS and fire service veteran, motorcycle enthusiast, dad, and the sharp wit behind OFP Comedy. On this episode of Snackin’ & Yakkin’, Brandon joins Big Ben Kennedy for stories, snacks, and the kind of real talk you don’t get anywhere else in Charleston’s comedy scene.

Meet Brandon Johnston: A Veteran with Stories (and Jokes) for Days

Brandon Johnston brings a wild blend of experience: Marine Corps values, EMS grit, and stage presence honed from the firehouse to open mic nights. His background as a Marine sticks with him (“Once a Marine, always a Marine”) and he explains how the military gave him the name “OFP” suggesting that anyone doing something for themselves, was said to be on their “Own F-ing Program”. His time in the fire department overlaps with Big Ben Kennedy’s time in Charleston County’s emergency services. Whether he’s rolling up on his motorcycle or rolling out a killer punchline, Brandon owns his “stone-cold” presence.

Charleston’s Comedy Scene: Where Support Runs Deep

After hanging up his Marine boots and fire gear, Brandon tried his luck at standup in 2018. That first attempt at the Sparrow didn’t kill—he bombed by his own admission—but Charleston’s comedy community didn’t let him quit. From open mics to packed showcases, local comedians and crowds are fiercely supportive, offering laughs, advice, and the space to grow.

Why Charleston Crowds Are Different

Charleston isn’t like other cities where comics just talk to other comics ignoring the set. Here, the audience actually:

• Listens (really listens)
• Pays attention to smart jokes
• Supports up-and-coming performers

It’s a thoughtful, attentive crowd that rewards clever, quick material.

Snack Attack: The Jerky Journey

When Brandon visits, snacks aren’t an afterthought—they’re an event. This time: tender teriyak beef jerky (no dry tire treads here). Growing up, jerky meant gnawing for hours, but now it’s all about that soft, flavorful bite. On road trips, they’ve hunted down everything from bison, alligator, shark, elk, to snake jerky—proving that, with jerky, “if it’s got muscle, someone’s jerked it.”

Sweet Tea: The Real Southern Debate

Brandon’s sweet tea loyalty never wavers. It must be mountain sweet (no store brands, no shortcuts). For true Southern hospitality, Big Ben’s wife whipped up a batch that earned Brandon’s respect. Around here, “real” sweet tea is a cultural line in the sand—and if you know, you know.

Family Life: Chaos, Comics, and Card Games

Brandon and his wife balance strong upbringings—his rooted in tiny, church-packed towns, hers more tomboy tough. Their three teenage sons keep the house lively, especially with surprise manga collections (sometimes with tentacles, don’t ask). With a family table that flips for board games, there’s always laughter, learning, and a lesson in responsibility and moderation.

Cellmate Not Soulmate: Big Ben Kennedy’s Take on Marriage

Big Ben claims that marriage isn’t just “soulmates”—it’s “cellmates.” Brandon then jokes that it’s about handling life together: who changes the tire (spoiler: his wife has an interesting have of doing it, no AAA needed). From supporting each other through thick and thin to joking about brass knuckles as an anniversary gift, Brandon and his wife’s mutual respect shines.

Why Veterans and Comedy Go Hand in Hand

“Comedy’s how you handle the hard stuff.” That’s the heartbeat of Brandon’s act. He’s lived the reality of trauma, whether in uniform or in service, and now gets his biggest reward from entertaining veterans, their families, and communities at VFWs and American Legions. Humor isn’t just for laughs—it’s for healing.

Social Media: Authenticity Over Algorithm

Brandon was hesitant about getting into content creation. Instead of scripts or viral trends, he finds gold in genuine moments: family road trip banter, off-the-cuff dad jokes, and the chaos of real life.

Social media for comedians:

• Lets you share honest moments
• Helps build a bigger audience
• Comes with privacy headaches (especially for veterans)
• Easy to overthink—best to keep it real

Curious for more? Dive into the Snackin’ & Yakkin’ experience on the official podcast page.

Lessons in Moderation: Alcohol and Veteran Life

Brandon’s military and comedy paths put him in more bars than most, but he keeps it in check. He talks about the culture of drinking—especially for veterans and first responders—and how important it is to model responsible drinking for his kids. The motto? “Enjoy, but don’t let it control you.”

Being Prepared, Not Scared

Preparedness beats panic every time. Big Ben explains how a supplemental life insurance policy for veterans and first responders isn’t about fear—it’s just smart. Mental health challenges like PTSD are real, and sometimes, responsible preparation is part of protecting your family.

Blacksmithing: The Ultimate “Heat and Beat” Hobby

For downtime, Brandon turns to blacksmithing—“heat and beat”—using an old Navy anvil and turning metal into knives, hooks, or just stress relief. Forging steel is a lot like working out a comedy set: focus, patience, and knowing when to hammer a joke home.

Master of Storytelling and Improv

Brandon’s standup is more true-life storytelling and crowd work than rapid-fire one-liners. His best laughs flow from fast thinking, wild stories, and a deep connection with whoever’s in front of him.

Coexist, Don’t Compete: The Charleston Comedy Spirit

Charleston’s comedy scene thrives on community, not competition. Producers and comics cooperate, avoid show conflicts when possible, and root for each other. When disaster strikes—like Hurricane Hugo or the Emanuel AME tragedy—the city pulls together. On stage, that spirit lives on.

Open Mic Tips for Comedy Fans

Open mics are a comedian’s gym—rough around the edges but full of promise. Brandon’s advice:

• If it’s funny at an open mic, wait till you see a real show
• Hanging out before your set gives you crowd “intel”
• Great material is shaped by real conversations

Looking Ahead: Bringing Laughs to New Stages

Bringing laughs to a broader audience is Brandon’s drive—whether through comedy for veterans, creative projects, or future movie and TV writing. He’s not leaving the stage behind anytime soon, especially with the next OFP Comedy show on the way.

Resilience and Legacy: Family Above All

Growing up in foster care and the smallest of towns shaped Brandon’s devotion to his family. He teaches his kids that forgiveness and togetherness matter more than anything—lessons every parent, and every veteran, can take to heart.

Connect with OFP Comedy and Snackin’ & Yakkin’

Want more from Brandon and Big Ben? Follow OFP Comedy on Facebook, catch behind-the-scenes moments on Instagram, or subscribe to all things Snackin’ & Yakkin’ on YouTube.

Don’t forget—the best extras are on Patreon.

Read about more episodes on the blog!