Meet the team

Alison’s Favorite Pun

“Where do cats go when they die?”
“Purrrgatory”

(It works in 4 languages—English, Italian, Portugese, and French!)

Alison tugwell

FOUNDER & PUN MASTER

Alison Tugwell is a writer, certified professional coach (CPC) and founder of Punspoken, a puns + spoken word poetry event series and WORDPLAYFEST, an up-and-coming language-lovers festival in Austin, TX. 

She is the author of the Amazon #1 Best Selling book, Word Awakening: Stop Writer’s Block and Start Creating Impact Now and an Author Success Coach with selfpublishing.com.

She supports non-fiction writers in getting their books done and to Amazon #1 best-seller in a process that feels, to quote more than one client, “like falling in love.”

She has also volunteered for CreativeMornings Austin, CommunityFirst, TedX, e4Youth, is a former judge of the O.Henry Pun Off World Championships, and enjoys performing punny hip hop songs, likes sea salt on her sweets and curating solo dance party playlists.

Her work has been featured in SXSW, Austin Chronicle, Austin Monthly, CBS Austin, Huff Post, Thrive Global + more.

Carolyn’s Favorite Pun

“Corduroy pillows: they’re making headlines!”

SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER

carolyn kelleher

Carolyn Kelleher is a writer-director-producer-comedian-marketer-and-self-proclaimed-multi-hyphenate in Austin, Texas. She wears many hats, and occasionally mini hats. Carolyn is a lifelong language lover, writer, and pun-slinger who grew up writing limericks at the dinner table. She was the winner of Punspoken in 2022, runner up at the PUNch-Out in 2024, and is the Creative Director of Austin Sketch Fest. Carolyn regularly performs stand up, sketch, and improv comedy with B Iden Payne nominated troupes Folxxx and Mother Wound and provides branding, marketing, and content support to local artists and creators.

KRISTIN’s Favorite Pun

“The kleptomaniac never gets jokes; they’re always taking things literally.”

WIZARD OF OPERATIONS

KRISTIN GINTER

Kristin Ginter is a master of operational excellence and a lifelong lover of words and hip-hop. From an early age, Kristin’s passion for rhythm and language fueled her creativity, and now she brings that same energy to helping entrepreneurs unlock the full potential of their ventures.

As a former entertainer, Kristin has performed at Bass Concert Hall, for the former Governor of Texas Ricky Perry, on cruises internationally and sang the national anthem at her graduation. 

Kristin acquired a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology from Texas State University and is truly passionate about STEM but her diverse skill set extends far beyond the sciences. Today, she is passionate about guiding innovators and entrepreneurs to scale their brands and streamline operations with creative, purpose-driven strategies.

Kristin resides in Austin, TX, and her love for hip-hop and operational magic continues to inspire her work at Punspoken, where innovation and efficiency come together.

Performers and Pundits

  • Akeem Olaj

    Award-Winning Poet

  • Alex Baia

    Humor Writer & Podcaster

  • Anne Koller

    Author, Artist, Yoga + Art Facilitator

  • Ben Buck

    Rapper, Producer and Beatboxer

  • Blake Bauserman

    Award-Winning Pun Competitor & Copywriter

  • Caleb "The Blacksmith" Smith

    Spoken Word Artist & Poet

  • Christopher Michael

    Author and Award-Winning Poet

  • Conner Petru

    Pun Competitor & Student

  • Crops

    Award-Winning Spoken Word Artist

  • David Gugenheim

    Producer of the O.Henry Pun Off

  • Dav Wallace

    Award Winning Pun Event MC & Producer

  • Dennis Budde

    Improv Artist

  • Dina Gachman

    Humor Writer & Author

  • Erica Lies

    Humor Writer

  • Erika Ettin

    Award-Winning Pun Competitor & Dating Coach

  • Fragile Rock

    Emo Punk Puppet Band

  • Francis McGrath

    Pun Competitor and Musician

  • Greg Marshall

    Humor Writer & Author

  • Henry Invisible

    One Man Funk Soul and Dance Band

  • Joe Berkowitz

    The Guy That Wrote the Book on Pun Competitions

  • Jomo & the Possum Posse

    Viral Sensation and Band

  • Kamera Parlera

    Spoken Word Artist & Poet

  • Lisa Sperry

    Improv Artist and Award-Winning Pun Competitor

  • Mark Boughton

    Freestyle Rap Artist and Facilitator

  • Martha Louise

    Award Winning Film Producer, Performer & MC

  • Neil Dorsey

    Hip Hop & Improv Artist

  • SC Says

    Award-Winning Spoken Word Artist & Speaker

  • Steve Lovelace

    Sketch Comic and Producer of 'Full Groan'

  • Terrence Yon

    Stand Up Comedian

  • Walker Lukens

    Award-Winning Musician and Producer

  • Wendi Aarons

    Award-Winning Musician and Producer

If you have a story in your heart that needs to be heard on our stage or if our mission speaks to your soul and you need to get involved—we want to hear from you! Shoot us a message and we’ll get back to you shortly!

Get involved

  • "I loved the Punspoken event! Your enthusiasm is contagious!! And you had a great group of people there."

    Lauren W.

  • "Loved the whole thing! I love that everyone was from different walks of life."

    Abigail T.

  • "I feel fully entertained and joyful."

    Anne K.

  • "Every pun was entertaining as funk!"

    Dani  H.

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