How do stand-up comedians come up with content/ideas for shows?

" Before the Moth and This American Life had really popularized comedic, first-person storytelling, Tom Shillue was a pioneer, magically succeeding at doing just what young stand-ups are told to avoid: delivering soliloquies that make one popular at parties.  But for this full-length theatrical excursion, each has been tightened and streamlined to serve a carefully constructed narrative arc; as the show progresses, the tales gain momentum and showcase Shillue’s natural talent for communicating the singularity of one moment in time. As he conjures details of cinematic proportions, he does so with enough exuberance to convince the audience he’s reliving, not just retelling, each situation. "
-TimeOut NY

PRAISE FOR SUPERNORMAL:  
2011 ECNY Award for Best Storyteller  

2010 ECNY Award for Best One Man Show  

“SUPERNORMAL is the funniest show I’ve seen in years” – BrooklynVegan  

“his sharp, insightful comedy is anything but average. (the) story goes so far off the deep end that it circles back around into “hilarious.”” – BeaconPass  

“Supernormal was fantastic! Absolutely loved every minute” – Ted Shumaker, East Village Radio