25-May-23
This podcast features a conversation between Joe Rogan and Bert Kreischer, a stand-up comedian and actor. The episode touches on numerous topics ranging from Bert’s new movie, “The Machine,” to his experiences with celebrity culture, and even a deep dive into the fascinating world of wild animals.
Provocative topics include Bert’s honest take on his acting abilities, his experiences with the Russian mob, and his views on cancel culture. The podcast explores underlying themes of friendship, vulnerability, and the power of authenticity in a world obsessed with image and success.
- Bert’s New Movie, “The Machine”:
Bert’s new movie, “The Machine,” is based on a story he told on Joe Rogan’s podcast about a wild trip with the Russian mob.
Bert expresses his excitement about the movie and urges listeners to see it in theaters to support independent filmmaking.
He candidly discusses his acting abilities and his experience with a kissing scene in the movie.
The movie is a big action comedy that Bert believes will surprise audiences with its humor and fun. - Celebrity Culture and Social Dynamics:
Bert talks about his experience with meeting famous people, including Arnold Schwarzenegger, Edward Norton, and Israel Adesanya (Stylebender).
He observes that some celebrities are good at navigating social situations, while others, like himself, prefer to avoid crowded settings.
He notes the transactional nature of social interaction, especially among celebrities, and the tendency for some to talk down to others they perceive as less successful.
Bert emphasizes the importance of surrounding oneself with people who are better than you and listening to them. - The Russian Mob Story:
Bert tells the story of his wild experience with the Russian mob, which inspired his new movie.
He reveals that the story came to him while listening to Joe Rogan’s podcast and that he wouldn’t have shared it on stage without Joe’s encouragement.
The story involves Bert being welcomed into the mob after a drunken night and later being tasked with robbing his friends.
Bert acknowledges the complexity of the story and the fact that some people might find it problematic, but he maintains that the full story is more nuanced than the initial premise. - Celebrating Victories and “Earning Your Mondays”:
Bert admires Israel Adesanya’s approach to life, emphasizing the importance of celebrating victories.
He shares Leanne’s concept of “earning your Mondays,” which encourages comics to work hard all weekend to achieve success.
Bert believes that Adesanya’s celebration tours, after a victory, set the universe right, creating a sense of balance.
He plans to have his own celebratory tour if his movie performs well this weekend. - The Power of Authenticity:
Bert reflects on the importance of being yourself, especially when promoting a project about yourself.
He acknowledges that it’s hard to be authentic publicly, especially when dealing with the pressure of celebrity.
Bert believes that once you’re truly yourself, you become more appealing to a wider audience.
He compares his experience to Joaquin Phoenix’s, who sometimes struggles with the scrutiny of public life. - The Surreality of Having Your Life Turned into a Movie:
Bert shares his experience of seeing his life story transformed into a movie.
He finds the process both emotional and strange, particularly with the questions and scrutiny that come with it.
Bert feels vulnerable, but he embraces the experience, recognizing that it’s a part of life’s journey.
He acknowledges that his story has become a part of his act, and audiences now expect him to tell it. - The Shifting Landscape of Comedy:
Bert discusses the evolution of comedy, comparing old-school comedies, which often included racist and offensive content, to today’s more sensitive landscape.
He shares his thoughts on how culture has evolved, influenced by mass media and social media, leading to a heightened awareness of social issues.
Bert acknowledges that some jokes that were acceptable in the past would be considered problematic today.
He highlights the importance of understanding the cultural context in which comedy is created and consumed. - The Role of Predators in Shaping Personality:
Bert shares his own experiences growing up in Florida, where he was exposed to a variety of dangerous animals, including alligators, snakes, and sharks.
He believes that living in a dangerous environment can shape your personality, leading you to be more cautious and aware of potential threats.
Bert contrasts his experiences to those who grew up in less dangerous environments, like Hawaii, suggesting that the lack of predators can lead to a more relaxed and carefree outlook on life.
He also delves into the concept of how those experiences might affect your level of anxiety and your approach to life. - The Power of Friendship and Community:
Bert emphasizes the importance of friendship and community in achieving success.
He believes that surrounding yourself with supportive and talented individuals is crucial to personal and professional growth.
Bert highlights the importance of being generous with your platform and your fans, recognizing that this can create a ripple effect of success.
He attributes his own success, in part, to the strong community he built with other comedians through his podcast and his comedy club. - The Nature of Comedy and the Importance of Trust:
Bert talks about the nature of comedy, highlighting the importance of trust between comics and audiences.
He believes that pushing boundaries and being honest, even if it’s controversial, can be a valuable part of the comedic process.
Bert shares his experiences with being “cancelled” and the support he received from friends and fans during that time.
He emphasizes the importance of standing up for your friends and acknowledging the power of real-world interactions over online scrutiny. - The Impact of Social Media and Cancel Culture:
Bert discusses the impact of social media on comedy and culture, highlighting the challenges of cancel culture.
He observes the tendency for people to enforce compliance on others, whether through social pressure or threats to their livelihood.
Bert shares his experience with the Bud Light campaign and how it highlighted the consequences of corporations getting involved in social issues.
He argues that corporations should focus on their products and services rather than trying to please everyone. - The Role of the N-Word in Comedy:
Bert delves into the controversial topic of the N-word, discussing its use in comedy and the evolving social norms surrounding it.
He acknowledges the historical context of the word and its inherent offensiveness, but he also recognizes its potential as a comedic tool when used with care and awareness.
Bert highlights the fact that the word’s usage and reception can vary depending on the context, the speaker, and the audience.
He emphasizes the importance of navigating this complex issue with sensitivity and respect for all involved. - The Importance of Supporting Comedy in Theaters:
Bert argues for the importance of supporting independent comedies in theaters, explaining that it’s a crucial way to show studios that the genre is still relevant and profitable.
He believes that the current trend of streaming content has made it more difficult for comedies to find success in theaters, but he urges listeners to buck the trend.
Bert suggests that if comedies do well in theaters, it will encourage studios to invest in more comedies, fostering a more vibrant and diverse landscape for the genre.
He concludes by encouraging listeners to go to the theater to support his movie, “The Machine,” and other comedies that are taking chances.
5 Memorable Quotes:
- “When you’re a cool person, people talk good about you. Yeah, it should be how it works. But you see people even talking shit about him.”
- “Like my friends, I surround myself by people that are way better than me. And then I just listen. I don’t listen a lot.”
- “I’m going to cry watching myself and cry and I’m going to mouth my, my lines.”
- “You know, I’ve been guilty of it. I’ve talked shit about people before. Just fucking around. Just fucking around because you just don’t think they’ll never hear it.”
- “I just think it’s a funny fucking movie, man. It’s a good movie. It’s a action. It’s going to be fun.”