JRE #1150 – Felipe Esparza

This podcast features Felipe Esparza, a stand-up comedian and actor, discussing his life, career, and perspectives. From his immigrant journey to his thoughts on social issues, Esparza’s humor and insights provide a captivating and often thought-provoking experience.

Major Topics:

1. The Border Wall: Esparza shares his experience seeing the wall prototypes in Tijuana, Mexico, and criticizes the absurdity of a physical barrier. He discusses the underlying fear of a “bad spot” becoming the “good spot” if borders are open.
2. Language and Culture: Esparza dives into the complexities of language, highlighting how quickly children learn and the differences in communication across cultures. He finds humor in the uniqueness of languages like Russian and Arabic, emphasizing how different cultures perceive the world.
3. Immigration: The podcast explores the challenges of illegal immigration, with Esparza recounting his own experience crossing the border as a child with his family. He reveals the emotional toll of being separated from his mother and the unusual lengths his family went to, including having his brother pretend to be a girl. The experience highlights the human cost of border policies.
4. Stand-Up Comedy and Censorship: Esparza reflects on the dynamics of stand-up comedy and censorship, particularly regarding politically charged topics. He discusses being shut down for a joke about his brother’s criminal past, questioning the idea of censoring jokes that reflect reality.
5. Income Inequality and Wealth Concentration: The conversation touches upon wealth disparities, with Esparza pointing out the ability of billionaires to end extreme poverty multiple times over. He questions the rules of the “game” and whether someone could theoretically possess all the wealth.
6. Alternative Economic Systems: Esparza presents a unique approach to community-based finance, describing a traditional Mexican system called “condina” where families pool money and take turns receiving it. He believes it’s a viable model for addressing financial needs within a community.
7. The Impact of Environment on Behavior: Esparza argues that human behavior is shaped by their environment, citing examples like how people in Iceland adapt to harsh weather and the contrasting behaviors observed in China and Los Angeles. He believes that an abundance of resources and lack of hardship can lead to a distorted sense of reality.
8. The Malleability of Human Beings: Esparza explores the concept of human malleability, questioning the possibility of changing someone’s sexual orientation through childhood experiences. He believes that while some behaviors are learned, sexual orientation might be more biological.
9. The Flu and Public Perception of Disease: Esparza discusses the flu and AIDS, highlighting the disproportionate fear of AIDS compared to the flu, even though the flu kills far more people. He attributes this to AIDS’s association with certain demographics, as well as its novelty.
10. The Importance of Self-Awareness and Body Care: Esparza candidly shares his experience with hemorrhoids, linking it to his past dietary choices and the importance of listening to one’s body. He delves into the controversy surrounding the carnivore diet, questioning its effectiveness and potential for harm.
11. The History of Language and Writing: Esparza delves into the history of language, exploring the oldest known written languages like Cuneiform and Tamil. He marvels at the ingenuity of early civilizations in developing systems for recording transactions and knowledge.
12. The Discovery of Dinosaurs and the Unknown: The podcast explores the discovery of dinosaurs and how it expanded our understanding of the past. Esparza imagines the bewilderment of early scientists encountering bones as large as a bus, highlighting the vastness of the unknown.
13. The Mongols and Their Impact: Esparza discusses the Mongol Empire under Genghis Khan, referencing Dan Carlin’s “Hardcore History” podcast. He highlights the Mongols’ military prowess, their ruthless tactics, and their impact on world history, including a potential reduction of the Earth’s carbon footprint through the deaths of millions.
14. The Evolution of Boxing: Esparza discusses the evolution of boxing, reflecting on the dominance of Mike Tyson and the contrasting styles of Muhammad Ali and Roy Jones Jr. He explores the dynamics of boxing matches, highlighting the element of unpredictability and the physical toll it can take on fighters.
15. The Importance of Morale and Community: Esparza reflects on the positive impact of strong community bonds, particularly within the world of comedy. He emphasizes the importance of supporting each other and finding inspiration in the success of others.
16. The Power of Inspiration and Overcoming Challenges: Esparza highlights the inspiring journey of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, who has achieved massive success despite facing challenging beginnings. He emphasizes the importance of embracing challenges and finding motivation in others’ accomplishments.
17. The Enduring Appeal of Classic Cars: Esparza expresses his admiration for classic cars and those who restore them, highlighting the craftsmanship and skill involved. He shares his personal experience with a Honda NSX, comparing it to the maintenance headaches he encountered with a Porsche.
18. The Joy of Driving a Manual Transmission: Esparza discusses the importance of manual transmissions, arguing that they offer a more engaging and tactile driving experience. He acknowledges the dominance of automatic transmissions but believes the feeling of shifting gears is irreplaceable.
19. The Evolution of Technology and Future Possibilities: Esparza ponders the future of technology, looking forward to the eventual development of jetpacks and other futuristic transportation methods. He playfully imagines the potential for both advancement and chaos as these technologies become more accessible.
20. The Role of Humor in Difficult Times: Esparza underscores the power of humor in coping with difficult times, citing examples like his own experiences in rehab and his brother’s criminal past. He acknowledges the importance of finding laughter amidst challenges.

Memorable Quotes:

• “You gotta be tall.” – Esparza humorously comments on the absurdity of the border wall, emphasizing its ineffectiveness.
• “It’s a contentious time for fucking people.” – Esparza acknowledges the tension surrounding immigration and border policies.
• “But, later, I had a cousin who lived in Santa Paula, and she taught me that that stuff. Like, This is how you say this word. Could hurt that? We’ll play a little we’ll play, like, schools together.” – Esparza reflects on the importance of informal learning and the power of play in acquiring knowledge.
• “It’s like, oh, it’s so much work. I’m gonna read another book. Yeah. Fuck that too. Park.” – Esparza humorously critiques the notion that learning a new language is boring and tedious.
• “You can’t tell them they’re wrong in Africa or they’re right in Norwegia.” – Esparza emphasizes the cultural relativity of what is considered “right” or “wrong,” pointing to the diversity of human behaviors.