Joey Diaz | This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von #508

Theo Von's New Tour Dates and Merchandise

• Theo Von announces new tour dates in St. George, Utah; Monton, New Brunswick; Bend, Oregon; and Portland, Oregon.
• Tickets go on sale on Tuesday, June 4th, at 10:00 a.m. local time with the code "ratking."
• General sale starts on Wednesday, June 5th, at 10:00 a.m. local time.
• New gang gang hoodies are available in Heather gray, tan, light blue, and duck camo at theovonstore.com.

Theo Von and Joey Diaz Podcast Episode

• Theo Von introduces his guest, comedian Joey Diaz, and praises his unique style of comedy.
• Joey Diaz talks about Jelly Roll's emotional acceptance speeches and his journey from being a "matri d" at Macaroni Grill to a Grammy award-winning artist.
• Theo Von and Joey Diaz reminisce about the pre-pandemic comedy scene at The Comedy Store, describing it as a "lightning strike" with an incredible lineup of comedians and celebrities.
• Joey Diaz reflects on his 30-year career at The Comedy Store and compares his experience to a scene from the movie "Oh, God!" where the devil makes a deal with a struggling musician.
• Theo Von and Joey Diaz discuss the surreal feeling of fame and the challenges of adjusting to life after the pandemic.

Personal Reflections and Life Choices

• The speaker reflects on his life choices and regrets, particularly his strained relationship with his daughter and his past struggles with addiction.
• He discusses his current contentment and happiness, despite not achieving great financial success.
• He mentions his upcoming retirement and his eligibility for Social Security benefits.
• The speaker expresses his love for stand-up comedy and his challenges with the demanding lifestyle of a comedian, including the stress of traveling and performing.

Comedic Anecdotes and Neighborhood Stories

• The speaker shares an amusing anecdote about an encounter with a persistent raccoon in his neighborhood.
• The speaker mentions his friendship with comedian Jimmy Florentine and describes the neighborhood where he lives.
• He reminisces about his childhood in North Bergen, New Jersey, and recalls shoveling snow in front of boxer James J. Braddock's house for money.
• The speaker fondly remembers the movie "Cinderella Man" and shares a memorable experience of sitting next to Russell Crowe, the lead actor, at the premiere of "The Longest Yard."
• The speaker discusses various food options in his area and mentions comedian Lee Syatt's comedy shows.
• He recalls an incident during a podcast recording where Lee Syatt was making strange noises due to the effects of mushrooms.

Challenges of Podcasting and Substance Use

• The speaker reflects on the challenging times during the eight years of podcasting, including excessive drug use and a lack of direction in his life.
• He describes his daily routine during the pandemic, which involved heavy consumption of edibles, hash pills, and Cuban coffees.
• The speaker acknowledges that podcasting saved him during the pandemic and mentions the long hours and substance use associated with the podcast.

The Early Days of the Cannabis Scene on YouTube

• The YouTuber talks about the early days of the cannabis scene on YouTube and how it was growing rapidly.
• He mentions seeing many people go through changes, both positive and negative, as a result of their drug use.
• He recalls an incident where a guest on his podcast gave him a bag of pills, which he took and ended up getting extremely high.
• He also shares a story about a time when he drove under the influence of Somas and ended up in a ditch, resulting in his friend going to jail for four months.

Societal Changes and Concerns

• The speaker discusses various societal changes and issues, including the impact of the pandemic, mental health, and the rise of social media.
• They express concern about the constant flow of information and the negative effects it can have on mental health.
• The speaker criticizes the current state of news media and accuses them of fear-mongering and selective reporting.
• They reminisce about simpler times when there was less technology and information overload.
• The speaker also mentions the decline of buffets and the rise of all-you-can-eat restaurants, expressing concerns about the quality of food at such establishments.

Reflections on Health, Appearance, and Human Connection

• The speaker criticizes the poor health and appearance of people he sees at restaurants, particularly their swollen ankles and diabetic feet.
• He expresses concern about the decline in societal values and the increasing commercialization of everything, including healthcare and personal relationships.
• He reflects on the negative impact of texting and social media on human connection and laments the loss of in-person interactions.
• He describes his experience with Jiu-Jitsu during the pandemic and how human touch and physical contact positively affected his well-being and mental health.

Finding Solace and Camaraderie in Jiu-Jitsu

• The speaker finds solace and a sense of belonging in jiu-jitsu classes.
• Camaraderie and friendship formed through jiu-jitsu help keep him grounded and provide emotional support.
• Regular attendance at jiu-jitsu classes is a priority for the speaker, even over other commitments.
• Jiu-jitsu provides a diverse group of friends with shared goals and interests, such as health and fitness.

Theo Von's Childhood and Influences

• Theo Von discusses his childhood and how it influenced his comedic style.
• He reflects on the impact of Studio 54 and how people have been chasing that experience ever since.
• Theo explains how movies and culture are connected and how a movie's success can be influenced by various factors, including time and the actor's popularity.
• He shares his experience of gaining recognition after sharing a story about mugging a hooker and lighting her wig on fire.
• Theo emphasizes the importance of the culture surrounding a movie or performance and how it can affect its success.

Theo Von's Stand-Up Comedy Career

• Theo Von talks about his decision to leave stand-up comedy in 2009 due to dissatisfaction and lack of opportunities.
• Theo describes his current audition process and his love for booking roles, despite not enjoying the actual work.
• He shares an anecdote about an audition where the casting director told the actors that he had already decided to give the role to someone else.
• Theo reflects on his comedic abilities and acknowledges that while he may not be the best comedian, he believes his storytelling skills set him apart.

Theo Von's Past Experiences and Storytelling

• The speaker reflects on his past experiences with drugs, hookers, and other wild escapades.
• He highlights the importance of storytelling and how sharing personal, even embarrassing stories, can connect with people and lead to success.
• He recalls a humorous incident involving a Russian escort and a dog-watching misunderstanding.
• He discusses his fear of calling hookers and his attempts to hide his drug use from them.
• He shares a memorable story about staying in a house with a broken hot water heater and snorting cocaine with the homeowner's sister while the family was away.