Berner Phone - Josh Zilberberg: Thank Yew & Starting New

Episode Date: January 8, 2022

Josh gained viral fame from his hilariously relatable and clever TikTok videos about being single, getting ghosted, anxiety, and always ending them with his signature "thank yew". I catch up with Josh at an interesting time where he actually got a boyfriend and is moving from Toronto to LA in one week! He opens up abut his 9-5 job in furniture sales, the current status of his mental health, and his current branding strategies.--- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/appSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/berninginhell/support Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There's kind of a battle with the gays, like making fun of older guys, getting filler and Botox. Like, what's the vibe? Is it cool? Is it not? To provide a little context, like, I can't move my forehead. Welcome to Burning Hell. Welcome to Hell. I'm your host. Hannah Burner, and we have a very special guest today who I'm obsessed with in an unhealthy way. Josh Zilberberg, how are you? I'm so fucking good.

How are you? Good. You did not reach out to me. I found you because you were just so funny and popping up on all my stuff. And then I think you messaged me and we decided that we were in love. We're basically married. 100%. Literally, we eloped.

We've signed this. We're in. I get it. You're in Toronto and your parents. place right now. Currently, I am here in Toronto, in my parents' place, you know, just thriving living the dream. It's blazing outside. There's snow everywhere. It's gray. You know, it's lovely. Live love, love. It's disgusting. It's cold hell. But you're about to go to L.A. next week. And you're basically living the Ticktokers dream of like, you joke like a video goes viral and then you

move to L.A. But you're actually doing it. Did you manifest this? Like what was, how did this happen? Um, it was a complete accident. I have no idea what happened. I actually have no recollection of it happening. Um, basically, so like the start of quarantine, I guess, like March 2020, I was just like so bored at home, you know, like, whatever. And working from home and I was like, what's TikTok? Because like, I feel like that was like the start of everyone starting to download it. And I was like, isn't that for kids? Like at the time. And then, um, I just started like posting videos. And, and, one went viral and the rest is history. I feel like I honestly don't even know what's happened the last like year and a half. It's been such a whirlwind. But here we are. I'm moving to LA. It's really crazy. Just like packing up my life. But obviously like I haven't started and I'm getting anxiety. But you know, all the fun stuff. We're going to get into that for sure. I also think I like you because I feel like you have a very natural sense of humor. And what I love about TikTok is stand-up comics there's like a whole rigmarole that is gate-kept that like it's very hard to get into

sometimes or it takes years to get respect where there's so many just normal funny people who I feel like can make people laugh who might not be in New York City who might not be in the clubs and I feel like you're one of those people who've broke out because you have just a really organic I make you sound like you're a granola head but like a really natural sense of humor do you agree are you putting on a facade or is this to you um honestly it's like so me that it's kind of scary i feel like i was like always known as like the person who's like the most like don't take yourself too seriously a little sassy pretty cranky you know like just like not that nice i'm kidding i'm kidding i'm nice i'm so nice but no like just super i don't know like just

all over the place and i feel like what happened was i just decided like hey let's like post videos online And I think, obviously, like, the way I cracked jokes, like, it's a little exaggerated in the sense that, like, not really, like, I don't speak like out of my day-to-day life. Like, I'm not just constantly, like, whipping out one-liners, but overall, like, the sentiment behind what I post is, like, so me. And I feel like, that's why it's so funny when I talk to any of my friends because they'll be like, I love that the whole world, like, is laughing. Okay, that was dramatic. The whole world. I'm, like, so conceited. I'm kidding.

Like, the people that watch my videos are, like, laughing or whatever because they're like, that's so you. Like, I've known you for years. Like, I've been laughing at that. stuff for years and I'm like yeah I guess like I don't know like it's so crazy I honestly can't believe that any of what happened to me in the last year has even happened and it's just like every day is like a new roller coaster I'm loving it obviously and I'm so grateful but like it's it's really wild and surreal most of the time how have you changed from a year and a half ago honestly not that much I think that like what really like is different from my experience

than like a lot of people is that like I'm in Toronto and like Toronto's the biggest city that Canada has it's a huge city like yeah I'm like loving it but it's not sort of like the center of the social media industry you know what it means I feel like it's really this like double life in my phone on top of that Canada had like one of the longest lockdowns in the world specifically like where I live in Toronto was locked down for like literally like most of the pandemic like so where I was like talking to like some of my friends who live in different places and they're like going out to dinner and whatever like we didn't really do that here so like I feel like for like the first at least year of like my videos going viral. I really was just like

chilling at home and like seeing like my few close friends. So I feel like it was really this like double like I actually had no like clue what was really going on. Like I feel like all the views were just like numbers in my phone. You know what I mean? So it was like it's fucking meta. And then all of a sudden like the world opened up or I've like gone on like a few trips here and there and like people will stop me and be like oh my God I love your videos. And I'm like oh I guess like all those numbers are real people. Like it's so crazy like you don't it doesn't feel real until like you go out and experience the world i mean i'm sure you look you're on summer house and then now you do stand up like i'm sure people like stop you but like you did that before covid started so i feel like you've always like like it went from like you

started being sort of like popularity and then people would like recognize you whereas like i just like was like i guess internet viral but like living my exact same normal life for so long that like i feel like i didn't really have the opportunity to change like stay tuned for when i'm in l i'll become the worst version of myself. No, I was about to say when you go to L.A. Are you going to become a monster? No, I'm like, yes, obviously, because I already am a monster. But no, like, I feel like the real me is actually a little more introverted than maybe like what you would assume for meeting me on TikTok. So I feel like, like, I don't know, like I'm really like chill. I just like to like stay in, hang out, you know, like I don't think that that will change too much. Or I hope it doesn't at least.

I can't wait to interview you in a year. It's going to be amazing. I'm like full of like filler. I'm like full of like filler. I'm like full of the killer like crazy hair. Wait, what is the, because I know with the women how much plastic surgery is prevalent,

but I've also seen on TikTok, like there's kind of a battle with the gays, like making fun of older guys, getting filler and Botox. Like what's the vibe? Is it cool? Is it not? To provide a little context,

like I can't move my forehead. That being said, I've been getting Botox since long before I ever did Botox. I'm really into, like, beauty and stuff like that. Oh, cool. Your skin is fabulous, by the way. I did just do a merch photo shoot, so I am currently wearing foundation, but thank you so very much.

I did get a nose job, too, actually, but I've always wanted one. My first brand deal that I ever got, like, a year and a half ago, I was like, that's my nose job money. Like, I've wanted one since I was a little kid. Oh, so you recently got one. I got one a year ago, yeah, just over a year ago. Mm-hmm. But I feel like filler.

and Botoc and stuff like yeah I think like depending on who you are definitely people will do it my whole thing for myself super cool it's like whatever anyone wants to do I feel like it is cool like gays love it but like yeah like for me I just like I don't want to ever look like overdone but like I'm happy to like look like the most perfected version of myself for sure I um I do think quarantine was a blessing and a curse in terms of like you would never have been putting all these hours into making funny videos if you were at the office all the time no totally but then also you it is so like you didn't get to feel like you were becoming famous at the time yeah oh my god famous is so generous i feel like thank you so much no i feel like i yeah i didn't know

like at all like what was happening i really just like was like working my normal job until one day like the income and i'm so grateful and lucky but like yeah one day the income all of a sudden was just like way more than what i was making just like working a job and i was like okay like yes it's time to do this And then I just did. What was your job and what did it entail? I worked as like a sales rep for like a furniture company, but like direct to like different trades. So like I would like work directly like architects, builders, designers and like super luxury high end homes. Are you into furniture?

Are you into design? Love design. Yeah. Like that was what I thought I was going to get into. And then all of a sudden this happened. And here. What do you feel is more authentically you? TikTok for sure. I feel like growing up I was always like going up I was always like I'm going to do something like I'm going to be famous someday like I had no backup plan um that being said I did not think it was going to be from TikTok and also like I was like Josh you're delusional but at the same time like I don't know it like happened I guess I would say I manifested it I just like was like I'm going to do TikTok and then like I just like one video went viral and I was like I didn't stop working at my normal job but like my old co-workers would for sure joke that like I was like so mentally checked out the last like six months.

as I was working there because I was like, it's really hard when like you're working for like a normal salary of like an average like employee at a company. And then like you're getting all these opportunities and like things to travel and like work and like get paid like very well and like get to meet all these cool people and like post stuff that's like really authentic to you. Like I think that that's like the biggest thing for me is like I get to like really like do what I find funny, which is like make people laugh. And so I feel like I just like enjoyed it more. And I feel like something clipped and I was like this is what I need to be doing. And then I just like. I was like, I'll just take the leave. Thankfully, like, my family and friends were all super supportive. They weren't like, you're insane. And then, yeah, like, here we are. I don't know. Like, honestly, it was such an accident. And I didn't expect any of it to happen.

I'm so thankful. But, like, if someone's like, how did you do it? I don't have an answer. I don't know. Yeah, because this kind of industry, it's not like going to law school and being like, hey, finish these classes and then talk to this person. There's no right way to do it. But I also think the mental checkout is important because,

people will get mad at you for mentally checking out but it's actually your mind telling you like this isn't your lane anymore like totally it's literally telling you to change the direction of your life 100% and I feel like I really felt that and it's really hard to like articulate that to people who like especially who are like older than me like I'm 28 now but like they might have been in their like 30s or 40s and like not been into TikTok and like how do I explain like I post funny videos online and like make people laugh and then just like you know and then yeah like it's crazy but i also have to say as someone who's in the same industry as you now you don't just post a funny video go viral and then make a career out of it now as someone who's followed you for a while this is just my like

opinions but i feel like you are fucking incredible at branding i think you're incredible at marketing yourself. I think you're extremely strategic in a very like not forceful way, but like, you have a fucking brand. Was this purposeful or did it? So kind. But or like how purposeful was this or is this just how you wanted to do it? Obviously like I like see certain business opportunities and I can think from like an entrepreneurial standpoint like will this be beneficial to me or like will this not be beneficial to me. Um, that being said like honestly I feel like as opportunities come, I just like evaluate them and I never want to do something that seems inauthentic. So like, while other people might interpret that as like strategic, truly,

and I'm not just saying this is such a cliche answer, but like truly I feel like I don't want to do something or push something that's like so random. I'll like turn down business opportunities. If I'm like, I would never promote something like that or I would never sell something like that or like that's not me or like I don't believe in something just because I feel like when it's your brand is you. Like I'm not behind like the veil of like another external. company like when your brand is you and like people are subscribed start you know like promoting things I like really don't believe in and so I feel like I'm so lucky not because I'm doing Connie which is like I'm sure something that you get well like you do too so I feel like to be

able to like make a joke out of a product makes everything like a little more lighthearted a little less like ad feeling and I feel like that's what really resonates with my followers and why I can like have sponsored posts with like pretty good engagement considering the fact that it's a commercial but I also like wouldn't ever do something that doesn't feel authentic to me. And I feel like that's like my main test as to whether like I will take on a project or not. Hello. Oh, sorry. I froze for a second. No, I got all of that. I also want to know going from a really structured day, like working in sales versus now like you control your schedule. Do you give yourself like quotas in terms of how many videos you want to do or like writing days? Like how do you

structure your week? Oh my God. It's so hectic. And it's probably the thing. I like struggle with the most because I put pressure on myself to like want to come up with a certain type of content and like there will be weeks where like the jokes just like come naturally to me and I can post like three, four, five, six, eight, ten videos in a week. And then there are weeks where like I literally will like sit in my room, lock myself up, like pull up my laptop and just like search my soul for inspiration and like come up with like absolutely nothing. The writer's block is so real that like honestly like I'll get DMs like from fans all the time like conservative. Like you haven't posted in two weeks and I'm like girl like I'm trying like I it's really hard

because you don't want to force it and put up shit just to put up shit I think it's time to get a little darker because I feel like you're type A I feel like once you know something you work your ass off when you know what works but what's your way of sabotaging yourself um I over criticize myself that's like literally the story of my life I'll like write a joke or I'll like post a video or all just like do something and I will literally be like this is so bad I can never post it and I will like I'll show my boyfriend I'll show my friends like I'll show like whoever and I'll be like they'll be like this is fucking hilarious like post it and I'm like I can't and then I won't post it and then like I will go a week without posting a video or like just I like get in like a spiral and I get really down on myself I'm like the most like self critical person and it's like I want to work on it obviously but like I get really like anxious and down on myself constantly. love how quickly you knew the answer to that question yeah I also am like classic like so classic me is like avoiding my problems or like running so fast in opposite directions how I stay so skinny no I'm kidding but like I um like if I if something like makes me anxious I just like won't think

about it won't do it and then like I'll be like three days past what I said I wanted to do and like I just will be like hiding in my room like I I really like avoidance is like so real like I don't know if, like, you can really, but, like, if something scares me or is daunting, like, this move to LA, for example, like, asked me if I started packing, not because I, like, don't think I can pack. I just, like, know that it's going to stress me out and, like, would rather not feel stressed out. And so I just, like, won't until it's the last minute. And then I'm way more stressed than I ever would be. But I'm not procrastinating because I'm like, oh, I have so much time. I'm, like, scared to start, if that makes sense. I'm such a procrastinator, but, like,

really productive. Like, I'll be like, instead of sending this email that I need to send, I'm going to, like, come up with a TikTok video. So I'm doing it. So I'm doing it. shit but not stuff that is helpful in any way that you need to be doing exactly yeah same i also but i do feel like you being over critical because i'm very over critical too it makes you always push yourself so like you're reaching for so much but it also is fucking emotionally exhausting where at the end of the day you're like i didn't do anything why do i have a migraine do you ever get like so burnt out but like you didn't even actually do anything like it's just like you're just so stressed that you burn yourself out and you're like i sat and watch tic talks all day and like i'm stressed because i'm

that just sent the whole day stressing about all the things I need to do while simultaneously not doing any of them and then I have a breakdown yeah it's like a weekly thing for me you I hate to be like you're so relatable but you really have a good way of nailing real nuances that people don't know how to verbalize but also you do these you do these videos and you have like a schick and your stick that you started with is kind of this it's actually a classic comedy move like Dave Chappelle will sometimes after a joke just like hit the mic against his leg and it makes this sound and it's kind of a it's kind of a reinforcer for the audience to let them know like this is that was the joke exactly so you ending it being like thank you is literally like the hit

on the leg where people are like oh my god that was so funny what a well put together joke and you've done do you feel like you have to always do that or do you feel like this is just where I thrive. So like, it all started because I was at work one day and like I remember I was like getting off the phone with a client and I was like, okay, bye, like thank you. And I hung up the phone. And my old boss was like, do you say thank you like that? And I was like like, like, like, what? And like they started. That was probably like my like second week working there. And for like four years after that, like it was like a running joke at my work. So like I didn't like make it up out of nowhere. So like so this is an inside joke that you've.

made a global joke gone viral for sure that I like say that word weird and it's so funny because like I guess I do like I have a pretty measly voice and um so I maybe I like posted a video and I said thank you after and the majority of the comments were like I love the way he said thank you like not even relating to like what the video was and I was like what if I can make videos that are like actually funny like the meat of the video is funny but then just like add that in since everyone found it so funny and then like it became my thing and now when i work with different brands or like different sponsors they want that in the video because it's what i'm known for so like i will make a joke about a product in a way that like it's self-deprecating to me and then like like i'll even be like

i just did one for like a skincare company and i was like the my skin is drier and flakier than all the men that i've ever dated like thank you like get this moisturizer and like so it's just like it directs the audience to be like that shit was hilarious and we're done here and it puts your own nuance on it that's like only you could do 100% and it's also like while it's my biggest blessing it's also my biggest fear that I'm going to like box myself like how long can I do this forever I'm scared that like the well is going to one day run dry like how many jokes can I make in that same like format and it still be funny and like so far it hasn't but like I'm like I would love to like really like make other types of content like still

funny but like really like build but like this is like my classic avoidance I'm like what this works I'm like coming up with a new idea stresses me out so like I've been really like sticking to the same thing I would love to be able to like build on it also we're kind of not to be like we're twinsies because we're married which would be weird but I all my stand-up bits were about being single in quarantine I met a guy got engaged you are so good at like the single humor for guys and girls which I love like I feel like any gender can relate to you and sexuality but then you found yourself a man's i did i did and he's the best too and like i always like ask him because like my schick is so like about being single and like when i

started i was like the most single the most jaded the most like uh like i hate everyone and i hate everything and i had to be like men are trash except for my man literally and i'm like do you care that like i like talk like this on the internet and he was like no like obviously like it's like what you're known for and he's like and you can still think that like you don't think that about me so I feel like he's so understanding and like well and he's literally the sweetest guy ever where'd you meet him so it's so funny like I've known who he is for years I've actually also had a crush on him for ever and then we matched on hinge and I was like oh my god so you've seen him around town I've seen him around town yeah we have like some people that we know in common but um we matched on hinge like

when we started like talking and then um he like one of his like hinge prompts was like a joke about like how he loves like a shrimp cocktail and i literally die for shrimp cocktail so our first date because keep in mind Toronto was like in a lockdown for like a year after everyone else and so like literally i went over there and we just sat and ate shrimp cocktail and talked like all night and it was like the best first day of my life and like here i am a year later like we're going LA so is he your type I don't know that I have a type but like yes he is my type like I'm very much obsessed with him and he's moving with you at LA and you're moving in together yeah oh my god this is a thing you're going to evolve not if you want to but people are going to be like

begging you for it like I want you to vlog this I want to follow this I want you to have a podcast with him I don't fucking know I just know that we want more of you um oh I'm excited Yeah, I actually just thought of vlog camera. I'm really hoping to, like, vlog, like, newly living in L.A., like, just, like, funny. If you don't vlog in L.A., what the fuck are you doing? Literally, do you live in L.A. if you don't vlog. Literally sitting in traffic. When was the last time you were in, like, a bout of depression?

This week. Do you know what I mean? No, like, I feel like I'm always in one, no, but I want to say the last. Like, the last, I went to Vegas for my birthday. which is November and after Vegas until like literally like two days ago I'm obsessed obsessed and I'm mysterious

and I feel like after Vegas I was just like on such a low because I was like classic me like the moves coming up now I'm stressed and I just like sat in my room I barely posted on TikTok I actually like kind of like hidden a hole for like a month and I feel like one day woke up

and I was like yep that's over like here we go And then when I'm back, I can't explain it. I think the hardest thing about depression is you really don't know how depressed you are until you get out. I know. And you're like, I'm having a mental health day. Or you're like, oh, I just need a rest today. And then when you get out of it, you're like, I couldn't move if I wanted to.

Or like, I know. And like, I will like be so tired. Like I don't know about like everyone else's like physical symptoms. But like when I'm like struggling, like I will and can and. will lie in the same position and get in like a black hole on YouTube and distract myself for like three days like I will get up to use the bathroom and sleep I literally get up to use the bathroom and sleep and eat and the hardest thing is there like to get out of it you have to go outside but when you go outside that's chaotic energy like that's where

worship can happen but then you're staying you know it's not going to get better so it's like do I face the world that has caused so much trauma in my life or do Do I stay safe in this dark, sad, you know, fetal position? But it also, like, is comfy at the time. And, like, you feel like, this is, like, going to make me feel better. And so I will literally sit, like, with my demons. I'll, like, we all hang out my room. And, like, I will just, like, sit and, like, just not engage with the world.

And, like, I'll just. And, like, I don't want to get up either. Like, it's not even like, I'm like, oh, I should. But, like, I, like, I'm lazy. I, like, don't want to. Like, I'm, like, happy. Well, depression is not relaxing because you're literally fighting your demons all day. like I am so active in my mind when I'm depressed or anxious where when I'm happy my mind is so quiet

I feel like a child that's just like yeah I'm just like living and but when you're depressed you have a full chorus in your head of like every negative thing anyone's ever said to you and then you're like rotating my inner voice is really mean when I'm depressed and I just like will sit and I'll be like you should be doing this and I'll like like literally like sit and just like like marinate in my own sadness and like I don't want to not like it's like what I want to be doing when I'm depressed I can explain it like I I remember and I was like two weeks ago like really like not having a good week and all of a sudden it was like 7 p.m and I was in sweatpants and I had just watched a three part one hour each video YouTube documentary on Amanda Bines. Okay you need to do swipe up where is that because I'm all about documentaries and Amanda Binds. I love Amanda Bines. Bindes it's this girl and like all she does is like sit in her room and talk into a microphone and like there's like no visuals she's just like talking about Amanda Bynes and it's so good I don't know

the way she tells stories I'll send you but like it's insane I recently you know how there's been like the free bit Britney movement and people are like hey Jessica Simpson got her own brand back and then I'm like but has anyone checked on Amanda Binds because she was my childhood she was the funniest most talented motherfucker and I know she's been going through it and I just I want to and positivity in her way. This girl has checked on Amanda Bynes, and she's, she's picking. Oh my gosh. What, where does your anxiety manifest itself? Like, how does it show itself? When I absolutely don't talk about it and when I avoid everything. Like, I'm the CEO of avoiding. Like, when I'm the most anxious, I'll think about it all day. But like, if you'll ask me if I'm good, I'll be like, yeah.

And like, I'm really good at hiding it, too, unfortunately. So, like, the only person who can call me out on it is my boyfriend. because he'll be like you're in your thoughts and I'm like how did you know he's like I just like your eyes plays over but yeah like yeah like you're dead in the eyes yeah totally for like two hours and I feel like a minute's past by but like I love that he notices that about you that's so that's like that's like the hottest thing when they can like just see you even if it's vulnerable it's just hot that they see you even if you don't want him to and he's really like non-judgmental which I feel like is the best because like if like even like my parents or my friends or like whoever like whatever like talk to me and look

like you good and I'm like I would literally like rather do anything else than tell someone I'm not good I can't explain it like I don't want to talk about it and so I will just like avoid it at all cost which is like the worst thing to do but Jack can really like just be like Josh like what's up but I'm like fine if you insist but when you say it out loud it like doesn't make sense yeah and I'll be like so and I'm like oh I'm one of those people that I know my thoughts don't make sense, so I, like, have to call my mom or my fiancee to tell them about the thought. And then I have to have them talk me off the ledge to be like, that's unrealistic. I would never happen.

And I'm like, well, over the last week, I've convinced myself, it's very highly likely it's going to happen. A hundred percent. And then they're like, it's literally fine. And you're like, oh, accident. Oopsie. Ignore me. I also want to know, since your TikTok fame, which, like, a lot of people dream on. of what has been the worst part about it?

Angry, mean DMs in comments. I feel like the TikTok algorithm is like really good at finding videos like that hit their intended audience. I feel like that's why like everyone's 4-Up page is like sew them. It's like kind of crazy, honestly. Like I have no idea how they do it. It's like there's. I think it's what makes the app better than the others.

So great. No, for sure. Because like I feel like I'll watch a TikTok like I was just scrolling. And like, I will send it to anyone, they'll be like, what was that? What did I just watch? And like, I'll be peeing my pants. And like, it'll have 300,000 likes. Like, clearly there are other people in the world that find it funny, but like,

I managed to find those people. So I feel like 95% of the time my videos will like do their thing and hit the intended audience. And like, it's good. And then like once in a while, I'll like end up on like weird homophobia TikTok. And it's like vicious. And I feel like I grew up in Toronto. I mean, it's like a city of like six million people like kind of like the New York of Canada like no one cares like there's like more gay people and straight people here I feel like but

like like all of a sudden I'm on like Arkansas TikTok and like it isn't like I remember I did like a video once about like literally like men holding fish and like Tinder pics which is like a common joke I feel like people make on Twitter all the time and I was like really expecting it to just like land you got on Bass Pro algorithm I got on the Bass Pro shops but not only that on that I got on like the Fisherman Society of TikTok, like specifically fishermen. Like not even like guys like holding fish and tinder picks, like actual fishermen who like do this for their livelihood. And I got, I'm not kidding. I'll send you the video. 75,000 comments. 75,000 like just comments. Forget the use. 12 million views, but 75,000 comments of people being like, I do this for a living. Like, how dare you like

make fun of that? Like some of us have to struggle to feed our families. But in those moments, you know that you have to be like, this is incredible engagement that I will continue. to allow in my vicinity. A hundred percent. When people start fighting, you're like, go off this. Don't let him say that to you. Please. And like, it's so funny because like that video is like one of my most few videos

about him in all the comments are just people like ripping me to shred. Like, why does he speak like that? Why is his hair like that? What? Like he's so annoying. Like whatever. The attention from hate is like always so much stronger than the attention from positivity. Totally.

And it's just funny because like every other one of my videos is like really with like either my followers or like people who like like my videos and get me on their for you pages and then like that one video just like I don't know some glitch in the system happened and it got to like not the attempted audience and like I was like everyone else likes me all the time like why is this the one that like set everyone off but like I feel like that's literally the one aspect I don't like I'll get people with like really presumptuous emails or like DMs all the time like asking me for stuff like people ask for like money people like do you get that ever like people ask for like yeah money or like with like a big story that and you just

feel like you're kind of getting scammed and like are you a prince in nigeria yeah and like i am like so big on like helping with like charity and like causes that matter to me like i have no qualms with like giving back like i'm all for that i'll get venmoed all the time yeah like weird i mean we don't have venmo in canada so like like i don't but like i'll get like crazy d and or I'll be like can I like or even like people that like I know peripherally like I met one time at like a party in college will be like can you post my small business and for free and like whatever and I'm like I don't know you like that's really crazy of you to ask and like and it's like that's one thing I remember when I first started at followers people start asking shit of you like all the time or they want your time or your your resources and it's just crazy how humans can work. But also my two cents about the haters from reality TV, my struggle was, I was convinced that like some people misunderstood me. Like they saw me in a certain narrative and like they just don't understand me. But then long term you realize like the people who want to understand you do and the people who don't don't and like you can't actually convince them.

So like when you get on that wrong algorithm, it's not like, oh, I need to fight for these people to understand. Like it's no, they're not your people. they're not your people and I saw I read an article where even were like I don't read the comments and I was like oh he's mature because that's the ultimate piece is just being at peace with being misunderstood and not having to watch the car crash if that makes sense for sure and I feel like I remember that exact interview I feel like I 95% of the time don't but like there is like everyone's going to struggle like a little and I think there are like sometimes we're all like get there and I'm like I can't do this I can't do this and then like I'll stop but I'm pretty good at like that's where you're avoiding it's is almost good 100%. I'll just like be like, nope, not today. I didn't even understand the concept that you don't have to read the comments and you could just like live your own life and and focus on your own shit until like my fiance yelled at me. The only time that I need to like read the comments is like a video is like really not getting the engagement or like the response I'm used to. And I have to like figure out why it didn't hit for like a self improvement reason. But like in terms of like just getting like as long as I say like the general consensus is like a positive like I don't need to read through everyone and like look for the 10 people. And like look for the 10 people. that were rude like I'm good like it's not worth my time and also I think remembering that you're not funny just because of the structure of your jokes that's just like the avenue you're showing yourself now but like I'm very excited to see where you grow at your own time um we're gonna wrap up with a final game oh but first I want to know if you went to a psychic what would you want to

know about your future because you're growing to L.A., so it's going to happen yeah I need to go to a psychic um what would I want to know about my future if I could know like one thing about my future it would be like am I ever going to be stable like I'm not kidding like will I ever just like one day figure out like how to handle my mental health because like I like I go through like so many ups and downs with it and I feel like I could be like six months I'm grade and then like a month I'm just like not and I feel like will I ever figure it out but it's hard because I feel like your sense of humor is so good because you've had such dark thoughts and been in such dark places

that it's like you don't know how to be happy until you've been sad. You don't know how to make someone laugh until you've like been really hurt by something. A hundred percent. A hundred percent. And I feel like really good comedy comes out of like really dark places a lot of the time. And I feel like I don't want to lose that. But like I could do without like watching three mandibinds documentaries in one day instead of it responding to any of my friends or family or like clients, you know. A thousand percent. But I also do feel like with comedy, what I love about it is even in those times that I can't make myself laugh, I know that I could at least make someone else laugh, which is so fucked up, but like, I'm crying, but you're laughing. At least someone's

happy. Okay. So we're going to wrap it up with a game called The Seven Deadly Sins. Seven Deadly Sins. What are you greedy about besides shrimp cocktail? so shrimp cocktail number one and oh this is a good one what don't i like to share um oh french fries don't touch them what is the like french fry thing you guys eat in canada poutine do you eat that um it will literally give me explosive diarrhea for three days after but yeah like i will sometimes it's not my favorite personally but like it's like nachos on crack like it just seems like you know like when you have like cheese that's like not fully cheese yet like it's like the curd it's like trying to be cheese yes that's like it's literally that with on top of french fries doused and gravy so it's

just like cheese fries with gravy it just sounds like someone is like having a full breakdown and they were like this is what like a drunk night came home and then they're like now let's make it the staple which is unsafe to be honest some of the canadian foods are kind of weird we also have a drink called like a Caesar, which is like literally our national drink. And like no one in the U.S. like has ever heard of it, which is so weird because like literally like any bar here, like we'll have like literal restaurants like dedicated to Caesars. And it's literally a bloody merry. But like instead of tomato juice, it's like clam and tomato juice. So it's like New England clam chowder. So like have you ever had like a Michelotta like in the south? Like it's like

it's like clam and tomato. But with beer, it's kind of like that. But it's like vodka. So basically it's like tomato juice like think like whatever tomato blend and then they pour like fresh clam like brine juice okay in the in the it sounds it's actually really good and it though it gives it that like salty seafoody like fishy kind of vibe I love trying all food I didn't expect that to come out of your mouth um and then they add like the typical like Tabasco sauce like worst just sure I don't even how to say that yeah no one knows how to say it um like celery stock like beans like whatever the same as like a Bloody Mary, but it's like a little bit seafood. And instead of it being like brunch, like Bloody Mary, you kind of have it like at dinner, like cocktail like steakhouse kind of vibes.

And they have like full restaurants where you will get like a Caesar, but it'll have like a whole pizza and like an onion ring like in it. Why do people call it Caesar? It's just called the Bloody Caesar. I don't know about the name of the day. I went to University of Wisconsin. So I like, it touches Canada. But they were very into Bloody Mary's where they put like a full chicken on top. Exactly. Yeah. But like add some claim. juice. I'll send you all the vibes. It's so good. Also, I love documentaries and I'll watch anything from like serial killers to very niche like restaurant ones. And I recently was caught up on one about like the maple syrup mafia of Canada and how there's like wars about maple syrup of like the production.

Honestly, like what it like sounds about right. I'm lucky. I'm like from Toronto. So I feel like I don't. It's like a drug trade. The maple syrup industry. Like people like stole. tons of there's like a federation it's a whole fucking thing and i'm invested but like not enough that i'm gonna further research it but enough to like bring it up at parties i get it i get it and it's so funny because like i'll get that a lot like especially because most of my fan base is like from the u.s and i'll get like random questions like if i'm doing like and ask me anything on like social media or whatever they'll be like well like whip out all these canadian stereotypes and i'm like i'm literally from like our biggest city which like touches the u.s like on all the sides so like

Toronto, I'm kind of like, we're neighbors. Yeah, like, I don't know. Like, I don't get, like, I'm sure that all of those things exist, including the maple syrup mafia. Like, I don't. It's not that. Like, if you came, you wouldn't realize you weren't in the U.S., to be honest. Like, it's pretty similar.

I feel like if you go, like, more out, like, not in Toronto or, like, Vancouver. Like, you would get, like. Yeah, like, you don't speak French. No. Even though, like, French is sexy as fuck. But, um, I want to do comedy in Toronto. I heard it's actually, like, a good comedy scene. there's a whole scene yeah do it um who were you envious of

i can't say it out loud there's another there's another ticot talker and she is just like everything i want to be in more and she's killing it and i want to be her but i won't say her name because in case she ever saw this but also it is a compliment i feel like when you envy someone it's like they almost are aspirational in a way of like where the direction you want to to go. And I think it's important, too, to have those TikTokers that are fucking crushing it because you, like, see, like, oh, I could do more. Like, I can challenge myself more and be more creative. No, 100%. Yeah, 100%. But I can't. I'm so embarrassed. She follows me. And, like, if I ever, I can't. Well, I love that she follows you. That says a lot about, um, wait, are you talking

about me? I know you were talking about me. I was you 100%. Actually, like, recently have been investing in TikTok. I was like really slow to the game. But I love it. I saw. No, you posted like a stand-up one recently that I was like peeing at that kind of went viral, I think, right? Yeah. Well, it's funny because I haven't posted my stand-up clips because it's actually hard to like get a good video with audio's good and the crowd audio is decent. And then I hate watching my stuff. So I have to watch my stuff, cut it up. And then part of me was like, I want people to buy tickets to my shows. But then I was like, no one's going to, you have to kind of promote it. And it's the ultimate fuck you to put out a stand-up clip and people don't like it because you're like, that was me. Like this wasn't just. me in bed like i really tried like i tried on this so anyway i start posing clips oh my god thank you baby um when was the last time you experienced extreme wrath or anger like do you have an angry side to you no i'm the most passive person ever i'm like too scared of everyone to be angry i know i i i don't get angry you're angry at yourself i feel like though like in your head you're such a bitch but like outwardly if that's if that's like the case then like yesterday

but no like to anyone else like never literally never i'm actually the same way no i'll never get mad at anyone until it takes about three years and then i'll like fucking snap over something irrelevant totally like my my humor is like super sassy but like when if anyone i'm like i'm so sorry i'm so sorry like i can't deal with i'm a thousand percent like that yeah like or i'll make like a stupid joke and then i'll just giggle my way out of the conversation instead of just like saying how i feel which is my own issues when was last time you were a sloth like a lazy piece of shit didn't do anything last week all of last week i watched Amanda binds i didn't do anything but do you are you empathetic with yourself to be like you know what we need that and by we

all our demons we need a little break um probably not as empathetic as i should be but like in retrospect i can be but not in the moment also i don't want to sound like an old retired person but like you are kind of young where i really do feel like i'm 30 so I'm not as much older than you. What year were you born? Were you born in 1991? 91. You're literally like two years old.

But I'm saying I'm with you and that I feel like the early 20s are so fucking horrible mentally. And then your later 20s, you start being like, okay, I have to get used to this. I have to start understanding who I am. I'm not going to just wake up one day and not be the way I am. So I feel like we're both in that place where at least we're addressing our issues, like admitting we have problems. 100%. When was the last time you let your pride or your ego get in the way of something? And it could be like friends, work, relationships.

Ooh, that's a great question. It's a difficult one. I feel like, oh, like literally recently because I was like talking to someone about like, I don't even remember what the context was. I think it was like getting rid of my car because I'm like moving to L.A. And someone was like, you know, like if you ever need like a hookup to like. a hookup to like get rid like to buy your car because like I don't even remember what it was and oh and finding an immigration lawyer to the U.S. and I was like you don't think I can handle it.

And like because I like am so used to doing like this is such a new industry that like I feel like I don't have a lot of like people giving me advice. Like I've really figured it up by myself. I feel like the second. No one fucking knows. No one has five years experience. Yeah. And I'm really defensive with like my dad specifically for some reason.

I'm super close to my family. My family's really tight net. I love my dad to pieces. He's the best thing that's like. ever happened to the world that being said my dad is like always he's like a self-made person too like he definitely did not come from like very much and he came to canada from russia with like not a lot and so i feel like he really like feels like he knows what he's doing because everything that he's done has like obviously worked out for him thus far and i feel like because of that he like feels like he knows

and it's just like i like i feel like it's my fault honestly but i get really to offensive with him for some reason. Like anytime he like gives me like a constructive criticism and I'm like you don't know you're talking even though he obviously does and like it's a me problem. You're probably similar just like budding heads a bit. A hundred percent. You know my my dad is also like Russian, Polish, Austrian, Jewish like Ashkenazi. And yeah. Yeah. Like same. I say it on the pod this is why we get along too. And I also love Scorpio's my fiance. I'm my best friend of Scorpio's. But that's love it for another time. I do say on this pod like weirdly often how I think immigrants have a great sense of humor because, like, you have to go through sucky shit in your lineage

where either you joke about it or you fucking fail. 100%. And it sounds like you come from like an entrepreneurial spirit, which makes sense that you're actually thriving in more of an independent place. Yeah, for sure. That's why I feel like I look up to me. He's never worked for another person in his life. And I feel like, yeah, and I feel like, yeah, no, he's great.

but yeah he likes to comment a lot and I'm like that's like me and my dad where he will randomly text me like whenever I need him like he just knows you know yeah but then sometimes like he'll say the one thing that I'm like you're so you knew I didn't want to hear that and you're fucking annoying me but we just were the same person but you're right no totally um when was the last time you lusted over someone so besides your boy toy who's like your celebrity crush Oh my God. So how are Canadians feeling about Justin Bieber? I feel like poor Justin has had so many like ups and downs and ups and downs in the public eye. Where are we? And have you been like unscathed by it? Do you just have Bieber fever permanently? I like that's the first pandemic that I was a part of and not COVID. And I honestly not sure that I've ever recovered. No, I love Justin Bieber. I always have loved Justin Bieber. I feel like the like consensus is like pretty positive. I feel like it's not any different because he's. Canadian. I don't feel like there's this sense of like, whereas I feel like with other Canadian

artists that like do really well, where like they're Canadian, but I feel like Justin Bieber was signed to like a U.S. label so young. He feels like an American. He like feels like an American celebrity. Does that make sense? A thousand percent. Like we forgot that he was Canadian for sure. And he's like with Haley. Yeah. Like I don't. Yeah. But no, like I, I, I, yeah, he's definitely had his own ups and but I've always had the people. How do you feel about Drake? that's like one that Canadians die for and I just like don't get it in the weekend who's another Canadian the weekend who's another Canadian like they're great like they can sing like

their music subjectively good I just like I personally like don't but also keep in mind that like I have the music taste of a 15 year old girl from 2006 so like I feel like just like just and Bieber caters to that more. Yeah. I just don't know that like 2010's like Nelly, Acon. Okay, we're on the same page. However, I do have to say. I'm absolutely.

I do have to say about the weekend. Their first album, House of Balloons, was iconic. And to this day, my favorite. I get it. Okay. But like, honestly, like, put on, like, any Flo Rida or Acon song, and I am there. Like, Flo Rida is the one. Jason Derulo is probably my favorite artist of.

all time. Juvenile slow motion. Ti. Hello. Love. Love. Love. I could go all day.

This is actually like my wedding playlist that I'm trying to push. I haven't checked both my fiancee because it's a little niche for me, but who gives a fuck is my day? Final question. What advice would you give to people and our listeners, the little devils, and what to do when you're going through hell? How do you cope? When you're going through?

hell don't do what I do and you'll be good no honestly I think everyone I think everyone like needs to be kinder to themselves and I feel like that like little self compassion like I'm going to take my own advice hopefully but like I think that self compassion is like so important I feel like when you just like externalize and like look at your own life or like whatever you're struggling with through the lens of like another person give yourself the advice that like you would give your best friend. You know what I mean? And I feel like being able to like look objectively as opposed to like subjectively at like whatever you're going through. It's like really good perspective. And I that's advice that I give to myself and my everyone listening. I love that so much

because everyone's like listen to your gut, listen to your gut. But a lot of the times the voices in your head are not your gut and you have to learn when you should not listen to yourself, which is super complicated. But a lot of time it's just like like an asshole. But like is it your gut or is it your demons? I feel like figuring that out as like the first step. Yeah. And it's long step but we're on a journey together josh you're fucking incredible you're hilarious where can people follow you buy your merch like give me the goods um my merch is at fanjoy dot code slash my name josh zilberberg um josh dot zilberberg on literally all social media platforms you can find me if you want to laugh yay thank you so much for taking the time good luck with your move to la we'll all be

watching thank you so much i can't wait good luck with packing and i'll try my dad And thank you guys for coming to hell today and we'll talk to you later. Bye.