Breaking Bread with Tom Papa - Episode 298 - Aparna Nancherla

Episode Date: December 23, 2025

Today we've got Aparna Nancherla at the table. She and Tom talk about the difficult experience that sometimes is living life, the things that bring them joy, the foods of their youth, and of course, Aparna's new special, Hopeful Potato, out now on Dropout. Enjoy! Thanks to Monarch! Use code PAPA at monarch.com in your browser for half off your first year. That’s 50% off your first year at monarch.com with code PAPA. And thanks to Butcher Box! As an exclusive offer, our listeners can get free steak in every box for a year, PLUS $20 off your first box when you go to ButcherBox.com/papa Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Insurance isn't one-size-fits-all, and shopping for it shouldn't feel like squeezing into something that just doesn't fit. That's why drivers have enjoyed progressives' name-your-price tool for years. With the name-your-price tool, you tell them what you want to pay, and they show you options that fit your budget. Enough hunting for discounts, trying to calculate rates, and tinkering with coverages. Maybe you're picking out your very first policy. Or maybe you're just looking for something that works better for you and your family. Either way, they make it simple to see your options. No guesswork, no surprises.

Ready to see how easy and fun shopping for car insurance can be? Visit progressive.com and give the name your price tool a try. Take the stress out of shopping and find coverage that fits your life on your terms. Progressive Casualty Insurance Company and Affiliates. Price and coverage match limited by state law. There's something else here now. Something new. From exclusively on Paramount Plus.

It's the series Stephen King calls Scary as Hell. Everything here is impossible, but it's also real. Sci-fi vision calls it the best show streaming right now. We're running out of time and we still don't know the rules. Don't miss what the movie blog calls something you need to watch. Saving those children is how we all go home. From Binge All Episodes exclusively on Paramount Plus. What's the most viral thing you had?

Oh my gosh. What was the numbers on it? I felt like immediate dread when you said viral. I don't look at the numbers on anything. How do you not? Like when he, if you open up Instagram, doesn't show you the little number?

I don't scroll. I post and I get out. I'm so scared at this point of the algorithm. And like I just feel like it, I don't know when I got so scared of it. I think maybe during the pandemic, but I just something planted in my head that it's like, it's like a.

me in high school. Like it only wants me. It's just a bully? Yeah, yeah. It only wants me to feel bad. So I'm like. But you're so beloved. People love you.

I don't, well, you know this about comedians. We can't internalize the good. No, I know. It is difficult. Yeah. It's breaking bread. Thank you for being here. Thank you for having me.

Yeah. Congratulations on your special. Thank you so much. It's very funny. Thank you for watching it. Yeah. Good job. I, and I say that sincerely.

because I am so bad at watching people's specials. Yeah. Yeah. And not out of any malice or spite. Just my attention span is not what it used to be. Yeah. I have the, you know, the Sirius XM show with Fortune. And that's all specials.

It's like everybody coming with their specials. Okay, okay. So I got into the habit of it. So you're like, this is part of work. Yeah, yeah. And the big thing is if it goes by quickly. You know you're watching a good special. That's a good time.

Yeah. Yeah. It's like if you can, all of a sudden it's just kind of gliding. Yes. And now I have a question as someone who's, you know, been doing stand-up forever. Do you feel like when you're doing an hour, do you feel it? Like I feel like when I do an hour, maybe at 33 minutes, I'm like, okay, that's enough. Oh, really?

Yeah. Yeah. No, the thing I've been on tour that I've been thinking of. I have to get my head in the place of that this is enough of a show for the audience. Okay. You know what I mean? Yes. You just know what it took for people.

And there's like people that drove for six hours. I know. And they do all this stuff and they get to the show. Yes. And the opener does about 20. Right. And then I do like an hour 10, hour 15. And is that enough?

Like, is that enough for you to get tickets and go? do all the stuff and come like an hour and a half, you know, a little over an hour and a half. Is that good enough? My fear is that it's too long. I want them to not leave feeling like, ooh, that was, we were ready to go. You know, I was thinking about what we're going to eat after this about, you know, 40 minutes before this ended. Yeah, so I have the opposite. I'm always like, leave them wanting a little bit.

They're like, you know. Yeah. Yeah. I guess. I mean, if you go to the movies. Yes. And it's two hours. Yeah.

You're kind of asking a lot. Right? Yeah. And if it's over two hours, people get mad. But now I'm shocked that because our attention spans are so fractured now, they are making movies that are like frighteningly long. Yeah. There's been, right.

There's been a couple of them in like three hours long. Like, is wicked like three hours? No, something recently came out of those three hours. hours that I was like, whoa, you really have faith in your audience. Yeah. Oh, yeah, the one, what was the Leonardo DiCaprio one that just came out? Oh, is that? One battle?

Yeah, one battle after another. Yeah, that was pretty long. Yeah, that was definitely close to it. Yeah. Wow. Okay. Yeah. But if you go see a comedy.

Yes. Hour and a half is like, oh, my gosh. Right. Two hour comedy, people are going to be rioting. Be really mad. Because it's almost impossible to be that funny for that. Yeah. Because rom-coms, I think, always clock in about 90. Yeah. So I guess that's enough. Yeah. I think that's enough. But it just seems like a big effort to get out of the house and do all the... I guess maybe that's the way to think of it is that for them, this started when they got in the shower.

Right. That's when the show really started. Right? Yeah. Yeah. And they got however they're going to get to the theater and maybe stop for food and... Yeah, that's a good point because I feel like when I do a spot or a show or something, I'm, yeah, I feel like technically the show starts when I get up that morning. Right. I'm already, I'm already nervous about it. Yeah, I know. Yeah. Isn't it funny? You could be doing it for so long.

I know. And when you wake up and don't have a show or wake up and, and not a big show. No. Just like going to do like 15 somewhere. Sometimes those shows stress me out more. Yeah. Because I feel like when it's your show or your headline, the audience has a little buy-in hopefully already, but like just a random 15-minute spot,

it's like, they could care less who you are. Right, exactly. Yeah, yeah. Where's the scariest place in L.A. to perform? Oh. What would be the most anxiety? I mean, I don't do the clubs as much, so I would say maybe the laugh factory for me. Yeah.

I've, like, built it up a lot in my head where I've only been there maybe once or twice, and I'm just like, ooh, the factory. They're churning out jokes and I'm not working fast enough. Right. Yeah, I don't know. I've built it up in my head and something about that location of the strip of like the store, the factory. I'm just like, this is the part of town where comedy is a serious business. Yeah.

Yeah. And then you go and then the people at the Laugh Factory go to like a small little bookshop show and you're like this is the most horrifying thing. Right, right, right. I could ever walk into. Yeah, but comedy is so random in that, like, you know, I could have a great show there and then do the bookstore crowd and they could not care less for what I'm giving them. So it's like, you never know. How long were you in New York? Just over 10 years.

Yeah. Right. Yeah. Yeah. And New York audiences, oh, they will, they have no allegiance to you. Yeah. In terms of, like, they'll tell me they don't like you. Yeah, immediately.

Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, whenever I, when I think about you in where you're at, there's a part of me that thinks you would thrive in New York because you can just kind of be a little invisible with, you know, all of the people around and just kind of do your thing. Yeah. And then there's another part of me that thinks it would eat you up and make you want to run out of there immediately, which is more accurate.

I mean, I think that was the push-pull of New York for me. There were parts of it that I loved. Yeah, like that feeling of being anonymous, being part of kind of a larger organism. And then, but yeah, then the constant noise stimulation, like people just in your space constantly that I think wore away, wore away at my sensitive nature. Yeah. Yeah. I wish I was someone who like ran on that because I know there are people, I don't remember who I was talking to recently, but they were like, I like, I need constant activity around me. Yeah.

Yeah. Yeah. What's wrong with them? I know. So you're also not like that. No. I mean, I get, I was New York for a long time. Yes.

Yes. And I do understand and still crave the creative energy of that place. Like it makes you, you know, just to walk down the block. And there's so much happening that's inspiring or just at least stimulus. Yeah. And so much life that's not, you know, just around entertainment. Right. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. And then when you come out here and you find a place that's quiet, it's like, am I moving towards retirement? I know. You know what I mean? I know. It feels like you're in a little bubble and then you're in even smaller bubbles of like your car.

Right. Yeah. Like you just kind of forget sometimes that there's like the rest of the world. Like everyone just seems like they're in their own little microcosy. I know. Yeah. And there's this weird comedy thing where if you just pursue a life that's nice, like if you actually consider like you as a person living somewhere and whether or not you're enjoying that, like that's there's something wrong with you. Right. It's supposed to be always connected to. Yeah. No, what is this going to do for your standout? Oh, right. You know what I mean?

Yes, yes. And I feel like I grew up, I mean, I don't know how you feel about like generationally. I feel like my comedy class was still, it was like half one foot in like the internet. Let's all find our own audience. But then half of like an older school mentality of like it has to be hard. You have to play every room, you know, and my kind of bridging that divide. And I feel like now with the younger generation, it's not that mentality as much. No, not at all.

Yeah, it's a totally different route and a totally different thing. And I think hard in its own way. Like, I don't want to say they're like afraid of hardship because I don't know, like the internet, just being an internet creator, like the, that feels exhausting to me. Oh, the beast that you have to keep feeding. Yes. No, that's a whole different thing. Yeah. And just like, I mean, obviously stand up.

It's random strangers judging you constantly. But just in the internet, it's like the volume of unsolicited. feedback is deafening, I would say. Yeah. I mean, that's the generation of a side. Yeah. Of like the different ways to kind of get to the audience. The blessing, I think, of coming up when I did of going to the clubs and doing it,

there was no other way. Right, right. You were feeding comedy. Yeah. It was the only place to put your comedy out. Right, right. Was that ultimately it ended up giving me a craft. Yes.

It gave me this thing that I actually am still working on and trying to get better at. Where the other stuff is not as much a craft as, I mean, maybe there is. I mean, I guess some people who are really good at videos, but like I'll see some people who popped off from really great video that were like millions of people. And you can see them a year later trying to replicate that thing. You know what I mean? like trying to, they're very different beasts. Yes. I don't know.

I don't know. I don't think any, you know, comedy's just delivered through all these different things and what young people think are, their favorite comedians. Yeah. Possibly have never been in a club. Right. Never done a set. But that's their, but their comedians different.

Yeah. I mean, that's a thing I feel like people say now of like, oh, all the clubs, it's just like people who blew up on TikTok or something. And I'm, I don't think I've seen like a full show. from a quote-unquote TikTok influencer, but I mean, I'm impressed with what they're doing online. I don't know, like the videos where it's like they're playing four characters and it's like four different wings and four different angles.

I'm like, I couldn't do that. Yeah, yeah. We're just trying to just cracking that code of how to be funny in that regard. And I guess it feels different from stand-up in that stand-up. You're kind of in a live, you know, fish tank where you're, you're going off the audience in real time. You're going off your peers' reactions or comments. And I don't know with the internet.

I'm like, are you just going off of like what is doing well, like performing well statistic? Like just the numbers instead of like actual like laughs feel so more, so much more disconnected. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah, I don't know. What's the most viral thing you had? Oh my gosh. What was the numbers on it?

I felt like immediate dread when you said viral. I don't look at the numbers on anything. How do you not? Like when he, if you open up Instagram, doesn't it show you the little number? I don't scroll. I post and I get out.

I'm so scared at this point of the algorithm. And like I just feel like it, I don't know when I got so scared of it. I think maybe during the pandemic, but I just something planted in my head that it's like, it's like an enemy in high school. Like it only wants me. It's just a bully?

Yeah, yeah. It only wants me to feel bad. So I'm like. But you're so beloved. People love you. I don't. Well, you know this about comedians. We can't internalize the good.

No, I know. It is difficult. Yeah. And even when you get, even when you let yourself kind of believe that some people may like you. Yeah. Which is tough. Yeah. You still.

it's a hard thing to yeah even like thinking about saying that to myself in the mirror like listen girl you're beloved like i'm like that is so bad like no way am i ever going to say that to myself yeah but but this is this is how i got my head around it a little bit was uh there are people that for whatever reason like my comedy yes yes and i'm just talking about to them. Yes. So I'm just making things for them or posting things for them. Yeah.

And they want to see it more than I do. Yeah. Right? Yeah. No, totally. Yeah. Like, I don't want to see me talking with my dog about whatever. My horrifying thing is like I've met, you know, when you meet someone who maybe

enjoys your work, I think it's that weird parisocial thing where it's like they know you a certain way and you relate to them a certain way and it doesn't quite align most of the time. So it's like I want to connect with them better as a person off stage and I generally can't. Yeah. Yeah. And that feels bad because I want to like make, like I'm seeming to make them feel good and I want to be able to continue that for them. And I can't. I'm like, sorry, the mask is off.

And now I'm a month. We like to thank the good people at Quince for sponsoring today's program. If you spend a lot of time cooking at home, it's time to elevate your game. When your cookware actually feels good to use and is thoughtfully made and looks beautiful on your counter, it just makes the whole experience better. That's what I've really liked about quince. Their cookware, knives, and tableware are elevated, but they're still super practical. Everything is made to last, designed to be seen and honestly priced way more reasonably than you'd expect for that kind of quality.

It just makes everyday cooking feel a little more special. Quince has a really solid kitchen lineup. Their stainless steel and ceramic non-stick cookware performs like the kind you'd find in a professional kitchen. And their Japanese Damascus steel knives make prep feel way easier and more precise. I love having quince in my lineup. I've got these good ceramic frying pans and sauce pans. They're very cool. They're good in your hand and they clean easy, which is another very cool thing.

The best part, everything at Quince is priced way lower than you'd expect, 50 to 80% less than similar brands. Go get it right now. Refresh your everyday with luxury you'll actually use. Head to quince.com slash Papa for free shipping on your order and 365 day returns. Now available in Canada too. That's Quince, Q-U-I-N-C-E dot com slash Papa, P-A-P-A, for free shipping and 365-day returns. Quince.com slash Papa. I know. Do you ever have those moments when you start talking to someone after a show or whatever? Yeah. And they're all excited.

Yeah. And they were like, oh, hey, nice to meet you and good. And they ask you a question. And they start to, you can see in their eyes, oh, you're not as much fun as I thought. And they just kind of want, all right. See you next time. And like, well, this is just too, I just, I'm kind of boring. I know.

I know. Yeah, I just want to fall through a trap door after my set. And now she's gone. Well, you have definitely this puzzle in my mind because you always talk about being an introvert. Yeah. But you're up there very publicly doing this work. I always say comedy is so difficult. on its own. Any other obstacle you can throw at it is just like, oh, you just made it twice as hard.

Yeah. You know what I mean? Is that what being an introvert in this is? Is it an obstacle or is it just something, you just your nature that you bring up there? I think it can be an obstacle. It's weird. The actual performing, I think, is okay. It's just everything around it. It's sort of like my same problem with the road where it's like, I like the show part, like when I'm on stage, but it's like the airport, like the time alone in the hotel. Like, yeah, I think my approach to life is very much like five minutes at a time. Right.

And the rest of it I need to check out a little bit. Yeah, I don't know. I think I, something in my brain is always like it, it has to be a struggle for it to be worth it. So it's like almost like I have to make this feel difficult or challenging to feel like it was meaningful. Right. Yeah. You mean being on stage or the whole process of getting it? Like the process of like, you know, doing a good show.

It's like there has to be a bunch of anxiety building up to it and coming out of it. Otherwise, how will I know it was worth anything? Right. Yeah. Oh, that's interesting. I don't know if that's like a mindset from childhood or just like we're in a society that's about the grind. I don't know what it is. Yeah.

There is definitely that thing that you learn just from other creatives, like that there has to be, it's not easy. Yeah. And that you've got like people say, you know, writing is hard, but you got to get through it. Yes. Yes. You got to do these things. You got to get through it. Yeah.

But then the older I get, the more I'm realizing at this stage, at least, it doesn't have to be painful. I know. Yeah. Like you just have, you can work actually work smarter. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Totally. But maybe you need that when you're younger, though. Maybe. Yeah. I mean, maybe you just have in general more endurance when you're younger and more like openness to the full range of experience. But I feel like as I've gotten older, I'm just like, there's not enough time. Like, I got to cut down on my pain time. Yeah. Yeah. Because like right. Yeah, when you're younger, you can actually, you can handle it. Yes. And now if there's that much pain, I might die.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. You're like, if this is my last day, is this how I want to spend it? Yeah. I remember I was talking to Stephen Wright in New York at a club, and he was talking about, I don't know how we got on the subject, but when he was young, he thought his idea was, I want to be a comedian because he thought a comedian is come up with your material and go on the Tonight Show and tell your jokes and then go away. and work on more jokes and come back on the Tonight Show.

He had no idea that it was involved going to a city and checking into a hotel and doing shows for people and just like in a horrible hotel by yourself and doing all this stuff. That never occurred to me. That's what a comedian was. I know. That's my thing with like movies and acting where I'm like, you know, from afar it looks like so glamorous and beautiful. but like if you've ever been on a set or like it's like so grim. I know.

Yeah. So much waiting. It's so much like people like where we're like you know, you need to stay in your trailer. We or you know, like you're being babysat. Like a little veal calf. Yeah. Yeah. And yeah.

And they're like we're losing light. You know, it's just like it's very it's very stressful actually. But then also a lot of just sitting around waiting to be stressed. Yeah. Yeah. But then there's nothing. cooler than being like, yeah, I'm in that show. Totally.

And people are like, you know, posting their behind the scenes or whatever. And I'm like, it wasn't as glimmers as you're making it look. Right, exactly. Yeah, you're painting in a nice little picture. Yeah, yeah. Where did you grow up? I grew up outside D.C. in the suburbs of Virginia. Yeah.

Were your parents in government? No, they were both doctors and immigrants. So sometimes I think I'm like, did the struggle mentality kind of. filter down from them because it's like they, you know, weren't. They're both orgaholics. I think they wouldn't be shocked to hear me call them that. But yeah, there's just like I think I grew up in an environment where it's like you just, you struggle.

And that's like what being alive is. Right. Yeah. So how disappointed were they when you weren't going to be a doctor? I mean, I think they pushed it pretty hard, but they weren't. I feel lucky in that they weren't parents of like, oh, you're not doing the thing we wanted you to do like you're dead to us like they weren't like that they were sort of like oh comedy interesting we don't even really understand what that means but right hopefully maybe

you'll crack and eventually go to grad school but then it's like once I got you know maybe a job like a writing job I think they were like okay this is an actual right thing you can make money off of she's getting a paycheck yeah at what age where did you start bringing it up I think I didn't really think I think I would pursue it until my late 20s, after I'd been doing it maybe like five years. Yeah. You mean that you were going to go full time? Yeah, because I was in, I was still in D.C. I started stand up there.

And then my first big kind of bed on myself was moving to L.A. And I think that was about five years in, four or five years in. So I think that was kind of also for them a thing of like, okay, she's really trying to do this. Yeah. What was the impetus before that, though, that made you show up at the scene? Were you a kid? Were you a fan of comedy when you were little? Did you?

I think it kind of came in gradually. I think in high school, I had a friend who was really into stand-up. He gave me like a Mitch Hedberg album that I loved. And then, you know, I started watching more like late night and SNL. And I think it, you know, it was pre-U-June. So it was still kind of like, is this world even? accessible to everyone. Yeah.

So I think I was kind of an admirer from afar, but didn't even realize I could try it myself. And then he, this same friend, was like, I'm going to do an open mic, like after we, you know, went off to college, like when we're home for the summer. And I was like, okay, like maybe I'll try it too. And so it was really just, you know, shot in the dark, like try something different. I liked being funny, but I didn't know that it was, yeah, something that maybe I was good at in front of people. And I really think it was one of those things where if the first set had gone badly, like, I wouldn't be here. Oh, really? Yeah, yeah, it wasn't like, oh, this is what you were born.

I have to do this, right? Yeah, yeah, yeah. They just gave you enough laughs. Yes, yes, yes. He showed up again. Yeah, I mean, the first time I went up was on my birthday, and I definitely was like, is my birthday? this is, you guys have to be nice. That's great.

Yeah. Yeah. Didn't you take a little time off? I did. I was writing a book about imposter syndrome and kind of my lifelong experience with it a couple years ago. And, you know, the hardest thing I've ever done, which many people say about writing a book. But then I think because it was also such a personal book and it was like a book about how I don't think I deserve anything, which was kind of like a snake eating its own tail. You're immediately like, well, I don't deserve to write a book then.

Oh, geez. Yeah. So I think doing that was so destabilizing that it was just too hard to kind of try to do stand up at the same time. Did it just completely unearthed? Were you in your own therapy session? Yeah, like I was so in my own head. It was like impossible to then kind of try to interface with a bunch of strangers at night.

Jeez. How long did it take? How long was that process? Just shy of three years. Three years of beating yourself into smithereens. But I mean, I started writing it in, I guess, May of 2019, and then, you know, six months and change in, the pandemic happened. Right. So that kind of made everyone have to stay at home for a minute.

Yeah. But even look deeper. Yeah. That's like that's like a rough time to be. Yes, yes. But yeah, coming out of that and then the book kind of wrapped up around. the time everyone was re-emerging. So I was like, okay, maybe time to dip your toe back into it.

Right. Yeah. Did it ultimately, was it ultimately good for you to kind of, did it help you get over imposter syndrome? You know what's funny? When I first, like the book was coming out, I would get that question a lot and I'd be like, no. Yeah. Like, I absolutely don't feel like it healed me. If anything, it opened up more psychic wounds.

Right. But now, like, another maybe two years out, I do feel like it kind of like put some stuff in a box where I'm like, you know what? I don't need to like kind of look at this stuff all the time. Like I kind of addressed it. I looked at it carefully. I think it's okay to put it away for now. And I do feel like that long break from standup even reframed how I look at performing where I feel like before I took the break, I was so wrapped up in what I. I thought the audience wanted, what their expectations were of me, like just feeling like I was letting them down all the time.

And I think now coming back to it, just knowing I can step away from it or that it's not like my whole identity has made it so much like lighter in my mind. Yeah. That's nice. Yeah. So you can just do it for you and the sake of doing it. Yeah. I mean, on my good days, I think I'm just able to have more perspective towards it. Right. Yeah.

Does everyone have a little imposter? I think so. Yeah. I think even if they don't call it that, it's like, well, I should say there are exceptions. There were people, because I kind of gave an informal survey to like some other comedians and peers. And there were a couple people who are like, I don't know what that is, and I've never had it. And I've never had a thought of like, why maybe I don't deserve this. Really?

Yeah. And I'm like, whoa, what's that like? Rory Scoval. Yeah, what is that? I don't know. And is it true? Yeah. Like is that really a, you know what I mean?

You think like maybe they're not fully looking at. I think we, I think as a human being. Yes. I mean, there'd be a rare aberration, but I think most of the, I think that the most, I think it's the only difference would be how you deal with it. And maybe bravado and it's like a big way to get around it. Yeah. I'm saying you don't have it, but alone at night.

Catching yourself in the mirror on the way to the bathroom. Right. You loving all that all the time? I know. I'm like, are there people who like see themselves like, yeah, just catch a passing glance in the mirror and they're like, oh, still got it. Yeah. I can't imagine. I can't imagine that being a thing.

There's no way. Yeah, no way. No way. Oh, my gosh. I mean, you don't have to completely rip yourself apart, but yeah, I think everyone's got to have a little of that. All right, we're in the holiday season. It's official. So that means you're going to have to travel. You're going to have to buy gifts. You're going to have to host people. You're going to have to entertain people. You're going to have to buy last minute things that you didn't think that you had to buy. And then you realized, oh, no, they're coming over. We have to buy something. It's very easy in this time to lose sight of your money and financial responsibility. So you need help. I can't do it. But the people at Monarch can. If you want to help your finance get your finances under control, you need to be using Monarch. They're rated Wall Street Journal's best budgeting app of 2025.

Monarch is the all-in-one personal finance tool that brings your entire financial life together in one clean interface on your laptop or your phone. And right now, just for listeners, Monarch is offering 50% off your first year. How great is that? It's a great way to check out your holiday spending. You can actually have a category holiday spending right on the app to make sure that you don't start the new year in debt. It's an essential year-end financial reset tool. You can link everything that you have, all of the crazy little parts of your life in investments, 401K's property value, get your true net worth and stay on top of year-end priorities, like maxing out your contributions to 401K or Roth IRA before the deadline. Also, charity. Also, charity.

you could donate to charities too and they'll keep track of that too. You can review the dashboard for just a couple of minutes a week to stay on top of everything easily. What a cool thing to pick up your phone and be able to just look at your finances as Monarch is tracking it rather than looking at more awful news and Instagram posts that are making you sick. This would be better because then you'll be have more money and you'll be more in control of your life. Don't let financial opportunity slip through the cracks. Use the code Papa P.A. P.A. at Monarch. dot com in your browser for half of your first year. That's 50% off your first year at monarch.com with the code Papa, P-A-P-A. A great way to get your life in order and support our podcast.

And the good people at Butcher Box. When dinner time hits and your fridge is full of question marks, Butcher Box has your back. Skip the last minute supermarket sweep or impromptu chop challenge with whatever's left in your fridge by using Butcher Box. Box. They deliver better meat right when you need it. Cooking for guests, just trying to get the weeknight dinner on the table and the busiest time of year. It's very nice when you open up the freezer and you see a whole bunch of stuff from Butcher Box. And it makes you feel good because you know there's no antibiotics, no added hormones, no panic in the meat aisle. That is a panic. When you're sitting there and you're trying to look and there's people breathing down your neck and you're like,

wait, is this a good one? Should I buy this one? And you're like, I have a, I have a social pressure behind me. I'm going to throw my ethics out the door and just toss it into the supermarket cart. It's nice to have Butcher Box on your side. They deliver over 100 premium protein choices straight to your door, including 100% grass-fed beef, free-range organic chicken, pork-raise crate-free, and wild-caught seafood. For nearly a decade, Butcher Box has led the industry with meat and seafood that's antibiotic-free, hormone-free, and independently very verified. It's a cleaner, more trustworthy version of what you'd find in the grocery store, delivered right to your door. My parents are coming in for a trip, and I know I've got

Butcherbox steaks in the freezer. I don't have to worry. As an exclusive offer, our listeners get free steak in every box for a year. What? Plus $20 off your first box when you go to butcherbox.com slash Papa. That's right. Your choice of Filet Mignon, New York strip, or Rib Eye in every box for an entire year. Come on. Plus $20 off your first box and free shipping always. This company's so good, they don't have to offer all this. That's butcherbox.com slash Papa. Don't forget to use our link, PAPA, so they know that we sent you. Again, a great way to support the podcast and get great food in your life. And now back to the show. I'm sure a lot of, you know, people slash creative people have this thing of like just not knowing exactly how you fit in with

everyone else and like feeling like an outsider. But for me it was like particularly bad of just feeling like I never quite knew how to connect with other people like almost like even if we're both speaking the same language, there's still some sort of gap where we're not fully understanding each other. And so I think comedy felt like a way to bridge that gap. Like it felt like, oh, here's a like little patch of land where we both are on the same page for a little bit of time. Yeah. But yeah.

So I think underneath just that outsider feeling was just this like, do I even belong here? And like, why? Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I think the more you're describing it, the more I think it's the place you're at now is perfect of, yeah, it's real. It exists. I'm not going to pay any attention to it.

Right. I'm not going to entertain this. Yeah, yeah. It's like a friend you've been, you've known for so long, and some of their behavior has been problematic, and you're always just like, well, that's just Kevin. And now I'm just like, you know what, maybe Kevin and I don't have to hang out so much. Right.

Yeah, exactly. Yeah. I'm just going to put them to the side. This is good because it leads me to, we do a thing on here called an uncomfortable moment. Oh. And because I know these aren't your ideal, interactions in the world, I'm assuming.

Okay. So I'd like to just see how you deal with them. How do you deal with talking to someone at the register, cashier, when it's going on just a little too long? Oh, how do I wrap it up? Yeah, like, how are you with small talk in that kind of a situation? I think I've actually gotten better at that type of small talk because I almost feel like that type of small talk feels almost like stand up to me where it feels like there's more of a script and like an in and an out because because you're in a line it like has to keep moving,

you know? So it's like there's no way that conversation can just like sort of meander too much. Right. Someone's going to give you the light. Yes. Exactly. So and and we're both like like this person's trying to get paid. I'm trying to go on with my day. So there is like we both have an out that's not offensive to each other. So I actually like that type of scenario because it's like, oh, we have a little cute interaction and now we know we're done. Right. What's your go-to, what's your go-to topic in the silence there? Oh, I always, I'm like, I like your shirt. And yeah, it's not always the shirt because it's like, you know, it's like the Hawaiian shirt at Trader Joe's. I'm not going to tell them all. I like their shirt. But, but it is, you know, something.

immediate that I can, that feels sincere. I mean, it usually is sincere because I'm like someone, someone put on like, you know, fancy earrings. Obviously they want someone to admire the earrings. Yeah. Yeah. This comes off, by the way, not just knowing you as, as you, but also that, without giving too much a way of your material, the, that flea market, the flea market transaction is, that was one of my favorite jokes. Oh my gosh. It was so good. I'm like stressed even thinking about it. I was waiting for the physical. I was waiting for the physical of you just drifting away.

Like there's nothing stopping you from just going to another place at a certain point. I mean, I think honestly, like at a register, I'm freaking out about so many things at the same time. So it's like while I'm interacting with the cashier, I'm like, I'm looking at the bag person like, should I have bagged? Are you bagging just to be nice? should I have had a dollar to tip you? Like I'm already like, you know, kind of vigilant about what, how many ways am I transgressing right now? Right. Yeah.

Yeah. How many rules am I? Yes. Yeah. Or you do the fake. I'll bag myself because no one's there. But you're really kind of going slow hoping someone comes and believes you. Right.

You're like, where's my assist? Yeah. Yeah. In the same vein, but you're not as in control. Mm-hmm. How do you handle when you're with a server, you're in a restaurant, you're with a server who has a lot of energy. Okay. And they're going into the have you been here before and then plow into the specials and it's getting really long.

And you can't walk away. You're stuck in that seat. Oh, I let them go. I let, I'm like, you know what? It's your show now. I just, you know, I'm paying to be here and I want, I want to let you have your moment. Eye contact, no eye contact. I'll do eye contact if they are looking to make eye contact.

Yeah, because it feels rude to not look at all. Right. Yeah. But I won't do extended eye contact. Like I know some people are really big on eye contact and that's too much for me. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.

It's always uncomfortable when for some reason you're the one. Yes. out of your party of four that they're locking eyes with. They've like dialed you in as the person. Yeah. And now you're responsible for the whole. Oh, God. I know.

But I feel so much pressure. That's why I'll never sit in the front row at a show because I'm just like, I feel like I am kind of steering the ship of this audience. And I don't think I can handle that type of responsibility. Yeah. You're the represent. You're the captain now. Yeah. I'm shocked when people not only want to sit in the front row, but they're like, and I'm going to put my feet on stage. Have you experienced that? I'm like, what is your mindset? I guess those are the people who are like looking in the mirror and feeling great. Yeah, I'm feeling right. Yeah. If you, do you work out? I do. You do. That's so funny that you said that because I was trying to write a bit for so long about how exercise is so existential. Because when you're.

like I didn't work out today. That sounds like you just didn't work out as a person. You're like, I didn't make sense today. Like my existence. So when you asked that, I really thought you meant in the existential. In the existential. Yeah. Is it all coming?

Is it all falling into place? Depends on the day. Did your parents being there were both workaholics and immigrants, were they, were they just plowing through work and like not having like all of this? I feel like we have the luxury of extra time. Yeah. And then people are like, well, I should be practicing my breathing now. I know.

When my grandparents were like breathing. You have time to breathe? Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. The interesting thing is they are like very, it's like they pick a thing and they just go, you know, all in on it. So like they joined a gym when I was maybe like seven or eight. And then they were like, now we're all in on the gym. They would go every day. They would bring us sometimes, like my sibling and I, where it's like even before we were like old enough to be able to use the equipment, they would just have to like sit there.

Like we're at the doctor's office or something. Yeah. Yeah. So they were, yeah, I feel like they were like always just on this like kind of self-improvement. Like being a well-rounded person. Were they religious? We grew up Hindu and we would like go to the temple. And I feel like they, you know, we would just go on like holidays and stuff.

But I feel like as they've gotten older, they've kind of leaned more into spiritual stuff. Like I think they just went to, they're both retired now and they both went to like a Eckhart Toll retreat. Oh, yeah. Yeah. Yeah. So I think they're really digging into, yeah, what's it all about? Yeah. Yeah.

And still searching. Yeah. Yeah. Did you stick with it or did you? I wouldn't say I like identify as as very religious. I think there's like some just overall guiding principles of Buddhism that I that I feel like are very helpful in general. Yeah. Just like that whole thing of like, you know, life is suffering.

Life is problems. But you have to kind of just learn to live with that. Like I like that part of it. But I wouldn't say I'm like really strictly adhering to anything. Right. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.

How about yourself? I'm Catholic. Okay. And I was raised Catholic. Yeah. And for years kind of drifted away from it. It was always kind of around. Yeah.

But pretty much drifted away from it. Okay. But then in recent years, I've kind of gone back to it. Oh, interesting. Yeah. It just felt like all the other things seemed cool too. But I know all the moves with this one. Oh, yeah, you've already, yeah.

Yeah, this is my key to get through that door. Right, right, right. I can't go make another key. No, I get that. I get that. Yeah. It's like you learn that language. Yeah.

Yeah. But they're definitely, I think, is calming. Like, yeah. To think in very real terms that there's something much bigger. Yes, yes. And, you know, all those, you know, everybody's scratching it the same. same itch, you know, even the people that, you know, you hear just being present and just being or TM or just being in the moment and all of that kind of, we're all just like trying to respond

to this hum. Yeah, yeah. And because I remember growing up, I was like a lot more, you know, into prayer or like using prayer as like a ritual or just a way to kind of ground myself. And it's like now maybe the equivalent of that is meditation, but I do think, like, believing in just, like, something bigger, there is something very, I don't know, resonant about it or just, like, connecting about it where it's so easy to feel disconnected these days. Yeah. Yeah. How do you find L.A. socially?

Are you in a relationship? I'm not at this time, which is tricky because in my special I am. Right. It's that weird thing of like, oh, life. Yeah, my special is like a year behind real life. Right. Yeah. Now one of my opening acts is the same.

Oh, really? Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. A big one. And like this act is just, I got to put out this special. I know, I know. This is five years of material.

Yeah. I'm not going to waste at all. Yeah. Yeah, but not at this, not right now. Right. I only bring it up because I know L.A. is a much easier place. Yeah. When you're locked in and it's such a wide open, disconnected place at times.

I do feel like it's like I'm in that period of life where it's like all my friends are married, have kids, are pretty settled. And it is weird to kind of be single again. And you're like, okay, who's divorced and ready for round two? Yeah. That probably is the best way to go after. You don't need somebody having a first crack at this. No, no, no, no. I need, yeah, I need one under the belt. Will you write another book, you think? I don't know if I would write another book that's like so personal.

Like I would love to write a novel, but I think it's like any, anything that you, like I'm an avid reader. And it's sort of that thing of like, oh, but it seems so hard. and like the ones I love just I'm like I could never have come up with this. Yeah, yeah. But I feel like there are, yeah, comedians who have sort of dabbled in so many different mediums. So I will say, who knows, maybe. Yeah. Yeah.

I think you could do it. You're such a great writer. Thanks. Thanks. Really. My advice in that realm is read people who aren't that great. Yeah. I mean, I am a recovering completionist in that I will like, you know, I have trouble like not finishing everything I start reading even if I don't like it.

But I'm starting to, you know, get to an age where I'm like, you don't have enough time to finish everything. Yeah. You got to stuff if you don't like it. But sometimes I do like reading things that I, you know, don't think are that great or are not really working for me. Because I think I like to figure out why they're not working. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.

I know. Someone gave me that advice years ago of like when you're reading an article and you're not getting it. Yeah. It's not you. They didn't write it well. And it really kind of kept that with me. It's true. It was great writing. I never struggle.

Oh, that's true. Well, I don't know. I would push back on that gently in that I'm of the mentality. Like when I started stand up, you know, it's always like the audience is always right. Like, you know, if they don't like you, you could have done something differently. But now I'm just like, no, it's different strokes for different folks. Like, they might, they just might not be your crowd. And so it's like, you know, maybe there is someone for that author.

Yeah, maybe. But sometimes they're just confusing and going around in circles. But when you read the Giants, I mean, I just started reading Updike again. Oh, wow. And it's just so, I mean, there's not a sentence. that is written that isn't impressive. I know. And just the way he cracks into humanity and it's just like, it's just amazing.

But he's so good that it doesn't smother me. Like it almost inspires me. Like it's your mind thinking in the rhythm of writing. Yes, yes. Where sometimes you read stuff and you're like, well, I'm not going to try. Right, right, right, right. Why am I doing? No, it has to be like so good that you're like, well, they're like their own planning.

You know? Right. It's not even in the realm of something I can. do so it doesn't feel threatening. Right. It's like the people are too close to you or like closer to you that feel the most upsetting. Right. Exactly.

And then you're like, oh, no, this is an alien. I can I can deal with this. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, exactly. Are you getting more voiceover stuff? Yeah, I feel like the voiceover stuff has been good to me in that I feel like it's been pretty steady. But yeah, I don't, I'm sure you've encountered people just saying that it's been a weird time. overall.

Yeah. My agent, you mean? Yeah. Yeah. By people. I mean your people. During the whole like the whole streaming revolution and stuff was being made nonstop. Yeah.

My agent was like, tough times out of here. I'm like, it doesn't seem like it. Yeah. It's tough. That's so funny the way reps spin things. Yeah. You're like, do you hear how you sound? I had an agent once who every time I called, he would just start yawning.

Really? Yeah, great guy. Like discreetly? Hey, what's up? I'm like, it's 2 o'clock. What's happening? It's so funny. Oh, too good.

What's up with you? Man, Wednesday's, right? You're like, are you? Are we too friendly? Yeah, yeah, yeah. You're a little too comfortable. Yeah, BS me a little bit. Yeah, yeah.

Where's the show? Yeah. That's really funny. Are you, do you kind of, in combining both of those of voiceover and getting stuff and writing stuff, do you ever write for yourself to get things off the ground? I'm trying to do a little more development. I think development is hard because it's so ambiguous. It feels like you're kind of writing for people that you don't understand.

understand what they want or it's like they say they want a thing and then when you're actually pitching it it's like a completely different set of people yeah so I think I'm trying to learn that it's like if I'm writing a project like let me just dial in for myself what I want it to be and then wherever it you know yeah ends up being shown or tried to be sold it is what it is yeah yeah yeah as you're doing it and people like well you know this could be a multi-cam well yeah I guess I haven't even finished and I'm compromising what this thing is. Yeah, yeah, exactly. Well, Tubey's looking for stuff.

What? I thought we were doing Mooby now. Yeah, yeah. But I could see you doing that though. Yeah, I mean, I think I also, I have a lot of friends who are like TV writers. And yeah, that also seems like a world that I don't know as intimately. But it's like, you know, showrunners and that job's. seems really stressful.

So it's like, ideally you would want to write a show where it's like you could work with some of your friends. Yeah, yeah. Something about it feels less like maybe mechanic or just show busy. But it's like those factors are sometimes really outside your control. Yeah. Have you ever written with somebody else? I've written, I pitched a show with Joe Firestone.

Yeah. And we sold that to Hulu. Oh, nice. Yeah, the pilot didn't, we sold the script and then it didn't end up going, but it was really fun to collaborate with someone. I think it's nice to kind of get out of your own head and also just like be excited about an idea with another person. Right. Yeah. Who did you do the show with in New York?

You had your regular show. Oh, that was also with Joe and an Irish comedian, Maeve Higgins. Oh, yeah, yeah. But that was really fun. I think just getting to kind of check in every week and just goof around on stage. That's kind of like my favorite part of having a show is actually just like the banter. Right. Oh, the three of you are so funny.

Oh, thanks. Yeah. All so unique and funny. Yeah, I think we, and Marianne Weiz was our producer and she's been producing comedy for so long that I think we, you know, just had to show up and just like enjoy. Yeah. Yeah. And do you have that here? Do you have the same kind of a show?

I have a very, weirdly enough, we have one tonight, but a very sort of erratically occurring. show. Yeah. Yeah. It's called tasting menu and it's had a little trouble finding a venue. Tonight it's at the Elysian Vault, which we're trying out. Yeah. But it's like me and Brent Weinbach and Lizzie Cooperman hosts. So it's like a real convergence of different energies. Yeah. Is she still being taunted by peacocks? Oh my God. I forgot. Do you remember when she was being attacked by peacocks? She had a peacock that was like, Peacocks in L.A. Yes.

Like big giant peacocks. And it was literally starting to like signal her out. Yeah. And like sit on her car. Yeah. Like where you think you're going. Right. And then like go on her balcony.

Uh-huh. Yeah. Yeah. And she said it like wouldn't let her get packages. But it's like crazy. Yeah. One-on-one battle with a peacock. Yeah.

I mean, Lizzie is one of those people where you're like, I can't believe this is your life. Like the stories you're telling me. Yeah. But it all kind of makes sense. Yeah, yeah. I thought that Space Force should have been a show for longer. I know. And I almost feel like Space Force was kind of in that last wave of shows where Netflix

was like, we're going to throw everything we got at this, you know? And then it felt like after that they were like, we're shutting down. Yeah, kind of right. Yeah, yeah. Yeah. And I'm surprised they didn't keep going with it because it was really watchable. I know. And the cast was like crazy.

Yeah, really great. Yeah. Did it make you? want, did it make you like space more? Great question. I mean, I think it made me, because that was the first time and I don't know, maybe the only time we did a scene where we were like on the moon and we had to, I remember we had a day where we just practiced walking on the moon where we were all in these big harnesses.

And I was like, this is what I imagined Hollywood. Yeah, that's great. It's so wild. Yeah. And they created like in this warehouse, like the surface of the. The moon? It was so wild. So great. Now it's like, oh, what, AI?

Yeah, I know. I guess you used up all the money. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah, I think that and Crafty had like a super bar. I'm like, uh-oh. Yeah. Uh-oh. Netflix is not going to be doing this for long.

Did they, could you keep the space suit? No. Damn. And mine was, yeah, they were all too big. They were all men's suits. Oh, they were? Which is a separate issue. No female space.

Space suits. That's ridiculous. Even in space. Yeah. Son of a bitch. I bake this bread for you. I can't believe it. I was going to ask it.

How long have you been making bread? Like 12 years? Wow. Something like that. And is it something you find calming? Very. Yeah. See, this is what I'm jealous of because I wish I cooked more and it seems like the people are

really good at it or do it regularly. It's like soothing for them or like. Yeah. Yeah. There is something definitely, this one kind of, it's funny you bring that up because for this one, because I had a radio show and an early appointment out of the house before a radio and it was kind of hustling. Yeah. So I had to plan this ahead, you know, like from last night.

And then I set my alarm for 630 to go up and just tend to the bread before the rest of it started because otherwise I wouldn't be able to bake it in time to see you. and that one part of that was a struggle or a oh I have to or an annoyance it was just oh yeah and then at 630 I'll do like if you told me I have to get up at 630 to catch a flight I'm like oh I know that's so wild I mean even you say being like I got up early to bake bread I'm like feels like a Russian folk tale it does yeah yeah but it's it's it's it's it's It is. It's very, it's very common. It also indicates being home off the road to me. Oh, yes, yes, yes. Yeah. And you need at least, you know, three days to be around to do it. Right. Oh, yeah. That's a good way of looking at it. Yeah, it kind of makes me feel like, oh, I'm going to be here for a beat.

Yeah, I mean, it's a beautiful loaf. Well, I hope you like it. Yeah. Now, is this what you call a bool? Yes. Okay. Yeah. And it's a country loaf, which means. basically that has whole wheat and white in it? Yum. Who cooked when you grew up? Both my parents cooked actually. Oh, yeah? My dad actually might have cooked a little more than my mom.

Oh, yeah? But they both are like very, very good cooks. And I felt very lucky that I just grew up with like kind of Indian food all the time. Oh, my God, that's amazing. Yeah. I learned to make a few things, but I just haven't kept it up. and I'm not that person where it's like, I'm just going to mess around in the kitchen. Right.

Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Indian food is so great. So good. So great. And what's great about how I grew up is it doesn't even have to be good Indian food for me to love it. Right, right, right.

I know. I know. You're like, this still tastes good to me. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, that's so funny. Yeah.

I think you should cook more. I know. Okay. Come on. Yeah. You can do it. You're right. I got it.

And I'm not saying it as someone who gave you food and expects food in return. But if there were to happen, it wouldn't be bad. I just, yeah, I have you on my podcast. It's like a big pot of unidentifiable stuff. I'm like, this is for you, Tom. What is your podcast? I don't have one. Damn it.

I know. Why not? Well, now I have to start with. Is that allowed? That's what I, I don't know. I think please don't let people, don't tell people. I think you should just make up a title. What's your podcast name?

I mean, how long have you had this one? How long? Three years. Oh, wow, that's a long time. I was going to ask, like, a podcast about bread in L.A. is really brave. Yeah, most people love it. Yeah. A couple, you give it to, like, an accomplished actress.

Yeah. And they're like, you know they're not going to eat it. Right, right. And then one flat out said, no, and didn't take it. Whoa. Yeah. I was thinking if we were to have a office party, which, you know, we'll have some kind of celebration on Thursday. But like if we, you know, and you get, everyone has one drink and then it's like, oh, who is the worst guest?

I think we all know it. Oh, I know. Right? You know. Whoa. Oh, my gosh. Immediately. Yeah.

Wow. And really just denied the bread, almost like I was giving them, like, dog shit. They're like, mm. And, like, tapped it. Like, no. What? Tap. I tapped the bread?

Like, mm. No. My only explanation for that would be, like, maybe they're like, oh, I can't keep bread around. But it's like, you don't say that to the person's face who's giving you the bread. Yeah. And this was clear. Like, yeah, we've had people. like, you know, I'm gluten, but I'll give it to my wife or whatever.

This was not that. What? This was just like, no. It was like, I knew we shouldn't have booked this person. Wow. Yeah. People are living wildly. I know.

There's no part of me. Like if I would lie through my teeth. Oh, yeah. To get out of that situation. Yeah. Thank you so much. Oh, my God. I love this.

Yeah, this was on my bucket list. and then toss it out the sunroof on your way home. Yeah. Right? Just get through it. Yeah. And I honestly, I'm like, the older I get really love people, we're like more straightforward or like not going to bullshit you.

But I don't know. There's a line. Yeah. Right. Yeah. Exactly. The bread is the line. Yeah.

Give me a little. Yeah. Yeah. Is your sibling funny? I would say we were not. Like a house where it's like, oh my God, we're like laughing all the time. But I do feel like there would be times we would just, everyone would be more silly. And that would be kind of my favorite time.

And I think we all have like a goofy side to us. Right. Yeah. Right. Yeah. And it's funny that you, is it funny? Is it unusual that you emerged as the writer and the honing of all that? I don't think so.

I mean, I was the quietest one in my household. Oh, yeah? that tracks in that like I was just like you know observing everything so intently and kind of reconstituting it in my head so yeah I think that's probably not uncommon for your writers and yeah types yeah it is amazing how isolating writing is yeah when you're really writing like when you're doing that for three years it's like you I didn't realize how much you have to shut everybody else out yes yes and really like go through through your own, I don't know, life cycle with whatever you're creating where it's like there's,

you know, almost like the stages of grief where there's like denial that you have to write a book, anger, bargaining. Did you like the rewriting part of it? I think I had to kind of get over the hump of being like so reactive to the feedback because especially when it's personal, you're just like, what do you mean this formative story about my childhood feels like it could be cut, you know? How dare you? Yeah.

But yeah, once you like separate yourself a little, then I think it's more fun because then it becomes more like technical or something. Yeah. Yeah. Problem you can solve. But yeah. Right. Yeah.

That's a huge thing. Yes. Which is like a, yeah, that felt like a blessing. It's like, oh no, this is like a code I'm trying to crack. Yes. I'm just going to work on this. Exactly. Exactly.

Yeah. Line by line. Yeah. Because with stand up, it feels like there, it's. never was so raw for me at least yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah do you write all your stand-up pretty much out i would say yeah like the first pass i i end up being pretty like word specific where i'm like i want a phrase to land an exact way but yeah i'm learning to kind of let it breathe a little more yeah yeah yeah are you on the where would you say you fall in the right yeah i fall in pretty

written. It'll live or like things will kind of emerge. Yes. In the moment or whatever. Yeah. But eventually it boils down and yeah. And then I'm left with what I think is like the best words. Yes. Yeah. My thing is like I always overwrite things and then I have to kind of pare it down. Yeah. Yeah. I know. Well, that's a very, that's that's same as the essays. It's taking away all the time. Right. Right. Right. Right. Why am I saying this same thing? Four times. Four times. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, exactly.

I can just peel this all back. Yes, yes. So is this going to be a regular show now in L.A.? I mean, we did it kind of, maybe it's been around a year, year and change, and then we maybe have been off for a few months. But, yeah, I think we're trying to do it as a monthly. Right. Yeah.

Oh, that's good. Yeah. Very cool. Well, it was a really nice spending time with you. Thank you for having me, and thank you for the bread, which I'm not going to tap. Don't you dare. It'll give us something else to talk about at the Christmas party. Where is the special again?

It's on dropout. On drop out. On drop out? Yeah. Okay. And then will it move to YouTube? Yes. Right.

Yeah. Okay, cool. Yeah. The natural progression of content. Right. Of content. Yeah, pushing the content. And how many promotional videos will you doing by yourself in your room?

Oh, my gosh. Should I be doing those? Yeah, you've got to come up with cleverer ways. to hold the phone up in front of your face and tell people about your special. That's what I need to get more into video. I'm still posting, you know, images of tweets. We want videos. We want them edited.

Yeah. We want captions. You're right. You have to really up your game. I know. Okay. I always feel like the envy I have of people who are really great at it is they never have this moment of picking up the phone with an idea and going, no.

Yeah. No one wants to see that. No, because I don't think you can have that. You can't. Yeah. John, you do a bunch. You're good at it. I'll never speak into my own, no.

No? Really? It's written. It's produced. Oh, okay, okay. Gotcha, gotcha. Yeah. No, I get that.

I want you to see my face and trust that it's going to be good. Right. Yeah. Yeah, there's a little humility there. Yes. It hides behind hard work. Yeah. Yeah.

I respect that. Yeah. I'm going to whore it up in 2026, though. I'm going all in. Every time you log on, you're just going to see live. Tom's starting a live stream. The live streams really stress me out because I'm like, this is real time. Yeah.

And only three people are here in the beginning. Yeah. I know. I know. It's a lot. Yeah. But we're happy to spread the word. Oh, thank you.

You should come on the radio show too. Yeah, I would love to. And let people know because it's really funny. It's really well done. Thank you. Thank you so much. Who did the set? Who did the set? Oh my gosh. Tricia Robertson.

Okay. Yes. Yes. Really well done. I know. She really, because I told her, I think I told her, I want the feeling of a mouse's apartment. I feel like she honored that. She honored that? That's so great. Yeah. Yeah. And I love the beginning with all your post-it notes. Oh, thank you. Thank you. Yeah. Really great. Well, you. You. Well, you. You. You. You know. You. You. Really great. Well, you. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. Well, You are worthy. You are great. Thank you. There's a reason you're here. And keep making more stuff. Thank you, Tom. Thanks for having me.