JRE 1307 · June 1, 2019

Greg Fitzsimmons

comedypsychologyphilosophy

Who is Greg Fitzsimmons?

Greg Fitzsimmons is a writer and stand-up comedian. He also hosts a podcast with Alison Rosen called “Childish” that is available now on iTunes & Stitcher.

Topics and Timestamps

01Greg Fitzsimmons discusses his comedy career and the evolution of stand-up in the modern era
02Conversation covers parenting, raising kids, and the challenges of balancing family life with show business
03Greg talks about his podcast 'Childish' with Alison Rosen and what makes podcast chemistry work
04Discussion of comedy writing process and what makes jokes land versus what falls flat
05Greg shares stories from his experience in the comedy world and interactions with other comedians
06Conversation touches on social media, cancel culture, and how comedians navigate controversial topics
▶Greg discusses his comedy career and approach to stand-up0:05:00
▶Conversation about parenting while maintaining a comedy career0:20:00
▶Greg talks about his podcast 'Childish' with Alison Rosen0:35:00
▶Discussion of joke writing craft and what makes comedy work0:55:00
▶Greg shares stories and observations about the comedy world1:15:00

The Show

Joe Rogan sits down with comedian and writer Greg Fitzsimmons on JRE 1307 for a wide-ranging conversation about comedy, podcasting, and life. Greg brings his characteristic humor and thoughtfulness to the conversation, diving into what it takes to make it as a stand-up comedian in today's landscape.

The episode explores Greg's journey in comedy and his evolution as a performer and writer. He discusses the unique challenges of doing stand-up in the modern era where comedy has become increasingly scrutinized and where social media plays a huge role in a comedian's career. Greg opens up about the balance between pushing boundaries in comedy and being responsible with the platform comedians have.

A significant portion of the conversation focuses on parenting and how that experience informs his comedy. Greg talks candidly about raising kids while maintaining a demanding career in entertainment, and how those worlds sometimes collide. He shares insights about how becoming a parent changes your perspective on material and what you're comfortable talking about on stage.

Greg also discusses his podcast 'Childish' with Alison Rosen, explaining what makes their dynamic work and why they continue doing it. He talks about the podcast space as distinct from stand-up comedy, offering different opportunities for comedians to develop their voices and connect with audiences. The chemistry between co-hosts becomes an important topic as they discuss what listeners are really tuning in for.

The conversation dives into the actual craft of joke writing and what separates material that lands from material that doesn't. Greg shares his perspective on comedy writing, workshop process, and how comedians test material. He and Joe discuss specific examples of jokes that work and the mechanics behind why certain approaches are more effective than others.

Throughout the episode, Greg contributes various stories from his experiences in the comedy world, his interactions with other comedians, and observations about the industry. He brings genuine insights and humor without being overly self-promotional, keeping the conversation grounded and real. The discussion feels like two experienced voices in comedy riffing on their craft and the world around them.