JRE 1444 · March 19, 2020

Duncan Trussell

comedyphilosophypsychologyspiritualityconsciousness

Who is Duncan Trussell?

Duncan Trussell is a stand-up comedian, and host of his own podcast “The Duncan Trussell Family Hour”. Look for his new show "The Midnight Gospel" which starts streaming April 20 on Netflix. @duncantrussellfamilyhour

Topics and Timestamps

01Duncan discusses his new Netflix show 'The Midnight Gospel' premiering April 20 and the creative process behind it
02Conversation about Duncan's podcast 'The Duncan Trussell Family Hour' and how it's evolved over the years
03Duncan opens up about his personal experiences with meditation, spirituality, and consciousness exploration
04Discussion of comedy, stand-up, and how Duncan approaches his craft differently than traditional comedians
05Duncan talks about his comedy specials and the challenges of translating his unique comedy style to different mediums
06The conversation touches on Duncan's philosophical perspectives on life, death, and human connection
▶Duncan introduces The Midnight Gospel and what to expect from the Netflix show0:00:00
▶Discussion about The Duncan Trussell Family Hour podcast and its impact on his career0:15:00
▶Duncan shares his experiences with meditation and consciousness exploration0:35:00
▶Conversation about the differences between stand-up comedy and podcast content creation1:00:00
▶Duncan discusses philosophical themes in his work including mortality and human connection1:45:00

The Show

Joe welcomes Duncan Trussell back to the podcast to talk about his exciting new Netflix animated series 'The Midnight Gospel' which is set to premiere on April 20. Duncan brings his characteristic energy and philosophical depth to the conversation, diving into the creative process behind the show and what listeners can expect from it. The show represents a unique blend of Duncan's comedy sensibilities with deeper explorations of consciousness and meaning.

Duncan has built a substantial following through his podcast 'The Duncan Trussell Family Hour,' which has become known for its long-form conversations that explore everything from comedy to consciousness to personal struggles. Joe and Duncan discuss how the podcast format has allowed him to develop a different kind of intimacy with his audience compared to traditional stand-up comedy. The podcast gives Duncan space to be vulnerable and exploratory in ways that stage comedy sometimes doesn't allow.

Throughout the episode, Duncan shares his perspectives on meditation, spirituality, and his ongoing exploration of consciousness. He approaches these topics with humor and genuine curiosity rather than dogmatism, which is part of what makes his content resonate with people. Duncan talks about how these explorations have influenced his comedy and his overall worldview.

The conversation naturally flows into discussions about the nature of comedy itself. Duncan explains his approach to stand-up and how he tries to create moments of genuine connection with audiences rather than just delivering punchlines. He discusses his comedy specials and the different challenges of performing in clubs versus theaters versus creating content for Netflix.

Joe and Duncan explore the philosophical dimensions of Duncan's work, particularly around themes of death, impermanence, and what it means to be human. These aren't heavy-handed discussions but rather the kind of natural conversations that emerge when two curious people start talking. Duncan's ability to blend humor with genuine philosophical inquiry is one of his strengths as a performer and podcaster. The episode captures the kind of wide-ranging, unpredictable conversation that JRE is known for.