JRE 1464 · April 25, 2020

Duncan Trussell

comedyphilosophydmtpsychologyspirituality

Who is Duncan Trussell?

Duncan Trussell is a stand-up comedian, and host of his own podcast “The Duncan Trussell Family Hour”. His new show “The Midnight Gospel” is now streaming only on Netflix. @duncantrussellfamilyhour

Topics and Timestamps

01Duncan discusses his new Netflix show 'The Midnight Gospel' and the creative process behind it
02Conversation explores psychedelics, meditation, and altered states of consciousness
03Duncan talks about his comedy career and the Duncan Trussell Family Hour podcast
04They discuss death, mortality, and how to live a meaningful life
05Duncan shares experiences with DMT and other consciousness-expanding substances
06Joe and Duncan bond over comedy, philosophy, and questioning conventional reality
▶Duncan discusses 'The Midnight Gospel' and how it came together0:00:00
▶Conversation about psychedelic experiences and consciousness exploration0:15:00
▶Duncan shares philosophy on death, mortality, and living authentically0:35:00
▶Discussion of meditation practices and altered states of mind1:00:00
▶Duncan reflects on comedy as a tool for exploring meaningful ideas1:30:00

The Show

Joe sits down with Duncan Trussell for a deep dive into comedy, consciousness, and his new Netflix animated series 'The Midnight Gospel.' Duncan brings his characteristic blend of humor and philosophical inquiry to the podcast, discussing everything from the creative process behind his show to the nature of human experience and mortality.

The conversation naturally flows into territory Duncan has explored throughout his career: what it means to be alive, how to face death with grace, and the role of psychedelics and meditation in expanding human consciousness. Duncan talks about the development of 'The Midnight Gospel,' which combines animated storytelling with real conversations about life's biggest questions. The show represents a culmination of Duncan's years spent exploring these themes through his podcast and comedy.

Joe and Duncan get into the weeds on altered states of consciousness, discussing DMT experiences and meditation practices. Duncan's approach combines spirituality with genuine curiosity and humor, never taking himself too seriously despite tackling heavy subject matter. They explore how comedy can be a vehicle for discussing profound ideas, and how making people laugh while also making them think is one of the most valuable things a comedian can do.

The episode captures what makes Duncan such a unique voice in comedy and podcasting: his ability to move seamlessly between making you laugh and making you contemplate existence. His new Netflix show represents validation for this approach, bringing his sensibilities to a broader audience while maintaining the authenticity that made the Duncan Trussell Family Hour podcast such a cult favorite.

Best Quotes

“The Midnight Gospel is about conversations that matter, mixing animation with real dialogue about life and death”

— Duncan Trussell