JRE 1879 · June 27, 2024

Sober October 4

comedyhealthpsychologybusiness

Who is Sober October 4?

Ari Shaffir, Tom Segura, and Bert Kreischer are stand-up comics and podcast hosts. Ari is the host of "The Skeptic Tank" podcast. His most recent special, "Ari Shaffir: Double Negative," is available via Netflix. Together, Tom and Bert are the co-hosts of the "2 Bears, 1 Cave" podcast. Tom also co-hosts a podcast with his wife and fellow comedian Christina Pazsitzky, "Your Mom's House," as well as his own Spanish language podcast: "Tom Segura en Español." His new book, "I'd Like to Play Alone, Please: Essays," is available now. Bert hosts his own podcast, "The Bertcast," and can be seen starring on TBS's "The Go-Big Show," and the YouTube cooking program "Somethings Burning." www.arishaffir.com www.tomsegura.com www.bertbertbert.com

Topics and Timestamps

01Sober October 4 brings back Ari Shaffir, Tom Segura, and Bert Kreischer for their annual sobriety challenge episode
02The comedians discuss their experiences with the month-long sobriety commitment and how it affects their mental state
03Various stories and anecdotes from their podcasting lives and stand-up careers come up throughout the conversation
04The group explores themes of discipline, health, and the role alcohol plays in comedy and social life
05Personal growth and self-improvement get examined through the lens of Sober October's strict rules
06The dynamic between the three comedians creates natural comedic tension and entertainment value
▶Introduction of Sober October 4 and the annual challenge explained0:00:00
▶Comedians discuss their initial motivations and expectations for the month0:15:00
▶Stories from enforcing Sober October rules and holding each other accountable0:35:00
▶Discussion of how sobriety affects sleep, energy levels, and creative output1:10:00
▶Closing thoughts on personal growth and plans for next Sober October2:00:00

The Show

Joe Rogan Experience 1879 brings back the Sober October crew with Ari Shaffir, Tom Segura, and Bert Kreischer for another round of the annual sobriety challenge. This episode marks the fourth iteration of the event where these comedians commit to giving up alcohol and other substances for the entire month of October, using it as both a personal challenge and content opportunity for their respective podcasts.

The episode centers on the comedians discussing what goes into maintaining sobriety for a full month while living lives that typically revolve around bars, comedy clubs, and social drinking. Each of them brings their own perspective on the challenge, how it affects their creative output, their sleep patterns, and their overall mental health during the period. The conversation naturally flows between serious reflections on addiction and discipline mixed with hilarious stories from their lives as touring stand-up comedians.

Throughout the episode, the three riff on the differences between their younger selves and where they are now in their careers, touching on how their bodies respond to sobriety differently at different stages of life. They discuss the social aspects of giving up drinking, the pressure from fans and other comedians, and how the month-long commitment forces them to confront their relationship with substances more directly than they might otherwise.

The dynamic between Ari, Tom, and Bert creates natural comedic friction as they needle each other about their respective struggles with the challenge. Their podcast experience shines through as they know how to tell stories, set up jokes, and keep the conversation moving at a pace that feels natural and entertaining. Joe lets them drive much of the conversation, asking clarifying questions and building on their stories rather than dominating the discussion.

The episode serves as both genuine exploration of sobriety and its effects on creative people while maintaining the comedic entertainment value that JRE audiences expect. It's the kind of conversation that works because these guys have built real friendships and comedic chemistry over years of doing this together.