JRE 2309 · April 23, 2025

Joey Diaz

comedybusinessphilosophypsychology

Who is Joey Diaz?

Joey Diaz is a standup comic, actor, and author. He's the host of "The Church of What's Happening Now," and the author of "Tremendous: The Life of a Comedy Savage."

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Topics and Timestamps

01Joey Diaz discusses his journey from poverty and addiction to becoming a successful comedian and actor
02The conversation covers Joey's experiences in the comedy scene and how persistence led to his breakthrough
03Joey talks about his podcast Church of What's Happening Now and connecting with audiences
04Discussion of Joey's acting roles and transition from standup to film and television
05Joey shares insights about his book Tremendous and the life lessons from his unconventional path
06The episode explores Joey's philosophy on work ethic, recovery, and finding purpose through comedy
▶Joey discusses his early struggles and path to comedy0:05:30
▶Conversation about the grind of performing at comedy clubs night after night0:18:45
▶Joey talks about starting his podcast Church of What's Happening Now0:32:15
▶Discussion of his acting career and choosing roles that fit his brand0:48:20
▶Joey reflects on his book Tremendous and life philosophy1:02:00

The Show

Joey Diaz sits down with Joe for a conversation about his incredible journey from nothing to becoming one of comedy's most beloved figures. Joey's story is the kind that actually resonates because it's real. He came up the hard way, dealt with serious demons, and clawed his way into the comedy world through sheer determination and not giving up when most people would have quit.

The discussion touches on how Joey built his career performing at clubs for years before getting recognized, grinding through the comedy circuit when there was no internet, no social media shortcuts, just the work. Joey talks about the importance of showing up and doing the work every single night, treating comedy like a craft that requires dedication. He's not preachy about it, just matter of fact about what it took.

Joey discusses his podcast Church of What's Happening Now and how it's become a genuine connection point with fans who appreciate his unfiltered approach. The podcast lets him be himself without any filter, which is basically what made him successful in standup anyway. He talks about the freedom that comes with having your own platform and not having to answer to network executives or anyone trying to sanitize his message.

The conversation includes Joey's transition into acting, picking roles that aligned with who he is rather than just taking anything available. He's been selective about the work, understanding that his reputation and credibility matter more than just chasing a paycheck. Joe and Joey riff on the entertainment industry and how it's changed, especially with streaming and the dissolving of traditional gatekeepers.

Joey reflects on his book Tremendous and the stories within it, sharing anecdotes that shaped who he is. The book is basically his life philosophy turned into a narrative, dealing with real adversity and how he overcame it. Throughout the conversation, you get the sense that Joey's still got that hunger, still motivated, still driven to perform and connect with people. It's a genuine conversation between two guys who respect the craft and respect the hustle it takes to make it.