JRE 741 · December 25, 2015

Joey Diaz

comedyphilosophybusiness

Who is Joey Diaz?

Joey “CoCo” Diaz is a Cuban-American stand up comedian and actor. Joey also hosts his own podcast called “The Church of What’s Happening Now” -- https://www.youtube.com/madflavorsworld

Topics and Timestamps

01Joey Diaz discusses his journey from poverty and addiction to becoming a successful comedian and actor
02The conversation covers Joey's podcast 'The Church of What's Happening Now' and how it connects him with fans
03Joey shares stories about his experiences in Colorado and how those shaped his comedy and life philosophy
04Discussion about the comedy scene, touring, and how comedians make their living in the modern era
05Joey talks about his acting roles and how comedy has opened doors to other opportunities
06The conversation touches on spirituality, recovery, and finding meaning after overcoming personal struggles
▶Joey talks about his podcast and direct connection with fans0:05:30
▶Discussion about the realities of touring and building a comedy career0:15:45
▶Joey shares philosophy on authenticity and not caring what people think0:28:20
▶Conversation about acting opportunities and how comedy leads to other doors0:42:10
▶Joey reflects on his journey and what success really means to him0:55:00

The Show

JRE 741 brings back Joey 'CoCo' Diaz, the Cuban-American comedy powerhouse who's become one of the most beloved figures in the stand-up world. This episode dives deep into Joey's unfiltered perspective on comedy, life, and his rise from absolutely nothing to where he is today. Joey's always been willing to get real about his past, and he doesn't hold back here either.

Joe and Joey get into the specifics of what it takes to build a comedy career in the modern landscape. They talk about touring, which is basically the bread and butter for comedians who want to make real money. Joey's been hitting the road hard for years, and he breaks down what that lifestyle is actually like. It's not all glamorous appearances on Netflix specials. There's grinding through small clubs, driving to gigs, and building an audience one city at a time. But that's also where the real connection with fans happens, and Joey clearly loves that part.

The discussion naturally flows into Joey's podcast, The Church of What's Happening Now. This platform has become absolutely massive and gives Joey direct access to his audience without any gatekeepers. They talk about how podcasting has changed the game for comedians and entertainers. It's a way to build a community, stay relevant between tours, and just be yourself without the network notes or the censorship that might come with traditional media.

Joey shares his philosophy on life and comedy, which really comes down to authenticity and not giving a shit what people think. He's built a massive following by being completely unfiltered and genuine. Whether he's talking about his past struggles, his current life, or his observations about society, people appreciate that he's not performing some sanitized version of himself. He's the same guy in the club as he is on the podcast as he is hanging out with Joe.

They get into some of the acting opportunities that have come Joey's way. Comedy is becoming a legitimate stepping stone to acting roles, and Joey's been able to leverage his success in stand-up into TV and film work. But he never loses sight of what made him successful in the first place, which is his ability to make people laugh and connect with them on a real level.

The whole conversation has that relaxed JRE vibe where two friends are just talking shit, laughing, and going deeper on topics that actually matter. Joey's presence always brings great energy to the podcast because he's genuinely interested in the topics, he's got strong opinions, and he's willing to back them up with stories and real experience.

Best Quotes

“The podcast is my church. It's where I get to talk to people without anybody editing me or telling me what I can't say.”

— Joey Diaz