Podcast Summary: 2 Bears, 1 Cave with Tom Segura & Bert Kreischer Episode: Starting A Cult w/ Stavros Halkias | 2 Bears, 1 Cave
Release Date: October 28, 2024
Host: YMH Studios

Introduction and Opening Remarks

The episode begins with Tom Segura briefly promoting his upcoming November shows, which the hosts promptly skip to dive into their main discussion. Bert Kreischer greets listeners, followed by guest Stavros Halkias introducing the primary topics of the episode.

1. The Ozempic Conversation (00:25 - 02:24)

The hosts engage in a humorous and candid conversation about Ozempic, a medication used for weight loss. Stavros mentions that Tom Segura has been using Ozempic since its early release, leading to significant weight loss, which Stavros attributes to the medication rather than hard work.

Stavros Halkias (00:46): "Well, you know, you know what happened is me and you were supposed to do a podcast today. And Tommy is like, I guess I don't know how Ozempic works. For real?"

Bert Kreischer (01:13): "Really?"

Stavros shares his skepticism about weight loss methods, contrasting Ozempic with metformin, a medication he believes is primarily for managing blood sugar levels.

Stavros Halkias (01:21): "And he was like, you just got to get on this stuff. It really like cuts your weight loss. I'm on metformin. I'm not saying that. I'm not, I'm not pervious. Like metformin helps with your blood sugars."

The discussion highlights personal perspectives on weight management and the influence of medication versus lifestyle changes.

2. Promotion and Discussion of the Movie "Starting a Cult" (02:24 - 07:05)

Transitioning from health topics, Stavros passionately promotes their collaborative movie project, "Starting a Cult," set to hit theaters on October 25th. He emphasizes the importance of supporting independent comedies to create opportunities for other comedians.

Stavros Halkias (02:41): "Let's start a cult. It's fucking. We're going to talk about that in a second."

Bert shares insights into the movie's production, highlighting its low-budget nature and the genuine effort poured into making it a laugh-out-loud experience.

Bert Kreischer (03:42): "No less than a million dollars. It is so funny."

The hosts discuss the challenges of scriptwriting under budget constraints, the decision to prioritize humor over plot complexity, and their desire to create a movie that audiences can enjoy in a communal setting.

Stavros Halkias (04:44): "It's a movie fully made with jokes per minute short. You're in and out. You're just having a good time."

They also touch upon the collaboration with talented improvisers and actors who contributed significantly to the film's comedic elements.

3. Behind the Scenes: Making of "Starting a Cult" (07:05 - 16:04)

The conversation delves deeper into the filmmaking process, detailing the intensive 17-day shooting schedule, long working hours, and the dynamic between the cast and crew. Stavros recounts personal anecdotes from the set, including interactions with actors and moments that stood out during production.

Stavros Halkias (10:27): "Short was completely improv. And then this was kind of the exact opposite where we had to really write it because what we were going with the money we had, we couldn't fuck around, unfortunately."

Bert highlights the reliance on improvisation and the importance of maintaining a high joke density to keep the audience engaged.

Bert Kreischer (11:22): "We'll paper over it with a fucking voiceover. Who gives a fuck? This scene wasn't funny enough."

They discuss the balance between script-driven and improv-driven scenes, aiming to maximize comedic impact while ensuring the story remains coherent and entertaining.

4. Health and Lifestyle Discussions (16:04 - 42:24)

The hosts shift focus to personal health topics, particularly sleep apnea and dentistry. Stavros expresses skepticism about sleep apnea machines, contrasting with Bert's positive experience using them.

Bert Kreischer (42:35): "I swear to God, I have sleep apnea. I'm fat. As I was getting horrible sleep. I was waking up with headaches. I put the thing on, I sleep with it. If I don't, if I forget it, it ruins my day."

Stavros critiques the dental industry, sharing humorous yet critical takes on dentists and their practices. The conversation intertwines personal anecdotes with broader humor about health-related professions and challenges.

Stavros Halkias (40:33): "Dentists always upsell you on stuff. They always go, like, yo, you know what you need?"

5. Social Media and Personal Sharing (42:24 - 48:45)

The discussion evolves into the realm of social media, with Stavros and Bert sharing their perspectives on personal sharing, oversharing, and the impact of platforms like Instagram on their personal and professional lives.

Stavros Halkias (45:03): "I'm dropping George off of college. I posted a picture of me crying. Oh, yeah, yeah."

They debate the balance between authenticity and maintaining a public persona, emphasizing the importance of genuine connections over curated online content.

Bert Kreischer (47:32): "It's like, because this is something I struggle with too, which is like, how much of yourself do you put on these, on these social. You know what I mean?"

6. Sports and Personal Interests (48:45 - 67:56)

In a lighter segment, Stavros and Bert delve into their interests in sports, particularly basketball and Formula 1 (F1). Stavros shares his newfound passion for F1, influenced by the Netflix series "Drive to Survive," while Bert discusses his favorite NBA players and teams.

Stavros Halkias (56:29): "Starting with Drive to Survive. And I'm being serious with the NBA is the NBA."

Bert expresses his admiration for players like Giannis Antetokounmpo and discusses the dynamics of modern NBA relationships and team dynamics.

Bert Kreischer (62:51): "Giannis. He's the or the Greek guy, and he's a very. He's a character. And his brother's cool."

They also touch upon the challenges of maintaining personal relationships amidst their careers, emphasizing the importance of time and genuine connections.

7. Political Views and Podcast Discussions (67:56 - 73:38)

The hosts briefly touch upon political topics, expressing their reluctance to invite political figures like Donald Trump or Vladimir Putin onto their podcast. They emphasize the importance of humor over political discourse in their content.

Stavros Halkias (68:37): "I've had politicians reach out to be on my podcast, and I've always been like, no."

Bert shares his admiration for Bernie Sanders, highlighting Sanders' consistent stance on social issues and his unique personality.

Bert Kreischer (69:32): "Bernie Sanders. I actually, I admire him as a human being because he has been."

They conclude by reinforcing the podcast's focus on humor and genuine conversation rather than political debates.

Conclusion and Final Remarks (73:03 - End)

As the episode winds down, Stavros and Bert wrap up their discussion by reiterating the importance of supporting their movie in theaters to help pave the way for future comedic projects. They encourage listeners to attend screenings, engage with the film, and share their experiences to amplify its success.

Bert Kreischer (72:45): "Today could be the first day of the rest of your life, Bird. You can be the guy who keeps that to himself."

Stavros emphasizes the communal joy of watching comedies in theaters, highlighting how collective laughter enhances the experience.

Stavros Halkias (72:44): "The more of these that do well, the more we keep making."

They close the episode with light-hearted banter and heartfelt appreciation for their audience's support.

Notable Quotes and Highlights

• Stavros Halkias (02:13): "Let's start a cult."
• Bert Kreischer (03:42): "No less than a million dollars. It is so funny."
• Bert Kreischer (11:22): "We won't have it. We'll paper over it with a fucking voiceover."
• Bert Kreischer (42:35): "I swear to God, I have sleep apnea. I'm fat."
• Stavros Halkias (45:03): "I'm dropping George off of college. I posted a picture of me crying."
• Bert Kreischer (69:32): "I admire him [Bernie Sanders] as a human being because he has been."

Final Thoughts

In this engaging episode, Tom Segura and Bert Kreischer, joined by Stavros Halkias, navigate through a blend of humor, personal anecdotes, and heartfelt discussions. From promoting their indie comedy movie "Starting a Cult" to candid conversations about health, social media, and personal interests, the trio offers listeners a rich tapestry of entertainment and insight. Their emphasis on authenticity, community, and the joy of shared laughter underscores the essence of "2 Bears, 1 Cave."

For those interested in independent comedy and the behind-the-scenes journey of creating a film, this episode provides a compelling glimpse into the challenges and triumphs faced by comedians venturing into filmmaking.

End of Summary