ARE YOU GARBAGE? — DERRICK STROUP!
Release Date: January 29, 2026
Hosts: H. Foley & Kevin Ryan
Guest: Derrick Stroup
Episode Overview
Comedians H. Foley and Kevin Ryan welcome their guest, stand-up comic Derrick Stroup, to determine his “garbage” status—a playful deep-dive into upbringing, habits, class indicators, and personal anecdotes. With his Southern roots and a colorful backstory, Derrick shares stories ranging from growing up in Alabama to bottoming out in his 30s, all while fielding the classic “Are You Garbage?” questions with candor and wit.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. Derrick’s Upbringing: Southern Roots, Shifting Circumstances
[02:46–06:56]
- Born in Charleston, West Virginia; raised in rural Alabama (“Harvest, right outside Huntsville”).
“Harvest sounds like a made up place. It’s a little too on the nose. It’s like being from White People, Utah.” — Derrick [03:03]
- His family transitioned from a family electrical contacts business (silver on copper for transformers) to running a landscaping business after the first folded.
- Characterizes early prosperity followed by hardship:
“I had about 10 years where we were riding a heater… then the dream always sinks.” — Derrick [04:22]
- On his father (stepdad) starting landscaping:
“He made killer money doing it, and I was of no help.” — Derrick [05:44]
2. Education: The “Recreation” Degree
[06:17–08:06]
- Attended Jacksonville State University in Alabama for seven years, majoring in Recreation.
“My final was canoeing and dodgeball. And that’s not a joke… we learned the ethics of freeze tag.” — Derrick [07:09]
- Did not ultimately graduate; left to run a bar and start comedy.
3. Family Structure and Dynamics
[09:56–13:56]
- Oldest, with much younger half-siblings (12 and 16 years younger).
- Product of a teen mom and absent biological father, but raised mostly by mother and stepdad.
“Don’t know my dad at all… That’s my stepdad, Bill. You meet him, you’d know.” — Derrick [10:17]
- Stepdad and mother married in Alabama:
“They said they were going to the Smoky Mountains… when they came back, my dad was allowed to spank me!” — Derrick [12:10]
- Calm about blended family, focusing on “stability and somebody to count on.”
4. Socioeconomic Status and “Garbage” Markers
[14:01–15:48, 25:45–27:06]
- Moved from a townhouse to a 15-acre "gentleman’s farm" (came with all tools, furniture, and even a Weimaraner dog).
“They left us… the couch, the dog, the lawnmower, every tool… They just left the home and all their belongings.” [14:09]
- Described as “not selling, just keeping produce” and “having peach, apple, pear trees, and an acre of vegetables.”
- On the rural life:
“Walking home from school, the trees would get so heavy from the peaches, they'd be almost laying on the ground, and I would just eat peaches all the way down the driveway.” [15:52–16:06]
5. Early Work and College Life
[17:46–18:00; 31:39–35:05]
- Various odd jobs, including family landscaping (reluctantly), running a bar in college, and working at Sports Authority and Big Lots after moving to Denver.
“I went there for seven years. There was only like two bars there, seven restaurants… truly had the time of my life.” [06:33]
- Brief moment of affluence as a “bar general manager"; but severe downturn after DUIs cost him license, home, and stability:
“I haven’t drove in 15 years… got two DUIs 16 years ago.” [29:07] “Move back in with my parents. I’m 30 years old, try to work with my dad. He’s breaking his back. I’m trying to tell him about French drains… We blew up and got in a fight.” [30:51]
6. Hitting Rock Bottom and Pivot to Comedy
[32:47–38:03]
- After job loss and family fights post-college, Derrick “bottoms out”—living in his parents’ sunroom as a grown adult, bumming cash and rides.
“I was riding around on a bicycle smoking cigarettes off the ground outside of McDonald's like Ricky Bobby.” [30:50] “I was just in there plotting my revenge. And you know what’s so crazy? …I feel this connection with you. It’s so crazy to be plotting your revenge in a situation you created, but it still works.” [34:54]
- Moved to Denver, inspired by an on-and-off girlfriend, started stand-up comedy more seriously.
“Let me tell you, a comedian who’s lost everything is a dangerous person. Because you’re not going to scare me.” [37:05] “I wasn’t doing it because I was trying to scratch a creative itch… No, man, I’ve burnt it all down.” [37:46]
7. Family Legacy, Name, and Motivation
[23:10–24:07]
- Kept the last name “Stroup” as a quiet act of vengeance and motivation:
“I always felt like my biggest revenge would be not to disappear. If I get rid of Stroup, then they’ve erased me. But if I keep Stroup, then they can’t… that’s kind of my drive: shoving it up his ass.” [23:33]
8. The “Are You Garbage?” Lightning Rounds
[27:32–67:22]
Quirky Markers and Confessions:
- First car: 1998 Toyota Camry [57:52]
- No rat tail, never radio in the shower, no butterfly knife/chinese star
- Cigarettes: Smoked Parliaments; asked parents for $20 bills for cigarettes [36:25]
- Peanut butter: Loves Jif, extra crunchy, and all jams/jellies—but not Nutella [49:17]
- Milk: Whole milk, but buys half-gallons [61:01]
- Soda: Prefers Diet Coke and Mountain Dew, not into Dr. Pepper [50:44]
- Waffle House: Adores it, specifically recommends the pecan waffle [54:40]
- Hotel habits: Swims in pools, doesn't worry about wearing shorts, will walk barefoot through lobby [52:39]
- Prom: Limo with a date, detoured for crab legs at Landry’s Seafood [56:13]
- Fast food: Prefers diners over chains, but likes fast food at airports [53:30]
- Cologne: Huge guy, used to favor Intuition by Estée Lauder (now uses Dolce & Gabbana The One), “I wear cologne to take out the trash” [67:22]
- Toiletry habits: Pees and brushes teeth in the shower (but toothbrush does NOT stay there), pees in pools if uncrowded, always wipes public toilet seats with United Airlines sanitizer wipes [62:37–63:55]
9. Milestone Events: Marriage, Family, and Life Now
[58:49–59:53]
- Married in Pensacola, Florida in May 2025 on the beach, small and intimate.
- New father (4-month-old son).
“Had a baby boy four months ago. Feel like Denzel in Man on Fire—whoever wants it can get it.” [24:33]
- Future travel goals: honeymoon in Greece (wife’s dream).
10. Reflections on Friendship, Loyalty, and Perspective
[42:05–43:27]
- Derrick and the hosts share on surviving hard times with support from real friends, learning who's in your corner:
“If you’ve never seen the darkness… I know who my boys are. Because when I was down, down, down—had nothing to offer but friendship—it was plenty to them.” — Derrick [42:14] “You need those guys in your corner.” — Kevin [43:27]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “Looks like Blake Shelton got stung by bees.” — Derrick, roasting himself [02:13]
- “Harvest sounds like a made-up place. It’s a little too on the nose—it’s like being from White People, Utah.” — Derrick [03:03]
- “If I knew I was a comedian, it would have made my life a lot easier. …She’d walk by the room, and it sounded like there were 5 people in there.” [16:54]
- “My stepdad… wasn’t funny, but he was rock solid.” [12:47]
- “Grew up on a gentleman’s farm… All those peach trees, apple trees, and an acre garden. We canned a bunch of stuff.” [15:48]
- “I lost everything—money, license, friends chased out by my own choices.” [30:38]
- “A comedian who’s lost everything is a dangerous person.” [37:05]
- “I wear cologne to take out the trash.” [67:22]
Timestamps of Important Segments
- 00:46–03:03: Derrick’s origins in West Virginia and Alabama
- 04:03–06:56: Family businesses, downturn to landscaping
- 07:09–08:06: College and “recreation” degree (canoeing/dodgeball finals)
- 10:17–13:19: Absent bio dad and stepdad dynamics
- 14:09–15:48: Moving to the 15-acre farm, inheriting everything
- 23:10–24:07: On keeping the family name “Stroup”
- 30:50–35:05: Down-and-out at 30, sunroom living, bumming rides
- 37:05–37:59: “Dangerous” comedian motivation
- 49:24–50:17: Nutella vs. peanut butter/grown-man snack preferences
- 54:40–55:20: Deep Waffle House affection, especially for pecan waffles
- 58:49–59:48: Wedding in Pensacola, beach, and plans for Greece honeymoon
- 62:37–63:55: Detailed public bathroom/travel hygiene rituals
Tone and Style
- Southern charm and self-deprecating humor from Derrick.
- Hosts riff affectionately and with relatability on blue-collar life, sincerity, and comic struggle.
- Entertaining confessions delivered with zero shame—embracing “garbage” roots with pride.
- Standout moments of vulnerability mixed with rapid-fire, light-hearted jabs.
Final Assessment
Is Derrick Stroup “Garbage”?
A resounding yes, but as the hosts say—“my kind of trash.” Derrick’s story is one of ups, downs, resilience, Southern quirks, loyalty, and self-awareness. He is both a survivor and a sharer, embodying the Are You Garbage? spirit: one foot in the mud, one on the stage, always ready to laugh about it.
For more Derrick Stroup:
- Check out his Netflix special (March 2026)
- Recent marriage (May 2025), new dad, and prolific stand-up gigs (see Kansas City Feb 20–21)
“If you’d never seen the darkness… I know my boys.” — Derrick Stroup [42:14]
Episode Highlight:
The in-depth, hilarious rundown of “rock bottom” sunroom living and the pivot to comedy—capped by Derrick’s heartfelt, unflinching embrace of his “garbage” journey.