Podcast Summary: Chente Ydrach - "JUSTIN SILVA WILL BREAK PUERTO RICO"

Date: July 8, 2025
Host: Chente Ydrach
Guests: Justin Silva (aka Justin Time), Ashley Cotto

Overview

This episode of "Masacote" features comedian Justin Silva (aka Justin Time) and his partner Ashley Cotto. The conversation, lively and candid, explores Justin's journey from waiting tables at Chili’s to performing stand-up in theaters, the realities of couple dynamics, making viral content, balancing comedy with personal struggles, and breaking into new markets—specifically, performing in Puerto Rico. Throughout, Chente, Justin, and Ashley exchange hilarious anecdotes, deep insights, and banter about love, fame, and the messy, beautiful reality of life and comedy.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Origins and First Impressions (00:02–08:47)

• Chente welcomes Justin and Ashley with his playful “perfect English,” sparking laughs right away.
• The couple reveals their unconventional first meeting: Ashley spotted Justin at Chili’s, where he was a server and a budding Facebook video creator.
• Justin’s recollection dazzles with funny details (“I kept walking by her table for no reason except she looked good” - 06:05).
• Ashley added him on Facebook after learning about his videos; their digital connection began subtly—a “permission to approach,” as Chente observes.

2. Relationship Evolution & Social Media Beginnings (08:47–16:31)

• Both discuss the role of humor and attraction in their relationship.
• Justin’s comedy career started before social media fame, using videos to build an audience for his stand-up.
• “The videos...to get a following—so I can sell out shows.” (Justin, 10:53)
• Ashley reveals how she was initially shy but now enthusiastically participates in videos, often generating ideas herself.
• Notable quote: “Now I’m the one with the idea.” (Ashley, 17:32)

3. Virality, Darkness, and Relatability (12:07–16:22)

• Justin and Chente analyze why some videos go viral, discussing a particularly dark but popular one about suicide (“suey”).
• Justin opens up: that specific viral video was created during a miserable time post-breakup.
• “I was really in a dark place… I was miserable when I did that video.” (Justin, 13:27)
• They discuss the connection between dark humor, relatability, and internet virality, noting how audiences gravitate toward authentic, sometimes uncomfortable content.

4. Social Media vs. Reality (17:52–19:44)

• The trio examines how social media portrays distorted relationship ideals.
• “If you try to relate your relationship to the media, you ain’t never gonna be happy.” (Justin, 18:50)
• Both Justin and Ashley note people presume they don’t have problems just because they appear happy and comedic online.

5. Everyday Couple Quirks (20:05–22:38)

• Chente shares anxieties about balding, leading to a hilarious bit about hats and shaving heads.
• Ashley and Justin discuss their “dumb fight” about him not going to the gym—a recurring minor dispute.
• “I got five kids, they run around like crazy, that’s my exercise.” (Justin, 22:52)

6. Comedy Craft: Looks, Influences, and Goals (23:26–32:44)

• They riff on how being “too good looking” might be a liability for comedians, with playful jabs at household names.
• Justin cites Kevin Hart, Arnaz J, and Sebastian Maniscalco as major comedic influences.
• Reveals he’s taping a Hulu special produced under Kevin Hart’s LOL Network, set to release October 3.
• Memorable moment: Justin meets his hero, Kevin Hart, post-special. (32:07)

7. Personal Struggles & Comedy’s Redemptive Power (36:03–43:08)

• Both hosts and guests reflect on how comedy and content have genuinely impacted fans, with people citing their videos as literally life-saving. (36:48-37:55)
• Justin speaks openly about the hardest show he’s had to do: performing immediately after the loss of a child.
• “Ain’t shit funny. I just wanna be with my family, make sure the kids are alright.” (Justin, 41:00)
• Both he and Chente relate to doing shows during grief and handling public responses—some understanding, some critical.

8. Creating in English and Spanish Markets (47:02–52:32)

• Justin shares his background: Raised in New Haven, CT, with a Puerto Rican/Dominican mom and Portuguese/Cape Verdean dad; limited Spanish.
• Ashley is helping him learn more about Latino culture and music.
• Justin’s upcoming show in Fajardo, Puerto Rico, sparks lively discussion about language barriers and audience expectations:
  • “I’ma try to speak Spanish, but if I can't, perdóname, por favor. Te quiero mucho.” (Justin, 48:31)
• Chente and Ashley assure him his energy and humor will carry the show, language aside.

9. Stand Up: Craft, Venues & Community (53:47–71:58)

• Justin describes his process: crowd work, improvisation, and a strong preference for organic interaction over scripted sketches.
• They swap stories about memorable and odd comedy club experiences (including a quirky, “crackhead” strip club near “South of the Border,” 56:00–58:31).
• Both praise the supportive environments of certain clubs (Stress Factory, Helium), lamenting how bad venues can ruin performances.
• Chente and Justin agree: Comedy club stages are the best environment for real stand-up.

10. Money, Mindset, and the Road to Success (64:34–77:16)

• From Chili’s to selling out theaters: Justin discusses financial growth and how positive self-talk (instilled by his dad) helped him persist.
  • “I was electrician for, like, three years, and I was making real fucking good money...but with comedy, I knew I was gonna be great at it.” (Justin, 75:15)
• Ashley’s unwavering support is highlighted (she once drove an hour for a five-minute set early in their relationship).
• Both talk about managing debt and believing that with time and faith, things can improve.

11. R&R, Humor, and Quality Time (77:18–84:58)

• The couple describe their ideal hangout: rooftop bar, good food, cocktails—not a club, too loud.
• Chente tells a funny story about craving a steakhouse meal but ending up at an unexpected live concert (78:36–80:25).
• A nostalgic video about a girl asking a DJ for Sambuca prompts a discussion on party culture and drinks (81:00–82:42).

12. Crossing Languages and Cultural Borders (83:01–84:58)

• Chente describes his own failed attempt at English stand-up (“I ate warm juicy cockadoodle do” – 83:06).
• Justin expresses nerves but determination about performing for a Spanish-speaking audience.
  • “I’m gonna do my set in English, but I’m throwing every Spanish word I’ve ever heard in my life in this.” (Justin, 83:46)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Justin, on dark/viral content:
  “I was miserable when I did that video...People are going through shit, we got bills, we got kids, we got life.” (13:27–14:33)

• On relationship/media expectations:
  “If you try to relate your relationship to the media, you ain’t never gonna be happy.” (18:50)

• Ashley, on fights:
  “A dumb thing that we fight about...is him going to the gym.” (22:38)

• Chente, on performing after loss:
  “What I say to myself is, he’s with me. He wants me to do great. So that helps.” (41:53)

• Justin, about content’s impact:
  “The fact that you found your way out with my videos...Wow. Thank you. Thank you so much.” (37:55)

• Justin, on performing in PR:
  “I’ma try to speak Spanish, but if I can't, perdóname, por favor. Te quiero mucho. Yo no me entiende mucho palabras.” (48:31)

Important Timestamps

• 00:02–08:47: Meeting stories, Chili’s, flirting, Facebook connection.
• 09:59–11:18: Stand-up as the “real” dream; social media as strategy.
• 13:27–15:03: Viral “suey” video, dark humor, relatability.
• 17:32: Ashley becomes the idea generator for videos.
• 18:50: Relationship expectations: “Don’t compare to media.”
• 22:38–22:52: “Dumb fights” in couples: gym, balding.
• 31:49–32:44: Hulu special, meeting Kevin Hart.
• 36:03–37:55: Fan stories of “life-saving” content.
• 41:00–42:08: Performing after personal tragedy.
• 48:31: Justin’s PR show, language jokes.
• 62:33–63:30: Writing new material for every return gig.
• 64:34–65:18: From Chili’s to theaters, financial growth.
• 75:15: Electrician background, positivity from father.
• 78:02–80:25: Hating on loud bars, steakhouse adventures.
• 83:06: Chente tries English stand-up—unsuccessfully.
• 83:46: Justin plans to throw every Spanish word possible into his PR act.

Tone, Style, and Flow

• The conversation oscillates between jokey, raw, and poignant.
• Chente keeps things fluid, shifting from deep dives (mental health, heartbreak) to playful debates (balding, club life, dream content).
• Justin and Ashley’s chemistry brings natural warmth and laugh-out-loud banter.
• Throughout, the tone stays honest, welcoming, and grounded by the shared understanding of comedy’s power and hardships.

Final Thoughts

If you want to laugh, reflect, and get inside the minds of two working comedians making sense of love, struggle, and social media fame, this episode has it all. The honesty about the creative process, the reality behind viral moments, and the support and resilience needed for both personal life and comedy make this a must-listen for fans and aspiring artists alike.

Tickets and upcoming shows for Justin Silva's Puerto Rico debut—July 10 at El Conquistador (Fajardo)—available via his social media links.