Club Shay Shay - Ryan Davis Part 1

Podcast: Club Shay Shay
Host: Shannon Sharpe
Guest: Ryan Davis
Date: January 14, 2026
Duration: Approximately 1.5 hours

Episode Overview

This episode features comedian Ryan Davis in an in-depth, candid conversation with Shannon Sharpe. Covering Ryan's journey from internet virality to stand-up success, challenges with imposter syndrome, interactions with celebrities and other comics, and his perspectives on the evolution of comedy in the digital era. The discussion is marked by Ryan’s unique blend of humor, honesty, and candor—offering insights into his career, personal life, beefs and friendships in the comedy world, co-parenting, creative process, and the values he carries into his art. The tone is conversational, insightful, and often laced with both wit and vulnerability.

Key Topics & Discussion Points

1. Imposter Syndrome, Early Experiences, and Digital Breakthrough

• Ryan describes his introverted nature:

  “I'm introverted. I don't take pictures with nobody.” (00:00)
  “I think I'm still dealing with imposter syndrome… This is the first time I'm actually get to be like really candid about who I am.” (02:10)

• Shannon’s introduction of Ryan’s accomplishments:
  Lauds him as a pioneer in digital comedy and a leading storyteller (00:49–01:57).
• Transition to going viral:
  • Ryan was inspired by seeing DC Young Fly sell out shows due to social media videos (03:18–04:04).
  • Pivoted to online commentary because it matched his journalism background (04:04–05:24).
  • His viral breakthrough:

    “Within a year, gained a million followers. Then it started to take off.” (05:24)

2. Navigating Celebrity Interactions and Online Feuds

Odell Beckham Jr.

• Ryan’s first viral video was about Odell Beckham Jr.; initial negative response turned to understanding after conversation:

  “He didn't take it well in the beginning, but after we had a conversation, he was really cool about it.... I never said anything else about him. Because one, I understand. Everybody just doesn't take it well.” (05:28–06:50)

Kevin Durant

• Social media spat with Kevin Durant over ‘defense wins championships’:
  • KD called Ryan a "trash comedian," to which Ryan responded sharply:

    “Well, it's this type of thinking that may explain why he hasn't won since he left the Warriors. Not the nicest thing.” (09:17)

  • Discussion about defensive vs offensive teams winning championships (08:03–10:50).
  • Reflection on how the conversation went viral and the nature of online conflicts.
  • Ryan’s basketball takes are rooted in love for the sport and respect for athletes:

    “Athletes are like...the greatest people in the world to me. It's a different kind of genius.” (13:26–13:43)

3. Navigating Comedy Relationships & “Beefs”

Corey Holcomb and Comedian Road Etiquette

• Ryan explains that misunderstandings, not real beef, are common:

  “We all are like brothers and sisters, man, for the most part.” (18:31)

• Details a falling-out with an up-and-coming comic over tour etiquette, with Corey Holcomb’s mentorship as the backdrop (18:49–25:01).
• Ryan’s approach to handling such situations: patience, understanding personal growth, and remaining open to reconciliation.

  “Some people go, well, that's not really loyal. You don't know how you will respond in these situations.” (25:47) “That's always gonna be my brother.” (25:59)

Faison Love

• Another supposed feud “was just a misunderstanding”:

  “Faison likes me… It’s just the delivery was so bad…” (28:24)

• Acknowledges generational differences in comedy and evolving industry standards (29:25–30:08).

Ali Sadiq

• Ryan expresses deep admiration for Ali, who supported his new special:

  “Can’t nobody tell me nothing about Ali Sadiq. I flip every table. I cuss everybody out. You gonna have to fight me about Al. That’s my brother.” (30:20)

• Collaboration and mutual support in the comedy community (32:48–36:30).

4. Community, Collaboration, and the Myth of Comedy "Beefs"

• Ryan’s journey is characterized by widespread help and mentorship:
  • Help and advice from Matt Rife, Ali Sadiq, Roy Wood Jr., Royale Watkins, Chris Burns, Jill Scott, Chico Bing, Andrew Schulz, Charlamagne, Kevin Hart, Method Man, Gilbert Arenas, D.L. Hughley, Naim Lynn, and others.

  “So this idea that we're beefing or whatever… I had help every step of the way.” (38:58)

• Shifts the perception of comedians as rivals; emphasizes the real support network within the industry (41:19–43:26).

5. Navigating Industry, Independent vs. Streaming, and Creative Ownership

On Self-Financing Specials

• Explains the rationale behind releasing his own special and turning down big platforms for greater creative and financial control.

  “Independent. Always do it independent. They'll come with the big check if you do it independent… Netflix… art and capitalism do not belong together.” (43:44)

• Critiques the current state of platforms like Netflix and Fox for chasing celebrity at the expense of content quality (44:11–45:41).

6. Legacy and Personal Impact in Comedy

Helping the Next Generation

• Country Wayne and Funny Marco attribute career success and industry navigation to Ryan’s mentorship:

  “That's my legacy more than anything is that my peers respect me enough to feel like they can learn from me.” (47:17)

Navigating Fame, Social Media, and the Public’s Relationship with Artists

• Ryan dissects parasocial relationships, their downsides, and maintaining boundaries with fans:

  “I want people to become fans of mine. I want people to be elated when they see me win. … But I don't want them to believe that you get to have a say in how I live my life.” (79:22)

7. Personal Reflections: Co-Parenting & Sacrifice

• Speaks candidly on the challenges of being an involved father while pursuing a demanding career:

  “I've been there every step of the way financially. I haven't always been there the way that I should have physically, but I wasn't always allowed to be there like I could have been physically.” (51:45)

• Emotional discussion on losing emotional closeness with his daughter due to absence:

  “To watch that daddy's girl go from, I just want to be around him... to, hey, if he ain't buying me nothing, I really ain't trying to go. Like, I lost her. It takes a long time to get him back.” (55:05)

• Ryan and Shannon bond over the difficulty of balancing work, time, and family (52:52–56:02).

8. Mount Rushmore of Social Media Comedians

• Ryan’s picks:
  1. DC Young Fly
  2. Himself
  3. KevOnStage
  4. Jess Hilarious
  5. (Hon. mention): Country Wayne, Desi Banks, Drewski (58:27–62:43)
• Reasons include cross-platform success, innovation, mentoring, industry impact, and community-building.

9. Industry Reflections, Preparedness, and Public Critique

• Commentary on Kai Cenat and the expectations for research and professionalism when stepping into major media environments (64:40–70:11).
• Ryan advocates for preparation and humility:

  “It's your job. So my thing is that speaks to the era that we're in, where it's just good enough to be there. But don't you want to be the best at what it is that you do?” (66:09) “Once they told me, Beyonce introduces herself, I will always introduce myself.” (70:17)

10. Comedy and Boundaries: Where’s the Line?

• Where Ryan draws boundaries:

  “You don't talk about people's kids. You don't talk about their parents unless the parents involve themselves...But leave people’s families out of stuff.” (72:12)

  • Stresses research and audience understanding before telling potentially sensitive jokes (71:01–72:47).
• Gives grace to young artists, speaking on personal growth and learning (72:47).

11. Personal Growth, Criticism, and Living Publicly

• Being vulnerable as a public figure: anticipate being misunderstood, judged, and even attacked for openness.

  “Most people are dumb. So whenever you post something, there are people who are dedicated to misunderstanding what it is that you're saying.” (75:24)

• Shares lessons from Charlie Murphy on sharing your life with the public (74:33–75:09).

12. Inspiration and the Power of Representation

• On taking the leap into comedy after seeing Kevin Hart’s 2013 special:

  “I watched it, and he sold out Madison Square Garden multiple nights. He's crying at the end. And I saw in real time what it looked like for somebody to have a dream and then make it beyond their wildest dreams…” (83:00)

• The importance of being the spark for someone else’s breakthrough.

13. Comedy Heroes and Mentors

• Dave Chappelle:

  “Dave Chappelle is the greatest thing in the world, man…Dave had his own green room. Everybody is, like, huddled around. Dave walked by. He's so nice… he said: 'huge fan...your writing, you're brilliant...come to my green room'...” (87:26–88:41)

  • Dave and Kevin Hart as supportive and genuine mentors (90:42).
• The legacy Ryan wants:

  “My legacy will always be how much I loved [comedy].” (90:42)

Timestamps of Notable Segments

• Imposter syndrome & self-intro: 02:10–02:27
• DC Young Fly’s influence: 03:18–05:24
• Odell Beckham viral story: 05:28–06:50
• Kevin Durant online spat: 06:51–13:22
• Comedy beefs & working with others: 18:16–25:59
• Ali Sadiq partnership: 30:20–36:32
• Help from comedy & music community: 36:30–43:26
• Independent vs. streaming special: 43:44–45:41
• Mentorship & supporting up-and-comers: 47:14–49:00
• Co-parenting struggles: 50:16–56:02
• Mount Rushmore of social media comics: 58:27–62:43
• Industry research & being prepared: 64:40–71:01
• Boundaries in comedy: 72:12–72:47
• Dealing with public scrutiny: 74:33–75:35
• Taking the comedy leap due to Kevin Hart: 83:00–85:13
• Meeting Dave Chappelle: 87:26–91:08

Notable Quotes

• On Keeping Perspective:
  “I'm still dealing with imposter syndrome… this is the first time I'm actually get to be really candid about who I am.” — Ryan Davis (02:10)

• On Going Digital:
  “Within a year, [I] gained a million followers. Then it started to take off.” — Ryan Davis (05:24)

• On Athletes:
  “Athletes are like...the greatest people in the world to me. I love athletes. So, you know...it's a different kind of genius.” — Ryan Davis (13:43)

• On Comedy Collaboration:
  “Too many times people like to have offers about, like, too much conversation about the split. I don’t care nothing about that. I got this body of work...You have an audience that you have curated...” — Ryan Davis (32:48)

• On Independent Specials:
  “Always do it independent. They'll come with the big check if you do it independent anyway.” — Ryan Davis (43:44)

• On Boundaries in Comedy:
  “You don't talk about people's kids. ...Leave people’s families out of stuff.” — Ryan Davis (72:12)

• On Time & Family:
  “You can't supplement time… Time is the most valuable commodity.” — Ryan Davis & Shannon Sharpe (53:13)

• On the Power of Influence:
  “I want to be the person...to ignite that thing in somebody that makes their whole [life change].” — Ryan Davis (82:21)

• On Vulnerability:
  “Most people are dumb. So whenever you post something, there are people who are dedicated to misunderstanding what it is that you're saying.” — Ryan Davis (75:24)

• On Living Authentically:
  “My legacy will always be how much I loved it [comedy].” — Ryan Davis (90:42)

Memorable Moments

• Ryan’s candidness about his introversion, imposter syndrome, and past beefs set a disarmingly honest tone for the conversation.
• His recollection of the emotional collapse when his daughter began to see him as an ATM rather than a dad (55:05–55:51) was especially poignant.
• Ryan’s respect for mentors like Dave Chappelle and Kevin Hart, and his joy at being recognized by them.
• Multiple moments where Shannon and Ryan relate on the personal cost of ambition, and on the necessity—but tragedy—of time lost with children.
• Vivid storytelling and advice for up-and-coming comedians punctuated the episode, alongside wisdom on humility, preparation, and reverence for the craft.

Closing

The episode ends with Ryan reflecting on the importance of using his platform to inspire and support others, and with Shannon teasing part two of the conversation.