Building an Empire: From Stand-Up to Film Production | Joe Gatto DSH #1108

Summary

Episode Summary: Building an Empire: From Stand-Up to Film Production | Joe Gatto (DSH #1108)

Podcast: Digital Social Hour
Host: Sean Kelly
Guest: Joe Gatto
Release Date: January 16, 2025

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Overview

In this engaging episode of Digital Social Hour, host Sean Kelly sits down with Joe Gatto to explore Joe's multifaceted journey from stand-up comedy to aspiring film production. The conversation delves into Joe's personal life, his passion for gambling, his experiences in comedy tours, and his future ambitions in the film industry. Through candid discussions and insightful anecdotes, listeners gain a comprehensive understanding of Joe's strategies, challenges, and triumphs.

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1. Family Dynamics and Early Life

The episode opens with Joe reflecting on his family background, particularly his relationships with his siblings. He shares the complexities of growing up with two older sisters and the typical sibling rivalries that ensued.

Joe Gatto (00:03): "Me and the middle sister didn't get along for a minute while we were going through our teens... I was an annoying 12-year-old brother."

Despite the initial conflicts, Joe emphasizes the strong bond that eventually developed between them.

Joe Gatto (03:36): "I tried, but she ended up protecting me more than I protected her, to be honest."

Joe credits these early family interactions for building his resilience and sense of humor, which later became foundational in his comedy career.

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2. Passion for Gambling

A significant portion of the conversation revolves around Joe's enthusiasm for gambling, particularly games like craps and baccarat. He explains his strategic approach and the enjoyment he derives from these activities.

Joe Gatto (01:08): "I love a good craps table where everybody's winning."

He shares his methodical strategy in baccarat, sticking consistently with the player bet, which has contributed to his winning record.

Joe Gatto (01:59): "I have to say I definitely have a winning record in baccarat. Just sticking with player."

Joe also discusses his experiences in various casinos, highlighting the importance of competent dealers and a positive gaming environment.

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3. Balancing Comedy and Personal Interests

Joe opens up about balancing his demanding schedule of comedy shows with his personal interests, particularly gambling. He mentions performing at casinos during his tours, blending his passions seamlessly.

Joe Gatto (07:00): "The tour is happening right now. Travel over the country, which is great. Just announced more dates too. Joe Gatto, official.com for the website to get your tickets."

Joe's commitment to his craft is evident as he navigates the challenges of touring while maintaining his hobbies and personal life.

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4. Family and Mentorship

The conversation takes a heartfelt turn as Joe talks about his son’s involvement in chess, illustrating his dedication to nurturing his family's talents.

Joe Gatto (06:54): "He plays, he starts playing the fourth graders. Good genetics for sure."

Joe’s pride in his son's achievements underscores his values of education and strategic thinking, traits that he also applies in his own life and career.

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5. Aspiring Filmmaker and Future Projects

Looking ahead, Joe shares his aspirations to transition into film production. He expresses excitement about developing scripts for action comedies and horror films.

Joe Gatto (07:19): "I'm working on getting some movies made. I got some scripts, some action comedies, some horrors. So cool working on all those."

This ambition signifies Joe's desire to expand his creative horizons and build an empire beyond stand-up comedy.

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6. Personal Philosophy and Lifestyle

Joe offers personal insights into his fearless attitude and disciplined lifestyle. He attributes his confidence to overcoming childhood embarrassments and maintaining a vices-free existence.

Joe Gatto (03:15): "That was the last time I felt like I was like, oh, this is fun. I could turn this into like a thing. It's like my armor."

Joe emphasizes his commitment to staying sober, highlighting that gambling is his only vice.

Joe Gatto (02:35): "I have no vices besides gambling. I don't drink, don't smoke. Never tried a drug or a cigarette in my life. Never been drunk."

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7. Notable Quotes

• On Gambling Strategy:

  Joe Gatto (01:14): "I just started playing recently and I just really enjoy, like when you play that with your friends too."

• On Personal Growth:

  Joe Gatto (03:15): "It's like my armor."

• On Family Relations:

  Joe Gatto (03:36): "She ended up protecting me more than I protected her."

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Conclusion

In this episode of Digital Social Hour, Joe Gatto provides a candid and comprehensive look into his life, blending humor, strategy, and ambition. From navigating sibling relationships and mastering casino games to pursuing a career in comedy and filmmaking, Joe exemplifies a dynamic individual striving to build an empire. Sean Kelly's thoughtful questioning and genuine interest create an engaging dialogue that offers listeners valuable insights into Joe's journey and future aspirations.

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Listen to the full episode here to catch all the detailed discussions and inspiring moments with Joe Gatto.

Transcript

[Joe Gatto]

Yeah, that sibling I got.

[Unnamed Comedian]

Two older sisters are the best.

[Joe Gatto]

Those sibling battles, though, growing up, I heard.

[Unnamed Comedian]

Yeah, me and my. I have an older sister and a middle sister. Me and the middle sister didn't get along for a minute while we were going through our teens, you know, I was a annoying teen 12 year old brother, you know, and then she was, you know, dealing with what she was starting to like boys and knowing what's going on.

[Joe Gatto]

Were you protecting her?

[Unnamed Comedian]

I tried, but she ended up protecting me more than I protected her, to be honest.

[Joe Gatto]

Yeah. All right, guys. Joe gotto here. What happened, man?

[Unnamed Comedian]

Nothing. I won.

[Joe Gatto]

Yeah, Yeah.

[Unnamed Comedian]

I just decided. I, you know, I decided let's just let everybody else have the money this time. What a nice time. Lasted longer than I thought I was gonna, which is great, but. Yeah, I just couldn't get the cards, man. Couldn't get the cards. AP was at the table and he was just invincible.

[Joe Gatto]

Damn.

[Unnamed Comedian]

I think he had like 100 win rate the whole time I was in. He didn't lose once, and one time I was able to go in, he. We had the Same cards, Queen 10. But yeah, it was always a good time.

[Joe Gatto]

It's all good. Poker's a blast. You play a lot of poker?

[Unnamed Comedian]

I do not, No. I don't play poker anywhere besides here. Wow, that's a true story.

[Joe Gatto]

Yeah. I mean, you're busy with your comedy shows.

[Unnamed Comedian]

Well, yeah, that's why, I mean, but I. I like taking money from the house. I'm a craps player, a Bakara player.

[Joe Gatto]

Okay.

[Unnamed Comedian]

I don't really do, you know, poker? I do sometimes. Friendly games and whatnot, but I never really ended up playing poker.

[Joe Gatto]

I'll say craps is the most fun.

[Unnamed Comedian]

Craps. I love a good craps table where everybody's winning.

[Joe Gatto]

Money is the best, energetic. But Bakarat's the best odds for sure.

[Unnamed Comedian]

Yeah.

[Joe Gatto]

Yeah.

[Unnamed Comedian]

And Bakarat. I just started playing recently and I just really enjoy, like when you play that with your friends too. Like when you play blackjack with your peeps. Not everybody wins when the cards are right, you could win and somebody's losing and you're cheering and they're losing. I don't like that. I like when everybody's on the same page. So craps, baccarat, that happens.

[Joe Gatto]

Yeah. Those Asians love that baccarat.

[Unnamed Comedian]

They love that Baccarat, baby.

[Joe Gatto]

Yeah.

[Unnamed Comedian]

There's always a noodle bar close by. A whole bunch of shit.

[Joe Gatto]

You got an Asian mentor in baccarat?

[Unnamed Comedian]

No, I just, I. You know what? I didn't Even really know how to play. It was like the one game I didn't know how to play. Yeah, I play a lot. I gamble everything. And I was like, I'm not play this. And I just sat down and I had this great dealer one on one and they were just explaining what was going on. And I still aren't 100% sure on the draws and whatnot, but for the most part it's just really fun.

[Joe Gatto]

I mean it's not that complicated.

[Unnamed Comedian]

It isn't? No. And I say I play player the whole time.

[Joe Gatto]

Yeah. I don't know you'll ever change.

[Unnamed Comedian]

I don't chase.

[Joe Gatto]

What a strategy.

[Unnamed Comedian]

Yeah. And it works out really. I have to say I definitely have a winning record in baccarat. Just sticking with player.

[Unnamed Sponsor]

Okay.

[Joe Gatto]

What's your favorite casino to gamble up?

[Unnamed Comedian]

I love them all, man. You know, I'm all about the people though. I love when I have a good. Especially at a craps table. You need good dealers. I know what's going on. They pay the right amount, they keep the game moving.

[Joe Gatto]

Yeah, for sure.

[Unnamed Comedian]

So I think that. But I mean Vegas is always great to come to. It's always a fun time. I go through Ohio a lot of my comedy tour.

[Joe Gatto]

Yeah. You know that's your hometown.

[Unnamed Comedian]

Yeah. And. Well, no, I'm in New York, but when I go through Ohio I do a lot of casino shows there.

[Joe Gatto]

Nice.

[Unnamed Comedian]

You know and I'm actually in Chicago this weekend. There's a. There's a couple of casinos I like there this weekend too with my.

[Joe Gatto]

I didn't know you were a little adrenaline junkie.

[Unnamed Comedian]

I am. I love to. I have no vices besides gambling. I don't drink, don't smoke. Never tried a drug or a cigarette in my life. Never been drunk.

[Joe Gatto]

You are fearless.

[Unnamed Comedian]

I am pretty.

[Joe Gatto]

I've seen you on the show. I would say you have the biggest.

[Unnamed Comedian]

Balls out of people in my whole life actually. Always thought I was drunk. Really? This guy's got to be wasted. I'm going to dance all by myself, just, you know, air humping. Then they're like, this guy's wasted. And my friends like no, he's just having fun.

[Joe Gatto]

Have you always had that fearless attitude or did you have to get rejected a lot and build it up?

[Unnamed Comedian]

No, When I was. When I was younger, I had an incident with my sister. I had tripped in a packed restaurant and everybody laugh. My laughter. My sister and I didn't get along and she pointed at me and went haha. And I jumped up and went tada. And the Whole place laughed. And I think that was the last time I felt like I was like, oh, this is fun. I could turn this into like a thing. It's like my armor. So. Yeah.

[Joe Gatto]

Have you made up with your sister since then?

[Unnamed Comedian]

Oh, she's my best friend.

[Joe Gatto]

I love it. Yeah, that sibling.

[Unnamed Comedian]

I got two older sisters are the best.

[Joe Gatto]

Those sibling battles though, growing up, I heard.

[Unnamed Comedian]

Yeah, me and my. I have an older sister and a middle sister. Me and the middle sister didn't get along for a minute while we were going through our teens, you know, I was a annoying teen 12 year old brother, you know, and then she was, you know, dealing with what she was starting to like boys and knowing what's going on.

[Joe Gatto]

Were you protecting her?

[Unnamed Comedian]

I tried, but she ended up protecting me more than I protected her, to be honest.

[Joe Gatto]

Yeah. Were you getting trouble out growing up?

[Unnamed Comedian]

No, I was pretty good.

[Joe Gatto]

Really?

[Unnamed Comedian]

Straight out, I was a nerd. I was like a mathlete.

[Joe Gatto]

What?

[Unnamed Comedian]

Yeah.

[Joe Gatto]

You were athletic and a nerd.

[Unnamed Comedian]

Not athletic. Just. Just, just mathletic. Yeah. Yeah, I did math. I played chess.

[Joe Gatto]

I play chess. We got to play, Joey.

[Unnamed Comedian]

Oh, yeah. Yeah.

[Joe Gatto]

What's your rating?

[Unnamed Comedian]

Okay.

[Joe Gatto]

Okay.

[Unnamed Comedian]

I would say I'm okay. My boy plays chess. My son. I have a seven year old shout.

[Joe Gatto]

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[Unnamed Comedian]

Okay, and he's really good.

[Joe Gatto]

Starting him young, it's fun.

[Unnamed Comedian]

Well, he picked it up.

[Unnamed Sponsor]

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[Unnamed Comedian]

We saw me playing with his grandfather, just messing around the house, you know, and he, he's like, how's this game working? We just told him and they have like a chess club for his second graders. He plays, he starts playing the fourth graders.

[Joe Gatto]

Okay, he's really good. So got a smart kid.

[Unnamed Comedian]

He's not bad.

[Joe Gatto]

Good genetics, huh?

[Unnamed Comedian]

It's good genetics for sure.

[Joe Gatto]

You ever tested your iq?

[Unnamed Comedian]

It was great. It came back as great.

[Joe Gatto]

I love it, man. Well, what's next? I know you got the comedy tour.

[Unnamed Comedian]

Yeah, let's get into it. Tour is happening right now. Travel over the country, which is great. Just announced more dates too. Joe Gatto, official.com for the website to get your tickets. Got that going on. Couple little projects in the, in the works. Maybe. Okay, maybe, maybe.

[Joe Gatto]

If, you know, you know, there may.

[Unnamed Comedian]

There may be some. But yeah, I'm working on getting some movies made. I like. I'm a filmmaker at heart, so I'm working on getting some movies. Made. I got some scripts, some action comedies, some horrors. So cool working on all those.

[Joe Gatto]

Yeah. We'll link below. Thanks for coming on. Yeah. Thank you.

[Unnamed Comedian]

Awesome, so much.