Ron Funches: Colorful Sweaters, Black Larry David, and The Traitors

Summary

---

Disgraceful with Grace O’Malley

Episode: Ron Funches: Colorful Sweaters, Black Larry David, and The Traitors
Release Date: May 21, 2026
Host: Grace O’Malley (with occasional commentary from her sister, Nora)
Guest: Ron Funches

---

Episode Overview

This episode features comedian, actor, and voice artist Ron Funches as he joins Grace O’Malley for a candid, hilarious discussion spanning his comedy roots, reality TV experience on The Traitors, love for colorful sweaters (and being a "Black Larry David"), autism diagnosis, memorable career moments, and a range of improvisational games highlighting his voice-acting chops and infectious laughter. The episode is upbeat and irreverent, brimming with sharp banter and insightful moments about authenticity, identity, and the weird and wonderful life of a modern comic.

---

Key Themes & Segments

1. Opening Banter & Podcasting Styles

(00:58–03:05)

• Grace and Ron riff on the awkward transition between casual conversation and “official” podcast mode.
• Ron shares his preference for starting while sitting down because “it sneaks up on people,” but also notes the potential for accidental oversharing:

  “I’ve done that, and then people didn’t like it because they didn’t realize that they were talking about things that we were going to air.”
  — Ron Funches, (01:21)

• They joke about the perils of “gotcha” podcast recording and pregnancy confessions.

---

2. Fitting In, Authenticity, and Nerdy Loves

(03:06–04:13)

• Discussion about changing oneself to fit in, especially to attract the opposite sex.
• Ron admits he hid his nerdy interests (like pro wrestling and video games) when younger.

  “People would be like, oh, you like pro wrestling or you like video games as an adult man?…I’ve heard [that adult men who play video games]—that’s a crazy person.”
  — Ron Funches, (03:23)

• Jokes about Natasha Leggero marrying a gamer after once disparaging them.

---

3. High On Stage: Comedy & Perceptions

(04:14–05:25)

• Grace recalls her family watching Ron on “@midnight,” certain he was “so stoned.”
• Ron confirms he’s performed mildly high, not out of his mind but at a “working level.”

  “I was at my working level.”
  — Ron Funches, (05:09)

---

4. Reality TV Deep Dive: The Traitors

(05:35–11:36)

• Grace quizzes Ron on his time competing on Peacock’s The Traitors.
• Ron describes it as “wild,” a period of intense pressure and self-discovery, and jokes:

  “It was wild…An intense time that made me learn about myself. And then now I’m autistic.”
  — Ron Funches, (06:33)

• Shares the unique challenge, camaraderie (meeting Oprah’s friend Gayle King), and difficulty maintaining his comedic persona amid paranoia and stress.
• References a meme: himself as a bright-eyed “Squid Game” entrant, then as a shell by episode six.
• Ron highlights the importance of the show’s mental health support staff—therapists and psychiatrists—contrasting it with early 2000s reality shows.

---

5. Influences & Legacy: Lucille Ball and Comedy Roots

(12:10–14:18)

• Grace and Ron bond over Lucille Ball fandom, with Ron crediting her as an inspiration.
• When asked what someone imitating him in a wax museum would do/wear, Ron quips:

  "My style as what I like to call colorful, casual or black Larry David…You’d probably have some type of fun sweater on.”
  — Ron Funches, (13:32)

• He’d also talk about blackberries, “say some line from Trolls,” and end with “I love my boys.”

---

6. Career Reflections & Voice Acting

(16:06–18:53)

• Ron’s favorite role: working on “Loot” with Maya Rudolph (“like working with Lucy”).
• Attests to the joys of voice acting—eventual inclusion in Inside Out 2 marks a career milestone:

  “Now I’m the first 2D cartoon character in a 3D Pixar movie—that’s a trivia question.”
  — Ron Funches, (17:19)

• Reveals the solitude of most voice acting; only meeting co-stars at premieres.

---

7. Improv & Character Voices Game

(19:01–29:53)

• Grace and Ron play a game acting out random characters and scenarios chosen from a bowl:
  • Standout moment: Ron’s "Woody as an Uber driver:"

    “Well, hello there, pilgrim. I’m your Uber driver today, and I’m gonna take you to infinity and beyond.”
    — Ron Funches, (22:29)

  • Both fumble their Shrek accents, leading to mutual laughter.
  • Banter about accent struggles and characters morphing to “Jamaican” at random.
• Playful, collaborative energy throughout, underscoring both comedians’ improv skills.

---

8. Puppets & Laugh Attacks

(29:54–34:49)

• Talk about Ron’s love for puppets in comedy and TV depictions of psychedelic trips.
• Ron describes the last time he “completely cracked up” while hosting his variety show “Punched,” especially during a sketch poking fun at Jimmy Kimmel’s “blackface incident” and a surprise “Yoda in greenface” punchline:

  “I just died laughing. Like, I literally almost lost consciousness.”
  — Ron Funches, (32:27)

• Grace asks Ron about childhood moments realizing he was funny; Ron tells a touching story of making his mom laugh to stave off a punishment.

---

9. Two Truths and a Lie

(38:13–45:31)

• Grace and Ron trade outrageous personal stories.
• Ron’s stories include his mom’s ex, a late circumcision, and a Nintendo jingle competition. Only the loss in the contest was untrue.
• Grace’s reveal: she drank a bottle that (unbeknownst to her) contained vodka, lake water, and someone else’s piss.

---

10. Photo Memories & Career Snapshots

(47:38–62:35) Ron describes amusing and formative moments from his digital footprint:

• Dancing as Lady Liberty for a tax service:

  “If I can dance in the street in my hometown in front of people watching me, then I should be able to say whatever I want on stage.” (48:36)

• Role in women’s arm wrestling film “Golden Arm”; custom wrestler’s robe.
• Pro wrestling alter ego: “Reckless Negro Ron Funches: just slamming white dudes through tables and eating blackberry pies.”
• Traveling for comedy: Denver and Boston are favorite cities. Upcoming Wilbur Theatre show.
• Marijuana photo: Friend Gabe Dinger, “probably over a pound or so of weed…like Charlie in a chocolate factory.”
• Movie “Get Hard” with Kevin Hart and Will Ferrell: Didn’t know how to trim his beard then.
• Voice acting as Black superheroes/sketches for Comic-Con.

---

11. Autism Diagnosis & Acceptance

(55:06–60:17)

• Ron openly discusses his recent autism diagnosis, prompted by his experience on The Traitors and feedback from viewers and friends.

  “I just assumed everybody had violent reactions to the fluorescence at Walmart…I just thought people just very much enjoy closed spaces and that everybody’s personal hell is a dinner table with more than four people.”
  — Ron Funches, (59:01)

• Describes the sense of relief and self-understanding the diagnosis brings, and the importance of being open about it:

  “If it’s important to me, I’m going to talk about it…Thank you for being open about your diagnosis. …That was the first positive interaction I’ve ever had with a cop.”
  — Ron Funches, (59:46, 60:17)

---

Notable Quotes

• On comedy persona:
  “Colorful casual or Black Larry David…The funky sweaters? They belong to me now.”
  — Ron Funches (13:32)
• On The Traitors:
  “I was at my working level.”
  — Ron Funches (05:09)
• On performing high:
  “It was wild…made me learn about myself. And then now I’m autistic.”
  — Ron Funches (06:33)
• On overcoming embarrassment:
  “If I can dance in the street in my home town…I should be able to say whatever I want to on stage.”
  — Ron Funches (48:36)
• On the relief from diagnosis:
  “It just helps me understand myself more…and give myself grace for things that before, I would be like…‘I’ll try to outgrow this’…Instead of being like this is who you are.”
  — Ron Funches (58:27)

---

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Podcasting Styles & Authenticity: 00:58–03:05
• Nerdy Hobbies & Social Fitting-In: 03:06–04:13
• Performing High: 04:14–05:25
• The Traitors & Reality TV: 05:35–11:36
• Lucille Ball, Wax Museum Q: 12:10–14:18
• Favorite Projects & Voice Acting: 16:06–18:53
• Voice Improv Game: 19:01–29:53
• Puppets & Laugh Breaks: 29:54–34:49
• Two Truths and a Lie: 38:13–45:31
• Photo Stories & Career Snapshots: 47:38–62:35
• Diagnosis & Living Authentically: 55:06–60:17

---

Memorable Moments

• Ron’s killer “Woody as Uber driver” impression (22:29).
• Deep but funny discussion on changing yourself (03:06–03:57).
• Ron’s emotional Lady Liberty dancing story and its impact on his confidence (48:36).
• The meta-humor of comedians failing at Shrek accents and devolving into “Jamaican.”
• Moving reflection on the power of comedy to change emotional trajectories within his family (33:15–33:55).
• Honest, heartfelt conversation about autism and its impact on self-perception.

---

Summary

This episode is a rollicking insight into Ron Funches' unique comedic world. Listeners get candid stories about growing up as a "nerd," struggles and triumphs on reality TV, voice acting in animation blockbusters, and the ongoing process of living openly (and joyfully) as an autistic Black comic in Hollywood. The tone is playful and unfiltered, ranging from absurd comedy games to authentic reflections on identity and acceptance—punctuated throughout by Ron's signature warmth and infectious giggle.

---

Transcript

[Commercial Announcer]

Support for Unwell comes from Uber Eats. You already know Uber Eats delivers your late night cravings and fave restaurants, but now they're delivering something just as exciting. Sephora. Which means beauty is basically on speed dial. That's right. Your beauty essentials can now show up at your door in as little as 25 minutes and no drama. Everything is the same price as in store. Order Sephora on Uber Eats today and get your glam delivered straight to your door to check app for availability. Delivery fees may apply.

[Ron Funches]

Ah.

[Commercial Announcer]

To hydrate or caffeinate? Why not both? New Sonic refreshers are the perfect blend of thirst quenching and energy boosting. Made with real fruit and a splash of green tea. Enjoy it sparkling or still in three mouthwatering cool berry, citrus, sweet mango, peach, and bold strawberry passion fruit. The perfect daily sip when you just want a little something. Get all new Sonic refreshers live free. Eat Sonic.

[Interviewer/Host]

All right, this is official. Ron, welcome in.

[Ron Funches]

I can feel it start.

[Interviewer/Host]

Ooh, it's a whole shift in the air.

[Ron Funches]

Yeah. Yeah. Most podcast people do. You're talking to them and then they switch directly into the podcast.

[Interviewer/Host]

Yeah, I hate that I'm doing that. I wish we would just, like, start right when we sit down. What do you think's better?

[Ron Funches]

I like starting when sitting down because it sneaks up on people. But then sometimes they. I've had. I've done that. And then people didn't like it because they didn't realize that they were talking about things that we were going to air, you know?

[Interviewer/Host]

Yeah, that's true, too. That's because I never want anyone to feel like I'm. I'm gonna. I'm gonna do, like, a gotcha kind of thing.

[Ron Funches]

You're not gonna get.

[Interviewer/Host]

You like, oh, we were recording. I just told you that I'm pregnant and nobody knows yet, which I'm not. But no. Yeah, that's actually. That would be immaculate conception, so. Rowan, welcome in.

[Ron Funches]

Thank you.

[Interviewer/Host]

Really excited to have you.

[Ron Funches]

It's a pleasure. Grace.

[Interviewer/Host]

It's a bummer you're wearing the Seattle

[Ron Funches]

Seahawks hat, but he's smoking a joint,

[Interviewer/Host]

which I really actually love. I think that's actually really sick. So.

[Ron Funches]

Turned right.

[Interviewer/Host]

Yeah,

[Ron Funches]

Actually, she's celebrating beating the Patriot.

[Interviewer/Host]

Yeah, that. See, that's. That's. That's a. That's a. That's a hit. Quite literally. So. I wish I wore my pads, my Pat's hat. No, it could be battling the bands. I don't know much about sports. I did. I used to do this thing That I think, I think this is something that girls do is you, you pretend to know what happened in the game last night by listening to your dad. And then you come to school the next day and the, and the boys will be talking and they'll be like, oh, did you see blah blah blah throw that blah blah blah. And you're like, yeah, but he should have thrown to blah blah blah. And they're like, how do you know that?

[Ron Funches]

And you're like, oh, they're interested. Yeah, I'm intriguing.

[Interviewer/Host]

And then you just hope they don't ask a follow up question. So if there was ever a girl who was locked in on sports talk, that was probably what she was doing.

[Ron Funches]

That makes sense. I love learning about how people change themselves and try to fit into other modes to, you know, attract the opposite sex.

[Interviewer/Host]

Yeah.

[Ron Funches]

It's so wild how that happens for. For both I feel as men we're always taught to like, don't take no for answer. Better yourself. Make yourself the person that she wants. Change yourself, you know, and then you find out later, that's terrible.

[Interviewer/Host]

Have you ever changed yourself for a lady?

[Ron Funches]

I used to just hide parts of myself, you know, and my love for certain nerdy things, especially when I was younger, people would be like, oh, you like pro wrestling or you like video games as an adult man? Like, why still to this day, you know, there's a lot of Internet things with women will be like, oh, you're a grown man that plays a video game. I'd rather have my man cheat on me then wear a gaming headset. I've heard that. As you know, that's a crazy person. No, I think that was Natasha Leggero. Oh really?

[Interviewer/Host]

Did she say that?

[Ron Funches]

She did, but then she married a gamer and so it made me laugh a lot. I love how life works.

[Interviewer/Host]

It's kind of like you're telling on yourself almost, I guess. Speaking of the, the, the what we calling. That's a. A blunt.

[Ron Funches]

Yeah, I would say so.

[Interviewer/Host]

When I say blunt, I sound like I'm from the 1950s and I'm a housewife now. Is that a blunt over there

[Ron Funches]

on

[Interviewer/Host]

the hat right there? When I was. I. I've watched you for years. I'm a huge fan.

[Ron Funches]

Thank you.

[Interviewer/Host]

And I think it was me and my family were sitting down, we were watching at midnight, I think it was. And I right at the top, like the first thing that comes to my head is my dad saw you was laughing his ass off and he goes, I think this guy's so fucking high right now he's like, he's hilarious, but he's so stoned. And you know parents, they say stoned. Have you ever smoked before an appearance?

[Ron Funches]

Yeah, for sure.

[Interviewer/Host]

So he was, he was dead on.

[Ron Funches]

I wouldn't. Because that's always the parent engaged is either sober or soul stoned. Yeah, I was mildly high.

[Interviewer/Host]

He's like, this guy's out of this place, out of this planet.

[Ron Funches]

No, I was at my working level.

[Interviewer/Host]

I think it's because you got, you've got the, the giggly thing going on.

[Ron Funches]

Yeah.

[Interviewer/Host]

And so it's just like you're automatically, I don't know, in my father's eyes, like you. I gotcha. I gotcha red handed.

[Ron Funches]

I like your dad. I just like your impression of your dad. I want to hang out with the impression of your dad.

[Interviewer/Host]

So when I was doing research.

[Ron Funches]

Sure.

[Interviewer/Host]

I saw that you were on the Jennifer Hudson show. Now the big thing about the Jennifer Hudson show is the spirit tunnel, which I think you crushed.

[Ron Funches]

Thank you.

[Interviewer/Host]

It is not an easy feat. Many people are very nervous about it. There's been skits about it. And so when I was reading the comments, I forgot for a brief second that you were on Traitors for just one brief second. And I'm reading the comments and everyone wrote raw unfaithful funches. And I go, yeah, I guess, I guess he's dancing in a, in a, in a godlike manner. I was so confused. I didn't know it was like all that religious hand movement, I guess, like, yeah, he's keeping space between him and others. And for like that one quick second, I was like, yeah, oh, yeah. I guess he's a religious guy. Faithful. So I, I gotta ask, how was your time on Traders?

[Ron Funches]

It was wild.

[Interviewer/Host]

Yeah.

[Ron Funches]

An intense time that made me learn about myself. And then now I'm autistic.

[Interviewer/Host]

Yeah.

[Ron Funches]

And then I got to meet Oprah's friend because of it.

[Interviewer/Host]

Oh, Miss Gail. Yeah.

[Ron Funches]

Lovely, passionate.

[Interviewer/Host]

Yeah.

[Ron Funches]

Seems like she would beat up some of the other people in the castle for me. And that made me feel good.

[Interviewer/Host]

Did you get any inside scoop on who she. Who she might not have liked?

[Ron Funches]

You know, just anyone that was mean to me. You know, people who don't, you know, people who own TV but don't work, you know?

[Interviewer/Host]

Yeah. No one, one specific comes to mind. That must have been so crazy because I was thinking of it like coming in as a comic to all these people, like, you should don't work. They're just like, known for their personality. And as a comic, you're Known for your personality, too. But that show's so serious. There's, like, little to no room to, like, be your funny self. Like, was that hard to just kind of, like, be serious and stressed out all the time rather than, like, giggly mode?

[Ron Funches]

Yeah, well, I mean, I didn't expect it. I just wanted to be giggly mode no matter what. But also, at the same time, I'm a big believer of, like, if I come into your world, like, I'm gonna respect it. And so I wasn't ever gonna be like. Or roll my eyes at anything when it was game time. I'm like, invest it. And then the rest I'll, like, try to solve this. My. And other than that, I'll just be tossing quips, you know? Yeah, and I actually did that. And some of it that made it. And. But then as the things go on and you're getting accused of things or you're, you know, getting isolated or different things, you, like, you just naturally are like, well, it's harder to just do jokes now because you guys are just not even fun to be around. So it just became hard. One of my favorite memes I saw was that, like, people posted that my time on the Traders, and they just posted, like, meme of late squid games, where it's like, the guy, the first day he enters squid games, and he doesn't know what he's getting into. And then six episodes, all light in his eyes.

[Interviewer/Host]

Ah, yeah. Because you go in, he's like, oh, I'm gonna have. I'm gonna have a bus. Did you watch the show beforehand?

[Ron Funches]

I watched a few episodes. I really enjoyed season two. I loved Phaedra. I thought she did such an amazing job as a traitor. And then what attracted me to it was like seeing the boxer Deontay Wilder, because I was like, oh, this guy's like a world champion. He's strong mindset, definitely a strong body. He was crushing the. The challenges. And then he, like, quit over the pressure of the round table. And to me, as a person that likes challenging myself and likes game and stuff, that made it intriguing. And also, I had. I just started dating a lady that lived in the uk, and so I was like, oh, give me a chance to go visit her for a bit.

[Interviewer/Host]

Oh, yeah, because they film in Scotland, right? Exactly.

[Ron Funches]

And so I was like, oh, this will be a lot of fun and a good chance. But I didn't know. They just a fillet full of super villains.

[Interviewer/Host]

Yeah, they really do. They do. They really do. And they. They have a whole show called super villains. So they should just put everyone in there and keep like the fun, light hearted people together.

[Ron Funches]

I think.

[Interviewer/Host]

Yeah.

[Ron Funches]

R a more mix of a castle mix of fun. But I was, I was just like. I thought it was like that show the jury duty or something where I was just like everybody playing trick on me right now. Yeah, everybody. Just terrible like it is.

[Interviewer/Host]

Yeah, it is. It's like disheartening seeing that side like you on tv. It's just like a. Almost like a character. But you have to remember it's reality television and this is their reality. So it's like, I don't know, it's. It's kind of up.

[Ron Funches]

I.

[Interviewer/Host]

You mentioned you didn't want to crash out on Traders and I think you did a fantastic job of saying what you wanted to say but like keeping composure when you could have went absolutely nuts. I will say I did like a. I don't want to call it a fake reality show, but we did a reality show at my old job where we lived in the office and we were playing Survivor in the office. And when you're. When you have like fluorescent lights and you're sleeping on like a lobby couch in an office, you start to kind of lose your mind. The mind games of it all. I realized I'm a bad liar because I was, I was in the show and people were asking me questions about like who I. Something about an idol. Like I didn't even know how to play Survivor. They're asking me questions. I don't know how to lie. So I start singing. When you wish upon a star. They're like, are you all right? I'm like, I think I'm breaking. It's like the mind games of a television show. Like when there's games involved and cameras 24 7, it'll make you lose your mind. And you kept such a solid mind and I thought you were incredible. I can't do it. I realized. I realized I'm going to break and I'm going to start singing Disney tunes.

[Ron Funches]

Oh, thank you. I mean, I tried my best. There are definitely moments where it felt dicier than other. They had a good support team of like psychiatrists and therapists and stuff that helped you when you were going through it to keep you grounded. Oh, they do, they do.

[Interviewer/Host]

Okay, that's good.

[Ron Funches]

Yeah, it is good. It's good and necessary.

[Interviewer/Host]

Yeah. The early 2000s, I feel like they weren't, they weren't rocking with that.

[Ron Funches]

No. Yeah.

[Interviewer/Host]

People crashing all left and right.

[Ron Funches]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. So, you know, it's A. But definitely it was a struggle. But I mean, I'm happy with the people. Like, met some cool friends now from it. I like Rob a lot. I like Donna a lot. I always a big fan of Kristen Kish.

[Interviewer/Host]

So Dorinda, of course,

[Ron Funches]

My favorite president.

[Interviewer/Host]

The mayor of the socialites. Yeah. I've heard you say on a interview before that you're. That you really look up to Lucille Ball. So I dressed up as her for. We did a thing called the wax museum at my school where you. You dress up as the person and then you give, like, a little spiel. My question to you is, this sounds

[Ron Funches]

like an affluent school.

[Interviewer/Host]

No, dude, it was. No, I mean, we were doing pretty good shout out eston schools. Is it still around? No. Wow. Kindergarten school. Now that's really sad. Really sad. It was just the best. It was a good public school. It was a great. Yeah, it was a great public school. But also I like, went all in. And the older girls, they kept pressing my button. So I kept. And I was like. I didn't really. My social cues were pretty bad. So I just kept repeating every time she pressed a button like I was an animatronic. And yeah, I was just like, I'm Lucille Ball. She's like, I'm Lucille Ball. So my question to you is, if there were. I'm sorry, I just was reliving that. If someone were to dress up as you for a wax museum type thing, what would be their spiel and how would they dress?

[Ron Funches]

They would dress my style as what I like to call colorful, casual.

[Interviewer/Host]

Love it.

[Ron Funches]

Or black Larry David.

[Interviewer/Host]

Oh, hell yeah.

[Ron Funches]

And so you probably have some type of fun sweater on.

[Interviewer/Host]

Are we just pretending Cosby doesn't exist? Yeah.

[Ron Funches]

Okay, I'm taking it.

[Interviewer/Host]

Yep. I. I give it to you. I think everyone will give it to you. We need someone new. The funky sweaters.

[Ron Funches]

Yeah, they belong to me now. And then soft pants. And then he would just probably talk about the blackberries are in season. Or to say some line from trolls, I imagine. And. And then just be like, I love my boys. That'd probably be it.

[Interviewer/Host]

Blackberries, trolls, and I love my boys. And then some bully will just be like. And get him to say it over.

[Ron Funches]

I love my boys.

[Interviewer/Host]

Over and over.

[Ron Funches]

I love my boys.

[Interviewer/Host]

Ah.

[Commercial Announcer]

To hydrate or caffeinate. Why not both? New sonic refreshers are the perfect blend of thirst quenching and energy boosting. Made with real fruit and a splash of green tea. Enjoy it sparkling or still in three mouthwatering cool berry, citrus, sweet Mango, peach and bold strawberry passion fruit. The perfect daily sip when you just want a little something. Get all new Sonic refreshers. Live free. Eat Sonic.

[Interviewer/Host]

You're home to show off who you are. And Ashley has styles that balance timeless appeal and modern trends to bring your personal look home. The eye catching designs of Ashley's pieces is one thing, but they're also made with features like stain resistant performance fabrics that are incredibly durable, easy to clean and stain resistant with machine washable cushion covers. So not only do their pieces look great in your home, they function well in your life too. I'll tell you. You gotta check out this Alyssa Court collection that they have. It is so beautiful, it is so timeless. It's an absolute perfect piece for your home. If you're looking to furnish your house, Ashley has you covered. So I gotta tell you, Ashley provides fast, reliable white glove delivery right to your room of choice. Well crafted, affordable and built to stand up to real life. How furniture should be. So visit your local Ashley store or head to Ashley.com to find your style. So you've worked, you've worked on like so many projects. What's been your favorite?

[Ron Funches]

I mean I really like Lou just because my Rudolph is incredible. And you know, to go down the Lucille Ball route, I always say to her in a way that probably makes her embarrassed where I'm like, this is the, I'm like, oh, this is probably what it felt like to work with

[Interviewer/Host]

Lucy to see someone because my so talented. Yeah, I'm sure she's what you see is what you get. Yeah, she's a nice gal.

[Ron Funches]

She is the best. She's so fun to work with. She fills you with confidence. She's made me just so much more sure of myself as an actor and as a creator, as a person. She always preaches like just creating your own stuff because of her background with Saturday Night Live and sketch before, before that. And so she really instilled me more to like, I've been putting out my more of my own sketches and just she's just a cool human being and it's just like a, you know, amazing opportunity to get to work with her. So I really liked that one a lot. Being.

[Interviewer/Host]

Yeah, that's amazing. That show is awesome. It cracked me up. Thank you.

[Ron Funches]

And then inside out too cool. Just because when I started voice acting, that was my goal was to be in a Pixar movie.

[Interviewer/Host]

Oh no.

[Ron Funches]

To be in a Pixar movie. And then now I'm the first 2D cartoon character in a 3D Pixar. Movie. Which is a trivia question.

[Interviewer/Host]

That is a trivia question. Wow.

[Ron Funches]

I love that.

[Interviewer/Host]

I really like that a lot.

[Ron Funches]

Yeah.

[Interviewer/Host]

Wow. And there's such a star studded cast with. With that movie. But you all recorded in separate booths, right? And then you go to the premiere.

[Ron Funches]

Yeah.

[Interviewer/Host]

Yeah. And so do you. Have you met your coast? Is it a co star? If you're like, how does that work when it comes to voice acting?

[Ron Funches]

Voice acting?

[Interviewer/Host]

Yeah.

[Ron Funches]

Is the least. I mean, there's special circumstances where you do end up working with the people in the booth for certain shows. They like the group atmosphere of it if they're more improvised, but for the most part you're alone. So you. Typically, a lot of times your first time meeting your co star is at the premiere. So it becomes just fun to meet them. But at the same time you don't really have like a real big bond with them. But it's just. I. I just love voice acting in general because it just makes me feel like a kid. I remember one time I went to go see a screen in a Trolls and I was running at like 30 minutes late and they kept texting me like, when are you gonna get here?

[Interviewer/Host]

Oh, shit.

[Ron Funches]

Calm down. And then when I got there, I realized they texted me because I. Because Anna Kendrick was waiting.

[Interviewer/Host]

Oh my God.

[Ron Funches]

I was like, sorry, Anna. I was doing a power move.

[Interviewer/Host]

It's fine. That's my Anna Kendrick.

[Ron Funches]

She's lovely.

[Interviewer/Host]

I have a game.

[Ron Funches]

Okay.

[Interviewer/Host]

You voice various characters, like we just said, across animated films such as Trolls, Inside Out Home, Harley Quinn, Rock Paper Scissors, to name a few. As a voice actor, you're able to adjust and. And fit to a character. I don't know why I'm reading all this. I could just tell you you can adjust and fit to a character. Now the rules. This is where I. This is where I need to read and I'm a bad reader, which is not great for the rest of the career. In this game, we're going to pick out a character and scenario from this bucket and act them out.

[Ron Funches]

Okay.

[Interviewer/Host]

I could have just said that. I'm so sorry.

[Ron Funches]

But I like the beginning cuz it. It made me seem bigger and I like it.

[Interviewer/Host]

But you are. You're huge.

[Ron Funches]

I love.

[Interviewer/Host]

Come on, You've got it going on Pixar. You're holding up Anacondric.

[Ron Funches]

Yeah, she can wait.

[Interviewer/Host]

She's nice. She's very nice.

[Ron Funches]

Lovely woman.

[Interviewer/Host]

So this is. This is the miraculous bowl. We just. We went around the whole office trying to find a bowl. This is a Nice one. We figured this out. Looks like a Stanley Cup. So we'll go back and forth and act out these scenarios if you're interested.

[Ron Funches]

I do.

[Interviewer/Host]

Okay. Sorry. Will you go first? No. Please. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to. I felt like I just shooed you away by accident. I never asked if you wanted to play.

[Ron Funches]

I'll play. Why not? Do I have to tell you or you. You guess the character?

[Interviewer/Host]

I think. I think you tell me, and I'm just going to. And I'm going to laugh. Some of them prompt the other person to, like, act in. Okay, gotcha.

[Ron Funches]

Okay. I'm just going to act it out and then see if you can guess. Okay. Okay. Oh, no. I forgot to file my taxes. Can you say taxes?

[Interviewer/Host]

Oh, Dori. She's got to do her Texas. You have it. Wait, that's crazy. I haven't seen these. Wow. I didn't think. I really didn't think I was gonna get that.

[Ron Funches]

You really got it first try.

[Interviewer/Host]

That's awesome. Oh, God. Maybe I'll try for you to guess, too. Okay. But I don't know. I'm not a voice actor. Um, Chucky, No. Let her cook. Let her cook. I'm gonna do it this way. Jackie. Did you hook up with Angelica?

[Ron Funches]

It's cheating if you're doing the character name. Are you Tommy Pickle?

[Interviewer/Host]

I am. The scenario was, Tommy Pickles, 21 years old, finds out his best friend of 19 years, Chuckie Finster, hooked up with his cousin Angelica and can no longer be friends.

[Ron Funches]

His voice never changed.

[Interviewer/Host]

I can't believe they can't be friends because he hooked up with his cousin. I thought that would be sick, right?

[Ron Funches]

Yeah.

[Interviewer/Host]

It makes you family. Oh, my God. That's. Yeah. And then I didn't even. It took me so long to read the prompt that I couldn't even come up with a scenario rather than just read it.

[Ron Funches]

Okay, this is gonna be hard, okay? Because now I don't want to do the names like you did.

[Interviewer/Host]

Yeah, I know. Because it kind of really screws it. I threw that one. Oh, that was funny.

[Ron Funches]

Well, hello there, pilgrim. I'm your Uber driver today, and I'm gonna take you to infinity and beyond. Where's where you wanted to go? Not me. That's not where. I'm more of a down ho, cowpole. I sure do love Tom Hank.

[Interviewer/Host]

At first, I was trying to picture it, and I just really locked in and I forgot how hilarious that just was. So that is. That's our boy Woody, and he's down and out. He is. He's. He's Ubering.

[Ron Funches]

Yes, he's driver. Exactly.

[Interviewer/Host]

He lost Buzz's spaceship. That was good. And he. The hell is going off. What was that? Oh, no. What accent was that? That was a mistake. That was a mistake. Oh, no. I know where he's going. Oh, Ratola. We're going have to go again with that one girl. Oh, okay. Take two. What are you. No, that is Russian again. It's Russian again. Dracula. I could try. Okay, I'll. I'll just. Nope. Okay. So that was Shrek.

[Ron Funches]

That was Shrek.

[Interviewer/Host]

What? I would. I would need to go away for five minutes, come back, and give you a half decent accent. I don't know if I can get it on the first three.

[Ron Funches]

Yeah, Shrek would be hard. The Scottish them.

[Interviewer/Host]

I could do Irish. I could do Irish very well. It's very easy for me to do Irish. But when you. When you go into Scotland, so you're like, you got to. You got to start to do it arrange like. No, I just. I just do Irish is what it really. Scottish is a toughie.

[Ron Funches]

Yeah. I don't have any accents. I. No matter what I do, I just try Jamaican.

[Interviewer/Host]

Yeah. And I can't do that. I try to. I try to stay away from Jamaican. The only white person who can do Jamaican.

[Ron Funches]

Welcome to Scotland. M.

[Interviewer/Host]

I'm so glad you stopped me from saying the only white person who could do a Jamaican accent is. Thank God you just took it away. I'm not going to say hangs Chad Hags. Yeah. Because, you know, because of his dad.

[Ron Funches]

Yeah. Woody, it was my turn.

[Interviewer/Host]

Yes, please. That was. That was a tough week because that was a funny scenario. It was supposed to be Shrek's a boy, and he wakes up next to ogre Fiona and he. He thinks he's better than that and he tries to kick her out.

[Ron Funches]

Oh, I got the wake up. The waking up.

[Interviewer/Host]

Yeah, no waking up. I crushed that.

[Ron Funches]

Yeah. Okay, let's see what I got here.

[Interviewer/Host]

Okay.

[Ron Funches]

I don't even know this voice, really. I don't think I've heard this guy speak in a long time. Yeah, I don't think this guy has, like a distinctive voice. I'll try one more, and if I don't like this one, I'll go back. Okay. This a fun voice. Well. Oh, no. Gotta get my higher register. Well, well, well.

[Interviewer/Host]

Holy shit. I'm underwater.

[Ron Funches]

And that shouldn't be. I should even be able to breathe here.

[Interviewer/Host]

Oh. Oh.

[Ron Funches]

Talking spongebob. You see?

[Interviewer/Host]

What the fuck?

[Ron Funches]

I guess it's Weird to me. Even though I can talk.

[Interviewer/Host]

That is a beautiful rendition of spongebob. No, I'm not talking sponge.

[Ron Funches]

I mean, I'm talking to the sponge.

[Interviewer/Host]

Oh, no. Oh, so that's a star.

[Ron Funches]

No.

[Interviewer/Host]

Oh, it's Mr. Krabs. None of these.

[Ron Funches]

You don't think I'm close on any of these?

[Interviewer/Host]

Fuck.

[Ron Funches]

I'm a lady from damn south from downtown.

[Interviewer/Host]

Oh, it's Sandy dam cheese. Yes, I'm a lady. And also, I didn't mention I'm a lady.

[Ron Funches]

Oh, this is a lie for me.

[Interviewer/Host]

I'm just a lady. It's like Dorothy waking up from a dream and there was a sponge, and you were there. All right, last one here. Okay. Awesome. I wish I could do her justice. Oh, damn. Apologies. Okay, well. Nope. Nope. No, Just let me find the range. You can't fuck this one up. Well. Nope. Wow. Carmi.

[Ron Funches]

It could be anybody.

[Interviewer/Host]

Keep going. Well, Carmi. I just wanted to say, Carmi, that I didn't. No. I was a Muppet. And all this time. I feel like I've been a little strange to you, Carm. I think. I think I.

[Ron Funches]

You sound like Walter Goggins in the Righteous Gemstone.

[Interviewer/Host]

You do. No, it's all wrong. It's all off. I want to do her absolute justice.

[Ron Funches]

You gotta throw more sass in her.

[Interviewer/Host]

It's like, more deeper. Kirby. Oh, God, Kirby, I'm sorry. I said that's almost there.

[Ron Funches]

Ms. Piggy, while apologizing to Kermit while sucking on a stick at the same time, so you couldn't hear her completely, quite literally.

[Interviewer/Host]

That's what it sounds like, but quite literally the opposite. It's literally Miss Piggy finding out she's a puppet this whole time. So everything she's been saying, she hasn't been herself. So she's apologizing to Kermit for being a pervert. Oh, she's been really perverted towards him all these years.

[Ron Funches]

That's true.

[Interviewer/Host]

That would not fly. That would not fly. That is some. That is some sexual harassment.

[Ron Funches]

But I like it. She reminds me of the female. She was a true trailblazers for a lot of the female rap that I listen to now. She's very brass, very open, very sexual. I love it.

[Interviewer/Host]

She really is. She, she. And she really. She opened the mold for many other pop puppets to be themselves.

[Ron Funches]

That's true.

[Interviewer/Host]

Have you ever worked with puppets?

[Ron Funches]

A couple times. And I love to. And I want to more.

[Interviewer/Host]

You should.

[Ron Funches]

I loved it.

[Interviewer/Host]

I think it'd be so fun, because I did. I saw your 420 video. And that was a. A puppet. A Muppet in there. Yeah, Yeah. I think it's so funny when anytime in television when someone's, like, depicting someone, like, on acid or shrooms, and they just turn into puppets. I think it's, like, the funniest thing ever because, like, you don't feel real.

[Ron Funches]

Yeah.

[Interviewer/Host]

It's like. It's so hilarious. My next question to you is, when is the last time you completely cracked up?

[Ron Funches]

Last night.

[Interviewer/Host]

What happened?

[Ron Funches]

I was hosting a show that I do called Punched. It's great. It was really great. It's like a variety show. It also goes off my love of Lucille Ball. So this is basically me being Ricky Ricardo. So I have a band. I host a little. Nice. It's not, I would say, a variety show, but it's mostly a good. My favorite comedians. And then they sing a song at the end of the set with my live band.

[Interviewer/Host]

Oh, that's awesome. And how do you pick the song?

[Ron Funches]

I just ask them before the.

[Interviewer/Host]

Okay.

[Ron Funches]

And then we have a running. Usually some type of sketch that goes throughout the show as well. And so we were doing the sketch

[Interviewer/Host]

that sounds like a blast.

[Ron Funches]

It is a blast.

[Interviewer/Host]

Sounds like so much fun.

[Ron Funches]

It's really fun because it gets us. Because I've been doing. Getting comedy for so long that a lot of times I will just show up two to three minutes before set and then leave right after.

[Interviewer/Host]

Yeah.

[Ron Funches]

And this is a thing where, like, we work on it for a full month before the show. We go up and we like, you know, shows at 7:30 over there at like, five rehearsing and everything. And I. And other than being on set, this is the first time where I'm doing that for just me.

[Interviewer/Host]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Ron Funches]

And so it's really cool. And then it, like, motivates us when we're doing our sketches and our other stuff. So I kind of keep it as, like, our ground floor of, like, just a way to just have fun. And so we were improvising, and the gist of our thing was that we had to save comedy from some evil force that was coming to kill Jimmy Kimmel.

[Interviewer/Host]

Oh, yeah. No, I think. I think I know exactly what he's talking about.

[Ron Funches]

So then I made a. I improvised a joke about Jimmy Kimmel's blackface stuff in the past and saying, like, he doesn't deserve to die just because of that. Da, da, da, da. And then I thought that was going to be the punchline. And then my friend who's wearing. For Yoda, he's Yoda and so he's like. He's got green face, man. At the time. And he goes like. He's like, you shouldn't judging people for free. Yeah. And so I didn't see it coming at all. And I just died laughing. Like, I literally almost lost consciousness.

[Interviewer/Host]

Oh, my God.

[Ron Funches]

I just could not catch my breath from laughing so hard because I just did not know it was coming.

[Interviewer/Host]

There is nothing better than just absolutely, like, losing it. Cracking up.

[Ron Funches]

Yeah.

[Interviewer/Host]

Is there like a. I know this is like a question people ask a lot, and it's kind of like a half ass shitty one. But I do really want to know is, do you remember, like, a time when you were younger where you were like, oh, I'm fucking funny?

[Ron Funches]

Yeah.

[Interviewer/Host]

Yeah, for sure.

[Ron Funches]

Yeah. I mean, there were a couple indications. One I always remember just was when I was really young and like five and I had done something that my mom was upset at me and my sister for, and so she was like, go in your room. I'm gonna come up there. And, you know, you're gonna get beat.

[Interviewer/Host]

It's the only way to learn your lesson.

[Ron Funches]

Yeah. And so while preparing for that, I just was.

[Interviewer/Host]

Nothing's worse than waiting for it. Yeah.

[Ron Funches]

Instead of, like, crying and stuff, I just started talking with my sister about my mom and just. And then waiting and talking jokes. Jokes. I start forgetting about it. And then a few minutes later, I hear my mom behind the door laughing.

[Interviewer/Host]

Oh, that's awesome.

[Ron Funches]

And so she, like, laughed and came in and apologized and hugged us. And it was just like. And then to me, it. I was like, oh, my jokes changed the whole mood of this thing. I was about to get spanked, and now we're all laughing and getting. I'm getting hugged. And so there is a.

[Interviewer/Host]

There's a bigger meaning beyond all that. That's like a. It's like a really sweet sentiment of, like, Joe's can help. Like, just in general. What? I'm such a jackass. Jokes can help.

[Ron Funches]

No, I never heard this before. Where are you going with this?

[Interviewer/Host]

Why can't we all just laugh? You know, I have like, the. The IQ of a second grader. I'm like, you. You did that. You changed the. The outcome of your life because of. Because of joking. But, yeah, no, I think. I think that's a. It's more than just you finding out you're a comic. It's. It's finding out that what you can do with your jokes and getting people to laugh is, like, beyond just like getting out of a spanking.

[Ron Funches]

Yeah.

[Interviewer/Host]

Yeah, yeah.

[Ron Funches]

And but then it leads you to people being a people pleaser for a long time, you know, because you're trying to use jokes to get out of trauma, traumatic response, you know.

[Interviewer/Host]

Yeah, that's true too.

[Ron Funches]

And so I learned how to not do that for a while and then I did a pro wrestling match and that taught me that I like manipulating the audience more than just for laughter. That I like having people be worried about me or boo me or be scared for me or, you know, I really like that. And so that's really helped me inform my comedy and freed me up from being like, oh, I need people to like me. Yeah, I just need them to be engaged. And then I will decide when there's time for them to like me.

[Interviewer/Host]

Totally 100%. I also, I think it was awesome. You put, you put up like a 13 minute video of your time at and on Traders and I think it was so awesome because you could tell that the audience was so engaged with watching you on the show and wanting to hear more about it and you were so honest. But the jokes were still in there too. It's like saying everything you want to say but through joke, which I think is like, I think that's really profound.

[Ron Funches]

Thank you so much. I just only dealing with things that were ever on camera to make sure to never ever break a contract.

[Interviewer/Host]

Yes, yes, yes. Yeah. That is the fine ins and outs of Hollywood was. I can only imagine. Sorry for your trouble. Thank you so much.

[Commercial Announcer]

Ondeck is built to back small businesses like yours. Whether you're buying equipment, expanding your team or bridging cash flow, gaps on Deck's loans up to $400,000 help make it happen fast. Rated A by the Better Business Bureau and earning thousands of five star trust pilot reviews, Ondeck delivers funding can count on. Apply in [e-mail] depending on certain loan attributes. Your business loan may be issued by Ondeck or Celtic Bank. Ondeck does not lend in North Dakota. All loans and amount subject to lender approval. You've likely heard about pdrn. Originating in Korean medical grade injectables, this ingredient supports skin rejuvenation and is often derived from salmon DNA. Medicaite's new XO PDRN Prismatic plus serum unlocks the power of non invasive vegan PDRN through advanced biotechnology, it's proven to boost skin's natural rejuvenation by 50%. Like the clinical treatments, it's inspired by Medicaite's XO PDRN Prismatic Plus Serum delivers full spectrum rejuvenation Results to visibly improve skin health, tone, luminosity, firmness and volume while reducing the appearance of wrinkles. Visit Medikaite US. That's Medik. And the number eight US. To discover more, use code podcast20 to save 20% off your first order.

[Interviewer/Host]

I think we have another game before

[Ron Funches]

we gotta finish this one.

[Interviewer/Host]

I just know people really fully enjoy traders, so are you probably sick of talking about it, but I know that's what the people want. And like you said, I'm a people pleaser because, you know, it's just, it's part of the game. Now. Let's play this game. Ron, you seem like an honest man.

[Commercial Announcer]

Sure.

[Interviewer/Host]

It says it right here.

[Ron Funches]

I love that.

[Interviewer/Host]

I want to see if you can trick me in a game of two truths and a lie.

[Ron Funches]

Sure.

[Interviewer/Host]

Okay. So we're both gonna tell three elaborate stories from our childhoods and figure out which two are true and which one is a big old fib.

[Ron Funches]

Okay.

[Interviewer/Host]

All right.

[Ron Funches]

Okay.

[Interviewer/Host]

I gotta think of mine too.

[Ron Funches]

Me too. So who's gonna go first?

[Interviewer/Host]

We can, we can, we can just, we can sit on this.

[Ron Funches]

Nice editing.

[Interviewer/Host]

Yeah.

[Ron Funches]

The power of it one is that when I was about seven years old, was living in the south side of Chicago with my sister and my mom, shout out south side, South, South, Southside. And my mom ended up in a relationship with a gang member who went by the name of Do Dirty, who in turn did her dirty for several years until he went to jail for multiple occasions.

[Interviewer/Host]

Some dirty acts

[Ron Funches]

number story number two would be that my mom didn't believe in circumcision and so I didn't get circumcised until I was 13.

[Interviewer/Host]

That's a bar mitzvah.

[Ron Funches]

When isn't it?

[Interviewer/Host]

I

[Ron Funches]

realized by going into the showers that other people didn't have foreskin. And so I was like, I don't want that. And so I went and got surgery and then realized how painful it was and then woke up to just rip bloody skin all over your bed because I had a blanket that stuck to the stitches. And so there was terrible complications.

[Interviewer/Host]

Oh, yeah. I, I, I, I wanted you to share and I wasn't going to ask any further details.

[Ron Funches]

No. Strong man.

[Interviewer/Host]

So is the penis

[Ron Funches]

story number three? Is that when. Again, we're young, probably nine now. My sister. No, probably a little younger, maybe six, I was. My sister would have been four in Chicago and really wanted a Nintendo entertainment system, but we couldn't afford one. But there was a contest at a local store where you could go up and rap a jingle about why you wanted this Nintendo, and then if you did a good one, you would could win. And so me and my sister went and did that and we won Nintendo and the whole Power Pack thing with the little things that you could run on it. And it was one of the best days of my life.

[Interviewer/Host]

I hope that one's true. I hope that one's true. And I don't hope that the penis surgery for which it is. I wish it wasn't true. But I do believe that's real. Cause that seems like real pain. And so I'm gonna go with the last two are true and the first one is a falsity.

[Ron Funches]

They were all mostly true. But we did not win the Nintendo.

[Interviewer/Host]

Oh, no. Who the. Who the won?

[Ron Funches]

I don't know. They didn't tell me.

[Interviewer/Host]

Oh, my gosh. Who had a better rap?

[Ron Funches]

Probably the Dr. Pepper girl.

[Interviewer/Host]

The way you said it, I was like, oh, maybe that's a rapper from Chicago. The Dr. Pepper. No, the Dr. Pepper me. So there. What, what parts of each story were?

[Ron Funches]

Oh, the other two were true.

[Interviewer/Host]

Oh, they were all true.

[Ron Funches]

Yeah, yeah. The other two were true. And then Nintendo one was the lie because we didn't win the Nintendo.

[Interviewer/Host]

Oh, wow.

[Ron Funches]

Damn. But I tried to blend truth so that it make it harder.

[Interviewer/Host]

No, that was good. So Do. Do Dirty. Do Dirty is a bad guy. He did you dirty. I'm sorry about that.

[Ron Funches]

That's okay.

[Interviewer/Host]

But Do Dirty is a funny fucking name.

[Ron Funches]

I know it's a funny name. To date. It really shows, like, you gotta be pretty lonely.

[Interviewer/Host]

Yeah.

[Ron Funches]

To be like, oh, Do Dirty. But not to me.

[Interviewer/Host]

Not to me. No, no. You are the only exception. Do Dirty original.

[Ron Funches]

I love. You are the only exception.

[Interviewer/Host]

How would you address them? Excuse me, Mr. Dirty. Mr. Dirty over here, sir. Bastard. All right, let's. Let's. Let me see. Okay. When I was about 14, we went to New York and we went to 30 Rock. And we had done the tour of the studios before, but that specific day when we went to go do it a second time because I. That was like my number one thing I wanted to do when we went to New York because we lived in Boston, so we got to go to New York. It's like a train ride away every couple years. Anyways, we went to go do the 30 Rock tour, and they were not showing the Jimmy Fallon stage that day. And I knew where it was because I had been on the the tour before. So I snuck away from the group. I told my mom I gotta go see the stage. So I told my mom, she Goes, have a blast. Snuck away from the group, went down, stood on the stage. Someone in, was sitting in the crowd, probably like a writer or something. And they were like, hey, kid, what are you doing? I said, oh, no, I'm lost. Sorry. Bye. And I left. And I set off the fire alarm when I went down the emergency exit because I couldn't use the elevator because you needed a badge. That's story one. Story two is I hit my sister in the head with a shovel. Story three is. Story three is I. Rank pish in middle school.

[Ron Funches]

I don't know which one of these could be the first two that you said so easily, The third that you search so hard for and then just defaulted to piss.

[Interviewer/Host]

Well, I must be an actress, as unfortunately, I did drink piss, or so I was told. We were drinking around. We were like, like drinking Vulcan water bottles. And I drank so much vodka walking around my neighborhood that some. One of the boys filled it with piss and I drank the piss.

[Ron Funches]

Oh, that's classic. That's a classic. It happened to my friend, but they thought it was Sprite.

[Interviewer/Host]

I had no idea. They told me at school the next day.

[Ron Funches]

Yeah. What do you mean?

[Interviewer/Host]

Okay, I'm sorry. That Monday. Yeah.

[Ron Funches]

You were so drunk you didn't know you drank.

[Interviewer/Host]

I didn't know I was drinking. I guess it was lake water, piss and a little bit of vodka.

[Ron Funches]

Oh, that's terrible. So which one was fake then?

[Interviewer/Host]

It was actually the first one. It wasn't the Jimmy Fallon studio, it was the SNL studio.

[Ron Funches]

Oh, okay.

[Interviewer/Host]

And I stood on the stage and I remember being like, so.

[Ron Funches]

But the rest of the whole story was true. Yeah, that still feels.

[Interviewer/Host]

Hey, you did the same.

[Ron Funches]

Yeah, that's true.

[Interviewer/Host]

That was my plan all along.

[Commercial Announcer]

You've likely heard about pdrn. Originating in Korean medical grade injectables, this ingredient supports skin rejuvenation and is often derived from salmon DNA. Medicaite's new XO PDRN Prismatic plus serum unlocks the power of non invasive vegan PDRN through advanced biotechnology. It's proven to boost skin's natural rejuvenation by 50%. Like the clinical treatments, it's inspired by Medicaite's XO PDRN Prismatic Plus Serum delivers full spectrum rejuvenation results to visibly improve skin health, tone, luminosity, firmness and volume while reducing the appearance of wrinkles. Visit Medicaid US. That's Medik and the number eight US. To discover more, use code podcast20 to save 20% off your first order.

[Sponsor Voice]

Do you have $10,000 or more in credit card debt. Maybe you're even barely getting by making minimum payments. With credit card debt hitting record highs, National Debt Relief offers real debt relief solutions for people struggling to keep up. These options may reduce a large portion of credit card debt for those who qualify. You don't need to declare bankruptcy, and you may be able to pay back less than you owe, regardless of your credit. National Debt Relief has already reduced the credit card debt for more than 550,000 consumers. So don't wait if you owe 10, 20, or even hundreds of thousands of dollars in credit card debt, you can now take advantage of this financial debt relief as the cost of living increases. To find out how much you could save, visit start ndr.com that's start ndr.com

[Interviewer/Host]

Another thing we do here on the show, and it can. It can be a doozy, is we pull from your, from your digital footprint.

[Ron Funches]

Okay.

[Interviewer/Host]

And we have all these pictures from. From your past. And I would like you to explain what's going on in each picture.

[Ron Funches]

Sure.

[Interviewer/Host]

All right. And first up, we've got Middle Liberty.

[Ron Funches]

I love that. That was me about. I mean, this is why I could kill the spirit tunnel. Because before when I was a baby comedian, that's probably me at 25 or 26. So two or three years in the comedy and I was. Had no money. And so I need a good job. And I got a job at Lady Liberty Tax Services dancing in my hometown as Lady Liberty, which was extremely embarrassing at the time because a lot of my high school classmates would drive by or people who are my ex wife's mother in law. I remember her scowling at me when she drove by, but in a loving way or no, in a way where she was ashamed of me.

[Interviewer/Host]

Oh, what the.

[Ron Funches]

But this guy and several other people would sometimes get out of their car and come take pictures with me because I was a dancing large black Lady Liberty and the streets just grooving to his own tunes. And it taught me to not care about watching people or have people looking at me. And I remember being like, oh, if I can dance in the street in my hometown in front of people watching me, then I should be able to say whatever I want to on stage.

[Interviewer/Host]

I think this.

[Ron Funches]

Now that guy does comedy too now. Oh, no, he started because of me.

[Interviewer/Host]

Really? That's really cool. I think. I think you saved yourself about $2,000 because I think that's what they make people do in an acting class. Anyways, like today we're gonna dress up as Lady Liberty and you're gonna go on the streets and not care what anyone thinks, and you're gonna really commit to the role. I feel like I've heard of so many crazy, like, actors. Yeah. So you got paid to do an acting class. There's good ways to look at things. All right, we've got an arm wrestling contest.

[Ron Funches]

Oh, yeah, that's good. Oh, really fit, too. I love that about me at that point. That was. That's Maureen Barucha, who's my favorite part. One of my favorite collaborators and people to work with. She's put me in the first ever acting role in a short film that she directed and then believed that I could be. She was like, you're gonna be the lead in this. And we've worked together a lot since. This was a movie called Golden Arm, which is about a league of women arm wrestling wrestlers. And it was cool. I played a guy who was like the, I guess, spokesman for the league or I ran the league. I don't recall. I was. He was. And he wasn't necessarily. You know, he's in the back doing stuff. But I love working with Maureen, and I hope to keep doing make cool with her.

[Interviewer/Host]

I'm really loving this.

[Ron Funches]

Thank you. I'm loving that.

[Interviewer/Host]

Where do you get something like that?

[Ron Funches]

I had it made. No, it was. Yeah, most. Probably most expensive thing I've ever did because it was for a micro special. And so I reached out to the people who make the robes for the pro wrestlers for the wwe, and she made me that robe. Very cool.

[Interviewer/Host]

This is a snazzy.

[Ron Funches]

Thank you.

[Interviewer/Host]

Now, what was. What was your name when you did this?

[Ron Funches]

Oh, that's just me. Reckless Negro Ron Funches. Just slamming white dudes through tables and eating BlackBerry pies. That's my, you know, just regular life, really. Black top. I had my wrestling match, learned a lot from it. He kept me safe, didn't hurt me, which I really appreciated. And I got to body slam a guy through a table or through a door. That's a door. So that's a little lifelong dream of mine. And one of my favorite wrestlers was on the show from when I was a kid. Gave me a lot of praise after the show, saying, like. Like, like, they didn't. I don't know you. They told me you're not a wrestler, but you're damn sure an entertainer.

[Interviewer/Host]

Oh, hell yeah. That's awesome. That's a great compliment.

[Ron Funches]

Truly one of the best things that

[Interviewer/Host]

man could have ever said to me as an entertainer. You have your hands in a lot of pockets. You're a voice acting, actor, comic, wrestler. What's your favorite

[Ron Funches]

stand up? I like stand up because it's immediate. You get to go out and actually meet people and talk to people and travel. I mean traveling sometimes can be rough, but I love it when I get there. I love going to new places. I feel like it's such a rare job where you can be like, oh, I've been to so many. Like I've been to New York, Seattle, I've been to Oklahoma.

[Interviewer/Host]

What's your favorite places?

[Ron Funches]

My favorite place to travel in the world are for comedy. For comedy. Denver is always up there. Of course. Boston. I'm going to be in Boston at my favorite place, the Wilbur Theater.

[Interviewer/Host]

Oh, sick.

[Ron Funches]

I'm very excited because last time I did there, I think I sold like half full if that. And we're like our, like we're still like two or three months out and I'm way over that, so.

[Interviewer/Host]

Oh yeah, that's awesome.

[Ron Funches]

Yeah. So I'm excited. Hopefully we'll sell it out because I love that place I used to open for first time went there, it's opening for John Mulaney and I just was like, this is like what comedy is for that, that place.

[Interviewer/Host]

So I was, I was so jealous. My grandma got to go to those shows and she, she said you were awesome. But I was so mad cuz she went with my aunt. She didn't take me. I was, I was really pissed. I was like, yeah, that's awesome. I'm so glad you had a blast. But like, where was my invite?

[Ron Funches]

I. I love hearing the other side of that evening.

[Interviewer/Host]

Let's see what we got here.

[Ron Funches]

Oh, that's my best friend Gabe Dinger holding a big old bag of weed.

[Interviewer/Host]

Oh, I thought it was sage.

[Ron Funches]

I think that's the most weed he ever held. It's probably over a pound or so of weed. I don't know how much, but we went to go visit our friend Wonder Bread's factory and he showed us all his strains and big old bags of weed and it was like being, you know, Charlie in a chocolate factory had a golden.

[Interviewer/Host]

That's awesome.

[Ron Funches]

It was fun.

[Interviewer/Host]

Oh, this is. Oh, this is a real sentiment. Those of you at home, the sciences, Black Lives Matter. Where two people are hugging. Life imitates art.

[Ron Funches]

Yeah, I think that's my friend Gabe Dinger going nuts to nuts.

[Interviewer/Host]

You want to commit to that one on his, on his end at least. That's all up to him.

[Ron Funches]

Oh, you see that? You, you just go. We had to reenact it. You. Yeah, you get it. That's why you had to grab and have a physical copy of Absolutely.

[Interviewer/Host]

His woman brace really tells me he posted a square.

[Ron Funches]

Up next, I think that was me dressing up to be a gang member in a movie called Get Hard with Will Ferrell and Kevin Hart and the rapper T.I. and a time where I did not know how to trim my beard properly at all.

[Interviewer/Host]

How do you. How do you learn?

[Ron Funches]

You learn through time.

[Interviewer/Host]

You learn through time.

[Ron Funches]

And I didn't know. And at the time, I didn't even know I was autistic. So I think part of it is like I just never. I'm like, oh, nobody tell me. So I don't know, you know?

[Interviewer/Host]

So the. The autistic. I almost said the autistic thing. So the fact that you're autistic, that all came about because you were getting comments from people about your participation on Traders. Is that cuz that's what you said? But I do understand that that's like a entertaining way of saying it.

[Ron Funches]

I'd say like. Like from leaving. When I left before the show aired, I was just like, hey, a lot of those people. And then me, I was like, huh? Even the people that I kind of enjoy, I felt like we're with some weird disconnect or weird thing where I was like, I thought I was very clear. I thought it was very direct, but I was very measured and very much like, consistent in everything I said. And then to have so many people either be like, we don't view you like this, you're doing this. Which some of them were just jerks, but then some of them were who like me even be like, are you even having fun here? Do you even want to be here? Do you even.

[Interviewer/Host]

Yeah.

[Ron Funches]

And I was just like, I'm so gung ho right now.

[Interviewer/Host]

Yeah. And there's nothing worse than feeling misunderstood too.

[Ron Funches]

Yeah.

[Interviewer/Host]

And so you've got all of those emotions going on. You're leaving the show and what. What drove you to go find a diagno or look to see a diagnosis?

[Ron Funches]

So it was that and a couple other friends had gotten diagnosed recently. And. Yeah. And then it was when I got some feedback from the first couple episodes. First when they were just being rude. And so I just thought they were just talking shit. And then when they were positive, I was like, oh, this is like, that's when you listen.

[Interviewer/Host]

It's like, it's when you're. When your parents are nice to you, you'll listen. But when they're mean, it's like all Right. Well, fuck you.

[Ron Funches]

Yeah. So they were so positive and nice that I was just like, oh, wow. Like, okay. And so, yeah, I went and got a diagnosis off of that. And then, I mean, it made sense. My. You know, my son was diagnosed when he was 2, so I've been in autism community over 20 years already. I just thought it was in a different capacity.

[Interviewer/Host]

Yeah. And so the. The show you're doing on Thursday benefits autism. Correct. Which is so awesome. So amazing that you're a part of that and giving back. And then also when you got your diagnosis, was it a relief for you? All right, what was. How do you feel about that? You don't also. You also don't have to answer that question.

[Ron Funches]

No, it is a relief for me. It was a relief for me even in today, like, when I came here, drove here, and went to park in the parking lot and, like, just not knowing the rules of that parking lot and seeing some signs that were like. Like, this is for this only, or this is this, or no stacking beyond this line.

[Interviewer/Host]

I don't know what that means. I saw that too. I have no idea what that means.

[Ron Funches]

And it freaked me out.

[Interviewer/Host]

I don't know what.

[Ron Funches]

So stacking it much.

[Interviewer/Host]

I'm like, I don't see a crane. How we're gonna stack these cars.

[Ron Funches]

Exactly.

[Interviewer/Host]

That didn't make any sense to me either.

[Ron Funches]

So I was like, I'm just gonna leave, and I'll find some place around the corner.

[Interviewer/Host]

Yeah.

[Ron Funches]

And for myself to go. Like, why did that physically, like, affect me so much and be like, oh, you're just autistic. And I just like, oh, okay.

[Interviewer/Host]

Yeah. And it's nice. Like, you're like, oh, okay, now I have an answer to that. Otherwise, all day, you probably. Well, what the was that? Why am I thinking like this? What's going on? Yeah. And it's. It's probably nice to be able to pinpoint it.

[Ron Funches]

Yeah.

[Interviewer/Host]

Just move about.

[Ron Funches]

Yeah. And I just. You know, I've always. Again, always part of community center about me or don't feel any type of shame at all. It just helps me understand myself more and the way I work more and give myself grace for things that before, I would be like, oh, either I'm gonna try to work on this, or I'll try to outgrow this, or I'll try to do this instead of being like, this is who you are. And so it's been very freeing and just nothing but positive for me.

[Interviewer/Host]

That's amazing. And so did you ever have an inkling when you were younger or.

[Ron Funches]

No, no, no. I just assumed everybody had violent reactions to the fluorescence fluorescent lights at Walmart. I just thought people just very much enjoy closed spaces and that everybody's personal hell is a dinner table with more than four people at it.

[Interviewer/Host]

Yeah. Yeah. I mean, I feel like a lot of people. Because it is. It's a spectrum, and I feel like a lot of people are with. With the. With more of a. Like a light on it recently. I think more people are more acceptance of the fact, like, oh, maybe this is a part of me. Maybe this is something. And I think you speaking on it is very helpful for other people. And I think that's, like, a really cool thing.

[Ron Funches]

I appreciate that.

[Interviewer/Host]

Because you could have got that diagnosis and pocketed it.

[Ron Funches]

Yeah.

[Interviewer/Host]

But as a comic, I would never.

[Ron Funches]

No. Yeah. I was like, give me more material, more things to talk about. It was in just like, I've never, you know, hidden parts of myself like that. I. I like to talk about whatever is going on in my life, and so if it's important to me, I'm going to talk about it. And like you said, just the people, you know, just. I was in the LAX airport, and this, like, one of the traffic cops out there just saw me, and she was, like, walked by and she was like, thank you for being open about your diagnosis. And that was it.

[Interviewer/Host]

Oh, it was really nice.

[Ron Funches]

And I was just like, that's the first positive interaction I've ever had with a cop in front of this.

[Interviewer/Host]

Go Move.

[Ron Funches]

Exactly.

[Interviewer/Host]

Instead of her telling you to move, you moved her. And that's a beautiful thing. Thank you so much for coming on. I really appreciate it.

[Ron Funches]

Of course.

[Interviewer/Host]

Let me see if we have any more photographs, but I think we. Oh, we'd like two more. A couple more. You guys, you mind sticking around?

[Ron Funches]

Okay.

[Interviewer/Host]

I'd love to hear.

[Ron Funches]

Grab a sandwich. What is it? Oh, I'm talking to a hot dog. This is. Was a sketch show that we did. I don't remember who it was for. And then at this point, I was really into just graphic print sweaters that were weird. And so I'm just a pile of leaves.

[Interviewer/Host]

Pile of leaves.

[Ron Funches]

Yeah.

[Interviewer/Host]

That would be a fun one to wear in the summertime.

[Ron Funches]

Yeah. But camouflage. If I go back and look at that now, then it's a real indicator of a thing that I learned in acting class. When we did a movement day, they brought in a movement coach, and she saw me walk around the room for one. One lap. And she goes, you're a large man who tries to not take up space in the world and you don't want to be seen. And I was like, ah, I just started crying. Oh, my God.

[Interviewer/Host]

Yeah. It's a wild thing to say to someone.

[Ron Funches]

Yeah. She nailed it, though.

[Interviewer/Host]

Yeah. No, that's the first thing I thought of, like that she would have nailed me. And also at the same time, I would have started crying.

[Ron Funches]

I know I did. I did start.

[Interviewer/Host]

Especially when it's so that. That hits.

[Ron Funches]

So. But now I see. I mean, what else would be hiding myself under a pile of leaves?

[Interviewer/Host]

Like, were you wearing that shirt that day? That could have been an indicator.

[Ron Funches]

Like, how did you even see me?

[Interviewer/Host]

Or were you wearing this?

[Ron Funches]

I think that's one of the first sketches I did for a company for Comic Con talking about black superheroes, including one of my personal favorites with John Stewart, the Green Lantern. And so that was me talking about who you could play as, as black people in the comic space to. To celebrate black comedic comic heroes, like my friend Phil Lamar, who. Who I love very much, and who's Hermes in Futurama.

[Interviewer/Host]

And this is. Oh, I thought that. I don't know why I thought that said Nickelodeon. I was like, that was on Nickelodeon. And that'll wrap it up. We're back to square one.

[Ron Funches]

We're back to square one.

[Interviewer/Host]

Let me. Let me try.

[Ron Funches]

I've got these pictures of you.

[Interviewer/Host]

Reverse kind of. Kind of play well, Ron, even though you're wearing that Seahawks hat, I had a blast. Thank you so much for coming on. I am doing that thing where I like, we're having a conversation, then I just switch it.

[Ron Funches]

Yes.

[Interviewer/Host]

But thank you for coming on. I really appreciate it.

[Ron Funches]

Pleasure. It's nice to talk to you and meet you in person soon.

[Interviewer/Host]

Hell, yeah. And we'll be at your show on Thursday.

[Ron Funches]

Oh, nice. Hell yeah.

[Interviewer/Host]

See you then. Hell, yeah. Thank you. Thank you. Bye. Guys.

[Ron Funches]

On Deck is built to back small businesses like yours. Whether you're buying equipment, expanding your team,

[Interviewer/Host]

or bridging cash flow gaps.

[Ron Funches]

On Deck loans up to $400,000 make it happen fast. Rated A by the Better Business Bureau and earning thousands of five star trust. Pilot program reviews. Ondeck delivers funding you can count on. Apply in [e-mail] depending on certain loan attributes, your business loan may be issued by Ondeck or Celtic Bank. Ondeck does not lend in North Dakota. All loans in amounts subject to lender approval.

[Commercial Announcer]

You've likely heard about pdrn. Originating in Korean medical grade injectables, this ingredient supports skin rejuvenation and is often derived from salmon DNA. Medicaite's new XO PDRN Prismatic Plus Serum unlocks the power of non invasive vegan PDRN through advanced biotechnology. It's proven to boost skin's natural rejuvenation by 50%. Like the clinical treatments it's inspired by, Medicaite's Exo PDRN Prismatic Plus Serum delivers full spectrum rejuvenation results to visibly improve skin health, tone, luminosity, firmness and volume while reducing the appearance of wrinkles. Visit Medicaid US, that's Medik and the number eight US to discover more, use code podcast20 to save 20% off your first order.

[Sponsor Voice]

You ever realize how long you've had your pillow and then immediately decide not to think about it? Like that thing has been through a lot with you. At a certain point it's less of a pillow, more of a long term relationship. That's why Coop Sleep Goods is running their Memorial Day sale with up to 40% off site wide. So if you've been thinking about upgrading your setup, this is the time. Because I'll deal with it later has been your strategy for a while now. Coop's pillows are adjustable, super comfortable and designed to fit how you actually sleep. Plus they've got sheets, toppers, everything to upgrade your whole setup. So if your bedding is feeling a little well loved, this is your moment. Head to coopsleepgoods.com comedy that's C O O P sleepgoods.com comedy and shop the Memorial Day sale for up to 40% off now through May 26th.