DOPE AS USUAL Podcast: "Absolutely Baked w/ Ron Funches!"

Hosts: Marty O'Neill & Thomas Araujo
Guest: Ron Funches (actor, comedian)
Date: December 2, 2025

Overview

This episode of DOPE AS USUAL features comedian and actor Ron Funches, who joins hosts Marty O'Neill and Thomas Araujo for an extended, fun, and freewheeling session that traverses everything from sumo wrestling and international travel, to childhood nostalgia, comedy business, parenting, psychedelics, and modern pop culture. Riffing in their signature unfiltered and high-spirited style, the hosts dig deep into Ron’s personal journey, the state of comedy, and plenty of high laughs.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Japan, Sumo, and Wrestling (00:20-08:44)

• Sumo wrestling admiration: Ron passionately details the cultural and athletic significance of sumo, recounting his own trips to Japan and the unique pageantry of sumo tournaments.
• Travel stories: All three riff on the dream of traveling to Japan, high airline prices, and the idea of “life experience” justifying big expenses.
• Pro wrestling and fandom: Ron talks about his love for Japanese pro wrestling, notably New Japan Pro Wrestling’s “Wrestle Kingdom,” and how wrestling connects him to both nostalgia and travel.
• Japan’s vibes vs. America: “The biggest difference...you really become aware that no one has a gun. Even the police. It's a very freeing feeling.” (Ron, 08:28)
• Japanese craftsmanship and mindfulness: Ron lauds the pride in Japanese work culture and how visiting Japan influenced his own lifestyle, even after returning home.

American Culture, Childhood, and Nostalgia (10:02-16:25)

• European trips awaken self-awareness: Thomas shares how traveling abroad made him realize “how shitty we are here” compared to the politeness and lifestyle elsewhere (10:08).
• Unpacking American exceptionalism: The group jokes about food cultures, particularly ribbing on British cuisine: “Any good food culture they have, they took it from another country.” (Ron, 11:22)
• Poorest food creations: The guys trade stories about growing up poor, syrup sandwiches, and the gross/nostalgic appeal of school pizza.
• Growing up in Oregon: Both Ron and Thomas bond over growing up in Oregon, sharing stories about small-town culture and its impact on life and career choices.

Real Talk: Family, Adversity, and Climbing Out (14:23-20:51)

• Ron’s backstory: He opens up about moving to Oregon due to his mother’s abusive relationship, the importance of judging people as individuals, and how different environments shaped him.
• Class and opportunity: Pivotal discussion on how opportunities like international travel should not just be for celebrities or influencers; these should be accessible to “the average working person.” (Ron, 17:15-18:08)
• “Keeping it real/humbled by the hill”: Ron shares LaRussell’s metaphor of “living literally up on the hill” but staying grounded and never forgetting food stamps, EBT, and surviving as a younger dad in Oregon (18:44-19:28).

The Comedy Hustle & Industry Evolution (29:34-33:17)

• From old-school to social era: Ron speaks candidly about how the business has changed— comic hours used to be closely guarded, now it’s “no limit records” style, driven by constant content and short clips.
• Favorite new mindset: “You just gotta keep putting stuff out consistently...nobody cares [if a piece is unfinished], just keep creating.” (Ron, circa 32:12)
• Austin comedy scene and GoFundMe drama: Ron describes recent shifts to Austin, festival booms, and the uniting of comics over mockery of a peer’s GoFundMe relocation (33:17-34:02).

Drugs, Weed, and Psychedelics (23:05-28:34)

• First times and family history: Ron started smoking at 16, describes researching drug risks as a nerd, and carefully avoids substances that have hurt people in his family.
• Weed and personality: “If you have me in a group of people and I’m not high, I might—I’m quiet as hell, but give me a couple joints, I’m like this.” (Ron, 24:36)
• Mushrooms and life clarity: Both hosts and guest share how psychedelics function like “an engine flush,” with Ron revealing shrooms led him to realize he needed to leave his first marriage and fueled significant personal growth. “I realized when I was on shrooms that I didn’t want to be married.” (Ron, 27:06)

Parenting, Generational Gaps, and Life Choices (36:44-40:07)

• Parenting again later in life: Ron discusses having a 22-year-old son and a toddler, getting a vasectomy, and the joys/absurdities of big age gaps in kids.
• Graduation boredom: “I don’t know these kids...Once they get to the C’s and the D’s, we’re barely starting.” (Thomas, 38:50)
• Fear of ‘lame’ kids: Wild riff on worrying your own kid “might be lame,” the randomness of genetics, and the perils of having just one child.

Modern Pop Culture & Comedy Reflections (42:16-46:03)

• Rap icons getting old: Discussion of Snoop Dogg as a grandparent, Ice Cube as a movie dad, and hip hop figures aging out of “scary” status.
• Financial wisdom from E-40: Ron internalized the lyric “don’t go buy no $140,000 car before you got a house,” and credits E-40 for influencing his financial discipline.
• Comedy and divorce: Ron admits he still hustles because “I got a couple divorces under my belt...I’m just like, I gotta hustle all the time.” (46:03)

Day-to-Day Life, Weed, and Health (47:12-50:00)

• Weed routine: Ron varies his weed consumption by work demands; wake-and-bake on leisure days, abstains before acting, plenty of gaming, jiu-jitsu, pilates.
• Jiu Jitsu journey: Started because of Freddie Prinze Jr., who sold him on the mental and spiritual benefits.
• Health and hobbies: The panel compares “dad” shoes, comfort over hype, and the practicalities of getting older.

Comedy Mechanics, Writing, and Advice (59:22-64:32)

• Writing new material: Ron encourages Thomas to experiment: “Why can’t you do all these things? Just go up more, probably.” (Ron, 61:06)
• Burnout and recycling: Ron talks about retiring old bits, embedding new jokes, and the risk of jokes becoming dependent on old setups.

Voice Acting, Cartoons & Animation (86:09-89:52)

• Voice acting freedom: Ron loves how local and easy voice acting can be, likening the gig-to-gig vibe to “being a big-time drug dealer.”
• Animated shows & hidden depth: Ron plugs contemporary adult animation’s value for delivering real stories, notably “Common Side Effects”— “It’s a thriller that happens to be animated…it gets crazy.” (Ron, 88:47)
• The “sassiest job”: “Comedy is the sassiest job a man could have...your whole job is just ‘guess what I heard?’” (Ron, ~89:52)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Japan’s difference:
  “The biggest difference…you really become aware that no one has a gun. Even the police…It’s a very freeing feeling.” (Ron, 08:28)

• On finding happiness:
  “You’re promised the ability to chase your happiness. It’s your responsibility to go and grab it.” (Ron, 20:51)

• On the comedy business today:
  “You just gotta keep putting stuff out consistently. Clip after clip after clip…nobody cares [if it isn’t done].” (Ron, 32:12)

• On psychedelics and life:
  “Mushrooms…they’re always a good oil check of where you are in the world.” (Ron, 26:43)

• On comedy’s true nature:
  “It is the sassiest job a man could have. Your whole job is just going, ‘Guess what I heard.’” (Ron, ~89:52)

• On E-40’s wisdom:
  “Sometimes it’s cool to floss, but don’t go buy no $140,000 car before you got a house.” (Ron quoting E-40, 45:45)

Important Segments & Timestamps

• Japan, sumo, wrestling: 00:20-08:44
• Cultural differences/Traveling Europe: 10:02-13:24
• Growing up poor, school nostalgia: 12:20-13:24
• Ron’s background, moving for safety: 14:47-16:25
• Comedy industry changes: 29:34-33:17
• GoFundMe saga & unity by mockery: 33:17-34:02
• Cannabis journeys & psychedelics: 23:05-28:34
• Parental anxieties and generational gaps: 36:44-40:07
• E-40 advice & financial wisdom: 45:45
• Comedy process and growth: 59:22-64:32
• Voice acting & animation love: 86:09-89:52
• “Sassiest job” insight: ~89:52

Upcoming Projects & Plugs

• The Traitors (NBC/Peacock): Ron appears in season 4, premiering Jan 8, 2026. (53:49-54:07)
• Loot (Apple TV+): Workplace comedy starring Maya Rudolph; Ron co-stars as “Howard.” (80:29-81:05)
• Standup Special: Newly filmed (October 2025), pending release date; building momentum post-Traitors.
• YouTube Channel: ronfunches (rebuilding after being hacked); Instagram @ronfunches
• Tour Dates: ronfunches.com for live shows (e.g., February at Helium Comedy Club, Buffalo).

Final Thoughts

This episode is a loose, joyous, and revealing ride, mixing Ron’s hard-won wisdom, tales from the road, brutal honesty about the comedy grind, childlike pursuits, and lots of laughter. The trio constantly bring it back to finding happiness in both big and small ways—whether it’s a sumo match in Tokyo, a syrup sandwich in Oregon, or “spreading willy nilly” post-vasectomy. A must-listen for anyone into stand-up, cannabis, or just feeling a little more human.

For more, follow @RonFunches on all socials and check out DOPE AS USUAL wherever you stream your podcasts.