First Date with Lauren Compton: Catching Day Fades with Joey Avery

Release Date: February 4, 2025

Introduction

In this engaging episode of First Date with Lauren Compton, Lauren sits down with the charismatic comedian and viral content creator, Joey Avery. The conversation delves deep into Joey’s personal life, his journey in comedy, navigating relationships, and the impact of social media on his career.

Meet Joey Avery

Lauren begins by introducing Joey Avery, highlighting his presence in the comedy scene and his own show, The Joey Show.

Lauren (00:48): "My guest today is a very funny comedian. You can see him on tour. He also has his own show. It's called The Joey Show. Give it up for Joey Avery."

Joey expresses his gratitude for being on the show.

Joey (00:59): "Thank you. It's an honor to be here."

Life in New York and Personal Habits

Joey shares snippets of his life in New York, particularly his experiences with air travel and his humorous take on social etiquette.

Joey (01:21): "The amount of social anxiety, like the second the plane lands is so intense, I just start. I like people. I start hating everybody. Like, it's bad. I don't like it at all."

He humorously discusses his struggles with dehydration and managing his liquid intake during flights.

Joey (02:31): "I didn't know it was mind over matter. I'm so hydrated, I'm keeping all of my fluids."

Marriage and Relationships

Joey opens up about his marriage, providing insights into how he and his wife met and maintained their relationship through college and beyond.

Joey (03:25): "I've been married for two years. We've been together for 13."

He recounts meeting his wife in college, highlighting the natural progression of their relationship from parties to deeper connections.

Joey (09:28): "We met, we were in college. We would just like, see each other at parties and then it would just be like, come over, you know, and then you just kind of hang out and hook up."

Dating Dynamics and Ex-Relationships

The conversation shifts to the complexities of dating and whether reconnecting with exes is beneficial or detrimental.

Joey (07:27): "When you go back, part of what you're trying to do is, like, live in the past. Like, you're trying to rewind your own clock."

Lauren and Joey agree that revisiting past relationships often leads to rediscovering frustrations rather than rekindling romance.

Career in Comedy and Content Creation

Joey discusses his foray into comedy at the age of 21, emphasizing the challenges and rewards of performing stand-up.

Joey (14:46): "First several years, you just kind of suck and make no money."

He reflects on the evolution of his career, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic when live performances dwindled, leading him to pivot towards digital content.

Joey (39:35): "I remember I performed for the Cars. I like, went outside. I was at a parking garage in Santa Cruz and I performed for, like, four Toyotas."

Social Media Impact and TikTok Experience

Joey and Lauren delve into the significance of social media in amplifying comedic reach. Joey shares his experiences with TikTok, Instagram, and the eventual shift away from platform-dependent validation.

Lauren (41:17): "Everyone was sitting on their phones. So suddenly people started watching my video."

Joey (43:24): "Watching is so empty. And then it's like when a video doesn't do well, you're like, what the fuck?"

They discuss the transient nature of online popularity and the importance of focusing on content quality over metrics.

Ayahuasca and Personal Growth

A thought-provoking segment arises when Lauren brings up ayahuasca, leading Joey to share his nuanced perspective on the practice.

Joey (21:26): "Anyone who does work knows that there's always work to do and you're never done. So I want to be a good person, but I'm not going to sit here and be like, I figured it out, babe."

Joey acknowledges the potential benefits of such practices for personal development but remains skeptical about superficial engagements with them.

Proposal and Engagement Story

Joey narrates the heartfelt story of his proposal to his wife amidst the chaos of the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting resilience and intimacy.

Joey (34:16): "We went to my parents house. We were living at my parents house, which gets us to the engagement."

He describes the setting of the proposal, emphasizing the simplicity and genuine emotion behind it.

Joey (37:13): "We have some selfies and things, and then photos from that night. And you get tons of photos from the wedding and all that. But I ended up being glad that it was just the two of us."

Reflections on Aging and Future Plans

The duo reflects on the passage of time, the inevitability of aging, and the shifting priorities that come with it. Joey expresses his thoughts on having children and the balance between personal freedom and family life.

Joey (31:30): "The older that I go, I'm like, that'll be fun."

Lauren adds her perspective on enjoying different life stages, especially anticipating motherhood.

Lauren (26:39): "My mid-30s were the best time of my life."

Conclusion

The episode wraps up with Joey highlighting where listeners can connect with him and follow his comedic journey.

Joey (46:29): "It's Joey Avery on Instagram. TikTok probably won't exist. YouTube is Joey Avery. Joeyavery.com live is my tour dates and my podcast is The Joey Show."

Lauren thanks Joey for his candidness and shared experiences, leaving listeners with a blend of humor and heartfelt moments.

Lauren (46:41): "Thank you for coming on my show."

Notable Quotes

• Joey on Social Anxiety Post-Landing:

  "The amount of social anxiety, like the second the plane lands is so intense, I just start. I like people. I start hating everybody. Like, it's bad. I don't like it at all." (02:00)

• Joey on Reconnecting with Exes:

  "So, I mean, I guess it could work, but it's. It's very case by case." (08:18)

• Lauren on Math and Aging:

  "That's the math I can understand. Yeah, that's." (32:04)

• Joey on Personal Growth and Continuous Improvement:

  "Anyone who does work knows that there's always work to do and you're never done." (21:26)

Key Takeaways

• Navigating Relationships: Joey emphasizes the importance of moving forward rather than dwelling on past relationships, highlighting the challenges of rekindling old flames.

• Adapting to Change: The pandemic profoundly impacted Joey’s career, pushing him to adapt by embracing digital platforms over live performances.

• Personal Growth: Despite skepticism towards certain self-improvement practices, Joey acknowledges the ongoing journey of becoming a better person.

• Balancing Career and Family: Joey shares his aspirations for expanding his family while maintaining his career in comedy, illustrating the delicate balance between personal and professional life.

This episode offers listeners a candid glimpse into Joey Avery’s life, blending humor with profound reflections on relationships, career, and personal growth. Whether you're a fan of his comedy or curious about his life journey, this conversation provides valuable insights and plenty of laughs.