Fitzdog Radio – Brad Williams (Episode 1129)
Date: March 4, 2026
Host: Greg Fitzsimmons
Guest: Brad Williams
Episode Overview
In this lively, unfiltered episode, Greg Fitzsimmons welcomes comedian Brad Williams for a candid, laugh-packed conversation about stand-up, touring, aging, roasts, family, and the weirdness of comedy culture in America. The pair riff on everything from drinking habits and family stories to the politics of comedy clubs and the unique challenges facing comedians on the road. Brad opens up about his life as a touring comic, his Chinese-American family, the art of the roast, and the value of self-deprecating humor, all with the raw honesty and sharp wit fans expect from Fitzdog Radio.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Kickoff Banter: Peaky Blinders, Drinking, and Discipline
- Banter about hats and Peaky Blinders leads into a discussion about the influence of TV on real-life habits, especially drinking aesthetics.
- Greg’s sobriety: Greg shares he’s been sober for 36 years; Brad clarifies he’s not sober but is “trying to have a healthy relationship” with alcohol.
- Brad: “I don't drink before shows. If I have to get up early the next day, I will never drink” (12:07).
- Drinking as a reward: Both agree post-show drinks feel earned. Brad’s a bourbon guy—recently scored a rare Pappy Van Winkle bottle after a successful Lexington gig (13:00–13:45).
2. Married With Kids: Sex, Confidence, and the Realities of Aging
- They reflect on how marriage and kids change sex life: Midday sex is preferable to late-night, and aging brings unexpected new rituals.
- Brad: “Midday sex—save your marriage.” (15:53)
- On confidence and aging:
- Greg: “I need midday confidence. I need, like, second cup of coffee confidence, bro.” (15:25)
- Roasts and revealing perceptions: “If you want to find out what people think about you, be on the panel of a roast.” (17:38)
3. Comedy Roasts and the Art of the Insult
- Roast culture: Brad recounts being roasted for dwarfism, but appreciates inventive, non-obvious jokes. Sklar Brothers are praised for their writing (18:30–19:12).
- Brad: “They came up with one of my favorite jokes in that special... That was one of the tags. I'm like, holy crap.” (19:27)
- Greg’s take: Roasts provide real feedback (“You find out what people really think about you”), but can also lead to new self-deprecating bits.
4. Comedy Clubs, Touring, and the Perils of the Non-Compete
- Non-competes restrict comics from being named on local club lineups before theater dates (24:00–25:29).
- Brad discusses using an alias (“Pappy Van Winkle”) on the Comedy Store lineup to circumvent this.
- Morning radio experiences: Brad briefly worked in morning radio, found the hours brutal, but met his wife during that stint (26:03–27:09).
5. Childhood, Parents, and Tales from the Road
- Stories about Greg’s alcoholic father driving to morning radio, drunken escapades, and childhood memories (“He used to make me wear a chauffeur’s cap...”) (28:18).
- Face-blindness: Greg discusses mild prosopagnosia and recognizing people in specific contexts (29:24).
6. Comedy Festivals & Skankfest
- Skankfest recap: Naked roasts, boxing matches, and the unique energy of the festival.
- Discussion details seeing comics naked on stage, especially “Jamar Neighbors, who’s just hung down. It’s insane.” (32:07)
- Brad: “If I could 3D print myself a dick, it would be Jamar Neighbors’ dick...”
- On nudity and privacy at these shows: Brad refuses to participate unless strict “no phones” rules are genuinely enforced (34:05).
7. Meet-and-Greets, Green Rooms, and the Road Life
- Meet-and-greets: Brad does free post-show meet-and-greets for fans, sometimes lasting hours. Greg worries about germs (78:22–78:33).
- Green room etiquette: Both agree good green room hangs with comics are a highlight; unsolicited guest comics can be a headache (41:46–42:51).
8. Waffle House Stories & Late-Night Tour Culture
- Waffle House touch-tune battles: The comics share legendary late-night tales, from song battles to “drugged” cooks and slow service (43:44–47:24).
- Brad’s song choices: New Edition’s “Candy Girl,” Limp Bizkit’s “Nookie,” and Backstreet Boys’ “I Want It That Way.” (45:02)
- On “down and dirty” eateries: Both prefer gritty over pretentious, discussing dumplings across cuisines (49:02–50:34).
9. Ethics, Bystander Moments, and Social Judgments
- Challenging scenarios: What do you do when you see someone in public being attacked or in need of help? Brad’s opener, JB Ball, comments on the risks a Black man faces intervening in public altercations (54:46–55:46).
- Judgments about who deserves “saving” in a fight between, say, a dwarf and an average-sized woman? (56:21)
10. Wrestling, Childhood, and Stereotypes
- Brad’s passion for wrestling: He books Chris Jericho’s cruise and shares his evolution from believing it was real to appreciating it as storytelling (59:47–61:22).
- Discussion on public figures like Vince McMahon’s wife and Betsy DeVos running government departments (61:28–63:21).
11. Politics, Education, and Social Policy
- Greg expresses strong opinions on privatization and school vouchers: “This is all about the Christian nationalism and getting kids... into private schools.” (63:42)
- Brad uneasy sharing political opinions on air, citing lack of expertise and a desire not to be divisive (64:15).
Notable Quotes & Moments
On Comedy Roasts
“If you want to find out what people think about you, be on the panel of a roast.” — Brad Williams (17:38)
On Peaky Blinders “Coolness”
“If you’ve seen the show Peaky Blinders, they did okay. But they had the accents...and they were willing to kill people that said no to them.” — Brad Williams (10:28)
On Touring and Alcohol
“Some people think I’m sober because I don’t drink before shows...I drink, and I would like to continue drinking. I’m trying to have a healthy relationship with this thing.” — Brad Williams (12:07)
On Sex and Aging
“Midday sex — save your marriage.” — Brad Williams (15:53)
“I need midday confidence. I need, like, second cup of coffee confidence, bro.” — Greg Fitzsimmons (15:25)
On Green Room Hangs
“The longer I do it, the more I really need...a good hang.” — Greg (41:59)
On Meet and Greets
“I do a free meet and greet after every show.” — Brad Williams (78:22)
On Hacky Jokes
“I used to do a bit where I would say, like, I hate going into Starbucks because they always look at me weird when I order a tall coffee. That’s really bad.” — Brad Williams (73:04)
On Winning in Jokes
“The audience doesn’t want to see someone who they perceive to be disabled lose. They’ll be sad.” — Brad Williams (79:41)
On Apologizing and Parenting
“I like to apologize to my kids when it’s appropriate, because I feel like it really lets them see that I’m human.” — Greg (71:20)
Fastballs with Fitz (Rapid-Fire Q&A)
[64:38]
- Best Asian friend?
Brad: “My wife.” (64:46) - Tiger mom upbringing?
Brad: No, she pushed herself hard, but not due to parental pressure. (65:05) - Ever fought your wife?
Brad: There was one time they wrestled for fun, “then there got to a point where it was like, oh, we should stop this.” (65:56) - Who killed JFK?
Brad: “I don’t know...no matter what the answer is, I wouldn’t be shocked.” (69:05) - Last time you deeply apologized?
Brad: No recent major apologies; regularly apologizes to wife, encourages apologizing and forgiveness in life (69:48–72:49). - Hackiest bit ever written?
Brad: Starbucks “tall coffee” joke when starting out (73:04).
Memorable Moments & Humor Highlights
- Skankfest’s “Naked Roast” and festival absurdity—Jamar Neighbors’ anatomy gets endless riffing (32:07–33:49).
- Childish tales and family vulnerability: Greg’s story about his daughter asking if “this is where you blow up the balloons” while pointing to his wife’s nipples, and Brad’s own candid family anecdotes (39:02–39:16).
- Waffle House song battles and the high social stakes of jukebox picks (45:02–46:48).
- Both comics laughing at the reality that “hacky” jokes often kill, but haunt a comic’s sense of pride (74:01).
Important Timestamps
- 09:49 – Brad’s opening quip / Podcast start
- 10:56 – Discussion of alcohol and performing
- 15:24–16:05 – Sex, marriage, and aging
- 17:38–19:12 – Roasting and self-image in comedy
- 24:00–25:29 – Comedy club non-compete contracts & aliases
- 32:07–34:05 – Skankfest Naked Roast stories
- 41:46–42:51 – Perils of guest comics/green room politics
- 43:44–47:24 – Waffle House stories
- 49:02–50:34 – Dumpling discussion
- 54:46–56:39 – Observing a fight, social judgment, and prejudice
- 59:47–61:22 – Pro wrestling, Vince McMahon, and storytelling
- 64:38–72:49 – “Fastballs with Fitz” rapid-fire Q&A
- 73:04–74:42 – Brad’s hackiest comedy bit
- 78:22–79:19 – Free meet-and-greet and audience response
- 79:41–80:51 – Writing jokes where the “underdog” wins
Takeaways
- Touring comedy is a unique grind: Both comics reveal the ways the road tests a comedian’s discipline, health, and social skills.
- Roasts are a double-edged sword: They expose insecurities but are also a creative catalyst.
- Self-awareness and humility are key to longevity: Both Brad and Greg openly laugh about past missteps and continue evolving as performers.
- Comedy is community: The best moments often happen after-hours, over Waffle House or in the green room.
- Adaptation and sincerity connect with audiences: Brad stresses writing jokes where the “underdog” wins, and both hosts tout the importance of apology and forgiveness.
For Listeners
This episode is an unfiltered backstage pass into the life of working comics. Expect plenty of raunchy humor, honest admissions, and deep respect for the grind of stand-up—and a heap of stories about late-night diners, green rooms, and the psychology behind the jokes. If you’re a comedy fan, don’t miss Brad Williams on tour—or a single minute of this laugh-rich conversation.