Fitzdog Radio – Episode 1119: Phil Hanley

Released December 11, 2025
Host: Greg Fitzsimmons
Guest: Phil Hanley

Overview

In this lively and authentic episode, Greg Fitzsimmons welcomes Canadian comedian Phil Hanley for a deep dive into comedy, the Canadian-American cultural divide, life on the road, mental health, and Phil’s journey with dyslexia. From the camaraderie of comedy clubs to the weirdness of trapping rats in your house, the conversation flows with vulnerability, sharp wit, and plenty of behind-the-scenes industry insights. Phil shares candid thoughts on his transition from modeling to stand-up, his new book on dyslexia, and his approach to the ever-changing world of stand-up comedy.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Opening Banter & Life Updates

• Greg’s Under the Weather: Greg opens by joking about being sick and relating it to his enduring persistence in showbiz. (00:39)
• Proud Dad Moment: Sharing pride about his son Owen landing a job with real benefits, and reflecting on parenting milestones and newfound freedom. (01:22)
  • "It’s a really bittersweet moment because he doesn’t need me anymore." — Greg Fitzsimmons (03:14)
• Comedy Adventures: Recapping podcast appearances with Steve-O (whose remote recording was a hilarious failure) and Burt Kreischer’s high-octane work ethic. (04:48–08:00)
  • "There is a nuclear reactor in Bert Kreischer that just drives this fucking guy." — Greg (07:45)

2. Absurd Anecdotes

• Honking at a Driverless Car: Greg describes honking at a Waymo, realizing it’s a metaphor for futility in modern society. (09:06)
• Coffee Misunderstanding: Funny mix-up at an Italian café, where “room” in Americano is misheard as asking for “rum.” (09:39)
  • "We, Noah, have a rum." (10:27)

3. The Interview Begins: Phil Hanley Enters

• Canadian Roots & Comic Edge: Greg admires Phil’s edginess compared to other “nice” Canadian comics. Phil credits time in New York City for sharpening his delivery. (17:38–18:40)

• Canadian vs American Audiences: Canadians less effusive, while Americans are more outgoing and complimentary to comics. (18:54)

• Rough Road Gigs: Phil recounts brutal early gigs in remote British Columbia, with low pay and tough conditions—body odor, vomiting audience members, and even skipping the hotel due to flooding. (19:41–20:37)

  “There had been a flood and we’re like, no, you’re gonna get mold in your lungs. We drove back.” — Phil Hanley (20:28)

4. Memorable Gigs & Comedy Heroes

• New Year's Lineup at Cobbs: Recalling a stacked New Year’s Eve show with Greg, Beth Stelling, Emo Phillips, among others. Emo’s eccentricity and charm are highlighted. (21:23–22:49)
  • "Emo’s not just a nice guy—he's gentle, like syrup." — Greg Fitzsimmons (23:05)
• Rock Clubs and Guar: Discussing the oddities of performing comedy where wild acts like GWAR (the band) perform. (23:40–24:13)

5. Phil’s Book on Dyslexia

• Writing Process: Phil details the slow, painstaking process of writing his memoir about dyslexia, “Spellbound.” Greg offers advice about dictating stories to speed up the process. (24:19–26:47)
  • “I’m dyslexic. It takes me, like, six months to write a text.” — Phil Hanley (24:27)
• Creative Instincts: Both discuss the organic way stand-ups craft and arrange their sets, how material order is instinctive but can lead to surprises if changed up. (27:33–28:12)

6. Craft and Philosophy of Stand-Up

• Bit Placement & Risk: Balancing edgy material and audience trust, with a nod to Louis CK’s advice to open with a closing bit to force growth. (28:32–29:12)
  • “Sometimes take your closing bit and open with it. Then it forces you to come up with a new closing bit.” — Greg referencing Louis CK (28:54–29:06)
• Comedy Mentors: Phil never had a mentor per se but found inspiration and kinship among Vancouver comics. He and Greg discuss the value of lasting comedy friendships. (30:45–31:30)

7. Citizenship, Culture, and Identity

• Phil Becomes an American: Phil celebrates becoming a U.S. citizen just two weeks prior, detailing the arduous process and nerve-wracking citizenship test. (32:22–36:24)
  • “I got 100% as a dyslexic special ed student—I’d never gotten 100% on anything.” (35:54)
  • Fun back-and-forth with U.S. trivia, exposing both host and guest’s gaps in knowledge (and sense of humor). (33:03–36:24)
• Canada-U.S. Relations: Light debate on Canadian identity, brotherhood between the nations, and reactions to trade tariffs. (42:07–44:20)

8. The Grind of the Road

• Tour Scheduling Woes: Phil is back to back in Canadian cities in dead winter, echoing Greg’s compassion for the logistical and weather challenges. (44:28–45:54)
• Mental Health on the Road: Honest reflections on depression, loneliness, and strategies to stay sane—traveling with friends, self-care, routines, and the necessity for healthy boundaries. (47:18–49:48)
  • “The little things…they all add up.” — Phil Hanley on self-care (48:03)

9. Crowd Work, Material, and Social Media

• Keeping Material Fresh: Both discuss the depression that can come with doing stale material, and how improvising/crowd work breathes life into performing. (50:09–50:45)

  • “When I find myself bored of my own material, that's what can kick the depression.” — Greg Fitzsimmons (49:49)

• New York City Living: War stories about carrying bags up six-floor walk-ups and renting freezing, tiny apartments as struggling comics. (50:52–52:27)

• Stage Preparation & “Neutral” Energy: Why comics often say no to pre-show social invitations—remaining in a “neutral state” is crucial before performing. (53:05–54:04)

  "You just need to be in a very neutral space... It's a very specific mood. And that has to come from neutral." — Greg Fitzsimmons (53:59)

10. Humans vs Rats: The Struggle is Real

• Rodent Invasion: A lengthy and hilarious swap of gross-out rat stories in LA and New York—trapping, murder (by trap), and traumatized moms. (54:47–62:43)
  • “When you feel weights as you’re throwing it out, that feels like a murder.” — Greg Fitzsimmons (60:14)
  • “You got rat on your shoe and another one hit my leg; it felt like my ex-girlfriend’s small dog…It’ll move you.” — Phil Hanley (56:53)

11. Phil’s Past as a Model

• Transition: Phil modeled to avoid academia due to dyslexia. Hilariously self-deprecating about being skinny and feeling out of place in the industry. (63:09–64:56)
  • “I went from swimming in a T-shirt that summer to being in Milan trying to get fashion shows.” — Phil Hanley (63:51)
• Earnings & Glamour Reality: Describes intermittent large paydays and the contrast between catalog work and fashion shows. (66:13–67:15)
• Dating & Stereotypes: Debunking the myth of all models being “dumb and beautiful.” (65:12–65:19)
• Being a Good-Looking Comic: Reflects on how being attractive plays in stand-up, compared to a time when “something should be wrong with you.” (69:11–69:48)

12. Showbiz & “Making It”

• Missed Sitcom Era: The heyday of stand-up-based sitcom deals (“I probably had four or five six-figure deals...”) and how fame’s metrics have changed with social media. (71:12–74:20)
• Social Media Imperative: Phil posts three crowdwork clips a week, leveraging one of his openers as a camera operator. It’s central to staying relevant and filling shows. (78:30–79:08)
  • “It's so obvious what other people are doing. You just have to do the shit that—so often, it's the stuff that is really unappealing—that's the missing link.” — Phil Hanley (79:36)

13. Phil’s Book, Special, and Final Words

• Audiobook Ordeal: Narrating his memoir on dyslexia proved even harder than writing it; shares details about the process and why it mattered to do it himself. (81:23–83:04)
• Upcoming Shows & Plugs: Tour dates across North America, promotion of YouTube special “Ooh La La,” and his new book Spellbound: My Life as a Dyslexic Wordsmith. (83:10–83:32)
• Gracious Close: Mutual gratitude and camaraderie as comics who don’t always cross paths, but share a bedrock of respect. (83:57)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Greg on the never-ending hustle:
  “Every time it thinks it’s rid of me, fucking show up again, baby.” (00:39)

• Phil on tough Canadian gigs:
  “Someone got up to vomit during my set…this might be the worst body odor I’ve ever come in contact with.” (19:52–20:09)

• Greg on Bert Kreischer:
  “There is a nuclear reactor in Bert Kreischer that just drives this fucking guy. And it seems effortless. I don’t know how the fuck he does it.” (07:45)

• Phil on Canadian-American difference:
  “In Canada, you could come off stage and think that might have been the greatest show anyone’s ever done, and then people would walk out, they don’t even have eye contact.” (18:54)

• On bombing for the troops:
  “You make fun of the generals or whoever…and they go nuts.” — Greg (41:33)

• On the citizenship test:
  “I got 100% as a dyslexic special ed student—I’d never gotten 100% on anything.” — Phil (35:54)

• Greg on stand-up:
  “When I find myself bored of my own material, that’s what can kick the depression. Because then I go, then why am I even here if I’m not enjoying it?” (49:49)

• On the realities of road life:
  “Carrying your bags Thursday morning, five, going to JFK and lugging. Yeah. And I did that for years. So now…I moved to a place that has an elevator…” — Phil (51:02)

• Rats in the city:
  “When you feel weights as you’re throwing it out, that feels like a murder.” — Greg (60:14)

• Phil on writing his book:
  “I'm dyslexic. It takes me, like, six months to write a text.” (24:27)

Important Timestamps

• Greg’s Sick-Showbiz metaphor: 00:39–01:13
• Owen’s Job News: 01:22–03:14
• Steve-O Podcast Fiasco: 04:22–06:48
• Burt Kreischer Story: 07:01–08:00
• Phil Joins (Start of Interview): 17:38
• Canadian vs. American crowds: 18:54–19:49
• Cobbs New Year's Eve Gig: 21:23–22:49
• Dyslexia Book Discussion: 24:22–26:47
• Mental Health on the Road: 47:18–49:48
• Rats, Oh My God: 54:47–62:54
• Citizenship Test Game: 33:03–36:24
• Social Media and Comedy: 78:30–79:08
• Audiobook Struggle: 81:23–83:04
• Wrap Up & Plugs: 83:10–83:57

Final Thoughts

This episode is a must-listen for comedy nerds and anyone interested in the grind and heart it takes to be a working comic. Both Fitzsimmons and Hanley pull back the curtain on the highs and lows of the business: the friendships, failures, unexpected joys, and lifelong learning. There’s a gracious honesty and humility throughout their exchange, punctuated with killer anecdotes and real insight into what keeps a comic going year after year.

Check out Phil Hanley’s book “Spellbound: My Life as a Dyslexic Wordsmith” and his special “Ooh La La” on YouTube. Tour info at philhanley.com.

(Skip this episode’s ads and intro for pure comedy gold—start at roughly 17:38 for the main conversation.)