Good One: A Podcast About Jokes

Episode Title: "Stavvy Is Changing the World One Voicemail at a Time"
Release Date: October 23, 2025
Host: Jesse David Fox
Guest: Stavros Halkias

Overview

This episode features comedian and podcaster Stavros Halkias, known for his time on Come Town and his hit advice podcast Stavi’s World. The conversation explores his unexpected transition from indie comic and podcaster to starring in a Hollywood film (Yorgos Lanthimos’ Begonia), the limits and legacy of Come Town, navigating internet fandoms and the responsibilities of public influence, and his philosophies on comedy, masculinity, and representation.

True to Good One’s mission, Jesse and Stavros break down craft, joke evolution, and the meaning behind the bits—while addressing the external pressures facing today’s comics, culture, and their audiences.

Episode Structure

[01:22] Introduction and Stavros' Surreal Rise to Hollywood
[04:03] Begonia: Getting Cast & On-Set Realities
[13:45] Legacy and Philosophy of Come Town
[23:15] Stavi’s World: Purpose and Audience
[26:25] Masculinity, Advice, and the "Anti-Incel" Podcast
[39:46] The "Joe Rogan of the Left": Pressure, Politics, and Expectations
[47:11] Comedy and Social Issues: Trans Rights, Clapter, and Responsibility
[64:02] Comedy, Friends, and Controversies
[71:08] Success Outside the System: Independent Comedy & Hollywood
[78:08] Archetypes, Health, and Being a "Fat Comic"
[83:18] Baltimore Identity and Community
[88:19] "Laughing Round" (Lightning Questions)

Key Discussion Points & Insights

[01:22] Comedy to Hollywood: "Begonia" and the Surreality of Being Cast

Unexpected Break: Stavros shares the surreal, almost disbelieving experience of being cast in Begonia by Yorgos Lanthimos—feeling like an imposter, assuming he’d be replaced or his scenes reshot right up to filming.
On-Set Vibes: The film set, despite starring Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons, felt “indie,” laid-back, and artistically vibrant. Stavros highlights how the use of rare film stock (VistaVision) made him more anxious than the acting itself:

“There’s a mechanical whir. If you fuck this up, that’s tens of thousands in film. That gets in your head.”
– Stavros, [08:09]

[13:45] The Come Town Experience: Internet Fame, Responsibility, and Growth

Nature of Podcast Fandom: Stavros discusses how podcasting creates an unusually intimate (and sometimes unhealthy) relationship between hosts and fans:

“The dangerous thing…is there is no separation of yourself and art…you talk for thousands of hours, but people think that’s you. They put their own bullshit on top of it.”
– [15:24]
Navigating Misunderstood "Edgelord" Status: He asserts that their intent wasn’t right-wing, but a reaction against “tattletale losers” and online purity policing. The show’s shock humor reflected “general knee-jerk rebellion” from a group of deeply imperfect but earnest comics.

“We were mid-20s, broke as fuck, mean-spirited comedians who had a bad life. There was no grand theory. I’d have done a minor crime to make my family’s life better.”
– [18:30]
On Outgrowing the Show: Both for himself and the times, he believes offensive irony and Come Town-style podcasting is a “young person’s game.” He supports younger kids making their own transgressive comedy, but with the caveat:

“Now doing the jokes we did isn’t the same thing. The equivalent would be making Charlie Kirk jokes…That’d be transgressive now.”
– [21:06]
“Our conversations aren’t far off from Come Town, but we’ve recorded a thousand hours—you don’t need any more.”
– [22:49]

[23:15] Stavi’s World: Building An “Anti-Incel” Advice Show

Advice for Young Men: Positions Stavi’s World as a “real talk” resource for lonely or struggling young men—a show his younger self would have benefitted from. He critiques the “mean-spiritedness” of modern incel culture and offers simple, actionable advice:

“Here’s the actual path to getting girls to like you…literally get a hobby, dress a little better, be fun to be around. The bar is actually really low for straight dudes now. Don’t go down the dark path, brother.”
– [24:22]
Comedic Maturation: Emphasizes growth: “Yeah, I’m still vulgar, still who I am…but now it’s: what would I tell 19-year-old me?”
Podcast vs. Standup: Notes the sense of real connection with fans as something uniquely fulfilling, a form of social engagement and personal reward he values as much as performance.

[26:25] The Left, Horniness, and Class: Comedy’s Role Post-MeToo

Masculinity and “The Left”: Discusses the “sanitization” of left-wing spaces and desire for representational complexity:

“What happened to: you can be a piece of shit and still want healthcare? You don’t have to read Marx to know your boss makes 400 times what you do. I want to represent being kind of a dirtbag and stupid and still having these beliefs.”
– [29:35]

[39:46] The “Joe Rogan of the Left”: Pressure & Limits to Political Comedy

Reluctance to Be a Spokesperson: Discusses the worrisome lack of “cultural figures on the left” and why comics like him get thrust into the void:

“If they’re coming to me…we need more culture. Journalism’s broken down. It shouldn’t fall to comedians. …My goal is to be as good at standup as I can, not a political commentator.”
– [41:26]
Artistic Integrity Over Influence: Strong distaste for careerist “moves” or leaning into politics purely for attention.

“Once you think you’re important, you’re not. Pull the handbrake—you’re not funny anymore.”
– [45:50]

[47:11] Comedy & Social Issues: Navigating Clapter, Responsibility, and “Trans Jokes”

On "Clapter": He’s uncomfortable with applause breaks that affirm ideology instead of landing jokes:

“I can’t close on cheap applause. Even though the joke is good, it gets a boost it doesn’t deserve. I want to kill on the big laugh at the end.”
– [62:33]
Comedians’ Responsibility: Describes processing trans jokes and including positive bits on trans people out of necessity, not wanting it to feel like a “response” to the times, but recognizing it matters:

“It's pathetic things are getting so bad that my stand-up comedy might matter. I hate that, dude...I want to be an idiot with the easiest job in the world.”
– [60:03]
Podcast Controversy & Friends: Defends friends and guests who say controversial things:

“They become avatars for what you already believe...Just engage with them as people.”
– [53:00]

[71:08] Out of the System: Comedy Success and Hollywood

Coming Up Outside Hollywood: Explains how Come Town and his first special blowing up on YouTube gave him autonomy and leverage within the industry.

“Everything now’s house money...I’ll never get away from standup. The one thing acting taught me: I am meant to tell dick jokes. I’m not moving the form forward. That’s what I want to do forever.”
– [71:47]
Maintaining Independence: Because of podcast and standup success, he’s free to be “picky” about acting and brand opportunities.

[78:08] Fat Comic Archetype, Health, and Audience Expectation

On Being a “Fat Comic”: Aware of the dangers/comedic archetype and his own health struggles, including nearly dying from unhealthy lifestyle choices. Publicly documenting weight loss in “Stavi Gets Ripped” was initially cynical (“If I’m gonna lose weight, let’s monetize it”), but turned meaningful through audience connection and accountability.

“John Candy, Chris Farley…as a fat child, you’re aware the archetype involves dying young.”
– [78:31]

[83:18] Baltimore Identity and Community

Local Pride: Performing as a Ravens “white trash” fan character made him something of a micro-celebrity in Baltimore; he hopes to give back to the city’s kids through community work.

[88:19] The Laughing Round (Highlights)

Favorite Dirty Joke (from his Greek family, [88:49]):

“Please tug on this once if you want to go on a date...if not, tug on it 100 times, and twice slowly.”
Legendary Comic Story: Opened for Bobby Kelly, accidentally upstaged him via local crowdwork, was roasted by both Bobby and Colin Quinn on speakerphone as a lesson in road comedy etiquette.
Joke That Never Worked: An observation about all major religions having “little hats for bald spots”—never quite lands, but he keeps trying.
Thoughts on Other Comics’ Material: Sees jokes he’d love to steal (Dan Soder’s bit as example), but says it would feel wrong.
Aspirations: Would host SNL or Spirit Awards, maybe do a book if it was genuine, but is wary of Marvel or overly commercial projects (“No Marvel movies for me”).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Internet Fandom:

“Podcasting is…a vaccine for getting ready for fame. Nothing matters what other people think of you. It rolls off my back now.”
– Stavros, [17:08]
On Outgrowing “Edgelord” Podcasting:

“Saying 'F-you dad' is a young man’s game. 28 was probably too late.”
– [21:06]
On Masculinity Advice:

“Youth is simple, man—it’s not that fucking complicated. Just don’t go down the dark side, brother, and you’ll be fine.”
– [24:22]
On Political Comedy’s Trap:

“Once you think you’re important you’re not. It’s time to pull the handbrake—you’re not fucking funny any more.”
– [45:50]
On Legacy:

“I was a movie nerd. Now I get to be in a Yorgos Lanthimos film. I can never act again—I’ve surpassed my wildest dreams.”
– [71:47]

Timestamps for Important Segments

[01:22] – Introduction and preview (“Begonia” casting story)
[04:03] – Getting cast in Begonia: “Your guess is as good as mine, pal…”
[13:45] – On internet fandom, parasocial fallout, and podcasting philosophy
[23:15] – Shift from Come Town to Stavi’s World; anti-incel, advice focus
[26:25] – Masculinity, the left, and comedy’s role post-MeToo
[39:46] – “Joe Rogan of the Left”? Media, responsibility, and artistic priorities
[47:11] – Social issues in comedy: trans rights, clapter, and authenticity
[64:02] – Managing controversy with friends and guests
[71:08] – Navigating Hollywood from outside the system
[78:08] – Fat comic archetype and health journey
[83:18] – Baltimore, identity, and community impact
[88:19] – Laughing Round: stories, favorite jokes, philosophies

Final Thoughts

This episode is a rich, revealing, and often hilarious meditation on the evolution of a modern comedian’s place in the world—from the wilds of internet fandom to indie film fame, from mean-spirited early jokes to responsible advice for the next generation. Stavros Halkias demonstrates both self-awareness and resistance to easy hero narratives, refusing to be boxed in by labels—yet offering sincerity, perspective, and laughter for anyone along for the ride.

Good One: A Podcast About Jokes

Episode Title: "Stavvy Is Changing the World One Voicemail at a Time"
Release Date: October 23, 2025
Host: Jesse David Fox
Guest: Stavros Halkias

Overview

Episode Structure

[01:22] Introduction and Stavros' Surreal Rise to Hollywood
[04:03] Begonia: Getting Cast & On-Set Realities
[13:45] Legacy and Philosophy of Come Town
[23:15] Stavi’s World: Purpose and Audience
[26:25] Masculinity, Advice, and the "Anti-Incel" Podcast
[39:46] The "Joe Rogan of the Left": Pressure, Politics, and Expectations
[47:11] Comedy and Social Issues: Trans Rights, Clapter, and Responsibility
[64:02] Comedy, Friends, and Controversies
[71:08] Success Outside the System: Independent Comedy & Hollywood
[78:08] Archetypes, Health, and Being a "Fat Comic"
[83:18] Baltimore Identity and Community
[88:19] "Laughing Round" (Lightning Questions)

Key Discussion Points & Insights

[01:22] Comedy to Hollywood: "Begonia" and the Surreality of Being Cast

Unexpected Break: Stavros shares the surreal, almost disbelieving experience of being cast in Begonia by Yorgos Lanthimos—feeling like an imposter, assuming he’d be replaced or his scenes reshot right up to filming.
On-Set Vibes: The film set, despite starring Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons, felt “indie,” laid-back, and artistically vibrant. Stavros highlights how the use of rare film stock (VistaVision) made him more anxious than the acting itself:

“There’s a mechanical whir. If you fuck this up, that’s tens of thousands in film. That gets in your head.”
– Stavros, [08:09]

[13:45] The Come Town Experience: Internet Fame, Responsibility, and Growth

Nature of Podcast Fandom: Stavros discusses how podcasting creates an unusually intimate (and sometimes unhealthy) relationship between hosts and fans:

“The dangerous thing…is there is no separation of yourself and art…you talk for thousands of hours, but people think that’s you. They put their own bullshit on top of it.”
– [15:24]
Navigating Misunderstood "Edgelord" Status: He asserts that their intent wasn’t right-wing, but a reaction against “tattletale losers” and online purity policing. The show’s shock humor reflected “general knee-jerk rebellion” from a group of deeply imperfect but earnest comics.

“We were mid-20s, broke as fuck, mean-spirited comedians who had a bad life. There was no grand theory. I’d have done a minor crime to make my family’s life better.”
– [18:30]
On Outgrowing the Show: Both for himself and the times, he believes offensive irony and Come Town-style podcasting is a “young person’s game.” He supports younger kids making their own transgressive comedy, but with the caveat:

“Now doing the jokes we did isn’t the same thing. The equivalent would be making Charlie Kirk jokes…That’d be transgressive now.”
– [21:06]
“Our conversations aren’t far off from Come Town, but we’ve recorded a thousand hours—you don’t need any more.”
– [22:49]

[23:15] Stavi’s World: Building An “Anti-Incel” Advice Show

Advice for Young Men: Positions Stavi’s World as a “real talk” resource for lonely or struggling young men—a show his younger self would have benefitted from. He critiques the “mean-spiritedness” of modern incel culture and offers simple, actionable advice:

“Here’s the actual path to getting girls to like you…literally get a hobby, dress a little better, be fun to be around. The bar is actually really low for straight dudes now. Don’t go down the dark path, brother.”
– [24:22]
Comedic Maturation: Emphasizes growth: “Yeah, I’m still vulgar, still who I am…but now it’s: what would I tell 19-year-old me?”
Podcast vs. Standup: Notes the sense of real connection with fans as something uniquely fulfilling, a form of social engagement and personal reward he values as much as performance.

[26:25] The Left, Horniness, and Class: Comedy’s Role Post-MeToo

Masculinity and “The Left”: Discusses the “sanitization” of left-wing spaces and desire for representational complexity:

“What happened to: you can be a piece of shit and still want healthcare? You don’t have to read Marx to know your boss makes 400 times what you do. I want to represent being kind of a dirtbag and stupid and still having these beliefs.”
– [29:35]

[39:46] The “Joe Rogan of the Left”: Pressure & Limits to Political Comedy

Reluctance to Be a Spokesperson: Discusses the worrisome lack of “cultural figures on the left” and why comics like him get thrust into the void:

“If they’re coming to me…we need more culture. Journalism’s broken down. It shouldn’t fall to comedians. …My goal is to be as good at standup as I can, not a political commentator.”
– [41:26]
Artistic Integrity Over Influence: Strong distaste for careerist “moves” or leaning into politics purely for attention.

“Once you think you’re important, you’re not. Pull the handbrake—you’re not funny anymore.”
– [45:50]

[47:11] Comedy & Social Issues: Navigating Clapter, Responsibility, and “Trans Jokes”

On "Clapter": He’s uncomfortable with applause breaks that affirm ideology instead of landing jokes:

“I can’t close on cheap applause. Even though the joke is good, it gets a boost it doesn’t deserve. I want to kill on the big laugh at the end.”
– [62:33]
Comedians’ Responsibility: Describes processing trans jokes and including positive bits on trans people out of necessity, not wanting it to feel like a “response” to the times, but recognizing it matters:

“It's pathetic things are getting so bad that my stand-up comedy might matter. I hate that, dude...I want to be an idiot with the easiest job in the world.”
– [60:03]
Podcast Controversy & Friends: Defends friends and guests who say controversial things:

“They become avatars for what you already believe...Just engage with them as people.”
– [53:00]

[71:08] Out of the System: Comedy Success and Hollywood

Coming Up Outside Hollywood: Explains how Come Town and his first special blowing up on YouTube gave him autonomy and leverage within the industry.

“Everything now’s house money...I’ll never get away from standup. The one thing acting taught me: I am meant to tell dick jokes. I’m not moving the form forward. That’s what I want to do forever.”
– [71:47]
Maintaining Independence: Because of podcast and standup success, he’s free to be “picky” about acting and brand opportunities.

[78:08] Fat Comic Archetype, Health, and Audience Expectation

On Being a “Fat Comic”: Aware of the dangers/comedic archetype and his own health struggles, including nearly dying from unhealthy lifestyle choices. Publicly documenting weight loss in “Stavi Gets Ripped” was initially cynical (“If I’m gonna lose weight, let’s monetize it”), but turned meaningful through audience connection and accountability.

“John Candy, Chris Farley…as a fat child, you’re aware the archetype involves dying young.”
– [78:31]

[83:18] Baltimore Identity and Community

Local Pride: Performing as a Ravens “white trash” fan character made him something of a micro-celebrity in Baltimore; he hopes to give back to the city’s kids through community work.

[88:19] The Laughing Round (Highlights)

Favorite Dirty Joke (from his Greek family, [88:49]):

“Please tug on this once if you want to go on a date...if not, tug on it 100 times, and twice slowly.”
Legendary Comic Story: Opened for Bobby Kelly, accidentally upstaged him via local crowdwork, was roasted by both Bobby and Colin Quinn on speakerphone as a lesson in road comedy etiquette.
Joke That Never Worked: An observation about all major religions having “little hats for bald spots”—never quite lands, but he keeps trying.
Thoughts on Other Comics’ Material: Sees jokes he’d love to steal (Dan Soder’s bit as example), but says it would feel wrong.
Aspirations: Would host SNL or Spirit Awards, maybe do a book if it was genuine, but is wary of Marvel or overly commercial projects (“No Marvel movies for me”).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Internet Fandom:

“Podcasting is…a vaccine for getting ready for fame. Nothing matters what other people think of you. It rolls off my back now.”
– Stavros, [17:08]
On Outgrowing “Edgelord” Podcasting:

“Saying 'F-you dad' is a young man’s game. 28 was probably too late.”
– [21:06]
On Masculinity Advice:

“Youth is simple, man—it’s not that fucking complicated. Just don’t go down the dark side, brother, and you’ll be fine.”
– [24:22]
On Political Comedy’s Trap:

“Once you think you’re important you’re not. It’s time to pull the handbrake—you’re not fucking funny any more.”
– [45:50]
On Legacy:

“I was a movie nerd. Now I get to be in a Yorgos Lanthimos film. I can never act again—I’ve surpassed my wildest dreams.”
– [71:47]

Timestamps for Important Segments

[01:22] – Introduction and preview (“Begonia” casting story)
[04:03] – Getting cast in Begonia: “Your guess is as good as mine, pal…”
[13:45] – On internet fandom, parasocial fallout, and podcasting philosophy
[23:15] – Shift from Come Town to Stavi’s World; anti-incel, advice focus
[26:25] – Masculinity, the left, and comedy’s role post-MeToo
[39:46] – “Joe Rogan of the Left”? Media, responsibility, and artistic priorities
[47:11] – Social issues in comedy: trans rights, clapter, and authenticity
[64:02] – Managing controversy with friends and guests
[71:08] – Navigating Hollywood from outside the system
[78:08] – Fat comic archetype and health journey
[83:18] – Baltimore, identity, and community impact
[88:19] – Laughing Round: stories, favorite jokes, philosophies

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Stavvy Is Changing the World One Voicemail at a Time

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Summary

Good One: A Podcast About Jokes

Overview

Episode Structure

Key Discussion Points & Insights

[01:22] Comedy to Hollywood: "Begonia" and the Surreality of Being Cast

[13:45] The Come Town Experience: Internet Fame, Responsibility, and Growth

[23:15] Stavi’s World: Building An “Anti-Incel” Advice Show

[26:25] The Left, Horniness, and Class: Comedy’s Role Post-MeToo

[39:46] The “Joe Rogan of the Left”: Pressure & Limits to Political Comedy

[47:11] Comedy & Social Issues: Navigating Clapter, Responsibility, and “Trans Jokes”

[71:08] Out of the System: Comedy Success and Hollywood

[78:08] Fat Comic Archetype, Health, and Audience Expectation

[83:18] Baltimore Identity and Community

[88:19] The Laughing Round (Highlights)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Timestamps for Important Segments

Final Thoughts

Summary

Good One: A Podcast About Jokes

Overview

Episode Structure

Key Discussion Points & Insights

[01:22] Comedy to Hollywood: "Begonia" and the Surreality of Being Cast

[13:45] The Come Town Experience: Internet Fame, Responsibility, and Growth

[23:15] Stavi’s World: Building An “Anti-Incel” Advice Show

[26:25] The Left, Horniness, and Class: Comedy’s Role Post-MeToo

[39:46] The “Joe Rogan of the Left”: Pressure & Limits to Political Comedy

[47:11] Comedy & Social Issues: Navigating Clapter, Responsibility, and “Trans Jokes”

[71:08] Out of the System: Comedy Success and Hollywood

[78:08] Fat Comic Archetype, Health, and Audience Expectation

[83:18] Baltimore Identity and Community

[88:19] The Laughing Round (Highlights)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Timestamps for Important Segments

Final Thoughts