Podcast Summary: Keep it Positive, Sweetie

Episode: "Creating Your Own Path w/ Marco Summers"

Host: Krystal Renee Hazlett
Guest: Marco Summers (Funny Marco)
Date: November 16, 2025

Overview

In this episode, Krystal Renee Hazlett welcomes rising comedy star Marco Summers, known to many as Funny Marco. The conversation gets personal and honest, exploring Marco’s journey from Kansas City to social media stardom, his struggles with adversity, overcoming childhood trauma, living with dyslexia, navigating the business side of comedy, and building a legacy fueled by authenticity and resilience. As always, Krystal and her guest keep it uplifting and real, with moments both heartfelt and hilarious.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Manifesting the Right Moment, Patience, and Growth

• Marco discusses how reaching out to Krystal about being a guest took patience, reflecting how timing and growth are keys in life and showbiz.
  • “I learned, too. Patience is key… sometimes you gotta understand right now, let that moment. And I learned it from Kevin Hart… have patience and ownership.” — Marco (04:19)

2. Childhood, Family, and Breaking Cycles

• Marco’s father died in violent circumstances related to street life, deeply shaping Marco’s worldview.
  • “The father is becoming something you never had. My daddy was a street guy… So just being able to create a path for my kids, to let them know that you don’t have to be where you came from.” — Marco (05:48)
• Marco shares about the trauma and numbness he experienced as a child, recounting both harrowing and comedic moments, such as a dramatic funeral scene.
  • “He got killed in the car. The person who did it was somebody he was comfortable with… Even for women, you got to watch who you date, because just if she wasn’t with him, she would… probably be alive to this day.” — Marco (07:43)
  • “I got good grades all of a sudden. So I’m calling my daddy… he not picking up. And I’m like, nigga, pick up. I was trying to tell you… I’m doing good.” — Marco (10:26)

3. Humor as Survival & Authenticity

• Marco notes that comedy was a mechanism to gain acceptance despite material lack.
  • “When I wanted to fit in with popular kids, my personality got me in… My personality saved my life.” — Marco (14:48)
• He’s open about his challenges in school and being held back a grade; his humor became both a shield and a way to connect.

4. Living with Dyslexia & Overcoming Shame

• Marco reveals living with dyslexia, struggling with reading, writing, and numbers throughout school and adulthood.
  • “I get anxiety with words and letters. Honestly, right now, I don’t know how much money I got.” — Marco (19:13)
• He talks about the importance of owning vulnerabilities, making humor and openness his protection against ridicule.
  • “If I got picked on, I knew how to get under your skin… You can’t mess with nobody that accept who they are.” — Marco (21:06)
• Plans to provide educational support for his daughter so she won’t face the same struggles.

5. Breaking Out: Moving to Atlanta & Chasing Dreams

• Originally intended to move to San Francisco, Marco instead took a chance on Atlanta after a stranger DMed him.
  • “I took one bag and I came out here and the rest is history. The thing is, in life, when you gotta go, you gotta make sure you complete it.” — Marco (28:18)
• Early mentors (Ray Daniels) exposed him to success and the importance of working for more than money.

6. Building a Career and Brand

• Talks about building his recognition with viral Walmart prank videos and leveraging artists’ lyrics to get noticed.
  • “When I came up with a strategy of using artist lyrics and they started reposting it… it was making like $20,000.” — Marco (35:09)
• Business lessons—learning about teams, contracts, finances, and promotions the hard way.
  • “Ask for help… don’t go looking for it, but ask God and he gonna send it to you… If you set yourself up right, people will work for you.” (36:29)

7. The Power of Silence and Comic Timing

• Marco’s signature comedic style is rooted in stillness and “pauses,” lessons learned from moments of discomfort (like being put on the spot in school).
  • “When the teacher used to call me to read, I just had to sit there and look at her… It started when she… [didn’t] get I wasn’t going to read.” — Marco (37:50)
• This intentful use of silence has become his comedic trademark.

8. Adapting to Growth: Teamwork & Letting Go

• Talks candidly about the challenge of creative control and learning to trust a team.
  • “I’m learning to listen now… you got to sit back, and let them create and understand this is what you’ve been asking for.” — Marco (42:19, 42:34)
• Shares lessons from working with celebrities like Nicki Minaj and the risks of rushing content.

9. Fame, Feedback, and Protecting Peace

• Marco emphasizes not chasing external approval or reading negative comments.
  • “Don’t read… it can get to you… Just read like five good ones then get out of there. Cuz you’ll be stuck… you just got to know who you are.” — Marco (51:15, 52:49)
• On setting boundaries and reserving emotional energy:
  • “Don’t give everybody your energy that make you upset… Reserve your anger.” (61:29)

10. Parenting, Legacy, and Cycles

• Marco’s candid about the complexities and challenges of co-parenting, wanting his kids to have options he lacked.
  • “I don’t want my daughter growing up in Kansas City because it ain’t nothing there… you can be whatever you want… you got to see it, cause I didn’t.” — Marco (64:09)
• Discusses hopes to positively influence his children even from afar and break the cycles of his upbringing.

11. Creating Your Own Path: Comedy, Brand, and Legacy

• The importance of “creating your own room” in life and comedy—stepping out from supporting others into headlining his own tour.
  • “It’s okay to come in people room, but go create one too.” — Marco (46:02)
• The courage to change his professional name—shifting from “Funny Marco” to “Marco Summers” to be seen as a multidimensional individual.
  • “Let me mold and get the respect that this is Marco Summers… ’cause I’m a real life person.” — Marco (60:07)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Patience & Timing:
  “Sometimes people don’t give you what you want, then you can develop a nasty taste… But sometimes you got to understand right now, not that moment.”
  — Marco Summers (04:17)

• On Becoming the Father He Never Had:
  “Just being able to create a path for my kids… you don’t have to be where you came from. You could develop a new you.”
  — Marco Summers (07:06)

• On Using Humor as a Shield:
  “If I got picked on, I knew how to get under your skin… you can’t mess with nobody that accept who they are.”
  — Marco Summers (21:06)

• On Overcoming Dyslexia:
  “Honestly, right now, I don’t know how much money I got… I don’t want to know.”
  — Marco (19:13)

• On Teamwork & Learning:
  “I’m learning to listen now… Sometimes people ask for a car, ask for new things. While a broke down car’s in the driveway. Pull that out, accept the new car.”
  — Marco (42:19, 42:54)

• On Protecting Your Peace:
  “Don’t give everybody your energy that make you upset… Reserve your anger. Save your energy.”
  — Marco (62:47)

• On Comments & Approval:
  “Don’t read no comments... If you make it just read five good ones and get out of there.”
  — Marco (51:15, 51:54)

• On Creating Your Own Path:
  “It’s okay to come in people room, but go create one too.”
  — Marco (46:02)

• On Rebranding:
  “Let me mold and get the respect that this is Marco Summers... I’m a real life person.”
  — Marco (60:07)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Patience, Mentorship & Career Milestones: 04:14 – 05:26
• Fatherhood & Family Trauma: 05:48 – 12:39
• Growing Up With Dyslexia: 16:28 – 23:47
• Moving to Atlanta, Taking a Leap: 27:13 – 30:58
• Breakout via Viral Videos & Business Lessons: 34:59 – 36:29
• On Building a Brand and Team: 36:29 – 37:38, 42:19 – 43:32
• Developing Comedy Style (Silence): 37:38 – 39:13
• Lessons from Mistakes (Nicki Minaj Incident): 40:57 – 41:26
• Fame & Managing Criticism: 51:04 – 53:14
• On Never Chasing Approval: 51:15 – 51:50
• Parenting, Legacy & Cycle Breaking: 63:00 – 65:41
• National Comedy Tour & Promotions: 65:56 – 67:18
• Shifting from “Funny Marco” to “Marco Summers”: 60:00 – 61:13

Final Takeaways

• Own your story. Marco’s path is unique, filled with struggle, heartbreak, resilience, and joy—a message for anyone feeling “othered” or discouraged.
• Be patient and trust in timing. Good things happen in the right moment.
• Don’t let where you come from define where you’re going. Marco’s childhood and trauma didn’t limit his imagination or purpose.
• Embrace your weaknesses as strengths. Whether dyslexia or comedy style, what makes you different can be your greatest asset.
• Surround yourself with the right team—and listen. Growth means learning to accept help and other voices.
• Protect your peace and stay genuine. Let your work and consistency speak louder than the crowd.
• Create your own space. Don’t just fit into someone else’s mold—build your own.

Where To Find Marco

• Instagram: @marcosummers
• YouTube: Open Thoughts
• Podcast: “Open Thoughts” (new episodes every Tuesday)
• National Comedy Tour: Dates and tickets via social media and official channels

“You’re not bigger than the program. ... If you the mopper, be the best mopper you can be.”
— Marco Summers (71:30)