Mick Unplugged: Comedy to Coaching—The Impact of a Legend with Earthquake

Host: Mick Hunt ("Realm")
Guest: Earthquake
Date: March 26, 2026

Episode Overview

This extraordinary episode of Mick Unplugged delves into the journey of legendary comedian and entrepreneur, Earthquake. Moving beyond the laughter, host Mick Hunt guides an authentic conversation about legacy, leadership, responsibility, and creating opportunities that ripple across communities. With candid storytelling, humility, and sharp wit, Earthquake reveals the realities of owning Black comedy clubs, importance of giving back, his creative process, and his upcoming TV ventures.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Roots of Leadership and Entrepreneurship

• Personal Responsibility & Community Impact

  • Earthquake credits his upbringing and parental wisdom for shaping his sense of duty:

    "The best way you can change the world is do your part…do the best you can with what you have, for those around you." (02:27, Earthquake)

  • He stresses starting with yourself and providing grace within the Black community.

• Necessity and Opportunity: The Comedy Club Story

  • Exclusion from performing at a major Black-owned club led Earthquake to create his own, despite the risk and lack of representation.
  • Pivotal advice from his mother inspired him:

    "You can't get mad at another person for not allowing you to ride their bike. You either get your own bike or don't ride a bike at all." (06:32) "She said the key word that’s why black women are so important to me—'why not?'" (06:46)

  • Earthquake went on to own three clubs, fostering community and talent.

2. Excellence in the Craft of Comedy

• Relentless Work Ethic

  • Earthquake rejects complacency and insists on always delivering fresh, relevant content:

    "It’s hard to come up with a joke. I’m just blessed to be able to do it... there's a standard you must do when you stand on that stage." (13:20, Earthquake)
    "It's easier to maintain that standard if you keep working. People pay their hard-earned money to come see you…it's an obligation that I at least give them their money’s worth." (14:49, Earthquake)

• Family Influence and Creative Standards

  • Shares a story of joking during tough family moments—illustrating comedy as resilience and bonding (13:44).
  • Sets a higher bar for himself, rooted in family expectations.

3. Elevating Others & Building Platforms

• Giving Back to the Comedy Community

  • Earthquake opens doors for others, both on stage and through his platforms (Quake House).

    "I did it for every other comedian that they wouldn’t allow to perform…Quake House, I brought a place where other comedians can shine." (16:21, Earthquake)

  • Emphasizes the need to uplift Black comedians, sharing the spotlight instead of hoarding it.

    "It’s our obligation to pull back—‘yeah, you love me, but what about him? He funny, too.’" (17:16, Earthquake)

• Leadership Style

  • Compares his approach to the "Tom Brady effect":

    "Take responsibility when you lose, it’s my fault, and defer all the credit when you win." (18:36, Earthquake)

  • Real leadership means building others up: "If you're about winning, you want to elevate your team." (19:12, Earthquake)

4. Sports, Coaching, and Teamwork Metaphors

• Applying Coaching Mindset
  • Extended football metaphors illuminate values of preparation, building from the inside out, and not relying on flash over fundamentals (20:14–28:10).
  • Advocates for sturdy foundations:

    "If I did, I’d start a team from the inside out. If my offensive line can push three yards, and my defensive line can push you back…everybody behind me is good." (26:55, Earthquake)

5. Breaking Barriers: Netflix Special & Upcoming Fox Show

• Career Breakthroughs

  • Chappelle’s call changed Earthquake’s trajectory:

    "Dave Chappelle called me...he said, 'I’m going to do your special, take you to Netflix. I should have done it a long time ago. Please forgive me.'" (28:25, Earthquake)

  • Netflix special led to wider acclaim and new opportunities.

• Creative Control for New Sitcom

  • Describes involvement and creative ownership in the upcoming Fox sitcom, produced by Bill Burr:

    "For the first time, I have full creative control…'I don’t care if you put Earthquake on the roof, on the moon, as long as it’s Earthquake, we’re buying Earthquake.'” (29:37–30:44, Earthquake quoting Fox's president)

  • Critiques past industry barriers ("I had to always try to convince them they should allow me to be me. Even though they bought me, I used to always have to audition to play me.” (30:23, Earthquake)).
  • Discusses the role of authentic, relatable comedy in a landscape dominated by reality TV (32:27).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Community and Responsibility:

  “If we only did the best we could for each other and start with yourself and your own, it would be a lot farther. Give grace to our women and understanding to our men…that’s always been my platform.” (02:27, Earthquake)

• On Leadership:

  "You want people to gravitate to the other people that you put. Those people you elevated gonna be so indebted to you… That's having the ultimate faith in God—that this is my purpose and what’s meant for me, can none of y'all stop it." (19:12–19:52, Earthquake)

• On Comedy’s Roots:

  "My clientele is my people. And I know what it takes for them to spend their money to come see me. So it’s an obligation…I carry that like a badge of honor." (14:31, Earthquake)

• On TV Industry Frustrations:

  “I remember they were sending me notes and one said, 'We don't believe Earthquake would say that.' I said, 'Well, I'm Earthquake. I've been with Earthquake longer than anybody. I think I should know what Earthquake would say.'” (30:23, Earthquake)

• On Creative Control:

  "Can no one write me but me…We want to be Calgon. Take them away. We need our Jefferson’s, we need our good times…like you said, you can just sit and laugh." (32:27–34:11, Earthquake)

• On Impact and Legacy:

  “You've changed my life more than you ever know. You taught me how to be a businessman and how to be a man, period, when I didn’t have somebody that looked like me that could do that. So thank you for being Earthquake and thank you for the inspiration.” (34:40, Mick Hunt)

Key Timestamps

• [02:27] – Earthquake on community and personal responsibility
• [05:12–07:46] – The drive and origin story behind opening his own club
• [13:20–15:35] – Maintaining comedic excellence and why it matters
• [16:03–17:49] – Mentoring others and creating platforms for Black comedians
• [18:36–19:52] – Leadership lessons (“Tom Brady effect”)
• [20:14–28:10] – Team dynamics, sports philosophy, and coaching talk
• [28:25] – Dave Chappelle’s pivotal phone call
• [29:37–31:44] – Creative control and development of new Fox TV show
• [32:27–34:11] – The importance of authentic, relaxing sitcoms and impact of reality TV
• [34:40–35:17] – Mick Hunt’s tribute and Earthquake’s response

Conclusion

In a conversation brimming with laughter and wisdom, Earthquake demonstrates that true leadership is about opening doors, insisting on quality, and serving others—on stage, in business, and in life. His example weaves comedy with coaching, reminding listeners that impact is made not just by performing, but by empowering, uplifting, and staying true to one’s 'Because.'

For more on Earthquake:
Follow @therealearthquake | Stay tuned for upcoming Fox sitcom!

For more on leadership and purpose:
Subscribe to Mick Unplugged and ignite your own ‘Because.’