Episode Overview

Podcast: Mick Unplugged
Host: Mick Hunt
Guest: Matt Iseman – Emmy-winning comedian, cancer survivor, arthritis advocate, and host of American Ninja Warrior
Date: August 21, 2025
Theme: An in-depth conversation tracing Matt Iseman’s extraordinary journey from Ivy League medical doctor to professional comedian to iconic host of American Ninja Warrior. The episode explores resilience, leadership, advocacy (especially around rheumatoid arthritis), and living in alignment with one’s “because”—the deeper purpose beyond just a “why.”

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Living and Leading with Resilience

• Matt’s RA Diagnosis and Struggle:

  • Matt shares his personal battle with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), highlighting the confusion and isolation before being diagnosed despite medical background and resources.
    • Quote:
      • “It took a year and a half to get diagnosed... I became a shell of myself. And I was going to doctors... nothing was coming back positive. And the doctor said, everything's normal, even though I knew something's wrong.”
        — Matt Iseman [01:59]
    • He calls the eventual diagnosis “a relief,” not because RA is curable, but because “even if it's a bad answer... at least you know what you're up against.”
      [02:44]

• The Power of Community & Support:

  • Finding the Arthritis Foundation and peers with RA was transformative; Matt emphasizes the necessity and impact of disease-specific support communities.
    • Quote:
      • “Not that my other family wasn't there, but the family of people who knew what I was going through. And for anyone who's experienced a challenge... it's so helpful to have someone who's walked a mile in your shoes.”
        [03:50]

• Mental and Physical Coping Strategies:

  • Matt details how comedy—both performing and being around laughter—was a lifeline during the hardest times.

    • Quote:
      • “For me, the highlight of every day was going to a comedy club. Even if nobody laughed at my jokes, it's being around a room of laughter...when you're laughing, you're not thinking about the pain, you're not thinking about the sadness.”
        [07:03]

  • Medical advances: Describes life-changing effects of biologic drugs for RA, gratitude to those who came before.
    [08:05]

2. Advocacy, Visibility, and Representation

• Making Invisible Struggles Visible:

  • Matt discusses the importance of sharing his story—particularly as a younger male with RA, since the disease often affects older women—so new patients find hope and community.
    • Quote:
      • “I can share my story now so that the next person who gets diagnosed won't feel so alone... That gives me hope. I want it to be that for the next person.”
        [10:15]

• Celebrity as Platform:

  • Through media appearances (e.g., Celebrity Apprentice), Matt was able to raise both funds and awareness for RA.
    • “We ended up raising $1 million for [the Arthritis Foundation]... as important as that, though, was that I got to tell my story.”
      [11:00]

3. The Art and Challenge of Stand-Up Comedy

• Passion for Comedy:

  • Despite hosting serious shows, stand-up is Matt’s first love. He describes its honesty and the thrill of immediate feedback.
    • Quote:
      • “There is something about being in a room with just you and a microphone in the crowd... that immediacy of you say a joke and people... clap. Even if you know you can fake clap, faking laughter is very hard.”
        [12:11]

• Every Audience is Different:

  • Describes how jokes land differently in various places or even at different shows on the same night.
    • “Man, it'll happen in the same night. Like, if you do two shows... the same joke kills, then dies. That's the challenge—it’s always a high-wire act.”
      [13:47]
  • The need to stay present and avoid autopilot: "If you ever just go on autopilot... the audience is very perceptive." [14:08]

• Crowd Work & Evolving Material:

  • Discusses the impact of social media on stand-up, the need for improvisation, and the authenticity of spontaneous moments.
    • “Right now on the Internet, you see a lot of crowd work... because a joke might take years to develop, and if you put it out online, that joke's kind of gone.”
      [16:03]

4. Leadership Lessons from Celebrity Apprentice and Arnold Schwarzenegger

• Collaboration is Key:

  • On competing with “a collection of alphas,” Matt learned that silencing his ego and fostering collaboration was the best way to lead.
    • “When you didn't make it about your ego... when I sought for collaboration, I found that was how I managed a lot of the egos.”
      [19:43]

• Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Leadership:

  • Matt shares powerful vignettes of Arnold building people up, always appreciating team members, and never using his status to intimidate.
    • Quotes:
      • “Arnold... never makes it a contest about measuring... With Arnold, he's building everyone else up.” [21:52]
      • “Every time I do something... he writes me a letter... saying thank you.” [22:33]
  • The lesson: Great leaders lift up everyone around them; true leadership is about empowerment, not authority.

5. Discovering Matt's “Because”

• Defining “Because”:

  • The central question: what is Matt’s “because”—his true fuel and purpose?
    • “For Matt Iseman, man, what's your because?... your because is really the fuel that makes everything happen.”
      [23:36]

• Matt’s Answer:

  • Matt reflects on his desire to make people feel better—originally as a doctor, now as a comedian and host. His “because” is about spreading happiness, encouragement, and celebration.
    • Quote:
      • “I want to make people feel happy... With Ninja Warrior... When people fall, we don't laugh, we say, you know what? It took a lot of courage just to get here... My because is ultimately, I just got... I guess I'm a glorified hype man. That's my because.”
        [24:48-27:00]
  • Matt’s humility and kindness underpin his career and advocacy.

6. Authenticity and Celebration in Entertainment

• American Ninja Warrior and Empathy:
  • Matt and co-host Akbar both draw on their own athletic challenges to empathize and celebrate everyday competitors.
    • “Akbar always said, I was a journeyman... when I see these ninjas... that was me... I want to celebrate [them].”
      [27:38]
    • The show’s long arc allows witnessing personal growth and triumph—“full circle” moments for contestants and the community.
      [29:14]

7. Memorable Rapid-Fire & Personal Moments

• Wedding & Dance Moves:
  • Recently married: Matt and wife’s first dance was an interpretive routine to “Faithfully.”
    [29:57-30:11]
• Favorite Comfort Food:
  • “Chicken tenders with honey mustard sauce.”
    [30:25]
• Favorite Book:
  • “Chronicles of Narnia” (early inspiration and love of reading). Recent read: Walter Isaacson’s Elon Musk biography.
    [30:58-32:06]
• Go-To Song:
  • “Any Way You Want It” by Journey—for energy and joy.
    [32:16]

8. What’s Next for Matt Iseman

• Upcoming Projects:

  • New travel show with Akbar: “Extra Mile Club” premiering October.
  • American Ninja Warrior season 17 is wrapping up; more episodes ahead.
    [32:33]

• Where to Find Matt:

  • Links and socials to be provided in show notes.

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• “When I got diagnosed with RA... Even though I was surrounded by all these people wanting to help, I felt alone. Until I went to a meeting with the Arthritis Foundation...”
  — Matt Iseman [02:40]
• “When you're laughing, you're not thinking about the pain, you're not thinking about the sadness.”
  — Matt Iseman [07:16]
• “If you ever just go on autopilot... the audience is very perceptive.”
  — Matt Iseman [14:08]
• “Every time I do something... Arnold writes me a letter... saying thank you.”
  — Matt Iseman [22:33]
• “My because is ultimately, I just got... I guess I'm a glorified hype man. That's my because.”
  — Matt Iseman [27:00]
• “I just have so much respect [for the ninjas who aren’t professionals]... they're putting themselves out there and I just have so much respect for that.”
  — Matt Iseman [27:36]

Episode Flow and Tone

• The episode mixes vulnerability, humor, candor, and motivational mentorship.
• Both Mick and Matt share personal stories, audience questions, and mutual admiration, maintaining an uplifting and approachable vibe.

Summary for New Listeners

This episode is a masterclass in living with courage, authenticity, and purpose—whether battling chronic illness, pivoting careers, or leading with humility. Matt Iseman’s story is both relatable and remarkable, filled with humor, honesty, and a deep desire to lift up those around him. Aspiring leaders and anyone seeking to turn adversity into impact will find actionable wisdom and heart here.

For further inspiration:

• Catch Matt and Akbar’s new travel series (“Extra Mile Club” in October)
• American Ninja Warrior’s current and upcoming seasons
• Follow Matt Iseman on social platforms (see show notes)
• Explore advocacy with the Arthritis Foundation