So True with Caleb Hearon

Episode: "David Gborie Loves a Party"
Date: September 11, 2025
Host: Caleb Hearon
Guest: David Gborie
Podcast Network: Headgum

Overview

This episode features a high-energy, heartfelt, and genuinely funny conversation between host Caleb Hearon and comedian David Gborie. The two dig into topics ranging from growing up online as queer kids, clothing struggles as bigger men, the power and weirdness of community, partying as a cultural practice, relationships and privacy, and what it means to truly know yourself. The episode is marked by vulnerability, playful banter, and sharp comedic reflections on real life.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Secret Online Lives & Coming of Age Queer (00:02–03:34)

• Caleb opens up about creating a secret, anonymous MySpace as a gay teen:
  “I had a secret MySpace account... I am 13, I live in Missouri. I'm gay. What do I do?” (00:15)
• David jokes about parental fear:
  “That's literally their biggest fear...what if my son has a secret gay MySpace.” (00:20)
• They both discuss the lack of role models and community growing up gay (Caleb) or just feeling different (David), and how the early internet provided new spaces to explore identity.

2. Plus-Size Clothing Woes & Body Image (00:41–03:14)

• The comedians riff on shopping struggles as bigger guys, sharing love-hate with brands like Old Navy and DXL:
  • “You can't actually go [to Old Navy]. ...You have to order from the website...there's no room for us to all be in there.” – Caleb (01:12)
  • “Balling out was like two hoodies.” – David (02:03)
• They swap stories about aspirational clothing (wife pleasers/tank tops) and the pain of not fitting in, both socially and physically.

3. Teenage Popularity Envy (02:24–03:51)

• David recalls feeling jealousy towards “cool body teen boys,” referencing two stylish brothers in his school:
  “All the kids with cool bodies...they just wore wife pleasers. You remember how confident they were?” (02:28)
• Both joke about the eternal hope those popular kids “peaked” in junior high, and the unique challenge for queer kids wanting both to “be” and “be with” those boys:
  “Imagine you're going through that and then imagine you're gay...not only do you want to be that guy, but you low key also need to sleep with him. Crazy.” – Caleb (03:27)

4. LA Life: Parties & Cultural Outsider Feels (05:01–07:16)

• David shares a wild recent LA experience: a “lowrider party” in Echo Park, complete with riot cops and spotlights.
• “We pull up, riot cops on either side of the block...the ghetto bird [helicopter] is circling.” – David (05:29)
• David lovingly recounts feeling “too old” to keep up, and reflects on the magic of being “the one white guy that’s accepted” in other communities – then riffs with Caleb about group outsider status and cultural identity.

5. Casting & Racial Assumptions in Show Business (08:18–10:13)

• Caleb describes being mistaken for various non-white ethnicities in auditions:
  “People think I’m Mexican. People think I’m Filipino. People thought [I was] Pacific Islander...” (08:40)
• David jokes, “You're like the new Rob Schneider.”
• Larger discussion about typecasting, “heroic white guy” roles, and the weirdness of trying to navigate industry assumptions.

6. The Steve Harvey Show Reboot & Writing Gigs (10:38–12:25)

• They brainstorm a sitcom reboot, joking about playing TV teachers/coaches.
• David admits he’s more of “an idea man” in writers’ rooms than a technical scriptwriter.

7. Relationships, Pets, and Growing Up (13:06–15:37)

• David talks about his beloved hairless cat “Grandma,” confronting the “ugly kid” effect, and the class-status of exotic pets:
  “In Atlanta, that’s a sign of wealth.” (15:06)
• They laugh over the responsibilities of pets, special diets, and how caring for animals gives routine.

8. Life as a Voice Actor & Comedy Central (15:31–16:59)

• David describes his “secret” life voicing Comedy Central promos, working from home, and loving the steady gig:
  “It’s like a job nobody knows I have...I do it from home. I’ve done it for like five years.” (15:50)

9. The Pandemic Pause: Stepping Back from Comedy (17:00–17:58)

• David explains why he left LA for Denver and took four years off from comedy grind:
  • “...Everything stopped and I was like, oh, you’re exhausted and you kind of hate yourself.” (17:18)
  • “I think I was in a position to kind of dial it back for a while and get back to me for a little bit.” (17:52)
• Caleb and David reflect on the need to recalibrate, take space, and reconnect with personal life.

10. Wedding Planning & The Perils of Big Parties (23:15–25:36)

• David talks about wedding planning, the stress of culling the guest list, and friend-vetting with his fiancée.
• “I have a lot of friends, admittedly, who are real freak shows…you bring up one thing and now I’m an asshole.” (25:23)

11. Sex, Pets, and the Surreal (19:02–20:31)

• Caleb expresses worry about owning a pet because he dislikes “fucking in front of animals,” leading to a hilarious riff about expectations and pet behavior:
  “I’m putting on a show over here. I’m doing my best….at least be interested.” – Caleb (20:33)

12. The Sopranos and Comedy Partners (21:00–23:14)

• Discussion about rewatching “The Sopranos,” its problematic aspects, and David’s partner not enjoying either Sopranos or Caleb’s comedy – leading to a funny, honest segment about honesty in relationships and “airing it out” on stage.

13. Childhood Parties & Cultural Hybridity (32:44–34:47)

• David shares about growing up amid multicultural house parties:
  • “I was a party baby…I grew into a party teen, and I’m now a party man.” (32:58)
  • “My tiny African mom…just like the 25 Korean girls who were in her ESL class.” (33:09)
• The joys and challenges of growing up poor, with community support.

14. Changing Friend Groups and Adult Loneliness (36:35–38:27)

• Caleb & David reflect on realizing as adults that many friendships were just “party friends.” Now, they value intentionality and real connection.
  • “You realize you’ve never seen [some people] in the daytime.” – David (38:15)

15. Comedy Roots: San Francisco Days (38:32–40:13)

• David reminisces about his deep involvement in the San Francisco comedy scene, throwing shows, building community:
  • “It was the first time I felt like an active participant in my community…everybody on Clement street to know who I was.” (39:21)

16. Regional Identity, Politics & Beach Republicans (40:13–41:13)

• Comedic grievances with conservative Orange County:
  • “I don’t know how anybody could be a Republican by the beach.” – David (41:13)

17. Fishing, Masculinity, and Quiet Male Bonding (41:43–43:14)

• Reflections on the differences between traditional masculinity and being raised by women:
  • “If I’m alone with my friend, we’re talking. …I’m not like that quiet…I love my friends.” – David (43:06)
• Both are “gabbers” who’d rather chat than sit in silence on a fishing trip.

18. Privacy, Relationships, and Onstage Authenticity (65:32–67:29)

• Both comics discuss the tension between authentic self-expression and privacy for loved ones:
  • “I don't want her to have to feel like she's a character in this weird, like, show that I'm building.” – Caleb (67:00)
• Hesitation to mine personal relationships for content, despite the pressure in comedy.

19. Creativity, Material, and Growing with Your Art (67:29–68:49)

• The anxiety of losing “dating stories” as they settle down, fear of becoming one-dimensional (the “dad comic”), and the need to stay intentional about seeking fresh experiences.

20. “So True” – David’s Life Advice (70:09–70:47)

• David’s answer to “what’s so true to you?”:
  • “If you don’t spend the time getting to know yourself, life is gonna prove it to you in a hard way.” (70:20)
  • Encourages prioritizing self-understanding rather than chasing others’ definitions of success.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On being an outsider among friends:
  "Don't you want to be that for every group?...It's just cool to be the one white guy, I think, in any...group." – David (07:13)
• On encountering “cool body” teens:
  "You remember like cool body teen boys, how confident they were? ... I wanted to kill those little boys." – David (02:37)
• On the dangers of being typecast:
  "They’re like, you’re white, but let's have some fun. ... It's Mr. Plug and Play." – Caleb (09:29)
• On pandemic self-discovery:
  "I love entertainment, it’s given me a life…but I think I was in a position to kind of dial it back for a while and be able to just get back to me for a little bit." – David (17:52)
• On relationship privacy:
  "I’ve not talked about him on stage. …I really do want to keep some things, like, private, you know?" – Caleb (66:25)
• On destiny and seeking out joy:
  "Do charming little things just happen to me? Or also am I seeking out charming little things?” – Caleb (60:25)
• On real self-knowledge:
  "If you don't spend the time getting to know yourself, life is gonna prove it to you in a hard way.” – David (70:20)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Secret Myspace / Queer Kid Internet Life: 00:02–00:44, 47:13–49:02
• Fashion for Plus Size Guys: 00:41–03:14
• Teenage Body Envy/Cool Kids: 02:24–03:51
• Wild LA Parties/Lowrider Story: 05:03–07:16
• Casting/Cultural Identity in Hollywood: 08:18–10:13
• Loving Community, Being an Outsider: 07:17–08:12
• Wedding Planning and Guest List Stress: 23:15–25:36
• Privacy / On-stage Authenticity in Relationships: 65:32–67:29
• David’s “So True” Life Lesson: 70:09–70:47

Overall Vibe & Tone

The episode embodies the honest, quick-witted, and warm-hearted spirit of both Caleb and David. The tone is deeply conversational—funny with real emotional texture, blending stories of struggle and triumph, personal growth, and the awkward joys of both adolescence and adulthood. They lay bare their vulnerabilities but keep the mood light with their comic gifts.

Recommendations & Calls to Action

• Watch David Gborie’s comedy special: "Birth of a Nation (with a G)" – available on YouTube via 800 Pound Gorilla.
• Catch David's voice work on Comedy Central promos.
• Check out his podcasts: "My Mama Told Me," "All Fantasy Everything."
• Caleb’s fans: Stay tuned for more authentic, boundary-pushing, real-talk interviews.

Closing Thoughts

This episode is a must-listen for anyone who wants to feel seen, laugh hard, and hear comedians get honest about the business, identity, love, and self-discovery. David’s blend of hard-won wisdom and signature humor make this conversation as memorable as it is relatable.

“If you don’t spend the time getting to know yourself, life is gonna prove it to you in a hard way.”
— David Gborie (70:20)