Stavvy’s World #148 - Gianmarco Soresi (September 29, 2025)

Episode Overview

In this lively and wide-ranging episode, comedian Stavros Halkias welcomes fellow comic and actor Gianmarco Soresi to the couch. The conversation bounces through travel tales, family oddities, comedic philosophies, and the struggle of finding meaning (and love) in the modern world. They also field listener calls on topics ranging from the moral dilemmas of “passport bro” dating to the etiquette of informing a stranger about a wardrobe malfunction. The episode blends sharp humor, real talk about creative life, and the boys’ signature playful roasting.

Key Discussion Points & Highlights

European Adventures, Family, and Cultural Commentary

Timestamps: [02:12–04:45], [21:08–35:13]

• Santorini, Greece, and Painted Houses

  • Gianmarco recently visited Santorini and Athens, marveling at Greece’s strict but beautiful house-painting standards and the communal aesthetic.
  • “Legally, you can only paint your house certain colors…then you see it and go like, okay.” — Gianmarco [02:21]
  • Stav and Elders joke about the difference between U.S. homeowners associations and Greek village planning.

• Comparing European and U.S. Comedy Scenes

  • Both comics note the nascent standup scene in countries like Greece and South Korea, and how comedy’s evolution mirrors American sports: early steps are rough but foundational.
  • “I feel like they just learned what stand up comedy was in Greece three years ago.” — Stav [11:29]
  • “The first punchline was like, ‘Women are different.’ I was like, okay, that’s the first step.” — Gianmarco [12:03]

• Family Dynamics & Cheating Dads

  • Gianmarco shares stories of his “stunning” playboy dad (“Just a real piece…a real lady’s man”) and the family’s cycles of marriages, divorces, and girlfriends.
  • “Your dad is going through what a hot blonde woman goes through in her 40s — but in his 70s.” — Stav [33:32]
  • Discussion about how technology and social media have made old-fashioned cheating nearly impossible.

• ‘Cool Guy’ Masculinity and Sexuality in the Arts

  • Insights on being straight in a “gay zone” like theater camp, competing with (later revealed as gay) peers, and the nuances of homophobia in sports and arts circles.
  • “You were competing that hard. You didn’t even want the pussy.” — Gianmarco [40:22]
  • “Nothing drives me crazier than hearing gay friends who had sex with women in high school — you were getting pussy, and you didn’t even want it!” — Stav [40:46]

Comedy, Acting, and Art vs. Ego

Timestamps: [10:00–17:57], [23:41–56:59]

• Grinding Versus Audience Coddling

  • Stav reflects on the ease contemporary comics have thanks to online fan bases versus doing “unannounced” sets to tough crowds.
  • “I miss that feeling of, there's just some fat idiot that you would get when you were doing open mics.” — Stav [15:32]

• Acting Training & Absurdity

  • Gianmarco recalls method acting in college, playing the character from “My Left Foot” and being wheeled around in a Craigslist wheelchair. Stav pokes fun at this devotion.
  • “You could have limped. How about we start with a limp, Gianmarco?” — Stav [27:49]

• Recognizing Artistic Limitations

  • Gianmarco discusses the pain of realizing he’d never be a top-level singer or actor, despite early success at a local level.
  • “The voice is inside, so you don’t find out until later. You train and you train, you go…whatever's in here can’t compete competitively.” — Gianmarco [54:08]

• Defining Comedy vs. Being ‘Cool’

  • Philosophical sidebar on how true comedians are “cool losers,” and how some try (and fail) to project mainstream or alpha personas.
  • “A clown is inherently… you can’t be cool.” — Stav [56:23]

Listener Calls & Advice Segments

Caller 1: “Passport Bro” Moral Dilemma ([59:39–68:02])

• A 34-year-old man asks whether he should keep flying to Colombia to date (and/or pay sex workers), given he struggles with U.S. dating.
• Stav and Gianmarco break down the exploitative economics and encourage him to “pick a lane” — either actually move and try to build a relationship as a peer, or stop using it as an escape.
  • “You've reduced dating to a purely financial…and you have power over these women.” — Stav [62:59]
  • “If you struggle here and it’s easy there, move there…But the back and forth thing…” — Gianmarco [64:59]
  • Consensus: Be honest about what you want — don’t treat women like different “types” depending on the country. Either commit or quit.

Caller 2: Who’s the Daddy? Paternity and Morality ([68:13–81:52])

• A caller describes a “who’s the father” scenario involving her friend’s boyfriend, a baby, and three possible dads. Should the boyfriend take the DNA test, or hide the truth to avoid child support?
• Stav wants to host a Maury Povich-style reveal, leaning into the chaos. Gianmarco injects moral caution.
  • “Morality matters…If someone lacks morality, it will come to bite you.” — Gianmarco [79:19]
  • “Look, dude, your friend probably had a kid. It sucks.” — Stav [78:36]
  • Consensus: Take the test, own your actions — hiding from the truth just postpones the (bigger) consequences.

Caller 3: The Toxic Friend Bachelor Party ([82:38–89:57])

• A listener is dreading a bachelor party because one invitee (“Mark”) is unhinged, potentially dangerous (brings guns, starts fights), and the groom won’t uninvite him due to his Christian “forgiveness.”
• “If he likes this guy, it’s probably a reflection on the person he is, too.” — Gianmarco [88:23]
• “Forgiveness is not the same as, like, welcoming in.” — Stav [90:15]
• Advice: Life is short — skip it if you’ll be miserable or unsafe. If the groom is attached to this friend, it says a lot.

Etiquette Question: Noticing a Wardrobe Malfunction ([93:20–100:22])

• A caller’s neighbor had a nipple hanging out of her top while walking dogs. He waited a minute before telling her and wonders if he handled it right.
• “You did the right thing. The quicker you notice, the shorter the time between noticing and telling, the better.” — John Marco [94:11], [94:23], [97:14]
• Advice: Quickly, discreetly, and with no fanfare is best. Delay makes it weirder; don’t be creepy, just be kind.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Comedy's Evolution Abroad

  “In South Korea…the first punchline was like, ‘women are different’…that’s the first step. And then from there you do more nuanced misogyny.”
  — Gianmarco Soresi [12:29]

• Artistic Struggles

  “You have a full career and be mediocre…there’s avenues for the mildly talented, or if you’re good at farce but not drama.”
  — Gianmarco [54:38]

• Personal Growth

  “I feel like I’ll peak in my, you know, late 40s. Physically, fat, bald, five-seven guy. Born to be 43-48!”
  — Stav [55:38]

• On Clowns and Comedy

  “A clown is inherently… you can’t be cool…You have to be. Even if you’re cool, or people like you…You’re a cool loser.”
  — Stav [56:19–56:31]

• Bachelor Party Boundaries

  “Forgiveness is not the same as, like, welcoming in.”
  — Stav [90:15]

Standout Segments (with Timestamps)

• Travel & Stand-Up Abroad: [02:12–05:02]
• Acting Method Gone Wild: [23:41–28:12]
• Comics on Comedy & “Easy Audiences”: [15:08–15:59], [55:58–57:14]
• ‘Passport Bro’ Dilemma Call: [59:39–68:02]
• Maury-Style Paternity Call: [68:13–81:52]
• Bachelor Party & Forgiveness: [82:38–89:57]
• Wardrobe Malfunction Etiquette: [93:20–100:22]

Overall Tone & Style

The episode, as always with Stavvy’s World, is loose, fast, and irreverently sincere. Both guests poke fun at themselves, each other, and the absurdities of modern life. The advice is candid, rooted in “real world” experience, but delivered with a wink. The humor often edges into the absurd but is counterbalanced by real compassion regarding relationships and tough situations.

Final Shout-outs

• Watch Gianmarco Soresi’s free special, “Thief of Joy,” on YouTube! [92:20]
• Check out Stavros Halkias and Elders on tour — get tickets quick!

For more hilarious problem-solving, wild stories, and “real talk,” subscribe to Stavvy’s World and keep your voicemails coming to 904-800-STAV!