Podcast Summary: The Breakfast Club – Eating While Broke feat. Godfrey the Comedian
Podcast: The Breakfast Club (Black Effect Podcast Network & iHeartPodcasts)
Episode: Eating While Broke – Godfrey the Comedian
Host: Colleen Witt
Guest: Godfrey (Comedian)
Release Date: January 31, 2026
Overview
This episode of "Eating While Broke" features acclaimed comedian Godfrey in an engaging conversation about his journey, cultural roots, struggles, and resilience in the entertainment industry. Set in the show's signature format—where guests prepare and discuss an affordable "broke" meal—the conversation touches on Godfrey's Nigerian heritage, his early days in Chicago, navigating the comedy world, and the importance of authenticity in both career and cuisine.
Throughout the episode, Godfrey brings humor, candor, and deep insight, peppered with memorable stories, relatable struggles, and his unique comedic flair.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Introducing Godfrey and the "Broke" Meal
[02:33 - 04:06]
- Dish Prepared: A classic affordable meal featuring black beans, chicken, rice, and plantains—a staple in both Nigerian and Caribbean households.
- Cost of the Dish: "$12, and you make a bunch of it, and you can save it for a couple days... at least four to six servings for twelve bucks." – Colleen Witt [04:07]
- Health & Cultural Relevance: Godfrey discusses how such meals, often termed “poor man’s food,” are hearty, nutritious, and have deep roots in various immigrant communities.
- Cooking Method & Oils: Godfrey prefers "olive oil, avocado, or grapeseed" for cooking and explains his method of quick-frying and adding water for moisture and texture.
2. Godfrey’s Cultural and Culinary Upbringing
[06:18 - 09:16]
- Nigerian Origins: Grew up eating traditional Nigerian food (fufu, egusi, okra soup, jollof rice).
- On Nigerian Food’s Complexity: "Nigerian food, it takes a lot. There's a lot of ingredients. My mother would cook all day... Me and my brother never got to go to the kitchen and cook because my father's like, a man doesn't come in the kitchen. Women do." – Godfrey [08:07]
- Sense of Food Community: Growing up in Chicago, Godfrey’s neighborhood was a melting pot of immigrant cultures, exposing him to diverse cuisines and friendships with Vietnamese, Cambodian, Filipino, Ethiopian, and more.
3. Early Adulthood, Struggle Meals, and Comedy Beginnings
[11:45 - 16:17]
- Independence: At 22, after booking a McDonald's commercial, Godfrey moved into his own studio in Chicago.
- On Surviving: "Rice and beans, vegetables... I want to feel healthy." [13:29]
- College Years: Ramen noodles as a staple struggle meal. He shares the universal experience of "doctoring up" ramen and the realities of campus food.
- Comedy Inspiration: Inspired during college by watching Tommy Davidson perform. Godfrey credits his militancy and involvement in Black student organizations with shaping his comedic voice—mixing humor and activism.
4. The Comedy Hustle and Industry Lessons
[18:45 - 21:42]
- Team Comedy to Going Solo: Early on, performed as part of a duo but, after advice from Steve Harvey (“Cut his ass”), chose the solo route to pursue his passion fully.
- Parental Expectations: "They were like, I thought you were going to do psychiatry medical school... I go, I'm falling back on this [comedy].” – Godfrey [21:32]
- On Psychology & Comedy: Godfrey holds a psychology degree and observes, “Just doing comedy is so psychological... There's nostalgia, there's pain, there's relation, there's all kinds of shit.” [21:43]
5. Navigating Comedy Scenes: New York vs. LA
[27:14 - 28:33]
- Reps and Diversity: Godfrey credits New York for making him a sharper comic due to its diversity and tough crowds.
- Competitive Edge: “New York is—I’m sorry—we dusted off [LA].” – Godfrey [28:03]
- International Audiences: Highlights the constant presence of global audiences in NY and their appreciation for authenticity and honesty in comedy.
6. The Realities of Performing: Hecklers, Authenticity, and Pushing Boundaries
[28:45 - 34:53]
- On Hecklers: Godfrey shares stories of hostile (mostly white, often women) audience members and his no-nonsense approach to keeping control of the room.
- Comedy Style: Prefers edge and authenticity over crowd work. “I love edge. I like to push the envelope.” [31:27]
- On Not Pleasing Everyone: “I'm not worried about a girl not liking me because I'm doing what the fuck I want. I'm a man... If you can't separate that from jokes... Then fuck you.” [34:09]
7. Journey to New York: Friendship, Struggle, and Milestones
[39:15 - 48:39]
- NY Arrival: Moved to NYC in a U-Haul with high school friend Bernadette.
- First Roommate Story: Lived with Viola Davis (then at Juilliard); faced microaggressions from another roommate. Viola intervened and supported Godfrey, cementing lifelong respect.
- Industry Memories: Years later, Viola warmly greets him as “roomie,” illustrating how genuine connections in the business can persist.
8. On Being Pro-Black and Staying True
[55:21 - 58:47]
- Pro-Black vs. Anti-White: Godfrey discusses pride in his heritage and being “pro-black” as a source of strength, not division: “Pro black don't mean anti white, brother. Pro white means anti black.” [55:21]
- Cultural Influence: “You copy us every step... Everything the lexicon changes because of us.” [55:50]
- Safe Blackness in Hollywood: Talks about the preference for "safe" Black actors and the challenge of speaking out.
9. Breakthroughs, Social Media & The Evolution of Comedy
[64:30 - 68:58]
- Turning Points: Booking the 7Up spokesperson role and spots on MTV were key milestones.
- No Side Jobs in NY: Supported himself through comedy alone.
- Parental Acceptance: Parents came to appreciate his career when they saw his success reflected on TV.
- Strategic Career Advice: Purposefully developed his act before showcasing impersonations, following his manager’s advice.
10. Dominating Social Media and Collaboration
[70:11 - 72:37]
- Social Media Success: Shouts out to King Bach, Renny, D-Storm, and others for embracing collaborative, viral humor.
- New Relevance: Embraced the new platforms, recognizing that “now we got this thing called a phone. And social media has changed the game.” [68:58]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On Surviving on a Budget:
“$12, and you make a bunch of it, and you can save it for a couple days, you make a pot of stuff... that's it.” — Godfrey [04:06] -
On Cooking Nigerian Food:
“Nigerian food, it takes a lot... My mother would cook all day... There’s a thing called puff puff... It takes a day.” — Godfrey [08:07] -
Advice from Steve Harvey:
“[Steve said:] Are you tired of splitting that shit? Cut his ass.” — Godfrey [19:38] -
Comedy & Authenticity:
“If you gonna come in my show and then open your mouth because you don't like something, you're gonna get smoked. I'm gonna dust you off real quick.” — Godfrey [26:36] -
On Identity and Cultural Struggles:
“Pro black don't mean anti white, brother. Pro white means anti black.” — Godfrey [55:21] -
On Social Media:
“Now we got this thing called a phone. And social media has changed the game. Ain't nobody fucking with tv, really.” — Godfrey [68:58]
Timestamps for Major Segments
| Timestamp | Segment | Description | |----------------|----------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------| | 02:33-06:15 | Introduction & Broke Meal | Selecting and cooking the affordable meal | | 06:18-09:16 | Nigerian food, culinary upbringing | Discusses heritage, Nigerian food, and immigrant culture | | 11:45-16:17 | Early independence & start in comedy | Moving out, ‘struggle meals,’ and comedic inspiration | | 18:45-21:42 | Going solo, industry advice | Leaving comedy duo, parental expectations, psychology | | 27:14-28:33 | NY vs. LA Comedy | Discussing reps, crowd diversity, and competitive edge | | 28:45-34:53 | Comedy style, hecklers, authenticity | Handling hecklers, pushing boundaries | | 39:15-48:39 | Moving to NY, Viola Davis roommate story | Life milestone, industry and racial reality | | 55:21-58:47 | Pro-black identity, safe Blackness | Cultural dynamics, industry critique | | 64:30-68:58 | Breakthroughs, family support, career strategy| Big breaks, advice on pacing your act | | 70:11-72:37 | Social media & collaboration | Viral sketches, relevance, cross-generational comedy | | 83:19-85:55 | Comedy specials | Overview of Godfrey’s specials, crowd-funding | | 92:41-97:53 | Advice for aspiring comics | Career reflection, standup vs. sketch |
Final Thoughts & Advice
On Perseverance & Authenticity:
“Just love it. Don't just take up space. Get the fuck off the stage if you're just taking up space. Have some humility about the fucking craft.” — Godfrey [97:23]
On Building Skills:
“Practice your craft. Hone your craft. Really work your craft. It's a real craft. Because even me at my level, I still see the difficulty in it.” [96:42]
On Career Longevity:
“The money... But it’s a love. That’s where you see the love [in comedy].” [97:06]
Conclusion
This episode is a masterclass in realness—as Godfrey lays out the grind of comedy, the value of authenticity, cultural pride, and the ways food connects us to our roots. Both hilarious and inspiring, it’s a window into the soul of an artist who’s “eating while broke”—not just in the kitchen, but on the long, winding journey to comedic greatness.
Keep up with Godfrey:
- Instagram: @godfreycomic
- TikTok: @godfrey.funny
- Website: godfreylive.com
- Upcoming Special: Taped live at the Apollo – release date TBA
Listen to more "Eating While Broke" on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your shows!