Podcast Summary: "A Good Story Never Dies with T.J. English"
Podcast Information:
- Title: The Church of What's Happening Now: The New Testament
- Host/Author: Joey Coco Diaz
- Description: Joey Diaz (comedian, actor, and New York Times Bestselling author) and Lee Syatt discuss life, comedy, and everything in between on this weekly NYC-based podcast.
- Episode: A Good Story Never Dies with T.J. English
- Release Date: April 15, 2025
1. Disastrous Dining Experience at P.F. Chang's
[00:00 - 03:00]
The episode kicks off with Joey Diaz recounting his recent disappointing meal at P.F. Chang's. His usual order, the Szechuan beef and hot and sour soup, did not meet his expectations.
- Joey Diaz: "We just ate bread. We're hungry. All right, let's go P Chang." [00:00]
- Joey Diaz: "They poured like 2,000 gallons of that Asian dressing on. I got a headache." [01:22]
His frustration mounts as he describes the absence of his favorite dishes, leading to an unsatisfactory dining experience for his family.
2. Parenting Challenges and a Canceled Middle School Game
[03:00 - 07:00]
Joey shares a stressful week involving attending his daughter's middle school game that was abruptly canceled. The situation led to an unexpected and lengthy car ride with three 12-year-old girls.
- Joey Diaz: "That was the longest 30 minutes of my life. Three 12-year old girls do not shut the fuck up." [05:06]
- Joey Diaz: "I had the week from hell last week... But not really. This is the shit I live for." [05:06]
The anecdote highlights Joey's patience and the humorous chaos of parenting young adolescents.
3. Reflections on Testosterone Levels and Male Health
[13:00 - 15:00]
The conversation shifts to a concerning topic: declining testosterone levels among young men. Joey expresses his views on modern lifestyles and their impact on male health.
- Joey Diaz: "Men don't even have testosterone. Grown men have the lowest testosterone rates of all time." [09:03]
- Joey Diaz: "First of all, it was 44 bucks. Damn, they raised it. The fucking salt and pepper prawns were 31 and they were greasy." [01:22]
He discusses the societal changes contributing to this decline, such as sedentary lifestyles and poor dietary choices.
4. High-Tech Dentist Visit
[13:40 - 15:10]
Joey narrates a positive experience at a state-of-the-art dental clinic. The advanced technology and efficient service left a lasting impression.
- Joey Diaz: "I forgot thinking about the time I went to the dentist... It was fucking amazing." [13:40]
- Joey Diaz: "The guy's like, I gotta rip two teeth out. I gotta take medication the night before." [14:41]
He contrasts this with older dental practices, appreciating the modern advancements in dental care.
5. Air Conditioning Anecdotes
[15:10 - 21:00]
A humorous exchange about air conditioning preferences reveals Joey's strong opinions on maintaining cool environments versus relying on fans.
- Joey Diaz: "Put the fucking air on. When I'm gone, you can do whatever the fuck you want." [17:03]
- Lee Syatt: "It's my first full summer in New York." [20:43]
Their banter underscores the perennial debate over optimal cooling methods, especially during hot summer months.
6. Introduction of Guest T.J. English and His Work
[27:44 - 35:47]
The episode welcomes T.J. English, an esteemed author known for his works on jazz and organized crime. T.J. discusses his latest book, "The Last Kilo," which delves into the intricate relationships between jazz music and mafia activities.
- T.J. English: "The Last Kilo explores how jazz and organized crime intersected across major U.S. cities." [30:19]
- Lee Syatt: "It's awesome to have you here, T.J." [27:44]
T.J. elaborates on his research methodology, emphasizing the challenges of uncovering historical connections without firsthand accounts.
7. Stories of Cocaine and Criminal Enterprises
[35:47 - 78:17]
A significant portion of the episode features in-depth discussions about the cocaine trade, its historical context, and its portrayal in media and popular culture. T.J. shares compelling narratives from his research, highlighting key figures like Willie Falcone and Salma Gluta, who played pivotal roles in the Miami cocaine boom of the 1980s.
- T.J. English: "Willie Falcone and Salma Gluta created a sophisticated distribution network that spanned major U.S. cities." [66:27]
- Joey Diaz: "Cocaine was such a big marketing tool back in the day. It was everywhere." [96:18]
They explore the socio-political factors that fueled the cocaine epidemic, including connections to the anti-Castro movement and the CIA's involvement in funding the Contras.
- T.J. English: "Their operations were deeply intertwined with political agendas, using drug money to finance anti-Castro activities." [70:49]
The conversation also delves into the cultural impact of cocaine in the entertainment industry, with references to famous figures and tragic stories related to substance abuse.
- Joey Diaz: "Celebrities were doing coke, rock stars were doing coke, athletes were doing coke." [80:01]
8. Drug Culture in Comedy and Personal Experiences
[78:17 - 105:55]
Joey and T.J. discuss the pervasive influence of drugs, particularly cocaine, in the comedy scene and Joey’s personal battles with substance abuse. Joey recounts his early exposure to drugs, the normalization of cocaine in his environment, and the subsequent fallout.
- Joey Diaz: "From 1979 to 2007, I was fucking hooked." [105:15]
- T.J. English: "There’s a self-destructive tendency in the drug world that affects individuals and industries alike." [90:57]
Joey shares anecdotes about his youth, interactions with drug users, and the eventual repercussions of his addiction, providing a raw and honest look into the darker side of the comedy and entertainment industries.
- Joey Diaz: "One night, a guy gave me a capsule filled with cocaine for my future relationships." [101:20]
T.J. adds insights into the broader implications of drug culture on societal norms and personal relationships, emphasizing the lasting impact of addiction.
9. The Enduring Allure of Storytelling and Writing
[35:47 - 119:45]
The latter part of the episode shifts focus to the art of storytelling and writing. T.J. English discusses his process of writing historical crime novels, underscoring the importance of narrative structure and creative inspiration.
- T.J. English: "Storytelling is about weaving facts into a compelling narrative that resonates with readers." [45:07]
- Joey Diaz: "Writing is like a muscle. You have to keep it active." [50:29]
Joey reflects on his own writing habits, drawing parallels between stand-up comedy and crafting a narrative, and shares his challenges with authoring books while battling substance issues.
- Joey Diaz: "Sometimes a different perspective hits me, and a perfect story unfolds overnight." [47:35]
The discussion highlights the symbiotic relationship between personal experiences and creative expression, illustrating how life events can significantly influence one's writing.
- Joey Diaz: "Writing is isolated work, tuning the world out to create your own story." [58:13]
Notable Quotes:
- Joey Diaz: "A good story never dies." [Beginning]
- T.J. English: "Jazz and organized crime evolved hand in hand, shaping the cultural landscape of America." [30:19]
- Joey Diaz: "Everyone did it back in the day. It was a complete wave." [94:05]
Conclusion
In this episode of "The Church of What's Happening Now: The New Testament," Joey Diaz and Lee Syatt engage in a candid and wide-ranging conversation with author T.J. English. They explore the intersections of music, crime, personal struggles, and the enduring power of storytelling. Through humorous anecdotes and serious discussions, the episode offers listeners a multifaceted look into the complexities of life, addiction, and creative expression.
Note: Advertisements and promotional segments were omitted to focus on the core content of the discussion.