Podcast Summary
Podcast: The Church of What's Happening Now: The New Testament
Episode: An Old School Christmas and Hanukkah Episode with Joey and Lee
Hosts: Joey Coco Diaz & Lee Syatt
Date: December 23, 2025
Episode Overview
In this old school holiday special, Joey “Coco” Diaz and Lee Syatt broadcast live from NYC, catching up on life, reflecting on changes from the past year, and bringing their signature blend of comedy, nostalgia, and real talk to the table. They dig deep into traditions, man-code discipline, how social media has changed culture, and the value of living life on your own terms. It's an episode about honesty, hard-earned wisdom, and the joy of finding your own path—holiday-style.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
Opening Banter: The Importance of Discipline, Old School Codes, and Wedding Week
- Joey welcomes listeners with his usual humor and musical references, joking about classic tunes getting stuck in his head. (00:00–01:14)
- Lee talks about his upcoming wedding week, poking fun at his green tuxedo and culture clash, while Joey riffs on wedding attire, never wearing sandals, and his “code” about personal rules.
- Notable exchange:
- Lee: "I gotta make sure I fit into the tux."
- Joey: "Dog, I'm coming in there with a gas mask on..." (02:22)
- Notable exchange:
- Joey emphasizes living with a sense of personal discipline—rules about what to do or eat, and never deviating from them out of principle. (03:26–06:57)
- “There’s got to be a code to your life... You just have to pick things and test yourself.” – Joey (03:03)
The Value of Rules, Standing Your Ground, and Sticking to What Makes You Feel Right
- Joey shares his “disciplines,” like never eating certain foods or wearing sandals, and the deeper life lesson about not compromising your values, even in seemingly trivial matters.
- “Every time you deviate, you’re taking a beating in life somewhere else. You have to stick to something.” – Joey (05:22)
- Stories illustrate sticking to personal boundaries even at the cost of social opportunities or comfort (e.g. not eating Thai food, never snorting coke on New Year’s). (06:57)
- On life choices: being a man means standing for something—even if that means not going along with the crowd.
Social Media, Modern Culture & Raising Kids in a Changed World
- Joey and Lee share perspectives on how Instagram and the Internet have changed the culture, criticizing performative lifestyles, fleeting trends, and lack of authenticity.
- “We’re creating more billy goats than ever.” – Joey on the impact of social media and trends (11:55)
- “The youth today... we’re so stuck on our phones... we take the phone out to tape it. Stop it. You’re not going to watch it later.” - Joey (15:47)
- Joey discusses parenting challenges: seeing his daughter copy online trends and feeling disconnected from his own childhood, which was more independent and less influenced by trends. (12:46–13:53)
Personal Change, Health & Recovery, and Cutting Toxins Out
- Joey shares his experience of being hospitalized multiple times in 2025 and the resulting life changes—no computer in the morning, healthier habits, better self-care, eliminating negative connections.
- “I eliminated like eight people out of my life... wasn’t going nowhere.” – Joey (19:14)
- Emphasizes the discipline required to heal, avoid negative thoughts, and focus on meaningful routines for both mental and physical health.
- “I don’t have anything weighing me down no more, nor intrusive fucking thoughts.” (19:52)
Reflections on Work, Life Paths, and Societal Expectations
- Joey unpacks the rapid pace of life, how tradition has shifted, and the trap of following conventional paths just to end up unfulfilled.
- “You work all your life, they give you a watch, and a year later you’re shoveling snow and die in your driveway at 66. What the fuck was the glamour of that?” – Joey (31:09)
- Encourages living for yourself, reminding listeners that “there’s no debtors prison” and that conforming for security can mean missing out on authentic happiness or fulfillment. (32:13)
The “Happiness” Question and Embracing an Unconventional Life
- Joey and Lee banter about what happiness means, with Joey contrasting fleeting pleasures with deeper fulfillment.
- “Everybody talks about... be happy. I know what makes you happy. You know what makes me happy? Snorting coke and holding my knees like that and some chick sticking a tongue up my ass. That’s what makes me happy.” – Joey (34:01)
- Discussion about not being afraid to be yourself, setting boundaries in personal relationships, and why Joey chose stand-up: for freedom, not just money or women. (36:25–36:56)
Commitment to the Craft, Growth in Comedy, and Discipline
- Joey and Lee discuss the seriousness of pursuing stand-up comedy: how it demands commitment, self-honesty, and perseverance through difficult stretches.
- “You see them, they all drop off. They just drop off like flies. Because... if you want to be good at it, it’s a fucking commitment.” – Joey on comedy (45:18)
- Lee shares his personal experiences with growth in stand-up, learning to adapt his set to different crowds, and the satisfaction of improvement. (56:18)
The Lasting Message: Do What You Love, Even if It’s Unconventional
- Joey closes with heartfelt advice:
- “I’d rather you be broke and be happy... My mission was just to do what the fuck you want to do, dude.” (41:44–41:58)
- The episode ends with the message to find your own path and not settle for “work” that feels soul-crushing, as well as a call to reflect at year’s end on what truly brings joy and meaning.
- “If you love your job... it’s already 12 o’clock, I haven’t even got my day started yet.” – Joey (63:24)
Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)
- “There’s got to be a code to your life... You just have to pick things and test yourself.” – Joey (03:03)
- “Every time you deviate, you’re taking a beat in life, you’re losing in life somewhere else.” – Joey (05:22)
- “We’re creating more billy goats than ever.” – Joey (11:55)
- “I have changed my life. I moved so many pieces around and one of the pieces I moved was no computer in the morning.” – Joey (17:12)
- “I eliminated like eight people out of my life... wasn’t going nowhere.” – Joey (19:14)
- “You work all your life, they give you a watch, and a year later you’re shoveling snow and die in your driveway at 66. What the fuck was the glamour of that?” – Joey (31:09)
- “Everybody talks about...be happy. I know what makes you happy. You know what makes me happy? ...That’s what makes me happy.” – Joey (34:01)
- “My mission was just to do what the fuck you want to do, dude.” – Joey (41:44)
- “You see them, they all drop off. ...if you want to be good at it, it’s a fucking commitment.” – Joey on stand-up (45:18)
- “If you love your job... it’s already 12 o’clock, I haven’t even got my day started yet.” – Joey (63:24)
Important Segments by Timestamp
- 00:00–01:14 — Opening banter, songs, holiday mood
- 03:00–06:57 — The importance of discipline and sticking to your “code”
- 11:15–15:18 — Social media, modern culture, and the performative nature of today’s youth
- 16:31–19:52 — Joey’s post-hospital lifestyle changes, self-care, and eliminating negative influences
- 31:09–34:01 — Reflections on conventional life vs. choosing your own adventure
- 41:44–45:18 — The true definition of success and happiness, why “doing what you love” matters
- 56:18–59:28 — Lee’s comedy growth story and Joey on the joy of getting better, staying disciplined
- 63:03–63:55 — Finding fulfillment at work versus feeling stuck or bored
- 69:13–End — Holiday wishes and episode wrap-up
Tone & Style
Joey and Lee bring their signature blend of East Coast bluntness, humor bordering on the outrageous, and deeply honest self-reflection. The conversation shifts seamlessly between raunchy comedy, old school wisdom, and heartfelt encouragement for living authentically, not settling for less, and finding joy—even when it means breaking from convention.
Summary Prepared For:
Anyone curious about Joey Diaz’s philosophy on life, the realities of a creative (and sometimes messy) path, or simply in search of unapologetic holiday humor with a dose of real talk.