Podcast Summary: The Church of What's Happening Now: The New Testament

Episode: "It's about time"

Date: January 28, 2026
Hosts: Joey Diaz and Lee Syatt
Location: Live from NYC

OVERVIEW

In this wide-ranging episode, Joey Diaz and Lee Syatt dive into themes of time management, priorities, the realities of life on the road as a comedian, and the changing nature of fun and social obligations with age. Their trademark blend of humor, street wisdom, and brutal honesty colors explorations of weather fiascos, airport survival strategies, why comics need solitude, and the folly of wasting time on things that don't matter—whether that's queuing for pizza, festival tickets, or social obligations you don't actually want to fulfill. The episode is peppered with road stories, food rants, insights into personal growth, and the value of going for what you want before time runs out.

KEY DISCUSSION POINTS & INSIGHTS

1. Weather Woes & Travel as a Comic

• Discussion of recent snowstorms and how they impact travel for gigs. Joey and Lee swap stories about dodging blizzards, closely watching weather forecasts, and the contingency planning involved (00:03–06:19).
• Joey’s pro tips for travel:
  • "This is why you bring your own weed, your own edibles... your plane’s been delayed. God damn it." (05:28)
  • Never officially checkout of your hotel room until you're sure you're getting out (06:19–06:56).
  • When you’re stuck, don’t waste time at the airport—pull back to your hotel room for comfort.

2. Airport Survival and the Role of Lounges

• Lee talks about maximizing the Delta lounge privileges and the value of Admirals Club, especially during delays (07:23–07:57).
• Joey: "They said for 25 bucks you get the fucking Admirals Club, right? I said, tack it on. Beat the $9 water. It was beautiful." (07:42)

3. Hotel Room Rituals & Road Comforts

• The comfort of spending an unplanned day in bed with snacks, not feeling guilty about being lazy when on the road, and the quest for the perfect place to smoke in the hotel (08:05–10:32).
• "Smoking a joint in bed is probably the happiest I’ll ever be." – Lee (10:13)
• Vapor pens for indoor stealth, joints for outdoor use; importance of being prepared with weed accessories (10:32–10:59).

4. Mushrooms, Solitude, and Creative Recharge

• Lee shares mushroom trip stories and long hours soaking in hotel bathtubs during snowed-in weekends (11:08–12:44).
• Joey pivots to why comedians value solitude on the road as a part of the creative process and personal growth (12:55–14:28).
  • "That’s your time. That’s your time. When you get stuck on Sunday…you should love it because that’s part of the comic life." (13:13)

5. Why Comics Don’t Bring Loved Ones on Tour

• Both hosts insist that time on the road is sacred and should not be compromised by bringing spouses, girlfriends, or family (14:28–21:10).
• Joey: “Dog, I love pussy. Love it. But I don’t want it. Cause I gotta deal with you after the piece of pussy. And I want you out. I want you out. I don’t need you in the room when I’m writing...” (13:18)
• Non-comics don't understand the necessary focus and routine for performance; even dinner with the show organizers is a deal-breaker for Joey: "I’d rather lose the gig." (15:19)

6. Social Boundaries & Learning to Say No

• Joey discusses the challenge and growing necessity of saying “no” as he gets older and prioritizes family and self-care (23:58–34:15).
• "I’m older and I don’t have time for your stupid fucking event...I got a wife and a daughter, and they’re first. You get the scraps." (33:13)

7. The Economics & Value of Time

• Overarching theme: Stop wasting time on things that don’t matter:
  • Waiting for pizza, standing in lines, social events you aren’t excited about (41:10–41:36; numerous other rants).
  • "It’s an economic of time. What is your time worth?" (38:30)
• Questioning the value of experiences like expensive concerts or attending the Super Bowl (49:47–57:03).
• Joey: “If you go to these old concerts and you’re older than like...now you have the 20 year olds that are just confused...they don’t even listen to an album. They’ll just buy a $400 ticket and go and get a shirt without even enjoying the concert.” (63:05)

8. Regret, Making Changes, and Taking Chances

• Joey recounts getting his life together only in his 40s and regrets wasted time—drugs, crime, distractions (29:05–43:14).
• Encourages listeners to take chances instead of living a safe, unfulfilling life:
  • “God gave you this great life and you didn’t take a chance. …I want you to have a sense of adventure. I want you to know that life is a maze…keep rolling into those doors.” (71:09–71:48)
• The myth of waiting for a perfect time to make a move: “Life is what happens when you’re busy making plans…” — John Lennon, cited by Lee (72:32)

9. The Speed of Time & Facing Aging

• Reflections on how fast five, ten, thirty years can pass—don’t procrastinate your life plans (78:13–81:30).
• Joey: "30 years…I'm a regular at the Comedy Store…It seemed like yesterday." (80:30)

10. Defining (and Redefining) Fun

• Joey and Lee contrast youthful notions of “fun” (parties, coke, crazy nights) with the peace and satisfaction of being together, sharing food, or choosing solitude (84:19–91:38).
• "Define fun for me...Fun for me was snorting coke and looking out a window and being in debt and somebody looking for me...That was fun for me." (90:11)

NOTABLE QUOTES & MEMORABLE MOMENTS

• Joey on why he values solo travel as a comic:
  "It’s your time. That’s how you advance as a comic, not by bringing somebody in a room with you." (13:13)
• On saying no:
  "I said yes for so fucking long. At one point, you gotta go, I can’t do it. I’ll give you the money. I can’t drive you to Newark." (43:31)
• On losing (and recovering) time:
  "For years I tried to get time back to replace that. I can never replace that because then I had 29 years of coke." (40:29)
• On being honest about social obligations and aging:
  "I don’t like going to concerts no more…How many times can you see Mick Jagger? What are we doing?" (58:22)
• About regrets:
  "A life of regrets isn’t bad because at least you tried. What about somebody...who never took a chance? He never fucking took a chance..." (69:45)
• Re: The folly of waiting in lines (metaphor for life):
  "If you’re in the long line, just make the left. Take a gun and stick it in your mouth and shoot yourself. Because you took that left lane with all those cars in front of you. That means you’re a fucking follower." (46:14)
• On putting family and self first:
  "I’m older and I don’t have time for your stupid fucking event…and I don’t have time for your event. I’ve got a wife and daughter, they’re first. You get the scraps." (33:13)

TIMESTAMPS FOR IMPORTANT SEGMENTS

• 00:03–06:19 – Snowstorm travel adventures, Joey’s rules for road gigs
• 10:13 – Lee: "Smoking a joint in bed is probably the happiest I'll ever be."
• 12:55–14:28 – The importance of alone time for comics on the road
• 15:13–16:31 – Why Joey refuses pre/Post show social events
• 23:58–33:13 – Social boundaries, learning to say no, the economics of appearances
• 41:10–42:28 – Rant on wasting time waiting for pizza and similar pursuits
• 49:47–52:33 – The stupidity of waiting in line for food/chicken tenders/events
• 57:03–63:05 – Cost/benefit of concerts, nostalgia, and why so much is just a waste
• 69:45–72:32 – The importance of taking chances in life and giving your kids a sense of adventure
• 78:13–81:30 – How years pass; the dangers of letting time slip away

FINAL THOUGHTS / TAKEAWAYS

• Time is the one resource you can never get back. Joey and Lee use stories of road life, wasted years, and social pressures to urge listeners to take more chances, protect their alone time, and focus on experiences that actually bring fulfillment.
• The older you get, the more you must be intentional about where you put your time and whom you give it to.
• Fun changes over time—be honest with yourself about what you actually enjoy.
• Take risks, experience new things, but don’t become a sheep.

“Who gives a shit? At the end, nobody’s gonna remember that you failed—they’re gonna remember you didn’t do dick.”
— Joey Diaz (82:16)

Hosts’ Plugs: Joey at Dojo (Wed), St. George Theater Staten Island (Sat), Lee at Grizzly Pear (Thu) and Tiny Cupboard (Fri).
Closing: "Have a great week. We love you." (94:24)