Podcast Summary: "I've Still Got Problems"
The Church of What's Happening Now: The New Testament
Hosts: Joey Coco Diaz & Lee Syatt
Release Date: October 1, 2024

1. Navigating Religious Holidays and Personal Beliefs (00:01 – 04:23)

The episode opens with Joey Diaz and Lee Syatt discussing various religious holidays, particularly focusing on Jewish observances like Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Joey humorously downplays the solemnity of these traditions:

Joey Diaz (00:23): "At the end of the day, all that shit's kind of, like, blasé. But you just roll through the punches."

Lee contemplates the somber nature of Yom Kippur compared to Rosh Hashanah, remarking on the introspective aspect of seeking forgiveness.

The conversation shifts to personal spirituality versus organized religion. Joey expresses his affinity for borrowing elements from multiple faiths, emphasizing a more fluid, state-of-mind approach to belief systems:

Joey Diaz (02:24): "But I'm Catholic, and I also love the Catholic religion. I love a lot of Judaism stuff. It's like, I like to borrow from different things and put one together."

2. Building Community Connections through Everyday Interactions (04:23 – 12:56)

Joey and Lee delve into the importance of community, sharing anecdotes about interacting with busboys and waitstaff. Joey highlights his strategy of connecting with service workers by speaking Spanish, fostering genuine relationships beyond superficial interactions:

Joey Diaz (07:09): "Sometimes I just talk Spanish to people. I feel, like, international."

Lee praises Joey's ability to make these connections effortlessly, noting how Joey's approach breaks down barriers and builds camaraderie.

3. Embracing Cannabis Culture and Business Insights (12:56 – 37:39)

The discussion transitions to cannabis, with Joey sharing his experiences and endorsements of cannabis-infused products. He introduces "Diet Smoke," a premium cannabis gummy brand, highlighting its balanced effects:

Joey Diaz (15:07): "The chocolate moose... I just took one bite of this chocolate mousse, and I felt like I was 22."

Joey critiques the current landscape of cannabis dispensaries, comparing successful immigrant-run stores to larger, less personal operations. He reminisces about high-profile clients like the late Ralphie May:

Joey Diaz (37:43): "He bought everything. Like if the weed was the strongest, he'd get. Give me all of it, man."

The conversation underscores the challenges and triumphs within the cannabis industry, emphasizing community support and personalized service.

4. Stand-Up Comedy: Overcoming Fear and Embracing Growth (37:39 – 61:05)

Joey reflects on his tumultuous experiences in stand-up comedy, including instances where he was booed off stage due to personal struggles with addiction:

Joey Diaz (61:05): "Fear is good. What are you laughing about? I farted. I took a whiff."

He shares insights on managing fear in comedy, advocating for authenticity and letting performances flow naturally without overburdening oneself with self-criticism.

Lee discusses his own comedic journey, expressing excitement about headlining shows and the mutual support between the hosts. Joey emphasizes the evolving nature of comedy specials, suggesting shorter, more frequent segments to match audience attention spans:

Joey Diaz (44:28): "I'd rather you put three 20-minute segments up. That's 60 minutes. Nobody's not saying you got an hour."

5. Personal Reflections and Future Plans (61:05 – 80:06)

The hosts delve into personal growth, with Joey opening up about past fears and the transformative role of serious hobbies like Jiu Jitsu in rekindling his passion for comedy. He expresses gratitude towards Lee for revitalizing his enthusiasm:

Joey Diaz (65:41): "But no. So I'm happy you're here."

Joey announces upcoming live shows, including a residency at Parks Casino in Philadelphia, and discusses the logistics of performing while managing personal habits:

Joey Diaz (52:32): "I'm putting together four shows, three in 2025 and one in 2024... It's going to be a great night."

Lee shares his own experiences with headlining and expresses pride in Joey's resilience and dedication to the craft. The conversation concludes with mutual support and plans for future episodes, reinforcing the strong friendship and collaborative spirit between the hosts.

Notable Quotes:

• Joey Diaz (00:23): "At the end of the day, all that shit's kind of, like, blasé. But you just roll through the punches."
• Joey Diaz (02:24): "But I'm Catholic, and I also love the Catholic religion. I love a lot of Judaism stuff. It's like, I like to borrow from different things and put one together."
• Joey Diaz (07:09): "Sometimes I just talk Spanish to people. I feel, like, international."
• Joey Diaz (15:07): "The chocolate moose... I just took one bite of this chocolate mousse, and I felt like I was 22."
• Joey Diaz (37:43): "He bought everything. Like if the weed was the strongest, he'd get. Give me all of it, man."
• Joey Diaz (61:05): "Fear is good. What are you laughing about? I farted. I took a whiff. Everything is beautiful."
• Joey Diaz (65:41): "But no. So I'm happy you're here."

This episode offers a blend of humor, personal anecdotes, and insightful discussions on religion, community, cannabis culture, and the intricacies of stand-up comedy. Joey Diaz and Lee Syatt provide listeners with an authentic glimpse into their lives, challenges, and aspirations, making "I've Still Got Problems" a relatable and engaging listen for fans and newcomers alike.