Podcast Summary: "Kick that Mule Lee!"

Released on March 18, 2025

Hosts: Joey Coco Diaz and Lee Syatt
Podcast: The Church of What's Happening Now: The New Testament
Description: Comedian Joey Diaz and Lee Syatt engage in candid conversations about life, comedy, and personal experiences from their live sessions in NYC. This episode delves deep into their journeys, challenges, and insights gained over the years.

1. Episode Overview

In the episode titled "Kick that Mule Lee!", Joey Diaz and Lee Syatt engage in a raw and unfiltered discussion about their personal lives, career struggles, substance use, and the dynamics of the comedy industry. The conversation is marked by humor, introspection, and candid exchanges that offer listeners an intimate glimpse into the lives of two seasoned entertainers.

2. Personal Lives and Updates

Transition from LA to NYC: Joey Diaz recounts his experiences living in Los Angeles for 23 years, highlighting the challenges and burnout he faced. Lee Syatt shares his recent move to New York City, emphasizing the significant changes in his life over the past five years, especially post-pandemic.

• Lee Syatt (15:15): "Luckily, I'm like, it's like a thousand times better than I would have imagined."

Family and Relationship Insights: Joey emphasizes the importance of family, particularly his relationship with his daughter, which has become a central focus in his life post-move.

• Joey Diaz (26:03): "That's my rose. That's my rose. Where am I gonna go?"

3. Substance Use and Its Impact

Mushroom Consumption Debate: A heated discussion ensues between Joey and Lee regarding Lee's use of mushrooms. Joey accuses Lee of not properly dosing or being efficient with his consumption, leading to humorous yet tense exchanges.

• Joey Diaz (03:38): "I gave him two grams of mushrooms."
• Lee Syatt (05:48): "I've been taking at least not eight."
• Joey Diaz (05:09): "You're in training. You do that during the week."

Cessation of Smoking: Joey discusses his decision to quit smoking, attributing it to a desire for better health and being more present with his family. He reflects on his addiction and the changes it has brought to his daily routine.

• Joey Diaz (32:35): "I don't want to end up back in the hospital."

4. Transition from LA to NYC

Burnout and Relief: Joey shares his feelings of burnout from the relentless pace in LA and expresses relief upon moving to NYC. He highlights the differences in lifestyle and the newfound comfort of being closer to family.

• Joey Diaz (20:06): "I was burnt the fuck out, and I had no idea what it felt to be burnt out."

Challenges of Starting Anew: Lee discusses the difficulties of establishing himself in NYC's comedy scene compared to LA, where connections and networks played a significant role in his early career.

• Lee Syatt (15:28): "I was in the same apartment for six years and I wasn't really challenging myself."

5. Insights on the Comedy Industry

Industry Expectations and Realities: Joey delves into the misconceptions about how comedians gain fame, debunking the notion that platform appearances alone (e.g., on Joe Rogan) automatically lead to success. He emphasizes the importance of consistent work and skill development.

• Joey Diaz (51:37): "These are the same people that are coming to you in three years. I know what's going on in my business."

Control and Professionalism: A significant portion of the discussion revolves around the importance of maintaining control over one's material and professional boundaries within the comedy circuit.

• Joey Diaz (38:36): "But don't get on stage. I want you to fail, right? I want you to come with questions for me every week."

6. Advice on Building a Comedy Career

Persistence and Resilience: Joey imparts wisdom on the necessity of perseverance in the face of rejection and the importance of continuous performance to hone one's craft.

• Joey Diaz (85:01): "You bomb because you suck. Go home, have a roast beef sandwich and come back tomorrow and let's try this motherfucker again."

Preparation vs. Overthinking: Both hosts discuss the balance between being prepared and not overthinking performances. Joey stresses the value of spontaneous action over excessive planning.

• Joey Diaz (59:42): "A mindset, if you really fucking think about it."

7. Concluding Thoughts

The episode wraps up with Joey and Lee reflecting on their journeys, the lessons learned from their past, and the path forward. Joey emphasizes the importance of authenticity, continuous effort, and the unwavering pursuit of one's passion, while Lee shares his newfound confidence and the strategies he's adopting to grow in the NYC comedy scene.

• Joey Diaz (81:35): "If you're on commission, you gotta tell Mama we're not going to Parakeet Islands this year."

• Lee Syatt (79:30): "I have nowhere close to figuring out New York, but I'm further along today than I was in January when I really started."

Notable Quotes:

• Joey Diaz (05:07): "I eat everything quicker than you."

• Lee Syatt (15:28): "I was in the same apartment for six years and I wasn't really challenging myself."

• Joey Diaz (19:14): "But I was part of those fucking lineups and don't want."

• Joey Diaz (85:01): "You bomb because you suck. Go home, have a roast beef sandwich and come back tomorrow and let's try this motherfucker again."

• Joey Diaz (81:35): "If you're on commission, you gotta tell Mama we're not going to Parakeet Islands this year."

This episode offers a candid and humorous exploration of the personal and professional lives of Joey Diaz and Lee Syatt, providing valuable insights for aspiring comedians and individuals navigating similar life transitions.