Transcript

Brian Greene (0:01)

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Summary

The Commercial Break – TCB Infomercial: Nacho Redondo

Episode Date: October 21, 2025
Host: Brian Greene
Guest: Nacho Redondo (comedian, podcaster, part of Escuela de Nada / EDN)

Overview

This episode features a long-form, hilarious, and at times deeply introspective conversation between Brian Greene and Venezuelan comedian/podcaster Nacho Redondo. Nacho, best known for co-hosting the phenomenally popular Spanish-language podcast "Escuela de Nada" (EDN), opens up about his stand-up tour "Traumas," the show's resonance with the Venezuelan diaspora, the responsibility of comedy, parasocial fame, and balancing creative drive with personal well-being.

Chrissy Hoadley, Bryan’s usual co-host, is notably absent due to a scheduling conflict, so the format leans hard into two-comic chemistry: insightful, darkly funny, and genuinely relatable banter around comedy, mental health, and the life-changing power of podcasting.

Main Themes

The origin and explosive growth of Escuela de Nada (EDN)
Comedy and trauma: Nacho’s approach to stand-up as group catharsis
The Venezuelan experience and diaspora
Navigating parasocial relationships and boundaries with listeners
The grind, privilege, and pitfalls of life on tour
Creative discipline vs. burnout
The enduring, unpredictable impact of podcasting

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Magic & Mission of EDN

Origins & Chemistry
- Background: Nacho and his co-hosts (Leo, Chris) were all part of Venezuela's comedy scene, working at Plop (a comedy writing hub akin to The Onion’s offices), and found themselves together in Mexico City after fleeing difficult conditions at home.
- Natural Chemistry: They attribute their show's explosive popularity to their organic, deep-rooted rapport:
  
  “Our chemistry is really unheard of... we've done Escuela de Nada for almost eight years uninterrupted. Those two guys are the people who I spend the most time with in my life.” —Nacho (70:36)
Cultural Touchstone for Venezuelan Exiles
- Bryan comments on how EDN fills a longing for "a little bit of home" among the Venezuelan diaspora.
  
  “It feels like three guys, three personalities that we all know from our lives... tuning in to a little bit of home.” —Bryan (75:51)
- Nacho describes the resonance:
  
  “That's the most common message we get... You are the Venezuelan kitchen with my friends... it just managed to connect with people who felt alone in the process of being new to a country.” (75:43, 76:19)
The Show Outgrows Its Hosts:
- Both note how the podcast took on a life of its own, independent of their original intentions or even personalities:
  
  “...the commercial break is a thing in and of itself and it almost has nothing to do with us anymore. I mean it is us, but it's like it's a thing and people turn it on and they rely on it and they want it and they like it.” —Bryan (79:06) “It's bigger than us... once the time comes to have that conversation for real, we have to respect it as it is. It’s bigger than us.” —Nacho (80:57)

Comedy, Trauma & Empathy

The Concept Behind “Traumas”
- Nacho’s current stand-up special “Traumas” invites audience members to share their most difficult personal stories, blending catharsis, connection, and comedy:
  
  “The show is about sharing and integrating the trauma into your current life and understanding that it doesn’t define who you are... but actually makes you even more connected to who you are.” —Nacho (17:26)
- The structure is carefully designed with the aid of his therapist and psychiatrist stepfather to nurture, not harm:
  
  “...my therapist and stepfather is a psychiatrist... she was able to let me understand the signals that make me understand if I had to dig deeper or just step back in the most elegant way.” —Nacho (24:21)
- He gives examples of stories that have come up—some tragic, others darkly funny, all deeply affecting:
  
  “One guy... Venezuelan kid... found a body inside a piece of luggage.” —Nacho (22:17)
- Responsible boundaries:
  
  “The guy from EDN is not your therapist. You need to go see someone about that.” —Bryan (23:55)
- The burden of listening:
  
  “Seeing it from a point of view directly from the person who’s a victim... it really saddens you in a way that’s very specific and very humanizing. You start to be more empathetic.” —Nacho (28:21)

The Parasocial Reality, Fame, and Fan Boundaries

Nacho is frank about managing his boundary with fans and the illusion of friendship:

“Remember, I’m your imaginary internet friend. So treat me as a stranger because I am.” —Nacho (34:48) “I've seen it with my partners... people come in like 'Hey, what’s up you little idiot?' and I’m like, 'Do you understand that we don’t know each other?'” —Nacho (35:54)
Both agree about the dangers of biting the “fame cookie”—the most successful comics tend to be the most humble, and the striving ones, ironically, the most standoffish.

On Comedy, Influences, and Contemporary Observational Power

Nacho’s earliest comedic influences:

“Jim Carrey and Leslie Nielsen... I rented those movies like I was sick. It was a sickness.” —Nacho (46:51)
- Reverence for physical and deadpan comedy, especially the classic “Naked Gun” films.
Favorite modern comedians:
- Matt Rife (remarkable evolution in writing and crowd work)
- Anthony Jeselnik (“best joke writer in the world for me”), Louis C.K., Dave Chappelle (“a religious experience”), Bill Burr.
- “Comedians that take themselves too seriously are dangerous because... the nature of our job is to be a cynic.” —Nacho (38:36)
The unique observational (almost ‘last word’) power that comedians now wield in the political and cultural sphere, for better or worse:

“Reality has become so absurd that the guys who have the observational power... are the ones who have the last word.” —Nacho (41:02)

The Unrelenting Grind & Its Costs

On Tour Life and Burnout:
- Nacho gets candid about the psychological cost of doing 120–150 shows a year, sometimes five times in one city, and how “a serious mental breakdown” nearly upended his career and marriage:
  
  “I was about to get a divorce...about to leave Squad...I was very, very...I’m a workaholic. That’s my only problem.” —Nacho (89:03) “I shut down for a while...I (finally) understood what it’s like to wake up at 3am...not knowing which city I was in.” —Nacho (91:26)
Stresses of creative work and the self-imposed pressure to keep producing:

“That kind of pressure, with no structure around it...is unique. Some people can do it, some people can’t. It also can make us a little insensitive to those around us.” —Bryan (94:40)

EDN’s Relentless Discipline

The show has never missed a deadline in seven years, with over 1,000 episodes.

“It’s not successful because we’re talented, which we are, but...the discipline and...professionalism is impregnated in the project. And that’s why it’s successful.” —Nacho (86:25)

The Venezuela Question & “Homecoming” Show

The possibility of an EDN homecoming show in Venezuela:

“No, I do not negotiate with Chavistas...No government is a friend of mine. Comedians are always opposing power.” —Nacho (101:49) “Once Venezuela gets freed—which is going to happen eventually...we’re definitely gonna do it. Both shows are happening in Caracas and the rest of Venezuela much earlier than we think.” —Nacho (104:00)
The bittersweet longing for a simple home set:

“…I envy in the most healthy way that you can go and do a show in your hometown, like a big show, and sit in your bed. That’s something so stupid to imagine but at the same time, so symbolic.” —Nacho (104:43)

The Enduring Gratitude

Nacho frequently circles back to gratitude for being in the “miracle” position of doing what he does at this scale:

“We are the product of a miracle...we were at the precise moment and said the precise words to make people come into our ship. I’m so grateful for that…it feels weird. I’m not comfortable being that person who’s responsible to entertain so many people.” —Nacho (85:58)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Comedy and Trauma:

“...we laugh about it...it’s not bullying or shaming, because people tend to feel the show could go that route – it’s the complete opposite.” —Nacho (19:34)
On Boundaries:

“Remember, I’m a man. I’m your imaginary internet friend. So treat me as a stranger, because I am...” —Nacho (34:48)
On Success:

“My dream was a lot smaller. I traveled the world with my friends...the shows are full...what the f*!k?” —Nacho (85:47)
On Fellow Comedians:

“When a comedian in particular...bites on the fame cookie, that’s weird because the nature of our job is to be a cynic...if you take yourself that seriously...you’re an idiot.” —Nacho (37:24)
Explaining the Impact of EDN:

“People come and go...and it’s a little club. Maybe they pass away, maybe they have a big family. For whatever reason, Escuela de Nada is tattooed on their lives. It’s so weird for me to have that impact on someone’s life just talking with my friends.” —Nacho (78:31)

Timestamps for Key Segments

[16:50] – Traumas tour and interactive comedy structure
[19:34] – How trauma is handled on stage, audience reactions
[21:02] – Wildest audience-shared trauma story: suitcase in Portugal
[24:21] – Ethics, boundaries, and professional input behind the show
[31:00] – Nacho on empathizing with strangers
[34:47] – Managing boundaries with fans/parafriendships
[38:20] – Fame “cookie”: Humility vs. ego in comedy
[41:02] – Comedians and the contemporary culture/politics “last word”
[46:51] – Early comedic influences (Carrey, Leslie Nielsen)
[49:24] – Modern favorite comedians, love for physical comedy
[58:08] – On Dane Cook, Matt Rife, and evolving comedic styles
[68:06] – Origins of EDN in the Venezuela comedy scene
[75:43] – EDN as home for displaced Venezuelans
[80:57] – “It’s bigger than us”—The burden & gift of a ‘living’ show
[85:58] – The “miracle” and responsibility of their success
[89:03] – Burnout and psychological toll of touring
[101:36] – Is a Venezuela/Caracas homecoming show possible?
[104:43] – The longing to bring his comedy home

Tone and Language

The episode embodies TCB’s signature “cheesecake factory of comedy podcast” energy: high-velocity banter, irreverent and self-aware humor, peppered with deep, authentic discussion about vulnerability, legacy, and the messy business of being a creative. Both host and guest drop f-bombs, “shoot the shit,” and riff in both English and a bit of Spanglish, mirroring the fluid cultural realities of their worlds.

Final Thoughts

This is a rich, open-hearted glimpse behind the curtain with a rising international comedy star who remains grounded, grateful, and fiercely principled. Listeners of all backgrounds—comedy fans, Venezuelan ex-pats, or anyone building something from scratch—will find a mix of laughs, insight, and inspiration.

For Nacho's standup, show links, or details on EDN and upcoming tours (mainly in Spanish), see the show notes or visit nachored.com.