TCB Infomercial: Phil Hanley

Summary

Podcast Title: The Commercial Break
Episode Title: TCB Infomercial: Phil Hanley
Release Date: July 22, 2025
Host: Bryan Green and Krissy Hoadley
Guest: Phil Hanley, Stand-Up Comedian

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Introduction

In this episode of The Commercial Break, hosts Bryan Green and Krissy Hoadley welcome stand-up comedian Phil Hanley for their Tuesday "TCB Infomercial" series. Known for his exceptional crowd work and deep connections within the comedy community, Phil shares his journey through comedy, his struggles with dyslexia, and his profound connection to the Grateful Dead.

Phil Hanley's Early Life and Education

Phil Hanley begins by discussing his early interest in music and comedy. Growing up in a small town akin to "a mini Detroit in Canada," Phil's exposure to the Grateful Dead was initially through older friends in college. Despite his early interest in heavy metal, he was drawn to the Dead, particularly after discovering that Bob Weir, the band's rhythm guitarist, was also dyslexic, creating a sense of camaraderie and inspiration for Phil.

Phil Hanley [11:05]: "I had older friends that went to college and they got me into all the live shows and stuff. But initially, I was really into heavy metal and then I heard of the Grateful Dead, and I was like, oh, these guys have to be so heavy. I was a little disappointed. But I started liking them when I was really, really young."

Dyslexia and Its Impact

A significant portion of the conversation delves into Phil's experience with dyslexia and how it shaped his life and career. Phil explains how dyslexia affects his ability to read, making it feel like encountering a foreign language.

Phil Hanley [12:28]: "I can't identify a symbol with a sound. So a non-dyslexic could see a last name or a street name or a word that you're introduced to and ballpark it and get pretty close. I'm like, no idea. It might as well be in another language."

Phil reflects on his challenging school years, where despite being socially intelligent and personable, he struggled academically, particularly with reading. This struggle led him to seek alternative forms of expression, ultimately steering him towards comedy.

Phil Hanley [14:01]: "I had the best, like, childhood. Kindergarten just killed it. Unbelievable. We walked out, it peaked. And then I arrived in the first grade, and yeah, everyone started reading and I was just like..."

Comedy Career Beginnings

Phil recounts his start in comedy in Vancouver, Canada, inspired by comedians like Zach Galifianakis. Despite the geographical distance from major comedy hubs like New York City, Phil was determined to make a mark in the comedy scene.

Phil Hanley [19:02]: "I started comedy in Vancouver with the dream of making it to the Comedy Cellar. It seemed so far away, but I stayed persistent, writing and performing every day."

Development of Crowd Work

One of Phil's standout traits is his ability to engage the audience through crowd work. He explains how this skill developed out of necessity, particularly when performing at smaller gigs with limited material.

Phil Hanley [26:52]: "I developed crowd work because I wanted something to happen on stage beyond my material. It became a crucial part of my act, allowing me to improvise and keep the performance dynamic."

Phil shares anecdotes about dealing with hecklers and how these interactions have honed his ability to think on his feet and maintain control of his performances.

Phil Hanley [28:07]: "I do try to approach hecklers nicely, but sometimes things escalate. It was a learning experience that taught me the importance of handling disruptions gracefully."

Influence of Grateful Dead

Phil's admiration for the Grateful Dead goes beyond their music; he draws parallels between their improvisational style and his own approach to comedy. This section of the conversation highlights how the band's ethos of creativity and community has profoundly influenced his career and personal philosophy.

Phil Hanley [35:58]: "The Grateful Dead's improvisation inspired my comedy. Just like their shows, I strive for each performance to be unique and engaging."

Phil discusses attending Dead shows, including the Sphere event and the 60th anniversary celebration, emphasizing how these experiences continue to fuel his creativity and connect him with like-minded individuals.

Phil Hanley [47:20]: "Seeing Dead and Co in San Francisco was phenomenal. The energy and community are unmatched, and it's a testament to the band's enduring legacy."

Social Media and Career Growth

Phil reflects on the role of social media in expanding his fan base and enhancing his comedic reach. Initially reluctant, he embraced online platforms to share his crowd work clips, which helped him gain recognition without sacrificing his material's originality.

Phil Hanley [22:12]: "Posting crowd work clips online allowed me to connect with a broader audience while keeping my live performances fresh and original."

Personal Relationships and Family

A heartfelt part of the interview explores Phil's relationship with his family, particularly his parents, who played a pivotal role in nurturing his comedic talents. His father valued humor over academic achievements, fostering an environment where Phil could thrive creatively.

Phil Hanley [42:33]: "My parents always celebrated my humor. My dad is really funny, and my mom is the greatest straight man. It was crucial for my confidence as a comedian."

Philosophical Insights

Phil shares his philosophical views on creativity and performance, likening the flow of comedy to a meditative state. He discusses how being in the moment on stage allows him to channel creativity seamlessly.

Phil Hanley [44:32]: "When I'm on stage, it's like the flow just comes through me. It's a magical experience that enhances both my performance and personal growth."

Tribute to Grateful Dead

Towards the end of the episode, Phil and the hosts pay tribute to the Grateful Dead, highlighting their unparalleled contribution to American music and community-building. Phil expresses admiration for the band's ability to continuously evolve and inspire future generations.

Phil Hanley [50:41]: "The Grateful Dead incorporated every aspect of American music and created a community that will last forever. Their influence is truly unmatched."

Closing Remarks

The episode concludes with Phil expressing his gratitude for being on the show and discussing his upcoming tours in Europe and North America. The hosts encourage listeners to support Phil by attending his shows and following his work.

Phil Hanley [56:10]: "Thank you for having me. I'm excited to continue touring and connecting with audiences everywhere."

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Notable Quotes

• Phil Hanley on Dyslexia:
  "I can't identify a symbol with a sound. So a non-dyslexic could see a last name or a street name or a word that you're introduced to and ballpark it and get pretty close. I'm like, no idea. It might as well be in another language."
  [12:28]

• Phil Hanley on Comedy Development:
  "I developed crowd work because I wanted something to happen on stage beyond my material. It became a crucial part of my act, allowing me to improvise and keep the performance dynamic."
  [26:52]

• Phil Hanley on Grateful Dead Influence:
  "The Grateful Dead's improvisation inspired my comedy. Just like their shows, I strive for each performance to be unique and engaging."
  [35:58]

• Phil Hanley on Family Support:
  "My parents always celebrated my humor. My dad is really funny, and my mom is the greatest straight man. It was crucial for my confidence as a comedian."
  [42:33]

• Phil Hanley on Creativity:
  "When I'm on stage, it's like the flow just comes through me. It's a magical experience that enhances both my performance and personal growth."
  [44:32]

Conclusion

This episode of The Commercial Break offers an intimate look into Phil Hanley's life, highlighting how his personal challenges and passions have shaped his unique comedic style. Phil's dedication to his craft, combined with his advocacy for mental health and dyslexia awareness, makes for a compelling and inspiring conversation. Listeners gain valuable insights into the resilience and creativity required to succeed in the competitive world of stand-up comedy.

For more information on Phil Hanley, including his upcoming shows and book, visit philhanley.com.

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Transcript

[Sponsor]

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[Brian Green]

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[Chris Hoadley]

I'm a forensic analyst.

[Brian Green]

A forensic analyst. Okay, cool. I dabble a little bit. I watch the show. Right. Did you go to college?

[Chris Hoadley]

Four years.

[Brian Green]

Four. That. That's it. I thought you'd have to go back from. You know what I mean? You're like a doctor of the dead, dude. Not.

[Chris Hoadley]

Not that kind of forensic.

[Brian Green]

No. What kind of forensics?

[Chris Hoadley]

Audio, video.

[Brian Green]

Oh, never mind, dude.

[Chris Hoadley]

All right.

[Brian Green]

I thought it was, you know what I mean, audio forensics. Someone's like, this radio's not working. Don't worry. I aced finals. It's unplugged.

[Chris Hoadley]

On this episode of the commercial break. That's a real hurdle in life. I can imagine. And so what gets you through that when you're young is that I'm sure that that's like a. A.

[Brian Green]

It was like, I had the best, like, childhood kindergarten just killed it. Unbelievable.

[Chris Hoadley]

Kindergarten was your. That's your high water mark.

[Brian Green]

We walked out, it peaked. And then I arrived in the first grade and yeah, like Everyone started reading and I was just like so like, it was like all of a sudden from like the first grade it just became like this like Dickens play where it was like Oliver was so dark and you didn't know. Now, I mean it's like completely. It's like a positive thing to be dyslexic.

[Chris Hoadley]

The next episode of the commercial break starts now.

[Brian Green]

Oh yeah.

[Chris Hoadley]

Cats and kittens. Welcome back to the commerc break. I'm Brian Green. This is my dear friend and the co host of this show, Chris and Joy Hoadley. Best to you, Chris.

[Joy Hoadley]

Best to you, Brian.

[Chris Hoadley]

Best to you out there in the podcast universe. How the hell are you? Thanks for joining us on a TCP infomercial Tuesday with a personal favorite, stand up comedian, Phil Hanley.

[Joy Hoadley]

Yes, I can't wait.

[Chris Hoadley]

Very excited about this one. Phil has been around for a long time. He is one of those comics who is noted by other comics as their favorite. And I'm interested to ask him about that because when your heroes then denote you as their hero, I wonder what that feels like. It must feel good.

[Joy Hoadley]

Plus he's a Deadhead.

[Chris Hoadley]

Plus he's a Deadhead. And we're never gonna, we're never gonna hate on a Deadhead here. Like an OG Deadhead.

[Joy Hoadley]

Yes.

[Chris Hoadley]

Not like a John Mayer fan who then became a Deadhead because John Mayer's in the band. No shade on John Mayer. He plays a wonderful guitar. He's a virtuoso, if you don't mind, Kristen, but that's not a real Deadhead. A real Deadhead is a Jerry Deadhead. Like a Deadhead from way back in the day. Or you got turn to the Grateful Dead in its original format. And I have a feeling the Grateful Dead is going to be one of those bands that iterates and iterates.

[Joy Hoadley]

I think so for sure there's going.

[Chris Hoadley]

To be some lineage of the Grateful Dead playing infinitum for sure. Like the children of the Grateful. The grandchildren of somebody in the Grateful Dead. Somebody's going to continue this on forever and ever. Maybe John Mayer will be that guy. Maybe when the older folks kind of pack it in or pack it up, then John takes it to a new place. Anyway, I'm excited to ask Phil about all of this. He is also an advocate for mental health and specifically dyslexia, which I'd like to talk to him about. Also he's got a book, it's called Spellbound My Life as a Dyslexic Wordsmith. And so if you want to Check that out. Please do. I'll put all of the social handles. Also, Phil is going to be somebody you recognize because I think he has made the art of crowd work very popular on social media. He's like one of the original people doing this in the current format that we're all so familiar with. Like, crowd work is social media standup. If you're not doing crowd work, you're not doing social media. Stand up, I guess, is the best way to put it. It's so popular and this gets all the clicks and all the views. I mean, there are certainly stand up comics who put just their stand up comedy out there. But that crowd work, people love it when the crowd gets involved.

[Joy Hoadley]

Oh, yeah. It's kind of part of the show.

[Chris Hoadley]

For a lot of people. It is. And Phil is so good at this. It's like he's working a muscle that is bigger than the rest of ours. And I don't want to be specific about which muscle because we can all point that out on Brian. Okay, shut up. Anyway, all of Phil's information down in the show notes below, we're going to talk to Phil about all of it. But first, Chrissy. And unfortunately, we have to do what we always do, which is take a short break. And then through the magic of tele podcasting, Phil Hanley will be right here in this studio on our television, a thousand miles away from some exotic location. Calling in just to talk to you and I doesn't make you feel special?

[Joy Hoadley]

It does, yeah. It gives me a little pep in the step.

[Chris Hoadley]

It's the only thing I have to look forward to in my life. It's when somebody comes on our tv.

[Joy Hoadley]

Our brush.

[Chris Hoadley]

Our brush with fame. Yes. Our brush with someone else who is more wealthy, more famous and better looking than us. Phil Hanley, all of those things. We'll take a break and we'll be back.

[Rachel]

Okay. You're probably wondering why I, Rachel, have taken over the voice duties at tcb. It's pretty simple. Astrid asked me to shut Brian up, even for a minute. Well, lovely Astrid, your wish is my command. Do you want to help Astrid too? You know you do. Leave a message for her or me or Chrissy at 212-4333. TCB. That's 212-433-3822. You can be on the show, too. Just call and say something, anything. Or text us and we'll text you right back. Promise. Then head over to tcbpodcast.com and get your free sticker. It's your constitutional right. To a sticker. And we must abide. You get the point. Follow us on Instagram at the commercial break and watch all the episodes on [e-mail] thecommercial break. Best to you and Astrid. Especially Astrid.

[Chris Hoadley]

This episode is sponsored in part by our longtime sponsor, Squarespace. I say Squarespace. You say what? Squarespace, the all in one website platform. It's designed to help you stand out and succeed online. Whether you're just starting out or you're scaling a business like we are. Squarespace gives you everything you need to to claim your domain, showcase your offerings, put it all on a professional website to help you grow your brand and get paid. If it sounds like a lot, it is. It's all in one place. Without a website, you cannot do anything in 2025. You can't create and distribute content. You can't create and sell products, you can't showcase your services. And you certainly can't be a mediocre comedy podcast without a great looking website. Oh, but Brian, I don't have $50,000 to help me create a beautiful website. Squarespace does it for you. They have cutting blueprint AI. It helps you build a fully custom website in just a few steps using just basic information about your industry goals and personality. Wa bam. Beautiful website. But Brian, I don't have $50,000 to do search engine optimization. Some companies might charge you $50,000. Not Squarespace. Every website is optimized to be indexed with meta descriptions and autogenerated sitemap with so much more to help you show up on the search engines more often. Go to squarespace.com commercial for a free trial. And when you're ready to launch, use the offer code commercial to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain. Business cards and handshakes are great, but a website is your salesperson that never sleeps. Squarespace.com Commercial and then make sure to use the code commercial to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain. And thank you to Squarespace for being a continued sponsor of the commercial break. Hey, what's up Flies? This is David Spade. Dana Carvey. Look at. I know we never actually left, but I'll just say it. We are back with another season of Fly on the Wall. Every episode, including ones with guests, will now be on video. Every Thursday, you'll hear us. NC is chatting with big name celebrities. And every Monday, you're stuck with just me and Dana. We react to news, what's trending, viral clips follow and listen to Fly on the Wall. Everywhere you get your podcasts.

[Rachel]

Thanks for selling your car to Carvana. Here's your check.

[Brian Green]

Whoa. When did I get here?

[Rachel]

What do you mean?

[Brian Green]

I swear it was just moments ago.

[Chris Hoadley]

That I accepted a great offer from Carvana online. I must have time traveled to the future.

[Rachel]

It was just moments ago. We do same day pickup. Here's your check for that great offer.

[Brian Green]

It is the future.

[Chris Hoadley]

It's.

[Rachel]

It's the present. And just the convenience of Carvana. Sorry to blow your mind.

[Brian Green]

It's all good. Happens all the time.

[Rachel]

Sell your car the convenient way to Carvana.

[Sponsor]

Pick up.

[Rachel]

Times may vary and fees may apply.

[Chris Hoadley]

And he's here with us now. Phil is here with us now. Fellow Deadhead and comic extraordinaire. Have you. You obviously have been a Grateful Dead fan for a long time.

[Brian Green]

Since. Yeah, since I was a kid. Yeah.

[Chris Hoadley]

Who got you into Grateful Dead?

[Brian Green]

I had older friends that went to college and they, they, you know, they kind of got me into like, all the live shows and stuff. But initially I was a really heavy. I was really into heavy metal and I heard of a band called the Grateful Dead, and I was like, oh, these guys have to be so heavy.

[Joy Hoadley]

Yeah, yeah, that's what I thought, too.

[Brian Green]

I was a little disappointed.

[Joy Hoadley]

Yeah.

[Brian Green]

But I started liking them when I was really, really young. And then I'm extremely dyslexic. Found out that Bob Weir, the rhythm guitar player, was extremely dyslexic. And, yeah, I was like, you know. Yeah, this is. This is.

[Chris Hoadley]

You found some common ground. Like a hero, somebody you looked up to was. Was essentially dealing with the same struggles you were.

[Brian Green]

Absolutely. And doing it with such grace and was just, you know, spectacular. Spectacularly dyslexic. And. Yeah, so it was. It was, you know, really inspiring.

[Chris Hoadley]

Can you tell me, Because I am not. I actually suspect that one of my children may have dyslexia, but they're very young, and so now's not the time to test them. You know, they don't even really know how to read yet. But I just have some suspicions and I've read online. Can you explain to me, because I'm just ignorant about it.

[Brian Green]

What.

[Chris Hoadley]

What do you see when you're dyslexic? What do you see when you're trying to read something or you're looking at something?

[Brian Green]

It really varies. First off, I can diagnose kids with dyslexia from, like, a mile away.

[Chris Hoadley]

Oh, really?

[Brian Green]

Yes. If they're. If your kid or if you're interacting with a child and they're really personable. Well, like socially, you know, like chatting with adults and very interested, like intelligent, very bright kid.

[Chris Hoadley]

Yeah.

[Brian Green]

Yet for some reason, they can't. You know, dyslexia really affects organization. And as far as reading goes, it varies. For me, I can't identify a symbol with a sound. So a non dyslexic could see a last name or a street name or a word that you're introduced to and ballpark it and get pretty close. I'm like, no idea. Like, it might as well be in another language.

[Sponsor]

Really.

[Chris Hoadley]

I think you. I, I think this is why I have some concerns, is because the organization, when they. I'm not gonna, I'm not gonna out them here on the podcast and they're very young still, but when they look at a piece of paper and you know, we're like doing the ABCs or something like that, the problem is in the organization of it. She won't identify a letter and repeat it again and again. She can't. She doesn't understand those sounds. And so I just have some concerns. And, you know, we talked to the teacher and the teacher said, too young. But maybe, you know, too young. That's a real hurdle in life. I can imagine. And so what gets you through that when you're young is that I'm sure that that's like.

[Brian Green]

It was like I had the best, like, childhood. Kindergarten just killed it. Unbelievable.

[Chris Hoadley]

Kindergarten was your. That's your high water mark.

[Brian Green]

We walked out, I peaked, and then I arrived in the first grade and, and yeah, like, everyone started reading and I was just like. So, like, it was like all of a sudden from like the first grade, it just became like this like, Dickens play where it was like Oliver was so dark and didn't know. Now, I mean, it's like completely. It's like a positive thing to be dyslexic in my mind to my teachers that. It's so funny. I think back and I'm like, God, she must have been 80 years old, but she was probably like 31, right?

[Chris Hoadley]

We say this all the time. We say this all the time.

[Brian Green]

Yeah, but they were, you know, they called me stupid and they were really discouraging. And I was blessed with the parents that I have, and my mom would kind of go in and advocate and get me through the school. But dyslexics, we excel in all these areas. Just not sitting in a shitty little desk learning some boring ass. You know what I mean?

[Joy Hoadley]

Yeah.

[Brian Green]

Appreciate or whatever word they're like. But everything else, you know, we excel creatively. We think they say dyslexics think 3D, but reading is just not. I forced myself to read, but when a dyslexic reads, we actually use a different part of our brain. It's really taxing and.

[Chris Hoadley]

But very interesting.

[Joy Hoadley]

I'm so glad there's more awareness.

[Chris Hoadley]

Yeah, there's a lot more awareness and that it's treated. Listen, everybody's got something. We're not all. We're not all.

[Brian Green]

Totally. Yeah. It's because. And people always say they're like, oh, well, now everyone's ADHD and everyone's dyslexic. And everyone on the spectrum, it's like, yeah, because we're not as ignorant and we're educated and we can recognize that different people have different challenges. But every challenge kind of is also something else that will excel in. And so my, like, life's mission is to talk to parents from particularly just like parents of a dyslexic kid, but anyone in the neurodiversity world. And I'm like, just maintain their self esteem and I guarantee they will excel at whatever they do once they leave school. Because we're nine and we have the grit of someone that's been through like three divorces, like, and we're not ten yet. Yeah, we're tenacious and determined and have all the skills that you really want to instill in a kid. They're just inevitably going to happen when you have a dyslexic child, because it's like a.

[Chris Hoadley]

It's like a blind person who all of a sudden has this amazing hearing or ability to read music, or someone who's autistic who, you know, has. It's non verbal but then all of a sudden can play a piece of music. Hearing it once, you're working different muscles just because one area. Listen, I'm weak in most areas of my life, but I excel at putting mediocre comedy podcasts out four days a week. Do you make the connection that dyslexia in some shape or form pushed you toward comedy? Like, was it a defense mechanism? Comedy became your thing 100%.

[Brian Green]

Like, everything in my life, including my relationship with my mom, or everything that I'm grateful in my life, my love for the Grateful Dead, everything is because I'm just like. I credit dyslexia with everything positive in my life. I'm from a small town, kind of like a mini Detroit in Canada. Now I live in New York City because I'm just like, all these things are because I'm dyslexic. And, yeah, comedy. Yeah. Because I was so stifled in school. You're like, okay, read 10 pages and then you don't and then talk about it, and you have nothing to say, you know, from first grade to grade 12. So recess and any opportunity that I did have to communicate, it was like, you know, my first set on the Tonight Show. I was just ready to rock.

[Chris Hoadley]

Yeah.

[Brian Green]

And really wanted to express myself and let people know because I. I was so stifled in other areas.

[Chris Hoadley]

And you, You. You're really quite brilliant. One of the, you know, you, you had your. I've been following your comedy for a long time, and I think I really started to enjoy your comedy on social media during the pandemic. You're brilliant at crowd work. I think it's one of the things you probably would be known for, at least on social media. But one of the things that impressed me when I started doing homework about you, Phil, is that there are so many other comedians who have said such wonderful things about you, like other legendary, you know, John Oliver and John Stewart and. Yeah, they say. And Sam Morrill, who we've had on the show. Mark Norman, they say such wonderful things about you. You're a comic with a point. Right. And that's like some people, I think Amy Schumer said that's desperately needed it. Could you have imagined in your wildest dream, when did you start comedy?

[Brian Green]

I started comedy. I started in Vancouver. Yeah. Like a couple decades ago.

[Chris Hoadley]

Yeah.

[Brian Green]

And with the dream of, like, Vancouver's so far from New York City. But my goal was comedian had come out the documentary. The Seinfeld documentary.

[Joy Hoadley]

Oh, right.

[Brian Green]

He hangs out at the Comedy Cellar and he's hanging out with Colin Quinn and working on jokes, and that was like, my dream. And. Yeah. So it seems so far away. So. Yeah, you didn't. I don't think I'd let you finish the question, but, yeah, it's so surreal that I get to work with these people and that, you know, I get to perform in the Comedy Cellar every night and, And. And stuff like that, because it was so far away and it's really hard for Canadians to immigrate to the States and all that stuff.

[Chris Hoadley]

Yeah. Go ahead, please.

[Brian Green]

No, I was just gonna say, but that's all I started with. So many people that have now stopped doing comedy or, you know, stayed in Vancouver, which is great. I mean, Vancouver is an amazing place to live.

[Joy Hoadley]

Oh, so beautiful.

[Brian Green]

But I, I. Because I was dyslexic, I was like, I mean, stand up is really hard. And I have never been Good at anything else. I'm not good at anything else. I'd never had anything like where the more you put into it, the more you get out of it type thing. I just kind of stayed and just did comedy every day, wrote every day, tried to do shows every day. So it took a long time. But, yeah, I mean, to me, I'm. Again, I'm so grateful that. That I know these people and get to perform with them and talk about jokes.

[Chris Hoadley]

I. I guess my. My second part of that question.

[Brian Green]

Do you.

[Chris Hoadley]

Is it hard to take that compliment that the other people who are considered, you know, really good at the craft or comedians or people in comedy, you know, that are, you know, put up on a pedestal, essentially? Is it hard to take that compliment that they think you're the guy that they want to be like, you know, oh, my God, he's the guy that I. I enjoy.

[Brian Green]

I mean, I. Yeah, I've never heard anyone say it like that, but. And that would. It feels great. Yeah, it feels really good. If someone said that to my face, I'd get really uncomfortable and change the subject. I'm still very Canadian. But no, it. Yeah, it feels really good, especially in comedy, because. And it's like. I mean, comedians talk about it all the time, but it's the same in any aspect of pop culture, is Sometimes you can be like, you know, all comics think David Tal is the greatest.

[Chris Hoadley]

Yeah.

[Brian Green]

He's not necessarily, you know, the most. You know, he's not playing arenas. A lot of comedians are playing arenas and stuff like that. But it feels good because sometimes, you know, you do. You feel not recognized. And I'm really grateful. Now some people, you know, people are coming to my shows and stuff like that more and more. But for many, many years, I, you know, I would just go and it would be, you know, people would get free tickets or, you know, I'd have six fans or whatever. So it feels nice to get those compliments from. From other comedians because for. It takes a long time to be recognized in the sense that, you know, people are coming to your shows and stuff.

[Chris Hoadley]

Yeah. You're like a true journeyman comic. And do you. Do you credit social media with this new fan base, like, the ability to connect directly with people?

[Brian Green]

And. Yeah, I was. I was. So my goal was to play the Comedy Cellar, and I did it. And then for 10 years, I was just like. And I was watching a lot of my friends, like Sam and Mark, you know, start playing theaters and all this.

[Chris Hoadley]

Stuff and make their own gin.

[Brian Green]

Yeah. Yeah. Bodega Cat. But I. Yeah, I was just really content writing, and then I finally started. Yeah. Posting online. And I've always. I post crowd work clips because then I don't burn material. Right. Yeah.

[Chris Hoadley]

That's smart, folks.

[Brian Green]

Then when I try to sell a special, they'll be like, oh, yeah, we've seen. This has all been posted. So improvising. Part of my love for the Grateful Dead and I think their influence on me. I want every show to be different each time. So I. I improvise, you know, in my jokes and in between my jokes, and then we just cut up those. I tour now with, like, a videographer.

[Chris Hoadley]

Yeah.

[Brian Green]

Cut up those chunks and then post those. So then when people come to my shows, they haven't heard the jokes, and then crowd work is going to be different each time. So. Yeah, that really helped me. But I was so reluctant for social media.

[Joy Hoadley]

Yeah.

[Chris Hoadley]

You know, one. Yeah. Every. So many comics we've talked to.

[Brian Green]

Yeah.

[Joy Hoadley]

It's tough.

[Chris Hoadley]

It's tough.

[Joy Hoadley]

You need to be consistent with it and really do it right.

[Brian Green]

Yes.

[Joy Hoadley]

In the right way.

[Brian Green]

So. Yeah.

[Joy Hoadley]

And it's intimidating for us, even.

[Brian Green]

It's intimidating.

[Chris Hoadley]

Yeah.

[Brian Green]

And it's also. It's like comics get so spoiled because it's like we just do what we want to do every day. You know, we get up, we get a coffee, we write, and then all of a sudden, you got to start posting. Like, you hear if a comic has a dentist appointment the next day, it's like the complaining, because it means they can't do exactly what they want to do. Yeah.

[Chris Hoadley]

It puts a kink. The armor. You're like, holy shit. You mean I have something on my fucking. I got to be at the commercial break at 12:15. Are you kidding me?

[Brian Green]

Yeah. Because we're so used. We're really, you know, spoiled in that sense that we just kind of do exactly what we want to do all day, you know?

[Chris Hoadley]

You know, I. One time we had this, like, conversation about the greatest American rock band, and I. I made the argument that it's the Grateful Dead.

[Brian Green]

Yes.

[Chris Hoadley]

Not because they have the greatest music in the world. They have a lot of great music. I'm also a Deadhead. I love the Grateful Dead.

[Joy Hoadley]

Both of us.

[Chris Hoadley]

Yeah. Yeah. But because from the beginning, they weren't all that great. They just started noodling around with each other. But they went on a journey, and without selling a ton of albums, they went on a journey. And. And the mistakes and all the improvisation, it was going to be good one night, bad the next. Every single time that they picked up their instruments or Jerry started to sing or whoever. It was something different. All the warts and all it came out. But they, we watched that growth, we watched them through that journey. And I often think that, like, when I think about, like George Carlin's, you know, career or whoever, whoever you enjoy as a, as a comedian. If you looked at their entire history, the best often go through that. They are journeyman comics. They do improvise, they changing all the time, the warts and all. Some's good, some's bad, some's ugly. How hard is it to get up there every night? And I mean, you're so good at it probably now, but that crowd interaction, you're so fast and you're so snappy with it. Is that just a muscle? Is that like a muscle that you work? You're in the zone.

[Brian Green]

Yeah, I think, I mean it's, I credit, I think it's part of my dyslexic brain. It's also, when I started in Vancouver, I write really short jokes and I was able to be funny for 10 minutes. So these, you know, senior comedians in the scene would be like, come on the road with me to play some logging camp in the Rocky Mountain. But they would be, they would say, you have to do half an hour. And I didn't have half an hour. So I would be on stage and I would just please someone, heckle, please, a waitress, drop a tray of drinks. Like I would want something to happen so I could be like, get off my material and go into the crowd for that. And that was always, that was that, that was just something that I developed. Always wanting something to happen, a heckle, anything, rush the stage, do something, riff on and stretch. Because there's no worse feeling than, you know, a room of drunk people wearing plaid looking at you, you have half an hour and you in your head, you're like, I have three minutes of material left.

[Joy Hoadley]

Yeah.

[Brian Green]

Not 12 minutes. Like I have 18.

[Chris Hoadley]

Yeah.

[Brian Green]

So I, I think I developed it like that. And I think it's really my humor when I'm riffing with the crowd and stuff is really the humor that my friends in Oshawa, Ontario, grew up encouraging me just being a smart ass at a party or. Yeah. So I, I, I, that part of my act I've kind of been working on since I was like a kid or my family. Really encouraged. We would have these big dinners and we would invite my friends and my sister's friends and stuff and we would all kind of just riff and balls at the Dinner table. And it was really more important to my parents, particularly my dad, than my grades was being funny at dinner.

[Joy Hoadley]

Nice. And you mentioned someone rushing the stage. Did that happen to you?

[Brian Green]

Oh, it's happened a few times, yeah. A woman that could take me in an arm wrestle for sure rushed the stage and it was in. I mean, I've. I've had it a few times, but not because I'm so provocative or whatever, but it's more just. I did a lot of shitty gigs and I.

[Chris Hoadley]

People were pissed. They spent the money.

[Brian Green]

Yeah. And I did a Show in. In St. Louis and I have a rule. I, I try to be nice if someone heckles me or whatever. I try to approach them nicely and I. It rarely happens. You know, when you go to a club, the bouncers are always like, if there's, you know, what should we say? Do we have a coat? And I'm like, no one's gonna say any. Like, yeah. People that come to my shows are very well behaved and just want to have fun or whatever, generally. But this is, I mean, God, this is probably 16 years ago. Whatever. No one was there to see me. And I was in St. Louis and before I took the mic out, her husband heckled me and I shot him down and wasn't particularly kind about it.

[Chris Hoadley]

Yeah, okay.

[Brian Green]

And then the next thing I knew, I could see everyone's eyes, like a little bit beside. And this woman was just like shaking and seething. I heckled because I, you know, slammed her husband and she was on stage and it was like, you just sense when someone is like just so close to punching you. Yeah, yeah. And the doorman didn't, the guys at the clubs didn't. And I was like, you know, if I worked here, I would really. So they finally got her off the stage and they sat her back in her seat, which was front row. Brutal. But it killed a lot of time.

[Joy Hoadley]

Yeah, Exactly.

[Chris Hoadley]

It killed 10 of the 20 minutes. But I'm sure that, like, I don't know. I don't know if I was listening. Like Tom Papa maybe was saying this. One of the things about comedians is that we get out there like a lot of middle aged, you know, he was talking about like middle aged men. He's like, a lot of middle aged men, they, they're in their houses, they sit around, they watch tv, they go to work, they come home. He's like, one of the things about comics is that we get to get out and we observe things and things happen and there's action and there's moments and, you know, we see different people and we get different perspectives. I'm sure that after 20, 25 years of doing this, your, your brain is probably filled with all of these stories and moments, and that becomes like, I don't know, it's, it's, it's like training for a marathon. You know, you keep on going and you get through the next hurdle, you break the next mile, and you become better and better at what you do. I really think you're very, like, you're a very talented comic, but also you're really good at making a point. I think there's a couple types of comics and I think the, if I may, the type of comic you are is you're, you're funny, but then also you can make a point. And I think that's when comedy is like a noble profession. Right? When you make a point.

[Brian Green]

Thank you. Yeah, it's funny that you say that we. Yeah, not that, not that. Just comedians get to go out, but like, we have to, like. Yeah, I was thinking this, and this is such a crazy thought, but I was like, you know, I'm working on a new hour and then I'm already planning that. I have to record that in time to, you know, because every two years you go back to the, the next city, right?

[Chris Hoadley]

Sure.

[Brian Green]

You need a new hour than you had two years ago type thing, right? Yeah. Like, I was walking down the street and it just popped in my head. I was like, I gotta have a kid. Like, I need.

[Rachel]

Right.

[Joy Hoadley]

That provides material. Right?

[Brian Green]

Yeah, change. Something needs to change in your life. Like, I just moved to a completely different neighborhood. I lived in East Village forever. I moved into a neighborhood, new building, different type of building. Because I'm like, you just need to, you know, you can't be a certain age and talking about sexting still like, it's like something else. I mean, you can. I mean, I would love to hear a comic that's 70 years old.

[Joy Hoadley]

Yes, yes.

[Brian Green]

For me, you just don't want to have. I had those jokes last time. You need kind of new stuff.

[Chris Hoadley]

Let me give you that comics name. His name is Eddie Brill. And if you want to look up, you can't see it. Do you know Eddie Brill?

[Brian Green]

I know Eddie. I haven't seen Eddie in a while. But I do know Eddie from when I first moved to New York.

[Chris Hoadley]

Yeah, he's still out there. He's still. He's really, really very, very funny. He's still out there doing his thing. He used to be, I think, the Letterman talent coordinator.

[Brian Green]

Warm up for Letterman. And yeah, he's someone who's been around for, for a long time. Talk about, he must have amazing stories because he, you know, we worked with all these legends.

[Chris Hoadley]

We had a, like clubhouse was a thing during the pandemic. Clubhouse was this app where you like social audio app. Everyone would get on rooms and talk to each other. And we met Eddie Brill and then we started doing a room with him. And every Friday night he would bring in comics to talk about their stories. And Eddie would give all, you know, he had all these stories and one day he calls me up and he says, I need you to get on the phone with my friend Bill. We're going to have him in the room. And I said, oh, okay. And you got, this is the podcast that just started. And I said, okay, who's your friend Bill? And 15 minutes later I'm on the phone with Bill Burr. And I'm like, holy, Eddie. Like, you gotta give a brother a little bit. Yeah, he's got a, he had a Rolodex a mile long. So you're in your new apartment. It's, it looks great from this angle. I just want to let you know.

[Joy Hoadley]

Fantastic lighting.

[Chris Hoadley]

Yeah, lighting. Do you still enjoy the, the hustle bustle of comedy? Is it like in your blood at this point? I just like it.

[Brian Green]

I go, yeah, because it's great. Because it's always, it's always like, you know, it's always changing. You get to do different venues and stuff like that. And I love like, you know, trying to figure out jokes and then, yeah, you get tired of traveling and stuff like that. But yeah, it's, yeah, I mean I, I love it. And also now I'm so grateful that, you know, I'll do after shows. I, I, you know, you get to meet people who, you know, they just found out their kids dyslexic. You get to have that conversation. I'm so grateful that a lot of I'll be on stage. I look out, there's a lot of tie dyed shirts at my shows now. There's a lot of Deadheads that come to shows which, yeah, I'm always really excited about and talk to them. And so, yeah, I think I enjoy it more. It changes, but I enjoy it more now than probably ever. Like, I'm so excited for the fall. I have a big tour coming up and yeah, yeah, I do. I really love it.

[Chris Hoadley]

Is this the part you're getting excited about? Like when we, when we, we've talked to Tom Papa a couple of times a Number of times. One of the things that he said has changed is that when he was young, you know, he went up and he did his set and, you know, he wanted to get the laughs and be the best and do the thing and sell out the arena. He said, now what I really enjoy is I really like meeting the people, hanging out with the folks, you know, talking to them, hearing their personal stories. And he goes, and it's always great when I get a. Hey, your comedy affected me in this. He said, so my reason or my thoughts about success have changed. I have the money, I can do the thing, whatever. He said, what I really enjoy now is getting to meet people and saying hi to them. Is that you finding that similar in your.

[Brian Green]

Yeah, I do. I. Yeah, I love that. And also now I get to. I can afford to bring the people that I like on the road with me and stuff like that. Really cool. And. Yeah, it's. It's. It's great to meet people. I. I lived in England many, many years ago, and I get to play England now. I did it last year and I'll do it this year and I'll do it next year. And yeah. So just the traveling to new places and meeting people. And it's also, it's like, I feel like now if you just sit in your house and you watch TV and you watch the news, it's so. Everything seems so divided.

[Chris Hoadley]

Yes.

[Brian Green]

Right. And it's a. And, yes, you feel so kind of isolated, and you feel like this group of people think this way and this. And then when you travel, like, you know, I'll play every, you know, red states, blue states, and you meet people and you're like, yeah, you don't. You don't feel that anymore. You really feel that, you know, you might not agree on everything, but, you.

[Joy Hoadley]

Know, a lot more common.

[Brian Green]

Yes, absolutely. You meet great people that probably didn't vote for the same person as you.

[Chris Hoadley]

Yeah. I think that part of, like, I think loneliness is about comedy. I agree. Is comedy breaks down these walls.

[Brian Green]

Yeah.

[Joy Hoadley]

People together. Yeah.

[Chris Hoadley]

It breaks down these walls. And it can at times then give an opening. It's like you open a. You take away the armor for a minute, opens a soft spot to open your mind to another idea or see that we are all. We all laugh at the same shit. We all bleed the same color. I mean, it's really interesting. And I think that when you sit around and you. I think, first of all, I think social media and being online gives a lot of people courage that they otherwise don't or some kind of stupidity that they otherwise don't have in real life. And number two is that these television stations, the news and all this other stuff, it is there to divide us because that's what sells advertising. And then people become lonely. And loneliness, I think, is a real epidemic. And I love going to see live comedy for that, for one reason.

[Joy Hoadley]

Live music and live.

[Chris Hoadley]

Yeah, yeah. It feels good to be in the same room laughing with people, to have a common something.

[Brian Green]

Yeah, absolutely. And I always find that you'll, like, play, you know, you'll play some on the weekend and you'll come back and people like, oh, how was that? And you're like, it was great. I met the best people on the shows, were amazing. And I think certain, like, you know, San Francisco people think that everyone's going to be like, this way, and then San Antonio, everything, and it's, it's just not the case, you know.

[Joy Hoadley]

True.

[Chris Hoadley]

Well, maybe just cool people like your comedy, Phil. Maybe that's what's going on.

[Brian Green]

Yeah, I, I definitely, I think people that like my comedy are cool. But I mean, like, I'll meet someone after the show and it'll be like, he'll be like, he'll work for like the FBI, like some job so far from. I was like, whoa. I watch movies about.

[Chris Hoadley]

Yeah, my favorite television show is about a guy like you. And I don't like that guy on that. Who are the comics that you are bringing on the road? Who are the up and comers? Who do we need to pay attention to? Who do we need to invite onto the show?

[Brian Green]

One of my openers is Anna Bianco, and she's based in New York and super, super funny. And then I also bring someone named Michael Myers, who's a really cool dude. He's based in Chicago and we have very similar taste in music. And the Green Room is playing great tunes. Yeah, yeah, it's great. So that's, that's really nice. And that's something that I, I never had before. You know, let me.

[Chris Hoadley]

Well, that backs into to a question I like to ask every comic of note on this show is who, when you were growing up, who were you watching? And. And who do you consider some of the best comics doing it today or doing it in the past?

[Brian Green]

When I, I started, I loved Seinfeld. I used to watch Seinfeld all the time with my mom. I loved Mitch Hedberg when I was in Vancouver. When I was first starting, Zach Galifianakis was filming a television show there and he would do stand up and at like, he was like famous and he would play these like, open mics that we would do these like alternative rooms. And I'd never seen anyone so confident and so kind of just like he take the mic and walk outside of the club. Like, just so cool and so original. Those are guys. And then there's, there's like local guys in Vancouver that, you know, really influential. There's a Canadian comedian named Brent Bott. That's great. Graham Clark is a local comedian in Vancouver. That's still there. That's amazing. He does this, this talent to raise money. He does like 24 hours of stand up comedy. Oh, no. Yeah. It's insane. And where you got the idea?

[Chris Hoadley]

That's where I got the idea. I had an idea to do 24 hours of podcasting for mental health awareness, but I decided that it was bad for my mental health, So I did 12 hours. Yeah.

[Brian Green]

When did you do that?

[Chris Hoadley]

Just about four weeks ago. Yeah.

[Brian Green]

How did you feel afterwards?

[Chris Hoadley]

We did. Felt okay, actually. It wasn't the worst thing in the world. Yeah. Well, now we had like celebrity we. And I say celebrity. We brought up like Tom Papa, Reggie Watts, some other. Some other folks that we brought on, and we recorded three of those. Three or four of those ahead of time. So it ended up being seven or eight episodes in a day that we put out. We recorded and then put out. But I got to be honest, it wasn't as bad as I had thought it would be. So now I do want to do the 24 hours, but Chrissy won't agree to it.

[Brian Green]

Yeah.

[Chris Hoadley]

I said just come in for 12. Yeah.

[Joy Hoadley]

Yeah.

[Brian Green]

It's funny how that when you do do like, it is tiring. And, you know, like, I have friends that work in like steel mills and stuff like that. And I hate for them to hear me say this, but podcasting and stuff is really. It's funny because you're so engaged and you're so, you know, you're really on. So I would imagine 12 hours would be. You'd be pretty wiped.

[Chris Hoadley]

It's exhausting. We took a couple breaks and that's what did it. Actually, you know what the strange thing is, is that was called. We called it tcb's Endless Day. And I think you were going to be one of the people who were going to come on and we're going to do an interview with you, but the timing didn't work out. But we had. We were talking to. Anyway, whatever you were. But we're glad to have you now. I wanted to ask you something about your mom because you talk very fondly of her. I've seen throughout the years you've said. You've said a few things really nice about your mom. Is she still with us? Yes, mom and you. So you still have a great relationship with her.

[Brian Green]

Talked to her for an hour and a half yesterday while I was grocery shopping.

[Chris Hoadley]

I love that. I love somebody who loves their mom.

[Joy Hoadley]

I miss my mom.

[Chris Hoadley]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. It's gotta be close, though. Like, that does. Do your mom and dad, do they have a great sense of. You said you. You already said it's important. It was important for your dad. Like being funny was important to your dad. I wish my dad was like that. We could be funny. We were four boys in an Irish Catholic house. We could be funny at the dinner table. But there wasn't. There was no value placed on that. I think as we got into teenagers, maybe he loosened up a little bit. But was your house a very funny place? Was everybody.

[Brian Green]

My dad is really funny. My sister's really funny. My mom is probably the greatest straight man.

[Chris Hoadley]

I love that.

[Brian Green]

Yeah. And it's fun. I've never bombed with my mom. Everything I've ever said with my mom always hits. That's a good sense of humor.

[Chris Hoadley]

That's got that. I think that in life, I mean, I guess you could look at it both ways. We've talked. I think we've had conversations with people who had not so great childhoods and they were very disconnected from their parents and they ended up being remarkably funny. But then there's a through line sometimes, I think, which is that the environment that someone is in ends up fostering, well, the confidence. The confidence to be funny. Right. It's like there's no doubt I'm funny because my parents always thought I was funny or my family always thought I was funny. So I had this already instilled self confidence about who I was as a comedian just walking out the door. And I love to hear when parents are supportive of the creativity of their children because not all parents are like that. It takes. I think. I think that must be hard.

[Brian Green]

Yeah. It is important because comedy is like, you could have the greatest line. And if you, like, don't say it exactly. When it pops into your head, it's not, you know, like a tenth of a second later, it's no longer funny. Like, the timing is so key.

[Chris Hoadley]

Yeah.

[Brian Green]

And to have like. I remember my. My friends have commented growing up, like later that I would like. Where did you get the confidence to be? You know, we'd be at like a. We'd be in grade nine and at like a 12th grade party, and I would have no qualms with ba ba ba, you know, bebop. And. And it just never. I don't know, it just popped into my head. So I felt that I should say it. But obviously that comes from, you know, years of doing that.

[Chris Hoadley]

Sure.

[Brian Green]

With your family and it being, you know, celebrated.

[Joy Hoadley]

Yeah.

[Chris Hoadley]

Well, let me get philosophical for you here for a minute. I'll quote Ram Dass. Well, let me get philosophical here for a moment.

[Joy Hoadley]

Brian likes to have.

[Chris Hoadley]

I like to have little philosophical moments with him.

[Brian Green]

I love it.

[Chris Hoadley]

That is God, my friend. This is God working through you. That is the magic of the universe just streaming through you. Like you said, it's there one moment, it's not there the next. Either you're in it. Either the flow is there and it's just coming at you, or it's not. I imagine when I watch comedians like yourself and you're on and you're hitting and it's funny and you're in a room and you're commanding that room. You know, I think that even Jerry said this in a different way, is that I just tune out and let it flow through me. It's just coming through me. Right. Like you pulling it out of thin air.

[Brian Green]

Yeah, yeah. Magically moving through you. The dead talk about that all the time and. Yeah, that's it. To get to that place. There was a Bob Weir quote where he's talking about when he plays music and like time kind of just dissipates and goes away. And sometimes you'll start a show and you're waiting for that to happen and it eventually happens. But yeah, that's the best place to be. And that's where you are when you're in like a great conversation or when you're with the right person or intimate moment, dare I say, you're in. You're just in the moment and it goes away. When I first saw the dead when I was a kid, that I got there through their music and I. I think someone also had spiked my drink, but that was something. I chased that for sure. And it's something that. It happens when you're on stage and it's such an amazing thing. I meditate a lot and sometimes it's easier to get there on stage than it is through meditation.

[Chris Hoadley]

You do tm, right?

[Brian Green]

I do TM and I do Vipassana.

[Chris Hoadley]

Very nice, very interesting. I don't do tm, but I do meditate.

[Joy Hoadley]

Interested in tm.

[Chris Hoadley]

Me too. I've been interested in it. You know who started talking about it that got me interested in it was actually Howard Stern a number of years ago, I don't know, 20 years ago, he started talking about how he was doing dm, and I thought, what in the world is he. And then I, I, I read about it. But I've, I've been meditating for years and years, and it can be really difficult to get to that place, to quiet the mind, to be in the spot, to get in the flow. Whatever the fuck you want to say. Yeah, but creatively, when we're in the room and something's hitting, I know it, and it's like I'm just tuned out. It's like I can watch myself from the top of the room, just, you know, rolling and being funny. And unfortunately, most of our listeners don't think so, but I think so in the moment.

[Joy Hoadley]

We laugh at each other.

[Chris Hoadley]

We laugh at each other. Yeah. Okay, one more question. Do you enjoy. So you saw Jerry and you saw the original lineup of the Grateful Dead? Mythic original. But you saw a lineup of the Grateful Dead with Jerry. Do you enjoy the new version, the new rekindle, the one with otl?

[Brian Green]

Yep, I do. I do immensely. It's, it's. I don't, I go into it not comparing it. Jerry Garcia was, it was such a gifted person that it's not, he was.

[Chris Hoadley]

There's no comparison.

[Joy Hoadley]

Yeah, it's his own thing.

[Brian Green]

Yeah. And yeah, no, I, I, I'm, I'm going to see Dead and Co to celebrate the dead 60th anniversary in San Francisco.

[Joy Hoadley]

Oh, you're going to that?

[Brian Green]

Yes.

[Joy Hoadley]

That's gonna be big.

[Brian Green]

Yeah, I can't wait. And I, But I go to. Yeah, I see the Dead. I go with my best friend from high school and sometimes other. Other people from high school. And yeah, we, you know, I, I see them every year. Whatever. Yeah, whatever. Whatever the it is because it's iteration. Yeah. It's a celebration of the music. And yeah, I go, I boogie. It's great. I love it.

[Joy Hoadley]

I go every year here in Atlanta.

[Brian Green]

Oh, cool. Yeah.

[Chris Hoadley]

Phil, I think this comedy thing might be your thing. I think you should stick with it. I think things are going to turn up roses for you, my friend. I think if you keep on plugging away, you're on the right track. I think if you keep plugging away, you never know. Maybe someday you'll make a living doing it. Phil is on a extensive tour in the fall and in the winter. Am I Right. About that.

[Brian Green]

Right. Yeah. I'm going in Europe starting at the end of August, and then I come back and I play. Yeah. All over. All over North.

[Chris Hoadley]

Are you coming to Atlanta?

[Brian Green]

You know what? I played Atlanta a couple months ago.

[Chris Hoadley]

Okay.

[Brian Green]

Yes. But I'll be back. But it was the first time that I'd ever been to Atlanta and the shows were great and I met such cool people.

[Joy Hoadley]

Oh, good.

[Chris Hoadley]

Well, when you come to Atlanta, we would request a few minutes of your time and talk with us or we'll come to the show.

[Brian Green]

Oh, I would love that. Yeah. I mean, you guys have such a great energy.

[Chris Hoadley]

Thank you.

[Brian Green]

And I'm very selective of what podcasts that I do. Not that there's like a huge demand, but, you know, I'm asked to do a fair amount.

[Chris Hoadley]

Sure.

[Brian Green]

No, I was really excited to do your guys podcast, so thank you so much.

[Joy Hoadley]

Oh, my God, I feel so honored.

[Chris Hoadley]

I do feel honored because you're also one of my favorite comics, so.

[Joy Hoadley]

And the energy you have.

[Brian Green]

Oh, thank you.

[Chris Hoadley]

It's infectious. Yeah. When you get a couple cool cats together, you can rub sticks and make fire. That's what I'm trying to say. Chrissy. Phil, all his links are in the show notes. He also has a book. He's got so much material out there. Follow him on social media, go to the website. All of that stuff will be available to you in the show notes. If you don't know Phil, you should. And we really appreciate your time today.

[Joy Hoadley]

Thank you.

[Chris Hoadley]

And I imagine we'll be seeing each other soon. Thank you, Phil.

[Brian Green]

Thank you, guys. Talk about time dissipating. I cannot believe that it's come. That flew by.

[Chris Hoadley]

Yeah, it really did. Well, I often.

[Joy Hoadley]

You're having fun.

[Chris Hoadley]

When we have a good guest on have often said, you know, we ask for 45 minutes to an hour because you get a little nervous. And when you don't know somebody, if it's not going so great, you don't want to have to try and make conversation where it's not there. But sometimes when the conversation is flowing, you wish. You wish you had more time. And this was one of those conversations. And I say that honestly.

[Brian Green]

So can I say something before we go? We talked about why the Grateful Dead is the greatest American band. There's some points that I would just like to point out very quickly before I sign off here.

[Chris Hoadley]

Yes.

[Brian Green]

That more so than any band, they incorporated every aspect of American music. Bluegrass, jazz. And also they started their own. This improvisation thing that's now it's a whole gene on itself.

[Joy Hoadley]

Yes, 100%.

[Chris Hoadley]

Let me make one more point. Why the. Why the Grateful Dead are the greatest American band musical group that's ever been and may ever be is because they actively sought out the inclusion and the participation of the people who were in love with their music. And that is almost as important as the music is being played. They started a community that will probably live on forever, at least as far as humans are concerned.

[Brian Green]

Phil Lesh, who unfortunately passed away in the last year, he compared the Dead. He said, they'll be performed the way Shakespeare is, and it really will. I mean, they're playing park for three days 60 years after they got together and those three shows are all sold out and. Yeah, it's really. And it was an American adventure. They toured everywhere, you know.

[Joy Hoadley]

Did you go to the Sphere?

[Brian Green]

I did go to the Sphere. Yeah.

[Joy Hoadley]

I went there too, last summer.

[Brian Green]

Yeah. So. Yeah.

[Joy Hoadley]

That was incredible.

[Brian Green]

Yeah.

[Chris Hoadley]

Isn't this the 9th year anniversary or the 10th year anniversary of the Grateful Dead with Trey? Or the Dead with Trey at the. At. Yeah, at Soldier Field.

[Brian Green]

Because that was such a phenomenal weekend.

[Chris Hoadley]

Did you go?

[Brian Green]

I did go.

[Chris Hoadley]

Yeah. We. Chrissy and I watched it on tv.

[Joy Hoadley]

My husband was there.

[Brian Green]

Yeah. Did he have a great time?

[Joy Hoadley]

Oh, fantastic.

[Brian Green]

Yeah, it was so. Oh, my. They did it so well. I still have. They get. When you walked in, they gave you a rose and. Yeah. It was so phenomenal. Trey was incredible. The band was so inspired. Bill Murray was hanging out.

[Joy Hoadley]

Yeah.

[Brian Green]

Yeah. That was such an amazing weekend. God, it was phenomenal. Chicago's such a great Dead town.

[Joy Hoadley]

Yeah, it's a great city.

[Chris Hoadley]

It was so good that energetically. Even through the tv. Yeah. We were dancing in the room. We were. Yeah, we were dancing in the room. And I.

[Joy Hoadley]

Our drinks might have been spiked.

[Chris Hoadley]

Yeah, our drinks. Only I did it. I did it to myself.

[Brian Green]

It did. Did they did their version of that version of throwing stones and training and Bobby are like squaring up and pushing each other and.

[Chris Hoadley]

Yeah.

[Brian Green]

Yeah, it was phenomenal. Bruce Hornsby. I love Bruce Hornsby. I got me too far as be with the Dead. Yeah, it was really. That was really, really, really a special weekend in Chicago when you ordered an Uber instead of like, you know, it has the car arriving. It was a steal your face. Yeah, it was really. That was really, really special. And I'm assuming that this weekend in San Francisco in, I guess it's like almost a month to the day, will be equally, equally special. I get so much inspiration from the Dead and the idea that, like you said they'd made a mistake. There's no mistakes. Because if you make a mistake, then you just. Yeah, I mean.

[Chris Hoadley]

Yeah, exactly. It's just. It's what, you know, you want to call it. Mistakes, warts, whatever it is, the good, the bad and the ugly, it all just rolls into this big beautiful thing that's constantly growing and shrinking at the same time. I mean, I could get. We could do this all day long. Honestly, I just. I love talking about this because music, comedy, art in general, like, it's just a. It's a. It's a godly pursuit. It's a way that God comes through you. I'd rather go to the Dead show than church any day of the week. And anybody who doesn't say that does. I don't know if I want to be friends. It is church for a lot of people. It's just a magical, magical thing. And when done right, it can. It can lift you to a new place, it can open up dimensions, and you don't even have to be hided to understand that if you've ever been to a Dead show or Fish show or this Panic show or whatever it is, you're into Daft Punk, who cares?

[Brian Green]

Yeah.

[Chris Hoadley]

Music and comedy that kind of take you to the same place. And, Phil, I think you're one of the better ones doing it out there today. And I hope all of our listeners, if they haven't, go and check out your material and go see Phil when he comes to your town.

[Joy Hoadley]

That's right.

[Chris Hoadley]

Because he will lift you up like a Grateful Dead show.

[Brian Green]

Thank you. Well, again, thank you guys for having me. Sorry for extending that.

[Chris Hoadley]

No, we got all the time. You got to catch the train. You go do your thing.

[Brian Green]

Well, thank you guys so much. I was really honored to be on your podcast, and I can't wait to. I don't know if you do people in the studio, but we should do a Dead episode next time I'm in Atlanta.

[Joy Hoadley]

That's a great idea.

[Chris Hoadley]

That's a great idea. We have this studio, which is in my personal home, but then we also have a studio with our network, and we just started doing in person interviews. So when you come to Atlanta, done deal. We'll sit in the studio and I'll break some copyright laws and we'll play some.

[Joy Hoadley]

My husband will come down for that, too.

[Brian Green]

Oh, cool. Well, I can't wait to meet him. Chicago.

[Chris Hoadley]

You know what we might do? We'll invite a few of our Deadhead listener friends, and they can come in and we'll all banter about the dead. We'll take questions as if we, as if we're experts.

[Brian Green]

Oh, that's great. All right, cool. Thank you guys again so much and I hope you have a great weekend and a happy 4th of July.

[Chris Hoadley]

Happy 4th to you too, Phil Hanley. Thanks so much.

[Brian Green]

Bye bye. Thank you.

[Rachel]

Why don't you text us and we can text back and then you can text us and reply then so on. It's a fun little game I've been playing and I think you'll be great at it too. 212-4333, TCB. That's 212-433-3822. You could leave a message too. If you do, maybe you'll end up being the voice of the show. But be warned, the pay is not great. You could go to the website and drop us an email. Also tcbpodcast.com and while you're there you can get a free sticker. Who doesn't want a free sticker? Just go to the contact us button and ask for one. Follow us on insta at the commercial break break and watch the [e-mail] thecommercial break. Now I'm gonna go back to that texting game you wanna play. Come on. Bye.

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[Chris Hoadley]

Well, I think that's one of the nicest guests we've ever had on the commercial.

[Joy Hoadley]

Do we have a new friend?

[Chris Hoadley]

I, you know, sometimes I think that's true and then it reveals itself not to be true. You seem genuine but Phil did seem genuine and I am very excited about it. Him, he like is so nice. And for those you won't catch the very last part of that because there's some stuff that's just private between me, Chrissy and the guest. But Phil was so generous with his time afterwards and it's true. Like I wish we had scheduled an hour and a half with Phil. This is the first guest. I will say this, this is the very first guest ever. There have been other guests who have said, oh wow, that flew by or wow, that was a quick hour. Oh, I, Phil is the first person that we Couldn't get off the phone. He was like, wait, just a couple more things. And it was. It was truly enjoyable.

[Joy Hoadley]

I know.

[Chris Hoadley]

I really like Phil. He will be back. I don't know if I want to say he's our friend yet because he doesn't really know us. And once he gets to know us, then probably we'll all fall apart. Yeah, I'm gonna try and not bother him like I do Mark Cuban.

[Joy Hoadley]

Yeah.

[Chris Hoadley]

But Phil is super sweet. He's just such a nice guy. And he, like I said at the beginning of this episode, he is lauded by many other comedians you know and love as one of their favorite humor Gene. He worked it. He's working it. There's other things that are not his strength. And then he worked comedy to his advantage. He's so quick. He's so good at crowd reactions, and he's a deadhead. So total power package, total pack. Hey, look out, Jeff. Here comes Phil.

[Joy Hoadley]

Jeff and Phil would love each other.

[Chris Hoadley]

I think they would. Yeah, I think they would be good.

[Joy Hoadley]

They would get along.

[Chris Hoadley]

That's why I'm never allowing Jeff anywhere near Phil. My film, my film. My Phil. My new TCV guest boyfriend, Phil. Thank you very much. All the links in the show notes. He's on the forever tour, like a lot of our stand up comedian guests are. He's got so many dates, 68 of them coming up. So it's likely he'll be somewhere around you. I think this is one of those shows you should go see. You should go see stand up comedy as often as possible. Because if there's one thing that's hard to walk away from without a smile on your face, it's a good stand up comedy hour or two.

[Joy Hoadley]

I keep saying comedy and music, comedy and music.

[Chris Hoadley]

We should all focus on those two things.

[Brian Green]

Things.

[Chris Hoadley]

And let a lot of the other go to the wayside. Or maybe we should. Maybe we should also pay attention to that stuff. I don't know.

[Joy Hoadley]

Anyway, it's a good break.

[Chris Hoadley]

It's a good break, that's for sure. All right, so all the links in the show notes follow him on the social media. Check out his book, his specials, and his live shows. Please, please, please, philhanley.com in case you're wondering where to go. Okay. Also, do us a favor, if you don't mind. 212-4333. TCB 212-433-3822. Questions, comments, concerns, contents, ideas, we take them all right there on that phone number we will respond to. You might take us a couple days. But we'll get back to you. TCBpodcast.com all the audio, all the video, everything about Chris, all that, not all the things about Chrissy and I. Some of us all there. And your free sticker and YouTube.com/the commercial break for all the videos including this one on YouTube right now. Go check it out. Okay Chrissy, that's all I can do for now.

[Joy Hoadley]

I think so.

[Chris Hoadley]

I'll tell you that I love you.

[Joy Hoadley]

And I love you.

[Chris Hoadley]

Best to you and best to you out there in the podcast universe. Until next time, Chrissy and I will say we do say and we must say goodbye.

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[Rachel]

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[Chris Hoadley]

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[Brian Green]

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[Brian Green]

Save me crazy.