333: Shane Todd has a Punch Loving Father

Summary

Podcast Summary: The HoneyDew with Ryan Sickler – Episode 333: Shane Todd has a Punch Loving Father

Introduction

In Episode 333 of The HoneyDew with Ryan Sickler, host Ryan Sickler welcomes comedian Shane Todd for an intimate and humorous conversation. This episode delves into Shane's upbringing in Ireland, his unique relationship with his father, his journey in comedy, and his experiences as a father balancing a demanding career with family life. The discussion blends heartfelt moments with comedic insights, offering listeners a comprehensive look into Shane's life.

Shane Todd's Background

Shane Todd hails from Hollywood, a small town in County Donegal, Ireland, situated approximately ten minutes from Belfast. Despite the proximity to Belfast—a city historically marked by conflict—Shane describes his hometown as a close-knit, cross-community area where friendships transcended religious divides.

Family Dynamics and Relationship with His Father

Shane's parents divorced when he was just a few months old, leading to a shared custody arrangement. He spent his early years mainly with his mother, with periodic stays at his father's place. This arrangement fostered a strong bond with both parents, allowing him to maintain a balanced upbringing.

Father's Unique Personality and Influence

A significant portion of the conversation centers around Shane's father, a 75-year-old former motorbike racer with a penchant for entertaining antics. Shane shares a memorable quote:

“[05:00] Shane Todd: My dad has a party piece where he gets people to punch him in the stomach.”

Despite his age, Shane's father remains spirited, often encouraging others to punch him, turning it into a humorous party trick. This quirky behavior serves as a testament to his father's resilience and zest for life, especially after surviving a severe motorbike accident in 1991 that left him with multiple broken bones.

Growing Up Near Belfast During the Troubles

Living near Belfast, Shane provides a perspective on growing up amidst the Troubles—a period of ethno-nationalist conflict in Northern Ireland. While his town was geographically close to the unrest, it remained a bubble of relative safety. Shane reminisces:

“[20:52] Shane Todd: ...we were kind of in a bubble almost.”

He highlights how his community maintained normalcy through activities like soccer, which often bridged the religious and cultural divides, fostering unity and camaraderie among the youth.

Career Journey and Pursuit of Comedy

Before venturing into comedy, Shane held various jobs, including working at UPS and in a call center. Despite a stable career path with UPS, which offered substantial benefits, Shane chose to follow his passion for stand-up comedy. Reflecting on this decision, he shares:

“[15:28] Ryan Sickler: I don't know about that either.”

“[15:28] Shane Todd: I have no other.”

This commitment underscores his dedication to comedy, a field he felt deeply connected to and passionate about.

Supportive Local Comedy Scene in Ireland vs. the US

Shane contrasts the supportive and modest nature of the Irish comedy scene with the often competitive and less cohesive environment in the United States. He notes the strong backing Irish comedians receive from their communities, which contrasts with the relative indifference faced by many American comedians.

Marriage and Siblings

Shane became a father in his early thirties, with two young children aged four and two. He discusses the dynamics of his blended family, including half-siblings from his mother's side, and emphasizes the strong, loving relationships he maintains with his family members.

Balancing Fatherhood and Comedy

Shane candidly talks about the challenges of juggling fatherhood with a rigorous comedy tour schedule. He prioritizes being present for his children, often making swift transitions between performances and family time. An anecdote highlights this balance:

“[42:05] Ryan Sickler: Get right out.”

Shane appreciates the importance of being actively involved in his children's lives, ensuring he doesn't miss significant moments despite his demanding career.

Health Challenges: Battling Crohn's Disease

A poignant segment of the episode addresses Shane's diagnosis with Crohn's Disease, an autoimmune condition. Diagnosed in his mid-twenties, Shane discusses the impact on his life and career:

“[48:14] Ryan Sickler: Does it progress as you get older?”

“[48:16] Shane Todd: No, I don't think so.”

He outlines his strategies for managing the disease, including strict dietary regulations and regular medical treatments, highlighting the resilience required to maintain his health while pursuing a demanding profession.

Advice to His 16-Year-Old Self

Towards the episode's conclusion, Ryan invites Shane to reflect on the advice he would offer his younger self. Shane emphasizes the importance of authenticity and self-identity:

“[57:18] Shane Todd: ...be your own man... I was always just trying to impress people.”

He underscores the value of embracing one's true self rather than conforming to others' expectations, a lesson that has significantly shaped his comedic style and personal growth.

Conclusion and Promotions

As the episode wraps up, Shane promotes his various projects, including his podcasts, upcoming comedy specials, and future tour dates. Ryan expresses his gratitude for having Shane as the first Irish guest on the podcast, celebrating the cultural exchange and shared comedic spirit.

Notable Quotes

• Shane on His Father's Punching Trick:

  “[05:00] Shane Todd: My dad has a party piece where he gets people to punch him in the stomach.”

• Shane on Growing Up in a Bubble:

  “[20:52] Shane Todd: ...we were kind of in a bubble almost.”

• Shane on Embracing Authenticity:

  “[57:18] Shane Todd: ...be your own man...”

Key Takeaways

1. Resilient Upbringing: Shane's upbringing in a small, supportive community near Belfast provided a stable foundation despite the nearby conflicts.
2. Influential Father: His father's unique and resilient personality had a profound impact on Shane, shaping his outlook on life and comedy.
3. Passion for Comedy: Choosing to pursue stand-up over a stable career demonstrates Shane's dedication and passion for his craft.
4. Balancing Act: Shane exemplifies the challenges and rewards of balancing a demanding career with active fatherhood.
5. Health and Resilience: Managing Crohn's Disease alongside a career in comedy highlights Shane's resilience and commitment to personal well-being.
6. Authenticity: Embracing one's true self is crucial for personal and professional fulfillment, a lesson Shane emphasizes as essential advice to his younger self.

This episode of The HoneyDew with Ryan Sickler offers listeners an engaging and heartfelt exploration of Shane Todd's life, blending humor with genuine insights into family, career, and personal challenges.

Transcript

[Ryan Sickler]

Baltimore. I'm coming home. We're gonna wrap the Live and Alive tour up Saturday, June 28th at the Horseshoe Casino. It's gonna be a great night. I got Justin Schlegel from 98 Rock gonna be out there with me. We're gonna have some surprises. It's gonna be a really big deal. Get your tickets [e-mail] the Honeydew with Ryan Sickler. Welcome back to the Honeydew, y' all. We're over here doing it in the Night Pants studios. I'm Ryan Sickler. Starting this pod off like I start them all off by saying thank you. Thank you for supporting this show. Thank you for supporting anything I do. All right? If you got to have more, then you got to have the Patreon. It's this show, the Honeydew with y' all. And I promise, you all have the wildest stories. You want to check out a little sample? Go watch some of the best of episodes that we drop right here on YouTube for free with Josh Wolf and we do some best stuff. We got about four of those out now. And I promise you, you have the wildest stories of anyone on Patreon. And if you or someone you know has a story that has to be heard, please submit it to honeydewpodcastmail.com. if you sent one before, send it again, bump it back up. We get a lot of them. We'd love to do an episode with you. All right. That is the biz. You guys know we do here. We highlight the low lights. Always say that these are the stories behind the storytellers. And I am very excited to have this guest on here. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Shane Todd. Yeah.

[Shane Todd]

This is my first us Paul.

[Ryan Sickler]

That's great. You just told me that before we started recording. I'm bl away by that. This is an exclusive right here with Shane Todd right now. This is your first US podcast.

[Shane Todd]

First us pod.

[Ryan Sickler]

Tell me we met. I want to say the Improv.

[Shane Todd]

I saw you in the Improv a couple of years ago. We didn't even really meet. I. I was. I'd been on before you. I was just here. I was doing some spots. Great lineup. You were on your set. I'm not just saying this. Best set of the night. I DM'd you after you did. Yeah, that was a great set. Never did not know of you beforehand this years ago and just kind of followed you since. So this is. This is kind of full circle moment that this is my first.

[Ryan Sickler]

That's crazy. I love How I'm love that you're we're your first US pod.

[Shane Todd]

Yeah.

[Ryan Sickler]

Yeah. Well, before we get into it, please, right there, promote everything and anything you'd like. Shane Todd.

[Shane Todd]

So I have a podcast called the Team podcast that comes out every week. ShaneComedy.com for my tour, which will be over in a minute. This is it. This is halfway through the US tour.

[Ryan Sickler]

Are you.

[Shane Todd]

I'm going to do a big 20, 26 tour. I'm going to come back. See, I'm just slowly building up the America shows. Like last night. I was in San Diego last year when I did it. 24 people in the mic drop ask me how many last night, how many last? 31.

[Ryan Sickler]

Fuck yeah.

[Shane Todd]

I booked a baseball stadium for next year. My miles is so bad. I was like, I think we're on upwards trajectory. So. Sheantalkomedy.com for my tour tickets, I've got a special on YouTube called Mummy, which is out shot in a small comedy club in Belfast. It's up there for free. I'm going to put a special out soon. I've got another one shot. I don't know when I'll put it up.

[Ryan Sickler]

All right. But you're here, man. Thank you for doing this.

[Shane Todd]

Yeah, no, I'm really excited.

[Ryan Sickler]

Yeah. So let's talk about it, because you are definitely the first Irish. I mean, we've people who over here will claim their Irish.

[Shane Todd]

Oh, yeah.

[Ryan Sickler]

You're the first Irish motherfucker we've had on this podcast. So we were talking a little before the show. Let's talk about your upbringing. So Belfast, is that where you're born and raised or.

[Shane Todd]

So just outside, that's like my big, like, nearest city.

[Ryan Sickler]

Okay.

[Shane Todd]

But then you guys in America, you'd be like, oh, my nearest city was this. But it was like 40 minutes away. Where I'm from is like so small that my closest city is like 10 minutes away. Belfast, like 10 minutes away. I'm from a town called Hollywood in a place called County Dunn.

[Ryan Sickler]

Is that right?

[Shane Todd]

Hollywood with one L. Oh, yeah. I remember I pitched this idea so many times to commissioners back in the day. I. I was like, guys, we've got a show. Hollywood, the Hollywood. And they were like, what? What is? I was like, hollywood here. Hollywood America. They were like, what happens in the show? I was like, I haven't got that far. But we've got the title.

[Ryan Sickler]

That's what I'm saying.

[Shane Todd]

We've got a working title, We've got a font. You know, we can do the Hollywood. The Hollywood in the same font, but that was it. So. So, yeah, that's, that's, that's where, that's where I'm from. Small, small town.

[Ryan Sickler]

And what about mom and dad? Tell us about them.

[Shane Todd]

So my dad's actually been on my pod a couple of times. Yeah, people love it. He's 75, short, short guy. Kind of a bit crazy. My dad has a party piece where he gets people to punch him in the stomach.

[Ryan Sickler]

That's like his thing still at 75, he's doing that shit. Nah. Oh, but that's how Houdini died.

[Shane Todd]

But he. I've told him this so many times.

[Ryan Sickler]

That's what we all use. Houdini is the example.

[Shane Todd]

He wants me to do it on, like live on the podcast.

[Ryan Sickler]

He's like, dude, that's where he's going to die.

[Shane Todd]

Yeah, I've looked it up.

[Ryan Sickler]

You.

[Shane Todd]

You get done. You would like, you go to jail for that. That's. That's manslaughter.

[Ryan Sickler]

Even if it. It's a. Cuz it's. Even if it's accidental, it's manslaughter. That's right. Not murder. That's right.

[Shane Todd]

I was like, it'll be a great.

[Ryan Sickler]

Clip, but you still go to prison.

[Shane Todd]

You're still going. And that's viral. That's going to go viral, that clip. But I don't know how, how long I would be away from the ball for if I'm in jail.

[Ryan Sickler]

Go viral in that Irish prison, too, bro. I'll tell you that.

[Shane Todd]

Irish prisons are very laidback. You can sort of walk like low, low walls. The bars have like a meter in between. It's pretty laid back.

[Ryan Sickler]

All right, so your dad's a partier from back in the day. What did he do for a living?

[Shane Todd]

He was a motorbike racer.

[Ryan Sickler]

Really?

[Shane Todd]

Yeah, yeah.

[Ryan Sickler]

What kind?

[Shane Todd]

So, well, not great. They had a lot of injuries. He'll hate me saying that. No, he was. He was really good. But he. It's called road racing that we do back in. Back in Ireland. And it. It literally is that. It's. It's not on like a circuit, you know, it's not on like a fancy circuit. It's like on rural Irish roads. It's ins.

[Ryan Sickler]

It's street racing here. Is it like one guy against another guy and they.

[Shane Todd]

No, no, it's a big proper thing. Like we have a big thing called the Northwest 200. That's like the big race. And Daniel Day Lewis will be out of. Brad Pitt, I think, has come over to it before. So it's like, it's huge. But my dad did that and he was a mechanic and he was good at it though.

[Ryan Sickler]

He would win.

[Shane Todd]

He was good. He had a real bad accident in 1991. Day of my. The day of my third birthday, the first race. I went to go and watch.

[Ryan Sickler]

Oh, nuh.

[Shane Todd]

So I remember.

[Ryan Sickler]

Did you see the accident?

[Shane Todd]

I didn't see the accident. I don't know if I'm remembering right, but I feel like I remember my auntie being like, there's your dad. I thought he was doing like a wheelie on the finish line, but he was just like in the sky. He was just like in the air wishing me a happy birthday.

[Ryan Sickler]

Birthday.

[Shane Todd]

He was shouting it before, before the impact, you know. But he, he had a real bad accident and broke like, broke his neck, his back like, like over 20 moons. Was told he would never walk again and, and, and did he still. He's still going strong and now he's.

[Ryan Sickler]

Letting people just randomly punch him in the stomach.

[Shane Todd]

And yeah, he's like, he's making up for it now.

[Ryan Sickler]

When's the. He's 75 now. When's the last time you let someone punch him in the stomach?

[Shane Todd]

Like, I guarantee I will. I'll get maybe two DMs a week from strangers walking around like Belfast City center saying like, just want to say met. Your dad made me punch him in the stomach. What an honor.

[Ryan Sickler]

He made me.

[Shane Todd]

He makes people do it. He makes people do it. And the worst thing you can do if he thinks you're going easy on him, might add, is a small thin guy, might as like maybe five. Five. But, but he, he wants you to go for if you hold back, he. That's like the biggest insult you can do. But I'm friends with a lot of boxers. I have a lot of boxers on my podcast. Real good boxing scene in Belfast. And my dad loves that because it's given him access to big hitters.

[Ryan Sickler]

Are they have any of hit your dad?

[Shane Todd]

Is he taking any shots? He's like his dream. So my friend actually just retired this week. My friend Tommy McCarthy's big heavyweight and that's, that's my dad's dream. Every time my dad meets Tommy, he's like, tommy, it's gotta happen. So I think, yeah, but the older.

[Ryan Sickler]

He gets, it better happen soon.

[Shane Todd]

It needs to happen. Yeah, my dad sent me a picture a couple of years ago. He was, he was at a hotel somewhere in Ireland having a meal with his friend Ivan. And there was a. They were having a meal and there was a wedding going on in the hotel. And Ivan sent me a video of the bride and groom standing beside my dad in the evening. Everyone drunk. My dad doesn't drink. I can't even excuse this by being drink. Yeah, no, no, he's just sober up.

[Ryan Sickler]

Telling people to punch him.

[Shane Todd]

No moral reasons. He just does.

[Ryan Sickler]

That's even way better.

[Shane Todd]

Oh for sure.

[Ryan Sickler]

He was a few in on that.

[Shane Todd]

So he got the groom. He just like. It was a guy, I think I was from New Zealand getting married in Ireland. And yeah, on his wedding night, he'll always remember punching my dad in the stomach. My dad's like. I think the guy thought that was like an Irish ritual, like you have to do. If you get mad, you've got a punching old man. It's just my dad.

[Ryan Sickler]

No shit.

[Shane Todd]

Yeah. So he's a character.

[Ryan Sickler]

What about mom?

[Shane Todd]

My mom worked in a bank for. For many years and they got divorced when I was, I want to say like months or not years old. Months old. I don't know the exact. Sometimes I think I was saying three months for stand up. And then my mom was like, hey, it was it, you know, no difference. No difference.

[Ryan Sickler]

You weren't in it. You were in it.

[Shane Todd]

But then, but then that makes you like you then start to question yourself. You know, you're going, I definitely have to be the reason they got divorced then.

[Ryan Sickler]

You know, eight months. I mean you're probably pain.

[Shane Todd]

They didn't give me. I couldn't do anything about it.

[Ryan Sickler]

You know, they had to take care.

[Shane Todd]

I couldn't perform, do a piece, whatever. Nothing to show them, like, hey, this might be a good thing.

[Ryan Sickler]

So what, who do you stay with? How does it work when they.

[Shane Todd]

No, I live with my wife. Imagine if they still share a custody. I'm 36, but I might do one week of my dad. I. So what happened was. So I would have been mostly with my mom and then I would have done. My dad would have picked me up from school on a Tuesday, Thursday, left me back at dinner time. And then every other weekend they would swap and then it ended up I would do one week at each and then when I got a little bit older.

[Ryan Sickler]

What age do you remember doing that? I asked because my daughter's 10 now and she's mentioned it before when she gets in like middle school or something like that. I don't really know how I feel with not seeing her for a full week.

[Shane Todd]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Ryan Sickler]

But still I'm curious.

[Shane Todd]

So I. I probably remember that from about it. Maybe if I'M thinking back to it, seven or eight. But weirdly, I'm saying the good thing about their divorce for me was because it was. Was at such a young age, I never had anything to miss.

[Ryan Sickler]

Yeah.

[Shane Todd]

You know, nothing was taken away from me. Exactly. And then when I got a little bit older, kind of like college age, I've just go wherever I fancied, kind of, because I had a room at each. And they were very easy going about it. So I might go here for a couple days, then a week there, whatever. And they live real close.

[Ryan Sickler]

I was gonna ask that too. Yeah. And did they get along? Like, could they come to events and things together?

[Shane Todd]

Yeah, yeah. I would say to them, come to, like, the. I make them go to the big shows, like, once a year. If I do the big shows. Like in November, I did the arena in Belfast. They would come to that. But my dad's like. He's the best and worst critic. Like, he'll. If you do. If you do a good show, he tell you it's a good show. If it's a bad show, he'll never be like, that wasn't good. But the last show I did, at the end of it, my dad said. And it was like the night off. So I always say, like, hey, I love honesty. Three, four days after the show, it's perfect time. My dad was like, there's a bit in the show where they, like, applaud. Because there was one particular bit I was doing about a bit of material about me and my wife. And it usually got an applause break. It's maybe the best bit I've ever written. So it was like a guarantee, whatever. However the set was gonna go, that bit would kind of always work. My dad put me to one side. I like the after party for the gig. And he was like, see that bit where they applaud? I said, yeah. He goes, why do you not do more of that? And I said on that. What do you mean? Like, that subject. He's like, no, the bits were there. Plot. What do you mean? He's like, would you consider having more of those moments in the show?

[Ryan Sickler]

Dad's like, hey, how about all killer, no filler, bro?

[Shane Todd]

I was like, you can't say to a baseball player, like, yeah, you had a home run.

[Ryan Sickler]

Like, you know what you thought about three times.

[Shane Todd]

It's just something to think about. Maybe you do that more.

[Ryan Sickler]

Can you stop doing that?

[Shane Todd]

But they're. They're very, like. They've all. They've always been really supportive of me doing this. And I also have, like, I have no backup. Like, you know, we know so many stand ups. Maybe, maybe you're the same. I don't know whether they'll be qualified in something really good. Some guy will be like, I'm actually a lawyer. So that if stand up doesn't work out, they can just go back to that. I have no other.

[Ryan Sickler]

I don't know about that either.

[Shane Todd]

I have no other.

[Ryan Sickler]

I mean, I talk to people all the time. Like we're now. Yeah, nobody's going to look at our out there and get a regular job.

[Shane Todd]

What did you do before stand up?

[Ryan Sickler]

Oh man, what didn't I do? So I, My parents split early on. My mom leaves the family we live with. My dad, he's a single dad. He dies when I'm 16 and then that's it. We've got no parents from then on. So I'm doing, I'm working and growing up in my friend's dad's junkyard. Worked in a junkyard for a long time. Lifeguard, landscaping. I mean every, everything and anything. Yeah, I was a manny for a minute. I, I used to, yeah, I used to help this little kid. His parents were like, he needs a, he needs a strong man. And I was like, he's got a dad. They're like, he needs her. He needs a man. I would pick this little boy up from school. I'd wait in the line with all the other moms and I'd pick him up. Yeah, I'd take him home. I had to make them do homework and stuff. And then they had a little bit of money and they were like, now you can just take them to the mall and you can go to the arcade or whatever. And I'm like, that's a great goddamn job. His sister at the time was 15 and she had her learner's permit. So they were like, would you be cool taking her out to teach her how to drive? And I was like, yes. I took her out, taught her how to drive, a stick shift, a little white Cabriolet. And then, I mean, and again, there's a million more. And I built pools. I did mostly above ground pools, but a couple in ground pools, just job, job, check, check, check, check, check. I never thought about career. I never had a focus other than survival. Get to the next day and get that check.

[Shane Todd]

Yep.

[Ryan Sickler]

And then I started working for UPS. Shout out to UPS, Baltimore Hill Primary 1 Joe Avenue. And then was more like, okay, this is a fortune. I think they were a 100 company at the time. And this is A real job. And I'd work my way up from a driver's helper all the way to supervisor. And honestly, I could have stayed there. I could have stayed there and had a damn good paycheck. Insurance, 401k, retire, all of it.

[Shane Todd]

Yeah, yeah.

[Ryan Sickler]

And I was like, now I'll hate. And they used to tell me every night because they all knew I was like, I'm leaving. I'm going to California. You ain't leaving. You're gonna be here just like us. I'm like, no, that was exactly.

[Shane Todd]

I worked in a. And I was out call center. And that's what, that's what everyone said every week. I'm leaving. Like, this is my last month. And I left that job, I don't know, eight years ago. And I know people who at the time said, I'm also leaving, you know, and I, I saw those.

[Ryan Sickler]

Are they. Do they just. Are they mind blown to see you left number one, because most of them don't. And then two to go on and do something big.

[Shane Todd]

Yeah. Like where I'm from has like a very. It's a supportive culture, but it's, it's like people, we have this thing of don't get above your station, you know, and people, I don't think people begrudge you like success or doing cool things. But we're not like a back pattern society. It's just not like that. People quietly be like, great to see this kind of thing. But I think we're like kind of a modest people, sort of. So doing what I did.

[Ryan Sickler]

But you guys aren't like the Yosemite Sam Americans.

[Shane Todd]

You can, you know, I always say, like use the analogy of. So we had a show called Live at the Apollo, which was. Any UK comedian, you know, they probably did that live stand up show on BBC. And I think if I was growing up in America or based in America or London, even if you said you wanted to, if I said I really want to do that show, people would be like, that's great. Like, how are you gonna, how are you gonna do that? What's your plan? Whereas at home, if you said you're gonna do that, people would be like, what do you want to do that for? Why would you do that? But, but you have a show called.

[Ryan Sickler]

Live at the Apollo over there.

[Shane Todd]

Yeah, the Apollo Theater in London.

[Ryan Sickler]

It's not mostly predominantly for black comedians.

[Shane Todd]

No.

[Ryan Sickler]

Like it is here. Do you know about Live at the Apartment? Yeah, yeah.

[Shane Todd]

I've only heard about it from.

[Ryan Sickler]

And then from BBC, which makes me Laugh. Because Big black. And I'll think. I'm thinking.

[Shane Todd]

Yeah, that was my dream to get. They said I maybe wasn't right for the. For a couple of reasons.

[Ryan Sickler]

Dude. So let's talk about growing up in Ireland, because we. Again, before the podcast, we talked a little bit about. I mean, I'm ignorant to a lot of things going on in the world and our country, but I do know Belfast has been a place of war. And you're what, 10 minutes outside?

[Shane Todd]

Yeah. Yeah. I mean, what's that like?

[Ryan Sickler]

Because I'm gonna say this only. The only thing I can ever. And this is just me talking, and I'm a. I'm an idiot, but I'm just me. And the only time I've ever felt like any sort of. And I don't want to say war, but a military presence was when the riots happened out here.

[Shane Todd]

Right.

[Ryan Sickler]

And that's when we saw the helicopters everywhere and the Humvees going by and a military presence.

[Shane Todd]

Yep.

[Ryan Sickler]

That was really right there.

[Shane Todd]

Yeah.

[Ryan Sickler]

And that was for a short period of time. And for this event or whatever you would put however you want to describe it, but it wasn't like every day you go down there and there's the National Guard or there's. Whatever. So what. What is that like?

[Shane Todd]

Well, that's. Yeah, I mean, definitely like my mom and dad's generation. And people younger than them would remember any time they wanted to go into, like, the city center to shop, you had to pass through army checkpoints. You researched. You know, you had to go.

[Ryan Sickler]

Yeah. Oh, so you're actually searched. They're not just a presence.

[Shane Todd]

Oh, no, no, no.

[Ryan Sickler]

Wow. They're actually putting hands on you. I didn't know that.

[Shane Todd]

That's. That's not my reality. But it's not that.

[Ryan Sickler]

It's not that far away from one generation.

[Shane Todd]

Yeah, I'm. People leaving slightly younger than people between my age and their age, probably. But where I'm from was kind of this weird town in that you can see Belfast. You know, our towns and cities are so close, and what we call a city is what you would call a village, probably. You know, you can. Ireland itself is an island. You can maybe six hours it would take to drive from one end to the other.

[Ryan Sickler]

Is that north, south, or east, west?

[Shane Todd]

The whole thing, really. Oh, from one top, from top to bottom.

[Ryan Sickler]

Six hours, roughly.

[Shane Todd]

Yeah.

[Ryan Sickler]

I mean, you're in California long.

[Shane Todd]

Exactly. Yeah. Yeah.

[Ryan Sickler]

Yeah.

[Shane Todd]

So we were right beside Belfast and growing up, my. I. Hollywood, the town I'm from, is very. It's cross Community. So it would have. Like both the main religions at home are pros and Catholic, and that's what the fighting is kind of about. Weirdly, it's a religious thing in. Nowadays in Europe. And we were from a time where everyone mixed. Friendship groups were all very, very mixed. But just over the way in Belfast, that wasn't the reality for a lot of kids my age. And there was so much going on on a daily basis. Like, not on a daily basis by the time I was growing up, but there was. There was shootings a lot, the bombs, all that kind of stuff. But. But that felt like as much as it was only five miles away. That felt like almost a different world. So that was something I'm really grateful for. Going up was geographically, I was pretty close to it, but we felt very safe from that happening. And you would know people who were affected. Like every family had somebody who was affected in some way. But we were kind of in a bubble almost.

[Ryan Sickler]

When you're growing up as a kid there in schools and things, do you have drills? Do you have anything for nothing?

[Shane Todd]

No.

[Ryan Sickler]

I mean, these kids today, these poor kids got active shooter drills. We had. I mean, they. It was. They said it was for hurricanes and. But I think in. In 1979, it was more. We. They lined us up in the hallway and told us to put our heads down. And I don't think of a hurricane. So you guys don't have anything like that there. They don't, do they don't. Do they? Do they? People don't have 10 minutes away. You're not a gun country.

[Shane Todd]

Not at all.

[Ryan Sickler]

But what about. You've never had military presence come out to the schools? There's no problem like that with your town?

[Shane Todd]

No, no, no. There would have been in the 80s and maybe even the early 90s. There would have been army checkpoints temporarily or there would have been. There was temporary stuff that would have come in, but. But I don't remember army presence really. Even though the town I'm from also has a huge army barracks, so they were based kind of right there, but you didn't really think about that. So the town. So weirdly, this is so weird to describe, but I'm saying it out loud, it's mental. But in Northern Ireland, where I live, the north part of Ireland, whatever you want to call it, there's so many options for what you call it, and you cannot pick one. There's no right answer.

[Ryan Sickler]

Is that right?

[Shane Todd]

If you were to ask me where I'm from, I could say Northern Ireland. The north of Ireland. Ireland, technically, you could. You could say the uk. There's just so many options and they're all. They're all wrong. But the times. Great. Like the whole place at home punches above its weight. But my town had Rory McElroy, the golfer. Yes. From there, Jamie Dornan, the actor. And it was. It was just. It was great. But at that time, when you read about things that were happening, you were almost thinking like, oh, wow, this thing happened. Well, but I mean, it was in Belfast. But that's 10 minute drive. But you felt like it was far away and. And yeah, there wasn't.

[Ryan Sickler]

Like, it's a half a mile.

[Shane Todd]

Yeah.

[Ryan Sickler]

I mean, like. Yeah, nothing. I mean, hearing bombs. You hear stuff over there? No, not even.

[Shane Todd]

No, no, no, no. I mean, there was.

[Ryan Sickler]

If, like that went down 10 minutes away from here, they'd be telling us to evacuate.

[Shane Todd]

Yeah.

[Ryan Sickler]

Get the out. You guys are just right down the street from this.

[Shane Todd]

People. People were kind of. Yeah.

[Ryan Sickler]

When you play sports, obviously you play soccer and everything. You play other sports.

[Shane Todd]

I just play soccer.

[Ryan Sickler]

So. Would you ever play in Belfast? Like, it was never a thing where you had to worry about when you'd go there.

[Shane Todd]

Oh, no, no, no, no, no. Like, you would. You would hear these, like, Belfast, only really, it's been a tourist place for a while, but only maybe in the last, say five years would even. Maybe. I think a lot of people from England consider Belfast as like a weekend break. Like, there is no real safety. It's like any city center right now, but like, we were in Tijuana a.

[Ryan Sickler]

Couple of days ago, bro. Yeah.

[Shane Todd]

Even San Francisco. Belfast is absolutely fine. It is finest San Francisco people, whatever.

[Ryan Sickler]

It's.

[Shane Todd]

Oh, man.

[Ryan Sickler]

It's sad because San Francisco is an amazing city architecture. You've got the Golden Gate, Coit Tower. You've got so much going on up there. So much. And then the other side is gorgeous, too. In Northern California.

[Shane Todd]

Sausalito.

[Ryan Sickler]

Sausalitos. Yeah. Great. You got Alcatraz. All kinds of stuff going the ballpark, all that. And it is a. It's like the zombie center of the world.

[Shane Todd]

It is one thing we didn't have growing up or don't have now. The reason I know, like back home is we're okay, is we don't have groceries behind cabinets in stores.

[Ryan Sickler]

What do you mean? Like locked up, stuffed up. Yeah.

[Shane Todd]

Cvs. It's a lot. Trying to buy, like potato chips, as you would call it in cvs, is like jewelry shopping in Belfast.

[Ryan Sickler]

Yes.

[Shane Todd]

The way you have to approach it like me and my friend razors.

[Ryan Sickler]

You can't get a razor. Everything's locked up here. Tide pods in a way.

[Shane Todd]

I could. Could I understand razors being locked up? Not really. Maybe. But like the Doritos are locked up. Like me and my friend Sean, who's with me on this.

[Ryan Sickler]

I'll be honest with you, I haven't seen that yet. Where did you go in California? Where the chips?

[Shane Todd]

San Francisco. People in the comments will back me up. The San Francisco.

[Ryan Sickler]

You don't need to say another word.

[Shane Todd]

I believe every single thing was locked up. Bar like birch bees skin care. And I was like, that's a kick. That's a kick in the face for the birch bees guys.

[Ryan Sickler]

Yeah.

[Shane Todd]

But also like people. People trying to rub stuff probably aren't looking for like cleanser.

[Ryan Sickler]

You're not like chat.

[Shane Todd]

But the potato chips, I pro. I promise you, I believe you. Potato chips are locked up. And again, if, you know, if you were like, it was like if you were buying a diamond necklace for your wife. We had to like call a guy over and a guy comes over with his little key, opens it for us, presents the Doritos. And we're like, you know, we're like, give me the.

[Ryan Sickler]

Cool, right?

[Shane Todd]

Yeah, I got the monocle on, you know, studying it.

[Ryan Sickler]

Yeah.

[Shane Todd]

We'Ll take it, we'll take it. But it. But that's. So when I see stuff like that.

[Ryan Sickler]

I go, you're like.

[Shane Todd]

Where I'm from has its problems and definitely has had its past, but it's. It's not like that.

[Ryan Sickler]

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[Shane Todd]

You know what this is? This is not me just being neutral for the sake of it. Well, personal opinion, but thankfully I grew up with no religion in the house.

[Ryan Sickler]

Okay. That wasn't pushed on you or anything?

[Shane Todd]

Never, never. And our family in that time is, is fairly mixed. You know, they're people. The problem.

[Ryan Sickler]

Would you say because of the problems they went through they were like, we're not going to bring religion into this house after what they've seen in their generations?

[Shane Todd]

Not really. I just think both families by the time I came around were just, were just not into it. Nobody went to church, you know, so I, I never felt like ever I had a dog in the fight and, and A lot of people I'm friendly with now you're kind of like that as well, like. But it was a religious war probably. But like quite a bit of Belfast is. Because one thing with Tijuana is I was looking at the wall and I was like, isn't that crazy? But then some of Belfast city is separated by a wall like that. Is it now you can cross, you know, you can walk through different points and the wall doesn't stretch for really that far, but it's still there. And that's, that's, that's like, that's deeply embarrassing for like my home city. That, that needs to be there. There's always calls to take it down.

[Ryan Sickler]

But what was it originally for?

[Shane Todd]

It was to stop rioting.

[Ryan Sickler]

You know, it's just a wall for riots.

[Shane Todd]

Yeah. But the people, it's easy me going tear them all down. I don't live there. So I can't say we should tear it down because people who live there might go, actually, I like my windows, you know, so. But that, so that's the crazy part of it. And also a lot of it. There's a lot of tourism, people who come in who want to hear about the troubles, which is what we call.

[Ryan Sickler]

What you two sings about.

[Shane Todd]

Yeah, but they, but the, you know, there's the double decker red buses and I did the tour because I had some friends come over from Australia.

[Ryan Sickler]

You went on one.

[Shane Todd]

Yeah. And we, and I thought, I know everything about my city and I don't know anything about it.

[Ryan Sickler]

You don't know, right. Yeah.

[Shane Todd]

And then when I looked at the, the way people were taking photos of this divided line stuff, I felt really weird because I'd never thought about it too much. So that was a weird experience to see it through the eyes of a tourist, you know.

[Ryan Sickler]

Now you say these days your generation isn't dealing with as much with the conflict as past generations. What do you think changed?

[Shane Todd]

Well, there was a. There was something called the Good Friday Agreement, which happened in 1998, which was like a lot of peace talks happened.

[Ryan Sickler]

Why though? I'm saying what, what are I think the word. The words the rest of the world missing here if, if this can happen. Because for a long time that it was.

[Shane Todd]

Well, it lasted for. I mean, the real trouble, I guess would have happened from the mid-60s.

[Ryan Sickler]

Almost 40 years. 30 years.

[Shane Todd]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Ryan Sickler]

In your own little city, in such a. Not like a country going to war. This is this own little pocket.

[Shane Todd]

Yeah. And you would, you know, the things that, you know, it was a Catholic Protestant issue. But I look at soccer because that's my main hobby. That's my passion. People mixed with that all the time. People probably who would have been involved in this conflict. And it was never really an issue there. You know, if you were playing, a group of. You wouldn't understand. The people would have been all different religions. So it was never a problem there. But it was just this historic, weird, weird thing to be fighting about now, you know, and it all like, once a year, there'll be tensions, there's marches that go on, and they're very contentious and stuff like that. In the way. What we call interface areas. So in the middle of where two communities meet, there might be stones thrown there every once in a while, but it's way better than it was. Way better. And that's the thing. Comedians at home who are older than me, that was there, they would go on stage and they would have 20 minutes of material just based on that day's news. What had happened that day. Had a bomb gone off that day or something was in the press that day. So it was. It was totally different. So only really in the last few years has comedy at home moved on to be not about all that stuff. And I don't know whether that's coincided with the rise in comedy in the north of Ireland, where I live, because there's half a dozen local comics that have played the arena in the last five years. And that's wild.

[Ryan Sickler]

Wow.

[Shane Todd]

The support is that we get from our own crowds is like, I don't see that anywhere else, bro.

[Ryan Sickler]

Listen, I say it all the time, and I don't mean to shit on America here at all, but I feel like other countries go harder for their people, even. Okay, let's go with the white guys for a second. Conor McGregor, Ireland, backing this the whole way. Philippines, Manny Pacquiao. You know what I mean? Like, you look at a guy like Joe Coy and all these people, Ali Wong, their people come rep them and they rep hard. You don't usually see. It's like, imagine, great example, you got a NBA basketball player who's now over in Japan. None of us give a. None of us even know he's over there. You know what I mean?

[Shane Todd]

We ain't over there.

[Ryan Sickler]

Like, yeah, man. We're like, whatever. That guy's gone, man. You know, you were still playing.

[Shane Todd]

Yeah.

[Ryan Sickler]

You know, everybody else is. They get behind. I feel like they get behind theirs.

[Shane Todd]

Yeah. But unfortunately, the guy in America at the minutes, Jake Paul, that's why no one's behind. Like, the number one fight guy at the minute is. But. But yeah, it's. It's like, like honestly, like I love. We have pound for pound an amazing comedy scene, but I, I still can feel the feeling of the first few times that I came over to like LA and New York. I just walked into some of the clubs. Like even now, like when I'm in the improv tonight, I have like butterflies like that is. This is like what I. The comedy I grew up watching and podcast, I listened to and all that kind of thing. So I just. Being here is just unreal. It's great.

[Ryan Sickler]

That's great. So let's talk more about growing up. Siblings. You have siblings?

[Shane Todd]

I've got brother and sister who are like technically half brother and sister, but I don't see it like that. They're just my brother and sister, but they're a lot younger than me, so they're my moms.

[Ryan Sickler]

Moms, yeah. So both from your mom?

[Shane Todd]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. So they're.

[Ryan Sickler]

Are you your only.

[Shane Todd]

My dad's only. I mean if he was here, he would wink, nod your arm and say of course. That one know of, you know.

[Ryan Sickler]

Oh, I thought you were gonna say for the other two. He claims this is.

[Shane Todd]

He's like my dad. My dad would have been like a prolific ladies man, like back in the day.

[Ryan Sickler]

A little dude like that.

[Shane Todd]

Yeah, he was swore they with the motorbike racing like Dustin Hoffman and he's got the chat, you know, he's got the ch. But yeah, I grew up with. It was weird because I grew up without siblings and then when I was in my teens I had.

[Ryan Sickler]

Oh, that's when they came in here. Yeah. Okay.

[Shane Todd]

So I grew up without a brother, sister when I was growing up till I was 12. Something like that. Something like that. So it's weird. Like my childhood, I didn't have brothers and sisters and I. By the way, do you know what's really sad? I thought the phrase was if. That if you grew up without brothers and sisters. I thought it was lonely child.

[Ryan Sickler]

Nah, not only child. You thought it was.

[Shane Todd]

I did a show, but I was describing myself throughout my whole childhood as a lonely child. The teachers who were like, oh, poor kid, I didn't realize. I didn't.

[Ryan Sickler]

That was hilarious. It makes sense. It really does. So what's the age gap when they come in? Are you older? Are you younger? What's the age gap with them?

[Shane Todd]

When my brother said no, they're like in their, like early.

[Ryan Sickler]

I mean between you at that time, they're in their early 20s?

[Shane Todd]

No, no, they're now in their early 20s.

[Ryan Sickler]

Okay.

[Shane Todd]

So I was.

[Ryan Sickler]

Oh, you're old.

[Shane Todd]

12. When they came along.

[Ryan Sickler]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Shane Todd]

So also almost like different generations.

[Ryan Sickler]

Okay. And you're close now, though?

[Shane Todd]

Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Ryan Sickler]

That's. My daughter and her brother share a mom and they're 11 years apart.

[Shane Todd]

Right, right.

[Ryan Sickler]

And you're close, huh? You're good.

[Shane Todd]

Yeah, but. And it's mad seeing, like, the. That because my two boys are two years apart, so they're so close in age, so I've never actually seen that dynamic of, like, two. A brother and sister.

[Ryan Sickler]

So mom and dad get divorced, like you said. Or she says. Excuse me, Eight months in.

[Shane Todd]

Yeah, something like that.

[Ryan Sickler]

And then that's just you.

[Shane Todd]

Yep.

[Ryan Sickler]

And then 12 years later, mom remarries or whatever, has a couple of kids.

[Shane Todd]

Yeah.

[Ryan Sickler]

Okay.

[Shane Todd]

Yeah.

[Ryan Sickler]

And how were you when you found out about it?

[Shane Todd]

Oh, I loved it.

[Ryan Sickler]

You weren't resentful or. Oh, no.

[Shane Todd]

I'd always wanted, like, brothers and sisters kind of. I didn't feel like there was anything missing in terms of that, but I was. I would always been really excited for that idea, weirdly. Like, I just like, I love kids. Like, I wanted to be a dad when I was really young. Not at the time, but I remember being in my teens being like, I can't wait until. Hopefully I can become a dad when I'm older. It's weird to always have kind of wanted that.

[Ryan Sickler]

Yeah, me too. I'm with you. Yeah. It's a good one. So it kind of makes you want to, like.

[Shane Todd]

Yeah.

[Ryan Sickler]

Be one.

[Shane Todd]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. So that. And that obviously, like. Like, Joe, I can't do at the minute is listen to my Spotify Light songs now that I'm out here and they're back home.

[Ryan Sickler]

Oh. Because they're your songs.

[Shane Todd]

With them, it just takes one song and even, like, start crying. Not even if there's a link. Even if they've been in the car when it's on.

[Ryan Sickler]

Yeah.

[Shane Todd]

You know Mambu number five, Lou Bega? I'm like, we were all in the room for that once, but now there's, like, a couple of songs that if. If that were to come on and I wouldn't have the power to turn it off. I'm gone, I'm gone. I'm fragile at the minute with that kind of thing.

[Ryan Sickler]

What's your relationship like with your dad now?

[Shane Todd]

Oh, great. Yeah, great. Like, he's been on the pod a few times. Come to shows.

[Ryan Sickler]

He loves him. I mean, you live still in the area you live close by?

[Shane Todd]

No, we live about one hour away.

[Ryan Sickler]

Okay.

[Shane Todd]

So we, we move like, way away from where we live. I live in like countryside, like.

[Ryan Sickler]

And they're still in that same area?

[Shane Todd]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Same house there. My mom's a different house, but my dad is in the house I grew up in.

[Ryan Sickler]

Yeah.

[Shane Todd]

So he's always there. So my podcast studio is in that part of the world. It's still in Hollywood because I will always keep it there because I just want to still have that link to the town. And as close to Belfast was easy to get guests instead of coming all the way to where I live, so. So I'm there a lot and then, you know, they come play with the kids, see the kids. They love the kids. Kids love them. So it's a proper, proper thing.

[Ryan Sickler]

And your dad never remarried or anything like that?

[Shane Todd]

No, no, no.

[Ryan Sickler]

Was your mom his only wife?

[Shane Todd]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Ryan Sickler]

Did he go back to being a ladies man after that then? Yeah, yeah, just stayed single.

[Shane Todd]

Just. Just stayed single.

[Ryan Sickler]

He did it right? Yeah, he did it right. He had his child. Yeah, like, whatever.

[Shane Todd]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. But no, he's a big hit with the ladies. He still is.

[Ryan Sickler]

He was big what?

[Shane Todd]

Big hit with the ladies.

[Ryan Sickler]

He was, huh?

[Shane Todd]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Ryan Sickler]

How was he now? He said 75.

[Shane Todd]

75.

[Ryan Sickler]

Still has the ladies after him.

[Shane Todd]

He still. Yeah, but here's the thing. My dad does not look 75. He doesn't see himself as 75. So my dad would see like a 60 year old is like, you know, she's an old lady. You know, I think, I think his, his.

[Ryan Sickler]

What's his window?

[Shane Todd]

He's thinking like, I think he's like 50 to 55. Really?

[Ryan Sickler]

He thinks he can get it?

[Shane Todd]

No, I'm just saying that because it's been recorded probably 40 to.

[Ryan Sickler]

35 to 55.

[Shane Todd]

30 to 35.

[Ryan Sickler]

What's the young. What's the biggest age gap girlfriend he's ever had? Do you know?

[Shane Todd]

Oh, no, nothing like. No, we're talking like maybe 10 years something.

[Ryan Sickler]

I mean, once you're in that age bracket, that doesn't mean shit.

[Shane Todd]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Ryan Sickler]

All right, let's talk about being a dad. Now. When. When were you? Well, how. We have two kids and who's. How old are they?

[Shane Todd]

They're four and two.

[Ryan Sickler]

So you said you quit that call center gig. How many years?

[Shane Todd]

Oh, like seven years ago. So they've. I've only ever been full time. But you.

[Ryan Sickler]

For only seven years?

[Shane Todd]

Full time for about seven years.

[Ryan Sickler]

And in that seven Years. You've also had two kids. Yeah, bro.

[Shane Todd]

Yeah.

[Ryan Sickler]

Doesn't it make you wish you to start a full time stand up?

[Shane Todd]

I just had a wall with new material. I was like, what can I do?

[Ryan Sickler]

What can I do?

[Shane Todd]

That's let's make two humans. So I was, I guess 32 when I had my first one somewhere around there. And it's. It's magic.

[Ryan Sickler]

Yes.

[Shane Todd]

The only thing is it is like I love traveling with stand up and last couple of years, been here a lot. Australia, a little bit of the Middle East. But I, I do find the be. This is probably the age where I find the being away so difficult. So I will go do the show, come straight back. Like Australia, I did 10 shows in 11 days. It was a case of like, get me to a new city, we'll do the show. Let's go to the airport. Keep repeating it. And the day of the last show, it was like a 6pm show at a 10:25pm flight home. So it was like back to Ireland.

[Ryan Sickler]

Get right out.

[Shane Todd]

Yeah, yeah. Because I just, I just don't, I don't want to miss anything.

[Ryan Sickler]

I'm the same way. I just did San Jose recently and my daughter had this event on Sunday and I was going to miss it and I was like, I'm not gonna make it. And I hit my guy up and I'm like, can you find me another ticket back? And he's like, there's a 6am flight. And I was like, let's go. Made it. Surprised her. She was like, daddy ran over, gave me a big hug. Then they won first place. And. And I was like, man, I've been bummed if I missed this.

[Shane Todd]

That's every second, that first place finish.

[Ryan Sickler]

Yeah.

[Shane Todd]

That was you.

[Ryan Sickler]

Nothing do, bro. I was just in the audience cheer it. But I was there for it.

[Shane Todd]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Ryan Sickler]

That's all I want to be.

[Shane Todd]

Yeah.

[Ryan Sickler]

You know what I mean? Like, that really is. Most of it is be there and be genuinely interested in what your kids fucking like. Yeah, yeah, I see. Look, my daughter's into cheer. I never thought she'd be into cheer. I never thought I'd be supporting cheer. And they're not. I'm gonna say they're not crazy about it. Like, she's not looking to be a professional cheer.

[Shane Todd]

Yeah.

[Ryan Sickler]

But she really loves it. I see confidence in her. She's going out and competing in individual events like as hey, if you want to. And then she's meddling in them and stuff. And I, I think about, I heard this one dad, like, we gotta go to this stupid event. And I was like, that guy? Yeah. You know what I mean? Like, why? Because your kid's not playing football and getting concussions and everything else at 10 years old. And then I get there, Shane Todd, I'm telling you, bro, I'm seeing, like, old gang bangers with teardrop tattoos on their face. I'm like, that guy killed somebody and he's here supporting this kid.

[Shane Todd]

Yeah.

[Ryan Sickler]

You know, I'm saying neck tattoos, face tats and stuff. I'm like, oh, man, if these people are showing up.

[Shane Todd]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Ryan Sickler]

No reason not to be.

[Shane Todd]

Of course.

[Ryan Sickler]

Like, I like soccer bracelets. I mean, they're all there.

[Shane Todd]

You know what I mean? They're all there supporting soccer being my thing. If my. Look, I'll be. If my boys showed no interest in it, it would. It would be difficult. But I'm never going to push them into it. Yeah, but they kind of themselves have got really into just kick. We kick a ball about the house every night. And it's the best. It is the best. Like. And all I say to them, listen, the only thing I want from them is to be professional athletes. The only thing I want is for them to go professional. Lucrative contracts give me a bit of kickback.

[Ryan Sickler]

All right, let me ask you, who's the worst team they could play for? Like, who's the team you guys hate?

[Shane Todd]

So I'm. I'm a Manchester United fan. So, like, Liverpool would be the classic rivalry.

[Ryan Sickler]

What if they actually do get on the Liverpool team? Could you root for them?

[Shane Todd]

I think so. I think that cash would keep it going. Nice. But, like, all them. All the money for soccer is in Saudi at the minute. So I'm like, boys, it's gonna be a culture shock.

[Ryan Sickler]

We gotta go.

[Shane Todd]

Let's go. Let's do it.

[Ryan Sickler]

Also, talking to you before we recorded, you mentioned having Crohn's disease, too. I wanted to talk about that because that's. I mean, we've had people on that have talked about just how difficult it is and. Is that a genetic thing, by the way? Is that something you have to worry about with your kids?

[Shane Todd]

Maybe, yeah. It can be passed through the family.

[Ryan Sickler]

Does your and your mom or dad have it?

[Shane Todd]

No, but my grandfather did on my mom's side. So here's the thing. I'm not a Googler. I don't look stuff up. If you tell me I've got something or I've got, like, when I had Covid or whatever, I won't look that up to see what decided, like, side effects. I just go with it. So for years, I not only did not look up Crohn's disease, but I was also realized I was spelling it wrong. Anytime I was writing it down or texting, I was like, that's not even that. I was so unfamiliar with the term. So I got diagnosed with it about eight years ago.

[Ryan Sickler]

Why? What was happening to you? Were you finally losing weight?

[Shane Todd]

Losing weight. Low energy.

[Ryan Sickler]

Eating the same, though, and still losing weight?

[Shane Todd]

Yeah, yeah. And cramps. That's the thing that took me in the hospital. So they. I. I said to my wife, then girlfriend. I was like, not my wife and then my girlfriend. That's not the setup I have in the house. She was my girlfriend at the time. Yeah, I was like. I said to my hareem. I was like, guys, I was feeling, like, stomach pains, and it was getting worse. Her friend was a nurse. So we were like, we should go up the hospital.

[Ryan Sickler]

How old are you at the time?

[Shane Todd]

23, 24. I don't know.

[Ryan Sickler]

Is that the. I mean, can we get, like, detailed here? Are you having, like, just garbage shits?

[Shane Todd]

No, that was. Weirdly, that wasn't really an issue and still has been a side of it that doesn't really affect me, but they took my appendix out that night. Oh, wow.

[Ryan Sickler]

You went in and they got you that night.

[Shane Todd]

Appendix. I woke up, the doctor was like, yep, you're all good. Went home, was getting worse. Then I went to a family wedding, and my cousin is a gastroenterologist. Guts doctor. So I was chatting to him, and he was hearing. But I was like. I was like, I feel like I'm getting worse. And this kind of thing.

[Ryan Sickler]

After the surgery, after.

[Shane Todd]

But a week after, he said, come in and see me. And then they were like, remember we took your appendix out? That was just a bit of fun. It was unrelated.

[Ryan Sickler]

They didn't even really need to take it.

[Shane Todd]

They didn't really need to take it out.

[Ryan Sickler]

Can you have a lawsuit for that?

[Shane Todd]

No, probably not. We're not. You know, we're not. Is that called litigation when you do that?

[Ryan Sickler]

I really don't know.

[Shane Todd]

Like, when you sue people, we are not a sue culture at all.

[Ryan Sickler]

They take your organ, you're just like.

[Shane Todd]

Oh, well, there goes the guy who punch who fatally punches my dad in the stomach. Yeah, no loss.

[Ryan Sickler]

No. I sue, no lawsuit.

[Shane Todd]

I just say, look, you're good to go. You fulfilled. You fulfill the man's wish. You fulfilled the man's wish. Part of me thinks, like, my dad has maybe looked into, like, Using Asia clinics in Switzerland. And maybe he's like, this is cheaper to just have strangers box me in the street. Yeah, this just gets.

[Ryan Sickler]

Sooner or later, it's gonna get me.

[Shane Todd]

So. So I got the diagnosis and it's. It's a autoimmune disease. You have it for life, but it's on a spectrum, so people have it to varying degrees.

[Ryan Sickler]

Does it progress as you get older?

[Shane Todd]

No, I don't think so. I don't think so. It can go for you at any time, but I don't really think age is a big thing, I promise you. I haven't done a lot of research on it. I like to keep it that way. I go, what do we need to deal with, like, immediately?

[Ryan Sickler]

You don't look at what you should or shouldn't eat?

[Shane Todd]

Oh, definitely.

[Ryan Sickler]

Okay.

[Shane Todd]

That's the side of it I got massively into, so I didn't realize, but dairy was flaring me up badly. And I remember being in hospital after my. Had my appendix out and my cousin Jackie said, we're coming up to see you. What do you need? And I'd lost a lot of weight and I was like, could you get me, like a milkshake or like someone a lot of calories? And I remember this big banana milkshake and I had the whole thing. And then I was like, this is bad. I had to get to the toilet straight away. And I had. I had been trying to bulk myself up with milk, cheese, dairy, all that kind of stuff. Then I got home and I. I was just not recovering. It felt like I had a hangover for like a year. I just was not recovering. So I started to look at my diet because the National Health Service in the UK are brilliant because we. It's free health care, but they don't. It's more a case of, like, patch up, you know, but, like, in terms of a lot of the aftercare, in terms of diet and all that kind of thing, you do that yourself, which is a completely fair deal because, like, I got my appendix. I. That's free.

[Ryan Sickler]

Cost you nothing.

[Shane Todd]

Cost me nothing.

[Ryan Sickler]

Wow.

[Shane Todd]

And they're great.

[Ryan Sickler]

And the patient appointments should have cost you nothing. They didn't even need to take that shit out.

[Shane Todd]

Yeah, yeah.

[Ryan Sickler]

Have they. Did they. When they told you that, did they have to take any of your intestine or nothing?

[Shane Todd]

No.

[Ryan Sickler]

Nothing else?

[Shane Todd]

No other surgery? No. So got away, like, there. But I was like, let me just look at my diet. So I. I remember cutting out for a week dairy and gluten, and it was like, oh, that's great.

[Ryan Sickler]

Really.

[Shane Todd]

Then I started that because I was. We just moved into a flat, man. She's my girlfriend then. And we just moved into like a little apartment and that should have been great, but I just felt. I felt really weak. I'd lost a lot of weight and I'm a pretty slim guy, so. But I lost a couple of stone, so I felt like awful. Hated the way I looked. And it was a short and I'm a very upbeat guy, very positive. I remember I'd lost a load of weight and I have a picture. I'll. I'll send it if you want to put it in of what I look like. And I remember being like, I need to get like, feel strong again.

[Ryan Sickler]

What are you now?

[Shane Todd]

I probably. We're like 74 kg. We're stone guys. You do stone?

[Ryan Sickler]

No, I mean, I know what you mean when you say it, but we say pounds. I don't even know what kilograms are. Well, I mean, I know what they.

[Shane Todd]

Are, but I don't know what pounds are. Yeah, I just remember the big show on wrestling was 500 pounds.

[Ryan Sickler]

Yeah.

[Shane Todd]

So I would have been like 11 and a half stone. I'm 12 now. It would have been 11 half stone. And I probably dropped down to like nine. And I remember being in that apartment and saying, I can picture it now. I was like, I'm gonna start exercising again because I feel terrible. And I went down into like a press opposition and I'd be pretty fit and healthy and athletic. And I went into a press opposition and I couldn't push myself back. Not one, not one. And I remember being like about to get really emotional, like being like about to cry and then going, well, the only thing I can do from here is try and get to one. So it can only get better from here. And maybe later that night, the next night or whatever. I remember doing a push up. I mean, now we're wrong. And then just building it up gradually from there. There's been a bit of trial and error, but I get really good healthcare with it. I take like, I inject myself every 12 weeks with some medication and day to day.

[Ryan Sickler]

You get for free.

[Shane Todd]

Yeah.

[Ryan Sickler]

How do you get it? Where do you go to get it? Pharmacy.

[Shane Todd]

They just send it out to me.

[Ryan Sickler]

They mail it to you?

[Shane Todd]

Yeah. And it's really expensive. Like, this is really expensive.

[Ryan Sickler]

Like if you actually had to pay for this, this will be a. Yeah.

[Shane Todd]

I don't know if you could. They make it that. That expensive.

[Ryan Sickler]

But the health care in America. Yeah, you got enough Going to say I go back to Taylor trying to steal locked up chips, bro. That's what happened up here.

[Shane Todd]

I'm like, if this is what I've got to do for Cheetos, what do I have to do for. For life saving medication?

[Ryan Sickler]

How do you manage it on the road and stuff?

[Shane Todd]

Well, I don't drink. I don't drink alcohol. I actually kind of fallen out of the way of it anyway. I was never a huge drinker. I would have gone out a couple of nights a week college age. But I was never big into it. I prioritize my sleep. I exercise, drink a load of water and that's, that's kind of it. So day to day, I feel, I feel great. Things could probably turn at any point and I'm, I'm like aware of that. But take medication, live as well as I can. And I generally feel great, like exercise every day and yeah, I, I'm very aware I have it. But I'm, I'm very lucky that I like, I know people who have a terrible version of this.

[Ryan Sickler]

So I've had people on the show that have had awful.

[Shane Todd]

Yeah, yeah. So I'm.

[Ryan Sickler]

But colost me bad.

[Shane Todd]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. So you never know what's gonna happen like down the line. But I do just try and stay like very positive and I'm, I'm very regimented with my diet and stuff. But yeah, I mean, I'm lucky that when I had that those times where I didn't feel good about my appearance and, and I was just fed up a lot. Stand up was the best thing in the world. And I wasn't even necessarily talking about that kind of thing. But just being able to.

[Ryan Sickler]

Isn't it interesting because I feel you on that just. I've been way overweight. I've been at a healthy weight. I've been all these different things. And even when you don't like the way you look, you don't feel good in your skin for some mental reason. We still get up in front of a crowd of people.

[Shane Todd]

Yeah.

[Ryan Sickler]

And the first thing that is easiest to see is your appearance and what you look like. And then we sit on these podcasts in front of these cameras and I'm just being again and again and again. We have to put ourselves out there. So it is nice to feel all right.

[Shane Todd]

But that's the time when you're, when you're up there on stage and you could be bombing. You don't feel you're not thinking about.

[Ryan Sickler]

Anything about the most free. I am. I remember Telling an ex that one time, like, when I'm up there, I don't even think about you or the problems we have. She's like, that's fucking nice. I'm like, I don't. Yeah, I don't. I don't know why I don't think about health issues. Nothing. I'm so present. No other in the moment. There's no other thought. I have one thought at the beginning of my mind is when I get up there, I quickly glance to see where the exit signs are in case there's a fire or earthquake or something. I can get the out of that place.

[Shane Todd]

Oh, yeah.

[Ryan Sickler]

Yeah. Or I scope it before I get up there.

[Shane Todd]

Right.

[Ryan Sickler]

Always right. Always right. The way you come in and always the way you got to go out. So I'm looking. Although there's a waitress station over there and there's an exit sign above it. I can run out the back. If there's a shooter, I'm gone, bro.

[Shane Todd]

See, that's a. That's crazy to me to hear that. Genuine thought.

[Ryan Sickler]

I think about it.

[Shane Todd]

That's nuts.

[Ryan Sickler]

Yeah. We have earthquakes to worry about. We have active shooters these days to worry about. We've got fires. And people love to fight in these clubs sometimes, too. And you have to remember in America, too, where you are, because it could be a concealed carry state.

[Shane Todd]

Yeah.

[Ryan Sickler]

That person could legally have a legal gun on them. And if you with them, bro, I tell. I tell my stepson, my daughter all the time, if you ever have to pull a knife out or some shit like that, you better fucking have a reason to use it. Because once you do, it's over. Somebody shoot you, it's over.

[Shane Todd]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. I meant to say earlier, the song that. That gets me, the number one song. You're talking about that moment about when you come back in.

[Ryan Sickler]

Yeah.

[Shane Todd]

Or when you went to your daughter's competition and she says, daddy runs to Luke Combs brought out an album called Father and Sons.

[Ryan Sickler]

I love Luke Combs, dude.

[Shane Todd]

But it's as if he has observed me, got into my brain, and written an album that he's gonna make me cry. And I'm in a album.

[Ryan Sickler]

Yeah.

[Shane Todd]

I don't mean one song. I mean, he's like, hey, you Wanna Cry? There's 12 songs, and there's one called Listen Number Eight.

[Ryan Sickler]

There's one in there where I talk about punching your dad. This time.

[Shane Todd]

It gets so close to my life.

[Ryan Sickler]

God, man, he really is watching me.

[Shane Todd]

It's called Front Door Famous. Okay, that's the one.

[Ryan Sickler]

Yeah, yeah. That gets you. The kids like that one too.

[Shane Todd]

Yeah, yeah. And then, then we just of course have a few songs together. But when I'm away, that is, that is the thing that if that gets me, I'm. I'm gone. Yeah, I'm gone.

[Ryan Sickler]

I get like that too, dude. I can't help it. Sometimes I'm on a plane, I just start.

[Shane Todd]

I got the AirPods, Lone Star amazed you're gone.

[Ryan Sickler]

This is great, dude. Thank you for coming on and doing this. I'm honored to be your first American pod. I can't get over it. Love it, love it. Exclusive here, y' all. Exclusive. So something I ask every guest their first time here is advice they would give to their 16 year old self. I'm curious what you would tell 16 year old Shane Todd.

[Shane Todd]

It's, it's advice that I got given but didn't really take on board because I didn't know how to. But be your own man is something I got told by my dad when I was younger. Always like, be your own man. You have to go with the crowd. And I think it was probably that advice was given to me at the age where maybe you'll go drinking underage with your friends and that kind of thing. And it was like, you don't always have to make that decision if you don't want to. But I would apply it to stand up because I started stand up when I was like 17, 18, and I always, when I look at like when I was in college, even probably school before that to an extent, I was always trying to be whatever I thought people wanted me to be in terms of like style, personality even, I was always just trying to impress people. And definitely when I look back and when I started stand up my first good few years, not that you were ever ripping off material or anything, but you were whoever, the comedian that I liked at the time, I was like, well, I've got a dress like him. I've got to, I've got to stand like that at the mic, all that kind of stuff, have that style. And I don't think it's possible sometimes to be your own mom when you're a certain age or whatever. It wasn't until maybe just before my kids came along, when my kids came along where I went, oh, I am like who I kind of want to be. Like, I'm not trying to impress people. I remember I'd meet like TV commissioners from BBC and that kind of thing and, and I would just what do you want from me? Instead of here's what I would want to do. If it's for you, great. If it's not, fine. So I think there was definitely a time where I kind of did become my own man and do the things I want to do, but I would probably try and take that in more when I was about 16.

[Ryan Sickler]

Yeah. That's great advice.

[Shane Todd]

Yeah.

[Ryan Sickler]

Dude. Thank you for coming on. Thank you. I really appreciate having you here one more time. Please promote everything you'd like.

[Shane Todd]

Yeah. Do Tea with Me podcast, which is on all the main platforms. And if you're ever in Ireland, please come do it.

[Ryan Sickler]

I would love to.

[Shane Todd]

And she had talk comedy.com for my live dates. I'm gonna do a big tour starting in 2026. I've got a special on YouTube, she and Todd comedy special. You'll find it. It's called mommy and I'm gonna put another one up, which I recorded just outside Dublin pretty soon.

[Ryan Sickler]

Awesome, dude. Thank you again, man. It's been great. As always. Ryan Sickler on all social media. Come see me on tour tickets on my website, RyanCickler.com we'll talk to you all next week. SA.