The JTrain Podcast: Faith, Family & Figuring It Out with Zach Zimmerman
Release Date: May 14, 2025
Host: Jared Freid
Guest: Zach Zimmerman
Episode Title: CHIT CHAT WEDNESDAY - The JTrain Podcast w Jared Freid
1. Introduction
In this episode of The JTrain Podcast, host Jared Freid welcomes comedian Zach Zimmerman for a lively and heartfelt conversation. Jared introduces Zach's latest stand-up special, "Surprise Me," highlighting its high production quality and engaging storytelling approach. The special intricately weaves Zach’s experiences with his evangelical upbringing and his journey of coming out.
Notable Quote:
Jared Freid [02:29]: "How did you... Waste of time."
2. Zach’s Comedy Special: "Surprise Me"
Zach Zimmerman discusses his special, "Surprise Me," emphasizing its unique storytelling method that blends personal anecdotes with humor. Jared praises the special's quality, noting, "It's Netflix quality and you can get it for free on YouTube without paying $19.99 a month."
Notable Quote:
Zach Zimmerman [03:16]: "Weave is a word Jared picked because I do perform the entire special in a full six-foot weave that I had braided into my hair."
Zach explains that the "weave" metaphorically represents the intricate relationship he maintains with his evangelical parents, despite his departure from their beliefs.
Notable Quote:
Jared Freid [09:33]: "You have a definition of love. And then you... this relationship, you're trying to get them to see your side of it."
3. Navigating Family Relationships Post-Coming Out
A significant portion of the discussion centers on Zach’s relationship with his evangelical parents after coming out. They explore the challenges of maintaining familial bonds when deeply ingrained beliefs create friction.
Notable Quote:
Zach Zimmerman [12:00]: "My parents tell me they love me, but then they're going to the ballot box and voting against my rights."
Zach emphasizes that love, as defined by bell hooks, is "a commitment to one's spiritual growth," allowing for criticism and growth within relationships.
Notable Quote:
Zach Zimmerman [13:29]: "Loving humanity, loving your fellow person means, hey, I'm here for you. Let's be better people than we were yesterday."
4. Performing at Jazz Fest
Zach shares his experience performing at New Orleans' Jazz Fest, reflecting on the vibrant atmosphere and the challenges of drawing a live audience despite the festival's scale.
Notable Quote:
Jared Freid [06:05]: "It was a great opportunity. There's like people love jazz. Love it is festival."
Despite having over 15,000 streams for his special, only a handful of attendees came to his shows, highlighting the unpredictability of live performances.
Notable Quote:
Zach Zimmerman [07:38]: "15,000 people streamed the special, but four people came to that. 9:30 PM Friday night show."
5. The Dunkin Donuts Bit
One of the standout topics is Zach's comedic bit about Dunkin Donuts, which resonates particularly well with audiences from areas where Dunkin is a beloved local brand, such as New England.
Notable Quote:
Zach Zimmerman [26:27]: "The Dunkin Donuts bit is great. It hit real hard in Boston where they go nuts for their Dunkeys."
Jared, hailing from near the original Dunkin Donuts in New England, shares his enthusiasm for the bit, adding personal anecdotes and connecting over the shared cultural significance of the brand.
Notable Quote:
Jared Freid [27:48]: "The Dunkin Donuts bit is great. It spoke to me. I can't believe you get donuts from Dunkin Donuts."
6. Online Reactions and Personal Stories
The conversation shifts to the online backlash Zach received from a Facebook page questioning his dating life. Jared empathizes, sharing his own experiences with online scrutiny and the challenges of maintaining authenticity in the public eye.
Notable Quote:
Jared Freid [18:27]: "I have podcasts where I talk about my dating life. The idea that you can't find information on me. And this has always been my... it's crazy."
7. Clean Comedy vs. Authentic Storytelling
Jared and Zach delve into the debate between clean comedy and authentic, lived-in storytelling. Jared advocates for honesty in comedy, criticizing the notion of clean comedy as potentially dishonest or merely a booking strategy.
Notable Quote:
Jared Freid [35:31]: "The dishonesty of clean comedy is why comics go against it. We think it's being dishonest because we meet bad actors who do it."
Zach agrees, emphasizing that his material stems from real-life experiences, making his performance more relatable and genuine.
Notable Quote:
Zach Zimmerman [22:05]: "My premises have always been like, what is going on with my life? Like, the actual mechanics, the people exist."
8. Family Reactions to the Special
Zach shares how his parents have responded to his special. While his mother requested clean clips due to discomfort with explicit content, his father acknowledged the authenticity of the material.
Notable Quote:
Zach Zimmerman [34:01]: "I sent mom the special. She asked if it was clean. I said, parts of it. She said, send me clean clips."
This segment underscores the delicate balance Zach maintains between honoring his family's expectations and expressing his true self through comedy.
9. Light-Hearted Banter and Closing Remarks
The episode concludes with light-hearted discussions about personal preferences, such as ice cream places and humorous exchanges about comedic bits. Jared and Zach reinforce the importance of authentic storytelling in comedy and encourage listeners to watch Zach's special.
Notable Quote:
Jared Freid [35:47]: "I enjoy the special. I want everyone to go watch it. It's called Surprise Me."
10. Call to Action
Jared wraps up the episode by directing listeners to Zach’s special on YouTube, encouraging them to like, comment, and share to support Zach's work.
Notable Quote:
Jared Freid [41:04]: "Everyone go watch. Surprise me. It's on YouTube right now. The link is in the bio of this episode."
Conclusion
This episode of The JTrain Podcast offers an insightful look into Zach Zimmerman's life and comedic approach. From navigating complex family dynamics to delivering relatable humor about everyday topics like Dunkin Donuts, Zach demonstrates the power of authentic storytelling in comedy. Jared Freid's engaging interview style brings out the depth of Zach's experiences, making this episode a must-listen for fans seeking both laughter and meaningful conversation.
Listen to the full episode here.