Zac Amico’s Morning Zoo – Episode 0044: Che Durena & Josie Marcellino

Date: September 14, 2025
Host: Zac Amico
Guests: Che Durena, Josie Marcellino
Producer(s): GaS Digital Network

Episode Overview

This unhinged drive-time episode of Zac Amico’s Morning Zoo brings together comedians Che Durena and Josie Marcellino for a riotous blend of personal chaos, wild stories from the road, and no-holds-barred conversations about health, debates gone wrong, and the darker sides of current news. The trio swings between bathroom humor, hard-hitting realities of mental health and homelessness, and a behind-the-scenes look at internet “debate culture.” The result is equal parts grotesquely funny and surprisingly honest, with that signature Morning Zoo edge.

Key Discussion Points & Highlights

1. Opening Banter – Diner Food, “Jewish Kick,” and Healthy Living

[00:46–04:16]

• Zac warmly welcomes Che and Josie, expressing genuine excitement about the episode.
• Chat about Zac’s recent “manly” meal (diner meatloaf, baked potato, string beans, matzo ball soup).
• Che and Zac riff about eating healthier, the trauma of a “meat dump,” and the misery of digestive cycles when altering your diet.
• Running joke: “Unjewed” as a term for corrupting matzo ball soup with garlic hot sauce.
• Colonoscopy horror stories and apparent fascination with medical procedures gone wrong.

QUOTE [04:07]:
Zac: “I kinda wanna do the flush you have to do. Even though I’m not quite old enough for a colonoscopy...”

2. Medical Mayhem – Anesthesia, Russian Doctors, and Grim Humor

[04:25–08:45]

• Zac and Josie share anesthesia tales: fighting nurses upon waking, wishing for post-surgery “loopy” euphoria.
• Mutual distrust of Russian dentists: Zac’s “brutal” wisdom tooth extraction at the hands of a no-nonsense Russian woman (“She just put pliers in. I could have done that at home!”).
• Che and Zac riff on comedic “racisms” for specific services: “Chinese for mystic stuff, Russian for mob duty, not comfort.”

Memorable exchange [08:14]:
Che (on Russian dentist): “This will hurt a lot.” (mimes needle jam)
Zac: “Pliers? Are you fucking nuts? I thought there was gonna be tools!”

3. Witchcraft & Brain Damage: Josie’s Wildest Story

[09:54–24:36]

• Josie describes being scammed by a “Nigerian TikTok witch” promising to help get her ex back. She attempted rituals involving: sea salt, cloves, cinnamon—and even washing her face with her own urine.
  • “I washed half my face like I was Harvey Dent with piss and cinnamon. And then I was like, what am I doing?” [11:54]
• The crew cracks up at the absurdity, spinning it into comic book villain references (“Cinnamon and Piss!”).
• Conversation turns somber: Josie details her spiral into mental illness due to encephalitis (brain swelling from a teratoma), leading to a lost period in Italy filled with suicidal episodes, police intervention, and disconnection from reality.
• Honest reflection on her ex, the aftermath, guilt, and boundaries for contact:
  • “It feels weird not ever being able to apologize or clear the air. But that is a selfish thing on my end...” [24:46]

4. Debate Culture, “Whatever” Podcast, and Public Humiliation

[24:36–41:46]

• Josie recounts the fallout after appearing on the “Whatever” podcast—a notorious debate show. She describes being overestimated (by herself) and woefully unprepared against a polished grifter/debater.
• Dissects her mistakes: “I was bringing intuition to a fact fight...” [32:15]; admits to panic-lying, “stolen valor” about visiting war zones (never been), and accidentally saying she appeared in war-torn countries.
• Reflects on the online backlash, doxing, and why it’s best not to engage.
  • Zac, with perspective: “Every single time you go to bed, you will be less concerned with it... You get got sometimes.” [40:18]
• Che summarizes internet microcosms: “These people… they’re not real. None of it’s real. None of it is real.” [44:15]

5. Societal Problems – News, Housing, and Mental Health

[46:21–55:59]

• The group criticizes “debate culture” for distracting from the “real enemy”—a tiny elite hoarding resources, systemic issues like real estate speculation, and destruction of the middle class.
• Zac pivots to tragic recent news stories:
  • Charlotte Train Stabbing ([49:06–51:53]): Video of a schizophrenic man killing a Ukrainian refugee—critique of mental health and justice system failures; discussion on why some crimes get covered up.
  • Philly Execution ([52:22–56:40]): Homeless couple, public shooting in Center City; violent video prompts discourse on gun access and homeless struggles in Philly.
• The group agrees major violence is rarely random, usually linked to drugs or mental health, and that coverage should address root causes.

6. Police Incompetence & Gender Roles

[57:14–61:38]

• Viral video: two “lady cops” failing to subdue a small suspect.
• The comedians riff on what makes a good cop partner: strength, calm, ability to talk people down—regardless of gender but emphasizing physical requirements for safety.
• Che: “He could have taken their gun. He could have been dual wielding!” [59:28]
• Discussion cycles into “fat strength,” TSA agents, and gendered humor.

7. Closing – Girl Scout Cookies & Rapid-Fire Jokes

[61:38–65:31]

• Announcement: new Girl Scout cookie (“Explore Mores,” s’mores-inspired).
• Brief cross-border comparison: only two cookie types in Canada, wide variety in the US.
• Zac, Che, and Josie debate faves (thin mints in the freezer win; honor to shortbread and Samoas as well).
• Zac shares a wrestling locker room anecdote, buying 10 boxes, and being good-naturedly roasted by a wrestler named Homicide.
• Plugs and shout-outs: everyone details upcoming gigs and podcasts (details below).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Witchcraft Gone Wrong:
  Josie: “I washed half my face like I was Harvey Dent with piss and cinnamon. And then I was like, oh no, what am I… I’ve been had.” [11:54]
• On Trauma & Mental Health:
  Josie: “There should be a hundred viral videos of me just gallivanting… just a jacket, nothing else on to speak of, just a jacket…” [15:39]
  Zac (supportive): “Every single time you go to bed, you will be less concerned with it. And there will be a day where you go, I didn’t think about that all day.” [40:18]
• On Internet Hate & Debate Shows:
  Che: “These people… they’re not real. None of it’s real.” [44:15]
• On Cop Partners:
  Che: “If a lady is gonna be a cop, she better be on enough roids to have a clit like a thumb…” [57:30]
• On Public Service Humiliation:
  Zac: “I could do this at home. I would have saved a lot of money actually.” [09:06] Che: “He could have killed both of them. Skinned the fatter of the two, put her body on, and shown up to work the next day…” [59:37]

Timestamps for Major Segments

• Opening food & health chat: 00:46–04:16
• Anesthesia/Russian dentist stories: 04:25–09:06
• Josie’s TikTok Witch & Medical Odyssey: 09:54–24:36
• Debate Show & Doxing Trauma: 24:36–41:46
• Society, Real Estate, Systemic Issues: 46:21–49:06
• Charlotte train stabbing/Philly execution: 49:06–56:44
• Lady Cops Fiasco: 57:14–61:38
• Girl Scout cookies & closing plugs: 61:38–68:13

Plugs

Josie Marcellino:

• @josiemarcellino on all socials
• Guest spots for Robert Kelly at Port Comedy Club (Baltimore), NY Comedy Club East Village, DC appearances, Skankfest
• Stand-up, TV producing

Che Durena:

• Podcasts: “Dark Holes” (w/ Shaderna), “Two Goons” (w/ JJ Lieberman)
• Tour dates: chedurena.com (Toronto, Pittsburgh, San Jose, Skankfest, more)

Zac Amico:

• Dates: punchuplive.com/zacamico
• “Too Fat, Too Furious: Two Zacks Tour” (with Zach Holmes)
• Skankfest
• Subscribe: GasDigital.com (Promo code: ZOO)

Tone & Takeaway

The episode’s tone is gleefully irreverent, brutally honest, and built on a chemistry of comics who know how to mix crass with depth. There’s a wild unpredictability—from vile body humor to raw admissions of personal crisis and social critique—but always laced with biting humor. Fans of offensive, high-octane, and honest morning conversations will find plenty here.
Summary in a nutshell:
A train-wreck of stories—hilarious, horrific, and wholly human. You’ll never look at cinnamon the same way again.