Podcast Summary

The Matt King Show — Episode 037: Brent Pella | How Brent Pella Built a Career From Nothing | December 2, 2025

Main Theme/Overview

In this engaging episode, Matt King sits down with comedian, filmmaker, and viral content creator Brent Pella. The conversation dives deep into how Brent carved out his own path in comedy and entertainment—starting with no industry connections, no permission, and instead leveraging self-belief, relentless effort, and creative risk-taking. The episode explores the pivotal moments that fueled Brent’s growth, the challenges of self-doubt, building an authentic support system, and how his openness—especially regarding psychedelics and political topics—has shaped both his work and his mindset.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Betting on Yourself & Rejecting the “Permission Myth”

Brent’s realization: "For a while I was hoping that I would have like a paid opportunity… and then I just realized I need to make that myself. That's my thing." (00:04)
*Matt highlights how many people wait for external validation or opportunity, but the real catalyst comes from creating your own chance.
Brent describes how his move to Austin (June 2024) spurred him to write his own movie—a psychedelic comedy inspired by music festivals and his own upbringing as a “deadhead kid.”

2. Audiences as Real Support, Proof of Concept

Brent: His support system is primarily “the audience that I have… the reaction that I get from an audience.” (03:33)
He leverages online videos as testing grounds: "The general energy was that people were seeing this type of stuff for the first time. And I was stoked on that because it felt like I had kind of uncovered a new way of telling stories that are not just funny, but also representative." (06:18)
The online response gave him the confidence to push into larger projects—because his niche ("festival-related, psychedelic comedy") resonated with an underrepresented audience.

3. Navigating Haters, Open-Mindedness & Polarization

Brent acknowledges that, post-2020, his audience diversified: “I'll have somebody be like, ‘psychedelics are just the pathway for the demons to come in.’...but the vast majority is positive.” (08:26)
On open-mindedness: A mix of upbringing (his open-minded mother) and intentional use of psychedelics helped cultivate his broad perspective:
“Working with psychedelics was huge. That really cracked my brain open to navigating different modes of thinking.” (10:34)
*Brent’s content aims to destigmatize psychedelics while using comedy with “an air of respect.”

4. Content Creation, Self-Criticism, and Perfectionism

On content output: During the pandemic, Brent doubled down on content when touring wasn’t possible, allowing less time for perfectionism.
Quoting Lorne Michaels: "We don’t go on air because we’re ready. We go on air because it’s 11:30 pm." (17:53)
On failure: "It’s like building up a thick skin to micro-failures...you can either put a bunch of weight on them…or use them as just chips on your shoulder to fill in by getting stronger for the next thing." (17:53)

5. Balancing Criticism, Comedy, and Community

Brent’s early career: avoided anything divisive, craving universal approval. Post-2020, speaking his truth lost him friends but created “super fans”—people deeply affected by his work.
“The voices that don’t resonate...have all drowned away. And that is the beautiful thing of the algorithm.” (23:02)
In-person recognition now signals authentic impact: “If the day that becomes normal, I think I will have lost part of my humanity...you’re not supposed to be recognized by strangers.” (26:25)

6. Key Experiences and Career Catalysts

Brent’s story of cold-calling to become a PA on a Lonely Island shoot, and the encouragement he got from Andy Samberg—leading to his first open mic night:
"He was like, 'Actually, I did stand up for seven years....It really helped with my writing and stage presence.' The next day I threw myself up at an open mic." (00:27, 32:52)
The moment underscored that success follows persistence and self-encouragement, not just luck.

7. Overcoming Limiting Beliefs & Imposter Syndrome

Toxic comparison to others and imposter syndrome are ongoing struggles, managed through “a very spiritual practice” and conscious effort:
"What’s best for me and my journey is not getting that thing...It’s a spiritual practice to revert my perspective from the 'don’t have' to the 'have'.” (39:11)
Physical activity as a remedy: “When I get into these modes of feeling stuck...I’ll clear my afternoon...and attack the hills as if I’m attacking that voice.” (43:56)
Mental health: The “weird voice” of self-doubt is treated as a passing “house guest” not to be indulged. (45:07)

8. Influential Books & Lifelong Curiosity

Brent and Matt discuss “Think and Grow Rich,” “As a Man Thinketh,” “Oh, the Places You’ll Go,” “Harry Potter,” and others as books that shaped their worldviews. Brent identifies curiosity as his driving force:
“Curiosity is a driving force for me personally. It allows me to interact with the world in a way that makes me a better person.” (66:27)
Matt’s insight: “Curiosity yields awareness, and awareness opens the door for more curiosity.” (65:10)

9. Comedic Process: “Aliens” Series

The viral “alien” videos started as a comedic response to the Pentagon’s UFO reports. The absurd perspective allows Brent and collaborators to satirize human behavior without the baggage of identity:
"We realized...we had an opportunity to be a mirror toward humanity with a very unbiased lens... we weren't two white guys, we were two blue humanoid aliens." (51:50)
The series is being pitched as a TV show; their goal: using comedy to invite curiosity about our own culture.

10. Forthcoming Film & Community Engagement

Brent’s new film: Target shoot in April 2026 near Austin, TX—a psychedelic music festival comedy inspired by “the ten principles of Burning Man.” Plans for a crowdfunding campaign, engaging the broader festival/psychedelic community for both resources and casting.
Brent: “I really want people to come out and be represented in a movie that is about them...that’s how I want to maintain the authenticity.” (67:26)

Notable Quotes

Brent Pella: “I just realized I need to make that myself. That’s my thing to make, so I might as well give all those things to myself.” (00:18)
Andy Samberg’s advice: “I did stand up for seven years...It really helped with my writing and stage presence.” (00:27, 32:52)
Brent: “Most people die with their dreams and their goals. The coolest part about this conversation is...you will definitely not die with your dreams and your goals.” (70:12)
Brent: “Curiosity is a driving force for me personally...It allows me to interact with the world in a way that makes me a better person.” (66:27)
On criticism: “It’s a spiritual practice to revert my perspective from the don’t have to the have.” (39:11)
On comedy impact: “I want people to be happy. I want people to have fun and have sex with each other and do all the fun things that people do.” (22:48)
On imposter syndrome: “That’s too big for you. You’ve never done that before. You can’t do that.—And I tell myself, well, I said that about all these other things in the past, and I did all these other things.” (41:10)

Timestamps of Important Segments

00:04 — Brent’s realization: stop waiting, start making your own opportunities
00:27 — Story: Andy Samberg’s advice after Lonely Island PA gig
01:40-03:33 — How Brent’s support system evolved (audience, family, proof of concept)
06:18 — The unique niche of festival/psychedelic comedy
08:26 — Handling haters; destigmatizing psychedelics
17:53 — Balancing perfectionism with putting work into the world (Lorne Michaels quote)
22:48 — Comedy as connection, not division; creating super fans
32:52–36:25 — Full Andy Samberg/PA/first open-mic story
39:11 — Overcoming toxic comparison & imposter syndrome
43:56 — Using workouts & physicality to battle mental obstacles
51:50–55:07 — The origin & impact of Brent’s “alien” comedy series
66:27–67:17 — Curiosity as a lifelong engine for personal growth
67:26–70:12 — Information on Brent’s upcoming film, crowdfunding, community involvement

Memorable Moments

Andy Samberg cold-call story: The dogged pursuit of a foot in the door that led directly to a key career mindset change.
Alien costume mishaps: "I rammed my head into a stop sign and had a full Harry Potter cut on my forehead." (55:31)
The house guest metaphor for self-doubt: "I don’t feed it and I don’t make its bed, and then I know [the voice] will go on its way." (45:07)
Cheesecake Factory host to successful creator: Brent wrote jokes on receipt paper between shifts, always finding “shreds” of time for his craft.

Further Information / Where to Follow Brent Pella

Film announcements and updates: Brent’s Instagram @brentpella or BrentPella.com
Email list and investment/collaboration interest: brentpella.mail
Watch for the crowdfunding campaign launching in early 2026

Overall, this episode is a master class in creative persistence, authentic risk-taking, and the role of curiosity in shaping not just a career, but a meaningful life.

Podcast Summary

The Matt King Show — Episode 037: Brent Pella | How Brent Pella Built a Career From Nothing | December 2, 2025

Main Theme/Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Betting on Yourself & Rejecting the “Permission Myth”

Brent’s realization: "For a while I was hoping that I would have like a paid opportunity… and then I just realized I need to make that myself. That's my thing." (00:04)
*Matt highlights how many people wait for external validation or opportunity, but the real catalyst comes from creating your own chance.
Brent describes how his move to Austin (June 2024) spurred him to write his own movie—a psychedelic comedy inspired by music festivals and his own upbringing as a “deadhead kid.”

2. Audiences as Real Support, Proof of Concept

Brent: His support system is primarily “the audience that I have… the reaction that I get from an audience.” (03:33)
He leverages online videos as testing grounds: "The general energy was that people were seeing this type of stuff for the first time. And I was stoked on that because it felt like I had kind of uncovered a new way of telling stories that are not just funny, but also representative." (06:18)
The online response gave him the confidence to push into larger projects—because his niche ("festival-related, psychedelic comedy") resonated with an underrepresented audience.

3. Navigating Haters, Open-Mindedness & Polarization

Brent acknowledges that, post-2020, his audience diversified: “I'll have somebody be like, ‘psychedelics are just the pathway for the demons to come in.’...but the vast majority is positive.” (08:26)
On open-mindedness: A mix of upbringing (his open-minded mother) and intentional use of psychedelics helped cultivate his broad perspective:
“Working with psychedelics was huge. That really cracked my brain open to navigating different modes of thinking.” (10:34)
*Brent’s content aims to destigmatize psychedelics while using comedy with “an air of respect.”

4. Content Creation, Self-Criticism, and Perfectionism

On content output: During the pandemic, Brent doubled down on content when touring wasn’t possible, allowing less time for perfectionism.
Quoting Lorne Michaels: "We don’t go on air because we’re ready. We go on air because it’s 11:30 pm." (17:53)
On failure: "It’s like building up a thick skin to micro-failures...you can either put a bunch of weight on them…or use them as just chips on your shoulder to fill in by getting stronger for the next thing." (17:53)

5. Balancing Criticism, Comedy, and Community

Brent’s early career: avoided anything divisive, craving universal approval. Post-2020, speaking his truth lost him friends but created “super fans”—people deeply affected by his work.
“The voices that don’t resonate...have all drowned away. And that is the beautiful thing of the algorithm.” (23:02)
In-person recognition now signals authentic impact: “If the day that becomes normal, I think I will have lost part of my humanity...you’re not supposed to be recognized by strangers.” (26:25)

6. Key Experiences and Career Catalysts

Brent’s story of cold-calling to become a PA on a Lonely Island shoot, and the encouragement he got from Andy Samberg—leading to his first open mic night:
"He was like, 'Actually, I did stand up for seven years....It really helped with my writing and stage presence.' The next day I threw myself up at an open mic." (00:27, 32:52)
The moment underscored that success follows persistence and self-encouragement, not just luck.

7. Overcoming Limiting Beliefs & Imposter Syndrome

Toxic comparison to others and imposter syndrome are ongoing struggles, managed through “a very spiritual practice” and conscious effort:
"What’s best for me and my journey is not getting that thing...It’s a spiritual practice to revert my perspective from the 'don’t have' to the 'have'.” (39:11)
Physical activity as a remedy: “When I get into these modes of feeling stuck...I’ll clear my afternoon...and attack the hills as if I’m attacking that voice.” (43:56)
Mental health: The “weird voice” of self-doubt is treated as a passing “house guest” not to be indulged. (45:07)

8. Influential Books & Lifelong Curiosity

Brent and Matt discuss “Think and Grow Rich,” “As a Man Thinketh,” “Oh, the Places You’ll Go,” “Harry Potter,” and others as books that shaped their worldviews. Brent identifies curiosity as his driving force:
“Curiosity is a driving force for me personally. It allows me to interact with the world in a way that makes me a better person.” (66:27)
Matt’s insight: “Curiosity yields awareness, and awareness opens the door for more curiosity.” (65:10)

9. Comedic Process: “Aliens” Series

The viral “alien” videos started as a comedic response to the Pentagon’s UFO reports. The absurd perspective allows Brent and collaborators to satirize human behavior without the baggage of identity:
"We realized...we had an opportunity to be a mirror toward humanity with a very unbiased lens... we weren't two white guys, we were two blue humanoid aliens." (51:50)
The series is being pitched as a TV show; their goal: using comedy to invite curiosity about our own culture.

10. Forthcoming Film & Community Engagement

Brent’s new film: Target shoot in April 2026 near Austin, TX—a psychedelic music festival comedy inspired by “the ten principles of Burning Man.” Plans for a crowdfunding campaign, engaging the broader festival/psychedelic community for both resources and casting.
Brent: “I really want people to come out and be represented in a movie that is about them...that’s how I want to maintain the authenticity.” (67:26)

Notable Quotes

Brent Pella: “I just realized I need to make that myself. That’s my thing to make, so I might as well give all those things to myself.” (00:18)
Andy Samberg’s advice: “I did stand up for seven years...It really helped with my writing and stage presence.” (00:27, 32:52)
Brent: “Most people die with their dreams and their goals. The coolest part about this conversation is...you will definitely not die with your dreams and your goals.” (70:12)
Brent: “Curiosity is a driving force for me personally...It allows me to interact with the world in a way that makes me a better person.” (66:27)
On criticism: “It’s a spiritual practice to revert my perspective from the don’t have to the have.” (39:11)
On comedy impact: “I want people to be happy. I want people to have fun and have sex with each other and do all the fun things that people do.” (22:48)
On imposter syndrome: “That’s too big for you. You’ve never done that before. You can’t do that.—And I tell myself, well, I said that about all these other things in the past, and I did all these other things.” (41:10)

Timestamps of Important Segments

00:04 — Brent’s realization: stop waiting, start making your own opportunities
00:27 — Story: Andy Samberg’s advice after Lonely Island PA gig
01:40-03:33 — How Brent’s support system evolved (audience, family, proof of concept)
06:18 — The unique niche of festival/psychedelic comedy
08:26 — Handling haters; destigmatizing psychedelics
17:53 — Balancing perfectionism with putting work into the world (Lorne Michaels quote)
22:48 — Comedy as connection, not division; creating super fans
32:52–36:25 — Full Andy Samberg/PA/first open-mic story
39:11 — Overcoming toxic comparison & imposter syndrome
43:56 — Using workouts & physicality to battle mental obstacles
51:50–55:07 — The origin & impact of Brent’s “alien” comedy series
66:27–67:17 — Curiosity as a lifelong engine for personal growth
67:26–70:12 — Information on Brent’s upcoming film, crowdfunding, community involvement

Memorable Moments

Andy Samberg cold-call story: The dogged pursuit of a foot in the door that led directly to a key career mindset change.
Alien costume mishaps: "I rammed my head into a stop sign and had a full Harry Potter cut on my forehead." (55:31)
The house guest metaphor for self-doubt: "I don’t feed it and I don’t make its bed, and then I know [the voice] will go on its way." (45:07)
Cheesecake Factory host to successful creator: Brent wrote jokes on receipt paper between shifts, always finding “shreds” of time for his craft.

Further Information / Where to Follow Brent Pella

Film announcements and updates: Brent’s Instagram @brentpella or BrentPella.com
Email list and investment/collaboration interest: brentpella.mail
Watch for the crowdfunding campaign launching in early 2026

Overall, this episode is a master class in creative persistence, authentic risk-taking, and the role of curiosity in shaping not just a career, but a meaningful life.

037: Brent Pella | How Brent Pella Built a Career From Nothing | The Matt King Show

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Summary

Podcast Summary

The Matt King Show — Episode 037: Brent Pella | How Brent Pella Built a Career From Nothing | December 2, 2025

Main Theme/Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Betting on Yourself & Rejecting the “Permission Myth”

2. Audiences as Real Support, Proof of Concept

3. Navigating Haters, Open-Mindedness & Polarization

4. Content Creation, Self-Criticism, and Perfectionism

5. Balancing Criticism, Comedy, and Community

6. Key Experiences and Career Catalysts

7. Overcoming Limiting Beliefs & Imposter Syndrome

8. Influential Books & Lifelong Curiosity

9. Comedic Process: “Aliens” Series

10. Forthcoming Film & Community Engagement

Notable Quotes

Timestamps of Important Segments

Memorable Moments

Further Information / Where to Follow Brent Pella

Summary

Podcast Summary

The Matt King Show — Episode 037: Brent Pella | How Brent Pella Built a Career From Nothing | December 2, 2025

Main Theme/Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Betting on Yourself & Rejecting the “Permission Myth”

2. Audiences as Real Support, Proof of Concept

3. Navigating Haters, Open-Mindedness & Polarization

4. Content Creation, Self-Criticism, and Perfectionism

5. Balancing Criticism, Comedy, and Community

6. Key Experiences and Career Catalysts

7. Overcoming Limiting Beliefs & Imposter Syndrome

8. Influential Books & Lifelong Curiosity

9. Comedic Process: “Aliens” Series

10. Forthcoming Film & Community Engagement

Notable Quotes

Timestamps of Important Segments

Memorable Moments

Further Information / Where to Follow Brent Pella