Podcast Summary: This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von – Ep. 612: Pete Davidson
Release Date: September 23, 2025
Guest: Pete Davidson
Host: Theo Von
Episode Overview
Theo Von sits down with comedian and actor Pete Davidson for a heartfelt, wide-ranging conversation about comedy, grief, touring, addiction, relationships, fame, and healing. The episode trades in the signature blend of humor and vulnerability from both men—moving from deadpan jokes and wild analogies to deep discussions of loss, mental health, and personal growth. At the time of this recording, Pete is preparing for his first major international tour and about to become a father.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Comedy, Role Models, and the Early Days
[01:22–03:12]
- Pete shares his podcast preferences and admiration for comedians like Paul Scheer and Jason Mantzoukas.
- The two riff on recognizable comedians and the diversity of comic personas.
- Pete discusses the grounding influence of mentors and older comics:
"As I look back, that was what was cool about getting into comedy...I really looked up to them...most of my friends are like 40 and up, because I think that makes me feel safe." (16:15)
- Early friendships, e.g., Joey Gay, provided stability and connection.
2. Going on International Tour—Nerves and Logistics
[03:13–05:02]
- Pete is about to embark on his first international stand-up tour, hitting cities like Singapore, Perth, Sydney, Melbourne, Berlin, Amsterdam, London, Dublin, and Belfast.
- Expresses surprise and self-doubt about having fans abroad.
"I can't believe that anybody would come see me over there." (03:22)
- Explains how the tour schedule (and agent Bert) shaped his path.
3. Performing in Places with Strict Speech Rules
[05:04–07:39]
- Discusses adjusting his act for Asian and Middle Eastern audiences (e.g., Singapore and Riyadh), where certain comedy topics are off-limits.
- Singapore in particular has an extensive list of topics he can’t cover:
"It was pretty much my whole act. So I don't know what to do. I'm googling old sets from when I was like 20—just going to do the classics." (05:23)
- Jokes about doing sets borrowed from "clean" comics like Nate Bargatze.
4. Grief and Losing Their Fathers
[08:20–11:41]
- Pete describes the impact of losing his father, a firefighter who died in 9/11, and how that haunts and shapes him.
- Notable image: news photos of Pete’s dad in the first fire truck over the bridge (08:50).
- He discusses strangers approaching him with stories of his dad, and how he discerns truth in their eyes and smiles.
- Both Pete and Theo reflect on how losing a father at different ages affected them differently—sadness and information gaps for Pete (who was 7), existential awareness for Theo (whose dad was 86 when he died).
5. Mental Health, Depression, and Addiction
[23:36–26:33]
- Pete opens up about childhood suicide attempts and lifelong struggles with OCD and manic depression.
- Early attempts to cope led to drugs, and a recurring cycle of isolation and darker thoughts.
- Acceptance came after realizing that he needed to get well for himself—not for career, women, or even family.
"I need to want to be okay. If not, all this goes away... it can't be for standup, it can't be for this movie, it can't be for this girl. It can't even be for my family." (26:04)
6. Fame, Media Scrutiny, and the Internet Turning
[27:44–32:27 & 60:17–63:06]
- Pete shares the emotional whiplash from the public narrative shifting—initial sympathy for his story, then backlash.
- References tabloid stories about him "smoking crack and living with my mom" and the pain of reading negative speculation while in rehab.
- Discusses attempts to reconcile media narratives:
"What really helped me was I would put someone else's name in the title of the article and see if I cared." (61:32)
"No one reads that shit except people in our shit." (61:45) - Both reflect on the cyclical nature of celebrity worship and cancel culture.
7. Healing, Relationships, and Family
[51:12–55:05]
- Pete is about to be a dad, speaks of his excitement and relief that it’s happening now that he’s in a healthier place.
- Talks about the difference between pressuring relationships to meet needs versus finding partnership after working on himself.
- Theo and Pete agree that being ready for family comes with inner work:
"You can't go into stuff with, like, this needs to... That's a lot of pressure on your partner... my whole upbringing was like, that's how it works." (54:02)
8. Sober Life & Support Systems
[36:39–38:34, 41:52–42:01]
- Both speak on remaining sober, using meetings (12-step and otherwise), and learning patience and self-acceptance.
- Pete:
"When you get rid of your friends [i.e. drugs], it's like what's left? It's like work. Nicotine... If you let go of too many things at once, it's not good for you." (37:15)
9. Connection to Art & Film
[78:39–81:59]
- Pete becomes animated discussing the movie "Frequency," which spoke to his own father-loss fantasy.
- Both men discuss how certain movies can feel deeply personal and healing; art fills gaps left by loss or trauma.
Notable Quotes & Moments
- On Early Grief:
"There's a very famous shot... they were the first truck over the bridge... pretty much the whole house died." – Pete Davidson (08:50) - On Patterns in Relationships:
"Anybody that's ever actually loved me or cared about me has gotten the worst wrath from me." – Pete Davidson (29:28) - On Public Perception:
"I was like, all right, maybe part of that. Not all of that." – Pete Davidson, joking about tabloid rumors (27:47) - On Internet Hate and Fame:
"It was all going up and then it flipped and then it was like, fuck this dude. I hate this dude. And we're in the Internet age, so I'm reading all that shit." (25:23) - On Tour Jitters:
"I can't believe that anybody would come see me over there." – Pete Davidson (03:22) - On Family & Becoming a Dad:
"I'm super stoked to give this kid a happy childhood and be reliable... just be there and be like a solid rock." – Pete Davidson (75:15)
Memorable Humorous Moments
- Muslim, Asian, and Twink versions of 'Guess Who':
Theo and Pete riff on the idea of different versions of the board game Guess Who, dropping absurd and edgy observations (02:07–02:54). - Theo's Dad and Bad Cars:
Theo tells stories about his late father's eccentricities with cars and cultural commentary (12:13–13:59). - The Amish Kid & Def Leppard:
Banter about Pete's affection for a recent episode featuring an Amish kid and his delight in sneaking Def Leppard and Morgan Wallen (41:12–46:29).
Timestamps for Key Segments
| Topic | Timestamp | |------------------------------------------|----------------------| | Opening, tour talk, Joey Gay | 01:22 – 05:30 | | Performing under speech restrictions | 05:40 – 07:39 | | 9/11 and losing his father | 08:20 – 11:08 | | Childhood memories & mementos | 12:13 – 14:57 | | Finding father figures, old souls | 16:15 – 18:39 | | Severe depression, childhood attempts | 23:36 – 26:33 | | Internet fame & backlash | 25:23 – 27:44 | | Decision to get help, family support | 28:47 – 32:27 | | Art and filling emotional gaps | 78:39 – 81:59 | | Becoming a father | 51:12 – 55:05, 75:15 | | Upcoming tour dates | 83:14 – 84:14 |
Episode Takeaways
- Both comedians stress the importance of community—friends or mentors who understand, 12-step groups, and a strong, supportive family.
- Conversations flow easily from irreverence to deep emotion, making space for laughter and tears in the process of dealing with heavy subjects.
- Pete has found, through trial, error, and pain, that self-acceptance is both hard-won and essential, especially in the face of fame, loss, and mental struggles.
- Ultimately, despite careers built on laughter, both men reveal how comedy, honest art, and openness can be tools for healing—and for helping others feel less alone.
Guest's Upcoming Tour Dates:
- Sep 26: Singapore
- Sep 28: Perth
- Sep 29: Melbourne
- Oct 1: Sydney
- Oct 3: Riyadh (SA)
- Oct 5: Berlin
- Oct 6: Amsterdam
- Oct 8: London
- Oct 9: Dublin
- Oct 10: Belfast
Closing Note:
Pete Davidson and Theo Von’s conversation reminds listeners that behind public personas are real people, carrying grief, anxiety, hope, and longing for connection. The humor is a bridge—not a mask—and the honesty ripples out for others to heal.