Podcast Summary: This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von
Episode #617 – Aziz Ansari
Release Date: October 15, 2025
Episode Overview
Theo Von sits down for the first time with comedian, actor, and filmmaker Aziz Ansari. The conversation covers Aziz’s new film Good Fortune, their shared Southern roots, the craft of stand-up and filmmaking, personal stories of family, loss, and resilience, and the realities of life in America and abroad. The episode is equal parts funny, thoughtful, and deeply personal, marked by candid reflections, playful banter, and memorable storytelling.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Meeting for the First Time – Southern Roots & Identity
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Accent & Belonging:
Aziz, originally from South Carolina, shares how he lost his Southern accent and feels a kinship when meeting other Southerners in comedy.
(03:00)"It's almost like when I see someone that's Indian, I'm a little like, oh, I need to..." – Aziz
- Theo observes that previous generations of comedians with Southern accents were more prevalent.
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Small Town Upbringing:
Aziz tells stories from Bennettsville, SC, and his first memories of comedy.
2. Comedic Journeys & Community
- Bond Among Comedians:
Aziz reflects on touring with other comics (Will Silvance, Ricky Velez), the kinship among comedians, and the rare nature of their job.
(16:54)"Comedians are my favorite people." – Aziz
- The analogy of comedians as “mini donkeys of self-esteem” needing audience approval is particularly memorable. (17:29)
3. Stand-Up vs. Filmmaking
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Creative Control:
Aziz discusses writing, directing, and starring in Good Fortune, comparing the creative control and satisfaction of stand-up with the complexity and unpredictability of filmmaking.- Cites the challenges of production disruptions: writer strikes and Keanu Reeves’ on-set injury. (20:34; 21:10)
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Satisfaction & Delays:
(27:06)"Doing stand up, it's like you're running around a track... And a movie is like, you have to go to these people and go, hey, I want to climb this mountain. Can you give me money to climb this mountain?" – Aziz
4. New Film: Good Fortune
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Themes & Inspiration:
Aziz talks about the film, its connection to American life, struggling with healthcare, and characters in difficult circumstances.- Connection made between a previous Theo Von interview with Bernie Sanders and Good Fortune's themes. (06:49)
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Casting Keanu Reeves & Seth Rogen:
Aziz highlights Keanu's unique appeal and on-set dedication, even after injury.
(21:49)“He loves shooting. He just wants to shoot.” – Aziz
5. Tech, Lifestyle, and Disconnecting
- Aziz admits to avoiding technology: doesn’t use smartphones or much internet, relying on his wife for information. (12:01; 38:11)
“I don't keep a smartphone on me. I don't... really use the Internet.” – Aziz
6. Personal Stories: Family, Immigration, and Loss
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Growing Up Indian in the South:
Aziz provides a candid account of being the only Indian kid in a small town and the confusing, sometimes racist experiences that came with it.
(54:08–54:45; 55:05)“People there didn't even know what Indian people were. They didn't see them in the culture. They didn't see nothing. They didn't understand.” – Aziz
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Parents’ Immigration & Community Support:
Aziz describes the challenges his parents faced after immigrating, how local community members stepped in to help, and the emotional experience for his mother: (57:43)“She said, ‘Oh, I just sat on the couch and I cried.’ And I was like, oh my God, it's so dark. It was like, so much braver than I could be, you know?”
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Story of Grief:
Aziz openly talks about losing his younger sister, the blending of cultures in his upbringing, and the deep local connections—such as the family friend “Nana” who is buried next to his sister.
(61:25)“That story, that doesn't happen anywhere else in the world... my sister and this woman that befriended you guys... Have that close a bond where she's like, I want to be buried next to her.” – Aziz
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Reflections on Grief, Siblings, and Parental Struggles:
Both Theo and Aziz discuss losing or supporting sick siblings and how it affected their families. (65:39–69:17)
7. The Comedy Scene & Early Validation
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Breaks in Comedy:
Aziz recounts being “passed” at the Comic Strip by Lucien Hold and early gigs at the Comedy Cellar through Manny Dorman.
(76:32)“He said, you're gonna be okay. Like, you're a smart guy and you're going to be okay.” – Aziz (on Lucien Hold)
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Importance of Gatekeepers:
Both hosts reflect on the importance of being given a chance in comedy, and how encouragement from veteran comics or club owners can change a young comic’s trajectory.
8. Observations on Modern Life & Society
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Challenges in America:
Aziz observes the changes in America each time he returns, noting the increasing chaos in cities like LA and NY, homelessness, and political volatility.
“It’s like a Slipknot tailgate out there now, you know, it’s crazy.” – Theo (49:29) -
Living Abroad:
Aziz discusses living in London, appreciating the distance from the “circus” of Hollywood, and the comparative calm.
9. Work/Life Balance & Burnout
- Both Theo and Aziz speak candidly on feeling burnt out by endless work, the pressure to do “enough,” and finding personal fulfillment outside of career success.
- Aziz explores why he’s so driven:
“I have a vision of something I want to execute, and it’s something I’m really excited about... but I do think I’ve realized recently, like, I’ve gotta calm down.” (94:03; 95:06)
- Aziz explores why he’s so driven:
10. Humor, Language, and Playful Banter
- The episode is rich in the hosts’ playful riffing:
- Joking about “mini donkeys,” “micro self-esteem,” and the intersection of languages in Aziz’s household.
- Theo’s stories about sleeping in a McDonald’s ball pit during his lean years in LA.
Notable Quotes
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On Creative Control & Satisfaction:
“Directing is pretty much just conveying that to a group of people to execute it.” – Aziz (19:52)
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On Stand-up vs. Movies:
“A standup joke... you or I could think of something tonight and go to a comedy club and try it and hear it, get a laugh. And that's so satisfying. But there's also something crazy about... years later... Keanu Reeves is saying the joke.” – Aziz (27:02)
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On American Hospitality:
“That story, that doesn't happen anywhere else in the world, man.” – Aziz (61:27)
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On Receiving Early Encouragement:
“He said, you're gonna be okay. Like, you're a smart guy and you're going to be okay.” – Aziz (76:32)
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On Burnout:
“No one ever says that, well, that's a great opportunity. You should do it... I can't do it anymore. At this age, it's a different thing.” – Aziz (95:59)
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On Living in London:
“You’re a little bit away from the circus.” – Aziz (97:13)
Memorable Moments & Lighter Exchanges
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Comedian Kinship Analogy:
"We're like Satan's mini donkeys." – Theo (17:29)
"Mini donkeys of self-esteem. Yeah, mini self-esteem." – Aziz (17:32) -
Aziz Not Using a Smartphone:
“Sometimes I'll just ask my wife stuff the same way you're asking this guy. And she's like, ‘You know, I'm not the Internet. I'm your wife.’” – Aziz
(38:11) -
Aziz’s Wife’s Backstory:
- Little Miss Denmark, Slipknot fandom, PhD in physics. (49:53–50:58)
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Theo Sleeping in a Ball Pit in LA:
(85:06)
Important Timestamps
- [06:35] – Aziz on drawing inspiration for Good Fortune from Theo’s Bernie Sanders episode
- [19:09] – Aziz discusses the collaborative process of writing/directing/acting
- [21:10] – Story of Keanu Reeves’ injury while filming
- [26:07] – Stand-up versus making a film: “climbing a mountain”
- [61:25] – Aziz’s moving story about his sister and “Nana” being buried side by side
- [76:32] – Aziz on the impact of Lucien Hold’s encouragement
Episode Tone & Language
The conversation is deeply personal, honest, and reflective, balancing humor with vulnerability. Theo’s southern, laid-back style draws out Aziz’s storytelling, resulting in warmth, laughter, and moments of poignant connection.
Conclusion
This episode stands out as a candid, engaging, and at times raw conversation between two comedians exploring both the light and heavy sides of life and creativity. It’s a must-listen for fans of stand-up, aspiring creatives, and anyone interested in the lives behind the laughs.
Aziz Ansari’s film Good Fortune is out October 17th.
Aziz is currently on tour—see episode or his website for dates.