Podcast Summary: You Made It Weird with Pete Holmes – Episode Featuring Nick Thune (#3)

Release Date: April 16, 2025

In the third episode of You Made It Weird with Pete Holmes, comedian Pete Holmes sits down with friend and fellow comedian Nick Thune. The conversation delves deep into their personal histories, comedic processes, life philosophies, and the complexities of maintaining creativity and sobriety in the entertainment industry. Below is a detailed summary capturing the essence of their engaging dialogue.

1. Early Life and Comedic Beginnings

Nick Thune opens up about his youth, sharing humorous and candid stories that shaped his path into comedy. He recounts his stint working at a Subaru dealership during high school and a particularly embarrassing incident involving chlamydia.

[04:35] Nick Thune: "I had chlamydia when I was 17. Who knows how I got it?"

Pete Holmes reacts with disbelief, highlighting the awkwardness of Nick’s predicament.

[04:37] Pete Holmes: "You had chlamydia?"

Nick humorously describes how his fear of HIV led him to quit his job abruptly, underpinning the earnest yet comedic tone of their conversation.

[05:24] Nick Thune: "I broke into tears and said that I couldn't work there anymore because I had HIV."

2. Shoplifting and Teenage Antics

The duo transitions into lighter topics, sharing teenage escapades involving shoplifting. Nick details his clever but flawed attempts to steal items like Playboy magazines by creating distractions in stores.

[11:15] Nick Thune: "We got caught because it was next to a mall. They just said, 'You're banned from the store.'"

Pete adds his own misadventures, reflecting on the thrill and humor of their past misdemeanors.

[12:01] Pete Holmes: "It has a flare of thoughtfulness. Got to get this guy out. We need him out for at least 30 seconds."

3. Crafting Comedy Bits and the Creative Process

A significant portion of the episode focuses on the intricacies of developing comedic material. Nick shares his struggles and triumphs in creating bits that resonate both personally and with audiences.

[34:17] Nick Thune: "Trying to create a saying like 'two birds, one stone' started with a dead bird hitting a window."

They discuss the balance between spontaneity and structure in comedy, with Pete emphasizing the importance of letting ideas flow naturally without over-editing.

[36:00] Nick Thune: "Funny Pete or funny Nick's not there to observe what Funny Peter Nick had done."

4. Touring, Performance Dynamics, and Audience Interactions

Nick offers insights into his touring life, including the dynamics of opening for bigger acts like Pete and the varied reactions from different audiences. They humorously analyze how different show days (Fridays vs. Saturdays) affect audience energy and engagement.

[44:56] Nick Thune: "Fridays are the new Saturdays."

Pete shares his experiences with stage performances, highlighting moments where spontaneity leads to genuine laughter and connection with the audience.

[30:14] Nick Thune: "We laughed more than a human's ever laughed."

5. Sobriety, Personal Growth, and Life Philosophies

The conversation takes a profound turn as both comedians discuss their journeys with sobriety and the philosophical underpinnings that guide their lives. Nick reflects on overcoming addiction and the essential role of support systems like Alcoholics Anonymous.

[61:41] Nick Thune: "I have about 75 pretty great coping strategies."

Pete echoes similar sentiments, advocating for mindfulness and intentional living as tools for personal well-being.

[62:20] Nick Thune: "Every time I do them, I forget to do them and then they work."

6. Religion, Meaning of Life, and Parenting

Delving into deeper existential topics, Pete and Nick explore their beliefs about religion and the meaning of life. They discuss the challenges of addressing sensitive subjects like sex education with their children, contrasting their experiences with institutional approaches like those often found in churches.

[89:08] Nick Thune: "I believe in God."

[92:09] Nick Thune: "I had to go to the library and miss out on that. I'll never know what the teacher did with that banana."

Pete critically examines how traditional religious settings handle vulnerability and human suffering, contrasting it with the raw honesty found in support groups like AA.

[90:04] Pete Holmes: "AA is what the church is supposed to be... it's just like posturing that you're okay."

7. Reflecting on Legacy and Future Projects

As the episode nears its conclusion, Nick promotes his new special, Born Young, produced by Nate Bargazzi and Nateland Entertainment. They discuss the collaborative nature of their work and the importance of mentorship and support within the comedy community.

[97:20] Nick Thune: "Please, this is a joke from the special. It's so funny. You need to watch. It's called Nick Thune."

Pete praises Nate Bargazzi’s generosity and the positive impact of strategic partnerships in advancing their careers.

[71:25] Nick Thune: "Nate is just generous... he wants to share the stuff that he likes with the people that like him."

8. Closing Thoughts and Final Banter

In their final moments together, Pete and Nick share light-hearted banter, reinforcing their camaraderie and mutual respect. They laugh over shared memories and humorous mishaps, leaving listeners with a sense of warmth and connection.

[97:50] Nick Thune: "I genuinely hope that everyone keeps it crispy."

[97:57] Pete Holmes: "I love you."

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• [04:35] Nick Thune: "I had chlamydia when I was 17. Who knows how I got it?"

• [11:15] Nick Thune: "We got caught because it was next to a mall. They just said, 'You're banned from the store.'"

• [34:17] Nick Thune: "Trying to create a saying like 'two birds, one stone' started with a dead bird hitting a window."

• [44:56] Nick Thune: "Fridays are the new Saturdays."

• [61:41] Nick Thune: "I have about 75 pretty great coping strategies."

• [89:08] Nick Thune: "I believe in God."

• [97:20] Nick Thune: "Please, this is a joke from the special. It's so funny. You need to watch. It's called Nick Thune."

Conclusion

This episode of You Made It Weird offers an intimate glimpse into the lives of two comedians navigating the highs and lows of both personal growth and the demanding world of stand-up comedy. Through humor, honesty, and heartfelt discussions, Pete Holmes and Nick Thune create a compelling narrative that resonates with audiences, blending laughter with meaningful insights.

For those interested in exploring Nick Thune's comedic talents further, be sure to check out his special, Born Young, currently available on YouTube.