Transcript

Rick Glassman (0:00)

You made it with. You made it weird.

Pete Holmes (0:03)

You made it with. Oh yeah, you made it weird. Yes, you made it weird. You made it weird with Pete Holmes. What's happening, weirdos? This is Rick Glassman, who is hilarious, a riff machine and a very, very interesting and fun to talk to person. I know this because I've been a guest on his podcast which is called Take youe Shoes Off To Twice. And both were incredibly, incredibly fun and wonderful riff filled chat. So we were due for a silly one. This is a silly one. And I'm so glad Rick was able to join us for the first time here on youn Made It Weird. Here is a little taste of our conversation.

Rick Glassman (0:46)

I wrong, wrongly felt everybody feels about me positively, which was great for my self worth. I, I love myself. I'm fun, I'm funny, I'm phenomenal. And then I found out I'm not. And by that I mean I became aware that, oh, there's a possibility that people think differently than me. Not that they think differently than me. I disagreed. There's a possibility.

Pete Holmes (1:09)

All right, weirdos, lots to enjoy here. If you'd like to come and see me live, which I would love. So many weirdos have been coming out on the road and it means so much to see you guys in person and to do standup for you, which is obviously my first, my first love. If you guys want to see me, here's where I'm going to be. This while I was just in Vancouver. Coming up next is Grand Rapids, San Diego, New Orleans, Dallas, Houston, Milwaukee, Madison, Royal Oak, Michigan, Minneapolis, New York, New York and Ridgefield, Connecticut. For tickets to all of Those, go to PeteHomes.com I also do a monthly show in Los Angeles. If you're going to be in the Los Angeles area, go to largo-la.com and you'll see a show called Pete Holmes Living at Largo. It's once a month. Uh, last month was on Valentine's Day. Was so fun. It's always the highlight of my month. So if you're gonna be in the California area or I guess it's a big state, the Los Angeles area, go to largo-la.com and we would love to see you at that show. I say we because Val is almost always there, which is so, so fun. And if you like this show, the way it works is I try always to pick sponsors that I actually use and actually love. Like here, I'm gonna stand up. Perfect. Jane, if you're not watching on video, that made no sense. I'm wearing my perfect jeans. You know why I'm always wearing perfect jeans? The Perfect Gene. I have this pair of jeans after I discovered the perfect jean. Basically in four different colors and and a couple different pairs of each. Because once I found these pants, there was no going back. They have done it. The boys at the Perfect Gene have discovered the perfect fit, the perfect cut, the perfect wash, and just a little bit of stretch. I hate hard pants. And these are the best pants I've ever owned. I literally haven't looked back. I wear them to fancy Hollywood things because they look like designer jeans. I've taken naps in them because they're soft like pajamas. Incredible. They're not like super soft in the sense that they're. They're not like flannel PJs. They're still identifiable as jeans. But 2% spandex 2.5 rayon for extra comfort and movement that your man parts require. That means these jeans stretch so your nuts ain't crushed. Doesn't crush your nuts, thereby providing the only true home for your bone. They're super soft. Specialized washing so your jeans literally feel as soft as a baby's butt. And they're incredibly durable. I've been wearing them for years. And you do not have to replace these pants. Regular jeans, they always wear out in the middle, tear up in the crotch area. Not perfect Jean. Not only does the rayon and the spandex that they sew into this stuff make it stretchier and more comfortable, but it makes it more durable. But it's also high quality materials and sewing techniques that give you a product that is built to last. So once you buy one of these, you're set. Best of all, they're not khakis. Fuck your khakis and spare your nuts. The Perfect gene for the perfectly imperfect men. Just 60 bucks. When you use Code Weirdo at checkout, liberate your lower limbs with the one and only Perfect Gene. Whether you're working with lemons or lentils, a three leaf clover, or a big old honking eggplant, the Perfect Gene has you covered. Take a peek at www.theperfectgene NYC. That's the perfectgene NYC. Code weirdo for 25% off at checkout. Incredible. Get into it. Do your body a favor, look good, feel good and show your support of the show. Another Pete's pick that I always have here on my desk for those of you watching video. This is Magic Mind. The biggest game changer of this year for me for sure has been Magic Mind. What is it it is not an energy drink. It's a productivity drink. It doesn't get you jittery, it doesn't get you wired. It gets you in the flow. It's like a flow state beverage. You know how athletes have Gatorade now creative types have creator aid. It's a magical elixir that makes you focus better on your work, be more creative and you drink less coffee. In fact, I take this with my espresso in the morning. It has adaptogens that help round off the edge of the caffeine that I get from my espresso, giving me a dialed in clean energy. There's also about 35 milligrams of caffeine in here because of the matcha. That helps you focus and the adaptogens help you fight off stress. You can take it daily for a sharper mind, steady energy, immune support, and like I said, less stress. You get 30% more done on average. That's five to seven hours of 30% more productivity after drinking. It is the creator's best friend. I try. I take it about 15 minutes before I go on stage, before I'm writing a script, before I'm doing a podcast. I often give it to the guests as you see it on the show. Helps fight off procrastination, brain fog, fatigue and some symptoms of ADD getting you into that flow state. And the more you use it, the better it works. With a money back guarantee, any first purchase will be refunded, no questions asked if it doesn't meet your expectations. And we have a special offer for weirdos from our friends at Magic Mind. All you have to do is go to www.magicmind co weird and use discount code at checkout Weird for a limited 20 off your first order. That's MagicMind Co weird and use promo code Weird at checkout for 20% off your first order. It's mood elevating. It dials in, gives your brain all the nutrition it needs to focus and work. Or sometimes I take it just like when I'm going out. Want to have access to my brain. Want to have access to energy without feeling jittery. I'm drinking way less coffee and getting way more done and feeling way less stress and they just improve the taste so it's even better. So try it. Go to MagicMind Co weird and show your support of the show. All right everybody, let's enjoy a silly, silly, fun chat with my boy, Rick Glassman. Get into it. Silly.

Summary

Podcast Summary: You Made It Weird with Pete Holmes – Rick Glassman (Feb 22, 2023)

Main Theme / Purpose This episode dives deep into the unique quirks, comedic stylings, and personal insights of comedian Rick Glassman. A self-proclaimed “riff machine,” Glassman joins Pete Holmes for a high-energy, riff-heavy, and self-aware conversation that covers everything from boundary-setting, self-perception, comedic process, podcasting philosophies, autism, and the art of being vulnerable and weird. The discussion is equal parts silly and profound, packed with quick-witted bits, self-reflection, and practical wisdom for creative types and anyone interested in the emotional dynamics of comedy and connection.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Art of the Bit and Podcast Energy

The episode begins with playful chaos: Rick fixates on checking his appearance in a mirror, leading to a running joke about self-awareness, bits, and podcast “vibe checks.”
Both comedians deconstruct their penchant for starting with comedy bits, dissecting how this impacts the flow and tone of conversations.
Notable Moment: Rick and Pete joke about their hypothetical podcast called “Looking for a Bit,” complete with improvised jingles.

Rick: "If you and I ever did a podcast together, it would be called Looking for a Bit.” (16:11)

2. Boundaries, Social Cues, and the Spinach-In-Your-Teeth Friend

The dynamic of telling friends uncomfortable truths (like if there’s spinach in their teeth or if their behavior is off-putting) is explored at length.
Rick shares how his desire to provide helpful feedback, rooted in how he wants to be treated, sometimes backfires depending on the recipient.
Pete relates this to his own tendency to over-apologize or hold grudges depending on his emotional state.
Quote:

Rick: “Your truth—you don't have to tell everybody everything that’s true.” (32:03)
Pete: “That’s how you get kicked out of basketball games.” (32:04)
The duo also discusses how honesty and directness are often received based not just on content, but the recipient’s mood and personal boundaries.
Notable Moment: Pete’s analogy about apologizing in accidental bathroom run-ins and social awareness:

Pete: “If someone’s in the bathroom and the door does lock… that’s on you.” (45:18)

3. YouTube, Aesthetics, and Intention

Rick gives Pete candid advice: his YouTube version of the podcast looks “frumpy,” and intention in set design or production values helps attract an audience.
The importance of intention and vision—beyond simply being “present”—is mapped onto podcasting, creativity, and life.
Quote:

Rick: “...there should be an intention to it. So even if it’s frumpy ... lean into that thing.” (25:25)
Pete: “One of the things I struggle with... is purpose, mission statement, why.” (26:50)

4. Self-Awareness, Autism, and Communication

Rick opens up about receiving an autism diagnosis as an adult. This revelation brings both relief and a new level of self-scrutiny around social interactions.
He describes realizing he misread social dynamics for years (“I wrongly felt everybody feels about me positively”) and how this affected his comedy and friendships.
Notable Quote:

Rick: "I wrongly felt everybody feels about me positively, which was great for my self-worth. I love myself. I'm fun, I'm funny, I'm phenomenal. And then I found out I'm not." (90:51, also used as the cold open)
The conversation expands to how people with different neurotypes can bridge understanding, communicate boundaries, and ensure mutual support.

5. The Value of Help and Friendship

Both comics reflect on the meaning of help, the purpose of friendship, and different “flavors” of being supportive—whether it’s practical advice or simply showing up.
Rick argues:

Rick: “Anybody that you’re choosing to have in your life needs to offer you value and you them, or there’s no point of that relationship.” (108:17)
Pete distinguishes between “masculine” solution-oriented friendship and more “being there” emotionally, as modeled by his wife’s friendships.

6. Comedy as Process: Acting, Presence, and Free Association

Hilarious and meta moments come from the two doing acting games (e.g., “fake up”/waking up acting, gum-chewing acting, improvised party scenes).
Rick gives practical acting advice:

Rick: “Your only job as an actor...know your lines. ...And number two: have the thoughts. Don’t think about what it’s like to hide...Just be there.” (76:13)
The pair agree that comedy is rooted in being present. Free association and riffing are celebrated but also acknowledged as potentially confusing for outsiders.

7. Receiving and Processing Criticism

Both discuss how one’s emotional state changes the way feedback lands.
Rick’s “tool” is to de-personalize criticism by valuing new data over ego attachment.
Quote:

Rick: “By valuing information so much, it kind of supersedes the ego.” (50:03)
Pete: “What I'm really talking about is the difference between right-minded Pete and wrong-minded Pete.” (51:35)

8. Existential and Spiritual Musings

The episode closes with reflections on the meaning (or lack thereof) in life, the unknowability of what comes after death, the definition of “help,” and the nature of acceptance.
Quote:

Rick: “Looking for meaning in things versus accepting that there isn't. Are those different? ... Where that Venn diagram overlaps would be—you get to create your own meaning for things.” (114:03)
Pete: “The goal of life to me...is to be your doctor, treating you as if I already know you have autism before I know you have autism. ... Acceptance.” (104:40)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

On Social Blind Spots and Self-Delusion

“I’m the best…and then I found out not only am I not picked first, people don’t even want to play when I'm there. That wasn’t a possibility. I’m the best.”
— Rick Glassman (82:15)
Honesty & Sensitivity

“I used to think that whatever I’m thinking, you’re thinking...and he [Bill Burr] was talking about, ‘that’s what being a comic is, realizing people see it differently.'”
— Rick Glassman (81:10)
Life Advice on Acting and Presence

“Know your lines…When you’re not in here, you’re present. You have to be present.” — Rick (76:23)
“Help is very similar to love, because love is me seeing your needs as my needs...removing the separation.” — Pete (111:44)
Pure Silliness & Improvisation

[Acting game about a hidden gin & tonic at a party; wake-up/fake-up competition; “gum chewing acting”; party scene improvisation, etc.] (71:17–77:17)
On Feedback and Changing Perception via “the Lens”

“I’m the same person. He (the doctor) just has a better understanding, or at least what he thinks is an understanding of me. It was so fucking frustrating.” — Rick (100:35)
“That lens is everything... The goal of life to me is...accepting people.” — Pete (104:50)
Final thoughts on “value” and friendship:

“Make me laugh, make me inspired, help me…I want to be better.” — Rick (108:17)

Important Segments (Timestamps)

Setting the Comedic Tone & Bit Culture — 07:20–17:10
Podcast Intention, YouTube & “Spinach Friend” Analogies — 22:00–34:00
Honesty, Boundaries, and Social Feedback — 32:00–51:00
Acting Games & Free Association — 65:00–77:00
Rick on Autism & Self-Discovery — 78:47–92:25
The Power and Limits of Self-Knowledge — 97:54–101:20
Spirituality, Acceptance, and Assigning Meaning — 113:13–115:30
Fart Jokes and the Sacred Profane — 121:18–124:00

Language and Tone

The conversation is fast-paced, meta, and self-referential; both comedians playfully call out and dissect their own and each other’s habits.
Tone alternates between silly (running bits, hypothetical scenarios) and sincerely introspective.
The mood is collaborative, supportive, and peppered with affectionate ribbing.

Takeaways

Comedy as Connection: Being “weird” is often just being honest about your inner world—an act of generosity to listeners and friends.
Feedback, Boundaries & Growth: Not everyone wants the same type of candor; learning how others receive information (and how you receive it) is an on-going process.
Self-Acceptance: Intention, presence, and self-awareness are crucial elements for meaningful, creative, and connected living.
Help & Love: Valuing help—however it might look in various relationships—is parallel to practicing love and acceptance.

Memorable Closing Bit:
The episode ends, as always, with “Keep it crispy,” followed by a surprisingly sincere acapella singalong.

For more, check out Rick’s podcast “Take Your Shoes Off” and follow the ongoing weirdness at You Made It Weird with Pete Holmes.