#1150 - Felipe Esparza
NaN minutesEpisode #1150
Felipe Esparza is an actor and stand up comedian, who won Last Comic Standing in 2010. Check out his podcast called "What's Up Fool?" available on Spotify.
Watch the full episode of #1150 - Felipe Esparza.
Episode Timestamps
Mexicans and Americans: A Contentious Time for People
- Discussion on the cultural exchange of greetings like 'What's up, fool?'
- Exploration of the border situation with Mexico, including wall prototypes and cost
- Conversation about the controversial topic of the border wall and its impact on people
The Journey to the United States: Crossing Borders and Stories of Separation
- Personal story of crossing the border into the United States from Mexico
- Narrative of being separated from family members during border crossings
- Recollection of using borrowed passports and disguises to successfully enter the US
Learning Languages and Cultural Diversity
- Discussion on the challenges of learning languages like Russian and Arabic.
- Exploration of the unique characteristics of different languages and their writing systems.
- Reflections on the importance of language in connecting cultures and the role of language in shaping identities.
Cultural Practices and Perspectives
- Exploration of cultural practices like spitting in Argentina as a form of expression.
- Introduction to the Icelandic tradition of fermented shark as a delicacy.
- Discussion on the impact of cultural diversity on societal norms and values.
Top 500 Richest People: Massive Wealth Gains
- Jeff Bezos, CEO of Amazon, gained 35 billion in net worth
- Bernard Arnault, Evergrande's chairman, saw a growth of 25 billion in net worth
- Mark Zuckerberg gained 24 billion, questioning wealth distribution and game rules
Social Financial Systems and Gender Identity Discussions
- Discussion on community-based financial systems like savings groups
- Deeper conversation on influencing gender identity and sexual orientation
- Exploration of societal perceptions and acceptance of different sexual orientations
Chewy's Musical Talent Revealed at the House of Blues
- Chewy, known as the door guy at the comedy store, surprises friends with his musical talent at the House of Blues
- Performing monthly, Chewy impresses with his musical skills on stage, earning admiration from peers
- Rick James even makes a surprise appearance, adding to the memorable night filled with talented comedians
House Party in Burbank: Unusual Performance Spot with Doug
- Performing at a house in Burbank turned out to be a unique experience for comedians, with unconventional entertainment
- The house featured a party atmosphere with unusual items like liquid coke and nasal sprays filled with coke
- Visitors earned 'Dougie points,' creating a distinct and entertaining dynamic at the peculiar venue
Leonardo's Curiosity on Woodpecker Tongue
- Leonardo da Vinci's fascination with woodpecker tongue, wanting to describe it in 1400s
- Challenges of studying and describing the woodpecker tongue at that time
- Intriguing details of the world's first recorded scientific observations
Earliest Discoveries of Dinosaurs
- Discussion on the first discoveries of dinosaur bones during George Washington's time
- Evolving understanding of ancient creatures shaping human knowledge
- Imagining the shock and awe of finding evidence of dinosaurs
Native American Land Sale: Exploitation and Impact
- Native Americans given poor quality land as reservations in 1865
- Advertisement for 'Indian Land for Sale' in Nebraska and Wyoming
- Discussion on the impact of Native American land acquisition and exploitation
Genghis Khan and the Mongol Empire: Ruthless Conquests
- Description of the Mongol Empire led by Genghis Khan
- Estimation of deaths caused by the Mongols impacting the earth's population
- Comparison between AIDS deaths and the impact of Genghis Khan's conquests
AIDS Epidemic: Tracing the Origins and Response
- AIDS was a new and politically charged disease in the 1980s, linked to gay community and blood transfusions
- Around 300,000 total deaths from AIDS, one third in New York
- Discussion on various factors contributing to AIDS deaths including drug use and immune system health
Health Challenges and Priorities: Flu, Meth and Immune Systems
- Debate on impact of lifestyle habits like drug use on immune system health
- Comparing mortal threats like flu and cancer with focus on new diseases like AIDS
- Reflecting on human behavior in response to health risks and diseases
Friend's Intense Bowel Obstruction and Medical Intervention
- Friend experienced severe bowel obstruction, necessitating medical intervention
- Doctor had to break up hardened stool mass in friend's rectum using instruments
- Intervention involved diuretics, stool loosening agents, and physical extraction
Controversy around Carnivore Diet and Vegetable Consumption
- Discussion on Carnivore diet and its impact on digestive health
- Debate on the necessity of consuming vegetables for bowel health
- Exploration of potential biological issues some individuals face with vegetable consumption
Evolution of Air Conditioning and Refrigeration
- Discussion about the evolution of air conditioning and refrigeration from the 1920s to the 1950s
- Importance of air conditioning in enabling advancements like Vegas
- Comparison between older cooling methods like swamp coolers and modern air conditioning
Positive Competition and Inspiration in Comedy
- Encouraging positive competition and mutual inspiration in the comedy community
- Advocating for supporting each other's success for collective progress
- Importance of competing against oneself while deriving inspiration from others
Tyson Fury: The Rise, Fall, and Comeback of a World Boxing Champion
- Former world boxing champion Tyson Fury, standing at 6 foot 9 and 250 pounds, faced health and mental struggles leading to weight gain before making a successful comeback.
- Fury gave up his title, but is gearing up for a comeback fight soon, showing remarkable transformation in physical fitness.
- Fury's recent fight ended in a technical decision victory, showcasing his dominance in the ring against a heavier opponent.
Tyson Fury vs. Jeryl Mclellan: The Impact of Quitting in Boxing
- Comparing Tyson Fury and other boxers like Jeryl Mclellan who quit mid-fight due to overwhelming challenges, highlighting the impact of such decisions in the sport.
- Discussion on the consequences of quitting in boxing, influenced by factors like level of competition, physical condition, and mental fortitude.
- Insight into past fights, such as Nigel Ben vs. Jeryl Mclellan, and the lasting effects of severe injuries and decision-making during matches.
McLellan vs. Ben: A Fight of Endurance and Tenacity
- McLellan starts the fight aggressively, demonstrating his power with a series of strong punches
- Despite McLellan's initial dominance, Ben manages to survive and make a comeback after being hurt
- The fight highlights the unpredictability and intensity of boxing, with both fighters showcasing their resilience
The Victorious Underdog: Douglas vs. Tyson
- Buster Douglas trains intensely and defeats Mike Tyson in an unexpected victory
- The fight demonstrates the importance of discipline and strategy in boxing
- Even with controversies over the count, Douglas emerges as the victor in a monumental upset
Mike Tyson vs. Roy Jones Jr.: Clash of Styles
- Roy Jones known for speed, movement, lead left hooks and right hands
- Tyson's aggressive and destructive style contrasted with Jones' finesse
- Comparison with Muhammad Ali's footwork and fast jab
Mike Tyson's Controversial Life and Boxing Career
- Tyson's post-prison antics like giving Rolls Royce to cops and owning a tiger
- Discussion on Tyson's fights, including loss to Evander Holyfield
- Insight into Tyson's transformation and tattoo aspects post-jail release
Joey Karate\'s Journey to Redemption
- Joey Karate reveals his past as a trained assassin
- Expresses determination to regain his lost rank as a Cuban black belt
- Excitement for upcoming UFC event in Brazil featuring Anderson Silva
Family Identity Crisis: Brother's Betrayal
- Discussion about identity theft within the family
- Sibling using each other's identity to commit crimes
- Reveals family dynamics and betrayal involving brothers' criminal activities
Eli: The Volkswagen Genius and Troubled Partygoer
- Eli, a Volkswagen genius and habitual drug user, was known in the neighborhood for fixing cars and his love for partying.
- He would often get distracted while fixing cars due to his drug addiction, once spending three hours staring at a bug without working on it.
- The speaker's friend, Juni, had his Volkswagen bug fixed by Eli, who had a reputation for excelling in bug repairs.
The Love for Manual Transmission and Memories of Driving Experience
- The speaker reminisces about his Honda, favoring manual transmission for the engaging driving experience and control it offers.
- He discusses the durability and driving pleasure of his Honda compared to a Porsche, which frequently broke down.
- The conversation shifts to the preference for cars that corner well rather than focus solely on speed, highlighting the unique driving experiences manual transmission offers.
Risk-Taking Thrill Seekers and Special Forces: A Look into Their Minds
- Discussion on individuals hardwired to engage in risky and dangerous activities
- Comparison to special forces operators, navy seals, and mercenaries
- Exploration of the historical necessity of risk-taking traits for survival
Survival Strategies and Food Safety: The Hidden Dangers Lurking in Everyday Meals
- Insights into survival techniques involving reflective space blankets and potential uses
- Exploration of food poisoning incidents and potential sources of contamination
- Examination of E. Coli bacteria and its transmission through undercooked food and contaminated produce
E. Coli Outbreak on Lettuce from Cattle Manure
- Cattle manure contaminated lettuce with E. Coli.
- Questioning whether this contamination is a normal occurrence on farms.
- Discussion on traditional cleaning practices and historical cases of food poisoning.
Food Poisoning and Chicken Stories
- Narrative of food poisoning from improperly stored steak.
- Discussion on favorite ways to eat KFC cold.
- Debate on spicy sauces like habanero and buffalo-hunting stories.
Comedy in Prison with George Perez and Joey Diaz
- Inmates rooting for Felipe to win a competition in prison
- Connection with comedian George Perez who performed for guards in exchange for extra food
- Joey Diaz starting comedy in prison and building confidence
Discovering Stand-up Comedy and Embracing Unconventional Career Paths
- First stand-up performance at an open mic night in Boston
- Realization of incompatibility with traditional office jobs leading to pursuit of comedy
- Reflecting on the struggles with traditional employment and finding inspiration and guidance in the comedy community
Comedy Evolution: Lennie Bruce to Richard Prior
- Lennie Bruce pioneered a new style of comedy in the 1950s and 60s by discussing social issues instead of just telling jokes
- Richard Prior built upon Bruce's work, taking comedy to a new level by making it even funnier
- The comedy evolution shows how comedians inspire and learn from each other, with Prior becoming a major influence for future generations
Comedic Legends: Richard Prior and George Carlin
- Richard Genny, despite not receiving enough credit, was a talented comedian who had numerous TV appearances
- Joel had an encounter with Steven Wright at Dodger Stadium, showcasing Wright's quirky behavior
- Joel recalls memorable moments with John Ritter and discusses his dental transformation, highlighting the impact of drug abuse on oral health