In this engaging discussion, comedian Mark Normand shares his journey from a quirky upbringing in New Orleans to the bustling world of stand-up. He humorously reflects on the highs and lows of fame, the challenges of social media and cancel culture, and the absurdity surrounding 'Cocaine Bear.' Mark delves into the duality of comedy—its beauty and horror—while also exploring cultural dynamics, modern fame, and the emotional toll of performance. He highlights the importance of passion and resilience in navigating the unpredictable landscape of life and comedy.
Having a pursuit that you care about provides direction and purpose in life.
Discipline and hard work are essential for success as a comedian.
Failure and bombing on stage can be valuable lessons that lead to growth and resilience.
Deep dives
The Importance of Having a Pursuit
Mark Normand emphasizes the importance of having a pursuit that you care about. He shares his own experience growing up in a challenging environment and how having a passion for comedy helped him navigate tough times. Mark highlights the value of having something meaningful to work towards and how it can provide direction and purpose in life.
The Challenges of Being a Comedian
Mark Normand discusses the unique lifestyle and challenges of being a comedian. He talks about the late nights, the temptations to party, and the discipline required to excel in the field. Mark shares his own journey of maintaining focus and staying dedicated to his craft, highlighting the importance of discipline and hard work to achieve success as a comedian.
Learning from Failure and Bombing on Stage
Mark Normand reflects on the valuable lessons learned from failure and bombing on stage as a comedian. He discusses the insecurities that arise when facing rejection or a poorly received performance and how it can affect one's self-worth. Mark emphasizes the importance of resilience, self-improvement, and pushing through failures to ultimately grow as a comedian.
Treating Comedy as an Athletic Pursuit
Mark Normand advocates for treating comedy as an athletic pursuit, much like other professional sports. He highlights the importance of discipline, preparation, and hard work in honing one's craft. Mark draws parallels between comedians and athletes, stressing the need for self-discipline, continuous improvement, and a focused mindset to excel in comedy.
The Evils of Ageism and the Importance of Family
The conversation delves into the topic of ageism and how people often make fun of old age without considering that they will eventually become old themselves. The importance of family and having a sense of purpose as one ages is emphasized. The concept of menopause and the grandmother hypothesis is also discussed, highlighting the role of grandmothers in contributing to the caring and gathering within tribal communities. The dangers of artificially extending fertility and having too many children are mentioned, as it can spread resources thin and make it difficult for parents to be present for all their children.
The Ups and Downs of Living in New York City
The podcast hosts share personal stories and observations about living in New York City. They discuss the increase in violence and crime that has occurred in the city, particularly in the subway late at night. The dangers of riding the subway after midnight due to increased criminal activity are mentioned. Personal experiences of being mugged and robbed in New York, as well as stories of friends encountering theft and robbery, are shared. The conversation focuses on the need for vigilance and caution while living in a city with high levels of crime.
Mark Normand is a podcaster, an actor and a comedian.
Mark grew up in a rundown New Orleans bed & breakfast with a cross-dressing manager. Fertile ground for becoming one of the most popular, hardest working and fastest growing comics in America then. But why is it so important to have a pursuit that you care about if you're going to do other, seemingly unrelated hard things?
Expect to learn the price that you pay for being a famous comedian, why Mark's life would fall apart if he didn't have a passion to care about, whatever happened to that lady who tweeted about AIDs, whether Cocaine Bear will be given the Oscar nomination it deserves, whether bombing on stage changes your personality and much more...
