Addiction, Comedy, and Trauma with Brittany Schmitt | EP 214

Nov 29, 2024

Brittany Schmitt, a former advertising professional turned comedian, shares her heartfelt journey of transitioning to comedy while overcoming alcoholism. She discusses how sobriety has sparked her creativity and reshaped her social interactions. Brittany reflects on the changing landscape of comedy that now embraces mental health and longevity. She also opens up about the unique challenges female comedians face in the industry and shares insights on navigating personal trauma through humor, all while finding unexpected common ground in today's polarized climate.

Ask episode

Chapters

Books

Transcript

Episode notes

Intro

00:00 • 2min

From Advertising to Comedy: A Journey of Resilience and Self-Discovery

01:33 • 3min

Revolutionizing Education through Online Learning

05:01 • 2min

From Memoir to Stage: A Comedian's Journey

06:37 • 6min

Navigating Urban Challenges and Personal Growth

12:27 • 11min

Adapting to Low-Carb and Carnivore Diets

23:40 • 2min

Navigating Comedy: The Challenges and Triumphs of Female Comedians

25:31 • 2min

Journey Through Addiction and Recovery

27:42 • 22min

In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with comedian Brittany Schmitt. We dove into her journey from working in advertising to becoming a full-time comedian, her struggles with alcoholism, her path to sobriety, and the impact sobriety has had on her creativity and social life. Brittany also opened up about life as a female comic, navigating the industry, misadventures in dating, and the challenges of sharing personal material on stage. Brittany discussed a shift toward a new era in comedy that's embracing sobriety as a response to the burnout, addiction, and tragedy of the previous generation. Once characterized by chaotic lifestyles and substance-fueled performances, comedians are fostering a culture that prioritizes mental health and longevity. We also spoke about Kill Tony’s Madison Square Garden roast, Trump on Rogan, JD Vance on Theo, general sentiment of people moving away from the extreme left toward more balanced political perspectives, and the potential for unexpected common ground in the age of polarization. Watch Brittany’s stand-up special HORNY: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=sizQKblletY And check out her book ‘Stop Talking About Sex And Other Advice I Didn't Take’ on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Talking-About-Other-Advice-Didnt-ebook/dp/B0BHJKBQSH?dplnkId=f6d8b25e-4c88-4e23-86f9-1894914919e7&nodl=1 —Follow Brittany— https://www.instagram.com/brittanyschmitt/?hl=en —Check Out Our Sponsor— For a high quality, ideology-free education consider enrolling in Peterson Academy: https://petersonacademy.com/ —Follow Me— All Platforms: https://linktr.ee/mikhailapeterson Instagram: https://instagram.com/mikhailapeterson TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@mikhailapeterson Website: https://mikhailapeterson.com Lion Diet: https://liondiet.com Biotoxin: https://biotoxin.com Facebook: https://facebook.com/mikhailapetersonpodcast X: https://twitter.com/MikhailaFuller Telegram: https://t.me/mikhailapeterson —Chapters— 0:00:00 - Introduction 0:01:04 - From Advertising to Comedy 0:04:05 - DUI Experience and Starting Stand-Up 0:06:22 - Writing, Memoir, and Success 0:07:07 - Brittany’s First Comedy Show 0:08:07 - Matt Rife, Crowd Work, and Comedy Trends 0:11:38 - Life in Los Angeles 0:13:34 - Crime and Gangs LA 0:17:19 - Being Vulnerable Professionally 0:18:04 - Writing Jokes About Difficult Topics 0:19:55 - Coping with Loss and Mental Health 0:20:54 - Divorce and Public Perception 0:27:03 - Journey to Sobriety 0:31:46 - Life After Getting Sober 0:37:40 - Dating Misadventures 0:39:15 - Trump, Politics, and Media 0:42:05 - Merging Political Perspectives 0:48:50 - Overexposure and Podcasting Challenges 0:49:50 - Closing Thoughts