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Shawn Ryan Show
#99 John Crist - Beating Cancel Culture
Mar 4, 2024
A successful comedian discusses his rise to fame and the impact of cancel culture. Topics include faith, mental health, personal growth, and the challenges of being a Christian in the comedy industry. The conversation also touches on family dynamics, childhood reflections, navigating assumptions and hypocrisy, and the complexities of reputation and redemption in a cancel culture society.
05:08:28
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Quick takeaways
- John Crist's rise to fame was halted by cancel culture in 2019.
- Comedy allowed Crist to critique religion and cultural norms humorously.
- Navigating a dual life, Crist balanced public and personal expectations.
- Facing societal judgment, Crist focused on self-discovery and redemption.
- Resilience, hope, and healing emerged amidst mental health challenges.
- The importance of authenticity, forgiveness, and personal growth was highlighted in the podcast.
Deep dives
Challenging Traditional Beliefs and Rules
The individual started making jokes and humorous observations about the church and its practices from a young age, pointing out inconsistencies and humor in the rules and beliefs. These observations led to creating comedic content that resonated with a wider audience outside the church community.
Using Comedy to Expose Hypocrisy
Using humor to shed light on issues like purity culture, strict rules, and contradictions within religious practices, the individual created videos and content that humorously criticized certain behaviors and teachings within the church, initiating discussions and challenging traditional norms.
Expressing Individuality Through Comedy
Despite being introverted in personal life, the individual found a platform in comedy to express their thoughts, challenge authority, and question established beliefs and practices. Comedy provided a way to navigate feelings of introversion while engaging with topics that mattered to them.
Early Challenges and Opportunities
Starting out in 2009, the journey towards success in stand-up comedy was paved with challenges. Obscurity, driving long distances for small payouts, and performing in various venues like hotel bars and youth group events were commonplace. These experiences defined a humble beginning, driven more by passion for comedy and less by fame or financial gain.
Navigating the Transition to Success
By 2017, recognition and larger opportunities began to shape the comedian's career. Performing in churches in front of larger audiences marked a shift towards higher visibility. While the public persona flourished, the comedian navigated the complexities of living two different lives – balancing private and publicly expected behaviors, especially in the context of church performances and personal relationships.
Reflections on Balancing Personal and Professional Life
As fame and recognition grew, the comedian faced challenges aligning personal choices with public expectations, notably in situations where the moral code of a religious setting clashed with personal relationships. The nuances of managing public appearances, personal relationships, and the expectations of the comedy industry presented a thought-provoking journey towards aligning personal values with professional demands.
Reconciliation and Self-Discovery
Facing past mistakes, the individual embarks on a journey of self-discovery and redemption. Despite feeling ashamed and fearing ostracism, a path of recovery is pursued, leading to renewed purpose and a shift towards giving rather than seeking laughter.
Overcoming Stigma and Embracing Forgiveness
Amidst societal judgment and cancellation, the individual battles against stigma and rejection, seeking forgiveness and reconciliation. The experience highlights the power of acceptance, compassion, and the pivotal role of personal growth in moving forward.
Resilience, Redemption, and Hope
Navigating through adversity and mental health challenges, resilience and hope emerge as guiding forces. The journey towards redemption, self-acceptance, and overcoming public scrutiny reflects an evolution towards healing and embracing life's complexities.
The Impact of Shame and the Path to Healing
Amidst public scrutiny and shame, the individual confronts personal struggles and societal expectations. Through introspection, support, and overcoming adversities, a pathway to healing, self-forgiveness, and resilience emerges, paving the way for a new chapter of growth and understanding.
Realization in Rehab
The speaker reflects on their time in rehab, highlighting the emotional challenges and suicidal thoughts they experienced. In rehab, they had to fill out forms monitoring their mental state, particularly regarding anger, depression, and suicidal ideation. The speaker shares moments of feeling indifferent towards life, such as not caring about potential accidents. The podcast episode explores the loud inner voices experienced during silent moments and the reckless behaviors driven by a desire to escape reality.
Reflections on Personal Change and Community Impact
The episode delves into the speaker's transformation post-rehab, emphasizing the recalibration of the mind and body over time. The importance of removing escapism mechanisms like alcohol, caffeine, and distractions is highlighted. The discussion shifts to the impact of community support and the role of churches in society. The speaker suggests churches leveraging their resources to address local community issues could have a significant positive impact, leading to a sense of belonging and support for individuals in need.
The Power of Forgiveness and Moving On
The podcast episode delves into the theme of forgiveness and letting go of anger and resentment towards others. It emphasizes the importance of taking ownership of one's decisions in life and not holding onto grudges. By sharing personal experiences and reflections on forgiveness, the speaker highlights that carrying unforgiveness only hinders personal growth and happiness. The message conveys that revenge and anger are not productive ways to deal with issues, and embracing forgiveness can lead to freedom and peace.
Authenticity and Being True to Yourself
Another key focus of the podcast episode is the idea of being authentic and true to oneself. The conversation explores the concept of breaking free from false limitations and facades that individuals may create to please others. It encourages listeners to prioritize their values and beliefs over conforming to societal expectations or roles. By sharing personal stories and reflections on authenticity, the speaker conveys the importance of living a genuine and honest life, free from the constraints of external pressures or false personas.
Honing in on Personal Growth
The podcast also addresses the journey of personal growth and self-discovery. It sheds light on the transformative power of overcoming challenges and obstacles by staying true to one's values and beliefs. The conversation emphasizes the impact of facing fears, embracing change, and breaking free from self-imposed limitations to achieve growth and fulfillment. Through personal anecdotes and insights, the speaker underscores the resilience and strength that come from authenticity and embracing one's true self.
Finding Joy in Acceptance and Empathy
The episode concludes with a message of finding joy in acceptance and empathy. It highlights the significance of accepting oneself and others without judgment, fostering a sense of love and understanding. By prioritizing empathy and genuine connections, the speaker promotes a sense of freedom and peace that comes from authentic interactions and embracing one's true identity. The episode encourages listeners to cultivate empathy and acceptance towards themselves and others as a path to personal growth and fulfillment.
John Crist is a successful comedian with over one billion video views and is the host of his hilarious podcast "Net Positive." Crist is widely known for his viral videos like "Honest Football Coach," "Every Parent at Disney," and "Brands that need to be CANCELLED."
Crist's remarkably successful online presence was backed by a relentless touring schedule that initially favored christian audiences and churches rather than the typical theatre circuit. In this episode, Crist recounts his meteoric rise to fame that was ultimately sidelined by the #metoo movement and cancel culture that swept the nation in 2019. Shawn and John share deep conversation that wrestles with topics like faith, hypocrisy, mental health, and personal growth.
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John Crist Links:
Tour - https://johncristcomedy.com/tour
Website - https://johncristcomedy.com
Podcast - https://open.spotify.com/show/1WDTVibOGGSPSyv3MkUeVc?si=f4226da8ff334dd4
IG - https://www.instagram.com/johnbcrist
X - https://twitter.com/johnbcrist
Tik Tok - https://www.tiktok.com/@johncristcomedian
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Vigilance Elite/Shawn Ryan Links:
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