What Now? with Trevor Noah Roy Wood Jr. Gets Real About Fear, Fame, & Fatherhood
Oct 23, 2025
Roy Wood Jr., a comedian and actor known for his work on The Daily Show, discusses his transformative journey into fatherhood and the lessons learned from his own absentee father. He reflects on the pressures of fame, career setbacks, and the responsibility of parenting, emphasizing intentions to break harmful cycles. Roy's memoir, inspired by his experiences during COVID, serves as a tool for understanding his familial legacy. The conversation touches on hustling, storytelling through food, and the importance of community in shaping one's path.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Paranoia As A Career Strategy
- Roy's professional paranoia drives him to learn adjacent skills so others can't overcharge or mislead him.
- He studies tools (graphics, coding) to verify estimates and stay empowered.
Radio Days Shaped Professional Rules
- Roy recalled intense early radio work and harassment/decency training after the Janet Jackson Super Bowl incident.
- He connected that radio rigor to learning workplace protocols and professional boundaries.
Father's Extreme Couponing Lessons
- Roy's father checked price-per-ounce and shopped across town to save pennies, spending hours on grocery runs.
- Those habits taught Roy meticulous thrift and distrust of being overcharged.
