You Made It Weird with Pete Holmes Jake Johnson (Re-Release)
Aug 27, 2025
Jake Johnson, best known for his role in The New Girl, dives into a nostalgic and humorous conversation about podcasting and creativity. He shares anecdotes from his early days in the industry, reflecting on the balance between gratitude and ambition, and the emotional challenges of the pandemic. The duo discusses the complexities of storytelling in film and the joys of pet ownership, offering laughs and heartfelt insights about life, loss, and personal growth. Expect laughs, introspection, and light-hearted banter throughout their engaging chat.
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Episode notes
Library vs Newness Paradox
- Jake says creators face a library-vs-newness paradox: a rich back catalog isn't as marketable as shiny new things.
- He notes modern press and short-form clips changed how audiences find work, forcing creatives to adapt.
Stay Hungry By Creating Constraints
- Use scarcity and hunger to drive craft: treat projects like prospecting gold to fuel hard work and urgency.
- When complacency creeps in, manufacture constraint or risk to reignite the grind.
How One Bar Story Became Drunk History
- Jake tells the story of drunkenly telling Derek Waters an Otis Redding tale that inspired the creation of Drunk History.
- Derek turned the bar story into a reenacted short that helped launch both their careers.
