Actor and comedian Nick Kroll discusses relationships, work confrontation, partnership, marriage, bathroom etiquette, rage at babies, struggles with eating and sugar, and skin conditions in a candid and entertaining conversation with Neal Brennan on the Blocks Podcast.
Feeling bizarre rage towards infant child and navigating conflicting feelings of empathy and authority as a parent.
Tendency to avoid confrontation due to desire for likability and creating an easygoing environment, acknowledging the need for balance.
Struggling with self-control when it comes to eating sweets, feeling enslaved by food and the strong allure of sugar.
Deep dives
Rage at baby
The speaker discusses feeling a bizarre rage towards their infant child when the child would cry uncontrollably. They talk about the foreignness of feeling such rage towards a tiny, illogical being and the guilt that comes with it. The speaker reflects on how they are not used to being yelled at and how it was a new experience for them. They also mention navigating through the conflicting feelings of wanting to be empathetic and understanding, but also asserting authority as a parent.
Avoiding confrontation
The speaker talks about their tendency to avoid confrontation in everyday situations, both at the airport and in work relationships. They share their desire to be liked and to create an easygoing environment, which leads them to avoid conflict and acquiesce to others' desires. They mention feeling empathetic towards others and considering the bigger picture, which sometimes leads them to let go of small confrontations. However, they acknowledge recognizing the need to assert themselves and the difficulty of finding the balance between being democratic and having their voice heard.
Struggling with sugar and self-control
The speaker discusses their difficulty in controlling their eating habits, particularly when it comes to sweets and sugar. They admit to feeling enslaved by cigarettes in the past and share how they struggle with self-control when it comes to food. They mention the temptation of having chocolate chip cookies or other treats in the house, even though they try to keep such items out of reach. The speaker's partner doesn't share the same sweet tooth and suggests simply not eating the cookies, but the speaker expresses the strong allure and obsession they have with sugar.
The importance of intentional therapy
Regular therapy, done intentionally and with purpose, can be immensely helpful. It provides a space for radical honesty and allows you to work through your problems and gain perspective. Going to therapy, much like doing spots in stand-up comedy, is like going to the gym for your mental health. It's important to actively engage and share your worst parts to truly benefit from therapy.
The value of plant medicine and being mindful
Approaching the use of plant medicine, such as psychedelics, with intention and mindfulness can lead to transformative experiences. Having a purpose or question in mind when using these substances can help bring about insight and healing. Similarly, being intentional in other areas of life, whether it's in relationships, dealing with conflict, or even consuming substances like alcohol, can lead to healthier and more fulfilling outcomes.
Neal Brennan interviews Nick Kroll ('Big Mouth,' 'Kroll Show,' 'Oh Hello' + more) about the things that make him feel lonely, isolated, and like something's wrong - and how he is persevering despite these blocks.
