The Downside with Gianmarco Soresi

Atsuko Okatsuka, a stand-up comedian and writer, dives into her fascinating family history, sharing insights about her grandmother's struggles under martial law in Taiwan. She humorously discusses learning English through cartoons and her mother's intimacy needs, sparking a conversation about the ethics of sex work. The chat touches on balancing personal stories with political themes in comedy, navigating international performance challenges, and the importance of style and presentation on stage. Plus, Atsuko's take on bananas brings unexpected laughs!

The hosts dive into the surprising revelations from the newly leaked Epstein emails, showcasing connections that raise eyebrows. A fat-phobic email from a Goldman Sachs lawyer gets a hilarious roasting. Awkward messages from victims highlight the uncomfortable dynamics involving Epstein. They reflect on the expansive network surrounding him and the challenging nature of untangling it. Discussions also touch on Epstein's mysterious death and the conspiracy theories it spawned, as well as his seemingly unbothered attitude towards getting caught.

Hasan Piker, a political commentator and popular Twitch streamer, dives into the complexities of cultural Muslim identity and the misconceptions surrounding Sharia law. He debates the frustrations with political moderates and shares vivid travel tales from Japan, highlighting unique cultural insights. Hasan reflects on the shifting political landscape post-Obama and critiques the Democratic infrastructure while discussing effective debate strategies. With humor, he also recounts his border detention experience, emphasizing the absurdities of airport life.

Join Gianmarco and Russell as they explore the quirky charm of Portland, including their wild adventure at a vegan strip club. They share hilarious tales of conversations with strippers during an off-peak afternoon visit. Expect entertaining critiques of dance techniques, boundaries around touching, and amusing moments like a drink spill from their producer. With thoughts on tipping in both strip clubs and stand-up comedy, their humor shines through as they compare skydiving and strip club experiences. It's a fun ride through Portland's unique nightlife!

Jim Norton, a veteran stand-up comedian and radio personality, joins to dive into the nuances of comedy in today's landscape. He shares his experiences post-9/11, revealing how the tragedy transformed the NYC comedy scene. Jim discusses the pitfalls of podcasting during elections and his centrist views on politics. He shares his journey of marrying a trans woman, touching on personal challenges and political disillusionment. Expect laughs and candid conversations about censorship, marriage, and the political ecosystem of New York!

The hosts dive into the controversy surrounding Sydney Sweeney's recent outfit, sharing a mix of amusing group chat reactions. They explore the clash between more conservative views and their own humorous takes. Russell expresses his fatigue with overly curated red carpet looks, favoring bolder fashion choices. The conversation highlights comedians who adopt fashion trends for image and ends with a playful jab about naming names. Overall, it's a lively discussion on autonomy and personal expression in fashion.

Comedian Stavros Halkias joins to share the downsides of Greeks making bootleg versions of American TV & music, the similarities between football practice and wartime training, which hand we’re using, and why the 2 day digital movie rental has gotta stop.Follow Stavros Halkias on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and XSee Stavros Halkias in a city near you: https://www.stavvy.biz/#tourWatch/listen to Stavros Halkias' podcast, Stavvy's World: https://www.youtube.com/@stavvysworld--This is a Headgum podcast. Follow Headgum on Twitter, Instagram, and Tiktok.The Downside with Gianmarco Soresi has a Patreon! Subscribe here for two bonus episodes every month and access to exclusive content!Follow Gianmarco Soresi on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, and TwitterFollow Russell Daniels on InstagramFollow the show on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTokProduced by Paige Asachika & Gianmarco SoresiTechnical production by Ty ColgateVideo edited by Dave ColumboSpecial Thanks Tovah SilbermannOriginal music by⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Douglas Goodhart⁠Executive Producer - Anya KanevskayaVP of Development & Production at Headgum - Kaiti MoosSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Gianmarco and Russell dive into the cringe-worthy details of Andrew Cuomo's deleted AI campaign ad, highlighting its racist undertones. They hilariously critique the ad's cheesy performances and lack of factual accuracy. The duo examines cultural stereotypes, particularly the rice-eating jab, emphasizing its lazy attack style. Speculation about election implications and the possible consequences of a Zoran victory is discussed, alongside reflections on political accountability, including a shocking tattoo controversy. Plus, they rant about the renovation of the White House ballroom.

Comedian Blair Socci joins to share the downsides of opening a show with jokes about your predatory high school volleyball coach, getting diagnosed with autism as an adult, experiencing a life-saving facial, and why there are a LOT of things that have gotta stop.Follow Blair Socci on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and FacebookSee Blair in a city near you: https://punchup.live/blairsocciWatch Blair's special, "Live from the Big Dog" on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9oyau71a5XE--This is a Headgum podcast. Follow Headgum on Twitter, Instagram, and Tiktok.The Downside with Gianmarco Soresi has a Patreon! Subscribe here for two bonus episodes every month and access to exclusive content!Follow Gianmarco Soresi on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, and TwitterFollow Russell Daniels on InstagramFollow the show on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTokProduced by Paige Asachika & Gianmarco SoresiTechnical production by Ty ColgateVideo edited by Dave ColumboSpecial Thanks Tovah SilbermannOriginal music by⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Douglas Goodhart⁠Executive Producer - Anya KanevskayaVP of Development & Production at Headgum - Kaiti MoosSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Gianmarco shares his whirlwind experience emceeing Zohran Mamdani's rally, highlighting the chaos of grassroots organizing. He navigates balancing humor with the seriousness of political activism, while reflecting on the stakes of local politics. From improvising with hecklers to feeling starstruck meeting Mamdani, he candidly discusses the complexity of supporting specific policies amid broader political concerns. Along the way, he humorously ponders the legacy of his social media presence and the fine line between comedy and propaganda.