Tom Papa

Date: 2018-06-11 | Duration: 3h 7m

Category: Comedy

Episode Overview

Tom Papa dives into the creative process behind writing his latest book, sharing how he organized his material by family roles—moms, dads, cousins, aunts, and uncles—into distinct chapters. He reflects on the discipline required to write and edit, mentioning tools like Scrivener that helped him structure his work efficiently. Papa also discusses the importance of humor in his writing and how he balances being funny while making sure the content resonates with readers over time. He reveals the relief and excitement of seeing his book become the number one new release in family humor, hinting at plans for a follow-up. The conversation shifts to Papa’s experiences on the road, where his love for baking and exploring local bakeries blossomed into a community-driven passion. He recounts traveling through cities like New York, New Orleans, and Detroit, connecting with diverse families and cultures through food. This culinary curiosity adds a unique dimension to his comedy and personal life. Additionally, Papa touches on mental health challenges, including anxiety and the pressures of performing, emphasizing the importance of physical activity and self-care to maintain balance. Later, the discussion broadens to cultural topics, including the complexities of race, language, and social sensitivity in comedy and society. Papa offers candid insights into the evolving landscape of political correctness, the impact of cancel culture, and the challenges comedians face navigating these issues. Throughout, his storytelling blends humor with thoughtful reflection, providing a nuanced look at family, creativity, and contemporary culture.

About Tom Papa

Tom Papa is a celebrated comedian, actor, writer, and radio host, renowned for his sharp wit and relatable storytelling. With a career spanning over two decades, he has made notable appearances on shows like "This Is Not Happening" and has hosted his own popular podcast, "Come to Papa." Tom is also recognized for his work in television and film, including roles in "The Informant!" and Netflix specials like "You're Doing Great!" His ability to blend humor with insightful commentary on everyday life makes him a distinctive voice in the comedy world. Tom's infectious energy and engaging anecdotes have earned him a loyal fan base, making him a sought-after guest on platforms like the Joe Rogan Experience.

Key Moments

– Comedy Writing
– Family Humor
– Book Publishing
– Mental Health
– Physical Fitness
– Cultural Appropriation
– Historical Archaeology
– Ancient Civilizations
– Climate Events
– Music Industry
– Stand-up Comedy
– Social Issues
– Technology Innovation
– Space Exploration
– Automobile Design
– Television Industry
– Racism and Language
– Parenting
– Podcasting
– 3D Printing
0:00:24 – Discussing discipline needed to write a book
0:02:20 – Book structure based on family members
0:06:44 – Writing process and using Scrivener software
0:09:10 – Colin Quinn's book event experience
0:10:29 – Central theme of family in comedy
0:12:41 – Fans sending pictures of their bread
0:13:58 – Touring various US cities for comedy shows
0:15:34 – Performing a show in New Orleans with Neil Brennan
0:19:26 – Training in Brazilian jiu-jitsu while on the road
0:20:19 – Discussion on anti-anxiety medication and heart attack
0:22:38 – High suicide rates among middle-aged Americans
0:25:36 – Human body's physical requirements and evolution
0:27:59 – Performing with Santino and Tony Hinchcliffe
0:29:27 – Food as an art form inspired by No Reservations
0:33:00 – Community impact of good food businesses
0:34:51 – Fear and thoughts about marriage
0:38:52 – Experiencing a cab ride in New Jersey
0:42:34 – Discussion on Nazis and historical context
0:46:10 – Pride in classic car engineering
0:49:37 – Admiring the 1969 Mach 1 Mustang
0:52:24 – Reflecting on childhood and happiness
0:56:08 – Critique of lazy driving habits called 'slides'
0:58:45 – Judging people by their sneaker choices
1:02:10 – Demonstration of flamethrower device
1:03:25 – Gigawatt factories powering Australia
1:06:44 – Discussion about 3D printing and Mars colonization
1:09:49 – Evolution of women's grooming standards
1:12:07 – Comedian's meltdown on stage
1:14:33 – Controversy over racial slurs in comedy
1:20:31 – Racism and its various forms discussed
1:23:32 – Bruno Mars and cultural appropriation debate
1:28:34 – Frustration with social justice culture
1:30:59 – Comparison of public reactions to controversies
1:34:19 – Roseanne controversy and social media impact
1:38:55 – School incident involving racial signage
1:44:01 – Critique of 'gotcha' culture and social attacks
1:46:41 – Father's Day and family celebrations
1:49:01 – Ancient bow and arrow artifacts
1:52:01 – King Tut's skull and possible abnormalities
1:57:07 – Lightning storms causing mass extinctions
2:06:35 – Civil turmoil and Nubian takeover of Egypt
2:10:52 – Elon Musk's tunnel projects discussed
2:13:23 – Reflection on ancient worship and statues
2:17:15 – Limited knowledge in ancient times
2:22:12 – Discussion of racial language in historical texts
2:25:43 – Controversy around Disney's Song of the South
2:30:34 – Nicole Kidman and layered music discussion
2:35:56 – Grateful Dead's musical legacy
2:38:25 – Preference for Killer Mike's music
2:40:07 – Trailer for a scary dollhouse movie
2:42:46 – Black Panther movie discussion
2:50:21 – History and misuse of psychiatry
2:52:44 – Robots and future technology needs
2:54:06 – Organ transplant and medical advances
2:57:16 – Children's behavior and attention seeking
3:00:36 – Finding joy in work and creativity
3:03:18 – Closing remarks and book promotion

Transcript Excerpt

Starting point is 00:00:00 Young James ready to launch. Starting point is 00:00:24 You do have the discipline, you just have to focus it on that. You can do it. How long did had the discipline to write a book. You do have the discipline. Starting point is 00:00:39 Oh, okay. Starting point is 00:00:57 No. Starting point is 00:01:37 material alone oh there was a couple little things where they're like you know you're repeating Starting point is 00:02:20 So it's moms, dads, cousins, aunts, uncles, all broken down in chapters like that. Starting point is 00:02:43 And you just decided to get wacky? He just... This guy is like this amazing photographer who's just done like Clooney and Damon and Starting point is 00:03:06 Yeah. Starting point is 00:03:23 Yeah, when you write a book you have to think man someone could be reading Starting point is 00:03:50 okay, Starting point is 00:04:00 Is the writing okay? Starting point is 00:04:24 It's funny and people are saying I can write. Starting point is 00:04:41 And just said, hey, you're doing something terrible for your future this is gonna be around for a long time well people are gonna refer to Starting point is 00:05:09 No, I'm relieved. Starting point is 00:05:18 My editor said it's good. Starting point is 00:05:51 I would try and just work on that and make it. Starting point is 00:06:14 Wherever I was, whatever I was doing, I had to make sure that I had that time. Starting point is 00:06:44 So I'm just going to write it and spit it out. Starting point is 00:07:00 Do you know what Scrivener is? Starting point is 00:07:17 And you click on each subject, and there'll be a whole column. Starting point is 00:07:51 Like say if I'm doing a bid on desks, right? Starting point is 00:08:21 oh that's great yeah that's really good yeah the organizing Starting point is 00:08:50 What I'm trying to say is I didn't have to keep track like a novel. Starting point is 00:09:10 Like, Colin Quinn came and did a book event with me a couple weeks...

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Frequently asked about this episode

Who was the guest on Joe Rogan Experience #1129?

Tom Papa was the guest on JRE #1129. This page includes the episode overview, topics discussed, and related resources.

What topics were discussed on JRE #1129?

On Joe Rogan Experience #1129 with Tom Papa, topics include Comedy Writing, Family Humor, Book Publishing, and Mental Health.

Where can I read the transcript for JRE #1129?

The full searchable transcript for Joe Rogan Experience #1129 with Tom Papa is available on this page, along with key topics and timestamps.