Frank Castillo

Date: 2017-02-17 | Duration: 2h 42m

Category: Comedy

Episode Overview

Frank Castillo shares an insightful and candid conversation about the grind and culture of stand-up comedy, reflecting on his early days performing in small clubs and the challenges of breaking into bigger venues like the Comedy Store and Laugh Factory. He recounts memorable moments, including hosting shows and navigating the competitive atmosphere of roast battles, emphasizing the importance of persistence and building connections in the comedy world. Castillo also highlights the evolving nature of comedy, discussing how comedians must constantly create new material and adapt to changing audiences while maintaining authenticity. The discussion then shifts to broader topics, including the impact of social dynamics within comedy communities and the significance of being respectful and supportive to fellow performers. Castillo touches on the unpredictable nature of the entertainment industry and the value of hard work, sharing personal stories about balancing day jobs with comedy ambitions. The episode also explores Castillo’s fascination with science and space, where he delves into topics like near-Earth asteroids, space junk, and the vastness of the universe, blending humor with awe. Throughout, his reflections offer a blend of humor, humility, and curiosity, painting a vivid picture of life as a working comedian and an engaged observer of the world.

About Frank Castillo

Frank Castillo is a talented stand-up comedian known for his sharp wit and fearless humor. He gained notable recognition as the champion of "Roast Battle 2" on Comedy Central, showcasing his exceptional ability to deliver biting jokes in a competitive setting. In addition to his stand-up career, Frank co-hosts the popular podcast "Verbal Violence," where he delves into the art of comedy and engages with fellow comedians. With a unique perspective on life and a knack for storytelling, Frank captivates audiences with his relatable experiences and unfiltered honesty, making him a standout voice in the comedy scene.

Key Moments

– Standup Comedy
– Comedy Specials
– Comedy Clubs
– Comedy Competitions
– Asteroids
– Space Science
– Volcanology
– Mixed Martial Arts
– Boxing
– Wrestling
– Film and Movies
– Virtual Reality
– Science Fiction
– Language Learning
– Cultural Commentary
– Comedy Writing
– Entertainment Industry
– Natural Disasters
– Technology
0:00:00 – Introduction and rain ambience
0:01:05 – Discussion on early standup comedy experiences
0:02:19 – Watching Ari's Comedy Central special at the Comedy Store
0:05:30 – Encounter with Ron White at a comedy venue
0:07:16 – Popularity and impact of roast battles
0:10:42 – Hosting at the Laugh Factory and meeting bookers
0:12:17 – Importance of creating new comedy material
0:13:31 – Late night comedy show with small audience
0:15:49 – Advice on perseverance in any endeavor
0:17:08 – Networking and being nice in the comedy scene
0:20:08 – Analyzing fellow comedians' performances
0:23:25 – Strategy and coaching in comedy competitions
0:26:51 – Ralphie May's work ethic post-show
0:29:12 – Discussion on electoral college and media
0:33:26 – Trust and misinformation in media
0:38:41 – Prosperity despite challenges in entertainment
0:42:05 – Post-global crisis cultural reflections
0:45:28 – Astrophysics and scientific literacy
0:51:12 – Near-Earth objects and asteroid risks
0:56:27 – Moon's rotation and Earth's spin
1:01:53 – Recent close asteroid flyby
1:06:33 – Virtual reality space applications
1:09:29 – Space junk and orbital debris concerns
1:12:44 – Asteroid impacts on Jupiter and Earth
1:14:52 – Social media and public discourse dynamics
1:20:52 – Immigration and cultural identity
1:25:10 – Ancient skilled workers and historical engineering
1:28:49 – Looking at stars and universe exploration
1:34:32 – Safety advice during natural disasters
1:38:50 – Diamond mining and cultural remarks
1:44:00 – Human error and historical achievements
1:48:26 – Work ethic and motivation in comedy
2:10:44 – Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and striking techniques
2:17:46 – Teddy Atlas on McGregor vs Floyd fight
2:22:24 – Wrestling fandom and personal anecdotes
2:29:11 – Discussion on Avatar and cultural reactions
2:32:14 – Science fiction movies and TV shows
2:36:23 – Bruce Willis movies and acting career

Transcript Excerpt

Starting point is 00:00:00 Shhh, you guys hear that? You hear that shit? That's the rain. That's how hard it's raining here. Starting point is 00:00:38 people, Jamie. What did it say on your Starting point is 00:01:05 with standup comedians, Starting point is 00:01:14 You won. Starting point is 00:01:23 You're out there doing like bars with three people in them and you're doing three, four Starting point is 00:01:43 Yep. Starting point is 00:02:19 the comedy store when i went to see ari was doing his his special, and he had decided to film his first Comedy Central special at the store. Starting point is 00:02:45 And so I was sitting up there, and I was wow this is crazy this is a totally different thing like Starting point is 00:03:10 there's so much life to it that, Starting point is 00:03:17 it was just also just having you show up and just be a part of that. Starting point is 00:03:47 there like a bomb had gone off and like these are the survivors that just moved back to the city Starting point is 00:04:33 is like there's there was certain people that didn't work anywhere else but like really shitty Starting point is 00:05:07 It's crazy. Starting point is 00:05:16 Just walking around. Starting point is 00:05:30 And I remember I was just like, oh my God, I can't believe it's Ron White. Starting point is 00:05:44 We did the factory last week Starting point is 00:06:23 and then it pumps up the business and and then guys like you get in. Starting point is 00:06:38 Because it's like doing—I got to host when we were at the Laugh Factory that Wednesday, and was bananas because it was just like meeting the booker and the Starting point is 00:07:00 Your position is better than my position Starting point is 00:07:16 It's really odd, too, because of just how many people have seen the roast battle. Starting point is 00:07:59 people were like crying like other comp but also me winning was such a weird thing because it was Starting point is 00:08:30 But also it shows you that ...

More Episodes

Frequently asked about this episode

Who was the guest on Joe Rogan Experience #918?

Frank Castillo was the guest on JRE #918. This page includes the episode overview, topics discussed, and related resources.

What topics were discussed on JRE #918?

On Joe Rogan Experience #918 with Frank Castillo, topics include Standup Comedy, Comedy Specials, Comedy Clubs, and Comedy Competitions.

Where can I read the transcript for JRE #918?

The full searchable transcript for Joe Rogan Experience #918 with Frank Castillo is available on this page, along with key topics and timestamps.