In this episode of the 2 Bears, 1 Cave podcast with Tom Segura and Bert Kreischer, the hosts share their contrasting perspectives on alcohol consumption and sobriety. The conversation touches upon the nuances of addiction and managing one's drinking habits.
The episode also delves into cultural differences, including the hosts' observations on varying societal norms and their experiences navigating stereotypes. They explore the dynamics of Hollywood and celebrity culture, and reminisce about their early career struggles and the financial challenges that came with success.
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Bert Kreischer advocates against quitting drinking entirely, arguing that personal issues, not alcohol, are the root cause of problems. He believes declaring sobriety amplifies minor slips, and most life events can be navigated without abstinence. Bert even questions some motivations behind choosing sobriety.
Bert proposes controlling alcohol consumption by waiting an hour between drinks. Tom Segura questions if this works for those unable to wait. Tom acknowledges some can't handle alcohol, but Bert contends they aren't the majority, citing Steve-O as an example needing sobriety.
Bert and Tom note differences in cultural norms, like the deep maternal reverence by Black men versus white men. Other divides exist around neighborhood/city representation and its significance within the Black community.
Bert recounts a white person trying to claim toughness based on neighborhood, which Tom finds tiresome. They discuss instances of cultural confusion, like a free Black man married to an enslaved woman. Bert shares observations about "black guy clothing" stores and their sizing stereotypes.
Bert and Tom observe frantic efforts, even by insiders, to get near A-list celebrities like Clooney and Pitt at premieres. People ditch conversations midway to interact with bigger stars, mirroring high school popularity hierarchies.
Kreischer prefers genuine interactions over obligatory red carpet walks. He enjoyed talking to character actors like Nick Kroll over pursuing Clooney or Pitt. An anecdote about Andy Garcia highlighted the often superficial celebrity-public familiarity.
Tom's father supported his comedy pursuit; his mother suggested the post office. Bert had early success but quickly spent his earnings, leading to incidents like declined credit cards.
Bert's father couldn't guide his newfound wealth. Tom's father marveled that Tom's comedy income exceeded his own career earnings. Both learned to manage success through experience.
1-Page Summary
Bert Kreischer and Tom discuss their differing views on alcohol consumption, sobriety, and addiction, debating the merits of complete abstinence versus a more balanced approach to drinking.
Bert Kreischer cautions against the idea of abstaining from alcohol completely, suggesting that personal issues, not alcohol itself, are the root of problems some individuals may have with drinking. Bert insists that he leads a productive life, even while drinking moderately and maintaining a frequent workout regimen. Furthermore, he cites examples of sober individuals who are still struggling, suggesting that sobriety alone doesn't fix deeper personal issues.
Kreischer believes that declaring one's sobriety publicly can often amplify the significance of minor setbacks. Instead, he advocates for an approach where mistakes are seen as minor and personal. Bert argues that not everyone needs to quit drinking and that most life events can be navigated without total abstinence.
Bert claims that one should be able to have a drink without it ruining their life, proposing going to a bar and having one drink, then not drinking for an hour as a method to control consumption. However, Tom questions what advice would be for someone who says they can't wait an hour between drinks, hinting at the possibility that such a person might need to quit.
Tom points out how Bert's wife sometimes has to adjust his drinking habits, sparking a debate between them about the need for and effectiveness of sobriety. Bert suggests that declaring complete abstinence can lead to a situation where even a single glass could ruin someone's life, implying that mod ...
Alcohol, sobriety, and addiction
Bert Kreischer and Tom Segura delve into the nuances of how Black and white communities often have different social and cultural norms, reflecting on everything from family respect to neighborhood pride and clothing stereotypes.
Segura shares an anecdote about a time when Charles Barkley's mother called Shaquille O'Neal to resolve a conflict, highlighting the deep reverence for mothers often held in the Black community.
Kreischer and Segura contemplate how this contrasts with their own cultural experiences, acknowledging that white guys might not react as intensely to disparaging comments about their mothers.
They discuss the importance of representing one’s city or neighborhood, which is notably significant in the Black community, where it's frequently a part of an individual's introduction, sometimes even expressed through tattoos like the area code 305. Segura corrects Kreischer's assumption that such tattoos are predominantly a white characteristic, indicating it is actually more associated with Black individuals.
Segura and Kreischer navigate the complex racial classifications and absurdities of historical conditions, discussing an instance where confusion arose regarding a free Black man married to an enslaved woman.
Cultural stereotypes and differences
Bert Kreischer and Tom Segura delve into the oft-overlooked social hierarchies and dynamics at Hollywood events, offering a candid look at the entertainment industry’s celebrity culture.
Bert Kreischer and Tom Segura discuss the frantic efforts of even industry insiders to get near A-list celebrities at movie premieres and after-parties. They observe people jockeying for status and attention in ways that are transparent and sometimes desperate.
Kreischer and Segura note how at after-parties, everyone seems determined to talk to major stars, like George Clooney and Brad Pitt. Segura relates this scramble for attention to high school dynamics, where people unabashedly ditch conversations for the chance to interact with more prestigious guests.
Kreischer recounts his own experiences, expressing discomfort with the premiere dynamics and his preference for more genuine interactions.
Kreischer recalls the obligatory nature of walking the red carpet to help promote a film, something he finds less enjoyable than watching the movie. He prefers talking to people like character actors, highlighting an interaction with Nick Kroll as more enjoyable than attempting to mingle with the likes of Clooney and Pitt.
Kreischer shares a personal anecdote involving Andy Garcia, where a se ...
The entertainment industry and celebrity culture
On their show, comedians Bert Kreischer and Tom Segura explored their spending habits and financial challenges during the early years of their careers, illustrating personal anecdotes and touching on parental influences.
Bert Kreischer and Tom Segura shared their contrasting stories of family support concerning their decisions to pursue comedy as a career.
While Tom's father did not fully understand his son's wish to do comedy, he was nonetheless supportive, urging him to pursue his dream since he had been denied his own dream to become a high school football coach. Tom's mother, however, was less understanding of his aspiration and suggested a more conventional and secure career at the post office.
Bert Kreischer recounted his early success in comedy, landing profitable deals, a TV show, and a pilot. Unfortunately, his quick spending brought him to financial straits, leading to a moment where his credit card was declined when he tried to buy a pizza.
Bert and Tom discussed their experiences with financial misjudgments and analysed how their parents' reactions to money management influenced them.
Kreischer talked about his father's inability to advise him on handling his wealth, as it was a foreign concept based on his own financial experiences. Segura shared a conve ...
Personal finances and spending habits
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