Growing Up With A Serial Killer w/ Ari Shaffir | 2 Bears, 1 Cave

Ari Shaffir is thrilled about the release of his upcoming stand-up comedy special on Netflix.

Ari is excited for his new special to premiere on Netflix

Ari Shaffir's new special, "America's Sweetheart," is set to premiere on Netflix on January 14th. The special, which promises to showcase Ari's unique comedic style, was recorded in April in Washington DC.

Ari conveys a sense of liberation when discussing the release, indicating his disinterest in the business side of comedy. His focus is not on the platform or the intricacies of the comedy industry ...

Discussions among podcast hosts delve into the complexities of celebrity relationships within the music industry, particularly the pressures fame and wealth can have on personal connections.

Discussions around the breakup between country singer Zach Bryan and his girlfriend Brianna

Brianna is a public figure with her own podcast, and her relationship with Zach received a lot of attention

The relationship between Brianna, a public figure with her own podcast, and country singer Zach Bryan had received significant public attention. Bert Kreischer suggests that Brianna’s experience was unique due to Zach's position as number eight on the worldwide top touring artist list. Kreischer hints that this status may have led to Zach being a poor boyfriend and that Brianna got confused between loving a person and enjoying the lifestyle associated with hanging out with a successful artist, such as flying private and having meals prepared.

Zach's fame and wealth put a strain on their relationship, and he may have been a poor boyfriend

Bert Kreischer discusses how Zach Bryan's rise to fame made him a bad boyfriend, potentially resulting in an imbalanced relationship. Ari Shaffir and Kreischer consider how the dynamic between Zach and Brianna would have been different if Zack was not successful in music, theorizing that Zach would have been more eager to please her. The pressures of fame and performing at arenas were suggested to have contributed to the strain on their relationship.

Brianna publicly discussed the issues in their relationship, which is often frowned upon after a breakup

After their breakup, Zach reportedly offered Brianna $12 million to never talk about their relationship again—indicating the tumultuous nature of their ending—but Brianna already recorded everything, possibly alluding to private conversations or events. She chose not to accept the offer, deciding instead that her story needed to be shared. She went on Dave Portnoy's BFFs podcast to discuss the breakup, seeking downloads and attention. Despite the negative view often held regarding the airing of post-breakup issues, Brianna 'slammed' Zach aggressively on her show, shedding light on their private matters.

The immense wealth and fame of top music artists can make them disconnected from normal lif ...

Ari Shaffir and Tom Segura engage in a discussion about health care and insurance in the U.S., sharing insights from their own personal experiences with medical providers and insurance plans.

The speakers discuss how health care and insurance work in the US

People with means can often bypass insurance and get faster, better care by paying out of pocket

Ari Shaffir begins by expressing annoyance with having to visit different doctors, pointing towards a system that can be frustrating for many. Tom Segura elaborates on this point, adding that people with means can bypass these frustrations by affording to pay out of pocket for expedited services at places like the Mayo Clinic. He also mentions a situation with his pet where when he claimed he couldn't afford the initial cost of veterinary care, it was reduced significantly.

Those without means have to rely on their insurance plans, which can be limiting and frustrating

Tom Segura brings attention to the major issues people face when claims are denied, even in life-threatening situations. Tom recognizes the benefits of being able to pay out-of-pocket for medical expenses but acknowledges that most people rely on what their insurance plan allows.

The speakers recount personal experiences dealing with insurance and medical providers

Bert had issues getting proper treatment for a recurring kidney infection

Bert Kreischer shares his frustrating experience ...

The speakers delve into the world of "alternative news" websites known for spreading conspiracy theories and pseudoscience, and Bert Kreischer shares his personal anecdotes about being implicated in controversial social media discussions.

The speakers come across an "alternative news" website with questionable and biased information

Ari Shaffir introduces his friends to googlealternativenews.com, a site he found out about through someone who believed in its content, including far-fetched conspiracy theories.

The website features articles promoting pseudoscience and conspiracy theories

Upon visiting the website, Bert Kreischer and Tom Segura are taken aback by the bizarre topics, like one suggesting that Michelle Obama is a man. The speakers react with humor and sarcasm to the stories they find, which range from police officers involved in a fatal gun-drawing game to other incredulous articles, highlighting the untrustworthiness and the outdated content of the site.

The speakers mock the unprofessional, amateurish design and content of the website

They mock the website’s amateurish design, likening it to a learning project in HTML, demonstrating its apparent lack of professionalism and credibility.

Bert recalls incidents where he has been accused of promoting or believing in conspiracy theories

Bert Kreischer recounts the backlash he faced from black Twitter for unwittingly joining a hashtag stream. Intended as comedic trolling, his foray resulted in death threats and accusations that escalated quickly due to the sensitive nature of social media.

He has f ...

Ari Shaffir, Bert Kreischer, and Tom Segura dive into a chilling discussion about the concept of evil, examining the behavior of known serial killers and contemplating the mindset of people who commit heinous acts.

The speakers discuss the concept of evil people and serial killers

The conversation opens with Shaffir and Kreischer struggling to comprehend real evil as they reflect on notorious figures like Bill Cosby and Jared from Subway. They dabble in the lighter side of betrayal with a humorous nod to the deceit of faking dietary habits, contrasting it with the dark subject of understanding evil actions.

They recount stories of known serial killers like the BTK killer and the Cleveland Strangler

Ari and Tom reveal unsettling anecdotes, such as the BTK killer, an employee of ADT security systems, who would use his job to scout out potential victims. They discuss a curious Netflix show depicting a murderer who almost kills his victims and then stops, apologizing and recommending they get a dog for safety. Drawing from this, Tom shares about a comedian-cop who would give women security tips after intimate encounters, such as suggesting better window locks.

The group humorously muses that just the thought of being capable of murder is akin to the act itself. This notion brings a twisted sense of satisfaction when facing confrontations in day-to-day life. Kreischer, for instance, talks about an instance where he wished he had confronted a bartender more aggressively after an uncomfortable encounter, rather than taking the high road.

They speculate about what it would be like to have the mindset of a serial killer

The speakers venture into dark humor, proposing outlandish ways Bert could get back at the rude bartender, like accusing her of absurd offenses. They even joke about the idea of recognizing a past Nazi, comparing such historical evil to the wrongdoing they felt from others.

Kreischer touches upon his confusion about the rationale of a killer, imagining the strange satisfaction someone might get from having power over another's life. He recounts growing up with a person who later became a killer targeting prostitutes on a Tampa causeway. Kreischer recalls a disturbing childhood incident involving the individual’s desire to deface women's underwear.

Bert reflects on an encounter he had with an rude bartender, and his desire to have reacted more aggressively

In a more personal ane ...