Comedian Bert Kreischer: My Constant Battle with My Inner Critic (Overcoming Anxiety, Chasing Approval & The Pressure to Be Funny)

Bert Kreischer shares impactful stories about his father's "tough love" approach to parenting and how this shaped his own journey as a parent.

Bert's Father Emphasized Stoic, Disciplined "Tough Love" Parenting

Bert describes his father as a stoic figure who used a tough love approach, taking the opposite side in political debates to protect Bert from coming across as foolish. Examples include a childhood incident during the Iraq war where Bert's pacifist stance was met with scrutiny by his father. Another testament to his father's stern parenting style was his rule about not crying in front of the kids, a principle he enforced during his own mother's funeral and advised Bert to follow.

Father Urged Bert to Work Hard, Even During Tough Times

Bert's father instilled in him a strong work ethic characterized by showing up and pushing through pain. Bert reflects on an incident when he was 11 and continued playing baseball despite a painful injury, on his father's insistence. He also mentions his father's advice to "eat shit, cash checks," symbolizing the importance of persevering through unfavorable work conditions. Bert identifies that, despite his father's regret over this mindset, he learned from him the value of performing best under pressure.

Father's Influence Shaped Bert's Parenting, but He Became More Understanding and Supportive

Bert's upbringing led him to initially parent his children through strict discipline similar to his father's. However, his daughter Georgia made him realize that yelling was an ineffective way to discipline, as the children knew it would not escalate further. Bert contrasts his father's "tough love" approach with his own parenting choices, where he opts for understanding and support, especially in dealing with his children's panic disorders.

Bert and His Father Reached Mutual Understanding and Respect

Through open and honest conversations, such as the one induced by marijuana popcorn, Bert learned about his father's fears and regrets, which led to a smoother relationship. Bert re ...

Bert Kreischer openly discusses his personal battles with anxiety and OCD, detailing the pervasive and sometimes paralyzing thoughts that accompany his condition.

Bert's Anxiety, Ocd, and Intrusive Thoughts

Bert Experiences Racing Thoughts and Debilitating Worries

Bert recalls a childhood experience when the sudden realization of life’s impermanence triggered a panic attack, leading to a distressing conversation with his stoically blunt father. As an adult, Bert continues to grapple with anxiety, recounting a college memory where he mistook an anxiety attack for a brain tumor. He also acknowledges a paralyzing fear of flying, which once resulted in a dependency on [restricted term] due to its therapeutic prescription. Bert's daily struggles include waking with back pain and confronting a torrent of worries about his health and habits, such as whether excessive partying has harmed his liver. His mind races obsessively over health concerns and subjects him to harsh internal criticism that he admits would be heartbreaking to others.

Bert Created Coping Strategies for Mental Health Challenges

Bert's Well-Being: Activity, Breathing, Alcohol-Free

Bert's wife played a crucial role in steering him away from his [restricted term] dependency. In tackling his mental health, Bert likens himself to a shark, finding relief in continuous movement through activities like gym workouts and sauna visits. Although alcohol has been a significant crutch for him, Bert discovers that he can actually sleep without resorting to drinking. He underscores the importance of incremental daily improvement and utilizes a fitness tracker and workout goals as tangible ways to manage his well-being. Hydration, too, becomes a key strategy for Bert, as it effectively helps reduce his heart rate.

Bert Openly Addresses Mental Health to Help Destigmatize These Issues

Bert's Openness About His Experiences Helps His Daughters Feel Less Alone With Their Anxiety and Mental Health Concerns

By choosing to discuss his mental health challenges on podcasts, Bert not only destigmatize ...

Bert Kreischer's journey in the comedy world reflects his commitment to seizing every opportunity and his philosophy of living in the moment. From his early days honing his storytelling skills to the influence of big names like Will Smith, Bert's career is a testament to hard work and an enjoyment-focused approach.

Bert Prioritized Stage Time and Opportunity Over Stardom at the Start of His Career

Bert Kreischer's willingness to climb the comedy ladder was evident when he consistently approached Louis Schaffer, asking for a chance to perform stand-up, demonstrating an eagerness to take the stage by any means necessary. When faced with criticism from his father about his lack of success, Bert took the harsh advice to heart, going to a comedy club on his birthday and offering to do any necessary task for the opportunity to perform. His father's guidance, which may have included tasks such as cleaning or flipping burgers, set Bert on a path to seek opportunities over stardom.

Bert Was Willing to Do any Task, Even Cleaning or Flipping Burgers

While no specific tales of Bert performing menial jobs like cleaning or flipping burgers were provided, the overarching theme of his early career was his readiness to embrace any role that would provide him the chance to gain stage time and enhance his comedic craft.

Will Smith Boosted Bert's Career To Success

Validation From an Icon Boosted Bert's Confidence and Opened Doors

Bert Kreischer acknowledges the profound impact that Will Smith had on his career trajectory. Six months into his comedy stint, being discovered by Will Smith and landing a six-figure development deal was a pivotal moment, which not only impressed his father but also marked a significant step in his career. Bert vividly recalls a pre-pitch bathroom pep talk from Smith, whose advice to simply "be yourself" contributed to Bert's ability to sell a sitcom to ABC that very day.

Bert's "Enjoy the Moment" Career Mentality

Bert Savors Each Achievement, Whether a Netflix Special or Sold-Out Arenas, Rather Than Chasing the Next Big Thing

Bert Kreischer's career philosophy revolves around savoring each achievement. He treasures each step of his journey, from riding in a town car to performing in theaters, and takes time to appreci ...

Bert Kreischer candidly discusses the nuances of his family life, emphasizing the importance of a playful approach to serious matters, the influential perspectives of his daughters on his parenting, and his deep appreciation for the love and support his family provides.

Bert and Leanne's Playful, Joking Relationship Helps Them Navigate Challenges

Bert's marriage with Leanne thrives on humor and the ability to laugh together, even in potentially serious situations. Whether it's determining the "winner" of a couples therapy session or navigating unexpected mishaps like Leanne farting during oral sex, the couple manages to preserve fun in their relationship. Leanne's influence on Bert's comedy is also critical, ensuring that his material reflects their loving relationship, especially when dealing with sensitive topics.

Daughters' Perspectives Evolved His Fatherhood

The playful dynamic continues with his daughters, who are unafraid to tease and challenge Bert. They humorously create chat threads and share unflattering pictures, fostering an emotionally open and close relationship. Such engagements have evolved Bert's approach to fatherhood, encouraging greater emotional presence. His parenting adapted further when his daughters confronted him about his stand-up content, compelling him to at ...

Bert Kreischer discusses his relationship with alcohol, his commitment to authenticity, and how that honesty has helped him build a meaningful connection with his audience.

Bert Enjoys Partying but Sees Downsides

Bert Celebrates With Alcohol but Struggles With Dependency

Bert Kreischer acknowledges that alcohol is poison, implying a general understanding of its unhealthy aspects. His use of alcohol, as he describes, focuses on its social benefits, such as "letting loose" and permitting oneself to have a good time. While not explicitly detailing a struggle with dependency, Bert does imply a connection with alcohol, mentioning a conversation with Rogan that occurred under the influence.

Bert Prioritizes Authenticity Over Fitting a Persona

Bert Presents His Genuine Self, Not Curating an Image

Kreischer speaks on the importance of authenticity and the personal choice to not curate an image for others. Despite having a partier image, Bert shares his sensitive side, revealing that personal experiences and feelings are profoundly important to him. He talks about his emotional engagement with intimate partners and surprises people with his depth, indicating that he values genuine connections over playing a stereotypical cool guy.

Bert has prioritized being transparent throughout his career, focusing on being himself rather than playing a character. His openness extends to sharing his experiences with anxiety and mental health, emphasizing the importance of expressing whatever he thinks.

Moreover, despite receiving ...