In this installment of "This Past Weekend," host Theo Von chats with the engaging Brittany Broski, delving into her multifaceted background and her ascent in the world of entertainment. Brittany shares how her nomadic upbringing and immersion in different cultures, including a year in South Korea, have crafted her unique perspective on life and comedy. A theater enthusiast during her school years and a graduate from Texas A&M University, she reminisces on her academic journey and the transition of her alma mater towards a more inclusively progressive environment.
Brittany and Theo explore the evolution of content creation, particularly highlighting the egalitarian nature of TikTok that has played a crucial role in Brittany’s online virality, while pondering on the importance of discoverability for short-form video creators. The conversation then flows into more personal territories as Brittany humorously reflects on her attempt at international romance and both podcast participants exchange views on spirituality and faith, encapsulating Brittany's experience as an ex-Christian and Theo's aim to deepen his connection with a higher power. They further assess the contemporary landscape of comedy, live entertainment, and their support for the LGBTQ community—embracing gender identity explorations and championing inclusivity.
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Brittany Broski credits her varied upbringing across different states and a year in South Korea for shaping her into the person she is today. Her exposure to diverse cultures and her role as a theater kid in productions like "Spamalot" and "The Addams Family" laid the foundation for her love of performance. Pursuing higher education, she graduated from Texas A&M University with a Liberal Arts degree and a minor in Spanish, reflecting on the school's progressive inclusivity shift since its earlier days.
Brittany found initial viral fame on TikTok, attributing much of her success to the platform’s egalitarian approach that allowed her comic talents to be discovered by a wide audience. She acknowledges the role of the For You page in enabling content visibility beyond one's existing follower base, in contrast to other social media platforms. Brittany and fellow creator Theo theorize about the future of content creation and emphasize the need for platforms that continue providing short-form video creators with discoverability opportunities to launch their careers.
Broski recounts her experience with international romance through an Irish man she met on a Christian dating app while in Nashville. The relationship was strained by an increasing time zone difference, transitioning to less frequent communication that made maintaining a romantic connection challenging. Despite these hurdles, Brittany maintains a sense of humor about the situation and anticipates the possibility of meeting him when she visits Ireland.
In a candid conversation, Brittany identifies as ex-Christian and discusses the judgment and shame she has felt within religious contexts, while Theo aims to strengthen his faith by practicing surrender and viewing himself as a 'radio station for the Lord'. They both contemplate their roles as conduits of a higher power, infusing creativity and joy into the world through their respective platforms.
Analyzing the changing facets of comedy, Brittany and Theo recognize the rise of non-traditional paths in achieving comedic success, such as the internet and crowd work. They also discuss the importance of live performances and ticket sales, with Theo highlighting the need to save material for live shows. They reflect on Matt Rife’s strategic audience shift and the repercussions it had on his career, underscoring the ongoing significance of a comedian's relationship with their audience and the need for visibility.
Through their own experiences and observations, Theo and Brittany celebrate the LGBTQ community's vibrancy and humor. Sharing insights on personal gender identity journeys and the nature of their fanbases, they show a deep commitment to inclusion and understanding, discussing their active role in supporting marginalized groups and fostering an accepting and supportive community around them.
1-Page Summary
Brittany Broski shares her personal journey and experiences that have shaped her path into the entertainment industry.
Brittany Broski reveals that her early education in Texas included taking Spanish classes which she views as an essential life skill that enhances her understanding of different cultures. She mentions growing up as part of a military family; her father was in the Air Force, where "he flew A-10s for a while," and now does contract work for the government. Her dad's career meant moving frequently, resulting in her living in various locales across the Southeast, including Arizona, Texas, Alabama, and Virginia.
Brittany lived in South Korea during her sixth-grade year, a time filled with culture shock. She vividly recalls the sights and distinct smells of Seoul, such as the fresh fish markets and spices, which she describes as "crazy." This experience also introduced her to cultural practices like bowing to convey respect, which is a significant part of Korean culture.
Broski fondly recalls her days as a theater kid in school. Her debut role in "Spamalot," a Monty Python production, saw her cast in male parts where she sported a beard—a fact she amusingly takes as a compliment. Additionally, sh ...
Brittany's Background and Path into Entertainment
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Brittany Broski has been known as a TikToker before her rise to wider popularity. Both Brittany and Theo discuss Brittany's initial viral fame arising from her presence on TikTok. She reflects on how TikTok, as a platform, offers a democratic landscape that enables comics with unrecognized talent to experience newfound popularity or what she refers to as a "renaissance."
Brittany touches upon the unique feature of TikTok's For You page, which showcases anyone's content to a vast audience irrespective of one's follower count, potentially catapulting them to viral status. This is contrasted with platforms like Instagram, where content reach is confined to one's existing followers, limiting opportunities for discoverability. Brittany and Theo both recognize the value of this model as i ...
Rise of Short-Form Video Creators Like Brittany
Brittany Broski’s endeavors took her into the realm of international dating when she matched with an Irish man on a Christian dating app, a challenge compounded by distance and time zones.
The pursuit of love saw Brittany Broski acquiring premium access to a Christian dating app to communicate with a man from Dublin while she was in Nashville. Despite the distance, the initial five-hour time difference allowed them to exchange messages at a consistent pace.
However, the romance encountered turbulence as Brittany returned to a time zone that was eight hours behind Dublin. The Irish man's responses lagged to every three to five business days, which Brittany didn’t find particul ...
Brittany's Attempt at an International Romance
Theo Von and Brittany Broski delve into their personal journeys with spirituality and faith, examining their present perspectives shaped by their pasts and how they navigate their relationship with a higher power.
Initially, Brittany Broski explains she is ex-Christian, having been raised between Baptist and Pentecostal traditions. She discusses the judgment and shame she associates with Christian men from her experience. Theo Von also discusses his religious upbringing, not specifying the denomination but alluding to Christian teachings and the influence they've had on his perspective.
Theo Von discusses his active efforts to improve his relationship with God. He highlights the importance of faith in his life and shares that he often uses Christian symbols due to their familiarity to him. Theo also speaks about trying to relinquish control, mentioning the phrase "thy will be done" as a mantra for handing over his burdens and acknowledging that not everything is under his control.
Both Theo and Brittany engage in a discussion about pu ...
Theo and Brittany's Views on Spirituality and Faith
Brittany and Theo Von discuss the evolving avenues to success in comedy and live entertainment, acknowledging the growing importance of non-traditional paths, crowd work, online content, and maintaining the essence of live performances.
Brittany notes how the path to comedy success has diverged from conventional routes like Saturday Night Live, implying now there are many avenues to explore beyond those traditional paths. She emphasizes the internet as an avenue for her comedic expression, citing her own journey as one different from Theo's stand-up comedy, yet equally valid within the comedy spectrum.
The conversation shifts to the increasing prevalence of crowd work in comedy as an important element of a comedian's success. Brittany and Theo discuss how this evolution from traditional comedy routines is changing the industry landscape. They also note how more comedy content now consists of crowd work tours. Theo suggests that an individual's perspective toward comedy can change over time, possibly embracing stand-up even if initially dismissed. Brittany fears that dipping into stand-up might be addictively enjoyable, yet expresses admiration for those who thrive in the live comedy scene.
Brittany points out the dynamic of comedians like Matt Rife, who became famous through crowd work, particularly appealing to a female audience. However, she comments on a strategic shift where Rife aimed to appeal to a male audience, which resulted in content that unfortunately alienated his original female fans. Theo reflects on Rife's unexpected "fall from grace" due to these changes in his approach and the audience's reception.
The discussion underscores the essential role of live performances and ticket sales. Theo mentions comedians needing to reserve their material for live shows, implying that ticket sales are a critical component of a comedian's success. Broski observes that Matt Rife's revenue was signific ...
Future of Comedy and Live Entertainment
Theo and Brittany engage in a conversation that highlights the importance of recognizing and supporting personal journeys, particularly among LGBTQ individuals.
Theo begins by recalling his time spent in theater class, where he was surrounded by kids who were likely gay or closeted. This early exposure to individuals who may have been grappling with their own gender identity gives Theo an understanding of the community. Brittany chimes in, agreeing with Theo and emphasizing that people from this background are among the funniest and most vibrant people she's ever met.
Theo shares more intimate details about a friend who is a comedian and transitioned from male to female. He describes this transition as an interesting experience, which allowed him to witness the personal journey of a close acquaintance.
Brittany opens up about her audience, which she describes as "incredibly gay and female and also non-binary but also very mentally unwell." Her statement implies a shared experience of feeling marginalized or atypical. Brittany's acknowledgment of her fanbase is an expression of solidarity, sharing a connection with those ...
Gender Identity and Supporting Marginalized Groups
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