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Jay Shetty PodcastBert Kreischer: The Truth about ''The Machine'' Story..
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At a glance
WHAT IT’S REALLY ABOUT
Bert Kreischer on fame, family, anxiety, and comedic resilience lessons
- Kreischer explains how a “show up no matter what” mindset—learned from his tough-love father—became the engine behind his longevity in comedy and his willingness to take pressure-filled opportunities.
- He describes a marriage built on constant teasing, laughter, and clear boundaries about what’s fair game in comedy—especially ensuring jokes land with love rather than cruelty.
- He revisits pivotal moments of father-son healing, including witnessing his dad cry, a candid conversation while high that revealed fear and love beneath emotional distance, and how fame changed their dynamic.
- Kreischer details how persistence and humility turned a crushing birthday call from his dad into nightly hustle that eventually led to a six-figure development deal after being discovered by Will Smith.
- He opens up about anxiety, intrusive thoughts, fear of flying, and alcohol as a coping mechanism—sharing practical self-talk and movement-based strategies to manage spirals and improve day-by-day.
IDEAS WORTH REMEMBERING
5 ideasConsistency creates luck: show up even when you don’t feel ready.
Kreischer credits his dad’s rule—work doesn’t stop for sickness, fear, or discomfort—as the reason opportunities compound; if you skip the stage/meeting/audition, “everything that could make your life great just disappears.”
Pressure can be a performance advantage if you trust your preparation.
He describes bombing before his first Netflix special and then delivering the best set of his career in the final taping; the belief “you love pressure” helped him convert stress into focus rather than panic.
Healing with parents may come from context and actions, not only big talks.
While Kreischer doesn’t always have direct emotional conversations with his dad, moments like seeing him cry, learning his backstory (losing his father young), and taking concrete steps (cardiologist tests) softened resentment and built closeness.
Approval-seeking can be reframed into service: make people feel good.
He admits his drive is tied to wanting his dad—and audiences—to like him, but he channels it into giving crowds a great time rather than obsessing about being “the best” comic.
Persistence beats talent-gatekeeping when you’re willing to be rejected repeatedly.
After his dad’s brutal birthday wake-up call, he returned to the same club night after night until he earned stage time; the “keep asking until you break them” approach created momentum that later led to Will Smith discovering him.
WORDS WORTH SAVING
5 quotes"If you don't get on stage, if you don't show up to work, all the stuff that could possibly make your life great just disappears."
— Bert Kreischer
"I leaned over to him. I go, 'Why don't you like me?' ... and he just goes... He's like, 'I love you. You just make me uncomfortable.'"
— Bert Kreischer
"My whole life. My whole life. ... all I've ever wanted is that man's approval. That's it. That's it."
— Bert Kreischer
"Be undeniable."
— Bert Kreischer
"Let's do today just a little better than we did yesterday."
— Bert Kreischer
SPEAKERS
Bert Kreischer
guestStand-up comedian and storyteller known for “The Machine” story and multiple comedy specials.
Jay Shetty
hostPodcast host and author of “Think Like a Monk,” known for interviews focused on wellbeing and personal growth.
High quality AI-generated summary created from speaker-labeled transcript.
