Skip to content
Jay Shetty PodcastJay Shetty Podcast

Bert Kreischer: The Truth about ''The Machine'' Story..

In this candid, hilarious, and unexpectedly moving episode of On Purpose, Jay sits down with comedian, actor, and podcast superstar Bert Kreischer—famously known for his shirtless stand-up and his ability to keep audiences laughing nonstop. This conversation goes way beyond the jokes as Jay and Bert dive deep into the real stories behind the spotlight, revealing the layers of vulnerability, self-doubt, and emotional growth that make Bert more than just a party-loving comic. Bert shares what it was like growing up with a tough, old-school dad who believed in powering through pain and never showing weakness. That mentality helped shape Bert’s work ethic but also left him carrying emotional weight for years. In one of the most touching moments of the episode, Bert shares how a simple, unexpected conversation with his dad, while they were both high on edibles, changed everything, helping them finally see each other clearly and connect on a deeper level. With Jay’s thoughtful guidance, they unpack Bert’s real-life struggles with anxiety, chasing approval, and feeling like you’re never enough, things so many of us can relate to. Bert is refreshingly honest about his mental health, his parenting ups and downs, and what it's like trying to stay grounded while raising two sharp, hilarious daughters who aren’t afraid to call him out. What We Discuss: 00:00 Intro 02:45 The Wildest Plane Stories You’ve Ever Heard 04:25 Why a Marriage Built on Laughter Works 06:01 When Your Family Becomes Your Funniest Critics 07:16 Were You Always the Funny One? 09:08 How Bert Mastered the Art of Storytelling 14:35 Growing Up with a Tough-Love Dad 17:56 What It’s Like Seeing Your Parent Cry for the First Time 20:40 Realizing Your Parents Are Human Too 23:36 When Your Dad Realizes He Can Use Your Fame 24:35 What It’s Like to Share Your Success with Your Parents 29:05 The Lifelong Quest for a Parent’s Approval 35:08 How a 6-Figure Deal with Will Smith Changed Everything 37:20 The Moment You Know You Have to Chase Your Talent 42:50 Embracing the Power of Pressure 44:09 Is There a Pain You Can’t Laugh Through? 47:06 Letting Your Kids See You Cry 49:56 Why the Way You Tell a Joke Matters 51:43 How Your Kids Really See You 54:05 The Challenge of Uninterrupted Family Time 56:51 Just Show Up and Do the Work 01:01:33 Success Was Never a Straight Line 01:07:24 Don’t Let Greatness Become Familiar 01:11:12 Living with Anxiety When Life Doesn’t Slow Down 01:17:26 Building a Healthier Relationship with Alcohol 01:19:29 How Tracking Your Fitness Can Change You 01:22:00 Bert on Final Five Episode Resources: https://www.instagram.com/jayshetty https://www.facebook.com/jayshetty/ https://x.com/jayshetty https://www.linkedin.com/in/shettyjay/ https://www.youtube.com/@JayShettyPodcast http://jayshetty.me https://www.bertbertbert.com/ https://www.instagram.com/bertkreischer https://x.com/bertkreischer https://www.youtube.com/@bertkreischer https://www.tiktok.com/@bertkreischer https://www.facebook.com/BertKreischer/

Bert KreischerguestJay Shettyhost
May 14, 20251h 36mWatch on YouTube ↗

Episode Details

EPISODE INFO

Released
May 14, 2025
Duration
1h 36m
Channel
Jay Shetty Podcast
Watch on YouTube
▶ Open ↗

EPISODE DESCRIPTION

In this candid, hilarious, and unexpectedly moving episode of On Purpose, Jay sits down with comedian, actor, and podcast superstar Bert Kreischer—famously known for his shirtless stand-up and his ability to keep audiences laughing nonstop. This conversation goes way beyond the jokes as Jay and Bert dive deep into the real stories behind the spotlight, revealing the layers of vulnerability, self-doubt, and emotional growth that make Bert more than just a party-loving comic. Bert shares what it was like growing up with a tough, old-school dad who believed in powering through pain and never showing weakness. That mentality helped shape Bert’s work ethic but also left him carrying emotional weight for years. In one of the most touching moments of the episode, Bert shares how a simple, unexpected conversation with his dad, while they were both high on edibles, changed everything, helping them finally see each other clearly and connect on a deeper level. With Jay’s thoughtful guidance, they unpack Bert’s real-life struggles with anxiety, chasing approval, and feeling like you’re never enough, things so many of us can relate to. Bert is refreshingly honest about his mental health, his parenting ups and downs, and what it's like trying to stay grounded while raising two sharp, hilarious daughters who aren’t afraid to call him out. What We Discuss: 00:00 Intro 02:45 The Wildest Plane Stories You’ve Ever Heard 04:25 Why a Marriage Built on Laughter Works 06:01 When Your Family Becomes Your Funniest Critics 07:16 Were You Always the Funny One? 09:08 How Bert Mastered the Art of Storytelling 14:35 Growing Up with a Tough-Love Dad 17:56 What It’s Like Seeing Your Parent Cry for the First Time 20:40 Realizing Your Parents Are Human Too 23:36 When Your Dad Realizes He Can Use Your Fame 24:35 What It’s Like to Share Your Success with Your Parents 29:05 The Lifelong Quest for a Parent’s Approval 35:08 How a 6-Figure Deal with Will Smith Changed Everything 37:20 The Moment You Know You Have to Chase Your Talent 42:50 Embracing the Power of Pressure 44:09 Is There a Pain You Can’t Laugh Through? 47:06 Letting Your Kids See You Cry 49:56 Why the Way You Tell a Joke Matters 51:43 How Your Kids Really See You 54:05 The Challenge of Uninterrupted Family Time 56:51 Just Show Up and Do the Work 01:01:33 Success Was Never a Straight Line 01:07:24 Don’t Let Greatness Become Familiar 01:11:12 Living with Anxiety When Life Doesn’t Slow Down 01:17:26 Building a Healthier Relationship with Alcohol 01:19:29 How Tracking Your Fitness Can Change You 01:22:00 Bert on Final Five Episode Resources: https://www.instagram.com/jayshetty https://www.facebook.com/jayshetty/ https://x.com/jayshetty https://www.linkedin.com/in/shettyjay/ https://www.youtube.com/@JayShettyPodcast http://jayshetty.me https://www.bertbertbert.com/ https://www.instagram.com/bertkreischer https://x.com/bertkreischer https://www.youtube.com/@bertkreischer https://www.tiktok.com/@bertkreischer https://www.facebook.com/BertKreischer/

SPEAKERS

  • Bert Kreischer

    guest

    Stand-up comedian and storyteller known for “The Machine” story and multiple comedy specials.

  • Jay Shetty

    host

    Podcast host and author of “Think Like a Monk,” known for interviews focused on wellbeing and personal growth.

EPISODE SUMMARY

In this episode of Jay Shetty Podcast, featuring Bert Kreischer and Jay Shetty, Bert Kreischer: The Truth about ''The Machine'' Story.. explores 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.

RELATED EPISODES

ESTHER PEREL: The Hard Truth! Love Can’t Exist Without This

ESTHER PEREL: The Hard Truth! Love Can’t Exist Without This

Give Me 26 Minutes... I'll Save You 20+ Years Of Your Life | Jay Shetty

Give Me 26 Minutes... I'll Save You 20+ Years Of Your Life | Jay Shetty

I will never let this happen again #cardib #jayshetty

I will never let this happen again #cardib #jayshetty

WHOLE FOODS FOUNDER: How He Built a $22 Billion Company (Everyone Thought He Was Making a MISTAKE!)

WHOLE FOODS FOUNDER: How He Built a $22 Billion Company (Everyone Thought He Was Making a MISTAKE!)

DR. JILL BIDEN: The Hardest Moments Nobody Saw (Addiction, Grief & Life in the White House)

DR. JILL BIDEN: The Hardest Moments Nobody Saw (Addiction, Grief & Life in the White House)

5 Things I Did To Stop Wasting My Evenings After Work

5 Things I Did To Stop Wasting My Evenings After Work

Get more out of YouTube videos.

High quality summaries for YouTube videos. Accurate transcripts to search & find moments. Powered by ChatGPT & Claude AI.