About this episodeLaura Bates discusses her journey from severe alcohol addiction to sobriety, highlighting how self-medication …AI summary
Laura Bates discusses her journey from severe alcohol addiction to sobriety, highlighting how self-medication was used to numb internal self-criticism. She details the specific pressures and rapid progression of her comedy career at The Comedy Store, revealing that adopting a profane, unfiltered persona was key to her success. The conversation also covers the hostile environment female comedians face, including on-stage harassment, and her current approach to writing material and managing relationships.
Key takeaways 6
Addiction as Self-Medication: Bates reveals she drank heavily to numb the negative self-talk she experienced daily, noting that sobriety now requires active positive self-talk rather than avoidance.
Career Acceleration via Persona Shift: Bates initially bombed trying to be 'clean' and 'intelligent' but succeeded after switching to a profane, aggressive voice, specifically citing a joke about 'balls looking like chicken nuggets' as the turning point for getting passed into development at The Comedy Store.
The 'Seven Auditions' Pressure: She auditioned for the booker at The Comedy Store seven times before being accepted, running out of good material and having to write new jokes weekly under intense pressure.
Hostility in Comedy Venues: Bates shares disturbing experiences of on-stage groping and threats of being roofied, noting that male audience members often failed to intervene due to a misconception that they shouldn't 'insult' women by implying they can't handle themselves.
Sleep Deprivation Impact: While sleep tracking (Aura Ring) is popular, Bates notes that low REM sleep doesn't always correlate directly with performance failure, though it does cause a noticeable lag in crowd work reaction times.
Dating Comedians Risks: Bates advises against dating comedians due to the risk of being the subject of jokes, sharing an anecdote where her boyfriend was offended by a joke about him proposing with swans.
Notable quotes 5AI-generated: wording and quote attribution may be wrong. Use the play link to verify.
“I feel like I started busting your balls out of the gate there's a lot to choose from... I think I say way worse stuff to myself or I have done I still do than you can.”
▶ 10:14Bates explains her tendency for self-deprecation and how she uses comedy to process internal criticism.
“I started putting on that stupid voice that I can't shake and saying really profane things and that was when I got passed.”
▶ 32:35Bates identifies the specific shift in comedic style that led to her professional breakthrough at The Comedy Store.
“Men hate it they're afraid I'm going to talk about them on stage... men don't like a woman who's like dominant.”
▶ 17:21Bates discusses the challenges female comedians face in dating and social interactions due to their professional persona.
“I didn't mean for instance that there actually had to be peacocks walking around if he was going to propose to me like that was a joke... he got pissed I was like there need to be like swans that was a joke.”
▶ 19:42An example of the disconnect between comedic exaggeration and a partner's literal interpretation, leading to relationship tension.
“I will go through it again you know yeah because you love your craft yeah yeah and I but I mean ultimately like I didn't die it doesn't matter like I didn't I didn't like it but I don't feel like there was too much like I'm okay I don't know is that bad to say that there wasn't too much lasting damage.”
▶ 56:59Bates reflects on surviving severe harassment and assault in the comedy scene, emphasizing resilience and love for her career.
Chapters & Sections (50)▼
0:00Uncomfortable Interview with a Disturbing Guestchapter3
0:00Interview with a Guest on a TV Show
2:22Inappropriate Discussion of Genitalia and Sex
4:15Cultural Sensitivity in Comedy
5:36Wisconsin Drinking Culture and Sobrietychapter3
5:36Wisconsin Drinking Culture and Sobriety
7:19Comedian Discusses Late Nights and Comedy Career
8:51Comedian's Career Boost from Joe Rogan Mention
11:05Overcoming Self-Doubt and Addictionchapter2
11:05Overcoming Self-Doubt and Addiction through Positive Thinking
13:01Breakdancing Memories and Social Media Impact
15:24Rejection and Self-Discovery as a Female Comedianchapter3
15:24Rejection and Dating Preferences Discussed
17:09Challenges of Being a Female Stand-up Comedian
18:26Ex-Boyfriend's Reaction to Jokes About Him
20:21Self-Doubt and Comedy Writing Processchapter2
20:21Self-doubt and risk in relationships
22:26Personal Growth and Relationship Reflection
26:09Celebrity Relationships and STD Testingchapter2
26:09Celebrity Relationships and STD Testing
28:55Appreciation for Comedic Skill Development
31:15Comedian's Journey to Success at The Comedy Storechapter3
31:15Comedian Discusses Paying Dues in Comedy
32:35Overcoming Stage Fright and Finding Success
34:13Overcoming Performance Pressure and Self Doubt
36:34Liquid Death Water Ad and Product Promotionchapter1
36:34Liquid Death Water Ad and Product Promotion
41:08Managing Fatigue for Successful Comedy Performanceschapter3
41:08Fatigue Affects Comedian's Performance
42:57Hyperbaric Chamber for Better Sleep
44:08Helmet for Sleep or Energy Boost
45:38Overcoming Stage Fright and Panic Attackschapter2
45:38Overcoming Stage Fright and Medical Issues
47:21Oxygen Mask Use During Medical Event
50:35Overcoming Fainting Spells and Past Traumachapter3
50:35Overcoming Fainting Spells and Past Trauma
53:07Woman Recalls Past Harassment Experiences
54:34Discussing Roofie Threats in Public
56:01Overcoming Harassment in the Comedy Industrychapter2
56:01Overcoming Hostile Comedy Scene Experiences
57:46Improvement in Women's Treatment and Personal Experiences
1:00:36Taser Use and Personal Safety Discussionchapter3
1:00:36Taser Use and Personal Safety Discussion
1:03:14PCP and Methamphetamine Discussion
1:04:30Comedian Discusses Social Media and Performance
1:05:49Comedian Discusses Social Media and Mushroomschapter4
1:05:49Comedian Discusses Social Media and Mushrooms
1:08:30Childhood Rebellion and Escapades
1:09:43Childhood Pranks and Near-Death Experiences
1:10:59Nostalgic Memories of Train Tracks and Porn Magazines
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