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Bert Kreischer on Anxiety, Parenting, and Fear of Death | The HoneyDew Podcast #165

Ryan SicklerFebruary 22, 20221h 34min185,092 views
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Early Life and Childhood Experiences

  • 👶 Born in St. Petersburg, Florida, Bert Kreischer moved to Philadelphia for his first three years before returning to Florida.
  • 🌪️ He recalls being young and affected by natural disasters like tornadoes and hurricanes in Florida.
  • 🏫 A pivotal moment was his first day of first grade, where he experienced intense separation anxiety when his father left, leading to a full day of crying.
  • 🎭 This early struggle eventually gave way to his inherent personality, leading him to perform as Gene Simmons in a first-grade talent show.

Navigating Dyslexia and Learning

  • 📚 Kreischer discusses his dyslexia, which made reading aloud and traditional studying difficult.
  • 🧠 He developed coping mechanisms and learned to memorize lines quickly, which proved beneficial in acting.
  • 🎭 This ability to memorize and perform was crucial for his acting career, including his role in 'The Machine'.
  • 🎓 Despite academic challenges, he surprisingly aced the SAT and attended Florida State University without much studying.

The Transition to Comedy and Early Career

  • 🎤 Kreischer's journey into comedy began in high school, where he learned to use humor as a way to connect with people and earn his place.
  • 🤝 He formed strong bonds with friends from youth sports, many of whom he remains close with to this day.
  • 😅 He recounts his first sexual experience at 17, detailing the awkwardness, condom mishaps, and the overwhelming anxiety that followed.
  • 💡 This experience, along with other anxieties, has haunted him, but he emphasizes that it gets better with time and experience.

Anxiety, Perfectionism, and Family

  • 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Kreischer discusses his struggles with anxiety, particularly triggered by events like being doxed and receiving harassing messages.
  • 🧘 His wife, Leanne, plays a crucial role in managing his anxiety, providing a calm and steady presence.
  • 🐶 He shares his perfectionist tendencies, evident in his efforts to prevent scars on his daughter and his deep sadness over a scar on his foot.
  • 🏡 He reflects on his parenting style, admitting to being overbearing at times, especially during the pandemic, and how Leanne helps him navigate these challenges.

Confronting Mortality and Longevity

  • 💀 Kreischer openly discusses his profound fear of death, which he contemplates daily.
  • 🩺 He actively manages his health, undergoing regular check-ups and taking medication to mitigate risks inherited from his family history.
  • 🍷 He talks about his relationship with alcohol, acknowledging its impact and adjusting his drinking habits, particularly during the pandemic.
  • ✨ He finds joy in simple pleasures, like the feeling of a first drink after a period of sobriety, which he likens to the pure expression of a child dancing.

Advice and Future Outlook

  • ⏳ Kreischer advises his 16-year-old self to slow down and not rush through life, emphasizing that true potential is often realized later.
  • 🚀 He believes that happiness and success can be achieved well into one's 40s and beyond, contrary to his earlier expectations.
  • 🎬 He promotes his upcoming movie, 'The Machine,' expressing excitement and urging fans to support it.
  • ❤️ He concludes by expressing love for his wife and family, acknowledging their importance in his life and his selfish motivation to maintain stability.
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What’s Discussed

AnxietyFear of DeathParentingDyslexiaComedyFirst Sexual ExperiencePerfectionismFamilyHealth ManagementAlcohol ConsumptionLongevityThe Machine (Movie)Storytelling
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