Early Life and Foster Care

• 👶 Born in Washington D.C., Brian Simpson's family history includes generations in foster care.
• 🏠 His early childhood was spent with his mother and grandmother, experiencing domestic abuse which led to his mother burning an abuser with an iron.
• 🚓 At age six, Brian and his brother were placed in foster care after authorities were called when they were found home alone.
• 💔 He felt betrayed when he discovered he was moving into a foster home with his aunt's family without being told beforehand, leading to a loss of trust in adults.

Navigating Difficult Placements

• 🏡 Brian experienced multiple foster homes, including a period with his father and stepmother, which was strained due to his perceived difficult behavior.
• 💥 A significant incident involved him being caught sleeping in the living room, leading to a confrontation and his eventual departure from his father's home.
• 🔫 At 13, after an argument with his father, he was taken to a juvenile detention center and subsequently placed in a foster home where he accidentally shot another resident with a pistol.
• 🏥 This event led to him being taken to the police station and later placed in another foster home, marking him as a "problem child."

Finding Structure and Identity

• 🎖️ Seeking an escape, Brian joined the Marine Corps at 16, finding structure and a sense of belonging, though he admits he struggled with the strict discipline.
• 🎤 After his service, he moved to San Diego, worked various jobs, and began pursuing stand-up comedy, eventually moving to Los Angeles with little plan.
• 🌃 In L.A., he experienced homelessness, living in VA shelters for two years while performing stand-up, facing challenges with privilege levels and maintaining sobriety for program requirements.
• 🎭 He eventually found significant stage time at The Madhouse and later worked at the Comedy Store, which helped him refine his comedic voice.

Comedy and Personal Growth

• 💡 Brian's comedy often draws from his difficult life experiences, including his time in foster care, homelessness, and struggles with authority.
• 💬 He discusses the importance of staying true to oneself and acknowledges that the "chip on his shoulder" from his past has been a driving force for his survival and success.
• 👨‍👦 Brian has since reconnected with his parents and maintains a good relationship with them, finding pride in their support of his career.
• 💪 He emphasizes that while anger has been a significant part of his life, he has learned to manage it through therapy and self-awareness, focusing on problem-solving skills rather than aggression.