Johnny Pemberton! | Are You Garbage Comedy Podcast w/ Kevin Ryan & H. Foley
YouTube · QrdE4JABnGs
Quick Read
Summary
Takeaways
- ❖Johnny Pemberton's father was a colon rectal surgeon at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, and his mother was a nurse.
- ❖He was an oldest child of four, grew up in a town dominated by the Mayo Clinic, and attended a small Catholic school.
- ❖Pemberton was not into sports but was deeply involved in music, playing bass in bands (Strange Cattle, Geisha Kitten) and hosting a jazz show on college radio.
- ❖His first job was hand-painting large dollhouses for a woman his mother knew, listening to jazz music at 15 years old.
- ❖Pemberton met Ross Perot as a child at the Mayo Clinic, an early exposure to politics influenced by his father's PBS news habits.
- ❖He had his large intestine (colon) surgically removed 25 years ago due to ulcerative colitis, requiring careful dietary management.
- ❖Pemberton is extremely good with money, saves aggressively, and prefers a low-profile lifestyle, even flying first class only when returning home to LA.
- ❖He considers 'The Sopranos' the greatest television show ever made and appreciated watching it later in life for better appreciation.
- ❖Pemberton distrusts business managers, preferring to manage his finances personally, citing concerns about potential financial mismanagement by others.
Insights
1Upbringing in a Medical Hub
Johnny Pemberton's childhood in Rochester, Minnesota, was heavily influenced by the Mayo Clinic, where his father worked as a colon rectal surgeon and his mother as a nurse. This environment meant growing up in a town largely populated by medical professionals, providing a unique backdrop to his early life.
My mom didn't She was used to be a nurse. My dad was a surgeon. At the Mayo Clinic, yeah. He's retired now. colon rectal surgeon. And a general surgeon. He used to do general surgery and colon rectal but
2Early Artistic and Musical Pursuits
Despite his medical family background, Pemberton was not drawn to sports. Instead, his interests gravitated towards art, music, and rock climbing. He played bass in middle school bands and later hosted a jazz radio show in college, showcasing a deep appreciation for diverse artistic expressions from a young age.
I was not into sports. I tried to play baseball... Music. I wasn't in the band. Actually, I guess Initially, I was really into rock climbing for a while... I got into music I think in seventh grade... First name of the band in seventh grade was Strange Cattle. Second name was Geisha Kitten.
3Life Without a Large Intestine
Pemberton candidly shares that he had his large intestine, also known as the colon, removed 25 years ago due to ulcerative colitis. This condition necessitates a highly selective diet and results in frequent, urgent bowel movements if he consumes problematic foods, as evidenced by a recent 'hot wings' incident.
I don't have a large intestine. I had it removed about 25 years ago cuz I have had ulcerative colitis for a long time... Diarrhea or um having to go Yeah, that's what diarrhea is. Frequently, urgently.
4Philosophy on Money and 'Stealth Wealth'
Pemberton is remarkably frugal and a diligent saver, consciously avoiding ostentatious displays of wealth. He believes that truly wealthy individuals don't flaunt their money, and he prefers to manage his own finances rather than relying on business managers, citing a distrust of others handling his money.
I've been like I'm so good with money it's ridiculous... I just recently I realized I am saving too much... I don't like to spend I really don't like to spend um a lot of money... I think that anybody who has money and you know it, they don't have money.
Bottom Line
Pemberton's childhood job hand-painting dollhouses while listening to jazz at 15, combined with his father's Atkins diet of Merkt's cheese and pork rinds, highlights a unique blend of high-brow and unconventional influences shaping his early life.
This unusual combination of experiences suggests a non-traditional path to creativity and a unique perspective on 'class' that diverges from typical suburban norms, potentially contributing to his distinct comedic voice.
For content creators, this illustrates the value of embracing and sharing the 'weird' or contrasting elements of one's background, as they often resonate most deeply and create memorable personal branding.
Pemberton's strong distrust of business managers, preferring to personally oversee his finances, stems from observing others lose their wealth due to external mismanagement.
This highlights a critical vulnerability for individuals in creative industries who often delegate financial oversight, emphasizing the importance of personal financial literacy and active engagement, regardless of success level.
Develop accessible financial literacy programs or tools specifically tailored for artists and entertainers, focusing on risk mitigation and direct oversight, challenging the traditional reliance on third-party business managers.
Notable Moments
Pemberton recounts meeting presidential candidate Ross Perot as a young child, who told him, 'Hi, son. Now, get away from the car. You're going to get run over.'
This anecdote provides a humorous and memorable glimpse into his childhood, highlighting the unique encounters possible in a town like Rochester, MN, known for its Mayo Clinic attracting prominent visitors.
Pemberton describes attending a 'Beer Field' event in Rhode Island, a sanctioned community gathering in a town without bars, where people drink beer in a field with families and dogs.
This moment showcases a quirky, community-oriented social event that contrasts with typical urban entertainment, reflecting Pemberton's willingness to engage in diverse social settings and providing a unique cultural observation.
Pemberton shares a recent incident where eating plain buffalo wings and halal chicken and rice led to a 'worst night in years' due to his lack of a large intestine, causing severe burning and frequent bathroom trips.
This personal story vividly illustrates the daily challenges and consequences of his dietary condition, adding a layer of vulnerability and relatability to his otherwise composed demeanor.
Quotes
"I say, yeah, young young chaps here. How you having a podcast, yeah? Is that all right?"
"Hi, son. Now, get away from the car. You're going to get run over."
"I don't have a large intestine. I had it removed about 25 years ago cuz I have had ulcerative colitis for a long time."
"I think that anybody who has money and you know it, they don't have money."
Q&A
Recent Questions
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