Are You Jewish? w/ Ari Shaffir! | Are You Garbage Comedy Podcast w/ Kevin Ryan & H. Foley

Quick Read

Comedian Ari Shaffir returns to 'Are You Garbage?' to share wild travel stories, promote his new special, and play a hilariously divisive game: 'Are You Jewish?'
Ari Shaffir self-funded his new 7-episode special, 'The End,' going broke and borrowing money to produce it.
The 'Are You Garbage?' card game is a global unifier, played by travelers in hostels worldwide.
A comedic 'Are You Jewish?' game uses stereotypes and personal anecdotes to 'diagnose' the hosts, concluding Kevin Ryan is 'a Jew' and H. Foley is 'not a Jew.'

Summary

Comedian Ari Shaffir joins hosts Kevin Ryan and H. Foley, fresh off his travels and promoting his new storytelling special, 'The End.' The episode kicks off with Shaffir's anecdotes from his trip, including a memorable encounter with a 'coolest guy' in Guatemala who ran a coffee shop called Black Pirate Coffee and was helping orphans. The core of the episode revolves around Shaffir's self-created game, 'Are You Jewish?', where he asks the hosts a series of questions to determine their 'Jewishness.' The questions range from academic achievements and maternal influence to financial habits and physical traits, leading to comedic revelations and a final, humorous verdict for each host. The episode also touches on the financial risks Shaffir took to produce his special and the hosts' ongoing tour and merchandise.
This episode provides a unique blend of comedic storytelling and a highly engaging, interactive game that showcases the distinct personalities and humor of Ari Shaffir, Kevin Ryan, and H. Foley. It highlights the creative and financial independence often pursued by comedians, while also offering a glimpse into the podcast's signature 'garbage' persona and its ability to connect with a diverse audience through relatable (and sometimes controversial) humor.

Takeaways

  • Ari Shaffir financed his new storytelling special, 'The End,' entirely with his own money, even borrowing from Tom Segura.
  • The 'Are You Garbage?' card game is unexpectedly popular among international travelers in hostels, acting as a social unifier.
  • Ari Shaffir's 'Are You Jewish?' game hilariously 'diagnosed' Kevin Ryan as Jewish and H. Foley as not, based on a series of comedic questions.
  • Ari recounted a memorable encounter with a 'coolest guy' in Guatemala who ran a coffee shop and supported orphans, leading to a generous donation from Ari using money from Kevin Ryan.
  • The hosts discuss the financial realities of independent content creation, from self-funding specials to managing merchandise.

Opportunities

Independent Storytelling Special Production

Ari Shaffir self-funded his 7-episode storytelling special, 'The End,' investing all his money and taking a loan to maintain creative control and produce content networks wouldn't. This model offers full ownership and creative freedom, appealing to a dedicated fanbase willing to pre-order.

Source: Ari Shaffir's 'The End' special

Podcast-Branded Physical Game for Travelers

The 'Are You Garbage?' card game unexpectedly became a hit among international travelers in hostels, acting as a social unifier. This demonstrates an opportunity for podcasts to create physical, portable games that foster social interaction and brand recognition in niche travel communities.

Source: 'Are You Garbage?' card game success

Regional/Customizable Card Game Decks

Inspired by users creating their own questions, the hosts plan a new 'Are You Garbage?' deck with blank cards for users to write in regional or family-specific questions. This customization feature enhances user engagement and broadens market appeal.

Source: New 'Are You Garbage?' card game deck idea

Lessons

  • Support independent comedy by checking out Ari Shaffir's new storytelling special, 'The End,' available for pre-sale at arishaffir.com.
  • Explore the 'Are You Garbage?' Patreon for exclusive bonus content and additional episodes, supporting the podcast's independent production.
  • Consider alternative morning beverages like Mudwater for a focused boost without coffee jitters, leveraging natural ingredients and functional mushrooms.

Notable Moments

Ari Shaffir's surprise appearance on Kill Tony after his travels.

This highlights Shaffir's spontaneous nature and the close-knit community within stand-up comedy, where unexpected guest spots can generate significant buzz.

Ari's story about the 'coolest guy' and Black Pirate Coffee in Guatemala.

This anecdote showcases Shaffir's unique travel experiences and his willingness to engage with local culture, even in potentially risky situations, leading to a story of unexpected generosity and connection.

The 'Are You Jewish?' game, where Ari Shaffir 'diagnoses' the hosts.

This segment is the comedic centerpiece, using humor and stereotypes to create a highly engaging and memorable interaction, culminating in a definitive (and funny) verdict for each host.

The hosts' argument over Kevin Ryan's $180 Uber expense.

This exchange perfectly encapsulates the podcast's 'garbage' persona and the hosts' comedic dynamic, where personal financial habits become fodder for humor and playful conflict.

Quotes

"

"I'm probably good for like six months. If I get that money back, I'll be okay. Then Guatemala is calling."

Ari Shaffir
"

"This dude was so pure and legitimately the coolest man I've ever met in my life."

Ari Shaffir
"

"He said he hates his town. It's full of pseudo-spiritual narcissists."

Ari Shaffir
"

"You look like an old Jewish man, dude. This crazy."

H. Foley
"

"H Foley, this pains me. You are not a Jew."

Ari Shaffir

Q&A

Recent Questions

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