Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Margaret Cho on Comedy, Bisexuality, and The Slow-Carb Diet


35 Comments
Written by Topics: The Tim Ferriss Show
Margaret Cho on the Tim Ferriss Show
“My dog thought I was a singer… because dogs don’t understand standup comedy.”-Margaret Cho [20:40]
[Housekeeping update: The demand for my $5K Holiday Megabox exceeded expectations, so I'm opening up a few more slots. First come, first served, and deadline is 11:59pm PT today, November 11, 2014. Click here for more details.]
Margaret Cho is a polymath.
She is an internationally acclaimed comic, actress, author, fashion designer and singer-songwriter. Perhaps you’ve seen her on the big screen, or in TV series such as Sex and the City and 30 Rock.
But well before she was on Dancing with the Stars (yes, she’s done that, too), she decided on her comedy career… at the tender age of eight.  The stage has been her constant companion ever since.
In this episode we delve into her comic influences and approaches, bisexuality, slow-carb adventures, and much more. Please indulge me as we dig deep into the lesser-known tricks of the Slow-Carb Diet. Margaret had a lot of detailed questions (she’s followed it for ~3 months), and the answers might help accelerate your own fat loss.  (If you want more, here are several case studies — with pics — who’ve lost 100+ pounds.)
Enjoy!
This podcast is brought to you by 99Designs, the world’s largest marketplace of graphic designers. Did you know I used 99Designs to rapid prototype the cover for The 4-Hour Body? Here are some of the impressive results.
This episode is also brought to you by ExOfficio, which I’ve personally used since 2005 or so. They make ultra-lightweight, quick drying, antimicrobial clothing for men and women. Here’s my own ultra-light packing list (scroll down for video), which went viral.
QUESTION(S) OF THE DAY: What’s your favorite curse word — or phrase — and why? Please click here to let me know in the comments.
Scroll below for links and show notes…
Enjoy!
Who should I interview next? Please let me know on Twitter or in the comments.
Do you enjoy this podcast? If so, please leave a short review here. It keeps me going…
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Selected Links from the Episode

  • Explore Margaret Cho’s Writing:

Show Notes

  • What compels Margaret to perform stand-up comedy [3:30]
  • The early years of Margaret’s comedy career [4:50]
  • On the appeal of Joan Rivers and her immense gratitude [8:50]
  • Fearlessness and Margaret’s most fearful on-stage moments [11:30]
  • How to deal with hecklers [15:45]
  • Margaret’s inspirations [19:30]
  • Revealing intimate traits on stage and thoughts on female bisexuality [23:00]
  • The challenges of the isolated comedian lifestyle, and the potential for drug addiction [30:00]
  • Personality traits for those who gravitate towards stimulants vs. depressants [33:00]
  • The catalyzing moment when Margaret decided her prescription pill addiction needed to be fought [34:45]
  • Margaret Cho’s process for creating new material [40:30]
  • Why to hone an act (or product) internationally before bringing it to the USA – Note: Nike does this. [42:30]
  • “Successful” — who comes to mind? Does Margaret self-identify as successful? [48:00]
  • Clarifications on the Slow-Carb Diet and cheat day [50:30]
  • Hunger and human resilience [58:30]
  • Her death-row meal and why it’s changed since starting the SCD [1:10:30]
  • Margaret’s favorite curse word [1:11:45]
  • Stand-up pre-game rituals [1:13:45]
  • On Hollywood success and the types who aren’t tortured by it [1:16:10]
  • What attributes Dave Grohl exhibits, and why drummers tend to be positive people [1:17:30]

People Mentioned

Posted on: November 10, 2014.

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35 comments on “Margaret Cho on Comedy, Bisexuality, and The Slow-Carb Diet”

  1. Another great Episode Tim! How do you go about approaching guests and arranging interviews with your already busy schedule. How many people are currently on your team?
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  2. Sorry Tim, love almost everything you do but this episode wasn’t mind boggling like the others.
    Please interview some really interesting people like your friend Nassim Nicholas Taleb, Tony Hsieh or even Marc Benioff if you can.
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  4. Great interview Tim, comedians do seem to struggle with the highs and low more then most, a listening to marc Marron wtf podcast (which is where I discovered you btw) -interview 100’S of comedians, actors and musicians metal illness and addiction seems to be a common crux, it great that you incorage your guests to talk about their issues in such an open way.
    (and yes of corse you apprence of his podcast was a notable exception)
    Yours ross #timtimtalktalk
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  5. Bollocks! it doesn’t get more British than this. Just like the Sex Pistols album in the 80’s “Never mind the Bollocks here is the Sex Pistols”. I live in Australia now the Aussies love this. “That’s Bollocks” Meaning that is not technically factual. “Hey Bollocks” Meaning Hello you, who I have little respect for. “Oh bollocks” Meaning Shit that was a mistake. So far lost 4 KG on the Slow Carb Diet.
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  7. Best curse word – KAK, pronounced Cuck or Kuk.
    It is multi purpose and can be used in the following instances – this tastes kak! Or at the gym about to dead lift some kak heavy load. Your mate just broke up with his bird – bro that is super kak how about a glass of vino?
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  8. My favorite curse is BIFi pronounced “Biffy”= Brute Force and Fucking Ignorance. I’m in the army so whenever there is something that needs some pounding to fix this is my word.
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  9. Re: Favorite curse word & why – That’s tough because “fuck” and “shit” are so versatile – and I combine them to make new words – fucktardery, relationshit, shituation – but I’m going to go with “fuck” because it just emphasizes the situation with a bigger exclamation point: fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck!!!!! <3 :) I answered before listening to the podcast – going to do that while I run – Thanks, Tim – You rock!
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  10. Tim, even though it may be difficult, I think there is a very thin line that you can be on so that you’d satisfy your writing needs and wants (like writing books) and not being anti-social. The line exists, but it’s not easy to find!
    Adam Grant talks about being able to successfully be an introvert and extrovert at the same time. I know it sounds crazy, but it’s possible. I think you know him ;)
    Cristi Vlad
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  11. Favorite curse word is just a simple “fuck” because it’s so expressive…it has more meanings than any other single word in the English language so I find it’s quite versatile. And it just makes me feel better after saying it which has something to do with the mix of a long fricative followed by a door slamming plosive.
    I used to drop F-bombs so much I got the nick-name “fuck-man” and then my friends loved to remind everyone it wasn’t because of what you might think haha.
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  12. Hi Tim
    My favorite curse phrase is “Thunder Cunt” since it conveys so much power. You are such a cunt that your are a thunder cunt. Also, I have never been able to use it with a straight face.
    Please try to interview Pete from Mr. Money Mustache,http://www.mrmoneymustache.com. He is the antithesis of Ramit Sethi. Pete retired at 30 years old with a $600,000 nest egg from working as a software engineer. He lives a frugal life in Longmont Colorado and started his website to teach people how to retire early through frugal living. Now I believe he has 6 million unique page visits per month.
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  13. Thank you for another great interview. I really like how you have been bringing us people from different genres. It is very interesting to see the similarities in success and achievement, and it is even more interesting in the different possibilities and pathways that there are to take to get there.
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  14. First a correction to the show notes then a question, and a suggestion
    The minutes are off on the show notes. For example. Margaret starts talking about her early comedy career around the 8:20 range. The five minute intro must have not been accounted for in the interview.
    Who or where would you recommend a novice to go to for learning stand up for the first time. Whether it be a DVD to learn from or a Live Coach/experience.
    Also I think many others would agree that an 8 part Joe Rogan Interview Series would be awesome to try out. Release one a month in between other interviews. One to two longs days of work can be used to help you fill the gap should you have trouble thinking up of new people to interview. I’m gonna give that underwear a try. Or is that too much information?
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  15. Interview Kyle Bass on money management, risk management, how do you make a bet and then hedge it, how to invest in this climate (where bond returns are next to zero). In short: the mental models of a hedge fund manager.
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  16. My favorite curse word by far is Fuck but I don’t know why I’ve said it as far back as I can remember My mom confirms she has told me she is offended & yet at age 48 I still let it fly w/o realizing I’ve said it sorry mom I’ve gotten more disciplined obviously as I age however I still
    Love thst word Thanks for your GREAT interviews!! Don’t know how you do it…..PKK
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  17. Interview Jeff Olson. He just spoke at the United Nations on the international day of happiness and his new company did $400 million in 30 months.
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  22. Thanks Tim — any chance you could also have podcasts transcribed? Inexpensive process when outsourced, and a great boon to your time-starved followers. Reading seems to be about five times faster than listening — and things like hyperlinks to topics would make it even faster.
    Cheers
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  23. Just so happens, my roommate and a buddy that runs The Weary Traveler (excellent dining in Madison, WI) just shared a fun game with me. You match a curse or derogatory term with a nautical term. “Douche Canoe” seems to have made it into the American lexicon already, but “shit jib” and “cunt anchor” are my personal favorites :)
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  25. Being Swedish, my reflexive and favourite expletive has to be “Jävlar!”.
    Try it! [jaevlar]
    Tim, question on diet:
    I followed the slow-carb, specifically “losing the last mile”, and the standard version, but I acquired Hypervitaminosis A.
    It was probably due to overusing Cod liver oil. (Not as recommended by the 4HB)
    My doctor was the one who made the call that it was Hypervitaminosis. But the only treatments he has prescribed are “wait for it to eliminate” and “Vitamin E”, neither of which has worked. And he knows no other treatments, other than surgery.
    I’ve had this recurringly for 1 whole year, and it’s horrible. (Just look up “Increased intracranial pressure.)
    Do you have any ideas or leads on how to get rid of Hypervitaminosis A?
    You’re extremely keen at biochemistry and thought you might have an idea.
    Loved the podcast!
    Other suggestions for guests: Hugh Jackman. Naval Ravikant. Nassim Taleb. Matt Mullenweg!!!!
    Maybe someone in animation?
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  26. Tim- This one is too good to pass up…
    Favorite Curse Phrase: “Suck a bag of dicks”. The reason seems appropriate for this episode. Louis CK, genius comedian, has permanently scarred my brain with hilarious images of what such an ambiguous proposal suggests. It also is just fun to say… Louis CK’s bit on the phrase can be found here:

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