Brian Simpson | Blocks Podcast w/ Neal Brennan

Neal Brennan interviews Brian Simpson (Live from the Mothership on Netflix, BS w/ Brian Simpson podcast) about the things that make him feel lonely, isolated, and like something's wrong - and how he is persevering despite these blocks.
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00:00 Intro
1:22 Upbringing / Foster Care
15:44 Not a Fan of Pageantry
22:48 Being Alone vs. Loneliness
26:11 Shooting His Foster Brother Story
39:23 Medication - ADHD, PTSD, etc.
53:59 Relationships with Women
1:05:29 Goals and Dreams
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nealbrennan.com for tickets
Watch Neal Brennan: Crazy Good on Netflix:
www.netflix.com/title/81728557
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Neal's Instagram: / nealbrennan
Neal's Twitter: / nealbrennan
Theme music by Electric Guest (unreleased).
Edited by Will Hagle
#standup #podcast #comedy #mentalhealth #standupcomedian

Great episode. "I don't want to be perceived, so I like to be alone." Damn, that line busted open a dam of thoughts and insights. Thanks, Neal!

[@ish474]

The amount of time and energy I spend worrying about how everyone around me feels is exhausting, it's just easier being alone. Terribly isolating and painfully lonely, but easier.

[@uschilevermann5712]

he's said that several times now

[@moralhazard1]

​@@ish474I think we would be best friends but we will NEVER meet 😂

[@ashleyromero5302]

Haha same! It was so great to have words put this feeling. I always felt like it was just me.

[@DaddyOgr3]

Holy s*** dude. That was an incredible dialogue. Props to Brian. It takes the years you guys have to reach that level of self-realization. Best observation, to expand on it, is NO ONE really knows what normal is. We’re all just chasing what we think it is, and we are, almost all of us, too busy doing that to figure out for five freaking seconds what…good enough is. Like Neal said… “almost…it’s almost, but it’s good.”

[@TravisBrevard]

Level-15 encryption, but the password is 'hi!' - Nailed, gentlemen. Bravo.

[@apatternedhorizon]

Relate to Brian's disposition so much.

[@stellarsphere4543]

I love that Neal gets killers on his pod after he literally killed himself with his new spesh. Blocks is one of the best podcasts out there. Period.

[@theGarbs]

Unbelievably fantastic episode, please have Brian back on!

[@cg5471]

I think all of us with complex childhood trauma, neglect & abandonment issues definitely feel you & also never talk about it cause of all the people who misuse it for attention.

[@oneofus6924]

i need a brian simpson on my shoulder just whispering in my ear how to keep it real lol

[@girishgk89]

Solid. Per usual. It's so consistently good, it's ridiculous.

[@thesimulation9651]

There's never been another podcast where I enjoyed each episode more than the last, until this one

[@stewart19871000]

Love getting to see comedians have conversations without a bunch of forced jokes and fake laughter like all the other podcasts. Neal and Brian this was one of the best so far.

[@parisaight]

The silence from neal after Brian says "idk if you deal with depression" quietly screams "so you didn't watch ANY of my specials"

[@newartistspotlight_]

Right!! Lol

[@BodybuildingJourneys]

yeah pretty fucked up

[@DeeboCools]

It would be weird to presume however. "Hey, you're obviously depressed, so..."

[@bigmo10]

Do not cite the deep magic to me witch

[@seayanae6365]

Yall just helped me rationalize my bday quirk..I know how to get attention so don't force it on me

[@whlewis9164]

Same for me… also helped me explain it to my friend who annually tries to force birthday activities.

[@Mysterydoevision]

17:07💯. Man, i can relate! My ex-wife would surprise me with parties. They were nice. But i hated the pressure of entertaining people on a day i just wanted to relax. She had good intentions. But it’s what she wanted. Not what i wanted.

[@waltciii3]

It always turned into work for me. Help clean up, help set up... All that crap. It ended as, "I threw you parties, what did you do for me?" my answer was, "You threw parties for me... for yourself... I was just the proxy. I did half the work, I paid for it and I didn't enjoy it... yet you had a great time!"

[@jbarlass]

This is by far my favorite episode of this show yet. I felt so many feelings from the conversations in this one.

[@hiroprotagonist5394]

Two of my favorite cerebral comedians in one long form discussion -- this is better than Christmas, birthdays, holidays, and weddings combined. The pod doesnt disappoint and relate to every self-reflection and personality trait haha. Birthdays are stupid and weddings are backwards -- the ceremony should be AFTER you've been together for 50 years...commemorate THAT shit!

[@cierralowery7096]

Trustworthiness is an important component of safety, this is something I learned in counseling. Children need trustworthy parental figures.

[@dianak.6611]

Wow. Was not expecting to relate to Brian Simpson this much. Sooo many feels

[@nullunit]

I enjoy all of these Blocks episodes but Brian's is the only one I think I have related to in any meaningful way. Totally different life experience but weirdly similar challenges. Like making 2 meals with same ingredients but somehow get the same something that tastes the same. Humans are fucking wild.

[@forge5825]

Brian sounds like the best friend I wish I had. He is like word for word with how I feel about life.

[@MrNicvdb]

What an awesome episode. Brian's part about "please invite me to the party, but know I won't be there" really hit home for me... nice to hear from people that are fucked up in a similar way to yourself. P.S the 2 best specials of the year so far, too!

[@user-zn3cf8kr4r]

Brian, thanks for your service. My service story is the same, so I loved hearing yours. Sorry I'm a tall though, so we can't be friends. Don't hit me up.... or down.

[@ish474]

Hey Neal, what's my co-pay? And will you take a check, cause I've had more breakthroughs listening to this podcast than all 3 different therapists combined.

[@moralhazard1]

Just listened to Brian Simpson's pod a few days ago and he mentioned he did Neal's show and I was SO PUMPED!!!

[@bmannyx]

I came across Live at the Starship comedy special randomly and Brian Simpson quickly became my favorite new comic this year. Listening to him here on Blocks made me love him even more. There are so many clips I want to show my friends about how it feels to love with depression and doing my be at to fix it on my own terms. Much Love Brian and wishing you much success. Can’t wait for ya to come to Hollywood or Long Beach

[@blainebickle1178]

His new netflix special was really good. one of the better recent comedy specials IMO.

[@4realtime783]

5 minutes into this and I have to smoke a cigarette.

[@greencheese12]

I love living during a time when we can see comedians we admire be vulnerable and honest about their lives and their mental health. This episode was great, and honestly, im grateful to Neal (and Jimmy) for coming up with this idea

[@SLLogan91]

Thank you Neal and Brian...

[@timothyjohnson6258]

Great episode!! Please tell Mr. Simpson that he is not alone and that there are a lot of us with the same outlook and attitude who HAVEN'T been in combat or been to war. Props to him for putting a voice to what tons of us feel, need, and want in order to get our feet under us again. And it's not just for young people. I am well past his age and deal with a lot of the same shit he is dealing with. The very best of luck to him and I hope he finds happiness and peace somewhere along the line. There is an undertone of betrayal and self-aggrandizement on the part of those who are supposed to be on his side running through this narrative.

[@HighFeeline]

I definitely care and am curious about men’s emotions, that’s why I watch male comic’s podcasts. I didn’t grow up around men, so I learn here and y’all are taking me to school!

[@ccj2]

Never heard of Brian until his Netflix special, but after I watched that he instantly became a new favorite comedian. Loved this episode!

[@stivalyfriedman4538]

This was an amazing podcast!!! I met Brian. He was so sweet and awesome. I totally get how he feels.

[@norab7432]

Every time I listen to Brian talk about how he grew up and how he got to be where he is today, I gain even more respect for him as a person and as a comic. Great episode!!

[@pulliF]

Excited for this week! Love the podcast. Thank you Neal

[@AnthonyL0401]

I thoroughly enjoyed this discussion. I originally posted a slightly critical comment based on first couple minutes, and that is one of my blocks: I feel compelled to judge things way too quickly as a method of control

[@crickettweeks4417]

Being so "nice and needy" that you attract "Predators" as in people that will take advantage of you...Maaaaaan BEEN THERE AND DONE THAT BRO

[@akshayde]

It's called codependency

[@thedogshouterer]

This man is all I've wanted a man to be in the last 10 years of my life. His self-awareness is off the charts.

[@rydah1240]

I haven’t watched it yet but I can tell this will be a good one!! Brian Simpson is very relatable and always gives good interviews. You always pick up something along the way. Cant wait to watch this tonight at work!!!

[@clauded4651]

Prob the best convo. I appreciate the level of awareness.

[@R.J.MacReady1982]

I'm going to need a part 2 of this one Neal.

[@enyapnomar]

Relating to this was refreshing. Thanks for sharing Fellas. It's appreciated ✨️👊🏾✨️

[@P.dripps92]

@57:00 it sounds kind of weird, but Brian explained exactly how I feel about that situation. I really like being by myself, but not getting the invitation hurts me so much.

[@caranh]

Great episode. Felt like there was so much more to unpack with Brian.= Far too short Neil!

[@ronhenton]

I never comment on these, but Brian said everything I feel daily. I know you think you don't fit in Brian, but many men feel like you. Some of us might just be better at letting it go and don't have the foster home baggage.

[@gurkdoinwork]

Respect to Brian! That said, will you please rub your temples? Looking so tense they are literally holding onto your glasses lol

[@kevinmccombs3201]

Can't wait to see Brian live. The angles he takes in his bits fit my abstract thought patterns. This comment for tha algo is brought to you by A.R.F. & the coalition for an orgasmic society.

[@peaceful-joe]

Brian Simpson is me, being in foster care, the life experiences, and the depression… This dude lived my life, but as a black man. Crazy.

[@josiahalcorne]

wow! that interview flew by.

[@deannadevaney2968]

GREAT EP! I love Bs’s comedy AND his thought process given his history. He is truly great!!

[@rabbit6310]

this was one of my favourites by a mile......

[@user-bo1gf7bg8v]

Brian is tapped into the real world, I feel you man. Spot on 🫡

[@vanessawhitneypro]

Brian Simpson! GO, MAN!

[@dano6306]

Such a great listen, thanks for this.

[@jaredleemease]

Thank you Brian. Thank you Neal. 🏜🕺🏻🐕🏖

[@craiggg1577]

Brian is the man

[@MrPETEHAMMER]

1st time heard of Simpson was the recent Netflix special & I have to say this episode makes his authentic voice and point of view more sincere,great interview!!!!

[@ScottThrill]

2 of my favorite comedians 💯

[@samkruegel]

excellent episode. one of the best.

[@HettiedeKorteDiplomaat]

Great conversation for men and women.

[@sunnydays9144]

I appreciate how much you guys get each other 😂

[@Smoochie71804]

Great episode

[@sunnydays9144]

I just realized I was nodding to myself when they were talking about alone versus lonely versus needing to see people

[@Big_Sis_Chris]

Great interview ❤

[@bwerto2423]

This episode should be the comeback of the ‘movie of your life? Who plays you?’ question.

[@hoffafiles]

Wasn't in foster care, but being an Iraq combat vet, there are so many similarities I have with Brian. I tried the VA route for awhile, but it seemed to get nowhere as the turnover was so high I never say the same doctor twice, so I gave up and just chose solitude. So many fellow vets I know/knew were prescribed giant bags of pills and that was the extent of the treatment. I heard it has gotten better, but due to past experiences, I can't see myself going back. I am getting by currently, but the future doesn't feel certain at all, but I'll just take it as it comes. Discussions like these really help put it into perspective, and gives me a better understanding in how I tick way more than any VA program ever has.

[@brennamarketello]

dayum i feel this

[@nickb9379]

Great pod

[@julieterrell7921]

Brian, im not sure anyone has depression or ADD its just that we live in a world that doesn't "fit" our reggie humanness. Because ive been diagnosed too and i take nothing but now eating right, taking vitamins and trying to exercise. My head feels like pit bulls barking. So yeah alone time is so nice. Im alone ALOT cuz it is truly exhausting. And breaking performance from having to deal with others is like a gift i give myself. But then im perceived as cold. I get it!

[@lalah9481]

Real is hard. Peace on you and yours.💖

[@TheirIAre]

Brian is a good dude.

[@SwordGraal]

Neal you're the best 😇

[@johnwarring2337]

good grief that height joke angle is great

[@KING_PHILLIP]

Ugh wife got me sick- but this is making my morning better 😅🤧

[@user-bo1gf7bg8v]

Best one

[@Skunktruck]

for the algo

[@sickjoe9174]

I moved every 2 years growin up and it was like constantly having to learn new rules so you can be left alone. Every new spot is a ghillie suit where you gotta pick up snippets of the local environment to blend in with the locals until you move on. You stop remembering people's names (or even processing them as they are spoken), because why bother. Most the time from abuse i either want to be invisible (when i want to be) or everyone else to be dead for that secret lil place in me to actually feel safe and not have to even consider another human being because most of my time is spent making sure i'm essentially 'not in the way' because i know what happens when i 'get in the way'. And to speak on the aloofness too, it's not just the observing it's the simultaneous 'keepin my emotional and mental cards close to the chest' to minimize you ability to react or to not cause any ripples in the current situation that might steer shit off course.

[@JRZTXN]

Brian Simpson, I think we share a brain or something. Thank you for sharing. 🫡♥️✌🏼🌹

[@andys242424]

Brian’s a good dude.

[@mongolmcphee7791]

This was a good Podcast. I am from the other side of the Pond so don’t know Brian Simpson but I thought he made brilliant points

[@clkallday]

In DC, I grew up with "Officer Friendly" as well. As a child, I had no idea he was a different guy in every school.

[@AeonLux_]

"Did you know we live here?" is crazy 😬

[@larrychoiceman]

Brian Simpson is hilarious, and also this was an intense episode of Blocks. Especially about the relationships with women part. In terms of the guardedness co-existing alongside the desire for connection and intimacy, I've got to shout out Heidi Priebe's videos found here. Her clarity of thought and expression is a little unsettling. Anyway, this got a little too earnest, but there ya go. www.youtube.com/@heidipriebe1/videos

[@OaklandMind]

Which video is it? Do you recall the title

[@larrychoiceman]

@@OaklandMind I mean, all of her stuff is more or less about connection, but I think this jawn touches pretty directly on what Simpson was mentioning. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oqSlgamdo6h9qbM

[@RUREDY2ROK]

Bro this should have way more views. You guys are fuckin awesome

[@kellyphillips5909]

Superb fantastic

[@JazzonAA]

17:00 birthdays don't matter 37:41 sensitive to perception

[@Ms_Farita]

I love this episode. Almost as much as Carrot Top

[@Nora-rb6tr]

Brian is so fuckin real

[@douglasdollars]

Those last couple minutes!

[@TheSct2012]

The birthday part should be a clip

[@jacobgrable4128]

Never have I heard so many of my thoughts come out of other people's minds....

[@Xarmyforlife]

Facts and feels 15:06 ❤

[@jessejorgensen3931]

This guy could be me. And sleeping right eating right and slowly changing the algorithm works. And you still get to be you. I used to blow my lid when my ex and i would fight. I would speak over her and that type of noise. i realized i was doing it. And i couldn't just stop. I had to leave for a few hrs. Then i started seeing when it would happen, so i would tell myself, "Don't blow up."" I'd go take a hit and smoke a cigg. Then i removed the bong hit, and so on. It's hard, and he's right about the attracting narcissist and users. God damn dude get out of my head!

[@brittanycarriger]

For the Algo you handsome comedy GOAT Schmuck!

[@itsTizzle]

33:52 holy sh*t Brian, yes

[@witHonor1]

When your personal history starts before your memory, you're doing time wrong.

[@markelcj]

"You definitely don't want c*m in your gun " 😂😂

[@mommyofceos]

Brian: "there's way more fckble things around when you're deployed" Neal: "boots" 😂😂😂

[@akiag4678]

this was A LOT, 2stories in at 40min already. trueAmericanLife

[@OhGrowUpPodcast]

They don’t do DARE as much because they realized kids only heard the cool things about the drugs… oh this relaxes me and gets me away from my problems for a while? And that’s bad why?

[@lbjork08]

The password is "Hi" 🤣😆