Eli Sairs: OCD | Ari Shaffir's Skeptic Tank Episode 407

Unified Roast Champion Eli Sairs came by the studio to talk about growing up with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder in a Mennonite family. Rituals and anxiety about doing them correctly abound. Of course, they also talk about masturbation, joke writing, and the future of comedy in cancel culture.
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#arishaffir #comedy #elisairs #skeptictankpodcast
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Patrick Holbert - @theholbertreport - Editing
Becky Rodriguez - @humanplac3s - Production
Raelyn Nelson - @raelynnelsonband covering "Ari Shaffir Owns This Song" By Pepper Goins- Rushmore Podcast
@torellipics - Art poster

[@whippetvonsleipner3488]

Great interview! Thanks to Ari for making it happen and to Eli for candidly speaking about his OCD. I've had it myself for as long as I can remember. Religious OCD is not that uncommon among people with OCD. Some other common themes are: harm, sexuality, pedophilia, relationships - and more. As Eli referred to, the OCD brain WANTS to bully you, so it often latches on to what you care about the most, like your sense of self, your faith, your morals, your family, your health, etc. The trick is learning how not to feed the OCD. CBT with ERP can really help OCD sufferers, if they are able to get therapy. Sometimes SSRI can help too, if one would want to try that. This disorder is a bitch, but it certainly can be managed. I'm glad Eli is doing much better and I hope he'll keep it up. :) Wishing you all the best!

[@DanishingAct]

Another killer episode, eli was rad.

[@Intranasal]

Word, and he’s always been rad. Roast masters champion!

[@michellethompson726]

Why doesn't someone tell this poor guy to apply for Medicaid he doesn't have a job and there's no money in stand up right now why wouldn't he qualify? I suffered a similar mental health situation and put pride aside and applied for Medicaid and when I got it and was able to see a real doctor to diagnosis me properly and prescribe the right medication and had the insurance to pay made my life change and I no longer had to live in misery, like I had for the 25 years before that. Someone get this talented man some help he deserves it. Everyone does.

[@phoenixrising7047]

Fuck yes. Hope you told him on the socials and he reads it, rather than passing the ball.

[@TheMcAllisterHours]

Eli: I had a break up right at COVID but I don't want to talk about it. Also Eli: I cried for the first time in a decade.

[@james5637]

This is fascinating man. **Hits Bong/thinks about the devil** Oh fuck.

[@emptycloud2774]

Eli, thank you for sharing your journey. Whatever you are doing these days, all.the best. I really enjoyed watching your roasting battles around 4 years back.

[@MuseSick_]

I have OCD and I've never heard someone talk about it in a more real and relatable way than Eli does here. It's always hack movie OCD, as they called it. Nice to hear the real deal for once.

[@Val_Smith]

I used to love watching roast battles even though they were shot on a potato. Eli Sairs was a highlight, I remember he gave it a go n L.A. on some roast battle show but never heard of him since. Hope he is doing well, he is a talented guy.

[@BrandonLongwell]

Dude, the stand roast battles were the shit! I was a religious subscriber here in Nebraska.

[@tabularasa820]

I really like Eli Sairs. He is the best roast joke writer. Also, I love the Doug Stanhope shirt he is wearing.

[@jacobanderson2285]

34:00 for the start of the Eli Sairs interview.

[@jr1688]

Nice interview Ari. Thanks for sharing this story Eli.

[@brandonbombay6338]

The Champ is here! Eli is literally the best Roast Battler on the planet

[@chillgruber2371]

Love Eli, the roast God

[@PimpernelJones]

Eli's roast battles are amazing

[@cowboycontraband9834]

Damn this conversation really impacted me. I grew up super religious and went on to work in churches until I was 20. The entire time I had extreme OCD habits about the devil/demons. Used to try to make myself cry if I looked at porn or even had a sexual thought because I believed the more i would emote the more forgiveness god would give me. Some real traumatizing shit to believe as a kid.

[@JaredGH26]

I feel you. Same exact situation for me. No kid should feel like they are constantly being watched, and that their decisions will permanently doom them to eternal suffering.

[@scoobydont77]

Does anyone know what happened to this man? Cant find him on social media or his podcast anywhere. Last ep of his podcast i could find was in 2020 which was before this. PLEASE HELP

[@boothy918]

The only thing i can find is someone called Eli Sairs in new york aged 35 in 2021 got arrested for rioting some anarchist shit. I dont know if thats him, but its new york , same name and age. Thats the only hint of anything

[@guyanaredbone5996]

Ari face your day. Spin the wheel

[@joshbrooks109]

I didn’t realize it cold come back until now. Good to know thanks.

[@alexcoyg3281]

I think the voice in my head that says:" its BS is loud, and i dont do that stuff, but i totally can see how a person could be paralized by this, what a story, amazing stuff. Eli is funny af.

[@wily4422]

I deal with alot of Mennonites at work and can confirm they are wild! Great pod. You barely ever hear experiences like this thanks for sharing 👍

[@snarknado6430]

Where is Eli these days??????

[@anthonylaspin2579]

Very good podcast! What an amazing guest....hang in there Eli your an inspiration.

[@rowboyto]

Great episode 👏

[@drumalong4576]

Yo Ari! I've watched this podcast four times since yesterday! and you'll be pleased to know I'm gonna watch it another 8 ...stoopid ocd, can you make better content please? Thanks for talking openly Eli, I appreciate it ❤

[@shellybelly2075]

I love how Ari's podcast feels like a crazy person hidden in the basement recording a video without his mom's permission in the middle of Colorado. LOL

[@indigo0086]

I listened to his show primarily and it’s wild that he just talks to himself for the first segment, seeing it is more fun

[@smgarrettify]

I like Eli even more knowing his history

[@Nekrokilla]

Love Eli, he's a great comedian. I think in time his style will evolve(like everyone else) and he might get more personal. Either way hope to see him get HUGE!!

[@michaelmiller3540]

It's exciting to see him speak so candidly about his OCD. Makes a nice change from the usual heinous verbal violence he slings in Roast Battles (masterfully might I add). Hearing him speak like this just makes him personable and enjoyable to watch!

[@dakotaamesoriginals]

Lol at the fire extinguisher prediction

[@boonanaman2739]

yea that one did not age gracefully

[@LiamPorterFilms]

Great guest

[@afterthought3341]

Barely started and it is new highs from Ari . Champagne Comedy .👽

[@brandoncroak2012]

What was the name of the book Eli referenced that he said was helpful?

[@Intranasal]

Mein Kampf

[@michellethompson726]

Brain lock?

[@bbirdie9226]

I liked and subscribed. I’m making a difference to the starfish

[@ethanswain64]

really hits home. love this one

[@jessarhodes6196]

Not to make light of his suffering, but him being that scared of the devil is pretty hilarious.

[@michellethompson726]

What's hilarious? Eli! The devil himself is a comic genius

[@cemetrygatecrasher]

sometimes Eli looks like Ryan Long if he just saw a ghost. Also, this was a good episode. Also, Eli is so damn funny and not talked about enough. What I really mean to say is that Ryan Long and Eli would stare at each other nervously if they both got a casting call to be live action Shaggy

[@nagilum]

This guy definitely made a deal with some demon/devil to acquire his incredible roasting skills.

[@hiroe6350]

Eli you are the man, been a fan since i saw you on roast battle. Sorry to hear you struggle so much, I hope this comment helps!

[@hiroe6350]

Also please go on some more gas digital podcasts ! RAP and LoS soon

[@bobb180]

I love luis j Gomez but I don’t think people give him enough credit for what he does for comedy, LOS does real dirty dark open comedy with guests of all levels of success on, skank fest puts on young dirty comics, pays known comics that can’t get any main stream push because of their style, always has the comics back even if they are cunts when they face backlash for jokes. I find him fucking hilarious but even if you don’t he probably does the most for dark comedy

[@afterthought3341]

Ohh , BOOO !

[@alexcoyg3281]

Great guest, great episode, super interesting!

[@douchecraft3113]

Eli is the fkin man! Crazy to hear how torturing OCD can be, I had no idea - very educational.

[@SolidRollin]

Wish you got more recognition. I watch, like and even bring you and your work up in conversations about entertainment. #MyPresident

[@brandonmitchell8905]

I fucking love this podcast and am African American

[@Intranasal]

Smfh how dare you

[@phoenixrising7047]

Welcome.

[@jaredlong231]

Omg the roast ghost is the perfect name for Eli 🤣

[@dangerranger3883]

I have rechargable ebl batteries can you tell me which battery is better Ari?

[@ultranitro437]

I do as well and have been continuously draining and charging them every day for over 3 years and they still work good.

[@blestmartian1514]

Whoever did your back ground art did a good job its fuckin dope

[@TimebombTips]

if they can't handle you at your 31 minute intros they don't deserve you at anything less

[@indigo0086]

Love the mujahideen vibe the video format has going on

[@TimebombTips]

you can hear normand so clearly in the promo jumping out from the audience cheers

[@ltlflow4202]

A video of someone getting beat up with a fire hydrant would break the internet

[@mateo77ish]

Seriously though, Eli used to own Roastmasters. Every set was fire. How come I haven’t seen him since that ended? (Still listening to the intro. 22 minutes in)

[@LiamPorterFilms]

He had his own podcast, “The Roast Ghost”

[@plastic2666]

The intro is why I came.

[@carlaforshner9797]

Oh Ari, how can Big Jay be trash for Sunkist and Vodka, and you follow it up with "jello shooters at my place"? My god, I love you!

[@jhey7630]

Sairs is a G. Love him

[@TooTall0320]

When I was growing up I actually heard the same story about the 7 year old girl that threw grown men against the wall.

[@jackass302]

Great episode listening 2nd time

[@thisis_eli]

Hi Ari, I listen to your podcast regularly. I clicked on episode cause my name is also Eli. Thanks Ari

[@vincentmegale4805]

I also clicked because your name Eli.

[@ShugPhD]

Great episode

[@gabrielescudero4294]

Fascinating

[@mikegrove5480]

My OCD wont let me rest tell Ari spins that wheel! #justice4Oakerson #spinthewheel

[@jimmyvhyde1685]

Great stuff! You're the best, champ

[@dankoni]

yayyy... the video 🙏♥️

[@Jackman77100]

Eli's a fucking interesting dude

[@Redrum2381]

Dude I've followed Project Farm for a year or so, it's great

[@JACKSONDUNNETT]

i miss eli

[@JoshyJosh610]

The best roast battle where Eli's OCD is called out is the one with Erik Bergstrom, he handles it perfectly: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hnusamR8ocp8p80 Erik would also be an interesting guest (he found out he had stage 4 cancer after a year of wrong diagnoses, but survived).

[@PlaysWithNature]

Project farm is awesome

[@michaelhubbard5013]

shoutout to Project Farm

[@phoenixrising7047]

Kermit would be proud.

[@Lucas-17]

On track to have a #420 episode on 420

[@treignsinblood]

Shots fired at Mindful metal jacket...?

[@vermiculus3848]

Love the title!

[@nathancombs2119]

Eli rules , the old stand roast were how i found big jay ,ari , luis an then ultimately the bonfire an skanks , wish that shit would come back

[@nuroboros86]

thue morse sequence hits me

[@Justin-nr1mj]

Happy Thanksgiving to you too.

[@andrewnicolai6251]

Spiderland in human form

[@TylerO_O.]

yeah I always thought I would go to hell if I couldn't get a task done in under a certain time.... It fucked me up for years man.

[@4Moth2Mellow0]

Everyone thinks you are a coward for not spinning the punishment wheel Ari.

[@NoFearPrint]

dude I dont have anything and this dudes got me here blinking manually breathing all fucked up and swallowing hard

[@glyman3318]

Same thing happened to me hahaha had to stop the podcast and come back to it

[@phoenixrising7047]

Contagious?

[@glyman3318]

@@phoenixrising7047 no just OCD

[@jiminyfriggit2334]

Great fucking show this episode.

[@9livesspent339]

That intro was pretty good though.

[@chase9692]

Lmao, intro

[@TonsMoreCowbell]

I love how Ari thinks he’s the only one who doesn’t know who won the election.

[@TonsMoreCowbell]

@@robertsmith4157 Biden may end up president but nobody in their right mind thinks he legitimately got more black votes than Barack Obama or that the mail in vote wasn’t absolutely an open door for fraud.

[@RockyLNorris]

This is the theme to Garry's Show, The theme to Garry's show. Garry called me up and asked if I would write his theme song. I'm almost halfway finished, How do you like it so far, How do you like the theme to Garry's Show. This is the theme to Garry's Show, The opening theme to Garry's show. This is the music that you hear as you watch the credits. We're almost to the part of where I start to whistle. Then we'll watch "It's Garry Shandling's Show". source: www.lyricsondemand.com/tvthemes/itsgarryshandlingsshowlyrics.html

[@ivanaquino9661]

Never heard of eli. He seems likes he's overcame some hurdles and is funny.

[@CosmicShans]

THANK YOU FOR SHARING

[@SiamSmokeSesh]

Guys an absolute legend, look into the old roast battles he did

[@ivanaquino9661]

@@SiamSmokeSesh I did i checked out the zac amico one and he crushed him.

[@jakejava6025]

Get this man some new socks

[@PDotSpeakin]

Eli. I miss toga party bro

[@zack-af]

normand in that call out video makes is 100x better

[@t.dubz76]

wild

[@Gekokujo76]

Reggie Watts is a Montana guy, not a Minnesota guy. Be Better.

[@churchofreedom2858]

leave a link to your sponsor ari

[@andrewnicolai6251]

Dude's a fuckin Paladin!

[@Chomper165]

Is that an Ian Fidance sticker on your laptop Ari?

[@TonsMoreCowbell]

Yupppp

[@realasspiratebroadcast913]

Ian is just another one of Ari's bits, like The Fartist, or The Amazing Racist.

[@alexcoyg3281]

Normand:" aaaaaaaa woooow aaaaaaa"

[@ibtm777]

Hahahaha

[@lexisdw]

real injustice

[@Stephen_Eee]

Holy crap, I guess I was just in jewnial. I thought we finally had our trailer park king in Jay, guess I'll just go back to Get 'er done...☹☹☹☹☹☹

[@fitch9782]

His parents are to blame

[@bradstarforth5415]

Dude I thought the same thing he keeps saying he hid it, I really feel like they should have got him treated at some point they had to have seen something was seriously wrong

[@topdownb58]

lol at Ari pretty much predicting the capitol riots.....

[@mmajunki3712]

4:40

[@Thraking]

👍

[@Clem_Kadidlehopper]

Maybe that rechargeable battery video is telling you something.....a battery review is better than your content maybe....probably?