Bert Gets Bullied By Lou Reed's Ghost | 2 Bears, 1 Cave

Bert Kreischer and Tom Segura discuss the complicated relationship between fans and the artists they admire, exploring how perceived disapproval by musicians can limit listeners’ enjoyment and even lead to abandoning certain music altogether.

Artist Disapproval Anxiety Limits Musical Enjoyment

Bert recounts a telling experience while jogging and listening to Lou Reed's "New York." He internally converses with Lou Reed, expressing gratitude, only to imagine Reed dismissing him harshly: "I didn't fucking make this for you... it actually makes me sick to my stomach that you enjoy this." Feeling rejected and unwelcome, Bert gets off the treadmill and realizes he’s projecting his own insecurities onto Reed. To comfort himself, he decides to listen to Jelly Roll, whom he feels would offer a more accepting vibe.

Tom relates to Bert's experience, reflecting on how some artists come across as aloof or too sophisticated, creating a barrier that makes fans like them feel unworthy. Tom describes how the projected image of “cool” musicians, and even the attitudes of their fans, can make listeners think, "that guy wouldn’t like me," prompting a defensive reaction—the desire to abandon the music out of spite, even though it’s an irrational, “crazy person” thought. He admits it’s unhealthy self-talk but finds it a very relatable feeling. Tom notes that sometimes seeing an artist in an interview can reinforce this perception, making fans feel judged, especially if the artist seems disinterested or dismissive toward people outside their immediate circle.

Bert shares how meeting Jeff Tweedy from Wilco left him feeling rejected. Tweedy, in Bert’s account, appeared more captivated by Bert’s wife Nikki, who couldn’t speak due to recent surgery, than by Bert himself. Nikki’s silence seemed to amuse Tweedy more than Bert’s attempts at conversation, deepening Bert's sense of being disliked and, by extension, unwelcome as a fan. He jokes that experiences like this—and his assumption that artists like Kurt Vile wouldn't like him either—sometimes push him to stop listening to music altogether.

The hosts recognize how this internal self-talk about not being accepted can limit life experiences and musical enjoyment. Bert describes deleting Jane’s Addiction and Radiohead from his playlists because he assumes Perry Farrell and Thom Yorke wouldn’t like him—an action directly tied to the anxiety of imagined artist rejection.

Artist Personas Exude Intimidating Cool Sophistication

The podcast delves into how elite musicians project an air of intimidating cool and sophistication that often makes ordinary fans feel excluded. Bert and Tom suggest that it’s not just about the music—the entire persona, including public appearances and interviews, shapes whether fans feel accepted or rejected.

Artists like Radiohead’s Thom Yorke are referenced as seemingly disinterested in personal connections with fans. Tom suggests that Yorke’s stage persona and reputation for avoiding fans' song requests make him seem authentically inaccessible, thus reinforcing fans' assumptions that an encounter would not go well. Bert jokes that meeting someone like Yorke would result in Yorke ignoring or dismissing him, further fueling the apprehension that certain artists are simply too elite or too cool to enjoy the company of certain fans.

The hosts acknowledge that these impressions are often shaped by brief, curated glimpses of artists' personal ...

Bert Kreischer reflects on his journey with sobriety, the complexities of alcohol recovery, and his desire for a more mindful approach to drinking.

Bert Held 5.5 Months of Sobriety, Preparing to Drink With Boundaries

Bert marks five and a half months of sobriety, a milestone that coincides with his daughter Georgia’s graduation from the University of Oregon. He plans to celebrate by having his first drink with other parents and graduates, honoring Georgia’s request to share a drink with her at this life event. The morning after, Bert intends to hike Pisgah, donning a 20-pound weight vest, to evaluate how alcohol affects his recovery—especially since he last hiked it 50 pounds heavier.

In preparation for reintroducing alcohol, Bert immerses himself in books about recovery, alcoholism, and “The Naked Mind,” seeking to educate himself before making this transition. He is intentional about not simply returning to his previous drinking habits and wants to develop a sustainable strategy for moderate drinking that aligns with his values and lifestyle.

Anxiety vs. Reluctance Key to Bert's Recovery

A key insight for Bert is differentiating between drinking to manage anxiety and drinking out of reluctance to face unpleasant tasks. He recognizes that, in the past, he often reached for alcohol to deal with anxiety or to avoid activities he found uncomfortable. Now, he journals extensively to discern whether a drinking urge is prompted by true anxiety or simple task avoidance.

Bert describes growth in his ability to deal with discomfort without alcohol, noting how he recently endured a flight where, instead of drinking to pass the time or mask disinterest, he chose to be present and reflective. He emphasizes that sometimes people simply need to do things they don't want to, and alcohol is not a requirement for tolerating those moments.

Alcoholism: When Alcohol Dictates Life Choices

Bert discusses how alcoholism can dictate life decisions, such as where one goes, what one does, and how one allocates time. Experts point out that for many, alcohol starts to control these choices. Bert recognizes that, in his own life, alcohol now accommodates his schedule rather than dict ...

Bert Kreischer and Tom Segura’s discussion highlights the value of authenticity and genuine passion in online content, focusing on the viral hit "Subway Takes" and the broader appeal of non-celebrity perspectives and comedy in digital media.

Real Voices Trump Celebrity Takes For Engaging Content

Bert Kreischer expresses a clear preference for authentic voices over celebrity appearances on "Subway Takes," a show where guests deliver controversial or provocative opinions. He describes how when celebrities appear, the process feels disingenuous: publicists prepare several "hot takes" for the celebrity to choose from, resulting in manufactured opinions that lack any real personal stake. Bert mocks the idea that audiences watch these segments for the take itself, arguing that the real draw is merely celebrity status, citing examples like J-Lo being briefed on the premise with a scripted opinion, rather than sharing something she truly believes.

Instead, Bert values the participation of comics, unknown musicians, and everyday passionate people. He finds these guests bring a rawness and spontaneity that makes their takes captivating. For instance, the show featured musician Arouj Aftab, whose take—"White people shouldn’t sit on Bed-Stuy stoops"—went viral because it originated from her genuine experiences and conversations with friends. The take sparked intense reactions because, as Bert points out, it was born of real life, not PR strategy. This authenticity and willingness to tackle divisive topics are, to him, what makes for successful and memorable content.

Non-celebrities' Knowledge and Passion Resonate With Audiences

Bert further illustrates the appeal of regular people by recounting his discovery of musician Kurt Vile on another show, "Trackstar." He expresses admiration for Vile’s deep knowledge and sincere passion for music, noting this authenticity is rare among celebrity guests or comedians who often give surface-level, rehearsed answers on podcasts. Bert explicitly contrasts celebrities and comics—fond of boilerplate responses and careful self-marketing—with thoughtful artists and non-celebrities who reveal genuine passion and substance. He wants guests who are knowledgeable and unfiltered, whose unique perspectives provide audiences with more than just star power.

Tom Segura agrees, remarking on how shows like "Trackstar" demonstrate the depth of expertise possessed by non-celebrities such as Vile, further validating the idea that audiences prefer heartfelt and informed content to manufactured statements.

Comedy Amplifies and Enriches Original Intentions

Comedy plays an important role in amplifying and exploring the original intentions behind "takes" on shows like "Subway Takes." Ber ...

Bert Kreischer and Tom Segura discuss the troubling trend of parents exploiting their children for viral social media content, particularly through dangerous or extreme activities. Their conversation highlights the ethical concerns and long-term consequences of prioritizing internet fame and commercial interests over genuine child well-being.

Parents Exploiting Children For Viral Content Prioritize Social Media Metrics Over Genuine Wellbeing

Bert Kreischer describes a viral video of a four-year-old child rope-swinging off a cliff, labeled as a "world record," as an example of parents disregarding their child's safety for internet views. Kreischer stresses that the child, being only four years old, lacks understanding and meaningful consent regarding the activity. The underlying motivation, Kreischer argues, is not the child’s accomplishment, but the parent’s desire to build a personal brand and generate content for product or course sales, such as instructional programs marketed to other parents online.

Kreischer explicitly equates this with exploitation, emphasizing that the parent is feeding the algorithm—and, by extension, their commercial ambitions—with their own child’s image and experiences, rather than considering the child’s autonomy or well-being.

Extreme Parenting Stems From Parents’ Unmet Needs and Ambitions

The discussion expands into a criticism of the underlying motives behind such extremes. Kreischer argues that many fathers who pressure their young children into risky or strenuous performances do so out of a lack of their own notable achievements, seeking instead to attain success vicariously through their children. He references examples like cheer dads forcing daughters into performances while the children protest or sons being made to fight and perform extreme workouts for social media content. In several cases, the fathers then monetize their approach by selling courses or products claiming to teach other parents how to produce “savage” or “exceptional” children.

This behavior, Kreischer notes, echoes stories like that of Todd Maravich, whose father dictated every aspect of his upbringing in the hope of producing a sports superstar. While early success followed, the approach led to struggles later in life, illustrating the long-term harm of such overbearing and exploitative parenting.

Private Enjoyment vs. Public Posting of Children's Experiences

Bert Kreischer asserts that if a family wishes to have their child experience adventure or accomplish something remarkable, these moments should be kept private—shared only within family chats or private circles rather than posted publicly for strangers to monetize or for the parent's own social media brand. Public posti ...