In this episode of 2 Bears, 1 Cave, Tom Segura and Bert Kreischer explore how childhood experiences shape adult mental health through Bert's accounts of panic attacks and sleep anxiety. Bert recounts a 36-hour panic attack triggered by obsessive thoughts about yawning and discusses his lifelong struggle with sleep, tracing these issues to an unstructured childhood. The conversation extends to how both comedians now approach parenting, implementing bedtime routines and boundaries informed by their own experiences.
The episode also covers the growing influence of jiu-jitsu in celebrity culture, Jimmy Kimmel's joke about the president that sparked controversy, and the broader dynamics of political commentary in comedy. Tom and Bert discuss internet outrage culture, comparing it to panic attacks—intensely real to those experiencing it but appearing disproportionate to observers—and reflect on how cancel culture principles have shifted as audiences become desensitized to controversy.

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Bert Kreischer and Tom Segura's conversations reveal how childhood experiences profoundly shape adult anxiety and mental health, particularly through the lens of panic attacks and sleep struggles.
After a friend's casual comment about his frequent yawning, Bert became hyperaware of the reflex and eventually convinced himself he'd lost the ability to yawn. This sparked a 36-hour panic attack during which he frantically googled symptoms and tried forced yawning techniques. Bert felt unable to tell his wife Leanne about the trigger, fearing ridicule, and only found relief during couples therapy when he yawned naturally while distracted. This experience underscored how psychological fixation can sustain anxiety's physical symptoms.
Bert developed coping mechanisms for chronic sleep anxiety, including bringing beer to bed each night—a ritual Leanne recalled in therapy. His daughters experienced similar struggles as children, prompting therapy and management strategies. After six to seven months of sobriety, Bert reports sleeping significantly better, highlighting how substance use had masked rather than resolved his underlying anxiety.
Bert traces his anxiety to a chaotic childhood lacking any bedtime structure. He often stayed up past 2 a.m. at age nine watching David Letterman, with no parental guidance. This contrasts sharply with Tom's stable Catholic upbringing, where his mother maintained consistent bedtime prayers and morning routines that provided security and comfort. Bert's therapist, along with Tom, emphasizes that this early lack of structure created lasting neurological and psychological effects that continue to manifest in Bert's adult anxiety.
The comedians' contrasting upbringings directly inform their parenting philosophies, particularly around bedtime routines and developmental readiness.
Bert credits his wife Leanne's strict 7:30 p.m. bedtime routine for their daughters' well-being, involving consistent reading, kisses, and firm enforcement. Tom similarly maintains structured bedtime rituals including showers, storytelling, and conversation. Both fathers agree that consistent routines are essential for imparting emotional security and allow children into their beds occasionally when anxious.
Influenced by his own childhood separation anxiety—recalling a panic-filled sleepover where he needed to be rescued—Tom introduces "sleep unders" for his kids. These events allow late playdates with pickup before bedtime, avoiding the stress of full sleepovers. Tom believes pushing children into unfamiliar sleeping situations prematurely can create long-term anxiety issues, and Bert shares similar memories of sleepover panic and shame.
The growing cultural influence of jiu-jitsu among celebrities and families reflects broader interest in martial discipline, though with varying degrees of commitment.
Jonah Hill's public claim that he could "fuck up" Jason Bateman due to jiu-jitsu training—while acknowledging size limitations—drew internet backlash but represents a normal progression phase. Tom and Bert agree that Hill's confidence about defeating an untrained opponent of similar size is realistic, not outlandish. Tom's son Ellis demonstrates genuine passion for the sport, approaching belt progression seriously, while Tom Hardy exemplifies deeper commitment by entering actual competitions.
Despite Joe Rogan's encouragement, Bert rejected jiu-jitsu after visiting Eddie Bravo's gym and seeing Eddie with a black eye. He left without even changing out of his jeans, fearing injury to his appearance. Bert jokes that with training he'd "be walking around with my shirt off at bars, choking motherfuckers out," but Tom points out this overconfidence would invite real consequences. Bert's avoidance reveals his interest in confrontation is theatrical rather than genuine, leaving him a spectator rather than participant in combat sports culture.
Jimmy Kimmel's joke calling the president "one fat pig to another" during his show's final episode sparked discussion about comedy's role in political discourse.
Tom and Bert note that jokes targeting political figures instantly ignite fierce reactions from both supporters and opponents, with comedians held to impossible standards. Due to media polarization, Kimmel's reach is limited by audience loyalty, and both sides demand clear political alignment. Bert posits that Kimmel's biggest regret isn't joke backlash but his silence when confronted about political views at the Grammys—illustrating that even neutrality becomes a political statement.
Kreischer argues that true fans should remain loyal despite disagreeing with individual jokes, as abandoning a comedian over one controversial statement shows lack of genuine investment. Both hosts agree that compared to provocative remarks by politicians themselves, a joke about appearance is relatively mild, and that entertainment is misunderstood when conflated with political endorsement.
Bert compares internet outrage to a panic attack—intensely real to the person experiencing it but appearing irrational to observers. He explains that outrage over a joke can feel as severe as a genuine threat to participants, even with no actual danger, while onlookers perceive the response as disproportionate.
The comedians discuss how cancel culture principles no longer align with contemporary attitudes, as audiences have become desensitized to contrived controversy. They cite Mel Gibson's apology for mocking a sign language interpreter—fulfilling public atonement rules without real career harm—while noting that much worse statements from politicians are quickly forgotten. Tom observes that politicians regularly make remarks that would destroy anyone else's career but carry little consequence, revealing selective standards tied to political alignment. Bert explains his policy of avoiding political discourse, tracing it to a life-changing military base visit where he realized the gravity and risk of political commentary, preferring to insulate himself from partisan attacks.
1-Page Summary
Bert Kreischer’s candid experiences highlight the profound impact anxiety and sleep issues can have on mental and physical health, often tracing back to formative childhood environments. His stories interweave an account of a prolonged panic attack, chronic sleep anxiety, and the origins of these struggles in his upbringing.
Bert Kreischer describes how a casual comment from a friend—“do you know how much you yawn?”—sparked severe anxiety. He became hyperaware of his yawning habits that night and the next day, noticing the sensation in his jaw and head. When he realized he couldn't seem to yawn, panic set in. Bert googled “what happens if you don’t yawn?” and grew more anxious upon reading that you couldn’t stop a reflex, worrying he had somehow disrupted his own. Desperate, he tried forced yawning techniques like widening his mouth or saying “leather,” but still couldn’t yawn, which deeply unnerved him.
Bert felt unable to tell his wife Leanne about his anxiety’s root, convinced she would find it ridiculous and mock him perpetually. The episode intensified one night at 3 a.m., with Bert shaking under a blanket while Leanne, unaware of the cause, yawned easily nearby. When he finally explained his fear—believing he’d forgotten how to yawn—Leanne dismissed it as “not a thing,” reinforcing Bert’s reluctance to open up sooner. He shares that those with panic attacks understood his experience, while others, including friends like Derek Trucks and Jelly, found it humorous.
The panic attack lasted 36 hours and subsided only during couples therapy, when Bert yawned naturally as Leanne recounted a story. The involuntary yawn, occurring without focused thought, provided intense relief and underscored how psychological fixation can sustain anxiety's physical symptoms. Bert knew logically that disengaging would allow him to yawn, but was unable to do so until therapy.
Long troubled by sleep anxiety, Bert developed routines such as bringing beer to bed, drinking one before lying down and keeping another nearby in case he needed it to fall asleep. This nightly ritual became a coping mechanism, and his wife Leanne recalled it during therapy as part of his habitual struggle with sleep.
Bert’s daughters also experienced sleep anxiety as children, prompting Leanne to seek therapy for them, where strategies were provided to manage their worries about sleeping. Bert notes that sleep anxiety is common, even affecting his office colleague Christian, and suspects many listeners deal with similar difficulties.
After maintaining sobriety for six to seven months, Bert reports sleeping much better—so well, in fact, that he would boast about his improved sleep quality. This improvement hig ...
Mental Health, Panic Attacks, and Sleep Anxiety
Tom Segura and Bert Kreischer’s conversations reveal how their contrasting childhood experiences with structure and parental engagement have deeply shaped their approaches to parenting. Through bedtime routines, wake-up rituals, and boundaries around sleepovers, both men highlight the long-term effects of these early influences on anxiety, security, and their own philosophies as fathers.
Tom remembers the consistency of his mother's Catholic traditions at bedtime. Each night, she would tuck him in and lead him in familiar prayers, making the sign of the cross over him. This nightly ritual, always the same, provided a sense of spiritual comfort and safety.
Mornings in Tom’s home continued this nurturing pattern. His mother would personally wake him—sometimes negotiating with him to get up and help pick out clothes, a playful interaction facilitated by Tom’s colorblindness. Before he left for school, she sent him off with another prayer, reinforcing her presence and care throughout the day.
Tom notes that these repeated gestures—from nighttime prayers to morning encouragement—made him feel cared for and watched over, as both his mother and, by extension, God, offered protection and love.
In sharp contrast, Bert’s mornings were marked by his father's loud yelling from the top of the stairs, rousing all the children in a chaotic, impersonal way. This abrupt wake-up set a confrontational daily tone.
Bert describes showering in the dark each morning to avoid panic triggered by the lights, establishing a routine not out of health or comfort but to manage his own anxiety—a result of the stressful environment.
Bert explains his home was "every man for himself." There were no bedtime rituals or goodnights—everyone simply went their own way, sometimes staying up until 2 a.m. as a child. In therapy, he connects his adult panic attacks directly to this lack of structure and support, contrasting with Tom’s stable, comforting upbringing. Bert affirms to Tom that his lack of panic is due to the loving, ritualistic environment his mother provided.
Bert credits his wife Leanne’s strict 7:30 p.m. bedtime routine for their daughters’ well-being. Each night, they consistently walk the girls in, read to them, kiss them, and put them to bed. If a child gets up, Leanne walks them back in, maintaining the routine “like clockwork.” Bert attributes his children’s normalcy to this persistent structure, even against family pressures to abandon early bedtimes.
Tom also maintains a consistent bedtime for his children, adapting the time as they grow but focusing on the primary goal of getting them into bed. Their nightly ritual involves evening showers, getting into pajamas, a little time to play, brushing teeth, and then settling in bed for conversation or storytelling. Requests for specific stories, especially about Tom’s own childhood misadventures, are common. Both fathers agree that maintaining bedtime structure is essential and admit to letting children crawl into their beds occasionally for security when the children are anxious or scared at night.
Both Tom and Bert emphasize the importance of a firm and predictable bedtime routine, seeing it as crucial in imparting structure and emotional se ...
Childhood Structure and Parenting
The growing cultural influence of jiu-jitsu and combat sports is evident in the way celebrities, adults, and children adopt the discipline, often blending confidence, playful challenge, and sometimes, misconceptions about their true fighting abilities.
Jonah Hill’s public embrace of jiu-jitsu marks a broader trend among celebrities. Hill drew internet backlash when he claimed he could "fuck up" actor Jason Bateman thanks to his jiu-jitsu training, stating, "I would fucking annihilate you. I'm not kidding. Try it. If you see me, try it... Every fight ends up on the ground. I can bring it." He qualified the challenge by noting, "Unless you're way bigger than me," indicating realistic boundaries to his confidence based on comparative size and training.
The humor and bravado surrounding such statements resonate with personal anecdotes like Bert Kreischer’s story of being unexpectedly choked out by his daughter Aila in Hawaii after he boasted about besting her, and how Tom Segura’s 10-year-old son Ellis shows real passion and focus on his own jiu-jitsu belt progression. Ellis’s commitment is evident in his serious approach to sparring—even offering to choke out Bert at a restaurant—and his enjoyment in the structured nature of the sport.
Beyond training, some celebrities take their interest further. Tom Hardy is highlighted as someone who didn’t just practice jiu-jitsu for fitness or fun but has entered competitions, demonstrating serious dedication and setting a visible example for mainstream fans.
Confidence about defeating untrained peers is a familiar phase in the jiu-jitsu community. Tom Segura and Bert Kreischer agree that, despite internet criticism, Jonah Hill’s claim about beating someone of similar size who has no training is not outlandish. Tom explains, “If you're untrained and similar size, and he's been training, he definitely has a leg up on you, man.” The assertion is affirmed as typical for those progressing in jiu-jitsu; new or intermediate practitioners (even as white or purple belts) often reach a point where they feel capable of handling average, untrained individuals, which aligns with the claim's realism.
The community accepts this phase, recognizing it's rooted in practical experience and not necessarily reckless bravado—especially when comparing the skill differential between someone who trains and someone who doesn't. While Jonah Hill received negative feedback online, participants like Segura maintain, “He would fuck him up,” pointing out that even Bert—a total novice—admits, “Jonah Hill would fuck me up. I don’t know what I’m doing.”
Bert Kreischer’s relationship with jiu-jitsu reflects a common tension: intrigue versus reality. Joe Rogan once encouraged Bert, saying he’d enjoy the confrontation, discipline, and personal growth inherent in jiu-jitsu. Bert visited Eddie Bravo’s gym but, seeing Eddie with a black eye, immediately balked ...
Jiu-jitsu Culture and Combat Sports
Comedians Tom Segura and Bert Kreischer discuss Jimmy Kimmel’s recent joke where he addressed the president as "one fat pig to another" during the final episode before his show’s hiatus. Kimmel deliberately chose this edgy joke, encouraging the president with humor about his appearance and health changes, notably referencing weight loss and steps. Segura and Kreischer acknowledge that the monologue was heavily edited prior to airing, suggesting even more provocative original material was withheld. They observe that, despite the bold nature of the joke, calling the president a fat pig is not particularly shocking in the landscape of public commentary or compared to remarks made by the president himself.
The hosts note that jokes targeting political figures instantly ignite fierce reactions from both supporters and opponents. Segura observes that both sides hold comedians to impossible standards, expecting them to align with their views or denouncing them when they do not. Due to media polarization, Kimmel’s comedic reach is limited; only one segment of the audience hears or accepts his jokes according to their pre-existing loyalties. Kreischer remarks that entertainment figures like Kimmel cannot win, as both sides demand clear political loyalty. The result is that comedians are constantly scrutinized and often attacked online regardless of what they say.
Kreischer posits that what affects Kimmel most is not backlash over jokes, but his own regret from avoiding political questions at the Grammys. When confronted backstage about his political views and voting preferences, Kimmel chose to remain silent, thinking anything he said could be construed as a political endorsement. However, Kreischer points out that even this silence became a political statement. Kimmel’s biggest regret comes from this strategic ambiguity, illustrating that navigating political neutrality in entertainment is all but impossible, as every choice carries political ...
Late-Night Comedy and Political Commentary
Bert Kreischer compares internet outrage to a panic attack, describing how both feel intensely real to the individual experiencing them but appear irrational and even comical to outside observers. He details the physical and mental symptoms of a panic attack—feeling like the world is ending, the urge to escape one’s own skin, and descending into irrationality. Kreischer states, “their outrage is identical to a panic attack. Meaning, it's very real to them. Their outrage is real to them,” but acknowledges it seems illogical to those observing, saying, “To a rational person, they look like a fucking lunatic.” Tom Segura agrees, “Yeah, you look irrational, for sure.” Bert recalls how people who experience panic attacks understand him, while those who don’t might perceive him as a lunatic, exactly as happens with online outrage.
Outrage over a comedian’s joke or a celebrity’s thoughtless statement can feel as severe to participants as a genuine threat, even though there is no actual danger to their wellbeing. To most onlookers, these emotional responses are disproportionate to the event, much like onlookers to a panic attack.
Kreischer and Segura discuss how cancel culture, once driven by strong social accountability, now misses the mark since audiences have become desensitized. They cite the example of Mel Gibson, who faced a wave of media and internet outrage for mocking a sign language interpreter during a comedy show. The backlash was swift, with demands for accountability. Gibson’s apology called his gesture "spontaneous, thoughtless idiocy," stressing there was "no intended maliciousness,” and apologized to anyone upset. Kreischer summarizes, “He is the greatest at that. Like at the, hey, my bad, dog.” In Gibson’s case, he fulfilled the unspoken rules of public atonement and suffered no real harm to his reputation or career.
They point out the inconsistency of cancel culture, noting that Gibson’s relatively minor slip sparked major backlash, while much worse statements from certain politicians are often underplayed or quickly forgotten by the public.
Segura and Kreischer discuss how public outrage online is often dramatically disproportionate to the actual event. For example, they point out that politicians, including the president, regularly make harsh or provocative statements about opponents and critics—comments that would destroy a private citizen’s reputation but carry little consequence for public figures. Segura says, “He's also, I me ...
Internet Outrage Culture
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