Summary of Why Bert Kreischer Thinks He Needs a Stoic Coach

Overview of Why Bert Kreischer Thinks He Needs a Stoic Coach

This episode of the Daily Stoic Podcast (host Ryan) is part two of an interview with comedian/actor Bert Kreischer about his new Netflix show Free Bert and how Stoic ideas help him manage fame, addiction tendencies, and the emotional roller coaster of public success. Bert discusses wanting a Seneca-like mentor or “sponsor,” his current health-mandated sobriety, how he structures his days (gym, journaling), and how he tries to keep external feedback—from Netflix charts to internet comments—from hijacking his mood and sense of achievement.

Key takeaways

• Bert wants a Stoic-style mentor or “sponsor” — someone older, steady, and available to call before making impulsive decisions. He envies recovery cultures that provide that structure.
• His current sobriety is health-driven (medication restrictions) rather than a classic recovery arc; it’s changing how he experiences life—clarity, fewer “blinders,” and bigger appreciation for ordinary moments.
• The toughest moment for him is the daily “witching hour” (~5 p.m.), a craving for social adventure/booze. He combats it by staying busy, doing stand-up, or structuring the hour.
• Success is more sustainably measured by internal metrics (did I enjoy the work, get better, say what I wanted, make money) rather than external indicators (rankings, reviews, social media).
• He practices routines—journaling, swimming, gym, cold plunge—that ground him and let him delay emotional responses to news (book lists, Netflix rankings).
• Internet comments and social media can steal your day; discipline consists of deciding not to give them ownership of your mood.
• Playfulness and curiosity are core values for him—he tries to keep life and his craft light and fun without relying on substances or food for the “sparkle.”

Topics discussed

• The appeal of having a “Seneca” / sponsor / older advisor
• Addictive tendencies vs. work-driven compulsion
• Health-induced sobriety and the pandemic’s impact on rest and clarity
• The “witching hour” craving and strategies for coping
• Exercise, endorphins, and “exercise-as-punishment” dynamics
• How to measure success: internal vs. external criteria
• Dealing with Netflix rankings, book lists (NYT), and other metrics
• Reaction to internet criticism and protecting mental space
• Anecdotes: Free Bert debuting at #2 on Netflix; The Machine’s theatrical struggles then streaming success; Tom Brady roast reactions; near-death/palm-frond story as a gratitude trigger
• Daily routines: journaling (started at 53), swimming, gym, cold plunge, reading before bed

Notable quotes & insights

• Seneca quote Bert reads: “If you accomplish something good with hard work, the labor passes quickly, but the good endures. If you do something shameful in the pursuit of pleasure, the pleasure passes quickly, but the shame endures.”
• “One of my proudest accomplishments is not the first time I hit number one on the New York Times... I woke up, swam, journaled—did my routine as if I didn't need the news.”
• On success metrics: “Whether people like it or not is like the 15th layer of success… Are you judging it by the parts that are in your control or the parts that aren't?”
• On internet criticism: “I cannot allow someone who doesn't know me… to own a day of mine.”
• On playfulness: his major goal lately is “pull out both sides, try to get rid of both sides and just stay playful in life.”

Practical action items (what listeners can do)

• Consider finding a mentor/sponsor: someone older, experienced, and reachable for accountability and perspective.
• Define success using internal criteria: list what parts of a project are in your control (craft, effort, learning, compensation) and let external outcomes be secondary.
• Create and protect a grounding routine: journaling, exercise, cold plunge, reading—start small and be consistent.
• Plan for the “witching hour”: schedule a regular activity (walk, call, rehearsal, stand-up set) at the time you’re most vulnerable.
• Limit social-media news-checking: set a deliberate time to view ranking/news or decide to avoid it entirely on certain days.
• Use short retreats or structured breaks (even a week) to reset—if possible, consider longer programs that force a calendar break from work.
• Journal to surface original thoughts and to reflect on gratitude versus reaction to external events.

Quick profile / context

• Guest: Bert Kreischer — stand-up comedian, actor, host of Two Bears, One Cave, starred in the movie The Machine, and the new Netflix show Free Bert (debuted #2 trending).
• Host: Ryan (Daily Stoic Podcast) — focuses on applying Stoic virtues (courage, discipline, justice, wisdom) to modern life.

Final thought

Bert’s conversation is a practical, candid example of trying to live with Stoic intentions while navigating fame, addictive impulses, and the modern information economy. The core lesson: do the discipline of defining success by what you control, cultivate consistent routines, and find steady mentors who can help check impulses and perspective.