#690 - Josh Brolin
Summary
Josh Brolin joins Theo Von to discuss his new film, Whale Fall, and his sobriety journey. They bond over their shared experiences with addiction, with Brolin detailing his chaotic childhood in Santa Barbara, including a chimpanzee incident and his mother’s wild antics. The conversation also covers the history of the "Cito Rats" surf group and Brolin’s early struggles as an actor, including his time in jail and his breakthrough in The Goonies.
Topics discussed
Promo for Theo Von's Netflix special
Guest introduction and mutual sobriety
Liquid Death and the rise of sober culture
Relief of being sober and meeting outside
The Cito Rats and Montecito surf culture
Memories of J. Adams and Dog Town
Resilience metaphor: cockroaches and chaos
Growing up with wildlife and a severe mother
Realizing alcoholism and lack of enjoyment
Cocaine use and the cycle of addiction
Party culture and physical appearance
Wildlife in the house: Reggie the chimpanzee
Story of Reggie holding a gun
Personality types: outsider vs. spice trader
Mother's story about a comb in a pocket
Accepting a severe childhood without victimhood
Observing others in addiction and recovery
80s community: punk rock, surfing, and friendship
The stigma of being a 'rat'
A stranger's reaction to his recovery
Refurbishing the rugged image
Buying Joe Walsh's old house
Clarifying the 'penultimate show' joke
Sponsor: MoonPay Agents
Sponsor: Manscaped Lawn Mower Ultra
Stealing the balcony in Louisiana
Jail time and charges in Louisiana
Getting high at parties and facial expressions
Mother's charm and getting out of trouble
Kicked out of house and trying acting
Worst auditions: Del Toro and Brolin
Singing and performing in early roles
Halloween costumes and early partying
Heavy partying and friends passing away
Getting a role after 350 auditions
80s movie aesthetics and Will Ferrell comparison
Directors and voice control issues
Day trading stocks
Earnings from No Country for Old Men
Defining oneself beyond acting or fighting
Jail time and getting out of trouble
Working with Russians and a specific director
Matt Damon's drawing and voice
Crazy Heart and Scott Cooper
Jeff Bridges and the underdog mentality
Seeing Jeff Bridges at the Santa Barbara Bowl
Sean Penn and My Left Foot
Description of an actor as 'Father Time's thick son'
Sponsor: Quince clothing
Life costs and small expenses
Sponsor: Chime banking
Quantum physics and Carlo Rovelli
Living in Tucson and University of Arizona
La Sleepy and dancing
Fashion: wife beater and Vans
Dana and motorcycling
Bare knuckle boxing and Mike Perry
Watching fights with guests like Drew Brees
Nate Diaz winning a submission
Reading Angel Down and working with Ridley Scott
Moby Dick and spending time in a whale
Looking at old photos and facial changes
Sicario and Benicio del Toro
Dancing and enjoying oneself
Father's care and intuitive knowledge
Father's role in Marcus Welby
Fame and returning items
Public attention and excitement
Surprising audiences with roles
Struggling with alcoholism themes
Creating versions of personal stories
Not wanting to be defined or accepted
The pig and pork metaphor for fame
Family Man and Nicolas Cage
Watching TV and making stories in Louisiana
Being unacceptable to oneself
An actor shifting to music
An 80-year-old Welsh man's advice
Cormac McCarthy and his library
Staying malleable like wet clay
Podcast history and new projects
Swimming in place and the rat role
Removing tattoos
Closing remarks
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