Ambition Killed My Alcohol Addiction with Comedian and Podcaster Francis Foster
Fellow podcaster and comedian Francis Foster of the Triggernometry podcast joins Dan to talk about his struggles with alcohol addiction and how he used his ambition to combat it. Dan and Francis also delve deep into the world of comedy and podcasting including being featured on the Joe Rogan podcast, cancel culture and how comedy has evolved in their lifetime and not always for the better.
An episode that really evolves through the hour and features segments on mindset, tips on dealing with addiction and ADHD as well as Dan talking about the time he passed to the other side!
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Many comedians out there worry about older jokes from their past coming to light and running the risk of them being ‘cancelled’. No comedian is immune to the current cancel culture in comedy. Francis was featured on the Joe Rogan podcast recently, Francis found Joe very inspiring and reveals that who you hear and see with Joe is the real him, he is authentic and giving to the podcasting space. Comedians can struggle in the UK, many are too focused on being politically correct. The U.S has a very different comedic landscape, they seem to allow more free speech in comedy. Francis believe being mixed race allows him to question British culture more, it gives him a unique perspective. Evolutionarily speaking, it’s important we take notice of and remember threats. This is why negative press, comments and trolling online can be so hard to ignore. It’s easy to be misrepresented, you need to be clear with what you say so that things you say can’t be misinterpreted or taken out of context. Both Francis and Dan have ADHD, there are a lot of mental health struggles that come alongside this diagnosis but they both find that there are things they can do to help themselves, such as regular exercise and reducing mobile phone use. Francis was the type of drinker that didn’t ‘need’ a pint but as soon as he had one he would struggle to stop and the aftermath the next day was incredibly difficult to deal with mentally. Francis realised that to achieve the things he wanted to and be successful he could no longer have alcohol in his life. If you really want to do something, you will do it. Francis believes if your motivation is powerful then you can and will give up your addiction and this is why he was able to become sober for 12 years. Lad culture is detrimental for men in the UK and feeds into the widespread alcohol and drug problems found in our society. What happens, happens to you but how you choose to respond to it gives you control. CBT is a form of therapy that changes how you view situations and is something Francis uses, it’s also the only form of therapy proven to work in this way.
BEST MOMENTS
“I just use stand up as my drug”
“You’re judging a 1992 joke by 2022 standards and that’s not fair”
“There is no difference between Joe Rogan the podcaster and Joe Rogan the host”
“The funniest comedy is when you say I can’t believe they just said that”
“Comedy is the blues for people who can’t sing”
“I couldn’t see any light, I couldn’t see any positive. I realised if I wanted to make something of myself, if I wanted to achieve I couldn’t have booze in my life”
“The amazing things you have achieved in life have come from ambition, from wanting to better yourself”
“I wanted to have a career in comedy and I wanted to be great in comedy. I just knew if I drank that would never be an option”
“I think you probably died for a second”
VALUABLE RESOURCES
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/triggernometry/id1375568988
CONTACT METHOD
ABOUT THE GUEST
Francis Foster
Podcast co-host to the Triggernometry podcast and stand-up comedian
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/triggernometry/id1375568988
https://instagram.com/francisjfoster?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
https://instagram.com/triggerpod?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
"My name is Francis Foster and I am a stand up comedian and co host of the Triggernometry Youtube show. We are about to hit 500K subscribers on Youtube and I appeared on the Joe Rogan Experience last year with my co host Konstantin Kisin.
I am mixed race and my mother is from Venezuela. I saw Venezuela become a communist country in 1999 and slowly collapse until we are now one of the poorest nations in the world. 96% of Venezuelans live in poverty and it is ruled by a brutal authoritarian dictator. My father comes from a working class background from the North West. This has meant that I have always felt like an outsider to some degree wherever I've lived.
I also have ADHD which has meant that I have struggled to function and have had issues with alcohol and weed in particular. I self medicated for a number of years as I struggled to get my career off the ground before quitting alcohol completely 12 years ago. My diagnosis and therapy have made it easier for me to function and become successful helping to build one of the UK's biggest and fastest growing UK podcasts."
ABOUT THE HOST
Daniel O’Reilly
Daniel O’Reilly is one of the UK’s Largest Influencers, a comedian, actor, musician, viral video star and social influencer. With a portfolio of businesses Daniel enjoys a busy lifestyle mixed with business and pleasure. Daniel is a father to two beautiful girls and enjoys spending quality time with them and his wife Shelley. With 2022 being a busy year, Daniel sold out his O2 stand-up show, released his British movie 'The Last Heist' and is currently preparing for the upcoming release of his other film 'Miss The Kiss'. Daniel is a creative through and through, with a passion to strive in everything he does. Daniel is looking forward to the release of his podcast 'Menace 2 Sobriety' in 2023, his long-term position on GB News, Headliners, and the growing slate of films in the works with his production company, HYPRR.
PODCAST DESCRIPTION
Daniel O'Reilly's newest venture sees the creation of his Menace 2 Sobriety podcast, a series of relaxed and open conversations with different guests and varied experiences.
After recently being diagnosed with severe ADHD and beginning his sobriety again, Daniel also set up a page on Facebook and Instagram called 'Men And Their Emotions' (M.A.T.E) an accessible, open and supportive group for MEN to post their feelings, thoughts and current life issues. Upon seeing the responses from men around the world to some of the posts on the group he was blown away and continues to be touched by the kindness and support offered by strangers. This all led to Daniel wanting to start up his own podcast and invite guests to join him in opening up about past experiences and talk about all things mental health, family & sobriety.
The podcast will see Daniel and his interesting guests' sharing their personal stories and learning experiences that they hope will help other people; whether it encourages one person to ask for help, talk to family about their struggles with getting sober/clean, or realise that they aren't alone. The Menace 2 Sobriety podcast has been created by Daniel to help people fight their own gremlins.
