In this episode of Parenting is a Joke, host Ophira Eisenberg sits down with comedian, YouTuber, and new dad Dave Neal to talk about the chaos of raising a newborn while managing a thriving comedy and podcasting career. Dave shares what it’s like producing The Rush Hour Podcast twice a day while navigating sleep deprivation, diaper blowouts, and his wife’s surprising decision to enter their baby in a beauty pageant—where he walked away as a state champion.

The conversation delves into Dave’s unconventional childhood, growing up with a single mom who left his birth father while pregnant with him, and how a family intervention changed the course of their lives. Dave reflects on the challenges of relocating from LA to Nashville, the culture shock of suburban life, and the impact of moving away from a major comedy hub. He and Ophira also dive into the pressures of modern parenting, debating whether today’s kids are missing out on creativity due to constant screen time and discussing the generational shift from authoritarian to more communicative parenting styles. Plus, Dave reveals how the pandemic reshaped his career, his unexpected success on YouTube, and why comedians are like cockroaches—always finding a way to survive.

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