David gets back on the open mic horse and does a post mortem.

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After receiving brutally honest feedback from a high school friend about my last episode being "boring and no laughs," I've rekindled my creative fire and am preparing for my first stage performance in weeks. This episode walks through my process of mining previous conversations for comedic material, sharing the awkward, honest moments of parenthood that make perfect stand-up fodder.

• Responding to criticism with renewed commitment to quality content
• My 11-year-old asking if I masturbate while watching golf, demonstrating today's kids' startling directness
• The generational divide between shame-filled adolescence and modern kids' openness
• Workshopping potential bits about Z Cavaricci pants, existential capitalism, and prison sexuality
• Reflections on boys' sensitivity and how they change during puberty
• The contrast between my admission of fear as a child versus my son's comfort with vulnerability

Next week I'll be performing on stage and recording my reactions immediately after – stay tuned for that adventure.

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David tracks the messy evolution of his act, from joking about kratom and morphine drips to nearly launching a debate show on illicit substances. Along the way he revisits a live “Armchair Expert” set that almost tempted Dax Shepard off the wagon, questions why certain highs are illegal, and brainstorms a future lineup that jumps from psychedelics to tennis and gambling.

Book mentioned: Drug Use for Grownups by Dr. Carl L. Hart

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Ever wonder what your teenage fashion choices revealed about your desperate need to fit in? David Walton takes us on a hilarious journey through the social currency of Z Cavariccis—those ridiculously baggy pants with multiple belt loops that somehow signaled coolness in the 90s—and draws parallels to watching his own children navigate the treacherous waters of adolescence today.

With raw honesty and self-deprecating humor, David explores the delicate balance between supporting kids through identity development while protecting their still-baking brains. "You don't open the oven, pull out the cake and stick a THC pipe into it," he advises, making a compelling case for waiting until our brains are fully formed (around age 25) before making permanent, life-altering decisions. This tension between biological development and legal adulthood creates a fascinating framework for discussing everything from teenage experimentation to gender identity.

The episode takes unexpected turns through personal confessions, parenting philosophies, and culminates in a crowd-sourced collection of phrases guaranteed to make people want to punch you in the face. From corporate speak like "let's circle back" to the condescending "I love that for you," David examines the language that shapes our interactions while frequently catching himself in the act of using these very phrases. This self-awareness creates an intimate connection with listeners, as if we're all building this plane together as we fly it. Whether you're a parent, a former teenager (aren't we all?), or someone navigating your own identity journey, you'll find both laughter and wisdom in this unfiltered exploration of human development.

Subscribe now and join David on his journey from comedy novice to polished performer as he brings his unique perspective to stages across the country. Share your own teenage fashion disasters or annoying phrases in the comments!

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David runs a creative restraint exercise after stumbling on a Louis CK quote and finds a lot of potential standup material he's now excited about.

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David speaks with the 7 year old that lives in his head and tells him an inappropriate joke. David is unhinged throughout.

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Looking for inspiration David does a word perfect performance of Anthony Jeselnik's Bones and All 2024 Netflix standup special.

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David tries out a new joke about everyone being a liar and then does some comic perspective exercises that reveal he probably has a drug problem.

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