My Dad’s in Jail, My Girlfriend Left Me, and I Became a Comedian: The Arturo Vaca Story
Release Date: 02/25/2026
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info_outlineMy Dad’s in Jail, My Girlfriend Left Me, and I Became a Comedian: The Arturo Vaca Story
In this fresh and funny conversation, hosts Sarah J. Halstead and Rich Chassler welcome rising comedian and viral content creator Arturo Vaca for an honest, hilarious deep-dive into the unlikely road from the Valley to the comedy stage. Born and raised in Van Nuys, Arturo’s path to stand-up wound through teenage delinquency, a short-lived skateboarding career, two years of MMA fighting (including a trip to Thailand), and the kind of hard family circumstances that either break you or become your best material. In just two years back at the mic, Arturo has amassed over 83,000 Instagram followers, is headlining his own shows, and is dipping his toes into acting all while using his grandfather’s house as his production studio. Raw, relatable, and refreshingly humble, this episode is a masterclass in grinding with nothing to fall back on.
GUEST
Arturo Vaca is a 27-year-old Van Nuys-born stand-up comedian, viral content creator, and aspiring actor who has taken the LA comedy scene by storm in just two years. Inspired by Kevin Hart’s ability to turn a dark childhood into unforgettable comedy, Arturo mines his own turbulent upbringing, a father incarcerated for drug trafficking, teenage struggles, a brief MMA career, and a staph infection scare for material that is equal parts gut-punch and gut-laugh. Currently headlining his own shows and growing rapidly across all social platforms, Arturo is one of the most exciting emerging voices in comedy today.
Connect with Arturo:
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Instagram: @arturo.vaca
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TikTok: @arturovacacomedy
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YouTube: Arturo Vaca Comedy
BEVERAGE OF THE EPISODE
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Arturo: Coke Zero
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Sarah & Rich: San Benedetto Flat Mineral Water
CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction
03:00 The Comedy Scene and Personal Background
05:52 Early Life and Family Dynamics
09:04 Transitioning to Comedy and MMA Background
11:50 Content Creation Journey
15:11 Social Media and Audience Engagement
17:49 Finding Humor in Personal Struggles
21:11 The Importance of Consistency in Comedy
23:58 Future Aspirations and Upcoming Shows
FOLLOW US ON SOCIALS!
Sarah
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Rich
IG @richchassler https://www.instagram.com/richchassler/
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X @richchassler https://x.com/richchassler
📧 Email: drinkingduringbusinesshours@gmail.com
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