From Teen Dad to Touring Comic: Willie Macc on Pain, Parenting & Punchlines

 

From Teen Dad to Touring Comic: Willie Macc on Pain, Parenting & Punchlines

What happens when comedian Willie Macc sits down with Sarah J Halstead and Rich Chassler over a killer bottle of wine? You get one of the funniest, rawest, and most unexpectedly heartfelt episodes of Drinking During Business Hours.

In this episode, Willie opens up about becoming a father at 16, building a career as a commercial actor, choosing the uncertain road of stand-up comedy, and why he’s betting on himself now more than ever. The conversation dives into parenting, religion, mental health, growing up under strict rules, being on the autism spectrum, and how pain can become powerful comedy material.

They also talk about Willie’s upcoming special “Good Dad, Bad Father,” his relationship with his son, comedy club politics, and why the long road might be the real road.

If you like comedy podcasts with real depth, big laughs, and zero fake energy, this episode is for you.

Guest Info

Willie Macc is a comedian, writer, actor, father, and “problem solver,” with his official site calling him “Your New Favorite Storyteller.” His X bio describes him as going “From BET College Hill to the commercial king and touring comic.” In the episode, Willie also shares that his special Good Dad, Bad Father is headed to Amazon Prime in July. 

Social Links

• Willie Macc Website: https://www.williemacc.com/

• Willie Macc X: https://x.com/funnywilliemacc

• Willie Macc Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/imwilliemacc/

• In-episode handle/spelling: “Willie Mack on everything” — W-I-L-L-I-E M-A-C-C Willie Macc Official Site X 

Drink of the Podcast

2017 Michel Chapoutier Costieres de Nimes
A Rhône blend discussed in the episode as including Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Cinsault, and Carignan. Sarah frames it as a special bottle from the cellar, opened because Willie is a guest they genuinely wanted to celebrate. 

Chapters

00:00 Intro, new glasses, upcoming shows
03:22 Opening the wine and welcoming Willie Macc
07:59 The casting advice that changed Willie’s commercial career
09:39 Why Willie is choosing stand-up over comfort
12:24 Becoming a dad at 16 and the origin of Good Dad, Bad Father
16:47 Religion, preacher-family pressure, and hard questions about faith
25:20 Willie’s son, parenting, and autism
36:43 Fathers, grandparents, discipline, and what changes over time
43:38 The stand-up grind and comedy club politics
46:20 Mental health, dark thoughts, and staying in the fight
48:20 Braille, perspective, and Willie’s dark comedy film idea
50:20 Questions for God, upcoming special, socials, and outro

Drink of the Podcast

2017 Michel Chapoutier Costieres de Nimes
A Rhône blend discussed in the episode as including Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Cinsault, and Carignan. Sarah frames it as a special bottle from the cellar, opened because Willie is a guest they genuinely wanted to celebrate.

Host Links

FOLLOW US ON SOCIALS!

Sarah

IG @sarahhalstead https://www.instagram.com/sarahhalstead/?hl=en 

FB @sarahjhalsteadcomic https://www.facebook.com/sarahjhalsteadcomic/

X @sarahjhalstead  https://twitter.com/sarahjhalstead 

Website   @SarahHalstead | sarahjhalstead.com

Rich

IG @richchassler https://www.instagram.com/richchassler/

FB @chasslerfans https://www.facebook.com/Chasslerfans/

X @richchassler https://x.com/richchassler 

Website  richardchassler.com

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Enjoyed the episode? Like, subscribe, and share it with a comic, actor, or podcast fan who’d appreciate a real conversation about stage time, social media, comedy hustle, and taking creative risks.

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