The challenges of standup comedy were nothing compared to the obstacles Felipe Esparza faced throughout his childhood. His family was caught crossing the border and sent back to Mexico. When he finally made it to America, he found himself living with an abusive father in a Los Angeles neighborhood being decimated by crack and PCP. And as Felipe tells Marc, even when he was getting good standup gigs, he couldn’t escape his past. They also talk about Felipe’s vegan journey, the big comedy lesson he learned from the library, and the difference between doing his act in English and in Spanish.

<p>The challenges of standup comedy were nothing compared to the obstacles Felipe Esparza faced throughout his childhood. His family was caught crossing the border and sent back to Mexico. When he finally made it to America, he found himself living with an abusive father in a Los Angeles neighborhood being decimated by crack and PCP. And as Felipe tells Marc, even when he was getting good standup gigs, he couldn&rsquo;t escape his past. They also talk about Felipe&rsquo;s vegan journey, the big comedy lesson he learned from the library, and the difference between doing his act in English and in Spanish.</p>

Marc Maron welcomes comedians, actors, directors, writers, authors, musicians and folks from all walks of life to his home for amazingly revealing conversations. Marc's probing, comprehensive interview style allows guests to express themselves in ways listeners have never heard.

WTF with Marc Maron Podcast

Comedian Felipe Esparza talks with Marc about crossing the border, learning comedy from a book, winning Last Comic Standing and getting off drugs while also becoming a vegan.

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