On Purpose with Jay Shetty

Jimmy Kimmel: The Untold Story of Failure, Rejection & Fame (And the Rare, Unseen Side of Him as a Husband & Father!)


Listen Later

Have you ever failed at something you really wanted?

What did that experience teach you about yourself?

Today, Jay chats with late-night legend Jimmy Kimmel for an unforgettable live conversation at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles. Jimmy opens the episode playfully roasting Jay, showing off his signature, sharp wit right out of the gate. The laughs quickly give way to a candid, wide-ranging conversation about Jimmy’s  life, marked by gutsy decisions, constant reinvention, and moments of surprising vulnerability.

Jimmy reflects on the emotional cost of self-expression, his early struggles with being misunderstood, and how persistence (and a healthy dose of delusion) helped him find his place in the world. Jimmy shares how anxiety has shaped his life, from growing up without much money to now being someone people rely on for support, advice, and even financial help. From outrageous pranks and career missteps to a touching tribute to his prank-loving Aunt Chippy, Jimmy constantly balances humor with disarming honesty. Jimmy also opens up about the challenges of becoming more emotionally available, how therapy has helped him grow, and how being a father, and now a grandfather, has reshaped his priorities and softened his edges.

In this interview, you'll learn:

How to Stay True to Yourself

How to Use Humor as a Tool for Healing

How to Keep a Lifelong Passion Alive

How to Stay Grounded When Success Finds You

How to Cope With Anxiety Through Creative Outlets

How Helping Others is the Key to Healing Yourself

It’s not about being perfect, it’s about being honest, showing up, and continuing to try. Whether through meaningful conversations, creative expression, or simply sharing space with others, healing and connection are always within reach.

With Love and Gratitude,

Jay Shetty

Join over 750,000 people to receive my most transformative wisdom directly in your inbox every single week with my free newsletter. Subscribe here

What We Discuss:

00:00 Intro

04:44 Why is Putting Yourself Out There So Hard?

08:00 Discovering What Truly Drives You

09:19 The Origins of Jimmy’s Legendary Pranks

11:56 When the Pranks Never Stop

17:02 Failed Firings and Conversations That Went Sideways

18:30 Staying True to Your Creative Voice

21:42 Becoming a Grandfather for the First Time

25:55 Living With Anxiety: How It Shapes Family Life

27:29 Jimmy’s Take on Managing Anxiety

29:56 What It’s Like to Face Financial Pressure

31:17 How Jimmy Met the Love of His Life

32:31 Is Finding Love in LA Really That Hard?

33:17 The Secret to a Strong and Lasting Marriage

38:19 Why Talking About Your Feelings Is So Tough

39:16 What To Do When You’re Feeling Low

43:05 Jimmy on Final Five

Episode Resources:

Jimmy Kimmel | Instagram

Jimmy Kimmel | Facebook

Jimmy Kimmel | YouTube

Jimmy Kimmel | X

Jimmy Kimmel | TikTok

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

On Purpose with Jay ShettyBy iHeartPodcasts

  • 4.7
  • 4.7
  • 4.7
  • 4.7
  • 4.7

4.7

25,436 ratings


More shows like On Purpose with Jay Shetty

View all
Love Life With Matthew Hussey by Matthew Hussey

Love Life With Matthew Hussey

2,678 Listeners

The Mindset Mentor by Rob Dial

The Mindset Mentor

13,612 Listeners

The School of Greatness by Lewis Howes

The School of Greatness

21,201 Listeners

The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett by DOAC

The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett

8,876 Listeners

Feel Better, Live More with Dr Rangan Chatterjee by Dr Rangan Chatterjee: GP & Author

Feel Better, Live More with Dr Rangan Chatterjee

3,959 Listeners

Women of Impact by Impact Theory

Women of Impact

668 Listeners

Huberman Lab by Scicomm Media

Huberman Lab

29,196 Listeners

Dear Gabby by Gabby Bernstein

Dear Gabby

6,106 Listeners

Jillian on Love by Jillian Turecki | QCODE

Jillian on Love

1,393 Listeners

The Daily Motivation by Lewis Howes

The Daily Motivation

915 Listeners

The Mel Robbins Podcast by Mel Robbins

The Mel Robbins Podcast

20,221 Listeners

The Jamie Kern Lima Show by Jamie Kern Lima

The Jamie Kern Lima Show

2,637 Listeners

A Really Good Cry by iHeartPodcasts

A Really Good Cry

276 Listeners

The Oprah Podcast by Harpo

The Oprah Podcast

1,555 Listeners

Aspire with Emma Grede by Emma Grede | Audacy

Aspire with Emma Grede

618 Listeners