The Edible That Broke The Internet: 5 Shocking Facts About The Owen Benjamin And Joey Diaz Fallout

The relationship between comedians Owen Benjamin and Joey "Coco" Diaz is one of the most dramatic and controversial sagas in modern podcasting history, a story that continues to generate discussion in late 2024. What began as a typical guest appearance on Diaz’s popular show, The Church of What’s Happening Now, quickly spiraled into an infamous incident involving a powerful cannabis edible that many fans believe permanently altered the trajectory of Benjamin's career and personality.

The fallout from that single, chaotic episode has defined Benjamin’s public persona ever since, transforming him from a mainstream comedian and actor into a controversial internet personality and conspiracy theorist. This is the deep dive into the incident, the accusations, and the lasting impact on both men.

The Comedians: Owen Benjamin and Joey Diaz Biography Profiles

The story of the fallout is best understood by first examining the two central figures—one a veteran "Uncle" of comedy, the other a rising star who took a sharp, unexpected turn.

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Joey "Coco" Diaz: The Cuban Missile of Comedy

• Born: Joey Diaz (February 19, 1963) in Havana, Cuba.
• Career Start: Began doing stand-up comedy full-time in 1991 after serving time in prison.
• Style: Known for his abrasive, high-energy, and often profane storytelling, drawing heavily on his tumultuous life experiences in North Bergen, New Jersey.
• Major Credits: Roles in films like Spider-Man 2 and The Longest Yard. He gained widespread recognition through frequent, memorable appearances on The Joe Rogan Experience.
• Podcast: Host of the highly influential podcast The Church of What's Happening Now (2012–2020) and currently Uncle Joey's Joint.

Owen Benjamin: From Actor to Internet Personality

• Born: Owen Smith (May 24, 1980) in Oswego, New York. He performs professionally as Owen Benjamin.
• Career Start: Began his career as a stand-up comedian and actor, with a background as a classical crossover pianist.
• Major Credits: Appeared in films such as The House Bunny (2008) and television shows like Sullivan & Son.
• Career Shift: Around 2018, his career dramatically shifted toward political commentary, conspiracy theories, and online streaming, leading to bans from major social media platforms.
• Current Persona: He now presents himself as a "homesteader" and a Christian internet personality, often referred to by his followers as "The Big Bear."

The Infamous Edible Incident: A Meltdown on The Church of What's Happening Now

The single event that inextricably linked Owen Benjamin and Joey Diaz in podcast lore took place on an episode of The Church of What's Happening Now, which was co-hosted by Lee Syatt.

During the taping, Benjamin was offered a powerful cannabis edible, which Diaz and his crew famously referred to as "Stars of Death."

Despite being advised to take a small amount, Benjamin allegedly consumed a dose that far exceeded his tolerance, leading to a profound and public psychological reaction.

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The episode quickly devolved into chaos as Benjamin experienced what he later described as seeing the devil and having a complete mental breakdown.

Joey Diaz, known for his street-smart demeanor, attempted to calm Benjamin down, but the on-air panic created a viral moment that has been dissected and re-uploaded hundreds of times across the internet.

For many viewers, the spectacle was a dramatic and uncomfortable demonstration of the power of high-dose cannabis. For Benjamin, it was the catalyst for a total career and life change.

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The Shocking Fallout: Accusations and the Birth of a Conspiracy Theorist

In the years following the edible incident, Owen Benjamin's career took a sharp and divisive turn. He began promoting increasingly extreme political and social views, ultimately transitioning from a stand-up comedian into a full-time internet personality focused on conspiracy theories.

The most shocking element of the fallout was Benjamin's subsequent public statements about the incident itself. He began to accuse Joey Diaz and Joe Rogan of deliberately drugging him and attempting to sabotage his life and career.

These accusations became a core narrative in his new online persona, where he claimed he was a victim of a larger Hollywood conspiracy. This narrative helped fuel his growth in the anti-establishment and conspiracy theorist communities.

Diaz and Rogan have largely remained silent or dismissive of the accusations, viewing Benjamin's claims as the result of his own poor decision-making with the edible. However, the controversy continues to be a hot topic among podcast fans and comedy observers, especially in 2024 and 2025 discussions.

The Lasting Impact: From Stand-Up to "Christian LARP"

The episode serves as a powerful cautionary tale about the intersection of podcast culture, substances, and mental health. The immediate result for Benjamin was a complete break from the mainstream comedy world that had once supported him.

His shift into a "homesteader/Christian LARP" (Live Action Role-Play) persona, where he lives on a large piece of land and streams his anti-establishment views, is seen by many as a direct consequence of the on-air meltdown.

The incident is often cited as the moment that "derailed" his D-list career, pushing him into a niche online space where he found a new, dedicated following.

The ongoing discussion about the event—whether it was a genuine psychological break, a bad trip, or a calculated conspiracy—keeps the names Owen Benjamin and Joey Diaz intertwined in the annals of controversial podcast history. The lack of a recent, face-to-face reconciliation confirms that the rift remains wide, with Benjamin's accusations continuing to define the relationship.