Daniel Yazbek

Zack Newmark sits down with Amsterdam-based comedian Daniel Yazbek. Originally from Johannesburg, Daniel traded a master's degree in computer science for a microphone and hasn't looked back since.

Daniel opens up about growing up with two heroin addict parents, the complicated relationship with his mother, and how a childhood shaped by chaos became the foundation for his comedy. He also talks about building the Amsterdam English comedy scene alongside his podcast co-host and friend of the pod Sjoerd Scott, and why he's now taking his stand-up special "I'll Call You Back" on a European tour.

In this episode we talk about turning trauma into comedy, the psychology of addiction and how it shaped his relationships, and what it takes to build a comedy career from scratch in a country that's not your own.

Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction & Welcome
00:48 - From South Africa to Amsterdam: The Comedy Origin Story
02:16 - Why He Got a Master's in Computer Science as a Backup Plan
05:51 - Building a Reputation in the Amsterdam Comedy Scene
08:56 - Writing Process & Morning Routines
11:06 - Is the Comedy Career Going as Planned?
14:37 - ADHD, Flow State & Why Comedians Chase the Stage
18:00 - Growing Up with Two Heroin Addict Parents
28:01 - His Relationship with His Father & the Netflix Movie
32:50 - His Complicated Relationship with His Mother
40:20 - Comedic Influences Growing Up
43:41 - Pattern Recognition: The Mathematical Approach to Comedy
51:47 - The "In the Background" Podcast with Sjoerd Scott
54:46 - Taking "I'll Call You Back" on a European Tour
57:42 - Adapting the Show for Different Countries & Audiences
01:00:32 - Finding Community Through Third World Humor

Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0w7Ro2uWOXU

Follow Dam Yankee:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrTNLZq07abBOD19MLzRTSg?sub_confirmation=1
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/damyankeepodcast
Website: https://damyankeepodcast.nltimes.nl/

Connect with Daniel Yazbek: 
https://www.instagram.com/daniel.yazbek/

Tickets to Daniel's Show:
https://linktr.ee/danielyazbek?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&ltsid=8296fe28-2466-4d85-b15b-38f063f14b4c

Connect with me:  
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zacharynewmark

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