Dam Yankee

Neema Naz

"Uncancellable" Neema Naz says comedy reflects his multicultural roots & big dreams
Canadian-Iranian comedian Neema Naz sits down with Dam Yankee this week ahead of his first stand-up performance in Amsterdam. He is known for his playful use of accents and impersonations of his family, not to mention a clever turn on The Boys.
He joins Emmy-winning host Zack Newmark during his "My Estupid Life" world tour. Naz, a first-generation Canadian whose parents fled Iran, shares how his family's story of sacrifice fuels his incredible drive and ambition.
He opens up about why his comedy, which blends personal storytelling with cultural humor, is "uncancellable" and his goal to build a comedy empire inspired by legends like Russell Peters and Kevin Hart. Naz also touches on the challenges of a grueling tour schedule and the rewarding experience of connecting with fans across the globe.
For all of his ambition and drive, Naz also speaks openly about the criticism he faces for his comedy, particularly when using accents he heard growing up in Toronto. He says he is not phased by it and believes his pure intention to "make jokes and bring light to darker topics in this world" makes him "uncancellable." He acknowledges that he can't please everyone, and that is his guiding principle when writing jokes, creating videos, and performing on stage.
 
Neema Naz frequently posts updates and content on Instagram, TikTok, and several other platforms. Tickets for his upcoming show at Boom Chicago start at 25 euros. The full episode of Dam Yankee is available on all podcast platforms, and can also be seen on YouTube.
Keyword Tags
Neema Naz, Canada, Dam Yankee, Zack Newmark, Iran, Toronto, Stand-up Comedy, My Estupid Life, Amsterdam, podcast, comedy, Podcast Interview, Comedy Tour, Cultural Humor, cancel culture, immigration, Entertainment, Social Media, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Russell Peters, Kevin Hart, Boom Chicago, Berlin, Germany

Julia-Beth Harris

Poetic Liberation: Julia-Beth Harris on Finding Home and Voice in Amsterdam
This week on Dam Yankee, podcast host and Emmy-winning journalist Zack Newmark sits down with Julia-Beth Harris, the South African-born poet, performer, and creative force making her mark in Amsterdam. Having lived in the Netherlands for 14 years, Julia-Beth offers an intimate look at the immigrant experience, sharing how the complex emotions of homesickness and longing fuel her powerful, politically charged poetry.
Hear how the "silence" of her new home unexpectedly polished her ability to listen to "deeper voices," enabling her to become a working poet. Julia-Beth discusses her upcoming staged show, Where the Clouds Gather, and explains why her work—which delves into diasporic identity, ancestral knowledge, and collective liberation—is not just art, but a shared experience aimed at bridging fragmented cultures.
Plus, find out what simple thing still triggers a powerful sense of longing for Cape Town. 🇿🇦🇳🇱
Listen to this entire episode of Dam Yankee wherever you get your podcasts, or watch the full videos on YouTube. During the episode, Harris recites her poem, "Forward," which will be part of her upcoming show, Where the Clouds Gather, on November 29 at the Keizersgrachtkerk during The Spirit of Amsterdam Festival.
Julia-Beth Harris announces her upcoming performances on Instagram and her website.
Keywords:
Julia-Beth Harris, Amsterdam, Poet, Poetry, South African, Expat, Immigration, Longing, Homesickness, Belonging, Cultural Identity, Poetic Activism, Diasporic Identity, Ancestral Knowledge, Collective Liberation, Performance, Amsterdam Artists, Dam Yankee Podcast, NL Times, Where the Clouds Gather, Dam Yankee

Ria Lina

An interview with Filipina-British comedian, writer, and scientist Ria Lina. A regular on TV shows like Live at the Apollo and Mock the Week, Lina is known for her provocative, satirical style. In a candid conversation with Dam Yankee podcast host and Emmy-winning journalist Zack Newmark, she shares how her late-in-life autism diagnosis helped her find her unique comedic voice and her unflinching commitment to speak her mind, regardless of the backlash.
Lina discusses the pervasive gender bias in the entertainment industry and the double standards she’s faced as a woman in comedy. She also opens up about her unconventional personal journey—from earning a doctorate in virology to leaving a career in forensic science to pursue comedy full-time.
Tune in to hear Lina’s thoughts on “cancel culture,” political correctness, and the surprising role of science in her comedy. Whether she's on stage, on TV, or sitting down for an interview, Ria Lina proves she’s never afraid to punch up. Listen to this entire episode of Dam Yankee wherever you get your podcasts, or watch the full videos on YouTube.
Ria Lina will head out on the Riabellion tour later this fall, and will take the stage in Utrecht on December 14. She has plans to book more performances in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and her former hometown of The Hague. Lina releases updates on her website, her Instagram account, and her new WhatsApp channel.
 
Keywords
Ria Lina, Dam Yankee, podcast, interview, comedy, comedian, satirical, Live at the Apollo, Mock the Week, autism, neurodiversity, political correctness, cancel culture, gender bias, entertainment industry, double standards, Riabellion, Live at the Apollo, Mock the Week, Have I Got News For You, BBC Radio, Zack Newmark, NL Times, Utrecht, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague.

Sairah Erens

Actress and Theater Maker Sairah Erens gives us a piece of her mind on the European Union, explains how she met her business partner, and divulges the writer who inspires her most.
Zack Newmark is an Emmy winning journalist and the founder of NL Times. Dam Yankee is an NL Times production.
Created by: Zack Newmark and Peach Rizzo
Produced by: Peach Rizzo
Edited by: Marcus Engel

Deshawn Mason

Comedian Deshawn Mason dives deep into his origin story as a magician, exploring the stage as a safe space, and his nuanced view on the “laughs per minute” formula.
Zack Newmark is an Emmy winning journalist and the founder of NL Times.
Dam Yankee is an NL Times production.
Created by: Zack Newmark and Peach Rizzo
Produced by: Peach Rizzo
Edited by: Marcus Engel

Changing Currents

DJ and music producer Changing Currents stopped by the show to discuss how he snagged a stage at Glastonbury, his view on musical collabs, and finding his identity.
 
Keep an eye open for his Asia tour dates in September and October followed by a headline show in London: https://laylo.com/changingcurrents?username=changingcurrents&slug=ez26O
 
Zack Newmark is an Emmy winning journalist and the founder of NL Times. Dam Yankee is an NL Times production.
 
Created by: Zack Newmark and Peach Rizzo
 
Produced by: Peach Rizzo
 
Edited by: Marcus Engel

Lucas Zelnick

New York comic Lucas Zelnick stops by the pod to discuss his not so humble upbringing, the origin story of his comedy club, and how he finally got good.
 
Zack Newmark is an Emmy winning journalist and the founder of NL Times. Dam Yankee is an NL Times production.
 
Created by: Zack Newmark and Peach Rizzo
 
Produced by: Peach Rizzo
 
Edited by: Marcus Engel

Daria Khozhai

Daria Khozhai is a Ukrainian interdisciplinary artist and architect. She stopped by the pod to explain how she uses art as a coping mechanism, why she will never make work for clients, and how so much of her life as an artist is just like any other job.
 
Zack Newmark is an Emmy winning journalist and the founder of NL Times. Dam Yankee is an NL Times production.
 
Created by: Zack Newmark and Peach Rizzo
 
Produced by: Peach Rizzo
 
Edited by: Marcus Engel

Stacey Smith

Stacey Smith is a musical improvisor and mainstage cast member at Boom Chicago.  The performer sat down to discuss improvising through grief, how performing comedy makes everyone a better person, and what is was like to live and work on cruise ships in her twenties.
 
To follow all of her upcoming shows, follow Stacey on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/staceysmithcomedy/
 
Zack Newmark is an Emmy winning journalist and the founder of NL Times. Dam Yankee is an NL Times production.
 
Created by: Zack Newmark and Peach Rizzo
 
Produced by: Peach Rizzo
 
Edited by: Marcus Engel

Constantine Allen

Constantine Allen is a principal dancer with the Dutch Nationale Ballet.  The performer sat down to discuss ballet boarding school, what ballet dancers do during their off-days, and the life he's already gaming out after retirement from the dance world.
 
To find out where Allen is performing this summer, check out his instagram page @constantineallen. 
 
Zack Newmark is an Emmy winning journalist and the founder of NL Times. Dam Yankee is an NL Times production.
 
Created by: Zack Newmark and Peach Rizzo
 
Produced by: Peach Rizzo
 
Edited by: Marcus Engel