Sign up to save your podcasts
Or
Share Daniel Yazbek
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Or
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<sid=8296fe28-2466-4d85-b15b-38f063f14b4c
Connect with me:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zacharynewmark
This episode is sponsored by NoticemeStore.com, your go-to store for Korean and Japanese skincare brands like Beauty of Joseon, SKIN1004, and Anua, with a Lowest Price Guarantee. Find it cheaper elsewhere and they'll match it instantly (Conditions apply). Use code NLTimes10 for 10% off → www.noticemestore.com
View all episodes
By Dam YankeeZack 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<sid=8296fe28-2466-4d85-b15b-38f063f14b4c
Connect with me:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zacharynewmark
This episode is sponsored by NoticemeStore.com, your go-to store for Korean and Japanese skincare brands like Beauty of Joseon, SKIN1004, and Anua, with a Lowest Price Guarantee. Find it cheaper elsewhere and they'll match it instantly (Conditions apply). Use code NLTimes10 for 10% off → www.noticemestore.com