What makes someone leave a tech startup behind to open a comedy café in Lisbon? For Ash, it was the need for real human connection. In this episode, he reflects on growing up in India under academic and cultural pressure, his path through elite education and tech entrepreneurship, and the moment he chose stand-up comedy over startups. Ash explores the fine line between making people laugh and making them feel, and why the stage became more meaningful than any algorithm.

The conversation deepens as Ash shares his storytelling experience—speaking publicly about his mother’s severe illness—and how that vulnerable moment revealed the power of empathy and presence. From comedy to personal storytelling, this episode is about choosing passion over security, embracing emotional honesty, and finding connection through both laughter and tears.Ash is a Lisbon-based comedian and creative entrepreneur. After six years as a digital nomad living in Dubai, Santiago de Chile, and San Francisco, he found his home in Lisbon, where he has lived for the past decade. He founded Lisbon Digital Nomads, helped build the city’s English-language comedy scene through Lisbon Comedy, and co-runs Selva Comedy Café. Today, Ash tours across Europe as a stand-up comedian and spends his downtime unsuccessfully trying to convince his puppy, Leila, to behave.Follow us on Instagram: Storytelling Lisboa & What Lingers Pod

Hosted by Cristian Figueroa & Liz Melchor

Edited by Liz Melchor

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