This week on The Vault, Amir & Monica sit down with legendary comedian Maz Jobrani for a raw and thought-provoking conversation that blends laughter with life lessons. Maz takes us through his journey from aspiring Eddie Murphy superfan to one of the first Iranian-American voices in mainstream comedy — all while dodging his parents’ dreams of him becoming a lawyer. He opens up about dropping out of grad school, navigating the early days of stand-up, and the cultural tightrope he’s walked ever since.

From the groundbreaking Axis of Evil Comedy Tour to crowd work horror stories and heckler comebacks, Maz brings the truth about being Middle Eastern in comedy, tackling political hot buttons, and pushing past stereotypes. He also gets candid about the emotional toll of life as a comic, the realities of addiction and depression in the industry, and the healing power of laughter — especially when it’s rooted in your own story.

Whether you’re a comedy nerd, first-gen kid, or just someone who loves a good underdog hustle, this episode is packed with wisdom, wit, and the kind of vulnerability that makes Maz a true icon.

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