What does it look like to return to the same country - once as a soldier in uniform, and years later as a touring comedian with a microphone?

In this episode of 68 Cups of Blueberry Tea, Gabrielle sits down with Australian stand-up comedian Jarryd Goundrey while he’s performing in Dili, Timor-Leste. But this isn’t just a chat about tour life and punchlines.

Jarryd spent seven years in the Australian Army before stepping away from military life and eventually finding his way to the comedy stage. We talk about identity after service, the uncomfortable silence that can follow structure and purpose, and how humour can become both shield and spotlight.

We dive into:

• The shift from military discipline to the unpredictability of stand-up comedy

• What really happens when a joke bombs — and how you win a room back

• Mentoring new comedians and earning your place on stage

• Inter-service rivalry (yes, the Navy makes an appearance)

• And what it means when your work genuinely connects with someone in the audience

This conversation is honest, funny, and reflective - a look at reinvention, resilience, and the courage it takes to build a second act.

If you’ve ever pivoted, stumbled, or started again, this one’s for you.