In this episode, I sat down with Jonathan Prim, who somehow survived the journey from theater to stand-up comedy without becoming a bitter children’s party clown. We talked about everything from social anxiety (spoiler: comedians have it, we just cover it with punchlines) to the joys of community in the comedy scene.

Jonathan shared his thoughts on the absurdity of everyday life, his brief career as the world’s least enthusiastic mail carrier, and the glamorous world of technical difficulties on stage (because nothing says “professional” like a mic that cuts out mid-punchline).

It’s a conversation full of stories, laughs, and a reminder that authenticity matters more than a perfectly timed rimshot.

Timestamps
00:00 Introduction & Why Comedy Is Weird
02:53 The Significance of ‘Things’ (yep, just things)
05:41 Jonathan’s Journey into Comedy
11:48 From Radio to Stand-Up (yes, it’s a downgrade)
17:39 Tales from the Mail Route
23:42 Stage Fright, Stage Presence, Same Thing
27:50 How to Connect with Audiences Without Crying
30:31 Social Anxiety in Comedy (it’s real, folks)
34:02 Identity, Growth & Other Buzzwords
39:39 How to Build Bits Without Losing Your Mind
43:24 Comedy Heroes & Inspirations
45:29 Storytelling as a Comedy Superpower
46:59 Turning Life Into Material (whether you want to or not)
49:10 Reading the Audience Like a Psychic
51:12 Emergency Comedy Tricks
52:43 Where Comedy Meets Recovery
57:04 Surviving the Scene (with snacks)
58:28 DIY Career Moves
01:01:10 The Life of a Comedian (cue dramatic music)
01:06:55 Building Community & Finding Your People