Shownotes
Embracing Challenges: The Power of Stage Time and Scary Stuff
Summary
In this episode host John Ball discusses the importance of embracing challenging experiences to grow as a speaker and communicator.
He shares insights from his recent stage time experiences, including participating in an open mic comedy night and a storytelling event.
Inspired by a conversation with Judy Carter, a professional comedian and keynote speaker, John emphasizes the value of stepping out of one's comfort zone to improve and excel.
He encourages listeners to continuously challenge themselves and to never become complacent. Tune in for a mix of personal anecdotes, motivational insights, and a glimpse into John's journey toward mastering communication skills.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction: Embracing the Scary Stuff
00:35 The Importance of Stage Time
00:53 Personal Experiences and Challenges
02:31 Open Mic Comedy Night: A Personal Challenge
04:09 Storytelling Event: Overcoming Self-Doubt
05:06 Reflections and Lessons Learned
06:01 Sharing the Experiences: Story and Standup
08:29 Encouragement and Final Thoughts
25:04 Upcoming Episodes and Farewell
Go to presentinfluence.com to take the Speaker Strengths Archetype Assessment and discover your greatest strengths as a speaker as well as where to focus for growth. For speaking enquiries or to connect with me, you can email [email protected] or find me on LinkedIn
Thanks for listening, and please give the show a 5* review if you enjoyed it.
Mentioned in this episode:
Last Call For Founding KBPB Mebers
There's one last spot in the founding membership of The Known, Booked & Paid Blueprint. This is the only time you can get the program at 50% off. After that, it goes to the full program price, which is still great value, but it's not half-price value. Find out if it's the right fit for you at presentinfluence.com/kbpb
New PI mid-roll
Go from competent to captivating
Progressing professionally as a speaker isn't just about doing the reps; it's about outperforming. We need to outperform our competition, but more than anything, we need to keep outperforming ourselves so that we rise up and over all obstacles and plateaus and fill your speaking calendar with repeat bookings and new referrals. Visit presentInfluence.com to find out how John can help you take your speaking career to the next level. With years of speaker coaching and working alongside some of the biggest name speaker training businesses, you can be sure you're in good hands.
Transcripts
How are you doing with getting on with the scary stuff, the kinds of things
2
00:00:04,199 --> 00:00:07,590
that you need to challenge yourself
with in order to grow and develop,
3
00:00:07,590 --> 00:00:10,080
especially as a speaker and communicator.
4
00:00:10,379 --> 00:00:14,370
And we know what those things are,
pretty much, and we also know that
5
00:00:14,370 --> 00:00:18,630
really stage time is the thing
that's going to progress as the most.
6
00:00:19,050 --> 00:00:23,340
Especially when we are doing stuff
on stage that we are not always used
7
00:00:23,340 --> 00:00:25,650
to doing and is a little different.
8
00:00:25,834 --> 00:00:29,975
Even if we're pretty advanced as speakers,
the stuff that we are not fully proficient
9
00:00:29,975 --> 00:00:35,135
in that we would maybe like to be and
we know could take us to a new level.
10
00:00:35,315 --> 00:00:38,075
And that's what I wanna talk
about today, stage time.
11
00:00:38,075 --> 00:00:42,125
And I'm gonna share with you some of my
recent stage time experiences as well.
12
00:00:42,125 --> 00:00:45,455
So welcome to present Influence the
show for professional communicators who
13
00:00:45,455 --> 00:00:47,855
want to inspire, impact and influence.
14
00:00:47,855 --> 00:00:51,065
My name's John Ball and I'm your
guide on this journey to mastery
15
00:00:51,065 --> 00:00:52,815
level communication skills.
16
00:00:53,930 --> 00:00:57,730
Thank you for joining me and stage time
has been on my mind a lot and doing the
17
00:00:57,730 --> 00:01:01,990
scary stuff has been on my mind a lot,
especially after a recent episode that
18
00:01:01,990 --> 00:01:03,610
I keep referring back to at the moment.
19
00:01:03,610 --> 00:01:07,160
But it made a huge impact on me
with Judy Carter, episode 1, 9 8,
20
00:01:07,160 --> 00:01:08,270
if you want to go and listen to it.
21
00:01:08,720 --> 00:01:13,010
And Judy is a professional comedian
and professional keynote speaker,
22
00:01:13,220 --> 00:01:16,190
and she teaches comedy workshops
for people who want to be funnier
23
00:01:16,220 --> 00:01:19,100
as speakers or standups and.
24
00:01:20,090 --> 00:01:24,560
The fact that she said to me she still
challenges herself to go and do open
25
00:01:24,560 --> 00:01:28,760
mic nights and do standup to scare
herself because you knows we need that.
26
00:01:28,760 --> 00:01:30,200
We need that to feel alive.
27
00:01:30,200 --> 00:01:33,950
We need to challenge ourselves and
do the stuff that we could otherwise
28
00:01:33,950 --> 00:01:37,789
get complacent about or think, oh,
I'm good enough, or that'll do.
29
00:01:38,000 --> 00:01:41,900
I don't need to keep developing I
know speakers, and I've even tried
30
00:01:41,900 --> 00:01:45,449
to coach some of them who are at a
level where they're good and they
31
00:01:45,449 --> 00:01:49,039
can get the bookings and they can get
the fees, and they don't think they
32
00:01:49,039 --> 00:01:51,200
need to grow or develop any further.
33
00:01:51,470 --> 00:01:52,430
And I think that's a shame.
34
00:01:53,110 --> 00:01:55,270
Unfortunately, some people,
you can't tell them that.
35
00:01:55,270 --> 00:01:56,470
Some people are very coachable.
36
00:01:56,590 --> 00:02:00,610
Some people get to a point where
they become uncoachable and become
37
00:02:00,610 --> 00:02:02,290
divas, and I hope you won't do that.
38
00:02:02,570 --> 00:02:03,139
Just be aware.
39
00:02:03,139 --> 00:02:06,250
Now if, I know I'm guessing
as as someone listening,
40
00:02:06,250 --> 00:02:07,510
watching a podcast like this, I.
41
00:02:07,960 --> 00:02:10,539
That's probably not who you
are, and I hope you wouldn't
42
00:02:10,539 --> 00:02:11,830
want to become that either.
43
00:02:11,860 --> 00:02:14,980
There's never gonna be a stage that
you're gonna get to as a professional
44
00:02:14,980 --> 00:02:19,240
communicator where there isn't still
something you could improve upon and
45
00:02:19,240 --> 00:02:22,450
something you could be even better
at that would take you to a new
46
00:02:22,450 --> 00:02:24,820
and even higher level of mastery.
47
00:02:25,090 --> 00:02:29,140
So don't ever get complacent about the
stuff that we do and keep challenging
48
00:02:29,140 --> 00:02:30,760
yourself to do the scary thing.
49
00:02:31,390 --> 00:02:35,829
And those words, even though Judy
didn't directly challenge me, I took it
50
00:02:35,890 --> 00:02:41,020
as a challenge to do the scary things
and knew that I had been putting off,
51
00:02:41,290 --> 00:02:46,950
putting myself forward for an open mic
Comedy Night in Valencia that I knew
52
00:02:46,950 --> 00:02:51,300
had started up recently and was being
done in English because there's no way
53
00:02:51,360 --> 00:02:53,100
I could tell my Spanish is okay, but.
54
00:02:53,835 --> 00:02:56,685
Not good enough to do a
standup routine, I don't think.
55
00:02:56,745 --> 00:02:57,945
Maybe in the future who knows.
56
00:02:58,425 --> 00:03:02,595
But in English, so standup, a standup
comedy night in English, and it's been
57
00:03:02,595 --> 00:03:04,980
on my bucket list for the longest time.
58
00:03:05,580 --> 00:03:10,860
And I always thought I'll do a standup
comedy course and then I'll probably
59
00:03:10,860 --> 00:03:12,270
have to perform at the end of that.
60
00:03:12,270 --> 00:03:13,260
And I know people who've done that.
61
00:03:13,260 --> 00:03:15,000
Some people have had great experiences.
62
00:03:15,000 --> 00:03:16,230
Some people are like never again.
63
00:03:16,780 --> 00:03:19,000
Fine, whatever your
experience of that is, great.
64
00:03:19,270 --> 00:03:20,770
But then I thought, I don't need that.
65
00:03:20,770 --> 00:03:25,660
I just need to put myself in the
experience and be okay that I might bomb.
66
00:03:25,750 --> 00:03:29,230
I might fall flat on my face and come
off the stage feeling embarrassed
67
00:03:29,230 --> 00:03:34,329
or humiliated, and just be okay
with that and know that the big
68
00:03:34,329 --> 00:03:38,500
achievement would be getting up there
and doing it in the first place.
69
00:03:39,190 --> 00:03:43,240
And so I put myself forward and I guess I
could have been really nervous about it.
70
00:03:43,385 --> 00:03:45,995
I wasn't, and I did create some jokes.
71
00:03:45,995 --> 00:03:49,355
I created some routines and I
used Judy Carter's book, the
72
00:03:49,355 --> 00:03:51,515
Comedy Bible to help me do that.
73
00:03:51,515 --> 00:03:54,785
And I have to say invaluable,
absolutely invaluable as a resource.
74
00:03:55,085 --> 00:03:57,515
I don't think there's any way
I'd stand a chance if I didn't
75
00:03:57,954 --> 00:04:00,115
use the material from her book.
76
00:04:00,865 --> 00:04:04,405
So I do think it's, it is worth checking
that out, even if you have no intention.
77
00:04:04,405 --> 00:04:06,335
Of doing open mic or standup comedy.
78
00:04:07,190 --> 00:04:09,080
And so I put myself in for that.
79
00:04:09,080 --> 00:04:12,530
And a friend of mine had mentioned
about a storytelling event as well,
80
00:04:12,530 --> 00:04:15,260
and it was like one of those things
that you could turn up to and you
81
00:04:15,260 --> 00:04:18,829
could put your name into speak and
tell a story on stage if you wanted to.
82
00:04:18,829 --> 00:04:19,910
You didn't have to do it.
83
00:04:20,450 --> 00:04:23,120
And she wanted some support,
so I said I'll come with you.
84
00:04:23,120 --> 00:04:23,750
I'll support you.
85
00:04:23,750 --> 00:04:26,360
She wanted to do this and
she was challenging herself.
86
00:04:26,420 --> 00:04:27,650
And so well done, Aida.
87
00:04:27,650 --> 00:04:28,430
You did a great job.
88
00:04:28,820 --> 00:04:29,900
And I thought I'll do it as well.
89
00:04:29,900 --> 00:04:31,070
I'll get up and speak to.
90
00:04:31,855 --> 00:04:36,615
I know Aida really wanted me to
go first and that the way things
91
00:04:36,615 --> 00:04:39,795
worked out, she ended up going
first, but she was fantastic and
92
00:04:39,795 --> 00:04:41,295
it was great to go on after her.
93
00:04:41,355 --> 00:04:44,685
Oki Alexander, who's running these events
in Valencia got up and did the story
94
00:04:44,685 --> 00:04:47,595
himself and we managed to get a few
more people up doing those stories too.
95
00:04:47,655 --> 00:04:48,885
It was a really fun evening
96
00:04:49,275 --> 00:04:52,195
and I definitely recommend checking
those events out if you are in Valencia
97
00:04:52,195 --> 00:04:55,065
or if you happen to be visiting English
speaking people, there's plenty of
98
00:04:55,065 --> 00:04:59,061
English events around Valencia now, and
even just a year ago or a few years ago,
99
00:04:59,061 --> 00:05:03,086
that wasn't really the case that there
would be these kinds of events on, so
100
00:05:03,206 --> 00:05:05,366
in English for people to go and attend.
101
00:05:06,686 --> 00:05:09,626
So I've been getting
my stage time reps in.
102
00:05:09,626 --> 00:05:11,126
I did a lot of work on my story.
103
00:05:11,126 --> 00:05:14,036
I had to create a five minute story
and there was a theme for the night.
104
00:05:14,061 --> 00:05:16,011
Unfortunately, I don't even remember
what the theme was for the event now,
105
00:05:16,011 --> 00:05:19,791
but I created a story that was about
my initial interview when I joined the
106
00:05:19,791 --> 00:05:21,291
airline, British Airways years ago.
107
00:05:21,681 --> 00:05:23,601
And some experience that I had there.
108
00:05:23,641 --> 00:05:27,691
The whole premise of the story
was about my inner conversation,
109
00:05:28,081 --> 00:05:33,421
potentially sabotaging my outer
reality and talking myself down.
110
00:05:33,956 --> 00:05:35,036
I actually called the story
111
00:05:35,216 --> 00:05:38,366
I'm not supposed to be here
because I felt inside myself that
112
00:05:38,366 --> 00:05:40,076
I wasn't supposed to be there.
113
00:05:40,076 --> 00:05:42,086
I wasn't supposed to be the kind
of person who would ever get
114
00:05:42,086 --> 00:05:43,676
selected for something like that.
115
00:05:44,066 --> 00:05:48,596
Little did I know, but it's amazing
how we can talk ourselves into
116
00:05:48,596 --> 00:05:51,536
particular things that are either
gonna be, we're rather gonna support
117
00:05:51,536 --> 00:05:53,126
ourselves internally or we're not.
118
00:05:53,456 --> 00:05:58,006
And that conversation that's going on
inside of us can very often completely
119
00:05:58,006 --> 00:05:59,806
sabotages and stoppers from trying.
120
00:06:00,106 --> 00:06:01,156
So that's what the story is about.
121
00:06:01,156 --> 00:06:04,036
And I'm gonna share that with
you in just a moment as well.
122
00:06:04,286 --> 00:06:08,346
And then I'm gonna share with you the
standup , so you can check these out.
123
00:06:08,586 --> 00:06:11,796
And if you're watching on YouTube, you can
watch the stories and stand up as well.
124
00:06:12,001 --> 00:06:14,941
I will say you might be better
off with the standup to watch
125
00:06:14,941 --> 00:06:19,201
it on YouTube simply because the
audio quality was not that great.
126
00:06:19,201 --> 00:06:20,672
I wasn't properly micd up.
127
00:06:20,731 --> 00:06:25,291
It was in an environment with bar and
restaurant and tables, so it wasn't a
128
00:06:25,581 --> 00:06:30,181
normal theater experience maybe a
more normal standup experience, so
129
00:06:30,181 --> 00:06:31,501
there was a lot of background noise.
130
00:06:31,501 --> 00:06:33,361
So there's a lot you can't hear.
131
00:06:33,361 --> 00:06:37,416
And I've also added subtitles to the
standup as well, so that you can tell
132
00:06:37,466 --> 00:06:41,311
what I'm actually saying in various
parts where it's not super clear.
133
00:06:41,701 --> 00:06:46,351
I thankfully had two different tracks that
did make some aspects a little clearer.
134
00:06:46,541 --> 00:06:50,841
One recording on a friend's mobile, one
recording on somebody's camera set up.
135
00:06:50,881 --> 00:06:54,241
But unfortunately I didn't have
their mic set up as well so I
136
00:06:54,241 --> 00:06:56,131
apologize for the bad audio for that.
137
00:06:56,131 --> 00:06:59,071
And you're welcome to skip it if you
don't like listening to bad audio.
138
00:06:59,761 --> 00:07:03,551
But what I really want to show with you is
these are both things that could have been
139
00:07:03,551 --> 00:07:05,171
experiences that I taught myself out of.
140
00:07:05,501 --> 00:07:07,571
They could have been really
scary experiences that I just
141
00:07:07,571 --> 00:07:08,561
said, no, I'm not doing that.
142
00:07:08,561 --> 00:07:09,881
I don't really need to do that.
143
00:07:10,121 --> 00:07:12,801
I already tell stories
in my presentations.
144
00:07:12,801 --> 00:07:14,691
I already do that from
stage to some degree.
145
00:07:15,296 --> 00:07:19,016
Whereas getting up just to tell a
story for telling a story's sake
146
00:07:19,556 --> 00:07:23,006
and having a good structure to that
story and applying storytelling
147
00:07:23,006 --> 00:07:26,746
skills is definitely something
that I know I could be better at.
148
00:07:27,446 --> 00:07:28,226
And stand up.
149
00:07:28,276 --> 00:07:33,046
That's something I've never done before,
and that's a huge challenge where I
150
00:07:33,046 --> 00:07:35,536
didn't even think I'd get any loss at all.
151
00:07:35,536 --> 00:07:38,146
So I was fully expecting to bomb.
152
00:07:38,536 --> 00:07:42,136
And you can find out in the
video whether I did or I didn't.
153
00:07:42,616 --> 00:07:45,736
But either way, these are both
things that I'm gonna be better.
154
00:07:45,751 --> 00:07:46,801
The next time I do it.
155
00:07:47,131 --> 00:07:51,061
So I've already put myself forward for
doing both of these things again, a longer
156
00:07:51,061 --> 00:07:55,911
storytelling competition, another open
mic comedy night, that's gonna be better.
157
00:07:55,941 --> 00:07:58,041
'cause I know what to expect now.
158
00:07:58,461 --> 00:08:01,401
And I know in my head that
I can do these things.
159
00:08:01,401 --> 00:08:04,041
I can get up there and do
it, and I think can deliver.
160
00:08:04,581 --> 00:08:09,411
And I'm gonna practice more because I know
that I didn't practice, I didn't rehearse
161
00:08:09,441 --> 00:08:11,751
nearly enough for either of these things.
162
00:08:12,111 --> 00:08:15,831
Because I took them on last minute
and I was already pretty busy.
163
00:08:16,191 --> 00:08:19,291
I have two podcasts and multiple
episodes and lots of other
164
00:08:19,531 --> 00:08:21,241
promotional things going on right now.
165
00:08:22,391 --> 00:08:26,131
That is very hard to fit stuff
like that in around it, but managed
166
00:08:26,131 --> 00:08:27,271
it and I'm really glad I did.
167
00:08:27,331 --> 00:08:28,801
I had so much fun doing it.
168
00:08:29,221 --> 00:08:33,390
And my challenge to you
is to do the scary stuff.
169
00:08:33,421 --> 00:08:36,421
Do the stuff that you
don't know you can do.
170
00:08:36,421 --> 00:08:38,010
And I will say this.
171
00:08:38,411 --> 00:08:39,821
Don't do those things.
172
00:08:39,821 --> 00:08:44,531
When you are being paid 5,000, 10,000
or more for a keynote delivery and
173
00:08:44,531 --> 00:08:48,311
you are trying out something new that
may or may not work, don't do that.
174
00:08:48,581 --> 00:08:52,421
But when you're doing something a
bit for free or something for fun,
175
00:08:52,691 --> 00:08:54,521
where the stakes are a lot lower.
176
00:08:54,886 --> 00:08:56,536
That's the time to try stuff out.
177
00:08:56,636 --> 00:08:59,836
That's one of the main reasons why
there are open mic comedy nights, so
178
00:08:59,836 --> 00:09:03,736
comedians can go and try out material
and see what jokes get a response
179
00:09:03,736 --> 00:09:07,486
and what doesn't, so they can decide
what's gonna make it into their
180
00:09:07,486 --> 00:09:09,206
acts, into their longer performances.
181
00:09:10,846 --> 00:09:14,116
I'm definitely gonna do more on this
show about humor and standup comedy.
182
00:09:14,116 --> 00:09:17,656
I'm trying to line up some real
experts in this area right now who
183
00:09:17,656 --> 00:09:20,336
I've been learning from alongside Judy.
184
00:09:20,636 --> 00:09:24,606
And I think that's gonna be high value for
you as well, you won't wanna miss those.
185
00:09:24,606 --> 00:09:28,521
And you will be aware of them if you tune
into this show regularly, because I will
186
00:09:28,521 --> 00:09:29,931
be letting you know what's coming up.
187
00:09:30,351 --> 00:09:33,531
But the whole standup experience,
it's one of those things that most
188
00:09:33,531 --> 00:09:34,911
people say they could never do it.
189
00:09:34,971 --> 00:09:40,171
And I put my fear of that was
probably on a par with jumping out
190
00:09:40,171 --> 00:09:43,441
of an airplane, which I don't know
if I could do, I've never tried it.
191
00:09:43,771 --> 00:09:47,521
I've been very afraid of doing
that, wanting to do it, but afraid
192
00:09:47,521 --> 00:09:50,461
of doing it because, I don't want
to break every bone in my body.
193
00:09:51,121 --> 00:09:54,111
But obviously I want to jump out
with a parachute and with somebody
194
00:09:54,111 --> 00:09:56,790
who knows what they're doing, that's
probably makes things a bit safer.
195
00:09:56,790 --> 00:09:57,481
But even then.
196
00:09:57,911 --> 00:10:00,911
I know that would scare the crap
outta me, but I also think it would
197
00:10:00,911 --> 00:10:03,761
be exhilarating once you get over
that initial fear and you just
198
00:10:03,761 --> 00:10:05,771
have to give in to what's going on.
199
00:10:06,621 --> 00:10:08,361
The comedy was a bit like that as well.
200
00:10:08,391 --> 00:10:12,261
Once I got over my initial fear of
getting up on the stage, things
201
00:10:12,261 --> 00:10:15,566
just started to kick into gear
a bit and just got on with it.
202
00:10:16,256 --> 00:10:21,826
Certainly not perfect, but I'm happy
with what I did and for any, if you are
203
00:10:21,826 --> 00:10:23,956
listening to this and I couldn't do that.
204
00:10:23,986 --> 00:10:28,786
I couldn't get up and do it, I would
say this, you absolutely can, and maybe
205
00:10:28,786 --> 00:10:32,236
it's a good sign that you absolutely
should, because even if you think
206
00:10:32,236 --> 00:10:36,721
I'm not funny, or even if you think
no one's gonna laugh, who cares?
207
00:10:37,081 --> 00:10:37,621
Who cares?
208
00:10:37,621 --> 00:10:40,901
I'll tell you this, outta six
performers who got up that
209
00:10:40,901 --> 00:10:42,701
night, only two got laughs.
210
00:10:43,001 --> 00:10:45,971
A few got snickers and some
got pretty much nothing at all.
211
00:10:46,540 --> 00:10:47,501
And that's how it goes.
212
00:10:47,501 --> 00:10:50,321
And yet the audience was
still very supportive.
213
00:10:50,621 --> 00:10:52,421
The audience want you to do well.
214
00:10:52,421 --> 00:10:53,471
They want to laugh.
215
00:10:53,531 --> 00:10:54,161
Sure.
216
00:10:54,461 --> 00:10:57,521
And they'll sometimes even laugh
at stuff that's not so funny.
217
00:10:57,521 --> 00:10:59,861
They'll even laugh at
your attempts to be funny.
218
00:11:00,086 --> 00:11:00,146
If
219
00:11:00,386 --> 00:11:03,596
that's the level of support that you
can often find in those sorts of events.
220
00:11:04,556 --> 00:11:09,386
So I'd say this, I was less afraid to
get up on stage after seeing a few people
221
00:11:09,386 --> 00:11:11,726
tank and bomb before I went up there.
222
00:11:12,096 --> 00:11:12,996
That was a big help.
223
00:11:13,216 --> 00:11:14,746
And I hope it would be
a help to you as well.
224
00:11:14,986 --> 00:11:18,706
'cause if everyone got up there and
everyone was hilarious, they should
225
00:11:18,706 --> 00:11:22,996
probably be on a talent show or having
their own Netflix special already.
226
00:11:23,231 --> 00:11:24,401
If they're that bloody good.
227
00:11:24,521 --> 00:11:27,281
So open mic nights are
four people to bomb.
228
00:11:27,281 --> 00:11:30,401
They're four people to have
their failures and try and get
229
00:11:30,441 --> 00:11:32,121
a few lasting successes as well.
230
00:11:32,421 --> 00:11:35,901
And people in the audience know
that they're not at this event.
231
00:11:35,901 --> 00:11:38,151
They're paying six euros
to come and listen.
232
00:11:38,421 --> 00:11:42,471
So what do you expect for six euros
that you're gonna, that you're gonna
233
00:11:42,471 --> 00:11:44,301
see some world famous comedian?
234
00:11:44,301 --> 00:11:46,491
No, but you hopefully get
at least a few laughs.
235
00:11:46,991 --> 00:11:51,301
First of all, let me share with you the
audio and video from the storytelling
236
00:11:51,301 --> 00:11:55,671
competition from a couple of weeks back
that was organized by Oki Alexander.
237
00:11:55,671 --> 00:11:59,396
Oki is really super nice guy who
has a company he's set up to do
238
00:11:59,396 --> 00:12:00,836
this called En Route Storytelling.
239
00:12:01,226 --> 00:12:07,016
And he's running events in Valencia,
Barcelona, Madrid, and training and
240
00:12:07,016 --> 00:12:08,916
coaching, alongside that on storytelling.
241
00:12:09,306 --> 00:12:12,086
And it's been a real joy to work
with him since then as well.
242
00:12:12,086 --> 00:12:14,096
And I'm looking forward
to the next story night.
243
00:12:14,096 --> 00:12:16,886
In fact, I have a coaching
session with Okie tomorrow that
244
00:12:16,886 --> 00:12:17,996
I'm looking forward to as well.
245
00:12:17,996 --> 00:12:20,666
So I need to go and do my homework
for that in a little while.
246
00:12:21,616 --> 00:12:24,106
Beyond that, I just hope you'll
enjoy this and get some value
247
00:12:24,106 --> 00:12:27,096
outta the story and just know it's
not really something so special.
248
00:12:27,096 --> 00:12:29,406
Most people have had a
job interview for stuff.
249
00:12:29,436 --> 00:12:32,976
Most people have maybe had doubts
and fears about something whilst not
250
00:12:32,976 --> 00:12:36,336
everyone is necessarily interviewed
for British Airways as cabin crew
251
00:12:36,796 --> 00:12:40,246
is not an unrelatable story, I
guess is what I'm trying to say.
252
00:12:40,516 --> 00:12:41,866
And I hope that you'll enjoy that.
253
00:12:42,196 --> 00:12:43,970
And then we'll check out the standup.
254
00:12:46,550 --> 00:12:51,380
I'm sitting in a very brightly lit
business lounge in Hans Low, close
255
00:12:51,380 --> 00:12:54,770
enough to Heathrow Airport that we can
hear the planes taking off and landing.
256
00:12:55,430 --> 00:12:57,650
I'm a little bit tense and I look around.
257
00:12:57,650 --> 00:13:00,050
There's at least a hundred other
people there for exactly the
258
00:13:00,050 --> 00:13:04,040
same reason I'm there, but I
know I'm not supposed to be here.
259
00:13:05,825 --> 00:13:10,265
And just 30 minutes earlier, I'm still
stressed out because I was trying to
260
00:13:10,265 --> 00:13:14,825
dry my suit pants under the hand dryer
in the men's toilets for reasons.
261
00:13:15,160 --> 00:13:20,405
And uh, and I'm wondering if anyone
around me can tell, maybe they can, but
262
00:13:20,405 --> 00:13:23,945
I'm pretty sure they're looking at me
and thinking, what are you doing here?
263
00:13:24,965 --> 00:13:26,225
I'm not supposed to be here.
264
00:13:26,990 --> 00:13:31,160
I look around the room and there's
lots of, lots of women there, and
265
00:13:31,250 --> 00:13:34,940
they look impeccable, like their
hair is tightly pulled back in
266
00:13:34,940 --> 00:13:37,580
their heads into a bun so tight.
267
00:13:37,580 --> 00:13:39,500
It looks like it's giving
them a mild facelift.
268
00:13:40,130 --> 00:13:43,520
The men, there's not so many,
but they look just as impeccable.
269
00:13:43,850 --> 00:13:47,720
They're very smartly dressed, and I'm
there in my Marks and Spencer's suit
270
00:13:47,720 --> 00:13:50,870
looking like I'm trying to become
an assistant supermarket manager.
271
00:13:52,220 --> 00:13:53,300
So what am I doing here?
272
00:13:53,300 --> 00:13:54,050
I don't belong.
273
00:13:54,665 --> 00:13:58,385
I'm expecting any moment now someone's
gonna come and tell me, oh, hey John.
274
00:13:58,385 --> 00:13:59,225
We made a mistake.
275
00:13:59,525 --> 00:14:02,405
You are not supposed to be
here, but I've got my letter in
276
00:14:02,405 --> 00:14:04,205
my pocket so I can show them.
277
00:14:04,265 --> 00:14:07,925
I, I was invited, I was told to
come here just in case anybody asks.
278
00:14:09,215 --> 00:14:10,025
Nobody does.
279
00:14:10,445 --> 00:14:13,355
But as I look around the room, I
become more and more convinced that
280
00:14:13,835 --> 00:14:15,125
I'm just not supposed to be here.
281
00:14:16,445 --> 00:14:19,715
Then I see one guy who doesn't look
quite so perfect and impeccable.
282
00:14:19,715 --> 00:14:22,835
He is got long, curly hair and
he's, he's very overweight.
283
00:14:23,525 --> 00:14:27,155
And I'm thinking, I know that they're
gonna weigh and measure us very shortly.
284
00:14:27,935 --> 00:14:29,525
And, um, that's coming up.
285
00:14:29,525 --> 00:14:31,445
Dude, are you ready for this?
286
00:14:31,445 --> 00:14:37,775
Because we're all there to become cabin
crew for British Airways, and I know
287
00:14:37,775 --> 00:14:39,455
that that's a job for beautiful people.
288
00:14:39,635 --> 00:14:41,495
So I'm not supposed to be here.
289
00:14:43,400 --> 00:14:45,110
I look around the people start talking.
290
00:14:45,110 --> 00:14:48,110
One, somebody suggests that they've
actually got microphones buried around
291
00:14:48,110 --> 00:14:52,100
in various places so they can listen to
our conversations whilst we're waiting.
292
00:14:52,700 --> 00:14:56,420
I think that's probably not true, but
you know, I careful what I say just in
293
00:14:56,420 --> 00:15:01,370
case and suddenly some of the girls I'm
with notice the guy with the curly hair
294
00:15:01,670 --> 00:15:04,550
and they all start saying, what I think
they're probably thinking about me.
295
00:15:05,210 --> 00:15:06,050
What's he doing here?
296
00:15:06,635 --> 00:15:08,555
Doesn't he know they're about
to weigh and measure them?
297
00:15:09,395 --> 00:15:14,795
Because even after two months on SlimFast
and stomach ache, I don't know if I'm
298
00:15:14,795 --> 00:15:17,765
quite there with the weight height
ratio that's gonna be required for
299
00:15:17,765 --> 00:15:20,975
this job, but nothing's happened yet.
300
00:15:21,155 --> 00:15:24,125
A bunch of ladies come into the
middle of the room and they start to
301
00:15:24,125 --> 00:15:25,475
announce that things are gonna happen.
302
00:15:25,475 --> 00:15:29,435
They're setting things up and they tell
us, most people don't even get this far.
303
00:15:29,945 --> 00:15:32,915
Most people never even make
it past the application stage.
304
00:15:32,915 --> 00:15:36,125
So you have already come really far
and done really well and I'm thinking,
305
00:15:36,125 --> 00:15:38,345
well, that's good, that's nice.
306
00:15:38,345 --> 00:15:41,735
But you know, I'm probably going home in
a little while, but you know, I've seen
307
00:15:41,735 --> 00:15:45,875
someone who I can probably go and have
a Constellation burger with a McDonald's
308
00:15:45,875 --> 00:15:49,055
to break my two month fast of solid food.
309
00:15:50,915 --> 00:15:52,205
But then things start to move.
310
00:15:52,235 --> 00:15:54,515
We sit down, everything's
getting set up for the day.
311
00:15:54,515 --> 00:15:58,505
They start calling people up to
get weighed and measured whilst
312
00:15:58,505 --> 00:16:02,285
we're talking more, more, uh,
speculation starts to happen about
313
00:16:02,285 --> 00:16:03,665
what's gonna occur during the day.
314
00:16:03,665 --> 00:16:07,235
And at this point, I don't really care
'cause I'm expecting to be sent home
315
00:16:07,235 --> 00:16:08,765
as soon as they put me on the scales.
316
00:16:10,310 --> 00:16:15,860
But my name gets called and I go up,
walk up to the scales, get in line,
317
00:16:16,010 --> 00:16:18,440
and just think, well, any minute now
someone's gonna pull me out the queue.
318
00:16:18,500 --> 00:16:20,330
They're gonna, they're gonna
realize what's happened.
319
00:16:20,330 --> 00:16:21,860
They're gonna notice
that there was a mistake.
320
00:16:21,860 --> 00:16:25,280
They're gonna come up and say to
me, Hey, you know that you're about
321
00:16:25,280 --> 00:16:26,210
to be weighed and measured, right?
322
00:16:26,240 --> 00:16:29,900
Maybe we could just save ourselves
the bother, but nobody does.
323
00:16:30,365 --> 00:16:32,615
But then I see curly hair guy leaving.
324
00:16:32,795 --> 00:16:35,315
He's been weighed and measured,
clearly not within the weight
325
00:16:35,315 --> 00:16:37,055
height ratio that they asked for.
326
00:16:37,715 --> 00:16:41,135
So I guess I'm gonna be having my
consolation burger by myself after
327
00:16:41,135 --> 00:16:43,490
the interview is all finished, I.
328
00:16:44,105 --> 00:16:47,105
But finally I get to closer and
closer to the front of the queue.
329
00:16:47,105 --> 00:16:51,395
They post it up all the height, weight
ratios, and I look and think, you know,
330
00:16:51,395 --> 00:16:53,525
I'm, I'm so, so on the edge of this.
331
00:16:53,525 --> 00:16:57,335
So on the edge of this, I'm not expecting
to, I start thinking light thoughts and
332
00:16:57,605 --> 00:16:59,285
maybe see if I can make myself lighter.
333
00:16:59,705 --> 00:17:01,715
No, that probably isn't gonna do much.
334
00:17:01,715 --> 00:17:04,325
Then I'm thinking, well, can
I make myself a bit taller?
335
00:17:05,015 --> 00:17:05,375
Maybe.
336
00:17:05,435 --> 00:17:07,865
Maybe when they measure me, I
can sort of straighten myself
337
00:17:07,865 --> 00:17:09,185
up and make myself a bit taller.
338
00:17:10,160 --> 00:17:13,819
But then I see that they're being very
careful when they measure people to
339
00:17:13,819 --> 00:17:16,880
make sure that nobody's trying to make
themselves tall as like that's out.
340
00:17:17,930 --> 00:17:20,780
I get to the front of the queue,
finally, they put me on the
341
00:17:20,780 --> 00:17:22,099
scales, write down my weight.
342
00:17:22,520 --> 00:17:27,200
They measure my height, write down
the number, tell me to go and take my
343
00:17:27,200 --> 00:17:28,580
seat ready for the rest of the day.
344
00:17:29,690 --> 00:17:30,770
So something's gone wrong.
345
00:17:31,430 --> 00:17:32,540
Nobody's sending me home.
346
00:17:33,470 --> 00:17:35,090
I'm gonna be there for
the rest of the day now.
347
00:17:36,620 --> 00:17:37,700
Oh, well.
348
00:17:38,270 --> 00:17:42,530
Nobody's telling me I'm not attractive
enough to be a cabin crew member.
349
00:17:42,530 --> 00:17:45,380
Nobody's telling me I'm
too fat to be cabin crew.
350
00:17:45,920 --> 00:17:48,890
Nobody's telling me I'm
not good enough except me.
351
00:17:50,630 --> 00:17:50,990
Thanks.
352
00:17:55,714 --> 00:17:56,494
So what do you think?
353
00:17:56,744 --> 00:17:59,419
I hope you enjoy the story and
if you are willing to put up with
354
00:17:59,419 --> 00:18:02,999
some bad audio here, let's take a
listen to the standup comedy Night.
355
00:18:02,999 --> 00:18:04,579
That was organized by a great guy.
356
00:18:04,579 --> 00:18:08,249
He was very fun himself as the host
Alexi and again, if you're in Valencia
357
00:18:08,249 --> 00:18:11,639
and you want to check out Events,
meetup is the place to go to find out
358
00:18:11,639 --> 00:18:13,749
all these things and see what's on.
359
00:18:13,799 --> 00:18:17,159
Lots of really cool people organizing lots
of really good events, whether you're here
360
00:18:17,159 --> 00:18:21,879
visiting or you're here to stay longer or
live there's lots of good stuff going on.
361
00:18:23,049 --> 00:18:28,494
So I now enjoy the comedy
stylings of yours Truly, I.
362
00:18:28,994 --> 00:18:33,104
But it's lovely to see, not see so many
people coming out to financial happiness.
363
00:18:33,134 --> 00:18:35,774
My, my grandmas have
sex me when I was a kid.
364
00:18:36,134 --> 00:18:37,334
We need to go and find your hat.
365
00:18:37,574 --> 00:18:42,464
So I'm really happy to see so new you
could come out to find your happiness
366
00:18:42,464 --> 00:18:46,214
that I, I'm not promising I'm gonna
go you to happy about, but you
367
00:18:46,214 --> 00:18:47,864
know, we'll, we'll see what happens.
368
00:18:47,864 --> 00:18:53,024
That apparently I was supposed to
prepare something for this, but, ah,
369
00:18:53,024 --> 00:18:55,214
what will just covid the flow now.
370
00:18:56,084 --> 00:18:59,234
But yeah, I, there's so much
unhappiness in the world.
371
00:18:59,294 --> 00:19:01,604
Let's say we all together
with five days from all this.
372
00:19:01,604 --> 00:19:07,334
So politics from now was, and somebody's
just ordered the copy, so like,
373
00:19:07,784 --> 00:19:11,954
you're not gonna a single word or
say, you know, that might be for you.
374
00:19:11,954 --> 00:19:12,434
That is it.
375
00:19:14,534 --> 00:19:16,874
Uh, but I'm really big here.
376
00:19:17,324 --> 00:19:18,854
It's to see four on three.
377
00:19:19,274 --> 00:19:23,714
Uh, but before we start, I feel like I
need to address the elephant in the room.
378
00:19:25,334 --> 00:19:27,284
I prefer the word bear.
379
00:19:27,554 --> 00:19:29,054
I've learned elephant a little bit.
380
00:19:29,354 --> 00:19:31,424
Same first, you could call me a bear.
381
00:19:32,084 --> 00:19:33,374
That's bit nice.
382
00:19:34,364 --> 00:19:36,474
Everyone would be too unkind to myself.
383
00:19:36,704 --> 00:19:42,944
And if you're wondering what a bear is,
a bear is a larger, sometimes hairy,
384
00:19:43,304 --> 00:19:45,164
uh, but you'd be a bit overweight.
385
00:19:45,584 --> 00:19:47,564
Uh, middle-aged gay man.
386
00:19:49,244 --> 00:19:51,404
Oh my God, this gay and he's fat.
387
00:19:52,109 --> 00:19:54,239
Is what my mom said
when I came back to her.
388
00:19:56,699 --> 00:19:58,469
I actually have, uh, it
is not what she said.
389
00:19:58,469 --> 00:20:03,299
I I really wasn't that fat then,
but, uh, that did big piece.
390
00:20:03,989 --> 00:20:06,209
I made it a little bit unkind to myself.
391
00:20:06,209 --> 00:20:11,129
But I feel like making jokes about
fat people is probably the only
392
00:20:11,459 --> 00:20:15,269
social accept, social acceptable
only that's still allowed.
393
00:20:15,269 --> 00:20:17,294
You know, we still allowed
to make jokes about people.
394
00:20:18,209 --> 00:20:18,869
Oh, nice.
395
00:20:18,869 --> 00:20:22,259
But you can still do it, but you're not
supposed to make jokes about gay people.
396
00:20:22,259 --> 00:20:25,799
You not to make, make jokes
about, uh, old people or by that.
397
00:20:25,799 --> 00:20:27,389
So you are not allowed to do it.
398
00:20:27,389 --> 00:20:32,849
So I can, because I'm gay and because
I'm fat, it's because I'm middle late.
399
00:20:33,599 --> 00:20:34,799
If you do it, are yours.
400
00:20:34,799 --> 00:20:35,819
Not those things.
401
00:20:36,089 --> 00:20:40,079
It's hate speech, but when
I do it, it's empowering.
402
00:20:42,299 --> 00:20:43,799
So let's have some character.
403
00:20:43,889 --> 00:20:46,649
I'm probably a little bit inclined
for myself, young carrying.
404
00:20:47,174 --> 00:20:48,264
A few extra llbs.
405
00:20:48,284 --> 00:20:52,094
There's no gas about that, but
it's leasing weight is so hard.
406
00:20:52,094 --> 00:20:53,834
It's, it's really hard.
407
00:20:53,834 --> 00:20:55,934
Anyone, anyone else tried
to lose weight here?
408
00:20:55,934 --> 00:21:00,554
Buy it really hard, but it's really
hard and I, I do order ride fields.
409
00:21:01,034 --> 00:21:02,534
I've bought an expensive gym and
410
00:21:04,844 --> 00:21:10,184
I bought a Men's health magazine and I've
watched it and released a thousand workout
411
00:21:10,184 --> 00:21:12,644
videos on YouTube and I'm still fat.
412
00:21:14,024 --> 00:21:15,194
It's so lovely.
413
00:21:15,194 --> 00:21:16,214
Three is so lovely.
414
00:21:16,214 --> 00:21:16,544
She.
415
00:21:16,559 --> 00:21:22,499
I, I'm probably, probably, they
a bit unfair, but I carry a
416
00:21:22,499 --> 00:21:23,819
few extra pounds around him.
417
00:21:24,599 --> 00:21:28,379
I think that this year was probably
the year, unlike every other year
418
00:21:28,379 --> 00:21:32,819
that I've made this decision to
change my life and, uh, get in shape.
419
00:21:32,819 --> 00:21:36,209
And this year is the year that I'm
gonna finally uncover my six pack.
420
00:21:37,889 --> 00:21:38,219
Alright.
421
00:21:38,219 --> 00:21:39,359
I'm not delusional.
422
00:21:39,509 --> 00:21:42,119
I'll be quite happy with
normalizing my blood pressure,
423
00:21:44,184 --> 00:21:45,389
my, my six pack.
424
00:21:45,899 --> 00:21:47,009
Is a bit like a God.
425
00:21:49,049 --> 00:21:49,289
Really?
426
00:21:49,619 --> 00:21:50,009
Yeah.
427
00:21:50,009 --> 00:21:50,909
It's a bit like God.
428
00:21:51,179 --> 00:21:56,309
She's like kind of, it mighty there,
but there's no evidence for it.
429
00:21:58,234 --> 00:21:59,894
So I'm like, I really want to believe you.
430
00:21:59,894 --> 00:22:02,429
I really want to believe
it's there, but good luck.
431
00:22:02,429 --> 00:22:05,759
Fine it God, but God is, uh, there's
some of you just find out the
432
00:22:05,759 --> 00:22:07,319
first time you had that God real.
433
00:22:07,319 --> 00:22:11,819
So I'm sorry about, and, uh,
but I, I used to believe.
434
00:22:12,209 --> 00:22:14,939
I really used to believe
I, I was a church organist.
435
00:22:14,939 --> 00:22:19,739
I was, uh, a Sunday school teacher
indoctrinating young minds.
436
00:22:20,159 --> 00:22:25,469
And there are people who say that,
uh, you know, religious education
437
00:22:25,469 --> 00:22:28,649
for children is indoctrination,
is it's a form of child abuse.
438
00:22:28,649 --> 00:22:34,354
So I guess if anyone knows about
child abuse is the research, but,
439
00:22:34,454 --> 00:22:39,179
uh, no, I have, I have my own form of
religious child abuse when I was a kid.
440
00:22:39,509 --> 00:22:42,959
My C clerk used to make me get up
every Sunday morning and go to church.
441
00:22:43,499 --> 00:22:47,819
So you have to go to church, you have
to read your Bible, you have to sing
442
00:22:47,819 --> 00:22:52,174
the hymns, you have to have your gay
demons prayed out to, you know, so, so
443
00:22:52,259 --> 00:22:56,489
normal kind of thing like that, you know,
that that was by, that was my form of
444
00:22:56,489 --> 00:22:58,499
child of peace when I, when I was a kid.
445
00:22:58,829 --> 00:23:01,439
And you know, I think that
turned out okay for a bit.
446
00:23:01,469 --> 00:23:02,789
I'm not too worried about it.
447
00:23:02,849 --> 00:23:06,149
And, um, yeah, I'm, I'm
pretty happy with that.
448
00:23:06,149 --> 00:23:09,269
I thought that Flex.
449
00:23:13,484 --> 00:23:15,254
So not perfect.
450
00:23:15,254 --> 00:23:17,824
A few, some laughs in there
and some jokes that I was quite
451
00:23:17,824 --> 00:23:21,384
pleased though my favorite joke
on my own was the one about abs.
452
00:23:21,389 --> 00:23:24,369
I didn't quite nail the joke the
way it was in my head or the way I'd
453
00:23:24,369 --> 00:23:28,199
written it about my abs being like,
God, because, I hope they're there,
454
00:23:28,199 --> 00:23:29,489
but there's no evidence for them.
455
00:23:29,879 --> 00:23:31,689
And I thought that really
wasn't my favorites.
456
00:23:31,839 --> 00:23:33,459
There was bits that I forgot from it.
457
00:23:33,559 --> 00:23:36,819
I did edit this a little bit as well
because there was a section where you
458
00:23:36,819 --> 00:23:40,779
just couldn't make out what I was saying
that I just had to take out completely.
459
00:23:41,149 --> 00:23:44,899
But you saw most of it and I'll
see if I can get a better mic
460
00:23:44,899 --> 00:23:46,429
set up for the next time I do it.
461
00:23:46,439 --> 00:23:48,029
And if you like it, I'll
share that with you as well.
462
00:23:48,284 --> 00:23:51,764
But you are welcome to offer feedback on
my story, on my standup if you want to.
463
00:23:51,764 --> 00:23:53,114
Good or bad, I'll take it.
464
00:23:53,169 --> 00:23:53,919
I don't mind.
465
00:23:54,259 --> 00:23:56,899
But I'd love to hear your thoughts
about what you're gonna do to challenge
466
00:23:56,899 --> 00:24:01,189
yourself to do some of these scary
things and get yourself out there.
467
00:24:01,189 --> 00:24:04,489
Because nothing really happens
or changes until we do this.
468
00:24:04,849 --> 00:24:09,289
And I will say, regardless of the
outcome of the standup or any of it.
469
00:24:10,049 --> 00:24:12,029
I knew it was gonna be
worthwhile doing it.
470
00:24:12,029 --> 00:24:15,619
And the people that I'm meeting and
connecting with, making new friendships,
471
00:24:15,619 --> 00:24:18,769
new connections is so valuable.
472
00:24:19,159 --> 00:24:24,409
And knowing that I'm pushing myself
to do stuff that I wouldn't normally
473
00:24:24,409 --> 00:24:27,889
do, and making that little bit
of extra effort to get into these
474
00:24:27,889 --> 00:24:31,429
things was great and lucky for me.
475
00:24:31,789 --> 00:24:37,309
For the story night, I had the support of
my good friend Aida, and for the comedy
476
00:24:37,309 --> 00:24:39,709
night I had the support of my husband.
477
00:24:39,739 --> 00:24:43,069
Aida came to that as well, and a
whole bunch of our friends came.
478
00:24:43,069 --> 00:24:47,404
So I had about eight people all
together who were there to, support
479
00:24:47,404 --> 00:24:51,274
me, which was great, and that could
have been scary, but it wasn't.
480
00:24:51,524 --> 00:24:52,214
They loved it.
481
00:24:52,214 --> 00:24:53,024
They loved the experience.
482
00:24:53,024 --> 00:24:54,944
They want to come again
the next time I do it.
483
00:24:54,944 --> 00:24:59,114
So I really feel like I need to put on
a good show for them and everyone else.
484
00:24:59,264 --> 00:25:02,744
And now that I've gotten over the
initial fear of doing it, I hope
485
00:25:02,744 --> 00:25:04,184
you'll join me for that and more.
486
00:25:04,574 --> 00:25:07,754
Certainly they're gonna be way
more besides next time on the
487
00:25:07,754 --> 00:25:10,664
show, I'm gonna be talking with a
guest about visual storytelling.
488
00:25:10,694 --> 00:25:12,434
We've had some episodes on this before.
489
00:25:12,684 --> 00:25:15,514
And Oreet Kaufman has
some interesting text.
490
00:25:15,514 --> 00:25:16,384
I really liked.
491
00:25:16,384 --> 00:25:19,174
When I first spoke to her, I thought,
oh, we've just had an episode about
492
00:25:19,204 --> 00:25:20,434
PowerPoints and things like that.
493
00:25:20,444 --> 00:25:21,944
Do I really want another one right away?
494
00:25:22,404 --> 00:25:25,844
Oreet has some really nice, unique
stuff that they thought, oh yeah,
495
00:25:25,844 --> 00:25:29,354
I think we should do this, and
continue that theme, and I think
496
00:25:29,354 --> 00:25:30,524
you'll like what she has to say.
497
00:25:30,524 --> 00:25:34,634
So I hope you'll join me for my next
episode with Oreet Kaufman next week
498
00:25:34,904 --> 00:25:38,984
and make sure you subscribe to the
show if you are not, and get in touch.
499
00:25:39,014 --> 00:25:42,314
Let me know what you'll be
doing to challenge yourself.
500
00:25:42,854 --> 00:25:45,554
So wherever you're going, wherever you're
doing, have an amazing rest of your day.
501
00:25:45,584 --> 00:25:46,244
See you next time.
502
00:25:46,304 --> 00:25:46,664
Take care.
