My First Joke
My First Joke
Podcast Description
Every great laugh starts with one brave joke. Join host Karim Kanji on *My First Joke*, where comedians share the hilarious, awkward, and inspiring stories behind their first time on stage. From bombing to bringing the house down, we dig into the journeys of today’s funniest people. Whether you’re a comedy superfan or just need a good laugh, this podcast delivers punchlines, backstage stories, and plenty of laughs along the way. Tune in and find out where the funny begins!
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast focuses on the personal and comedic journeys of various comedians, highlighting themes such as the fear of performing, memorable first gigs, and the evolution of their comedic style. Episodes include stories from both emerging and established comedians, covering moments of failure and triumph, such as a comedian's first experience bombing or successfully making an audience laugh.
Every great laugh starts with one brave joke. Join host Karim Kanji on *My First Joke*, where comedians share the hilarious, awkward, and inspiring stories behind their first time on stage. From bombing to bringing the house down, we dig into the journeys of today’s funniest people. Whether you’re a comedy superfan or just need a good laugh, this podcast delivers punchlines, backstage stories, and plenty of laughs along the way. Tune in and find out where the funny begins!
On this episode of “My First Joke,” host Karim Kanji welcomes Toronto-based comedian John Mostyn for an honest and hilarious conversation about the journey into stand-up comedy. John shares how moving from Glasgow to Canada—and overcoming social anxiety—set him on a path to the stage. He recounts his early days in comedy, the nerves of performing for small crowds, and the gradual transition to making comedy a full-time career.
John opens up about performing in some of the most unusual venues imaginable, from sex clubs to pirate boats, and reflects on the differences between city and small-town audiences. He offers advice for new comics about focusing on material before crowd work, and highlights some of Toronto’s top rising comedians: Tracy Hamilton, Fiona O’Brien, Hisham Kelati, Chris Locke, Adam Christie, and Todd Graham.
Plus, John talks about his upcoming comedy album and the importance of living life outside of comedy to inspire new material.
Follow John Mostyn on Instagram: @jmostyncomedy
Subscribe to “My First Joke” for more candid interviews with comedians and creatives!
Disclaimer
This podcast’s information is provided for general reference and was obtained from publicly accessible sources. The Podcast Collaborative neither produces nor verifies the content, accuracy, or suitability of this podcast. Views and opinions belong solely to the podcast creators and guests.
For a complete disclaimer, please see our Full Disclaimer on the archive page. The Podcast Collaborative bears no responsibility for the podcast’s themes, language, or overall content. Listener discretion is advised. Read our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy for more details.