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The James Altucher Show

311 - Todd Barry: Accidental Comedian: How to Stumble Into Your Calling

The James Altucher Show

James Altucher

Education, Business

4.62.7K Ratings

🗓️ 30 January 2018

⏱️ 60 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

"It's weird to do something that you didn't really plan on doing," Todd Barry said. He's a comedian and actor. But he wanted to be a musician. "I didn't go on stage with the conscious goal of pursuing comedy. In my mind, I still wanted to be in a band," he said. "And at some point, I think it was like 8 months in where, I was like, 'I guess I guess I'm doing this.'" I wanted to know what kept him going... It was simple.  "Weirdly, I don't think I ever said 'I'm thinking about quitting...' which I guess is pretty telling." Maybe that's how you find your calling... By not quitting what you don't hate, you create skill. And skill becomes love.   Show Notes: Read Todd's book, "Thank You for Coming to Hattiesburg: One Comedian's Tour of Not-Quite-the-Biggest Cities in the World" Listen to Todd's podcast interview with Judd Apatow  This is one of my favorite jokes from Todd Barry Watch Todd in "Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee" with Jerry Seinfeld  I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to "The James Altucher Show" and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify   Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram ------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltuchershow.com------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to "The James Altucher Show" wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsiHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on social media:YouTubeTwitterFacebookLinkedIn See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0

This isn't your average business podcast and he's not your average host.

0:06.4

This is the James Altiger Show on the Choose Yourself Network.

0:10.4

Today on the James Altiger Show.

0:15.9

I didn't go on stage with the conscious goal like I'm pursuing comedy.

0:20.4

I just was going to the open mic nights and I just got this little edge to just go.

0:25.0

I could go up there. I could just sign up for this and they'll let me up there.

0:29.0

They'll let anyone up there.

0:32.0

Yeah, so I did it. I remember feeling uncomfortable because I guess I in my mind

0:35.4

I still wanted to be in a band.

0:37.4

At some point I think it was like eight months in or I guess I guess I'm doing this.

0:42.4

It's weird because it's weird to do something that you didn't really plan on.

0:48.4

Along the way too, it must be frustrating.

0:51.4

I mean, there's a luck factor too in the sense that some people get sick home.

0:55.6

Some people totally explode upwards or for all the right reasons or wrong reasons.

1:00.6

What was happening in the early stage that kept you going or thinking maybe I should quit this?

1:06.6

Weirdly, I don't think I ever said I'm thinking about quitting, which I guess is pretty telling.

1:11.0

Oh, okay. So that's good.

1:12.6

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

1:13.8

All right. I've got the comedian Todd Barry on the podcast.

1:22.8

Todd, I didn't even let you drink water.

1:24.8

I know. Let me take one sip.

1:26.8

Okay.

...

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