The Daily Stoic – Tom Segura On Honing The Craft of Comedy

Intro

In this episode of “The Daily Stoic” podcast, host Ryan Holiday interviews comedian Tom Segura about the intersection of Stoicism and comedy. They discuss how Stoic principles can be applied to various aspects of life, including parenting and creative projects. Tom shares insights from his own experiences as a comedian and offers valuable advice on honing the craft of comedy.

Main Takeaways

Stoicism and Comedy

• Stoicism and humor are not mutually exclusive.
• Comedian Tom Segura discusses Stoicism in his comedy.
• Stoicism can help deal with challenging issues of our time.
• Tom Segura’s comedy about parenting can be used to illustrate Stoic principles.
• Stoicism can inspire joy, laughter, and emotional depth.

The Creative Process

• Tom discusses the experience of finishing a creative project, such as a book or comedy special, and the sense of release and room it creates in the mind.
• Both Tom and the host express a desire to move on to new projects after completing a current one.
• Taking breaks between projects can lead to creative breakthroughs.
• The delay in book publishing can provide time for reflection and improvement.
• The mind needs to finish one project before moving on to the next.

The Craft of Comedy

• Don’t save ideas for later, use them now and edit later.
• Being less precious and more intentional can lead to better outcomes.
• Don’t waste good material too early in a project, think about the arc of the project.
• Focus on what’s exciting and interesting, not on what others might think.
• Trust your instincts, but be willing to tweak and cut material.
• After releasing a special, use the B-sides for new material.

The Evolution of Comedy

• The first draft of anything is usually not great.
• The first mountain in writing is getting everything down and refining it.
• Writing strong content is important so that even imperfect performances still get the laughs.
• Delicate sections need perfect performance and may require multiple approaches.
• Revisiting work multiple times can help identify areas that need improvement.

Receiving Feedback

• Feedback can be helpful in identifying problem areas, but the writer should ultimately decide how to fix them.
• Cutting material from a comedy special can be difficult, but it’s important to make swift decisions about what to keep and what to cut.
• The length of a comedy special is important to consider. While some comedians may want to show off their ability to perform for a long time, audiences may not want to sit through a show that’s too long.
• Touring and performing for years can help comedians build up their material, but it’s important to consider what audiences actually want to see and how long they want to sit for.
• When watching comedy specials, it’s interesting to consider the choices that comedians make and how those choices impact the overall performance.

Summary

Stoicism and Comedy

Stoicism and comedy can coexist, as comedian Tom Segura demonstrates in his routines. He incorporates Stoic principles into his comedy, addressing challenging issues of our time and using his experiences as a parent to illustrate Stoic concepts. By infusing his comedy with Stoicism, Tom is able to inspire joy, laughter, and emotional depth in his audience.

The Creative Process

Tom and the host discuss the unique experience of finishing a creative project, such as a book or comedy special. They emphasize the importance of allowing the mind to fully complete one project before moving on to the next. Taking breaks between projects can lead to creative breakthroughs, and the delay in book publishing can provide valuable time for reflection and improvement.

The Craft of Comedy

Tom shares valuable insights into the craft of comedy. He encourages comedians to not save their best ideas for later, but to use them now and edit later. Being less precious and more intentional with material can lead to better outcomes. Tom advises against wasting good material too early in a project and emphasizes the importance of considering the overall arc of the project. Trusting one’s instincts while being willing to tweak and cut material is crucial for success. After releasing a special, using the B-sides for new material can keep the creative process flowing.

The Evolution of Comedy

Tom discusses the evolution of comedy and the writing process. He acknowledges that the first draft of anything is usually not great, but the important first step is getting everything down and refining it. Writing strong content is essential so that even imperfect performances can still elicit laughter. Delicate sections may require multiple approaches and perfect performances. Revisiting work multiple times allows comedians to identify areas that need improvement and refine their material.

Receiving Feedback

Feedback plays a crucial role in the creative process. While feedback can be helpful in identifying problem areas, Tom emphasizes that the writer should ultimately decide how to fix them. Cutting material from a comedy special can be challenging, but making swift decisions about what to keep and what to cut is important. Considering the length of a comedy special is also crucial, as audiences may not want to sit through a show that’s too long. While touring and performing can help comedians build up their material, it’s essential to consider what audiences actually want to see and how long they want to sit for. When watching comedy specials, it’s interesting to analyze the choices that comedians make and how those choices impact the overall performance.

Conclusion

Comedian Tom Segura’s insights into Stoicism and the craft of comedy provide valuable lessons for both aspiring and experienced comedians. By incorporating Stoic principles into his routines, Tom demonstrates that humor and emotional depth can coexist. His advice on the creative process, receiving feedback, and the evolution of comedy offers valuable guidance for comedians looking to hone their craft. Ultimately, Tom’s experiences and perspectives shed light on the intersection of Stoicism and comedy, inspiring laughter and introspection in equal measure.