38 | Real Talk on Passion vs. Income feat. Leland Lim

The mainstream tells you to "follow your passion," but what happens when you actually do? Stand-up comedian Leland Lim drops by the studio for a masterclass in creative honesty, breaking down why he walked away from a high-paying role as an advertising Creative Director to tell jokes in front of five people in a basement Chinese restaurant. In this episode, Ken and Leland strip away the romanticized glare of the spotlight. Leland explains why modern stand-up is a deeply cerebral art form built on human insights, references, and emotional connection—not just cheap slapstick. He opens up about the raw psychology behind the mic: why he aggressively chases "validation" as fuel , his paralyzing nightmares of bombing on stage , and how the brutal fear of mediocrity keeps him leveling up his craft. If you've ever felt trapped by comfort, terrified of taking a leap of faith, or skeptical of the curated realities you see online, Leland’s sharp, tactical, and filter-free perspective will change how you look at communication, ego, and the real physical world. Make sure to use the hashtag #LiveitAsia if you have any comments or topic requests!Follow me everywhere!TikTok: ⁠⁠@kenyouspeakofficial⁠⁠IG: ⁠⁠@kenlizardo⁠⁠FB: ⁠⁠/kenlizardoofficial ⁠⁠LinkedIn: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenlizardo