Daniel Yazbek

from Dam Yankee · host Dam Yankee

Zack Newmark sits down with Amsterdam-based comedian Daniel Yazbek. Originally from Johannesburg, Daniel traded a master's degree in computer science for a microphone and hasn't looked back since. Daniel opens up about growing up with two heroin addict parents, the complicated relationship with his mother, and how a childhood shaped by chaos became the foundation for his comedy. He also talks about building the Amsterdam English comedy scene alongside his podcast co-host and friend of the pod Sjoerd Scott, and why he's now taking his stand-up special "I'll Call You Back" on a European tour. In this episode we talk about turning trauma into comedy, the psychology of addiction and how it shaped his relationships, and what it takes to build a comedy career from scratch in a country that's not your own. Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction & Welcome 00:48 - From South Africa to Amsterdam: The Comedy Origin Story 02:16 - Why He Got a Master's in Computer Science as a Backup Plan 05:51 - Building a Reputation in the Amsterdam Comedy Scene 08:56 - Writing Process & Morning Routines 11:06 - Is the Comedy Career Going as Planned? 14:37 - ADHD, Flow State & Why Comedians Chase the Stage 18:00 - Growing Up with Two Heroin Addict Parents 28:01 - His Relationship with His Father & the Netflix Movie 32:50 - His Complicated Relationship with His Mother 40:20 - Comedic Influences Growing Up 43:41 - Pattern Recognition: The Mathematical Approach to Comedy 51:47 - The "In the Background" Podcast with Sjoerd Scott 54:46 - Taking "I'll Call You Back" on a European Tour 57:42 - Adapting the Show for Different Countries & Audiences 01:00:32 - Finding Community Through Third World Humor Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0w7Ro2uWOXU Follow Dam Yankee: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrTNLZq07abBOD19MLzRTSg?sub_confirmation=1 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/damyankeepodcast Website: https://damyankeepodcast.nltimes.nl/ Connect with Daniel Yazbek: https://www.instagram.com/daniel.yazbek/ Tickets to Daniel's Show: https://linktr.ee/danielyazbek?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&ltsid=8296fe28-2466-4d85-b15b-38f063f14b4c Connect with me: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zacharynewmark This episode is sponsored by NoticemeStore.com, your go-to store for Korean and Japanese skincare brands like Beauty of Joseon, SKIN1004, and Anua, with a Lowest Price Guarantee. Find it cheaper elsewhere and they'll match it instantly (Conditions apply). Use code NLTimes10 for 10% off → www.noticemestore.com

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Mar 12, 2026

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