We recently had the chance to connect with Joel Bryant and have shared our conversation below.
Joel, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What do you think others are secretly struggling with—but never say?
I think everyone struggles every day. To varying degrees and not necessarily clinical or environmental, maybe even passing. However, we compartmentalize so much and are inundated constantly that I believe most of us are taxing our minds, both mentally and emotionally. It’s how we handle it and address it, rather than run from and ignore it, that joy and healing can begin. That usually starts with addressing, either out loud or to ourselves. Something most people do far to inconsistently.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Joel Bryant, a comedian, host and actor based sometimes in Southern California, but mostly on the road. As a matter of fact, I’m currently answering this from an airport lounge in Sweden on a layover between gigs in Vilnius and Berlin.
As a comedian, I’ve been on the scene for 20 years, playing everything from iconic LA and NY clubs to corporate events and every venue in between. 7 years ago, however, I discovered the English Standup comedy scene overseas. To date, I’ve headlined in 40 countries around the world, from iconic cities like Paris, Barcelona, Singapore, Sarajevo, Athens and Bangkok to smaller, relatively unknown, but just as ready to laugh cities such as Maastricht, Pattaya, Siem Reap, Skopje, Lund, Linz and Bratislava. I go out for months at a time, live out of a backpack and do what I can to break down barriers and propagate shared laughter.
As an emcee/host, I’ve been on stages from 15 to 15,000 people around the world. Whether it’s the corporate sector (for clients such as Google, Apple and Delta), sporting events (the last 9 Super Bowls) or private functions, there isn’t a miced-up event I haven’t let my services to – awards galas, charity auctions, team-building events, game shows, leadership seminars, you name it. As well, I recently signed with my first Speakers Bureau to deliver keynote speeches as well.
Acting was my first love, starting at 11 years old. Schedule-wise, it tends to take a backseat to the above, but I’m still allowed to dabble in it here and there. I recently starred in the horror thriller “Candlewood” (Amazon Prime), performed the one-man play “Every Brilliant Thing” at Dezart Performs and recently signed with new management, which has kept me busy with Zoom auditions and meetings while I travel, so the next acting gig is right around the corner. As well, I’m currently pitching “Jokes Abroad,” a docu-series a la Anthony Bourdain with the travel being influenced by wherever standup comedy can be found around the world.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
Communication is key. In relationships, work environments, within the family dynamic, with complete strangers, as a consumer, as a citizen and with ourselves. We are sometimes so programmed to not be our authentic selves, which hinders communication, that the skillset of just expressing becomes limited and fades over time. This is especially true between people. Nobody is a mind-reader (or very few, depending on what you believe) so the only thing we have to be our true selves and let others be theirs is communication. Honesty, the right words, the right timing, conciseness. More of that will truly free our minds and emotional selves and break the bonds of self- and interpersonal sabotage. If that gets damaged, the only way to get it back, is…more communication. Better communication, eloquent communication and unfiltered communication. When we start doing that – oh, what a feeling! When it gets shattered, it’s so stilting, but can easily be restored by extra doses of clarity.
What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
When my mother passed, I saw her slow decline from zestfully soaking up life to resolutely accepting retirement and retreating to a solitary, quiet, inactive lifestyle. She used to grab life by the horns. When she stopped working, she stopped wanting and stopped taking care of herself. It was a slow downward spiral, self-created. Her biggest lesson was one she probably unintentionally foisted upon her two sons: Never slow down, never stop living, don’t be complacent and soak up the moments. Since her passing, my healing has been to be more motivated, enjoy more and seek out and say “yes” to more opportunities.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What truths are so foundational in your life that you rarely articulate them?
Humor is everywhere. In everything. It’s the salve that makes life’s toughest times more bearable and the best times even better. Ever since I could remember, I’ve found the smiles and humor in things. When you can live life through comedically-colored glasses, it takes a lot more to wipe the smile off your face. You also get really used to it so that when life gets tough or you’re faced with adversity or tragedy, you have an ingrained muscle memory which creates a shortcut to smiling again.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What will you regret not doing?
Honestly, hopefully nothing. I can always look back and see missed opportunities, wrong decisions, adverse reactions, or moments when I wasn’t my best. However, to me, that’s not regret. I did the best with what I could when I was in the moment. That’s who I was at the time. Instead of looking at it as regret, I look at it as moments that have shaped who I am today, for better or worse, and, liking who I am today, I can’t regret a single thing.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.joelbryant.net/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejoelbryant/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrjoelbryant/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JoelBryantFanpage/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/joelbryantvideos
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@thejoelbryant
Image Credits
Terrence Wong
Lauren Matley
