“It’s just supposed to be fun. If it’s not fun then you’re missing the point…”
– Australian comedian Tom Ballard

I’m sitting here on my bean-bag in my castle in the sky after interviewing Australian comedian, writer, TV show creator and podcaster, Tom Ballard and I’ve got a little bit of a buzz on. No, I’m not drunk or high, I actually didn’t pull out a beer until 3/4 of the way through this podcast and it was good to interview without beers for a change… I’m just sitting here soaking up the afterglow that I get every time that I record this podcast. I love the intimacy and learnings of a one-on-one with interesting, inspiring people who are working their absolute backsides off to do what they love! Happiness!

Anyway in today’s podcast chat, Tom and I cover a range of topics including his upcoming international comedy tour to Montreal, Edinburgh Fringe Festival and London where Tom’s performing his one-man show, Taxis & Rainbows & Hatred, which is a “a blistering hour of stand-up about love, sex loneliness and finding the courage to be one’s self,”, the recent Dawn Fraser vs Nick Kyrgios saga and the casual racism that’s still so prevalent in Australian society, the decision to leave a highly successful role at triple j radio career to continue pursuing a full-time career in stand-up comedy, reminiscing back to 2011 when we met and involved in the launch event of triple j unearthed radio station, inspirational figures in his life and so much more.

Super super chats and since the recording I’ve been loving catching up on episodes of Tom’s own podcast ‘Like I’m A Six-Year-Old’ where Tom sits down with fascinating individuals like Arj Barker, Dan Ilic and Waleed Aly to talk about politics, the way society works and just learn about people. ‘Cause that’s how we work out who we are right?

At a time in my life where I’m loving my career and the projects I work on outside of my 9-5, in the back of my mind is the ever present yardstick that I hold myself to “Am I at where I want to be? What would I do with my life right now if I could do anything?”… Tom’s outlook on life and thoughts from the podcast couldn’t have rung more true to me. Amongst others they are this..

“When you’re starting out you’re kind of obsessed by breaking, your big break and the thing that’s going to make a name for yourself. Life is long and career’s are long.. you are not any one gig, you are not any one TV show. You are not any one job or any one project in one job… the long term view is a very healthy thing to have, then the deciding factor is your commitment to the thing you want to do and how hard want to work at it to make it happen.”

“Opportunity cost is a fact of life. (as a result of leaving triple j) I went on to tour a lot more and do a TV show and now I’m about to go overseas which I couldn’t be doing if I was on radio.”

Words from the guru. Chasing the dream, living the dream. Let’s get into it!

Click here for magic in your ears 🙂    

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Hot & Delicious: Rocks The Planet is weekly podcast where we interview inspiring individuals and successful entrepreneurs from around the planet across a range of industries (incl. music, film/tv, fashion, travel, comedy and more) about what makes them tick as people and drives their hunger for success.

Connect with Tom Ballard on Twitter and check out all his shows and blog  via TomBallard.com.au

Subscribe to Tom Ballard’s podcast ‘Like I’m A Six-Year-Old’. 

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