All Segments
Romesh Ranganathan: There's A Dark Voice In My Head That I've Learnt To Control | E220
17 segments available
Romesh Ranganathan is an English actor and comedian. His most recent stand-up special "The Cynic" is available now to stream on Netflix, and he will be touring the UK in early 2024. 00:00 Intro 02:36 Childhood 07:19 Your dad’s prison years 14:08 Were you ashamed of your family? 17:41 Being a lazy kid 19:44 What did you think of yourself? 21:55 Dealing with a voice in my head 36:01 Your comedian journey 45:30 Ads 47:22 Your days pre-stand up 52:44 The loss of your father 59:58 Your mum's support 01:03:26 Becoming a successful comedian 01:14:25 Are you happy? 01:19:44 Last guest’s question Romesh: Instagram - https://bit.ly/3JSdbR4 Twitter - https://bit.ly/3Xhgq7K Romesh's book: http://bit.ly/3DPPTaY Romesh's tour: http://bit.ly/3Ywd2H8 Watch the episodes on Youtube - https://g2ul0.app.link/3kxINCANKsb CALM Helpline: https://bit.ly/3Yz0L4O Follow: Instagram - https://bit.ly/3CXkF0d Twitter - https://bit.ly/3wBA6bA Linkedin - https://bit.ly/3z3CSYM Telegram - https://g2ul0.app.link/SBExclusiveCommun Sponsors: Craftd - https://g2ul0.app.link/gZ8in6Dsvsb Huel - https://g2ul0.app.link/G4RjcdKNKsb Intel - https://bit.ly/3FxWMO2 Bluejeans - https://g2ul0.app.link/NCgpGjVNKsb
Segments Timeline
The Catalyst for Comedy
Romesh Ranganathan reflects on his childhood and the pivotal moments that shaped his journey into comedy. He discusses the duality of his upbringing, where he experienced both comfort and chaos, and how these contrasting elements influenced his comedic voice. Ranganathan shares insights into the inner voice that challenges him, revealing the complexities behind his success as a comedian.
"please welcome romish ranan he's one of the most popular standups around I'm hosting this [ __ ] I think that all comedians are wied slightly differently something happened to them that has made them ..."
A Comfortable Childhood
In this segment, Romesh describes his early years, highlighting the comfort and privilege he experienced growing up. He paints a picture of a stable family life, marked by material success and a supportive environment, before the dramatic changes that would follow. This foundation set the stage for his later reflections on identity and belonging.
"pursue that career I'm always intrigued by like why so can you give me the context that you think from your earliest years might have influenced you taking that path if we go before you're even 10 wel..."
Dad's Prison Years
Romesh opens up about his father's struggles, including the impact of his imprisonment on the family. He recounts the events leading to his father's arrest and the subsequent upheaval in their lives. This segment delves into the emotional turmoil and the drastic shift from stability to chaos, shaping Romesh's perspective on family and success.
"in many ways because it seemed like your childhood had very distinct um opposing chapters right one might say and from came I came to the country when I was a kid from Botswana and the first chapter w..."
Shame and Family Expectations
In this poignant discussion, Romesh explores feelings of shame associated with his family's struggles. He reflects on the cultural expectations placed upon him as a child of immigrant parents and how these pressures influenced his self-perception. This segment highlights the internal conflict between personal aspirations and familial obligations.
"I was trying to understand if there was that same feeling of kind of underlying shame well like to give you an idea so I I went to I started at this state school and I really enjoyed it and I had I ha..."
The Lazy Kid
Romesh shares candidly about his self-image as a lazy child, contrasting it with the expectations of his parents. He discusses the challenges of balancing his comedic ambitions with the pressure to succeed academically, revealing the complexities of his youth and the motivations behind his eventual career choice.
"I still do think I'm quite lazy I I I just was like all of my school reports said romes is wasting his ability romes doesn't apply himself romes doesn't um and that was true before everything not to t..."
Self-Reflection and Identity
In this introspective segment, Romesh reflects on his self-perception and the voice in his head that often undermines his confidence. He candidly discusses the struggles of self-doubt and the journey toward self-acceptance, providing insight into the psychological aspects of being a comedian.
"time it's a great question because to be honest with you what my opinion of myself is now is something I really struggle with and and like I've never thought about the origins of that but um the the t..."
The Voice in My Head
Romesh delves deeper into the concept of the 'dark voice' in his head that challenges his self-worth. He shares experiences from his career, including the pressures of performing and the fear of failure. This segment emphasizes the importance of resilience and the lessons learned from difficult performances.
"genuinely does like cuz and it also I think people don't understand the privilege that they have if they don't have that in their head right right yeah yeah I totally agree I mean it's it's such a dif..."
The Comedian's Journey
In this segment, Romesh discusses his journey to becoming a successful comedian. He reflects on the challenges he faced, the evolution of his comedic style, and the pivotal moments that defined his career. This narrative showcases the determination and passion that fueled his rise in the comedy world.
"long anding stereotype and I've sat here with Jimmy Carr Etc and he's told me he actually said to me he said you should ask you should ask comedians not are they depressed but like who in their family..."
Pre-Stand Up Days
Romesh shares insights into his life before he became a stand-up comedian. He discusses the experiences and influences that shaped his comedic perspective, providing a glimpse into the formative years that led him to pursue a career in comedy.
"some of you may know by now Blue Jeans by Verizon offers seamless high quality video conferencing but the reason why I use blue jeans versus other video conferencing tools is because of immersion thei..."
The Loss of My Father
In this emotional segment, Romesh reflects on the profound impact of losing his father. He shares personal anecdotes and the lessons learned from this loss, highlighting how it shaped his outlook on life and comedy.
"Branch I'm I'm trying to understand that that sort of pivotal moment and like what happened what made you take the the leap crazy I mean I know comedians when they start out don't get paid a huge amou..."
Mum's Unwavering Support
Romesh discusses the pivotal role his mother played in his life, especially during challenging times. He emphasizes her support and resilience, illustrating the bond they share and how it influenced his journey as a comedian.
"because um I was really close to my dad I mean my relationship as you can imagine was very troubled with my dad because you know I'd seen this guy I'd seen this guy kind of want to leave us and you kn..."
Becoming a Successful Comedian
In this segment, Romesh reflects on his transition to becoming a successful comedian. He shares the milestones of his career, the challenges he faced, and the joy of achieving his dreams in the comedy industry.
"um she just said that her the center of her Universe was you to as brothers and she would have done anything to you including becoming a cleaner and taking other jobs in shops and stuff like that she ..."
Are You Happy?
Romesh candidly addresses the question of happiness in his life and career. He reflects on the complexities of success and fulfillment, providing a thoughtful perspective on what it means to be truly happy.
"there was a moment where everything changes that's why it's a bit of a shitty question if I reflect on that but like when was what was the the first stone that fell or the first Domino that fell that ..."
Final Thoughts and Questions
In the closing segment, Romesh answers questions from the last guest, offering final thoughts on his journey and the lessons learned along the way. This segment encapsulates his experiences and insights, leaving the audience with a sense of closure.
"I know that I've talked a lot about my inner voice and all of that and how I've struggled with that but I am happy yeah I I I do I do consider myself to be happy I I I think like I've got a great I've..."
Crisis of Meaning
Romesh engages with a profound question about the crisis of meaning in modern life, particularly in the wake of the pandemic. He reflects on how the loss of jobs and social connections has led many to feel a lack of purpose. This segment emphasizes the importance of creative expression and personal enrichment as antidotes to feelings of meaninglessness, advocating for a broader understanding of identity beyond professional roles.
"it's like what I can go is I want this show to be really good I want this show to make me laugh I want to make something I'm proud of I can do that do you know what I mean like that's that's inside th..."
Finding Purpose Beyond Work
In this segment, Romesh discusses the significance of engaging in creative activities outside of one's job to foster a sense of purpose. He highlights how the pandemic revealed the fragility of identity tied to work and encourages individuals to explore personal passions. This conversation underscores the value of creativity as a means to combat feelings of emptiness and to cultivate a fulfilling life.
"where people's lives don't feel meaningful um enough so they're turning to opioids they're becoming depressed they you know Dying by Suicide he's saying how do we go about solving that today well I do..."
Empathy Through Shared Struggles
Romesh shares a heartfelt reflection on the importance of discussing mental health and the internal struggles many face. He emphasizes the need for empathy and understanding, particularly for those who experience negative self-talk. This segment serves as a reminder of the shared human experience of battling inner demons and the value of open conversations about mental health.
"enrichment outside of you know outside of a job and outside of all this then I think you that's a way of equipping people sort of more effectively to to find that I guess would be a freestyle answer t..."