Certainly, you want to be liked, but as you gain confidence and experience you're more concerned with expressing yourself and what matters to you.

The more you perform, the more adept you get at the nuances of navigating that communal conversation.

If you're funny, you can find a stage to get on. If you're good, you'll start to get work and eventually get paid.

Your stage persona is usually a version of yourself, to varying degrees. Some folks do a full-on character, so that's different. But most comics do some version of themselves.

I'll sit down for an hour or two a few days a week in a quiet place and brainstorm. The earlier in the day, the better, before the parade of distractions starts.

That heightened dynamic can produce interesting, funny ideas that are phrased in ways that surprise even you, as the performer.

I learned so many things from Louis C.K., but the most impactful thing was witnessing his work ethic. He works harder than anyone I've ever been around in comedy. And he takes risks and doesn't dwell on what might be perceived as failures.