We recently connected with Lukas Purm and have shared our conversation below.
Lukas , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.
My most meaningful project is my web series currently in preproduction.
After being pitched and close to production with studio backing in early 2020, it rested for a few years.
During that time I sought ways to fit into the changing landscape of comedy with live performance
banned (!! BANNED !!) for two years.
Returning to live audiences and touring over the last two years renewed enthusiasm and clarified
why I enjoy sharing my perspective through humor, where my fulfillment comes from; creating
projects I want to see, knowing there are many people who relate before we even meet.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I’m a stand up comedian and creator who produces and performs live comedy, now
producing his own mini-series.
Its a funny thing to describe yourself to strangers… some call me existential, which sounds very
dramatic and serious, like a space cadet scared of heights. I can’t live on surface reflections and
hot-take opinions, I prefer deep dives and discussions that open minds through positive energy.
After my last theatre show an audience member told me I felt like a group hug for the whole room.
Descriptions that resonate with me are; honest, refreshing, uplifting, original, bright, energetic.
What sets me apart is I know comedy is finding new voices, filling new spaces, entering an era
where live shows are appreciated more than ever… It’s far from dead, its encouraging originality
instead of lazy mindsets and copycat material. People want to laugh more than ever, just not at
cheap, demeaning thrills. Context matters.
I’m most proud of taking the independent route as a creator. When bars and clubs turned me
away for being “too smart”, I booked with international festivals, fringe shows, improv theatres.
Headlining a show at the Taiwan Festival in Canada to great reception is another moment.
I’m not Taiwanese, but I am bilingual, a first-generation Canadian born from Czech immigrants.
The producers valued and and celebrated fresh perspectives with unique stories.
“Making a difference” means creating your own opportunities through authenticity. My difference is me.
Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?
My philosophy and influence are distilled to the likes of Alan Watts, Bugs Bunny, Franz Kafka, and my parents Hana & Chuck. Jon Kabat-Zinn’s “Mindfulness” talk at Google (on YTube) is wonderful medicine too.
I feel more defined by how embodied my values are than how often I quote others to impress people.. (Actions over words.)
The universe is under no obligation to make sense to us. Embrace the unknown. Growth lies outside our comfort zone so I’m becoming comfortable feeling uncomfortable. Humility is not thinking less of yourself, its thinking of yourself less. Forgiveness is a superpower. Baggage is heavy. Laughter is soul food. Competition with yourself is better than any comparison with others.
Michael Crichton’s “Travels” is a non-fiction joy ride I gift often. Carlos Castaneda’s “Art of Dreaming” is a repeat on my audiobook list.
Alright – so here’s a fun one. What do you think about NFTs?
Some scams are just obvious, Sometimes it pays to remain analogue in a digital cesspool.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://lukaspurm.com
- Instagram: @psydehustle
- Youtube: @psydehustle
Image Credits
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