We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Esteban Gast a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Esteban thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

I grew up watching movies. And, perhaps to a fault, I thought that life was like a movie. As Oscar Wilde once wrote, “life imitates art far more than art imitates life”. Anyways, all that is to say that I have been searching for these “montage” moments. Moments where I would start writing, performing, or growing in my skills and then, after a catchy song, I would be really good at them. And sadly, life is far more boring. And long. And boring. Like, so boring.

I’m a standup comedian and I started doing standup in high school. I entered a standup comedy competition and ended up winning it. This was in the suburbs of Chicago and I ended up winning a tux rental…but I thought “this is it. SNL will call me now.” And then, I didn’t do standup for years. In college, I started doing more standup and started loving the craft of it – not just the attention of it. But, after a few months, I stopped doing it. I would start and stop doing standup for the next several years. Why? I suppose I just wanted it to be easier. I wanted to do well at a show and “move up” (whatever that means). Instead, I was doing well at shows and then…having to do the same show? Go to the same open mic?

Now, as a standup in LA, I realize that’s the path. My friends, the ones who have done standup on TV and tour, are relentless. They go to shows and go to shows and go to shows. There is no substitute for stage time. The thing that most stood in my way was thinking that there was a shortcut, that someone would come tap me on the shoulder and give me a show. If, for some reason, someone has the shoulder-tapping-show-giving ability, please reach out.

I do think there is some kernel of wisdom to my approach growing up. I think there is something to questioning a system. I think there is no substitute for stage time. and there are comics who build a following online who can now tour. Thinking strategically, especially in a comedy culture that loves gatekeepers, will help you – but it can’t be substituted for the work. A social media following may help you skip a step here or there – but if you don’t have the skills, it can’t sustain a career.

So now, I know the truth; comedy takes time. Like, so much time. And, I’m grateful to be along for the ride. I’d rather be doing something I enjoy, for a sustained period of time, than unable to pursue what I love because I’m afraid of the work.

Esteban, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My name is Esteban and I’m someone who tells silly stories about serious topics. It all started in education; I briefly taught in high school and taught at the college level. I ran a study abroad program in an off-the-grid eco-community. I know, so many buzzwords. The whole time I was in the world of education, I was also doing standup comedy (and writing, hosting, etc) at night. I was living two lives. Both of which I enjoyed.

And then, VICE made a TV show about my time at the eco-community. It came out on VICELAND, the tv network of VICE. The show wasn’t too terribly good but it did connect all my passions. It was my education life int he entertainment world.

Since then, I’ve co-written a movie, hosted a bunch of podcasts including a Spotify Original show called “Identity at Play” and had a bunch of webseries. I also co-created and co-direct the Climate Comedy Cohort, a 9-month fellowship that connects professional comedians to climate experts and create funny and meaningful videos, shows, and jokes that inspire change in the climate crisis.

And now, I’m focusing on more comedy with something to say. Now, you can find me performing all over LA (and traveling a bit) to writing and starring in short films to working alongside the Climate Comedy Cohort and partners to continue bringing comedy to topics that are close to my heart.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

Oh man, so much. To me, society feels a bit stuck. To me, the future is hard to imagine; with the climate crisis and late-stage capitalism and all the strikes and wildfires and groceries being expensive. To me, artists have a responsibility to help envision the future. We can only live in a future that we can imagine – and it’s important for those in the business of imagination to be intentional about their imagination.

I think society should recognize the roles and responsibility that artists have in creating a better world. I work alongside an amazing team and we run the Climate Comedy Cohort, and the way that comedy is used in climate communications and community building, it can be used for other groups.

I think comedy is like poetry and politics is like prose. Comedy is emotional, vulnerable, authentic, and memorable. It should be treated as an essential part for movement-building and the economy.

To me, finances are what get in the way of most creatives. Or, I’ll speak for myself…I think about money a lot. I’ve been lucky enough to make a living from being a creative for almost 5 years now, but finances is still the thing I lose most sleep over. If given financial comfort, I think most people turn to art. Have you ever noticed that so many rich people become artists?

Recognizing the power of art – in politics, business, and communitybuilding – cannot happen without proper compensation. So, value artists and then literally financially value their work. Societies that take their art and artists seriously create more just, rich, and meaningful communities.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

There’s a Mr. Rogers quote I love, he says “try your best to make goodness attractive.” I’m not sure, but I think he’s speaking to me.

When I was in Junior High School everyone was wearing these very cool T-Mac basketball shoes. They were colorful; usually red or blue. They were also $200. I couldn’t afford them and I just thought this meant I couldn’t be cool. My friends would wear them and get compliments. And then, one day, I decided to spray paint my $20 KMart shoes. I spray painted them red and blue. I confidently walked into school the next day and decided to act like my shoes were the coolest things ever. And, somehow, it worked. Students thought they were great and I told everyone that spray painting shoes was the coolest thing and this definition of cool, which was previously a $200 shoe, shifted. I learned that day that you can control what’s cool. There are no rules.

We shape what is attractive, what is cool, what is desirable. The mission that guides me is to tell stories that inspire us to be good to the earth and good to each other.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.estebangast.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realestebangast/?hl=en
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@RealEstebanGast/about

Image Credits
Nicole Casaletto Andrew Max Levy Matas Gayauskas