To succeed, both journalists and stand-up comedians need to understand their audience, be relatable and have a thick skin
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Journalists report the truth. Comedians make people laugh. They might seem like worlds apart, but over the years the lines have blurred. Not just because news outlets increasingly work with edgy comedians but because both professions share some skills.
Suchandrika Chakrabarti, a journalist, podcaster and media trainer of 15 years became a stand-up comedian in 2020. In this week's podcast, she talks about switching careers, the road bumps you can expect and the transferable skills. Here is a hint: success in both jobs relies on you understanding the audience, having a thick skin and stage confidence, and having the ability to find emotional truths.
Much of her material is inspired by her time as a reporter, such as her latest show on 21 February that deals with doomscrolling.
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