What if the fastest way to change a mind is to make it laugh first? We sit down with comedian and writer-performer Julliet Burton to explore how humor can turn stigma into understanding without losing its edge. Julliet shares the craft behind her sold-out Edinburgh Fringe runs and international tours, from relentless note-taking and collaborative rewrites to crowdwork that welcomes, not wounds. She breaks down the ethics—punching up versus punching down, consent in the room, and the difference between offense and harm—so jokes land with care and still hit hard.
We also dive into the realities of being a modern comedian in a fragmented internet. Every set gets filmed; every clip is a judgment call. How do you showcase your voice without burning material? How do you keep comedy accessible with captions and descriptions when platforms rarely pay? Julliet lays out a pragmatic path: use short-form to invite people into the live experience, where community is built and artists can actually make a living. The room matters—whether physical or virtual—because a shared laugh can flip the nervous system from threat to safety, turning strangers into a temporary family.
And yes, we go there: can AI do comedy? Julliet argues that while models can mimic structure, they can’t replicate stakes, awkwardness, or the human relief that fuels real laughter. Authenticity isn’t a garnish; it’s the joke’s engine, and audiences can tell. Along the way, we talk cultural translation (from “wheelie bins” to Dutch “klicos”), corporate gigs that encourage brave conversations about mental health, and why directional humor changes what’s socially acceptable over time. If you care about inclusive comedy, lived experience, content strategy, or the future of creativity, this one’s for you. If it moves you, subscribe, share with a friend, and leave a quick review—what’s one boundary you think comedy helped shift?

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