459: Josh Peck - Using Humor To Connect, Making The Big Ask, & The Power Of Vulnerability

Feb 14, 2022

Josh Peck, an actor and comedian best known for his role in 'Drake & Josh,' shares his journey from feeling insecure as a child to harnessing humor as a powerful tool for connection. He discusses how his first real laugh ignited his passion for comedy and emphasizes vulnerability's role in effective communication. Peck reflects on the importance of resilience and service to others in both life and career, highlighting how asking for opportunities can lead to transformative experiences. His insights are both heartfelt and hilarious, making for a captivating conversation.

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ANECDOTE

First Laugh Changed Life

At eight years old, Josh told a joke at a family dinner and earned his first real laugh.
That moment was his entry into using humor as his life's path.

ADVICE

Use Vulnerability With Humor

Adding humor in business meetings works best when paired with honest vulnerability.
Being human and willing to call yourself out builds genuine connection and eases tension.

INSIGHT

Listening Enables Authentic Performance

Great acting and comedy come from deeply listening and being present in the moment.
Preparation allows freedom to adapt spontaneously during performance or meetings.

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Josh Peck is an actor, comedian, author, entrepreneur, and YouTuber. He began his career as a child actor in the late 1990s and early 2000s and had an early role on The Amanda Show from 2000 to 2002. Josh rose to prominence for his role as Josh Nichols alongside Drake Bell's character in the Nickelodeon sitcom Drake & Josh. Josh Peck provided the voice of Eddie in the Ice Age franchise since Ice Age: The Meltdown and voiced Casey Jones in the Nickelodeon animated series Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. He also starred with John Stamos in the Fox comedy series Grandfathered. In 2017, Josh started a comedic lifestyle YouTube channel, Shua Vlogs, featuring his wife Paige O'Brien, David Dobrik, and many of the vlogsquad members. His new book is called Happy People Are Annoying.

Notes:

"Do good things and don't get caught doing them."
- Be of service to others. It seems when we focus on doing good things, good things seem to happen.
When Josh was 8 years old, he felt powerless, insecure, and uncomfortable. He was having a family dinner during the holidays... He decided to commit fully to telling a joke. And he earned his first real laugh from his family. At that moment he said, "I decided what I wanted to do with my life." He became a stand-up comedian and eventually an actor.
"Laughing is uncontrollable. It's so honest."
How to add humor to your business meetings?
- "The only thing more compelling than a joke is honest vulnerability. Being willing to call yourself. Be human."
  - That vulnerability will bring people closer to you.
The power of listening:
- It helps you constantly make adjustments. Be open, free in the moment.
Humor, acting, or leadership... All of those are acquired skills. You have to have the willingness to be bad at it first to get good at it later.
Using a chip on your shoulder as motivation?
- It can work in the short term but doesn't typically work in the long term.
  - "It was the wrong fuel for my engine."
"You gotta ask:" When he was 12 years old, he found himself on set telling jokes to an older man. He was cracking the guy up. He didn't realize that person was the President of Nickelodeon. Josh then asked him to be on one of the hit Nickelodeon shows. He eventually got a call that changed his life. After that call, Josh and his mom moved to Los Angeles where he's worked as an actor ever since.
- You have to be willing to ask. You have to be willing to face rejection or embarrassment.
- Aaron Sorkin said you can make the hall of fame in baseball striking out 2 out of 3 times. The same is true in life.
One of the first people Josh called when he was launching his podcast was Bob Saget. Bob was one of the more famous people he knew. And he immediately responded and said he would record the following week. There are hundreds of stories like this about him. We all should be more like him.
Ryan Holiday advice - Get really honest and tell your story. Your journey can help other people.
As a dad, Josh wants to correct the trauma of the past... He never met his dad.
"Do good things and don't get caught doing them." Be in service of others.