Quitting Microsoft for Comedy? — Austin Nasso’s Story on Building a Following

In this episode, hosts Aashna Doshi & Rayan Dabbagh sit down with Austin Nasso — comedian, content creator, and founder of Socially Inept, the touring comedy show that roasts tech culture. Austin went from being a Microsoft software engineer to selling out venues across North America with sharp, irreverent jokes about the industry he used to work in.

We explore how Austin accidentally landed a six-figure job at Microsoft with no internships, why he stayed just long enough to vest his stock, and how he built Socially Inept from small shows in Seattle to a cult comedy brand. Austin also shares his unfiltered thoughts on fighting with cofounders, growing a following in the age of algorithms, and balancing authentic comedy with what goes viral.

Whether you're a software engineer with a creative side hustle, an aspiring comedian, or just curious about turning niche humor into a career — this episode is full of candid stories, insights, and laughs.