WILOSOPHY: Noah Szto - Aggressively Normal

·1 hr 52 min·5 clips

Noah Szto reveals he's a junior doctor and a comedian, but doesn't know how to pronounce his own last name.

Will Anderson hosts comedian and junior doctor Noah Szto on Wilosophy. Noah introduces himself, explaining his last name pronunciation is flexible between 'Zito' and 'Cito'. Will compliments Noah's compelling stage presence. Noah started comedy in 2020, just before the pandemic, after finishing a biomed degree, initially wanting to avoid medicine. His first gig was at the Kodiak on Brunswick Street with typical beginner material. He describes being 'aggressively normal' at his hospital job to avoid being seen as a frivolous doctor. Noah works about 38-45 hours a week as a junior doctor, but the mental burden is significant. He grew up in Mount Eliza, near Frankston, in a privileged household; his father is a Malaysian immigrant cardiologist. There was some family expectation to 'make something' of his privilege, but his father was supportive of comedy. Noah struggles to balance both careers, having no personal life, missing time with friends and his partner. He feels FOMO in the comedy scene because he can't hang out after gigs. The conversation turns to a humorous redesign of the human body, debating unnecessary parts like the appendix, half the liver, and whether two testicles are needed. They discuss the impact of AI and technology, with Will expressing distrust of the powerful people controlling it. Noah and Will agree on the unique, irreplaceable magic of live comedy performance. Noah explains he was raised Mormon but left around year 9 or 10, finding the teachings guilt-inducing and not believable. He now believes nothing happens after death. Noah's comedy is moving past introductory 'this is me' material; he plans a future show about working as a doctor after gaining more experience. He estimates only about 15% of his written jokes work. The episode ends with a discussion on bedside manner in medicine and its potential parallels to comedy.

As heard by us

A surname joke opens into a candid conversation about comedy, medicine, and the fear of having nothing to do.

Will Anderson's conversation with Noah, a junior doctor and slightly less junior comedian, turns on the pressure of carrying two identities at once.

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Why you'd press play

Want a comedy conversation about keeping busy when two very different jobs leave little room to sit with yourself?

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