Three years ago, musical comedian Meg Buzza was practically paralyzed by Long Covid, facing months of bedridden isolation and intense uncertainty. Today, the Bay Area native is living her dream as a full-time professional improv comedian in Amsterdam.

Join us as Meg shares her incredible story of resilience with host Zack Newmark on Dam Yankee. A former professional dancer, Meg recounts the mysterious illness that left her with crushing pain, chest pressure, and a "suicidal depression." She details her exhaustive search for a diagnosis and recovery, which ultimately led to a life-changing realization while visiting the Netherlands.

Hear how Meg shifted her focus from the "obsession with healing" to cultivating joy with the physical capacity she has, a philosophy rooted in her decade-long practice of Buddhism. She discusses her upcoming one-woman show at Boom Chicago and how she uses comedy to explore self-acceptance, chronic illness, and finding happiness despite physical limitations.

Find Dam Yankee on YouTube and all podcast platforms. Join Meg on Instagram and her website.

Tags:

Amsterdam, San Francisco, California, Meg Buzza, musical comedy, improv comedy, Boom Chicago, Long Covid, chronic illness, Buddhism, Dam Yankee, Zack Newmark, self-acceptance, performance art, one-woman show, health, Noord-Holland, comedian, United States, comedy, podcast, podcast interview, entertainment, immigration, social media, Bay Area, Santa Rosa, disability advocacy, Dutch audiences, Dutch

Join Emmy-winning journalist Zack Newmark, host of the Dam Yankee podcast, for a chat with American comedian and Boom Chicago cast member, Katie Nixon. Now living in Amsterdam, Katie discusses how she transforms the anxiety of the news cycle into comedy, including a song about doomscrolling from the improv show The Good, the Bad and the Algorithm.

Katie recounts her move from the boisterous laughs at Second City and iO in the Chicago improv scene, to the far more reserved audiences in the Netherlands, the surreal experience of seeing ICE raids intensify in her former Chicago neighborhood, and the cultural differences she faces.

Hear her take on using political comedy as a powerful "release"—screaming about billionaires and political figures—while acknowledging that not every moment needs a huge laugh. She shares how the Boom Chicago team handles tricky, real-time audience input on stage.

Don't miss this candid conversation on life as an expat comedian, teaching improv, and hosting the monthly Laugh Out Proud queer comedy show.

Katie Nixon, Amsterdam, Chicago, Boom Chicago, doomscrolling, comedy, Comedian, Dam Yankee, entertainment, immigration, social media, United States, Donald Trump, anti-immigration, Illinois, Improv comedy, Chicago Improv, Second City, Improv Olympic, Political Comedy, Improv, Zack Newmark, Laugh Out Proud, ICE raids

New York comic Lucas Zelnick stops by the pod to discuss his not so humble upbringing, the origin story of his comedy club, and how he finally got good.

Zack Newmark is an Emmy winning journalist and the founder of NL Times. Dam Yankee is an NL Times production.

Created by: Zack Newmark and Peach Rizzo

Produced by: Peach Rizzo

Edited by: Marcus Engel

Daria Khozhai is a Ukrainian interdisciplinary artist and architect. She stopped by the pod to explain how she uses art as a coping mechanism, why she will never make work for clients, and how so much of her life as an artist is just like any other job.

Zack Newmark is an Emmy winning journalist and the founder of NL Times. Dam Yankee is an NL Times production.

Created by: Zack Newmark and Peach Rizzo

Produced by: Peach Rizzo

Edited by: Marcus Engel

Stacey Smith is a musical improvisor and mainstage cast member at Boom Chicago.  The performer sat down to discuss improvising through grief, how performing comedy makes everyone a better person, and what is was like to live and work on cruise ships in her twenties.

To follow all of her upcoming shows, follow Stacey on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/staceysmithcomedy/

Zack Newmark is an Emmy winning journalist and the founder of NL Times. Dam Yankee is an NL Times production.

Created by: Zack Newmark and Peach Rizzo

Produced by: Peach Rizzo

Edited by: Marcus Engel

Constantine Allen is a principal dancer with the Dutch Nationale Ballet.  The performer sat down to discuss ballet boarding school, what ballet dancers do during their off-days, and the life he's already gaming out after retirement from the dance world.

To find out where Allen is performing this summer, check out his instagram page @constantineallen. 

Zack Newmark is an Emmy winning journalist and the founder of NL Times. Dam Yankee is an NL Times production.

Created by: Zack Newmark and Peach Rizzo

Produced by: Peach Rizzo

Edited by: Marcus Engel

Photographer Wesley Verhoeve joins Zack Newmark on the show this week! Verhoeve geeks out on cameras from the 60s, talks about growing up surrounded by art books, and explains his lack of formal training.

If you’d like to see his photos in real life, his new exhibition at the Photo Festival Naarden will run through July 6th. Tickets can be purchased for 9.75 euros at https://www.eventim.nl/noapp/eventseries/3887857?affiliate=AG1

Zack Newmark is an Emmy winning journalist and the founder of NL Times. Dam Yankee is an NL Times production.

Created by: Zack Newmark and Peach Rizzo

Produced by: Peach Rizzo

Edited by: Marcus Engel

TikTok comedian Morgan Jay joins Zack Newmark on the show this week! Jay gets political, reveals that pop star Megan Trainer was a plant in his crowd once, and hints at the television plans he has cooking up.

Tickets can be purchased for his performances in the United Arab Emirates, Brazil, and the U.S. between 10 - 175 euro respectively depending on the location: https://morganjay.com/

Zack Newmark is an Emmy winning journalist and the founder of NL Times. Dam Yankee is an NL Times production.

Created by: Zack Newmark and Peach Rizzo

Produced by: Peach Rizzo

Edited by: Marcus Engel

Movie star Minne Koole joins Zack Newmark on the show this week! Koole discusses the diversity in theater culture around the world, developing panic attacks on stage, and growing up in a creative family.

Information about his upcoming theater performances can be here: https://ita.nl/nl/voorstellingen/weg-met-eddy-bellegueule/3886968/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=15625554690&gbraid=0AAAAADo45ZLDaxlcf4x7W5oPS5ghcLdR0&gclid=Cj0KCQjwuvrBBhDcARIsAKRrkjc96PZKpt6r_r6PoBhHgRca2tD8vJ2UwrU84maO0OVf6_LdBYPlpkEaAoPmEALw_wcB#tickets

Zack Newmark is an Emmy winning journalist and the founder of NL Times. Dam Yankee is an NL Times production.

Created by: Zack Newmark and Peach Rizzo

Produced by: Peach Rizzo

Edited by: Marcus Engel

Canadian mezzo-soprano Martina Myskholid joins Zack Newmark on the show this week! Verveer  discusses moving on from the Dutch National Opera, how she found her voice, and how we can get young people to care about the opera.

Information about her upcoming performances can be found on her website: https://www.martinamyskohlid.com/schedule

Zack Newmark is an Emmy winning journalist and the founder of NL Times. Dam Yankee is an NL Times production.

Created by: Zack Newmark and Peach Rizzo

Produced by: Peach Rizzo

Edited by: Marcus Engel

Surinamese-Dutch comedian Roué Verveer joins Zack Newmark on the show this week! Verveer discusses the evolution of comedy in the Netherlands, why vegans get on his nerves, and his views on cancel culture.

Tickets for his current tour around the Netherlands can be purchased on his website between € 19,00 – € 37,50: https://roueverveer.nl/speellijst/

This episode is supported by MyExpatTaxes.com, Americans living abroad can easily file their taxes and foreign bank reporting. Find out how to get caught up with the IRS, and if you qualify to receive $1,400 from the third U.S. stimulus package. Use discount code DAMYANKEE for ten percent off.

And support was provided by Amsterdam language school NedLes.com, where it is never too early or too late to begin learning Dutch with the Delft Method. Dam Yankee listeners will get a 10-percent discount on online, in-person, and hybrid courses at NedLes when they use the code PODCAST.

Zack Newmark is an Emmy winning journalist and the founder of NL Times. Dam Yankee is an NL Times production.

Created by: Zack Newmark and Peach Rizzo

Produced by: Peach Rizzo

Edited by: Marcus Engel

Best-selling author and behaviourist Thomas Erikson joins Zack Newmark on the show this week! Erikson discusses finally getting published after 20 years of writing, the lifestyle habits he credits his personal success with, and why he believes homes are more silent nowadays.

You can follow all of his endeavours by signing up for his newsletter: https://www.surroundedbyidiots.com/en/newsletter/

His books and speaking engagement tickets can be purchased here: https://linktr.ee/thomaserikson

This episode is supported by MyExpatTaxes.com, Americans living abroad can easily file their taxes and foreign bank reporting. Find out how to get caught up with the IRS, and if you qualify to receive $1,400 from the third U.S. stimulus package. Use discount code DAMYANKEE for ten percent off.

And support was provided by Amsterdam language school NedLes.com, where it is never too early or too late to begin learning Dutch with the Delft Method. Dam Yankee listeners will get a 10-percent discount on online, in-person, and hybrid courses at NedLes when they use the code PODCAST.

Zack Newmark is an Emmy winning journalist and the founder of NL Times.

Dam Yankee is an NL Times production.

Created by: Zack Newmark and Peach Rizzo

Produced by: Peach Rizzo

Edited by: Marcus Engel

Ready for the funniest highlights from the Dam Yankee Podcast ? Don't miss out on this collection of great comedy bits from the first 30 episodes, featuring Morgan Jay, Neema Naz, Ria Lina, Russell Howard and more! 

This episode brings together the best moments from our conversations with some of the world’s most exciting stand up comedians.

From Morgan Jay’s musical comedy brilliance to Neema Naz’s hilarious takes on culture and family life, this episode is packed with nonstop laughs and insights.

You’ll also catch Ria Lina’s razor sharp humor, Stacey Smith’s quick wit, Roue Verveer’s storytelling genius, Kyla Cobbler’s wild honesty, Matt Castelvi’s improv energy, and Russell Howard’s classic British charm.

If you love stand-up comedy, crowd work, and behind the scenes stories from today’s top comedians, this Comedians compilation is for you.

🎙️ Featuring:

1: Morgan Jay

2 : Neema Naz

3 : Ria Lina

4 : Stacey Smith

5 : Roue Verveer

6 : Kyla Cobbler

7 : Matt Castelvi

8 : Russell Howard

Timestamps : 0:00- Intro 1:24 - Neema Naz 3:34 - Morgan Jay 11:27- Ria Lina 18:42 - Russell Howard 20:50 - Roue Verveer 23:09 -Stacey Smith 26:41- Matt Castelvi  29:30 - Kyla Cobbler  --------- Connect with me -  Linkedin : https://www.linkedin.com/in/zacharynewmark

Instagram ( Dam Yankee Podcast ) : https://www.instagram.com/damyankeepodcast?igsh=YmxxbHpiMnZxZGlm

Website : https://damyankeepodcast.nltimes.nl/

Improv comedian Simon Lukacs joins Zack Newmark on the show this week! Lukacs pulls back the curtain on improv comedy, talks about what it was like being cast in the role of Ebenezer Scrooge as a young boy, and the new perspective he gained from life in Amsterdam.

You can follow all of his endeavors on his Instagram page @lukacssimon

This episode is supported by MyExpatTaxes.com, Americans living abroad can easily file their taxes and foreign bank reporting. Find out how to get caught up with the IRS, and if you qualify to receive $1,400 from the third U.S. stimulus package. Use discount code DAMYANKEE for ten percent off.

And support was provided by Amsterdam language school NedLes.com, where it is never too early or too late to begin learning Dutch with the Delft Method. Dam Yankee listeners will get a 10-percent discount on online, in-person, and hybrid courses at NedLes when they use the code PODCAST.

Zack Newmark is an Emmy winning journalist and the founder of NL Times. Dam Yankee is an NL Times production.

Created by: Zack Newmark and Peach Rizzo

Produced by: Peach Rizzo

Dutch chemist turned philosopher Dr. André Klukhuhn joins us on the show this week! He talks about living in Amsterdam during WWII, taking a stand against NATO in the early 1970s, and residing in the Red Light District.

André’s magnum opus is available online for free at https://andreklukhuhn.nl/

This episode is supported by MyExpatTaxes.com, Americans living abroad can easily file their taxes and foreign bank reporting. Find out how to get caught up with the IRS, and if you qualify to receive $1,400 from the third U.S. stimulus package. Use discount code DAMYANKEE for ten percent off.

And support was provided by Amsterdam language school NedLes.com, where it is never too early or too late to begin learning Dutch with the Delft Method. Dam Yankee listeners will get a 10-percent discount on online, in-person, and hybrid courses at NedLes when they use the code PODCAST.

Zack Newmark is an Emmy winning journalist and the founder of NL Times.

Dam Yankee is an NL Times production.

Created by: Zack Newmark and Peach Rizzo

Produced by: Peach Rizzo

Edited by: Marcus Engel

Boom Chicago co-founder and author Pep Rosenfeld joins us on the show this week! He explains what he said to get a laugh out of President Barack Obama and pulls back the curtain on his time writing for Saturday Night Live.

Pep Rosenfeld’s book can be purchased online in English or Dutch for €24.99 here: https://boomchicago.nl/shows/book-launch-work-laugh-balance/ 

This episode is supported by MyExpatTaxes.com, Americans living abroad can easily file their taxes and foreign bank reporting. Find out how to get caught up with the IRS, and if you qualify to receive $1,400 from the third U.S. stimulus package. Use discount code DAMYANKEE for ten percent off.

And support was provided by Amsterdam language school NedLes.com, where it is never too early or too late to begin learning Dutch with the Delft Method. Dam Yankee listeners will get a 10-percent discount on online, in-person, and hybrid courses at NedLes when they use the code PODCAST.

Zack Newmark is an Emmy winning journalist and the founder of NL Times. Dam Yankee is an NL Times production.

Created by: Zack Newmark and Peach Rizzo

Produced by: Peach Rizzo Edited by: Marcus Engel

Oscar-nominated director and animator Aaron Blaise joins us on the show this week! He dispels the infamous Lion King “S-E-X” rumour and discusses keeping 2d animation alive. 

Blaise is currently in the middle of the Snow Bear Roadshow. Tickets for the upcoming Berlin show on May 24 can be purchased for 35 euros here: https://weareplaygrounds.filmchief.com/shop/tickets?v=1448

This episode is supported by MyExpatTaxes.com, Americans living abroad can easily file their taxes and foreign bank reporting. Find out how to get caught up with the IRS, and if you qualify to receive $1,400 from the third U.S. stimulus package. Use discount code DAMYANKEE for ten percent off.

And support was provided by Amsterdam language school NedLes.com, where it is never too early or too late to begin learning Dutch with the Delft Method. Dam Yankee listeners will get a 10-percent discount on online, in-person, and hybrid courses at NedLes when they use the code PODCAST.

Zack Newmark is an Emmy winning journalist and the founder of NL Times. Dam Yankee is an NL Times production.

Created by: Zack Newmark and Peach Rizzo

Produced by: Peach Rizzo

Rapper and MC Pete Philly joins Zack Newmark on the show this week! They discuss his secret stand-up performances, overcoming Lyme disease, and getting married in Aruba.

Tickets for all his current tour with Perquisite can be purchased here: https://www.petephillyandperquisite.com/live

This episode is supported by MyExpatTaxes.com, Americans living abroad can easily file their taxes and foreign bank reporting. Find out how to get caught up with the IRS, and if you qualify to receive $1,400 from the third U.S. stimulus package. Use discount code DAMYANKEE for ten percent off.

And support was provided by Amsterdam language school NedLes.com, where it is never too early or too late to begin learning Dutch with the Delft Method. Dam Yankee listeners will get a 10-percent discount on online, in-person, and hybrid courses at NedLes when they use the code PODCAST.

Zack Newmark is an Emmy winning journalist and the founder of NL Times. Dam Yankee is an NL Times production.

Created by: Zack Newmark and Peach Rizzo

Produced by: Peach Rizzo

Living jazz legend Wynton Marsalis joins Zack Newmark on the show this week! They discuss his musical family, the civil rights movement, and his long history performing in the Netherlands.

Tickets for all his current tour can be purchased here: https://wyntonmarsalis.org/tour/upcoming

This episode is supported by MyExpatTaxes.com, Americans living abroad can easily file their taxes and foreign bank reporting. Find out how to get caught up with the IRS, and if you qualify to receive $1,400 from the third U.S. stimulus package. Use discount code DAMYANKEE for ten percent off.

And support was provided by Amsterdam language school NedLes.com, where it is never too early or too late to begin learning Dutch with the Delft Method. Dam Yankee listeners will get a 10-percent discount on online, in-person, and hybrid courses at NedLes when they use the code PODCAST.

Zack Newmark is an Emmy winning journalist and the founder of NL Times. Dam Yankee is an NL Times production.

Created by: Zack Newmark and Peach Rizzo

Produced by: Peach Rizzo

Theater creator Linus Karp joins Zack Newmark on the show this week! They discuss his journey to the stage from smalltown Sweden, saving money by using audience participation, and creating roles for yourself instead of waiting to be cast.

Tickets to his upcoming Amsterdam show Diana: The Untold and Untrue Story can be found here: https://www.podiummozaiek.nl/programma/details/3172/diana-the-untold-and-untrue-story-awkward-productions

This episode is supported by MyExpatTaxes.com, Americans living abroad can easily file their taxes and foreign bank reporting. Find out how to get caught up with the IRS, and if you qualify to receive $1,400 from the third U.S. stimulus package. Use discount code DAMYANKEE for ten percent off.

And support was provided by Amsterdam language school NedLes.com, where it is never too early or too late to begin learning Dutch with the Delft Method. Dam Yankee listeners will get a 10-percent discount on online, in-person, and hybrid courses at NedLes when they use the code PODCAST.

Zack Newmark is an Emmy winning journalist and the founder of NL Times. Dam Yankee is an NL Times production.

Created by: Zack Newmark and Peach Rizzo

Produced by: Peach Rizzo

Musician Charlotte Jacobs joins Zack Newmark on the show this week! They discuss Jacobs’ connection to dance, her life as an expat in New York City, and singing in both Dutch and English

Check out Charlotte Jacob’s upcoming dates: https://www.charlottejacobsmusic.com/

This episode is supported by MyExpatTaxes.com, Americans living abroad can easily file their taxes and foreign bank reporting. Find out how to get caught up with the IRS, and if you qualify to receive $1,400 from the third U.S. stimulus package. Use discount code DAMYANKEE for ten percent off.

And support was provided by Amsterdam language school NedLes.com, where it is never too early or too late to begin learning Dutch with the Delft Method. Dam Yankee listeners will get a 10-percent discount on online, in-person, and hybrid courses at NedLes when they use the code PODCAST.

Zack Newmark is an Emmy winning journalist and the founder of NL Times. Dam Yankee is an NL Times production.

Created by: Zack Newmark and Peach Rizzo

Produced by: Peach Rizzo

Comedian Derek Mitchell joins Zack Newmark on the show this week! They discuss Mitchell’s viral social media account @letsdoubledutch, going method in the school play, and the secret to a good Dutch accent.

Check out Derek Mitchell’s upcoming dates: https://linktr.ee/letsdoubledutch?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAabSAktotI3PxOGFuOfAF_tQc1WscdLjYas79IAvE8_xrlUnkN-UKhI8aP8_aem_2OeK-WbX151ivgDRz6ryDQ

This episode is supported by MyExpatTaxes.com, Americans living abroad can easily file their taxes and foreign bank reporting. Find out how to get caught up with the IRS, and if you qualify to receive $1,400 from the third U.S. stimulus package. Use discount code DAMYANKEE for ten percent off.

And support was provided by Amsterdam language school NedLes.com, where it is never too early or too late to begin learning Dutch with the Delft Method. Dam Yankee listeners will get a 10-percent discount on online, in-person, and hybrid courses at NedLes when they use the code PODCAST.

Zack Newmark is an Emmy winning journalist and the founder of NL Times. Dam Yankee is an NL Times production.

Created by: Zack Newmark and Peach Rizzo

Produced by: Peach Rizzo

Irish Comedian Kyla Cobbler joins Zack Newmark on the show this week! They discuss Cobbler’s 11 siblings, her first time on stage, and her life abroad in Spain and Italy. 

Check out Kyla Cobbler’s upcoming tour dates on her website: https://kylacobbler.com/tour-dates/

This episode is supported by MyExpatTaxes.com, Americans living abroad can easily file their taxes and foreign bank reporting. Find out how to get caught up with the IRS, and if you qualify to receive $1,400 from the third U.S. stimulus package. Use discount code DAMYANKEE for ten percent off.

And support was provided by Amsterdam language school NedLes.com, where it is never too early or too late to begin learning Dutch with the Delft Method. Dam Yankee listeners will get a 10-percent discount on online, in-person, and hybrid courses at NedLes when they use the code PODCAST.

Read more about this interview on the leading English-language news site in the Netherlands, NL Times: https://nltimes.nl/2025/02/27/irish-comic-crowd-work-specialist-kyla-cobbler-ready-first-amsterdam-gig

Zack Newmark is an Emmy winning journalist and the founder of NL Times. Dam Yankee is an NL Times production.

Created by: Zack Newmark and Peach Rizzo

Produced by: Peach Rizzo

Comedian He Huang on Challenging China’s One-Sided Narratives

This week on Dam Yankee, host Zack Newmark talks to Chinese comedian He Huang, the rising star whose career exploded after her viral Australia’s Got Talent audition garnered over 60 million views but also triggered a fierce cultural backlash back home. Huang, who traded a path in public policy analysis for the stage, explains that comedy is the truest platform to "say whatever I want," and that this freedom is precisely why her material, which challenges established cultural norms, is so empowering.

Huang shares her philosophy on why her humor is the "highest form of critique." Having studied public policy and observed different political systems, she recognized that in her home country, "only one voice is allowed." She explains that her use of comedy directly pushes back on the societal teaching that tells Chinese women, "The problem is you," giving her a sense of "self value" and power that she had never felt before.

Her unconventional journey began in an unexpected place: a free comedy class at a local library in Arlington, Virginia, while she was a graduate student at Georgetown University. That first gig convinced her, "Okay, this is it. I'm never going to stop." Though her European tour plans were recently derailed by a last-minute visa issue, Huang joins the podcast from London, expressing a firm commitment to reschedule her canceled shows in Amsterdam and Rotterdam.

Don't miss this candid conversation as He Huang discusses navigating the tricky balance between global fame and domestic criticism. She explains how easily her jokes are taken out of context by flat translations, and why she believes the attempts to silence her are futile. The full episode is available on all podcast platforms.

The full episode of Dam Yankee is available on all podcast platforms, and can also be seen on YouTube.

---

He Huang, Chinese Comedian, Stand-up Comedy, Viral Comedy, Australia's Got Talent, Cultural Backlash, Provocative Humor, Freedom of Speech, Chinese Culture, Policy Analysis, Georgetown University, Comedy Festival, Sydney Comedy Festival, Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Dam Yankee, Zack Newmark, Podcast, Comedian Interview, Canceled Shows, China, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Australia, London, United Kingdom, England, Boom Chicago, Comedy Club Haug, comedy, comedian, show, gender, gender stereotypes, racial stereotypes, cultural humor, entertainment, immigration, public policy, Beijing, Chongqing, Washington D.C., Arlington, Virginia, comedy tour, Russell Peters, Stephen Colbert, Stephen Chow, Doug Stanhope, social media, WeChat

Comedian Neil Robinson joins Zack Newmark on the show this week! They discuss Robinson’s love for Amsterdam, his journey into comedy, and that one time he ate magic mushrooms for a live performance.

Check out Neil Robinson’s upcoming dates on his website: https://www.neilrobinson.nl/

This episode is supported by MyExpatTaxes.com, Americans living abroad can easily file their taxes and foreign bank reporting. Find out how to get caught up with the IRS, and if you qualify to receive $1,400 from the third U.S. stimulus package. Use discount code DAMYANKEE for ten percent off.

And support was provided by Amsterdam language school NedLes.com, where it is never too early or too late to begin learning Dutch with the Delft Method. Dam Yankee listeners will get a 10-percent discount on online, in-person, and hybrid courses at NedLes when they use the code PODCAST.

Zack Newmark is an Emmy winning journalist and the founder of NL Times. Dam Yankee is an NL Times production.

Created by: Zack Newmark and Peach Rizzo

Produced by: Peach Rizzo

Comedian Matt Castellvi joins Zack Newmark on the show this week! They discuss the dichotomy between the European and American improv scenes,  what to include on a tour of Amsterdam, and bond over growing up in Chicago.

Check out Matt Castellvi’s upcoming show dates on his website: https://www.castellvicomedy.com/

This episode is supported by Nedles.com and MyExpatTaxes.com.

Zack Newmark is an Emmy winning journalist and the founder of NL Times. Dam Yankee is an NL Times production.

Created by: Zack Newmark and Peach Rizzo

Produced by: Peach Rizzo

Russell Howard joins Zack Newmark on the show this week! They discuss fatherhood on tour and Howard’s greatest heckling story. Newmark invites the comedian to set the record straight on the infamous “Chocolate Milk Gang” once and for all. They also discuss his views on Amsterdam as a performer and pedestrian.

Tickets to Russell Howard’s upcoming Netherlands shows, and for his tour dates around the world, can be purchased here: https://www.russell-howard.co.uk/home#europe-dates

This episode is supported by MyExpatTaxes.com, Americans living abroad can easily file their taxes and foreign bank reporting. Find out how to get caught up with the IRS, and if you qualify to receive $1,400 from the third U.S. stimulus package. Use discount code DAMYANKEE for ten percent off.

And support was provided by Amsterdam language school NedLes.com, where it is never too early or too late to begin learning Dutch with the Delft Method. Dam Yankee listeners will get a 10-percent discount on online, in-person, and hybrid courses at NedLes when they use the code PODCAST.

Read more about this interview on the leading English-language news site in the Netherlands, NL Times: https://nltimes.nl/2025/02/11/russell-howard-talks-career-family-dutch-sex-shops-rotterdam-amsterdam-shows

Zack Newmark is an Emmy winning journalist and the founder of NL Times. Dam Yankee is an NL Times production.

Created by: Zack Newmark and Peach Rizzo

Produced by: Peach Rizzo

Canadian-Iranian comedian Neema Naz sits down with Dam Yankee this week ahead of his first stand-up performance in Amsterdam. He is known for his playful use of accents and impersonations of his family, not to mention a clever turn on The Boys.

He joins Emmy-winning host Zack Newmark during his "My Estupid Life" world tour. Naz, a first-generation Canadian whose parents fled Iran, shares how his family's story of sacrifice fuels his incredible drive and ambition.

He opens up about why his comedy, which blends personal storytelling with cultural humor, is "uncancellable" and his goal to build a comedy empire inspired by legends like Russell Peters and Kevin Hart. Naz also touches on the challenges of a grueling tour schedule and the rewarding experience of connecting with fans across the globe.

For all of his ambition and drive, Naz also speaks openly about the criticism he faces for his comedy, particularly when using accents he heard growing up in Toronto. He says he is not phased by it and believes his pure intention to "make jokes and bring light to darker topics in this world" makes him "uncancellable." He acknowledges that he can't please everyone, and that is his guiding principle when writing jokes, creating videos, and performing on stage.

Neema Naz frequently posts updates and content on Instagram, TikTok, and several other platforms. Tickets for his upcoming show at Boom Chicago start at 25 euros. The full episode of Dam Yankee is available on all podcast platforms, and can also be seen on YouTube.

Neema Naz, Canada, Dam Yankee, Zack Newmark, Iran, Toronto, Stand-up Comedy, My Estupid Life, Amsterdam, podcast, comedy, Podcast Interview, Comedy Tour, Cultural Humor, cancel culture, immigration, Entertainment, Social Media, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Russell Peters, Kevin Hart, Boom Chicago, Berlin, Germany

Poetic Liberation: Julia-Beth Harris on Finding Home and Voice in Amsterdam

This week on Dam Yankee, podcast host and Emmy-winning journalist Zack Newmark sits down with Julia-Beth Harris, the South African-born poet, performer, and creative force making her mark in Amsterdam. Having lived in the Netherlands for 14 years, Julia-Beth offers an intimate look at the immigrant experience, sharing how the complex emotions of homesickness and longing fuel her powerful, politically charged poetry.

Hear how the "silence" of her new home unexpectedly polished her ability to listen to "deeper voices," enabling her to become a working poet. Julia-Beth discusses her upcoming staged show, Where the Clouds Gather, and explains why her work—which delves into diasporic identity, ancestral knowledge, and collective liberation—is not just art, but a shared experience aimed at bridging fragmented cultures.

Plus, find out what simple thing still triggers a powerful sense of longing for Cape Town. 🇿🇦🇳🇱

Listen to this entire episode of Dam Yankee wherever you get your podcasts, or watch the full videos on YouTube. During the episode, Harris recites her poem, "Forward," which will be part of her upcoming show, Where the Clouds Gather, on November 29 at the Keizersgrachtkerk during The Spirit of Amsterdam Festival.

Julia-Beth Harris announces her upcoming performances on Instagram and her website.

Keywords:

Julia-Beth Harris, Amsterdam, Poet, Poetry, South African, Expat, Immigration, Longing, Homesickness, Belonging, Cultural Identity, Poetic Activism, Diasporic Identity, Ancestral Knowledge, Collective Liberation, Performance, Amsterdam Artists, Dam Yankee Podcast, NL Times, Where the Clouds Gather, Dam Yankee

An interview with Filipina-British comedian, writer, and scientist Ria Lina. A regular on TV shows like Live at the Apollo and Mock the Week, Lina is known for her provocative, satirical style. In a candid conversation with Dam Yankee podcast host and Emmy-winning journalist Zack Newmark, she shares how her late-in-life autism diagnosis helped her find her unique comedic voice and her unflinching commitment to speak her mind, regardless of the backlash.

Lina discusses the pervasive gender bias in the entertainment industry and the double standards she’s faced as a woman in comedy. She also opens up about her unconventional personal journey—from earning a doctorate in virology to leaving a career in forensic science to pursue comedy full-time.

Tune in to hear Lina’s thoughts on “cancel culture,” political correctness, and the surprising role of science in her comedy. Whether she's on stage, on TV, or sitting down for an interview, Ria Lina proves she’s never afraid to punch up. Listen to this entire episode of Dam Yankee wherever you get your podcasts, or watch the full videos on YouTube.

Ria Lina will head out on the Riabellion tour later this fall, and will take the stage in Utrecht on December 14. She has plans to book more performances in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and her former hometown of The Hague. Lina releases updates on her website, her Instagram account, and her new WhatsApp channel.

Ria Lina, Dam Yankee, podcast, interview, comedy, comedian, satirical, Live at the Apollo, Mock the Week, autism, neurodiversity, political correctness, cancel culture, gender bias, entertainment industry, double standards, Riabellion, Live at the Apollo, Mock the Week, Have I Got News For You, BBC Radio, Zack Newmark, NL Times, Utrecht, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague.

Actress and Theater Maker Sairah Erens gives us a piece of her mind on the European Union, explains how she met her business partner, and divulges the writer who inspires her most.

Zack Newmark is an Emmy winning journalist and the founder of NL Times. Dam Yankee is an NL Times production.

Created by: Zack Newmark and Peach Rizzo

Produced by: Peach Rizzo

Edited by: Marcus Engel

Comedian Deshawn Mason dives deep into his origin story as a magician, exploring the stage as a safe space, and his nuanced view on the “laughs per minute” formula.

Zack Newmark is an Emmy winning journalist and the founder of NL Times.

Dam Yankee is an NL Times production.

Created by: Zack Newmark and Peach Rizzo

Produced by: Peach Rizzo

Edited by: Marcus Engel

DJ and music producer Changing Currents stopped by the show to discuss how he snagged a stage at Glastonbury, his view on musical collabs, and finding his identity.

Keep an eye open for his Asia tour dates in September and October followed by a headline show in London: https://laylo.com/changingcurrents?username=changingcurrents&slug=ez26O

Zack Newmark is an Emmy winning journalist and the founder of NL Times. Dam Yankee is an NL Times production.

Created by: Zack Newmark and Peach Rizzo

Produced by: Peach Rizzo

Edited by: Marcus Engel