75. Emo Majok - Hustle and Heart, From Sudan to Stand-Up

In Episode 75 of The Lui Diaz Podcast, Lui chats to comedian Emo Majok in Melbourne’s Hosier Lane, during the 2025 Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

If you love the vibe, please subscribe

Emo shares his journey from fleeing war-torn South Sudan to becoming a full-time comedian in Australia. Arriving in Perth at eight, he navigated cultural clashes, like adapting to Australian slang and abundant resources. Emo discusses his strategic career moves, from mining camp gigs to cruise ship performances, emphasising resilience and creating his own luck.

He highlights his show "African Aussie," a biographical exploration of his immigrant experience, and his unique "Couples Therapy" show with his partner, Aliya Kanani, which tackles their long-distance relationship. Emo’s hustle shines through as he plans U.S. and Canada tours while maintaining a prolific writing schedule.

The conversation touches on the power of comedy to address social issues and inspire, with Emo aiming to uplift marginalised voices. The episode captures the organic charm of the laneway setting, with passersby adding to the atmosphere, and celebrates Emo’s relentless drive, community focus, and ability to turn challenges into opportunities, making for an engaging and inspiring discussion.

Key Themes

Immigrant Experience, Resilience, Strategic Hustle, Comedy as Storytelling, Community and Impact, Long-Distance Relationships, Creative Collaboration, Momentum in Art.

Key Takeaways

Resilience Through Adversity - Emo’s journey from South Sudan to Australia highlights his family’s resilience, shaping his determined approach to comedy. “We fled the war… and we were sponsored and bought over to Australia back in 1996.” (00:07:30)

Strategic Career Planning - Emo’s calculated moves, like securing cruise ship gigs, ensure financial stability while staying in comedy. “I needed to get onto the cruise ships because that was a residual income… I’m very strategic.” (00:09:43)

Comedy’s Social Responsibility - Emo views comedy as a platform to address social issues and connect with communities. “I see us as a voice and… you got that responsibility… to raise awareness of what’s happening.” (00:20:29)

Inspiring Through Representation - Emo’s performances help marginalised individuals, like a mixed-race child, find belonging. “She told me how much that show changed her son’s perspective and allowed him to… claim his identity.” (00:21:31)

Momentum Over Perfectionism - Lui and Emo discuss how reducing perfectionism and maintaining momentum boosts productivity in creative work. “Edit less, produce more… Don’t judge yourself as much.” (00:29:40)

You can follow the amazing Emo Majok and his comedy journey on Instagram at @emomajok - https://www.instagram.com/emomajok/

🫶 Thanks again for listening and watching! Let us know what you think and catch you in the next episode.

Listen Now YouTube and Spotify

Be Part of the Journey

Patreon

Connect

Instagram - Youtube - Facebook

Affiliate Links

Equipment

Audio Recorder - Zoom H6

Microphone - Shure SM58

Camera - Insta360 X4

Headphones - Audio Technica ATH-M50x

Mic Stands - MELODIC

Micro SD Card - Scandisk Extreme

Accessories

Rechargeable Batteries for Zoom H6

Camera Mount Smallrig Clamp

Power - Anker MagGo Power Bank

Data Storage Scandisk 4TB Portable