#146 Dan Boerman: Don’t Die Wondering: A Comedian's Hilarious Guide to a Weird Life

Dan Boerman is a Comedian and TV Personality on Jimmy Carr's Am I The A**hole. He is also a good friend.I’ve wanted to record this conversation for a long time.Dan Boerman is a New Zealand comedian who left a steady job, moved to the other side of the world, and has been relentlessly chasing stand-up ever since – from sleeping in a kid’s dinosaur bed outside Edinburgh to getting a thousand people to watch him fold a fitted sheet on a hill.In this episode, we get into:Growing up in small-town rural New Zealand and dropping out of schoolYears on benefits, smoking tiny “Russian doll” cigarettes in the kitchenBarbering as accidental crowd work – and the now infamous Jimmy Carr Am I the A**hole? storyLeaving security behind to move to Edinburgh for comedyWhy London feels like kindling for opportunityThe viral sheet stunt that turned into awards, brand deals and a new life“Don’t die wondering” and what it really means to bet on yourselfWhy some people live and die never hearing the sound of their own voiceThis is an episode about chasing the weird, specific thing you can’t stop thinking about – and refusing to let your life pass in quiet comfort.If you enjoyed this one, send it to someone who’s been talking about “one day” for too long.Follow Dan: @danboermancomedyFollow me / Origin Story: @davidmcnintoshjr

In this episode of Origin Story, I sit down with a Red Bull F1 tyre technician to unpack how he went from watching races in pubs to travelling the world with Max Verstappen’s team - Vegas, Brazil, Mexico and beyond. We get into the pressure of sub-2 second pit stops, the chaos of race weekends, and what life really looks like inside the world’s most famous F1 team.In this episode we cover:Growing up in working-class Scotland and discovering F1Why engineering wasn’t the first plan – and how he found his way into the sportThe moment Red Bull came callingWhat a race week actually looks like from the insideVegas, Brazil, Mexico and the wildest travel stories from the F1 calendarThe pressure of being “the tyre guy” in a world champion teamWhat F1 has taught him about teamwork, discipline and courageAdvice for anyone who thinks “people like me don’t get jobs like that”⏱ Chapters:00:00 – Intro03:12 – Growing up in Scotland & first F1 memories10:45 – From uni & early jobs to Red Bull Racing19:30 – Inside the tyre bay: what his job actually is27:05 – Race week routines, stress & team culture36:20 – Vegas, Brazil, Mexico & F1 travel stories47:10 – Pressure, mistakes & how you bounce back56:40 – Life outside the paddock & relationships1:05:00 – Advice for young people chasing unlikely careers💌 Stay in the Origin Story universe:Instagram: www.instagram.com/davidmcintoshjr🎙 Follow the guest:Instagram: http://instagram.com/sc0ttduncan/SPONSORS:💧 This episode is sponsored by VYBEYBig thank you to Vybey for supporting Origin Story.If you’re like me – long recording days, travel, runs, gym, not enough sleep – plain water doesn’t always cut it. Vybey’s electrolyte powders make it stupidly easy to stay on top of your hydration:Quick to mix, actually tastes goodHelps you stay sharp and energised through busy daysPerfect for before/after workouts or long days on the road🧃 Try Vybey here (code DMAC): UK & Europe: https://vybey.co.uk/?shpxid=d48f4c7e-7953-44bb-a9d8-8a8dff0a49dbAus: http://vybey.au/Merch (Shop Origin Story): originstoryclub.co.ukPlease remember to hit subscribe!

Fin Taylor is a standup comedian and podcaster. He is the creator of Fin Vs History and Fin vs The Internet.Comedian Fin Taylor joins Origin Story to unpack how a Glasgow kid who relocated to a Oxford girls’ boarding house (7–13) got “cancelled” at 14, started stand-up at 18, and went from £500/month gigs to sold-out tours and a cult podcast. We get into why TV exposure ≠ audience, how to actually build jokes that work anywhere, the Riyadh debate, and the monoculture flashpoint of Bonnie Blue.In this episode:​Private school without the money: damage at both ends​The headmaster who told him off… then apologised (context collapse 101)​Comedy = craft: word choice, rhythm, ending on the funniest word​TV vs Internet: why clips and podcasts move tickets​Parasocial fans & designing theatre shows that don’t feel contrived​Getting punched on stage and handling chaos in real time​Building Bumble Risky: owning the edit, scaling a team​The Riyadh question, Bonnie Blue, and the “death of taste”​If starting today: the 90-day playbookChapters00:00 Cold open — “Cancelled at 14”02:18 Glasgow roots & Hutchie debate05:12 Living in a girls’ boarding house (7–13)12:30 Headmaster apology & early confidence17:40 Starting stand-up at 18; debate team as proto-comedy24:10 £500/month vs £380 rent — taking the leap30:22 Why TV didn’t move tickets36:05 Parasocial fans & theatre design43:22 Riyadh debate & brand fit51:03 Punched on stage — what you do next58:00 Building Bumble Risky & the core team1:04:10 Next horizon: a British South Park1:09:40 If starting now: people, reps, own the edit

I travelled from Scotland to Morocco on holiday. As soon as I arrived I knew I needed to interview the locals. They were the most philosophical people I had met.Taghazout is a fascinating surf village perched on Morocco’s Atlantic coast - sun-soaked, salt-stained, and full of surprises. We spent 2 days exploring this strange-and-beautiful place, and found way more than perfect waves: unexpected kindness, late-night tea rituals, and stories you won’t hear in a guidebook…Support the showEarly access & bonus episodes: https://www.patreon.com/c/davidmcintoshjrFollow Me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidmcintoshjrBuy Merch: originstoryclub.co.uk

Oliver Burkeman is a British writer and former Guardian columnist best known for Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals, exploring how accepting life’s limits beats chasing productivity hacks.We recorded this right before Oliver’s show, crammed into his dressing room at the Assembly Rooms. It’s intimate, honest, and very Origin Story: where did these ideas come from, and how do they shape a life you’re proud of? Oliver (author of 4,000 Weeks) takes us past productivity hacks to acceptance, attention, and the power of choosing enough.In this episodeThe efficiency trap: why getting faster just attracts more work“Life task”: finding your next right thing with the resources you actually havePlanning that breathes (navigation, not micromanagement)Daily-ish over streaks—the kinder path to consistencyHobbies done for their own sake (the case for atelic joy)Attention over productivity: designing a week that actually feels goodAI, inboxes, and why “caught up” is a myth--Tell me in the comments: what would you cut this week if you truly accepted you’ll never be on top of everything?Support the showEarly access & bonus episodes: https://www.patreon.com/c/davidmcintoshjrFollow Me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidmcintoshjr

Writer, rapper and social commentator Darren McGarvey joins Origin Story to unpack the “trauma economy,” working-class rage, AI warping our narratives, and the safeguards every storyteller needs.Content note: This episode includes discussion of addiction, withdrawal, violence, and mental health.00:00 Welcome, why Poverty Safari mattered to me01:02 Pollok in the 80s, safety, and the two-minds dichotomy04:00 Structural poverty, jobs disappearing, trust collapsing10:34 Working-class anger, different tribes, same material pain12:17 Social mobility loneliness, West End vs Pollok12:51 Hip-hop as agency, finding a community16:23 Brokenness, comedowns, and what you run from20:16 Sudden success, visibility shock, family trade-offs24:04 When your pain becomes a product27:04 Safeguards before you share, prevention beats cure30:06 Accountability, making amends in public and private33:10 Your story isn’t only yours, many truths, many versions36:37 Going public can re-activate perpetrators, stay safe37:07 Viral fame without guardrails, modern public safety39:03 Boundaries, being an introvert in public41:05 Harassment, threats, and learning to de-escalate42:10 Reward systems, status, and identity labels56:00 Getting triggered, the buzz, and stepping back62:18 Advice to younger Darren, alcohol, and timing66:13 What he hopes this new book does, and why

Chris “The Problem” Duncan is a UFC fighter with one of the most powerful and painful stories you’ll ever hear.The day before his very first fight, his mum was murdered. Instead of walking away, Chris fought — and won. From that moment on, he carried pain into every battle, turning trauma into purpose.In this episode, Chris opens up about:The moment with Michael Bisping that went viral.Training with Dustin Poirier & Jorge Masvidal at American Top Team.Cutting weight, surviving fear, and fighting teammates.Why pain forged his mindset and legacy.This is not just a story about fighting in the UFC.It’s a story about survival, belief, and what it really takes to keep going when life tries to break you.📍 Follow me – https://www.instagram.com/davidmcintoshjr💌 Support on Patreon – https://www.patreon.com/davidmcintoshjr🛒 Origin Story merch – https://originstoryclub.co.ukSponsors:Bands for Brothers: https://www.instagram.com/bandsforbrothers/Bad Attitude Studio: https://www.instagram.com/bad.attitude.studios/?hl=en

Ruby Lola is a Podcaster and Host of The Personal Best Podcast.What does personal best really mean? And why do men and women get such different messages about how to achieve it?In this episode of Origin Story, I sit down with Ruby Lola — host of Personal Best — to unpack the surprising truth about ambition, gender, and the pressure to “be enough.”Ruby opens up about:Growing up with an alcoholic parent and losing her dad in her early 20sThe hidden cost of chasing your “best self”Why men are pushed towards discipline and women towards self-loveHow ambition looks (and feels) different for womenThe balance between grit and grace in achieving your goalsThis is a raw and unfiltered conversation about self-improvement, grief, gender, and redefining success on your own terms.📲 Follow Me:Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/davidmcintoshjrSubstack → https://davidmcintoshjr.substack.comPatreon → https://www.patreon.com/davidmcintoshjrGet in touch - [email protected]:0:00 Intro1:05 What “Personal Best” Really Means4:12 Why Men & Women Get Different Self-Help Advice10:18 Growing Up With an Alcoholic Parent19:39 Losing Her Dad to Addiction31:25 The Truth About Ambition for Women42:00 Balancing Grit & Grace50:15 Advice for Finding Your Personal Best

In this episode of Origin Story, I sit down with someone truly one of a kind—Dylan Lombard. Dylan is one of only 15 people in the world with MDP Syndrome (Mandibular Dysplasia with Deafness and Progeroid Features), a condition that affects physical appearance, fat distribution, and hearing. But Dylan isn’t defined by a diagnosis—he’s a force of creativity, kindness, and visibility.We talk about what it’s like growing up with a visible difference, why media representation matters, and how Dylan has used photography, poetry, and dance to connect with the world—and most importantly, with himself.WHAT YOU’LL LEARNWhat MDP Syndrome is, how it manifests, and how Dylan was diagnosedWhat it’s like being visibly different online vs. in real lifeWhy photography became Dylan’s way of telling his storyThe emotional toll—and power—of social media visibilityHow movies like A Different Man are shifting public perceptionWhy face equality and better representation in schools, media, and work matterTIMESTAMPS00:00 – Welcome + Introducing Dylan Lombard00:37 – Growing up with a visible difference01:27 – Finding confidence through photography02:14 – Sharing his story in the school magazine03:24 – Storytelling as connection and advocacy04:42 – What is MDP Syndrome?06:07 – Photography as an emotional outlet06:50 – The medical name and physical effects of MDP08:12 – Pain, physical limitations, and the joy of dance09:31 – Reframing rarity as a gift11:00 – Early signs and years-long path to diagnosis12:43 – Living visibly: public reactions in real life and online13:59 – Dealing with staring, laughing, and comments14:36 – Negative social media comments and their impact16:43 – The harmful algorithms of negativity18:26 – Finding confidence and community online19:55 – How dance and photography build friendships20:33 – Representation in film: A Different Man and breaking villain tropes22:40 – From “villain” to hero: visibility and storytelling23:20 – What people without visible difference should know24:48 – Unconscious bias and the need for better education25:25 – Dylan’s message for listeners26:37 – Final thoughts and where to follow DylanLINKS📸 Follow Dylan – https://www.instagram.com/be_yourself_dylan🟣 Learn about Face Equality – https://www.changingfaces.org.uk/campaigns/face-equality📍 Follow me – https://www.instagram.com/davidmcintoshjr💌 Support on Patreon – https://www.patreon.com/davidmcintoshjr🛒 Origin Story merch – https://originstoryclub.co.ukABOUT MDPMDP stands for Mandibular Dysplasia with Deafness and Progeroid Features. It’s an ultra-rare condition that causes tight skin, hearing loss, an unusually high metabolism, and extreme fat loss in the face and limbs. Only about 15–50 people in the world are known to have it. Dylan is using his visibility to raise awareness and inspire others to embrace who they are.ABOUT ORIGIN STORYEach week, I sit down with hidden-gem heroes and global voices to uncover the moments that shape who they are—so we can apply their insights to our own lives. Follow the show to hear the next origin story first.

In this raw, wide-ranging interview, Ukrainian stand-up comic Iryna Gil tells the story of how her rising comedy career collided with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine just 11 days after she filmed her first special — and how she’s using comedy to challenge war fatigue, weaponised headlines, and Western apathy.WHAT YOU’LL LEARNKyiv under fire: A first-hand account of air-raid sirens, evacuations, and working through missile strikesThe Soviet shadow: How post-Soviet distrust fuels Ukraine’s self-organising spirit, entrepreneurial drive, and digital-first approach to governance.Comedy as translation: How Gil uses humour to bridge the empathy gap and make the war relatable to those far removed from it.Misleading headlines: What “billions in aid” actually looks like and why surface-level stats breed hostility and misinformation.Peace through deterrence: Iryna’s uncompromising vision for peace in strengthTIMESTAMPS00:00 Botox for Burping – the weirdest opening ever01:13 Meet Iryna Gil02:45 Growing up in post-Soviet Ukraine10:13 Starting stand-up in Kyiv14:18 Ukraine’s hustle culture and distrust of government21:04 24 Feb 2022: missiles hit Kyiv28:54 Leaving home under fire32:10 Zoom calls from bomb shelters and hiding behind two walls39:47 Losing safety, leaving Kyiv43:52 Starting over in Scotland48:45 Grieving a life left behind50:38 Comedy, trauma, and fighter jets53:55 What "billions in aid" actually means57:00 The real cost of headlines and public perception1:01:48 Has Ukraine faded from public attention?1:04:32 Genocide Olympics and comparative advocacy1:05:38 What peace really looks like1:06:47 Closing thanksLINKSFollow Iryna Gil – https://www.instagram.com/gil_irynaFollow David – https://www.instagram.com/davidmcintoshjrSupport verified Ukrainian charities – (Add specific links)Support on Patreon – Patreon.com/davidmcintoshjrBuy Origin Story merch – originstoryclub.co.ukSupport verified Ukranian charities - Save Life: https://savelife.in.ua/en/projects/military-en/status/active/ U24:https://u24.gov.ua/projects ABOUT ORIGIN STORY WITH DAVID MCINTOSHEvery episode, David explores the pivotal moments that shape extraordinary people — from hidden-gem heroes to global voices — so you can apply their lessons, insights, and perspective to your own journey. Subscribe and turn on notifications to catch the next origin story first.