16: Comedy Meets Purpose with Frank King, World Record 12x TEDx Talks
Frank King, a comedian turned mental health advocate, shares his multifaceted journey from entertaining alongside Jerry Seinfeld and writing for “The Tonight Show,” to dedicating himself to mental health advocacy. His experiences provide a unique look into the blend of comedy and advocacy, emphasizing the significance of choosing niche areas like suicide prevention for impactful public speaking. Frank also delves into the intricacies of transitioning to the corporate speaking circuit. Beyond his advocacy, Frank serves as a speaking coach, offering invaluable guidance to aspiring speakers on harnessing authenticity and strategic negotiation to thrive in their careers. His commitment to teaching others to blend personal stories with professional messages for resonance underscores the transformative power of embracing one’s truth for success and fulfillment.
In This Episode:
(00:00) Comedy, Public Speaking, and Bodybuilding - Frank King's journey through comedy, encounters with famous personalities, and dedication to fitness as a traveling comedian.
(11:27) Navigating Public Speaking and Corporate Comedy - Corporate comedy, niching down, high fees, seizing opportunities, and negotiating for $7,500 speaking engagement.
(19:12) Finding Passion in Public Speaking - Authenticity, effort, and passion lead to success in both personal and professional fulfillment.
(30:16) Crafting Comedy - Crafting successful TEDx applications with a single idea, using humor and personal stories, and the role of tragedy in comedy.
(36:41) Comedians Share Performance Tips - Personal anecdotes, airline humor, authenticity in art, Billy Joel's return, and unconventional note-taking techniques are discussed.
(42:37) Stand Up Comedy and Law Enforcement - Stand-up comedy and law enforcement require quick thinking and observational skills, as discussed through personal experiences and the mechanics of humor.
(50:18) Life Lessons and Inspirational Stories - Curiosity, hard work, listening, and finding your truth are crucial for success, as shown through Damon's story.
About Our Guest:
Frank King, known as the Mental Health Comedian, is a unique figure blending humor with serious topics to spark conversations about mental wellness. He began his career as a writer for "The Tonight Show" for 20 years, honing his comedic skills and timing. Transitioning from traditional stand-up comedy to focusing on mental health advocacy, King uses his personal experiences with depression and suicide to connect with and educate his audience. He believes in the healing power of humor and speaks openly about his own struggles, making him a sought-after speaker on mental health awareness. Through his engaging keynotes at conferences, schools, and corporate events, King not only entertains but also provides practical advice on managing mental health, emphasizing the importance of recognizing the signs of mental distress in ourselves and others. His approach demystifies mental health issues, making them accessible and discussable, thereby contributing significantly to reducing the stigma associated with mental health discussions.
Resources:
Free 30-minute Zoom call with Frank King
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