Meet Stanko Zovak | Comedian and Podcaster

We had the good fortune of connecting with Stanko Zovak and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Stanko, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
I was born in Los Angeles, but in a very strong Croatian community. My grandparents fled from there in 1960, and that cultural background continues to have a strong influence on me and my family even today. It influenced me to the point that I moved to Croatia for 3 years to experience life like my grandparents did. All of these cultural experiences throughout my life gave me a unique perspective that I think differs from people who only know American culture. I feel like I see life a little bit differently now, which allows me to have my own voice in comedy. Comedy has always been something that I wanted to do, because I really enjoy making people laugh. I think being able to relate to other people, or allowing others to relate to you, is one of the core ideas behind the comedy that I perform, and having perspectives from two different cultures allows me to connect with more people.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’ve come a long way as a comedian, but there is still so much more to go! I’ve learned about the business of comedy as much as I have about the art of it in recent years. Putting on my own shows both internationally as well as locally has taught me a lot. In a way it’s sales, because you’re selling yourself, trying to get people to come out and spend money on a ticket to see you perform. I always felt bad that people have to buy tickets to see me perform, which I think has helped me to try and put on the best show I can. It forces me to perform my best, and make sure that I put on a good show so people end up happy that they went. A lot of my material is pulled from experiences with my family and friends, and I think that having a relatable tone creates a more inclusive experience. If the audience can connect with my line of thinking, they’ll laugh harder at the joke!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
There are a lot of great spots in Los Angeles to go and I’ve actually had a few friends visit for the first time recently so I had the chance to take them around. Unless someone is from Texas or Mexico, I’m pretty sure the Mexican food here is better than wherever they live, so that’s my go to for a first timer. I love the taco trucks, especially late at night, and I always make sure they try the al pastor. There’s something about how simple the whole experience is, including eating it right there in the parking lot, that adds to the deliciousness. As far as places to go, Santa Monica, Venice Beach, Griffith Observatory, and the Walk of Fame are my usual recommendations.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to shoutout the Croatian communities that are thriving in the U.S. and around the world. It’s important to keep cultural values and traditions alive and they do a great job of that. My family and the tightknit Croatian community we have in Los Angeles have had a major impact on my life and I believe it’s important to be a part of something bigger than yourself.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zovakstanko/?hl=en

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stanko-zovak-6b292b148

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@allthingscroatia