73. Adem Ulutas - Comedy, Cults and All-Out Chaos

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73. Adem Ulutas - Comedy, Cults and All-Out Chaos

Lui Diaz

May 25, 2025

Transcript

In Episode 73, recorded in a bustling Melbourne laneway, Lui chats with comedian Adem Ulutas for a conversation that’s as eclectic as the city itself.

The episode kicks off with a nod to the vibrant, gritty charm of Melbourne’s laneways, setting the stage for a chat that weaves through Adem’s Turkish heritage, his past as an Uber driver, and Lui’s journey toward self-compassion. The duo dives into topics ranging from the decline of Uber’s once-glamorous customer experience to the cultural influences of Christianity, Japanese aesthetics, and even the linguistic similarities between Turkish and Japanese. Adem’s penchant for debating is a recurring theme, though he’s trying to quit that vice, alongside coffee and overthinking. The episode is peppered with humor, from laneway paparazzi to predictions of global conflicts, and wraps up with reflections on credibility, humility, and the power of social connections. It’s a chaotic, funny, and surprisingly deep exploration of life, comedy, and human nature.

Show Notes

Setting the Scene: Recorded in one of Melbourne’s iconic laneways, near Culture Kings and a drug rehab facility, capturing the area’s unique blend of characters and affluence (00:00:09 - 00:01:36).
Adem’s Background: Adem shares his Turkish heritage and his mischievous side, joking about stealing a shirt in Bali and performing at an open mic to “earn” it (00:02:30 - 00:03:02).
Uber Days and Social Media Hustle: Adem recounts his time as an Uber driver, the decline of Uber’s customer service, and his bold (and hilarious) attempts to grow his YouTube channel by asking passengers to subscribe (00:03:06 - 00:12:09).
Self-Compassion Journey: Adem opens up about moving away from self-criticism and debating as a vice, inspired by psychologist Michael J. Greenberg’s ideas on rumination vs. problem-solving (00:24:21 - 00:26:07).
Cultural and Historical Tangents: The conversation veers into fascinating discussions about Japanese culture’s influence on European art, the linguistic link between Turkish and Japanese, and the lack of humility in modern institutions (00:50:02 - 00:56:16).
Predictions and Provocations: Adem drops bold predictions, including a potential Turkey-Israel conflict and his own fame from this podcast (01:57:21 - 01:58:36).
Shoutouts and Gratitude: Louis thanks his growing global audience (217 subscribers from Australia, the US, UK, Ireland, Germany, and the Netherlands) and encourages engagement on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts (00:10:00 - 00:11:20).

Key Takeaways with Timestamps

The Power of Social Connections (01:31:41 - 01:35:42): Adem explains how the quality of your relationships, especially who introduces you, shapes your credibility (ethos). He uses a job interview analogy, noting that a reference from the Prime Minister trumps a standard manager’s endorsement, highlighting the persuasive power of association.
Self-Compassion Over Rumination (00:24:57 - 00:26:07): Adem discusses his shift toward self-compassion, inspired by psychologist Michael J. Greenberg. He distinguishes between problem-solving and rumination, emphasising that beating yourself up over past mistakes detracts from personal growth.
Cultural Curiosity and Trivia (00:50:02 - 00:51:45): Adem’s knowledge shines as he recounts Japan’s isolationist period and its cultural impact on European artists like Debussy, Monet, and Van Gogh, showcasing his “student of life” approach to learning.
Humility in Society (01:38:27 - 01:43:30): The duo critiques the lack of humility in institutions and leadership, using examples like corporate CEOs and historical denials (e.g., Turkey’s stance on genocide) to argue that admitting mistakes is crucial but rare.
Hustling as a Content Creator (01:29:14 - 01:30:34): Adem shares his no-nonsense approach to booking notable podcast guests: just message them directly, but a warm introduction from someone reputable boosts your chances.

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