I came into the 'Comedy Bang! Bang!' TV show with a level of

In the journey of life, there are moments of profound transformation, when we step into new realms of possibility, not by force, but through the quiet and steady growth of confidence. Scott Aukerman, in his reflection on the creation of the Comedy Bang! Bang! TV show, speaks to this powerful process: "I came into the 'Comedy Bang! Bang!' TV show with a level of confidence that I don't think I would've had if I hadn't been doing the podcast for three years already." These words carry great wisdom, for they speak to a truth that all who seek to create must understand—the power of experience in shaping one’s ability to confront the unknown, to overcome the doubts that hinder our potential, and to step forward into the world with conviction. It is through the steady accumulation of experience, through the refining of our craft, that we find the strength to face the challenges that once seemed insurmountable.

The ancient sages, too, spoke of the transformative power of experience. Socrates famously said, "The unexamined life is not worth living," urging us to seek knowledge not from the pages of books alone, but from the lived experience that shapes and refines our understanding of the world. For Aukerman, those three years of working on his podcast were his own form of examination—a period of self-reflection and growth that allowed him to understand humor, confidence, and the art of interaction with others, particularly those whose status might once have intimidated him. Just as Socrates sought wisdom in the exchange of ideas, Aukerman sought his own brand of understanding through the art of conversation, learning how to connect, not with fear, but with an open heart and a steady spirit.

Consider the wisdom of Aristotle, who taught that true confidence arises not from a sense of superiority, but from the mastery of one’s craft. It is not the bravado of those who seek to dominate that marks greatness, but the quiet assurance of those who have honed their skills through patience and perseverance. Aukerman, in his journey from podcasting to television, did not arrive at his confidence through chance; it was earned, cultivated over time, and refined through every moment spent facing the vulnerabilities and uncertainties of his craft. The process was one of growth, a continual examination of the self in relation to the world he was entering. Through this, he learned how to speak with celebrities, not from a place of awe or intimidation, but from a place of understanding and mutual respect.

The path to confidence is never one of instant success or effortless achievement. Rather, it is forged in the trials of life, in the struggles and failures that shape our character and deepen our wisdom. Aukerman’s podcast journey—those three years spent figuring out his sense of humor, his voice, and his approach—echoes the ancient understanding that mastery requires time, discipline, and a willingness to face discomfort. The great philosophers of old, from Plato to Aristotle, understood that it is through such sustained effort that one is able to face even the most daunting tasks with confidence. And so, Aukerman, in his humility, speaks of his process of self-discovery, recognizing that it was the work—the daily dedication to his craft—that prepared him to face the new challenge of television.

In the same spirit, the Stoics—Epictetus and Marcus Aurelius—taught that we must master the inner self before we can conquer the external world. For Aukerman, his time spent working on his podcast was a time of self-mastery, a period in which he learned to quiet the inner voices of doubt and fear, allowing the confidence to emerge. The ancient Stoics believed that true power comes not from controlling the world around us, but from mastering our own reactions to it. And so, Aukerman learned that confidence comes not from being fearless, but from embracing fear, from learning to navigate it with grace and clarity. It was through this mastery of his inner world that he was able to approach celebrity with respect and poise, rather than intimidation.

The lesson that Aukerman imparts is timeless: confidence is not a gift bestowed upon us by others, nor is it something that arrives in a single moment of triumph. It is built over time, through experience, through failure, and through the quiet and persistent effort to improve. In the same way that Socrates honed his wisdom through dialogue, Aukerman cultivated his confidence through conversation—learning to face challenges, not with fear, but with understanding. The key, as he suggests, is that confidence is the product of growth, not mere ambition. It is a quiet strength, one that emerges when we are willing to work at our craft, to face discomfort, and to learn from every step of the journey.

Let us then take Aukerman’s words to heart: in our own lives, we must be willing to embrace the process of growth, understanding that confidence comes not from avoiding discomfort, but from facing it and growing through it. We must not be deterred by the unknown, but instead, we must see it as the fertile ground in which our abilities can be nurtured. Like the great philosophers, like Aukerman, we too must work with patience, with discipline, and with an unwavering commitment to our craft, knowing that, in time, the confidence we seek will reveal itself not as a gift, but as a reflection of our own effort and perseverance.