In Episode 60 - Part 1 of The Lui Diaz Podcast, Lui sits down with Melbourne-based comedian Joel Temperly and welcomes you back to the gritty, vibrant setting of Melbourne’s Hosier Lane.

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This episode is a freewheeling conversation that weaves through Joel’s life experiences, his journey into comedy, and plenty of tangents that showcase his sharp wit and observational humour. From unemployment to cultural immersion across continents, Joel’s stories are as eclectic as the Melbourne’s famous backdrop. Here’s what the episode covers, along with some standout highlights:

Episode Summary

Lui welcomes Joel, who is “aggressively unemployed” and living a liberated life, or as Joel puts it “between jobs” in his parents’ granny flat at almost 37. The chat kicks off with Joel’s take on his supportive parents and his unused Deakin economics degree, before diving into his varied career path: from working for the ACCC to teaching English in China and Russia, and finally finding his comedic footing.

The episode is a mix of Joel’s global adventures, his cynicism about life’s absurdities, and reflections on comedy as a lens for truth. Expect plenty of detours—think Trump impressions, cigarette nostalgia, and fist-bump tutorials from the kids in the street—amidst the chaos of Hosier Lane’s tourists and characters.

Episode Highlights

* The Sphere of Consciousness (00:17:54)Lui introduces his “sphere of consciousness” idea—how we’re limited to caring about what’s immediate (Hosier Lane, the weather, this chat) rather than, say, Osaka’s woes. Joel builds on it, noting that caring for the collective starts with your own circle, a paradoxical individualism. It’s a raw, unpolished gem of a thought that lingers, wrapped in their casual banter.

* Comedy as Cultural Glue (00:42:35)Joel flips the script on his own comedy, explaining how his jokes—sometimes mistaken for ignorance—stem from deep cultural immersion. “I’ve seen it all and we’re all the same,” he says, revealing how travel (China, Russia, Vietnam) shaped his worldview. Lui ties it to a vision of people “shitting on each other” playfully, suggesting laughter builds camaraderie across divides—a rare peek into comedy’s connective power.

* Naming Kids in China (00:56:18)Joel recounts teaching English to kids in Chengdu and giving them English names like “Gareth”—a hilariously incongruous choice for an eight-year-old. Lui’s deadpan “Kids, am I right?” riff imagining Joel testing stand-up on baffled children adds a layer of absurdity that lands perfectly. It’s peak Joel: dry, self-aware, and delightfully petty.

This episode is a rollercoaster of laughs, reflections, and Hosier Lane grit—perfect for fans of unfiltered, tangent-heavy podcasting. Joel Temperly’s blend of cynicism and worldly insight makes it a memorable one.

You can follow Joel’s wild comedy journey and learn about up-coming shows on Instagram via - @joeltemperly - https://www.instagram.com/joeltemperly/