Comedy, Courage, and Inclusion | Maysoon Zayid | EP 103

Comedy, Courage, and Inclusion | Maysoon Zayid | EP 103

From Ask JBH with Janice Bryant Howroyd by Janice Bryant Howroyd

October 15, 2025 · 1h 5m · Season 2 · Episode 103

About this episode

Maysoon Zayid discusses her journey as a comedian and disability advocate, emphasizing the importance of humor and inclusion.

Comedian, actress, writer, and disability advocate Maysoon Zayid brings laughter, honesty, and heart to every stage she steps on. From co-founding the New York Arab American Comedy Festival to delivering one of the most-viewed TED Talks of all time, Maysoon has built a career on turning challenge into charm and advocacy into art. In this conversation, she shares how humor became her superpower, the lessons her parents taught her about joy and grit, and why she created Shiny Misfits, a graphic novel that gives kids a hero who looks and lives like them. With her trademark wit, Maysoon reminds us that inclusion isn’t charity, it’s common sense. Watch to hear how this unstoppable force proves her mantra true: If I can can, you can can.

People in this episode

Guest: Maysoon Zayid

Topics covered

  • comedy
  • disability advocacy
  • inclusion
  • graphic novels

Keywords

  • laughter
  • TED Talks
  • New York Arab American Comedy Festival
  • Shiny Misfits

Mentioned in this episode

Products: Shiny Misfits

Books & works: Shiny Misfits

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