Darren Harriott makes for one of the most compelling podcast interviews.

BALANCE sat down with the stand-up star at the plush BBC White House private members’ club with a view to talking about confidence. After all, Darren has done very well for himself of late, chalking up appearances on Live At The Apollo, Mock The Week and new Comedy Central show The Comedy Bus. And on stage he possesses Seinfeld-ian levels of self-assurance.

However, life teaches us to expect the unexpected and our chat took a fascinating turn as Darren reveals what it was like being in a gang, how he carried a knife and how a dark turn of events left him in hospital.

The comedian also talks candidly about depression and how a heart-breaking episode on a train was a cause for concern for those closest to him.

What shines through is Darren’s sheer defiance, a quality that makes him one of the greatest stand-ups to break through in recent months, having slogged it out on the circuit for more than a decade.

Click here to download via Apple and here to download via Spotify. And it <should> be available from anywhere else you might happen to download podcasts. You’ll also find our first three episodes.

To the uninitiated, in each episode, deputy editor James Gill (occasionally joined by founder/ editor Sophie Scott) chats with luminaries from entertainment, wellness, sport, business and beyond about how to optimise health, happiness and performance. And should you want to rate it five stars, please know we won’t be offended.

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