Jonathan Rudge is a proudly born-and-bred Londoner, comedy writer, and stand-up comedian. After years working in the television industry, he hit the open mic scene in 2023 and quickly made a name for himself with his "relatable and gay-latable" material. He debuted his solo hour at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2024 and followed it up with a successful run at the Camden Fringe in 2025 with his show By Order of the Peaky Grindrs, which tackles gay dating culture, mental health, and outrageous breakup stories. He is also a contributor to the Evening Standard, where he writes about the realities of being a working comedian in the capital.

On this episode of Public Disservice (formerly known as Borderline Podcast Disorder), I'm joined by Jonathan.

We get into the grit of actually living in London. We compare notes on surviving the big city that raised him and why we haven't fled to the coast yet.

Jonathan also drops a bomb: after 19 years of working as a TV producer, he's quitting the "dream job" to pursue the "dream career" in comedy full time. We talk about the sheer terror and glory of walking away from a pay check to tell jokes to strangers in basements.

It's a raw chat about the nuances of life, the comedy grind, and why saying yes to things is the best way to live your life.

This Week's Guest

• Go follow Jonathan: @jonathangramin on Instagram and @JonathanTikTokin on TikTok.

My Stuff

• Follow me on everything: @comedylevy32 and checkout my website www.levylupu.com, if you wanna reach out to say hello or offer any feedback on the pod either message me or email me at info@levylupu.com.

  
  

  Thanks and stay skilful.

The one and only Karyna Aslanova returns! Over a year has flown by since her last appearance, and we had a massive backlog to get through. In this candid catch-up, we tackle the big stuff: a necessary discussion on Ukraine. We then lighten the mood by trading stories about what it was really like growing up in Eastern Europe, highlighting the funny differences from Western childhoods. Multi-talented friend, deep discussions, and a trip down memory lane. Don't miss it.

This Week's Guest

• Go follow Karyna: @azlanova on Instagram.

  
  

My Stuff

• Follow me on everything: @comedylevy32 and checkout my website www.levylupu.com, if you wanna reach out to say hello or offer any feedback on the pod either message me or email me at info@levylupu.com.

  
  

  Thanks and stay skilful.

In this conversation, Maja shares her inspiring journey of overcoming adversity in the pursuit of her dreams. Despite being told at a young age that she would never sing, act, or teach due to vocal cord issues, she defied the odds and began her career at 25. Maja reflects on the impact of these early discouragements and her eventual path to self-discovery and reinvention, drawing parallels to the experiences of other artists like Julie Andrews.

This Week's Guest

• Go follow Maja Bloom: @planetmaja on Instagram.

  
  

My Stuff

• Follow me on everything: @comedylevy32 and checkout my website www.levylupu.com, if you wanna reach out to say hello or offer any feedback on the pod either message me or email me at info@levylupu.com.

  
  

  Thanks and stay skilful.

In this episode, Levy Lupu engages in a profound conversation with Stateless Citizen, exploring themes of identity, faith, and resilience. Stateless Citizen shares his journey from the United States to the UK, discussing the impact of his deportation and the cultural observations he's made since relocating. The discussion delves into the role of religion and philosophy in shaping personal and societal values, highlighting the importance of truth and introspection. Join us for an insightful dialogue on navigating life's challenges and finding meaning in unexpected places.

This Week's Guest

• Go follow Stateless Citizen: @statelesscitizen on Instagram and TikTok and his podcast: The Stateless Citizen Show available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

  
  

My Stuff

• Follow me on everything: @comedylevy32 and checkout my website www.levylupu.com, if you wanna reach out to say hello or offer any feedback on the pod either message me or email me at info@levylupu.com.

  
  

  Thanks and stay skilful.

In this engaging conversation, Andrea shares her journey of learning something new and how it parallels her experiences in comedy. She discusses the challenges of starting new endeavors, the fear of failure, and the importance of perseverance. Andrea reflects on her growth as a comedian, the role of audience engagement, and the impact of mental health on her performance. She emphasizes the need for adaptability in comedy and the significance of empathy towards the audience.

This Week's Guest

• Go follow Andrea: @andreadoescomedy on Instagram and Website: www.andreahubert.co.uk

  
  

My Stuff

• Follow me on everything: @comedylevy32 and checkout my website www.levylupu.com, if you wanna reach out to say hello or offer any feedback on the pod either message me or email me at info@levylupu.com.

  
  

  Thanks and stay skilful.

In this engaging conversation, Bennett Arron shares his journey through personal struggles, including depression and identity theft, and how these experiences shaped his comedy. He reflects on his evolution as a performer, the importance of authenticity in his work, and the challenges of navigating a precarious career in comedy. The discussion also touches on the impact of mental health on creativity and the significance of connecting with audiences through personal storytelling.

This Week's Guest

• Go follow Bennett: @bennett.arron on Instagram, @bennettarroncomedian on YouTube and TikTok and Website: www.bennettarron.com

My Stuff

• Follow me on everything: @comedylevy32 and checkout my website www.levylupu.com, if you wanna reach out to say hello or offer any feedback on the pod either message me or email me at info@levylupu.com.

  
  

  Thanks and stay skilful.

In this engaging conversation, Hayder Rothschild Hoozeer, a BAFTA award-winning film producer, shares his journey in the film industry, the importance of storytelling, and the impact of his recent film, Rock, Paper, Scissors. He discusses the challenges of navigating a non-linear career path in film, the significance of empathy in understanding the human cost of war, and his advocacy for Ukraine through cinema. Hayder emphasizes the collaborative nature of filmmaking and the responsibility that comes with telling impactful stories.

This Week's Guest

• Go follow Hayder: @hoozeer.film on Instagram, and Website: www.whoshere.co.uk

My Stuff

• Follow me on everything: @comedylevy32 and checkout my website www.levylupu.com, if you wanna reach out to say hello or offer any feedback on the pod either message me or email me at info@levylupu.com.

  
  

  Thanks and stay skilful.

In this conversation, Levy Lupu and Jonathan Elkhoury discuss a range of topics including the significance of Yom Kippur, personal experiences during the ongoing conflict, the role of public diplomacy and activism, the impact of social media, cultural identity, and the BDS movement.

They reflect on the importance of sharing personal stories and the power of truth in advocacy, while also expressing optimism for the future amidst challenging times.

This Week's Guest

• Go follow Jonathan: @jon_elk on Instagram, and TikTok and Jonathan_elk on X (formerly Twitter)

My Stuff

• Follow me on everything: @comedylevy32 and checkout my website www.levylupu.com, if you wanna reach out to say hello or offer any feedback on the pod either message me or email me at info@levylupu.com.

  
  

  Thanks and stay skilful.