Comedian Emman Idama talks childhood trauma, dyslexia and finding comedy

Real Talks with Alan O'Mara

Emman Idama is a Nigerian Irish comedian, and a rising star on the comedy scene. Emman MC’s at In Stitches Comedy Club in Dublin, and has been seen on Comedy Central. He’s won Hot Press Irish Comedian of the Year twice, and was a Chortle Comedy Finalist in 2019. He co-hosts the Acting the Maggot podcast.

We’re sitting down with Emman in person, while he’s in New York for his US debut, which was a sold out headline show, at New York City’s Dead Rabbit.

Trigger warning for the episode: Emman is a brilliant comic, and we discuss his comedy career throughout the episode. We also talk about more difficult parts of Emman’s life - including the abuse he lived through as a child, and times he thought about or attempted to die by suicide.

In Ireland, Samaritan’s Ireland is a 24/7 helpline that can be reached at 116 123, for free, day or night. If you’re listening in the US, help is available by dialing 988, and Crisis Text Line is a free 24/7 service that can be accessed by texting HOME to 741741.

As always, please take care when listening to the episode, and thank you again, to Emman, for his honesty in sharing his story.

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