Of all the comedians working today, Nate Bargatze is one of my absolute favorites. His delivery is quiet, his observations are brilliant, and his stories about his family, growing up in Tennessee, and navigating the absurdities of daily life are universally relatable. He has a unique ability to build a joke with such patience that by the time the punchline lands, the entire room is in stitches. It’s a masterclass in timing and restraint.
Nate’s journey wasn’t an overnight success. It was a slow, deliberate grind. He started his career in Chicago, taking classes at Second City before finding his footing in the stand-up scene. He eventually moved to New York, handing out flyers for comedy clubs and performing for tiny audiences late at night, all while working odd jobs like reading water meters, delivering for FedEx, and walking dogs to make ends meet. His hard work culminated in multiple late night appearances, comedy specials, and his wildly popular Netflix special, The Tennessee Kid, which launched him into a new stratosphere of success.
It was an absolute pleasure to have Nate on my show, Chase Jarvis LIVE, where we sat down for a deep conversation about his creative process and career. We broadcast the show from the CreativeLive studios in Seattle, and you can watch our full conversation here. The interview itself stands as our primary collaboration, a chance to unpack the mind of a comedic genius for the benefit of our creative community. We dug into his process, his struggles, and the key philosophies that have guided his incredible journey.
Throughout our conversation, Nate dropped gem after gem of hard-earned wisdom. These are not just concepts for comedians; they are fundamental truths for any creative professional trying to build a career. A few of my favorites:
Be Undeniably Good at One Thing
Before the website, the social media presence, and the networking, there is the craft. Nate stressed that his singular focus was always on being the best stand-up comedian he could be. He knew that if he mastered his primary skill, other opportunities like acting or writing would follow. Too often, creatives spread themselves thin trying to do everything at once. Instead, Nate’s path shows the power of honing one skill until you are simply undeniable.
- Identify your core craft. What is the one thing you want to be known for? Pour your energy there first.
- Say no to distractions. Early in your career, it’s easy to get sidetracked by things that feel like progress but pull you away from deep work. Focus on the work itself.
- Let mastery open doors. When you become exceptional at your craft, people will seek you out for other opportunities. You will not have to chase them.
Embrace Total Obsession
The word “obsessed” came up again and again. For nearly a decade, Nate was out doing comedy every single night. He explained that to succeed at something this competitive, you have to be completely immersed in it. There is no plan B. This level of commitment is not about being unbalanced; it’s about matching your effort to your ambition. No one is asking you to be a creative, so you have to want it more than anyone else.
- Integrate your craft into your daily life. Nate performed every night for years, making his obsession a daily practice. Find a way to engage with your work every single day.
- Have a “no backup plan” mindset. Nate committed fully, stating, “This is what I’m doing… there’s no plan B.” This removes the safety net and forces you to make your primary goal work.
- Surround yourself with support. Your key relationships must understand and support your obsession. If they get in the way, Nate warns, you have zero chance to make it.
Get Uncomfortable to Grow
Nate shared one of the most powerful pieces of advice he ever received, from producer Jerry Weintraub’s book: “Anytime I started feeling comfortable, it was time to make a change.” This quote inspired him to move from New York, where he had established himself, to Los Angeles to start fresh and challenge himself again. Comfort is the enemy of growth. You have to continually put yourself in situations that make you nervous and force you to adapt.
- Audit your comfort level. Are you coasting? If your work feels easy, it might be a sign that you have stopped pushing your own boundaries.
- Manufacture a challenge. You do not have to move across the country. You can take on a new type of project, learn a difficult skill, or collaborate with people who intimidate you.
- Seek out honest feedback. Comfort often comes from a lack of critical feedback. Find trusted peers who will be brutally honest about your work and where you can improve.
Build Your Community
You cannot do it alone. Nate spoke about the importance of the community he started with in Chicago and the small group of comics he relies on. He specifically advised having a peer just ahead of you to learn from and a peer just behind you to teach. This creates a cycle of learning and reinforcement. Your community is your support system, your sparring partner, and your reality check.
- Find your people. Actively seek out peers who share your goals and work ethic. This is your inner circle for complaining, celebrating, and getting honest feedback.
- Establish mentors and mentees. Find someone a few steps ahead of you and ask them for advice. Then, turn around and offer guidance to someone just starting out. Teaching reinforces your own knowledge.
- Use competition productively. Nate described the “spirited jousting” among comics as a way to stay sharp. Healthy competition within your community can push everyone to be better.
PS – If you’re looking for a guide to help you build the life and career you’ve always wanted, the Seven Levers for Life is a free 7-day email course on just that.
