Big Stuff With Danielle Colley

The Floating Prison of Shame: How Bombing on Stage Became My Superpower

Danielle Colley Season 1 Episode 20

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Jordana Borensztajn, a comedian, communication expert and mentalist, joins the show to share how her most humiliating moments became the fuel for her career. From bombing so badly on a cruise ship that an elderly passenger told her to get off while she was still at sea, to being escorted off Facebook’s campus in a giant Like costume, Jordana reveals how comedy, curiosity and creativity helped her transform embarrassment into influence and resilience.


In this episode, we explore the surprising psychology behind stage presence, why humor can be healing and the grounding techniques that help calm nerves before high-stakes moments. Jordana also breaks down mentalism’s insights on human connection, the 4-2-4 breathing method and how following joy, not perfection, is the secret to authentic communication. This conversation is a must-listen for anyone facing fear of judgment, imposter syndrome or the pressure to perform.


Connect with Jordana Borensztajn:

Website: jordanab.com.au

Instagram: @jordanaborensztajn

Book Website: littlebooks.biz


00:00 Introduction to the Floating Prison of Shame

00:30 Meet Jordana Borensztajn: From Journalist to Comedian

02:06 The Challenge of Standup Comedy

03:49 The Worst Date Ever: A Comedy Catalyst

05:22 The Healing Power of Laughter

07:58 The Floating Prison of Shame: A Cruise Ship Disaster

12:07 Lessons from Bombing on Stage

14:27 The Importance of Authentic Connection

16:46 Embracing the Messy and Chaotic

17:19 The Power of Imagination and Play

23:16 Discovering Mentalism During Lockdown

25:09 The Magic of Mentalism and Human Connection

32:30 The Quest to Meet Mark Zuckerberg

33:42 The Giant Costume Quest Begins

34:24 Meeting Tech Icons at Dallas Digital Summit

35:01 The Facebook Headquarters Adventure

35:25 Facing Fear and Embracing the Experience

38:12 The Aftermath and Realizations

40:45 Grounding Techniques for Public Speaking

48:17 Resilience and Creativity in Comedy

52:49 Visionaries and Overcoming Fear

56:50 The Power of Joy and Embracing Mistakes

59:59 Concluding Thoughts and Future Plans

01:02:18 Final Reflections and Podcast Outro