After graduating from UC Berkeley with degrees in applied mathematics and business administration, Sammy Obeid turned down a lucrative offer from Google to pursue a career in comedy. Since then, he hasn’t looked back. Obeid has a long list of achievements including performing 1000 nights straight of comedy, being featured on Conan and headlining comedy clubs around the nation.

In a wide-ranging conversation over dinner with the Weekender that included various cameos from the waitstaff and a crying child, Obeid discussed getting his start in comedy, his work ethic, relationships and spirituality. Listen below.