In the new episode of It’s NormalThe Evidence Network podcast hosted by Danila De Stefano (founder and CEO of Evidence Network), we were lucky enough to listen to the story and the human and artistic journey of one of Italy’s most iconic comedians: Marcello Macchia, known as Maccio Capatonda.
In this episode, Marcello decided to lay himself bare, addressing without filters the themes of existential discomfort, the relationship with parents, self-esteem and the comfort zone. Interesting reflections have emerged on how it is possible to learn to live without stigma when we feel uncomfortable and once accepted as part of the life experiences we can have without being defined or brought down by it, that experience can be transformed into a true creative and identifying force.
From Maccio Capatonda to the strength of discomfort: how experience can shape creativity
Maccio Capatonda’s story is much more than a sequence of characters and jokes: it is a profound journey between insecurities, desire for redemption and search for authenticity.
Marcello explained to us that his stage name itself comes from a sort of self-irony about his weak points (“Maccio”, from “Marcellaccio” i.e. Marcello in negative, and “Capatonda” as a reference to youthful baldness). A choice that is not mere self-exaltation, but a true operation of exorcism of trauma:
Capatonda is as if it were a way to emerge from the trauma of baldness and reveal it to everyone and be proud of it in some way.
Expressing one’s suffering and learning how to accept and process it sometimes also allows one to transform it into something more, becoming fuel for creativity and art.
The relationship with childhood and family: between the desire for reconciliation and autonomy
For Capatonda, as for many, the roots of vulnerabilities lie in childhood and family dynamics. His passion for cinema takes root from the film “Back to the future” – in which a child tries to make his parents fall in love. A symbolic motif that translates into a real emotional need:
I really identified with the protagonist… this whole career of mine was born partly from the desire to make my parents love me.
Marcello also talks about the difficult relationship between his parents, of collapse of the paternal myth after his father’s career failure and the impact that this loss of reference points had on his growth. It is interesting to note how these “attachment wounds” are reflected not only in insecurities, but also in adaptation and self-consolation strategies.
The experiences lived in the family are unconsciously learned and can be re-proposed in subsequent relationships, like scripts: become aware of these mechanisms is the first step to try to change, the second is to experiment with new ways of being in relationship, with others and with oneself.
Transforming wounds into strengths: self-esteem, success and self-acceptance
Perhaps the most touching passage of the interview concerns the experiences of insecurity related to the body and self-esteem. Here Marcello explains how hair loss during adolescence affected his self-esteem and his relationship with the opposite sex:
During adolescence I went through a long trauma… this definitely demolished my self-esteem a bit.
The turning point comes in the awareness that theacceptance of one’s vulnerability – also thanks to the first experiences of work and relational success – can trigger a true healing process. On the other hand, as we have already highlighted in the past, self-esteem does not arise from nothing but is the result of the accumulation of corrective experiences, both relational and individual
“Loving yourself”, Marcello reminds us, means both taking care of your own well-being and avoiding falling into egocentrism, finding a balance between self-acceptance and openness towards others.
The art of getting out of the comfort zone: the discomfort zone as a driver of change
One of the central passages of the interview – and of Maccio Capatonda’s “Discomfort Zone” series – revolves around the importance (and difficulty) of leaving the comfort zone. For Capatonda, creativity and motivation itself arise from discomfort and the need to overcome self-imposed limits.
Discomfort is the engine of many creative energies… What seemed like a trauma has become a strength.
In therapy, as Danila De Stefano reminds us, it is not always a question of adding new qualities, but of removing the “superstructures” and returning to an authentic and light dimension:
I think personal growth is more about taking away. I try to remove all the superstructures and traumas… to go back to how it felt when you were a child.
The risk of remaining trapped in the “comfort zone”
Marcello reflects on how contemporary society pushes us to chase only well-being, comfort and success and on how excess comfort (and absence of risk) can, paradoxically, devalue both creativity and zest for life:
The comfort zone is a reality where everything goes well, where you are very famous, you have everything… But this reality puts us in a situation where the slightest unexpected event sends us into crisis.
The need to leave the comfort zone – metaphorically or concretely – then also becomes an invitation to experiment with something else, accepting that the unexpected and difficulty are part of growth.
How to apply these concepts
- Bring uncomfortable experiences back to you: Without shame, try to reflect on how suffering or feelings of inadequacy in the past have influenced who you are today. Looking inside is not always easy, but it can mark the beginning of a path of acceptance or change.
- Experience acceptance: take inspiration from Marcello’s experience: sometimes self-irony or the narration of one’s vulnerabilities can become tools of strength. Sharing your story can help those who feel alone in their difficulties.
- Explore outside your comfort zone (with kindness): There’s no need to turn your life upside down, but every now and then you can deliberately choose to experience the unexpected, even in small things (like choosing a restaurant at random or trying activities you’ve never done).
- Accept that the path is never linear: personal growth, as Danila De Stefano reminds us, is not just accumulation, but often the removal of unnecessary burdens. Be patient with yourself and don’t be afraid to ask for professional help if you feel it is necessary.
- Recognize the value of creativity: discomfort can be a channel for authentic expression, not only in the artistic field. Even in solving small daily problems, creative strength often arises from a tension, from wanting to overcome a perceived limit.
See you next episode!
Marcello himself tells it, with irony and depth, in this interview: the discomfort and the zone of discomfort they are not enemies to escape frombut fertile ground for gathering new awareness, finding one’s voice and learning the value of authenticity. Whether through comedy or a personal journey, understanding and dealing with discomfort really makes you freer. There is no growth without some discomfort: taking care of your mental health, after all, means exactly this.
Remember: normalizing discomfort means cultivate the joy of being human.
