105. Kate Berlant: The Comedy Special That Almost Didn’t Come Out

3. Jon Laster: Lessons from Black Lives Matter. Also, Honey Buns.: Mike discusses Black Lives Matter and turning tragedy into comedy with Jon Laster. Please consider contributing to the following organizations: NAACP Legal Defense Fund United Negro College Fund by Mike Birbiglia's Working It Out

59 min listen

2. John Mulaney: Shooting Hoops with the Michael Jordan of Comedy: Mike discusses the Chicago Bulls with the Michael Jordan of stand-up comedy, John Mulaney. Please consider contributing to the following organizations: NAACP Legal Defense Fund Parole Preparation Project Innocence Project by Mike Birbiglia's Working It Out

43 min listen

Mike Birbiglia's Working It Out: Trailer: Comedian Mike Birbiglia welcomes a different comedian or creator each week and together they work out original, untested material. And, occasionally, uncomfortable topics. Join them as they work it out. by Mike Birbiglia's Working It Out

2 min listen

15. Jimmy Kimmel: This Week He Hosts The Emmys, But First....He Works It Out.: Last year Jimmy Kimmel cooked Mike meatballs and then Mike dropped them on Jimmy’s front lawn. This interview goes better than that! Join Mike and Jimmy for a candid chat about schoolyard fights, right wing hit jobs, pre-existing conditions, and people who claim to not like pizza. Also, Jimmy has listened to all the episodes AND HAS NOTES. It’s a good one. Enjoy. Please consider donating to: St. Joseph Center https://stjosephctr.org/ Children's Hospital Los Angeles https://www.chla.org/ by Mike Birbiglia's Working It Out

67 min listen

8. Hasan Minhaj: Sometimes Living Through History... Sucks: Mike and Hasan are friends who love talking about current events and comedy craft. In this episode, Hasan teases possible themes and stories for his next special, which shares some commonality with Mike’s special Thank God For Jokes. They talk about everything from macaroni and cheese to marriage and children to the time Hasan came to Mike’s apartment for a script reading and his takeaway was that Mike’s wife Jen is a better person than Mike. This conversation goes from macro to micro to personal to global. Thank God for jokes and thank God for Hasan Minhaj. Please consider donating to: NRDC: https://www.nrdc.org/ Campaign Zero: https://www.joincampaignzero.org/ by Mike Birbiglia's Working It Out

62 min listen

6. David Sedaris: Mike Trades Funny Stories With His Comedy Hero: Mike talks with his literary hero David Sedaris about clocking 90 thousand steps, dressing like a clown, and walking through Times Square after midnight in the pandemic. Please consider contributing to: Feeding America https://www.feedingamerica.org/ by Mike Birbiglia's Working It Out

50 min listen

24. Natasha Lyonne: No F**kin’ Around: Mike welcomes the great Natasha Lyonne, co-creator and star of the hit Netflix series Russian Doll. Natasha opens up about her own process as well as the best advice she’s received. Natasha holds Mike’s feet the fire about his new material—so he scraps his prepared jokes for some personal stories he wasn’t planning to tell. This episode is like planning your own funeral, which is also discussed. Don’t miss it. Please consider donating to: https://www.wpaonline.org/ https://www.girlsclub.org/ by Mike Birbiglia's Working It Out

60 min listen

14. Tig Notaro: Hot Vegan Lesbian Clickbait: Mike trades jokes with the great Tig Notaro. They discuss winning back ex-girlfriends in your favorite shirt, washing food during the pandemic, Billie Eilish's parents, and perhaps the most unlikely comedic run that involves both the Kiss and Indigo Girls. Do they also mention Ani DiFranco? Yes, they do. Please consider donating to Support + Feed: https://www.supportandfeed.com/ by Mike Birbiglia's Working It Out

53 min listen

5. Hannah Gadsby: Solo Shows and Spectrum Gazelles with a Master of the Craft: Mike discusses Hannah's award winning Netflix special “Nanette,” her new special “Douglas” and together they dig deep into the solo show process and how her new show may end up including a “spectrum gazelle.” Sponsored by Samuel Adams Please consider supporting: https://www.safehorizon.org/ by Mike Birbiglia's Working It Out

52 min listen

9. Melissa Villaseñor: Mike Writes Jokes with the SNL Star in Real Time!: Mike teams up with SNL star Melissa Villaseñor to work out jokes about feminist bookstores, moms talking to themselves, and guitar teachers who are frankly just showing off. This is a true comedy jam session and there are jokes written in real time! Don’t miss it. Please consider donating to: Rock The Vote https://www.rockthevote.org/ by Mike Birbiglia's Working It Out

44 min listen

1. Ira Glass: A Podcast Legend Teaches Mike How to Make a Podcast: Mike works out the concept for this very podcast during this very episode of this very podcast with podcast legend Ira Glass. Please consider contributing to the following organizations: NAACP Legal Defense Fund Doctors Without Borders Oxfam America by Mike Birbiglia's Working It Out

47 min listen

16. Maria Bamford: Your Comedy Vaccine: Maria Bamford has been one of Mike’s favorite comedians for a long time. Maria discusses the time she cold-called a Catholic priest even though she’s not Catholic, stories about Air BnBs, why Domino’s might be more helpful than a suicide hotline, unorthodox covid vaccines, and the recipe for grilled cheese. Don’t miss this one. Please consider donating to: Los Angeles Downtown Women's Center https://downtownwomenscenter.org/ by Mike Birbiglia's Working It Out

53 min listen

4. Matt Berninger, Carin Besser, & J. Hope Stein: The Poetry of Mike’s favorite band “The National”: Mike celebrates the publication of "The New One, Painfully True Stories from a Reluctant Dad” with his co-writer and co-wife J. Hope Stein. They are joined by Matt Berninger, the lead singer of Mike’s favorite band "The National” as well as Matt’s co-writer and co-wife Carin Besser. This creative double date goes deep as the two married couples open up about creative marriages, actual marriages, and how writing poetry can feel like knitting. Please consider supporting: 7-Inches For Planned Parenthood by Mike Birbiglia's Working It Out

50 min listen

21. Bowen Yang: How Do You Write a Sketch For SNL?: Bowen Yang joins Mike this week for an episode that is as hilarious as it is honest. Listen as Bowen and Mike discuss everything from gay conversion therapy and googling yourself to high school theatre fails and psychedelic shrooms. Bowen and Mike work out standup bits and potential sketches you may be seeing on SNL soon. Plus, find out the one must-have item you’ve been missing your whole life when using a porto-potty. Please consider donating to: Clinton Hill Fort Greene Mutual Aid https://sites.google.com/view/chfgma-org/home by Mike Birbiglia's Working It Out

59 min listen

13. Ronny Chieng: Asian Comedian Destroys America…and Mike Birbiglia!: Ronny Chieng is most well known for his roles in Crazy Rich Asians and on The Daily Show, but he is also one of the finest stand-up comedians today. Ronny joins Mike to collaborate on entirely new jokes about Mike’s secret superhero identity “Mildew Man,” why presidents need to leave conspiracy theories to the pros, and some eye opening observations from Ronny about the current international perception of America. Please consider donating to: Welcome to Chinatown https://www.welcometochinatown.com/ by Mike Birbiglia's Working It Out

47 min listen

10. Roy Wood Jr: From Birmingham to The Daily Show to Broadway?: Mike and Roy teamed up to raise money for comedy club waitstaffs with “Tip Your Waitstaff.” Now they work on jokes about gin vomit, stealing fancy jeans, and why being a Daily Show correspondent could put you in more hot water than having a criminal record. The episode touches on regret, redemption, and lands in an unexpected place when Mike asks Roy if he’d consider letting Mike produce his one person show. Don’t miss this one. Please consider donating to: https://www.iseemeinc.com by Mike Birbiglia's Working It Out

55 min listen

20. Jacqueline Novak: 50 Ways To Get Eaten By the Garage Door: Jacqueline and Mike have toured together for years and Mike recently produced Jacqueline’s Off-Broadway hit “Get On Your Knees.” On this episode they get nerdy on joke structure: setups, punchlines, tags and secants. They also dig into memories of Jacqueline’s childhood friend getting eaten by a garage door and what “blinking man” means at a crosswalk. Find out why Mike concludes the episode by saying “You must be the first repeat guest!” A must listen. Please consider donating to: Loveland Therapy Fund https://thelovelandfoundation.org/loveland-therapy-fund/ by Mike Birbiglia's Working It Out

59 min listen

23. Ramy Youssef: Kicked in the Golden Globes: Mike welcomes award-winning comedian Ramy Youssef. The two friends discuss the unexpectedly controversial elements of his hit series “Ramy.” They also work on jokes about bad wedding speeches, getting kicked in the balls, and the time Ramy told people in Jacksonville that he was Muslim to which a woman replied, “We don’t do that here.” Well, the good news is: we do this here. Enjoy. Please consider donating to: Muslim Anti-Racism Collaborative https://www.muslimarc.org/ by Mike Birbiglia's Working It Out

51 min listen

A Letter From a Comedian To College Students Everywhere: This episode is a little different from the others. If you like it please share it with your college age friend or family member. Also, it’s worth visiting https://votesaveamerica.com/ by Mike Birbiglia's Working It Out

5 min listen

12. Sam Jay: America’s Next Big Comedy Star: Sam Jay is a comedian and writer for SNL who may be on the verge of superstardom. Her new special “3 in the Morning” is filled with jokes and stories that are funny and fearless and dare the audience not to laugh. In this episode Sam teases new ideas she’s kicking around for her next hour. The conversation ranges from Sam’s cousin eating pie on the toilet to growing up black in America when you’re not given “the stuff.” Please consider donating to: Black Trans Lives Matter Youth Fund https://gf.me/u/yjmr4p by Mike Birbiglia's Working It Out

34 min listen

7. Sarah Cooper: America’s Funniest Lip-Syncer-In-Chief— In Her Own Words: Mike gets to know comedian/writer Sarah Cooper, whose Trump lip sync videos are a viral phenomenon beloved by millions. They crack open the pain of being rejected in middle school, the joy of huffing Irish spring soap, and why Sarah and Mike are both New York forever. Please consider contributing to myFace: https://www.myface.org/ by Mike Birbiglia's Working It Out

47 min listen

26. All Jokes Considered: The Staff Picks The Best Of 2020: A comedy extravaganza featuring Sarah Cooper, Hasan Minhaj, Tig Notaro, Jimmy Kimmel, Maria Bamford, John Mulaney, Ira Glass, Jon Laster, David Sedaris, Pete Holmes, Jon Favreau & Tommy Vietor, Jacqueline Novak, Bowen Yang, & Natasha Lyonne. The perfect episode to share with friends or enemies who haven’t dipped their toes in the Working It Out waters. We are highlighting 6 food banks and Mike is donating 100% of the New Years Eve 6:30 virtual show proceeds to them. https://linktr.ee/WorkingItOutPod by Mike Birbiglia's Working It Out

55 min listen

11. Judd Apatow: The Cinema Mogul Tries to Ruin Mike’s Podcast: Judd and Mike are real life friends who share their real life candid observations in this loose and hilarious hour of workshopping jokes. Judd’s childhood friend peed on him as he watched Saturday Night Live and Mike puts the dental in transcendental meditation because he grinds his teeth. Together they reminisce about 7th grade Washington trips, fears from being a teenager, and fears about having a teenager as Judd helps Mike sculpt his own “This is 40.” Things get tense when Judd declares that he is more attractive than “The Rock.” Please consider donating to 826LA https://826la.org/ David Lynch Foundation https://www.davidlynchfoundation.org/ by Mike Birbiglia's Working It Out

51 min listen

49. Keegan-Michael Key: Schmigadon't Think Twice: In 2015 Mike filmed “Don’t Think Twice” where Keegan-Michael Key played a guy who got cast on a fictional version of SNL. This year Keegan hosted the *actual* SNL in a delightful case of life imitating art imitating life. Today Keegan and Mike nerd out about live sketches vs. filmed Key and Peele sketches, the wisdom of Robert Deniro, and how Keegan seems to be able to do anything, including his most recent role in the new musical comedy series Schmigadoon! https://rfkhumanrights.org/ by Mike Birbiglia's Working It Out

61 min listen

18. Jon Favreau & Tommy Vietor: Pod Save Birbiglia: Mike chats with two of the co-hosts of “Pod Save America” about voting, working in the White House, getting high at Water Country, and “unf—ing the supreme court with small-d democracy.” What happens when a comedian talks candidly with President Obama’s speechwriter and one of the members of his national security team? Find out. It’s a good one. And vote! Please consider donating to: Vote Save America: https://votesaveamerica.com/donate/ by Mike Birbiglia's Working It Out

59 min listen

28. The Lucas Bros: Losing Their Minds Together: Keith and Kenny Lucas join Mike for an episode that alternates between utterly serious & supremely silly. They discuss their moving Vulture essay "Our Brother Kaizen," as well as jokes in process about "twin discrimination," and the difference between writing a will and meeting Will Smith. They also discuss the devastating loss of their mutual friend Kevin Barnett and how it led to the Lucas’ sobriety after years being self-described stoners. A must listen. https://ysrp.org/ by Mike Birbiglia's Working It Out

63 min listen

27. Rachel Bloom: The Inception of the “Please Stop The Ride” Musical: The award-winning co-creator and star of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend Rachel Bloom joins Mike as the two of them crack into a format never explored in this podcast—the musical! Mike leaves his prepared material behind and pitches a concept for a musical. In turn Rachel pitches Mike her first comedy special—an idea she has never discussed publicly. They also discuss Rachel’s hilarious new book and Rachel delivers some of the best slow round answers of all time. https://feedingamerica.org by Mike Birbiglia's Working It Out

50 min listen

36. Gary Gulman: The Joke Nerd Summit You've Been Waiting For: These two comedy nerds discuss the elements of math, science, art, and music that go into constructing the perfect joke as they trade collected wisdom about writing from Steve Martin, Mary Karr, Robert Lowell, Philip Roth, and Anne Lamott. They also dig into the rule of 3s, growing up in Massachusetts, the difference between “book smahrt” and “street smaht” and how Gary turned tragedy into comedy in his hit HBO special, “The Great Depresh.” https://donate.hki.org/ by Mike Birbiglia's Working It Out

54 min listen

31. The Sklar Brothers: How to Say I Love You, Freshly: Mike welcomes the great Randy and Jason Sklar as they trade jokes about how to say I love you to your parents without sounding like you’re in the Mafia, the difference between outsourcing and ‘Mom-sourcing,’ grandmothers owning sex robots, and what it really means to go skiing with Joe Bags. Listen as these three joke nerds come together and create bits in real time. https://www.youngstorytellers.com/ by Mike Birbiglia's Working It Out

66 min listen

30. Nikki Glaser: The Taylor Swift of Comedy: Prolific, raw, and hilarious comic Nikki Glaser shares childhood memories of her mom in the Slow Round that she’s not yet willing to tell on stage but is willing to say on a podcast. Nikki and Mike both admit that their level of honesty with even their own diaries doesn’t hit 100%. Nikki declares herself the Taylor Swift of comedy and Mike declares himself the Springsteen. This episode is raw and honest and funny. https://www.strayrescue.org/ by Mike Birbiglia's Working It Out

61 min listen

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105. Kate Berlant: The Comedy Special That Almost Didn’t Come Out

105. Kate Berlant: The Comedy Special That Almost Didn’t Come Out

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