Worklife with Adam Grant

ReThinking: Ed Helms on growing through failure

73 snips
Aug 5, 2025
Ed Helms, actor and comedian celebrated for his roles on The Office and in The Hangover, shares his journey through failure and growth with Adam Grant. The discussion weaves in personal anecdotes about the emotional challenges of live comedy. Ed reflects on the significance of mundane moments in life and explores creative struggles with humor. With insights on decision-making biases, groupthink, and the importance of diverse perspectives, the conversation is both entertaining and enlightening, emphasizing resilience and the power of connection.
Ask episode
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
ANECDOTE

Comedy Bomb with Neurosurgeon Heckler

  • Ed Helms bombed badly at a big Long Island comedy club with a failed heckle comeback.
  • The crowd's reaction and presence of a real neurosurgeon crushed his set and confidence.
ADVICE

Find Your Supportive Cohort

  • Find your cohort of like-minded peers who support your aspirations.
  • Surrounding yourself with believers helps overcome resistance and keep you motivated.
ANECDOTE

Moon Nuking Cold War Plan

  • In the 1950s, the US almost nuked the moon to intimidate the Soviet Union.
  • Carl Sagan was involved but the project was stopped due to huge risks.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app