Mike Birbiglia's Working It Out 194. Pete Holmes Returns: Vulnerability is Everything
19 snips
Dec 1, 2025 
In this engaging episode, comedian and podcaster Pete Holmes returns to team up with Mike Birbiglia. They hilariously dissect a hot tub encounter with a joke-craving stranger and riff on how iconic comics fit their own names. The duo reflects on the intriguing trope of cool movie characters swallowing pills dry, connecting vulnerability to performance. They also tackle topics like competition and identity, share an awkward Toronto massage story, and lighten AI anxiety with a dose of humor. A rich comedic exchange filled with insights and laughter!
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Vulnerability Is The Artist's Core
- Sensitivity and vulnerability are central to great artistry, not just technique.
- Eddie Murphy framed this as the core quality that made artists special.
Test Jokes From The Audience View
- Put yourself in your audience and ask, “When would I laugh?”
- If you wouldn't laugh at your own line, rewrite it until you would.
Cutting A Joke To Preserve Feeling
- Pete describes cutting a joke about his mother because it made him feel like a bad son when it didn't land.
- He kept the joke private even though he still thought it was funny.
