We Can Do Hard Things cover image

We Can Do Hard Things

How to Survive This Absurd Life with Samantha Irby (Best Of)

Feb 2, 2025
Samantha Irby, a witty author and TV writer, shares her humorous take on life's absurdities. She discusses her strategies for navigating social interactions while hiding underlying frustrations with humor. Irby embraces JOMO, believing no one is truly having a better time, and reflects on her impactful 'Fat Babe Pool Party' episode in Shrill that celebrated plus-sized representation. Their chat dives deep into friendships, showing how casual bonds can be just as meaningful as deeper connections, enriching our social lives.
01:03:02

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Humor serves as a vital coping mechanism, allowing individuals to navigate life’s absurdities and transform pain into laughter.
  • Friendship dynamics can thrive on shared humor, enabling connections across diverse backgrounds without requiring deep emotional ties.

Deep dives

Importance of Humor in Coping with Life's Challenges

Humor plays a crucial role in navigating life's difficulties by transforming pain into laughter. The speaker discusses how finding comedy in tragic experiences, such as family loss or financial struggles, has been a survival mechanism. For instance, during a funeral, laughter emerged from a mix-up where the officiant kept misnaming the deceased, illustrating how humor can defuse tension even in sorrowful moments. This perspective suggests that viewing life through a humorous lens can help individuals cope with various adversities.

Get the Snipd
podcast app

Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
App store bannerPlay store banner

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode

Save any
moment

Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways

Share
& Export

Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode