Conversation with Mike Birbiglia — On Storytelling, Mortality, and Fatherhood
Nov 30, 2023
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Mike Birbiglia, a talented comedian and storyteller known for his insightful one-man shows, shares his thoughts on the art of storytelling with a deep focus on themes of mortality and fatherhood. He reflects on how personal experiences shape his comedy and the challenges of being a new father, emphasizing the importance of communication in relationships. Birbiglia also navigates the intersection of aging and creativity, sharing anecdotes that blend humor with poignant life lessons.
Priority should be given to punctuality and valuing others' time.
Cherishing the present moment and expressing love to loved ones is crucial for a fulfilling life.
Deep dives
Importance of being early and respecting others' time
Being on time is a sign of respect and valuing others' time. It's important to prioritize punctuality and understand that being early is better than being on time or late.
Mike Berbiglia's creative process and storytelling
Mike Berbiglia combines stand-up comedy and theater in his solo shows. He explores themes that he is personally obsessed with, such as mortality, in a nonchalant and humorous way. His creative process involves finding the main event or central theme of the show and developing jokes and stories around it.
The impact of near-death experiences on Berbiglia's perspective on life
Having faced potential health issues at a young age, Mike Berbiglia's approach to his relationships with his wife and daughter and his overall view of life has been influenced. He emphasizes the importance of cherishing the present moment and expressing love and appreciation to loved ones.
Berbiglia's aspirations in filmmaking and storytelling
In the next 10 years, Mike Berbiglia aims to focus on writing, directing, and producing movies along with continuing his stand-up comedy career. He explores injecting humor into dramatic stories, much like his role model Mike Nichols, to create compelling and relatable content.
Mike Birbiglia, a comedian, storyteller, director, and actor, joins Scott to discuss his approach to storytelling, and how he thinks about mortality, comedy, and fatherhood. Follow Mike on Instagram, @birbigs. His latest special, The Old Man & the Pool, is out now on Netflix.
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