Otherppl with Brad Listi

836. Samantha Irby

May 14, 2023

Bestselling author Samantha Irby shares her childhood experiences that shaped her sense of humor and how she used it as a defense mechanism. They discuss the challenge of balancing sadness and humor in writing and the difficulties of the entertainment industry in Los Angeles. They also touch on health problems, the impact of Eddie Murphy's comedy, and the conflicts in the publishing industry.

01:42:36

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Episode guests

Samantha Irby

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Quick takeaways

Samantha Irby fearlessly discusses taboo topics with humor and authenticity in her book

Her writing thrives in its refusal to conform, resulting in a unique and engaging voice

Irby's success is attributed to her honesty, humor, and appreciation for right place, right time moments

Deep dives

Unveiling Personal and Familial Struggles

Samantha Erby, author of the essay collection 'Quietly Hostile,' explores personal and familial struggles in her book. She candidly discusses topics such as her difficult relationships with her parents, the challenges of growing up in an impoverished household, and her own experiences with therapy and mental health. With her signature humor and authenticity, Erby delves into these sensitive subjects, creating a powerful and relatable narrative.

Imagining a Romanticized Life and Seething Resentments

01:22

Writing Conversational Tone in Essays

01:01

Dealing with Anger and Frustration

01:43

Staying True to My Beliefs

00:42

Introduction

5min

Samantha Erby: Using Humor to Navigate Life

8min

Growing Up in Evanston

29min

The Missing Pages: Exploring Conflicts in the Book World

4min

The Impact of Eddie Murphy's Comedy

10min

Discussion on Health Problems and Invisible Diseases

4min

The Challenge of Balancing Sadness and Humor in Writing

26min

Challenges in LA's Entertainment Industry

13min

Samantha Irby is the bestselling author of the essay collection Quietly Hostile, available from Vintage.

Irby's other books include Meaty, Wow, No Thank You, and We Are Never Meeting in Real Life. She also writes for television, having worked on shows like Shrill, And Just Like That, and Tuca & Bertie. She blogs at Bitches Gotta Eat and lives in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

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Otherppl with Brad Listi is a weekly literary podcast featuring in-depth interviews with today's leading writers.

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