Join Mike Birbiglia, a comedian and writer celebrated for his Broadway shows, as he dives into the serious yet humorous realms of aging, mortality, and parenting. He and Kara explore finding laughter in life’s sad moments and discuss their own thoughts on last words. The conversation touches on the emotional landscape of navigating death and the significance of family bonds while also shedding light on how personal experiences shape comedic storytelling. It's a heartfelt reflection on life's complexities wrapped in humor.
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Early Encounters with Mortality
Mike Birbiglia's father had a heart attack when he was young, and he also faced bladder cancer at 20.
These near-death experiences profoundly impacted his comedic style, creating a sense of urgency.
insights INSIGHT
Days of Us
Birbiglia's daughter's misreading of "days of the week" as "days of us" became a poignant moment in his show.
It reflects the show's theme of cherishing the present moment and the preciousness of time.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Journaling for Self-Therapy
Keep a journal to process emotions and gain perspective on life.
Writing down your saddest or angriest thoughts can help you see your life as a story.
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In *Being Mortal*, Atul Gawande explores the limitations and failures of modern medicine in dealing with aging and death. Through personal stories, case studies, and research, Gawande argues that the medical profession often prioritizes prolonging life over improving its quality. He highlights the need for greater communication and planning around end-of-life care, emphasizing the importance of autonomy, dignity, and individual preferences. The book encourages readers to rethink their approach to aging and dying, focusing on what makes life meaningful and fulfilling until the very end.
Death of Ivan Ilyich
Leo Tolstoy
The Death of Ivan Ilyich is a novella by Leo Tolstoy, published in 1886. It tells the story of Ivan Ilyich, a judge who, after a terminal illness, undergoes a profound transformation as he confronts the meaninglessness of his life. Through his suffering, Ivan comes to realize the artificiality of his existence and seeks a more authentic connection with others. The novella explores themes of mortality, morality, and the search for true meaning in life.
Bird by Bird
Some Instructions on Writing and Life
Anne Lamott
Susan Bennett
Bird by Bird is a comprehensive guide to writing that covers various aspects of the craft, from the initial stages of starting a project to the technical details of plot, character, and dialogue. Lamott emphasizes the importance of persistence, faith, and hard work in writing. She advocates for writing imperfect first drafts and warns against the pitfalls of perfectionism and self-criticism. The book also delves into the emotional and spiritual aspects of writing, encouraging writers to confront their deepest fears and desires. Lamott's approach is down-to-earth, humorous, and generously filled with personal experiences and practical advice.
Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe
Fannie Flagg
The novel tells the story of Evelyn Couch, a middle-aged housewife, and her blossoming friendship with Ninny Threadgoode, an elderly woman in a nursing home. Through their weekly visits, Ninny recounts stories of her youth in Whistle Stop, Alabama, focusing on the lives of Idgie and Ruth, who ran the Whistle Stop Cafe. The book explores themes of family, aging, lesbianism, and the effects of racism, while highlighting the importance of community and storytelling. It also includes recipes from the Whistle Stop Cafe, adding a culinary dimension to the narrative.
Aging, parenting by mortality and dying alone or kinless: these are just some of the uplifting topics Kara and Nayeema tackle today before our interview with Mike Birbiglia. The comedian and writer is deep in his latest Broadway show, “The Old Man and the Pool,” which doesn’t shy away from such heavy topics either. Birbiglia and Kara discuss mortality, parenthood, their last words and finding comedy in all of life — even the sad bits.
You can find Kara and Nayeema on Twitter @karaswisher and @nayeema.
On with Kara Swisher 
