William H. Macy, an award-winning actor known for his roles in classics like "Fargo" and "Shameless," shares his journey through the highs and lows of acting. He opens up about feelings of loneliness, perseverance, and the emotional challenges that come with aging in the industry. The conversation dives into the art of balancing scripted lines with spontaneity, revealing the complexities of portraying iconic characters. Macy also reflects on the importance of authenticity, both on-screen and in life, and offers insights into the struggles and joys of parenthood.

Neal Brennan interviews Ari Shaffir (America's Sweetheart on Netflix, You Be Trippin' Podcast, This Is Not Happening & more) about the things that make him feel lonely, isolated, and like something's wrong - and how he is persevering despite these blocks.----------------------------------------------------------00:00 Intro00:58 Neal gives Ari his flowers3:15 Anti-authority6:12 Parking Lot Urchin7:50 Moving to LA, Comedy Store, how he changed13:39 Wanting to Make Things17:40 Sponsor: CookUnity19:22 Sponsor: BetterHelp21:06 Doesn’t Care About Money26:50 Living in Defiance30:09 Travel40:15 Doesn’t follow the news45:05 Sponsor: Hims 47:01 Sponsor: Rocket Money48:15 Openly Amoral49:50 Contrarian52:03 Being positive1:05:53 Drugs----------------------------------------------------------Subscribe to Ari Shaffir:  @arishaffir  Subscribe to You Be Trippin':  @youbetrippinpod  Watch Ari Shaffir: Jew - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2YtIBYM4w0Follow Neal Brennan: https://www.instagram.com/nealbrennanhttps://twitter.com/nealbrennanhttps://www.tiktok.com/@mrnealbrennanWatch Neal Brennan: Crazy Good on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/title/81728557Watch Neal Brennan: Blocks on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/title/81036234Theme music by Electric Guest (unreleased).Edited by Will Hagle (wthagle@gmail.com) Sponsors:Go to https://www.cookunity.com/NEAL for 50% off your first week. Thanks to CookUnity for supporting the show!This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://www.betterhelp.com/neal and get on your way to being your best self.Visit https://www.hims.com/NEAL to start your free online visit. Cancel your unwanted subscriptions and reach your financial goals faster with Rocket Money. Go to https://www.RocketMoney.com/NEAL today.Sponsor Blocks: https://public.liveread.io/media-kit/blocks----------------------------------------------------------#podcast #comedy #mentalhealth #standup Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a candid conversation, comedian Joe List shares his journey through OCD, anxiety, and addiction. He reflects on childhood experiences that shaped his mental health battles, emphasizing the importance of therapy and relationships in overcoming personal struggles. Joe discusses the awkwardness of social situations, navigating parenthood with anxiety, and exploring the complexities of mortality and self-acceptance. With humor and honesty, he sheds light on the lessons learned from his challenges and the value of gratitude in life.

Jason Reitman, an award-winning filmmaker known for hits like Juno and Up in the Air, shares his journey in a candid conversation. He discusses the influence of his father, Ivan Reitman, and navigates the hurdles of ambition and nepotism. Reitman opens up about feelings of loneliness and anxiety and how they fuel his creativity. He reflects on the evolution of cinema, the joy of storytelling, and the importance of live audience experiences in a streaming-dominated world. Through humor and honesty, he reveals the deeper emotional truths behind his films.

In this conversation, Paul Scheer, actor and comedian known for 'The League' and 'How Did This Get Made?', shares insights from his book 'Joyful Recollections of Trauma'. He candidly discusses overcoming childhood trauma, reflecting on chaotic family dynamics and the impact of his abusive stepfather. The duo navigates themes of anger management and personal growth, shedding light on how therapy and ADHD have influenced Scheer's relationships. Humor and vulnerability intertwine as he embraces discomfort and explores the path to self-awareness.

Jerry O'Connell, acclaimed for his roles in 'Stand By Me' and co-hosting 'The Talk,' opens up about his struggles with imposter syndrome and insecurity. He reflects on the emotional toll of childhood fame and typecasting, sharing humorous yet eye-opening anecdotes. The conversation dives into jealousy, particularly regarding his peers, and how family dynamics shape adult relationships. O'Connell also candidly discusses the importance of self-acceptance and personal growth, revealing the ongoing journey of accountability and managing emotions in his life.

Stand-up comedian Akaash Singh, known for his YouTube specials like "Gaslit" and co-hosting "Flagrant," opens up about the feelings of loneliness and isolation he faces. He shares insightful stories about navigating confrontation in relationships and the importance of effective communication. The duo dives into the dynamics of friendship amid fame, the struggles with family expectations, and personal experiences with sleep disturbances. Plus, Akaash humorously addresses the challenges of managing cravings and digital distractions.

Stand-up comedian Matteo Lane, known for his Netflix special "Hairplugs & Heartache," opens up about his journey as a gay comedian. He shares his experiences with anxiety, feelings of loneliness, and the evolution of being gay in the comedy scene. Matteo humorously navigates the dynamics of relationships within the LGBTQ+ community while reflecting on societal stereotypes. He discusses the challenges of maintaining authenticity amid pressures from social media and the competitive world of comedy, all while keeping it relatable and uplifting.

Neal Brennan hosts Ken Burns, an acclaimed documentarian celebrated for his historical works like 'The Civil War' and 'Baseball.' They dive into what qualifies as a Ken Burns documentary and the creative process behind his latest project on Leonardo da Vinci. Ken opens up about feelings of loneliness and perseverance in his career, discussing the art of storytelling, the complexities of empathy in human relationships, and the spiritual elements that inform his work. Plus, he reflects on the challenges of navigating documentary filmmaking and funding.

Ron Livingston, known for iconic roles in "Office Space" and "Band of Brothers," shares his journey through loneliness and the pressure to conform in Hollywood. He discusses the challenges of executive functioning and its impact on relationships, along with his experiences of people-pleasing and boundary-setting. With humor, he reflects on the nuances of identity shaped by family expectations and the transformative power of personal growth amid the chaos of life, illustrating how connection can be both rewarding and complex.