

Blocks w/ Neal Brennan
Neal Brennan
Based on his Netflix comedy special, "Blocks." Neal Brennan interviews friends and colleagues about the things that make them feel lonely, isolated, and like something's wrong - and how they are persevering despite these blocks.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 7, 2025 • 1h 34min
Nick Swardson
Neal Brennan interviews Nick Swardson (Grandma's Boy, Bucky Larson, Specials, Pretend Time, Adam Sandler movies and much 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 Intro
2:35 Congrats Marc Maron
3:10 Rebellious teenage years
21:48 Sponsor: BetterHelp
23:56 Sponsor: ExpressVPN
26:38 Addicted to Performing
29:30 Starting Comedy
34:47 Drinking on the Road
41:00 Quitting Drinking
49:35 Sponsor: Modern Mammals
51:08 Sponsor: Mando
54:07 Dark side of Alcohol
1:07:12 Anxiety from Alcohol
1:13:09 Key West Bender
1:21:03 Diabetes
1:25:30 Lucky to Be Alive
1:30:19 What He’s Proud Of
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Follow Neal Brennan: https://www.instagram.com/nealbrennan
https://twitter.com/nealbrennan
https://www.tiktok.com/@mrnealbrennan
Watch Neal Brennan: Crazy Good on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/title/81728557
Watch Neal Brennan: Blocks on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/title/81036234
Theme music by Electric Guest (unreleased).
Edited by Will Hagle (wthagle@gmail.com)
Sponsors:
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.expressvpn.com/NEAL to get an extra four months FREE!
Visit https://www.modernmammals.com to shop for hair products.
Control Body Odor ANYWHERE with Mando and get 20% off + free shipping with promo code [NEAL] at https://www.shopmando.com! #mandopod
Sponsor Blocks: https://public.liveread.io/media-kit/blocks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 24, 2025 • 1h 14min
Leanne Morgan
Neal Brennan interviews Leanne Morgan ('I'm Every Woman' on Netflix, What in the World?! book, 'Leanne' on Netflix) about the things that make her feel lonely, isolated, and like something's wrong - and how she is persevering despite these blocks.
00:00 Intro
00:44 The White Ail Wong
1:00 Neal & Leanne’s relationship
1:49 Scared of LA
3:30 Leanne’s backstory
5:20 Femininity & Masculinity
7:08 Chuck Morgan
8:20 Standup career
16:58 Sponsor: BetterHelp
18:54 Sponsor: Modern Mammals
20:23 Wanting to Go To Hollywood
27:28 College in Nashville
30:00 Ambition
34:00 Rejection
39:00 Sponsor: Huel
40:39 Sponsor: Mando
43:37 Living in a Double Wide
53:42 Imposter Syndrome
58:00 Spirituality
1:01:39 Low self-esteem
1:04:38 Acting
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Watch 'Leanne' on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/title/81752004
Watch 'I'm Every Woman' on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/title/81636889
Follow Neal Brennan: https://www.instagram.com/nealbrennan
https://twitter.com/nealbrennan
https://www.tiktok.com/@mrnealbrennan
Watch Neal Brennan: Crazy Good on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/title/81728557
Watch Neal Brennan: Blocks on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/title/81036234
Theme music by Electric Guest (unreleased).
Edited by Will Hagle (wthagle@gmail.com)
Sponsors:
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.modernmammals.com to shop for hair products.
Control Body Odor ANYWHERE with Mando and get 20% off + free shipping with promo code [NEAL] at https://www.shopmando.com! #mandopod
Get Huel today with this exclusive offer for New Customers of 15% OFF with code NEAL at https://huel.com/NEAL (Minimum $75 purchase).”
Sponsor Blocks: https://public.liveread.io/media-kit/blocks
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#podcast #comedy #mentalhealth #earthquake #comedian Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 10, 2025 • 1h 19min
Earthquake
Neal Brennan interviews Earthquake (Chappelle's Home Team - Earthquake: Legendary plus more specials) about the things that make him feel lonely, isolated, and like something's wrong - and how he is persevering despite these blocks.
00:00 Intro
2:30 Comedy Career
10:00 Spirituality
16:02 Sponsor: BetterHelp
18:08 Sponsor: Tushy
20:09 Marriage
32:02 Selfishness
37:57 Inattentiveness
43:18 Sponsor: Modern Mammals
44:31 Sponsor: ExpressVPN
46:29 Biggest challenges of his life
57:47 Grudges
1:03:13 Improving relationships
1:13:15 Co-existing with a woman
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Watch Earthquake's new special on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/title/81497886
Follow Neal Brennan: https://www.instagram.com/nealbrennan
https://twitter.com/nealbrennan
https://www.tiktok.com/@mrnealbrennan
Watch Neal Brennan: Crazy Good on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/title/81728557
Watch Neal Brennan: Blocks on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/title/81036234
Theme music by Electric Guest (unreleased).
Edited by Will Hagle (wthagle@gmail.com)
Sponsors:
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.hellotushy.com and use promo code NEAL for 10% off your first bidet order.
Visit https://www.modernmammals.com to shop for hair products.
Visit https://www.expressvpn.com/NEAL for an extra 4 months FREE!
Sponsor Blocks: https://public.liveread.io/media-kit/blocks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

21 snips
Jun 26, 2025 • 1h 9min
Ramy Youssef
Ramy Youssef, the Golden Globe-winning comedian and creator of 'Ramy', shares his unique journey through comedy and television. He opens up about loneliness in the entertainment industry and how it impacts personal relationships. Ramy discusses the delicate balance of love and ambition, revealing personal stories that resonate with many. He explores identity and spirituality within Islam, aiming to provide a deeper understanding of cultural perceptions. Their candid conversation also touches on mental health, shame, and navigating life choices.

8 snips
Jun 12, 2025 • 1h 21min
Stephen Merchant
Stephen Merchant, the British comedian and co-creator of The Office, shares insights on his journey through comedy and collaboration with Ricky Gervais. He reflects on the challenges of early ratings and the cultural differences in ambition between the UK and US. Merchant humorously navigates topics like body image and the perceptions of success, emphasizing mental health's importance. Their discussion also touches on the complexities of translating British humor for American audiences and the nuances of creativity across multiple disciplines.

May 29, 2025 • 1h 21min
Josh Groban
Join multi-platinum musician Josh Groban as he shares his journey from discovery to becoming a powerful voice in music. He opens up about the loneliness that often accompanies fame and his struggles with insecurity and stage fright. Groban reflects on pivotal moments, like singing with Celine Dion, and discusses the evolving music industry's impact on self-perception. He emphasizes the importance of emotional connections in art and the transformative power of vulnerability, revealing how he finds balance amidst the pressures of success.

May 15, 2025 • 1h 31min
Tom Green
Tom Green, a comedian and filmmaker renowned for his early work on The Tom Green Show, shares candid insights about his journey through testicular cancer and the toll of sudden fame. He reflects on the challenges of maintaining authenticity in showbiz while navigating personal relationships, like his past with Drew Barrymore. The conversation also touches on the importance of mental health, creative technology's impact, and the transformative nature of pursuing one's dreams despite life's obstacles.

May 1, 2025 • 1h 31min
W. Kamau Bell
Neal Brennan interviews W. Kamau Bell (We Need to Talk About Cosby, United Shades of America, Who's With Me? 2025 standup tour) about the things that make him feel lonely, isolated, and like something's wrong - and how he is persevering despite these blocks.
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00:00 Intro
9:20 We Need to Talk About Cosby
14:19 Sponsor: Huel
17:01 Sponsor: BetterHelp
18:25 Who Defines What's Black?
50:42 Sponsor: Aura
52:16 Sponsor: Tushy
53:48 Smart for a Comedian
1:05:31 America
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Follow Neal Brennan: https://www.instagram.com/nealbrennan
https://twitter.com/nealbrennan
https://www.tiktok.com/@mrnealbrennan
Watch Neal Brennan: Crazy Good on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/title/81728557
Watch Neal Brennan: Blocks on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/title/81036234
Theme music by Electric Guest (unreleased).
Edited by Will Hagle (wthagle@gmail.com)
Sponsors:
New customers visit https://www.Huel.com/NEAL today and use my code NEAL to get 15% off your first order plus a Free Gift.
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.
Exclusive $35-off Carver Mat at https://www.AuraFrames.com. Promo Code [NEAL]
Over 2 Million Butts Love TUSHY. Get 10% off
TUSHY with the code [NEAL] at https://hellotushy.com/[NEAL]
Sponsor Blocks: https://public.liveread.io/media-kit/blocks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 17, 2025 • 1h 39min
Larry Wilmore
Larry Wilmore, the talented comedian and writer behind hits like The Nightly Show and Black-ish, opens up about feelings of loneliness and the blocks he faces in life. He navigates personal relationships, discussing the emotional challenges of marriage and societal expectations. The conversation dives into his spiritual journey, contrasting faiths, and the moral frameworks that shape his beliefs. Wilmore also shares hilarious insights on personal cleanliness, creativity, and the necessity of solitude, offering a mix of humor and depth throughout.

Apr 3, 2025 • 1h 22min
Blake Griffin
Blake Griffin, a former NBA Rookie of the Year and now an Amazon Prime announcer, shares his journey from the bright lights of basketball to finding identity in retirement. He discusses the loneliness and challenges that come with fame, emphasizing the importance of mentorship and emotional well-being. The conversation touches on the intense competitiveness in sports, the balance between personal ambition and teamwork, and his insights on the complexities of athlete conditioning. Blake also reflects on navigating racial ambiguity while transitioning into his new career.