Mike Birbiglia's Working It Out

John Early, recently nominated for an Emmy and a Critics Choice Award, joins Mike to discuss avant-garde comedy, Brittany Spears impressions, and John's new Max special. They also talk about John's experience of coming out to his best friend and explore the complexities of sentimentality and the meaning of life.

Ray Romano jokes about marriage, Ramy Youssef's funny uncle, Rachel Feinstein's spot-on impressions, Mike's deep confessions about friendships with Tom Papa and Gary Gulman, and Ira Glass helps work out Mike's jokes and life.

Beth Stelling returns to the podcast. They discuss her desire to be authentic on stage, touring together, and the parallels between stand-up comedy and professional field hockey.

Jimmy Carr, a global comedy sensation renowned for his dark humor, returns to chat with Mike Birbiglia. They delve into the edgy nature of dark comedy and reflect on the lessons learned from public cancellations. Jimmy also shares insights on the pursuit of personal improvement in comedy. Their conversation highlights the therapeutic power of laughter and its role in connecting people, addressing themes of mental health, grief, and the complexities of parenting—all wrapped in humor and authenticity.

Mike welcomes back three-peat guest Joe Birbiglia to celebrate the premiere of Mike’s new Netflix comedy special The Old Man and the Pool. Mike and Joe discuss the four year development of the show, share memories about the Worcester, Massachusetts YMCA pool, and share the funniest jokes that didn’t make it into the special. *Should* they have made it into the special? Joe thinks so. You be the judge. Plus, Mike answers listeners’ questions about the special.Please consider donating to Rhode Island Community Food Bank

Comedian Pete Holmes joins Mike for a hilarious episode. They discuss Pete's new Netflix special, the problem with Michael Jackson's nickname, and Pete's upcoming hour of comedy. They also indulge in impressions of Bill Burr, Jerry Seinfeld, John Mulaney, and Mike, while reflecting on their experiences opening for well-known comedians and sharing personal stories of scorpion stings and family planning.

Jo Firestone joins Mike for her second appearance on Working it Out. In addition to just being named the head writer of the newest late night show on network TV, Jo just published a comedic murder mystery called “Murder on Sex Island” and proclaims she is *nothing* like the book’s protagonist even though the similarities are striking. Jo also explains why there’s so much dust in her purse, and posits that the scariest part of haunted houses aren’t actually the jump scares, but rather the promise of nudity.Please Consider Donating To: UNICEF

Stand-up comedian Todd Barry, known for his crowd work, reflects on his 35 years in comedy, discusses his problem with Mike's cat, and shares his experiences performing at prom shows. They also talk about crying on planes, Mitch Hedberg's unreleased movie, and promote their support for Doctors Without Borders.

Ramy Youssef was one of the first and most popular guests on Working It Out back in 2020, and now he’s back with updates to some of the same very material he worked out the first time around. Mike and Ramy discuss which Death Cab For Cutie songs make Ramy cry, unfriendly encounters in Jacksonville, the perils of public restroom keys, and Ramy’s not-so-secret “secret marriage.” All that and why Ramy wants Mike’s next special to be called “The Arab Dad.”Please consider donating to Karam Foundation

Gary Simons, winner of Georgetown University's funniest person on campus contest, joins Mike Birbiglia to ask 10 key questions about starting out in comedy. They discuss getting an agent, transitioning from 5 minutes to an hour, and relationship advice for comedians in love. Pete Holmes also offers his advice in this insightful and engaging conversation.