Mike Birbiglia's Working It Out

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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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.

Comedian Greg Warren joins Mike for an hour-long discussion on setups, punchlines, and what makes a good partner to work out jokes with. Greg also discusses his new special 'The Salesman' while sharing road memories and worst gig experiences with Mike.

Stand-up comedian Gary Gulman returns to the podcast as Mike and Gary evaluate the true level of their friendship. They discuss vulnerability in comedy, unhappiness vs. depression, and the advice Gary got from Larry David. They also delve into the dynamics of being called a nerd, navigating happiness, overcoming fears, and the power of simple truth. They reflect on the impact of the pandemic, balancing comedy with family, and the challenges of parenthood. The chapter also covers best and worst nicknames, loneliness in art, jokes about Jesus, and personal experiences with Jewish pride.

Comedian Nimesh Patel shares his experience of being kicked off stage at Columbia University for a controversial joke. They discuss finding their comedic voice and writing every day. They also talk about bombing at a college comedy show and feeling let down by white people due to racism. The podcast includes sponsor ads and delves into Nimesh Patel's special and YouTube success.

Hasan Minhaj and Mike Birbiglia have an insightful conversation, comparing comedy craft to Steph Curry's approach to basketball, sharing stories about interviewing Barack Obama, and confessing to the guilty pleasure of watching couples argue in public.