Listener Reviews

I discovered Mike through the Chinwag podcast when he was a guest (also highly recommend that pod). So happy to have a new great podcast! Very entertaining and such a wonderful listen! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Thank you for once again sharing the joy and brilliance that is Pete Holmes! We enjoyed learning more about your shared history and obvious affection for each other.

Makes me laugh & think while I’m at work. No reason not to like listening.

Mike, I love love love your podcast. Saw Old Man and the Pool live in LA and have become a massive fan of yours. But the nuggets of wisdom you and Pete just dropped are on another level. I have a list of life-changing podcast episodes and this just made it.— The deep one liners were endless:— Project your shame on me and laugh at it— If you’re not telling secrets, then who cares— I could share my winning stories, but what good is that for you?— I do the show for free, they pay me for the vulnerability hangoverThis is the life of artistry that I crave, and I appropriate the guideposts you’re providing.

Mike Birbiglia is a brilliant, heartfelt and hilarious storyteller. His podcast is a gift. I have learned so much about the art and science of comedy and storytelling, I laugh outloud every episode and lead a more joyful life for having listened to this podcast!! Thank you Mike and everyone who makes this podcast possible. Every episode is amazing, but a couple of favorites include: Pete Holmes, Jimmy Fallon, Zara Garg, Atsuko Okatsuka.

There a lot of podcasts with comedians discussing the nuts and bolts of their craft; Working it Out is the best I’ve heard. But the shop talk is good for any creative discipline because it does such a good job of examining how to present the human condition to an audience. There is a lot of universal wisdom for creative people in these episodes. Every episode is good, but new listeners could do a lot worse than starting with ep 115 with Pete Holmes.

My kid is running for class president, and is up against a “frenemy”. When she asked for advice on what to say to them on their upcoming Election Day, I suggested she recommend this podcast about comedians getting together to discuss joke-writing. Why? Because Mike is a wonderful human being. I’ve loved each and every special, and I’ve had the good fortune to attend a few and meet him after the show. Just like this podcast, he actually takes the time to talk. Episodes to checkout: anything with Pete Holmes, John Mulaney, Gary Gulman, Taylor Tomlinson, Hasan Minhaj…

I’m obsessed. I listened to a lot a lot of your early episodes, stopped for whatever reason, life. Now coming back to it, the wisdom from all of these people, with the depth of your slow round with comedy and laughs throughout— it’s everything. One of my favorite podcasts! The only thing I don’t like is that I will catchup to where I left off and will have to wait for new releases and that will be a sad day. So grateful, keep going please!! Also— Mike genuinely cares about his guests. He watches/reads their stuff and has thoughtful antedates, questions and comments. It’s quite heartwarming. Haha obsessed, I already told youPete homes stop interrupting people on your podcasts and here. It’s sooooo hard to listen to

I came across the “You Made It Weird” podcast about 8 or 9 years ago when I was looking everywhere specifically for <<<Mike Birbiglia content>>> and saw he’d been on Pete’s show multiple times. Have listened to Pete’s podcast since then and this one since it started. I am a huge fan of both. My husband and I wanted to go see “The Old Man and the Pool” but it didn’t work for us to go to NYC while it was playing. But we saw Pete in SF for our anniversary last January. He listened to “We made it weirds” with me… He died unexpectedly two months ago and I’ve been in the aftermath of grief. As morbid as the old man and the pool is I couldn’t wait to see it. I watched it today and found comfort in laughing and being moved by the vulnerability of it all even though some was really hard. Then this episode dropping today, hearing Mike and Pete talk about both shows (Pete’s special has some of the same material my hubs and I saw) is like a gift to my soul. I need to be able to laugh now more than ever. And I find myself writing poetry to process my grief so I can be there for my 2 year old. I plan to WIO so I can publish the poetry later. Thanks for being a lifeline in my darkest chapter.

There are a lot of comedian podcasts and a lot of “interviews with entertainers” podcasts. This is one of the best. The conversations are hilarious and insightful. Fav episode, because Mike said to pick one: it’s tough, but maybe Atsuko Okatsuka.

I’ve been a fan of Mike Birbiglia since the first special I saw of his show. I love the concept of bringing on a fellow comedian and talking about their career and then dissecting bits they are working on. Always enjoyable.

I can’t pick just one. All the Mulaney and Nick Kroll visits, and Judd Apatow. Start there. I am a religious listener and massive fan of Birbigs. A singed Thank God for Jokes poster sits framed in a prominent part of our living room from when we got to see the show in a tiny theater in Sonoma. We would have seen him perform for the fourth time in SLC is broadway hadn't happened. Can’t wait to see The Old Man special eventually

Long time fan, had no idea he had a podcast! Loved the Gary Gulman episode!

Maria bamford 👍

I love Mike’s interviews because he actually stops talking long enough to let his first speak. Fairly rare for some other podcasters, so thank you for being a considerate conversationalist!

Bill Hader 💙

The episode with Greg Warren was thoughtful and useful.

One of my very favorite podcasts. Funny, charming, inspiring, heavy - it’s great.

Love your comedy specials and admire how you connect with your audience. Wish I were able to see in person “old man in the pool.” Hope you consider filming it and offer it to stream. I was especially impressed with your touching interview with a Gary Gilman. You are the real deal. Love you.

These podcasts are a treasure trove of valuable insights into the process of writing comedy and personal essay material. After seeing The Old Man and the Pool in Seattle, with Atsuko Okatsuka opening the night, I found my way to the podcast and I’ve been drilling through the catalog. I bought a pair of quality headphones so I could immerse myself in the dialogue while doing menial chores like organizing and cleaning the garage. It’s a win win! Thank you Mike and all the guests! Some of my favorites are his conversation with Seth Parrish (I’ve applied to take a course with the Barrow Group), three Atsuko episodes, Neal Brennan and all of the discussions with Ira Glass.

This is my current favorite when I’m needing something while I’m working in my studio! Thanks for existing!

I want a Harry and David basket

Dear Entire WIO squad!This is absolutely one of the quintessential must listen pods for anyone caught in the limbo that is trying to become a comedic storyteller (but to be honest it fits all lanes of creativity!) I’m just gonna drop my top 5 eps: Ira Glass 3 : “you mean Jesus been telling this American life type stories!?!”Quinta Brunson : “little did you know mom and dad that I almost drowned… can I have some more chips?” Rachel Feinstein : “the Costco pajama set for the win… also yeah I know I’m a shallow husband 😂 !” Mo Amer : “Vist this man in Houston already!” EVERY ATSUKO OKATSUKA EP! I mean that was hard to narrow down but they are all always so sharp and humorous but amazingly human! I mad there aren’t 100 more yet! Also if I get a chance to vote for an episode I’d love to hear you rap with Tone Bell , Nate Bargatze, Sheng Wang, Tom Segura… ok that’s probably too much but any who keep up the amazing work!- Sam

I love comedy. Although I am not funny, I appreciate the art form. I just loved this episode. Thank you for sharing her special. I think I enjoyed it more because I learned a little bit about her first. She’s brilliant and beautiful. “Ladies and Gentlemen: Kitty Berlant.”