Reviews
Rate ShowTake your brain for a walk
I’ve always been fascinated by how comedians develop their material, but this podcast is so much more than just hearing comedians workshop new stuff. I love how willing Mike and his guests are so willing to let their “brains go for a walk” and see where things go. The slow round questions lead to fascinating stories, but they also provide great insight into the creative process, in general. Finally, I love that the format works equally well even if I’m not familiar with Mike’s guest. I’ve enjoyed the episodes with some of my favorites like David Sedaris and Tig Notaro, but I’ve truly appreciated getting exposed to new (to me) comics like Jacqueline Novak and Sam Jay. I’ve told friends. I’ve told enemies. Thanks for the wonderful distraction during the pandemic, Mike!
- hellowilbur135
- Dec. 3, 2021
Funny and sweet
I love this show. Mike asks the best questions and is always able to develop extremely interesting and insightful conversations with his guests. Mike’s style and personality from his stand up shines through. He seems to focus on the human experience, rather than just show business, like some other similar podcasts. It feels therapeutic for me and the guests. My favorite podcast right now.
- dkapitator
- Dec. 1, 2021
Always entertaining
This podcast is one of my two must-listen podcasts each week. I’ve long been a Mike Birbiglia fan, and it’s really interesting to hear how he tries out jokes/stories and they evolve over time. His guests are always interesting, too, and it’s overall hilarious. Love this!
- Mavdog11
- Nov. 28, 2021
Great podcast!
I really enjoy this podcast and its unique format. It’s one of the only podcasts I’ll listen to even if I don’t know the guest. Mike is smart, funny, and so kind, which is also a big plus.
- BlueSummer42
- Nov. 27, 2021
- :;(5368
- Nov. 23, 2021
I love you mike but please stop with the repeats
Look, I couldn’t be a bigger fan of Mike. I love the podcast, it’s wholesome and a fun look into comedians and their processes.
But Mike, my dude, your podcast only has like 50 episodes, it’s too soon to do throwbacks. I know it’s petty but it’s so annoying when I see the little “new episode” notification, queue it up next, and then after listening to the ads and intro and maybe another 2 minutes, I go “hey wait a minute” and realize I heard this when it aired a mere three months ago.
Hey, I know you and Ira are close and you think “hey his show does repeats all the time” and I will cede that point. When your show gets into double digit years, you go for those throwback shows.
- Jfishnado
- Nov. 22, 2021
insightful
so nice to get inside the heads and processes of comedians I look up to. how they’re able to keep up with it all or manage the career is such a mystery to me beyond the comedy itself. love listening!
- Maxi.W.G.
- Nov. 15, 2021
Room for improvement
For all the delightful conversation and humor in this show, I can’t help but find an obvious hole: not once have I heard, ‘Special thanks to my Birbigliare, Mike Birkowitz…’ This is a somewhat disturbing oversight, which I hope will be remedied soon.
- Major Liz
- Nov. 11, 2021
Subliminal Pizza Advertising
Took me until episode 37 to realize that this podcast talks about pizza a lot, and since listening to this podcast, I’ve been eating pizza a lot. I don’t think this is a coincidence.
Podcast worth every calorie 10/10
- megancreeden
- Nov. 8, 2021
Jimmy Carr
5 star rating. I’ve listened to every episode. Mike, I’m a huge fan, have seen you perform as has my daughter (at SUNY Purchase). Speaking as a member of your fan base “We can take it.” I don’t think you needed the disclaimer at the beginning of the Jimmy Carr podcast. If people are choosing to listen to a comedy podcast they likely have a sense of humor and a basic understanding of comedy. If they don’t they should learn. If after listening to Jimmy Carr, people think he’s mean spirited, they’re not getting it. My son (14) and I saw an extremely dark joke on Rick and Morty yesterday. We both thought it was too dark, but I stopped the show to explain to him that they get to make the joke. And just because it crossed our line, doesn’t mean that it wasn’t funny to somebody. I am not slamming “cancel culture.” I just think we need to distinguish between what’s in a comedian’s heart versus mean spirited. I laughed so hard at this episode. Love the podcast, and I will absolutely continue to listen.
- JulDecDad
- Nov. 5, 2021
A Transgender Fan
I’ve been a fan of Mike Birbiglia’s work for a long time, and I enjoy his conversations with other creative people. I am also transgender, and this week, Mike re-uploaded an episode wherein he defends Dave Chappelle against critics without really engaging with what Chappelle’s recent critics have to say, especially over his comments on trans people.
It’s possibly just a coincidence that Mike re-uploaded this episode while there’s a lot of controversy over Chappelle. However, hearing his defense of Chappelle, especially now, felt like a slap in the face. I’m sorry Mike. I really like your show, and I was deeply moved by Sarah’s stories on this episode. It still hurt.
EDIT: Not every episode can be your favorite, Mike. If they’re all the best, none of them are.
- SplitBrainSociety
- Oct. 28, 2021
Mike Birbiglia tender and funny
Birbiglia interviews comedians and untangles the comedic bits out of their thoughts.
He’s encouraging, kind, and unflinchingly honest about his quest for funny.
It’s helped me write, and take seriously all my dumb little observations.
It wonderful to listen to people who take delight in taking comedy seriously.
Cant wait to see his new special and see how his jokes evolved!
💜💗💜
- gicates
- Oct. 24, 2021
My favorite podcast
I’ve been a fan of Mike’s ever since I first saw him perform live in 2002. Had my son a year later, he’s 18 now and also a fan. Great guests, great interview questions. Lots of nerdy specifics about comedy, writing, and creating in general. Thoroughly enjoyable time and again.
- MarylandGirl22
- Oct. 19, 2021
- debbi1326
- Oct. 18, 2021
Just great
I love this pod. Its honest. Sometimes it makes me laugh really hard but most of the time it makes me think. I think the best is yet to come as well, once the show doesn’t have to be on Zoom, Mike will really blossom.
- Metootoo1
- Oct. 13, 2021
A great way to start the day!
I love this podcast! I think what I like most about it is just the very smart and engaged conversations between Mike and the guests. It’s both critical and vulnerable and I love the energy Mike brings to the show and how he works with the guests. I love stand up comedy and I’ve found it so enjoyable to hear more of the back end of how a good joke is formed and what new ideas can be brought to the table.
- Rayray445
- Oct. 9, 2021
My Favorite Podcast!
I have listened to a wide variety of podcasts, but this is my #1 favorite! I was pregnant when I saw the Netflix special “The New One” and it was so relatable! When I found out there was a podcast, I subscribed ASAP!
If you need laughs, easy listening, I HIGHLY recommend this podcast!!
Mike, thank you for the many laughs- it helped me tons on my maternity leave! ❤️
- Valerie MJ
- Oct. 9, 2021
Especially loved this episode
I have come to really love this podcast. I can’t really put my finger on why. I’m not even that into comedy, probably because so much of it has been so misogynistic. But Mike is not of that mold, and his eclectic and thoughtful choice of guests clearly reflects that. I get so drawn into his deeply human conversations, which are about so much more than comedy. I got particularly engrossed in today’s episode with Sterlin Harjo. I look forward to watching HIS stuff! As I look forward to Mike’s new show!
- Flawless Hollice
- Sept. 27, 2021
Good podcast
Thanks to Pete Holmes I will now be finding myself regularly pretending to be 10x more sensitive then I actully am. Love the show.
- andyhas1balls
- Sept. 27, 2021
Great comedy
Very funny host and a hilarious guest. I enjoyed learning how they developed their comedy routines out of their life stories. Interesting and useful.
Still Interesting and Funny I’ve listened to many episodes now. The last episode I heard was Phoebe Robinson. I never heard of her, but she was really and had some good insight and stories. I haven’t heard of any of his guests, bur they have all been fabulous, interesting, funny, telling, and super. Great show, great host, and great stories!
- DrDave72
- Sept. 25, 2021
Inspiring YaAaY!!!
I’ve learned a bit and smiled/laughed A LOT! It’s a Great show with a good heart!!!!! I highly recommend! It’s Personally inspired me to write but I’d recommend to anyone!
- Robbin graves
- Sept. 22, 2021
Great running companion
The show is brilliant. Yeah, sometimes he makes it awkward but it’s a show about developing jokes between writers. It’s supposed to be about the process, not the final product. Good conversations make us all more understanding and funny. PS it was the right length of time to complete training runs so now I’m relistening because I can’t run without it.
- chips.salsa
- Sept. 21, 2021
Watching the Process in Action
I like to imagine giving answers to Mike’s slow round questions. I love the specific stories that the questions evoke and how supportive mike is of them. I always reach the end of the podcast inspired to write and work out my own projects, and then I just have to keep doing my garbage day job instead.
- megh el
- Sept. 21, 2021
My Favorite Podcast
I usually would never post a review, but I saw that someone left a negative review and wanted to counteract that.
I look forward to this podcast every week! Mike is an excellent host and it seems effortless the way he talks with the guests. After listening to this podcast, I feel relaxed, moved, and of course happy (much like I feel after any of Mike’s specials). My favorite part of each episode is when he actually works out comedy bits with the guests, which usually makes me laugh out loud. I’ve even relistened to episodes when I need a change of mood or to feel the joy that this podcast exudes.
So, I’m telling my friends and my enemies: listen to Working it Out!
- cornrog24
- Sept. 21, 2021