Writer David Sedaris shares with Mike Birbiglia his thoughts on former Pope Francis' speech to comedians in 2024. They also discuss where the truth lies in writing and comedy in this Clip from Sedaris' 2024 appearance on Working It Out.
Mike welcomes author, actor, and filmmaker Cazzie David to the podcast and right away, Mike challenges the notoriously misanthropic Cazzie to list five things she loves. It takes a while. Then, Cazzie breaks down her new book of essays, Delusions, which she says her mom found “disturbing,” and Cazzie talks…
Comedian Chris Fleming discusses with comedian Mike Birbiglia how he views himself as a true freak. The two also share what their impressions of each other would be in this Clip from Fleming's 2024 episode on Working It Out.
Working It Out all-timer Taylor Tomlinson returns to the podcast this week on the heels of the release of her new Netflix special, “Prodigal Daughter.” Mike and Taylor talk through what they do when they get stuck on a bit, what they’d do if they found out they were dating…
Ben Stiller and Adam Scott share what it was like to work with each other on the set of Severance with Comedian Mike Birbiglia. They also discuss how directing is a process of constant learning in this clip from Ben and Adam's January 2025 appearance on Working It Out.
Ali Siddiq is one of the most prolific storytellers in comedy. Although they work in a similar format, Ali and Mike’s paths have never crossed until now. Now they sit down to discuss the nuances of comedic storytelling, including how to make specific topics relatable to audiences, and Ali explains…
Comedian and Golden Globes Host Nikki Glaser discusses with Mike Birbiglia what her stand-up hour would look like if she told more stories on stage. The two also work out a few jokes in this clip from Nikki's 2025 appearance on the podcast.
Beloved British comedian James Acaster and Mike have never met but they have a lot in common, including brushes with death early in their lives that influenced their comedy. James and Mike discuss James’s experience with hecklers, which is the subject of James’s new special Hecklers Welcome. Plus, James talks…
Comedian and Actor Kumail Nanjiani shares with Mike Birbiglia how he had to evolve his stand-up persona when he moved to New York City. The two also discuss the quality of comedy today vs. when they started out on this clip from Kumail's Aug 2025 appearance on the podcast.
Tig Notaro and comedian Mike Birbiglia discuss the embarrassing aspects of parenting. Tig also shares a heartfelt story about her stepfather in this clip from the 2024 interview on Working It Out.
Connor Ratliff is a beloved cult comedy figure known for his award-winning podcast Dead Eyes and his long-running live show/YouTube series The George Lucas Talk Show. He also played an improv student in Mike’s film Don’t Think Twice, which is a bit of a winking joke because Connor is one…
Actor-Writer-Director Bob Odenkirk shares with comedian Mike Birbiglia why the sketch he wrote with Chris Farley is so popular. The two also discuss Better Call Saul and why anger may be a major factor in comedy.
Heidi Gardner went from being a hairdresser in LA to joining the Groundlings to 8 seasons on SNL, where she created characters like “Dianne, The Mom Who's Only Read About New York on Facebook” and “A Woman Who Insists She's Not Mad.” Heidi talks with Mike about her SNL experience,…
Stephen Colbert, host of The Late Show, shares with comedian Mike Birbiglia his approach to hosting the show, as well as what he learned from studying improv with Del Close. The two share some laughs and some wisdom in this clip from Colbert's January 2025 appearance.
For the 200th episode of Working It Out, Mike sits down with one of his oldest friends and one of the podcast’s first ever guests, John Mulaney. The two discuss monkeys wearing space suits, old stories from the road, and how John’s career changed after having kids. They work out…
Golden Globes host and comedian Nikki Glaser discusses with Comedian Mike Birbiglia about groups she never felt to fit in with and the confidence (and sometimes doubt) that comes with doing comedy in this clip from her May 2025 appearance on Working It Out.
This week Mike sits down with comedian Jordan Jensen. A master of turning taboo topics into comedy- as seen in her Netflix special Take Me With You- Jordan explains how her fearless, no filter stage persona coexists with her emotional, more vulnerable side. Plus, the story of how caring for…
Comedian Mike Birbiglia asks Josh Johnson about his experience writing for and becoming a correspondent on the Daily Show. They also discuss that everything happens in its own time and Josh's Goals for his Career
This week, SNL’s Sarah Sherman returns on the heels of the release of her new HBO special, “Live + In the Flesh.” Sarah and Mike discuss why Sarah goes to therapy three times a week, which SNL cast member Sarah is jealous of, and the difference between Sarah Sherman and…
Natalie Palamides is a writer and performer best known for her avant-garde comedy shows Laid, Nate, and WEER. She’s eaten raw eggs on stage, fondled audience members (with their consent), and played both halves of a feuding couple in a way that has to be seen to be believed. Mike…
Mike started this podcast so that one day Michael Che would come on. Today is that day. In this all-timer episode, Mike and Che work out tons of jokes and discuss the advice Lorne Michaels gave to Che that he’ll never forget, how Che went from designing and selling t-shirts…
Comedian Mike Birbiglia asks if Leanne Morgan Gossip she heard growing up.
Arthur Brooks might be the only Working It Out guest who's crossed paths with Jerry Seinfeld, Oprah Winfrey, and the Dalai Lama. He’s a professor and bestselling author, whose books include The Happiness Files, From Strength to Strength, and Build the Life You Want, which he co-authored with Oprah. Mike…
