Breaking Bread with Tom Papa

Latest Episodes:

Episode 345 - Pete Holmes Sep 09, 2026

Show notes

Pete Holmes joins Tom Papa for a candid conversation about bombing, the need to feel understood, and the strange mental and physical work behind stand-up. They also talk about faith, parenthood, life in Ojai, status anxiety, and Pete Holmes's first children's book, Spells to Cast on Your Parents.

Check out Pete's tour dates here!

Pete Holmes's first children's book, Spells to Cast on Your Parents, is available for preorder now and out in September. He wrote it for his daughter and made the artwork with tape.

Our thanks to IQ Bar! Text PAPA to 64000 to get twenty percent off all IQBAR products, plus FREE shipping. Message and data rates may apply.

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Episode 344 - Dan Ahdoot Sep 03, 2026

Show notes

Dan Ahdoot joins Tom Papa to talk about the accidental making of his new comedy special, Yes, I Am Falafel Phil, and the challenge of keeping proven material alive. They also get into wine snobbery, a spectacular dinner with Ralph Macchio, Broadway disappointments, New York food lines, and the pleasures that no sleep score can measure. Dan's book UNDERCOOKED is out now. His special YES, I AM FALAFEL PHIL is out now. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 00:00 Dan Ahdoot Can't Play the Hits Like Musicians 00:37 Dan Ahdoot Returns With Wine 05:52 Gen Z, Drinking, and Longevity 10:05 QR Codes and Lost Etiquette 15:43 Leaving Los Angeles for New York 23:19 The Mocktail Scam 26:10 Favorite Bottles and Wine Cheat Codes 32:05 Dinner With Ralph Macchio 37:47 The Broadway Show They Hated 42:01 An Accidental Comedy Special 44:35 Building the Next Stand-Up Hour 52:13 TikTok Takes Over New York Food 55:19 Steakhouses and Cigar Culture 1:01:39 Why Weed Shrinks Your World 1:04:23 The Perfect Martini 1:07:25 Dan Ahdoot Studies Wine 1:10:03 A Janitor With a Deed 1:12:44 Bread and Sourdough Cookies 1:15:30 Where to Watch the Special

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Episode 343 - Jeff Arcuri Sep 01, 2026

Show notes

Jeff Arcuri joins Tom Papa to talk about his Netflix special Nice to Meet You, the strange luck behind great crowd work, and the Comedy Cellar experiences that helped him trust his comedy. They get into rough tapings, online success, creative anxiety, and why a new joke landing still beats everything else.

Jeff's Netflix special NICE TO MEET YOU is out now.

Our thanks to:

Monarch! Start a free trial, and get 50% off your first year of Monarch Core Tier with code PAPA at monarch.com

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00:00 Cold open

01:00 Jeff Arcuri joins Tom

01:30 How comedians give compliments

03:23 Making crowd work work on camera

07:20 Five unpredictable special tapings

12:37 Tom's first special

14:33 Learning to edit comedy clips

21:04 Giving every clip an arc

24:42 Keeping crowd work authentic

28:06 Success, guilt and adapting

32:19 The Cellar gave Jeff confidence

38:26 Performing high or drunk

41:04 Moving seamlessly into material

43:04 What changes after a hit special

48:38 New York versus Los Angeles

50:35 Bread and sourdough cookies

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Episode 342 - Gianmarco Soresi Aug 25, 2026

Show notes

This week we welcome Gianmarco Soresi to the table! He and Tom talk about the easy things, you know, like weddings, funerals, religion, and relationships. Laughs abound! Enjoy! Our thanks to: ASPCA Pet Insurance! Visit ⁠https://www.aspcapetinsurance.com/PAPA⁠ to explore care options. Monarch! Start a free trial, and get 50% off your first year of Monarch Core Tier with code PAPA at ⁠monarch.com⁠

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Episode 341 - David Wain Aug 18, 2026

Show notes

This week we welcome David Wain to the table! The Wet Hot American Summer Writer & Director talks with Tom about Cleveland, working with Steph Curry, and raising kids. Enjoy!

Our thanks to:

IQ Bar: Text PAPA to 64000 to get twenty percent off all IQBAR products, plus FREE shipping. Message and data rates may apply.

Jack Archer: Right now, Jack Archer is offering our listeners 15% off your first order with promo code GETJACK. Go to JackArcher.com, and use promo code GETJACK for 15% off your first order, and see why thousands of people have given the Jetsetter Tech pant five stars.

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Episode 340 - Jenna Fischer Aug 15, 2026

Show notes

This weekend we welcome Jenna Fischer to the pod! Jenna is author of two books. She hosts the Office Ladies Podcast along with Angela Kinsey, and she stars in the upcoming film Nimrods, in theaters August 14! We're so thrilled to have her join us at the table.

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Episode 339 - Todd Glass Aug 11, 2026

Show notes

This week we welcome Todd Glass to the table! He and Tom chat all about comedy, touring, and writing. Plus food, of course! Enjoy!

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Square! Get up to $200 off Square hardware when you sign up at square.com/go/papa! #squarepod

Quince! Download the Quince app for app-exclusive offers, or go to Quince.com/papa.

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Episode 338 - Ali Siddiq Aug 04, 2026

Show notes

This week we welcome Ali Siddiq to the table! He and Tom talk all about building a comedy special, the first celebrities they had crushes on, and of course, fatherhood. Enjoy!

Our thanks to:

Monarch: Start a free trial, and get 50% off your first year of Monarch Core Tier with code PAPA at monarch.com

IQ Bar: Text PAPA to 64000 to get 20% off all IQBAR products, plus FREE shipping. Message and data rates may apply

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See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Episode 337 - Leslie Jones Jul 28, 2026

Show notes

This week Leslie Jones joins Tom at the table! She brings life advice, new breads for Tom to bake, and a lot of comedy tea. Enjoy! Our thanks to: Jack Archer! Go to JackArcher.com, and use promo code GETJACK for 15% off your first order, and see why thousands of people have given the Jetsetter Tech pant five stars! ASPCA Pet Insurance! The ASPCA® Pet Health Insurance program offers customizable accident and illness plans that can fit your budget, your lifestyle, and even your pet’s particular quirks. To explore coverage, visit ASPCApetinsurance.com/PAPA. Leesa! We love our Leesa mattress. Go to leesa.com and use my promo code PAPA for plus $50 off

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Episode 336 - Jake Johnson Jul 21, 2026

Show notes

This week we invite Jake Johnson to the table! He brings a special guest, and chats all about writing, acting, and helping his mother travel from Chicago to Los Angeles. Enjoy!

Our thanks to:

IQ Bar! Text PAPA to 64000 to get 20% off all IQBAR products, plus FREE shipping. Message and data rates may apply.

Sheath! Sheath. The underwear of legends. Go to https://www.sheath.com/PAPA and use code PAPA for 20% off.

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