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Mike Birbiglia’s Working It Out — Comedy
Mike Birbiglia’s Working It Out

Comedian Mike Birbiglia welcomes a different comedian or creator each week and together they work out original, untested material. And, occasionally, uncomfortable topics. Join them as they work it out.

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Latest Episodes:

75. Zarna Garg: Humor is a Strategy Jun 27, 2022

Show notes

Comedian Zarna Garg immigrated to the U.S. from India at age 16 and started performing stand-up comedy in her forties. As Zarna’s daughter Zoya explained in her New York Times-published college essay, it was not an easy path. Zarna sits down with Mike to discuss how humor has always been a strategy in her life, from escaping an impending arranged marriage to navigating life in a new country. Plus stories and jokes about upgrading her husband, trashing her mother-in-law on stage, and why Zarna approaches stand-up comedy like hosting a dinner party.

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74. Ben Stiller: Get Some Sleep Jun 13, 2022

Show notes

This week Ben Stiller joins Mike to talk about everything from leaving the SNL cast within weeks of joining to early nerve-racking test screenings for his film “Zoolander.” They also break apart Ben’s genre-bending hit series “Severance” on Apple TV plus. Ben aces the slow round with stories about growing up the child of two comedy greats, not making the high school basketball team, and the magical feeling of being backstage at “The $10,000 Pyramid.”
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73. Michael J. Fox: When Your Hero Comes on Your Podcast May 30, 2022

Show notes

This week Mike welcomes one of his all time heroes, Michael J. Fox. Not only is Michael a five time Emmy award winning actor who has starred in ‘Family Ties’ and ‘Back to The Future,’ but his foundation has raised over 1 billion dollars to help fund Parkinson’s research programs. This week Mike and Michael work out material about not getting the Hugh Jackman treatment at the airport and Michael offers profound wisdom like: “You have to accept the truth of the situation before you address it.”

For a written transcript of this episode, click here.

Please consider donating to: The Michael J. Fox Foundation

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72. Drew Barrymore: Do What You Love May 16, 2022

Show notes

Mike’s first-ever major movie role was in Going the Distance, starring Drew Barrymore. Now, 12 years later, Drew takes Mike through her journey from starring in E.T., to hosting SNL at age 7, to producing and starring in some of the most iconic films of the last 30 years. Drew breaks down her approach to comedy, and discusses how hosting her own talk show has allowed her to reclaim the narrative of her own life. Plus, jokes about New York City breakups, and what to do when your soul can’t catch up with your body.
Please consider donating to World Central Kitchen

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71. Alex Edelman Returns: The 25 Word Pitch May 02, 2022

Show notes

Mike welcomes back Alex Edelman. Since his last appearance on the podcast, Alex has opened his solo show “Just For Us,” received rave reviews, appeared on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and has been nominated for an outer critics circle award. He just announced a 3rd extension of his show at the Greenwich House Theater in New York City beginning June 13. The two friends discuss how two pitch your own work in 25 words as well as as horrible nicknames, accidentally reading other people’s texts, and how to finance a burrito. Plus, Mike is concerned his daughter might be turning into an insult comic or worse, a ventriloquist.
Please consider donating to Tikvah Children's Home

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70. Judd Apatow Returns (Again): He Has Fettuccine in His Heart Apr 18, 2022

Show notes

Judd Apatow returns for a record third appearance in support of his latest New York Times-bestselling book Sicker in the Head. He turns the tables and puts Mike in the hot seat for an interview tracing Mike's journey from "funniest person on campus" in college, to doorman at the DC Improv, and beyond. The two friends reminisce about about being paid in fettuccine, and co-workers embezzling money from comedy clubs. Plus, questions from a special livestream audience about self-esteem and Judd's creative writing philosophy, which he calls “getting it down, then fixing it up.”

Please consider donating to:
826 National

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69. Atsuko Okatsuka Returns: How to Become Yourself Apr 04, 2022

Show notes

When Atsuko was first on the Working It Out podcast, Mike only knew her from her viral Instagram videos and some of her stand-up. Since then, Mike and Atsuko toured together and their "pandemic friendship" became a real friendship. Now Atsuko returns, in person, to discuss what it's like to develop her new hour of comedy, and why it takes 10 years to become yourself on stage. Plus, stories and jokes about taking your mom and grandma to a "bottomless" show in Las Vegas, and what Mike has in store for Mike and Atsuko's upcoming show in Washington DC.
Please consider donating to: Downtown Women's Center Los Angeles

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68. Taylor Tomlinson Returns: She's Not Like Us Mar 21, 2022

Show notes

The last time Taylor Tomlinson was on "Working it Out," she had just released her first Netflix comedy special Quarter-Life Crisis. Now, Taylor returns on the heels of her latest special Look At You. Mike and Taylor discuss why Look At You is even more vulnerable than Quarter-Life Crisis, andhowmany years ittakesit becomeyourselfon stage. Plus, they work out new jokes about Mike’s irrational goal to seem “cool” to his parents, why Taylor thinks only pregnant women should take selfies, and what would have happened if Darth Vader was a good father. Please consider donating to:

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67. Lynn Shawcroft: How Mitch Hedberg Wrote Jokes Mar 07, 2022

Show notes

Last summer, Mike revistied to the classic comedy album "Strategic Grill Locations" by his friend, the late great Mitch Hedberg. The listening experience was so transcendsnt that it inspired Mike to call Mitch's wife Lynn Shawcroft and ask if she would be open to coming on the podcast and discussing Mitch's joke writing process. The two old friends discuss daydreaming, free associating, and how sometimes jokes that feel like one-liners are actually stories unto themselves. Plus, they share stories about Mike and Lynn opening for Mitch, and the time that three of them went bowling and Mitch couldn't believe how bad Mike was at bowling. Please consider donating to: The Bail Project

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66. David Cross: Fully Committed Dad Feb 21, 2022

Show notes

This week Mike welcomes David Cross, who is a legend in comedy and also makes cameos in Mike’s dreams. The two comics discuss the origins of Mr. Show, why Tobias from Arrested Development is so different from David himself, and how sometimes it’s hard to be an optimistic dad when the reality in front of you doesn’t feel so optimistic. Plus Mike and David tell each of their sides of the story of the most awkward moment ever between Mike, Mike’s mom, and an entire live audience. Please consider donating to: American Civil Liberties Union

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