The Need to Fail with Don Fanelli

Latest Episodes:

Episode 37: Sasheer Zamata Apr 10, 2018

Show notes

After not passing an improv class, Sasheer Zamata (SNL, I Feel Pretty) is motivated to create her own group, which gets a run at the theater a couple of months later. We chat about a standup meltdown, the fear of not having enough money to continue pursuing her goals, and the importance of self care.

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Episode 36: Dru Johnston Apr 03, 2018

Show notes

Dru Johnston (The Chris Gethard Show, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt) was living off a daily supply of coffee, pizza and beer his first three months of living in New York, as he slowly drained his savings and put all of his effort into winning a short play competition. He lost. We chat about how his anger over early rejections eventually led to a creatively satisfying year long project and we go into depth about the setbacks with our old sketch show, Sketches From an Italian Restaurant: A Billy Joel Sketch Show.

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Episode 35: Adam Conover Mar 27, 2018

Show notes

Adam Conover (Adam Ruins Everything, BoJack Horseman) talks about his most humiliating time on stage and the practical ways he moved past it. We also chat about how he develops his standup, how he has moved past quantifying his performances and how he pushed through his insecurities in his early sketch group, Olde English.

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Episode 34: Jamie Lee Mar 20, 2018

Show notes

Jamie Lee (Crashing, GirlCode) shares a story about two stand up sets that got her in her head and caused her to reevaluate things. We chat about having a calendar as a companion, the most important tip she's gotten from her acting coach, the importance of self care and what it means to find your expanders.

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Episode 33: Dr. Samuel West Mar 13, 2018

Show notes

Dr. Samuel West (The Museum of Failure) talks about the failures associated with launching his Museum of Failure. He also cuts through the crap and chats about the realities of productivity, yearning for the relatable, some of his favorite products in the museum, and the concept of goal free living.

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Episode 32: Josh Gondelman Mar 06, 2018

Show notes

Josh Gondelman (Last Week Tonight, Physical Whisper) talks about a pretty tumultuous week doing standup at a casino in Atlantic City, NJ. We also chat about various ego blows, how being genuinely positive has given him an advantage in comedy, and some tips on how he breaks through his creative blocks.

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Episode 31: Jo Firestone Feb 27, 2018

Show notes

Jo Firestone (The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, Search Party) has put on her fair share of live shows in New York. Many did not go according to plan. We talk about failed shows that led to fist fights, lost money, and fourteen cases of expired, pickle flavored potato chips. We also learn why she thinks about giving up about once a year and how at her lowest moments, she gets her best ideas.

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Episode 30: Zhubin Parang Feb 20, 2018

Show notes

Zhubin Parang (Head Writer of The Daily Show) joins the podcast to talk about the hallmarks of a failure spiral. We also chat about balancing law and comedy, the failure culture in a writers room, tips on submitting a packet, and how Zhubin thought he was going to get fired on his first day at The Daily Show.

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Episode 29: Laura Willcox Feb 13, 2018

Show notes

On a very special Valentine's Day episode, Don's brilliant, beautiful, incomparable, caring, fantastic, amazing wife, Laura Willcox (The Jim Jefferies Show, I Am Bride) joins the podcast and talks about failing a pivotal improv class, a particularly tearful sketch rehearsal, and how her first major acting gig was cut short by a more popular, parallel show. Don and Laura also get candid about their ups and downs during their seven year relationship and how their love GROWS STRONGER EVERYDAY.

CONNECT W/ THE NEED TO FAIL & DON FANELLI ON TWITTER:

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Episode 28: Chris Gethard Feb 06, 2018

Show notes

In our Season 3 premiere, renegade comedian Chris Gethard (The Chris Gethard Show, Beautiful/Anonymous) explains why failure has been his greatest ally and how he kept moving forward after so much rejection. We talk about panic attacks, his delicate dance with ego, a live Career Suicide show that almost spurred a fist fight, and how a shift in perspective helped him cope with harsh public criticism after a cancelled sitcom.

CONNECT W/ THE NEED TO FAIL & DON FANELLI ON TWITTER:

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THE NEED TO FAIL IS A FOREVER DOG PODCAST

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