Best Iraglass Podcasts (2025)

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185. Julio Torres: Off-Broadway, SNL, and Why Barbie Isn’t Pink 47:04

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4d ago47:04

47:04

This week Mike sits down with Julio Torres to talk comedy writing and color theories. Based on ideas posited in Julio’s new Off-Broadway solo show, Color Theories, the two of them get to the bottom of what color Barbie the Movie, Martha Stewart, and Jeremy Strong are. They also discuss the behind-the-scenes story of Julio’s viral SNL sketch, “Papyr…

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Announcing Working It Out Premium 0:57

7d ago0:57

0:57

Mike announces Working It Out Premium Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.By Mike Birbiglia's Working It Out podcast

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184. KC Shornima: Get Comfortable With This Darkness 1:04:52

10d ago1:04:52

1:04:52

Comedian and SNL writer KC Shornima might be the only Working It Out guest who has climbed Mount Kilimanjaro. KC and Mike get to the bottom of why she thrives in stressful situations like mountain climbing, camping on a glacier, and writing for Weekend Update. Mike asks KC some questions from her bosses, Michael Che and Colin Jost, and KC explains …

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183. Ryan Hamilton Returns: You Better Have Some Jokes 58:02

18d ago58:02

58:02

Three years ago, comedian Ryan Hamilton was hit by an airport shuttle bus. Two years ago, Ryan came on Working It Out to talk about the experience. Now, he returns to explain how he learned to talk about the traumatic event on stage and find the humor in the pain, which included buying weed with his mom during his recovery. Ryan also breaks down th…

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Ben Stiller and Adam Scott: Working it Innie and Outie 53:07

25d ago53:07

53:07

(Recorded January 2025) Mike sits down with Severance’s very own Ben Stiller and Adam Scott. The three of them dig into the behind the scenes of Severance Season 2 and discuss what it is that makes them work so well together as actor and director. Ben and Adam share audition advice for actors, as well as how their grieving processes influenced thei…

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182. Fred Armisen Returns: Is He Joking? 49:10

1M ago49:10

49:10

Fresh off a few gigs featuring on John Mulaney’s new tour, Mike and Fred sit down for his first in-studio appearance on Working it Out. They discuss Fred’s SNL audition, his best sketch writing advice, and the manners of navigating video exhibits in museums. Plus, Fred borrows Mike’s guitar to demonstrate how cultures around the world play the acou…

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181. Jo Firestone Returns: The Best Stand-Up (Who Doesn’t Do Stand-Up) 51:24

1M ago51:24

51:24

Jo Firestone is a multi-talented writer, actor, and comedian. In her third appearance on Working It Out, Jo explains the thought process behind her experimental live comedy shows, which often involve clay, paper mache, and pie. Jo also delves into the experience of working as the head writer for After Midnight with Taylor Tomlinson and discusses be…

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180. Kumail Nanjiani: Oh, Mary!, The Big Sick, and a Return to Stand-Up 57:36

2M ago57:36

57:36

Kumail Nanjiani is a stand-up comedian, a movie star, and an Academy Award-nominated screenwriter. Now he’s returning to stand-up comedy after a six year break and co-starring as Abraham Lincoln in the hit Broadway show Oh, Mary!. Kumail sits down with Mike to discuss all the twists and turns of his career, including co-writing The Big Sick with hi…

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Q&A: Mike Answers Voicemails About AI and Weird Audience Energy 28:28

2M ago28:28

28:28

For this all-new Working It Out Q&A, Mike fields listener questions about how and why he cuts jokes that he loves, the impact AI might have on comedy, and how to navigate weird or bad energy from an audience. Plus, how to get motived for creative work, and how to restart stand-up comedy after a long pause. Got a question for Mike? Send a voicemail …

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179. Bob Odenkirk: The Art of Anger in Comedy 51:45

2M ago51:45

51:45

Bob Odenkirk was already a comedy legend (SNL, The Ben Stiller Show, Mr. Show with Bob and David) before he took a left turn into dramatic acting with Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul. Now he’s entered yet another new phase as an unlikely action star in films like the Nobody series. Bob sits down with Mike to discuss how anger works in comedy and …

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178. Alex Edelman Returns: Boston Sports and Hospital Clowns 55:14

2M ago55:14

55:14

With his fifth appearance, comedian Alex Edelman is the most frequent guest on Working It Out. Since his last appearance, Alex won an Emmy for his HBO stand-up special Just For Us, which Mike was a producer on. Now Alex is back on the road with a new hour of comedy, including a just-announced visit to Carnegie Hall. Alex discusses Boston sports mem…

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177. Chelsea Handler: Why She Must Say It 46:21

2M ago46:21

46:21

Chelsea Handler has achieved massive success, from her latest Netflix special The Feeling to her worldwide tours to her Las Vegas residency. But as she discusses with Mike, and details in her new book I’ll Have What She’s Having, she wasn’t always on top of the world. Chelsea tells Mike about bombing badly at Just For Laughs, and how some advice fr…

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176. Jane Wickline & Liva Pierce: SNL, Dukes, and Working Out Songs 46:50

3M ago46:50

46:50

This week comedy duo Jane Wickline and Liva Pierce (together known as Dukes) join Mike on the podcast. The three discuss how The Graduate brought Jane and Liva together, their unlikely porn preferences, and what happened when Jane showed up to her SNL audition early. Jane and Liva work out a couple songs from their touring show and for the first ti…

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175. Malik Elassal: One of The Adults 44:19

3M ago44:19

44:19

Malik Elassal is a stand-up comic, writer, actor, and one of the stars of Adults on FX. Meeting for the first time, Mike and Malik discuss Malik’s winding road to stand-up, including working as a long haul trucker. Malik talks about dealing with his conspiracy-minded cousins, his encounters with Islamophobia, and why you should never leave your com…

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174. Pete Docter: The Inside Out of Pixar’s Process 52:16

3M ago52:16

52:16

In 2012, Mike was invited his film Sleepwalk With Me at Pixar and he’s been friends with filmmaker Pete Docter ever since. Known for his directorial feats of greatness with Monsters, Inc., Up, Soul, and Inside Out, Pete Docter is now the Chief Creative Officer at Pixar. Pete walks Mike through the Pixar “draft” process for developing a story, and r…

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173. Atsuko Okatsuka Returns: The Dizzy Duo 53:06

3M ago53:06

53:06

Atsuko Okatsuka returns for her fourth Working It Out episode. Mike and Atsuko trace their friendship from Atsuko’s first appearance on the podcast, to opening for Mike at the Chicago Theatre, to touring with Mike across the country. Through it all Mike and Atsuko (and Atsuko’s husband and creative collaborator Ryan Harper Gray) became close friend…

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172. Nick Kroll Returns: Neil Digression Tyson 51:28

4M ago51:28

51:28

This week, Nick Kroll returns to the podcast to discuss the first season of Adults, the last season of Big Mouth and a movie that Mike cannot seem to remember the name of (I Don’t Understand You). Nick and Mike delve into the behind-the-scenes realities of Hollywood writer’s rooms, development deals, and who Nick is jealous of. Plus, the thing Nick…

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Mike Reads His New York Times Essay, Plus Best of: Lin-Manuel Miranda 56:39

4M ago56:39

56:39

At the top of this Best of WIO episode featuring Lin-Manuel Miranda, Mike reads a new piece that he wrote for The New York Times. (Recorded October 2024) In celebration of his album, Warriors, Lin-Manuel Miranda sits down with Mike for a wide ranging talk about writing musicals, riding the subway, and taking big creative risks. Lin explains why you…

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171. Nikki Glaser Returns: The Team Captain of Comedy (Plus: Mike’s New Special!) 57:22

4M ago57:22

57:22

Nikki Glaser returns to the podcast for the first time since her acclaimed performances as the host of the Golden Globes and on the Roast of Tom Brady. Nikki breaks down her approach to the Golden Globes, explains her perspective on controversial comedy topics, and explores the possibility of a “vegan hour” of comedy. Plus, Nikki’s awkward encounte…

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Advice for New-ish Comedians (with Gary Simons and Listener Questions) 43:22

4M ago43:22

43:22

Mike welcomes back comedian Gary Simons, who, since his last appearance on the podcast, opened for Mike on his latest tour, had a few of his stand-up bits go viral, and has been performing at the Comedy Cellar. Now, Mike and Gary answer listener questions from people who have taken the leap into stand-up comedy and are looking for advice about how …

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170. Please Don't Destroy Returns: The Journey of an SNL Sketch from Pitch to Air 50:15

5M ago50:15

50:15

This week PDD returns to the podcast a year and a half after originally coming on. Since then, Mike and the boys have started a monthly improv show called “Please Don’t Birbiglia” at UCB. The group talks about what it’s like to improvise together, the unsparing roasts PDD did of Mike when they opened for his show "The Good Life," and the creation o…

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169. Ira Glass Returns: Ira Tries Stand-Up Comedy (For Real) 57:12

5M ago57:12

57:12

Ira Glass has appeared on the Working It Out podcast three times before, and usually it’s Mike asking Ira for advice, whether it’s about podcasting or storytelling. But now the tables have turned: Ira recently listened to a stand-up set he performed years ago, he has the itch to try it again, so he’s come to Mike for comedy advice. On this episode,…

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168. Zarna Garg Returns: One Follower at a Time, a Million Times 52:48

5M ago52:48

52:48

Zarna Garg first appeared on the Working It Out podcast in 2022 and since then her popularity has continued to rise. Zarna explains to Mike how she has built her comedy career like a business, and why performing for an audience of one or two is no different for her than performing for an audience of thousands. Mike and Zarna discuss free speech in …

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167. Jessica Kirson: She's the Man 1:00:04

5M ago1:00:04

1:00:04

After decades of being a beloved comedian’s comedian Jessica Kirson has broken out in the last few years with viral crowd work videos and a brilliant new special on Hulu called “I’m The Man.” Mike and Jessica dig deep into the nuts and bolts and emotional work of being a stand-up comic, including overcoming stage fright and dealing with hecklers. J…

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166. Questlove: The Art of Self-Sabotage 58:14

5M ago58:14

58:14

This week the legendary Ahmir Thompson (aka Questlove) sits down for his first appearance on Working It Out. Mike and Questlove discuss touring with his father’s band as a kid, every DJ’s worst nightmare, and how jealousy and self-sabotage can affect even a member of a band as iconic as The Roots. Plus, what it was like accepting an Oscar after The…