Mike Birbiglia's Working It Out podcast

#Mike Birbiglia #Birbiglia #Dontthinktwice #Interviews #Iraglass #Mikebirbiglia #Mygirlfriendsboyfriend #Sleepwalkwithme #Thankgodforjokes #Thenewone #Clean Comedy #Entertainment #Comedy #Comedian Chat #Mike Birbiglias Working

1:15:36

In this episode, we welcome back David French, columnist for The New York Times , former constitutional attorney, and author of Divided We Fall . We discuss the current state of American democracy, the challenges of political division, and how we can engage in civil discourse despite deep ideological differences. David also shares a personal update on his family and reflects on the profound trials and growth that come with adversity. 📌 What We Discuss: ✔️ How David and his family navigated the challenges of a serious health crisis. ✔️ The rise of political polarization and the factors driving it. ✔️ Why distinguishing between “unwise, unethical, and unlawful” is crucial in analyzing political actions. ✔️ How consuming different perspectives (even opposing ones) helps in understanding political dynamics. ✔️ The role of Christian values in politics and how they are being redefined. ⏳ Episode Highlights 📍 [00:01:00] – David French’s background and his journey from litigation to journalism. 📍 [00:02:30] – Personal update: David shares his wife Nancy’s battle with cancer and their journey as a family. 📍 [00:06:00] – How to navigate personal trials while maintaining faith and resilience. 📍 [00:10:00] – The danger of political paranoia and the pitfalls of extreme polarization. 📍 [00:18:00] – The "friend-enemy" paradigm in American politics and its influence in Christian fundamentalism. 📍 [00:24:00] – Revisiting Divided We Fall : How America’s divisions have devolved since 2020. 📍 [00:40:00] – The categories and differences of unwise, unethical, and unlawful political actions. 📍 [00:55:00] – The balance between justice, kindness, and humility in political engagement. 📍 [01:00:00] – The After Party initiative: A Christian approach to politics focused on values rather than policy. 💬 Featured Quotes 🔹 "You don't know who you truly are until your values are tested." – David French 🔹 "If we focus on the relational, we can have better conversations even across deep differences." – Corey Nathan 🔹 "Justice, kindness, and humility—if you're missing one, you're doing it wrong." – David French 🔹 "The United States has a history of shifting without repenting. We just move on." – David French 📚 Resources Mentioned David French’s Writing: New York Times David’s Book: Divided We Fall The After Party Initiative – More Info Advisory Opinions Podcast (with Sarah Isgur & David French) – Listen Here 📣 Call to Action If you found this conversation insightful, please: ✅ Subscribe to Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other on your favorite podcast platform. ✅ Leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen: ratethispodcast.com/goodfaithpolitics ✅ Support the show on Patreon: patreon.com/politicsandreligion ✅ Watch the full conversation and subscribe on YouTube: youtube.com/@politicsandreligion 🔗 Connect With Us on Social Media @coreysnathan: Bluesky LinkedIn Instagram Threads Facebook Substack David French: 🔗 Twitter | BlueSky | New York Times Our Sponsors Meza Wealth Management: www.mezawealth.com Prolux Autogroup: www.proluxautogroup.com or www.granadahillsairporttransportation.com Let’s keep talking politics and religion—with gentleness and respect. 🎙️💡…

Mike Birbiglia's Working It Out

Series home•Feed

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.

254 episodes

Mike Birbiglia's Working It Out

914 subscribers

updated 2 days ago

Series home•Feed

254 episodes

All episodes

Mike Birbiglia's Working It Out

1
163. Josh Johnson: Reinventing the Modern Comedy Special 52:00

2 days ago52:00

52:00

Comedian Josh Johnson is a writer and correspondent for The Daily Show and his stand-up sets have millions of views on YouTube. Josh talks with Mike about cultivating a fan base via the YouTube videos, why he thinks chasing success in the comedy industry is sometimes antithetical to the art form, and shares the advice he got from Trevor Noah. Plus, Josh helps Mike work out a new story about animals living in Mike's walls. Please consider donating to Feeding America…

Mike Birbiglia's Working It Out

1
BEST OF WIO: Mike Reads a New Piece of Writing, Plus Elizabeth Gilbert Re-Air 1:01:30

9 days ago1:01:30

1:01:30

At the top of this Best of WIO episode featuring Elizabeth Gilbert, Mike reads a new piece that he wrote for Elizabeth's Letters From Love Substack. (Recorded November 2024) Author Elizabeth Gilbert wrote one of Mike’s favorite books about creativity, Big Magic. She also wrote a book that, to her surprise, become a cultural phenomenon: Eat, Pray, Love. Mike and Liz discuss the unexpected impact of Eat, Pray, Love, and what it was like for Liz to watch Julia Roberts portray her on the big screen. Liz gets candid about the ups and downs of a creative life, including the reasoning behind the cancellation of a novel she wrote that took place in Russia. Plus, some bawdy jokes and stories care of Liz’s uncles and grandfather, and the surprising reason why Liz was stopped at airport security. Please consider donating to The Loveland Foundation…

Mike Birbiglia's Working It Out

1
Q&A: Mike Answers Voicemails About Comedy Advice and Crying Babies at Shows 34:19

16 days ago34:19

34:19

For this all-new Working It Out Q&A, Mike fields listener questions about people fainting at his shows, how to write comedy about topics that are painful to you, and balancing a day job and creative life when starting out. If your question didn’t get answered on this week’s Q&A, stay tuned for another one soon where Mike answers the rest! Got a new question? Email workingitoutpod@gmail.com with a VoiceMemo asking your question.…

Mike Birbiglia's Working It Out

1
162. Pete Holmes Returns: Comedy That’s Clean, Dirty, or PG-13 43:12

23 days ago43:12

43:12

Pete Holmes returns to help Mike punch up some last minute jokes before the premiere of Mike’s show The Good Life at the Beacon Theatre in New York. What follows is a heated debate about puns, an attempt to define and dissect the nature of “clean” comedy, and, yes, a nuts and bolts joke writing session. Plus, Pete psychoanalyzes the state of Massachusetts, and Mike recalls the time he opened for Tracy Morgan. Please consider donating to Homeboy Industries…

Mike Birbiglia's Working It Out

1
161. Nathan Lane Returns: The Safest Thing You Can Do Is Take a Risk 1:07:47

30 days ago1:07:47

1:07:47

This week, the great Nathan Lane returns to Working it Out. Nathan recounts moments from his legendary career — discussing what it was like to work with Mike Nichols, Elaine May, and Robin Williams. He shares what he likes most in a director, who he’s jealous of, and what he remembers of twenty-something year old Mike. Plus, an incredible story about working with Joaquin Phoenix on the film Beau is Afraid. Nathan’s new highly-anticipated series, Mid-Century Modern, drops March 28 on Hulu. Please consider donating to: Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids…

Mike Birbiglia's Working It Out

1
BEST OF WIO: Tig Notaro 47:33

5 weeks ago47:33

47:33

Tig Notaro: Clown Cars and Lesbian Party Buses (Recorded July 2024) Mike welcomes back old friend and Working It Out hall of famer Tig Notaro. They discuss the inevitability of finding your own comedic voice, how Tig had to come out as gay to her own children, and the time her brother fell into her stepfather’s grave. All that, plus tales from Tig’s lesbian party bus with Sarah Paulson and Allison Janney. Please Consider Donating To: World Resources Institute…

Mike Birbiglia's Working It Out

1
160. Rory Scovel Returns: How To Do 600 Minutes of Improvised Standup 49:56

6 weeks ago49:56

49:56

This week Rory Scovel returns to the podcast with his review of how doing a year of completely improvised stand-up went. Mike and Rory dive into the creative process and their own fears on stage, why Rory is jealous of other comedians, and why someone being married to a comedian is hard because every day that comedian has a “presentation at work.” Plus, the two comics work out new jokes about brain bleeds and how to figure out where your daughter goes to school. Please Consider Donating To: World Central Kitchen…

Mike Birbiglia's Working It Out

1
159. Hasan Minhaj Returns: Off with His Head, On with His Jokes 50:37

7 weeks ago50:37

50:37

Working It Out fan favorite Hasan Minhaj returns for a third episode. Mike and Hasan discuss the enduring memories of childhood crushes, an obsession with who was the fastest in elementary school, and why comedy and politics move in cycles. Plus, Hasan keeps Google Image searching Mike, and Mike invites himself along on a hangout with Hasan’s high school friend group The Hit Squad. Please consider donating to UNICEF…

Mike Birbiglia's Working It Out

1
158. Ben Stiller and Adam Scott: Working it Innie and Outie 53:30

8 weeks ago53:30

53:30

This week 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 their work together. Plus, Mike and Adam nerd out about The Ben Stiller Show and Reality Bites, and Mike reveals which Severance character he almost played. Please Consider Donating To: The Center for Reproductive Rights and the UNHCR…

Mike Birbiglia's Working It Out

1
157. Matt Rogers: Las Culturistas Meets Las Birbiglia-istas 55:41

9 weeks ago55:41

55:41

Matt Rogers is a beloved comedian, writer, actor, and co-host of cult hit podcast “Las Culturistas.” Matt sits down with Mike for a chat about the ups and downs of show business, the inside of writing for a hit TV series, and what it was like when Matt and his podcast co-host Bowen Yang were both invited to audition for SNL. Matt also discusses why having fun is the most important ingredient for creativity. Plus, advice via Jessica Chastain and why Mike somewhat regularly has to throw muffins in the garbage. Please consider donating to Story Pirates Changemakers Please consider supporting the California Fire Foundation and Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation…

Mike Birbiglia's Working It Out

1
156. Stephen Colbert Returns: A Gift from the Comedy Gods 48:10

10 weeks ago48:10

48:10

This week the legendary Stephen Colbert returns to the podcast. Mike and Stephen discuss the behind-the-scenes of Stephen’s Late Night job as well as his Chicago improv days. Stephen talks wisdom passed down to him by David Letterman, Del Close, and Mike Nichols, and shares what makes him cry most easily. Plus, Stephen’s thoughts on meeting George Lucas and the Pope. Please consider donating to: World Central Kitchen or Radio Lollipop…

Mike Birbiglia's Working It Out

1
BEST OF WIO: Rachel Feinstein 56:03

11 weeks ago56:03

56:03

Rachel Feinstein Returns: She's on Fire (Recorded June 2024) Working It Out hall-of-famer Rachel Feinstein returns to the podcast on the heels of her hit Netflix special Big Guy. Rachel explains why her firefighter husband loves being roasted in her special and why he pronounces the word “cash” like “quiche.” Rachel shares an absurd road story featuring Kevin Hart and Keith Robinson and discusses why you should never ask a comic how *they* felt about their show. Plus, new material about God getting sober, normalizing spa days, and Rachel attempting to cuddle with a boyfriend at the scariest hotel she’s ever stayed at. Please consider donating to Friends of Firefighters and The Billy Moon Foundation…

Mike Birbiglia's Working It Out

1
155. David Sedaris Returns: A Creative’s Dream and a Fact Checker’s Nightmare 50:47

12 weeks ago50:47

50:47

This week Mike has all-timer David Sedaris back on the podcast. Sedaris, of course, wrote Naked, Me Talk Pretty One Day, and Holidays on Ice, among other classics. The two discuss where the truth lies in autobiographical non-fiction, fact-checking comedy at The New Yorker, and how to navigate storytelling when it's all too personal. Plus, David plays F**k, Marry, Kill, with his own published works and Mike can’t accept the answer. Please consider giving money to a stranger in need.…

Mike Birbiglia's Working It Out

1
Pete Holmes and Mike Make the Definitive Christmas Movie List 44:33

13 weeks ago44:33

44:33

In this special episode of Working It Out, Mike’s old friend and frequent guest Pete Holmes sits down for a holly jolly discussion about classic and new classic Christmas movies. Mike and Pete sing the praises of Elf, examine the dark underbelly of A Christmas Story, and take the Gremlins to task over their many nonsensical rules. Plus, Pete breaks down his own performance in the new film The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. Please consider donating to Homebody Industries…

Mike Birbiglia's Working It Out

1
154. Fortune Feimster: Don't Borrow Trouble 45:04

14 weeks ago45:04