Mike Birbiglia's Working It Out

Mike Birbiglia

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.

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

    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 [email protected] with a VoiceMemo asking your question.

    10 March 2025, 4:05 am
  • 43 minutes 12 seconds
    162. Pete Holmes Returns: Comedy That’s Clean, Dirty, or PG-13

    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

    3 March 2025, 5:10 am
  • 1 hour 7 minutes
    161. Nathan Lane Returns: The Safest Thing You Can Do Is Take a Risk

    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

    24 February 2025, 5:05 am
  • 47 minutes 33 seconds
    BEST OF WIO: Tig Notaro

    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

    17 February 2025, 5:10 am
  • 49 minutes 56 seconds
    160. Rory Scovel Returns: How To Do 600 Minutes of Improvised Standup

    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

    10 February 2025, 5:05 am
  • 50 minutes 37 seconds
    159. Hasan Minhaj Returns: Off with His Head, On with His Jokes

    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

    3 February 2025, 5:10 am
  • 53 minutes 30 seconds
    158. Ben Stiller and Adam Scott: Working it Innie and Outie

    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 

    27 January 2025, 5:10 am
  • 55 minutes 41 seconds
    157. Matt Rogers: Las Culturistas Meets Las Birbiglia-istas

    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.

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    Please consider supporting the California Fire Foundation and Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation

    20 January 2025, 5:10 am
  • 48 minutes 10 seconds
    156. Stephen Colbert Returns: A Gift from the Comedy Gods

    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

    13 January 2025, 5:05 am
  • 56 minutes 3 seconds
    BEST OF WIO: Rachel Feinstein

    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

    6 January 2025, 5:10 am
  • 50 minutes 47 seconds
    155. David Sedaris Returns: A Creative’s Dream and a Fact Checker’s Nightmare

    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.

    30 December 2024, 5:10 am
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