Mike Birbiglia's Working It Out

Episode

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  219. Michelle Buteau: From TV News to Her Own TV Series 20.07.2026 50mnt

  Michelle Buteau was a local TV news editor in New York until she tried stand-up for the first time, only days after 9/11. Since then she’s become an international touring comedian, bestselling author, and co-creator and star of her own Netflix series Survival of the Thickest. Now Michelle talks with Mike about figuring out who you are as a person, sharing embarrassing personal stories in a writers room, and why comedy is a family business. Plus, new jokes about parenting, yoga class, and Mike and Michelle discuss whether Mike should go on the Breakfast Club morning show.
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  218. Jane Wickline and Liva Pierce Return: Comedy Duo Therapy 13.07.2026 45mnt
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  Fred Armisen: Is He Joking? 06.07.2026 48mnt

  (Recorded August 2025) Having recently toured together with John Mulaney, 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 acoustic guitar.
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  217. Aaron Chen: High Quality Jokes from a Low Capacity Kind of Guy 29.06.2026 47mnt

  Comedian Aaron Chen may be known internationally for his role on the hit Australian TV series Fisk, but he’s been a working stand-up since the age of 15. In fact, he might be the only Working It Out guest who learned to drive commuting to and from comedy clubs with their dad. Now he’s got a hit Netflix special, Funny Garden. This week, Aaron sits down with Mike to discuss his journey from the suburbs of Sydney to opening for Ali Wong to headlining his own shows across the world. Plus, Aaron and Mike open up about the instances early in their careers when they regrettably lashed out at audiences, and how they became more adept at navigating difficult shows.
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  Jon Rudnitsky and Mike Answer Your Questions About Failure and Jokes 22.06.2026 37mnt

  This week, the very funny Jon Rudnitsky joins Mike to answer listener submitted questions. The two of them discuss how long it was before they started earning money from comedy, the complete loss of dignity required to make it as a stand-up, and what it is that keeps them showing up every day. Plus, how Jon caused what he believes to be one of the greatest mistakes in SNL history.
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  216. Wanda Sykes: Mike's Dream Guest 15.06.2026 45mnt

  Wanda Sykes is one of Mike’s original dream guests for the podcast. Now, on the heels of her new Netflix special, Legacy, Wanda talks with Mike about how they both started in DC, and why Wanda left her job at the NSA to pursue a career in stand-up comedy. Wanda tells the story of how she moved from the writers' room of The Chris Rock Show to acting in sketches, how she got tricked into auditioning for Curb Your Enthusiasm, and the weird requests she gets from Curb fans. Plus, new jokes from Mike and Wanda.
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  215. Phil Lord and Chris Miller: These 2 Dorks Made Every Movie You Love 08.06.2026 49mnt

  Filmmakers Phil Lord and Chris Miller’s resume is a laundry list of hits: Project Hail Mary, The Lego Movie, 21 Jump Street, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, and more. Their success with projects that didn’t initially seem like good ideas has even spawned a verb in Hollywood, “to Lord and Miller” something. Now they sit down with Mike to discuss the positive and negative ramifications of that. They also discuss the test screening process of Project Hail Mary, and working with Nicolas Cage on their new series Spider-Noir. Plus, they reveal the five films that would be on the syllabus of Lord and Miller University.
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  214. Robby Hoffman: It's a New Dawn 01.06.2026 56mnt

  This week Mike and Robby Hoffman sit down for their first in-depth conversation like, as Robby puts it, two cats cautiously getting to know each other. Mike and Robby work out new jokes about vending machines and AI, share advice about marriage, and Robby begs Mike’s fans to stop sending him emails. Plus, Robby tells the stories of how she got cast in Hacks, and how her outspokenness at a writers guild meeting drew the attention of John Mulaney, who went on to direct Robby’s Netflix special Wake Up.
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  Jenny Slate: Unafraid of Sadness 25.05.2026 1j 9mnt

  (Recorded October 2025) The great Jenny Slate joins Mike this week for a wide-ranging conversation about getting hypnotized after being fired from SNL, a graduation speech Jenny gave to a class of one person, and making art to feel less lonely. Plus, jokes and stories about seeing your friends naked, improv classes for the elderly, and the time Jenny’s faked case of appendicitis went too far.
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  213. Jack Antonoff Returns: Music’s Biggest Producer Records Mike’s Pizza Song 18.05.2026 59mnt

  Ahead of the release of his new album “Everyone For Ten Minutes,” Jack returns to Working It Out. Mike and Jack break open why Jack has never listened to Mike’s podcast, what Jack wanted to say about marriage and loneliness on his new album, and what Bill Burr, Frank Langella, Jon Bernthal, Andy Milonakis, and the Indigo Girls have in common. Plus, Mike and Jack play guitar as they work out a new comedy song, “Remember Pizza.”
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  212. Pete Holmes Returns: Selling Crepes at a Junkyard 11.05.2026 44mnt

  This week, Pete joins the pod to talk about his new special “Silly Silly Fun Boy,” work out more jokes, and of course roast Mike a lot more. The two discuss the concept of comedy justice, the benefits of a YouTube special, and why there’s no music for rich people. Plus, against all odds, Pete manages to slip in a piece of shameless self-promotion so shameful he asks Mike to cut it out afterwards.
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  211. Nish Kumar Returns: Dinosaurs Before the Meteor 04.05.2026 54mnt

  British comedian Nish Kumar returns to the podcast to discuss the humbling nature of stand-up comedy, lessons learned from the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and more. Nish explains the concept of his new tour, “Angry Humour From a Really Nice Guy,” and how he finds the comedy within his pessimistic views about humanity. Plus, Mike and Nish discuss different kinds of heckling, and why Nish’s voice caused an audience member’s Apple watch to call an ambulance.
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  210. Ramy Youssef Returns: He Lit Up The Pyramids 27.04.2026 59mnt

  In the wake of the release of his new special “Ramy Youssef: In Love,” Mike welcomes Ramy Youssef back for his third appearance on the podcast. The two discuss why Ramy cannot reveal the price of his wedding nor the price he would pay to hear his dog talk for a day, what it’s like to write from the blank page, and what major celebrity might have stolen Ramy’s look. Plus, Mike has a few questions for Ramy about Martin Scorsese’s email address.
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  209. Jorma Taccone Returns: This Episode Sucks 20.04.2026 50mnt

  Since The Lonely Island’s Jorma Taccone was last on the podcast, he survived a nearly 20 foot fall from a ladder. Now Jorma tells the full ladder story and explains how the near death experience changed his life. Plus, Jorma talks about directing his new movie, Over Your Dead Body, starring Jason Segel and Samara Weaving, and how he explained to his wife that he was making a comedy about someone trying to kill their wife. Mike and Jorma discuss whether being nice has helped or hurt their careers, and Jorma explains why if he says something “sucks,” it means he really likes it.
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  Nikki Glaser: The Team Captain of Comedy 13.04.2026 57mnt

  (Recorded May 2025) 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 encounter with Lana Del Ray.
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  208. KevOnStage: How To Make A Comedy Show About Grief 06.04.2026 51mnt
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  207. Chris Fleming Returns: He Is Way More Popular This Time 30.03.2026 58mnt

  The last time comedian Chris Fleming was on Working it Out, the episode was titled “He Should Be Way More Popular.” In the 2 years since then Mike’s wish has come true. Chris and Mike chat about the pros and cons of having a higher profile in comedy, including the protective steps needed to avoid legal action from Adam Driver over a bit. Mike also takes the chance to respond to the shots Chris takes at Mike in his new HBO special Live at the Palace, and Chris talks about getting glared at by Ryan Gosling. Plus, Mike and Chris work out lots of new jokes about drum circle friend groups, hotel smells, and dog DNA tests.
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  Nathan Lane: The Safest Thing You Can Do Is Take a Risk 23.03.2026 1j

  (Recorded February 2025) Nathan Lane sits down with Mike and 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. Please consider donating to Broadway Cares
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  206. Cazzie David: Spiritually a Boomer 16.03.2026 52mnt

  Mike welcomes author, actor, and filmmaker Cazzie David to the podcast and right away, Mike challenges the notoriously misanthropic Cazzie to list five things she loves. It takes a while. Then, Cazzie breaks down her new book of essays, Delusions, which she says her mom found “disturbing,” and Cazzie talks about co-directing the indie film I Love You Forever. Plus, Cazzie’s close call with a rabid bobcat, and why Mike wants his journals burned after he dies.
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  205. Taylor Tomlinson: Hope No One Filmed That 09.03.2026 56mnt

  Working It Out all-timer Taylor Tomlinson returns to the podcast this week on the heels of the release of her new Netflix special, “Prodigal Daughter.” Mike and Taylor talk through what they do when they get stuck on a bit, what they’d do if they found out they were dating their cousin, and how being a stand-up is sometimes just telling 300 people a secret you weren’t ready to share. Plus, lots of new jokes about sex dreams, lovebombing, and baby names.