2 Bears, 1 Cave with Tom Segura & Bert Kreischer

Episode: Louis C.K. on Writing His First Novel and Returning to Stage
Date: November 24, 2025
Guest: Louis C.K., Host: Tom Segura and Bert Kreischer (YMH Studios)

Episode Overview

In this special New York City edition of "2 Bears, 1 Cave," Tom Segura and Bert Kreischer sit down with celebrated comedian and writer Louis C.K. They dive deep into Louis's transition from stand-up into novel writing, his experiences stepping away from—and returning to—the stage, and the emotional complexities that underpin his new book, "Ingram." The episode is rich with raw, revealing conversation about creativity, emotional vulnerability, empathy, and the realities of the comedy industry.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Getting Started: Novel Writing & Inspiration

• Louis C.K. as an Author

  • Louis discusses gifting a signed copy of "Ingram" and his new passion for writing novels (00:41–01:19).
  • "I love it so much. I love it." (Louis C.K., 01:23)
  • Writing has been a lifelong dream for Louis; he romanticized Russian literature as a child (01:32–01:46).
  • “I would open the windows in the winter of my bedroom to feel Russian.” (Louis C.K., 01:46)

• Influences & Humor

  • Russian and Eastern European humor: finding laughter in darkness, bleakness, and “how awful something is” (02:01–02:20).

The Joy & Struggles of Writing vs. Performing (03:58–06:28)

• Creativity and Process

  • Louis struggled to enjoy television and movie writing due to distraction and ADHD.
  • He took a year and a half off from stand-up to focus on calming his spirit, which allowed him to write fiction with renewed focus.
  • "It created this space... I wrote that morning. So the whole day feels great." (Louis C.K., 08:34–08:43)

• Writing Rituals

  • Louis shares his daily writing rituals—meditation, French press coffee, revisiting yesterday’s pages—to gently ease into writing (07:20–08:05).

On the Structure and Evolution of a Novel (09:00–11:00)

• Organic Storytelling over Outlines

  • "I just started writing a description of his life in his voice... He felt living to me… so I just kept following him chapter by chapter." (Louis C.K., 09:12–10:39)
  • Louis treats his characters as autonomous, allowing the narrative to unfold naturally, sometimes to his own surprise and concern.
  • He describes the emotional investment in his lead character, emphasizing an almost parental worry and devotion.

• New (Unpublished) Book

  • Louis describes his upcoming book as “really fucked up,” with scenes designed to provoke discomfort and strong reactions—even disgust (11:00–11:31).
  • “I wish I could help you. I wish I could thank you for writing it.” (Louis C.K. quoting reader feedback, 11:02)

Emotional Impact and Reader Response (17:00–22:00)

• Bert’s Personal Connection

  • Bert deeply relates to "Ingram," projecting his own son onto the protagonist, highlighting the emotional resonance and parental anxiety the novel inspires (17:17–18:15).
  • Louis reflects on how worry and empathy grow from that emotional investment.

• Empathy, Worry, and Growth

  • Deep dive into how empathy manifests as worry and how literature amplifies emotional experiences: “Worry is empathy.” (Louis C.K., 20:52)
  • Discussion on the transition from childhood to adulthood and societal responsibility: “When do we become responsible for someone?” (Louis C.K., 19:44)

Hardship, Loneliness, and the Limits of Empathy (23:09–32:44)

• Childhood Hardship as Artistic Material

  • Louis draws from his own experiences with poverty and isolation growing up, contributing to his ability to empathize and write complex child protagonists.

• Loneliness as an Unseen Epidemic

  • Extended conversation on the unacknowledged epidemic of loneliness, how society reacts with emotional withdrawal to overwhelming need—particularly among children and the homeless (31:09–32:44).
  • “If I get to be your friend, you’re going to swallow me whole… because you got nothing.” (Louis C.K., 31:46)

The Return to Stand-Up: Motivation and Method (40:36–48:57)

• Stepping Back Onto Stage

  • Louis candidly shares about not missing stand-up at first, but feeling an irrepressible urge to return after a year, likening it to needing to pee (41:11–41:21).
  • A surprise guest spot at the Comedy Cellar reignites his love for performing.

• Evolution in Stage Presence

  • Observes how, post-hiatus, he engages with audiences with more emotional neutrality and willingness to “play” with the energy and uncomfortable silences.
  • “No laugh doesn't mean nothing happened. Something happened.” (Louis C.K., 44:17)
  • “If you piss them off or confuse them… you’ve got a new chemical, a new gas in the room.” (Louis C.K., 45:10)

The Changing Nature of Comedy: Rules, Edginess & the Role of Being "a Dick" (55:32–60:44)

• Challenging Comedy ‘Rules’

  • Louis and Bert push against the notion that comedy should “never punch down.”
  • “Punching down is horrible and funny. Hysterically funny.” (Louis C.K., 57:58)
  • Discussing spite and anger as genuine, fruitful comedic emotions, and the value of being unapologetically “a dick” for the sake of laughter.

• Articulating the Universal

  • Tom credits Louis’s unique gift for giving voice to thoughts everyone has but nobody articulates: "Every hour you have this capacity to say things that are like... a universal. ...I can't believe no one's ever said it." (Tom Segura, 52:26–52:39)

Life, Touring, and the Future (61:15–67:40)

• Tour Fatigue & Aging in Comedy

  • Louis confesses the physical and mental toll of constant touring, expressing a desire to scale back live performances.
  • “What it takes for me to be is... a lot of repetition and pushing... I don’t think I could do that anymore. ...I love writing novels.” (Louis C.K., 61:55–62:07)

• Money, Projects, and Motivation

  • Louis explains the economics of his life—making art at his own expense, depleting his finances, and needing to tour again: “I had that moment twice... First time it was good news. Second time, it was bad news.” (Louis C.K., 67:27)
  • Hints at new creative projects, possibly returning to filmmaking.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Writing Fiction:
  • “I just started writing a description of his life in his voice... and I just kept following him chapter by chapter.” (Louis C.K., 09:12–10:39)
• On Returning to Stage:
  • “I started thinking of jokes and it felt like I had to pee… I had to get rid of these or I gotta just do them once.” (Louis C.K., 41:11–41:21)
  • “No laugh doesn’t mean nothing happened. Something happened.” (Louis C.K., 44:17)
• On Comedy’s Taboo:
  • “Comedy’s not supposed to be fair… The whole point of comedy to me is what you’re not supposed to do.” (Louis C.K., 59:25–59:32)
• On the Physical Cost of Performing:
  • “I know I did a good show now is if I need to get in a bathtub of salt” (Louis C.K., 61:53)

Timestamps to Key Segments

| Topic | Timestamp | |-------|-----------| | Introduction to Louis’s novel writing | 00:41–03:18 | | Louis on writing rituals/process | 07:20–08:43 | | Character development in "Ingram" | 09:12–10:39 | | Bert’s emotional reaction to the novel | 17:17–18:15 | | Discussion on empathy, worry, and growth | 20:52–22:27 | | Louis’s reflections on loneliness | 31:09–32:44 | | Louis returns to stand-up | 41:11–44:17 | | Comedy and uncomfortable moments | 44:17–46:44 | | Challenging the “don’t punch down” rule | 55:32–57:58 | | Touring, money, and future plans | 61:15–67:40 |

Tone & Style

The conversation is candid, philosophical, self-reflective, and interspersed with characteristic humor—equal parts earnest and irreverent. Louis’s introspection is deeply felt, while the comedians riff off each other fluidly, blending vulnerability with sharp comedic timing.

Conclusion

This episode delivers a rich, honest exploration of creative process, emotional authenticity, and the ever-evolving nature of comedy. Louis C.K. lays bare the private joys and struggles of creation, the tension between public performance and private fulfillment, and the value of provoking strong emotional reactions—be they laughter or discomfort. For fans of comedy, literature, or simply human insight, this is a standout listening experience.