Podcast
Blocks w/ Neal Brennan
Hosted by Neal Brennan · EN
Based on his Netflix comedy special, "Blocks." Neal Brennan interviews friends and colleagues about the things that make them feel lonely, isolated, and like something's wrong - and how they are persevering despite these blocks.
20episodes
Episodes
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Brad Williams
6d ago01:26:11Tap to summarizeNeal Brennan interviews Brad Williams (New special: Live on Short Street) about his experience living with dwarfism, the guilt he felt after his daughter was born with the same disability, how he learned to reframe his thinking and approach parenting in a positive manner, the arc of his standup career, why Ari Shaffir said no one wants to follow him on stage, the fears no one else sees (why Brad won't drink around drunk people), his marriage, and much more. Subscribe to Brad Williams @BradWilliamsComedy Watch Brad Williams: Live on Short Street: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXDA3HHcq5E 00:00 Intro 2:08 Dwarfism 10:32 Is dwarfism an advantage in comedy? 13:06 Childhood 17:58 Peter Dinklage 21:16 Sponsor: CookUnity 23:34 Sponsor: ZocDoc 25:37 Dating 50:48 Sponsor: Tushy 52:59 Sponsor: Amentara 56:05 Sponsor: Quince 57:55 Imposter Syndrome 1:01:44 His Daughter 1:19:02 Health & Gratitude Thanks to our sponsors! Visit https://www.CookUnity.com/NEAL and use promo code NEAL for 50% off your order. Go to https://www.ZocDoc.com/NEAL to book a top rated doctor today. Visit https://www.hellotushy.com and use promo code NEAL for 10% off your first bidet order. Go to https://www.Amentara.com/Go/Neal and use promo code Blocks22 for 22% off your first order. Visit https://www.Quince.com/NEAL for free shipping & 365-day returns ---------------------------------------------------------- Follow Neal Brennan: https://www.instagram.com/nealbrennan https://twitter.com/nealbrennan https://www.tiktok.com/@mrnealbrennan Watch Neal Brennan: Crazy Good on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/title/81728557 Watch Neal Brennan: Blocks on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/title/81036234 Theme music by Electric Guest (unreleased). Edited by Will Hagle Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Malcolm Gladwell
3w ago01:31:10Tap to summarizeNeal Brennan interviews Malcolm Gladwell (Revisionist History, Broken Record, Blink, Outliers The Tipping Point) about the moral dilemmas of responsible journalism, why he doesn't believe in complaining or introspection, playing Monopoly standing up, money anxiety, his lack of jealousy, the attention Gawker gave him, his interview techniques, dinner party conversations, Elvis Presley's mom's toes, Zootopia 2, Derek Chauvin, Trump, Kevin Hart, Trevor Noah, and much more. Listen to Revisionist History: https://lnk.to/RHBlocks 00:00 Why Malcolm isn't introspective 18:49 Sponsor: BetterHelp 20:46 Sponsor: Superpower 23:58 Fame, money, competitiveness & anxiety 31:37 The Gawker Era 35:57 Trevor Noah, Chris Rock and Kevin Hart 44:32 Interview techniques 57:26 Sponsor: Harry's 59:45 Sponsor: BUBs 1:02:21 Zootopia 2 1:04:26 Irv Gotti 1:06:00 Responsible Journalism 1:11:10 Elvis Presley 1:13:15 Derek Chauvin 1:22:09 Trump Thanks to our sponsors! Sign up and get 10% off at https://www.BetterHelp.com/NEAL Head to Superpower.com and use code NEAL at checkout for $20 off your membership. Unlock your new health intelligence. 100+ biomarkers. Every year. Detect early signs of 1,000+ conditions. #superpowerpod Our listeners get the Harry's Plus Trial Set for only $10 at https://www.Harrys.com/NEAL #Harryspod Live Better Longer with BUBS Naturals. For a limited time get 20% Off your entire order with code NEAL at https://www.Bubsnaturals.com Follow Neal Brennan: https://www.instagram.com/nealbrennan https://twitter.com/nealbrennan https://www.tiktok.com/@mrnealbrennan Watch Neal Brennan: Crazy Good on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/title/81728557 Watch Neal Brennan: Blocks on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/title/81036234 Theme music by Electric Guest (unreleased). Edited by Will Hagle Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Jordan Klepper
Apr 3001:45:55Tap to summarizeNeal Brennan interviews Jordan Klepper (Daily Show, "Fingers the Pulse") on the Blocks Podcast about the true nature of MAGA, what he witnessed in Washington D.C. on January 6, how the American attitude toward shamelessness and hypocrisy has shifted since Trump's rise to power, using his improv background in field pieces, taking a Trump supporter to a Kamala rally, interviewing a guy who pleaded guilty to punching a cop on January 6 but still believed it was an inside job, what he learned from Jon Stewart & Trevor Noah, hosting his own show and how it affected his nervous system, becoming a parent, his drift from Hitchens-era smug atheist certainty back to agnosticism, Dominos vs. Papa Johns on the road, connecting flights, Camus and philosophy, and being smug. 00:00 Neal & Matthew McConaughey's Shininess 1:40 Jordan Klepper Fingers the Pulse 3:00 Road life 8:15 Field pieces with Jon vs. Trevor 10:32 MAGA 13:10 January 6 18:54 Trump's superpower 20:40 Ad Break: Ultra Nuro Pouches 22:58 Ad Break: Zocdoc 25:25 Interviewing approach 30:24 Bringing a Trump fan to a Kamala rally 32:43 January 6 41:27 Ad Break: Harry's 43:37 Ad Break: Mando 45:44 Math vs. Comedy Brain 54:05 Marriage & Parenthood 1:06:30 Religion, Atheism & Agnosticism 1:26:36 Information overload 1:30 Jon Stewart & Trevor Noah Thanks to our sponsors! Don't sleep on @UltraPouches . New customers get 15% Off with code NEAL at https://www.takeultra.com ! #ultrapouches #ad Stop putting off those doctors appointments and go to https://www.Zocdoc.com/NEAL to instantly book a doctor you love today. Our listeners get the Harry's Plus Trial Set for only $10 at https://www.Harrys.com/NEAL #Harryspod Control Body Odor ANYWHERE with @shop.mando and get 20% off with promo code NEAL at https://www.shopmando.com ! #mandopod Live Better Longer with BUBS Naturals. For a limited time get 20% Off your entire order with code NEAL at https://www.Bubsnaturals.com ---------------------------------------------------------- Follow Neal Brennan: https://www.instagram.com/nealbrennan https://twitter.com/nealbrennan https://www.tiktok.com/@mrnealbrennan Watch Neal Brennan: Crazy Good on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/title/81728557 Watch Neal Brennan: Blocks on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/title/81036234 Theme music by Electric Guest (unreleased). Edited by Will Hagle ---------------------------------------------------------- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Ali Siddiq
Apr 1601:54:38Tap to summarizeNeal Brennan interviews Ali Siddiq (9+ standup specials) about dealing crack, his dad dealing cocaine, getting arrested and incarcerated, the emotional toll of his sister's death, being a "weird dad," growing up experiencing relative levels of poverty, the valet parking landscape of Houston, Slim Thug, his attitude toward violence, shooting people, breakdancing, how Billy D. Washington and D.L. Hughley helped him find his storytelling voice, 'This Is Not Happening,' longtime grudges, and how his life has been a rollercoaster of gratitude. Get tickets for Ali Siddiq's Tour: https://alisiddiq.com/#section-a80lEppZfb Subscribe to @AliSiddiqComedy 00:00 Intro 1:24 What his life’s been 3:02 Gratitude 6:30 His dad’s cocaine dealing 9:30 Selling Crack 14:57 Sponsor: BetterHelp 16:54 Sponsor: Superpower 19:49 Arrest Story 42:18 Violence 1:00:11 Sponsor: Rag & Bone 1:03:15 Sponsor: CookUnity 1:06:20 Sponsor: Amentara 1:06:21 The Darkest Period of his life 1:09:56 His sister dying 1:17:30 Fatherhood 1:24:38 Storytelling & ‘This is Not Happening’ 1:37:08 What he makes of his life Thanks to our sponsors! This show is sponsored by BetterHelp. Visit https://www.BetterHelp.com/NEAL for 10% off Head to https://www.Superpower.com and use code NEAL at checkout for $20 off your membership. Unlock your new health intelligence. 100+ biomarkers. Every year. Detect early signs of 1,000+ conditions. #superpowerpod Experience chef-quality meals every week, delivered right to your door. Go to https://www.cookunity.com/NEAL for 50% off your first week. Upgrade your denim game with rag & bone! Get 20% off sitewide with code NEAL at https://www.rag-bone.com #ragandbonepod Go to https://www.amentara.com/go/neal and use code BLOCKS22 for 22% off your first order. Try low dose first. Your nervous system will thank you — or at least stop complaining so loudly. ---------------------------------------------------------- Follow Neal Brennan: https://www.instagram.com/nealbrennan https://twitter.com/nealbrennan https://www.tiktok.com/@mrnealbrennan Watch Neal Brennan: Crazy Good on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/title/81728557 Watch Neal Brennan: Blocks on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/title/81036234 Theme music by Electric Guest (unreleased). Edited by Will Hagle Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Sarah Sherman
Apr 201:22:18Tap to summarizeNeal Brennan interviews Sarah Sherman (SNL, Live & In The Flesh), AKA Sarah Squirm, about her fashion style, always wanting to be a comedian, going to Northwestern, her emo phase, anxiety, paranoia, delusion, SNL nightmares, why she thinks she's "kind of bad at standup," live sketches vs. Weekend Update, therapy, being gross and crazy, the internet, Adam Sandler and more. 00:00 ‘Live & In The Flesh’ HBO Special 4:23 Origin Story 8:41 Her fashion style 11:44 Wanting to be a comedian 16:03 Going to Northwestern 17:13 Sponsor: Huel 19:35 Sponsor: Harrys 22:14 Anxiety & Emo Phase 26:00 SNL Nightmares 28:01 Delusion & Paranoia about her style of comedy 32:00 Family & Anxiety 33:07 Sponsor: Squarespace 36:02 “Kind of bad at standup” 42:07 SNL - Live Sketches vs. Update 47:55 Therapy 55:03 Sponsor: Mando 56:59 Sponsor: Cheers Health 59:23 Crazy 1:05:30 Self-care 1:10:30 Adam Sandler 1:11:56 The Internet 1:16:20 Her relationship 1:18:40 Gross Thanks to our sponsors! Limited Time Offer – Get Huel today with my exclusive offer of 15% OFF online with my code NEAL at huel.com/NEAL . New Customers Only. Thank you to Huel for partnering and supporting the show! My listeners get the Harry's Plus Trial Set for only $10 at https://www.Harrys.com/NEAL #harryspod Check out https://www.squarespace.com/NEAL to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code NEAL. Control Body Odor ANYWHERE with Mando and get 20% off with promo code NEAL at https://www.shopmando.com #mandopod Same night out — way better morning with Cheers. For a limited time my listeners are getting 20% off their entire order by using code NEAL at https://www.cheershealth.com/NEAL #Cheers #ad ---------------------------------------------------------- Follow Neal Brennan: https://www.instagram.com/nealbrennan https://twitter.com/nealbrennan https://www.tiktok.com/@mrnealbrennan Watch Neal Brennan: Crazy Good on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/title/81728557 Watch Neal Brennan: Blocks on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/title/81036234 Theme music by Electric Guest (unreleased). Edited by Will Hagle Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Sam Harris
Mar 1902:03:46Tap to summarizeNeal Brennan interviews Sam Harris (Making Sense, Waking Up) about his mother Susan Harris' sitcom history, philosophy of the mind, meditation, Trump, secular rationality, fiction writing, dropping out of Stanford, psychic powers, magic, eye contact, consuming bad news, pacifism, meditation vs. political agitation, social media addiction, leftist hypocrisy and much more. Subscribe to @samharrisorg 00:00 Intro 2:25 His mother, Susan Harris 12:09 His father 15:13 Childhood perfectionism 17:22 Fiction writing aspirations & dropping out of college 18:52 MDMA 30:40 Sponsor: Huel 32:58 Sponsor: Mars Men 35:04 Psychic Powers & Spiritual Charisma 55:50 Eye Contact 1:02:28 Sponsor: Squarespace 1:04:30 Sponsor: Rag & Bone 1:06:08 Meditation vs. Political Agitation 1:14:12 Pacifism 1:23:30 Consuming Bad News 1:27:00 Social Media Addiction 1:40:34 Sponsor: Zocdoc 1:42:23 Trumpism & Leftist Hypocrisy 1:55:20 Political Optimism Thanks to our sponsors! Limited Time Offer – Get Huel today with my exclusive offer of 15% OFF online with my code NEAL at huel.com/NEAL . New Customers Only. Thank you to Huel for partnering and supporting the show! For a limited time, our listeners get 50% off FOR LIFE, Free Shipping, AND 3 Free Gifts at Mars Men at https://www.Mengotomars.com Check out https://www.squarespace.com/NEAL to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code NEAL. Visit https://www.rag-bone.com & use promo code NEAL for 20% off your order! Stop putting off those doctors appointments and go to https://www.Zocdoc.com/NEAL to find and instantly book a doctor you love today. ---------------------------------------------------------- Follow Neal Brennan: https://www.instagram.com/nealbrennan https://twitter.com/nealbrennan https://www.tiktok.com/@mrnealbrennan Watch Neal Brennan: Crazy Good on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/title/81728557 Watch Neal Brennan: Blocks on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/title/81036234 Theme music by Electric Guest (unreleased). Edited by Will Hagle Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Kevin Nealon
Mar 501:35:34Tap to summarizeNeal Brennan interviews Kevin Nealon (SNL, Weeds, Happy Gilmore) about ADHD, Johnny Carson, mirroring, SNL, painting, Lorne Michaels, death, Chris Farley, claustrophobia, Dana Carvey, defibrillators, Adam Sandler, Irish accents, Garry Shandling, his documentary, Anthony Bourdain, family, Larry David, relationships, Robin Williams, Jan Hooks, standup comedy, Steve Martin, sketch comedy, David Letterman, and possible dementia. Subscribe to @KevinNealoncomedy Art: https://kevinnealonart.com/ Book: https://www.abramsbooks.com/product/i-exaggerate_9781419761980/ Oscar-nominated Documentary: https://tv.apple.com/us/movie/come-see-me-in-the-good-light/umc.cmc.27uh51l7oh3ghql2gxb6xvb1s 00:00 Intro 1:42 Irish Catholic 5:13 ADD 8:10 Mirroring 9:54 Long career 12:14 Pre-SNL Career 19:02 Sponsor: Huel 21:29 Sponsor: BetterHelp 23:34 SNL 35:00 Relationships & Family 40:00 Anthony Bourdain 42:53 Claustrophobia 49:44 Come See Me In The Good Light Documentary 50:55 Sponsor: SuperPower 53:34 Sponsor: Squarespace 55:28 Sponsor: RoSparks 58:06 Death 1:01:45 Celebrity Anecdotes Thanks to our sponsors! Limited Time Offer – Get Huel today with my exclusive offer of 15% OFF online with my code NEAL at huel.com/NEAL . New Customers Only. Thank you to Huel for partnering and supporting the show! Visit https://www.BetterHelp.com/NEAL for 10% off. Head to Superpower.com and use code [NEAL] at checkout for $20 off your membership. Live up to your 100-Year potential. #superpowerpod Check out https://www.squarespace.com/NEAL to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code NEAL. Get harder, longer-lasting erections with Ro Sparks: $15 off first order of medication to get hard at https://www.ro.co/BLOCKS ---------------------------------------------------------- Follow Neal Brennan: https://www.instagram.com/nealbrennan https://twitter.com/nealbrennan https://www.tiktok.com/@mrnealbrennan Watch Neal Brennan: Crazy Good on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/title/81728557 Watch Neal Brennan: Blocks on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/title/81036234 Theme music by Electric Guest (unreleased). Edited by Will Hagle ---------------------------------------------------------- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Robby Hoffman
Feb 1901:31:51Summary readyNeal Brennan interviews Robby Hoffman ('Wake Up' on Netflix) about the things that make her feel lonely, isolated, and like something's wrong - and how she is persevering despite these blocks. 00:00 Intro 01:31 Growing up Poor with 9 Siblings 05:09 Leaving religion and moving away 13:53 Rich kids vs. Poor kids 18:50 Feeling like an outsider 19:50 Being called “annoying” 28:00 Having opinions on everything 35:00 Sponsor: Huel 37:54 Sponsor: Rag & Bone 40:29 Top Surgery 56:00 2-year rule for decisions 59:52 Standup vs. Small Talk 1:03:53 Sponsor: Superpower 1:06:10 Sponsor: Squarespace 1:08:26 Dressing Boyish 1:12:24 Her identity Thanks to our sponsors! Visit https://www.huel.com/Neal & use promo code NEAL for 15% off online for new customers. Visit https://www.rag-bone.com and use promo code NEAL for 20% off your order! Go to https://www.SuperPower.com and use promo code NEAL for $20 off your membership. Save 10% off your first purchase at https://www.squarespace.com/NEAL ---------------------------------------------------------- Follow Neal Brennan: https://www.instagram.com/nealbrennan https://twitter.com/nealbrennan https://www.tiktok.com/@mrnealbrennan Watch Neal Brennan: Crazy Good on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/title/81728557 Watch Neal Brennan: Blocks on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/title/81036234 Theme music by Electric Guest (unreleased). Edited by Will Hagle ---------------------------------------------------------- #podcast #interview #robbyhoffman #mentalhealth #comedy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Summary
Phil Hanley
Feb 501:20:14Tap to summarizeNeal Brennan interviews Phil Hanley (Spellbound: My Life as a Dyslexic Wordsmith) about the things that make him feel lonely, isolated, and like something's wrong - and how he is persevering despite these blocks. Get Phil Hanley's book: https://www.amazon.com/Spellbound-My-Life-Dyslexic-Wordsmith/dp/1250860156 00:00 Intro 00:34 Dyslexia 9:27 Upbringing 10:41 Being a Male Model 19:24 Starting Comedy 19:46 Sponsor: Huel 22:34 Sponsor: RoSparks 25:19 Sponsor: BetterHelp 27:22 Being Grateful for Dyslexia 35:10 ADHD 36:42 How he is as a Romantic Partner 46:08 Sponsor: SquareSpace 48:50 Sponsor: Warby Parker 52:08 How he sees his life progressing 58:03 Empathy 1:03:55 Goals for his life Thanks to our sponsors! Visit https://www.huel.com/Neal & use promo code NEAL for 15% off for new customers. Get harder, longer-lasting erections with Ro Sparks: $15 off first order ofmedication to get hard at http:ro.co/BLOCKS Visit https://www.betterhelp.com/NEAL for 10% off your first monthSave 10% off your first purchase at https://www.squarespace.com/NEAL Get 15% off & free shipping when you buy two pairs of glasses at https://www.warbyparker.com/NEAL ---------------------------------------------------------- Follow Neal Brennan: https://www.instagram.com/nealbrennan https://twitter.com/nealbrennan https://www.tiktok.com/@mrnealbrennan Watch Neal Brennan: Crazy Good on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/title/81728557 Watch Neal Brennan: Blocks on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/title/81036234 Theme music by Electric Guest (unreleased). Edited by Will Hagle Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Matt McCusker
Jan 2201:28:43Tap to summarizeNeal Brennan interviews Matt McCusker (Matt & Shane's Secret Podcast, New Netflix Special: A Humble Offering) about the things that make him feel lonely, isolated, and like something's wrong - and how he is persevering despite these blocks. 00:00 Intro 00:15 Neal Reacts to Matt’s Special 5:36 Matt & Shane’s Secret Podcast 8:43 Parenting 16:05 Panic Attacks 29:04 Therapy and Psychology 30:14 Sponsor: Huel 32:15 Sponsor: Superpower 34:18 Relationships 37:51 Anger 41:14 Therapy & Self-Help 48:54 How Men Can Deal with the Menstrual Cycle 55:34 Sponsor: Squarespace 57:42 Sponsor: Bubs Naturals 1:00:07 Directionlessness 1:04:28 Dissociation 1:18:48 How his life has improved Thanks to our sponsors! Visit https://www.huel.com/Neal20 to get 20% off online ' Visit https://www.superpower.com/NEAL and use promo code NEAL for $20 off! Visit https://www.squarespace.com/NEAL to save 10% off your first purchase Visit https://www.bubsnaturals.com and use promo code NEAL for 20% off Bubs Naturals. ---------------------------------------------------------- Follow Neal Brennan: https://www.instagram.com/nealbrennan https://twitter.com/nealbrennan https://www.tiktok.com/@mrnealbrennan Watch Neal Brennan: Crazy Good on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/title/81728557 Watch Neal Brennan: Blocks on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/title/81036234 Theme music by Electric Guest (unreleased). Edited by Will Hagle Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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