Podcast Summary: Mike Birbiglia’s Working It Out

Episode 192: Leanne Morgan – In The Presence of a Comedy Angel
Original Airdate: November 17, 2025
Host: Mike Birbiglia
Guest: Leanne Morgan

Overview

In this heartwarming and hilarious episode, Mike Birbiglia sits down with comedian and actor Leanne Morgan, fresh off her hit Netflix special Unspeakable Things and starring/sitcom creator status. The two comedians delve into Leanne’s nontraditional path to comedy—including her roots in Tennessee, her late-blooming success, and balancing a career with family life. Packed with stories, reflections on authenticity, fame, parenting, and the unique fabric of Southern culture, this episode is a celebration of self-discovery, resilience, and humor that “tells everything.”

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Leanne’s Distinctive Southern Voice—and The Misconceptions About It

• [00:01] Mike opens by asking if people think Leanne exaggerates her accent for comedic effect. Leanne shares that it frustrates her:
  • “If I were gonna fake one, I don't know, this would be it.” (Leanne, 00:09)
• The conversation sets the scene for Leanne’s commitment to authenticity.

2. The Pressure (and Perplexity) of Sudden Fame

• [03:20] Leanne describes how her first Netflix special’s success was a shock, adding pressure but never reducing her anxiety before each release.
  • “Every time something comes out, I'm freaked out.” (Leanne, 03:20)
• Both discuss imposter syndrome and the fear of missing something that might upset audiences.
• [04:06] Leanne reflects on discovering her perfectionism only in her creative work.

3. Southern Upbringing, Family, and Finding Comedy Later in Life

• [06:21] Leanne outlines her journey: UT Knoxville, marriage to “Chuck Morgan,” moving to small-town Tennessee, and the origins of her comedy career in door-to-door jewelry sales—a substitute for traditional comedy clubs.
  • “It was like my own little comedy club. But I had all these women that I could talk to...” (Leanne, 08:05)
• She navigated motherhood, a spouse who traveled for work, and club gigs, often just a few per year, filling in with fundraisers and corporate shows.

4. Outsider Status in Comedy

• [11:04] Leanne admits to feeling like an industry outsider until recently, despite decades in comedy.
  • “I felt completely out of the loop and felt like the uncoolest goober until recently.” (Leanne, 11:23)
• Discusses the isolation of being a mother in Knoxville with little local comedy scene and the difficulty of breaking through despite distinctive material.

5. Parental Influence, Beauty, and Authenticity

• [13:02] Leanne credits her mother with instilling both confidence and quirky beliefs:
  • “You’re going to be a movie star because you've got blonde hair all over your body like Marilyn Monroe. And that makes people photo well.” (Leanne, 13:35)
• Discussion of Steel Magnolias and the authenticity of Hollywood portrayals of the South.
• Southern gossip—Leanne shares family gossip and how the gentle, comedic style of Southern women shaped her.

6. Advice for Aspiring Comedians in Small Towns

• [17:11] Mike asks for advice for would-be comedians without a local scene.
  • Leanne: Stage time is what matters, whether at open mics, club nights, or fundraisers, even if they’re small—“I think that's the best training.” (17:18)

7. Early Jokes & Family as Comedy Fuel

• Shares her first big laugh:
  • “…saw a family drive up in a Gremlin with the wind out and a nine year old smoking a cigarette who said, can I get a light off of you, Meemaw. And I quit that night and went home and got pregnant.” (Leanne, 18:30)
• Her self-deprecating, candid style weaves throughout the conversation.

8. Honesty, Family, and Oversharing in Comedy

• [20:17] Leanne on being open about personal life (e.g., getting her breasts redone for her grandkids): “I tell everything.” (Leanne, 20:17)
• Mike asks if she ever runs material past family; only once did Chuck object, not wanting to appear like a bad provider.

9. Hopes and Realities of Fame

• [26:36] Leanne reflects on the realities of late-in-life success:
  • “Now that I know a little bit about fame, I thought it was going to be different than this. It's fun, don't get me wrong...but it's not everything it's cranked up to be.” (Leanne, 26:36)
• Discusses the loss of private time, constant work, and the new pressure of responsibility for the livelihoods of others on her show.

10. Motherhood, Grandparenting, and Parenting Philosophy

• [41:23] Leanne discusses parental worries being a constant theme:
  • “I always look through that lens, you know, of behavior and all that. But I thought about, what if I wrote about the things I did right and the things I did wrong?” (Leanne, 41:23)
• She describes her parenting style as fun and loving, if sometimes less strict about schoolwork, and honest about her failures to model forgiveness.

11. Plans for New Material

• [40:45] Mike and Leanne discuss writing processes and the possibility of her next special having a theme about “right and wrong” in parenting—potentially even as a book.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On accent authenticity:

  • Leanne: “If I were gonna fake one, I don't know, this would be it.” (00:09)

• On being an outsider:

  • Leanne: “I felt completely out of the loop and felt like the uncoolest goober until recently.” (11:23)

• On honesty in comedy:

  • Leanne: “I tell everything.” (20:17)

• On the realities of fame:

  • Leanne: “Now that I know a little bit about fame, I thought it was going to be different than this… it's not everything it's cranked up to be.” (26:36)

• On parenting and forgiveness:

  • Leanne: “I would be like, can you take her in the bank and twist her arm when nobody's looking?... I should have, because they would forgive… and I'd still hold on to stuff I shouldn't have held on to.” (43:20)

• On the South’s unique gossip culture:

  • Leanne: “Southern women are eccentric… but in a sweet way, you know, like, ‘Well, she can't help it. Her ankles are swollen. Look at her feet. She's retaining fluid.’” (16:13)

• On fame creating responsibility:

  • “I feel like I’m letting people down all the time…And I feel responsible for everybody at the same time.” (Leanne, 28:58)

Important Timestamps & Segments

• Accents and authenticity: 00:01–00:10
• Pressure of a successful special: 03:20–04:11
• Origin story: Jewelry parties to comedy: 06:21–09:04
• Feeling like an outsider in comedy: 11:04–12:50
• Southern family and early material: 13:02–18:30
• Parental influence and Southern culture: 13:02–16:13
• Advice to small-town comics: 17:11–18:18
• Honesty and family boundaries in comedy: 20:17–21:23
• Fame and feeling responsible: 26:36–29:05
• Parenting philosophy and mistakes: 41:23–44:45
• Plans for next special or book: 44:45–45:30

Working Out for a Cause

([45:43])
Leanne’s chosen non-profit: Food Bank for New York

• Leanne’s daughter works at the Food Bank, and Leanne discusses how much good these organizations do for the community.
• Mike encourages listeners to donate, highlighting how efficiently food banks stretch their funds.

Tone & Takeaway

Leanne Morgan’s wit, warmth, and candor shine throughout. The tone remains playful and good-natured, with plenty of honest vulnerability (“I tell everything”) and Southern charm. This episode is a must-listen for fans of stand-up, anyone considering a late start in comedy, or those who love stories about overcoming self-doubt and embracing idiosyncrasies.

Memorable closing:

“Being with you makes me wish that I'd paid attention in school.” (Leanne, 46:45)

For More

• Watch Leanne Morgan’s special “Unspeakable Things” on Netflix.
• Support the Food Bank of New York.
• Follow @LeanneMorganComedy on Instagram.

End of Summary