Podcast Summary

Mike Birbiglia's Working It Out

Episode 199: Jordan Jensen – You Can’t Say That (But Actually You Can)
Released: January 19, 2026
Guest: Jordan Jensen (Comedian, Actor)
Host: Mike Birbiglia

Episode Overview

This episode features comedian and rising star Jordan Jensen, fresh off her Netflix special "Take Me With You" and a new acting role in Bradley Cooper’s “Is This Thing On?” Mike and Jordan delve into her creative process, journey into standup, pushing comedic boundaries, and personal history—including her unique family dynamic, experiences with OCD, and the challenge of translating darkness into laughter. Together, they unpack the perils and pleasures of confessional comedy, crowd work gone awry, and the complexities of audience reception—while workshopping new material and sharing behind-the-scenes stories.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Jordan’s Exploding Career and Online Presence

• Special & Movie Timing: Jordan’s rise coincided with her special and an acting role but wasn’t premeditated ([04:17]).
• Attitude Toward Online Content: Embraces social media as a tool, considering it her “open mic” ([04:39]):

  "I have no beef with the Internet... that's an open mic for me." – Jordan, [05:08]

2. Behind the Scenes of Bradley Cooper’s Comedy Film

• Comedian Power on Set: Comics felt “in the power seat” because Cooper admired their world ([07:45]):

  "We were in the power seats because we were comics... He thought the comedians were so cool." – Jordan, [07:45]

• Authenticity in Acting: Bradley Cooper encouraged improvisation for more natural performances.

3. Jordan’s Unique Approach to Comedy

• No Filter Comedy: Mike notes her candor as surpassing many peers who claim “you can’t say anything anymore” ([09:13]):

  "Your special is like, what if there actually were no rules?" – Mike, [09:43]

• Personal Material:

  "As soon as something happens, I will be talking about it on stage... That's what you're in for, and I'm sorry." – Jordan, [13:10]

• Audience Reaction to Dark Topics: Jordan pushes into sensitive material—rape, divorce, family trauma—often requiring her to reassure the crowd she’s okay ([14:10]).

4. Navigating Vulnerability & Personal Life Onstage

• Softness Beneath the Edge: Despite her tough exterior, Jordan is deeply vulnerable, describing herself as a "soft baby" ([09:58]).
• Romantic Relationships: Often surprises partners who expect only her “bro” side; discusses challenges of sharing real-life relationships in her act ([10:26–10:50]).
• Artist Eccentricity & Relationships: Both host and guest agree that artists are often outsiders, questioning if they can ever “fit” with anyone ([11:21]).

5. Crowd Work and On-Stage Tension

• When It Goes Wrong: Jordan recounts an incident where crowd work led to a near-fight with an audience member after pushing a sensitive topic ([25:58]):

  "She heard me say that and came out and tried to, like, fight me on stage." – Jordan, [27:26]

• Anger & Restraint: She admits to an anger problem but has never actually fought an audience member ([27:32]).

6. Structure of Jordan’s Comedy and Audience Trust

• Non-linear Structure: Unlike traditional storytelling comedians, Jordan’s set is more of a branching, organic roadmap ([28:22–30:12]).
• Building Trust to Go Dark: Jordan starts with lighter, relatable topics before moving into heavier themes:

  "You cannot put a woman on the screen and have them be like, periods. Am I right? I would turn off emotionally." – Jordan, [31:24]

• Appealing to Men and Women: It’s a conscious effort to win over male audiences who she feels are “programmed to hear a woman's voice and be like, that's my mother and it's about to tell me that I did something wrong" ([33:33–33:44]).

7. Family Background & Identity

• Queer Family Dynamic: Grew up with “three moms” after her mother divorced her dad and came out as gay ([17:04–17:44]).
• Not Bisexual, Despite Assumptions: Jordan discusses navigating her sexual orientation in a family of out lesbians, but says she’s "painfully straight" ([18:23–19:20]).

8. Origins in Standup—Performing for a Paralyzed Friend

• Remarkable Beginning: Started developing comedy material for her best friend Helene, who was paralyzed.

  "I would park her outside, and I would run them by her, and she couldn't move. It was awesome." – Jordan, [22:00]

• Mourning and Sensitivity: Still hasn’t brought this story into her special due to its emotional weight ([22:24–22:38]).

9. OCD as Comedy Fuel

• Open About Struggles: Jordan vividly shares her OCD compulsions (e.g., checking the stove, intrusive thoughts) and how they’ve affected her life ([38:19–39:59]):

  "I'm the most ocd, and I get mad when people are fake ocd..." – Jordan, [39:02]

  • Example: Had a panic attack on a film set due to fear of biting Laura Dern ([39:17]).

10. Personal Relationships & Social Observations

• Deal Breakers: Hates video game obsession and people who say they’re bored—wants curiosity in a partner ([41:09–41:30]).
• Jealousy: Admits frank jealousy of comedians like Shane Gillis and Nikki Glazer for their likability and femininity ([42:13–43:26]).

11. Workshopping New Jokes

• Police vs. Comedians in Physical Training: Joking about how obese comedians often learn martial arts, but “cops just need to empty a full clip” ([45:59–46:28]).
• Historical Re-enactment of Objects: Observes how we ironically use old things (typewriters, suspenders) for style ([48:00–48:29]).
• Women Supporting Women, But with Limits: Wonders about the authenticity of unconditional female affirmation ([48:49–50:19]):

  "If you're telling her that, what does that mean about me?... Some people suck. Some people, you're like, you deserve no relationship." – Jordan & Mike, [49:13–50:09]

• Domestic Roles: Both joke about the need for a “third” in their household to solve practical problems ([53:09–53:19]).

12. Charity Shout-Out

• Working It Out for a Cause: Jordan picks the Humane Society, reflecting her love for animals over people ([54:23–54:38]).

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On No-Filter Comedy:
  "Your special is like, what if there actually were no rules?"
  — Mike Birbiglia ([09:43])

• On Being Vulnerable on Stage:
  "I have to be clear. As soon as something happens... I will be talking about it on stage."
  — Jordan Jensen ([13:10])

• On Audience Pushback:
  "I have like a big chunk on rape right now which people really freak out at..."
  — Jordan Jensen ([14:10])

• On Gender Dynamics in Comedy:
  "Every man is programmed to hear a woman's voice and be like, that's my mother. And it's about to tell me that I did something wrong."
  — Jordan Jensen ([33:44])

• On OCD Intrusive Thoughts:
  "[It's] when your friend says, do you want to hold my baby? And you go, yeah, but I'm gonna rip your baby's head off... I don't want to, but it can't be trusted."
  — Jordan Jensen ([39:02])

• On Jealousy in Comedy:
  "I'm jealous of Gillis because the cult of personality thing is so... potent."
  — Jordan Jensen ([42:20])

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 04:17 — Jordan discusses the “explosion” in her career
• 07:45 — Feeling empowered as a comic on the set of "Is This Thing On?"
• 09:13–09:43 — Mike describes Jordan’s “no filter” special
• 13:10 — Jordan on discussing relationships in her act
• 14:10–15:16 — Dealing with audience discomfort around taboo subjects
• 25:58–27:32 — Crowd work gone wrong: an audience member tries to fight Jordan
• 28:22–30:12 — On structuring comedy without a conventional narrative “arc”
• 38:19–39:59 — Jordan details her OCD behaviors and intrusive thoughts
• 41:09–41:30 — Jordan’s relationship dealbreakers
• 48:49–50:09 — Comedic riff on “not everyone deserves the best” in relationships
• 54:23–54:38 — Selecting the Humane Society as her favored nonprofit

Tone and Style

Both Mike and Jordan blend self-deprecation, candor, and sharp wit, exploring darkness with heart and humor. The episode is irreverent, confessional, and unflinchingly honest—mirroring the raw style of Jordan’s standup while providing warmth and camaraderie in conversation.

Conclusion

In this episode of "Working It Out," Mike Birbiglia and Jordan Jensen don’t just workshop material—they dissect what it means to create boundary-pushing, personal art in comedy. Whether tackling taboo subjects, processing trauma, or navigating the unpredictable nature of crowd work, Jordan embodies fearlessness, introspection, and empathy. The conversation delivers for fans of both comedians, offering an engaging mix of storytelling, vulnerability, and comic insight.

Show links:

• Jordan Jensen's Instagram: @JordanJensenLOLstop
• Take Me With You (Netflix Special)
• Is This Thing On? (Movie)
• Humane Society (Charity Highlighted)

For new listeners, this episode is a powerful, funny, and frank look at the making of a compelling comedic voice—and what it costs to speak your rawest truth on stage.