Mike Birbiglia's Working It Out: Episode Summary

Title: Mike Answers Your Questions About Creativity and Discusses The Emmys
Host: Mike Birbiglia
Release Date: October 7, 2024

In this special episode of Working It Out, Mike Birbiglia shifts the spotlight onto his audience, dedicating the entire show to answering listener questions about creativity, comedy, and his recent experiences at the Emmys. This Q&A format offers fans an intimate glimpse into Mike's creative process, personal anecdotes, and professional insights.

1. Setting the Stage: Introduction and Recent Guests

Mike kicks off the episode by highlighting the impressive lineup of guests featured on the podcast recently, including notable names like Jack Antonoff, Mateo Lane, John Laster, Zach Braff, Aisling Bee, Hannah Berner, and Steven Merchant. He encourages new listeners to check out the YouTube channel for more content and briefly mentions his upcoming discussions about his Emmys experience.

2. The Essence of Great Comedy

Question from Annalisa Ray: "What do you think sets apart a good comedian from a great one?" (00:55)

Mike delves into the subjective nature of comedy, emphasizing the importance of authenticity and emotional resonance. He shares his admiration for comedians like Pete Holmes and Maria Bamford, highlighting their ability to connect deeply with audiences by working from their gut and creating performances that feel alive and real.

Mike Birbiglia (00:55): "I feel like whenever I'm watching [Maria Bamford], I just feel like what she's saying is so alive. It feels like I'm inside the conversations she's having with her family members or friends."

3. Navigating the Toughest Moments on Stage

Question from Roman Jd: "Where and when was your worst stand-up set, and what did you learn from it?" (03:10)

Mike recounts his challenging early experience performing at Fat Tuesdays in Virginia. Overwhelmed by nerves and unpreparedness, he barely managed a four-minute set. Despite fearing a negative outcome, the venue owner rewarded him with payment, reinforcing Mike's belief in persistence and the necessity of pushing through fear to continue his comedy journey.

Mike Birbiglia (05:30): "I think it's some degree of I'm broken. Some people push back on this, but I feel like comedians are always dealing with something internally."

4. The Psychology of Perseverance in Comedy

Follow-up from John H. Wagner: "How do you convince yourself it's going quite nicely and keep going early on?" (08:20)

Mike explores the mental resilience required in stand-up comedy, comparing it to being "a little bit delusional." He discusses the importance of convincing oneself that a performance is going well, even when it isn't, to maintain the drive to continue improving and performing.

Mike Birbiglia (09:15): "If what's holding you back is fear, then that's something you have to just keep going past because the worst case scenario is just embarrassing."

5. The Emmys Experience: A Surprising Turn of Events

Mike transitions to discussing his first-time experience attending the Emmys, a milestone he had never reached in his 27-year comedy career. Surprisingly nominated alongside esteemed colleagues Alex Edelman and Jacqueline Novak, Mike shares the unexpected and heartwarming interactions he had at the event, including meeting Mark Duplass, who praised his podcast and arranged a future appearance.

Mike Birbiglia (17:00): "Imagine saying 'odd and good' 40 more times in an increasingly higher pitch. Overnight, my career became the plot of my own film, Don't Think Twice."

He reflects on how the Emmys reinforced his belief in valuing the process over results, celebrating the community and support his work has garnered.

6. Favorite Comedians and Live Performances

Question from an Audience Member: "Who is your favorite comic to watch live?" (19:30)

Mike lists several comedians he enjoys watching live, including Maria Bamford, Ethan Simmons Patterson, Colin Quinn, Jessica Curson, Rachel Feinstein, and Chris Rock. He emphasizes his appreciation for performers who remain authentic and dynamic on stage, contributing to his own growth and inspiration in comedy.

7. Unveiling the Secrets to Comedy Success

Question from Gabe Degarmo: "What's something that makes you successful at comedy that most people wouldn't know?" (23:10)

Mike attributes his success to unwavering persistence and a commitment to continually developing new material. He shares personal anecdotes about overcoming bullying and maintaining dedication to his craft, illustrating how resilience has been pivotal in his comedic journey.

Mike Birbiglia (24:50): "I try too hard. I'm out there on the road... doing new jokes every night. My shows are living documents, always evolving."

8. Balancing Stand-Up and Filmmaking

Question from Hannah K. Film: "Does standup help your improv, or does improv help your standup?" (27:05)

Mike discusses the symbiotic relationship between stand-up and improv, highlighting how each discipline enhances the other by fostering spontaneity and creative thinking. He shares insights from his improv experiences and the advice from his improv coach, Liz Allen, emphasizing the importance of enjoying the process over focusing solely on the end product.

Mike Birbiglia (28:40): "Improv brings an element of spontaneity into my standup. They are really, really similar to one another."

9. Personal Favorites: Sandwiches and Pizza

Question from Maddie Bumpo: "What is your favorite sandwich?" (30:15)

Mike reveals his love for Zingerman's sandwiches in Ann Arbor, Detroit, praising their quality and delightful flavors.

Additional Question from Max Underscore: "What is your favorite step in the filmmaking process? And what is your favorite pizza place?" (31:00)

Mike expresses his passion for the production phase of filmmaking, enjoying the collaborative and dynamic nature of creating something with friends. When it comes to pizza, he praises the overall quality of New York City's offerings, singling out Hometown Pizza.

Mike Birbiglia (32:10): "There's no joke, I'm very serious about pizza. The water is great in New York City for pizza. If you're on Yelp and you go to the top-rated pizzerias, you're going to get a great pizza."

10. Dealing with Creative Exhaustion

Question from Ringer Nathan: "Have you ever felt your comedy writing skills go dull or experienced exhaustion?" (34:50)

Mike acknowledges the challenges of creative exhaustion, sharing strategies he employs to overcome it. He emphasizes the importance of immersing oneself in the sensory experiences of the world rather than constantly consuming media, allowing for fresh and personal comedic observations to emerge.

Mike Birbiglia (35:40): "Everything that you're doing comedically is really just a personal reflection back of what you're living and experiencing."

11. Final Thoughts and Upcoming Projects

As the episode wraps up, Mike touches on his ongoing projects, including his new comedy tour titled Please Stop the Ride (soon to be renamed The Good Life) and his forthcoming movie slated for production at the end of 2025. He invites listeners to join his mailing list for updates and teases future podcast guests, maintaining the episode's theme of process over results.

Mike Birbiglia (43:20): "The process of standup is real-time feedback, which is really, really cool because you can try to get up on stage the next night and do it a little bit better."

Conclusion

In this heartfelt Q&A session, Mike Birbiglia provides listeners with a profound understanding of his creative process, the importance of perseverance in comedy, and the serendipitous nature of unexpected successes like his Emmys nomination. By sharing personal stories and professional insights, Mike not only answers his audience's questions but also inspires fellow creatives to embrace their journeys with authenticity and resilience.

Notable Quotes:

• On Authentic Comedy:
  "I feel like whenever I'm watching [Maria Bamford], I just feel like what she's saying is so alive. It feels like I'm inside the conversations she's having with her family members or friends." (00:55)

• On Persistence:
  "If what's holding you back is fear, then that's something you have to just keep going past because the worst case scenario is just embarrassing." (09:15)

• On Stand-Up and Improv Relationship:
  "Improv brings an element of spontaneity into my standup. They are really, really similar to one another." (28:40)

• On Creative Exhaustion:
  "Everything that you're doing comedically is really just a personal reflection back of what you're living and experiencing." (35:40)

This episode serves as a testament to Mike Birbiglia's dedication to his craft and his genuine connection with his audience, offering valuable lessons for both aspiring and seasoned comedians.