Podcast Summary: Worklife with Adam Grant – "ReThinking: Ed Helms on Growing Through Failure"
Release Date: August 5, 2025
In this enlightening episode of Worklife with Adam Grant, Adam converses with the multifaceted actor and comedian Ed Helms about the profound role of failure in personal and professional growth. Drawing from Ed's extensive experience in stand-up comedy, his iconic role as Andy Bernard in The Office, and his venture into podcasting and authorship, the discussion delves deep into embracing setbacks as stepping stones to success.
1. Introduction to Ed Helms and His Journey
Timestamp: [02:26]
Adam Grant introduces Ed Helms, highlighting his renowned portrayals of Andy Bernard on The Office and Stuart Price in The Hangover series. Additionally, Ed is recognized as the host of the narrative podcast Snafu, which explores history's most significant mistakes, and the author of his eponymous book. The conversation sets the stage for exploring how failure has been instrumental in Ed’s career trajectory.
2. Embracing Failure in Show Business
Timestamp: [04:02] – [05:58]
Ed shares his early days in stand-up comedy, describing it as "punishment” that necessitates embracing failure to build resilience. He recounts moving to New York City post-college, immersing himself among passionate comedians where "strong bonds are forged in pain" through shared experiences of bombing on stage.
Notable Quote:
"Strong bonds are forged in pain. Right. And in shared experiences that are difficult." – Ed Helms [05:58]
3. The Reality of Bombing on Stage
Timestamp: [06:16] – [09:34]
Ed narrates one of his most challenging moments performing at Governors, a renowned Long Island comedy club. Lacking sufficient material, his 30-minute set was plagued by hecklers, leading to a painful experience that felt "like physical pain."
Notable Quote:
"It feels like physical pain. It feels like a breakup." – Ed Helms [08:23]
He emphasizes the importance of low expectations when not fully prepared, allowing room to learn and grow without the pressure of established reputation.
4. Finding Confidence Through Purpose and Community
Timestamp: [09:58] – [12:19]
Ed discusses that his perseverance wasn’t born out of confidence but from a strong belief in his purpose. Surrounding himself with a supportive community of fellow comedians who validated his aspirations provided the necessary encouragement to continue despite setbacks.
Notable Quote:
"Surround yourself with people who agree that what you want is awesome." – Ed Helms [10:17]
He reflects on his childhood in Atlanta, where unconventional career aspirations were met with skepticism, reinforcing the value of finding like-minded individuals who champion one another’s goals.
5. Passion for Comedy and Initial Inspirations
Timestamp: [12:12] – [14:19]
Ed reveals his early passion for comedy sparked by watching Saturday Night Live at the age of eight or nine, particularly admiring Eddie Murphy's spontaneity and presence. This inspiration fueled his desire to pursue a career that allows for genuine fun and connection with the audience.
Notable Quote:
"He's so spontaneous. He’s so present. And I could tell... he's having fun. He's having so much fun. And I want that fun." – Ed Helms [12:30]
6. Navigating Career Snafus and Lessons Learned
Timestamp: [16:44] – [22:12]
Transitioning to his time on The Office, Ed highlights the importance of cherishing "the mundane" moments, which later become the foundation of nostalgia. He contrasts mindfulness with flow, noting that while mindfulness involves awareness, flow is about being so absorbed in the moment that one loses self-consciousness.
Notable Quote:
"If you start to become aware, you start to evaluate and analyze, and you lose the moment." – Ed Helms [17:38]
Ed shares a pivotal snafu during the final seasons of The Office where creative differences with the writing staff led to challenges in maintaining the authenticity of his character, Andy Bernard. This experience underscored the necessity of pushing through uncertainties even when outcomes are not entirely within one's control.
7. Fascinating Historical Snafus from Snafu
Timestamp: [18:51] – [21:51]
Ed discusses one of his favorite historical mistakes from his book, involving a 1950s Cold War plan to shoot a nuclear missile at the Moon. The project, intended to display American strength, was ultimately abandoned due to the inherent dangers and impracticalities, such as the risk of the missile returning to Earth.
Notable Quote:
"They decided not to do it. Thank God. That's like Wile E. Coyote." – Ed Helms [20:55]
He identifies common patterns in snafus, including groupthink, lack of diversity in decision-making, and the overpowering influence of fear as a motivator leading to poor judgments.
8. Strategies for Bouncing Back from Failure
Timestamp: [30:38] – [33:32]
When addressing how to handle personal setbacks, Ed emphasizes the significance of cultivating the right environment and support system. He introduces his unique habit of recording video pep talks for himself, which serve as a form of self-distancing, allowing him to receive encouragement from an objective perspective.
Notable Quote:
"I'm right there. And I can literally check it. In those times." – Ed Helms [32:04]
Ed explains that these recordings help him reaffirm his place and purpose, especially after public failures, by providing a tangible reminder of self-worth and resilience.
9. Fostering a Supportive Culture Around Failure
Timestamp: [30:23] – [31:18]
Ed advises listeners to focus not just on their own responses to failure but also on how they support others in their community when faced with setbacks. Creating a culture where failures are seen as learning opportunities rather than catastrophes can mitigate the fear associated with taking risks.
Notable Quote:
"The right people failure just won't feel so catastrophic." – Ed Helms [31:11]
10. Concluding Thoughts and Personal Reflections
Timestamp: [33:37] – [34:04]
As the conversation winds down, Ed reflects on the importance of being affectionate and supportive toward oneself. He humorously acknowledges his limitations in acting out his own pep talks but underscores the value of self-encouragement in overcoming failures.
Notable Quote:
"Just be affectionate to yourself." – Ed Helms [33:37]
Key Takeaways
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Embrace Failure as Learning: Failure is an integral part of growth, especially in fields that demand creativity and resilience like comedy and acting.
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Supportive Communities Matter: Surrounding oneself with like-minded, supportive individuals can provide the necessary encouragement to persevere through setbacks.
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Self-Encouragement Techniques: Innovative methods like recording pep talks can aid in maintaining self-belief during challenging times.
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Cultural Attitudes Towards Failure: Creating environments that view failure as a stepping stone rather than a setback can foster innovation and personal development.
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Mindfulness vs. Flow: Understanding the difference between being mindful and being in flow can help individuals appreciate and maximize their experiences.
Final Thoughts
Ed Helms’ candid discussion on handling failure offers valuable insights into building resilience and fostering supportive environments. His unique perspectives, drawn from personal experiences in the competitive realms of comedy and television, provide actionable strategies for anyone looking to grow through their own setbacks.
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- Instagram: @adamgrant
- LinkedIn: @adammgrant
Produced in partnership with Transmitter Media.