Mike Birbiglia's Working It Out

The Working It Out Creativity Supercut

This week Mike presents a selection of some of the best bits of advice about creativity from some of his favorite episodes. Featuring: Lin-Manuel Miranda Jenny Slate KC

222. Joe List: How to Survive a Comedy Panic Attack

This week Mike welcomes to the podcast comedian, and fellow Massachusetts native, Joe List. Joe talks about what it’s like to be married to and raise a chid with another

Michael Che: An Amateur Therapy Session

(Recorded December 2025) Mike started this podcast so that one day Michael Che would come on. Today is that day. In this all-timer episode, Mike and Che work out tons of

221. Ron Funches: Say What You Want

This week Ron Funches joins Mike on the podcast for a wide-ranging conversation about finding your comedic voice vs. faking it, Ron’s recent autism diagnosis, and Ron’s s

Chloe Troast and Mike Answer Your Questions About Improv and Sketch

This week, the hilarious Chloe Troast joins Mike to answer listener-submitted questions. The two discuss what to do when an improv scene goes off the rails, Chloe’s relat

220. Jo Firestone Returns: You Better Marry My 40-Year-Old Daughter

Working It Out favorite Jo Firestone returns for a triumphant fourth appearance, this time pregnant and rocking a Phantom of the Opera Toronto production t-shirt. Jo talk

John Mulaney: He's Funny and Here's Why

(Recorded January 2026) For the 200th episode of Working It Out, Mike sits down with one of his oldest friends and one of the podcast’s first ever guests, John Mulaney. T

219. Michelle Buteau: From TV News to Her Own TV Series

Michelle Buteau was a local TV news editor in New York until she tried stand-up for the first time, only days after 9/11. Since then she’s become an international touring

218. Jane Wickline and Liva Pierce Return: Comedy Duo Therapy

This week, SNL’s Jane Wickline and comedian Liva Pierce return to Working It Out to discuss the Off-Broadway debut of their two person musical comedy show, Dukes. Mike gr

Fred Armisen: Is He Joking?

(Recorded August 2025) Having recently toured together with John Mulaney, Mike and Fred sit down for his first in-studio appearance on Working it Out. They discuss Fred’s

217. Aaron Chen: High Quality Jokes from a Low Capacity Kind of Guy

Comedian Aaron Chen may be known internationally for his role on the hit Australian TV series Fisk, but he’s been a working stand-up since the age of 15. In fact, he migh

Jon Rudnitsky and Mike Answer Your Questions About Failure and Jokes

This week, the very funny Jon Rudnitsky joins Mike to answer listener submitted questions. The two of them discuss how long it was before they started earning money from

216. Wanda Sykes: Mike's Dream Guest

Wanda Sykes is one of Mike’s original dream guests for the podcast. Now, on the heels of her new Netflix special, Legacy, Wanda talks with Mike about how they both starte

215. Phil Lord and Chris Miller: These 2 Dorks Made Every Movie You Love

Filmmakers Phil Lord and Chris Miller’s resume is a laundry list of hits: Project Hail Mary, The Lego Movie, 21 Jump Street, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, and more.

214. Robby Hoffman: It's a New Dawn

This week Mike and Robby Hoffman sit down for their first in-depth conversation like, as Robby puts it, two cats cautiously getting to know each other. Mike and Robby wor

Jenny Slate: Unafraid of Sadness

(Recorded October 2025) The great Jenny Slate joins Mike this week for a wide-ranging conversation about getting hypnotized after being fired from SNL, a graduation speec

213. Jack Antonoff Returns: Music’s Biggest Producer Records Mike’s Pizza Song

Ahead of the release of his new album “Everyone For Ten Minutes,” Jack returns to Working It Out. Mike and Jack break open why Jack has never listened to Mike’s podcast,

212. Pete Holmes Returns: Selling Crepes at a Junkyard

This week, Pete joins the pod to talk about his new special “Silly Silly Fun Boy,” work out more jokes, and of course roast Mike a lot more. The two discuss the concept o

211. Nish Kumar Returns: Dinosaurs Before the Meteor

British comedian Nish Kumar returns to the podcast to discuss the humbling nature of stand-up comedy, lessons learned from the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and more. Nish e

210. Ramy Youssef Returns: He Lit Up The Pyramids

In the wake of the release of his new special “Ramy Youssef: In Love,” Mike welcomes Ramy Youssef back for his third appearance on the podcast. The two discuss why Ramy c