Chicago improv performer and teacher Liz Allen taught a workshop for Mike?s college improv group almost 25 years ago. Since then, Mike and Liz have found numerous ways to reunite and collaborate, most notably on Mike?s film Don?t Think Twice. Now Mike sits down for an in-depth chat with one of his favorite improvisers about the unique roots of Chicago improv, Liz?s (in)famous teacher Del Close, and the one-in-a-million coincidence that connected Liz and Gillian Jacobs.

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Check out https://www.lizallenimprov.com for more info about improv coaching by Liz

On the heels of the release of his new special ?Just For Us? on Max, Alex Edelman returns to the podcast for the fourth and best time yet. Mike and Alex break apart the story of the time Alex?s bank lost all his money, how a protestor recently disrupted his show, and what it feels like to be releasing his special after the death of his beloved director, Adam Brace. Plus, Alex?s recent and very strange run-in with Bill Gates.

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Mike sits down with comedian, actor, and writer Esther Povitsky to discuss her special Hot For My Name. Mike has a lot of questions about the time Esther crashed her fiancée's bachelor party in Vegas. Plus, Esther figures out Mike?s attachment style, and they discuss the differences between the LA and New York comedy scenes. All this, and jokes about adults dressed as babies, watching OnlyFans with your partner, and being outed as a comedian on the subway.

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Mike sits down with the legendary comedian and writer Seth Meyers for a conversation that reveals who is secretly the funniest of the funniest at SNL behind-the-scenes and who was the most popular Strike Force Five host. Then, Mike and Seth work out new material about serial killers, the D.A.R.E. program, and dropping acid in Amsterdam. Plus: who will take over for Lorne Michaels after he leaves SNL?

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Mike became an instant super-fan of Ilana Glazer in 2014 when her hit series Broad City premiered on Comedy Central. This week on the podcast Mike and Ilana go deep on the origins of Broad City, Mike?s cameo on the show, honest takes on parenting, the development of Ilana?s new hour of stand-up comedy, and how *Broad City* Ilana is different from *real life* Ilana. Plus, jokes and stories about weed-induced anxiety and saying hello to strangers.

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This week Mike responds to listener questions. How many of your stories are true?  Who is your dream guest? What is your greatest piece of comedy advice? All these and more.

This week Mike welcomes Comedy Cellar friend and comedy star Chris Distefano. Chris?s shares important lessons in failure: how a bad set got him booked on Letterman, and the advice his wife gave him about not listening to studio executives. Mike and Chris also dissect Chris?s famous 9/11 story, and why Chris? ?worst gig? story involves an actual knife at his throat.

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Mike welcomes Ben Marshall, John Higgins, and Martin Herlihy, aka Please Don?t Destroy, known for their wildly popular shorts on SNL. Mike is determined to get Martin to talk more than he did on Pete Holmes?s podcast. The group shares what they like and dislike about each other, and break down what it?s like to be both sketch writers and filmmakers on SNL. Plus, what it?s like to work with Bad Bunny in a Shrek costume and get roasted by Taylor Swift.

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Jim Gaffigan: Dark Comedy From the Cleanest Comedian

(Recorded July 2023) Mike met Jim Gaffigan in 1997 when he cold-called Jim?s New York City landline. Jim appeared as a guest on Working It Out in 2021 and now, between touring with Jerry Seinfeld, releasing his 10th comedy special ?Dark Pale,? and raising money for the Georgetown Scholars Program, Jim sits down with Mike in-studio for his second Working It Out chat. The old friends go deeper as they work out material and discuss how Jim actually *doesn?t* like hot pockets, what item of clothing comedians should never wear, and why being married to a comedian is like having a roommate who is a conspiracy theorist.

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Roy Wood Jr makes a triumphant return to the podcast and he and Mike pick up right where they left off. The two old friends discuss the evolution of unconnected jokes into a more cohesive whole hour of stand-up. They discuss why Mike, Neal Brennan, and Chris Rock are all pressuring Roy to go even deeper with his new material about his dad. Mike and Roy break down the best bits from Roy?s new special Imperfect Messenger, and Roy shares two all-timer stories in the slow round. Plus, Roy gets candid on exactly why he may or may not be hosting The Daily Show.

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Maddie Wiener started performing stand-up at age 16. Now, at age 25, she headlines clubs, is a fixture at the Comedy Cellar, and  she was recently a special guest on Mike?s shows at The Wilbur in Boston. Now Maddie and Mike sit down for a chat about the relationship between anxiety and comedy, and Mike helps Maddie develop a story about a panic attack. Plus, the wisdom Maddie learned from Nikki Glaser, and why ?Hey, can we talk?? is the scariest text you can get.

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Ronny Chieng, one of the earliest and most popular Working It Out guests, makes a triumphant return. Ronny and Mike discuss the significance of Ronny?s chic onstage wardrobe, the similarities between practicing law and performing comedy, and whether or not it was Ronny who planted the Hasan Minhaj New Yorker story after all. Plus, why Ronny absolutely refuses to reveal his actual birthday.

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Rosebud Baker?s first appearance on Working It Out was in 2021. Since then she?s become a writer on SNL, written for That Damn Michael Che, and become a parent. Now Rosebud returns to talk with Mike about how being a parent affects comedy, and they dispel certain attitudes about filming a comedy special while pregnant. Plus, the art of pitching ideas for different types of sketch shows, and why Rosebud?s daughter has to call her grandfather ?Mr. Baker.?

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John Early, recently nominated for an Emmy and a Critics Choice Award, sits down with Mike for the first time since the two of them appeared as brothers in Taylor Swift?s, ?Anti-Hero? music video. The two discuss avant-garde comedy, Brittany Spears impressions, and what it means to express earnest despair in John?s new Max special, ?Now More Than Ever.? Plus, the time John ran away after coming out to his best friend.

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We?ve created an episode for all of you making long car trips or taking long jogs or stretching out on your long beloved couch. It?s our best moments of 2023 episode! It includes Ray Romano?s take on marriage, a joke from Ramy Youssef?s funniest uncle, Rachel Feinstein?s pitch perfect impression of her husband, and deep confessional moments about Mike?s friendships with Tom Papa and Gary Gulman. Plus, Ira Glass?s diagnosis to not just work out Mike?s jokes but to work out Mike?s life.

Working It Out will be back on January 1. This week, we?re sharing an episode of The Sarah Silverman Podcast, from our friends at Lemonada Media. 

Sarah hates men?s cologne and wants you to STOP. IT.  Plus, she offers advice on setting ground rules for a threesome, reacts to a child who?s obsessed with her hooky-ass song, ?Night Bra,? and recounts a special moment on stage with her sister, Laura.

To hear more of Sarah?s show, head to 

https://lemonada.lnk.to/sarahsilverman

Mike welcomes back to the podcast comedian Beth Stelling, whose Netflix special If You Didn?t Want Me Then is on seemingly everyone?s best of year lists, including Mike?s. Mike and Beth discuss touring together, Beth?s desire to be authentic on stage, and Beth?s dad feeding raccoons out of a trough. Plus, they explore the parallels between stand-up comedy and Beth?s new venture: professional field hockey.

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Jimmy Carr is one of the most successful comedians in the entire world. On the heels of playing Carnegie Hall and heading out to hundreds of concert dates across many continents, Jimmy Carr returns for another episode of Working it Out. Jimmy and Mike discuss the benefits and pitfalls of dark humor, what Jimmy discovered from several public cancellations, and why sometimes the goal is simply to get better than you were last year. Plus, what ever happened to ordering just a slice of pizza?

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Mike welcomes back three-peat guest Joe Birbiglia to celebrate the premiere of Mike?s new Netflix comedy special The Old Man and the Pool. Mike and Joe discuss the four year development of the show, share memories about the Worcester, Massachusetts YMCA pool, and share the funniest jokes that didn?t make it into the special. *Should* they have made it into the special? Joe thinks so. You be the judge. Plus, Mike answers listeners? questions about the special.

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Mike?s new special, ?The Old Man & The Pool? is finally on Netflix and he brings on an all-timer to celebrate. Pete Holmes returns for a third Working it Out, and he and Mike roast each other as hard as only old friends can. Mike and Pete discuss Pete?s new Netflix special ?I Am Not For Everyone,? the problem with Micheal Jackson?s nickname ?Wacko Jacko,? and what secrets Pete has in store for his next hour of comedy. Plus, Pete literally won?t stop doing impressions: Bill Burr, Jerry Seinfeld, John Mulaney, and of course, Mike.

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Jo Firestone joins Mike for her second appearance on Working it Out. In addition to just being named the head writer of the newest late night show on network TV, Jo just published a comedic murder mystery called ?Murder on Sex Island? and proclaims she is *nothing* like the book?s protagonist even though the similarities are striking. Jo also explains why there?s so much dust in her purse, and posits that the scariest part of haunted houses aren?t actually the jump scares, but rather the promise of nudity.

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On the heels of the release of his new special ?Domestic Shorthair,? Todd Barry sits down with Mike this week for a conversation about his 35 years in comedy. The two talk about whether or not Todd invented crowd work, if Bill Burr was right when he said Mike was ?doing? Todd when Mike was first starting out, and why Todd can never do another prom show. Plus, Todd reveals the problem he has with Mike?s cat, Mr. Moustache.

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Ramy Youssef was one of the first and most popular guests on Working It Out back in 2020, and now he?s back with updates to some of the same very material he worked out the first time around. Mike and Ramy discuss which Death Cab For Cutie songs make Ramy cry, unfriendly encounters in Jacksonville, the perils of public restroom keys, and Ramy?s not-so-secret ?secret marriage.? All that and why Ramy wants Mike?s next special to be called ?The Arab Dad.?

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25 years ago, Mike won Georgetown University?s funniest person on campus contest. This week's guest Gary Simons won it three years ago. Now, Gary has been opening for Mike?s new tour and has a lot of questions: How do I get an agent? How do I go from doing 5 minutes to doing an hour? Any relationship advice for comedians in love? Plus, Pete Holmes calls in and offers his own advice.

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Comedian Greg Warren is one of Mike?s oldest friends in comedy. Greg and Mike often work out jokes on the phone but today they bring their collaborative friendship to the podcast for an hour-long discussion on setups, punchlines, and what makes a good partner to work out jokes with. All that plus Greg discusses his new special ?The Salesman? directed by Nate Bargatze and Greg recalls the story of when he introduced Mike to his new wife Jenny and somehow got written out of the story.

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Mike and Gary Gulman have been friends for a long time, but what kind of friends? Real friends or just work friends? Gary returns to the podcast and he and Mike evaluate the true level of their friendship. Plus they discuss vulnerability in comedy, unhappiness vs. depression, and the advice that Gary got from Larry David.

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Comedian Nimesh Patel joins Mike this week for a joke-filled conversation about how to find your comedic voice, how to turn your saddest stories into standup, and whether or not Buddhism and comedy can peacefully co-exist. Plus, Nimesh goes deep on the infamous time he was yanked off stage at Columbia University for making what he didn?t think was a very controversial joke. 

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Hasan Minhaj was one of the first guests on Working It Out back in 2020 and it remains one of the most popular episodes because of Hasan?s natural inclination to work out bits. Off-air Mike and Hasan often trade notes and ideas and today it spills into the podcast. Hasan compares comedy craft to Steph Curry?s approach to basketball, explains what it?s like to interview Barack Obama, and confesses to the guilty pleasure of watching couples argue in public. Plus, is Hasan going to host The Daily Show?

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Joe ?Joey Bag O? Donuts? Birbiglia returns to the podcast. Last time, Mike and Joe broke down what it?s like to work together as brothers. Now, in honor of Mike?s upcoming Christmas shows in Boston, they share their favorite Christmas and Boston memories?from the time Joe broke the news about Santa to Mike to their time as busboys in high school when Joe came up with the idea for The Busboy Olympics?. Plus, America?s Guest breaks the news to Mike that they?re going skiing in March while Mike does shows in Colorado.  

Please consider donating to: https://www.gbfb.org/

Mike lost his mind laughing at Kate Berlant?s new comedy special ?Cinnamon in the Wind.?  So he dropped her a line and asked her to discuss it on the podcast. Mike and Kate discuss working with director Bo Burnham, the looseness of the special, and how the special almost didn?t come out. They discuss Kate?s solo show ?Kate? which was an off-Broadway sensation and is now heading to London at the exact same time that Mike brings ?The Old Man & The Pool." They talk about Kate?s comedy special with John Early called ?Would It Kill You To Laugh?? that was just nominated for an Emmy. They discuss how Kate has always been suspicious of ?cool? people but now- between her three hit shows and appearing in movies by Quentin Tarantino and Boots Riley- she may have become one of them.

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Mike met Jim Gaffigan in 1997 when he cold-called Jim?s New York City landline. Jim appeared as a guest on Working It Out in 2021 and now, between touring with Jerry Seinfeld, releasing his 10th comedy special ?Dark Pale,? and raising money for the Georgetown Scholars Program, Jim sits down with Mike in-studio for his second Working It Out chat. The old friends go deeper as they work out material and discuss how Jim actually *doesn?t* like hot pockets, what item of clothing comedians should never wear, and why being married to a comedian is like having a roommate who is a conspiracy theorist. 

Please consider donating to The Georgetown Scholars Program: https://gsp.georgetown.edu/

British comedy sensation Liz Kingsman has brought her acclaimed show ?One Woman Show? from London?s West End to New York City, just as Mike is preparing to bring ?The Old Man and the Pool? to the West End. Mike and Liz discuss parody vs. earnestness in comedy, why cotton candy is sometimes called fairy floss, and how Liz manages to be funny despite her perfect Australian childhood.

Please consider donating to the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust: https://www.wwt.org.uk/

Each week on Funny Cuz It?s True, Elyse Meyers sits down with her favorite creators, friends and comedians to find the stories that have stuck with them and changed their lives in small ways.

Mike Birbiglia?s stories about his life are the epitome of ?funny ?cuz they?re true.? He joins Elyse to talk about his new Broadway show ?The Old Man and The Pool,? and how he makes a show about death and mortality funny. Mike gets into his creative process around joke writing, like how he got underneath the meaning behind a joke about his car accident and a drunk driver, and also tells Elyse why he thinks performing comedy is like stripping.

To hear more of Funny Cuz It?s True, head to https://link.chtbl.com/funnycuzitstruewithelysemyers

Mike welcomes comedian, author, and podcast host Tom Papa. The two old friends get candid about a bump in their relationship and how they reconciled. They also share advice about the best ways to tell stories about real people in your life, and when profanity is and isn?t necessary. Plus, jokes and stories about Colin Quinn, loud Italians, and writing comedy books.

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Elyse Myers has exploded into long form storytelling from a short form platform: TikTok. She tells funny and personal stories to millions of people on TikTok and Instagram and on her podcast ?Funny Cuz it?s True? but doesn?t really tell stories on stage. That?s Mike?s focus today. He tries to convince Elyse to make a guest appearance on one of his new material shows and it seems like she *might* take him on it. Plus, discussions about balancing work and family, the time young Elyse used a penny to fake a fever, and why sometimes elevating something from good to great can ruin something good.

Please consider donating to the National Birth Equity Collaborative (NBEC)

Ira Glass was the first guest on Working It Out back in June 2020, and now he?s back for the 100th episode. The two friends and collaborators discuss Ira?s most famous pieces of advice for creatives, and Ira attempts to ?work out? Mike?s life. Plus, a final version of Mike?s ?cancer story,? which he has been working on, with Ira?s feedback, since episode 1.

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Mike?s creative collaborator and director Seth Barrish returns for a special episode of Working It Out announcing the UK premiere of ?The Old Man and the Pool? at the Wyndham?s Theatre in London as well as the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in August. Mike and Seth share their excitement about bringing the show across the pond, and Mike expands on his New York Times piece ?6 Tips For Bringing Your Solo Show to Broadway,? using it as a jumping off point for a discussion about creativity, writing, and performing. Plus, jokes and stories about New York City overheards, and the time Mike performed a show for 2 audience members.

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When Mike became obsessed with the series ?The Last of Us? on HBO he had questions. And he went straight to the source. This week Mike welcomes the writer/producer/director Craig Mazin, who co-created the" The Last of Us," starring Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey. Spoiler alert. If you haven?t seen "The Last of Us," be warned, there are spoilers in this discussion. There?s also a lot of advice and insight about screenwriting and storytelling. Craig is a screenwriting sage? in addition to co-creating "The Last of Us" and "Chernobyl"? he also hosts the podcast ScriptNotes with fellow screenwriter John August, which is Mike?s favorite podcast about screenwriting. Also, if you?re interested in supporting screenwriters, now is the time. Please support the Writers Guild of America. For more information on the writers strike, visit https://www.wgacontract2023.org/strike-hub.

Also, please consider donating to Be The Match

Ray Romano has an iconic sitcom and a celebrated stand-up career under his belt, so what drives him to keep challenging himself artistically? Mike and Ray, who often follow each other at the Comedy Cellar, ponder the complicated answer to that question. Plus, discussion of comedy craft, joke-writing technique, and the two separate times Ray was held up at gunpoint.

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Mike and Bert Kresicher have known each other a little bit for a long time. Now they sit down for an in-depth chat about how to develop a story for standup, why Florida is so strange, and why Bert decided to change the course of his comedy career. Plus, they discuss their shared love for legendary comedic storyteller David Sedaris.

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Comedian Alex Edelman returns to the podcast for a victorious third visit, as his award-winning solo show Just For Us heads to Broadway. Mike and Alex defend the merits of kids jokes as well as vaudeville-style wordplay. Plus, a heated debate about the Boston accent which stems from a simple question: How do pronounce the word ?room??

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Nick Kroll and Mike met in college and started doing improv and sketch comedy together. Since then, Nick has become a comedy superstar, from his Comedy Central series Kroll Show, to Oh, Hello, to the animated series Big Mouth and Human Resources, to roles in films like Don?t Worry Darling and the Hulu series History of the World Part II. Now the old friends sit down for a candid conversation about Nick?s new projects, memories from their college improv days, and how comedy benefits from silliness. Plus, Nick shares a gem of a story about F. Murray Abraham from his and John Mulaney?s legendary Oh, Hello Broadway run.

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Mike and Jorma Taccone are old friends and former next door neighbors. Jorma also just so happens to be an acclaimed screenwriter, director, actor, and member of the legendary comedy team ?The Lonely Island? with Andy Samberg and Akiva Schaffer. The Lonely Island made the Saturday Night Live classic digital shorts D*ck in a Box, Natalie Portman?s rap, Laser Cats, and literally a hundred others. One time Jorma even made Mike wear a wig to play a TMZ-type reporter in his film ?Popstar." Jorma goes deep on the scrappy, DIY nature of the early Lonely Island SNL short films and how sometimes it?s better to show someone your absurd idea than to explain it to them.

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Comedian Rachel Feinstein is a comic?s comic? the type of original comic who cracks up other comics. In this episode it definitely works. Rachel breaks Mike as she tells stories about her almost-too-supportive parents to her almost-too-unsupportive firefighter husband. Plus, jokes about marrying up vs. marrying down, pushy in-laws, and what to do when your husband?s romantic gifts are mostly from Costco. 

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In an age when many comedians talk about being cancelled, Vir Das was actually very nearly cancelled in a real way. When his YouTube monologue "Two Indias" went viral, a criminal complaint was filed against him in his home country of India. Vir talks to Mike about that experience and how he was able to turn the pain from the experience into the comedy in his recent Netflix special. They also discuss Vir?s journey from Bollywood star to international stand-up sensation, and why it?s important for a comedian to give the audience all they?ve got.

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Many people worry about getting hit by a bus. Last year, comedian Ryan Hamilton did get hit by a bus. Ryan talks to Mike about the shocking experience, his long recovery, and Ryan?s process of talking about the accident on stage. The Idaho native and BYU alum also talks about doing stand-up in Idaho and Utah, and how to be a "clean? comic without the audience even realizing it. In anticipation of Mike?s own trip to Salt Lake City, Mike also recalls a story of when people in Utah thought he was a ?dirty? comedian, and the time he got caught lying in Boise.

Please consider donating to the Scott Hamilton Cares Foundation

For Mike, filmmaker Marc Forster is a rare example of making a new friend as an adult. Mike and Marc met on the new film A Man Called Otto starring Tom Hanks, in which Mike plays the antagonist. Since then, they?ve become good friends. Now Marc sits down with Mike to discuss his journey from Germany to Switzerland to NYU film school. Marc explains how he built a filmography so varied that it includes the zombie apocalypse blockbuster World War Z as well as the Winnie the Pooh story Christopher Robin. Plus, Marc?s advice to aspiring filmmakers, why his family calls each other ?shnufi," and why the buddy system is important in creative pursuits.

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Mike and Chris Redd first met when they appeared in the movie Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping. Since then they?ve become friends in the world of stand-up comedy. Today they break down how to express ADHD, depression, and anxiety through comedy and how Chris arrived at the material for his new HBO special ?Why Am I Like This?? Chris and Mike also discuss the relationship between hip-hop and comedy, the mechanics of crowd work, and why there?s a playlist for everything.

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Mike welcomes to the podcast his longtime creative collaborator, the director and actor Seth Barrish. Seth directed all five of Mike?s solo shows but that?s just one part of his varied career. Seth discusses his early days as a pianist at The Comedy Store, working with actors like Anne Hathaway, and what it?s like being a ?that guy!? actor himself, including two different roles on two different seasons of The Sopranos. Seth and Mike go deep on acting process, how to deal with rage-aholics, and Seth?s near-death experience in Africa.

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When Atsuko Okatsuka first appeared on Working It Out in 2021, she and Mike were both still developing their new shows. Now Mike?s The Old Man and the Pool is on Broadway and Atsuko?s The Intruder is an HBO comedy special. So Atsuko returns for a third chat with Mike to discuss the development of those shows. Plus jokes and stories about food conspiracies, making friends as an adult, and how to stop an awkward conversation.

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