Advice for New-ish Comedians with Gary Simons and Listener Questions | Working It Out Podcast
Mike welcomes back comedian Gary Simons, who, since his last appearance on the podcast, opened for Mike on his latest tour, had a few of his stand-up bits go viral, and has been performing at the Comedy Cellar. Now, Mike and Gary answer listener questions from people who have taken the leap into stand-up comedy and are looking for advice about how to continue. They discuss open mics, bombing, pre-show mantras, and more.
Listen and subscribe to the Working It Out here:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast…
Find Mike:
Website: https://birbigs.com/
Instagram: https://instagram.com/birbigs/
Facebook: https://facebook.com/birbigfans
TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@mikebirbiglia
Find Gary Simons:
Website: https://www.garyksimons.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/garyfromconnecticut/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gary.simons.10420
Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@garyfromct
Hosted and Produced by Mike Birbiglia
Producers: Peter Salomone and Joseph Birbiglia
Associate Producer: Mabel Lewis
Consulting Producer: Seth Barrish
Associate Producer: Gary Simons
Video Consultant: Graham Willoughby
Special Thanks: Marissa Hurwitz, Josh Upfal, David Raphael, Nina Cwik, J. Hope Stein, Oona
Music: Jack Antonoff and Bleachers
@homeschoolmamaself-care
August 29, 2025 at 5:59 am
Mike! I absolutely love your mantra—that is so inspired. You are a brilliant storyteller.
@ilarriu
August 29, 2025 at 5:59 am
Can't wait to see the new special! Wish I knew about the question and answer show.
@user-tc1fw5ms5s
August 29, 2025 at 5:59 am
Love listening to Mike's comedy takes!
@modern_bards_comedy
August 29, 2025 at 5:59 am
Ah, advice from Gary Simons? I didn’t know there were official guidelines on how to torture an audience! But really, if opening for Mike isn’t a lesson in bravery, I don’t know what is.
@matguy1000
August 29, 2025 at 5:59 am
with the pharmacy joke you could end it with by revealing what kind of medicine you were calling about. like a medication for anxiety or bipolar disorder. you and the listener are being slung back and fourth emotionally during the story. anxiety, trauma, altruism, panic, duty, parenting, embarrassment, confusion. all this stuff makes the horror of actually using a phone to make a phone call relatable.
@palmer5555
August 29, 2025 at 5:59 am
Resiliency- that’s what you both built up in those early days of open mics. Take it or leave it. Learn & move on to the next open mic stronger. I imagine that’s easier said than done. But I bet many aspiring comics quit at that moment thinking they didn’t have the talent. You both kept going. And we’re so blessed you did.
@FrostyAustey
August 29, 2025 at 5:59 am
17:50 I’m the comic who’s working on the suitcase down the escalator. The old lady is okay. The joke still needs to be worked out! Thank you for answering my question!
@WardWyatt
August 29, 2025 at 5:59 am
Love a mystical mantra!
@sachiperez
August 29, 2025 at 5:59 am
suitcase on escalator: i was so scared, i knew she wasn't going to be able to keep my suitcase from falling all the way down!
@JoanneWhitlock
August 29, 2025 at 5:59 am
I loved this so much, thank you. Saved to favourites! ❤
@OreoDave
August 29, 2025 at 5:59 am
💜💜💜
@therobbs5
August 29, 2025 at 5:59 am
Love this! As a new comedian, it’s lways helpful to hear how pros think through their jokes
@mikeisms
August 29, 2025 at 5:59 am
I'm delighted to be able to see this within an hour of it being posted. Thank you, dad!
Edit: Impressed by how Gary keeps things moving so well!
Edit edit: 1/8th, at most – brilliant.
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