Mike Birbiglia | The Blocks Podcast w/ Neal Brennan | FULL EPISODE 31
Neal Brennan interviews Mike Birbiglia (The Old Man & The Pool, Don’t Think Twice, Sleepwalk with Me + more) about the things that make him feel lonely, isolated, and like something’s wrong – and how he is persevering despite these blocks.
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00:00 Intro
10:20 Control
25:30 Yelling
39:55 Physical Strength
43:05 Vegetables
48:54 Fear of Mediocrity
58:48 Letting People Down
1:04:48 Onstage vs. Off stage
1:13:55 Movie Question
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https://nealbrennan.com for tickets to Neal’s tour Brand New Neal
Watch Neal Brennan: Blocks on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/title/81036234
Theme music by Electric Guest (unreleased).
Edited by Will Hagle
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Sponsors:
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@jordanwood183
February 21, 2026 at 9:15 pm
Nice podcast. I only wish the shirts 👕 they are wearing could be more similar.
@bencrichton1646
February 21, 2026 at 9:15 pm
Two things:
1. What is the outro song?
2. I've carved a handful of turkeys. Never knew/know what I'm doing. The good thing is, no one around knows how to do it either, so they are none the wiser. Just act like you know what you're doing and it will work out. And then you'll forget how to do it next year.
@kmcg6444
February 21, 2026 at 9:15 pm
I'm with Neal. Sets me OFF when we carefully planned something, agreed to the how-why-wherefore and now it's not happening. Pressure cooker.
@eriksoderberg4828
February 21, 2026 at 9:15 pm
Thanx Neal & co.
@Greenmanjim
February 21, 2026 at 9:15 pm
Neil Brennan needs to carve a turkey one day
@MikeBeeTV
February 21, 2026 at 9:15 pm
Neal sounds so much like Seth Meyers I thought this was an interview with Seth and it had just been mislabeled then I saw it was Neal… and I was just as pleased to hear one of my favorite writers talk. Even if he did steal Seth's voice. Neal is a comic writing genius.
@meganjohnson9540
February 21, 2026 at 9:15 pm
Super yeah, you guys! I used to cater weddings…I would way rather hunt down the father of the bride for money than cut the cake. I’ll follow that dude out to his car.
@gregoryrenfroe3537
February 21, 2026 at 9:15 pm
Thank you Mike for the complete sentences.
@longdistancetravellermusic2185
February 21, 2026 at 9:15 pm
One of the best pod casts channels about the mental nuts and bolts of comedians, with Neil, called Blocks… on the entire interweb….
@CatherineJohnson-n7o
February 21, 2026 at 9:15 pm
I hope the guest listens to this some time and hears how frequently he says "like"
@ScootNewOrleans
February 21, 2026 at 9:15 pm
I guess I am one of those nerds that like the stand-up comedy specials on Netflix. I never watch the smash boom movies.
@TheBookofBeasts
February 21, 2026 at 9:15 pm
55:16 😂😂😂 favorite moment
@Amy-kr4tc
February 21, 2026 at 9:15 pm
“Plan for the worst; hope for
The best.” I think my brain was maybe meant for comedy!😂
@dollychops
February 21, 2026 at 9:15 pm
A really endearing interview. Corny to say but some real vulnerability's expressed on this ep. Just some real shit.
@russellharvey7096
February 21, 2026 at 9:15 pm
Two guys in light-blue, short-sleeve, button-down shirts. What are the chances?
@impossiblevisits
February 21, 2026 at 9:15 pm
Shouldn't have said the blurriness never improves.
@Chelsea-e2c
February 21, 2026 at 9:15 pm
Have you noticed Neal's chair is more comfortable than the guest? Why?
@jkick24
February 21, 2026 at 9:15 pm
Supporting Neal
@tammyburke9453
February 21, 2026 at 9:15 pm
Hey Mike, I watch your specials way more than once!!!! Your stories are amazing! I lol just thinking about them. And yes, I rewatch broadcast news…..'whattya do when your real life exceeds all your dreams? Keep it to yourself! OMG, the lines! and Mother…yeah Mike, ur work is timeless!
@PaulaBIrish
February 21, 2026 at 9:15 pm
LOVE this Podcast So Fucking Much!!! Always interesting and I learn something useful Every Time! Ordered the PAVLOK…Thanks Neal!
@KristinLove333
February 21, 2026 at 9:15 pm
‘But I Didn’t Kill Him’ – Title of the Rocky rewrite. Should be. 😬
@dylancroft2423
February 21, 2026 at 9:15 pm
The last block of "bad at accepting compliments" was only one of the times I laughed out loud at this great interview.
@sawa1067
February 21, 2026 at 9:15 pm
regenerative agriculture and wild animals replenish the nutrients back into the soil. every animal can give the best life while its alive. bad practices make animal agriculture bad but good animal agriculture is best i can be within the confines of nature.
@sawa1067
February 21, 2026 at 9:15 pm
the truth is no human body can tolerate grain, seed oils, sugar. they are slow poisons.
@bertalewis
February 21, 2026 at 9:15 pm
I think the youngest kid feels pressure to not let people down because they are constantly compared to their older more capable siblings. It's hard to remember that we are not having the first child relationship with all our subsequent children.
@serenityacheron
February 21, 2026 at 9:15 pm
I knew this would be an excellent conversation. Also, as an autistic myself, y'all seem pretty autistic… those evaluations aren"t black and white, not always accurate or a good representation of every autistic individual. But, I"m not a doctor and I don't know you personally, so, whatever. Y'all are doing fine and may or may not need/want that label. Not every autistic person does. Autistic or not, love your comedy and your podcasts, they are comedic therapy for me in difficult times. Peace
@beweslee
February 21, 2026 at 9:15 pm
Love this. Somehow Jews like me are like Catholics. My Dad always said “ What’s the worst that could happen” AND “Are you having fun?” I still don’t get the fun part. Doing standup is my fun.
@user-tc1fw5ms5s
February 21, 2026 at 9:15 pm
53:55 that advice is what I am currently trying out/making my way over to. Nice to hear its working for Mike, who I admire immensely
@TECHNICHEZ
February 21, 2026 at 9:15 pm
It's good to know that Chris hasn't forgotten what made me a fan of his. I follow Chris and Yannis to this day because of History Hyenas even though I mostly understand that they have moved on to bigger and gayer things and won't be better going forward.
@GreenAventurineTarot
February 21, 2026 at 9:15 pm
Love Mike!!!!! Thanks for the great interview!!!!
@johnsilhacek2603
February 21, 2026 at 9:15 pm
Neal is literally healing the world and whomever decides to click on these videos. National treasure.
@jessicapierce3845
February 21, 2026 at 9:15 pm
I am grateful for this podcast. PS Watcher of Broadcast News
@Anona_Meows
February 21, 2026 at 9:15 pm
Earthlings gave me nightmares, it's very hard to watch.
@jackieedmondson8422
February 21, 2026 at 9:15 pm
Omg! I thought paul rudd should also pick play him! They both have a twinkle in their eye with a dead pan comment.😂
@andreaumfress3584
February 21, 2026 at 9:15 pm
I freaking love these guys!!!
@baxtronx5972
February 21, 2026 at 9:15 pm
Wait, who's podcast is this?
@PaintMyDadNaked
February 21, 2026 at 9:15 pm
Mind blown
@audreymuzingo933
February 21, 2026 at 9:15 pm
Dude how does an Italian not handle yelling??
@audreymuzingo933
February 21, 2026 at 9:15 pm
NGL I need to see these two in the same room because I kinda get them mixed up in my head sometimes. I mean their personalities are quite different but they totally occupy the top 2 positions for 'dude comedians who make talking about feelings cool.'
@mskatefish
February 21, 2026 at 9:15 pm
I still love Eddie Murphys special
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