Neal Brennan interviews Stephen Merchant (‘The Office,’ ‘Extras,’ ‘An Idiot Abroad,’ ‘Life’s Too Short,’ ‘Hello, Ladies’ and more) about the things that make him feel lonely, isolated, and like something's wrong - and how he is persevering despite these blocks.  ---------------------------------------------------------- 00:00 Intro 1:33 Origin story 3:07 Ricky Gervais 7:49 Origins of the Office 10:56 Ambition in the UK vs. US 14:22 The Office First Season 17:11 Success 18:24 Christmas Specials 21:35 Sponsor: Mando 23:55 Sponsor: BetterHelp 25:52 American version of The Office 28:08 Secret sauce of his relationship with Ricky 34:42 American adaptation 39:12 Current roles and goals 48:08 Sponsor: Harrys 49:56 Tall 58:30 Comedy persona vs. who he really is 1:05:30 Ambition 1:07:00 Relationships 1:09:06 How Success Impacted Him 1:15:40 Stephen Imparts Wisdom ---------------------------------------------------------- Follow Neal Brennan: https://www.instagram.com/nealbrennan https://twitter.com/nealbrennan https://www.tiktok.com/@mrnealbrennan Watch Neal Brennan: Crazy Good on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/title/81728557 Watch Neal Brennan: Blocks on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/title/81036234 Theme music by Electric Guest (unreleased). Edited by Will Hagle (wthagle@gmail.com)  Sponsors: Control Body Odor ANYWHERE with @shop.mando and get 20% off + free shipping  with promo code [NEAL] at https://www.shopmando.com !#mandopod This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://www.betterhelp.com/neal and get on your way to being your best self. Get the shaving products that always deliver. Visit https://www.harrys.com/NEAL for a $5 Trial Set. Sponsor Blocks: https://public.liveread.io/media-kit/blocks ---------------------------------------------------------- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Neal Brennan interviews Josh Groban (multi-platinum musician) about the things that make him feel lonely, isolated, and like something's wrong - and how he is persevering despite these blocks.  ---------------------------------------------------------- 00:00 Intro 2:07 Getting discovered 6:34 Early singing career  15:21 Singing with Celine Dion at the Grammys 20:11 Reaction to success 21:37 Insecurity 34:07 TV Special 35:04 You Raise Me Up 38:55 Loneliness from  Being Uncategorizable  46:56 Building Walls 53:51 Sponsor: Tushy 55:44 Sponsor: Square 57:21 The Show Must Go On  1:00:56 Work Life Balance  1:02:57 Stage Fright 1:09:55 Hobbies 1:10:30 Talented Introvert 1:14:11 Depression 1:15:55 Self-Acceptance ---------------------------------------------------------- Follow Neal Brennan: https://www.instagram.com/nealbrennan https://twitter.com/nealbrennan https://www.tiktok.com/@mrnealbrennan Watch Neal Brennan: Crazy Good on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/title/81728557 Watch Neal Brennan: Blocks on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/title/81036234 Theme music by Electric Guest (unreleased). Edited by Will Hagle (wthagle@gmail.com)  Sponsors: Control Body Odor ANYWHERE with @shop.mando and get $5 off off your Starter Pack (that’s over 40% off) with promo code [NEAL] at https://www.shopmando.com! #mandopod This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://www.betterhelp.com/neal and get on your way to being your best self. Over 2 Million Butts Love TUSHY. Get 10% off TUSHY with the code [NEAL] at https://www.hellotushy.com/NEAL Get up to $200 off Square hardware when you sign up at https://www.square.com/go/NEAL! #squarepod Sponsor Blocks: https://public.liveread.io/media-kit/blocks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Neal Brennan interviews Tom Green (The Tom Green Show, Freddy Got Fingered, This Is The Tom Green Documentary) about the things that make him feel lonely, isolated, and like something's wrong - and how he is persevering despite these blocks.  ---------------------------------------------------------- 00:00 Intro 00:33 Testicular Cancer 3:44 White Rapper 4:59 DIY roots 6:18 Norm Macdonald & Letterman 9:44 Experiencing sudden fame 15:05 Hosting SNL 19:08 Sponsor: Harrys 21:10 Sponsor: BetterHelp 23:13 Early adoption of creative technology 26:45 Negative reaction to fame 30:05 Shell shocked by fame 32:10 Downside of sudden fame 35:45 Relationship with Drew Barrymore 37:07 Anxiety 41:16 Testicular cancer 48:41 Difficulty of public relationship 51:39 Sponsor: RocketMoney 53:10 Moving back to Canada 1:03:29 Positive Thoughts 1:06:30 Procrastination & Indecision 1:15:26 Keeping the Dream Alive 1:17:05 How His Relationship with Himself has changed ---------------------------------------------------------- Follow Neal Brennan: https://www.instagram.com/nealbrennan https://twitter.com/nealbrennan https://www.tiktok.com/@mrnealbrennan Watch Neal Brennan: Crazy Good on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/title/81728557 Watch Neal Brennan: Blocks on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/title/81036234 Theme music by Electric Guest (unreleased). Edited by Will Hagle (wthagle@gmail.com)  Sponsors: An exclusive offer for our listeners -- Get a $10 trial set for just $5 at https://www.harrys.com/NEAL  This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://www.betterhelp.com/neal and get on your way to being your best self. Cancel your unwanted subscriptions and reach your financial goals faster with Rocket Money. Go to https://www.RocketMoney.com/NEAL today. Sponsor Blocks: https://public.liveread.io/media-kit/blocks ---------------------------------------------------------- #podcast #comedy #mentalhealth #standup Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Neal Brennan interviews W. Kamau Bell (We Need to Talk About Cosby, United Shades of America, Who's With Me? 2025 standup tour) about the things that make him feel lonely, isolated, and like something's wrong - and how he is persevering despite these blocks.  ---------------------------------------------------------- 00:00 Intro 9:20 We Need to Talk About Cosby 14:19 Sponsor: Huel 17:01 Sponsor: BetterHelp 18:25 Who Defines What's Black? 50:42 Sponsor: Aura 52:16 Sponsor: Tushy 53:48 Smart for a Comedian 1:05:31 America ---------------------------------------------------------- Follow Neal Brennan: https://www.instagram.com/nealbrennan https://twitter.com/nealbrennan https://www.tiktok.com/@mrnealbrennan Watch Neal Brennan: Crazy Good on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/title/81728557 Watch Neal Brennan: Blocks on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/title/81036234 Theme music by Electric Guest (unreleased). Edited by Will Hagle (wthagle@gmail.com)  Sponsors: New customers visit https://www.Huel.com/NEAL today and use my code NEAL to get 15% off your first order plus a Free Gift. This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://www.betterhelp.com/neal and get on your way to being your best self. Exclusive $35-off Carver Mat at https://www.AuraFrames.com. Promo Code [NEAL] Over 2 Million Butts Love TUSHY. Get 10% off TUSHY with the code [NEAL] at https://hellotushy.com/[NEAL] Sponsor Blocks: https://public.liveread.io/media-kit/blocks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Neal Brennan interviews Larry Wilmore (Nightly Show, Daily Show, Bernie Mac Show, Blackish, Insecure & much more) about the things that make him feel lonely, isolated, and like something's wrong - and how he is persevering despite these blocks.  ---------------------------------------------------------- 00:00 Intro 3:15 Dating, Marriage & Kids 7:30 Therapy by Proxy 8:26 Emotions 13:53 Providing 25:01 Sponsor: Mando 26:52 Sponsor: BetterHelp 28:00 God & Death 49:04 Sponsor: Rocket Money 50:24 Sponsor: Harry's 52:12 Procrastination & Messiness 1:04:15 Empath/Sociopath 1:17:08 Likes being alone 1:23:23 Health ---------------------------------------------------------- Follow Neal Brennan: https://www.instagram.com/nealbrennan https://twitter.com/nealbrennan https://www.tiktok.com/@mrnealbrennan Watch Neal Brennan: Crazy Good on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/title/81728557 Watch Neal Brennan: Blocks on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/title/81036234 Theme music by Electric Guest (unreleased). Edited by Will Hagle (wthagle@gmail.com)  Sponsors: Control Body Odor ANYWHERE with @shop.mando and get $5 off off your Starter Pack (that’s over 40% off) with promo code [NEAL] at https://www.shopmando.com! #mandopod This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://www.betterhelp.com/neal and get on your way to being your best self. Cancel your unwanted subscriptions and reach your financial goals faster with Rocket Money. Go to https://www.RocketMoney.com/NEAL today. Get the shaving products that always deliver. Get Harry’s. Normally their trial set is $13 but right now you can get it for just $3 at harrys.com/NEAL. Sponsor Blocks: https://public.liveread.io/media-kit/blocks ---------------------------------------------------------- #podcast #comedy #mentalhealth #standup Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Neal Brennan interviews Blake Griffin (NBA Rookie of the Year, 5-time All-NBA, Amazon Prime announcer) about the things that make him feel lonely, isolated, and like something's wrong - and how he is persevering despite these blocks.  ---------------------------------------------------------- 00:00 Intro 1:45 Retirement  12:00 Mentoring 16:10 Clippers 19:50 Are NBA Players happy? 23:03 Sponsor: CookUnity 27:38 Coachability / arguing / Competitive 34:20 Clippers 47:40 Announcing  51:46 Survey 53:00 Sponsor: Huel 55:19 Luka's shape 1:05:40 Positive visualization 1:13:30 General racial ambiguity  ---------------------------------------------------------- Follow Neal Brennan: https://www.instagram.com/nealbrennan https://twitter.com/nealbrennan https://www.tiktok.com/@mrnealbrennan Watch Neal Brennan: Crazy Good on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/title/81728557 Watch Neal Brennan: Blocks on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/title/81036234 Theme music by Electric Guest (unreleased). Edited by Will Hagle (wthagle@gmail.com)  Sponsors: This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://www.betterhelp.com/neal and get on your way to being your best self. Go to https://www.cookunity.com/NEAL for 50% off your first week. Thanks to CookUnity for supporting the show! Take our audience survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/blockspodcast New customers visit Huel.com SLASH NEAL today and use my code NEAL to get 15% off your first order plus a Free Gift. Sponsor Blocks: https://public.liveread.io/media-kit/blocks ---------------------------------------------------------- #podcast #comedy #mentalhealth #standup Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Neal Brennan interviews Carol Leifer (Standup, 'Seinfeld,' 'Hacks,' 'SNL' & Much More) about the things that make her feel lonely, isolated, and like something's wrong - and how she is persevering despite these blocks. Carol's new book is called 'How to Write a Funny Speech... for a Wedding, Bar Mitzvah, Graduation & Every Other Event You Didn't Want to Go to in the First Place: https://www.amazon.com/How-Write-Funny-Speech-Graduation/dp/1797232231 ---------------------------------------------------------- 00:00 Intro 00:48 Start in Show Business 5:25 Jerry Seinfeld 7:49 Improving at Standup 9:38 Moving to LA 12:51 Women in Comedy 14:51 Sponsor: Hims 16:05 Sponsor: Tushy 17:41 Bulletproof 19:71 Becoming Lesbian 26:29 Having a Kid 32:52 Sponsor: Mando 34:35 Sponsor: BetterHelp 35:53 Working 37:32 Seinfeld, Larry Sanders, Modern Family, Hacks 41:55 SNL Regrets 47:40 Career vs. Relationships 50:42 How to Write a Funny Speech 56:38 Spirituality / Mortality 59:45 Goals & Regrets ---------------------------------------------------------- Follow Neal Brennan: https://www.instagram.com/nealbrennan https://twitter.com/nealbrennan https://www.tiktok.com/@mrnealbrennan Watch Neal Brennan: Crazy Good on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/title/81728557 Watch Neal Brennan: Blocks on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/title/81036234 Theme music by Electric Guest (unreleased). Edited by Will Hagle (wthagle@gmail.com)  Sponsors: Visit https://www.hims.com/NEAL for your personalized ED treatment options. Over 2 Million Butts Love TUSHY. Get 10% off TUSHY with the code [NEAL] at https://hellotushy.com/NEAL Control Body Odor ANYWHERE with @shop.mando and get $5 off off your Starter Pack (that’s over 40% off) with promo code [NEAL] at Mandopodcast.com/NEAL #mandopod This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://www.betterhelp.com/neal and get on your way to being your best self. Sponsor Blocks: https://public.liveread.io/media-kit/blocks ---------------------------------------------------------- #podcast #comedy #mentalhealth #standup Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Neal Brennan interviews William H. Macy (Shameless, Fargo, Boogie Nights, Magnolia, Seabiscuit, Pleasantville & many more) about the things that make him feel lonely, isolated, and like something's wrong - and how he is persevering despite these blocks. ---------------------------------------------------------- 00:00 Intro  1:19 Serendipitous 2:27 Becoming an Actor  5:32 Different roles he’s played  6:21 David Mamet  10:10 Meddler  16:00 Adlibbing vs writing 22:50 Sponsor: The Perfect Jean 24:46 Sponsor: Mando 26:23 Procrastinator 32:00 Going deeper in his acting 34:54 Aging as an actor 39:25 Sponsor: BetterHelp 40:40 Sponsor: The Ridge Wallet 42:31 Fatherhood  47:40 Too Honest  55:04 Fargo 57:23 Boogie Nights 59:15 What makes Phillip Seymour Hoffman great  1:01:00 Acting techniques 1:05:50 Accepting Himself  1:08:30 Seabiscuit & Pleasantville  1:11:30 Shameless  1:12:39 Woody Creek Distillers  1:15:40 Continuing to Work  ---------------------------------------------------------- Follow Neal Brennan: https://www.instagram.com/nealbrennan https://twitter.com/nealbrennan https://www.tiktok.com/@mrnealbrennan Watch Neal Brennan: Crazy Good on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/title/81728557 Watch Neal Brennan: Blocks on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/title/81036234 Theme music by Electric Guest (unreleased). Edited by Will Hagle (wthagle@gmail.com)  Sponsors: F*%k your khakis and get The Perfect Jean 15% off with the code [NEAL15] at theperfectjean.nyc/NEAL15 #theperfectjeanpod  Control Body Odor ANYWHERE with @shop.mando and get $5 off off your Starter Pack (that’s over 40% off) with promo code [NEAL] at Mandopodcast.com/NEAL #mandopod This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://www.betterhelp.com/neal and get on your way to being your best self. Take advantage of Ridge’s once-a-year anniversary sale and get UP TO 40% Off right now by going to https://www.Ridge.com/[NEAL] #Ridgepod Sponsor Blocks: https://public.liveread.io/media-kit/blocks ---------------------------------------------------------- #podcast #comedy #mentalhealth #standup Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Neal Brennan interviews Ari Shaffir (America's Sweetheart on Netflix, You Be Trippin' Podcast, This Is Not Happening & more) about the things that make him feel lonely, isolated, and like something's wrong - and how he is persevering despite these blocks. ---------------------------------------------------------- 00:00 Intro 00:58 Neal gives Ari his flowers 3:15 Anti-authority 6:12 Parking Lot Urchin 7:50 Moving to LA, Comedy Store, how he changed 13:39 Wanting to Make Things 17:40 Sponsor: CookUnity 19:22 Sponsor: BetterHelp 21:06 Doesn’t Care About Money 26:50 Living in Defiance 30:09 Travel 40:15 Doesn’t follow the news 45:05 Sponsor: Hims  47:01 Sponsor: Rocket Money 48:15 Openly Amoral 49:50 Contrarian 52:03 Being positive 1:05:53 Drugs ---------------------------------------------------------- Subscribe to Ari Shaffir:  @arishaffir   Subscribe to You Be Trippin':  @youbetrippinpod   Watch Ari Shaffir: Jew - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2YtIBYM4w0 Follow Neal Brennan: https://www.instagram.com/nealbrennan https://twitter.com/nealbrennan https://www.tiktok.com/@mrnealbrennan Watch Neal Brennan: Crazy Good on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/title/81728557 Watch Neal Brennan: Blocks on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/title/81036234 Theme music by Electric Guest (unreleased). Edited by Will Hagle (wthagle@gmail.com)  Sponsors: Go to https://www.cookunity.com/NEAL for 50% off your first week. Thanks to CookUnity for supporting the show! This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://www.betterhelp.com/neal and get on your way to being your best self. Visit https://www.hims.com/NEAL to start your free online visit.  Cancel your unwanted subscriptions and reach your financial goals faster with Rocket Money. Go to https://www.RocketMoney.com/NEAL today. Sponsor Blocks: https://public.liveread.io/media-kit/blocks ---------------------------------------------------------- #podcast #comedy #mentalhealth #standup Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Neal Brennan interviews Joe List (Fourth of July, 'Enough for Everybody,' + more specials, 'The Standups' on Netflix) about the things that make him feel lonely, isolated, and like something's wrong - and how he is persevering despite these blocks. ---------------------------------------------------------- 00:00 Intro 1:12 Netflix Specials 3:30 Marriage 4:55 OCD 15:03 Sponsor: Tushy 16:36 Sponsor: Mando 18:08 GAD 23:00 Mental Health Improvements 25:45 Family & Raising Kids 29:40 Fear of death 37:40 Panic Attacks & Drinking 40:50 Guidance 44:50 Learned Behavior 48:00 Lack of Confidence 51:56 Sponsor: BetterHelp 53:31 Sponsor: Hims 55:27 Sponsor: The Perfect Jean 56:54 Alcoholism   1:03:23 Herpes 1:09:14 Tinnitus  1:11:30 Hypochondria 1:13:00 Dying ---------------------------------------------------------- Subscribe to Joe List:  @JoeListComedy   Watch Joe List: Enough for Everybody Follow Neal Brennan: https://www.instagram.com/nealbrennan https://twitter.com/nealbrennan https://www.tiktok.com/@mrnealbrennan Watch Neal Brennan: Crazy Good on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/title/81728557 Watch Neal Brennan: Blocks on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/title/81036234 Theme music by Electric Guest (unreleased). Edited by Will Hagle (wthagle@gmail.com)  Sponsors: Visit https://www.hellotushy.com/NEAL for 10% off your entire order. Visit https://www.shopmando.com & use promo code NEAL for $5 off your Mando Starter Pack This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://www.betterhelp.com/neal and get on your way to being your best self. Visit https://www.hims.com/NEAL to start your free online visit.  F*%k your khakis and get The Perfect Jean 15% off with the code [NEAL15] at theperfectjean.nyc/[NEAL15] #theperfectjeanpod  Sponsor Blocks: https://public.liveread.io/media-kit/blocks ---------------------------------------------------------- #podcast #comedy #mentalhealth #standup Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices