Hello, this is Josh Gondelman.

No, I'm sorry, I'm Josh Gondelman, and this is Make My Day, a comedy game show.

The world is a stressful place to be, so every week, I try to make it a little nicer for about half an hour.

I play a game with one guest, who's the only contestant, and therefore is guaranteed to win. I assign them points throughout the game we play based on how much their answers cheer me specifically up.

And then at the end, the winner and only contestant wins a grand prize of a $100 donation to the charity or aid cause of their choice,

and each of us gives a pep talk to a person or group that we think deserves it.

My guest today is a stand-up comedian as well as an actor, director.

He has a great podcast called Working It Out.

His most recent Netflix special is called The New One,

which is also the name of his brand new book that he co-authored with his wife,

J. Hobo Stein. Welcome to the show, Mike Barbiglia.

Thanks, Josh.

Hey, thanks for being here. Of course.

I thought it was so odd when I was trying to understand your podcast because you and I know each other as peers in the comedy, in the New York City comedy scene, I'd say for many years.

Yeah.

Well, that's a very generous way for you to describe me, so thank you.

But the way that you're always explained to me by other comedians, in addition to being a

great comic, a real cheerleader for people, and you will give people pep talks.

Yes.

And so it is an interesting decision to turn that on itself and force others to do that for you.

Yeah, it's a real cruel.

It's kind of like the saw movies, but for cheerfulness.

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