Podcast

Blocks: I Wish I Knew w/ Neal Brennan

Comedy, Health & Fitness, Mental Health

Comedian Neal Brennan interviews people about the things they wished they'd realized sooner in life.

Episodes
156
Releases
Every two weeks
Typical length
1 hr 29 min
On air since
2022
Latest episode
5 days ago

Episodes

156 episodes, newest first

  1. Bobby Lee: I Wish I Knew

    Show notes

    Bobby Lee joins Neal Brennan to share what he wishes he knew sooner: worrying about his career wouldn’t change its course, asking for help mattered, and the life he built could look different from the one he imagined. He still likes the MadTV tattoo, though.

    They talk about Bobby’s first stand-up special, learning to watch himself on screen, sobriety, his father’s death, and the unexpected emotional impact of a trip to Build-A-Bear. Plus: homemade glue hands, a swimming pool full of coffee, Neal’s place in the comedy police, and whether he’s allowed to speak at Bobby’s funeral.

    --------------------------

    CHAPTERS

    0:00 Aging and Korean Skincare

    1:16 The LeBron James of Podcasting

    3:20 Navigating Hollywood and the Comedy Police

    9:39 Why Bobby Waited to Make a Stand-Up Special

    20:29 Wishing He Worried Less

    23:35 Gluin'

    26:02 Filling His Swimming Pool With Coffee

    30:18 Sobriety

    33:23 Sensitivity, Shane Gillis, and Public Shame

    36:13 Learning to Be Proud of Himself

    40:25 Why Bobby Avoids Negative Comments

    42:40 Was All That Worry Worth It?

    48:14 Sponsor: Lucy

    51:07 The Real Bobby Versus His Public Persona

    52:35 Letting Go of the Movie-Star Dream

    53:19 Losing His Father and Relapsing

    57:38 Asking for Help and Starting Therapy

    59:42 Recognizing Childhood Trauma

    1:01:02 Intensive Therapy and Build-A-Bear

    1:04:39 Porn, Relationships, and Regret

    1:10:22 Family, Self-Blame, and Avoiding Conflict

    1:12:04 Can Neal Speak at Bobby’s Funeral?

    1:13:28 The Future of Bad Friends and TigerBelly

    ----------------------------------------------------------

    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)

    ----------------------------------------------------------

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    1 hr 15 min
  2. LL Cool J: I Wish I Knew

    Show notes

    LL Cool J joins Neal Brennan to talk about what he wishes he knew sooner: knowing his value, learning how to lead, and being a better friend.

    They get into growing up in Queens, the family lessons that shaped him, getting his start in hip-hop in the late 1970s along with a (too) long list of legends, the writing behind songs like "Mama Said Knock You Out" and "Rock the Bells," and the honest vulnerability behind “I Need Love.” Plus: Rick Rubin, Russell Simmons, Beastie Boys and Def Jam stories, the greatness of Bruce Lee, the business of touring, becoming a sex symbol and then an actor, and the night an intruder broke into his home.

    --------------------------

    CHAPTERS

    00:00 LL Cool J joins Neal

    01:16 Opening up about his childhood

    07:50 Lessons from his family

    08:31 First turntables & the trappings of success

    13:16 Discovering hip-hop

    17:27 Def Jam & owning his music

    18:57 Making demos & writing rhymes

    23:09 Wanting to be seen

    25:33 Representation & giving back

    30:21 Sponsor: BetterHelp

    32:29 Sponsor: CookUnity

    35:10 Creative freedom & songwriting

    36:13 I Need Love & vulnerability

    40:53 Acting, working out & Bruce Lee

    45:16 Building a career without a blueprint

    48:08 Knowing your value & saying no

    52:06 Comparing careers across generations

    54:32 Why he avoided headlining tours

    56:21 What makes a great live show

    58:38 Sponsor: Mars Men

    1:01:15 Sponsor: Ethos

    1:03:18 Learning how to lead

    1:08:16 Respect, manners & staying grounded

    1:15:03 Learning how to be a friend

    1:17:46 Becoming a sex symbol

    1:20:13 The home invasion

    1:26:05 Acting projects & wrap-up

    ----------------------------------------------------------

    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

    ----------------------------------------------------------

    Sponsors:

    Visit https://www.BetterHelp.com/NEAL to get 10% off your first month.

    Go to https://www.cookunity.com/NEAL or enter code NEAL before checkout for 50% off your first order.

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    1 hr 28 min
  3. Mark Normand: I Wish I Knew

    Show notes

    Mark Normand returns to Blocks with Neal Brennan to talk about what he wishes he knew sooner: how much time a phone can steal, why trying so hard to be the funny guy can backfire, and why getting older doesn’t automatically make you feel like an adult.Mark and Neal also get into fatherhood, anxiety, drinking, the old New York comedy scene, taking more photos, and trying to raise a kid without passing down all your own baggage. ---------------------------------------------------------- Subscribe to ⁨@marknormand⁩ -------------------------- CHAPTERS

    00:00 Mark Normand returns / I Wish I Knew

    03:46 Always needing to be productive

    05:49 How fatherhood changes you

    10:21 Netflix, YouTube & building a comedy career

    12:12 “I thought the world would be more fun”

    21:40 Sponsor: Huel

    23:57 Sponsor: Tushy

    26:03 Sponsor: ZocDoc

    28:20 Phone addiction & the pressure to post

    35:40 Trying too hard to be the funny guy

    40:07 Coming up in New York comedy

    44:48 The old Comedy Cellar atmosphere

    47:42 Friends who tell you the truth

    50:14 Sponsor: Quince

    52:04 Sponsor: Ultra

    54:12 Remembering your life & taking photos

    58:42 The pressure to be a good parent

    1:04:01 Getting older doesn’t mean feeling grown up

    1:11:40 Podcasts & staying connected

    1:15:14 Wrap-up ---------------------------------------------------------- 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 ---------------------------------------------------------- Sponsors: Visit https://www.Huel.com/NEAL and use code NEAL for 15% OFF online. Over 2 Million Butts Love TUSHY. Get 10% off TUSHY with the code NEAL at https://hellotushy.com/NEAL Ready to be seen? Check that appointment off your to-do list with Zocdoc ✅ : https://zocdoc.com/neal Don’t sleep on @ultrapouches New customers get 15% Off with code NEAL at takeultra.com! #UltraPouches #MarkNormand #NealBrennan #iwishiknew #BlocksPodcast #StandupComedy #MentalHealth #ComedyInterview #regrets #PodcastFullEpisode

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    1 hr 18 min
  4. Dan Soder: I Wish I Knew

    Show notes

    Dan Soder returns to kick off the new I Wish I Knew premise on Blocks: the things people wish they'd figured out sooner.Dan gets into why being funny matters more for men than having abs, how cutting out industry middlemen is the best path to creative freedom, and why stealing from corporations is okay. In an update from his classic episode of Blocks, he shares how finding a letter from his sister changed the way he understood his dad leaving.Plus: exercise, eating, long butt cracks, hero worship, and how to not take everything personally. ---------------------------------------------------------- Subscribe to ⁨@DanSoder⁩ -------------------------- Chapters 00:00 New format: I Wish I Knew

    01:58 Cutting out the comedy middlemen

    05:37 Stealing from Bed Bath & Beyond

    09:43 Doing bits with customer service

    14:47 Sponsor: BetterHelp

    16:20 Sponsor: Superpower

    19:10 Body image: just get in the pool

    20:17 Friendship, Instagram & anxiety

    25:03 Personality, abs & attraction

    35:25 Sponsor: CookUnity

    37:46 Sponsor: Mars Men

    40:18 Exercise & getting older

    42:42 Still being a comedy fan

    46:58 Your heroes are just people

    49:13 Dan’s dad & wanting approval

    54:17 Finding his sister’s letter

    57:26 Understanding your parents

    59:51 Sponsor: ZBiotics

    1:01:21 Taking things less personally

    1:04:45 Why read the comments?

    1:06:32 Healthy relationships & handling rejection

    1:11:10 Being wrong & saying “my bad”

    1:12:43 Weed & moderation

    1:14:52 Wrap-up ---------------------------------------------------------- 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 ---------------------------------------------------------- Sponsors: Visit https://www.BetterHelp.com/NEAL for 10% offHead to https://www.Superpower.com & use code NEAL for $50 offGo to https://www.CookUnity.com/NEAL or use code NEAL before checkout for 50% off your first weekHead to https://www.Zbiotics.com/NEAL and use code NEAL for 15% off your first order

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    1 hr 18 min
  5. Gianmarco Soresi

    Show notes

    In this episode of Blocks, Neal Brennan sits down with comedian Gianmarco Soresi to discuss the unconventional path that led him to standup. They dive into his childhood experiences with divorce, his short-lived dreams of becoming a professional singer and actor, and the deep-seated desire for "glory" that keeps him on stage. Gianmarco also opens up about his relationship with his parents, his thoughts on depression and Adderall, and how he’s learning to find balance between his workaholic nature and his personal life. ---------------------------------------------------------- 00:00 - Intro 01:03 - Comedic Wardrobe & Authenticity 03:05 - Rebelling Against His Father 04:59 - His Parents' Divorce 06:11 - Understanding the Nature of Cheating 09:03 - The "Fake" Wedding Priest 10:44 - Choosing Transparency Over Chaos 11:59 - Trying Drugs in His 30s 12:51 - The Acid Trip Epiphany 14:00 - Sponsor: Ultra Focus Pouches 15:58 - The Impact of a Restless Childhood 18:27 - Living with a Stepdad "Antagonist" 20:13 - The Prince of the Weekend 23:31 - Disrupting the Family Narrative 26:10 - The Fallout of a Family Legal Battle 29:24 - Losing the Spotlight at Home 31:32 - Sponsor: Square 34:17 - Sponsor: Quince 36:48 - From Theater Kid to Unathletic Adult 38:47 - The Desire to be Witnessed 39:19 - Using Adderall to Feel "Alive" 41:35 - Fighting the "Lead Vest" of Depression 44:31 - Finding Happiness Outside of Achievement 46:21 - On Theater and Heterosexuality 48:11 - The Pursuit of Glory 51:24 - The Brutal Reality for Dancers 54:11 - Bob Fosse and the Addiction to Showbiz 55:56 - Sponsor: Perplexity 59:30 - Sponsor: CookUnity 1:02:46 - The Workaholic Gene 1:04:06 - Developing New Show Concepts 1:05:08 - How Gianmarco Wants to Die 1:06:16 - The Struggle of Obsessive Practice 1:08:40 - When Music Overwhelms the Mind 1:09:32 - The Cost of Broadway and Theater Culture 1:12:09 - Failing into Standup 1:15:50 - Faking Intellect vs. Perspective 1:18:55 - Watching Art Without Self-Loathing 1:21:27 - Final Thoughts ---------------------------------------------------------- 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 ---------------------------------------------------------- Sponsors: Don't sleep on ⁨@UltraPouches⁩ . New customers get 15% Off with code NEAL at https://www.takeultra.com ! #UltraPouches #ad Get up to $200 off

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    1 hr 24 min
  6. Daniel Sloss

    Show notes

    In this episode of Blocks, Neal Brennan sits down with Scottish comedian Daniel Sloss to dismantle the "blocks" that have shaped his life and career. From the massive social impact of his Netflix special Jigsaw—which Daniel claims has led to over 350,000 breakups and hundreds of signed divorce papers—to the heavy toll of relentless global touring, Daniel opens up with brutal honesty. The two discuss Daniel's struggle with weed addiction, the transition from needing constant stranger approval to finding self-worth as a father, and the hilarious, high-stakes story of how he ended up married to his ex-girlfriend’s younger sister. It's a deep dive into self-loathing, the "quiet brain" of his wife, and why being successful doesn't always mean being happy. ---------------------------------------------------------- 00:00 Jimmy Carr1:27 Jigsaw and the 350,000 breakups4:30 Marrying his ex-girlfriend’s sister13:24 Achieving success young & avoiding self-love 15:24 The emotional toll of the X tour 20:32 Weed addiction22:20 Career struggles30:09 Sponsor: Bonobos32:34 Sponsor: CookUnity34:47 Admitting self-hatred in therapy39:39 Finding happiness in family & standup 42:01 The high-functioning stoner cycle 49:53 Bitter and Successful51:08 Comparing yourself to other comedians58:22 Searching for the source of self-loathing1:03:16 Sponsor: Tushy1:05:39 Sponsor: Zocdoc1:08:08 Balancing touring with being a dad 1:11:10 No hobbies and the need for standup1:15:10 Scummy Batman: Stories of justified violence1:23:22 Goals for the future ---------------------------------------------------------- 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 ---------------------------------------------------------- Sponsors: For 25% off your order, head to https://www.Bonobos.com/NEAL and use code NEAL.Go to https://www.cookunity.com/NEAL or enter code NEAL before checkout for 50% off your first order.3 Million Butts Love TUSHY. Get 10% off TUSHY with the code NEAL at https://hellotushy.com/NEALTaking care of your health just got easier – start here with Zocdoc: https://zocdoc.com/NEAL

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    1 hr 31 min
  7. Craig Ferguson

    Show notes

    Comedian and former late-night host Craig Ferguson joins Neal Brennan on the Blocks Podcast to explore the "blocks" that have defined his life and career. From his upbringing in Scotland and the impact of sectarian violence to his iconic run on the Late Late Show and over 30 years of sobriety, Craig opens up with deep introspection and his trademark wit. They delve into the realities of fame, the importance of vulnerability, and the turning points that changed everything.Check out Craig's new series 'American on Purpose' on CNN. 👍 Like, Comment & Subscribe for the Algo 👍 Subscribe to Craig Ferguson: ⁨@thecraigfergusonshow⁩ 0:00 - Introduction: The "Rapport" Between Neal and Craig 2:35 - Growing Up in Scotland: Violence and Affability 7:12 - The Influence of Producer Peter Lassally 10:11 - Lessons from a Holocaust Survivor14:15 - Navigating the World of Late-Night Television17:33 - The Reality of Human Relationships in Showbiz22:20 - The Illusion of Fame and Success23:51 Sponsor: BetterHelp25:43 Sponsor: Superpower28:10 - The Turning Point: Choosing Sobriety in 199234:11 - Understanding the "Conundrum" of Alcoholism42:25 - Facing Fear: Learning to Fly and Control Freaks46:27 - Magical Thinking and Superstitions52:05 - The Power of Introspection54:50 Sponsor: CookUnity57:19 Sponsor: Bonobos1:01:45 - Life as a Father and Husband1:09:25 - The Impulse to Tell Stories1:16:10 - Measuring Time and the Collective Unconscious1:23:00 - Outro Thanks to our sponsors! Visit https://www.BetterHelp.com/NEAL Visit https://www.CookUnity.com/NEAL or enter code NEAL before checkout for 50% off your first order. Head to https://www.Superpower.com and use code NEAL at checkout for $20 off your membership. Get 100+ biomarkers tested every year. Plus a personalized health plan and on-demand care team. Detect early signs of 1,000+ conditions. #superpowerpodFor 25% off your order, head to https://www.Bonobos.com/NEAL and use code NEAL. ---------------------------------------------------------- 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)

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    1 hr 28 min
  8. Rory Scovel

    Show notes

    Rory Scovel joins Neal Brennan to talk about being born into grief—his mother died on his first birthday—and how losing his dad in 2020 reshaped his standup, his parenting, and the way he thinks about aging and death. Plus: learning to read at 44, improvising his entire show every night, asking AI about death, Leonardo DiCaprio playing a father, ADHD, marriage, and more. 👍 Like, Comment & Subscribe for the Algo 👍

    00:00 Bombing without a fight

    06:43 ADHD

    22:36 Overthinking Depression & Catholic Guilt

    27:16 Sponsor: Tushy

    29:45 Sponsor: Quince

    31:32 Grief

    51:26 Death

    58:26 Sponsor: ZocDoc

    1:01:41 Sponsor: HexClad

    1:03:30 Parenting & Breaking the Cycle

    1:14:15 Aging

    1:21:33 Being an available husband Thanks to our sponsors! 3 Million Butts Love TUSHY. Get 10% off TUSHY with the code NEAL at https://www.hellotushy.com/NEAL Visit https://www.Quince.com/NEAL for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.Taking care of your health just got easier - start here with Zocdoc: https://www.zocdoc.com/NEAL #sponsored Find your forever cookware ⁨@HexClad⁩ and get 10% off at https://www.hexclad.com/NEAL #hexcladpartner ---------------------------------------------------------- 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)

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    1 hr 38 min
  9. Happiness Expert Dr. Arthur C. Brooks

    Show notes

    Happiness expert, Harvard Professor & author Arthur Brooks joins Neal Brennan to discuss why happiness is ~50% genetic, why men and women fundamentally need different things from love (adoration vs. admiration), the dark triad/tetrad in dating apps, why “success addiction” ruins marriages, the psychology of comedy, the power of the “Reverse Bucket List,” why you need to be bored, how SSRIs affect creativity, Mass vs. Doomscrolling, why your personality keeps improving with age, and why suffering isn’t the same thing as pain.

    Arthur Brooks’ new book is called ‘The Meaning of Your Life’: https://www.arthurbrooks.com/the-meaning-of-your-life

    Subscribe to Arthur Brooks: ⁨@drarthurbrooks⁩

    https://www.Arthurbrooks.com

    00:00 Intro

    3:21 Is Happiness Genetic?

    5:05 Male vs. Female Emotion

    10:20 Adoration vs. Admiration: What Men and Women Really need

    15:20 The Dark Tetrad: Society’s Most Dangerous People

    19:38 Addiction to Being Adored

    27:12 Sponsor: Superpower

    30:21 Sponsor: BetterHelp

    32:36 Sponsor: CookUnity

    35:16 Addiction to Adoration

    39:58 Building Protocols to Protect Marriage

    44:19 The Happiness Scale

    56:45 Going to Mass instead of scrolling

    59:34 Why You Need to Be Bored

    1:00:56 The Pill, SSRIs & Creativity

    1:08:22 Happiness & Aging

    1:17:13 Sponsor: Ultra Pouches

    1:18:57 Sponsor: The Perfect Jean

    1:21:15 The Psychology of Comedy

    1:23:45 The Reverse Bucket List

    1:31:25 Psychedelics & Prayer

    1:36:18 Suffering

    1:43:50 Love & Marriage

    Thanks to our sponsors!

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    ----------------------------------------------------------

    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)

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    1 hr 53 min
  10. Jordan Jensen

    Show notes

    Neal Brennan interviews Jordan Jensen ('Take Me With You' on Netflix, RIP w/ Jordan Jensen) about cancelling her last scheduled appearance at the last second, codependency, sex and love addiction, shapeshifting in relationships, chaos vs. calm, addiction, quitting coke, the biology of rage, status anxiety, living in reality vs. living in delusion, her standup comedy, telling the truth, self-sabotage and obsessing over fairness. Subscribe to Jordan Jensen: @jordanjensenlolstop Watch 'Jordan Jensen: Take Me With You' on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/title/81978275 00:00 Intro 00:45 Cancelling Her Last Scheduled Blocks Appearance 4:30 Codependency 19:07 Sponsor: Zocdoc 20:55 Sponsor: Tushy 23:40 Quitting Drinking & Coke 29:00 Sugar Addiction 34:30 What she's learned in recovery 37:45 Vulnerability 50:44 The Telepathy Tapes 53:54 Sponsor: Bubs Naturals 56:03 Sponsor: The Perfect Jean 58:14 Rage & Anti-Authority 1:10:14 Obsessed with Fairness 1:18:49 Status anxiety 1:22:00 Honesty 1:24:45 Her Goals Thanks to our sponsors! Visit https://www.Zocdoc.com/NEAL to book a top rated doctor today. Go to https://www.HelloTushy.com & use promo code NEAL for 10% off your first bidet order Visit https://www.BubsNaturals.com & use promo code NEAL for 20% off Bubs Naturals Go to https://www.ThePerfectJean.NYC/NEAL15 for 15% off plus free shipping. ---------------------------------------------------------- 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

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    1 hr 30 min
  11. Josh Johnson

    Show notes

    Neal Brennan interviews Josh Johnson (New HBO special: Symphony) about being too nice, working together at The Daily Show, how his fashion sense has changed thanks to a good deed Neal doesn't remember, his prolific posting of standup on his Youtube channel, growing up lower-income, billionaires building bunkers, being present emotionally, becoming an effective communicator, whether or not comedy can change the world or people's lives, why Americans are too comfortable for a revolution, MAGA vs. Liberals, what it's like to be him, and much more.

    00:00 Intro

    2:00 Too Nice

    6:00 The Forgotten Clothes Story

    10:00 Working with Neal at the Daily Show

    12:40 Prolific Standup Posting

    19:09 Sponsor: BetterHelp

    21:23 Sponsor: Superpower

    24:35 Growing up lower-income

    48:18 Sponsor: CookUnity

    50:57 Sponsor: Bonobos

    53:15 Sponsor: Ultra

    55:24 Being Present Emotionally

    1:00:00 Effective Communication

    1:06:00 MAGA vs. Liberals

    1:19:00 What It’s Like To Be Him Thanks to our sponsors! Visit https://www.BetterHelp.com/NEAL for 10% off your first month. Go to https://www.Superpower.com and use promo code NEAL for $20 off your membership. Visit https://www.CookUnity.com/NEAL and use promo code NEAL for 50% off your order. Go to https://www.Bonobos.com and use promo code NEAL for 25% off your order. Visit https://www.TakeUltra.com and use promo code NEAL for 10% off your order. ---------------------------------------------------------- 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

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    1 hr 28 min
  12. Brad Williams

    Show notes

    Neal Brennan interviews Brad Williams (New special: Live on Short Street) about his experience living with dwarfism, the guilt he felt after his daughter was born with the same disability, how he learned to reframe his thinking and approach parenting in a positive manner, the arc of his standup career, why Ari Shaffir said no one wants to follow him on stage, the fears no one else sees (why Brad won't drink around drunk people), his marriage, and much more. Subscribe to Brad Williams @BradWilliamsComedy Watch Brad Williams: Live on Short Street: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXDA3HHcq5E 00:00 Intro 2:08 Dwarfism 10:32 Is dwarfism an advantage in comedy? 13:06 Childhood 17:58 Peter Dinklage 21:16 Sponsor: CookUnity 23:34 Sponsor: ZocDoc 25:37 Dating 50:48 Sponsor: Tushy 52:59 Sponsor: Amentara 56:05 Sponsor: Quince 57:55 Imposter Syndrome 1:01:44 His Daughter 1:19:02 Health & Gratitude Thanks to our sponsors! Visit https://www.CookUnity.com/NEAL and use promo code NEAL for 50% off your order. Go to https://www.ZocDoc.com/NEAL to book a top rated doctor today. Visit https://www.hellotushy.com and use promo code NEAL for 10% off your first bidet order. Go to https://www.Amentara.com/Go/Neal and use promo code Blocks22 for 22% off your first order. Visit https://www.Quince.com/NEAL for free shipping & 365-day returns ---------------------------------------------------------- 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

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    1 hr 29 min
  13. Malcolm Gladwell

    Show notes

    Neal Brennan interviews Malcolm Gladwell (Revisionist History, Broken Record, Blink, Outliers The Tipping Point) about the moral dilemmas of responsible journalism, why he doesn't believe in complaining or introspection, playing Monopoly standing up, money anxiety, his lack of jealousy, the attention Gawker gave him, his interview techniques, dinner party conversations, Elvis Presley's mom's toes, Zootopia 2, Derek Chauvin, Trump, Kevin Hart, Trevor Noah, and much more.

    Listen to Revisionist History: https://lnk.to/RHBlocks

    00:00 Why Malcolm isn't introspective

    18:49 Sponsor: BetterHelp

    20:46 Sponsor: Superpower

    23:58 Fame, money, competitiveness & anxiety

    31:37 The Gawker Era

    35:57 Trevor Noah, Chris Rock and Kevin Hart

    44:32 Interview techniques

    57:26 Sponsor: Harry's

    59:45 Sponsor: BUBs

    1:02:21 Zootopia 2

    1:04:26 Irv Gotti

    1:06:00 Responsible Journalism 1:11:10 Elvis Presley

    1:13:15 Derek Chauvin

    1:22:09 Trump

    Thanks to our sponsors!

    Sign up and get 10% off at https://www.BetterHelp.com/NEAL

    Head to Superpower.com and use code NEAL at checkout for $20 off your membership. Unlock your new health intelligence. 100+ biomarkers. Every year. Detect early signs of 1,000+ conditions. #superpowerpod

    Our listeners get the Harry's Plus Trial Set for only $10 at https://www.Harrys.com/NEAL #Harryspod Live Better Longer with BUBS Naturals.

    For a limited time get 20% Off your entire order with code NEAL at https://www.Bubsnaturals.com

    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

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    1 hr 31 min
  14. Jordan Klepper

    Show notes

    Neal Brennan interviews Jordan Klepper (Daily Show, "Fingers the Pulse") on the Blocks Podcast about the true nature of MAGA, what he witnessed in Washington D.C. on January 6, how the American attitude toward shamelessness and hypocrisy has shifted since Trump's rise to power, using his improv background in field pieces, taking a Trump supporter to a Kamala rally, interviewing a guy who pleaded guilty to punching a cop on January 6 but still believed it was an inside job, what he learned from Jon Stewart & Trevor Noah, hosting his own show and how it affected his nervous system, becoming a parent, his drift from Hitchens-era smug atheist certainty back to agnosticism, Dominos vs. Papa Johns on the road, connecting flights, Camus and philosophy, and being smug. 00:00 Neal & Matthew McConaughey's Shininess 1:40 Jordan Klepper Fingers the Pulse 3:00 Road life 8:15 Field pieces with Jon vs. Trevor 10:32 MAGA 13:10 January 6 18:54 Trump's superpower 20:40 Ad Break: Ultra Nuro Pouches 22:58 Ad Break: Zocdoc 25:25 Interviewing approach 30:24 Bringing a Trump fan to a Kamala rally 32:43 January 6 41:27 Ad Break: Harry's 43:37 Ad Break: Mando 45:44 Math vs. Comedy Brain 54:05 Marriage & Parenthood 1:06:30 Religion, Atheism & Agnosticism 1:26:36 Information overload 1:30 Jon Stewart & Trevor Noah Thanks to our sponsors! Don't sleep on @UltraPouches . New customers get 15% Off with code NEAL at https://www.takeultra.com ! #ultrapouches #ad Stop putting off those doctors appointments and go to https://www.Zocdoc.com/NEAL to instantly book a doctor you love today. Our listeners get the Harry's Plus Trial Set for only $10 at https://www.Harrys.com/NEAL #Harryspod Control Body Odor ANYWHERE with @shop.mando and get 20% off with promo code NEAL at https://www.shopmando.com ! #mandopod Live Better Longer with BUBS Naturals. For a limited time get 20% Off your entire order with code NEAL at https://www.Bubsnaturals.com ---------------------------------------------------------- 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 ----------------------------------------------------------

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    1 hr 46 min
  15. Ali Siddiq

    Show notes

    Neal Brennan interviews Ali Siddiq (9+ standup specials) about dealing crack, his dad dealing cocaine, getting arrested and incarcerated, the emotional toll of his sister's death, being a "weird dad," growing up experiencing relative levels of poverty, the valet parking landscape of Houston, Slim Thug, his attitude toward violence, shooting people, breakdancing, how Billy D. Washington and D.L. Hughley helped him find his storytelling voice, 'This Is Not Happening,' longtime grudges, and how his life has been a rollercoaster of gratitude. Get tickets for Ali Siddiq's Tour: https://alisiddiq.com/#section-a80lEppZfb Subscribe to @AliSiddiqComedy 00:00 Intro 1:24 What his life’s been 3:02 Gratitude 6:30 His dad’s cocaine dealing 9:30 Selling Crack 14:57 Sponsor: BetterHelp 16:54 Sponsor: Superpower 19:49 Arrest Story 42:18 Violence 1:00:11 Sponsor: Rag & Bone 1:03:15 Sponsor: CookUnity 1:06:20 Sponsor: Amentara 1:06:21 The Darkest Period of his life 1:09:56 His sister dying 1:17:30 Fatherhood 1:24:38 Storytelling & ‘This is Not Happening’ 1:37:08 What he makes of his life Thanks to our sponsors! This show is sponsored by BetterHelp. Visit https://www.BetterHelp.com/NEAL for 10% off Head to https://www.Superpower.com and use code NEAL at checkout for $20 off your membership. Unlock your new health intelligence. 100+ biomarkers. Every year. Detect early signs of 1,000+ conditions. #superpowerpod Experience chef-quality meals every week, delivered right to your door. Go to https://www.cookunity.com/NEAL for 50% off your first week. Upgrade your denim game with rag & bone! Get 20% off sitewide with code NEAL at https://www.rag-bone.com #ragandbonepod Go to https://www.amentara.com/go/neal and use code BLOCKS22 for 22% off your first order. Try low dose first. Your nervous system will thank you — or at least stop complaining so loudly. ---------------------------------------------------------- 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

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    1 hr 55 min
  16. Sarah Sherman

    Show notes

    Neal Brennan interviews Sarah Sherman (SNL, Live & In The Flesh), AKA Sarah Squirm, about her fashion style, always wanting to be a comedian, going to Northwestern, her emo phase, anxiety, paranoia, delusion, SNL nightmares, why she thinks she's "kind of bad at standup," live sketches vs. Weekend Update, therapy, being gross and crazy, the internet, Adam Sandler and more.

    00:00 ‘Live & In The Flesh’ HBO Special

    4:23 Origin Story

    8:41 Her fashion style

    11:44 Wanting to be a comedian

    16:03 Going to Northwestern

    17:13 Sponsor: Huel

    19:35 Sponsor: Harrys

    22:14 Anxiety & Emo Phase

    26:00 SNL Nightmares

    28:01 Delusion & Paranoia about her style of comedy

    32:00 Family & Anxiety

    33:07 Sponsor: Squarespace

    36:02 “Kind of bad at standup”

    42:07 SNL - Live Sketches vs. Update

    47:55 Therapy

    55:03 Sponsor: Mando

    56:59 Sponsor: Cheers Health

    59:23 Crazy

    1:05:30 Self-care

    1:10:30 Adam Sandler

    1:11:56 The Internet

    1:16:20 Her relationship

    1:18:40 Gross Thanks to our sponsors! Limited Time Offer – Get Huel today with my exclusive offer of 15% OFF online with my code NEAL at huel.com/NEAL . New Customers Only. Thank you to Huel for partnering and supporting the show! My listeners get the Harry's Plus Trial Set for only $10 at https://www.Harrys.com/NEAL #harryspod Check out https://www.squarespace.com/NEAL to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code NEAL. Control Body Odor ANYWHERE with Mando and get 20% off with promo code NEAL at https://www.shopmando.com #mandopod Same night out — way better morning with Cheers. For a limited time my listeners are getting 20% off their entire order by using code NEAL at https://www.cheershealth.com/NEAL #Cheers #ad ---------------------------------------------------------- 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

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    1 hr 22 min
  17. Sam Harris

    Show notes

    Neal Brennan interviews Sam Harris (Making Sense, Waking Up) about his mother Susan Harris' sitcom history, philosophy of the mind, meditation, Trump, secular rationality, fiction writing, dropping out of Stanford, psychic powers, magic, eye contact, consuming bad news, pacifism, meditation vs. political agitation, social media addiction, leftist hypocrisy and much more. Subscribe to @samharrisorg 00:00 Intro 2:25 His mother, Susan Harris 12:09 His father 15:13 Childhood perfectionism 17:22 Fiction writing aspirations & dropping out of college 18:52 MDMA 30:40 Sponsor: Huel 32:58 Sponsor: Mars Men 35:04 Psychic Powers & Spiritual Charisma 55:50 Eye Contact 1:02:28 Sponsor: Squarespace 1:04:30 Sponsor: Rag & Bone 1:06:08 Meditation vs. Political Agitation 1:14:12 Pacifism 1:23:30 Consuming Bad News 1:27:00 Social Media Addiction 1:40:34 Sponsor: Zocdoc 1:42:23 Trumpism & Leftist Hypocrisy 1:55:20 Political Optimism Thanks to our sponsors! Limited Time Offer – Get Huel today with my exclusive offer of 15% OFF online with my code NEAL at huel.com/NEAL . New Customers Only. Thank you to Huel for partnering and supporting the show! For a limited time, our listeners get 50% off FOR LIFE, Free Shipping, AND 3 Free Gifts at Mars Men at https://www.Mengotomars.com Check out https://www.squarespace.com/NEAL to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code NEAL. Visit https://www.rag-bone.com & use promo code NEAL for 20% off your order! Stop putting off those doctors appointments and go to https://www.Zocdoc.com/NEAL to find and instantly book a doctor you love today. ---------------------------------------------------------- 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

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    2 hr 4 min
  18. Kevin Nealon

    Show notes

    Neal Brennan interviews Kevin Nealon (SNL, Weeds, Happy Gilmore) about ADHD, Johnny Carson, mirroring, SNL, painting, Lorne Michaels, death, Chris Farley, claustrophobia, Dana Carvey, defibrillators, Adam Sandler, Irish accents, Garry Shandling, his documentary, Anthony Bourdain, family, Larry David, relationships, Robin Williams, Jan Hooks, standup comedy, Steve Martin, sketch comedy, David Letterman, and possible dementia. Subscribe to @KevinNealoncomedy Art: https://kevinnealonart.com/ Book: https://www.abramsbooks.com/product/i-exaggerate_9781419761980/ Oscar-nominated Documentary: https://tv.apple.com/us/movie/come-see-me-in-the-good-light/umc.cmc.27uh51l7oh3ghql2gxb6xvb1s 00:00 Intro 1:42 Irish Catholic 5:13 ADD 8:10 Mirroring 9:54 Long career 12:14 Pre-SNL Career 19:02 Sponsor: Huel 21:29 Sponsor: BetterHelp 23:34 SNL 35:00 Relationships & Family 40:00 Anthony Bourdain 42:53 Claustrophobia 49:44 Come See Me In The Good Light Documentary 50:55 Sponsor: SuperPower 53:34 Sponsor: Squarespace 55:28 Sponsor: RoSparks 58:06 Death 1:01:45 Celebrity Anecdotes Thanks to our sponsors! Limited Time Offer – Get Huel today with my exclusive offer of 15% OFF online with my code NEAL at huel.com/NEAL . New Customers Only. Thank you to Huel for partnering and supporting the show! Visit https://www.BetterHelp.com/NEAL for 10% off. Head to Superpower.com and use code [NEAL] at checkout for $20 off your membership. Live up to your 100-Year potential. #superpowerpod Check out https://www.squarespace.com/NEAL to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code NEAL. Get harder, longer-lasting erections with Ro Sparks: $15 off first order of medication to get hard at https://www.ro.co/BLOCKS ---------------------------------------------------------- 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 ----------------------------------------------------------

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    1 hr 36 min
  19. Robby Hoffman

    Show notes

    Neal Brennan interviews Robby Hoffman ('Wake Up' on Netflix) about the things that make her feel lonely, isolated, and like something's wrong - and how she is persevering despite these blocks.

    00:00 Intro

    01:31 Growing up Poor with 9 Siblings

    05:09 Leaving religion and moving away

    13:53 Rich kids vs. Poor kids

    18:50 Feeling like an outsider

    19:50 Being called “annoying”

    28:00 Having opinions on everything

    35:00 Sponsor: Huel

    37:54 Sponsor: Rag & Bone

    40:29 Top Surgery

    56:00 2-year rule for decisions

    59:52 Standup vs. Small Talk

    1:03:53 Sponsor: Superpower

    1:06:10 Sponsor: Squarespace

    1:08:26 Dressing Boyish

    1:12:24 Her identity Thanks to our sponsors! Visit https://www.huel.com/Neal & use promo code NEAL for 15% off online for new customers. Visit https://www.rag-bone.com and use promo code NEAL for 20% off your order! Go to https://www.SuperPower.com and use promo code NEAL for $20 off your membership. Save 10% off your first purchase at https://www.squarespace.com/NEAL ---------------------------------------------------------- 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 ---------------------------------------------------------- #podcast #interview #robbyhoffman #mentalhealth #comedy

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    1 hr 32 min
  20. Phil Hanley

    Show notes

    Neal Brennan interviews Phil Hanley (Spellbound: My Life as a Dyslexic Wordsmith) about the things that make him feel lonely, isolated, and like something's wrong - and how he is persevering despite these blocks.

    Get Phil Hanley's book: https://www.amazon.com/Spellbound-My-Life-Dyslexic-Wordsmith/dp/1250860156 00:00 Intro

    00:34 Dyslexia

    9:27 Upbringing

    10:41 Being a Male Model

    19:24 Starting Comedy

    19:46 Sponsor: Huel

    22:34 Sponsor: RoSparks

    25:19 Sponsor: BetterHelp

    27:22 Being Grateful for Dyslexia

    35:10 ADHD

    36:42 How he is as a Romantic Partner

    46:08 Sponsor: SquareSpace

    48:50 Sponsor: Warby Parker

    52:08 How he sees his life progressing

    58:03 Empathy

    1:03:55 Goals for his life Thanks to our sponsors! Visit https://www.huel.com/Neal & use promo code NEAL for 15% off for new customers. Get harder, longer-lasting erections with Ro Sparks: $15 off first order ofmedication to get hard at http:ro.co/BLOCKS Visit https://www.betterhelp.com/NEAL for 10% off your first monthSave 10% off your first purchase at https://www.squarespace.com/NEAL Get 15% off & free shipping when you buy two pairs of glasses at https://www.warbyparker.com/NEAL ---------------------------------------------------------- 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

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    1 hr 20 min

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