Mike Birbiglia's Working It Out 187. Jenny Slate: Unafraid of Sadness
42 snips
Oct 13, 2025 
Jenny Slate, a talented comedian and the voice of Marcel the Shell, shares candid insights about her creative journey. She talks about the impact of getting hypnotized after her SNL firing and how it helped with her stage fright. Jenny recounts a memorable graduation speech she delivered to just one student, highlighting the importance of connection in her work. They also dive into the emotional honesty behind creating Marcel and discuss the role of sadness in comedy, revealing how it influences her artistry and mental health.
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Use Bullets To Keep It Alive
- Preserve improvisational spontaneity by using bullet points instead of fully written scripts.
- Shuffle material live to keep performances unpredictable and authentic.
Hypnosis Helped After SNL Firing
- Jenny Slate describes developing intense stage fright after being fired from SNL and seeking a hypnotist for help.
- Hypnosis helped her return to performing and eased the haunting anxiety of stage fright.
Career As Job-to-Job Exploration
- Jenny views her career as 'job to job' and enjoys auditioning to confirm interest and fit.
- She values making work aligned with her appetite rather than chasing mass-market roles.
