The Downside with Gianmarco Soresi
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Stand up comedian and lifelong cynic Gianmarco Soresi interviews people more famous than him about all the downsides to their life. If you like looking on the bright side of life, f*ck off. This is a podcast where complaining is encouraged, negativity celebrated and silver linings debunked. Misery loves company and when Gianmarco is with company he loves talking about their miseries. You can follow @gianmarcosoresi on all social platforms.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Mar 28, 2026 • 11min
The Conservative Straw Man (Patreon Excerpt)
Chris Cafero, comedian known for his on-stage characters and the 'Conservative Chris' persona, shares personal stories and performs bits. He recounts finding a mysterious lump and the awkward medical tests that followed. He also dives into theatrical chaos from a wild SpongeBob the Musical production and the cast’s late-night group chat meltdown.
Mar 24, 2026 • 1h 34min
#362 Check On Your White Friends with Yamaneika Saunders
Yamaneika Saunders, a sharp stand-up comic known for candid takes on race and culture, returns with fiery storytelling. She tackles choosing not to care, navigating interracial friendships, testing airline customer service, and why Trump’s behavior resonates for some. Expect blunt rants, dating confessions, debates about bare feet and travel grossness, and reflections on midlife anxieties.
Mar 21, 2026 • 12min
#361 When Reality TV Goes Wrong (Patreon Excerpt)
Comedians trade wild reality TV cautionary tales about pulled segments, reshot reactions, and staged authenticity. They revisit prank hijinks that went dangerous overseas and a home-renovation reveal that reduced someone to tears. The conversation pokes at the ethics of broadcasting raw emotional moments and the messy fallout when production crosses the line.
Mar 17, 2026 • 1h 33min
#360 The Sphincter of America with John Cameron Mitchell
John Cameron Mitchell, actor-writer-director best known for Hedwig and the Angry Inch, talks identity, art, and controversy. He critiques identity politics and capitalism. He reflects on casting, queer spaces, censorship, and filming explicit scenes like Shortbus. He shares stories about Hedwig’s global adaptations and the upcoming 25th anniversary tour.
Mar 14, 2026 • 21min
#359 Campaigning for an Oscar Award is Embarrassing (Patreon Excerpt)
Russell Daniels, comedian and frequent collaborator, brings sharp banter and cynical takes on awards season. They mock the embarrassment of campaigning, debate which nominees age well, and argue about whether awards still matter. Expect riffs on scandals, culture snobbery, and the weird politics of prestige.
Mar 10, 2026 • 1h 30min
#358 Books, Baby, and a Boob with Claire Parker
Claire Parker, comedian and podcaster known for her special and show Good Noticings, joins to banter about reading celebrity memoirs vs dense history. She tackles looks culture and cosmetic trends. They spar over parenting ambivalence and gripe about encore culture. Short, sharp, and funny takes on books, beauty, and modern performance rituals.
Mar 7, 2026 • 21min
#357 Premonitory Comedic Urges (Patreon Excerpt)
Benny Feldman, stand-up comic who turns personal experience into sharp material, tackles Tourette’s and how it’s portrayed. He reacts to a high-profile mishandling, debates “just a joke” defenses, and traces how lazy punchlines normalized harmful takes. Short, candid, and funny conversations about accountability and comedy craft.
Mar 3, 2026 • 1h 32min
#356 Oppression Check-In with Jaboukie Young-White
Jaboukie Young-White, comedian/actor/writer who rose to fame young via viral social clips, chats about life on the road, communal living, and near-death moments. He reflects on stepping back from social media, touring stories, movie-theater pet peeves, and how philosophy and family shaped his comedy. Quick, candid, and often hilarious takes.
Feb 28, 2026 • 17min
#355 The Last People You Want To Hear From About The BAFTA Situation (Patreon Excerpt)
A candid conversation about a Tourette’s incident at the BAFTAs and who gets blamed. They probe how people dismiss involuntary tics and struggle to imagine disabled experiences. The discussion critiques performative apologies, production responsibility, and how context can turn tics into public harm. A call for more imagination and empathy toward disability runs through the talk.
4 snips
Feb 24, 2026 • 1h 42min
#354 The Diary of Grace Reiter
Grace Reiter, comedian and parody filmmaker known for viral short films, returns to talk directing, therapy woes, and crafting gross stage effects. She riffs on parody projects like The Hunger Games (But Better). Short, funny stories range from touring mishaps to journaling for witness and plans to evolve parodies into bigger dramedy work.
