Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend
Team Coco & Earwolf
After 25 years at the Late Night desk, Conan realized that the only people at his holiday party are the men and women who work for him. Over the years and despite thousands of interviews, Conan has never made a real and lasting friendship with any of his celebrity guests. So, he started a podcast to do just that. Deeper, unboundedly playful, and free from FCC regulations, Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend is a weekly opportunity for Conan to hang out with the people he enjoys most and perhaps find some real friendship along the way.
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Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes of Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend ad-free and a whole week early.
Start a free trial now on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus.
Episodes
Mentioned books
31 snips
May 11, 2026 • 1h 4min
Billie Eilish Returns
Billie Eilish, Grammy-winning singer-songwriter known for her bold sound and visuals, returns to talk touring, co-directing her 3D concert film with James Cameron, and crafting intimate moments for fans. They chat about onstage silence, new filming tech, life on tour, and how she stays reachable while her shows grow.
18 snips
May 7, 2026 • 20min
Peeping Cooper
Cooper Shields, an Ohio architectural historian who surveys buildings and writes National Register nominations. He talks about what preservation work actually looks like. He shares funny homeowner reactions to being photographed. He defends underappreciated styles like brutalism and explains how plaques and historic listings work.
131 snips
May 4, 2026 • 1h 4min
Zach Galifianakis Returns Again
Zach Galifianakis, comedian and actor famed for Between Two Ferns and The Hangover films, returns for a freewheeling chat. He revisits early odd jobs and fame, defends comedy that punches up, and shares how gardening became his grounding passion. They also riff on strip-club stories, worries about AI, and workshop playful gala jokes.
49 snips
Apr 30, 2026 • 22min
Cover Your Hole
Philip from Colonial Williamsburg, a relic hunter and former firefighter turned bivocational preacher, shares wild tales of finding colonial posy rings, Civil War bullets and even a live grenade. He explains map research, detector techniques and the etiquette of always covering your digs. Short, surprising stories and gritty local history collide.
37 snips
Apr 27, 2026 • 1h 8min
Ike Barinholtz
Ike Barinholtz, actor and comedian known for TV and sketch work, chats about his time at Amsterdam’s Boom Chicago and how it sharpened his stage skills. He talks about creating Sal Saperstein for The Studio and teases his new trivia podcast Funny You Ask. The conversation includes game show wins, Venice shoot stories, and a playful friendship pitch.
52 snips
Apr 23, 2026 • 25min
The State Of The Entertainment Business With Jeff Ross
Jeff Ross, executive producer and long‑time comedy pro, offers an insider view of Hollywood and modern production. They discuss syndication shifts like Byron Allen buying time, whether Conan could thrive in daytime TV, why podcasting fits his young digital audience, rising overseas production and shrinking US jobs, and bold merch and niche product ideas.
116 snips
Apr 20, 2026 • 1h 5min
Dan Levy
Dan Levy, actor/writer/director best known for co-creating and starring in Schitt’s Creek, chats about his new series Big Mistakes and the creative freedom of making Schitt’s Creek. He praises Catherine O’Hara’s influence, discusses costume-as-character work, casting choices, and how family and anxiety shape his storytelling. The conversation highlights career choices and mentorship in comedy.
47 snips
Apr 16, 2026 • 15min
Conan Vs. Edibles Part I
Conan confronts a box of edible cannabis and debates whether to try them. Staff explain energy, chill, CBD and THCV varieties and give dosing and timing tips. Conversations cover personal edible stories, productivity worries, and plans to test and report back.
53 snips
Apr 13, 2026 • 1h 2min
David Oyelowo Returns
David Oyelowo, acclaimed actor from Selma and Lincoln, returns to discuss his new film Newborn and personal turns in life. He tells wild on-set stories, recalls an accidental start in acting, and describes portraying a man emerging from solitary confinement. Conversations weave family lore, childhood across continents, and the emotional costs of intense roles.
41 snips
Apr 9, 2026 • 27min
The Freedom Reader
A conversation about finding transformation through books while incarcerated. Stories of discovering an underground library and how poetry changed a life. The founding and growth of a nonprofit that brings new book-filled libraries into cellblocks. Reflections on rehabilitation, returning to law school, and building a team of formerly incarcerated leaders.
