Funny Cuz It's True with Elyse Myers

Nimesh Patel is a standup comedian, former SNL writer, producer and on top of all of that, he has a freaking finance degree from NYU. Nimesh tells me the story behind his hilarious new special called “Lucky Lefty”, where he muses on his testicular cancer diagnosis and cure. It was awesome to chat about resilience on stage, true destiny and the time he had the best standup set of his life in front...

Every week my son August and I would watch our favorite ever dancer Amanda Kloots perform on Dancing with the Stars. She was truly amazing, and that's just one of the reasons I’m so excited she’s joining us today. We talk about her son Elvis, writing through grief, and the joys of working with family. I’m pretty sure I convinced her to star in her own screenplay and cried at least 7 times througho...

Jameela Jamil has basically lived multiple lifetimes in one. She’s been a DJ, a radio show host, and a model. She also founded I Weigh and hosts the I Weigh with Jameela Jamil podcast. And if that wasn’t enough, she starred in amazing TV shows like “The Good Place” and “She-Hulk Attorney at Law.” Jameela shares with me the wild journey that got her to “The Good Place,” her first-ever acting role (...

Zach Zimmerman has a custom-made sweater to match their new book “Is It Hot in Here (Or Am I Suffering for All Eternity for the Sins I Committed on Earth)?” Yes, it’s a heck of a title, and just like the book, we unpack a lot together. Zach tells me about the best advice they got from their “burrito boss” and why their comedy is both “delightful and devastating.” I also do a teeny bit of trauma du...

I taught myself guitar by learning Jason Mraz’s songs, so it feels really full circle to be talking with him this week. We chat about going from solo work to collaborating with the band Raining Jane, listening back to his old songs, and why he chooses positivity when performing live. He also tells me about creating his new album “Mystical Magical Rhythmical Radical Ride” and developing a passion f...

Julia Louis-Dreyfus has done so many incredible things in her career and for me personally. Her character Elaine on Seinfeld has been my icon for style and hair since childhood. She tells me about her career from SNL to Veep, and why she can’t imagine being anything other than an actress. Among her many, many new projects is her podcast Wiser Than Me, where she’s getting wisdom from older women sh...

I know Rainn Wilson best as Dwight Schrute from “The Office,” but I get to see a different side of him in our conversation. Rainn tells me how he knew acting was in his blood growing up, and how struggling with his mental health led him on a spiritual journey. He shares what he learned on this journey in his new book “Soul Boom: Why We Need a Spiritual Revolution.” Oh, and this will make sense lat...

This week, we're revisiting my interview with Mike Birbiglia. He talks about his new Broadway show “The Old Man and The Pool,” and how he makes a show about death and mortality funny. Mike gets into his creative process around joke writing, like how he got underneath the meaning behind a joke about his car accident and a drunk driver, and also tells me why he thinks performing comedy is like strip...

Are power best friends a thing? Like power couples, but for besties? If so, that’s Nicole Byer and Sasheer Zamata. They co-host the aptly named podcast “Best Friends with Nicole Byer and Sasheer Zamata.” They talk to me about coming up in the industry together, and a long-disputed fact about their friendship leads Nicole to embrace her identity as a doll collector. Plus, there’s all-around great f...

Listen, I talk to a lot of creative people on this show. But when I saw Josh Johnson’s Peacock special “Up Here Killing Myself” and listened to his mixtape “Elusive” I was like – this person is really thinking out of the box. Josh is not only a creative genius, he’s a writer for the Daily Show with Trevor Noah and a standup comedian. We talk about how comedy is the last step of healing and keeping...

Adam Pally’s whole career has been finding ways to work with his friends. From his early improv days, to his unforgettable stint hosting The Late Late Show with Ben Schwartz, he is excellent at playing off of other people. You can see that collaborative energy in action in his new film “Who Invited Charlie?” Set in the early days of pandemic lockdown, Adam talks about how the movie is able to find...

Fun fact about comedian Tig Notaro: she loves interacting with boring people. Tig is 100% no-nonsense and 100% all nonsense. She tells me how she once dragged a stool offstage and into the street for a joke. She also shares how she found her true voice after being launched to fame.    Please note, Funny Cuz It’s True contains mature themes and may not be appropriate for all listeners.    Stay up t...

Chelsea Devantez is a comedian, writer, producer, podcaster and my burning question for her is: how does she balance it all? Chelsea generously shares with me her advice for navigating the big world of entertainment. She teaches me the importance of writing a good first page, and how she’s turning a very, very, very short film into something bigger. Plus, she tells me about pranking her wedding gu...

Comedian Hari Kondabolu is passionate, outspoken, and very experienced with hecklers. He’s also a pandemic parent. Hari tells me about learning to write more personal material for his new special “Vacation Baby.” Plus, we agree that you gotta take all the freebies from set (deodorant, chocolate, Goldfish crackers) when you go home. Please note, Funny Cuz It’s True contains mature themes and may no...

Nate Bargatze has been called “The Nicest Guy in Stand-Up” and honestly? The rumors are true. Nate tells me how he started doing clean comedy, and the time he tried to copy a style of comedy that really wasn’t him. Plus, we talk about the power of (spoiler) just being a nice person in your work.  Please note, Funny Cuz It’s True contains mature themes and may not be appropriate for all listeners. ...

Holmes makes being off-the-cuff funny look easy. She got her start being hilarious on Tik Tok and Twitter before starring in Paul Feig’s “Welcome to Flatch.” Now, she wants to create TV shows that provide more representation. Holmes talks to me about falling in love in an escape room, and we bond over being Midwesterners. Please note that Funny Cuz It’s True contains mature themes that may not be...

You know when you meet someone and just vibe instantly? That was me and comedian and actress Aparna Nancherla. She talks about writing a book on imposter syndrome (spoiler alert: it doesn’t just go away) and how it led her to turn down a Netflix special. Plus, Aparna shares her decision to stop touring and why her latest acting role in “The Drop” was a big leap.  Please note, Funny Cuz It’s True c...

Long before Brian Baumgartner became known as Kevin from “The Office,” he worked in theater just trying to bring in enough for rent. But within a few months of moving to L.A., he found himself auditioning for the role that would change his life. Brian talks with me about the long audition process and how he developed a backstory for his character (Kevin can’t rotate at his hips!) Plus, we talk chi...

I can’t stop thinking about how Kevin Jonas is on my podcast all because I spilled some butter on fancy pants. It’s crazy. While this situation seems straight out of a fantasy, Kevin and I have a really grounded conversation about growing up in a tight-knit family, and how he learned to break the people-pleasing habit. He also shares why he thinks the Jonas Brothers’ upcoming album will be their b...

I didn't think a photo of me in my pajamas would be in Times Square, but that's what happened last week. This podcast was on a billboard in New York City! If you just heard about the show and are new here, I want to point you to a few of my favorite episodes. By the way, we’ll have a brand new episode for you next Wednesday. Please note, Funny Cuz It’s True contains mature themes and may not be ap...

Penn Badgley is warm, kind, and incredibly thoughtful – fortunately, the exact opposite of his character in the Netflix series “You.” As someone who’s been acting since he was a child, Penn shares his views on Hollywood and what it means to be an actor. He also talks about why he initially turned down the role of Dan Humphrey in “Gossip Girl” and discusses the similarities between Dan and Joe from...

Moses Storm has led a crazy life. The comedian and actor tells me about growing up in his family’s “failed” cult, living in a bus with his five siblings, and eventually meeting his hero Conan O’Brien on a rooftop that smelled like tapas. We also talk about the making of his first comedy special, “Trash White,” which has his fingerprints all over it – literally. Please note, Funny Cuz It’s True con...

I thought I peaked when they played my song “Whispers in the Breakroom” on their podcast. But oh no. It just got better. Angela Kinsey and Jenna Fischer (aaaaah!!!), The Office Ladies, are my very special guests this week. They tell me about becoming friends over a partition, the hard years before their big break, and why they won’t stop talking about their time on “The Office.” Plus, Jenna shares...

Please enjoy this encore episode of one of my favorite conversations. I did a podcast with my childhood crush and favorite member of NSYNC, and only freaked out a few times. The incredible Lance Bass tells me about growing up while performing with NSYNC. As a closeted teen, Lance had to hide a lot about himself. But no longer – Lance lives proudly as his true self with his husband and two children...

When I met Meghan Trainor, I found out she mixes her own songs on top of writing, performing, and generally being amazing. What you don’t see behind her greatest hits is just how hard she’s worked. Meghan talks about how she went from performing in a cover band with her family to being world famous. We also chatted about filming an acapella version of “Made You Look” together, which is out now! Wa...