The great Jenny Slate joins Mike this week for a wide-ranging conversation about getting hypnotized after being fired from SNL, a graduation speech Jenny gave to a class of one person, and making art to feel less lonely. Plus, jokes and stories about seeing your friends naked, improv classes for the elderly, and the time Jenny’s faked case of appendicitis we ... Show More
Mar 23
Nathan Lane: The Safest Thing You Can Do Is Take a Risk
(Recorded February 2025) Nathan Lane sits down with Mike and recounts moments from his legendary career — discussing what it was like to work with Mike Nichols, Elaine May, and Robin Williams. He shares what he likes most in a director, who he’s jealous of, and what he remembers ... Show More
1 h
Mar 16
206. Cazzie David: Spiritually a Boomer
Mike welcomes author, actor, and filmmaker Cazzie David to the podcast and right away, Mike challenges the notoriously misanthropic Cazzie to list five things she loves. It takes a while. Then, Cazzie breaks down her new book of essays, Delusions, which she says her mom found “di ... Show More
52m 50s
Nov 2025
"RE-RELEASE: Jenny Slate"
<p>Our lovely surprise guest Jenny Slate joins from a supply closet to give us the 5-day weather outlook, the difference between drop and dropper, texts about ‘the patriarchy,’ and so much more. Come ruin your minds with us, here at Chateau SmartLess.</p><p>This episode was origi ... Show More
44m 21s
Sep 2024
Life Is Short(er) Re-Run: PorchFest, Hibachi Memories, and Giggle Fits 🧀
The guys catch up about Christian’s experience at PorchFest this year, the annual Connecticut tradition where bands set up stages on neighborhood porches (and how Christian didn’t move from his porch the whole time). Justin recounts the walk down memory lane he and Kate had after ... Show More
50m 27s
Oct 2025
The Real Malala: Jeans, Crushes, & Healing
<p>Malala like you’ve never seen her -- In this deeply personal conversation, MalalaYousafzai opens up about rediscovering herself beyond the headlines by learning to laugh again, making friends at Oxford, falling in love, and learning to heal through therapy. A candid, moving po ... Show More
1h 49m
Mar 2016
Crazy Funny with Sara Benincasa, Chris Gethard, and Gary Gulman
<p>On The Gist, a classic episode from August 2014. When <a href="https://twitter.com/amybethsol">Amy Solomon</a> was growing up in Chicago, she was obsessed with Gilda Radner. She wanted to be a comedian but worried she didn't have enough problems to talk about. For her Princeto ... Show More
18m 26s