Episode 538 - Ian Karmel / Ron Funches

The Portland comedy scene is booming, with Ian Karmel and Ron Funches being two of its greatest exports. In this double-header episode, Ian tells Marc about becoming a local Portland celebrity and leaving it behind for a soul-crushing experience in Los Angeles. Then Ron expains how he maintains such a cheerful disposition in the face of his demanding responsibilities as the father of an autistic child. This episode is sponsored by the new movie Harmontown, Shipstation.com, FanDuel and Audible.

Episode 537 - Rivers Cuomo

Weezer frontman Rivers Cuomo is the subject of much rock and roll lore, and Marc wants to get it all on the table. Why did Rivers decide to go to Harvard just as Weezer was taking off? What was he really doing when he dropped off the grid after the failure of Pinkerton? And did he really become celibate? Rivers gives the answers and tells Marc how he feels about the many myths that surround him. This episode is sponsored by Earthquaker Devices, Squarespace and Stamps.com.

Episode 536 - Tim and Eric

Tim Heidecker and Eric Wareheim created a comedy universe that defies easy explanation. But what Tim and Eric can explain to Marc is how they became friends and developed a signature style in unconventional ways. They also reflect on how that style is evolving as they star in a new TV series and tour the country with a live stage show. This episode is sponsored by Casper Matress, FanDuel and Audible.

Episode 535 - Nick Frost

Nick Frost never intended to become an actor, let alone be part of some of the most popular comedies in recent memory. Before Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz, Nick had no goals, no ambition, and a penchant for getting into trouble. But as Nick tells Marc, everything changed one night thanks to a sudden and undeniable friendship. This episode is sponsored by Comedy Central, UnTuckIt, Stamps.com and Squarespace.

Episode 534 - Nicholas Stoller

Neighbors director Nicholas Stoller is someone who movie studios trust with millions of dollars in production costs. Naturally, Marc wants to know how Nick got that way. He suspects Nick’s Harvard education has a lot to do with it, much to Marc’s chagrin as someone who went to nearby Boston University and spent his own college career on the outside looking in. This episode is sponsored by Squarespace.

Episode 533 - Dax Shepard

Parenthood star Dax Shepard first caught Marc’s attention as the barely functional simpleton named Frito in Idiocracy. And while he’s had an expansive acting career, starting at Punk’d and leading up to his latest movie This Is Where I Leave You, Dax’s life has been defined by his family, his sobriety and his cars. Lots of cars. And lots of racing in those cars. This episode is sponsored by FanDuel and Stamps.com.

Episode 532 - Kathy Griffin

Kathy Griffin stops by for a true throwback WTF episode. It’s a throwback because Kathy and Marc spend the first 10 minutes defusing past tension and figuring out the root of their problem. Then with that out of the way, they talk about the alternative comedy scene, Kathy’s struggles to fit in with the stand-up crowd and her unlikely breakthrough as a reality TV star. This episode is sponsored by Prosper, Blue Apron and Kevin Smith’s new movie Tusk.

Episode 531 - Anna Kendrick

When Anna Kendrick was 10 years old, she convinced her parents to drive her from their home in Maine to New York City for auditions. That decision has paid off with a pair of huge award nominations, roles opposite some of the world’s biggest movie stars and a multi-platinum hit song. Anna and Marc talk about the many highlights of her young career and why she’s always worried that none of it is real. This epiosde is sponsored by Matador Records, Kevin Smith’s new film Tusk, Stamps.com and Comedy Central.

Episode 530 - Jay Bakker

Jay Bakker was thrust into the world of televangelism as the son of Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker. When their empire came crashing down, Jay struggled to survive the wreckage. He tells Marc about his journey and where it has brought him today. Also, filmmaker Jordan Brady stops by to talk about his new documentary, I Am Road Comic. This episode is sponsored by No No: A Dockumentary, Blue Apron and Warby Parker.

Episode 529 - Mac McCaughan

Mac McCaughan from Superchunk is also the founder of one of the biggest and most prolific indy music labels in the country - Merge Records. Mac and Marc talk about the creation of Merge and the evolution of Mac’s own musical output. Also, comedian Carol Leifer drops by to talk about her new memoir, How To Succeed In Business Without Really Crying. This episode is sponsored by Squarespace, Prosper, Draft Kings and Merge Records.

Episode 528 - Robyn Hitchcock

When singer-songwriter Robyn Hitchcock looks back at the roots of his prolific career, he sees a little Bob Dylan, a little Syd Barrett and a little Doctor Who, to name a few influences. Robyn talks with Marc about his first band The Soft Boys, his mixed feelings about reunions, the fears and compulsions that keep him going, and the elusive nature of originality. This episode is sponsored by Pond5, Squarespace, Blue Apron and Draft Kings.

Episode 527 - Wanda Sykes

Wanda Sykes is one of the funniest people alive. But Marc remembers Wanda when she was first starting out in the New York comedy clubs and says she was a completely different performer back then. Wanda tells Marc how she found her confidence and became more honest, in both her act and her life. Plus, Wanda explains what happened during her encounter with the President and First Lady. This episode is sponsored by Pond5, Comedy Central and Stamps.com.

Episode 526 - Ty Segall

In a way, Ty Segall has the life Marc always wanted. Still in his mid-20s, Ty already has eight solo albums, as well as others with various bands, and rubs shoulders with rock legends while making music with his long-time friends. That probably explains why Marc is so excited to get a modern rock lesson from Ty, covering pyschedelia, noise rock, no wave and modern punk. Ty also explains his DIY approach to creating albums, which is not unfamiliar to a podcaster like Marc. This episode is sponsored by Blue Apron and Prosper.

Episode 525 - Alec Sulkin

Comedy writer Alec Sulkin found success on Family Guy and the movie Ted. But as he explains to Marc, the road to good TV writing jobs is long and winding, filled with connections, coincidences, injustice and nepotism. Alec explains how he made it through the long slog, got past the disappointment of his own show getting canceled, found personal popularity on Twitter and subsequently got himself in hot water. This episode is sponsored by Comedy Central, UnTuckIt, Prosper and Stamps.com.

Episode 524 - Bob Mould

Bob Mould shook up alternative music in the ‘80s and ‘90s with his influential bands Husker Du and Sugar. But Bob seems willing to shake up his own life at every turn, too. Bob tells Marc how he took advantage of sudden opportunities that set his life down different paths, like becoming a writer for pro-wrestling, composing The Daily Show theme song and coming to terms with his true identity. This episode is sponsored by Merge Records, Squarespace and Doctor On Demand.

Episode 523 - Bob Newhart

Bob Newhart is an American institution thanks to his incredibly funny and popular television shows. But the way Marc sees it, Bob Newhart is one of the most important stand-up comedians ever. Marc talks with the legend about the comedy albums that turned Bob into an overnight sensation and changed the game for American comedy. This episode is sponsored by Katt Williams: Priceless on HBO, Boyhood from IFC Films, Squarespace and Stamps.com.

Episode 522 - Pat Healy

Actor Pat Healy is coming off a string of acclaimed performances in challenging films like Compliance and Cheap Thrills. But how do those complex roles compare with another from his past? That role being the roommate of Marc Maron’s ex-wife. Pat and Marc talk about those strange days when their lives intersected, as well as Pat’s earlier years at the vaunted Steppenwolf Theatre in Chicago. Plus, Pat busts out a killer Werner Herzog impression. This episode is sponsored by Blue Apron and Prosper.

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