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The Science & Art of Comedy & Creativity | Tom Segura

Overview

Shownote

Highlights

Transcript

Chapters

Pins

The Science & Art of Comedy & Creativity | Tom Segura

Huberman Lab

2025/05/19
Huberman Lab

Huberman Lab

2025/05/19
OverviewShownoteHighlightsTranscriptChaptersPins

Shownote

My guest is Tom Segura, renowned comedian, writer, actor and director. We discuss the “how-to” of comedy writing and storytelling, and what the science of humor and the creative process reveal about human emotion and memory. We explore why surprise and the...

Highlights

This podcast features a deep dive into the world of comedy with renowned comedian Tom Segura. The conversation bridges neuroscience and humor, exploring how comedians craft their routines from daily observations and cultural dynamics. It delves into the psychological mechanisms that make humor effective, including emotional contagion and audience reactions.
00:00
Comedy intertwines with neuroscience and psychology.
04:07
Held the Two Bears 5K in Pasadena's Rose Bowl and Tampa's Raymond James Stadium.
11:58
Helix Sleep can match people to an ideal mattress.
15:13
Working out before a long day makes it go better.
27:12
Experimenting with jokes can lead to great outcomes or abandonment.
27:28
Comedians break an hour-long set into four 15-minute chunks.
40:09
Comedians should accept that jokes may not always land well.
43:30
Elite performers cut ties with past successes to evolve.
48:30
AG1 is a key part of the host's health routine.
58:49
Mention of cosmic correspondence and talent in voice imitation
59:06
Impersonation is about grabbing key elements of someone's personality.
1:08:05
A joke's effectiveness diminishes with repetition but depends on delivery and setting.
1:25:37
The perception of humor is influenced by subconscious processes.
1:27:48
Function Health helps users address personal health concerns through advanced testing
1:32:12
Dave Chappelle randomly performs at small clubs for long hours.
1:45:45
Acknowledging dark thoughts improves artistry rather than avoiding them.
1:50:58
Cynicism shuts down the 'yes, and' approach in improv.
1:56:59
Vulnerability on stage as a stand-up comedian is crucial for audience connection.
2:04:22
Complaining is crucial for stand-up comedy and stems from strong feelings.
2:10:53
Making the series was like getting paid to make 15 mini-movies.

Chapters

Tom Segura
00:00
Family, Sports, Running
01:45
Sponsors: Maui Nui & Helix Sleep
09:35
Ideas, Running, Sleep & Brain, Tools: Exercise for Energy; Phone Outside Room
12:37
Capturing Ideas, Cannabis, Storytelling, Experimentation
20:16
Ideas & Set List, Performance
27:28
Wife, Jokes, Reframing Content; Cancel Culture, Audience Reaction
31:52
Jokes, Self & Amusement; Evolution & New Material
40:56
Sponsors: AG1 & David Protein
48:26
Surprise, Hidden Thoughts; Acting
51:24
Voice Impersonation, Kids, Strength Training, Activities
59:02
Repeating Jokes; State Changes, Crowds & Energy
1:05:40
Silly Mindset; Audience, Emotional Contagion; Humor & Subconscious Mind
1:13:11
Sponsor: Function
1:27:44
Crowd Work, Comedy Clubs; Original Comedy
1:29:32
Comedy & Social Context; Dark Comedy
1:38:13
Drugs, Overdose, Comedian Deaths, Mental Health; Cynicism, Hope
1:47:51
Audience, Twin Comics; Vulnerability; Stand-Up & Performance
1:54:21
Comedy & Passion, Complaints; Childhood Struggle, Insecurities, Therapy
2:01:49
“Bad Thoughts” Show, Upcoming Projects
2:10:53
Zero-Cost Support, YouTube, Spotify & Apple Follow & Reviews, Sponsors, YouTube Feedback, Protocols Book, Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter
2:14:44

Transcript

Speaker 3: Welcome to the Huberman Lab podcast, where we discuss science and science-based tools for everyday life. I'm Andrew Huberman, and I'm a professor of neurobiology and ophthalmology at Stanford School of Medicine. My guest today is Tom Segura. Tom...