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Modern Day Philosophers with Daniel Lobell artwork

Modern Day Philosophers with Daniel Lobell

Daniel Lobell (of WTF and This American Life) talks Comedy & Philosophy·82 episodes

ComedySocietyCulturePhilosophy

Daniel Lobell of Comical Radio and This American Life is back once again. This time, he's diving head first into philosophy (a subject he knows little about) with fellow comedians (Marc Maron, Artie Lange, Maria Bamford, Lewis Black, Greg Fitzsimmons, Larry Miller, Reggie Watts etc.) and attempting to find the answers to life's great questions. Even if the questions just lead to more questions, there will be many laughs in between. You can listen and decide: Are comedians really "modern day philosophers"?

Episodes

1 hr
May 19, 2026
Guest Patton Oswalt

Comedian Patton Oswalt joins Daniel Lobell and Mark Schiff for an all new episode!

2 hr
Mar 11, 2025
Comedian Brian Regan

Comedians Brian Regan, Daniel Lobell, and Mark Schiff come together for an exciting new episode of We Think It's Funny, where they dive into Brian's latest projects, his writing and acting process, and much more. Known for his clean, observational humor, Brian shares insights into how he crafts his material and navigates the world of comedy. With Lobell and Schiff—both seasoned comedians themselves—bringing their own perspectives, this episode promises to be a must-listen for comedy fans curious about the creative minds behind the laughs.

1 hr 32 min
Oct 30, 2024
Guest Eric Kaplan (Writer on The Big Bang Theory, Young Sheldon, The Simpsons)

Daniel Lobell and Mark Schiff sit down for a chat with one of TV's top comedy writers; Eric Kaplan on the "We Think It's Funny" podcast. They discuss everything from how to get a job as a television writer to Eric's Jewish journey which led him praying with Tephillin on for a while. Enjoy!

52 min
Mar 18, 2024Episode 1
We Think it's Funny Episode One: Darren Carter

Comedian Darren Carter join Daniel Lobell and Mark Schiff to kick off the first episode of the new podcast We Think It's Funny!

1 hr 4 min
Feb 7, 2024Episode 131
Remebering Al Martin

Al Martin was a legend on the New York scene, owner and creator of The New York Comedy Club, Broadway Comedy Club and Greenwhich Comedy Clubs. He helped get many comedy careers launched including mine. May he rest in peace and may his soul soar high. Here is an interview I did with him in 2020.

1 hr 6 min
Jan 18, 2024Episode 130
Throwback: Carl Reiner

Origionally recorded in 2014. Enjoy.

1 hr 16 min
Jan 9, 2024Episode 129
Remembering Shecky Greene

Origially posted in season 4. Rest in Peace Shecky.

53 min
Apr 26, 2023Episode 128
SEASON 10 WRAP UP SHOW with Daniel Lobell & Alex Fossella

Daniel and Alex discuss the highlights of season 10 and Alex bids farewell to the show.

1 hr 33 min
Mar 15, 2023Episode 127
Elon Gold and Jack Kerouac

In the season 10 finale, Daniel Lobell sits down with comedian and impressionist Elon Gold to discuss everything from Jewish life to his feud with Jimmy Fallon and they study some Jack Kerouac as well.

1 hr 32 min
May 18, 2022Episode 126
Carl Gottleib interview

1 hr 52 min
Nov 30, 2021Episode 125
Seth Glass Interview

It's hard to describe Seth Glass and do him justice. He's a musician who's lyrics are incredible poetry. He's a spiritual man and a Jewish philosopher of sorts. He talks about his career as a musician playing Jewish themed music, he talks about his struggles with substance abuse, about touring with Reb Shlomo Carlebach and about getting older. He plays some songs shares some cool ideas and so much more! Enjoy.

56 min
Feb 24, 2021Episode 124
Art Bell interview on his new book Constant Comedy

Daniel and Art Bell talk about the creation of Comedy Central, old comedy and making it in the TV exec biz! Check out Art's new book Constant Comedy: How I started Comedy Central and Lost my sense of Humor.

1 hr 35 min
Jun 1, 2020Episode 123
Daniel, Kylie and guest Al Martin- Special Coronavirus Edition

Daniel and Kylie check in to talk about the riots happening on their block in Los Angeles. He also interviews Al Martin, owner of the Broadway Comedy Club and Greenwich Comedy Club, as well as the founder of New York Comedy Club, one of the places where Daniel started his career. They talk about how the club came to be and where comedy is at nowadays. Al is the author of the new book "Did It On a Dare." For 10 percent off your first month of BetterHelp, visit Betterhelp.com/MDP. Enjoy!

1 hr 8 min
May 19, 2020Episode 122
Daniel, Kylie and Matty Goldberg- Special Coronavirus Edition

Host Daniel Lobell welcomes back his wife Kylie Ora Lobell to chat with Matty Goldberg about how they met. They remember good times in Brooklyn, talk about the new puppy, and update listeners on their quarantine status. This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Go to betterhelp.com/mdp for 10 percent off your first month.

1 hr 21 min
May 2, 2020Episode 121
Daniel and brother Josh call Scottish cousin Marc Frame - Special Coronavirus Edition

Daniel Lobell and his brother Josh Lobell decided in this episode that they just wanted to cheer people up and make them laugh in this tough time. Knowing that there is no one funnier than their cousin Marc Frame in Scotland, they decide to give a call to talk about everything from dating during quarantine to cooking to comedy to Ralphie May and so much more. This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Get 10 percent off your first month by going to betterhelp.com/mdp. Enjoy!

1 hr 45 min
Apr 15, 2020Episode 120
Daniel's wife Kylie Ora Lobell Returns - Special Coronavirus Edition

Daniel's wife Kylie Ora Lobell returns to the show to talk about the coronavirus and the impact it's having on their lives. They discuss an unexpected visitor in the backyard, Tiger King, Passover and Easter, and some things they found have made them happy during the quarantine. This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. For 10% off, go to BetterHelp.com/MDP.  Enjoy!

1 hr 18 min
Apr 3, 2020Episode 119
Daniel's Brother Josh Lobell Returns - Special Coronavirus Edition

Josh Lobell returns to the show to teach Daniel and the listeners how to make a healthy mint chocolate chip smoothie that is both delicious and will hopefully boost your immune system. They also talk about bats, Muppets, and what they've been watching on TV during quarantine. Enjoy!

1 hr 36 min
Mar 28, 2020Episode 118
Daniel and his brother Josh Lobell - special Coronavirus edition

Daniel sits down with brother Josh Lobell to talk about raw food and talk to some of his friends about keeping busy during coronavirus.

1 hr 3 min
Mar 24, 2020Episode 117
Daniel and his wife Kylie - Special Coronavirus Edition

Kylie Ora Lobell joins Daniel on a special coronavirus edition. They talk about everything that's going on in the world, how to cope with it, the loss of their dog Juno, and also go over some inspiring quotes to find words of wisdom in these trying times.

1 hr 3 min
Mar 24, 2020Episode 117
Daniel and his wife Kylie - Special Coronavirus Edition

Kylie Ora Lobell joins Daniel on a special coronavirus edition. They talk about everything that's going on in the world, how to cope with it, the loss of their dog Juno, and also go over some inspiring quotes to find words of wisdom in these trying times.

1 hr 3 min
Mar 24, 2020Episode 117
Daniel and his wife Kylie - Special Coronavirus Edition

Kylie Ora Lobell joins Daniel on a special coronavirus edition. They talk about everything that's going on in the world, how to cope with it, the loss of their dog Juno, and also go over some inspiring quotes to find words of wisdom in these trying times.

1 hr 3 min
Mar 24, 2020Episode 117
Daniel and his wife Kylie - Special Coronavirus Edition

Kylie Ora Lobell joins Daniel on a special coronavirus edition. They talk about everything that's going on in the world, how to cope with it, the loss of their dog Juno, and also go over some inspiring quotes to find words of wisdom in these trying times.

1 hr 46 min
Feb 23, 2020Episode 116
Ashley Blaker and Leo Strauss

Ashley Blaker join Daniel Lobell in his Edinburgh "Flat" to discuss philosophy from Leo Strauss, UK comedy, Little Britain, working with Joan Rivers, producing for the BBC and being an obsessive Orthodox Jew and UK football fan.  Brought to you by Better Help Visit BetterHelp.com/MDP for 10% off your first month (for a limited time only).

1 hr 51 min
Jan 31, 2020Episode 115
Tommy Tiernan and Albert Einstein

Tommy Tiernan and Daniel Lobell get together at the 2019 Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland to talk about everything from Jonathan Winters to growing up in Africa, England, and Ireland to having and raising kids to the philosophy of Albert Einstein. This conversation is a rare and intimate look into the mind of one of the world's greatest comedians.  This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Go to betterhelp.com/mdp to enjoy 10% off your first month.

2 hr 4 min
Jan 17, 2020Episode 114
Nick Vatterott and Miguel de Cervantes

Nick Vatterott visits Daniel Lobell to talk everything from sketch comedy to living in NYC and seeing Elephants walk through the Queens tunnel to Don Coyote. Great talk from to you by Better Help. Visit BetterHelp.com/MDP for 10% off your first month. Enjoy!

2 hr 31 min
Jan 2, 2020Episode 113
Skyler Stone and Sylvia Plath

Skyler Stone visited Daniel Lobell at his home studio. The discussion ranges from topics of addiction to acting to reminiscing about their mutual lost friend comedian Ralphie May. They also discuss some of the work of Sylvia Plath, who Alex Fossella picked out. It's a great episode to kick off the new decade. This episode is brought to you by Skillshare. Go to skillshare.com/mdp for two free months. Happy 2020! Enjoy!

1 hr 49 min
Dec 6, 2019Episode 112
Dan Soder and Robert Louis Stevenson

Dan Soder and Daniel Lobell meet up for this podcast in Lobell's Edinburgh "Flat" this past August. It's a great talk ranging from topics of addiction to Dan's vulnerable thoughts on doing comedy about his since passed father. We talk about Dan getting ready to do his new HBO special "Son of a Gary" and so much more! We even get into Robert Louis Stevenson and impressionist comedians.  Enjoy! Brought to by: Skillshare, visit Skillshare.com/MDP and by: BetterHelp, visit BetterHelp.com/MDP

2 hr 12 min
Nov 7, 2019
SEASON 9 WRAP UP SHOW with Daniel , Alex Fossella and Jordon Ferber

Daniel Lobell, Alex Fossella, and Jordon Ferber sit down at Stand Up NY Labs to record the season 9 wrap up show. They talk about episodes with AJ Jacobs, Colt Cabana, Barry Katz, Lola Blanc, George Wallace and many more. Tune in to hear the memories, stories behind the scenes, and who got it right and who got it wrong with the philosophies. This episode is brought to you by Skillshare. Go to Skillshare.com/MDP for your free two month trial for a limited time only. Classes available on a multitude of great topics. Try it today!

1 hr 55 min
Sep 11, 2019Episode 111
AJ Jacobs and JL Schellenberg

A.J. Jacobs hosts Daniel Lobell to talk about philosophy, religion, what is involved in being an author, and a recap of the global family reunion that A.J. threw and Daniel participated in a few years back. It's a great talk and they also discuss the ideas of JL Schellenberg.   Enjoy!

1 hr 24 min
Aug 9, 2019
Bonus Episode: Remembering Howard Lapides

Some years ago Daniel Lobell sat down for an interview with the now late Howard Lapides. In this episode Daniel also reflects on the tragic loss of his friend and former manager David Kimowitz. Please Zelle donations to help the Kimowitz family to [email protected] (if you are able to help his family. He is survived by a widow and two small Children) Thank you.

1 hr 47 min
Jul 20, 2019Episode 110
Colt Cabana and Carl Von Clausewitz

Colt Cabana comes by Daniel Lobell's Edinburgh flat (apartment) in Scotland at the 2018 Edinburgh Fringe Festival. They talk about Colt's career as a professional wrestler, getting into the WWE, and being fired from the WWE, which led him to doing the DIY thing. They discover together that they have a lot in common in their stories and somewhere along the line, even get into the ideas of Carl Von Clausewitz and get philosophical. Also, Daniel reveals some very big news at the beginning of the episode that you won't want to miss! With special guest Kylie Ora Lobell.   Enjoy!

1 hr 56 min
Jul 4, 2019Episode 109
Lola Blanc and August Comte

Lola Blanc comes over to Daniel Lobell's house to talk about her fascinating story of her childhood growing up in the Mormon church, her mother being taken by a deceptive false messiah and finding her way into music. The conversation touches on everything from dating Marlyn Mason to the philosophy of August Comte and this marks our first musician on the show! Enjoy!

2 hr 15 min
Jun 11, 2019Episode 108
Barry Katz and Herbert Spencer

Barry Katz is a legendary comedy manager and producer. He co produced the hit show Last Comic Standing. He managed Dane Cook, Dave Chappelle, Nick Di Paolo and Louis CK. He stops by to talk to Daniel Lobell about his story, his life after divorce, being a father and to talk about some of the philosophy of Herbert Spencer. Enjoy!

2 hr 11 min
Apr 3, 2019Episode 107
Jackie "The Jokeman" Martling and Jeremy Bentham

Jackie Martling invites Daniel Lobell over for a talk the ranges on everything from the Howard Stern show to addiction to marriage to the philosophy of Jeremy Bentham. Lots of fun and of course Jokes! Enjoy!

1 hr 51 min
Jan 15, 2019Episode 106
Myq Kaplan and Oscar Wilde

Myq Kaplan joins Daniel to discuss some of the ideas of philosopher/writer Oscar Wilde. Myq and Daniel have been friends for years and they catch up. Myq is also the voice of the new intro song lyrics written by Zach Sherwin.

1 hr 28 min
Dec 18, 2018Episode 105
Jimmy O. Yang and William Jevons

Jimmy O. Yang of Silicon Valley and Crazy Rich Asians comes by to talk to Daniel about philosopher William Jevons and his new book "How to American". They talk about family, childhood stories, comedy and how to evolve artistically when your motivations shift. Enjoy!

1 hr 37 min
Nov 9, 2018Episode 104
Luz Pazos and Giacomo Leopardi

Luz Pazos is the only Peruvian comedian working in the U.S. currently. She comes by the show to talk with Daniel about Giacomo Leopardi as well as her story of international travel that led her to Los Angeles and to becoming a comedian. She also happens to be a huge Giacomo Leopardi fan! Enjoy!

1 hr 18 min
Oct 17, 2018Episode 103
Manis Friedman and Thomas Nagel

Rabbi Manis Friedman comes over Daniel's house to discuss his new book "The Joy of Intimacy" and some philosophy from Thomas Nagel. The conversation covers his growing up in the Chabad movement and meeting with the esteemed Lubavitcher Rebbe of blessed memory, having Bob Dylan as a congregant of his synagogue and of course the subject of Intimacy.

2 hr 17 min
Sep 22, 2018Episode 102
Mendy Pellin and Carl Jung

Mendy Pellin talks with Daniel Lobell about what it's like to be one of the only Hassidic stand up comedians. They discuss performing for religious crowds, a funny story involving a holocaust survivor and philosophy from Carl Jung! Enjoy!

1 hr 15 min
Sep 9, 2018Episode 101
Tony Hawk and Marcel Proust

Tony Hawk and Daniel Lobell sit down and discuss skateboarding, music, following your dreams, Hollywood and philosophy from Marcel Proust. Enjoy!

1 hr 14 min
Aug 15, 2018Episode 100
EPISODE 100! A LOOK BACK. (Featuring Maron, Burr, Bamford, Lewis Black and more)

Celebration of 100 episodes of Modern Day Philosophers with Daniel Lobell. Featuring: Matt Kirshen, Maria Bamford, Bill Burr, Lewis Black, Marc Maron, Carl Reiner, Jackie Mason, Doug Stanhope, Fred Armisen, Brian Regan, Mellisa Villasenior, George Wallace and Shelley Berman. Special appearance from Marc Frame.

2 hr 5 min
Jun 27, 2018Episode 99
Salvador Litvak and Adam Ferguson

Salvador Litvak the great writer, director and host of the Accidental Talmudist sits down with Danny to tell his story of immigrating from Chile, Umbrella Stabbings, Harvard rowing, bad performance art and Mexican weed. They also talk Judaim, the holocaust and of course about the philosopher Alex Fossella picked for them Adam Ferguson. Brought to you by FairEnoughComic.com Issue #2 now available!

1 hr 23 min
May 24, 2018Episode 98
George Wallace and Montesquieu

George Wallace and Danny Lobell sit down in an airport lounge near LAX and talk everything from politics to Seinfeld to being at Martin Luther King Jr.'s funeral. Its the first episode of SEASON NINE!! Enjoy!

2 hr 45 min
Apr 12, 2018
Special Episode: Ralphie May; a journey through podcasts, stand up and life.

Ralphie May; a journey. In this episode I look back at my friendship with my comedy mentor, brother, boss and friend Ralphie May. You will hear old episodes of my various podcasts featuring me (Danny Lobell), David Kasten, Chris Iacono, Myka Fox, Andrew Schulz, Joe Materese, Justy Dodge, Lahna Turner, Dan Naturman, and of course the late and very great Ralphie May. I also make some calls to Skyler Stone, The Smash Brothers (Corey and Chad), Steve Lee, Billy Wayne Davis and my cousin Marc.  May Mr. May be with us all in some way always. Long live the memory of the great Ralphie May.

1 hr 46 min
Mar 31, 2018
SEASON 8 WRAP UP SHOW with Danny and Alex Fossella

Alex Fossella and Danny Lobell recount their favorite highlights from the season!

1 hr 37 min
Mar 5, 2018Episode 97
Tape Face aka Sam Wills and Alexis de Tocqueville

Tape Face joins Danny Lobell, host of Modern Day Philosophers. America's Got Talent's Tape Face guests on this episode of the show to discuss philosophy from philosopher Alexis de Tocqueville. They talked about the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, protecting your inner child, and the frustrations of social media. Tape Face went to clowning school, where he learned street performing, magic, and juggling, and failed at sword swallowing. Tune in to find out more.

1 hr 37 min
Feb 1, 2018Episode 96
Erica Rhodes and John Rawls

Erica Rhodes comes by and she and Danny names, Prairie Home Companion, comedy, philosophy of John Rawls (with a surprise cameo from Alex Fossella), music and Tanglewood and so much more. Enjoy!

1 hr 27 min
Dec 29, 2017Episode 95
David Koechner and Alexander Hamilton

David Koechner and Danny Lobell talk about having kids, addiction, Improv, SNL, the Midwest and politics.   Enjoy!

1 hr 34 min
Dec 11, 2017Episode 94
Jamie Kilstein and Thomas Jefferson

Jamie Kilstein came over and discussed his longtime friendship with Danny and how the two wound up on very different paths over the years. Jamie addresses the scandal that he found himself caught in and where he was at in that point in life. The two delve into how and why Jamie had gotten there. It's an episode packed with introspection and lots of vulnerability. It is full of laughs along the way. The philosopher that Alex Fossella picked for Jamie this episode is Thomas Jefferson and Danny and Jamie try and understand that he was a slave owner and preached about freedom. This episode is brought to you by Hello Fresh. Visit HelloFresh.com and use promo code MDP30 to receive $30 off your first week of meals. It's also sponsored by Stand Up! Records. Visit Standuprecords.com and pick up Danny Lobell's latest album "The Nicest Boy in Barcelona." You can pick up Jamie Kilstein's albums there, too.

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