The Tao of Comedy

By Kelly MacLean

What's The Tao of Comedy about?

Following the sudden death of her beloved brother, host Kelly MacLean asks fellow comedians to aid her in an existential search for the of meaning of life. Hilarious and poignant, The Tao of Comedy exposes comedians as the sages they secretly are.

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The Tao of Comedy episodes:

01.26.2018
Thom Tran
Comedian, actor (Not Another Not Another Movie), founder of GI's of comedy tour who received the purple heart for his service in Iraq discusses how comedy saved his life after battle, laughing in the face of death and his new podcast Battlescars.
10.30.2017
Edi Patterson
Edi Patterson (HBO's Vice Principals, Blackish, Curb Your Enthusiasm) on why improv as a way of life: Let go. Lean in. Listen. And be stupid silly for no good reason.
10.21.2017
Christina P.
Christina P. (Netflix Presents Mother Inferior, Chelsea Lately) tells us all about getting paid to be yourself, balancing motherhood and career, being a woman in comedy, getting woke, and her recent enlightenment involving a rat.
10.03.2017
Josh Johnson
Josh Johnson (Conan, Tonight Show, Hart of the City) argues life IS fair. He also talks dirty in this episode about sex, relationship, white privilege, and "starfishing".
09.17.2017
Michelle McGregor & Nick Liberatore
Comedy Central's 'The Comedy Jam' drummer Nick Liberatore on playing drums while the best comedians of our time sing their favorite songs; and Michelle (Iron Lung, Yale Repertoire) on life as a singer, actor and stand up. Together we discuss...
09.07.2017
Mike Carrozza
Mike Carrozza, named one of the top 10 comics in Montreal, debates Kelly about whether or not true altruism exists, discusses why he likes to sit around and think about death and implores you to be a better audience member.
08.24.2017
Wheeler Walker Jr.
Wheeler Walker Jr.'s music tops both comedy and country music charts because they're as funny as they are catchy. He and Kelly talk about the difference between racist and political views (hint: they're not the same at all) and how...
08.18.2017
DeAnne Smith
DeAnne Smith (HBO’s Funny As Hell) and Kelly try to figure out if the universe is really speaking to them or if they’re just ego-maniacs and then tell you why it sucks to lose a loved one in the digital...
08.08.2017
Trevor Noah - Mini-Cast
Sixty seconds with The Daily Show host on the red carpet at Montreal Just For Laughs.
08.08.2017
Jim Carrey - Mini-Cast
Just before accepting the Generation award at Montreal Just For Laughs comedy festival Jim gave us a quickie.
08.07.2017
Erica Rhodes
Erica Rhodes (Prairie Home Companion, @midnight, Modern Family, New Girl) on astrology, destiny, magic and Garrison Keillor's social skills.
08.01.2017
Hari Kondabolu
New York Times acclaimed political comic Hari Kondabolu (Conan, Fresh Air, Comedy Central Presents) on comedy as "sword and shield", the pitfalls of political humor, and his ride on the pendulum between God and Atheism.
07.06.2017
Michael Donovan
Michael Donovan's photography is considered some of the most cutting edge, dark, provocative and unique in the fashion world--little do his fans know he started out as a stand up comic with a character named 'Cool Mike' who basically said...
06.30.2017
JP Sears
YouTube giant JP Sears (How to Be Ultra Spiritual, How to Become Gluten Intolerant) on his journey from spiritual life coach to spiritual satirist and gifts us our favorite new philosophy: Offend your mind.
06.19.2017
Jeremiah Watkins
The road to Hell may be paved with good intentions, but Jeremiah Watkins (Comedy Central Roast Battle, The Comedy Jam) says the road to success is, too. Our favorite Kansan comic shares his life philosophy that you should probably go...
06.08.2017
Myq Kaplan
Myq Kaplan (Conan//Letterman//Last Comic Standing) takes on the afterlife, manifesting vs. hard work and why he refuses to make a 5 year plan.
05.26.2017
India Dupré
Writer, director and producer of the short film Stripped, winner of the clawed-after Kevin Spacey Foundation Grant, on her family's unbelievable true story which inspired the film, the fortune of failure and how to follow signs from the universe.
05.10.2017
Romesh Ranganathan
Romesh Ranganathan (Royal Performance Variety, BBC's Asian Provocateur) on his hindu roots, keeping his vegan pride in check, and his quest to break even with the universe.
05.02.2017
Tony Hinchcliffe
Verbal assassin Tony Hinchcliffe of Comedy Central Roasts and the Joe Rogan Experience on insult comedy as self-defense, growing up in the Mafia, and how his palm is actually psychic.
04.28.2017
Dylan Brody
One of America's top humorist and story tellers discusses the "crushing urgency of mortality", the difference between a good joke and a funny joke, the future of capitalism, why stories matter the most, and basically solves all the world's problems...
04.19.2017
Josh Blue
Josh Blue, renowned stand up, disability activist, Paralympic athlete and winner of 'Last Comic Standing' on growing up a white boy in Africa, on the church of nature, and that time he elected to be publicly caged in a Senegalese...
04.10.2017
Yakov Smirinoff
Legendary stand up-turned-philosopher Yakov Smirinoff talks about his historically significant relationship with President Ronald Reagan, the role humor can play in politics, and his respect for laughter as a vital barometer for happiness in life and relationships.
04.03.2017
Patrick Bristow
Patrick Bristow has remained one the top character actors since the 90s (Ellen, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Seinfeld, Austin Powers, Showgirls, Transformers) the former Groundling now has his own school The Improvatorium and tours with the adults only muppet show, Puppet...
03.22.2017
Mark Lonow
Mark Lonow, co-owner of The Improv comedy clubs and actor (The Wedding Singer, City Hall, National Security) reflects on what he's learned from decades of watching and working with the best comedians in history and his chosen religion, sarcasm.
03.12.2017
Chris Martin
Kelly and UK comedian Chris Martin (Comedy Central’s 'Live at the Comedy Store', The Carl Donnelly and Chris Martin Podcast) talk Brits vs. Americans, devout atheists as religious extremists, their shared need to make strangers think they’re the nicest and...
03.01.2017
Zach Leary
Zach Leary (Duncan Trussell Family Hour, Joe Rogan Experience) futurist, spiritualist, connected technology consultant, socio-cultural theorist, writer and son of Tim Leary hosts Kelly on his popular podcast ‘It’s All Happening’. They discuss Kelly’s background in Buddhism, the comedian’s role...
02.26.2017
Jeff Miller
Kelly and Jeff Miller (Host of Travel Channel's Trip Testers, Founding Editor, Thrillist LA) explore foodgasms and why food can probably elevate you to enlightenment. If not, it will at least be a whole lot of fun trying to get...
02.16.2017
Jamie Elman
Comedian, actor and canook, Jamie Elman (Yid Life Crisis, Curb Your Enthusiasm) and Kelly talk about Judaism, what's happening with Yiddish these days, and how to balance religious ideals with modern day practicalities.
02.06.2017
Jackie Kashian
Comedian and nerd-in-chief Jackie Kashian (Host "The Dork Forest Podcast", "This Would Make an Excellent Horcrux" hour special) discusses her roots in the Armenian church, performing comedy in Iraq and the spiritual path of nerdom.
01.18.2017
The Death Doula
LA’s death doula on pre-death funerals, the reclamation of mortality movement, why our society sets terminally ill patients up to feel like failures, and a clit joke. www.deathdoulala.com
01.11.2017
Big Questions' Compilation Part 2
A collection of answers to Kelly's signature ending questions from comedians Greg Fitzsimmons, Ben Roy, Andy Kindler, Joe DeRosa and Kelly herself.
01.03.2017
'Big Questions' Compilation Part 1
A collection of answers to Kelly's signature ending questions from Duncan Trussell, Barry Katz, Bert Kreischer, Madeleine Smithberg, Ben Gleib and Pete Holmes.
12.14.2016
Renee Gauthier
Kelly and Renee Gauthier (Last Comic Standing, Dead Dad’s Club Podcast) geek out about Akashic Records, astrology, tarot, manifesting, reality and other millennial white girl cure-alls.
12.06.2016
Matteson Perry
Matteson Perry, master storyteller of “The Moth Radio Hour”, and author of “Available: A Memoir of Heartbreak, Hookups, Love and Brunch” tells you why storytelling is the key to your soul.
11.30.2016
Greg Fitzsimmons
Greg Fitzsimmons and Kelly talk about being a modern day cynical catholic, ouija boards and working with depression through meditation.
11.16.2016
Pete Holmes
Comedian and star of the new HBO series "Crashing" discusses how the young Christian missionary became a stand up comic with strong Hindu leanings and reveals the meaning of life: life itself.
11.07.2016
Jimmy Tingle
Top political comedian and activist Jimmy Tingle (HBO, 60 Minutes II) puts the impending election in perspective in a miraculously non-depressing fashion.
11.01.2016
Ben Roy
Ben Roy (comedian, star and co-creator of truTV's Those Who Can’t) on how science is religion backwards, chaos as life, and how to make a marriage work.
10.25.2016
Craig Wallace
Audition Sensei Craig Wallace talks about ego, letting the f*@% go of people's expectations and being yourself.
10.19.2016
Chuck Roy
Chuck roy talks about the slave trade of stand ups….no seriously. Plus he and Kelly reminisce over that time he swiped a hot frat boy from her.
09.28.2016
Synchronicity Swapcast!
The tables turn as Synchronicity Podcast host Noah Lampert interviews Kelly and asks her the big questions for a change. Can she handle the very pressure she places on her ToC guests?
09.20.2016
Michael Kosta
Michael Kosta (Tonight Show, Comedy For Attractive People) discusses the pitfalls of organized religion, his worst birthday ever and why Bert Kreischer is wrong about destiny.
09.13.2016
Andy Kindler
Comedian Andy Kindler (Maron, Just For Laughs, The Daily Show) discusses synchronicity, comedy as a path of awakening and his disdain for Atheism.
09.06.2016
Ashoka Mukpo
Journalist and Ebola Survivor Ashoka Mukpo discusses sacredness in life and twitter and his step-father, Tibetan meditation master Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche.
08.30.2016
Ben Gleib
Comedian Ben Gleib on technology as humanity’s savior and taking back the world through positive ego. Oh, and pussy fights.
08.16.2016
Carlie & Doni
Carlie & Doni on working as a comedy duo, human nature and how boobs are magic.
08.09.2016
Greg Behrendt and Travis Clark
Comedian, musician and author of 'He's Just Not That Into You', Greg Behrendt, talks relationships and his star-crossed bromance with 'King Sweater' bandmate, comedian Travis Clark.
08.02.2016
Brad Williams
Comedian Brad Williams discusses life as a little person, a comic's first amendment rights and success as the best revenge.
07.26.2016
Dana Gould - Mini-Cast
Kelly catches up with Simpsons writer/producer Dana Gould on the red carpet at Montreal Just For Laughs festival.
07.26.2016
Joe DeRosa
Comedian Joe DeRosa discusses the life of a bachelor comic, life after death and survival of the craziest.

What's The Tao of Comedy about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

The Tao of Comedy episodes:

Thom Tran

Edi Patterson

Christina P.

Josh Johnson

Michelle McGregor & Nick Liberatore

Mike Carrozza

Wheeler Walker Jr.

DeAnne Smith

Trevor Noah - Mini-Cast

Jim Carrey - Mini-Cast

Erica Rhodes

Hari Kondabolu

Michael Donovan

JP Sears

Jeremiah Watkins

Myq Kaplan

India Dupré

Romesh Ranganathan

Tony Hinchcliffe

Dylan Brody

Josh Blue

Yakov Smirinoff

Patrick Bristow

Mark Lonow

Chris Martin

Zach Leary

Jeff Miller

Jamie Elman

Jackie Kashian

The Death Doula

Big Questions' Compilation Part 2

'Big Questions' Compilation Part 1

Renee Gauthier

Matteson Perry

Greg Fitzsimmons

Pete Holmes

Jimmy Tingle

Ben Roy

Craig Wallace

Chuck Roy

Synchronicity Swapcast!

Michael Kosta

Andy Kindler

Ashoka Mukpo

Ben Gleib

Carlie & Doni

Greg Behrendt and Travis Clark

Brad Williams

Dana Gould - Mini-Cast

Joe DeRosa