dan December 09, 2010 at 2:32 pm

what a contrast to the garofalo episode. i know you made the point early on about the relativism of saying “at least you’re not as bad off as so-and-so,” but there is a tremendous amount of perspective in destefano’s stories. mostly a reminder about what is really worth getting angry, upset, etc. about

SlipkPie December 09, 2010 at 3:03 pm

It’s the little touches, like Marc leaving in the recording of him dialing the wrong number, that make this podcast so great

DarrenTy December 09, 2010 at 3:59 pm

Well done, Mark. Your interview with Mike D. was touching and funny as hell. I loved him on Last Comic Standing (it made the show worth watching) and now I’ve dug up his story on The Moth and bought his album.

Mark, you deserve so much credit for doing these kinds of shows. Thank you. I’ll see you at Union Hall, Friday.

drumhead34 December 09, 2010 at 8:46 pm

The motorcycle story moved me to tears, as it will for most people who’ve experienced the final days of a loved one. It was an especially odd feeling considering I laughed so hard at the live podcast of DeStephano (listened to them both back to back).

There’s no other podcast out there that has this type of emotional range, and Mark should be proud of that. If this isn’t his best interview, It’s certainly the best one I’ve heard.

mike December 09, 2010 at 10:32 pm

best episode ever. not only was mike great, but the phone call with marc’s dad was so funny i almost can’t believe it wasn’t scripted. “it was in my pocket.”

Christian December 09, 2010 at 10:42 pm

flow squarle

Jaan December 10, 2010 at 2:33 am

this is absolutly one of the best episodes ever. really amazing, really inspiring. keep up the good work marc! i look forward to every episode.
greetings from berlin.

Beelzebud December 10, 2010 at 2:53 am

Amazing fucking podcast!  Mr. DeStefano literally had me crying and laughing at the same time.  Unbelievable story, and pretty damned inspiring too.  This guy just earned a solid fan today.  I’ll be seeking as much of his stand up out as I can.  Keep working at it bro, you’ve got the charisma!

fan December 10, 2010 at 3:03 am

Ha! What The Fuck was with Marc adopting DeStephano’s New York Italian accent during this interview? I must admit that I’ve took on other people’s inflections before too. Strange

Gabriel B December 10, 2010 at 5:35 am

Holy shit.  That was not what I expected.  Marc wasn’t kidding.  My mind is completely fucking blown.

Izzat December 10, 2010 at 6:10 am

Great episode.

The ‘wrong number’ part when Marc tried calling his dad…quite funny. The way Marc groaned at the choice of music for the call waiting…I seem to be amused at the most mundane of stuff.

Mike DeStefano - what can I say, I gotta take my hat off to a guy that have gone through that much. Wishing him all the best for his standup career. Yeah…that motorcycle story…that was quite heavy.

On another note, I got the latest premium WTF episode too. Had a blast. I heartily recommend other listeners to get the premium episodes if you haven’t already. Money well spent, IMHO.

Chad December 10, 2010 at 6:17 am

One of the best episodes ever. Mike’s story was so heartbreaking, yet he told it in a beautiful way. And yes, Mike, we got enough laughs!

And Maron’s Dad, as always, didn’t disappoint!

Brian December 10, 2010 at 6:27 am

What an episode - Mike’s story is not only humbling but an inspired example of how a person can turn around and find positive opportunities within life’s troubles. Marc, you consistently get some the most honest, revealing and inspired interviews I’ve ever heard and it seems you just keep getting better, not only as an interviewer but as a person. There’s a common thread to WTF which seems to be your journey to finding…I dunno what - contentment? Whatever the fuck it is your seeking through WTF it’s definitely coming around for you my friend. Kia kaha

wow December 10, 2010 at 7:26 am

This made me far too emotional on the bus to work.

Amazing stuff.

Joe Tily December 10, 2010 at 7:40 am

“. . . you’re even competitive with death, ya fuckin’ nut . . .”

Deep, raw and very funny. This was one of the best episodes so far in my opinion. A prime example why WTF is so great. Plus it’s always good to hear from Marc’s family. Thanks Marc (and Brendan!) keep up the good work.

Dan Sauter December 10, 2010 at 8:35 am

What a completely moving story.  I love this podcast, and that’s why I subscribe.  I’m not going to get this type of content on TV and Marc has found an awesome venue to explore the human condition.  Rock on folks, keep up the good work! I know that MOTH podcast and what a moving piece of work.

ziggy December 10, 2010 at 9:11 am

Great episode!

Had never heard of him before your excerpt last episode. He’s VERY funny. Thanks.

lou December 10, 2010 at 10:27 am

“When you give, it’s the only time that you can see that you have anything. You don’t know what you have until you’re giving it to people.”

wow.

Best episode ever!! Really, really great.

I totally agree with drumhead34, the range of emotions is awesome. Congrats to both Marc and Mike.

Tami December 10, 2010 at 12:16 pm

Best. WTF. Episode. Ever.
Thank you, Marc. Thank you. Thank you for making us laugh and making us cry. This interview is precious. Just absolutely precious.

Richard December 10, 2010 at 12:49 pm

The human f*****g condition in all its brutal hilarity.  Mike, thanks for making me blub at my desk, and Marc, thanks for listening to Mike. Shit, my life is easy.
(the words I’m being asked to type in to submit this comment are “shall suc[tice]”

Brad in Ohio December 10, 2010 at 4:58 pm

Thanks, Mike.

MrFilter December 11, 2010 at 6:35 pm

Great episode - the teaser at the end of the last episode really got me excited to hear mike - I was not disappointed.

Conway December 12, 2010 at 4:43 am

Marc has changed the face of interviewing. I hope his audience grows massively. Great job, Mike.

Isnt it about time for this to turn into an HBO talk show? Ive been dosing on the audio for awhile but, Im ready to start getting some visuals.

Tom December 12, 2010 at 8:24 am

I haven’t listened yet, but having seen Mike live & hearing him on Opie & Anthony I just know its going to be a good one. Mike DeStefano is a very funny man & has overcome a lot of shit. I was going to say adversity, but he has been through so much of it, that its just shit.

DickM December 13, 2010 at 12:14 am

Yes - this was a fantastic interview ... two very funny people takiing about some reslly serious shit.  Mike is now one of my true heroes ...  a Man who sees the joys and inherent humour in life despite so many setbacks that most of us can only imagine.  What a GREAT guy and what a GREAT interview by Marc .. as always.

Keep this up Marc and Brendan ... you WILL succeed I’m sure.

Solomon Raabe December 13, 2010 at 12:21 am

Mark is Amazing and even though I don’t often leave comments like this, I want to just say that you can always count on Marc’s interviews to have substance.
While I do admit to being a bit of a pessimist, I do think that my negative comments are a testament to the high standard that Marc raises my “entertain me” expectations to, when I decide to listen to an episode, and while that might be an excuse for my chosen perspective, I think in a round about way it shows the platform I’ve put him on, in my mind.
I can’t remember who the guest was, but back when I was new to Marc and the WTF podcast, I listened to an interview he did with a boxer, which turned out to be one of the most intelligent conversations I’d ever heard, I recommend that episode to people whenever the subject of podcasts come up. I don’t remember the name of the guest, but as long as they find this site I think they’ll be fine.
Anyway, great episode.

no.thanks. December 13, 2010 at 2:13 am

wow.
I thought the Louie CK episodes couldnt be topped. This just did.
Im beyond blown away.

Response December 13, 2010 at 5:09 am

Soloman Raabe, I believe you’re referring to the episode with Dov Davidoff. Yet another great comedian.

Steve December 13, 2010 at 11:46 am

Amazing interview.  I already had high respect for Marc and like many have said, this interview just blew my mind from so many perspectives. 

The themes and messages that this episode carried were just amazing and took me to some emotions that maybe I haven’t experienced in years.  Thank you to both Mike and Marc…you brought out something that I haven’t felt in years…

I’m going to have my son listen to this as well…he is a teenager and the messages and the tenacity, attitude (postive) that Mike displays is uplifting and inspirational.  I think my son, like me, can learn a little about humanity and being real from this podcast.

Finally, the compassion comment at about 1:09…was right on Mike!  Also, the “I crave wanting to have a medocrity life at times…” at ~1:10” and the exchange after with Marc about his girlfriend saying “just be”...I can’t tell you how that resonated and made me feel humble.  I’m not a comic…and it exactly expresses my feeling recently.  Although I desire mediocrity, I only desire it in short doses…because it’s fricking boring after a while.

Thank you both for what you do…

Peace

Burly Matron December 13, 2010 at 9:00 pm

Goddamn what an amazing episode. Truly one of your best.

Joe December 14, 2010 at 3:08 am

Truly great episode! 
Could it be? Not one single negative comment…for once! You have done it now Marc…and Brendan…a new record for sure.

And here I was - sitting alone, in the desert, getting all cynical… and hopeless…not now.

Thanks to WTF…this one old beatnik/hippie is feeling younger tonight!

Jafafa Hots December 14, 2010 at 3:20 am

I’m walking along laughing one second, and then next minute I’m trying not to start bawling when he tells the Harley story and mentions the ride around the parking lot with the nurses crying.

Damn. Emotional whiplash. You must be this tall to ride this podcast.

John December 15, 2010 at 6:27 pm

Amazing episode.
this time of year i have allot of black dogs barking in my head. This podcast gives me relief, so thanks allot mark & mike.

Felipe December 16, 2010 at 5:28 pm

This one’s historic. Excellent!

tbone December 17, 2010 at 9:47 pm

this was a great podcast - just about as good as the medium can possibly deliever

dan December 18, 2010 at 6:14 pm

This is the first I’ve heard of Mike DeStefano and I have to thank him for making me laugh and cry really hard, sometimes simultaneously, over the course of the hour. Thank you for sharing your humanity with us and thanks to Marc for doing such a great show. It’s good to see that podcasts are bringing back radio, my favorite medium that’s been neglected and relegated to soulless bullshit for far too long.

Keep up the good work, guys!

curt December 21, 2010 at 5:21 am

this was an episode that I shared with my adult sons and my mother (paraphrased).  Thank you both.

Hope January 16, 2011 at 4:17 pm

This is the best episode ever. “Giving is the only way you know you’ve got something.”  Thank you Mike for putting things in perspective.  Amen.

Hollewood January 27, 2011 at 6:54 am

Who are you?? I can tell you who I am,  a 40 year old mom with a 24 year old son who doesn’t take me for nothing!!! I raised him to the 9th degree and brought him up to society’s expectations and still only looking for the look of love and thanks in his eyes…. Help…..I really need that in my life because my husband doesn’t give me either, not looking for sympathy just a son that loves his mom.

LM February 08, 2011 at 7:01 pm

I download the podcasts—to listen on an MP3 player or in case the Internet connection is wonky—and then delete them. But I couldn’t delete this one (I listened to it a couple of week ago).

When I watched Mike DeStefano on LAST COMIC STANDING (on the Internet, and then I moved, so I didn’t watch the last few episodes), I thought, What an asshole! I thought he was putting on the tough guy act. Still, there was something compelling about him, some niggling burr of “what if that’s real?”

I didn’t even recognize his name when I started listening to this interview. Maybe twenty, thirty minutes into it, I went to Google. I saw his face and thought, THAT GUY! I realized, jesus, that was real (on LCS).

He said that people who are afraid to commit are good people; they understand what commitment means.

And the motorcycle story—that made me tear up in public.

Yeah.

...

Respect.

Crate&Trauma March 07, 2011 at 5:59 pm

RIP Mike DeStefano

jimmyjamesjr March 07, 2011 at 9:30 pm

Mike died today. Damn. RIP dude.

Lecter March 25, 2011 at 2:41 am

i happened to download this episode and heard of Mike for the first time of my life . it was an absolutely stunning interview and the motorbike part almost brought me into tears .  i guess that’s what life and love all bout .  A few mins ago i found out Mike died bout 2 weeks ago .. this is truly sad .  RIP , Mike .

Veruca January 03, 2012 at 10:14 pm

I thank you humbly for shairng your wisdom JJWY