Blogcritics The critical lens on today's culture & entertainment
When he thought about launching Funny in Failure in 2019, Michael Kahan didn’t know how many podcast episodes he’d record. Certainly not over 300, he acknowledged with a smile when he joined me on Zoom from Australia. Kahan, a comedian and screenwriter, interviews funny and successful people about how they overcame failure in their careers. The range of talented individuals on his podcast includes writers, comedians, actors, playwrights, singers, and more.
Kahan initially aimed for 10 episodes, not sure how things would go. He said, “I’ve been so surprised by the feedback, and what I’ve been able to gain from the podcast. My guests seem to love it. I’m so happy that I’ve been able to get to 300 and hopefully [continue] for another 300 plus.”
With that milestone under his belt, he appreciates all the positive feedback coming to him when he’s planning his guest roster. “When I reach out to a guest, I tell them who has been on before. They will see that I’ve had a few of their friends and they’ll contact those friends. Almost at every podcast, they’ll tell me, ‘My friend was on, and they said something nice about you.'”
On Recent Guests
I asked Kahan to recommend some standout episodes for anyone coming to Funny in Failure for the first time. What he actually shared were a few recent conversations that his wife loved: Ernie Hudson (Ghostbusters), Jonathan Frakes (Star Trek), and Maurice LaMarche (Pinky and the Brain). “I find it particularly hard to pick favorites because at every single podcast, I’ve gained a bare minimum of 10 things.”
Kahan has discovered valuable stories about how some guests stay in touch beyond their work projects. Pinky and the Brain voice actors Maurice LaMarche and Rob Paulsen, who were on Funny and Failure separately, have known each other for years. “When Rob had cancer, Maurice was one of the most supportive people. It’s so nice to know that they’re friends and they help each other. I wouldn’t have known necessarily that connection if Maurice didn’t bring up Rob first.”
It turns out LaMarche helped others in their career journeys. Kahan told me about Funny in Failure guest Liz Guterbock. “She said she had a casual lunch with people, and Maurice happened to be there. He goes, ‘You have a lovely voice. You should do voice acting.’ Along with comedy, that’s her line of work now. A small comment from Maurice inspired her and changed the course of her life for the better.”
On Honesty and Embracing Our Best Life
Kahan explores a wide range of stories through his podcast interviews, which run between one and two hours. “I find it courageous that they go through something very tough and continue to walk the path. Everyone has a different path. On another layer, they’re able to talk about it to inspire other people. It can empower someone to realize ‘This is life. I can still live my best life.'”
Sometimes at first glance, a moment of hardship may not seem significant to us. That clarity often comes later. “With time, a guest looks back at it as very important. They learned about themselves, and they gained more empathy. I find that remarkable.”
Another takeaway for Kahan is that we can take practical steps to nudge other people towards living their best lives. We can offer advice, hold a door open, or even express gratitude towards a person we encounter. “If you feel someone has helped you, even with something as small as picking up your phone off the floor, a simple message of thanking someone goes very far. Text or tell them, ‘Hey, you did this for me. I really appreciated it.’ I’ve realized that a small act of kindness can change another person’s overall wellbeing.”
Visit the Funny in Failure website for more information about the podcast and where you can listen to it.
