Worse Than You with Mo Fry Pasic

Murder mysteries. Card games. Late night comedies. This week, we're exploring Jo Firestone's creative playground! She joins Mo to discuss why she loves starting new projects just as much as finishing them, how she avoids getting bitter, and the ritual of watching Love Island.

Her new novel Murder on Sex Island is out now! Make sure to pick up a copy, and if you've listened to the episode, you know what to do...

Jo's not on social media these days, but you can head to jofirestone.com to keep up with...

Director Anu Valia has a knack for staying present, whether she's on set for a hit comedy series or in post-production on one of her films. This week, she joins Mo to discuss finding the feeling in every scene, trusting outside voices, and looking to other art forms for inspiration.

Anu's on Instagram @anuvalia. Her feature film We Strangers is in theaters this August, and you can see her recent work on shows like Adults, And Just Like That..., and Shrinking!

Worse Than You with Mo Fry Pasic is...

What happens when your creative outlet becomes a career? It’s a question that comedian Devon Walker has navigated ever since being cast on SNL. He joins Mo this week to discuss his journey to 30 Rock, how he’s let go of audience expectations, and why he’d rather hear about your job than talk about his.

Devon’s on Instagram @internetdevon. You can hear him every week on his podcast My Favorite Lyrics, from Disco Nap Productions. And make sure to check out his tour dates!

Worse Than You with...

Josh Sharp has just begun rehearsals for his Off-Broadway debut. It’s billed as a solo show, but technically, Josh has a scene partner: a 2,000-slide PowerPoint presentation. He joins Mo this week to discuss what it's been like to find synchronicity with a slideshow, how theater feels different from any film or TV set he’s worked on, and why he's reveling in duality.

Josh is on Instagram @cluckcluckjoshsharp. And Josh Sharp: ta-da! is on Instagram @joshsharptada! The show will open Off-Broadway this summer at the Greenwich House Theatre, directed by Oh, Mary’s Sam...

Joel Kim Booster knows the power of pining: if there’s even a chance that a script he loves can be produced, he’ll work tirelessly on it. But you won't find him waiting around for a yes—for every project he has in development, he's already drafting another.

This week, he joins Mo to discuss how he reverse-engineered self-confidence on stage, what it's been like to move his career goal posts, and the Fire Island summer that changed his life.

Joel's on Instagram @ihatejoelkim.

Wors...

Vico Ortiz sees their career as a relationship. And they're putting in the work to keep it from becoming toxic. That means pursuing projects that feel aligned with their values, invite them to hone new skills, and fulfill their spirit—like their new solo show Rise of a King.

This week, they join Mo to discuss their experience writing both English and Spanish versions of the show; what they've learned from puppetry, drag, clowning, and burlesque; and where they find ease in their work.

Vico's on Instagram and TikTok @pu...

Sometimes the most meaningful art exists in the interstices, where a blank canvas becomes a space that's separate from work or family or the churn of everyday life. And this week, we're celebrating this type of art with a very special guest: Mo's sibling Anna Pasic. Listen in as Mo and Anna discuss removing urgency from their art, what mutual aid has to do with creativity, and why it's worth getting back in the saddle.

Follow Anna on Instagram @ancatpas.

Worse Than You with Mo Fry Pasic is hosted...

Ronald Young Jr. is building his career in audio the same way that he'd like to build a house: with care, intentionality, and a strong foundation. And with each project that he releases, he wants listeners to hear that he's making progress. This week, he joins Mo to discuss how he approaches his critically acclaimed podcasts like Weight For It, the importance of having friends who know you off mic, and the risks of replacing emotional nuance with drama.

Ronald's on Instagram @ohitsbigron and ohitsbigron.com. Make sure to check out his podcasts Weight...

Becky Chicoine and Sam Reece met as UCB interns more than a decade ago. Since then, they've headlined comedy festivals across the country and co-written and co-starred in filmed projects like their upcoming short Apocalypse Besties.

This week, they join Mo to reflect on their enduring creative partnership as Girls with Brown Hair—with talk of theater conservatories, Broadway dance calls, scripted interludes, hard skills, snakes, and ample characters along the way.

Becky's on TikTok and Instagram @beckychicoine, Sam's on TikTok and Instagram @samreecetv, and you can follow their joint work on...

Hosting a popular web series wasn’t part of Catherine McCafferty’s plan. But when her friends Sam Reich and Elaine Carroll asked her to collaborate, she leapt at the opportunity. What resulted was the dating show Pretty Gay, which has seen twenty-fold growth in just over a year. She joins Mo this week to discuss her non-linear creative path, how she maintains an abundance mindset, and why it's so important to invest in up-and-coming artists.

Catherine is on Instagram and TikTok @catherine_mccaff. Make sure to check out Pretty Gay, only on Patreon; seas...

Ashley Ray was told that she would need to choose between writing comedy and writing about it. But as an acclaimed critic, TV writer, and stand-up comedian, she's having the last laugh. This week, she joins Mo to discuss bringing her critical sensibility to all of her creative work, how she juggled a full-time job with a burgeoning stand-up career, and how a chance encounter with Maria Bamford shifted her entire perspective on success.

Ashley is on Instagram and TikTok @theashleyray. Make sure to check out her debut comedy album Ice Cream Money!

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Experiencing Richard Perez's comedy is a lot like riding a rollercoaster: one moment, you're laughing your head off; the next, you're clutching your heart. This week, Richard joins Mo to discuss taking big swings on stage, his leap from photography to comedy, and why he's never written down his solo show I Have To Do This.

You can see Richard on tour with the show this spring; next up, New York City on April 27 and Los Angeles on May 16!

Richard is on Instagram @richard_perez and TikTok @rechparis.

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Vinny Thomas lets his characters speak to him, whether he's playing a pigeon at Pride or Clarence Thomas's grandson. He joins Mo this week to discuss his viral comedy videos, his dream of hosting a Jeff Corwin-style show about animals, and his absolutely, one hundred percent neutral opinions on a certain early 2000s reality TV host.

Vinny is on Instagram and TikTok @vinn_ayy.

Worse Than You with Mo Fry Pasic is hosted and produced by Mo Fry Pasic. Our executive producers are Erica Getto, Myrriah Gossett, and Lauren...

By the age of three, comedian Ruby Karp had made her Upright Citizens Brigade debut. By the age of ten, she was performing stand-up across New York City. Now in her mid-twenties, she's settling into her comedic voice—and doing so with the maturity and grace of someone who's been working on their craft for more than half their life. Ruby joins Mo this week to discuss her digital footprint, T.J.Maxx platitudes, and why she's naming names in her new solo show "I Don't Trust Adults."

Ruby's on Instagram and TikTok @rubykarp, an...

Comedian Kyle Ayers feels funniest when he's not in control. But after brain surgery for Trigeminal neuralgia, he wondered whether he could be funny at all.

He joins Mo this week to discuss how he's reclaimed a sense of adventure on stage, why he thinks stand-up is becoming a more patient art form, and what it was like to perform in an Edinburgh plague crypt.

Kyle revels in the fact that his comedy isn't always legible to audiences scrolling on social media, but lucky for Brooklyn listeners, he'll be...

For Parvati Shallow, life is a game—and she's playing it authentically. She joins Mo this week to discuss what it's been like to take control of her own narrative after nearly two decades of appearing on reality TV competitions, how she creates a genuine rapport with on-screen allies, and why there's more to survival than fight or flight.

You can follow Parvati on Instagram @pshallow. Make sure to pre-order her forthcoming memoir Nice Girls Don't Win, and subscribe to her podcast of the same name.

Worse Than You wi...

This week, we're honored to present an episode of At Liberty, from our friends at the ACLU.

Every other week, host W. Kamau Bell is asking the big questions on the big issues affecting our country. Recent episodes cover immigration rights and LGBTQIA+ rights, and today, we're sharing an episode about disability rights. We hope you'll listen, and subscribe to the ACLU's At Liberty wherever you like to listen.

We'll be back from spring break next week with an all new episode!

Worse Than...

Writer and actor Jeffery Self isn't afraid to let go—whether he's pursuing a creative path that doesn't feel generative or reflecting on an early project of his. He writes, too, with a reflexive self-awareness, and an openness that's as vulnerable as it is steady-handed. This week, he joins Mo to discuss treating mental health as a perpetual roommate, finding creative elders, and channeling Jacqueline Susann.

You can follow Jeffery on Instagram @jefferyself, and make sure to read—and listen to!—Self-Sabotage, out now from Harper Collins.

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Artmaking can help heal us emotionally; for Kate Helen Downey, that healing process has also been physical. Kate's spent more than two decades living with severe period cramps, but it was only when she picked up a microphone for her new podcast CRAMPED that doctors started to take her seriously.

This week, she joins Mo to discuss how she shows herself grace when pain limits her productivity, what excites her about creative problem-solving, and why getting a diagnosis hasn't marked the end of her search for care.

You can...

Tim Platt is a creative polymath: he can write songs, he can draw, and he can commit so hard to a bit that he ends up infiltrating a multi-level marketing scheme for healthy energy drinks. At the heart of all his work is a desire for collaboration, and for over a decade, he's been Mo's other half in the comedy duo Pasic & Platt.

Tim joins Mo this week to reflect on their creative partnership, his favorite rhymes, and his new comedy album Teeth Like Beak.

You can follow Tim...

It’s one thing for an audience to separate the art from the artist. But what if an artist wants to keep aspects of their life separate from their art? Sasheer Zamata has spent over a decade navigating this precarious balance, from her early days on SNL to her recent turn in Agatha All Along. She joins Mo this week to discuss how she stays authentic, why she likes working with her friends, and the thrill of finding new ways to express herself.

You can follow Sasheer on Instagram @thesheertruth, and keep up with he...

For actor and comedian Chris Grace, writing a solo show isn't the hard part. Neither is performing it. It's the feeling that he should always be doing more—more promotion, more show dates, or more new material—that he has to contend with.

This week, Chris and Mo get into the complexities of staging a solo show—especially one at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival—treating the audience like a scene partner, and laughing in the face of death.

If you want to learn more about the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and Mo's...

Writer and director Bri LeRose periodically asks herself: if a teenage Bri, living in Wisconsin, looked at her career today, would she think it was enough? And the answer's always yes: she would have thought it was the coolest thing in the world to even share space with the people she admired.

Today, Bri joins Mo to discuss her comedy process, from directing titans like Maria Bamford to co-writing the groundbreaking film The People's Joker with Vera Drew; why hobbies are sometimes the best creative salves; and what it's like to work in Hollywood...

If you’re a regular listener of Worse Than You, then you know that Albertina Rizzo is inner circle. Albertina and Mo connect through the shared philosophy that life is funny, even the sad parts. And that being funny and interested in life is the key to joy.

Albs joins Mo this week to discuss writing for late night, how she follows the fun on—and off—the page, the power of anonymity, and why she’d love to buy herself a boss. Plus, a special appearance from Mo’s cat Vanya!

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It's not every day that we get to witness someone's process on the eve of a major creative milestone. Today's one of those special days. Join us in celebrating our dear friend Chris Renfro as they make their Broadway debut in Oh, Mary!

Mo and Chris discuss how Chris landed one of Broadway's most exciting roles as Mary's Teacher, the skills they're hoping to develop off stage during their run, and how they've built a creative community every step of the way. Plus, our first evil poem!

You can...

A note from team Worse Than You: When we recorded our first batch of episodes for season two, we had no idea that we'd be releasing them amidst the ongoing, incomprehensible fires in LA. We hope that these conversations can bring comfort to our listeners as we process this difficult time together. Make sure you're following @meauxpas and @worsethanyoushow on Instagram, where we'll continue to share mutual aid resources and other ways to get involved in support efforts.

And with that, here's this week's episode, with George Civeris! George joins us for our season...

Happy new year, dear friends! We figured you might want to start 2025 off with a burst of creative inspiration... and we've got you covered, with an early release from our new season, featuring Matt Rogers!

Listen in as Mo and Matt reflect on their decade-long friendship, how they approach creative collaborations, and an early character of Matt's that still makes Mo crack up.

Also, we've got a full video version of this episode available on Good Get's YouTube!

Stay tuned for our official season...

It's a new year, and we've got an all new season teed up for you!

We're thrilled to announce that we'll be back on Wednesday, January 15, with weekly episodes to follow. And as a special gift for our listeners, we're releasing a full episode with Matt Rogers... today!

So go take a listen, and make sure you're subscribed to the show so that you don't miss a beat. Also, if nobody's told you yet this year: oh my god, you're so pretty.

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We're celebrating our season finale with a very special guest: Sam Taggart! The Straightiolab co-host joins Mo to discuss millennial jokes, the fine line between judgement and critique, and the unforgettable night that Mo went blonde.

We'll be back soon with new episodes, and an exciting new group of guests. Make sure to stay subscribed so you don't miss a thing!

Sam Taggart is a comedian, actor, and writer currently writing on After Midnight for CBS. He’s also the co-host of the Big Money Players podcast StraightioLab with Ge...

Julio Torres has never let other people measure his success. This week, Julio joins Mo to discuss being a "zero waste" artist, embracing chaos and mess, and the Sex and the City scene that speaks best to his creative process. Plus, Mo shares a poem of Julio's that they've held for ten years.

Julio Torres is an Emmy-nominated, Peabody-winning, and WGA-winning writer, director and comedian from El Salvador. .

Most recently, he wrote, directed, executive produced and starred in HBO’s Fantasmas. You also know him from projects like his di...

What does it mean to be gay? It's a question that actor and comedian Stephen Brower is working out in his stage show Palatable Gay Robot, where he plays HumaVibe's latest humanoid creation. Listen in as Mo and Stephen discuss sharing scenes with a voiceover, distinguishing theater from therapy, and the creative power of Snoopy! The Musical.

Stephen Brower is a New York City-based actor, writer, and comedian. And he's currently touring the country with his 2023 Fringe show Palatable Gay Robot! Listening to this on release day? (Good for you, we love you.) You c...

It's homecoming week for Worse Than You! Mo's back in LA and back in the saddle with their friend Greta Titelman to discuss the creative life cycle. When do we put the pen down and when do we run with the momentum; is a creation ever really complete?

Greta Titelman is a comedian, actress, and writer. You know her from shows like Search Party and Los Espookys, films like Problemista, and podcasts like Senior Superlatives. She performed her hour-long show Exquisite Lies at the 2023 Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Worse Than...

Part of the creative process is rest, and to mark the end of the Fringe festival, we're taking some this week!

Instead of a Worse Than You episode, we're excited to share a conversation from our friends Chris Renfro and Fin Argus over at One of Us with Fin and Chris. Every week, they're hopping in a rocket ship and traveling to meet a new guest in a new, imagined universe. And this episode features a very special 2024 Fringe headliner: our friend Dylan Mulvaney.

We hope you enjoy One...

Was the real Edinburgh Fringe Festival the friends we made along the way? This week, Mo's unwinding with Catherine McCafferty and Demi Adejuyigbe before they all head back to LA. They talk about balancing their personal lives with their art, finding authentic relationships, and how far they'd commit to a bit for love. And hey, guess what, it's all about process.

The Edinburgh Fringe Festival may be a wrap, but we're still at it! Stay tuned for more episodes of Worse Than You, featuring Fringe headliners... and beyond.

Catherine Mc...

This week, we have two very special guests on the show: Brian McElhaney and Nick Kocher, also known as BriTANicK! Listen in as the duo talks about their decades-long creative partnership, how clowns have influenced their more recent work, and the "horrendous finale" that Edinburgh audiences couldn't handle.

BriTANicK is an Emmy®-nominated sketch duo; Brian and Nick have written for shows like Saturday Night Live and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, and their sketch comedy videos have amassed over 100 million views online. They'll next be bringing their Fringe show Dummy to the Soh...

What starts as a catch-up between Mo and their best friend and creative collaborator Sudi Green turns into a sprawling conversation about what it means to “earn” a creative opportunity, the difference between a comedy show and a show that deploys humor, and why there’s no nuance on a poster.

Missed Sudi and Mo's first conversation? Check it out here!

Worse Than You with Mo Fry Pasic is hosted by Mo Fry Pasic. Our executive producers are Lauren Mandel and Erica Getto. Our associate producer is Carmen Carigan. Charlo...

When artist and comedian Kate Cheka looked at her astrological chart, she wasn't sure she'd make it to this year's Edinburgh Fringe Festival. We're so glad that she did. This week, Kate and Mo chat about how Kate addresses matters of race, class, and gender in her work; why morning people shouldn't be allowed to run society; and whether Kate is, indeed, the messiah.

Kate Cheka is a London-based artist and comedian whose accolades include being the reigning Funny Women Award winner, a Chortle Best Newcomer nominee, and a BBC New Comedy Awards regional...

This podcast's all about process, so we want to give you a peek behind the curtain of Mo's Edinburgh Fringe Festival run of Worse Than You! Listen in as Mo reflects on their first week of shows, the rapport they've been building with audiences, and the friends they're singing karaoke with along the way.

Worse Than You with Mo Fry Pasic is hosted by Mo Fry Pasic. Our executive producers are Lauren Mandel and Erica Getto. Our associate producer is Carmen Carigan. Charlotte Harrison designed our show art, and Brandon Young photographed Mo for...

Catherine Cohen's in the houuuuse this week! She and Mo chat about Cat's songwriting process, the joys of performing to a new crowd every night, and their first impressions of each other in New York's alt comedy scene.

Catherine Cohen is a writer, singer, and comedian. You know her from her world tour and Netflix special The Twist... ? She's Gorgeous, her hit podcast Seek Treatment with Pat Regan, and her comedic poetry collection God I Feel Modern Tonight.

She’s also an Edinburgh Comedy Award winner, and returning to th...

Imagine a Victorian sprawled on a chaise lounge. Now give them tattoos or muscles, and place a boiled egg or other odd, unexpected object just out of reach. That's how Ella Evans describes her comedy. She joins Mo this week to discuss how she stretches the familiar, embraces the absurd, and tosses conventional writing wisdom out the window.

Ella Evans is a writer and performer. Her work explores queer life and themes of rural identity and freedom. She is a Channel 4 new writer, and she'll be performing her show Femme Fatigue at the Edinburgh...