Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed
What does it mean to truly live your life versus merely performing it?
Most of us coast once we achieve success—accumulating, advancing—without ever being truly present for any of it. The levers of change only activate when a crisis forces the question.
My guest today is Tig Notaro, a comedian, actor, screenwriter, and producer. She has Netflix specials, a Grammy nomination, a NYT bestselling memoir, and co-hosts the podcast Handsome—you probably know all that. But what you might not know is just how many projects she’s produced and is involved in, including Star Trek: Starfleet Academy.
Tig’s story pivots on 2012—an inflection point that changed everything. Four months brought pneumonia, her mother’s death, a breakup, and cancer. Days after her diagnosis, she walked on stage and said, “Good evening. Hello. I have cancer.”
That set went viral because people witnessed someone exercising agency over powerlessness in real time, choosing presence over performance when it mattered most.
Before 2012, she was successful but sleepwalking through her own life. Loss forced a reckoning with what actually mattered and catalyzed a complete reorientation of how she lives now.
“I didn’t know if it was going to be funny. I didn’t know if I was going to bomb and just disappear into the darkness. But I had to do it anyway.”
- TIG NOTARO
Today, we discuss:
- Her Wild Upbringing & Path to Comedy
- The Legendary 2012 Cancer Set at Largo
- Choosing Presence Over Performance
- The Napkin-Based Creative Process
- Comedians, Podcasts & Politics
- Spinal Fusion Surgery & Surrender
- Producing “Come See Me in the Good Light”
For those who prefer a visual experience, the conversation is available on YouTube. As always, the audio version streams wild and free on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
I was surprised to discover that over 70% of the podcast views we receive on YouTube are from people who are not subscribed to our channel. Therefore, I have a very small favor to ask. If you have received value from the show, please take 5 seconds to subscribe to our YouTube channel . It may seem trivial, but it’s actually extremely helpful to us. Thank you!
Peace + Plants,
Listen, Watch, & Subscribe
Squarespace: The easiest way to create a beautiful website, blog, or online store for you and your ideas. Visit Squarespace.com/RichRoll for a FREE trial, and when you’re ready to launch, use the offer code RichRoll to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain.
On: Swiss engineering at its finest, On crafts high-performance shoes and apparel crafted for comfort and style. Tested by world-class athletes, this gear is built to go the distance, so you can go all out, outdoors. Head over to on.com/richroll.
AG1: If there’s one product I trust to support my whole-body health, it’s AG1, and that’s why I’ve partnered with them for so long. AG1 is offering new subscribers a FREE $76 gift when you sign up. You’ll get a Welcome Kit, a bottle of D3K2 AND 5 free travel packs in your first box. So make sure to check out DrinkAG1.com/richroll to get this offer!
BetterHelp: This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp, the world’s largest therapy service, 100% online. Designed to be convenient, flexible, and suited to your schedule. Just fill out a brief questionnaire to get matched with a professional, licensed, and vetted therapist who you can trust. Listeners get 10% off their first month by visiting BetterHelp.com/RICHROLL.
Pique: Pique’s new adaptogenic coffee alternative Nandaka is crafted from the absolute highest quality ceremonial cacao, wild-mimicking functional mushrooms, fermented Pu’er tea from 250 year old tea trees, and Ayurvedic warming spices. Get up to 20% OFF plus a FREE rechargeable frother and glass beaker with your first purchase at piquelife.com/richroll.
Whoop: The all-new WHOOP is here—the only wearable that turns your health and fitness data into personalized guidance, now 7% smaller, and with 14+ days of battery life. It’s the only wearable that gives you a truly comprehensive view of your body—designed to help you improve your performance, longevity, and overall health. Join now at join.whoop.com/Roll.
ROKA: Cutting-edge eyewear & apparel built for top performance. Ultralight construction. Arms-Up Design. Official USAT Partner. If you’re active like me and wear prescription eyeglasses and sunglasses, ROKA combines the no-slip performance you’ve been waiting for with fashionable frames. Unlock 20% OFF your order with code RICHROLL at ROKA.com/RICHROLL.
- Connect with Tig: Website | Instagram | Facebook | Tour Dates | YouTube
- Handsome Podcast
- Handsome Podcast on YouTube
There are a few simple ways you can support the show and the content we strive to craft and share every single week
Subscribe & Review: Please make sure to review, share comments and subscribe to the show on the various platforms (Apple Podcasts, YouTube & Spotify). This helps tremendously!
Patronize Our Sponsors: Supporting the companies that support the show! For a complete list of all RRP sponsors and their respective vanity URLs and discount codes, click the ‘Sponsors’ tab in the ‘Shop’ menu.
Spread The Word: Help grow our reach by sharing your enthusiasm for the podcast and/or your favorite episodes by posting about it on social media.
Thank The Team: I do not do this alone. Send your love to Jason Camiolo & Dan Dake for producing, audio engineering, & creative direction; associate producer Desmond Loh; Blake Curtis & Morgan Mcrae for video editing, graphics by Bryan Lawrence & Alejandro Ribadeneira; portraits by Liz Viggiano; copywriting by Ben Pryor; social media management by Shaina Savoy; and theme music by Tyler Piatt, Trapper Piatt & Hari Mathis.
Amazon Disclosure: Third-party books and products denoted on this page and website may be hyperlinked to the Amazon affiliate program. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
