The Science & Art of Comedy & Creativity | Tom Segura

Andrew Huberman

May 19, 2025

Episode description

My guest is Tom Segura, renowned comedian, writer, actor and director. We discuss the “how-to” of comedy writing and storytelling, and what the science of humor and the creative process reveal about human emotion and memory. We explore why surprise and the act of “saying the unspoken truth” activate the brain’s reward circuits, as well as the subconscious mechanisms that shape our sense of what is funny. The episode also examines the bi-directional influence between comedy and cultural standards. It will interest anyone curious about the science of humor, the art of performance and emotional contagion.

Read the episode show notes: https://go.hubermanlab.com/ADV8QSH

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*Tom Segura*
Website: https://tomsegura.com
Tour: https://tomsegura.com/tour
Your Mom’s House (podcast): https://ymhstudios.com/yourmomshouse
2 Bears, 1 Cave (podcast): https://ymhstudios.com/2bears
Tom Talks (podcast): https://ymhstudios.com/tomtalks
YMH Studios: https://ymhstudios.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seguratom
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/tomsegura
X: https://x.com/tomsegura
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@seguratom
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*Timestamps*
00:00:00 Tom Segura
00:01:45 Family, Sports, Running
00:09:35 Sponsors: Maui Nui & Helix Sleep
00:12:37 Ideas, Running, Sleep & Brain, Tools: Exercise for Energy; Phone Outside Room
00:20:16 Capturing Ideas, Cannabis, Storytelling, Experimentation
00:27:28 Ideas & Set List, Performance
00:31:52 Wife, Jokes, Reframing Content; Cancel Culture, Audience Reaction
00:40:56 Jokes, Self & Amusement; Evolution & New Material
00:48:26 Sponsors: AG1 & David Protein
00:51:24 Surprise, Hidden Thoughts; Acting
00:59:02 Voice Impersonation, Kids, Strength Training, Activities
01:05:40 Repeating Jokes; State Changes, Crowds & Energy
01:13:11 Silly Mindset; Audience, Emotional Contagion; Humor & Subconscious Mind
01:27:44 Sponsor: Function
01:29:32 Crowd Work, Comedy Clubs; Original Comedy
01:38:13 Comedy & Social Context; Dark Comedy
01:47:51 Drugs, Overdose, Comedian Deaths, Mental Health; Cynicism, Hope
01:54:21 Audience, Twin Comics; Vulnerability; Stand-Up & Performance
02:01:49 Comedy & Passion, Complaints; Childhood Struggle, Insecurities, Therapy
02:10:53 “Bad Thoughts” Show, Upcoming Projects
02:14:44 Zero-Cost Support, YouTube, Spotify & Apple Follow & Reviews, Sponsors, YouTube Feedback, Protocols Book, Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter

Disclaimer & Disclosures: https://www.hubermanlab.com/disclaimer

Mindsip insights from this episode:

Understand humor as a subjective experience, not an art form

Unlike art, which can be appreciated more with education, humor is an involuntary and purely subjective response; you can't convince someone to find a joke funny.

#emotion

Experience enhanced performance with Amorpho snug-fitting weight vest

The Amorpho weight vest is a snug-fitting, 10-12 pound vest with heavy ball bearings that can make you feel like a god on subsequent runs without it.

#equipment

#exercise

Energize your brain with morning workouts for lasting benefits

A morning workout releases adrenaline, which acts on the vagus nerve to release dopamine and norepinephrine, waking up your brain and body for up to six hours.

#dopamine

#exercise

Incorporate 70-pound kettlebell carry to energize your mornings

Performing a 70-pound kettlebell suitcase carry immediately upon waking can train your nervous system to anticipate the work and become more alert.

#exercise

#nervous-system

Keep phone out of bedroom to enhance sleep quality

Your brain anticipates potential actions even while you're asleep, which is why having your phone in another room can improve sleep quality.

#mental-health

#sleep

Utilize THC to enhance creative flow for comedy

Comedian Tom Segura uses a specific dose of THC at night to induce a stream-of-consciousness state, which helps him generate new creative ideas for his comedy.

#creativity

#psychedelics

Let go of successful material to spark creativity

To evolve creatively, you must be willing to drop successful material, as this forces your brain to make room for and generate new ideas.

#creativity

#growth

Ride the wave of successful performers for audience engagement

Contrary to popular belief, it's better to follow a performer who does very well because they put the audience into a receptive state, creating a 'wave' you can ride.

#success

Channel dark thoughts into art for personal growth

Comedians who are the darkest on stage are often the best people in real life because they acknowledge and channel their dark thoughts into their art.