Marc Maron gets to the heart of everyone he invites on his podcast WTF with Marc Maron. Whether he’s talking to up and coming comedians, reminiscing with old friends, chatting existentially about his day, or going toe-to-toe with former POTUS himself Barack Obama, Maron has made a career of exploring the space between the jokes, finding meaning in every conversation.
So while he can’t literally chat with cats, he did team up with Loot Crate and visited local animal shelter Santé D’Or to get the scoop from executive director Christy Keefe playing with kittens. Watch the video and then take a look at our conversation with Marc about interviews, podcasting, and of course cats!
You share who your are in so many different ways: Onstage doing stand-up, engaging with people in interviews, and having had a show about a version of yourself. Do you have to remind yourself who the real Maron is?
No. I’ve worked very hard for a long time to know who I am at the baseline of me. I just work from there. There isn’t that big a difference between them. I just tweak the tone and volume knob for each.
When you are chatting with guests on WTF, do you think they have expectations of the conversation? Are they ready to share and be vulnerable because of what they know going in?
Some of them have expectations or think they know how it will go but I think we are always both surprised.
Do you think podcasting allows people to connect easier in ways that aren’t possible in other media?
Yes. Audio affords a lot of freedom both for the people making it and listening.
What makes a great interview to you?
Any amount of real connection.
In your interview with Lin-Manuel Miranda you said, “Sometimes in this life it requires courage just to go out in the morning.” Where does that courage come from for you?
Coffee and panic and anger and persistence.
Finally, do cats and comedians share any common traits?
Yes, we’re usually difficult but once you get to know us we’re pretty sweet.
