Talkward

Talkward: Cringeworthy Tales — Matt Visconage and the Day Job That Broke Him This week on Talkward, host Marty Dundics welcomes improviser, writer, and office-culture survivor Matt Visconage for a painfully relatable deep dive into temp jobs, cubicles, customer service trauma, and the quiet despair of corporate life. Matt—an alum of iO Theater and Upright Citizens Brigade, and co-host of CAGEMATCH—talks about the long road that led to his new book, The Day Job Survival Handbook, a satirical “orientation manual” for anyone who’s ever cried in a bathroom stall at work. The conversation covers everything from his viral Onion guacamole photo that refuses to die, to being a literal cog in the customer-service machine, to the emotional toll of talking to 150 furious strangers a day. Matt breaks down the fictional company at the center of the book—Smart Haven—and its unforgettable cast of employees, shadow executives, party subs, and the relentlessly upbeat organizational guide COG 760 (“David”), who’s always there to help… no matter how bad things get. Marty and Matt also dig into workplace romances, holiday party bingo, corporate gaslighting, bacon costumes worn at the office, and why working customer service permanently rewires your brain. Plus, Matt discusses adapting the book into a live stage show at UCB, where the audience becomes new hires, and why the world of The Day Job Survival Handbook feels disturbingly close to reality. If you’ve ever worked a day job you hated—or one you’re still stuck in—this episode will make you feel deeply seen… and slightly concerned. 🎧 Listen, cringe, and survive. Get the book today! The Day Job Survival Handbook Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/talkward--2882431/support.

Mike Sacks Returns (and Gen X Gets Bigger Fonts) Talkward is back for a new season, and host Marty Dundics kicks things off with a returning favorite: humor author and satirist Mike Sacks, the master of “artifacts from things that never existed.” This episode dives into Sacks’ signature meta-comedy—fake movies, invented cultural movements, and lovingly recreated pop-culture “memories” that feel too real—as Marty and Mike celebrate the release of Slouchers: Gen Xpanded Edition from Humorist Books. From the lost freedom of pre-smartphone childhoods to the plot-ruining menace of cell phones in storytelling, Marty and Mike riff on why the past is easier (and funnier) to satirize than the always-on present. Along the way, they nerd out over grunge-era touchstones (cargo shorts, mixtapes, WHFS, standing in line all night for concert tickets), and unpack the strange magic of nostalgia for a time that was messy, sincere, and gloriously offline. The conversation also explores Mike’s audio-comedy world—his new project StanLand, and how one “yes” from Jon Hamm helped launch an all-star cast for Stinker Let’s Loose, why collaboration makes the work better, and what he’s developing next with Chris Elliott. Plus: Substack advice without the hustle, Sedaris tour-opening war stories, and a little daydreaming about what Slouchers could become as a streaming series—complete with dream casting, cameos, and a soundtrack built from forgotten ’90s gems. Buy Slouchers: Gen Xpanded Edition and find more from Mike at mikesacks.com—then subscribe, follow, and keep the cringeworthy tales coming. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/talkward--2882431/support.

This episode we go off the grid to a dark cabin deep in the Pennsylvania woods where a recluse has come up for air to chat about his new book baby. Cartoonist, author, and all around creative genius Bob Eckstein chats about his new book The World's Greatest Museums. Order it today! https://bit.ly/footnotesmuseum

This episode of Talkward chats with comedy writer Carlos Greaves! His writing has been featured in The New Yorker, NPR, and he is a frequent contributor to the humor site McSweeney’s. His debut book, 'Spoilers: Essays That Might Ruin Your Favorite Hollywood Movies' is available to order now! https://carlosgreaves.com/books/

This week we are talking to comedy writer, pop culture fan, and trekkie, Justin Avery Smith. We chat about cosplay, comedy and his crush on Cmdr William T. Riker. Justin writes for Mcsweeney’s, Slackjaw, RobotButt, The Whole Wheat Post, Points In Case, and Greener Pastures. Follow him @justinaverysmith

This episode of Talkward welcomes Emmy® award winning humor writer and longtime executive producer of 'The Simpsons' Mike Reiss! His new book 'Santa's Brother Sandy Saves Christmas' is out now and his travel podcast "What Am I Doing Here?" is wherever you get your pods!

This episode of Talkward welcomes humor author Marty Beckerman. A former editor at Esquire and MTV News, Beckerman has also written for The New York Times, The Atlantic, Wired, Playboy, Discover, Newsweek, CNET, The Daily Beast, and Mental Floss. His latest book, about a talking cats time traveling adventures to fix the Y2K past is THE TIME MEOWCHINE! Get it today! https://a.co/d/79drJ7B A wildly original science-fiction novel that will appeal to Kurt Vonnegut fans, Y2K throwback fashionistas, and cat lovers everywhere, The Time Meowchine reminds us the future is unwritten … and un-kitten.

This episode of Talkward welcomes Jason Roeder, author of humor book "Griefstrike! The Ultimate Guide to Mourning". Jason is a former senior editor and senior writer at The Onion as well as a contributor to The New Yorker and McSweeney’s Internet Tendency. Pick up his book today! https://amzn.to/3kW6cwH See all of his books and work at jasonroeder.info

Stand-up comic and author Tom McCaffrey stops by Talkward to chat about his new debut novel 'Born Funny' which tells the tale of the rise of alt comedy through the eyes of a fictionalized version of himself. Get it: https://amzn.to/3koRn5q

This episode of Talkward comedy writer, teacher, actor, UCB improv, standup comedy performer and all around nice person Sean Conroy chats about his comedy career in stage, TV and podcasting. From networks like Adult Swim,Comedy Central, Seeso, MTV, Spike TV, UPN, NBC and ABC. He was Head Writer and Executive Producer on the amazingly funny shows Mr. Pickles and Gentlemen Lobsters. Listen to his weekly podcast The Long Shot. Visit https://www.seanconroy.com/

Humor writer raconteur Mike Sacks stops by Talkward to chat about "Welcome to Woodmont College" , his parody of a college catalog co-written with Jason Roeder. It was named one of the best comedy books of the year by New York Magazine's Vulture and you should buy it today! We also discuss the wonders of Maryland, 90s nostalgia, and how he makes things happen for himself in the comedy world.

Comedy animation creators Aaron Augenblick and Katie Wendt discuss the wonderfully funny and smart new show 'City Island' on PBSKids. Augenblick Studios has been a trailblazing studio in the world of adult animation with hits like Ugly Americans, The Jellies, Wonder Showzen, Superjail, Death Hacks, and Shorties Watching Shorties- now through the new Future Brain Media, they are making waves in the world of kids animation! Watch 'City Island' at PBSKids.org and see all the projects at https://www.augenblickstudios.com/

This episode of Talkward welcomes humor writer Kate Herzlin! Kate, along with co-authors Allison Kelley, Danielle Kraese, and Ysabel Yates wrote the new book, Jokes to Offend Men, which is a cutting, cathartic spin on the old-fashioned joke book. It's refreshingly hilarious, go grab a copy! Follow her @kateherzlin and check out the book http://jokestooffendmen.com

This episode of Talkward welcomes Amy Fusselman, author of the new novel 'The Means' which follows the character Shelly Means and her hilarious quest to own a beach house in the Hamptons. Shipping containers, talking dogs, anger management classes, and vision boards make up this very funny book. Follow her @amyfusselman and http://amyfusselman.com

This episode of Talkward welcomes comedy writer and author Gary Almeter! Gary's new humor book 'The Official Dream Dinner Party Handbook' explores the question: If you could have dinner with anyone, living or dead, who do you pick? How do you choose? And how can it all go terribly wrong? It's very funny and you should buy it right now! https://bit.ly/dreamdinnerparty

This episode features the very talented comedy writer and TV producer Craig Thomas! Craig is the co-creator, executive producer, and writer of “How I Met Your Mother,” which received 30 Emmy Award nominations in its nine-season run. Before that he wrote for 'The Late Show with David Letterman' and 'American Dad!'. Craig is also an accomplished musician and songwriter! Most recently his prose has been published in The New Yorker, McSweeney’s, Weekly Humorist and soon, The Iowa Review. Follow him on twitter at @HIMYMCraig

This episode of Talkward welcomes humor writer and performer AJ 'Sweet Pea' DiCosimo. AJ has been published many times in The New Yorker, as well as Weekly Humorist and he even snuck into being a writer for MAD. Have you ever heard a story from a guy who covers his naked body in shaving cream and plays Tom Petty songs? You will. He's a punk rock comedy guy from Cleveland, whose day jobs have given him the perspective that lead him to the more silly, absurdist side of humor. Follow AJ https://twitter.com/AJDiCosimo

This episode welcomes cartoonist and comedy writer Ivan Ehlers! Ivan has been a regular in The New Yorker, MAD Magazine, Weekly Humorist, LA Times and others. His first series 'Dee Dee Sawyer Ghoul Destroyer' is available now on Webtoons. See all his work at https://www.instagram.com/ivan_ehlers/

This episode welcomes humor writer and prolific author Brian Boone. We discuss his career writing trivia, joke books, his truly epic failure on 'Jeopardy', and his new book "How To Be An Old Person- Everything To Know For The Newly Old, Retiring, Elderly, Or Considering' Pick it up today! http://howtobeanoldperson.com/

This episode's guest is author and comedy performer Haley McGee! We have a wonderful chat about dating and the value of the gifts from an ex. Her new book, 'The Ex-Boyfriend Yard Sale' is out now. Check it out! http://www.haleymcgee.ca/book-2