Breaking Bread with Tom Papa

Tom sits down with Azniv Korkejian for a conversation about growing up between Saudi Arabia and the United States, turning nostalgia into songs, and discovering a new sense of presence through parenthood. Azniv Korkejian also shares plans for her upcoming tour and the eclectic musical influences that shaped her work.

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00:00 Bedouine Was Devastated When She Left Saudi Arabia
03:03 The new album and going independent
09:14 Turning family history into an album
18:29 Growing up in Saudi Arabia
24:20 How songwriting really happens
30:28 Creative friction with a trusted partner
34:30 Azniv Korkejian on Roger Waters
37:14 Searching for a sense of belonging
41:32 Nostalgia, healing, and parenthood
50:38 Is art a job or an identity?
58:37 From Norah Jones to homemade mixtapes
1:05:58 Simple food and buttered pasta
1:10:38 Tour plans and staying close to home
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Billy Gardell joins Tom Papa to share how rebuilding his health led him back to stand-up, and why he had to begin again at open mics. They revisit the last-chance audition that became Mike & Molly, the lessons of James Burrows, and the family relationships that keep Billy grounded as he returns to touring.

Billy Gardell is touring now! Married Moments is also out now.

Our thanks to:
IQ Bar! Text PAPA to 64000 to get twenty percent off all IQBAR products, plus FREE shipping. Message and data rates may apply.

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Sarah Tiana and Tom trade stories about difficult rooms, Dodgers jokes, writing for sports television, and finding meaningful ideas without making comedy feel like a lecture. Sarah Tiana also shares her elaborate slot-machine routine and discusses Women’s Sports Now on ESPN.
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Jo Koy and Tom Papa trade stories about arena comedy, Eddie Murphy's Raw, crowd work and the lifelong pull of stand-up. Jo Koy also discusses the family inspiration behind his Netflix special Blue in the Face and how real conversations become stage material.

Jo's special Blue in the Face is out now. His book Mixed Plate is also out now.

Our thanks to:

Factor! Head to FACTORMEALS.com/papa50off and use code papa50off to get 50 percent off and 1 free breakfast item per box for 1 year, while supplies last until 10/31/2026.

Jack Archer! Go to JackArcher.com, and use promo code GETJACK for 15% off your first order, and see why thousands of people have given the Jetsetter Tech pant five stars

Monarch! Start a free trial, and get 50% off your first year of Monarch Core Tier with code PAPA at monarch.com
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Pete Holmes joins Tom Papa for a candid conversation about bombing, the need to feel understood, and the strange mental and physical work behind stand-up. They also talk about faith, parenthood, life in Ojai, status anxiety, and Pete Holmes's first children's book, Spells to Cast on Your Parents.

Check out Pete's tour dates here!

Pete Holmes's first children's book, Spells to Cast on Your Parents, is available for preorder now and out in September. He wrote it for his daughter and made the artwork with tape.

Our thanks to IQ Bar! Text PAPA to 64000 to get twenty percent off all IQBAR products, plus FREE shipping. Message and data rates may apply.
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