Pete Holmes has perhaps the most infectious laughter in the world. It’s a long, loud cackle/bray that he breaks out at the slightest provocation. He might get a little too goofy for some, but he balances it out with one of the more thought-provoking interview podcasts around.
He interviews actors, writers, spiritual figures and comedians, discussing everything from their latest projects to how they feel about yogurt. (That was in a particularly funny interview with Ellie Kemper.) Holmes grew up as a religious Christian, and, though he’s moved away that now, he’s still fascinated by theology; he’ll often spend the last third of an episode discussing religious and cosmic questions with his guests. It grounds the interview, lending it an air of authenticity and seriousness that lets the guests really open up. He’ll make a poop joke in the same sentence as a real insight on Terrence McKenna or Joseph Campbell (or, as Holmes calls him, Joey Cams).
Holmes is a standup comedian at heart. He isn’t an interviewer in the way that, say, Terry Gross is, but he has a penchant for making people feel very comfortable very quickly. Some of his best interviews have been intensely focused on the personal struggles of his guests—Josh Radnor, Dan Harmon, Harris Wittels, in particular—and you can hear them warm up to Holmes’ sense of humor and talent for asking the right question at the right time. Holmes’ own personal story is fascinating as well, and if you listen to enough episodes, you can start to piece together what made him so perpetually goofy. Available on iTunes.
Bernstein is a member of the class of 2018.
