You gotta fail to succeed, that’s a fact, but this podcast makes a creative person feel so much better about those failures, allowing one to see them as more like stepping stones than falling rocks, if ya dig. You just gotta keep making stuff, and The Need to Fail is proof.

This is a great podcast for anyone pursuing a creative career. It’s so helpful and inspiring to hear other people’s experiences with failure and their strategies for moving past them. They also talk a lot about how sometimes missing the job you *think* you want leads to the job that truly makes you happy. Great conversations and host. Give it a listen!

I listen to a lot of podcasts and this one is my favorite. Great conversations. Great insight into the journey people took to "make it" in comedy. Check out especially if you are an aspiring comedian

Just discovered this podcast and can't turn it off! People are so honest and open, and it's full of great advice for artists of all kinds, as well as exposing some of the nitty gritty of professional acting, writing, etc. Even though it's not necessarily the point of the podcast, I've probably learned more about the process of auditioning, writing packets, getting representation, and the business-side of show business from this podcast than any other I've found. Thanks Don!

This is the first time I’ve ever reviewed something on an Apple platform, but this podcast is worth it. The episodes honestly help me feel less crappy about starting out in comedy, and trust me, I sometimes find myself feeling deep in doo doo. Thanks for putting the time in to make this!

Don Fanelli is not only my favorite podcaster but also my best friend. When we went to a nice Italian dinner he ate my caesar salad and gave me his house salad because i was too scared to send my caesar back. The anchovies scares me. Anyways, Don’s parents are named Don and Donna. I have him hit me in the head with a little hammer everytime i say “good morning” in the afternoon. The Patreon extras for this show are good too. If you new to the podcast i suggest starting with the live ep with Jessica St Clair and also dm-ing me your home address.

This is one of the most empathetic “talk to a comedian” podcasts out there. It really gets to how we tick, how we deal, how we keep going. It makes me feel less alone, if that makes sense.

Don, this is a 50-year-old woman writing to you. I love comedy, I love comedy podcasts and I love your podcast. I think it’s thoughtful and well done and I find everyone’s story of struggle fascinating and unique but universal. So here’s my one criticism:you should curse less. I feel like when you are making a deep point, your message gets diluted with unnecessary curses. And I believe if you change that habit, it will up your game. Meant with kind intentions...

Hearing about other people’s failures is so helpful, it makes it easier for me to deal with my own failures. Thanks Don!

For anybody who is trying to look to improve themselves and find inspiration to keep moving forward, this is the podcast for you. Don does a great job finding a variety of interviewees that are all over the map in the entertainment industry. I feel like a fly on the wall of their conversations, getting an inside look at the careers and experiences of those I would be too nervous to speak to in person. Each guest offers a unique outlook. With every episode I always to find a great takeaway from it. Don is also the perfect host for this podast because he's incredibly honest about his own failures, and always conducts the interviews in such a fun way. It feels less like a rigid interview and more like having a discussion with pals, which I feel makes it so much easier for the guest to open up and for us as the listeners to learn more. Don't miss an episode. It's also perfect for those lengthy commutes!

This podcast is the best. Honestly I’m not just saying that. Every single episode comes out and I blow up my queue just to put this one next. No matter what industry you’re in, what aspirations you might have, this podcast will show you the side of humanity you don’t see on Instagram. Also every fake sponsor at the top makes me laugh.

I love this podcast. The need to fail is such a thoughtful and genuine conversation about comedy and life. Don is such a warm and intelligent host. 5 stars would recommend

This podcast is a reality check for anyone pursuing comedy or a life in entertainment. I appreciate how Don and his guests aren't afraid to talk about all aspects of life in pursuit of the dream without romanticizing it. It's helpful without being preachy. It helps you ask the right questions of yourself. It's great.

This podcast is essential for anyone in a creative field, but I think the wisdom is applicable to everyone and I find myself bringing up points from it and recommending it to people from all areas of my life. Especially when I’m feeling low or uninspired, this podcast is a lifesaver. Don’s honesty and straightforward attitude about failure allows his guests to really open up and the resulting conversations are fascinating and humanizing.

Don fanelli is so passionate in everything he does, and his commitment to delivering interviews that are inspiring as they are entertaining is no exception. Every guest comes with a wealth of comedy nerd info, from niche comedy writing insider tips to namedropping all your favorites. But the best part by far is hearing about these improv standup and writer gods step down from mount Olympus and reveal their mortal forms— forms just bursting out the seams with failures, insecurities, and fears. Don makes the world of entertainment, comedy, and even life seem a little less daunting and a little more fun. I can’t wait to tune in next week.

This podcast is everything, so glad I found it!! Thanks for what you do!

I’ve been hearing about this podcast for years and just started listening and love it. I personally have been feeling unfocused lately and hearing all these great comedians I admire talk about the same things I’m thinking and dealing with is so comforting. I think no matter who you are, artist or not, you will enjoy this podcast. Keep doing this Don and team! I need it!

Wow, it’s crazy how relating to Faily Failures is inspiring. I think because we get to see people keep going... Faily Failures actually turn into Not At All Sucky Successes. Loving it and totally binging on it. I appreciate the line of questioning around how each person deals with ‘it’ so that we listeners can grab some new tools. Like I’m looking into that coaching Sasheer Zamata referred to in her awesome interview! Thank you!!!!

By asking his guests to focus on their failures, Don helps everyone in a creative field feel reassured. He's a great interviewer and you can tell this podcast is a project he feels passionately about.

Incredibly motivating, real, and helpful! Don is hilarious and this podcast has gotten me through some tough times and has aided in helping me to overcome hardships and obstacles in my own life. Thank you for this podcast Don keep up the solid work!!

Such good insights, he encourages users to be honest and vulnerable and it's exactly the type of real conversation you wanna hear. So good. So inspiring.

Don is a great and thoughtful interviewer

Don is a great host and this podcast is full of funny and interesting stories from comedy folks of all stripes, and hey those fake ads are so good I wish they were freaking real!

Great

I’m loving this podcast. It’s been such a comfort, listening to successful people talk about the bumps in their journeys and all that they’re still struggling with. Don is such an open-hearted host who really listens to all his guests and asks the sorts of questions I want to know the answers to. Whatever business you’re in, this is an unfailingly insightful, moving, and entertaining show.

This is my go-to podcast. I listen to it regularly and I have a 5 month old screaming baby so that’s saying something! It is relatable, funny, inspiring, informative and just plain ol' fun. It sometimes helps me feel a little unstuck when I’m feeling stuck, ya know?! Highly recommend!

I was Don Fanelli’s 101 improv student at UCB five years ago and I absolutely LOVE this podcast and have been following it since day one. As a young person starting out in comedy, it’s so important to have a podcast like THE NEED TO FAIL to hear how others have done it and how much they still love doing it to keep the passion alive. I highly recommend this to anyone looking for inspiration, or if you love listening to the artist’s journey.. then this is for you!

Love this podcast. I relisten to episodes when I need to feel inspired. Make more.

Inspiring guests with great insight into creative careers. I look forward to every ep!

I recommend this podcast to everyone I know whenever they feel stalled or hopeless about their careers. So great and helpful! Never miss an episode.

Great podcast, would listen again!

I constantly find myself talking about this podcast in person. Don's interviews are honest, authentic, and nuanced and I think this is a must listen for anyone trying to write/perform/make art.

these are great talks with people who have had a mix of failure and success, and how all of that is relative anyways. Also made me want to revisit Sketches From An Italian Restuarant: A Billy Joel Sketch Show, one of the best UCB shows I've seen. Keep these eps coming Don!

Totally needed this to exist in a highlight prone world.

Very helpful to hear others in a creative field discuss their struggles transparently. Thanks, Don!

I just recently discovered this podcast but after binge listening to a bunch of episodes I can say that I love this podcast! Don and his guests share amazing stories that people (especially in a creative field) can relate to and learn from. It’s inspiring to hear stories that these people have worked through to become the people they are now. Also has a lot of great helpful tips on staying positive and setting goals. Did I mention Don is hilarious! Seriously. Love the fake commercials in the beginning of the episodes!

I am obsessed with this podcast. It's perfect if you are a struggling actor, writer, or creative type – but I think it's also perfect even if you're not. The stories are relatable, and Don asks exactly the right questions. It's lighthearetd without being flimsy and deep without being dark. It's also just the right mix of funny and serious. Highly recommended.

A truly inspiring, joyful, honest series of stories. Love the candid moments from recording in people's homes. Don is a gifted host. So happy it's in full swing. Thank you Don, spoons and kumquats!!

I've listened to every episode. The host is funny and stays focused (rambling, self-indulgent podcasts are a pet peeve of mine, so no worries about any of that here), and the podcast really shows a personal side of the struggle to make it in comedy. Thank you, and keep up the good work!

Hands down one of the only podcasts I listen to on a regular basis. Anyone who is currently dealing with failure or maybe you've experienced it in your career, you really need to listen to this. Amazing stories.

I've enjoyed The Need to Fail for a few years now and am really happy it's back

I love this podcast! So glad it’s back!

THIS PODCAST MAKES ME FEEL LESS ALONE IN MY FAILURE; THANKS DON!

It's refreshing to hear stories of failure from people I think of as being solely successful. I also love how Don digs into the details of moments, like what happens in a network test, and how a person prepared mentally for a pitch.

i’m lovin’ it 🎶

I’ve watched Don on stage at UCB for years and held him in the highest regard. But this takes things to another level. So helpful and honest and a real lifeline in low moments. And it’s even practical.

A great podcast that helps you embrace and understand life's least savory but mandatory experience

I'm loving The Need To Fail! I've been listening for the last two months and I've been devouring episodes. They're super funny, informative, and really therapeutic for someone who is an actor/writer. It's always so helpful to hear about the circuitous routes that people take in this industry and the failures, setbacks, and triumphs along the way.

I love listening to these conversations and hearing about each person’s unique journey.

I love the idea of this podcast, it's inspiring and great!