Mike Birbiglia was always drawn to storytelling. As a child, he might have struggled with sports, but he excelled in capturing those losses in writing. He filled journals with poems, mini-plays, and whimsical drawings of bears, his family, and schoolyard crushes. This penchant for storytelling led him to comedy, ultimately shaping the narrative-driven style he's known for today. When Birbiglia attended Georgetown University, he was cast as a freshman in the university's improv troupe, a signifier of his budding comedic talent. In his sophomore year, he won the "Funniest Man on Campus" contest, which granted him the chance to perform at the prestigious D.C. Improv. There, over three years, he honed his craft by fearlessly sharing stories of his awkward adventures. His dedication paid off, and he became a semi-finalist in Comedy Central's national stand-up competition, "Laugh Riots." Upon graduating, Birbiglia took a leap of faith, moving to New York City to pursue his comedy career. In just a year, he broke into the city's formidable comedy scene, appearing on Comedy Central’s “Premium Blend” and performing at the Montreal Just For Laughs Comedy Festival as part of the "New Faces" category. This exposure caught the attention of the booker for “Late Show with David Letterman,” and in December 2002, Mike made his debut on the show, becoming one of the youngest comedians to do so. Birbiglia continued to rise, becoming a regular on late-night talk shows and headlining clubs, theaters, and festivals nationwide, including Bumbershoot in Seattle and the U.S. Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen. On February 5, 2004, he released his self-produced debut comedy CD, “Dog Years,” recorded live at the D.C. Improv. Around this time, he began a blog entitled “My Secret Public Journal,” which served as a bi-weekly travelogue of his comedic journeys. In 2005, Birbiglia became a regular contributor to “The Bob and Tom Show,” sharing segments from his “Secret Public Journal.” These entries highlighted his knack for blending personal anecdotes with humor, drawing comparisons to the works of David Sedaris and Bill Cosby. In December of the same year, he released “My Secret Public Album, Volume 1a" featuring recordings from his journal. His first Comedy Central half-hour stand-up special premiered on March 5, 2004, and was a hit, prompting Comedy Central to request a follow-up. This second special debuted in March 2006, further cementing his status in the comedy landscape. During this time, he released the CD/DVD compilation “Two Drink Mike,” which topped the Comedy Billboard charts and expanded his fan base. From February to May 2006, Birbiglia embarked on the “Medium Man on Campus” tour, visiting colleges across America. This led to the creation of six "Secret Public Journal" video vignettes available on Comedy Central’s website. That fall, he headlined the “Bob & Tom Comedy Tour," and began developing multiple film and television projects. By 2006, Birbiglia had achieved comedy cult status, particularly with the release of his CD “Two Drink Mike.” His “Secret Public Journal” became a touchstone, reaching thirty thousand email subscribers and broadcast to millions via “Bob & Tom.” In 2007, he released "My Secret Public Journal Live," which garnered critical acclaim and won various best album accolades. This success continued with the 2008 release of “Mike Birbiglia: What I Should Have Said Was Nothing,” a Comedy Central special that featured a longer DVD version titled “Strictly for Fans.” In October 2008, Birbiglia debuted his off-Broadway one-man show “Sleepwalk with Me” at the Bleecker Street Theatre. The show, which explored his life-threatening sleep disorder, was a hit, extending its run multiple times before closing in June 2009. Following this, he embarked on a new stand-up tour titled "I’m in the Future Also," named after a line used to engage audiences during particularly cringe-worthy moments in his stories. Through his insightful and humorous exploration of his own life experiences, Mike Birbiglia has crafted a unique voice in comedy, one defined by vulnerability, wit, and an uncanny ability to connect with audiences through the art of storytelling.