The Birthday Episode: Sept. 24, 2025

Michael Ian Black is a multi-media talent who’s starred in numerous films and TV series, written and/or directed two films, is a prolific author and commentator, and regularly tours the country performing his ribald brand of jokes and observations. Black’s authored 11 books, including the recently released best seller, A Child’s First Book of Trump, two well-received memoirs, and seven other children's books.

Harrison Scott Key is the author of How to Stay Married, Congratulations, Who Are You Again?, and The World's Largest Man, winner of the Thurber Prize for American Humor. Harrison's humor and nonfiction have appeared in The Best American Travel Writing, Oxford American, The New York Times, and more. 

Kathryn Sophia Belle, Ph.D. is former Associate Professor of Philosophy and affiliate faculty in African American Studies as well as Women’s Gender, and Sexuality Studies at The Pennsylvania State University.  Her most recent book is Beauvoir and Belle: A Black Feminist Critique of The Second Sex (Oxford University Press). 

 Jen Spyra is a writer and performer who has been a staff writer on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and a senior writer for The Onion. Her short story collection, Big Time, has been called "shocking, silly, smart, and absurdly funny" by Tina Fey and "comedically dazzling" by Vulture.