The Science & Art of Comedy & Creativity | Tom Segura

About this video

Huberman speaks with comedian Tom Segura about the neuroscience and psychology of comedy and the creative process more generally. Segura describes capturing everyday observations, especially about family life, and developing them through constant informal retelling to friends and relatives before they become stage material. Huberman explains that the episode examines the neurobiological basis of humour, including what brain lesion patients reveal, how reward circuits respond, and why humour feels automatic and non-negotiable, like taste or smell. They also discuss emotional contagion and how skilled performers read, shift and dance with the collective energy of crowds from small clubs to arenas. Along the way Segura shares stories about his two young sons, their swearing, roughhousing and pull-up ambitions, and the cousins discover and explain their distant Basque family connection, with Segura joking about their very different family backgrounds.

Key takeaways

• Segura describes developing material by retelling everyday observations informally before using them on stage.
• Huberman explains humour is presented as automatic and non-negotiable, like taste or smell.
• Huberman describes the episode’s focus on reward circuits and what brain lesion patients teach about humour.
• Segura and Huberman discuss emotional contagion and reading a crowd’s collective energy as a performer.

Episode details: published May 19, 2025 · 134.7K views · 2:17:19 long. Summary written by Self Growth Videos from the episode itself. The science and protocols described are Andrew Huberman’s, presented for education — not medical advice. Consult a qualified professional before changing your own health practices.

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