# Ep 177 with Laura Smyth (Part 1) : Gigging is so real, we are very lucky

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/what-the-f-is-going-on-with-mark-steel-4026372/ep-177-with-laura-smyth-part-1-gigging-is-so-real-we-are-very-lucky
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/what-the-f-is-going-on-with-mark-steel-4026372/ep-177-with-laura-smyth-part-1-gigging-is-so-real-we-are-very-lucky.md
Podcast: [What The F Is Going On? with Mark Steel](https://stenobird.com/podcast/what-the-f-is-going-on-with-mark-steel-4026372)
Published: 2026-03-02T05:27:00+00:00
Episode link: https://pdst.fm/e/pscrb.fm/rss/p/traffic.megaphone.fm/NSR1041267384.mp3?updated=1772399605
Audio file: https://pdst.fm/e/pscrb.fm/rss/p/traffic.megaphone.fm/NSR1041267384.mp3?updated=1772399605
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Duration seconds: 2319

## Resource

Mark is joined by comedian Laura Smyth as they discuss surviving cancer, stoicism and hypnotherapy, body neutrality after mastectomy, social media outrage and “narrative construction”, the loss of real-world connection in the age of smartphones, stand-up as communal therapy, raising daughters and sons differently, and why facing your mortality can make you finally stop carrying the shit you don’t need. You can hear the second part of the interview in next week's episode – but if you can't wait, why not join us on Patreon? For £4 a month you can listen or watch the whole interview straight away. www.patreon.com/wtfisgoingonpod For media, press & guest enquiries please email mikey@carouselstudios.co.uk Follow What The F*** Is Going On? with Mark Steel on Twitter @wtfisgoingonpod Follow Mark Steel @mrmarksteel Follow Laura @thatlaurasmyth Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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## Transcript

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