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Artwork for Breaking Bread

Breaking Bread with Tom Papa

All Things Comedy
Comedy
Stand-Up Comedy
Parenting
Netflix
Hollywood
Social Media
Mental Health
New York City
Family Dynamics
Tom Papa
Food
Cooking
Acting
Travel
Women In Comedy
Personal Growth
Broadway
Los Angeles
Seinfeld
Family

Comedian Tom Papa mixes comedy and carbs for hilarious and revealing conversations with a wide range of talented guests. Served fresh weekly.

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes336Founded13 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ComedyArtsFoodComedy Interviews

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Breaking Bread

Latest Episodes

This week we invite Jake Johnson to the table! He brings a special guest, and chats all about writing, acting, and helping his mother travel from Chicago to Los Angeles. Enjoy!

Our thanks to:

IQ Bar! Text PAPA to 64000 to get 20% off all IQBAR prod... more

This week we welcome Joe Dombrowski to the table! He and Tom talk parenthood and adoption, putting together a comedy special, and the joys of fishing. Enjoy!

Our thanks to:

IQ Bar! Text PAPA to 64000 to get 20% off all IQBAR products, plus FREE shi... more

This week we welcome Sheng Wang to the table! He and Tom talk comedy touring, life moving quickly, and of course, lots and lots of food. Enjoy!

Our thanks to:

Square! Get up to $200 off Square hardware when you sign up at square.com/go/papa! #squar... more

This week we welcome Oliver Cooper to the table! He and Tom talk all about the film industry, working in comedy, and how success feels. Enjoy!

Our thanks to Leesa! Go to leesa.com and use my promo code PAPA for plus $50 off

Learn more about your ad... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Recent Guests

Jake Johnson
Actor and comedian known for New Girl
NBC/FOX projects (notably New Girl)
Episode: Episode 336 - Jake Johnson
Joe Dombrowski
Comedian, performer, and educator with a background in teaching; discussed his career and personal life
Comedian; touring act
Episode: Episode 335 - Joe Dombrowski
Sheng Wang
Comedian and long-time friend of the host
Episode: Episode 334 - Sheng Wang
Oliver Cooper
Actor and filmmaker known for Red Oaks and Burt
Self / Burt (film)
Episode: Episode 333 - Oliver Cooper
Dan Mintz
Voice actor and comedian best known for Tina in Bob's Burgers
Bob's Burgers
Episode: Episode 332 - Dan Mintz
Noah Galuten
Chef and cookbook author
Chef/Author
Episode: Episode 331 - Noah Galuten
Jamie Lee
Comedian and writer, main subject of the episode
Episode: Episode 329 - Jamie Lee
Taylor Tomlinson
Guest comedian discussed in episode
Episode: Episode 328 - Taylor Tomlinson
Mark Bittman
Food writer, author, and activist
No affiliations stated in transcript
Episode: Episode 327 - Mark Bittman

Host

Tom Papa
Host of Breaking Bread with Tom Papa; guides interviews, banter, and creates a warm conversational space.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 1.8k ratings
  • Super fun

    Love Tom. Nicely positive, no political lectures. I love his view of the world.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    maniscca
    United States4 months ago
  • Love Love These Interviews

    They feel like friends/acquaintances just talking. Tom gives everyone their space. On 308 Craig Ferguson y’all were talking about Scrabble. I’m older than both of you & was family champion. Then the damn Googling ruined it. For years I hid the Dictionary & made up words & definitions. When they started Googling, I all of sudden said it was too hard for Gramma to see🤣

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    HippySam23
    United States5 months ago
  • Tom Papa is a treasure

    I love how he treats his guests. He always knows what they’ve been up to and details about the things that they have been working on. I love the fact that he bakes bread for each person and does his research to find the “uncomfortable moment” questions. I feel like you really get to know the people on the podcast in a way that is genuine and deeper than other types of interviews. Tom really knows how to show respect to his guests and make them feel seen so that they can open up and show us a new... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Nala S
    United States5 months ago
  • Meh

    It’s weird how the show plays the first half again after the commercials. You get to hear the show twice in just one episode.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    🌸Patress
    United States5 months ago
  • Too bad

    Good till the identity politics kick in. Go woke and go broke.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Lew in Chicago
    United States6 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners enjoy the bread banter and genuine conversations with guests.
Fans praise the host's respectful, in-depth approach and warm interview style.
Some listeners wish for less political commentary and more purely focused comedy.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#17
United States/Arts/Food
Apple Podcasts
#83
United States/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#16
Canada/Arts/Food
Apple Podcasts
#143
Canada/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#215
United Kingdom/Arts/Food
Apple Podcasts
#70
Australia/Arts/Food

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Episode 331 - Noah Galuten
Q: What is your favorite way to cook steak on a grill?
The host and Noah discuss a two-zone approach with an emphasis on a reverse-sear-like method: salt the steak early, use a cooler zone to bring it up gradually, then finish on the hot side with a butter finish to achieve a crust and smoky flavor.
Episode 328 - Taylor Tomlinson
Q: How has your approach to creating a new stand-up hour evolved since your last special?
The guest explains that each special is a deeper reflection of where she is in life, shifting from broad to darker, more personal themes, and then experimenting with framing again to keep it fresh and honest.
Episode 324 - Fahim Anwar
Q: How did Fahim get started in comedy and what pushed him toward stand-up despite studying engineering?
He started in Seattle at a young age, juggling engineering studies with stand-up, motivated by a desire to create and perform. The environment and opportunities in Seattle, plus the need for an authentic voice, encouraged him to pursue comedy despite the perceived 'safe' path of medicine or engineering.
Episode 320 - Lisa Ann Walter
Q: How did Abbott Elementary come into her life and what did it change?
The guest discusses the shift from stage and touring to TV, the fresh opportunities Abbott offered, and how it allowed her to bring her authentic comedic voice to a broader audience while maintaining stage credibility.
Episode 320 - Lisa Ann Walter
Q: What was it like starting out in New York clubs as a woman?
She describes a boot-camp atmosphere where women rarely passed the passes and where the early routine involved passing through multiple clubs with strict, male-dominated gatekeeping, making her eventual rise all the more remarkable.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Breaking Bread

What is Breaking Bread about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A warm, conversation-rich show that blends humor, personal stories, and culinary banter. Episodes center on stand‑up careers, behind-the-curtain industry insights, and long-running friendships, all delivered with a relaxed, food‑forward vibe. Notable threads include road life and touring, the craft of writing and performing, and the host's signature bread-banter that adds a personal, human touch. The format often includes sponsor reads interwoven with candid anecdotes, making the show feel like a casual hang with a witty, generous interviewer and a rotating roster of high‑profile comedians and entertainers. This mix of culture, career resilience, and everyday joys is likely to appeal to listeners who love comedy, storytelling, and food.

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How many listeners does Breaking Bread get?

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How many subscribers and views does Breaking Bread have?

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How many episodes of Breaking Bread are there?

Breaking Bread launched 13 years ago and published 336 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Breaking Bread?

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Where can I see ratings and reviews for Breaking Bread?

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What guests have appeared on Breaking Bread?

Recent guests on Breaking Bread include:

1. Jake Johnson
2. Joe Dombrowski
3. Sheng Wang
4. Oliver Cooper
5. Dan Mintz
6. Noah Galuten
7. Jamie Lee
8. Taylor Tomlinson

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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