7 Other Influential Marc Maron Guests

On June 22nd, the world was treated to Barack Obama appearing on "WTF with Marc Maron". The twice-weekly podcast usually restrains itself to comedy and entertainment, but what show in the world wouldn't make time for the President of the United States if he wanted to swing by for an appearance? While it was far from the first time that Obama was a pop cultural fixture, increasing his appeal across demographics, it also wasn't the first time that Maron had an influential guest show up on the podcast. Oh, sure, many of his guests appeared on the show prior to when they truly broke out as influential — Amy Schumer is a current media darling, for example, but appeared on the show back in 2011 — but that doesn't change the fact that "WTF with Marc Maron" is a hub of movers and shakers.

So, while Obama is currently stealing the thunder and can be held up as the biggest example of the podcast booking an influential guest at the very height of their influence, there have been plenty of big names that have spoken to Maron before. Whether it was a comedian, a talk show host, an actor, or some combination of the above, "WTF with Marc Maron" is a podcast worth paying attention to, because you never know who might be next to get candid.

1. Louis C.K.

In a two-part interview from 2010, Louis C.K. and Maron talked comedy, failure, family, and everything in-between. The podcast was even named one of the 25 Best Podcast Episodes Ever by Slate in 2014, so you know it's something worth listening to.

2. James Franco

Franco appeared on "WTF with Marc Maron" in 2013, alongside Harmony Korine, Nate Bargatze, and Peter Sagal. Franco and Korine were there to talk about Spring Breakers, one of the films that preceded bigger box office draws like Oz The Great and Powerful and This Is The End.

3. Mindy Kaling

The woman also known as Mindy Lahiri appeared on the podcast in 2012, back when The Office was still in and Mindy Lahiri was just a distant dream. In her interview, she gives us some insight into her professional career as a writer, an actress, and a comedian, and reminds us why she's so adept at all three.

4. Robin Williams

In a 2010 interview that will literally gut you emotionally, Robin Williams talks about his struggles with depression and addiction, revealing that "going on stage is the one salvation." This interview is even more memorable and influential after Williams' death in 2014.

5. Lena Dunham

Lena Dunham joined Maron on his podcast in 2014, and, in true Dunham style, their conversation eventually worked their way around to feminism among many, many other modern topics. Well, OK, so a morbid fascination with death isn't a modern topic, but it's not exactly surprising for a Dunham interview.

6. Amy Schumer

Amy Schumer might be one of the greatest people in the world nowadays but, when she appeared on "WTF with Marc Maron" in 2011, she didn't even have a show yet. Inside Amy Schumer wouldn't premiere for two years after this interview, but hearing Schumer talk kleptomania and comedy will make your day.

7. Jimmy Kimmel

Kimmel appeared on the podcast in 2012, and they talked about everything from Kimmel's past to his present to his future. If you've ever been curious about what it's like to grow up in Las Vegas or pull a prank on Jay Leno, then this is the episode for you. So while Maron's biggest guest have been on varying levels of influence and cultural impact when they appeared on the podcast, it can't be denied that the interviews were always hilarious, poignant, and overwhelmingly candid — just like his recent one with President Obama.

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