The Hilarious World of Depression

By: American Public Media
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  • Summary

  • A show about clinical depression...with laughs? Well, yeah. Depression is an incredibly common and isolating disease experienced by millions, yet often stigmatized by society. The Hilarious World of Depression is a series of frank, moving, and, yes, funny conversations with top comedians who have dealt with this disease, hosted by veteran humorist and public radio host John Moe. Join guests such as Maria Bamford, Paul F. Tompkins, Andy Richter, and Jen Kirkman to learn how they’ve dealt with depression and managed to laugh along the way. If you have not met the disease personally, it’s almost certain that someone you know has, whether it’s a friend, family member, colleague, or neighbor. Depression is a vicious cycle of solitude and stigma that leaves people miserable and sometimes dead. Frankly, we’re not going to put up with that anymore. The Hilarious World of Depression is not medical treatment and should not be seen as a substitute for therapy or medication. But it is a chance to gain some insight, have a few laughs, and realize that people with depression are not alone and that together, we can all feel a bit better. American Public Media and HealthPartners’ Make It Okay campaign are committed to breaking the stigma around mental health.
    Copyright 2024 Minnesota Public Radio
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Comedy & Humor
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Episodes
  • Introducing Depresh Mode with John Moe: Joel Kim Booster Is In A Pit

    Introducing Depresh Mode with John Moe: Joel Kim Booster Is In A Pit
    Aug 4 2021

    It's tempting to try to look for a reason why Joel Kim Booster, ordinarily a very funny and engaging person, feels dead inside, trapped in a persistent depressive state. His father recently died of COVID. The two hadn't been very close (Joel's dad was a conservative Christian, Joel is a gay Hollywood star) but were beginning to reconnect. You could point to the pandemic, which left Joel in an apartment he doesn't like for extended periods.


    But it's just as easy to point to things that aren't especially depressing about Joel's situation. He's got movie and TV deals, he's taping an hour-long Netflix special, he has recently fallen in love, and he's doing well enough that he's about to buy a house.


    The truth is that any of those factors might influence Joel's mood and behavior but depression isn't simple enough to be routinely caused or prevented by one's fortune in the rest of life.


    Depresh Mode host John Moe says this interview is the strongest representation of what depression is like that he's done in all his years of interviewing people on the subject.


    Visit Joel Kim Booster's website at www.ihatejoelkim.com. For tour dates, visit his Linktree at linktr.ee/ihatejoelkim. Follow Joel Kim Booster on Twitter @ihatejoelkim and on Instagram @ihatejoelkim. Watch his Comedy Central Stand-Up Presents special here.


    Thank you to all our listeners who support the show as monthly members of Maximum Fun.


    Hey, remember, you're part of Depresh Mode and we want to hear what you want to hear about. What guests and issues would you like to have covered in a future episode? Write us at depreshmode@maximumfun.org.


    Help is available right away.


    The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255, 1-800-273-TALK


    Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741.


    International suicide hotline numbers available here: https://www.opencounseling.com/suicide-hotlines


    The Depresh Mode newsletter is available twice a week. Subscribe for free and stay up to date on the show and mental health issues. https://johnmoe.substack.com/


    John's acclaimed memoir, The Hilarious World of Depression, is available here. https://read.macmillan.com/lp/the-hilarious-world-of-depression/


    Find the show on Twitter @depreshpod and Instagram @depreshpod.


    John is on Twitter @johnmoe.
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    52 mins
  • Movies That Get Depression Right

    Movies That Get Depression Right
    May 25 2020

    It’s easy for movies to get depression wrong, portraying a clinical disorder as equivalent to just being bummed out and, in the case of romantic comedies, curable with a magical kiss. People with actual depression know better and appreciate films that show the truth. In this episode, our listeners, the beloved THWoD-balls, give their picks, ranging from sci-fi to historical drama to comedy. We got moon men, bridesmaids, a couple of hobbits, and even a Babadook. Fill out your watch list!



    You can order John's book on Amazon (amzn.to/THWoDBook) or IndieBound (bit.ly/IndieTHWoD). Follow us on Twitter: @THWofD. Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/thwod. Support our show today: hilariousworld.org/donate


    Visit MakeItOK.org to get resources, tips for talking about mental health, and more.


    If you or anyone you know is struggling, there's help available, any time. It's free and you'll reach a trained volunteer. You can reach the Crisis Text Line by texting the word HOME to 741-741, or call the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK.
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    45 mins
  • Steven Page Camouflages Songs About Depression

    Steven Page Camouflages Songs About Depression
    May 18 2020

    As co-founder and co-frontman for the band Barenaked Ladies, Steven Page belted out a lot of up-tempo pop hits. But if you look at the lyrics to songs like "One Week" or "Pinch Me," you can see a lot of darkness and that's an approach that has continued with his solo work. We hear about his bipolar diagnosis, his drug arrest, and his penchant for creating multi-layered music.


    You can order John's book on Amazon (amzn.to/THWoDBook) or IndieBound (bit.ly/IndieTHWoD). Follow us on Twitter: @THWofD. Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/thwod. Support our show today: hilariousworld.org/donate


    Visit MakeItOK.org to get resources, tips for talking about mental health, and more.


    If you or anyone you know is struggling, there's help available, any time. It's free and you'll reach a trained volunteer. You can reach the Crisis Text Line by texting the word HOME to 741-741, or call the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK.
    Show more Show less
    45 mins

Featured Article: The Best Mental Health Podcasts to Defy Stigma and Begin to Heal


Mental illnesses are as varied and unique as the people who live with them. Substance abuse, depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and many other conditions all fall under the umbrella of mental illness. But even those who do not have a diagnosable condition may struggle with their mental health from time to time. Mental health podcasts can still be a valuable and reassuring resource for many.

Featured Article The Best Mental Health Podcasts to Defy Stigma and Begin to Heal

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Profile Image for MVA

like is the worst word

the Vulture editor is irritating to listen to...every other word is "like" . Allison Willmore...

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