Depresh Mode with John Moe

In this engaging discussion, Alex Goldman, the host of Hyperfixed and former Reply All host, shares his journey through ADHD, depression, and bipolar disorder. He opens up about his late diagnosis, the challenges of managing medication, and the chaotic allure of hypomania. Alex highlights the complexities of balancing creativity with mental health struggles, the importance of open discussions about these topics, and how personal branding intersects with his experiences in podcasting. Join him for a candid exploration of resilience and self-worth!

There are sad movies that nonetheless offer some sort of hope and optimism. And then there are the ones that offer no hope at all, just bleakness and despair and the cinematic versions of major depressive disorder. Those are our focus on this episode as a trio of film critics and pundits offer their picks for the most depressing films and offer analysis on whether there is value in watching works that present worlds with zero hope. Films discussed include:Grave of the FirefliesAftersunAmourDancer in the DarkPan’s LabyrinthRobocop (2014 remake)Cries and WhispersSynecdoche, New YorkCape FearFunny GamesLetterboxd: Truly Depressing Movies from Depresh Mode with John MoeThank you to all our listeners who support the show as monthly members of Maximum Fun.Check out our I’m Glad You’re Here and Depresh Mode merchandise at the brand new merch website MaxFunStore.com!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.Depresh Mode is on BlueSky, Instagram, Substack, and you can join our Preshies Facebook group. Help is available right away.The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988 or 1-800-273-8255, 1-800-273-TALKCrisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741.International suicide hotline numbers available here: https://www.opencounseling.com/suicide-hotlines 

In this heartfelt conversation, Paul Scheer, known for his roles in The League and Black Monday, opens up about his traumatic childhood and his new memoir, Joyful Recollections of Trauma. He shares insights on how laughter intermingles with pain, and the vital role therapy plays in healing. Paul discusses his journey of parenting, navigating ADHD, and using storytelling to foster understanding and connection. The chat shines a light on the power of community in mental health, emphasizing the importance of shared experiences and support.

Cory Richards, an adventurer and photographer whose work shines in National Geographic, opens up about his past and mental health struggles in his memoir, The Color of Everything. He shares gripping tales from climbing the world's highest peaks while grappling with childhood violence and a bipolar diagnosis. Cory reflects on the dark sides of fame, the importance of accountability for past misdeeds, and the role of photography as a healing tool. His story is a remarkable journey of personal growth and the quest for connection amidst chaos.

Dr. Aaron Reuben, a neuropsychologist and co-author of a significant study, unveils the shocking link between lead exposure from gasoline and mental health issues. He discusses the staggering 151 million cases of mental illness linked to lead in gasoline, highlighting the severe impact on those born during its peak usage, particularly Gen X. Reuben explains how lead damages developing brains and the risks it poses even today due to environmental contamination. He also explores potential remedies and the implications of these findings for public health.

Stand-up comedian Richard Sarvate opens up about his unconventional upbringing with a mother battling schizophrenia, revealing the bizarre situations of his childhood. He discusses how her illness shaped his social anxieties and career pursuits, leading him to seek approval through comedy. Richard shares humorous insights about his mother's culinary talents amidst chaos, bonding with misfit friends, and how near-death experiences pushed him to embrace his comedic identity. Ultimately, he reflects on transforming trauma into purpose and gratitude for his unique journey.

Twin Cities comic Ellie Hino was wondering if her young son might have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD, so she looked into the symptoms. What she found was a pretty good rundown on problems that she had been wrestling with for many years, especially since becoming a mom. After extensive testing, her diagnosis was confirmed, which opened up the possibilities of treatment and led to a more manageable mind and life. She shares with us her understanding of the condition, what it’s meant in her comedy and other work, and how it has also meant mourning the life she could have had if she had identified the problem much earlier.Thank you to all our listeners who support the show as monthly members of Maximum Fun.Check out our I’m Glad You’re Here and Depresh Mode merchandise at the brand new merch website MaxFunStore.com!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: 988 or 1-800-273-8255, 1-800-273-TALKCrisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741.International suicide hotline numbers available here: https://www.opencounseling.com/suicide-hotlines 

David Shaw’s anxiety was more than just a feeling in his mind, it was in his ears as well. The frontman of the popular rock band The Revivalists found himself dealing with hyperacusis, a condition of extreme hypersensitivity to sounds that would ordinarily be considered tolerable, which was a hindrance in his job as lead singer of a rock band. David talks about managing his anxiety through a variety of approaches and coming to a place of honesty about who he was and who he wants to be. He also discusses “heart mode”, the wisest and most caring place he could operate from and what he’s learned about getting into that state of being.Thank you to all our listeners who support the show as monthly members of Maximum Fun.Check out our I’m Glad You’re Here and Depresh Mode merchandise at the brand new merch website MaxFunStore.com!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: 988 or 1-800-273-8255, 1-800-273-TALKCrisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741.International suicide hotline numbers available here: https://www.opencounseling.com/suicide-hotlines  

During a decades long career in the United States Army, Gregg Martin just kept on succeeding. Star cadet at West Point, getting promoted up to two-start General, earning PhD degrees along the way, and receiving glowing evaluations all the while for his boundless energy and enthusiasm. He now knows that he was operating under a condition called hyperthymia, being in a constant state of near mania. After a deployment to Iraq, Gregg’s mania kicked into high gear and was accompanied by bouts of deep depression. It would take many years of further promotion and misdiagnosis before Gregg’s behavior became so erratic that his life fell apart and his bipolar disorder was finally identified. Then he had to figure out how to get better. He tells his story in this interview and in his book Bipolar General: My Forever War with Mental Illness.We get a preview of the episode at the top from listener Ken Fredette, who says the episode has stayed with him since it originally aired.Thank you to all our listeners who support the show as monthly members of Maximum Fun.Check out our I’m Glad You’re Here and Depresh Mode merchandise at the brand new merch website MaxFunStore.com!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: 988 or 1-800-273-8255, 1-800-273-TALKCrisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741.International suicide hotline numbers available here: https://www.opencounseling.com/suicide-hotlines 

Youngmi Mayer says she hates doing research but, in our conversation and in her new memoir I’m Laughing Because I’m Crying, she does a lot of digging into the events of her life and what they all meant. Youngmi grew up in Saipan and Korea, the daughter of a Korean mother and a White American father, and had to deal with discrimination, harassment, and abuse. Later on, she moved to America with $700 in her pocket and no real plan in order to escape an abusive relationship and had to find a path that included a place of prominence in the restaurant scene, a life of comedy, and a severe depression disorder.Thank you to all our listeners who support the show as monthly members of Maximum Fun.Check out our I’m Glad You’re Here and Depresh Mode merchandise at the brand new merch website MaxFunStore.com!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: 988 or 1-800-273-8255, 1-800-273-TALKCrisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741.International suicide hotline numbers available here: https://www.opencounseling.com/suicide-hotlines