The Hilarious World of Depression

by American Public Media
4,281
Comedy Interviews #87

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.

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Recent Episodes
  • Introducing Depresh Mode with John Moe: Joel Kim Booster Is In A Pit
    Aug 4, 2021 – 00:51:41
  • Movies That Get Depression Right
    May 25, 2020 – 00:45:18
  • Steven Page Camouflages Songs About Depression
    May 18, 2020 – 00:45:28
  • Mike Birbiglia Faces His Darkest Fears and Puts Them On Stage
    May 11, 2020 – 00:41:02
  • Free Chapters of The Hilarious World of Depression: The Book: The Audiobook
    May 4, 2020 – 00:42:52
  • Emmy Blotnick Once Ate a Whole Head of Cabbage. Alone. In Silence.
    Apr 27, 2020 – 00:47:18
  • Lulu Miller Treats Her Depression With Fish Research, Finds Fish Don’t Exist
    Apr 20, 2020 – 00:47:01
  • Dave Holmes Puts the ADHD in Dave Holmes
    Apr 13, 2020 – 00:42:48
  • Call A Friend, Find Out How They’re Doing
    Apr 6, 2020 – 00:33:12
  • Lori Gottlieb Has Seen All Possible Sides of Therapy
    Mar 30, 2020 – 00:50:11
  • Jameela Jamil Has an Ambitious Goal: To Feel Things

    Mar 23, 2020 – 00:45:01
  • A Message From Inside John's Closet. I Mean Office.
    Mar 18, 2020 – 00:15:43
  • Theo Fleury: Trauma, stardom, and a downward spiral on the latest Tremendous Upside
    Jan 27, 2020 – 00:30:45
  • THWoD Special: Tremendous Upside with Chamique Holdsclaw and Metta World Peace
    Jan 13, 2020 – 00:31:39
  • Introducing Tremendous Upside
    Dec 16, 2019 – 00:07:19
  • Depression's Eleven Big Lies EXPOSED!
    Dec 9, 2019 – 00:48:57
  • Darryl "DMC" McDaniels Finds Therapy More Helpful Than Olde English 800
    Nov 18, 2019 – 00:46:54
  • Mark Duplass Has Two Speeds: Go and Crash
    Nov 11, 2019 – 00:49:38
  • Angelina Spicer Wants to Say Things Out Loud About Postpartum Depression
    Nov 4, 2019 – 00:44:36
  • Miz Cracker Looks in the Mirror
    Oct 28, 2019 – 00:48:55
  • Charlene deGuzman Has Unsexy Stories About Sex
    Oct 21, 2019 – 00:42:39
  • Anil Dash Loves Social Media and Wants It To Change
    Oct 14, 2019 – 00:40:32
  • Ryan Bingham Finds a Home and Settles Down
    Oct 7, 2019 – 00:42:06
  • Heather B. Armstrong Nearly Dies Ten Times and It Works Out Great
    Sep 30, 2019 – 00:41:58
  • Mara Wilson Had Great Opportunities and Difficult Challenges
    Sep 23, 2019 – 00:40:09
  • Whitney Cummings Puts It Together and Stops Falling Apart
    Sep 16, 2019 – 00:49:20
  • Pete Holmes Looks for Meaning and Membership
    Sep 9, 2019 – 00:42:19
  • Jenny Lawson and Books That Get Depression Right
    Aug 12, 2019 – 00:33:05
  • The Perils and Rewards of Travel
    Jul 8, 2019 – 00:29:48
  • Just the Funny Parts
    May 6, 2019 – 00:40:50
  • Solomon Georgio Is Doing Better
    Dec 24, 2018 – 00:48:07
  • Jonny Sun Ended Up Here Somehow
    Dec 17, 2018 – 00:47:30
  • Naomi Ekperigin Brings In Her Baggage, Unpacks It
    Dec 10, 2018 – 00:48:58
  • Check-Ups on Gary Gulman, Linda Holmes, Janelle James, and “Steve.” Plus, Sock Opportunities
    Dec 3, 2018 – 00:48:55
  • Aparna Nancherla Is Having a Harder Time Doing Something She’s Great At
    Nov 26, 2018 – 00:43:54
  • John Ross Bowie and Jamie Denbo Don’t Need Your Suggestions For Their Life Improv
    Nov 19, 2018 – 00:50:38
  • Adventures in Therapy
    Nov 12, 2018 – 00:37:54
  • Guy Branum Goes to Minnesota, Gets Good Internet, Finds Self
    Nov 5, 2018 – 00:43:42
  • The Hilarious NIGHT of Depression
    Oct 29, 2018 – 01:18:26
  • Words: Am We Uses Them Good At Mental Health?
    Oct 22, 2018 – 00:45:21
  • Scott Thompson Keeps Getting Back Up Again
    Oct 15, 2018 – 00:53:21
  • Chris Gethard Does Not Avoid the Collision
    Oct 8, 2018 – 00:52:57
  • Figuring Out Regular Adolescent Behavior vs. Alarming Disorder with Jen Kirkman
    Oct 1, 2018 – 00:53:23
  • Neko Case Leaves Bad Places, Goes to Better Places
    Sep 24, 2018 – 00:51:59
  • Your Amazing Therapeutic Jukebox
    Sep 17, 2018 – 00:52:28
  • Mortified’s Dave Nadelberg Presents Your Shame Live On Stage
    Sep 10, 2018 – 00:40:36
  • Open Mike Eagle Goes Outside And Meets People
    Sep 4, 2018 – 00:50:20
  • Impostor Syndrome: True Tales, Tricks, and Tactics for When You’re Feeling Fraudulent
    Aug 27, 2018 – 00:38:54
  • Thom Tran Is a Regular Standup Comic Except for the Part About Being Shot in the Head in Iraq
    Aug 20, 2018 – 00:49:08
  • Andrew Zimmern Wrecks His Life, Rebuilds His Life, and Eats Weird Food
    Aug 13, 2018 – 00:42:56
Recent Reviews
  • RenéeinSanDiego
    The real deal
    Authentic, fun, interesting
  • Gottagetthere
    The title tho
    Hi. I have depression. And I think you should change.the.title. Thx
  • jessmess86
    Wonderful
    This show is a gem. Do yourself a favor and listen.
  • N3wToiPhones11
    Still relevant!
    The new show is called Depresh mode and it is awesome too!Some episodes may be triggering for some of us, but this show is gold. So is the new one. I recommend it highly!
  • Billy Hammer
    A MUST LISTEN!
    I recommend starting with the DMC episode. This podcast has something for everyone. Hilarious, insightful, and hopeful.
  • dhshsjeheiej
    Ya
    The fact that this show doesn’t release any new episodes anymore makes my depression worse lol.
  • colerderyfance 😁😁😁😁😁🤗
    (Cries)
    Depression isn’t hilarious!!! 😭😭
  • Nurselup
    Great for spouses of depressed partner!
    I searched for a podcast on depression when my husband hit a scary low in depression. Not only do I feel more optimistic about my spouse and marriage, but I am a better partner as I have learned endless understanding and compassion for people with depression. Please don’t ever stop making episodes!!
  • L Farsea
    So Glad John Moe Continues!
    I’m so happy to find that John Moe’s work continues in the new podcast, “Depresh Mode”! Thank you for posting this most recent interview and including the location of the new one. Appreciate this work SO much!
  • Tanyakh8
    The theme songs.
    We need both songs to be available. Or are they?
  • luv2lissen
    Thank You
    I loved The Hilarious World of Depression, and found the first episode of Depresh Mode surprisingly powerful. I heard myself in Joel Kim Booster. Yet, I also found myself trying to give him hope. When he said that he didn’t think his joke writing spark would ever return, I actually said out loud, “You don’t know”. I surprised myself with that. Simply put, it was relatable and engaging. I find tremendous value in that, and I hope there’s more to come!
  • B1tty4eva
    TRIGGERING
    A few of the episodes turn out to have helpful suicide tips. I’m sure they don’t mean to. But unfortunately I can’t unlearn these tips. Maybe not a good listen if you’re in the thick of it.
  • RedPands
    ❤️
    SO excited about depresh mode!!!! I can’t believe they canceled this one but thank god for John Moe and his team!!
  • Alex J ✨
    Beautiful, funny, intelligent, self aware
    A refreshing look at depression that humanizes and normalizes the experience. I wish NPR would reboot this show.
  • NaomiBurton
    So glad I discovered this podcast
    Listen it to it, it will make you feel less alone in your depression. Plus, it will make you laugh and we know laughter is the beat medicine
  • nayloufro
    relatable and melancholy
    it’s sad, it’s funny, what more could you want?
  • queenmaab
    Gottlieb - great episode
    Thanks for this great episode. Lori is a wonderful resource and John was just the right interviewer. The first season gave me a life-saving perspective on my depression. Now I come back to the well for wisdom. Thank you.
  • cjw007
    Such a good show
    Such a wonderful podcast. Helped me identify and deal with issues I didn’t realize I had. Very sad to hear to it was canceled. Just found the show this year.
  • Joon&Jools
    Great Podcast, Shocked it was cancelled!
    I only found out today that this podcast was cancelled. I wondered why he was taking such a long hiatus! In the same article it said that he could not just restart it because he does not own it. But he has started another one called "Depresh Mode". I will be going over there now! This was a very valuable podcast.
  • :::::::;;::;;:;;
    5-stars
    I found this in my recommendations as I’m stress eating ice cream.
  • The Zoop
    Please bring the show back!
    This show really makes me feel less alone, and I appreciate it so much. I miss it and would love more episodes! Thanks to all involved for your openness and vulnerability. (Trigger warnings might not be a bad idea, though.)
  • Armstrong543210616
    Wow!!!!
    The stories are amazing!!!! I’m addicted to this podcaster now. Cant wait for the next one once I’m done with all the episodes.
  • LMC1972
    New podcast site!
    John Moe started new podcast “Depresh Mode”. Start date was March 29, 2021
  • Gharp53
    Thank you
    i, Since there haven’t been new episodes, I’m catching up on back episodes. I just listened to the music episode from September of 2018, and was in tears through the whole thing. As a musician who frequently has a hard time getting motivated to play, often due to depression and mental lethargy, this one hit me to the quick. Even though I’m not a fan of every genre represented in this show, every song resonated with me in some way. Thank you for this. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
  • littlest cowboy
    Great
    Try to keep politics out unless you think it’s okay for conservatives to kill themselves. Five stars
  • mkp1973
    Check in
    Hey, It’s been a while. Just hoping all is ok with u. Sending love. Hope to hear u back on air again soon❤️
  • St.ace82
    Must listen
    Thank you for helping me laugh and cry through some of the hardest years of my life. These stories and perspective stick with you in the best of ways, thank you for being so vulnerable and dedicated to other people’s well-being.
  • tmw323
    Can’t believe this was canceled
    Never needed this podcast more. I’ve been going back and listening to all the past episodes as I only discovered it recently but I’m devastated there won’t be any more. It seems to be incredibly popular so I am unsure why it would end!
  • helenheidi71
    Come back!!
    Great podcast that helps the listener understand what goes on in the mind of someone suffering from depression. So real!
  • dekatieer
    Please come back❤️❤️
    What’s the reason the podcast stopped updating? It’s the soul food that I miss. Hope you bring the show back!
  • Moghimt
    Come back!
    Please come back this was the only podcast I always listened to and related to !!
  • mimiweiss
    A gods send
    Found this podcast when I was struggling and am so grateful for it. Please tell us what we need to do to bring it back.
  • defendergirl
    We miss this podcast.
    We need this podcast. Please come back.
  • User 192747593
    Please come back :(
    I hope the decision makers see these reviews. We need this podcast. It has saved me and so many others. Please come back :(
  • adiblog
    Bring it back. Please.
    Please bring this back. This podcast helped me through many, MANY dark and lonely nights where I thought the absolute worst. Hearing that it was canceled crushed me. I often listened to this podcast at 1-4 in the morning because I couldn’t sleep. I’m writing this review now at 1:40am. Please; if this reaches the powers that be, bring The Hilarious World of Depression back. It was a bright spot in a very dark world.
  • siltoblars
    Great podcast - bought the book
    I’m very sorry this podcast was cancelled. I hope it comes back some day. I bought the book as a gesture of support. I am re-listening to old episodes.
  • sshack1971
    Great crack!
    These episodes are super helpful for me. Like Groyp therapy with smart funny funny people. I hope the show continues
  • 🐐🐃💘☮️💗🔓
    Gvgvgv
    I haven’t listened to this yet but thank you guys for writing these nice reviews. Boo to the other side. If your going to write a bad review go away,
  • Rlment
    Recommend!
    Love the interviews!
  • Quillter
    Bring Back THWOD
    Please bring back this podcast. It is always relevant, but now it is absolutely necessary. John Moe hits all the right notes in perfect balance. The episodes present depression in all its myriad forms and shows us that there is no right way to be depressed. It’s a life-line in these parlous, perilous times. Come back, Mr. Moe!
  • MarkRDungey
    Vexed
    I’m stupefied why on earth this podcast was cancelled. If I understand, it was a highly rated and successful show that helped a LOT of people, myself included. For what reason was this, as I and many others see it, extremely poor decision?
  • PopePat
    Best song Best voice
    And best podcast about depression on the air. I refuse to believe it is gone. Please tell me it’s just on extended hiatus! Listening to his voice and the theme song made me happy to be alive, not to mention the amazing content!
  • London girl1114
    Will miss THWOD
    SOOO sad this was canceled. It was my absolute favorite podcast
  • Spiderwoman25
    Such authenticity
    At a time of the greatest need ever for social emotional wellness, why in the world would this amazing show be cancelled? John is an easy, authentic host who knows how to allow guests to be themselves and bring their interesting and unique stories to others.
  • Ty999
    Is it ironic the depression show gets cancelled?
    ❤️ da de da
  • Aim at the moon
    Future hope?!
    This program helped me more than any therapist. I will miss the possibility of new episodes, and hope maybe after 2020 is over there will be renewed support. John Moe, thank you. 🤗
  • spockspankus
    Honest and binge worthy
    Great podcast. Interviewer John Moe is authentic and true. This was recommended to me by my husband when I was having a hard time. Listening to this helped me acknowledge (and get help for) my own depression. I recommend it to others frequently. Hope it is not cancelled. Moe’s book is excellent as well.
  • Got Happiness
    Hopeful
    When are you coming back? I just found you doing corona panic aka covid 19. 💞💞💞
  • Bookpup25
    This podcast is everything!
    I hope it isn’t true that it’s being cancelled. I only just found it and can’t stop listening.
  • dealing with help.
    The hilarious world of Depression
    PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE DONT CANCEL THIS PODCAST.
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