Hanif Abdurraqib, a MacArthur Fellow and acclaimed poet, opens up about his journey with depression and anxiety. He emphasizes the vital role of community and support networks in mental health care. Hanif shares personal anecdotes about how basketball has shaped his identity and offers strategies for managing anxiety, including the importance of routines and physical activity. He encourages listeners to find joy in small moments and highlights the significance of recognizing and nurturing supportive relationships.

Open Mike Eagle, a talented rapper, comedian, and podcast host, dives into the current turmoil affecting society. He discusses how chaos in the news influences creativity and mental health while highlighting the struggles within the entertainment industry. Open Mike also emphasizes the significance of community and intentional self-reflection in navigating emotional well-being during tough times. The conversation culminates in a call for connection and support, showcasing the power of reaching out to friends and sharing experiences.

New listeners are warmly welcomed as the discussion dives into universal mental health challenges. The hosts emphasize the importance of open dialogue and personal stories, making everyone feel included. They aim to create a supportive community that blends humor with heartfelt conversations. Listeners are encouraged to share their thoughts on future topics while participating in a fundraising drive to enhance the show's reach and impact. It's about connection, openness, and embracing the journey together.

Jim James, the lead singer of My Morning Jacket, shares his candid journey through depression and alcoholism, emphasizing the importance of self-compassion. He reflects on seeking validation and how intense therapy, including EMDR, has reshaped his outlook. James discusses the therapeutic power of music, mindfulness on tour, and the struggles of finding the right therapist. With a focus on gratitude and support, he encourages listeners to embrace their journeys to mental wellness.

In this bonus content edition of Depresh Mode, We’re joined by some Maximum Fun all-stars for some very light-hearted and delightfully competitive games that are as informative as they are silly. Our competitors:Justin McElroy of My Brother, My Brother, and Me, Adventure Zone, and SawbonesHal Lublin of Tights & Fights and We Got ThisLaura Swisher, senior producer overseeing about a million Max Fun podcastsWho will win the game Antidepressant, Pokemon, or State Fair Food? Who will emerge victorious in Google Scholar or Member of Parliament/Funkadelic? Can our panel tell the difference between an emo band lyric, a quote from The Simpsons’ Moe, or a line heard on Depresh Mode? Tune in and find out!

It’s not MaxFunDrive without a wild kickoff spectacular! Former real-life VJ and host of MTV's Spring Break 1999, Dave Holmes, takes your favorite MaxFun hosts through some wacky ‘90s- and Spring Break-themed mini games!!Featuring: Dave Holmes, Jeremy Bent, Oscar Montoya, Dimitry Pompée, Tom Lum, Ellen Weatherford, Alex Schmidt, Brenda Snell, Drea Clark, Alonso Duralde, Dan McCoy, Jordan Morris, Manolo Moreno, Ella Hubber, Caroline Roper, Ella McLeod, John-Luke Roberts, Justin McElroy, Clint McElroy, Mike Cabellon, Sierra Katow, Hal Lublin, Danielle Radford, John Moe, Christian Dueñas, Christian Duguay.

J. Kenji Lopez-Alt, an award-winning food writer and New York Times columnist, shares his candid journey with addiction and mental health. He reflects on how alcohol initially helped with social anxiety but eventually led to dependency. Kenji discusses his decision to get sober in his mid-40s, emphasizing the disconnect between societal stereotypes of addiction and his own success. He highlights the importance of community support during recovery and the transformative journey to healthier coping mechanisms.

Maybe you’re one of those people who dreads even looking at the news these days, with stories of layoffs, tariffs, upheaval in foreign policy, and a lack of knowledge as to where this is all going and what it might mean for the future of America and the world. It’s a tumultuous time. When things are chaotic, it can be good to check in with one’s friends and that’s what Depresh Mode does this week. We have conversations of commiseration, of humor, and of hope with comedian and actor Paul F. Tompkins, pundit and writer Ana Marie Cox, and comic and author Gary Gulman.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.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 

Lamb of God is a very popular heavy metal band with Grammy nominations, gold records, and a huge headbanging following. Randy Blythe, front man for the band and author of a new book, Just Beyond the Light, is in recovery from drugs and alcohol and tells stories of finding sobriety, including how it was pretty easy to stay sober while on an Australian vacation surrounded by koalas but a lot harder once he returned to the States and the old patterns and routines of his life. Randy also talks about surviving a panic attack and finding better health through acts of service to others.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.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 

Microdosing involves taking very small amounts of psychedelic substances such as LSD or psilocybin, maybe seven to twelve percent of a regular dose. It’s not enough to “trip out” but enough, proponents say, to yield very positive results, especially in terms of treating depression that hasn’t responded well to other methods. The catalog of extensive clinical, scientific trials about the practice of microdosing is pretty limited but James Fadiman and Jordan Gruber have collected what scientific material there is plus a great number of anecdotal reports in their new book, Microdosing for Health, Healing, and Enhanced Performance. They tell us about the potential of microdosing for mental health, migraines, long covid, and athletics.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.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