Hi everybody, John Moe here. This week we are rerunning an episode that we ran originally in the summer of 2021.

It's with the writer and comedian and actor Joel Kim Booster.

It's an episode that got a lot of attention, and it's not always easy to listen to, but it's incredibly moving.

And it's one that I've gone back and listened to

a few times since we originally ran it and thought you might get something out of it too. Thanks.

It's Depression Mode. I'm John Moe. I'm glad you're here.

Our show's producer, Gabe Mara, brought up the idea of having Joel Kim Booster on the show,

and I thought that sounded great. I had seen Joel on this NBC sitcom called Sunnyside,

and he was amazing. One of those performances that you watch

and you think this goes beyond funny. This is a complete creative event. Something new and amazing

is being born here. I knew Joel had done a lot of stand-up and was well regardedregarded. I watched a few clips of that, hilarious,

smart, innovative, and I knew he wrote as well for Billy on the Street and the show the other

two brilliant, brilliant shows. He's also the co-host of the very funny, urgent care podcast

with very funny person Mitra Juhari. My only concern was whether Joel had any

connection to mental illness, any kind of struggle. Combing through Google and Joel's Twitter,

there were some hints. He mentions bipolar disorder, but he mentions having that well under control.

I figured if there wasn't much there, he's obviously a sharp guy.

We could talk about the industry or mental health in entertainment or something like that.

I didn't know if there would be a lot going on with Joel Kim Booster's mental health until the interview started, and I asked him how he's been doing lately.

What a coincidence that we're recording today because I am in the midst of a pretty bad

depressive episode right now. Barely, barely getting through today because I am in the midst of a pretty bad depressive episode right now.

Barely, barely getting through today.

...