Nicole July 07, 2011 at 5:51 am

Wow. Todd Hanson just ripped my heart out.

k July 07, 2011 at 8:44 am

Thirty-nine minutes in and loving it. Former Madisonian. Loved Todd’s portion of the episode of This American Life dealing with The Onion. Waiting for the heart-ripping-out portion, but not so much so that I’m not marinating in it.

bEN July 07, 2011 at 9:40 am

MARC,

As someone who deals with depression/constant alienation from society almost every day, I am saying THANK YOU for this episode.  You are my number 1 podcast for a reason (been listening since about episode 50) and it’s shows like this one that really connect with me and offer me hope that I can maybe get through this bullshit life I have.  Only you would put out a show like this one, with such deep and dark issues and I love that you are willing to tackle any emotional subject no matter what.  Thanks.  Ben

James July 07, 2011 at 10:38 am

Promise me you will never stop doing shows like this.  I’m sorry if it ends up hurting your marketability… but you have to promise you are going to do shit like this always. I’m sitting on a fucking bus right now crying.  AND I DON’T CRY. I mean I’ve cried before I’m not a statue, but not on fucking public transportation 3 inches from some poor chick who obviously thinks I’ve lost my mind.

This kinda stuff is important and not to be hyperbolic but you are the only guy that can do it.

James
Seattle, WA

Maureen July 07, 2011 at 11:20 am

A big thank you to Todd and Marc. A dear friend of mine has been dealing with crippling depression for the past 16 years, and this conversation provided me with more insight into his daily struggles.  Thank you, thank you.

Leah July 07, 2011 at 12:57 pm

I love the “victorios cigarettes” part. I could relate, having worked those kinds of jobs before. The second part was hard for me to get through, myself. I’m a pretty empathetic person as well, and it just made me feel, I don’t know what the words would be, like the sound it makes when you roll a penny around an empty tin can? Does that make sense? It was sort of awful, but I got through it remembering the darkness that I’ve been able to crawl out of and think I am just a little closer to exorcising my demons (though those fuckers seem to like to hold on). I hope that Todd Hanson can some day find peace as well. I’ll try to not resent people who seem well adjusted, in the mean time.

BPiddy July 07, 2011 at 1:27 pm

God bless you Marc Maron.  You weren’t kidding that episode was deep.  Prior to the second interview, I kept asking myself “what event?, what could this happy, successful, fun dude (Todd Hanson) have possibly experienced that could be so bad that he doesn’t want to share?”  Then, it hit like a freight train. 
Thank you Marc Maron.  I have been deeply moved and my heart is still recovering from this episode.

Dave July 07, 2011 at 4:59 pm

Thank you. Hearing this has honestly changed me. Thank you so much.

Yasmin July 07, 2011 at 5:04 pm

The imagery of the victory cigarette out by the dumpster after the dinner rush was completely on point. Brought back memories.

This was one of the most human and touching interviews I’ve heard in a long while.  I don’t know if riveted is the correct term but I was.  I had no idea the second half would take that kind of a turn and I found myself utterly focused and hanging on each painful word of Todd’s story, his journey really.  It also awoke some very recessed feelings of despair that are parked for life in my being as well. I have been thinking about this story all day since I heard it this morning - letting the feelings marinate.  I wish the best for Todd with much love and happiness in his hopefully long and prosperous future.  Thanks Marc.

Greg July 07, 2011 at 6:44 pm

Thank you for this episode. I cried. I’ve struggled with depression my entire adult life, and hearing another’s story is truly cathartic. Never stop this podcast.

Brian July 07, 2011 at 7:28 pm

Holy fuck Maron, that was a deep dark episode that was touching in a way only you could manage. Like many respondents here, I found that it was a subject and situation that is all to familiar to me and I found myself at times reliving that headspace during the interview. Not in a bad way so much as a reminder that I don’t want to go down that path again. You can never say never when the black dog has such a grip on your psyche but you try to keep it at bay as best you can.

Much love and respect to yourself and Todd.

johnathan c July 07, 2011 at 7:48 pm

I think anyone who believes depression is a form of self-pity or self-indulgence needs to listen to this podcast.  Mind you, if you’re reading these comments and NOT listening to the podcasts, then what kind of fucking weirdo are you?

Great interview.

richard. July 07, 2011 at 8:59 pm

I was at work, sitting at a shitty computer, keying amounts from check scans, & listening to this episode.  Even through the first interview, I was deeply involved.  Todd & Marc’s mentioning not knowing how to handle feelings of joy or happiness connected with me hard.  I’ve gotten that odd rush of emotion by just feeling a small moment of contededness.  I think it’s the way if you aren’t at all chemically familiar with a drug, a little dose will fucking overwhelm you.  On the other hand, tiny, insignificant things have sent me into hour-long sessions of bawling—like a forgotten & spoiled container of milk sitting out on the kitchen table, or a cat trying to climb a wall & giving up. 

Throughout the second interview, I found myself having to concentrate on not becoming visibly choked up.  I was at work, like I said.  So that thing where you realize you’ve forgotten to breath because of the active effort it’s taking to not cry, & so compensate by taking a deep, desparate inhale….that was going on.

It was a deep, amazing interview.  It hit me personally.  Thanks Marc.  Thanks Todd.  I’m going to go listen to Neil Young now.  The good shit—On the Beach, Tonight’s the Night.

richard.

Chris July 07, 2011 at 10:42 pm

Thank you to Marc and Todd for this episode. I truly believe that you a lot of good for a lot of people by sharing this story.

I’ve been thinking about what it is that makes this podcast so good and so refreshing and I think you can sum it up with one word: honesty.

You don’t get much honesty or truth in the media today, and when you don’t give/receive enough with friends and family, it’s just nice to find it somewhere.

It’s also refreshing that it’s not about answers or solutions - it’s just about being real, raw, flawed and humble - we could use more of that.

James July 08, 2011 at 12:44 am

Oh, simply the best episode… This episode actually meant something. Thank you Todd.

Joe Tily July 08, 2011 at 2:17 am

Great episode. One of those guests that a lot of us can empathize with whilst reflecting on our own life and circumstances. You weren’t wrong about this one being deep Marc !!  Balls to the wall top-quality pod casting . . . thanks man.

Shaun E July 08, 2011 at 2:45 am

Hanson must and surely knows now that he need never apologize. That he is amongst us today, imparting his story…  seriously, what else needs to be said? 

Thanks Marc (and Todd) for helping to evolve a medium where raw and honest insights on the human condition can be slowly digested, en masse, by an audience desperately seeking nourishment from within an increasingly culturally-starved society.

Jcar July 08, 2011 at 3:23 am

For the record (and speaking from a certain amount of experience), it’s really not surprising or miraculous that he woke up as it’s nearly impossible to kill yourself with benzos.  Their toxicity rate is so low that your stomach would literally fill up with pills before you’d ever take enough to kill yourself (in fact, most over the counter medications and even some vitamins are more toxic than benzos).  They are still dangerous, though, as when combined with alcohol it only takes about 6 to enter a blackout state where you will still be functional yet you won’t remember anything that you do (which can lead to strange behavior which might get you arrested or worse—which obviously can be dangerous).  So usually people who try to commit suicide with benzos are in way more danger just from the mere fact that they are mentally incapacitated and blacked out (yet are still up and walking around and doing things that they might not normally do) than they are in danger from the pills themselves.

Anyhow, great episode.  This is definitely in the top 5 WTFs ever.

Nicole H. July 08, 2011 at 9:39 am

I thought the most meaningful moment for me would be hearing about other people whose depression stems mostly from crushing anxiety and the paralyzation that it leads to. Yes! Yes! Maybe I’m not the only one who sits on the couch and stares at the wall for an entire day because the dread of daily responsibilities (as well as the surprises we all face) are just too much to hurdle over.

But then the second half had me crying at work, thankful for sitting in a corner facing the wall. The sniffing and blowing my nose, probably seemed to be catching a cold.

I send so much love and thankfulness to both of you for this episode.

James July 08, 2011 at 10:31 am

“One fine morning, I awoke to discover that, during the night, I had learned to understand the language of birds. I have listened to them ever since. They say: ‘Look at me!’ or: ‘Get out of here!’ or: ‘Let’s fuck!’ or: ‘Help!’ or: ‘Hurrah!’ or: ‘I found a worm!’ and that’s all they say. And that, when you boil it down, is about all we say. (Which of those things am I saying now?)”
– Hollis Frampton

Matthew Butler July 08, 2011 at 10:53 am

Thank you Todd, and Marc.  I know that was tough, but just to hear it talked about so openly and honestly was incredibly moving.  Seriously, Todd, thank you so much.

Nick July 08, 2011 at 11:43 am

Hey Marc, any word on when your MacArthur grant money is supposed to get in? Seriously, this is one of the best shows on any medium. You are a hell of an interviewer and you manage to get guys like Todd on. Just brilliant. Thank you.

geo July 08, 2011 at 11:58 am

thank you

Rob July 08, 2011 at 3:05 pm

This episode put me through the same wringer as everyone else, as someone extremely close to me has been dealing and is dealing with anxiety, depression, trauma and suicidal thoughts.  She is getting better thanks to therapy and medication, but it’s unimaginably harrowing to go through the experience of seeing a loved one in that much pain, helpless to do much to help other than to be loving and supportive.  Depression is a hole that one is standing in, digging away until it gets so deep that it collapses and suffocates you.  The good news is, it’s possible to get pulled out of that hole with a lot of hard work.

I really appreciated Marc’s empathetic but firm handling of the interview, and by breaking the tension at the end when he said, “You’re a big boy now.”  That was not only funny, but it got Todd to crack a joke as well.  Todd is one of the secret comedic geniuses of our time and Marc wasn’t just blowing smoke up his ass with his comments about the Onion—it DID change everything.  Thanks to both of you—WTF just gets better and better.

An Average Sized Mustache July 08, 2011 at 4:44 pm

Marc, great show as usual. Your podcast reminds me of something my father once told me. He said, “son, some things in life are best expressed with words.” I found this advice both profound and timely as I had just given a blind man the finger.

Annie July 08, 2011 at 8:29 pm

Thank you Todd for sharing your story, and thank you Marc for listening.

Shane July 08, 2011 at 9:22 pm

what Annie said!

Steven July 08, 2011 at 9:52 pm

what can I say?  HOLY SHIT!  that was an intense, yet beautiful, episode!

Clu July 08, 2011 at 10:46 pm

With no hyperbole, I’ve probably listened to close to 5000 hours of podcasts over the last 5 years, or so, and the episode with Todd Hanson is easily in the top few episodes of any show I’ve heard. Honestly, given how much I subscribe to, I can be a bit particular with which episodes I actually listen to, and only last second threw this one on my mp3 player before work. Lucky me. Like many, it was so easy to relate to the topic. Depression and anxiety have had a strong presence for my entire life and it has grabbed hold of many loved ones. My bouts were extreme, but mostly in my teens and very early 20s. Oddly, I was able to get over the demons during the rest of my 20s. And when you know what it’s like to feel some of the things you guys are talking about, it’s impossible not to feel strong emotions and run through all the hard times you had/have. And it’s definitely of a level that I haven’t felt before in a podcast. Thank you.

Bil July 08, 2011 at 11:42 pm

This is another incredible episode. I was so moved by this show. Thank you, Marc. And thank you, Todd for being willing to share such an emotionally vulnerable story.

joe July 09, 2011 at 3:24 am

todd hanson i’m rooting for you!  i’m so glad you shared your story.

Robert July 09, 2011 at 9:46 pm

Thank you so much for letting us be a part of your conversation with Todd.  This was your best episode by far.  I laughed and cried simultaneously.

You guys may have ruined bird songs for me though.

Benny July 09, 2011 at 11:51 pm

Not sure how weird this sounds, but that period of silence when Todd just stopped talking was one of the most powerful things I’ve heard on this (or any) podcast. Thanks for not editing out.

Lecter July 10, 2011 at 7:36 am

truly heart-felt , im deeply touched and related . 

hold on .

there is going to be a better day

Annie July 10, 2011 at 12:54 pm

I am so grateful to Todd Hanson for putting it out there and being so real.  Takes some serious guts to be so honest, as it sometimes takes sheer guts just to stay alive. Thank you.
And great call Maron - this story needs to be heard. Don’t shy away from the un-funny! Seems like you are noticing that following your instincts is working for us out here. Keep it up.

MrMollyGood July 10, 2011 at 1:30 pm

I know this sounds stupid, but I really hope Hanson just wakes up one morning and is suddenly feeling lightness of heart and happiness, and the pain just evaporates. I know how stupid that sounds, but I really feel for him.

Another stupid thought I had: I think the birds are happy because they are putting in the effort to fulfill their social and biological function. It’s the depressed bird that wouldn’t even bother.

I really want Hanson to feel better, even though it sounds so very stupid the way I phrase it.

MrMollyGood July 10, 2011 at 1:57 pm

I also wanted to write another comment, because I feel like an idiot and a moron after listening to this podcast. I considered myself as depressed when I was a high school student but I was just a bored and irritable asshole. I never felt as in pain as he did—or anything close to it. I’d fallen in love early on in college and maybe that changed everything, wiped my cynicism away permanently, but I can’t remember ever feeling anything as painful as Hanson felt. And I’m glad and grateful that his friends are there for him and love him and helped him. And I’m glad he reached out to them.

Seán from Galway July 10, 2011 at 4:03 pm

Its so uplifting how strong Todd Hanson is and becomes by talking about his weakest moments.
Its so marvelous Marc that you were able to facilitate this.
Your a maestro interviewer.

Brad July 10, 2011 at 4:58 pm

I just listened to this episode sitting in a touristy breakfast spot in Waikiki…trying my best not to cause a scene crying at the bar. That was incredible, uplifting, heartbreaking, inspiring, and every other adjective you can think of. Thanks Marc, for being able to sit there and ask those difficult and insightful questions with a long-time friend. That must have been incredibly difficult to sit there and keep asking without breaking down and crying.

Thanks Marc and Todd. That was truly life-changing.

olive yu July 10, 2011 at 5:13 pm

Amazing. So fucking brave and beautiful.

Anne July 11, 2011 at 3:34 am

Listening to the first part of the interview, I had a suspicion that the second part might be a more in depth discussion about depression and suicidal thoughts. However, I was not prepared for Todd’s alarmingly frank description of what it feels like to get to a point of such hopelessness and soul-crushing despair, and the desperate measures one will take to escape it. I’ve been in varying degrees of that state since I was 13. I’ve been hospitalized 3 times due to suicide attempts, and 2 of them were from failed overdose attempts much like Todd’s. Ive been diagnosed as Type 2 Bipolar, which means i get a manic high every few years and Really deep depressive lows the rest of the time. It took a long time to find a therapist that was able to help me, and an even longer time to find a combination of meds that keep me on a relatively even keel. I bring all this up because I want so much to believe that if things can get better for me, than things can get better for Todd, and I hope he keeps celebrating his 2nd birthday for a long long time. (I just celebrated my 7th this May).

Mick July 11, 2011 at 9:35 am

This was a great one Marc. If you happen to read this Todd I want to thank you for sharing. Glad you are here to duke this thing out with the rest of us!

Jane k July 11, 2011 at 7:28 pm

Thank you Marc. Thank you Todd.

JW July 11, 2011 at 11:32 pm

Todd is obviously a very talented and successful person.

What do you do when you are an actual loser w/ no prospects?

What do you do when no one comes to see you in lockup?

steveo July 12, 2011 at 6:28 am

I don’t smoke that often but there is no greater joy than a cigarette after washing dishes in the back of a kitchen-shaped sauna

Julia July 12, 2011 at 10:52 am

Marc, what a heart wrenching episode. You really have a talent for dealing with people honestly and directly. You are never condescending or patronizing. I don’t know how to put it in words but I think you bring more hope and healing to people than you will ever know.

Todd, I am so sorry for you painful struggle, and so grateful that your attempt failed. Count me as one of many who are glad you are walking the planet. You downplay your work at The Onion but it is such a great publication. You should be proud. Your friends love you for good reasons. You sound like an intelligent, kind and thoughtful human being. We need more people like you. Hang in there.

Cole July 12, 2011 at 3:58 pm

Another beautiful podcast, Maron. I love when you bring raw and authentic emotion onto the show instead of shying away from it. Bravo.

As someone who also deals with being bi-polar, I would like to express my sincere thanks to Todd for sharing his story and not sugar coating the nasty that comes along with it. It’s a struggle just to feel “normal” everyday, let alone happy. I’m so proud of you for making the decision to confront it, figure out how to deal with it and it sounds like you’re coming out on the other side very well. Keep up the fight and I promise I will too. Sending love and positive thoughts your way.

Olive Yu July 13, 2011 at 2:55 pm

I keep coming back and listening to this again. I’ve listened to the whole thing 3 times. It’s really funny, as well as, incredibly moving.

Sluggo July 13, 2011 at 3:25 pm

WTF has been hitting some highs and there have been many memorable interviews this year but this one was unique and powerful.

My neighbor committed suicide a couple years ago and I felt I had not reached out to him enough in the time that he became increasingly withdrawn.  I think I understand his desperation a little more.  I found myself searching for some music on the ipod after the show came to a close: Beck’s “Guess I’m Doing Fine” and Soundgarden’s “Black Hole Sun”  seemed to work for me.

Pulled out my Onion books and revisited some of the bits Todd recalled.  Brilliant stuff!

Jennifer July 13, 2011 at 3:26 pm

Amazing podcast, Marc. You were both so honest and eloquent about a really taboo topic that affects more of us than we all realize. I am a new fan and love what you’re doing - whether it’s profound, profane, funny, sensitive or heartbreaking. Please don’t stop!

anita henderson July 13, 2011 at 7:37 pm

todd,
i liked the bird bit. chirping to one up the others—survival. i see that, too. i don’t always hear the dark side of it,—in fact, bird chirping often pulls me out of my dark side, but i SEE the dark side, the competitor and meaningless aspect of it all.
you said that it can be horrific what we do to each other. something to that effect. for me, it’s the aspect of meaninglessness that is hard to bare—it can be horrifying to see how nothing means anything. but it is a fact of life for me, and coming to terms with it is my life’s journey, since abandoning belief in god at age 32. my goal now is to make the most of the sperm and egg that came together, no choice of mine.
you said thank you and sorry to everyone. talked about it not being fair to transmute other people’s love into pain. inspiring.

marc, you were a great host. quite amazing now intuitive and supportive you can be. it’s a gift. and on the fucking funny side—being a doctor, myself, i think it’s hilarious how you paraphrased our would be advice on your ankle—there’s a little something in the thing; you gotta stay off it. totally!

Margot July 14, 2011 at 3:12 pm

I thought the Sally Wade podcast was going to be the only WTF episode that made me bawl (that episode was AMAZING).  I thoroughly enjoyed the first part of the interview, especially since Todd and Marc seem to be such kindred spirits.  The second part was surprising for me, and I found myself completely mesmerized, hanging on every well-chosen word of Todd Hanson’s.  When he talked about how he left the cat food open and that is the thing that his roommate noticed….I completely broke down.  The raw pain in his voice and the beautiful eloquence about the absolute darkest time in his life was awe-inspiring.  And Marc…..I’ve said this before, but wow.  You are the BEST interviewer I’ve ever heard.  Yes, you are narcissistic and neurotic….but you are a fantastic listener and have an innate ability to disarm your guests and make them feel safe enough to be vulnerable and honest.  Todd and Marc, thank you so much for this episode.  It truly moved me.

Oh, and THANK YOU for not editing out the beautiful silence with Todd when he lost what he was going to say.  Brilliant.

Ultimate Outsider July 15, 2011 at 11:36 am

Just, thanks.

bripblap July 15, 2011 at 8:53 pm

I’ll echo Ultimate Outsider.  Thanks.  Marc, you’ve found another talent - your interviews are becoming more profound and more enlightening than almost anything else on mainstream or internet media.  This interview with Todd was perfect, and thank you to both of you for sharing it.  It was inspiring to me.  Hope that’s not the wrong reaction, but it was.  The world is better with Todd in it.

bunnyplanet July 16, 2011 at 4:29 pm

Thank you so much for this podcast. I love all the others but this one was so profound. My husband just had a very life threatening bout with severe depression, he’s suffered with it his whole life but this time was hospitalized and on suicide watch. He is recovering now, slowly but surely. This interview helped me so much, sometimes being the spouse and caregiver for someone who is very depressed can feel so confusing and you run the gamut of emotions yourself, from anger to worry to fear to guilt, some elation and then back again. This was a eye opening and amazing insight into the very heart of the darkness. It is sometimes so hard to understand what it feels like from the outside when you are helplessly watching a loved one flounder and can’t do anything about it. I am astounded by your abilities as an interviewer Marc, and so grateful to Todd for his story and allowing us to hear about his ‘rebirthday’. I will definitely tell my husband about this podcast, not sure he’s ready to listen to it quite yet.

resourceful July 17, 2011 at 6:23 pm

I’ve been a psychologist for a long time and, knowing what I know about the causes of major depression, I worry for Todd.  No one helped him make any sense of what he went through.  His depression was triggered by the breakup with a girlfriend which is not unusual.  If he had been able to understand the nature of the feelings he had to endure, where they come from (often early attachment problems and losses) then he would be armed with something to deal with them in the next go round.  I’m very happy he was able to get through this crisis by himself but it doesn’t sound like anything got healed.  The poison of these feelings stays in the system and lies dormant until a trigger of sufficient intensity occurs.  I truly hope they stay dormant in him for as long as possible and that if they flare up again he will be able to find good help.

Frantasm July 17, 2011 at 10:27 pm

Great show.  Only learned of this podcast last week.  I didn’t cry, maybe because I’ve been in a similar place.  What I loved is the honesty.  I’m a woman, queer & a racial minority.  I mention this because the world can feel like a real shitty place as a minority x3.  Then I’ll hear some straight white guy, like Todd, discuss feeling hopeless.  It makes me realize this planet is overwhelming for lots of folks.  So many of us struggle with the pain of humanity, yet, something, what I don’t know, keeps us going.  Todd relied on friends.  I found therapy & a 12 step group.  Whatever the help, I’m really grateful all of us who keep on keeping on share our truth so others may live to do the same.  Seeing past darkness to share the light.  Light & dark hold hands I guess.  Glad I found this show!

David July 18, 2011 at 1:03 pm

Having been a loyal Onion fan since 1999…I used to pick it up from one of those newspaper bins at sandwich shop in Denver, CO….I was very interested to listen to this episode.  Knowing nothing about Todd Hanson, I found the content just riveting. 

I love your work, Marc Meron…keep it up…you are inspiring and a visionary!

Christina P. July 18, 2011 at 11:40 pm

Heavy fucking shit Marc Marron. Keep doing what you’re doing and you too, Todd Hanson, keep doing what you’re doing.

Stacy Vlasits July 19, 2011 at 7:49 pm

Back-to-back awesome.  I love that Marc can have this kind of conversation *and* the kind of conversation that he had with Nick Thune.  I don’t know if anyone else is putting out stuff this interesting, honest and helpful, but if they are I don’t know about it.  Yer doing the big work, Mark Maron.  Thanks.

Laura July 19, 2011 at 8:45 pm

This has got to be one of the most riveting interviews ever conducted.

Marc, you are amazingly empathic and one of the best interviewers I’ve ever heard. 

Todd, your honesty shows the spider hole that is depression.  It takes great courage to face up to it and keep trying to find joy in life.

I’ll echo the others who’ve posted - the world is a better place with the two of you in it.

Tom S. July 23, 2011 at 11:21 pm

Just listened to this podcast on the recommendation of a friend and just wanted to thank you and Todd for sharing your personal lives with your listeners. Todd so glad you’re alive for you and the people who love you.

PF July 29, 2011 at 8:03 am

Jesus, Maron. What a amazing journey across 80 minutes. Thanks for the trip, I’m forever changed.

Isn’t this supposed to be a comedy podcast?

:D

Morgan Ray August 01, 2011 at 5:29 pm

BANGARANG! I was absolutely moved by this, thank you both.

Doug August 08, 2011 at 12:53 pm

This was one of the hardest episodes to listen to.  I kept asking my self “why the f*ck are you listing to this!” 
But you pulled it off Maron.  Great job.  I’m happy for Todd and him finding his happiness.

Nick August 08, 2011 at 4:54 pm

I’m at work listening to this try to fight back tears.

Keith September 27, 2011 at 10:12 pm

Todd and Marc,
  I’ve been there. Ten years ago that was me in that hotel room with the booze and the pills. I’m not sure how i survived either, I really don’t remember too much.
  Everyone is different but if there is anyone going through this please remember that it can get better if you will let it . For me the best thing was understanding what I was dealing with. Once I did that it helped immensely. I also told myself I will never, ever let anything get me that far down again. Everyone is different but you have to try. If anyone is going through this and would like to talk about it please feel free to e-mail me.

Keith September 27, 2011 at 10:13 pm

oops, my e-mail is:
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Brittany October 10, 2011 at 2:22 pm

“It’s a selfish thing to do to take people’s love and not give it back.  And if you abandon them, then all of the investment of love that they gave you is just transmuted into pain.”

Wrote that down and put it in my wallet.

Thanks, Todd.  Thanks, Marc.

Rob November 10, 2011 at 12:32 am

Holy Shit. Just catching up on my WTF and this is the most profound and meaningful podcast I have ever heard, PERIOD. Maron or otherwise. Understand and have been “in the neighborhood”. “A Component of Mental Health”, so grateful for your story and hope I never find myself in that position again.

N November 22, 2011 at 12:27 pm

JW - Hang in. Tomorrow is too mysterious to rule out love, to rule out inspiration. Never give up.

Derek D. November 28, 2011 at 5:14 am

I realize I’m just one of the hundreds of voices typing about this piece in cyberspace months after it aired, but I’m doing it anyway - for me. This episode meant more to me than I can adequately express. I have been a huge fan of The Onion since I first read one of it’s headlines. I have always felt a deep connection to the writings of The Onion - more so than any of the many people to whom I frequently send links to articles. Many times I’ve felt like they were writing about me! Now I know it’s because there was a kindred spirit behind those writings.

I’m only 29, but in the not-so-distant past I was in such a miserable, empty, hopeless and profoundly lonely place that I had a gun to my head - loaded, cocked, my finger on the trigger, the end of the barrel against my temple. More times than I can count I have laid in bed and hoped I would not wake up. But after 2 hospitalizations and over a year of intensive treatment, I am pleased to report that my depression has lifted to a point where I can start living my life again.
To any fellow sufferers of major depression out there, there is hope. The way out is primarily through others. RELATIONSHIPS (with yourself and others) are what will pull you out of the abyss. You have to find your authentic self. Forming deeper connections with others (by being vulnerable and asking for help) is what will breathe life back into you again. You have to ask for help. People generally like to be asked for help. It makes them feel valued and needed. You are not being a burden by asking for help. I never asked for help because I thought I was the only one who could do anything about it - and that’s true to an extent. But just the act of telling someone what’s bothering you lifts some of the weight off your soldiers.

It will take a long time, and there will be ups and downs, but if you keep trying things will get better.

“Sometimes it’s not about the funny. Sometimes it’s about the sad.” -Marc Maron

Thank You Marc.  Thank You Todd.

Derek D. November 28, 2011 at 5:31 am

And if anyone needs help or just to communicate with another human being, my email address is .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

herry January 12, 2012 at 4:05 am

I’m deep in the height of my manic depression a few years left to go, uh refers to the time type 2 diabetes has been diagnosed with bipolar. Blackberry Playbook accessories

Jan January 13, 2012 at 10:08 pm

This was one of the most people and holding interview I’ve observed in a extensive while.  I do not know if riveted is the appropriate phrase but I was.  I had no concept the second 50 % would take that type of a convert and I discovered myself absolutely targeted and clinging on each distressing concept of Todd’s tale, his voyage really.  <a >portable table saw</a>

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