The Hilarious World of Depression

This is the show that proved you could talk about depression and still make people laugh. Hosted by John Moe and produced by American Public Media, The Hilarious World of Depression ran from 2016 to 2020 and featured some of the best conversations about mental health ever recorded. Moe invited comedians like Peter Sagal, Maria Bamford, Andy Richter, and Jen Kirkman to talk openly about their depression, and the results were both genuinely moving and frequently hilarious. The production quality is public radio polished, with thoughtful editing and a narrative arc to each episode that makes them feel crafted rather than just recorded. Across 97 episodes, the show built a case that depression is extraordinarily common among creative people and that talking about it honestly is far more useful than pretending it doesn't exist. The show ended when APM laid off staff during the pandemic, but the entire archive remains available and holds up remarkably well. Moe went on to create Depresh Mode, its spiritual successor. If you're new to mental health podcasts, starting here is a great move. The back catalog is a masterclass in how to have real conversations about hard subjects without making anyone feel lectured at or pitied. The 4.7 rating from listeners who are still discovering it years later says a lot.