What happens when a naiive Texas cheerleader from an abusive home tries to pay for college by smuggling heroin in Bangladesh? Probably not what you think. Though her story has been seen on National Geographic’s Locked Up Abroad, it only scratched the surface of who she was and who she has become.
The standup comedian, star of Super High Me, co-creator of The Marijuanalogues and host of The Benson Interruption and Doug Loves Movies stops by to talk about his history with Paul, pot, parents and heartbreak. And of course the special role that movies play in his life, especially in dealing with his sometimes smothering, worry-filled mother.
How do you cope when you are convinced your life is constantly in danger as a child? First, you band together with your siblings and form an army, then you learn about the sweet oblivion of addiciton. Paul’s friend Karma witholds her last name and picture so she can fully reveal the family life that nearly killed her, but ultimately forced her to grow. A fairly heavy interview so Paul throws in a little something after the interview to hopefully make you laugh.
The talented stand-up comedian, podcaster (Pod F. Tompkast) and writer/actor (HBO’s Mr. Show) talks about the role therapy played in helping him turn his pain and rejection into being a happier person and a better artist. He opens up about the shame of having parents who didn’t find him funny or necessarily interesting, and the beauty of being given a second chance by a peer who was ready to write him off for his past bitterness. A bitterness fueled by unrequited, irrational love. Holy shit, this sounds Shakespearean!
His mom has been married 8 times, his father 4. How’s that for a good place to start? In addition to performing with Chris Hardwick as the comedy/music duo Hard n’ Phirm, Mike also performs solo. He’s really talented and also really nice. Really, really nice. That’s right. Full on people pleaser. Mike and Paul get into the fear of disappointing loved ones, strangers and fans. Also a little post interview excerpt from the great Ram Dass, regarding a man and a dolphin that will move you to tears or creep you out. Or both.
Even though Alycia has a Masters in Spiritual Psychology, her raw experience in a chaotic home has been the “gift” that has really allowed her to understand the dynamics of her own self-hatred, fear, and low self-esteem. She shares how facing that pain allowed for the eventual transformation to it being an experience that gives her life purpose. An especially powerful episode (for Paul at least) as Alycia played a part in one of the most transformative days in his life. They also discuss Victor Frankl’s book Man’s Search for Meaning and John Bradshaw’s book Healing the Shame that Binds You.
The author, cinephile and head writer of The Onion’s A.V. Club talks with Paul about his deeply painful childhood and a seemingly endless series of rejection. Foster homes, mental institutions, kidnapping by a mother who ultimately had no interest in him and a fear-off that includes a phrase we may never hear again: “I’m afraid I ruined Weird Al’s Easter.”
You’ve seen her on The Office and I Love You Man, and you’ve heard her as the co-host of the podcast Who Charted? Kulap talks about her chaotic upbringing by immigrant Laotian parents and the battle today to overcome the memories that haunt her. They discuss her involvment in a little known therapy called the Grinberg Method and what she does today to find peace.
People may know Eddie from The Sarah Silverman Program, Old School, Conan, and Last Comic Standing. Paul knows Eddie as a friend and fellow performer able to talk about the darkness he grew up with and the crippling angst that still bothers him.