Which came first the hypochondria or the condition? The improvisor/actor talks to Paul about the pain of losing her father at five and the plethora of physical pains she experiences that may or may not be self-induced. They also compare stories about what else? Anxiety over their genitalia, including her Vulvodinia, and the fear of not mattering.
Martin’s southern Maine family has been dealing in antiques for decades. Not to mention pent-up rage and mental illness. The podcaster/painter/antique-appraiser who lent Paul a helping hand when he was getting this podcast off the ground opens up about what it took to stop the cycle of fathers unleashing their anger on their sons.
Writer, performer, t.v. host and sidekick on the Adam Carolla podcast, Alison has a life filled with successes. So why can’t she feel it? Why can’t she relax and enjoy her life? Mammoth lies tiptoed around in childhood? Growing up overweight? Never being able to say the right thing at the right time? Lots of good honest talk about relationships, parents and how to say what you mean.
Not many rappers list They Might Be Giants as their primary musical influence. But Mike, who performs as “Open Mike Eagle” isn’t like most rappers. Labelled as Art Rap by the L.A. Times, Mike’s songs are thoughtful, wry and uncompromising. He opens up about the struggle to fit in at a school for gifted children, the uncertainty of familial love in an unstable home, and the need to discuss the mental effects history has had on African Americans.
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.