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.
Adam Carolla’s former sidekick comes guns blazing to the fear-off. Holy shit she brings it. This one gets dark. From her being vanquished by a stepmother at age 3 to seriously considering suicide earlier in the year. Touching and funny. She is also the author of the critically-acclaimed pregnancy memoir Exploiting My Baby. Paul made a mistake when he uploaded the first version of this interview. Though an editing error, a reference to another female guest (with a book), sounded like Paul was talking about Teresa. Hopefully this version clears that up! Apologies to T for the mixup.
Prostitution, alcoholism, fetishes, swinging, abandonment and being stabbed by a bayonet. Handyman Hank Adams has experienced them all. Paul’s friend has to literally pause to count how many stepdads he has had.
Part-time actor, friend and meditation teacher talks with Paul about her life being profoundly affected by her painful English upbringing, Hitler and Back to the Future. They also discuss the importance of Vedic meditation and the Body Ecology Diet.
Greg’s story continues with more heroin-fueled mishaps that affect strangers, Robert Redford, Mary Poppins and others. His life on the edge takes him to the brink of death.
Former fugitive, ex-con drug dealer, heroin addict 60’s hippie, divorced four times, what’s not to love? He’s a close friend of Paul’s and has so many stories, we had to do our first two-parter.
The former Daily Show correspondent, tv and movie actress, wife and mom talks about postpartum depression, a childhood tragedy, and not liking her boobs being touched, possibly because of a relative. Paul muses on his recent wet dreams. Ick.