In the past year I’ve really gotten into podcasts, especially those about creativity, feelings, and self discovery. I especially appreciate podcasts that can make me laugh. I stumbled upon a really great one called “The Hilarious World of Depression,” and it’s changed not only the way I think about mental illness as a whole, but it has changed my life. Everything from the theme song, “Pagliacci” written and performed by Rhett Miller (a guest on the show in the second season), to the host and the guests are a great medley of resources.

Host, John Moe, not only has a great voice, but the way he talks about mental illness makes you not feel like an outsider if you’re personally afflicted by mental illness. His willingness to use his voice as a vehicle to drive the stigma of mental illness away truly inspires me. It’s this podcast that has allowed the start of my journey to open up about my own personal struggle with depression and anxiety, something I’ve tried to hide from others since adolescence until the last couple of years.

The purpose of THWOD is to open up the dialogue about mental illness and is also a show that “clinny D,” Moe’s nickname for Clinical Depression, among other mental illnesses doesn’t discriminate. You could be a famous stand-up comedian, actor, best-selling novelist, host a podcast–it doesn’t matter. Depression and mental illness target people of all ages and histories.

Season One of the podcast featured:

• Peter Sagal
• Maria Bamford
• Sam Grittner
• Dick Cavett
• Andy Richter
• Michael Ian Black
• Aparna Mancherla
• Mike Drucker
• Jordan Carlos
• Jenny Jaffe
• Jake Weisman
• Sara Benincasa
• Bill Corbett
• Jen Kirkman
• Baron Vaughn
• Paul F. Tompkins
• Ana Marie Cox

Season Two of the podcast featured:

• Will Wheaton
• Margaret Cho
• Neal Brennan
• John Green
• Aimee Mann
• Gary GUlman
• Patti Harrison
• Jeff Tweedy
• Julie Klausner
• Ana Marie Cox
• Jenny Lawson
• Janelle James
• Mike Brown
• Rhett Miller
• Linda Holmes
• Reggie Osse
• Rachel Bloom
• Ted Leo
• Hannah Hart

When I was first introduced to the podcast, I paced myself going through the first season because I wanted it to last forever, but that didn’t last too long. Season two of the podcast just ended, and I’m eagerly waiting for “Placebo” episodes to come out. They’re like mini-episodes that are shorter and typically feature everyday, ordinary people. I also can’t wait for the third season to come out and see who else Moe will talk to.

I’m writing about this podcast because as I mentioned before, it changed my life. Hearing the celebrities listed above about talk about their own struggles and how they overcame them, or how they’re still coping, gave me hope. And it was only after I started listening to the podcast, that I felt comfortable enough to start openly writing about my own mental health, and health in general, and how depression and anxiety has affected me.

I want to openly thank John Moe for all of his work on the podcast and for helping me, personally, not feel so alone or ashamed about my mental illnesses. His willingness to start a real conversation about mental illness is truly inspiring, and I know I’m not the only one he has helped.

For more information about mental illness and how to talk about it, visit Make It Ok who has teamed up with The Hilarious World of Depression Podcast.

And if you are struggling, please know that you are not alone. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 24/7 at: 800-273-8255.