United States - April 26, 2023 —
When diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder, actor Adam Slemon and writer Brad C. Hodson created “BatSh!t: Living with Mental Illness” to laugh about what’s often a taboo topic.
“There aren’t many shows where the mentally ill speak about what it’s like to actually have it,” said Hodson. “It’s one thing to hear doctors discuss it. It’s another for two guys to say, ‘This is what we suffer from. This is what we deal with. You’re not alone.”
Both Hodson and Slemon are comedians and wanted to bring that to their podcast.
Hosts Adam Slemon (left) and Brad Hodson
“Everyone takes mental health so seriously,” said Hodson. “I get it. It’s wrecked lives. I lost my best friend and almost destroyed my marriage. But if you take a step back and laugh at it, it makes it easier to deal with. Easier to talk about. There are so many people out there suffering from this, whether diagnosed or not, who need to talk about it and aren’t.”
While the show focuses on the hosts’ struggles with Bipolar and how their treatments (both therapy and medication) give them control of their lives again, it also branches out into other areas. They recently interviewed actress Maggie Gwin (Grey’s Anatomy) about her struggles with postpartum depression. Other episodes tackle subjects like masculinity and why men refuse psychiatric help, as well as how undiagnosed mental illness can wreck romantic relationships.
“I wish I’d come across a show like this years ago,” said Hodson. “Looking back, I’ve fought this thing my whole life. If I’d had a funny and accessible resource like this, I might have gotten help earlier.”
The hosts have found the reactions to their show touching.
“We’ve had so many people reach out after listening and say, “I struggle with this, and I needed a laugh.’ Or ‘I think I might be undiagnosed and, after listening to your show, I’m going to seek professional help.’ Or people who struggle with how to deal with a loved one suffering from mental illness who listen to us and finally get it. It makes the whole thing worth it.”
Hodson added, “Well. The podcast, I mean. The podcast is worth it. The Bipolar not so much.”
When asked what the worst part of his illness is, Hodson said, “I hate what I’ve put my wife through over the years. And I lost a friend I miss so much. A lot of friends over the years, really. But now I’m diagnosed, and I’m on medication. I’m learning how to control it instead of letting it control me.”
“It helps to laugh,” he added. “It’s something so many of us live with. And if Adam and I can educate people on the topic and crack some inappropriate jokes while we do? Well, maybe we’ll have done something good with this curse.”
“BatSh!t: Living with Mental Illness” is on Spotify, Apple, and wherever podcasts are available. For more information, visit http://living-with-mental-illness.com
Contact Info:
Name: Brad C. Hodson
Email: Send Email
Organization: BatSh!t: Living with Mental Illness
Address: United States
Website: https://batshitpodcast.com/
Release ID: 89095574
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