The Manic Episodes

S4 E2: Codependency & Friendship Apr 18, 2024

Mary kicks off the first full solo episode with an intimate exploration of codependency, friendship, desirability, and how the last few months have been since the separation. Back on the pod: lies, obsessions, and a poem by Marie Howe.

S4 E1: New Beginnings, Kindnesses, and Nicola Salmon Mar 07, 2024

Join Mary in the new season of the podcast as she hosts for the first time on her own. Wyatt and Mary interview Nicola Salmon about fat positive fertility, and Mary reads a poem by Aracelis Girmay.

S3 E15: Mary & Wyatt Talk Israel & Palestine Nov 27, 2023

Great news -- Mary & Wyatt still have a podcast! But a bunch of terrible things are happening in the world. Auntie M. & Papa W. settle in at the dining room table to catch up on the last couple of months and talk about how the world is responding to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the Middle East. They talk about maintaining your humanity & humility in the face of horrific events and how they are struggling to do both. Also on the agenda: Mary's film is eligible for an Oscar nom, Wyatt finally got a bird tattoo, and poems by Naomi Shihab Nye and Lisa Jarnot.

S3 E14: Unions, Real Housewives, and Non-Binary 'Staches Sep 28, 2023

Wyatt and Mary snuggle up on the couch for a conversation about everything from the Real Housewives of Salt Lake City to the cost of college and—surprise, surprise—complaining about Republicans. They also spend some time talking about the power of platitudes and how good we are at tricking ourselves into tolerating icky situations. Also on the agenda: Turnip’s emotional manipulation and poems by Robbie Q. Telfer, Jane Mead, and Uma Menon.

S3 E13: These Barbies Hit the Vape Pen Aug 09, 2023

Mary and Wyatt pause Vanderpump Rules long enough to record the podcast. They talk about their obsession with this generation's greatest reality show and then move on to a discussion of their shifting relationship with substances... namely weed. They also talk about the Barbie movie, which they thought was... pretty good. Also on the agenda: Gay or Straight? and poems by Shelby Handler and Brandon Shimoda.
Click here for a transcript of this episode.

S3 E12: Unhinged Family Hour with Wyatt's Cis-Brained Sister Joy Jul 09, 2023

Come one, come all to the family hang of the century! Wyatt's sister Joy joins us for a rollercoaster of a conversation about mental health, politics, and gay stuff. Also on the agenda: Absolution Hour and poems by Bernadette Mayer and Jennifer Nelson.
Click here for a transcript of this episode.

S3 E11: Welcome to Our Crisis Garden Jun 06, 2023

Wyatt and Mary sit down at the kitchen island ready to catch up on how they’ve been tending to their Crisis Gardens. Wyatt talks about dealing with mania and Mary talks about her difficulty sleeping. But the flowers are a-bloomin’, y’all, and there’s plenty to celebrate. Also on the agenda: it’s Pride Month, the dogs are driving us nuts, and we read poems by Verity Scott and Leigh Lucas.
Click here for a transcript of this episode.

S3 E10: Manic Episodes Live at KU! May 16, 2023

Mary and Wyatt perform at the University of Kansas on Wednesday, April 12, 2023! Enjoy the whole recording, including some musical performances by Mary and Wyatt. Thanks so much to Meg for inviting us to campus, and thanks to everyone who joined us for this magical evening.
Click here for a transcript of this episode.

S3 E9: Let Freedom Ring, We Guess Apr 18, 2023

Mary and Wyatt settle in for an impassioned conversation about American values and the role they play in shaping political discourse--and how they have been weaponized in the spate of anti-LGBTQIA+ bills across the country. Mary cries and Wyatt yells. Also on the agenda: enjoying Coachella from the comfort of a recliner, feeling totally weird after watching "Severance," and poems by Anthony Robinson and Suhaiymah Manzoor-Kahn.
Click here for a transcript of this episode.

S3 E8: A Whale of a Discussion Mar 29, 2023

Mary and Wyatt are back at the dining room table ready to chow down on a big plate of hot, steamy discussion about stand-up comedians, The Whale (spoiler alert: it boils Mary’s blood), and Wyatt’s latest YouTube rabbit hole. Also on the agenda: Gay or Straight (Astrology Edition) and poems by Ross Gay and Diane Seuss.
Click here for a transcript of this episode.

S3 E7: Full-Body Goosebumps with Rebecca LoCicero Mar 14, 2023

Mary and Wyatt are thrilled to share their interview with psychic medium Rebecca LoCicero. They settle in at Rebecca's home for a chat about spirituality, connection, the ethics of mediumship, and religious faith. Also on the agenda: ants, Movie Reviews for Movies We Haven't Seen Yet, and poems by Rumi and Ryan Eckes.
Click here for a transcript of this episode.

S3 E6: The Dog Days of the Pod Feb 22, 2023

Bringing back voicemails. Bringing back segments. Bringing back Mary and Wyatt and lots of talk about our pups. Your beloved hosts talk about grief, how to crawl out of a fog, and how to practice self-care after bombing a comedy show. We read beautiful poems by Magdalena Zurawski, Tommy Blount, and Joy Priest.
Click here for a transcript of this episode.

S3 E5: Our Session with Psychic Medium Rebecca LoCicero Jan 30, 2023

CW for this episode: Medical stuff & needles; suicide and self-harm; drug use
Mary and Wyatt sit down for an goosebump-inducing hour-long session with psychic medium Rebecca LoCicero. Of course we cry a little; it's the Manic Episodes, after all. Also on the agenda: AI-generated lies, the 9th anniversary of Mary's Grammy performance, and poems by Wendy Cope and Ferit Edgü.

S3 E4: POV: You're a Guest at Our Holiday Party Jan 09, 2023

Mary and Wyatt say there's no such thing as too much holiday celebration and they WILL die on this hill. Join us for the highlights from our Patreon holiday party, some beautiful musical performances, and some old-school segments. Also on the agenda: Poems by Leila Chatti and Topaz Winters.

S3 E3: AI Art, Compulsive Lying, and Mating Dances Dec 12, 2022

IT'S MANIC MONDAY, Y'ALL. Starting today, Mary and Wyatt are dropping new episodes on Mondays, and this one is a banger. Your dutiful hosts talk about the Lensa app, whether or not AI apps can generate pop songs, and whether or not it's unethical to think Casey Anthony is hot.

S3 E2: The Hotline Era Begins Nov 27, 2022

Mary and Wyatt are officially in their hotline era. It's y'all's turn to speak, and you took to this experiment like ducks to water. Your beloved hosts settle in for a chat about--what else?--dog parenting, sobriety, and trust. Call us, baby: (919) 901-0861.

S3 E1: We're Married! Let's Get Weird! Nov 11, 2022

We're back, baby, and we're more married than ever! Mary & Wyatt kick off Season 3 with a long chat about the wedding that brought your podcast hosts together in holy matrimony. They also complain, because what would an episode of this podcast be without some grievances being aired? We missed y'all!!!!

S2 E21: Checking In & The End of Season 2 Aug 27, 2022

S2 E20: Loving & Losing a Pet Aug 13, 2022

It's a solo episode with Mary & Wyatt! We're touching base about a tough time... but of course, we have some fun, too. We talk about our top 5 favorite non-sexual physical sensations, Wyatt's new fitness obsession, and our wedding planning mania.

S2 E19: Making the Accordion Sexy Again with Jamie Maschler Jul 29, 2022

Jamie Maschler joins Mary and Wyatt to talk about love, music, creativity, and a question that our listeners are always curious about: How is Lawrence Welk responsible for the public image problem that plagues the accordion? Jamie shares her memory of first meeting Mary, and it is funny as hell.

"Jamie Maschler, knows the versatility of the accordion better than most. She has played the instrument since she was four and spent years perfecting and competing. Talents like her seem to be increasingly valuable.“ -The Atlantic

Jamie is a musician, music director, educator and an ambassador of the accordion. She is co-founder of the Brazilian bands Foleada, En Canto, and the accordion duo Creosote. She has been heard with the Pueblo Symphony, Seattle Symphony and Seattle Philharmonic. Jamie has also played the role of Nelly Friedman in Paula Vogel’s award winning play Indecent twice.

In 2018, the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) feature Jamie in their Museum of Making Music exhibit titled “Accordions: Expanding Voices in the USA”. Jamie is based in Seattle, WA where she studied accordion under three-time Latin Grammy Nominee Jovino Santos Neto at Cornish College of the Arts.
Jamie works for accordion manufacturer Petosa Accordions, where she is able to share her passion and actively participate in the reinvention and face of the traditional Instrument.

S2 E18: Queer Art in the Age of Fuckery with Jacob Tobia Jul 14, 2022

Wyatt kicks off this episode solo with a brief discussion of the last week, which has been absolutely bananas. Then, Mary and Wyatt are thrilled to welcome Jacob Tobia to the pod. Jacob (they/them) is an actor, writer, producer, and author of the national bestselling memoir Sissy: A Coming-of-Gender Story. From running across the Brooklyn Bridge in high heels to giving Trevor Noah an on-air makeover on The Daily Show, Jacob helps others embrace the full complexity of their gender, even (and especially) when it’s messy as hell. Jacob recently made their acting debut as the nonbinary character “Double Trouble” on Netflix’s She-Ra and The Princesses of Power. Originally from Raleigh, North Carolina, Jacob currently lives in Los Angeles.

S2 E17: Ethical & Sustainable Fashion with Kat Eves Jun 25, 2022

Mary and Wyatt are pleased as punch to welcome Kat Eves to the pod! Kat Eves is a plus size celebrity stylist dedicated to ethical and sustainable, size-inclusive fashion. Her red carpet styling has made the best-dressed lists from Vogue to Guardian UK, and she’s been published in Essence, Bust, and more. Her clients include The Daily Show’s Dulcé Sloan, The Walking Dead’s Pollyanna McIntosh, comedian Caleb Hearon, and of course, Mary Lambert, with a major recent highlight being dressing Dulcé for her guest appearance on Ru Paul’s Drag Race. She is based in LA and sometimes Palm Springs, and is committed to helping the fashion industry step up to contribute to creating a more ethical, equitable, and inclusive world. Also on the agenda: Mary and Wyatt are addicted to family vloggers on YouTube; Wyatt talks some trash about Jeopardy!; and poems by Caitlyn Siehl and Kiki Petrosino.

S2 E16: We Are Going to Win: Talking Abortion Access with Amelia Bonow Jun 10, 2022

Mary and Wyatt are fired up because Amelia Bonow is on the pod and holy shit, she’s a force of nature. Amelia is the founding director of Shout Your Abortion, an organization working to normalize abortion and elevate paths to abortion access regardless of legality. Amelia also serves on the board of directors of Abortion Care Network, which serves and represents independent abortion providers all over the country. Amelia lives in Seattle and loves talking about abortion, watching her friends succeed, and laughing at other people but not in a mean way. Amelia is a scorpio sun, pisces moon, and gemini rising, and she is so sad but really, truly, totally believes we are going to win. She’s @ameliamaris and SYA is @shoutyourabortion.

Also on the agenda: Our new segment, Conservative Politician or Movie Villain?; getting hella smart and eating tiny peanut butter cups; and poems by Ruth Lepsen and I.S. Jones.

For links to the resources Amelia mentions in this episode, head to our Patreon.

S2 E15: What Does Kindness Mean? with Maz Hedgehog May 27, 2022

Mary and Wyatt welcome the brilliant and talented Maz Hedgehog to the pod, Maz is a writer, performer and all round thinking person working in the spaces between real and unreal, poetry and theatre, self and other. Their poetry collection, The Body in Its Seasons, is out now with Burning Eye Books. Outside the arts, Maz dabbles in knitting, baking and excessive swearing. You can follow them @mazhedgehog on Twitter & instagram. Also, expect a special guest appearances by Maz’s cat!

S2 E14: Reproductive Justice & Hope with Annisha Romney May 14, 2022

Mary & Wyatt welcome the incredible Annisha Romney to the podcast to chat about reproductive justice, sex education, and activism. Annisha works in technology as a software consultant. They were recently drawn back to activism and organizing while working to improve diversity, equity, and inclusion in their various former workspaces. Now most of Annisha’s free time is spent pursuing equity, acting for justice, and building intersectional feminism across the Commonwealth in their role as Co-President of Mass NOW.

Also on the agenda: a rousing game of “Underrated/Overrated” and poems by Olivia Atwood, Maghan Baptiste, and Rick Barot.

S2 E13: Grief & Pleasure with Rachel McKibbens Apr 29, 2022

[CONTENT WARNING: Death and illness; sexual abuse; suicide]

We always say this, but this is one of our best episodes. We are thrilled to welcome Rachel McKibbens, a dear friend of ours and a blessing to the world.

Rachel McKibbens is a two-time New York Foundation for the Arts poetry fellow and author of four collections of poetry, Pink Elephant, Into The Dark & Emptying Field, MAMMOTH and blud.

In 2012, McKibbens founded the annual Pink Door Writing Retreat, open exclusively to non-men writers of color. McKibbens is a member of Latinas Unidas and co-curates the critically acclaimed reading series Poetry & Pie Night in upstate New York.

S2 E12: Letting Go of Shame & Living Naked with Annie Grace Apr 15, 2022

Oh my God oh my God oh my God Queen Annie is here! Mary & Wyatt are joined by the amazing Annie Grace, the author of This Naked Mind: Control Alcohol, Find Freedom, Discover Happiness & Change Your Life and The Alcohol Experiment: A 30-day, Alcohol-Free Challenge to Interrupt Your Habits and Help You Take Control.
Annie grew up outside Aspen, Colorado, in a one-room log cabin without running water or electricity. Having discovered a passion for marketing, Annie Grace earned a Masters of Science (Marketing) and dove into corporate life. As the youngest vice president in a multinational company at the age of 26, her drinking career began in earnest. At 35, in a global C-level marketing role, she was responsible for marketing in 28 countries; she was drinking almost two bottles of wine a night. Knowing she needed a change but unwilling to submit to a life of deprivation and stigma, Annie Grace embarked on a journey to painlessly gain control of alcohol -- for her that process resulted in no longer wanting to drink. Never happier, she left her executive role to write and shareThis Naked Mind with the world. In her free time, she loves to ski, travel (26 countries and counting), and enjoy her beautiful family. Annie Grace lives with her husband and three children in the Colorado mountains.

Also on the agenda: Movie reviews for movies Wyatt & Mary haven't seen, the best TV show in the history of the universe, and poems by Sharon Olds and Li-Young Lee.

S2 E11: Higher Ed, Hoedowns, and Hootenannies with Leslie Yingling Apr 01, 2022

Mary & Wyatt are absolutely freaking out because the inimitable Leslie Yingling (she/her) is joining us on the pod. Leslie is one of Wyatt’s dearest friends in the whole world (she’s getting ordained to officiate Mary and Wyatt’s wedding!) and she is a certified badass in every way. Leslie Yingling is an Associate Dean of Students and an Assistant Vice Chancellor in Student Affairs at the University of Arkansas, where she works on increasing equity, ease of college completion and a sense of community and belonging among minoritized students. She has also worked as a housekeeper, a teacher, a reporter and copyeditor, and a reluctant backup singer in her brother's rock band. She studied political science, journalism, and psychology as an undergraduate, earning at just the wrong time a master’s degree in journalism at the University of Missouri and later a Ph.D. in public policy at the University of Arkansas. She believes that curiosity and learning can nurture generosity and justice. Her most salient felt identities are secular humanist, white woman, educator, parent, introvert, big sister, and friend. When she needs a time out, she spends time outside, with her family, or listening to two Steve Winwood songs repeatedly.

S2 E10: Mary and Wyatt Check In Mar 20, 2022

It’s a solo episode! Mary and Wyatt take a break from our amazing slate of guests to check in about how they’re holding up during a tumultuous couple of weeks. Also on the agenda: art made of candy, bald eagle webcams, and poems by Wendell Berry and Ashley M. Jones.

S2 E9: Dismantling Diet Culture with Judith Matz Mar 04, 2022

Wyatt and Mary snuggle into Wyatt's office to talk to anti-diet trailblazer Judith Matz (LCSW, author of The Diet Survivor's Handbook and creator of the Making Peace with Food card deck) about weight stigma, binge eating disorder, and common myths about fatness. Also on the agenda: The Manic Episodes hired a bunch of unpaid employees; Wyatt is hooked on the Civil War; and poems by Sylvia Plath and Reginald Dwayne Betts.
Instagram: @judmatz
Judith's Website

S2 E8: Healing from Religious Trauma with Andrea Randall Feb 18, 2022

Content warning: Eating disorders; sexual assault.
Mary and Wyatt take a break from wedding planning and their continued obsession with Meg Stalter to talk about church, scripture, and theology with author and religious scholar Andrea Randall. They also bring back Absolution Hour and read poems by Jon Sands and Gabrielle Calvocoressi.

S2 E7: The Art of Nothing Much with Kathryn Nicolai Feb 04, 2022

Content warning for this episode: Eating disorders

Mary and Wyatt welcome the fabulous author, podcast host, and world-creator Kathryn Nicolai (she/her) to the podcast. Kathryn is the creator of the enormously successful podcast Nothing Much Happens and the author of the book of the same name. She is an architect of coziness, writing soothing stories that both ease the reader into peaceful sleep and teach the principals of mindfulness so that waking hours likewise become sweet and serene. She leans on her years of experience as a yoga and meditation teacher to seamlessly blend storytelling with brain training techniques that build better sleep habits over time. She lives in Michigan with her wife and three dogs.

Mary and Wyatt chat with Kathryn about creating and maintaining boundaries, both in personal and professional life. They talk about the genesis of Nothing Much Happens (it involves a beagle), and the incredible world she has created through the stories on the podcast. She also talks about how those beautiful stories became a beautifully illustrated book. Also on the agenda: Mary and Wyatt pitch their own sleep stories; Kathryn tells us how to make butter tomato sauce; and poems by Ada Limón, Rumi, and Rachel Wiley.
http://instagram.com/nothingmuchhappenspodcast

https://www.facebook.com/nothingmuchhappenspodcast/

https://twitter.com/nothingmuchpod

S2 E6: Creators and Connectors with Hollis Wong-Wear Jan 22, 2022

Mary and Wyatt are pleased as punch to welcome Hollis Wong-Wear to the pod. Hollis is a songwriter, musician, speaker, creative generator and community advocate who lives between Los Angeles and Seattle, WA. She is the lead vocalist of the electronic R&B trio The Flavr Blue, and was GRAMMY nominated in 2014 for her work with Macklemore and Ryan Lewis.

With her roots in spoken word and slam poetry through the nationally recognized Youth Speaks program, Hollis is passionate about how creativity and the arts fuel and shape civic discourse, and is dedicated to lending her voice and capacities towards vibrant social equity.

Hollis has been a featured speaker at conferences, conventions and speaker series, sharing her spoken word poetry and her candid insights on her experience as an independent artist and engaged activist. She has performed and spoken for an array of organizations and schools, including KEXP, WrapWomen, Planned Parenthood, University of Washington, YWCA and the Eileen Fisher Leadership Institute, has been featured by TedX University of Washington, and has presented alongside such luminaries as Gloria Steinem, Kimberle Crenshaw and Eve Ensler.

A native of the Bay Area, Hollis graduated from Seattle University with a major in History and a minor in Global African Studies, and was recently named the recipient of Seattle University’s 2016 Outstanding Recent Alumna Award.

She is a Google Next Gen Policy Leader, an alumna of the Hedgebrook Residency, and is a Humanity in Action Senior Fellow. Hollis has been appointed to several boards and commissions, including the Board of Directors for 4Culture and the Seattle Center Advisory Commission, and is currently an ad-hoc commissioner on the Seattle Music Commission.

Hollis, Mary, and Wyatt talk about friendship, community, and solidarity in a brief but lovely chat. They discuss the perils of social media, especially for artists in the early stages of their careers, and how Hollis and Mary inspired each other when they first met. Also on the agenda: Mary’s stinky ballet flats, furniture made of silly putty, and poems by Jon Pineda and Aya Alzubaidy.

S2 E5: Love Yourself... or Else with K Richardson Jan 08, 2022

Mary and Wyatt are joined by their friend K Richardson (he/they), an out and proud Black Queer currently living in Brooklyn, NY. He is an organizer, facilitator, and racial equity educator. Before beginning his current role as Communications Manager at the Transgender Law Center, K served as the Manager of Hotline and Prevention Programs at the NYC Anti Violence Project, where his focus was supporting queer and trans survivors of sexual violence and has over 15 years of rape crisis work. They firmly believe in equity of all with a priority on trans + gender nonconforming, non-binary people and believes that there should be a place for Black Trans women of all experiences to live freely and thrive. For more than a decade, K. has been dedicated to creating spaces that foster community while centering Black Queer theory in his work. K drinks iced coffee all year, is frequently seen solving a Rubik’s cube, reading a book and has a Simpsons reference for *almost* everything.

Mary, Wyatt, and K spend a few glorious hours talking about capitalism, collective bargaining, and how to engage in activism and advocacy while maintaining your mental health – or, as Mary calls it, your “brain paradise.” Y’all are going to adore K; we’re so lucky to have him on the pod. Also on the agenda: Mary tells a story about falling asleep during a concert as a performer, and K tells a story about falling asleep during a concert as an attendee; we’re all obsessed with snacks; and poems by Nikki Giovanni, Lucille Clifton, Adrienne Maree Brown, and Natasha Rao.

S2 E4: Style, Art, and Fat Queer Femme Bonding with Kim Selling Dec 24, 2021

Mary and Wyatt are in Seattle with some bomb-ass new recording equipment, and they’re thrilled to welcome Kim Selling to the pod. Kim sent us two bios, and they’re too good not to include here:

Kim’s pre-Covid professional bio: Kim Selling is a fat queer femme based in Seattle. They can be found generating content for The Stranger, yelling about poetry for various small presses, and selling piles of glittering vintage for bunny ranch madams, crop top goths, and lizard queens alike on the World Wide Web.

Kim’s Actual Present-Day Bio:

My depression is at an all-time high, my personality is the new person I'm dating, and I have nothing to look forward to because I'm still functionally unemployed!!!!

Kim, Wyatt, and Mary talk about fashion, representation, and mental health for queer people in fat bodies. They also play a spirited game of “What sign is this thing?”, which was a delight because of Kim’s dazzling array of astrological knowledge. Also on the agenda: the cruel, hidden world inside snow globes; climbing the ladder at Abercrombie; and poems by Tracy K. Smith, Frank O’Hara, Patricia No, and Ellen Bryant Voigt.

Kim’s Social Media:

https://www.instagram.com/croptopgoth/

https://www.instagram.com/heavydutyvintage/

S2 E3: Public Health & Harm Reduction with Nadia Schuessler Dec 06, 2021

Mary and Wyatt are freaking out because they're so excited to welcome the inimitable Nadia Schuessler to the pod. Nadia is a social worker, public health advocate and community organizer. She cares deeply about harm reduction, integrated healthcare, trauma centered healing practices and community arts. She has worked in a variety of fields, including mental health/addiction services, food manufacturing, a variety of seasonal tourist attractions, and most notably, the music industry with her all time favorite boss Mary.
Mary and Wyatt chat with Nadia about her wide variety of experiences: community theater, driving ice cream trucks, managing logistics, doing social work, and driving a Winnebago with Mary while on tour. She talks about how a family tragedy motivated her to pursue a career in social work and public health. Also on the agenda: The Whisper Game, the ingenious design of the human butthole, and poems by Warsan Shire, Laura Kolbe, and Rumi.

S2 E2: Housing, Activism, & Imagination with Trenda Loftin Nov 21, 2021

Mary and Wyatt are elated to welcome Trenda Loftin to the pod. Black, queer, and polyamorous, Trenda (she/her) has a variety of callings that she strives to weave together to work towards liberation. She is a social justice consultant, theatre artist, worker-owner of The Compost Cooperative, and a REALTOR with Coldwell Banker Community Realtors. She works with theatre companies, organizations, and individuals to address inequity within programs, practices, and policies, utilizing interactive and creative approaches. Trenda recognizes the importance of cultivating home spaces- not just as spaces for living, but for dreaming and co-creating. Her real estate and consulting work is anchored in seeking ways to increase access for those who face barriers to securing safe and enriching home and work spaces.

Mary, Wyatt, and Trenda talk about the power of theater and imagination, how to weave together activism and community while also creating sustainable income for ourselves and our families, and the power of seeing yourself represented in stories.

Also on the agenda: MARY AND WYATT GOT ENGAGED!; Wyatt, Mary, and Trenda collaborate on unsolicited jingles; and poems by Maya Angelou, Kevin Young, and Diane Seuss.
IG: @trenda.realtor.ma; @compostcooperative; @willowprec
FB: @trenda.realtor.ma; @tlo.happenings; @reallivetheatre
Website: www.trendaloftin.com; www.willowprec.com

S2 E1: Radical Welcome with Andrew Sackett-Taylor Nov 07, 2021

Mary and Wyatt kick off Season 2 with the usual spate of unhinged silliness and their very first guest, Andrew Sackett-Taylor. Andrew (he/him) works as a psychiatric nurse practitioner at Transhealth Northampton, a healthcare start-up serving trans, non-binary, and gender diverse individuals across the lifespan. Trans- and queer-identified himself, it’s been his longstanding dream to serve the community through compassionate, affirming, patient-centered care.

Mary, Wyatt, and Andrew chat about everything from the pure pleasure of dancing in one’s driveway to the importance of connection and authenticity in trans-affirming psychiatric care. Andrew talks about his own experiences with neurodivergency and psychiatric care and how he offers radical kindness, vulnerability, and compassion in his own practice.

Also on the agenda: A spirited round of Gay or Straight, an important conversation about Halloween candy, and poems by Wendell Berry, Mary Oliver, and Charlie Petch.

Learn more about Transhealth Northampton here:

www.transhealth.org

@ourtranshealth on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter

Episode 67: Failure... & the End of Season 1! Sep 23, 2021

Mary & Wyatt peel off their sweaty running clothes and settle in for a very real & vulnerable conversation about failure and some big changes coming to the pod. Mary talks about the trajectory of success in her career and her uncertainty about the future. Wyatt talks about the relationship between their bipolar disorder and their fear of failure. Also on the agenda: Mary is risking it all to be a TikTok star and is related to Marie Antoinette (probably), Wyatt wants to start the College School Bus, and poems by Forrest Gander and Rosemary Tonks.

Donate or volunteer for Houston Haitians United to help Haitian migrants transitioning to life in Texas: https://linktr.ee/hhunited1804

Episode 66: Abortion Sep 10, 2021

Mary and Wyatt settle in for a discussion about the recent Supreme Court ruling about the ultra-restrictive Texas abortion ban. What’s the path forward for reproductive justice? How do we help advocate for people left in the wake of this decision? Also on the agenda: The Whisper Game, the calming properties of lofi beats, and poems by Joshua Bennett and Nicole Sealey.

Episode 65: Greed Aug 26, 2021

Mary and Wyatt perch on the couch for a chat about greed. From Adam Smith to Ayn Rand to Gordon Gecko, they talk about the evolution of attitudes toward wealth, accumulation, and capital. Also on the agenda: Mary’s Netflix show comes out today, herons eating gigantic fish, more Harvest Town lore, and poems by Roger Reeves and Nicole Sealey.

Episode 64: Consent and Bodily Autonomy Aug 13, 2021

[Content warning: Sexual assault and childhood sexual assault] Mary and Wyatt snuggle up on the big yellow couch for a discussion of consent, bodily autonomy, and how banishing the gender binary could save us all. Also on the agenda: Georgie has formed an independent nation in our bedroom, Wyatt thinks bagels are overrated, Mary throws serious shade, and poems by Diane Seuss and Rhiannon McGavin.

New Episode Delayed… Sorry, y’all! Aug 06, 2021

Episode 63: Suicide Jul 22, 2021

[Content Warning: Suicide and Self-Harm]
Fresh from watching Anthony Bourdain’s biopic, Mary and Wyatt settle in on the big yellow couch for a long talk about suicide. They talk about mental illness, stigma, how suicide has touched their lives, and dig in about environmental conditions and systems that contribute to poor mental health. Also on the agenda: Mary and Wyatt’s top five favorite movies, there is poop in our basement, and poems by Maggie Smith and Adrian Matejka.

Episode 62: Accountability Jul 09, 2021

Wyatt and Mary settle in for a conversation around accountability and how empathy and reflection are required when righting a wrong. They discuss the similarities between institutional and personal accountability and how it feels when someone recognizes your humanity. Also on the agenda: a twist on an old classic of Gay or Straight, the Real Housewives cinematic universe, and poems by Lucia Misch and Agha Shahid Ali.

Episode 61: Survival Jun 25, 2021

Mary and Wyatt pry themselves away from “Naked and Afraid” long enough to talk about survival. Mary talks about a scary experience she had while river rafting and how our brains protect us after we experience trauma. They talk about different kinds of coping mechanisms and how we can free ourselves from the shame of doing what it takes to survive. Also on the agenda: Mary and Wyatt ask the stupid questions that you’re too afraid to ask, Mary made a corgi out of fondant, and poems by Chen Chen and Mahmoud Darwish.

EpIsode 60: ADD Jun 11, 2021

Mary & Wyatt try to focus for long enough to talk about ADD/ADHD. They talk about the difficulties that adults face when seeking diagnosis and treatment for ADHD, as well as whether or not the disorder is over diagnosed in children. Wyatt talks about their own experiences with ADHD treatment since being diagnosed at age 8. Also on the agenda: the return of the Manic Fam Singles Club, the best blueberry muffins (shoutout Jordan Marsh), and poems by Aziza Barnes and Ed Roberson.

Episode 59: Language May 27, 2021

Mary and Wyatt snuggle up for a fascinating conversation about language. Wyatt discusses ideas about how language reflects and shapes reality, and how our political beliefs influence our attitudes toward language. They get into the nitty gritty of nerdy language stuff like linguistic relativity and communicative competence… but in a fun way! Also on the agenda: Mary and Wyatt try a bunch of disgusting, random junk for items, and read poems by Lyd Havens and Richard Blanco.

Episode 58: Eating Disorders May 13, 2021

[CW: Eating disorders] Mary and Wyatt grab big glasses of ice water and settle in for a discussion about eating disorders. Mary talks about what she’s learned about how restriction affects the brain, orthorexia, and how disordered eating robs us of living fully. Also on the agenda: the triumphant return of Gay or Straight?, baked beans for breakfast, and poems by Tomás Q. Morín and Blythe Baird.

Episode 57: Rapid Cycling & Mixed Episodes Apr 29, 2021

[CW: Suicide]
Mary and Wyatt get into the nitty gritty of bipolar disorder: mixed episodes and rapid cycling, neither of which are as much fun as they sound. They also discuss their experiences with suicidal thoughts during depressive episodes, and how fear can prevent people from discussing them with loved ones. Also on the agenda: five least favorite songs, a day of locksmith-induced drama, and poems by francine j. harris and Eileen Myles.

Episode 56: Fatphobia Apr 15, 2021

“This is real joy. I’m trying to convince you that there’s something on the other side of shame.” Mary and Wyatt sit down for a discussion of the perniciousness of fatphobia and diet culture and what we can do to push back. She talks about what meaningful allyship looks like and what you can do to support fat people in your life. Also on the agenda: a funeral for Yahoo! Answers, Mary’s love of ice skating, an excerpt from Sitting Pretty by Rebekah Taussig, and a poem by Natalie Díaz.

Episode 55: Addiction Apr 01, 2021

Mary and Wyatt settle in at the kitchen table for a long and winding discussion of alcohol, addiction, and mental health. They talk about the difference between physical and mental addiction, how “what kind of drunk you are” affects your perceptioån of your behavior, and coping with boredom without substances. They also talk about the recent spate of discriminatory anti-trans legislation in Arkansas, Alabama, and Tennessee, and talk about how allies can support trans people and trans youth. Also on the agenda: Mary and Wyatt’s top ten favorite albums, big plans for the Mary/Wyatt homestead, and poems by Danez Smith and Marty McConnell.

Episode 54: Pain Mar 19, 2021

Mary and Wyatt sit on the living room floor (long story) and talk about mental and physical pain. Wyatt talks about their recent experience with debilitating neck pain and shares fascinating research about pain management and pain translation. Mary talks about how and where the body holds trauma. Also on the agenda: Mary had a dream that will give you goosebumps, Wyatt swallowed something weird, and poems by Reginald Dwayne Betts and Carl Phillips.

Episode 53: Healing & Our Exes Mar 04, 2021

Ready for some piping-hot tea?! Or how about a completely level-headed and reasonable discussion of what it’s like to heal from a breakup? Mary and Wyatt settle in at the kitchen table and talk about a monumentally important conversation they had this week about their exes and past heartbreak. They then talk about their experiences with healing and how they found support in difficult times. Also on the agenda: Real Housewives talk, Mary shares the grossest story about foot massages in the history of the world, and poems by Chris Abani and Nikky Finney.

Episode 52: Beauty Standards, Part 2 Feb 18, 2021

Mary and Wyatt revisit last week’s episode and chat more about beauty standards. Mary talks about what she’s learned from people who have chimed in on social media about cosmetic surgery and unconditional self-love. They also talk about the marginalization of queer femme women and how standards of beauty in the queer community parallel mainstream beauty norms. Wyatt talks about being able to grow a pretty sweet ‘stache. Also on the agenda: Gay or Straight?, we were wrong about Marvel movies, and poems by Shelby Handler and Jorge Luis Borges.

Episode 51: Beauty Standards Feb 04, 2021

Mary and Wyatt settle in for a discussion of beauty standards. How do we decide what’s beautiful? What’s the difference between beauty and desirability? How are our selves shaped by the expectations of others, starting with our parents or caregivers when we’re babies? They also have a spicy conversation about plastic surgery and definitely don’t come to a satisfying conclusion. Also on the agenda: A prequel to the Dillo Dairy saga, a weirdly long talk about superhero movies, and poems by Tracy K. Smith and Yi Lei.

Episode 50: Memory Jan 21, 2021

We’re FIFTY! Mary & Wyatt curl up on the sofa and discuss the power of memory—culturally, historically, and personally—and the danger of forgetting. They discuss James Loewen’s incredible book Sundown Towns, which chronicles the history of all-white towns and suburbs in the U.S.—many of which deny the fact that they excluded or forced out their Black populations. In this time of unprecedented polarization, gaslighting, and “post-truth” politics, how can we be honest in our remembering? Also on the agenda: a weirdly long Jojo Siwa discussion, Mary and Wyatt talk about their favorite words, and poems by Eve L. Ewing and John Murillo.

Episode 49: Sex, Intimacy, and Relationships Jan 08, 2021

[CW: Sexual assault, alcoholism and drug use]

Mary & Wyatt grab some coffee and sit at the kitchen table for a chat about sex, intimacy, and relationships. They discuss the role of bipolar mood swings in sexual behavior and desires, and the flexibility of gender roles in queer relationships. Also on the agenda: some humiliating confessions for Absolution Hour, the life-changing power of bathtub shelves, and poems by Sonia Sanchez and Erica Hunt.

Episode 48: Fear/Year in Review Dec 24, 2020

(Note: We talk about some of the most common phobias, so skip this episode if you’re feeling anxious.) Mary and Wyatt celebrate a year of making the pod in the most festive way imaginable: talking about their deepest, darkest fears! They talk about their own experiences with how to handle fear, how fear can be a gift, and how to tell when a healthy fear has become something bigger. Also on the agenda: the year in review, Elf on the Shelf is in witness protection, and poems by Tommy Pico and Afaa Michael Weaver.

Episode 47: Depression!!! Dec 11, 2020

Mary and Wyatt embrace the true holiday spirit– depression! They get real about what triggers a depressive episode and what they do when motivation feels out of reach. Also on the agenda, Mary is depressed IRL, Wyatt still hates James Cordon, a crop top coincidence, and potato salad makes a comeback. They read poems by Zach Savich and Dujie Tahat.

Episode 46: Reproductive Health & Realness Nov 26, 2020

It’s a MASHUP!! Mary & Wyatt settle in for a chat about reproductive health & justice, life in the post-truth era, and how to feel grounded in a world where reality is under constant attack. In a sometimes stream-of-consciousness (but always rollicking fun) discussion, they also talk about why access to reproductive healthcare is a fundamental human right. Also on the agenda: scam-baiting, “The Amazing Race,” and poems by Edmund White and Tearisa Siagatonu.

Episode 45: Anxiety Nov 13, 2020

Mary & Wyatt do some breathing exercises, get grounded, and chat about anxiety. They talk about how humans evolved to be susceptible to stress and anxiety, how marginalized communities experience anxiety differently, and what we can do to treat our symptoms. Wyatt tells a cautionary tale about benzodiazepines and talks about the magical wonders of cognitive behavioral therapy. Also on the agenda: we answer Yahoo! Answers, Mary has a Christmas album coming out, our dog got injured again, and poems by Rae Armantrout and Nina Powles.

Episode 44: Success! Oct 29, 2020

*Note: I am deeply sorry for the awful sound of a dog chewing on a bone in the background for most of this episode. -Wyatt* Mary and Wyatt give the dogs some long-lasting chews and settle in for a discussion about how we measure success in ourselves and others. How do some people excel and achieve in spite of hardships and setbacks while others can’t seem to get unstuck? Also on the agenda: Top 5 scary movies, pupillary distance is a scam, and poems by Zaina Alsous and Rachel Eliza Griffiths.

Episode 43: Getting Political on the Pod Oct 15, 2020

Mary & Wyatt settle in and cast their ballots for a political episode of the pod. They talk about their political awakenings and their perspectives on electoral politics and the vast political divide. Also on the agenda: TV Show Reviews for Shows We Haven’t Seen Yet, Wyatt is addicted to murder interrogations, and a poem by Ada Limón. Mary closes out the episode with a heartbreaking and powerful poem by Camonghne Felix.

Episode 42: Assertiveness & Saying No Oct 01, 2020

Mary & Wyatt are fresh-faced and bright-eyed after a restful week off. After recapping the first Presidential debate, they talk about the art of assertiveness and why it’s so hard to stand up for yourself and say no. They discuss the gendered dimension of assertiveness and how capitalism plays into a culture of obedience and complacency. Also on the agenda: Read My Lips, Wyatt & Mary’s house is infested with fruit flies, and poems by June Jordan and Haya Alyan.

Episode 41: Sex & Gender Sep 17, 2020

Wyatt kicks off this discussion of gender identity with a story about a recent experience they had with a stranger. Mary & Wyatt then talk about the recent spate of transphobic rhetoric from J. K. Rowling and Joe Rogan, and the consequences of misconceptions about gender reaching such a huge audience. Also on the agenda: Our dog is in a cast, a new segment called Potato Salad, and poems by Mohja Kahf and Nicole Homer.

Episode 40: Childhood Sep 10, 2020

Mary and Wyatt settle in for a long and winding chat about childhood. They talk about the incredible wonders of language acquisition and psychological development, then get into the nitty gritty of cycles of trauma. Also on the agenda: bacon used as bandaids, Wyatt learns how to use sound effects, and poems by Sam Sax and Lydia Davis.

Episode 39: Food & Diet Culture Sep 03, 2020

Mary & Wyatt, fresh off of a leek quiche dinner, settle in to chat about food and diet culture. Mary discusses her reading and research in the areas of dieting, heart health, and "bad"/"good" foods. They talk about the junk food industry, the relationship between fatphobia and racism, and the deep injustice of food deserts. Also on the agenda: disastrous celebrity impressions, Wyatt slanders the macrame industrial complex, and poems by Philip Metres and Melissa Lozada-Oliva.

Episode 38: Habits Aug 27, 2020

Mary and Wyatt floss their teeth, wash their faces, and sit down to talk about habits. Wyatt talks about reading James Clear’s Atomic Habits and the philosophy behind the power of small changes. They chat about why it’s so hard to break a bad habit and so difficult to start a good one. Also on the agenda: Bartleby the Scrivener, a heated round of Gay or Straight?, and poems by Alison Luterman and Dean Young.

Episode 37: Communication Aug 20, 2020

Mary & Wyatt put on their listening ears and talk about communication. Is anybody ever really good or bad at it, or do we just have different communication styles? They also talk about some nerdy linguistics stuff (indirectness strategies, anyone?! Universal grammar? Where are the Daniel Everett fans at?!) and give some tips for communicating your needs clearly, even if it scares you. Also on the agenda: Mary & Wyatt’s farm stay/off-grid experience, Top 5 Controversial Opinions, Wyatt’s love of chickens, and poems by Taylor Johnson and Marianne Boruch.

Episode 36: Therapy Aug 13, 2020

Live from their new studio, Mary & Wyatt talk about their experiences with therapy. They discuss finding a therapist, making a connection with a therapist, and how to take care of yourself after an appointment. They also talk about what to do if you can't afford therapy. And Wyatt goes pretty deep into some weird stuff about Freud and Jung.
Also on the agenda: Wyatt wants to live in a fancy hotel lobby, Mary & Wyatt are going off-grid, and poems by Tiana Clark and Juan Felipe Herrera.

Episode 35: Money & Finances Aug 06, 2020

Mary & Wyatt snuggle up, bust open the books, and talk about money & finances. They talk about historical racial inequality and its affect on the disproportionate accumulation of wealth in white communities. They then shift to talking about their own personal histories with finances. They also talk about spending & credit card debt, the looming specter of student loans, and how to manage money in a relationship. Also on the agenda: a new, ridiculous, headache-inducing segment called Read My Lips; we lose control of our dogs; and poems by Patrick Rosal and Tracy K. Smith.

Episode 34: Social Media Jul 30, 2020

Mary & Wyatt settle in for a conversation about social media. They talk about the effects of social media on our relationships and mental health, and the nature of debate in our age of constant connectivity. They even disagree with each other! Also on the agenda: the Dillo Dairy corporation is in deep trouble, Mindhunter, and poems by Ross Gay and Major Jackson.

Episode 33: Mania Mania! Jul 24, 2020

[CW: Suicide; self-harm]
Mary & Wyatt, freshly clean and dry from a camping trip, talk all about mania: symptoms of manic episodes, how to "baby-proof your house" when it comes to mania, and how they've each recovered from manic episodes in the past. Also on the agenda: why Wyatt hates brushing their teeth, dogs that bark like wind chimes, Teddy Roosevelt's obsession with killing animals, and poems by Major Jackson and Ashlee Haze.

Episode 32: Cultural Appropriation Jul 16, 2020

Live from the woods of New Hampshire, it's a camping edition of the pod! Mary & Wyatt swat some very persistent bugs while talking about cultural appropriation. Mary discusses the role of cultural appropriation in the history of American music and why it's so important to emulate musical styles with intention and integrity. Wyatt talks about Eminem a whole bunch. Also on the agenda: Gay or Straight?, Jeffrey Epstein, and bugs. So many bugs.

Episode 31: Exercise! Movement! Fitness! Jul 09, 2020

Mary and Wyatt get suited up in head-to-toe Spandex and talk about the benefits of exercise, their personal histories with physical activity, and middle school gym class horror stories. They also talk about the relationship between exercise and mental health, and how to get a workout in if you feel like crap. Also on the agenda: the continuing saga of Dillo Dairy, the Manic Fam Singles Club, and poems by Angel Nafis and Malcolm Tariq.

Episode 30: Cancel Culture Jul 02, 2020

Mary & Wyatt grab a couple of mugs of joe and talk about cancel culture. After discussing some recent and not-so-recent instances of public callouts, they dig in to the complicated issues around free speech and online censorship. Also on the agenda: Mary reviews Game of Thrones, which she has never watched; animal reunion videos; skillet cornbread; and poems by Martha Ronk and Mindy Nettifee.

Episode 29: "Disclosure" and Media Representation Jun 26, 2020

Mary & Wyatt crack open a bottle of sparkling apple cider and talk about the new Netflix documentary "Disclosure" and how brilliantly it tackles issues around trans representation in TV and film. They talk about positive, accurate media representation for marginalized people and why it matters, especially for people of color, queer people, and people with mental illness. Also on the agenda: the health of Mary & Wyatt's houseplants (spoiler alert: it's not great), a fast food feast, a bakery run by cats, prose by Mahogany Browne, and poems by Jericho Brown and Terrance Hayes.

Episode 28: Intersectionality and Utopia Jun 19, 2020

It's Wyatt's 36th birthday! Mary & Wyatt snuggle up and chat about intersectionality and how we can bring joy into shared struggles and in the quest for liberation. Also on the agenda: the greatest public speaker of our generation, a police force made up of cats, Mary breaks her reading slump, and poems by Lucille Clifton and Sarah Kay.

Episode 27: Trans Inclusion Jun 11, 2020

Wyatt drinks some healthy green juice instead of Diet Coke and sits down with Mary to talk about J.K. Rowling’s TERFism cloaked as “gender critical” ideology, inclusion in the LGBTQ community, and how we can best be allies to trans people. Also on the agenda: rollercoasters for snails, ranking the best desserts (Mary doesn’t know what cookie cake is), and poems by Ryka Aoki de la Cruz and J. Jennifer Espinoza.

Episode 25: The Music Industry May 29, 2020

Mary and Wyatt put on some power suits and talk about the music industry. Mary talks about her experiences in the business, from performing at coffee shops as a 13-year-old to being signed to a a major label. Also on the agenda: phone phreaking, MySpace songs and AOL Instant Messenger screen names, a new segment in which Mary and Wyatt confess their sins, and poems by Anis Mojgani and Zoë Hitzig.

Episode 24: Grief May 21, 2020

[CW for this episode: Suicide, guns]

Mary and Wyatt give the dogs a couple of calming hemp chews and settle in for a discussion of grief and how you go on living after loss. They tell their own stories of loss and what strategies they discovered for processing the dark, mysterious feeling of grief--and what it means to "process." They also talk about different forms of loss--the death of loved ones, breakups, and trauma. Also on the agenda: a ridiculous new segment called Fantasy Trip Advisor, children who hate their parents so much they chant at them, an excerpt from a novel by Richard Powers, and a poem by Chen Chen.

Episode 23: Sobriety Check-In May 15, 2020

Mary and Wyatt snuggle up for an IG Live edition of the pod to talk about Wyatt’s ongoing journey with sobriety and how they reframed their relationship with alcohol. They also discuss mental health, the tricky nature of addiction, and what it means to be sober and still live a robust and exciting life – without feeling like a wet blanket at the party. Also on the agenda: Wyatt’s boundless sports trivia continues to confound Mary, Gay or Straight!, Wyatt’s uncanny resemblance to one of the Hanson brothers, and poems by Linda Gregerson and Sonya Renee Taylor.

Episode 22: Astrology May 08, 2020

Mary (sun in Taurus, moon in Aries, Leo rising) and Wyatt (sun in Gemini, moon in Aquarius, Cancer rising) sit down to talk about astrology and how astoundingly complicated it is. They also talk about astrology’s particular appeal to queer people and why it’s enjoyed a resurgence in the past few years. Also on the agenda: meatballs, tinnitus, mermaids, and poems by Olivia Gatwood, Megan Falley, and Dilruba Ahmed.

Episode 21: Sexual Assault May 01, 2020

[Content Warning: Sexual assault, rape]
Mary & Wyatt settle in for a heavy discussion of rape, sexual assault, and survival. They dig into the toxic systems that allow sexual assault to run rampant and try to figure out how best to have conversations about consent and healthy sexual expression. Also on the agenda: Mary’s birthday adventure surprise, Wyatt’s homemade haircut, and poems by Leila Chatti and Patricia Lockwood.

Episode 20: People Who Inspire Us Apr 24, 2020

After an absolute meltdown about some hot bits of celebrity news, Mary and Wyatt continue to embrace their shared manic state by drinking strong coffee late at night and chat about the people that inspire them, influence them, and regularly give them goosebumps. Also on the agenda: Mary is organizing the refrigerator magnets again, a raging debate about macadamia nut cookies, the Manic Fam Singles Club, and poems by Shira Erlichman and Camille T. Dungy.

Episode 19: Boundaries Apr 17, 2020

Mary & Wyatt grab some heating pads and settle in for a special “synced cycles” edition of the pod. They talk about how to maintain healthy boundaries in relationships and how your humble hosts have both traditionally done a terrible job of that. Also on the agenda: Game Show!, a bathtub big enough for a bear, and poems by Alice Notley and Safia Elhillo.

Episode 18: The Body Episode, Part 2 Apr 08, 2020

Mary & Wyatt revisit one of their favorite episodes to discuss the scientific side of body positivity. Mary shares the concept of Health at Every Size and talks about how to get out of a toxic relationship with yourself. Also on the agenda: An exciting new medical breakthrough, Name that Cat!, the podcast debut of one of Mary’s long-hidden but breathtaking talents, and poems by Rachel Wiley and Ada Limón.

Episode 17: Toxic Relationships Apr 01, 2020

Mary and Wyatt curl up next to the fireplace with mugs of coffee at 2 am, because time doesn’t mean anything anymore. After discussing what it means for a dynamic to be toxic and trying to unpacking that buzzword, they chat about what leads to unhealthy relationships and how two healthy people can create one. Later, they put on waders and enter the toxic sludge dump that is Yahoo! Answers. Also on the docket: geocaching, Mary and Wyatt’s intergalactic travel plans, and poems by Danusha Laméris and Jorie Graham.

Episode 16: Gender Identity Makes Me Feel Feelings Mar 25, 2020

Mary and Wyatt grab a couple of cinnamon rolls and talk about gender until the cows come home: how we become gendered bodies, the plight of queer femmes (and their admirers), dismantling heteronormative and misogynistic structures, the ever-expanding galaxy of gender, and how good it feels to hear one’s correct pronouns. Also on the docket: a story about paprika, way too many commercial jingles, and how good it feels to be understood.

Episode 15: Love in the Time of Corona Mar 17, 2020

Mary & Wyatt are live from a self-isolation den with two obnoxious dogs. They talk about how to deal with stress and anxiety during a time of crisis and what neurotypical people can learn from people who struggle with mental illness. Also on the agenda: peeing in public pools, Bourbon Street webcams, a review of "Mulan," and Mary's Facebook stalking habits.

Episode 14: You Are Not a Burden Mar 11, 2020

*CONTENT WARNING FOR THIS EPISODE*: Suicide and self-harm

Mary & Wyatt snuggle up on the couch and talk about how to ask for help when you need it without feeling like you’re burdening the people you love. They talk about how to seek the resources you need during dark times. Also on the agenda: Really bad impressions of presidential hopefuls, an inevitable discussion of coronavirus, and four really, really good poems.

Episode 13: Celebrity Culture, Reality TV, and Beauty Standards Mar 04, 2020

After making sure that Mary’s green room is stocked with only red M&Ms, Wyatt and Mary settle in and chat about celebrity culture, reality TV, and the importance of visibility and representation in the media. Also on the agenda: the most expensive beverage on Earth, the Dixie Chicks, and an exclusive musical performance (or performances, maybe?) by Grandma Mary & Papa Wyatt.

Episode 12: Emotional Baggage Claim Feb 26, 2020

Mary and Wyatt discuss a failed podcast attempt and the emotions that followed. They talk about sadness, anger, conflict, and how to manage the great Rubik's cube of feelings. Also on the agenda: a new segment called Name That Dog and a recent visit from the feds.

Episode 11: Healing from Trauma Feb 19, 2020

Wyatt and Mary talk about the big T. They discuss the comorbidity of bipolar disorder and PTSD, the desire to be understood, and possible avenues to healing from trauma. Also on the agenda: snowmobiling, queer dishwashing, and the devastating baby platypus hoax.

Episode 10: Mary & Wyatt's Valentine's Day Love Fest Feb 12, 2020

Mary & Wyatt talk about their first date, gloat about what it’s like to be loved as you are, and express general relationship hubris. They chat about the perils of Tinder, the sexy magic of a close Scrabble game, and Mary’s relief that Wyatt wasn’t a charming stalker. Also on the agenda: the debut of the Manic Fam Singles Club, a baby-jumping festival, and some scintillating health insurance talk.

Episode 9: Fashion, Style, and Expression Feb 05, 2020

Mary and Wyatt channel their inner fashionistas or something. They chat about style, makeup, beauty, gender expression, and how to reconcile one’s feminist beliefs with one’s love of shoulder pads. Mary shouts out her heroes in plus-size fashion and talks about what it’s like to shop for clothes as a fat person. Also on the agenda: Spongebob as a cog in the capitalist machine, possum adoption, and armpit hair.

Episode 8: Bipolar Diagnosis, Treatments & Paths to Stabilization Jan 29, 2020

Your hosts spend this delightful hour and a half talking about their own bipolar diagnosis' and approach to treatment, including an in-depth look at pharmacological options. A must listen for anyone newly diagnosed with bipolar! Also on the pod: a very sad poem, lies about our patreons, Mary's continuing obsession with the Indigo Girls and Wyatt's inevitable mention of Jeff Bezos.

Episode 7: Self-Love & Self-Care Jan 21, 2020

Mary & Wyatt snuggle up in bed and talk about how to love & care for yourself in a cruel, cold world. Ironically, Mary is recording this while she has the flu. Also on the agenda: Jillian Michaels and Lizzo, Mary & Wyatt's upcoming media appearances, and some questions: Are bath bombs self-care? What game is Mary addicted to? How do we avoid getting Q-Tips stuck up our noses?

Episode 6: Being Queer in the Church Jan 15, 2020

Amen, y'all! Mary & Wyatt take a seat in a comfy pew and chat about Christianity, faith, and when the word "homosexual" actually entered the Bible. They talk about their relationship with God and the church throughout their lives and what that relationship is like now.

Also on the agenda: Chick-fil-A, bird-themed inventions, and lies about our fans.

Episode 5: Work, Academia, and Balance Jan 07, 2020

Mary talks about traveling, working from home, and having a hectic schedule while bipolar. Wyatt & Mary talk about how to maintain a healthy relationship while you're both busy AF. Wyatt talks a whole bunch about academia and whether you should go to grad school or run for the hills.

Episode 4: Talking Drugs & Alcohol Jan 01, 2020

Your perfectly hydrated hosts pop open a couple of Diet Cokes and get real about substances, sobriety, and self-medication. Also on the agenda: metal detectors, dogs, and getting so bored you fucking electrocute yourself.

Episode 3: We're Here! We're Queer! We're Podcasting! Dec 18, 2019

Time to be really gay! Mary & Paige talk about homophobia and radical acts of queer joy. They also give advice for coming out, read poems, eat brownies, and discuss the ethics of putting cowboy hats on pigeons.

Episode 2: The Body Episode Dec 10, 2019

Oof, this is a good one. Mary and Paige talk about existing in the world as a fat person and the journey to self-love. They also discuss the healing power of Christmas cards and what Donald Duck wears in the shower.

Episode 1: Dating While Bipolar Dec 05, 2019

Mary and Paige talk about love, dating, and relationships when you've got bipolar disorder. Also on the agenda: meds, creativity, and obsessions; Australian dating shows; bipolar disorder in the media; and the security cameras at self-checkout counters.

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