Make It OK, HealthPartners sponsor ‘The Hilarious World of Depression’ for third season
The acclaimed podcast is back with even more guests, stories and hope
BLOOMINGTON, Minn. – HealthPartners has announced it will sponsor the third season of “The Hilarious World of Depression,” continuing its support of the award-winning podcast that aims to break down the stigma around mental illness by sharing stories of performers who have struggled with it.
The podcast returns on Aug. 13, 2018 with even more frank, moving and yes – very funny – conversations with entertainers who have struggled with depression and other mental illnesses. It will once again be hosted by public radio host John Moe.
“This is our audience season. We will continue to have celebrity guests and hear their stories, but we’re also going to have more of our listeners be part of the podcast,” said Moe. “This show has evolved to become part of the mental health discussion, and that brings even more voices to the conversation.”
The podcast has been downloaded more than six million times in its first two seasons. 20 new episodes are planned for the third season.
TV personality and Chef Andrew Zimmern will be the guest on the season premiere. Before being a culinary expert with an adventurous streak, he struggled with addiction and depression. Moe and Zimmern will discuss the chef’s story of hitting bottom and redemption, as well as Zimmern’s friend, the late Anthony Bourdain.
Zimmern and other guests will open up to more than a million listeners each week, giving hope to many that they are not alone. That aligns with the purpose of Make It OK, the HealthPartners-sponsored campaign that encourages people to take the pledge to stop the stigma surrounding mental illnesses. Why? Because stigma is a big part of what keeps people from seeking help.
“Humor can open a door for conversation about mental illnesses and begin the healing process,” says Donna Zimmerman, HealthPartners senior vice president for government and community relations. “The Make It OK campaign works to reduce the stigma of mental illnesses and we are delighted to continue our partnership to reach new audiences this season with messages of hope and recovery.”
Named “Best Comedy Podcast” by the 2017 Webby Awards, “The Hilarious World of Depression” has been praised by The Guardian and Huffington Post. It was also named to “best podcasts” lists by USA Today, Buzzfeed, AV Club and more.
Listen to “The Hilarious World of Depression” on makeitok.org.
About Make It OK
Make It OK was launched in 2013. It is sponsored by HealthPartners and Regions Hospital Foundation. Partners include the Minnesota chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness and Twin Cities Public Television (TPT). More than 80,000 people have visited makeitok.org. It includes videos with personal stories of people living with a mental illness, information and tips on how to talk about mental illnesses. Five Make It OK documentaries on Twin Cities Public Television won a Board of Governors Emmy® Award in 2014.
About HealthPartners
HealthPartners is the largest consumer-governed, non-profit health care organization in the nation. The company’s mission is to improve health and well-being in partnership with members, patients and the community. For more information, visit healthpartners.com.
About American Public Media
American Public Media Group is the largest station-based public radio organization in the U.S., combining multi-regional station operations, national programming creation and distribution and innovative digital, social and mobile services in one organization. Supported financially by contributions from individual donors, sponsors, philanthropic foundations as well as the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, APMG’s operations include Minnesota Public Radio®, a 45-station network serving nearly all of Minnesota and parts of surrounding states and Southern California Public Radio, a four-station network serving Los Angeles, Orange County, Ventura County and the Inland Empire. Programs produced by MPR’s national programming division, American Public Media®, reach 19 million listeners via nearly 1,000 radio stations nationwide each week. APM is one of the largest producers and distributors of public radio programming in the world, with a portfolio that includes A Prairie Home Companion®, BBC World Service, Marketplace® and the leading classical music programming in the nation. APM also offers a diverse array of podcasts featuring the best in food, culture, business and comedy shows. YourClassical, APM’s lifestyle classical music stream, packages classical music in an unconventional and innovative way with streams suited for life’s biggest moments and everyday situations. For more information on American Public Media Group, visit americanpublicmediagroup.org.