In this episode of 'Legacy Matters', hosts Sam and Mark welcome their guest, Chris Stedman, a writer, professor, and podcaster. They begin by discussing their show sponsors and comedic experiences before diving into a meaningful conversation with Chris. The discussion covers Chris’s background, including his work on a podcast series about his friend Alex’s suicide and its larger implications for mental health. They explore the importance of community, societal support, and the role of religion and spirituality in modern life. Chris shares insights from his research and writings, including his upcoming book 'Nothing in particular' and his previous works. The episode highlights themes of empathy, societal connection, and the nuanced impact of technology and religion on contemporary society.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:21 Sponsor Shoutouts

03:15 Guest Introduction: Chris Steadman

07:22 Podcasting and Radio

15:30 Discussing Suicide and Mental Health

30:47 Corporate Greed and the Opioid Crisis

31:42 Mental Health and Medication Stigma

34:04 The Vaccine Debate and Public Health

41:32 The Role of Religion in Modern Society

54:00 The Impact of Technology on Human Connection

01:00:42 Concluding Thoughts and Personal Reflections

Mentioned in this episode:

Dylan's Short Commercial

Dylan's Short Commercial

In this episode, Marc and Sam introduce their show with a casual, humorous conversation and begin by thanking their sponsors, including a new addition, Dylan Olson-Cole with Anderson Realty. They reflect on the quirky nature of their podcast and the awkward yet valuable dynamic they bring to their listeners. The hosts then welcome their guest, Gabriela Munoz, who shares insights from her life, touching on her origins from Long Beach, California, and moving to Chicago and eventually Minnesota. She discusses her job, love for strangers, and a philosophical take on life and death, bringing a blend of humor and depth to the conversation. Along the way, the hosts and Gabriela navigate personal anecdotes, the intricacies of public interactions, and the essence of having an inner dialogue. The episode wraps up with reflections on generational perspectives and the importance of simplicity and self-care in today's fast-paced world.

00:00 Introduction and Initial Banter

00:08 Sponsor Shoutouts

04:28 Introducing the Guest

07:37 Guest's Background and Funny Anecdotes

13:21 Discussion on Stand-Up Comedy

30:06 Hometown and Personal Connections

32:39 Reflecting on Childhood Experiences

34:07 Transition to Northfield, Minnesota

35:11 Discussing Life in Northfield

36:25 The Essence of Meeting Strangers

37:57 Inner Monologues and Personal Reflections

42:47 Generational Perspectives and Social Awareness

01:05:02 Thoughts on Mortality and Legacy

01:09:49 Wrapping Up the Conversation

Mentioned in this episode:

Dylan's Short Commercial

Dylan's Short Commercial

John Moe joins us as we start recording and releasing new episodes in 2025 after an extended break over the winter. Maybe we are rusty, but we really take the whole "don't want to know you ahead of time" thing to an extreme with John, which he handles well.

John Moe is a Twin Cities-based podcast maker, author, public speaker, and mental health advocate. He created and currently hosts the podcasts Depresh Mode with John Moe (LA Press Club Award) and Sleeping with Celebrities on the Maximum Fun network and he has created and produced podcasts for clients including the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), the American Psychiatric Association, Whitman College (two higher ed marketing awards), and University of Puget Sound. Moe has hosted three national public radio programs, Wits, Marketplace Tech, and Weekend America, and he created and hosted the groundbreaking podcast, The Hilarious World of Depression (Webby Award). His writing has appeared in numerous publications, including The New York Times Magazine and McSweeney’s. He is the author of four books, including the WSJ bestseller, The Hilarious World of Depression. Moe has delivered speeches on mental health all over the country.

The Hilarious World of Depression was launched in late 2016 and was an instant success, quickly reaching the number two spot on the Apple Podcasts chart, garnering millions of downloads, and receiving widespread press coverage. It was based on the idea that depression is a lot more common than people realize, especially among celebrities and entertainers like comedians and musicians, and that open conversations on this often taboo topic could be a healing experience. The show won the Webby Award for Best Comedy Podcast in 2017 and led to a critically-acclaimed bestselling book of the same name in 2020.

Our Whitman, My Story was conceived in collaboration with the communications staff at Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington. The small school had a challenge: how to attract applicants from around the world and how to get admitted students to actually enroll. The unhosted podcast series featured profiles of a diverse group of students, the kind of people who could be friends once a student arrived on campus. The podcast, which was renewed for a second season, won the CASE Circle of Excellence Award and the Educational Advertising Award. The success of the Whitman series led to another podcast at the University of Puget Sound featuring students, faculty, and alums as part of the school’s capital campaign.

Depresh Mode with John Moe is a mental health interview podcast program produced in conjunction with Maximum Fun, an employee-owned co-op podcast network. Drawing on his extensive connections in the entertainment industry, John Moe has interviewed celebrities such as Jamie Lee Curtis, Patton Oswalt, and David Sedaris and won an LA Press...