A simple request in three parts.

All aimed at the same goal but with different approaches.

Hello. I need your help.

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PART ONE: The sincere ask

Something I love about making Depresh Mode is that I know it will be a unique experience every single week. Because the subject matter of mental health, of figuring out these minds we have, of trying to get through this world in a positive way, the variety of that stuff is endless and the well never runs dry. In just the past few weeks, we’ve had Joel Kim Booster talking about recovery, Gracie Gold talking about her mental health and figure skating career, Kari Faux talking about establishing boundaries with a difficult parent, and Paul Gilmartin talking about the power of human support. That’s just a few of the 150+ episodes we’ve released.

For many people, navigating mental health is an ongoing task. We are here to provide all the assistance we can. We provide information, inspiration, and fellowship. We work to make the world a better place through open, honest, sincere conversation. You tell us that our efforts are helpful, that our work helps you find a better path.

It costs money to do this.

We have producers and bookers. We have transcriptionists to make our show more accessible to people who need it. We have business operations and technical equipment and everything web related. And it costs time to do this. Even putting together this newsletter every week is a long process. It’s worth it, of course. We’re happy to do it. But it doesn’t just happen spontaneously.

Right now we are in our Max Fun Drive, the time of year we come to you and ask for your financial support.

I haven’t gone the paid subscription route on this newsletter. I give it away. But I do so with the intention that people who get some value out of the information and stories in it will donate to keep this whole operation going.

This newsletter has over 2200 followers. I know you’re out there. If each of those people - like you - gave at even the $5/month level, I would stop my fundraising efforts immediately. Please don’t just click this newsletter closed. Please visit maximumfun.org/join.

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PART TWO: Arguments people always make in situations like these

Five dollars a month, the lowest entry level amount for membership is:

• cheaper than one latte a month

  

• cheaper than the crappy ads version of Netflix and less than a third of what regular Netflix costs

  

• cheaper than a fourth of a pizza per month

  

And none of those things:

• give you 600+ hours of members-only Maximum Fun bonus content

• help create the podcasts you love

• contribute to supporting an employee-owned co-op that values art and creativity over profit

But look: you can have it ALL. You can have your latte and Netflix and pizza fraction AND support Depresh Mode and Sleeping with Celebrities and Maximum Fun. Because we’re only talking about five stinking dollars a month. Or more! You can give more, it’s totally up to you and what makes sense for your life.

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PART THREE: The stuff you can get

Ever since Linda Wertheimer knitted the first tote bag, membership-funded content providers have been giving out stuff. And if you go to maximumfun.org/join, you can see all the cool things we want to GIVE YOU as a token of our appreciation.

Pins!

Games on the Go kit or bucket hat!

Biggest goddamn tote bag you’ve ever seen!

So please. We need to hear from you.