Stories That David Sedaris is Finally Free to Tell (Aired June 13, 2022)

Honestly, I really expected to call this episode “Covid Sedaris”
because David Sedaris had just tested positive for COVID when we
taped the interview. But when we spoke, he wasn’t feeling it much
at all. Had some symptoms that might have been allergies or COVID
but were barely noticeable. Other people have it a lot worse, he
says.


David has been delighting audiences for 30 years now, ever since
the broadcast of Santaland Diaries. His latest book,
Happy-Go-Lucky, is deceptively titled, containing a lot of
stories and memories that are pretty painful. David’s father died
last year at age 98 and liberated David to share some things he
hasn’t shared so openly before. He talks about how his father
ridiculed him, belittled him, and just flat out didn’t like him.
He shares the story of being invited to give the commencement
address at Princeton and bringing along his dad, who told the
university president that they should have booked his sister Amy
Sedaris instead.


David also shares stories of his sister Tiffany, who died by
suicide in 2013. He’s caught heat over the years for writing and
talking about how difficult it was for him to deal with her when
she was at her most unstable. He also talks about the charges of
abuse Tiffany made against David and their father before he died.


There are still plenty of laughs in the interview because, come
on, it’s David Sedaris, but there’s also pain and melancholy that
you might not have heard from him before.


Get your copy of David Sedaris’ Happy-Go-Lucky wherever
books are sold.


Thank you to all our listeners who support the show as monthly
members of Maximum Fun.


Check out our I'm Glad You're Here and Depresh Mode merchandise
at the brand new merch website MaxFunStore.com!


Hey, remember, you’re part of Depresh Mode and we want to hear
what you want to hear about. What guests and issues would you
like to have covered in a future episode? Write us at
depreshmode@maximumfun.org.


Help is available right away.


The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988 or 1-800-273-8255,
1-800-273-TALK


Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741.


International suicide hotline numbers available
here: https://www.opencounseling.com/suicide-hotlines


The Depresh Mode newsletter is available twice a week. Subscribe
for free and stay up to date on the show and mental health
issues. https://johnmoe.substack.com/


John’s acclaimed memoir, The Hilarious World of Depression, is
now available in
paperback. https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250209566/thehilariousworldofdepression


Find the show on Twitter @depreshpod and Instagram @depreshpod.


John is on Twitter @johnmoe.