You rarely encounter an accurate depiction of social anxiety in art. At least an accurate depiction that reflects our experience. We found ourselves in Turtle Bread, the new graphic novel from former Great Britsh Bake-Off contestant Kim-Joy. The discovery was thrilling, emotional, and somewhat hard to believe. Here we are, wrapped up inside a gorgeous baking comic wondrously illustrated by Alti Firmansyah. It's a gift we're eager to hand to friends, family, and strangers. Look inside and see the weird doubt and negative self-talk we struggle against daily.

However, Turtle Bread also taught us that our social anxiety might not be the hindrance we sometimes label it as. Our anxiety may come with benefits. In fact, our anxiety may be a superpower unto itself.

This week, Kim-Joy joins the podcast to discuss her experience with social anxiety and how writing Turtle Bread in collaboration with Firmansyah allowed her to consider her inherent gifts. We discuss vulnerability, her time in the spotlight, and how anxiety makes every situation a nightmare, but in doing so, it minimizes the agony nightmares can have on you.

Turtle Bread is now available from ComiXology and will see print via Dark Horse Comics on October 4th. Be sure to stay up to date on all things Kim-Joy by following her on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and her website.

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