The Struggle Bus: Self-Care, Mental Health, and Other Hilarious Stuff

By Sally Tamarkin and Katharine Heller

Comedy

What's The Struggle Bus: Self-Care, Mental Health, and Other Hilarious Stuff about?

The Struggle Bus is an advice show about mental health, self-care, and just getting through the damn day. Co-hosts Katharine Heller (@spkheller) and Sally Tamarkin (@sallyt) answer listener questions about family, friends, work, mental health, love, and literally everything else — no topic is off-limits and no problem is too big, too small, or too weird. Climb aboard and get advice from two friends who have lots of feelings and lots of opinions.

4.5

234 ratings

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LAST EPISODE

Episode 196: Goodbye from K...

11.13.2020

On this, the last episode of The Struggle Bus, Kate and Sally kick things off with jibber jabber about the election. Then they talk about going back to therapy and not looking at election returns as self-care. Finally, they answer ...

The Struggle Bus: Self-Care, Mental Health, and Other Hilarious Stuff episodes:

11.13.2020 Episode 196: Goodbye from Kate and Sally On this, the last episode of The Struggle Bus, Kate and Sally kick things off with jibber jabber about the election. Then they talk about going back to therapy and not looking at election returns as self-care. Finally, they answer ...
10.30.2020 Episode 195: [Deep Sigh] On this episode Kate and Sally have an announcement about the future of the Struggle Bus. They also talk about the election, volunteering to get out and defend the vote, new computers, and getting into fights on Facebook. Finally, they ...
10.15.2020 Episode 194: Dildo Baggins and Delilah (feat. Eric Silver of Join the Party) On this episode Sally is joined by guest co-host Eric Silver (@el_silvero), co-host and dungeon master of the actual play podcast Join the Party, to answer any and all questions about roleplaying games, from dealing with awkwardness at the table ...
10.08.2020 Episode 193: Peepza On this episode Kate and Sally answer questions about supporting a partner who has cut off their conservative family members, how to deal with fear of the outside world during the pandemic, and a few important questions about seasonal Peeps, ...
09.18.2020 Episode 192: I Don’t Know, Fuck It On this episode Kate and Sally talk about Cobra Kai and The OA and the live (Zoom) performances they’ve each attended during the pandemic. Then they answer listener emails about starting new relationships after codependency and dealing with a partner’s ...
09.03.2020 Episode 191: K Hellz 69 On this episode Kate and Sally talk about the misery of hacked email accounts, the ecstasy of new fridges, and Scientology. Then also discuss insomnia and starting your day with a few minutes of meditation or exercise. Finally they answer ...
08.20.2020 Episode 190: The Guy in the Back of the Fridge On this episode Kate and Sally talk about new refrigerators and hightops, as well as Scientology and organizing your office. Then they answer a question from a listener in a quarter life crisis. 00:00 Welcome to The Struggle Bus 2:20 ...
08.07.2020 Episode 189: When I Say Jibber, You Say Jabber On this episode Kate and Sally are reunited to catch up and jibber jabber to their hearts’ content. They talk about what it’s like to get pap smears and COVID-19 tests, how more people should wear masks, participate in mutual ...
07.24.2020 Episode 188: Everybody Do Less On this episode, Katharine has the week off and Sally is joined by friend of the show Rachel Wilkerson-Miller (twitter.com/the_rewm). Sally and Rachel talk about the joys and horrors of reality TV as well as summer peaches and going to ...
07.09.2020 Episode 187: Rage Meter On this episode Kate and Sally talk about the pandemic, Kate’s possible future as an exterminator, organizing your fellow tenants, and taking time off from things to get your life together. They also answer an email from a listener who ...
06.25.2020 Episode 186: Unsanctioned Naps On this episode, Kate and guest host Chemda talk about meditation, bikes, awesome t-shirts, and answer a question from a listener who's trying to figure out if someone they met online is behaving inappropriately or if they're overthinking it 00:00 ...
06.12.2020 Episode 185: 90’s Makeovers On this episode, Kate and guest host Hilary Asare talk about the Black Lives Matter movement, what to do when you find a nest of wasps in your apartment, and deconstruct a rewatch of the popular 90's TV show Beverly ...
05.28.2020 Episode 184: Podcast Subtweeting On this episode Kate and Sally talk about rescuing dogs, mopping, and Sally’s new video game podcast. Then they answer a listener email about coping with house chores during the pandemic. Finally, they shake their fists at anyone not following ...
05.14.2020 Episode 183: Pandemic Haircuts On this episode Kate and Sally talk about adopting cats, and an excellent book recommendation. Then they answer a listener email from a teenager who’s quarantining at home with an abusive parent. 00:00 Welcome to The Struggle Bus 3:55 Opening ...
04.23.2020 Episode 182: Rip Van Winkle On this episode, Kate and Sally talk about being lost in time and space due to the pandemic. They also talk about social distancing and why we should all do it, even though it’s hard. Then they answer an email ...
04.09.2020 Episode 181: (Enraged) Musings on the Pandemic On this episode, Kate and Sally talk about the coronavirus pandemic and share some rage about people who aren’t following the rules about sheltering in place and social distancing. They also talk about cats, Mad Men, and the current state ...
03.26.2020 Episode 180: Socially Distanced, Emotionally Close AF On this short episode Kate and Sally talk about how they’re coping mental health-wise with the coronavirus pandemic. They chat about cats, books, stand-up comedy, and video games. Stay home if you can, practice social distancing, wash your hands, and ...
03.13.2020 Bonus Episode: Heavy Social Distancing On this special bonus episode Kate and Sally talk about coronavirus for a little bit before moving on to discuss some very important topics including: cake vs. pie, ability to fly vs. invisibility, favorite kinds of dogs and cats, and ...
03.06.2020 Episode 179: Not an All Consuming Thing On this episode, Kate and Sally talk about Katharine’s birthday, leaving therapy early, naps, and Bernard Brothers and Liz Ladies. Then they answer an email from a listener who’s wondering about being attracted to people outside their monogamous relationship. 00:00 ...
02.20.2020 Episode 178: PSA: Voting On this episode, Kate and Sally talk about electability, dog whispering, and meditation. Then they answer an email from a listener who’s wondering how to repair a fractured friendship. 00:00 Welcome to The Struggle Bus 2:34 Opening Jibber Jabber 24:15 ...
01.30.2020 Episode 177: Cat Talk/CATS Talk On this episode, Kate and Sally talk at length about the movie Cats and also Miles, Sally’s cat. They also discuss scheduling your time, including breaks, as self-care, and how trauma impacts pets. 00:00 Welcome to The Struggle Bus 8:26 ...
01.16.2020 Episode 176: Deep Like On this episode, Kate and Sally talk about The Joker’s origin story and Sally’s new cat’s origin story. They also discuss the best $12 watch money can buy and answer an email from a listener who’s unhappy at work, feeling ...
01.02.2020 Episode 175: The Emotion Doctor On this episode Kate and Sally talk about New Year’s resolutions and the various ways we mark time and progress throughout our lives. Then they discuss transcendent experiences with video games and TV shows, and move on to talking about ...
12.20.2019 Episode 174: Go on a Ginger Ale Run On this episode Kate and Sally share holiday survival tips from the struggle buddy community. Then they jibber jabber about Katharine’s nephew’s long con and things people are upset about on Twitter. Finally they answer an email from a listener ...
12.05.2019 Episode 173: Mr. Children On this episode Kate and Sally talk about Christmas and whether Santa Claus is real, and if so does he have a master key to your apartment? Then they talk about comedian Josh Gondelman’s (@joshgondelman) essay for The Cut about ...
11.21.2019 Episode 172: Get it Together, Doug On this episode Kate and Sally talk about some bad stuff on Twitter as well as some good stuff on Twitter. Then they discuss performative male anger, jogging, and getting new glasses. Finally, they answer an email from a listener ...
11.07.2019 Episode 171: Kat Harington On this episode Kate and Sally don’t get to an email. But they DO talk about boomers and “cancel culture.” They talk about Schitt’s Creek, Succession, and how Katharine canceled two white boys on the subway. And much more! 00:00 ...
10.24.2019 Episode 170: Buffy Summers Vision Board On this episode Kate and Sally talk about how the 2020 election is a life ruiner. Then they discuss dancing with Sarah Michelle Gellar, going to the fucking dentist, and much more. Finally, they answer an email from a listener ...
10.03.2019 Episode 169: A Puppy Eating Spaghetti With an Emu On this episode, Kate and Sally jibber jabber about impeachment, comedians who aren’t funny, the TV show GLOW, and hot water. Then they answer an email from a listener who is worried that the friend they’re in love with is ...
09.19.2019 Episode 168: Gynecologist, Spaghetti Western, Gun On this episode, Kate and Sally jibber jabber about comedians who think they’re pushing boundaries, Stranger Things, and how you’re not alone if Kavanaugh has you feeling stressedavanaugh. Then they answer a listener’s question about how to take care of ...
08.16.2019 Episode 167: Hot Spies On this episode Kate and Sally jibber jabber a LOT. They talk about how spies are generally really hot and what it’s like to get a standing ovation from a dog. They also talk about therapy, easy breezy gratitude practices, ...
07.26.2019 Episode 166: Know Your Seasons On this episode, Kate talks about raging in therapy and Sally talks about ruthlessly managing her social life. They talk in detail about the Al Franken story in the New Yorker and the very good reactions that it has spawned. ...
07.10.2019 Episode 165: Not Enough Big Cats On this episode, Kate tells a story about how sometimes you just need to hear the truth and Sally talks about being tested by god. They also talk about asking for help when you need it and doing housework as ...
06.14.2019 Episode 164: Authentic Nancy On this episode Kate and Sally jibber jabber about Je Bden, the Tony Awards, and video games. Then they talk about taking Xanax to fly on airplanes. Finally, they answer a listener email about what to do when your job ...
05.30.2019 Episode 163: 54 American Years Old On this episode Kate and Sally talk about Moby’s alleged creepiness as a person and also as an instagram user. Then they talk about Game of Thrones and shows about pets that are actually about humans. Finally they answer an ...
05.17.2019 Episode 162: I’m a Full Adult On this episode Kate and Sally talk about slaying childhood dragons, being a reactive fan of Game of Thrones, and the nest-building behaviors of house finches. Then they answer an email about whether to cut toxic friends out of your ...
05.03.2019 Episode 161: Mercury’s in Mantrograde On this episode Kate and Sally talk about Buffy and Game of Thrones fandom. Then they explain how to find a struggle buddy. Sally talks (at length) about being aggrieved by many people. Katharine explains the origin of #strugglepodbuds420. Then ...
04.18.2019 Episode 160: Lost in the Shuff On this episode, Kate and Sally talk about being tired, using earplugs, meeting celebs we admire, and canceling therapy. Then they answer listener emails about telling a crush you’re crushin’, whether you need to tell your parents everything, and what ...
04.04.2019 Episode 159: More Like No Biden On this episode Kate and Sally talk about Joe Biden’s creepy handsiness, Sally’s birthday, and Katharine’s upcoming show about how we participate in rape culture. Then they answer a letter from a listener writing in about their partner’s weight. 00:00 ...
03.21.2019 Episode 158: Learning to Learn On this episode Kate and Sally talk about Theranos, the college admissions scam, the NPR podcast It’s Been a Minute, and the NY Neo-Futurists. They chat about face masks and to-do lists as self-care, and answer a listener email about ...
03.07.2019 Episode 157: Tooth Time with Katharine and Sally On this episode Kate and Sally talk about their new Patreon, the documentary Leaving Neverland, Luke Perry (RIP), birthdays, and going to the dentist. Then they answer an email from a listener who’s trying to figure out if they should ...
02.19.2019 Episode 156: Kids These Days On this episode Kate and Sally talk about “the magical thinking of guys who love logic” and Ryan Adams (and similar creeps). Then they talk about catching up on sleep and going to the dentist. Finally, they answer an email ...
01.31.2019 Episode 155: Antarctica, Iowa On this episode Kate and Sally talk about white guys who taunt, Fyre Festival, Rent Live, flying, and coping with flying. Then they answer a listener email about how to let a former friend know they’re not invited to your ...
01.11.2019 Episode 154: Bring in a Ringer On this episode Kate and Sally talk about millennial burnout, Louis CK et al, migraines, blood pressure, and going to the doctor. Then they answer a listener email about what to do when your loved one is dating someone you ...
12.20.2018 Episode 153: Don't Worry About the Wolf in The Woods On this episode Kate and Sally talk about separating artists from their art, a very smart and sassy parrot, and self-care in the form of stretching and kettlebells. Then they answer an email from a listener asking for advice on ...
12.13.2018 Episode 152: Half-Inch Bangs On this episode Kate and Sally talk about the happy/infuriating binary as it applies to Lena Dunham, Jason Momoa, and using polyamory to manipulate your partner. Then they jibber jabber about learning how to play guitar and setting boundaries with ...
11.29.2018 Episode 151: Don’t Feed Hot Duck On this episode Kate and Sally jibber jabber about the holidays, Hot Duck, and video games. Then they read a listener email with very useful feedback and answer a listener email from someone who’s asking for advice coping with their ...
10.25.2018 Episode 150: Showing Up On this episode Kate and Sally jibber jabber for an extended period of time and talk about making doctor’s appointments and (not) working out. Then they answer a listener email about feeling abandoned when a therapist doesn’t come back from ...
09.20.2018 Episode 149: The Speakeasy of Podcasts On this episode Kate and Sally jibber jabber about the NY Neo-Futurists, Anita Hill, and why we recommend therapy all the ding dang time. Then they answer questions about recovering from a breakup and an emotionally abusive relationship and how ...
09.06.2018 Episode 148: Don’t Ride the Cyclone, Eat Fruit, and Dance On this episode Kate and Sally jibber jabber about roller coasters, fruit, and dancing. Then they answer listener emails about how to open up to people and living with roommates who aren’t being good friends to you. 00:00 Welcome to ...

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