Episodes

The True Story of Two Friends & One Diagnosis

De: Mara Altman, Kat Alexander

Narrado por: Mara Altman, Kat Alexander

In Episodes, lifelong best friends Kat and Mara take listeners on an unfiltered journey through friendship, mental illness, and survival. Kat, a successful professional, is preparing for marriage and motherhood. On her fourth round of IVF, it happened—a frantic call to Mara. Mara comes over to find Kat, her friend of 25 years—the one who'd always been levelheaded, hilarious, and over-the-top thoughtful—trying to jump through a window.

The unexpected Bipolar diagnosis sends Kat’s life into a tailspin, leading to frantic 9-1-1 calls, cycling in and out of hospitals, crashed cars, emptied bank accounts, and, eventually, a desperate search and rescue mission in Mexico, where Kat goes missing.

Told through their own voices, Episodes captures the profound intimacy and tension of a friendship tested by crisis. Using real-time audio to immerse listeners in their heart-wrenching saga, Episodes takes us deep into the taboo of losing one's mind and raises universal questions about the boundaries of friendship. In spite of the chaos, Kat and Mara are here to tell their story, together—a testament that not only is healing possible, but that it’s not meant to be done alone.

©2024 Mara Altman and Kat Alexander (P)2024 Audible Originals, LLC.

Laughed, cried, screamed WTF!

Loved this story of a strong friendship. It’s so hard to understand mental illness, and especially hard to find help. To have just one person travel to another country to pull you out of the mess you’ve made for yourself shows true love. This story hit home for me on a very personal level. Thank you ladies for sharing your story so vulnerably.

Finally!

You two have given me hope for all of humanity. You show both sides of this mental health issue with a vulnerability I haven’t seen or read surrounding this piece of life so many of us live in. Sending you both so much love and gratitude.

Riveting!

This story was powerful. Whoa!

It’s hard to see a person who is mentally ill on the street now and not have empathy, to not wonder about their story.

The dual narration is the right way to tell this story and it was incredible to get such a deep view into what someone in the middle of a manic episode is actually thinking, and how it follows its own logic.

The story is also interspersed with actual recorded audio from the events - intense.

Friendship Goalz

Wow! I knew Mara in the NYC days and remember meeting Kat when she was visiting and observed their close bond first hand but this story they have so beautifully written and read together was next level friendship that we can only strive to have. The way you two wrapped it up at the end, speaking with each other, I thought made it full circle. I wish all the best in your friendship together and your individual lives. I’m proud of two strong women supporting one another. I would listen to anything you guys put out there, BRAVO🙌🏼!

Excellent book

This book was a quick read. I was enthralled by Kat and Mara’s lives and friendship. I’m so glad that they are such both strong women who are able love and support each other through the good and the bad times. I loved how the reader got to hear both of their perspectives. I would definitely recommend this book.

Raw and authentic

This is the perfect listen for someone who wants to understand the definition of real/true mania and not the pop psychology overuse of it these days. This story of two friends and the reality people experience when a loved one goes into a mental health crisis is vulnerable and doesn’t hold back.

honesty

just listen to this book, EXTREMELY WELL WRITTEN! ALTHOUGH you've GTA listen to it audibly.. like listening to a great movie, can't put down 💯😅

Will change your perspective on mental illness, in a good way

Episodes changed how I perceive mental illness. This is an incredible story of two friends working through a bipolar diagnosis that is (at times) humorous. Every second of this book is full of love.

The co-narration allows for a deeper perspective of how mental illness can upend a life and impact everyone who loves that person too. And it helps you not feel claustrophobic during manic episodes or helpless moments.

Episodes is an important read for us all. You don’t have to know someone who has bipolar episodes to relate. This book can help us understand our neighbors, people we encounter on the street, and the countless community members who remain untreated.

wow. Just wow!

I had no idea what I was getting into picking up this book. I have been sobbing for the duration.
If you've been impacted by mental illness at all this is a heavy but eye opening listen. I am a survivor of a childhood steeped in similar mania & trauma from my mother. This was both exactly what I've always needed to understand; Both healing and emotionally draining at the same time.
Thank you for articulating your stories so well.

Touching, nail biting and heart warming

This is friendship. I was so touched by Mara’s dedication to Kat. What an incredible story that illuminates the struggles of those dealing with bipolar disorder. Highly recommend.