Episodes

The True Story of Two Friends & One Diagnosis

By: Mara Altman, Kat Alexander

Narrated by: 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.

Beautifully told

What an amazingly raw, beautiful, authentic story of love, friendship, heartache, mental health, LIFE! I appreciate their willingness to be so real. Defiantly sent a link to ALL my girls ;-)

A must read for all!

I learned so much listening to this book. I am a nurse and have been on the end of trying to be a caregiver during an acute mental crisis. Trying to keep the patient and myself safe is always a challenge. Also dealing with the frustration of limited resources is a huge factor. I feel like every manic person needs someone as strong as Dave and Mara who stays during the hard times. I hope this book helps others and gives people hope. I think that Kat and Mara could change the mental health world if they put their minds to it 💚💜

Captivating and sad look at bipolar disorder and friendship

 This was a really beautiful story of friendship and how it was impacted by mental illness. It was hard to listen to at times, but really have me insight into how peoples lives can be so destroyed by mental illness and why we need much better safety nets and healthcare for all of us.

Deeply authentic account of friendship

I appreciate the unconditional loving relationship these women have! I feel like I have been led into the inter-sanctum of a mental health struggle and recovery. The vulnerability is authentic and real. This story is all about real life and is full of hope and acceptance. Bravo!

Brutally honesty and refreshingly written. Loved it.

The honesty of Kat in the middle of her episode/disgnosis. She wrote her truth. Mara and Kat are just who you think they are base on the book’s character development. The audible version ends with them talking after the book was released and I felt like I knew them.

Amazing

It’s a Beautiful story of true friendship.
Also, extremely educational. Despite the fact that I have worked as a nurse in a psychiatric ER for 25 yrs, I learned so much about what it truly feels like to be in a manic state by listening to this book. Thank you very much for writing it and for reading it aloud.

Just listen!

Wow!! So very well written and executed! This book made me laugh, gasp, cry, get angry, shake my head and sigh. What an exhausting journey for both of these women. They are so lucky to have one another. This is great listen and worth every minute of your time!

Resplendent. ✨⭐️🌟💫✨💛

I have only used this word one other time in my life. But after listening to your whole story, without taking a break, beginning to end, your last words combined with my tears, this was the word that came up from my heart. You two are resplendent.
I can easily say that this was the most amazing thing I have ever listened to.

I understand and relate to everything that you have shared. More than I’d like to say. I share the same diagnosis, only I have the sister- bipolar 2. Deep, unrelenting severe depression. My suicide attempts started when I was 12. I am now 60 and The constant desire to be gone. To never have existed. To not take up space still cloaks me in its veil.
All I want, all I’ve ever wanted is to be able to breathe. to be safe. to be enough. as I am. Also, I dream of being happy. Some day. Maybe someday.
I am so blown away by your friendship, commitment and loyalty to each other. it is so beautiful and so rare in this land of mental illness where friends are lost, family is distant, and the truth is rarely spoken.
I think it was Ernest Hemingway who said The world breaks everyone and afterwards many are strong at the broken places. That is you two.
I have 8 billion other words in my head that I would like to write about everything that you said. How it moved me, how it’s changed me, how it has inspired me.
how it has given me hope.

Thank you so much for having the courage to write your story. To perform it. You did a beautiful job.

You are resplendent 💛

Easy to listen to - good speaking voices

Once I started listening, I couldn’t stop. It was very well narrated and I could picture being there. Very good listen and very informative.

Amazing friendship and crazy real story

This story sheds light on mental health issues. Also is a tale of a friendship to last a lifetime!