I want to thank you guys for this episode. I've struggled with intrusive thoughts for so long and it's always really bothered me, but Logan in this episode really really helped. It was exactly what I needed to hear. It feels like a huge weight has been lifted from my shoulders. Thank you for tackling this topic and handling it in such a good way.

I'm glad it was helpful to you. Thomas and I have been talking about doing an episode on this subject matter for quite some time, and there was a lot to iron out. Thomas was understandably nervous about pushing the boundaries of his channel, and this series, because, of course, he didn't want to upset any viewers. I, on the other hand, was very worried about the prospect of presenting a totally palatable version of inrusive thoughts, because that's not what intrusive thoughts are. My greatest fear was representing intrusive thoughts in a way that makes people who are struggling to deal with their intrusive thoughts think "oh those are the kind of thoughts people are uncomfortable thinking about, then I must be really fucked up. Maybe I actually am a bad person." So we ultimately decided to kind of "go there"-- at least more than any other Sanders Sides episode-- with the hope that the people who really needed to, would heed the content warning.

I still deal with intrusive thoughts today, but I have a pretty healthy relationship with them. That said, I used to really beat myself up about thinking certain thoughts. I remember certain nights, crying myself to sleep because I thought things that were "unforgivable." I ultimately wanted this to be a video that could help people like my younger self: thoroughly reasoning through why those thoughts don't make you evil, as well as being able to associate those horrifying thoughts with a silly, stupid, blithering asshole who (for me) is fun to watch.