In Conversation: Maria Bamford with Claire Philips

Memoir, Mental Illness, and Comedy: Excavating the Mother in Maria.

In February 2025, I had the chance to have a powerful conversation with Maria Bamford about her brilliant memoir, Sure I’ll Join Your Cult. In the aftermath of the Eaton Fire, this interview feels like a bittersweet postscript to an era. After meeting through the vibrant community in Altadena we had the pleasure of orbiting each other for a while. We discuss our mothers, our favorite authors tackling nuanced and messy subjects of mental health, and our own memoirs.

In a prescient statement, she notes that “Comedy is not organizing,” and emphasizes the value of showing up for our neighbors. This is true now more than ever!

Thanks to Joseph Salvatore for your editorial support. Read the interview here.