A new podcast called The Great God of Depression tells the story of a famous author, his eccentric neurologist, and the links between creativity and mental illness.

Karen Brown is a longtime reporter for New England Public Radio who covers health and mental health. She teamed up with Pagan Kennedy, book author and writer for The New York Times on the five-episode series, released by PRX’s Radiotopia on its Showcase series.

William Styron was the celebrated 20th-century author who wrote “Sophie’s Choice.” He also wrote a memoir, “Darkness Visible,” that revolutionized the conversation around depression. The other character is his brilliant doctor at Massachusetts General Hospital, Alice Flaherty.  more