Ep-014, Album “Letting Barnum Be,” and song “Lazy Show” by Forcing Smiles / Brian Jost

I found a bunch of music I wrote and recorded in 2004 while living in a cabin rental in Barnum, MN, when I was working in Duluth, between living in Portland, Oregon, and Vancouver, Washington. This music is from a very difficult and important time of my life. I feel decided that I will re-record much of this 20+ year old music as album 2, titled “Letting Barnum Be.” We’ll see if I follow through with that idea.

Song idea title: “Lazy Show” (written 9/10/2024) by Forcing Smiles (Brian Jost), copyright 2024. Song recorded 9/10/2024 on Zoom H2n.

For more music, blog posts, and other info, please visit

Read or listen to Brian Jost’s memoir: “Grounded by Bipolar Disorder; One Pilot’s Landing” (available in print, e-book/kindle, and audiobook). Click HERE to find the book on Amazon and Audible.

Conversation recorded:  01/05/2025

All music, lyrics, and recordings by Forcing Smiles / Brian Jost.

SUICIDE AND CRISIS HOTLINE (phone) – Dial 988.  More info:  https://988lifeline.org/

Mental health resource (education, support, advocacy, public awareness):  NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness:  https://nami.org/