“Early one morning in April of 2016 I woke up and seriously contemplated
the possibility that I would never be able to generate the strength,
focus, and courage to get out of bed. The combination of crippling
anxiety, chronic pain, muscle atrophy, and the fascinating mix of
pharmaceuticals coursing through my body had, I feared, finally broken
me.”

Those are the words of Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.), the ranking Democrat
on the House Armed Services Committee, on the first page of his new
book, Lost and Broken. In his book Smith recounts his deeply personal
story of suffering through —  and eventually overcoming — debilitating
mental and physical illness.

On this episode of Playbook Deep Dive, Smith joins Playbook co-author
Ryan Lizza to discuss his difficult journey and some surprising lessons
it taught him about the emotional and sometimes dark overtones that are
animating American politics.

Additionally, Rep. Smith shares some secrets about what’s happening on
the Hill right now: whether he thinks this is the year when Congress
fails to pass a defense bill, the continuing fallout in the House from
the debt limit deal, and whether Kevin McCarthy can rustle-up enough
Republican votes to avoid a government shutdown this fall.

Ryan Lizza is a Playbook co-author for POLITICO.
Adam Smith is the representative for Washington's 9th district.
Kara Tabor is a producer for POLITICO audio. 
Alex Keeney is a senior producer for POLITICO audio.