Sacred Symbols+, Episode 499 | Checking-In With Gene Park
Added 2026-01-24 17:00:17 +0000 UTC
Please welcome Punching Up co-host and Washington Post writer Gene Park back to Sacred Symbols+. If you haven't heard, Gene is going through a difficult time right now. Unfortunately, the cancer he was first diagnosed with in 2022 and entered remission from in 2023 has returned, and the short story is that he's days away from a lobectomy that aims to solve this awful problem once and for all. I (Colin) know our fanbase has been concerned for Gene, and that some of you don't even know what's going on at all. So I figured I'd dedicate an episode of Sacred+ to talk to my friend face-to-face, covering what he's going through and how he's dealing with everything, and to give him an opportunity to speak with the many thousands of you out there that are already firmly in his corner.
If you want to donate to Gene's GoFundMe, you can do so here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-gene-parks-cancer-surgery-and-treatment
We are all thinking of you Gene & we are all in your corner stay strong.
Wayne Moss
2026-02-01 19:43:38 +0000 UTC
Stay strong gene, you are a king 🙌🏼🤴
Henry3K
2026-01-31 22:23:17 +0000 UTC
Stay strong Gene! Love your work
Trent Piccicacco
2026-01-29 00:45:22 +0000 UTC
We will miss you Gene! Rest well and we will be excited to see your return. My prayers are with you
Terminal Creative
2026-01-28 17:07:02 +0000 UTC
While I will miss Gene so much, take your time and get better. We will be here for you when you are ready
Glen Yelenovic
2026-01-28 13:28:36 +0000 UTC
Oh gene ❤️ there is much love here for you man. You are one of the realest.
Beaver diva
2026-01-27 12:48:34 +0000 UTC
We love you Gene. You got this!
Adam Martinez
2026-01-26 18:26:10 +0000 UTC
Gene, you mean so much to this community❤️ Love you bro!
When Gene joined LSM, it was the time my mom was battling her colon cancer. Those were the Constellation days and hearing Genes wild stories of the past always made me laugh out loud. Thanks for all of those moments.
Fuck cancer. I know you’ve got this Gene keep on fighting dude! Also, Breaking Bad is the best show of all time.
IronLion44
2026-01-26 15:00:10 +0000 UTC
Stay strong Gene!
Soulful Bison
2026-01-26 03:00:23 +0000 UTC
Gene is the best of us!
Subeg
2026-01-26 02:14:09 +0000 UTC
You got this Gene!!!! We're all lending you our energy. Spirit Bomb style.
Ray Millares
2026-01-26 02:05:00 +0000 UTC
Truly one of my favorite personalities beyond just LSM. Get better soon !
TheWubbz
2026-01-26 00:08:55 +0000 UTC
Stay well brother
Hozi
2026-01-25 20:23:37 +0000 UTC
We love you Gene. I wish you a quick and full recovery .
Hashim Barakat
2026-01-25 19:22:50 +0000 UTC
I’m hoping gene fines himself on the better end of this all again, sucks he’s going through it
Mass deportation enthusiast
2026-01-25 17:36:08 +0000 UTC
Sometimes, I listen to yall for video game silliness ! However, I often listen to you guys for the humanity :)
Hang in there bubbies :D serious
Kladknee
2026-01-25 15:58:34 +0000 UTC
Gene I just got my girlfriend to watch Breaking Bad for the first time and she loved it so I said we’d go ahead and watch Better Call Saul next, I watched the first few episodes on my own as a refresher and I just couldn’t stop watching so now I’m just watching it myself, I totally understand, it’s so good man. Thinking of you and all the best, you got this! As Mike says in the show, one day you’ll wake up and go about your business, and you won’t even think about it, hopefully that’ll be sooner rather than later.
Daddy T
2026-01-25 14:15:02 +0000 UTC
Cancer - STAND DOWN!
Big Devin Energy
2026-01-25 12:45:15 +0000 UTC
Sending positive vibes to you Gene! Hang in there bro you are one of the best around
Lil Jimmy420
2026-01-25 10:41:27 +0000 UTC
Sending love to
Gene . YOU HAVE THE POWER
Carl Wallace
2026-01-24 22:20:32 +0000 UTC
We love you, Gene! You're always inspiring man. You got this shit
Tis Toastie
2026-01-24 21:19:12 +0000 UTC
All the best in the world gene , love from UK
sleng_teng
2026-01-24 21:10:25 +0000 UTC
The Pitt is very good. Ask for one of those foam ass pillows and enjoy while you recover, Gene
BigDumbStupidIdiot
2026-01-24 20:32:25 +0000 UTC
There are certain people and permutations of groups that I never skip on for SS+, Summon Signs, and the late Stelly. Gene is a never skip, almost always immediate play. What a fucking gem that LSM is lucky to get.
trephiroth
2026-01-24 20:28:47 +0000 UTC
Gene we love you man. You got this bro
Bogey
2026-01-24 20:16:14 +0000 UTC
You too man, you got this.
Bogey
2026-01-24 20:13:19 +0000 UTC
Kick cancers ass Gene!!
Tony
2026-01-24 20:11:15 +0000 UTC
Sending love from Dallas Gene. You’re a strong man.
Terrorist Jerry
2026-01-24 19:01:54 +0000 UTC
Hey Gene. I’ve reached out before, thanks for sharing. I’m going through bowel cancer too. Had 2 years of chemo and it’s pretty crap! No one can really understand it and we do our best to put on a brave face. Keep going man, you rock 💪
Bob Spiers
2026-01-24 17:39:39 +0000 UTC
You got this, Gene. Everyone’s rooting for you 🙏❤️
Skippy Brown
2026-01-24 17:35:36 +0000 UTC
Great convo guys. Much love to Gene. Good luck with your surgery, you're an amazing addition to this LSM family. I'm pulling for you
Samurai Costanza
2026-01-24 17:33:18 +0000 UTC
Go Gene! 🙏
Dominic Brant
2026-01-24 17:23:04 +0000 UTC
Good vibes, Gene!!! ✌️
Spike Sméagol
2026-01-24 17:03:44 +0000 UTC
Keeping you in my thoughts, Gene. Fuck this cancer up.
Adam Razak
2026-01-24 17:03:26 +0000 UTC
You love to see it
Collin Love
2026-01-24 17:03:05 +0000 UTC