This story is part of a special Slate Plus feature package on “Battling My Daemons.” Be sure to check out the other Slate Plus exclusives related to this story, including a full audio version of the piece and an inside look at the importance of visual design in Chris Kirk’s app.

As a member of Slate Plus, you’ll get access to exclusive podcasts—including this conversation between Chris Kirk, Slate’s interactives editor and the author of “Battling My Daemons,” and Slate culture editor Dan Kois, who edited his long-form piece.

In this behind-the-scenes podcast, Kirk chats about the origin of his piece, the complex challenges of building his own email app in three weeks, and what it’s like to write a highly technical piece for readers who might not be programmers.