"Sarcasm and vodka" | Episode 123

About this episode

Josh shares a brutally honest and darkly funny story of his struggles with alcoholism and recovery.

Sarcasm and Vodka. Josh shares a brutally honest, darkly funny, and deeply human story of alcoholism, relapse, trauma, identity, recovery, and rebuilding a life from the ashes of self-destruction. From growing up in a small conservative town in Indiana, to years spent surviving on “sarcasm and vodka,” Josh reflects on chronic relapse, toxic relationships, therapy, AA, LGBTQ+ identity, shame, survival, and the slow, stubborn process of learning how to live sober. What emerges is not a polished recovery fairytale, but something far more powerful: a raw account of somebody learning, imperfectly and often begrudgingly, how to stop running from themselves. Equal parts hilarious, heartbreaking, self-aware, and hopeful, this is a conversation about what happens when survival mode finally stops being enough. This episode contains discussions around addiction, trauma, abuse, relapse, mental health, and recovery.

People in this episode

Guest: Josh

Topics covered

• alcoholism
• relapse
• trauma
• identity
• recovery
• mental health
• survival

Keywords

• sarcasm
• vodka
• self-destruction
• toxic relationships
• therapy
• shame
• sober living

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: AA, LGBTQ+

Places: Indiana

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