The Mushrooms Told Me to Stop Drinking

About this episode

Chris Witaske discusses his journey with alcohol, psychedelics, and personal growth.

Chris Witaske has "golden retriever" energy and he knows it, but there’s a bullied kid under that fun-loving guy. You probably know Chris as Pete on The Bear, or from those Progressive commercials. We talk about how he grew up drinking cheap beer in cornfields and dreaming of Animal House, only to crash out after a life-altering trip at a Phish concert. We reflect on the rockstars who made it out alive (Trey Anastasio) and those who didn’t (Chris Farley) and the role psychedelics have played in Chris’s recovery. Plus, phones, gambling and how to sit in your own skin. New episodes release every Wednesday. ➡️ Subscribe to The Small Bow Podcast YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheSmallBow?sub_confirmation=1 ➡️ Join The Small Bow Community: https://www.thesmallbow.com/ ➡️ Get the latest on The Small Bow: https://linktr.ee/THESMALLBOW ➡️ Download The Small Bow Podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-small-bow-podcast/id1576208098

People in this episode

Guest: Chris Witaske

Topics covered

• recovery
• psychedelics
• mental health
• personal growth
• celebrity culture

Keywords

• Chris Witaske
• psychedelics
• recovery
• mental health
• The Bear

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: The Bear, Progressive

More episodes of The Small Bow Podcast

• Ryan O'Connell on the Strange Sensation of Finally Being Seen · June 10, 2026 · 54 min
• Langhorne Slim Wanted to Flee. Then He Became a Father. · June 3, 2026 · 58 min
• Dopey Dave on Ego, Success and Why "More" is the Hardest Drug to Quit · May 27, 2026 · 46 min
• Mitchell Jackson on Crisis PR, Billionaire Clients and Cancel Culture · May 20, 2026 · 59 min
• Blair Socci on Returning to Standup After the Loss of her Brother · May 13, 2026 · 49 min
• Michael Strassner Made a Movie About the Night That Almost Killed Him · May 6, 2026 · 47 min