Bradford (ep. 33) returns!!! It's been one year since we talked and one year of sobriety for him. Soon after our last talk, he moved to LA (after 13 years in Seattle) and has been rebuilding his life ever since. He gave up his three greatest loves: his ex, alcohol and crystal meth, but now he has an overwhelming support system and the cosmos is telling him it likes him better sober. But what's it like to be sober, single, gay and almost 39 years-old in a city like Los Angeles??? Often it seems like sobriety will solve all of our problems, but that's often not the case; the struggle is real.
We also talk about:
his drag career + why he's not performing currently;
AA (12 step programs);
making amends;
fear of rejection;
feeling invisible;
shame;
other people's success;
putting up a tough exterior to avoid hurt;
and SO much more!
Thanks so much for listening, friend!
Please rate/review/subscribe on iTunes (and subscribe/rate in whichever app you use)!
Listen to the full episode by becoming a Patreon subscriber--donate anywhere from $1-$100 per month and help Feelin Weird expand. Thank you for your support! Click this link:
http://www.patreon.com/feelinweird
Instagram: @feelinweirdpod
Facebook: @feelinweird
Part two of Raj's story. This episode features Raj's journey back to India where his grandfather left in the 1940s (to come to Canada for a better life for him and his children) in order to stop using heroin and find peace in his life. HE traveled to a place called Rishikesh, a place where pilgrims and people from all over the world have been going to for thousands of years for spiritual clarity. When Raj was younger, he was told by a doctor that he'd be on anti-depressants for the rest of his life, but hear how eastern spirituality, philosophy and embracing his familial culture proved that wrong. In the last half of the interview, he also talks about the documentary he's currently making regarding his addiction, relapse, and recovery.
Raj also talks about
the importance of relapse in his journey;
yoga (but not the western lululemon type);
life, death and the illusion of time;
the importance of suboxone for his recovery;
stigma of drug users in the south-asian community;
what 'success' means
and so much more!
Thanks so much for listening, friend!
Please rate/review/subscribe on iTunes (and subscribe/rate in whichever app you use)!
Please support Feelin Weird by becoming a Patreon subscriber--donate anywhere from $1-$100 per month and help Feelin Weird expand. Thank you for your support!
http://www.patreon.com/feelinweird
Instagram: @feelinweirdpod
Facebook: @feelinweird
Raj (artist/activist) grew up with his grandparents who immersed him in Sikh culture but went to a school where he was the only person of colour. 9/11 happened and suddenly he realized how different he was--he tried to change himself to blend in, but depression and anxiety took over. Racism, indirectly and directly, shaped his childhood, but then he found an artist who turned it all around for him. Fast-forward many years and suddenly his grandparents were gone--he was left with his grief. Oxycodone, which started as a fun time, led to him becoming a full-time heroin user in the Downtown East-Side of Vancouver. This is the story of Raj's heart-breaks and reclamation of self.
We also talk about
'brownphobia',
MIA,
DTES,
safe sites,
fentanyl,
the opiate crisis,
hydromorphone & dilaudid,
opiate replacement therapy,
suboxone,
opiate withdrawal,
And MUCH more.
This is part one of a two-part interview with Raj. Next week I will release the second installment which includes his journeys in India.
Thanks so much for listening, friend!
Please rate/review/subscribe on iTunes (and subscribe/rate in whichever app you use)!
Please support Feelin Weird by becoming a Patreon subscriber--donate anywhere from $1-$100 per month and help Feelin Weird expand. Thank you for your support!
http://www.patreon.com/feelinweird
Instagram: @feelinweirdpod
Facebook: @feelinweird
His first time in rehab was at 14, but he's now sober thanks to some special people along the way. Our anonymous guest tells his story of addiction and recovery. From crashing a car into a house to being locked out of his apartment by police and living in a homeless shelter, his story is wild.
We also talk about (TW) suicide attempts, relapse, death in the family, detox, blackouts and fighting, the shame cycle, losing everything, spirituality, meditation, getting around "god", 12-step recovery programs, and MUCH more.
You will love this one, I promise.
Remember to rate/review/subscribe to the podcast on iTunes (and subscribe in whichever app you use)!
Instagram: @feelinweirdpod
Facebook: @feelinweird
Bradford talks about his addiction to crystal meth (+ alcohol, cocaine, mdma, etc) plus his experience going to rehab and his life in recovery. This is a really wild/wonderful story! We also talk about the divorce that led up to his relapse, drug-induced psychosis, getting robbed, losing his job, scruff, gay shame, (TW) sexual assault, meth dens, adult movie theatres, being sober, moving to LA, "the program" and the 12 steps, getting a sponsor, fear, triggers, being honest with yourself, self-love, being okay with yourself, and so much more!
Thanks for listening!
Remember to rate/review/subscribe to the podcast on iTunes (or whichever app you use)!
Instagram: @feelinweirdpod
Facebook: @feelinweird
Musician/brilliant mind, Ian Johnson talks to Kye about his struggles with alcohol. He tells the story of his life slowly falling apart due to alcohol abuse and his road to recovery. Kye and Ian played in various bands together in the past and spent many nights drinking their problems away--BUT they're both sober now. They also talk about anxiety, depression, how to deal with feelings, self-care, anger issues, what to do when you feel "okay" and not HORRIBLE or GREAT, punk rock, "rebelling" against society, drunk driving, DUIs, getting kicked out bars, recovery, friendships, stress management and SO MUCH MORE! This is a REALLY good one and Ian has a heart of gold and is so inspiring--you will love him.
Thanks for listening!
Remember to rate/review/subscribe on iTunes/apple-podcasts (and subscribe in whichever app you use)!
Instagram: @feelinweirdpod
Facebook: @feelinweird
feelinweird.com
send me an email: feelinweird@gmail.com
Nicole Herron discusses her battle with Fentanyl addiction and chronic pain. We talk about drug addiction + dependency, detox, bad doctors, bad relationships, opiates, NA, support systems, withdrawals, medical marijuana, fibromyalgia, depression, lack of motivation, the joys of opiates, weird family stuff, AND SO MUCH MORE. Nicole hasn't shared this story with many people and IT'S A GREAT EPISODE!
Thanks for listening!
Remember to rate/review/subscribe on iTunes/apple-podcasts (and subscribe in whichever app you use)!
Instagram: @feelinweirdpod
Facebook: @feelinweird
feelinweird.com
send me an email: feelinweird@gmail.com
Sara H discusses her battle with addiction and her road to recovery. We talk about The Clash, drinking malt liquor in Calgary, hitting rock bottom, abusive relationships, ptsd, photography, anxiety, self-care and self-love AND SO MUCH MORE. Sara hasn't shared this story with many people and IT'S A GREAT EPISODE!
Thanks for listening!
Remember to rate/review/subscribe to the podcast on iTunes!
https://www.facebook.com/feelinweird/
https://www.instagram.com/feelinweirdpod/