How to break bad habits (w/ Edith Zimmerman)

How to Be a Better Human

Nov 03, 2025•40 min

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Summary

Artist Edith Zimmerman discusses her unique approach to art, drawing deeply personal and often humorous comics from her daily journal entries. She delves into the complexities of honesty and vulnerability in public work, explaining her decision to reframe her newsletter to maintain creative integrity. Edith also shares her transformative path to sobriety, detailing how she overcame a long struggle with alcohol and rediscovered fulfilling activities like running, emphasizing that self-discovery is an ongoing process of challenging personal narratives.

Episode description

Edith Zimmerman is a sketchbook cartoonist and writer of the Substack newsletter, Drawing Links. In this episode, she joins Chris to talk about honesty and self-discovery. From sharing her artwork to discussing her sobriety journey to falling in love with running, Edith and Chris explore how creativity and pursuing new activities can help you overcome personal challenges.

This episode is part of the How to Be a Better Human Bonus Videos series. You can find the extended video companion on the TED YouTube Channel.

Watch

Edith draw and go running with Chris: https://youtu.be/1jWA3mE5o9Y

Edith and Chris' interview: https://youtu.be/U_tOmuja0w8

Follow

Host: Chris Duffy (Instagram: @chrisiduffy | chrisduffycomedy.com)

Guest: Edith Zimmerman (Instagram: @edithzimmermans | Website: https://www.edithzimmerman.com/)

Links

https://drawinglinks.substack.com/

Stop Drinking Now by Allen Carr

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