Joan Wasser, AKA Joan As Policewoman walks us through her 20 years of sobriety, how her creativity has evolved, what defects remain, and the path of processing grief. Show Notes: Buy Joan’s Music and Merch Sober Oldster Interview
Peaceful John returns to the pod just in time for the new year and we discuss how vanity and ego never go away, personal needs, and are friendships you develop inside recovery rooms real friendships? Plus, the usual sonorous laughter and deep-ass breaths found in all Peaceful John episodes. Notes: TSB Newsletter
This is a super Dopey episode of The Small Bow, where we speak with Dave Manheim about whether heroin addicts celebrate Dry January, our future ambitious plans for our respective projects, Dave’s book idea, and more. Show notes: Dopey Podcast TSB Newsletter Gabby Bernstein...
We revisit an old Small Bow essay about my first New Year’s Eve sober—all the feelings of self-pity and loneliness almost drove me to a very bizarre and off-putting relapse. Sobriety didn’t give me the peace of mind and the results I wanted right away. I beat myself up about it, but you don’t have to. Show notes: The Small Bow’s Newsletter Search Engine episode featuring A.J. Daulerio about Dry January [ Swamp Dogg]...
I talk to my version of Taylor Swift, Cleveland poet George Bilgere, whose writing and distinctive voice have influenced my post-sobriety writing (and parenting) more than anyone else. It's a time when a lot of new things come and go, and I want to figure out how to be okay with that. Show notes: Poetrytown.com Georgebilgere.com TSB story featuring George’s work. Writer’s Almanac Poems “Cheap Motels of My Youth” featured on Rattle In this episode: 00:38 Hello and Welcome 05:47 The interview begi...
Today we talk about how a lack of personal safety as little boys taught us how to be drunk, angry, impotent men. It’s about bullying and Bukowski and desperation and an inability to show love for ourselves and accept love from others. Usual shit. Show notes: John's book Theatre Kids: A True Tale of Off-Off Broadway. Swamp Dogg's record . In this episode: 01:24 - Keep on trying 06:06 - Curtains up, Beard ASMR, Daily Carry Bros 08:57 - Military & Theatre 15:20 - Meeting via Maxim, the Black Ta...
We pause to introduce a new segment, and talk shop about some big plans in the works for the new year. The Small Bow universe is growing in exciting ways, with help from some new friends. Also, a little Q&A about how things are going so far in Season 2, what's next for the podcast, and some industry gossip. Want to help guide things? Take two minutes to tell us what else you’d like to see from The Small Bow in our listener survey here . Things we mentioned: Hear A.J. interviewed on PJ’s podc...
The acclaimed and wonderful author of Monsters: A Fan’s Dilemma helps us sift through the ugliness of monstrous behavior and the guilty feelings associated with being a fan of the art made by vile people. Is it okay to still watch those movies and listen to those songs? Claire Dederer tells A.J. what to do, plus a lot of great advice on writing memoir, and navigating the world of publishing. Links: Claire’s book Monsters: A Fan’s Dilemma , and Claire’s essay in the Paris Review . Listen to Swamp...
Today we talk with writer Kerry Madden-Lunsford about how Al-Anon has helped her deal with the pain of having a child who’s treatment-resistant and now living on the streets of Los Angeles. Find more stories and conversations at thesmallbow.com . Kerry’s book Werewolf Hamlet Kerry’s Substack "Easy Crier" by Al Oldender Listen to Swamp Dogg’s new album " Blackgrass " wherever you get music, or buy a hard copy at Ohboy.com . In this Episode 0:38 Intro 4:51 Flannery's Childhood, Kerry's Parenting P...
For the past five years, TSB’s in-house social worker, Joe Schrank, has tried to get someone other than us (and Andy Cohen) to acknowledge Recovery Month every September. Alcoholism and mental health issues affect one in ten Americans. So why does no one want to talk about it? Find more like this at thesmallbow.com. And Listen to Swamp Dogg’s new album " Blackgrass " wherever you get music, or buy a hard copy at Ohboy.com . In this episode: 02:56 What should Recovery Month look like? 08:18 Stigm...
We talk to each other about the state of the podcast, and whether A.J.'s workaholic tendencies torpedoed the chance for a second season with iHeartRadio. Also — we need more voice memos from you about your own workaholic/ambition problems. Hit ajd@thesmallbow.com subject WORKAHOLIC, or 323-917-3846. Swamp Dogg’s latest record here.
We talk with writer Jennifer Romolini about Philly shit, her book " Ambition Monster," her relapse into workaholism while promoting the book, and how to be satisfied with a “B minus” work day. Also: We’re calling on the Small Bow Family Orchestra: Do you think you might be a workaholic? What moments come to mind? Send a voice memo along to ajd@thesmallbow.com, SUBJECT: WORKAHOLIC. Or you can leave us a voicemail at +1-323-917-3846. Read Workaholism 101 here . Find Jenn’s book and more writing he...
Josh Radnor joins TSB pod to discuss the spiritual life he acquired while navigating the pitfalls of becoming internationally famous for his role as Ted Mosby on “How I Met Your Mother.” We also discuss the problem with gurus, the perks of solitude, free desserts, and “Brats”. Find Josh's newsletter here . And check out Swamp Dogg's album Black Grass here . In this episode: 2:43 Josh's relationship to Ted Mosby, surviving fame, spiritual work, No Bad Parts 11:00 Being famous but not the main cha...
Mary HK Choi returns to the pod to discuss her extremely popular NY Mag essay about her adult autism diagnosis. We also discuss social anxiety, self-forgiveness in the aftermath of both our father’s deaths, and Mary’s practice of using a post-it note to remind her to “go say hello” to other people in social situations and not to isolate. Some of this conversation is an update to Mary's last time on the show. If you like this, check out S1 E15 "Suffer the Adult Children" . Find more of us at thes...
The inimitable Peaceful John returns for our new season for another round of soothing lessons in reparenting ourselves. Today we talk about the difference between deserving and entitlement. Do you know the difference? Neither did we.
We reconnect with comedian Megan Koester and learn all about her (new) sobriety and how she’s finally excavating some long-buried family trauma. After multiple EMDR sessions, she’s learning how to grieve. But is she less funny now?
Emily Gould is a writer from New York Magazine . This Valentine's Day, The Cut published Emily's essay "The Lure of Divorce." Between the two, Emily was coming to grips with a mental breakdown. We talk about her bipolar diagnosis and the way back into herself and into her marriage. It gets real!
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Our last episode of Season 1, with our guest Swamp Dogg. Swamp’s the musical and spiritual inspiration for RGS. Today we talk about success, friendship, happiness, Johnny Knoxville, and all the highs and lows of his 70-year career. We also have New York Times wonder-journo David Marchese on to add some credibility to our show. Last episode! Let’s get it.
This episode is about the internet, specifically “Emotional Sobriety and the Internet,” which is something I’ve struggled with for close to 20 years. Should I just log off forever, throw my iPhone into the river, and walk away? We talk with journalist Karen Ho, AKA “The Doomscroll Lady,” about the surreality of her own Twitter fame. Plus, some listeners call in and tell us some of their online behaviors that cause them the most shame. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcast...
Today we talk with Dave Holmes, former MTV VJ and host of Waiting for Impact , about what it’s like to get your dream job but still struggle with all the same real world insecurities. Plus, Dave tells us how he’s managed to stay decent in an industry which doesn’t traditionally reward nice people. Do you have a toxic internet behavior – trolling, stalking exes, compulsively buying shoelaces? Tell us about it in a voice memo up to 50 seconds, and send it to editors@thesmallbow.com . Learn more ab...
Today we talk with with meditation teacher James Baraz about the benefits of sitting one hour per day. But how is possible to do that when the world is on fire? Plagues! Insurrections! 90-Day Fiance! But also: being stuck in quarantine with three toddlers jumping around naked and smacking you in the face. Guess what– it doesn’t have to make you crazy. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
COVID, dinos, meditation... A little update. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Is this your first New Year’s Eve sober? Amazing! Nice job! But…you may feel lousy, too. This is an episode dedicated to you. Keep going–it gets better. Plus, we have Swamp Dogg doing Auld Lang Syne. Happy New Year! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What does it mean to detach? And how can you do it without cruelty—when parents are dying? Today we interview Mary H.K. Choi about how she’s navigating the People Progams and trying to find a path toward reconciliation with her immigrant parents. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What is strength anyway? How do you be new? Today we talk with journalist and strong person Casey Johnston about some of the hang-ups many of us have about entering a gym for the first time. Plus, she gives me advice about one of the most mortifying moments of my life. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Don’t spend this Thanksgiving dwelling on the past. Gratitude is possible – even if you’re haunted. Peaceful John gives a master class on how to trudge through grief with dignity. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On our second Pretty Good Shares, we talk to writer, producer Claudia Lonow. We challenged ourselves to do a nightly inventory of our great and not-so-great behaviors for a whole week. The results were...mixed. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jenn Sterger had a promising career in sports media until her life was blown up by an NFL sexting scandal she never wanted public. This is the story of two people whose lives were changed in different ways by the same big story, and the wild twist of fate that helped them both move forward. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Holly Whitaker guests on the first Pretty Good Shares , a series of B-side conversations about whatever's been on our minds. This time it's Coffee Dad, self worth, and trying to love the part of you with the knife. And yeah, that's some new music. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
