**Content warning – this episode discusses suicidal feelings.**
Greg Baxtrom, chef-owner of a quartet of New York City restaurants, recently opened up in a revealing Instagram post about his years-long struggles with alcoholism and bipolar disorder. In that post, he mentioned that he'd be joining Andrew for a discussion about his ongoing mental health journey. This is that conversation. Greg sat down with Andrew a few days ago in Brooklyn for a deeply personal dialogue about how his alcoholism revealed itself, how his delayed bipolar diagnosis impacted his efforts to become sober, and the unique challenges of navigating these rough waters as a chef-owner with businesses to maintain and employees to manage. On a personal note: We're honored that Greg chose to share his story with us.
Please note: Neither Andrew nor Greg are mental health specialists or medical professionals. This conversation is shared for the sole purpose of being open and honest about mental illness, but their opinions are strictly those of laypeople and based only on their own unique, individual experiences. For professional and/or medical advice/attention, please seek help from an appropriate mental health care specialist and/or medical provider.
If you are in the U.S., here are two resources where you can seek help any day, at any time:
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Crisis Text Line (also available in the UK, Ireland, and Canada)
A great many national and regional resources are available, both in the US and around the world. If in the United States, you can seek a referral here. Wherever you are, a quick web search should point you to qualified help in your area and/or language.
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.
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Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.
For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.
Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!
