A.J. Daulerio, a writer and creator of "The Small Bow," shares his compelling journey through recovery and personal growth. He candidly discusses the pivotal question of when to stop drinking and the emotional discomfort tied to initiatives like Dry January. A.J. reflects on his chaotic media career at Gawker, revealing how external success can coexist with struggle. The conversation highlights the importance of community support, self-love, and the unique joys found in sobriety, providing listeners with insightful perspectives on addiction and recovery.
Recognizing the need to stop drinking can be triggered by a deep sense of unease and the search for a solution.
The Small Bow newsletter provides a platform for individuals in recovery to connect and share their stories of overcoming struggles.
Self-compassion is crucial in the recovery journey, as it involves learning to love oneself and practicing empathy, grace, and understanding.
Deep dives
Recognizing the Need for Change
AJ Delario shares his personal experience of realizing it was time to stop drinking after experiencing a deep sense of unease and seeking a solution for his struggles.
Starting the Small Bow Newsletter
AJ Delario discusses his decision to start the Small Bow newsletter as a way to connect with others who are navigating recovery and share their stories of trying to change and overcome their struggles.
The Challenges of Early Sobriety
AJ Delario opens up about the difficulties he faced when he first got sober, including feeling lonely, unsure of his identity, and having to confront a person who hated himself.
Learning to Love Yourself
AJ Delario reflects on the importance of self-compassion and learning to love oneself, even when faced with the worst version of oneself. He highlights the ongoing process of caring for and being kind to oneself in order to achieve personal growth and healing.
The Journey of Sobriety
AJ Delario acknowledges that sobriety is not just about abstinence, but about personal evolution and constantly striving to see oneself clearly and evolve. He emphasizes the significance of empathy, grace, and understanding in the recovery journey.
This week, a question a podcast has no business trying to answer. We talk to writerA.J. Daulerio about his own story of recovery, and the story of how he found himself opening a very unusual community on the internet.