S2 E33 Taylor StreiffSponsors

• McKelvey Insurance
• LightSource Psychotherapy

Links

• Ben’s Friends St. Louis
• Taylor Streiff Instagram

Who this episode is for

• Musicians who drink more than they practice
• Restaurant industry lifers trying to stay off the sauce
• Those battling anxiety, addiction, and the lies they told to cover both
• Family members supporting someone in recovery
• Anyone who's ever made a mess of their life and called it "normal"

Guest

Taylor Streiff — Musician, Former Heavyweight Boozer, and Proof That Recovery Can Rock

Taylor Streiff rolls into Pondoff's Anonymous with his whole damn soul. He's got restaurant war stories, musician grind tales, and a past soaked in UV Blue and regret. But this isn't your typical redemption arc—this one's got a jukebox, a jazz fest, and enough self-inflicted chaos to fill an HBO mini-series. From getting misdiagnosed and medicated as an anxious kid, to puking UV Blue into a blue toilet, to touring the country as a piano-playing savant, Taylor takes us through his decades-long detour into addiction and how he finally got clean enough to be present for the people he loves. If you've ever thrown up and said "never again" only to do it all again the next night, welcome to church.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Pondoff's Anonymous and Sponsors
• 01:45 Meet Taylor Streiff: A Journey in Music and Recovery
• 06:03 The Impact of Family and Community in Recovery
• 08:58 Ego and the Struggles of Addiction
• 11:58 Musical Beginnings and Influences
• 17:52 The Spiritual Connection to Music
• 21:57 Navigating Introversion and Anxiety in Music and Life
• 23:20 Understanding Introversion and Extroversion
• 25:05 Navigating Anxiety and Misdiagnosis
• 27:48 High School Experiences and Social Dynamics
• 30:54 First Jobs and the Restaurant Industry
• 34:53 College Aspirations and Musical Journey
• 42:30 Rejection and Finding a Path
• 44:33 Freshman Year: Love, Loss, and Lessons
• 49:39 Confronting Loss and Addiction
• 52:40 The Illusion of Normalcy
• 56:14 The Struggles of a Touring Musician
• 01:01:11 The Turning Point: A Move to St. Louis
• 01:08:43 The COVID-19 Impact on Drinking Habits
• 01:13:16 The Journey Begins: From Bar Back to Bartender
• 01:15:06 Facing Personal Challenges: Family Health Crises
• 01:16:32 The Turning Point: Seeking Help and AA
• 01:18:37 Struggles with Sobriety: The Reality of Addiction
• 01:21:25 California Sober: A Controversial Approach
• 01:24:38 Vulnerability in Recovery: Honesty and Support
• 01:26:57 The Relapse Debate: Defining Terms and Experiences
• 01:29:25 Rehab Experience: A New Beginning
• 01:32:43 Life After Rehab: Embracing Authenticity
• 01:39:28 Navigating Sobriety in a Triggering Environment
• 01:40:42 The Power of Music in Recovery
• 01:43:44 Authenticity and Connection Through Art
• 01:44:58 The Journey of a Musician in Recovery
• 01:47:15 Balancing Work and Passion
• 01:51:01 The Significance of Recovery Tokens
• 01:53:31 Support Systems in Sobriety
• 01:56:48 The Role of Therapy in Recovery