The Small Bow Podcast

Karina Rykman might be the most positive person we’ve had on the show— I tried to break her down, but I couldn’t crack her! Karina is a singular bassist and joyful bandleader who is on tour with her new album Late Checkout. We talk about the lessons she’s learned from mentors like Trey Anastasio, Dave Dreiwitz (Ween) and Jim James and why she’s committed to having a good time onstage at all costs. Plus, Karina’s favorite fan interactions, her “addiction” to playing live and the risks associated with dropping “Shakedown Street” into the middle of a set.

As we get closer to the holidays, I wanted to bring back fan favorite Peaceful John for another round of questions from listeners (and from me). I go to John when I’m feeling stressed or consumed by dread and self-loathing, so I hope he can be of some help to all of you. We talk about self-forgiveness, humility and how to resist punishing yourself for past mistakes. We also answer questions about the shifts in identity that come with sobriety and how to be grateful for your body, even as it ages.

Writer Paulina Pinsky hasn’t always known what it meant to be “right-sized.” As the daughter of TV’s Dr. Drew, Paulina struggled to understand how she was meant to perform for the public, especially when it came to the parts of her story that undermined her father’s persona. In this episode, we sit down for a conversation about disordered eating, body neutrality, the role her dad played in her recovery and why she no longer feels she needs to answer for his sins. The central theme here is self-esteem: what it is, where it comes from and why it’s so hard to maintain.

If you would have told me thirty years ago that I’d be interviewing former 76’ers Team President Pat Croce about Zen Buddhism, I would have said you were crazy. But here we are. If you followed Philly sports in the 1990’s, you knew Pat Croce as the high-flying architect of the Sixers turnaround that rallied the city around a team of underdogs. These days, Pat has turned into a full-on seeker, committing to Zen Buddhism and spreading a message of love with his trademark energy and enthusiasm. We talk about this shift and how a recent cancer diagnosis changed his perspective on life and inspired him to climb Everest on chemo. Plus, Pat gives me advice on how to support my daughter’s desire to jump off a cliff in Moab.

Please Note: This video discusses heavy themes, including suicide and mental health struggles. If you are experiencing distress, please utilize the free, confidential resources below.

From a rehab that burned down to a fall from a second story window, Nick Thune has escaped death many times. He’s found a way to tell his story that makes space for the terror he felt in the depths of addiction and the compassion he now feels for the person he used to be. Nick spins a good yarn, and there’s a lot of those in this episode— featuring broken limbs, petting babies, gang leaders, and much more. Plus, we talk about how to raise a child who lives without fear (in a good way).

Rainn Wilson is best-known for his role as Dwight Schrute on The Office and his Soul Boom Podcast. He’s a serious, thoughtful guy who had the strange experience of becoming an international celebrity almost overnight. We talk about how the experience of sudden fame dovetailed with his addiction and how AA and a return to his Bahai faith have helped him to find his footing again. Plus, we discuss his recent OCD diagnosis, why he’s grateful for the worst box office bomb of his career and the strangest gift he’s received from a fan.

Please Note: This episode discusses heavy themes, including suicide and mental health struggles. If you are experiencing distress, please utilize the free, confidential resources below.

Have you ever jumped when the phone rings? Yassir Lester does it every time. The writer and comedian (Girls, Black Monday, The Carmichael Show) stops by for a conversation about anxiety, success, growing up poor and how to deal with the fear of surprise. Plus, we talk about why quitting drinking made him a better comedian and the fuzzy line between being courageous and being reckless. I could talk to Yassir for hours, this is a fun one.

Carey O’Donnell celebrated 10 years of continuous sobriety on the same day Perez Hilton bloodied himself on TikTok Live. Perfect time to come on this show and talk about anniversaries, celebrities and the gnarlier side of addiction. Carey and I both experienced our darkest moments in New York and this episode is full of those memories: 42 minute train delays, yelling your opinion at book club and hoping no one notices, the shame of taking folded laundry back to the laundromat… Plus, hamburger costumes, peeing in elevators and spending hours at the DSW in Union Square. There’s a lot of gross stuff in this episode and also a lot of laughter.