The Unashamed Alcoholic

This week's Unashamed Alcoholic guest is writer and comedian Amanda Brooke Perrin.

Amanda openly speaks about her alcoholism and recovery on her Twitter, which is how I came across her in early 2021.  I loved that she was so open about it and I was curious to hear about what brought her to that realization and what life in Los Angeles is like sober.

I hope you enjoy my conversation with Amanda.

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This week's episode of the Unashamed Alcoholic features guest Dr. Adam Hill. Dr. Hill is a US pediatric palliative care physician and recovering alcoholic. 

Dr. Hill openly shares his own story of depression, suicidal thoughts and alcoholism while working in the field of medicine to help other individuals still suffering. He wrote "Long Walk Out of the Woods" in which he shares his story and lifts the veil of secrecy regarding caregiver mental health.

I hope you enjoy my conversation with Dr. Hill.

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Today's Unashamed Alcoholic guest is Victoria Vanstone, a writer and blogger living in Australia.

Originally from the UK, Victoria has been writing about motherhood and her journey to sobriety for a number of years. She began writing the day she quit drinking alcohol, and has created her site to help others who are sober curious. I was looking forward to chatting with Victoria as having my kids was a big part of my realization of a drinking problem as well.

I hope you enjoy my conversation with Victoria.

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This week's Unashamed Alcoholic guest is harm reduction advocate and inspirational speaker, Guy Felicella.

Guy grew up in a middle class home in Richmond but fell into addiction at a young age. He spent 30 years in the repeated cycle of gangs, addiction, treatment and jail and nearly 20 years residing in the two block radius in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver,  using many resources, including harm reduction, to keep himself alive.

Today, Guy is using his experience to change hearts and minds on the idea that recovery is harm reduction and harm reduction is recovery.

I hope you enjoy my conversation with Guy.

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This week's Unashamed Alcoholic guest is Mia St. John, a 5-time World and International Boxing Champion.

Mia had 30 years of sobriety when she relapsed. She faced amazing career wins during sobriety, but also some devastating personal losses with the deaths of her son Julian and her ex-husband, Kristoff St. John. I was so moved by her story of resilience and strength. 

I hope you enjoy my conversation with Mia.

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Today's Unashamed Alcoholic guest is Canadian stand-up comedian Debra DiGiovanni. While Debra doesn't drink alcohol anymore either, today's conversation is around a different addiction: marijuana.

Debra recently celebrated 5 years of sobriety after quitting marijuana. I was curious to speak with her about her journey to recovery, any stigma she faces and what life as a comedian is like now that she's sober.

I hope you enjoy my conversation with Debra.

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Today's Unashamed Alcoholic guest is Theo Fleury. Theo is a former NHL hockey player, having played for the Calgary Flames, Colorado Avalanche, New York Rangers, and Chicago Blackhawks and he won the Stanley Cup in 1989 with the Flames. Throughout his playing career, Theo battled drug and alcohol addiction, which ultimately led to the end of his hockey playing in 2003. 

Theo details his childhood trauma, addictions and ultimate recovery in his book Playing with Fire.  He is now committed to helping others with similar struggles and shares his story in the hopes that it can help someone else.

I hope you enjoy my conversation with Theo.  

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Today's Unashamed Alcoholic guest is television journalist Elizabeth Vargas, known for her work on ABC News and now A&E Networks.

Elizabeth wrote "Between Breaths"- a memoir of her struggle with alcohol addiction. I read this book when I was struggling in my own addiction and I loved the honesty, transparency and heartbreak that she showed in her book.

I hope you enjoy my conversation with Elizabeth.

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This week's guest on The Unashamed Alcoholic is Canadian comedy legend and writer, Mary Walsh.

Mary has been sober for 28 years and I knew she would have words of wisdom around recovery and the work that is involved in successful sobriety. I was interested in talking to her about how she knew she had a problem, what motivated her to quit and what life has been like since.

I hope you enjoy my conversation with Mary.

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Today's guest on The Unashamed Alcoholic is Erin Davis, author of the book Mourning Has Broken: Love, Loss and Reclaiming Joy, and the longtime host of 98.1 CHFI's Morning Show until her retirement in December 2016.

Erin's story of recovery is emotional, powerful and shows her resilience and strength. This conversation left me feeling warm, inspired and connected. 

I hope you enjoy my conversation with Erin.

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