Modern Prophets

MP Sarah - Comedian, Artist - 21 Years Sober, Alcohol

My guest today is Sarah – a creative genius who pursues artwork in all forms, including comedy, acting, modeling, painting, podcasting, and writing. Sarah has appeared on MTV’s Punk’d and Mad TV. She hosts the Not Cool podcast, performs stand-up regularly at the World Famous Comedy Store in West Hollywood, has opened for Margaret Cho and The Kims of Comedy with Bobby Lee, and continues to perform all over Los Angeles and the country. Sarah grew up creating and performing to uplift others, but also as a means of escaping an unbearable and chaotic internal and external reality. Sarah got sober in her early twenties, nine months after moving to Los Angeles. During those first nine months in Los Angeles, she hit multiple rock bottom moments - she was “living” out of her car, got a DUI, could count her ribs, lost everyone - and got sober when she was out of all options. Sarah walks us through the aches of early sobriety, perspective shifts, tools to manage fear, self-sabotage, and the inherent difficulties of human life, as well as how she continues to stay driven and motivated - personally, professionally, and soberly. I have tremendous admiration for Sarah, and frankly for any person who courageously puts a piece of themselves out there with their art, who can stand alone on stage and make complete strangers laugh. It’s a unique skill set I will never possess. Outside of her many accomplishments and the advocacy work she’s done to humanize and amplify the voices of people who are not being heard, Sarah approaches life with a beautiful, contagious curiosity and open mind. What if, instead of seeking oblivion by escaping from the world, we take a page from Sarah and turn toward it? What if instead of leaving the world behind, we immerse ourselves in it? This podcast traverses difficult emotional terrain. If you are struggling, you are not alone. Please reach out for help and call ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SAMHSA’s National Helpline⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline] at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). If you are experiencing suicidal ideation, I encourage you to call the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://988lifeline.org/] at 988.

MP Keri Ann – Entertainment Executive – 30 Years Sober, Prescription Medications & Alcohol

Am I too young to get sober? Getting sober is difficult at any age, but young adults certainly face a unique set of challenges. That was certainly the case for today’s guest, Keri Ann, who got sober at nineteen. After a rebellious streak – stealing prescription medications from her father, binge drinking, reckless driving, black outs, petty theft, and an abusive relationship - she went to the Caron Foundation in Pennsylvania for substance use. Despite having zero intention of getting sober, Keri Ann quickly learned that she was powerless over drugs and alcohol. Keri Ann attributes much of her current success in life to 30 years of continuous sobriety. She is the CEO and Founder of KIMBALL ENTERTAINMENT a Management and Production company for Film, Television & New Media and the founder of K-STAR PR, a celebrity and brand public relations agency. She's also heavily involved in supporting the causes of several non-profits, including The Artist Project, Beauty Gives Back, and Rock to Recovery (to name a few) . Keri Ann has maintained and sustained success across all segments of media and entertainment, with over 20 years of experience producing, working closely with actors, directors, writers, artists, musicians, and production companies. Growing up, drugs and alcohol were her primary focus ... Today, Keri Ann provides us with valuable insight on what it was like to get sober at such a young age: (1) the challenges she faced while navigating the path to recovery during adolescence, (2) the benefits of growing up in AA and getting sober early in life, (3) the tools she used and continues to use to maintain her sobriety, (4) and the ways in which the benefits of recovery have permeated her entire life. There is no perfect age to get sober. You’re never too young or too old to get sober. Embracing sobriety can be a challenging journey for youth and young adults, but it’s a rewarding path that leads to a healthier, more fulfilling life. This podcast traverses difficult emotional terrain. If you are struggling, you are not alone. Please reach out for help and call ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SAMHSA’s National Helpline⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline] at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). If you are experiencing suicidal ideation, I encourage you to call the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://988lifeline.org/] at 988.

MP Charlie – Airline Pilot – 4 Years Sober, Alcohol

My guest today is Charlie. Charlie works as a commercial airline pilot (First Officer) and today he is almost 4.5 years sober. Today’s conversation is about Charlie’s journey into the depths of alcohol addiction despair – what happened, what it was like, and how he ultimately found a way out. Charlie walks us through his experience getting a DUI and trudging through the unbelievably arduous airline program of recovery (HIMS program). Fear, just wanting to be accepted. Alcohol works, until it doesn’t. We cover the low lows – hitting rock bottom. And exactly how Charlie was able to conquer his demons, put the past in the rear view, and become a better pilot – a better man. It’s about the power of surrender, humility, compassion, and purpose in sobriety. Leaning on mentors and community. Empowering individuals dealing with addiction – particularly those in high-stakes careers that require some sort of licensure. How holding compassion for himself and others and how putting service first, changed his life.  Across the world, untold millions fall prey to some form of addiction. Addiction doesn’t discriminate. It affects all people, even those who have lofty job titles or those tasked with protecting the lives of others: CEOs, doctors, lawyers, and pilots. These professionals are regular people, too. Yet, the disease of addiction is incongruent with that image. For people whose identity is closely tied to their career and where they work, admitting that they have an addiction - and seeking help - doesn’t come easy. Addiction, regardless of one’s life circumstances, is almost always incredibly devastating. For an airline pilot, the disease of addiction can jeopardize not just a career they have worked so hard to achieve, but also the safety and trust of hundreds of people. Thankfully, most airlines have programs that get pilots the treatment they need to get their lives back on track and, possibly, back into the cockpit.  Through these individuals – individuals working in occupations that modern society tends to hold in the highest regard, individuals we place our total and complete trust in, who we often (incorrectly) view as immune to this problem of addition – I think we are better able to see ourselves. Their weaknesses, struggles, and strengths mirror our own. Their relatability uniquely qualifies them to reflect back upon us our shared, collective humanity. In their victories, we can connect more viscerally with our own inner power and potential. I applaud the dedication Charlie undertook to overhaul his life. All told, it’s a story of redemption full stop – and I’m honored to tell it. https://himsprogram.com/ https://www.boaf.org/ https://www.aa.org/find-aa This podcast traverses difficult emotional terrain. If you are struggling, you are not alone. Please reach out for help and call ⁠⁠⁠⁠SAMHSA’s National Helpline⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline] at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). If you are experiencing suicidal ideation, I encourage you to call the ⁠⁠⁠⁠988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://988lifeline.org/] at 988.

Interview with Artificial Intelligence (AI) – ChatGPT

Modern Prophets Season 2 premiere: an interview with artificial intelligence (AI). My word for the new year is "curiosity." In the upcoming year, I aim to intentionally lean into uncertainty and discomfort by maintaining a sense of curiosity. Curiosity (with grace) about myself, about others, and about the world we live in. AI continues to evolve rapidly and has applications in numerous fields. AI is based on a large language model - NOT a "modern prophet," yet holds great promise in the healthcare and behavioral healthcare fields. As AI becomes more integrated into our daily lives, we must carefully address several ethical considerations/concerns. Reflect. Pros and cons of any technological advancement? What kind of relationship do we want to have with technology? Do we want to spend our time in a Metaverse? Who is ultimately responsible for implementing a collaborative, multi-faceted approach to develop robust regulations that promote transparency and foster a responsible and ethical approach to tech development & implementation? Folks, meet AI. I invite you to stay curious; the one who listens understands. 0:15 - Welcome to Season 2 1:40 - Dopamine, Pain & Pleasure, Drug of Choice 3:32 - Modern Drugs: Quantity, Access, Potency, Novelty 5:16 - Heroin vs. Social Media: Degree, Reward Pathway 6:50 - Metaverse? 7:59 - Curiosity, Discomfort, AI 9:09 - Structure of Today's Interview with AI 9:50 - What is AI? 10:22 - Consequences of AI in healthcare 11:15 - AI is NOT a modern prophet; Relationship between addiction and trauma 15:33 - Different types of trauma, influence on addiction 16:50 - Addiction can be a primary, progressive disease 18:25 - Relief sought in addictive substances/behaviors 19:23 - Evolution of our world and compulsive overconsumption 20:28 - Are individuals with addiction who have found recovery modern prophets? 22:14 - Recognition, Heroin (substance) vs. Sex/Work (behavior) 24:55 - How to recognize an addiction or compulsive overconsumption when it won't derail one's life? 26:50 - Obstacles 29:01 - Sober shift in perspective 30:00 - Why is it so difficult to remain present and lean into discomfort? 31:42 - Tips to engage in a mindfulness practice 33:48 - Are we living a meaningful life? 35:09 - What support is AI unable to provide? 36:35 - What would you tell someone currently suffering from addiction? 37:39 - Tangible tools 38:39 - Final Question, Ethical considerations of AI This podcast traverses difficult emotional terrain. If you are struggling, you are not alone. Please reach out for help and call ⁠⁠⁠⁠SAMHSA’s National Helpline⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline] at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). If you are experiencing suicidal ideation, I encourage you to call the ⁠⁠⁠⁠988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://988lifeline.org/] at 988.

MP Ali - Grammy-nominated Songwriter - 8 Years Sober, Alcohol

My guest today is Ali. Ali wears several hats on a daily basis, managing a variety of roles, including those of a wife, mother, Grammy-nominated and multi-Platinum-selling songwriter, philanthropist, and beloved member of the 12-Step community with 8 years of sobriety. Ali began writing songs at age 14, and she’s written for some of the greatest singers, DJs, and pop stars of our generation: Kelly Clarkson, Christina Aguilera, Demi Lovato, John Legend, Ozzy Osbourne; DJ Snake, Kygo; Justin Bieber, Camila Cabello, Shawn Mendes, Selena Gomez, Miley Cyrus, Dua Lipa, and many others. Ali grew up in South Florida, but she moved to Los Angeles at 20-years-old to pursue her dream of becoming an artist, a dream which later evolved into a prolific career as a songwriter. In our conversation today, Ali gives us an intimate window into her life, into the roller coaster of the music industry, as she recounts both the apex of her success as a songwriter and the nadir of her alcohol use. From co-writing her first big hit, Kelly Clarkson’s 3-time Grammy-nominated “Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)," the stress to craft a sustainable career soon morphed into a dependence on alcohol for confidence and relief. That slippery slope soon evolved into waking up and needing a drink, sneaking alcohol into studio sessions, and eventually driving home drunk, not knowing if she’d come out the other side alive, with a DUI, or in the rooms of AA. Ali talks about the industry’s glamorized dark side, the pain of writing without alcohol or stimulants, what her first year of sobriety looked like, relearning how to do the things that once brought her joy, to not be stimulated all the time, and ultimately finding more balance. Her first hit after getting sober was DJ Snake and Justin Bieber’s “Let me Love You,” and others soon followed; all of which contain lyrics and melodies that reflect many of the personal experiences she opens up about in our conversation today. Ali credits much of the success experienced in her career and personal life to the clarity and self-awareness that came through sobriety and working a 12-step program. There’s so much value in this episode – whether you’re struggling with alcohol or relentlessly pursuing dopamine and distraction through your phone or work to avoid any sense of discomfort – I promise you will walk away from this conversation having learned something. And, for all that Ali has accomplished in just 33 years of life, she’s a remarkably humble, beautiful, down-to-earth woman, who’s also gone on to launch the Creative Waves Foundation with her mom, a non-profit that provides musical equipment and after-school programs to kids in underserved communities. Her perspective on life continues to shift, but remains so powerful. Her story is nothing short of extraordinary.     This podcast traverses difficult emotional terrain. If you are struggling, you are not alone. Please reach out for help and call ⁠⁠⁠SAMHSA’s National Helpline⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline] at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). If you are experiencing suicidal ideation, I encourage you to call the ⁠⁠⁠988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline⁠⁠⁠ [https://988lifeline.org/] at 988.