Terminal Addiction

Interview with Shawn Coss

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2531277/fan_mail/new] Episode Overview The interview explores the intersection of healthcare, personal recovery, and creative expression. Doug guides the conversation through Shawn’s timeline, tracing his evolution from the high-stress environment of emergency medicine to becoming an independent dark artist and mental health advocate. The ER Nurse Experience & Recovery * The Frontlines of Healthcare: The episode delves into Shawn’s former career working full-time as a Registered Nurse in the Emergency Department. Doug and Shawn discuss how the intense, high-stakes environment of the ER exposed him to the raw, unfiltered realities of human trauma and psychological distress. * Navigating Recovery: They tackle the heavy emotional toll that the medical field takes on frontline workers. Shawn discusses his personal journey of recovery, reflecting on how processing the stress and trauma of the ER profoundly shaped his worldview and ultimately fueled his creative drive. The Transition to Art * Leaving the "Rat Race": Doug unpacks Shawn’s decision to step away from the stability of a nursing career to embrace the uncertainties of being an independent artist. They discuss the burnout associated with the "American Dream" and the leap of faith required to change paths. * Finding His True Voice: The conversation touches on Shawn's time working with the popular online series Cyanide & Happiness. However, the pivotal moment of his career came during his 2016 "Inktober Illness" project. This series fundamentally altered his trajectory, shifting his focus entirely toward using his signature dark art style to destigmatize mental illness. Wearable Advocacy: Any Means Necessary * Merging Fashion and Mental Health: A major focal point of the interview is Any Means Necessary (AMN), the Ohio-based lifestyle and clothing brand Shawn co-founded. The brand's core mission is to bring mental health awareness to the forefront through fashion, turning what was once a taboo topic into a wearable movement. * The God Awful Art of Shawn Coss: Doug and Shawn explore the philosophy behind Shawn's portfolio. By visually tackling complex, heavy emotions—such as anxiety, depression, fear, and hopelessness—Shawn creates a sense of visual "armor" for his audience. His work provides a voice and a sense of community for those who feel misunderstood, proving that dark art can be a powerful catalyst for healing and self-acceptance. Support the show [https://buymeacoffee.com/terminaladdictionpodcast]

Bob Ney-Part 2

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2531277/fan_mail/new]  From the halls of Congress to the airwaves and the written word, Bob Ney has lived a life of high-stakes leadership and personal transformation. Join us for a conversation with the author and advocate about his career and his path through recovery.  Support the show [https://buymeacoffee.com/terminaladdictionpodcast]

Bob Ney- Part 1

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2531277/fan_mail/new]  An interview with Bob Ney: former U.S. Representative, veteran radio personality, and published author, who now shares his powerful journey as a person in long-term recovery  Support the show [https://buymeacoffee.com/terminaladdictionpodcast]

BONUS: Can AI Chatbots replace basements and meetings? AI voice generated podcast.

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2531277/fan_mail/new] This is a bonus podcast download of the Terminal Addiction podcast with two guest podcasters.  This episode will talk about the changes in recovery due to the 2020 pandemic.  As has been previously discussed, Paul B and Doug H began their recovery during the pandemic, and it changed the way that recovery happened.  Treatment centers were on lockdown and most meetings were shut down. Online meetings became commonplace and the only refuge for many in recovery.  Social media lead to the birth and explosive growth of support groups on Facebook, Instagram, Telegram, and others.  The scramble to find a meeting anywhere and anytime became essential. Now meetings have become not a local meeting but often a regional, national or even an international meeting among people who may never see each other in person. Today, with the birth and growth of AI, we have new tools, including Open Recovery, which is an AI recovery assistant that can help in moments when other help is unavailable or a chatbot is more comfortable than face-to-face discussions.  This and other mental health chatbots allow anytime, anywhere access to someone to talk to. The flipside of all of this technology is that it is reducing the face-to-face interactions so vital for sobriety.  Accountability to a chatbot is different than accountability to a person or group. What many of you may not be aware of is that this episode of the podcast was not hosted by humans but by AI.  This episode, though, was written by Paul B. Support the show [https://buymeacoffee.com/terminaladdictionpodcast]

Surgery-Gratitude&Reflection-Meditation

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2531277/fan_mail/new] Meeting Summary: Recovery & Resilience Date: March 12, 2026 | Location: Upper Doghouse Studio | Duration: ~31 min Key Highlights * Surgery & Self-Advocacy: Paul B. (a nurse) shared his recent surgery experience for a pinched nerve. He emphasized the importance of patient advocacy, specifically his request to avoid ketamine due to past negative experiences, opting instead for a combination of propofol and non-narcotic pain management (Tylenol/Ibuprofen). * Holistic Recovery: Paul attributed his rapid recovery—including performing household repairs the next day—to mental preparation and meditation. Both Doug and Paul discussed how techniques like silent retreats, guided sessions, and "moving meditations" (hiking) are vital tools for managing pain and maintaining sobriety. * The Power of Gratitude: The hosts framed gratitude as an active practice rather than just a feeling. Doug highlighted his work leading gratitude sessions in treatment settings, focusing on non-material gains like relationships and health. * Incremental Growth: The discussion centered on the "1% better" philosophy—focusing on small, manageable daily improvements in fitness, diet, and kindness rather than overwhelming, unrealistic goals. Quick Overview Focus Area | Core Takeaway: Medical | Clear communication with anesthesia teams is crucial for those in recovery. Mental | Meditation and mindfulness can significantly reduce the need for post-op narcotics. Lifestyle | Self-care (gym, massage, hobbies) is a pillar of long-term emotional stability. Community | Sharing personal stories and listener feedback strengthens the recovery network. Support the show [https://buymeacoffee.com/terminaladdictionpodcast]