215: Believe Half of What You See215: Believe Half of What You See
Since Right Now
In memory of Aaron Lee Perry, the Wasted Poet, an…
58:28•1 Aug 2020
Hope Dealers, Lost Friends and Sober Creativity on Since Right Now
Episode Overview
- Staying in touch with people you care about is vital, as loss in recovery communities can come suddenly and hit hard.
- Creative work in music, writing and art can be powerful and rich without substances, as shown by Aaron’s collaborations and projects.
- If you’re stuck in your own head, simple connection like meeting a friend for lunch and a chat can ease pressure and bring perspective.
- Be wary of performative or short‑term ‘sobriety challenges’ when you genuinely need long‑term recovery support.
- Keeping life small and present‑focused during overwhelming times, and sharing a bit of humour, can make the load feel lighter—true #HopeDealers style.
“It's an unfortunate truism that if you run with a group of people in recovery, you're going to lose some, you know?”
What can we learn from those who have battled addiction? This candid Since Right Now episode blends grief, gallows humour and community spirit as Jeff, Matt and Chris remember their late friend and fellow creative in recovery, Aaron Lee Perry. You’ll hear them talk about Aaron as a “phenomenally talented” artist, musician, poet and podcaster whose work showed that creativity can thrive in sobriety.
Chris recalls two standout projects: Aaron’s boundary‑pushing recovery podcast on the Since Right Now network and his collaboration on the short story collection *I’ve Never Done This Before*, where he created a unique ink illustration for each story.
They also celebrate a powerful spoken‑word and music piece Aaron made with Nicola O’Hanlon, which, as Chris says, makes it hard not to “feel something for all of us that are this thing, that have this thing.” Alongside the tribute, the crew catch up with long‑time friend of the show Laura Silverman, founder of The Sobriety Collective and Zero Proof Nation, who brings news of a huge virtual alcohol‑free event packed with drinks brands and digital recovery folk.
That leads into a funny but sharp chat about the booming sober‑curious and AF drinks scene, the risk of performative sobriety, and why those who “desperately need to get sober” can feel lost in all the shiny wellness branding.
There’s lighter stuff too: a tongue‑in‑cheek prize-pack giveaway (expect random T‑shirt sizes and “a burlap satchel” of AF beer), banter about taglines like “sobriety in the streets, recovery in the sheets,” and the adoption of #HopeDealers as the episode’s running joke and rallying cry. Aimed at people in recovery, sober‑curious listeners and anyone who loves honest talk about life without booze, this conversation mixes sadness, laughter and a reminder to stay in touch with the people who matter.
Who are your own hope dealers right now?
Do you want to link to this podcast?
Get the buttons here!
More From This Show
The latest episodes from the same podcast.