7 Years 164 days - EPK7 Years 164 days - EPK
I'm Quitting Alcohol
Comedian David Boyle reflects on a draining yet valuable comedy festival in Arkansas, where he learns about electronic press kits and pushes himself into uncomfortable social situations while staying sober. He shares how small risks, supportive comedians, and quieter choices like long walks home help him grow in both comedy and recovery.
7:29•26 Oct 2026
Comedy Festivals, EPKs and Staying Sober in Bentonville
Episode Overview
- Attending industry events like festivals can compress years of trial and error into a few days of learning.
- An electronic press kit (EPK) helps comedians present themselves professionally and makes it easier for industry contacts to work with them.
- Sometimes progress means spending money and taking social risks, especially when those situations feel uncomfortable or draining.
- Choosing to leave parties and walk home instead of staying out drinking helps protect sobriety and reinforces a new identity.
- Friendly, supportive peers can make challenging professional and sober experiences feel more manageable and worthwhile.
“Sometimes you gotta fucking spend some money and take some risks and that's what I did this weekend.”
Curious about how others manage their sobriety journey? This short, punchy episode drops in on Australian comedian David Boyle in Bentonville, Arkansas, fresh from an intense few days at a comedy festival. Boyle, seven years and 164 days alcohol-free, talks frankly about being “absolutely fucking cooked” from more social interaction in five days than he’s had in years. For anyone in recovery who finds crowds, networking, and small talk exhausting, his honesty will feel very familiar.
The big lightbulb moment comes when he hears managers talk about the importance of an EPK – an electronic press kit.
He admits, “I was like yeah, an EPK… and then I asked Raj… what the fuck is this EPK thing… he’s like an electronic press kit and then he showed me his and I’m like holy holy fuck is that what you’re meant to be sending out?” It’s a perfect snapshot of how much he’s learning in real time, and how this single trip might have saved him “like two years” of trial and error.
You’ll hear him describe pushing himself into awkward conversations, taking social risks, and showing up without chasing a wild night out. While others hit parties, shots, and who-knows-what, he chooses long walks back to his hotel, fried chicken stops, and a calmer life that keeps his sobriety intact.
He also gives a nod to how “so fucking friendly and so nice and so fucking helpful” the American comedians have been, underlining how crucial supportive people can be when you’re trying to rebuild your life. Short, raw, and unfiltered, this episode is ideal for anyone who wants to see what sober growth looks like in everyday, messy, slightly sweary reality. Where in your own life could you take a small risk like this and back yourself a little more?
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