It Can All Go Away in a Second (50 Days in the Forest)

It Can All Go Away in a Second (50 Days in the Forest)

What drives someone to seek a life without alcohol? Todd Perelmuter shares how childhood boredom in religious services, teenage angst, and turning to "food and alcohol and partying" eventually pushed him towards a very different path: 50 days of silent meditation alone in a forest. This solo episode is part story, part philosophy chat, and part gentle wake-up call for anyone feeling overwhelmed, addicted, or constantly glued to their phone.

Todd talks casually about being a "lazy kid" who hated camping, a teenager drowning out discomfort with substances, and an adult who set off on a nine-year spiritual quest, learning from monks, shamans and gurus and testing practices for himself rather than taking anyone’s word for it.

You’ll hear how solo camping trips slowly turned into a deep love of nature and stillness, and how 50 days in the forest taught him that "we have to enjoy all that beauty in life and yet stay comfortable with the idea of nothing." He reflects on the shock of falling in love mid-journey, being welcomed into a close-knit Indian family, and the contrast between Western individualism and cultures where community is everything.

For people recovering from addiction or trying to break compulsive habits, Todd’s reflections on running away from ourselves with constant activity and content will feel especially relevant. He talks frankly about cruelty, bitterness and betrayal, suggesting that healing means forgiving ourselves as much as others, and choosing kindness even in a harsh world.

The tone stays light and funny at times—he calls himself "just a monkey, slightly more advanced"—yet the message is clear: silence, self-honesty and small acts of goodness can reshape how you experience life. If you’ve ever wondered whether stillness could help you step away from old coping mechanisms, this story might be just the nudge you’ve been waiting for.