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With addiction affecting millions worldwide and overdose deaths reaching record highs, the need for effective interventions and honest dialogue has never been more urgent.
A vital part of the solution lies in fostering open, honest conversations, embracing raw storytelling, and building supportive communities. We can achieve healing and forge deeper human connections by engaging in meaningful dialogue about our darkest moments and sharing our struggles.
My guest today is David Manheim, a former heroin addict turned podcaster. As the creator and host of the Dopey Podcast, David has carved out a unique niche in the recovery landscape where raw honesty meets unexpected humor. His journey from rock bottom to sobriety, featured on This American Life, winds through the bustling kitchen of Manhattan’s iconic Katz’s Deli, the frenetic world of MTV production, and the quiet desperation of relapse before finding purpose through podcasting and community-building.
Since 2016, David has shared his story and created a platform for discussing addiction with unflinching honesty and unexpected humor. Through Dopey, he’s overseen the creation of a vibrant community known as “Dopey Nation,” offering support and connection to thousands.
David’s approach challenges conventional notions about addiction and recovery. He argues that there’s profound power in owning our dire chapters. By bringing shame into the light, we rob it of its power. This incredible vulnerability, often laced with gallows humor, has resonated with countless individuals struggling with addiction.
“If you put your recovery first, everything else falls into place.”
– DAVID MANHEIM
Today, we delve into the origins of Dopey, the impact of losing his co-host, Chris O’Connor, to an overdose, and how the podcast has evolved over the years. David shares insights on addiction treatment, the role of humor in recovery, and the delicate balance of maintaining sobriety while revisiting past traumas.
We explore a range of thought-provoking topics, including 12-step programs, the impact of the opioid crisis, and how the digital age is reshaping our understanding of addiction and community. David explains how the podcast format can reduce stigma, including internalized shame, and lower barriers to seeking help.
This conversation explores resilience and endurance—a testament to the human capacity for change and the transformative power of storytelling.
For those who prefer a visual experience, the conversation is available on YouTube. As always, the audio version streams wild and free on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
I hope David inspires you to think more deeply about the power of storytelling and community in healing.
This conversation is a must-listen for anyone grappling with addiction, loving someone who is struggling, or simply seeking to understand one of the most pressing issues of our time.
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- Connect with David: Website | Instagram | YouTube | Facebook | X | Threads
- Spin: Dopey: The Triumph And Tragedy Of The World’s Greatest Podcast
- Vice: The Tragic Story of How an Addiction Podcast Grew into a Recovery Community
- The Hollywood Reporter: How ‘Dopey’ Podcast Transformed Into a Haven for Recovering Addicts
- BBC: Dopey: ‘We needed somewhere to tell wild drug stories’
- Detroit Free Press: ‘Dopey’ podcast helps save Detroit area-native from drug addiction
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Thank The Team: I do not do this alone. Send your love to Jason Camiolo for audio engineering, production, show notes and interstitial music; with additional audio engineering by Cale Curtis and additional music by Moby; Blake Curtis & Dan Drake for video, & editing; graphics by Jessica Miranda & Daniel Solis; portraits by Davy Greenberg, Grayson Wilder & Gizelle Peters; copywriting by Ben Pryor; and theme music by Tyler Piatt, Trapper Piatt & Hari Mathis.
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