Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed
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.
Peace + Plants,
![](https://www.richroll.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/RR_sign_green.png)
Listen, Watch, & Subscribe
For 1000s of delicious, customized plant-based recipes & so much more, check out our Plantpower Meal Planner.
Waking Up: A new operating system for your mind, Waking Up offers an extraordinary library of mindfulness resources—meditations, courses on Stoicism, time management practices, and more. Visit wakingup.com/RICHROLL to get a FREE month, plus $30 OFF
Eight Sleep: Clinically proven to give you up to one hour more of quality sleep every night, the new Pod 4 Ultra is designed to dynamically heat, cool, and elevate throughout the night to help you sleep better. Learn more about their intelligent sleep system at eightsleep.com/richroll and use code RICHROLL to get $350 OFF Pod 4 Ultra.
ROKA: Cutting-edge eyewear & apparel built for top performance. Ultralight construction. Arms-Up Design. Official USAT Partner. If you’re active like me and wear prescription eyeglasses and sunglasses, ROKA combines the no-slip performance you’ve been waiting for with fashionable frames. Unlock 20% OFF your order with code RICHROLL at ROKA.com/RICHROLL
BetterHelp: This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp, the world’s largest therapy service, 100% online. Designed to be convenient, flexible, and suited to your schedule. Just fill out a brief questionnaire to get matched with a professional, licensed, and vetted therapist who you can trust. Listeners get 10% off their first month by visiting BetterHelp.com/RICHROLL
On: Swiss engineering at it’s finest, On crafts high-performance shoes and apparel crafted for comfort and style. Tested by world-class athletes, this gear is built to go the distance, so you can go all out, outdoors. Visit on.com/richroll and enter RichRoll10 at the checkout to get 10% OFF your first order.
- 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
There are a few simple ways you can support the show and the content we strive to craft and share every single week
Subscribe & Review: Please make sure to review, share comments and subscribe to the show on the various platforms (Apple Podcasts, YouTube & Spotify). This helps tremendously!
Patronize Our Sponsors: Supporting the companies that support the show! For a complete list of all RRP sponsors and their respective vanity URLs and discount codes, click the ‘Sponsors’ tab in the ‘Shop’ menu.
Spread The Word: Help grow our reach by sharing your enthusiasm for the podcast and/or your favorite episodes by posting about it on social media.
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.
Amazon Disclosure: Third-party books and products denoted on this page and website may be hyperlinked to the Amazon affiliate program. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.