The Small Bow Podcast

thesmallbow.com
  • 4.8 (105)
  • SOCIETY & CULTURE
  • UPDATED WEEKLY
The Small Bow Podcast

The Small Bow Podcast is a recovery show – part interview, part storytelling – hosted by A.J. Daulerio, and based on the recovery newsletter thesmallbow.com. A.J. created TSB after he got out of rehab and wanted to hear stories about sobriety, mental health, and spirituality that he couldn’t easily find on the internet.  We talk about recovery from all kinds of things: car crashes, identity crises, drugs, alcohol, ego. And even if you’re not in recovery, these stories and conversations have things to teach. Most people equate recovery with redemption – the part where people who’ve quit drugs or alcohol then tell you how they did it and how good their lives are now – but TSB focuses less on the beginning and ending of rock bottoms, and more about the middle part, making it through the woods.  Join A.J. as he speaks with writers, entertainers, social workers, magazine editors, recovering addicts, recovering jerks – people – about how they made it through hard things and got better because of it. Maybe some of this will help you get better too. The Small Bow Podcast is hosted by A.J. Daulerio, and produced by Julian Weller. In 2022 the show was nominated for an Ambies Award for "Best Wellness And Relationships Podcast."

  1. 4 DAYS AGO

    The State of the State of the State

    We pause to introduce a new segment, and talk shop about some big plans in the works for the new year. The Small Bow universe is growing in exciting ways, with help from some new friends. Also, a little Q&A about how things are going so far in Season 2, what's next for the podcast, and some industry gossip. Want to help guide things? Take two minutes to tell us what else you’d like to see from The Small Bow in our listener survey here.  Things we mentioned: Hear A.J. interviewed on PJ’s podcast Search Engine here. Listen to the Death Sex and Money episode we’re talking about. Check out Garrett's newsletter Healings. Did we…already mention the survey? There’s a survey. In this episode: 0:38 Intro 0:57 SOTS? 2:06 Growth Plans 3:06 Survey, App plans 11:12 What are people Googling? 14:00 Doing less, check engine light, Death Sex & Money 17:34 How the Slate Ask A.J. column is going 20:26 A.J.'s app plans 23:59 An entry point for early recovery 29:40 Ads creator economy, high bar 32:25 Partnering with people who want to work with us 36:32 Around the world, around the world

    47 min

  2. OCT 18

    How to Tame Your Monster with Claire Dederer

    The acclaimed and wonderful author of Monsters: A Fan’s Dilemma helps us sift through the ugliness of monstrous behavior and the guilty feelings associated with being a fan of the art made by vile people. Is it okay to still watch those movies and listen to those songs? Claire Dederer tells A.J. what to do, plus a lot of great advice on writing memoir, and navigating the world of publishing. Links: Claire’s book Monsters: A Fan’s Dilemma, and Claire’s essay in the Paris Review. Listen to Swamp Dogg’s new album "Blackgrass" wherever you get music, or buy a hard copy at Ohboy.com. Thanks to Robo9418 for your recording of people cheering for a banana. In this episode: 0:38 Intro 3:49 Origins of the book, feeling conflicted about Polanski 7:17 The gift of distaster and monstrous perspective 9:23 Feeling shameful in early recovery 13:23 AJ's experience with judgment, shame 16:27 How recovery changed Claire's work, Responsibility 22:07 Two things for A.J. that came from the book 25:37 Ubiquity of biography online, public cancellations, notoriety 32:29 No longer identifying with who you were 43:47 What do you tell your kids about your own monstrousness? 54:40 Different types of monsters 57:27 Charles Bukowski, Gena Rowlands, and other forms 1:03:44 Whether you are your work, Derrida 1:07:21 Are writing retreats helpful? 1:09:45 Claire v. A.J.'s therapist 1:13:46 Balancing sober content, Dopey, TSB's philosophy 1:18:57 Where A.J. feels shaky with blurred lines, how he approaches the newsletter 1:23:23 False Ending 1:26:57 The half-life of Monsters, avoiding getting typecast as a subject matter expert 1:35:52 Outro

    1h 41m

  3. OCT 4

    This is Supposed to Be a Children’s Story with Kerry Madden-Lunsford

    Today we talk with writer Kerry Madden-Lunsford about how Al-Anon has helped her deal with the pain of having a child who’s treatment-resistant and now living on the streets of Los Angeles. Find more stories and conversations at thesmallbow.com. Kerry’s book Werewolf Hamlet Kerry’s Substack "Easy Crier" by Al Oldender Listen to Swamp Dogg’s new album "Blackgrass" wherever you get music, or buy a hard copy at Ohboy.com. In this Episode 0:38 Intro 4:51 Flannery's Childhood, Kerry's Parenting Philosophies 5:59 The Christmas Letter 8:04 Flannery Today 10:29 Being in Denial, then Noticing Signs 14:08 The most codependent family ever vs Al Anon 17:17 Diagnosis, Jail, Christmas 19:42 Self-Pity vs Al Anon 22:35 Werewolf Hamlet 25:28 Travel Town Museum, Torment 28:08 Realizing your child is unhoused 30:50 Looking For Flannery 32:50 Justin Szlasa 35:43 What Should You Do? 42:17 Ideal Outcomes 45:17 Kerry's current approach 50:22 Angels 55:04 Outro

    1 hr

  4. SEP 6

    Why Does No One Care About Recovery Month? with Joe Schrank

    For the past five years, TSB’s in-house social worker, Joe Schrank, has tried to get someone other than us (and Andy Cohen) to acknowledge Recovery Month every September. Alcoholism and mental health issues affect one in ten Americans. So why does no one want to talk about it? Find more like this at thesmallbow.com. And Listen to Swamp Dogg’s new album "Blackgrass" wherever you get music, or buy a hard copy at Ohboy.com. In this episode: 02:56 What should Recovery Month look like? 08:18 Stigmatizing Alcoholism vs viewing it as a disease 17:19 Care and Moralization, AA value system, Recovery Mass 21:09 AA vs Recovery, the Father Joe of Cyberspace 24:05 Joe's recovery ambassador work at Georgia State 32:45 Recovery month's competition, Andy Cohen 35:32 Recovery Ambassadors 49:14 Promoting Recovery Stories

    1h 1m

  5. AUG 30

    Take this Pod and Shove It

    We talk to each other about the state of the podcast, and whether A.J.'s workaholic tendencies torpedoed the chance for a second season with iHeartRadio. Also — we need more voice memos from you about your own workaholic/ambition problems. Hit ajd@thesmallbow.com subject WORKAHOLIC, or 323-917-3846. Swamp Dogg’s latest record here.

    27 min

  6. AUG 16

    Some Kind of Ambition Monster with Jennifer Romolini

    We talk with writer Jennifer Romolini about Philly shit, her book "Ambition Monster," her relapse into workaholism while promoting the book, and how to be satisfied with a “B minus” work day.  Also: We’re calling on the Small Bow Family Orchestra: Do you think you might be a workaholic? What moments come to mind? Send a voice memo along to ajd@thesmallbow.com, SUBJECT: WORKAHOLIC. Or you can leave us a voicemail at +1-323-917-3846.  Read Workaholism 101 here. Find Jenn’s book and more writing here. Listen to Jenn’s podcast with Kim France Everything is Fine. Listen to Swamp Dogg’s new album "Blackgrass" wherever you get music, or buy a hard copy here. In this episode: 4:53 Interview Begins 6:53 Creative Burnout, Balancing Life and Writing, Jenn's Essays 10:17 Ambition & Insecurity, Trauma-Success, Acting in Charge 17:34 Changing Ambitions, Sober Heartbreak, Drinking Culture 21:33 Relapse, New Cycles, Parental denial 33:00 Getting What You Wanted, Working to Fix It 38:40 Status vs. What You Want, Consistency, Creative Blocks 42:20 How to Stay Sane When You Care, Self-Pressure 47:23 The Fuck You Voice, Burritoville 49:55 Trusting yourself? Being hypersensitive, Being patient, Parental growth 54:43 Reparenting 1:03:28 What to do if you're workaholic

    1h 8m

  7. AUG 2

    Main Character Defects with Josh Radnor

    Josh Radnor joins TSB pod to discuss the spiritual life he acquired while navigating the pitfalls of becoming internationally famous for his role as Ted Mosby on “How I Met Your Mother.” We also discuss the problem with gurus, the perks of solitude, free desserts, and “Brats”.  Find Josh's newsletter here. And check out Swamp Dogg's album Black Grass here. In this episode: 2:43 Josh's relationship to Ted Mosby, surviving fame, spiritual work, No Bad Parts 11:00 Being famous but not the main character, suggested bibliography, 18:10 Turning 50, Josh's reading list, A.J.'s recommendation 25:04 "Brats" but like Andrew McCarthy, sobriety and public life 30:55 Finding camaraderie in sobriety 37:35 Gurus, charlatans, cults 43:25 Living with a dark side, expanding your definition of self 51:42 Seeking camaraderie in sobriety 54:30 Gurus, Charlatans, Cults 58:00 Richard Rohr, pride, feeling strange, writer brain, Mary HK Choi

    1h 11m

  8. JUL 26

    Go Say Hello with Mary HK Choi

    Mary HK Choi returns to the pod to discuss her extremely popular NY Mag essay about her adult autism diagnosis. We also discuss social anxiety, self-forgiveness in the aftermath of both our father’s deaths, and Mary’s practice of using a post-it note to remind her to “go say hello” to other people in social situations and not to isolate.  Some of this conversation is an update to Mary's last time on the show. If you like this, check out S1 E15 "Suffer the Adult Children". Find more of us at thesmallbow.com/podcast. In this Episode: 00:00:00 Top of Show The Essay 00:02:50 Mary’s essay, public response 00:06:29 Perceptions of autism, personal and professional challenges 00:15:27 What didn’t make the article, self-diagnosis and resources, https://embrace-autism.com/  In Relationships 00:27:07 Self-compassion, communicating needs, growing into things 00:34:18 Relationship to eating, food, autistically feeling your body 00:37:30 No Surprises Club, Julianne hello’s A.J. Parents and Parenting 00:42:27 Addressing the past, Ozzy vs Dr. Drew 00:50:07 Father-child relationships, Hungry Girls Forever, breaking cycles 00:55:10 Unsubscribe from your 11yo, Looking back without anger, old-boy dads 00:59:12 Reevaluating memories, choosing to have a relationship, saying goodbye 01:02:59 Asking what was my part? Being in our heads, “Don’t be like me” 01:13:49 A.J. geeks 01:15:00 Closing thoughts, our next super famous guest

    1h 18m
See All (34)

4.8
out of 5
105 Ratings

About

The Small Bow Podcast is a recovery show – part interview, part storytelling – hosted by A.J. Daulerio, and based on the recovery newsletter thesmallbow.com. A.J. created TSB after he got out of rehab and wanted to hear stories about sobriety, mental health, and spirituality that he couldn’t easily find on the internet.  We talk about recovery from all kinds of things: car crashes, identity crises, drugs, alcohol, ego. And even if you’re not in recovery, these stories and conversations have things to teach. Most people equate recovery with redemption – the part where people who’ve quit drugs or alcohol then tell you how they did it and how good their lives are now – but TSB focuses less on the beginning and ending of rock bottoms, and more about the middle part, making it through the woods.  Join A.J. as he speaks with writers, entertainers, social workers, magazine editors, recovering addicts, recovering jerks – people – about how they made it through hard things and got better because of it. Maybe some of this will help you get better too. The Small Bow Podcast is hosted by A.J. Daulerio, and produced by Julian Weller. In 2022 the show was nominated for an Ambies Award for "Best Wellness And Relationships Podcast."

Information

  • Creator
    thesmallbow.com
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2024
  • Episodes
    34
  • Copyright
    2024 The Small Bow © Any use of this intellectual property for text and data mining or computational analysis including as training material for artificial intelligence systems is strictly prohibited without express written consent from The Small Bow
  • Show Website
    The Small Bow Podcast

You Might Also Like

To listen to explicit episodes, sign in.

Stay up to date with this show

Sign in or sign up to follow shows, save episodes, and get the latest updates.
Select a country or region

Africa, Middle East, and India

Asia Pacific

Europe

Latin America and the Caribbean

The United States and Canada