Completely excellent to read this on a Monday morning. Although I do feel a bit guilty about checking email as soon as my alarm went off, and will try to heed your advice on not immediately reaching for the ol’ rectangle of doom as soon as I open my eyes.
I travelled down to Exeter to watch Howl last year. My good friend lives down there and he wasn't aware of your work but was up for coming along. Unbeknownst to me he was going through an incredibly painful divorce that he kept quiet from us all. A couple of weeks later he opened up about the situation and one of the reasons he credited was watching your show and it providing optimism and proof of life after pain. Since then he is doing much better and still mentions the show but how he wishes he could watch it again in his current frame of mind. I'll be picking this up for him as a gift so I'm thrilled you've managed to face it.
That episode made me cry. I feel I grew an inch just listening to you. So happy that 'Howl' will be out! If it is your lovely Robin A. who's editing, I'm sure he's put a lot of work and love in it. Writing a book about alcohol sounds unbearable, but you'll come victorious, and I hope you'll feel amazing. You're such a wondrous gift to the world. Lots of love from Poland
Pleased to hear that the Howl recording is being released soon, I got to see it last year and will enjoy experiencing it again in audio form. A book sounds great, too. Much love to you John!
Thanks so much for your conversation with Elis - I was literally sat with a pen and paper taking notes on some of what you were chatting about around cravings and rehearsing conversations with yourself.
I'm not an alcoholic but am in a 12 step recovery programme, and everything I've heard you share on your recovery and life without alcohol is so insightful, compelling, relatable - and often funny too. You manage to articulate your journey in such a clear way - it's really reassuring and inspirational to someone like me trying to wrestle with recovery and the consequences to myself and others of my behaviour while in active addiction.
Thank you for sharing so much of your experience, and for making us laugh lots along the way.
Hi John, thanks for your message to us all. I stopped drinking using a popular 12 step programme that I still use and am nearly 3 years sober. I too thought that I would be oh so chipper most of the time after giving up alcohol but I did experience some real lows where I felt worse than before and I couldn’t believe it. So I just worked my programme harder with the support of my fellows, very soon I was back to being ok. So keep going. Sometimes just getting your head on the pillow sober is the only win of the day but what a mighty win it is! All the best Chrissy
John , what a lovely start to a mundane Monday Thankyou. I’m on a journey with my mental health and physical health and it’s so tough, I just keep going and hope for the best. I’ve fallen into the trap of ,if I just change this aspect of my life everything will be better but it doesn’t work like that. I can only strive for more peace in my life.
I'm so pleased that I'll be able to share Howl with everyone I know - I saw the final show at Bristol Beacon last year - it left me in tears, and I'm still thinking about it. Why isn't it a bloody Netflix Special already!?
John, I absolutely delight in you.
Completely excellent to read this on a Monday morning. Although I do feel a bit guilty about checking email as soon as my alarm went off, and will try to heed your advice on not immediately reaching for the ol’ rectangle of doom as soon as I open my eyes.
I travelled down to Exeter to watch Howl last year. My good friend lives down there and he wasn't aware of your work but was up for coming along. Unbeknownst to me he was going through an incredibly painful divorce that he kept quiet from us all. A couple of weeks later he opened up about the situation and one of the reasons he credited was watching your show and it providing optimism and proof of life after pain. Since then he is doing much better and still mentions the show but how he wishes he could watch it again in his current frame of mind. I'll be picking this up for him as a gift so I'm thrilled you've managed to face it.
All the best.
That episode made me cry. I feel I grew an inch just listening to you. So happy that 'Howl' will be out! If it is your lovely Robin A. who's editing, I'm sure he's put a lot of work and love in it. Writing a book about alcohol sounds unbearable, but you'll come victorious, and I hope you'll feel amazing. You're such a wondrous gift to the world. Lots of love from Poland
It's been a while! However don't beat yourself up too much as we do get to hear your wondrous waffle twice a week after all.
Thank you for sharing so honestly & eloquently in the recent "Silent Treatment" ep too, we're all behind you in your journey.
# makes an awkward supportive fist clench gesture
Pleased to hear that the Howl recording is being released soon, I got to see it last year and will enjoy experiencing it again in audio form. A book sounds great, too. Much love to you John!
Thanks so much for your conversation with Elis - I was literally sat with a pen and paper taking notes on some of what you were chatting about around cravings and rehearsing conversations with yourself.
I'm not an alcoholic but am in a 12 step recovery programme, and everything I've heard you share on your recovery and life without alcohol is so insightful, compelling, relatable - and often funny too. You manage to articulate your journey in such a clear way - it's really reassuring and inspirational to someone like me trying to wrestle with recovery and the consequences to myself and others of my behaviour while in active addiction.
Thank you for sharing so much of your experience, and for making us laugh lots along the way.
Hi John, thanks for your message to us all. I stopped drinking using a popular 12 step programme that I still use and am nearly 3 years sober. I too thought that I would be oh so chipper most of the time after giving up alcohol but I did experience some real lows where I felt worse than before and I couldn’t believe it. So I just worked my programme harder with the support of my fellows, very soon I was back to being ok. So keep going. Sometimes just getting your head on the pillow sober is the only win of the day but what a mighty win it is! All the best Chrissy
I’m on a very emotional trek in Greenland and your vibemail just hit the spot! You are superb with words.
Big love John ❤️
All strength and love to you John x
John , what a lovely start to a mundane Monday Thankyou. I’m on a journey with my mental health and physical health and it’s so tough, I just keep going and hope for the best. I’ve fallen into the trap of ,if I just change this aspect of my life everything will be better but it doesn’t work like that. I can only strive for more peace in my life.
Love the podcast
Glad you're back and your bum is better. High fives all round.
I'm so pleased that I'll be able to share Howl with everyone I know - I saw the final show at Bristol Beacon last year - it left me in tears, and I'm still thinking about it. Why isn't it a bloody Netflix Special already!?
Any comment from me seems superfluous next to someone with an epic surname like “Stringleman”! Does good vibemail suffice?!
Hah! I know it's a mad name. There are so few of us in the world, but it could be worse, it used to be Strangleman in the 1800's.
A founding albeit extreme feminist perhaps… 😊
I mean, don't push me ;) hehe
❤️