Episode Description:
In this heartfelt episode of Soberness, Darryl “DMC” McDaniels, one-third of the legendary hip-hop group Run-DMC, opens up about his struggles with addiction, depression, and finding purpose beyond fame. DMC shares the pivotal moments that led him to sobriety, the role therapy played in his healing, and how creativity and self-discovery saved his life.

This powerful conversation explores the dark side of fame, the weight of guilt and shame, and the transformative power of vulnerability. If you’re seeking inspiration on your own recovery journey or looking to understand the depths of addiction and redemption, this episode offers hope and wisdom.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

1. **Therapy as a Lifeline**: DMC highlights how therapy helped him confront and process the guilt, shame, and unresolved emotions that fueled his addiction, showing the importance of seeking professional help.

2. **The Power of Creativity**: Embracing creative outlets like writing and comic books played a significant role in DMC’s recovery, offering him a way to reconnect with his identity and purpose.

3. **Purpose Beyond Fame**: DMC shares how discovering a purpose outside of his music career gave his life new meaning, reminding us that recovery is not just about abstaining from substances but building a fulfilling life.

ABOUT THE SOBERNESS PODCAST

Soberness is a new podcast from Cat Greenleaf, creator and host of Talk Stoop.

Cat brings her legendary interviewing style and ten years of sobriety to wild conversations with celebrities and notable people who have been on their own sober journeys, either out loud in public or quietly at home.

Soberness is not a somber show about sobriety.

It’s about the one-of-a-kind stories that define the lives of people we all know, sharing the aching humor and the meaning that comes with a life in recovery.

And it’s about how that life redefines the work and the art of the actors, musicians and thinkers around us.

Soberness is built upon the primary belief that there’s no one definition for sobriety and no one way to get sober …and there are a million stories that can lead the way for anyone who’s trying to make it happen.

WATCH THE FULL EPISODE HERE:

https://youtu.be/w3toqqt4hFs

LISTEN TO THE FULL AUDIO PODCASTS HERE: https://open.spotify.com/show/6CT7iEJi0PIzaVHxEBVZVi

ABOUT CAT GREENLEAF

Cat Greenleaf is a veteran TV personality and host, best known for her long-running series, Talk Stoop, where she interviewed and entertained actors, musicians, politicians, and other notable folks on the stoop of her Brooklyn brownstone. When she’s not TV-ing, she’s working on her non-profit the Restorative Housing Organization which provides employment for formerly incarcerated folks and affordable waterfront housing. She also leads AA meetings for inmates at Bedford Hills Women’s Maximum Security Prison, and for formerly incarcerated men and women in East New York. She lives in Brooklyn’s Coney Island with her husband, two sons and three dogs.

Keywords: DMC sobriety, Run-DMC recovery, hip-hop addiction stories, overcoming addiction, therapy and healing, finding purpose in recovery, guilt and shame in addiction, creative outlets in sobriety, mental health and music, fame and addiction struggles, addiction recovery journey, DMC comic book passion, Run-DMC redemption, recovery wisdom, Darryl McDaniels sobriety story, healing through creativity, depression and sobriety, inspiring recovery stories, hip-hop mental health, Run-DMC life lessons.

Episode Description:
In this emotional and deeply honest episode of Soberness, legendary actor and voice artist Hank Azaria opens up about his sobriety journey and the role his dear friend, the late Matthew Perry, played in helping him find recovery. Best known for his work on The Simpsons and iconic roles in film and TV, Hank shares how addiction, childhood trauma, and love addiction shaped his life and career.

• The moment Matthew Perry inspired him to seek help for his addiction.

• How fame amplified his struggles with alcohol and emotional dependency.

• The connection between childhood trauma and addictive behaviors.

• Why emotional sobriety—beyond just quitting substances—is key to true recovery.

This candid conversation reveals a side of Hank Azaria that few have seen, offering powerful insights, hope, and a reminder that recovery is about connection, not perfection. If you’re on your own sobriety journey or supporting someone who is, this episode is a must-watch.

ABOUT THE SOBERNESS PODCAST

Soberness is a new podcast from Cat Greenleaf, creator and host of Talk Stoop.

Cat brings her legendary interviewing style and ten years of sobriety to wild conversations with celebrities and notable people who have been on their own sober journeys, either out loud in public or quietly at home.

Soberness is not a somber show about sobriety.

It’s about the one-of-a-kind stories that define the lives of people we all know, sharing the aching humor and the meaning that comes with a life in recovery.

And it’s about how that life redefines the work and the art of the actors, musicians and thinkers around us.

Soberness is built upon the primary belief that there’s no one definition for sobriety and no one way to get sober …and there are a million stories that can lead the way for anyone who’s trying to make it happen.

WATCH THE FULL EPISODE HERE:

https://youtu.be/_T1FeK3bC5g

LISTEN TO THE FULL AUDIO PODCASTS HERE: https://open.spotify.com/show/6CT7iEJi0PIzaVHxEBVZVi

ABOUT CAT GREENLEAF

Cat Greenleaf is a veteran TV personality and host, best known for her long-running series, Talk Stoop, where she interviewed and entertained actors, musicians, politicians, and other notable folks on the stoop of her Brooklyn brownstone. When she’s not TV-ing, she’s working on her non-profit the Restorative Housing Organization which provides employment for formerly incarcerated folks and affordable waterfront housing. She also leads AA meetings for inmates at Bedford Hills Women’s Maximum Security Prison, and for formerly incarcerated men and women in East New York. She lives in Brooklyn’s Coney Island with her husband, two sons and three dogs.

Keywords: Hank Azaria, Matthew Perry sobriety, Soberness podcast, addiction recovery stories, emotional sobriety, childhood trauma and addiction, Hank Azaria interview, recovery journey, famous sobriety stories, overcoming addiction, Matthew Perry inspiration.

In this impactful episode of Soberness, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Nick Kristof brings his expertise and compassion to a conversation about addiction, poverty, and recovery in America. Drawing on decades of investigative reporting, Nick sheds light on the systemic factors fueling addiction and the urgent need for recovery-focused solutions.

From the devastating effects of childhood trauma to the role of economic hardship, Nick discusses the interconnected roots of addiction and how they impact individuals and communities alike. He also shares lessons from global approaches to recovery, including Portugal’s groundbreaking policies, and reflects on his personal experiences that shaped his understanding of resilience and healing.

Whether you’re on your own recovery journey or passionate about addressing addiction at a societal level, this episode provides both hope and actionable insights.

• The link between addiction, poverty, and systemic inequality.

• Why childhood trauma is a major predictor of substance abuse.

• Lessons America can learn from Portugal’s approach to addiction recovery.

• The role of community and connection in healing addicted populations.

• How journalism can amplify voices and inspire change.

ABOUT THE SOBERNESS PODCAST

Soberness is a new podcast from Cat Greenleaf, creator and host of Talk Stoop.

Cat brings her legendary interviewing style and ten years of sobriety to wild conversations with celebrities and notable people who have been on their own sober journeys, either out loud in public or quietly at home.

Soberness is not a somber show about sobriety.

It’s about the one-of-a-kind stories that define the lives of people we all know, sharing the aching humor and the meaning that comes with a life in recovery.

And it’s about how that life redefines the work and the art of the actors, musicians and thinkers around us.

Soberness is built upon the primary belief that there’s no one definition for sobriety and no one way to get sober …and there are a million stories that can lead the way for anyone who’s trying to make it happen.

WATCH THE FULL EPISODE HERE: https://youtu.be/_T1FeK3bC5g

LISTEN TO THE FULL AUDIO PODCASTS HERE: https://open.spotify.com/show/6CT7iEJi0PIzaVHxEBVZVi

ABOUT CAT GREENLEAF

Cat Greenleaf is a veteran TV personality and host, best known for her long-running series, Talk Stoop, where she interviewed and entertained actors, musicians, politicians, and other notable folks on the stoop of her Brooklyn brownstone. When she’s not TV-ing, she’s working on her non-profit the Restorative Housing Organization which provides employment for formerly incarcerated folks and affordable waterfront housing. She also leads AA meetings for inmates at Bedford Hills Women’s Maximum Security Prison, and for formerly incarcerated men and women in East New York. She lives in Brooklyn’s Coney Island with her husband, two sons and three dogs.

KEYWORDS:

Sobriety stories, addiction recovery, Nick Kristof, Soberness podcast, America’s addiction crisis, recovery journey, childhood trauma and addiction, poverty and substance abuse, systemic solutions for addiction, breaking the cycle of addiction, Pulitzer Prize writer Nick Kristof.