The Small Bow Podcast

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Karina Rykman on Healthy Ego and Making Art from a Joyful Place Nov 11, 2026

Show notes

Karina Rykman might be the most positive person we’ve had on the show— I tried to break her down, but I couldn’t crack her! Karina is a singular bassist and joyful bandleader who is on tour with her new album Late Checkout. We talk about the lessons she’s learned from mentors like Trey Anastasio, Dave Dreiwitz (Ween) and Jim James and why she’s committed to having a good time onstage at all costs. Plus, Karina’s favorite fan interactions, her “addiction” to playing live and the risks associated with dropping “Shakedown Street” into the middle of a set. 00:00:00 Karina Rykman and life as a musician, mindset, and creative process 00:01:42 Discovering music and rejecting traditional piano lessons 00:04:15 Self-taught guitar and getting hooked on riff rock 00:05:32 Music industry internships and playing on concert cruises 00:07:34 Joining Marco Benevento's band and switching to bass guitar 00:10:00 Releasing records Joyride and Late Checkout and touring life 00:12:41 Promoting shows blindly and protecting mental peace from numbers 00:18:03 Balancing high self-imposed pressure with touring exhaustion 00:20:01 Locking herself away in a cabin to write her sophomore record 00:31:27 Power in joy over despair and keeping a positive attitude 00:34:42 The difference between self-confidence and having an ego 00:54:19 Tour burnout and the strange transition back home Topics: Self-taught musician and writer and rejecting formal lessons Music mentors and pivotal moments starting out in the NYC scene The grueling reality and mental toll of touring and life on the road High self-expectations and avoiding creative discontentment Writing her sophomore album ""Late Checkout"" and intense isolation Finding her singular voice on the bass guitar and creating legacy Prioritizing pure joy over despair in artistic creation Fan interactions, merch tables, and memorable tour connections Why chasing cheap crowd reactions can distract from her goals #KarinaRykman #BassGuitar #Bassist #LateCheckout #JoyrideAlbum #SelfTaughtMusician #SophomoreAlbum #Authenticity #SelfWorth #HeavyMetal #MusicianInterview #CreativeProcess #Originality #TheSmallBow New episodes release every Wednesday. ➡️ Subscribe to The Small Bow Podcast YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheSmallBow?sub_confirmation=1 ➡️ Join The Small Bow Community: https://www.thesmallbow.com/ ➡️ Get the latest on The Small Bow: https://linktr.ee/THESMALLBOW ➡️ Download The Small Bow Podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-small-bow-podcast/id1576208098

How to be grateful for an aging body | Peaceful John Nov 04, 2026

Show notes

As we get closer to the holidays, I wanted to bring back fan favorite Peaceful John for another round of questions from listeners (and from me). I go to John when I’m feeling stressed or consumed by dread and self-loathing, so I hope he can be of some help to all of you. We talk about self-forgiveness, humility and how to resist punishing yourself for past mistakes. We also answer questions about the shifts in identity that come with sobriety and how to be grateful for your body, even as it ages. 00:00:00 Letting go of old identities and stories about yourself 00:04:13 Boundaries when dealing with an aging and ill parent 00:06:05 Maintaining life balance and observing emotional reactivity 00:09:16 Navigating childhood victimhood and letting it be true 00:12:15 Realizing trauma responses in middle age without feeling empty 00:16:15 Detachment with love and dealing with addiction in loved ones 00:18:16 Facing the fear of public humiliation and punishment 00:24:14 Coping with holiday anxiety and familial childhood histories 00:31:05 Finding self-forgiveness through radical acceptance and humility 00:37:41 Dealing with sudden emotional triggers, grief, and rage 00:44:03 Unpacking body image, aging gracefully, and physical limitations 00:51:04 Embracing aging, mobility shifts, and finding inner peace Topics: Letting go of old identities and stories about yourself Boundaries when dealing with an aging and ill parent Maintaining life balance and observing emotional reactivity Navigating childhood victimhood and letting it be true Realizing trauma responses in middle age without feeling empty Al-anon detachment with love and dealing with addiction in loved ones Facing the fear of public humiliation and punishment Coping with holiday anxiety and familial childhood histories Finding self-forgiveness through radical acceptance and humility Dealing with aging, body image, and physical limitations #IdentityShift #ReclaimingAgency #ChildhoodTraumaHealing #EmbracingVulnerability #MiddleAgedReflection #SelfForgiveness #HumilityAndAcceptance #AgingAndSelfWorth #Sobriety #LettingGoOfShame #12StepProgram #DetachWithLove New episodes release every Wednesday. ➡️ Subscribe to The Small Bow Podcast YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheSmallBow?sub_confirmation=1 ➡️ Join The Small Bow Community: https://www.thesmallbow.com/ ➡️ Get the latest on The Small Bow: https://linktr.ee/THESMALLBOW ➡️ Download The Small Bow Podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-small-bow-podcast/id1576208098

How Could I Be An Addict If My Dad Is Dr. Drew? | Paulina Pinsky Oct 28, 2026

Show notes

Writer Paulina Pinsky hasn’t always known what it meant to be “right-sized.” As the daughter of TV’s Dr. Drew, Paulina struggled to understand how she was meant to perform for the public, especially when it came to the parts of her story that undermined her father’s persona. In this episode, we sit down for a conversation about disordered eating, body neutrality, the role her dad played in her recovery and why she no longer feels she needs to answer for his sins. The central theme here is self-esteem: what it is, where it comes from and why it’s so hard to maintain. 00:00:00 Finding recovery and surrender at a Christmas Eve meeting 00:01:27 Paulina Pinsky, self-esteem, and practicing body neutrality 00:05:27 Unlearning body shame across generations 00:11:56 Eating disorder history and compulsive behavior 00:16:07 Modern diet culture and weight loss drugs 00:20:48 Growing up as Dr. Drew's daughter 00:24:05 The View interview, viral fallout, and shaving her head 00:28:22 Setting boundaries and family public perception 00:32:13 Gift of desperation and recovery gratitude 00:37:36 Navigating public expectations and online comments 00:41:05 Nepo baby humor, art, and public service 00:45:23 Understanding fame versus genuine human intimacy Topics: Defining self-esteem as accurate self-appraisal and being right-sized Practicing body neutrality over commercialized body positivity Unlearning inherited body shame and chronic self-judgment Overcoming bulimia and the realities of adolescent diet culture Surrendering in early sobriety and hitting a Christmas Eve meeting Navigating life and public identity as Dr. Drew's daughter The viral fallout of going on The View with Barbara Walters at 21 Setting healthy family boundaries and refusing to answer for internet backlash Differentiating between public fame and genuine interpersonal intimacy #PaulinaPinsky #DrDrew #BodyNeutrality #EatingDisorderRecovery #AccurateSelfAppraisal #RightSizedRecovery #EarlySobriety #FamilyBoundaries #DetachWithLove #PerformativeWellness #FameVsIntimacy #NepoBaby #Recovery #CancelCulture" New episodes release every Wednesday. ➡️ Subscribe to The Small Bow Podcast YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheSmallBow?sub_confirmation=1 ➡️ Join The Small Bow Community: https://www.thesmallbow.com/ ➡️ Get the latest on The Small Bow: https://linktr.ee/THESMALLBOW ➡️ Download The Small Bow Podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-small-bow-podcast/id1576208098

Pat Croce Doesn’t Have Bad Days Oct 21, 2026

Show notes

If you would have told me thirty years ago that I’d be interviewing former 76’ers Team President Pat Croce about Zen Buddhism, I would have said you were crazy. But here we are. If you followed Philly sports in the 1990’s, you knew Pat Croce as the high-flying architect of the Sixers turnaround that rallied the city around a team of underdogs. These days, Pat has turned into a full-on seeker, committing to Zen Buddhism and spreading a message of love with his trademark energy and enthusiasm. We talk about this shift and how a recent cancer diagnosis changed his perspective on life and inspired him to climb Everest on chemo. Plus, Pat gives me advice on how to support my daughter’s desire to jump off a cliff in Moab. 00:00:00 Bad days and finding a still mind with Pat Croce 00:03:54 Discussing health diagnoses and spiritual understanding 00:07:01 The airplane quote that changed everything about the mind 00:11:15 Exploring positive energy exchange and human connection 00:14:16 Handling the urge to blame and practicing mindful release 00:19:37 The finger pointing to the moon and finding the gap 00:24:16 Addressing suffering, depression, and the nature of love 00:31:18 Fearlessness versus recklessness in parenting and adventure 00:41:12 Reframing grief, vulnerability, and true invincibility 00:47:01 Finding practical usefulness and freedom beyond wealth 00:54:02 Reimagining success and investing presence in the now 00:56:19 Redefining what a bad day looks like Topics: Pat Croce shares his perspective on redefining a bad day through a still mind Waldenstrom's bone marrow cancer diagnosis and daily treatment How an airplane article by Pico Iyer sparked a 12-year spiritual shift Embracing the Japanese tea ceremony metaphor and the way of the cigar Overcoming the urge to blame using the RAIN mindfulness principle Exploring the Buddhist and Bruce Lee concept of the finger pointing to the moon Fearlessness and recklessness when parenting and planning adventures Reframing grief, vulnerability, and why vulnerability equals invincibility Addressing cynicism and finding practical usefulness in spiritual growth Success as investing presence and enthusiasm into the present moment #PatCroce #EnjoyYourselfNow #Waldenstroms #MindsetShift #SpiritualAwakening #FingerPointingToTheMoon #Consciousness #ZenMind #BungeeJumping #personaltransformation New episodes release every Wednesday. ➡️ Subscribe to The Small Bow Podcast YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheSmallBow?sub_confirmation=1 ➡️ Join The Small Bow Community: https://www.thesmallbow.com/ ➡️ Get the latest on The Small Bow: https://linktr.ee/THESMALLBOW ➡️ Download The Small Bow Podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-small-bow-podcast/id1576208098

How To Talk About Death With Famous People | David Marchese Oct 14, 2026

Show notes

Please Note: This video discusses heavy themes, including suicide and mental health struggles. If you are experiencing distress, please utilize the free, confidential resources below. United States & Canada: Call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. International: Find free, immediate support lines specific to your country at https://findahelpline.com David Marchese talked to Sir Anthony Hopkins about his estrangement from his father and Eddie Vedder about the death of a friend. As co-host of The Interview for the New York Times, David gets to sit down with some of the most interesting and prominent people and ask them… whatever he wants. In this conversation, we talk about why being an interviewer is not like therapy and how being vulnerable is the best way to get even the biggest celebrities to open up. Plus, what David has learned from conversations with Lou Reed, David Lynch, Norm Macdonald and many more. 00:00:00 Approaching hard conversations and the art of professional bravery 00:04:26 Surviving a brutal early career interview with Lou Reed 00:09:12 Industry landscapes from spin magazine to the new york times 00:13:21 Prioritizing genuine personal curiosity over generic audience questions 00:18:07 Bonding with eddie vedder and fan-driven interviews 00:23:30 Developing lasting friendships with people he interviews 00:29:18 Family estrangement after the Anthony Hopkins interview 00:35:20 Vulnerability and the unpredictable nature of viral moments 00:46:36 Complex grief of suicide, illness, and a father's passing 00:58:16 Childhood toxicity and the absence of closure 01:01:08 Transcendental meditation to transform intrusive thoughts 01:04:15 Finding inspiration in David Lynch and the path to self-discovery Topics: Bravery in conducting tough interviews Lessons from interviewing Lou Reed Evolution from Spin to NYT interviewing Asking questions from personal curiosity Connecting with Eddie Vedder on loss Friendship with comedian Norm Macdonald Processing family estrangement Going viral with Eminem and Quincy Jones Navigating personal grief and mortality Transcendental meditation for mind #DavidMarchese #InterviewTechniques #NewYorkTimes #GriefAndLoss #TranscendentalMeditation #FamilyEstrangement #LouReed #EddieVedder #mentalhealthawareness New episodes release every Wednesday. ➡️ Subscribe to The Small Bow Podcast YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheSmallBow?sub_confirmation=1 ➡️ Join The Small Bow Community: https://www.thesmallbow.com/ ➡️ Get the latest on The Small Bow: https://linktr.ee/THESMALLBOW ➡️ Download The Small Bow Podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-small-bow-podcast/id1576208098

“The Ground Hurts” | Hard Lessons with Comedian Nick Thune Oct 07, 2026

Show notes

From a rehab that burned down to a fall from a second story window, Nick Thune has escaped death many times. He’s found a way to tell his story that makes space for the terror he felt in the depths of addiction and the compassion he now feels for the person he used to be. Nick spins a good yarn, and there’s a lot of those in this episode— featuring broken limbs, petting babies, gang leaders, and much more. Plus, we talk about how to raise a child who lives without fear (in a good way). 00:00:00 Early rehab, fighting, and the padded room 00:05:08 Getting expelled and surviving high school 00:10:27 Late night habits and early drinking culture 00:15:30 Malibu fires and finding alcohol in the evacuation house 00:20:18 Transitioning out of treatment and facing real life temptations 00:26:07 Dealing with health consequences and long term lung damage 00:30:46 Opioid withdrawal in Kenya and dangerous tour injuries 00:35:30 Standup comedy on pain pills and performing post injury 00:39:24 Writing comedy in treatment and severe panic attacks 00:44:16 Parenting through recovery and teaching accountability 00:48:51 Postponing emotional pain and shameful bender stories 00:51:12 Finding peace in fatherhood and balancing work travel Topics: Long-term recovery and managing addiction Comedy as an early recovery analogue Physical impacts of severe alcoholism Navigating pill use and opiate withdrawal Surviving relapse and second rehabilitation Nicotine dependency and chewing tobacco Parenting and fatherhood as sobriety anchors Engagement with AA meetings and sponsees Managing mental health through therapy Overcoming character defects and growth #NickThune #AddictionRecovery #SoberLife #FatherhoodInRecovery #MentalHealthMatters #12StepRecovery #SoberComedian #PersonalGrowth #overcomingaddiction New episodes release every Wednesday. ➡️ Subscribe to The Small Bow Podcast YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheSmallBow?sub_confirmation=1 ➡️ Join The Small Bow Community: https://www.thesmallbow.com/ ➡️ Get the latest on The Small Bow: https://linktr.ee/THESMALLBOW ➡️ Download The Small Bow Podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-small-bow-podcast/id1576208098

I Was an Oddball Who Wanted to Be Loved | Rainn Wilson Sep 30, 2026

Show notes

Rainn Wilson is best-known for his role as Dwight Schrute on The Office and his Soul Boom Podcast. He’s a serious, thoughtful guy who had the strange experience of becoming an international celebrity almost overnight. We talk about how the experience of sudden fame dovetailed with his addiction and how AA and a return to his Bahai faith have helped him to find his footing again. Plus, we discuss his recent OCD diagnosis, why he’s grateful for the worst box office bomb of his career and the strangest gift he’s received from a fan. 00:00:00 From childhood loneliness to an iconic TV role 00:04:44 Pushing past surface acting into deep character work 00:09:33 Finding gratitude in the wake of box office bombs 00:14:19 Navigating hollywood perception and true movie stardom 00:19:08 Confronting fame and the Dwight Schrute identity trap 00:23:56 Unpacking late onset OCD and mental hijacking 00:28:45 Rewiring danger centers through exposure response therapy 00:33:30 Anchoring recovery through daily bahai prayer 00:38:15 Overcoming workaholism, shame, and constant pressure 00:43:02 Navigating the line of healthy creative ambition 00:47:51 Evolving from actor to modern spiritual storyteller 00:52:39 Sharing personal stories to help others heal Topics: Unpacking late onset OCD and brain loops Using exposure response therapy for ocd Managing mental hijacking and anxiety Practicing daily surrender in 12 steps Strengthening recovery with bahai prayer Balancing creative ambition and work Overcoming workaholism and high pressure Decoding the illusion of hollywood fame Evolving from actor to modern storyteller Sharing personal stories to help heal #RainnWilson #SoulBoom #MentalHijacking #ExposureResponseTherapy #LateOnsetOCD #DailySurrender #CreativeAmbition #WorkaholismRecovery #HollywoodFame #BahaiPrayer #EmotionalSobriety #storytellerlife New episodes release every Wednesday. ➡️ Subscribe to The Small Bow Podcast YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheSmallBow?sub_confirmation=1 ➡️ Join The Small Bow Community: https://www.thesmallbow.com/ ➡️ Get the latest on The Small Bow: https://linktr.ee/THESMALLBOW ➡️ Download The Small Bow Podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-small-bow-podcast/id1576208098

Jim James on Relinquishing Control and Making Peace with Death Sep 23, 2026

Show notes

Please Note: This episode discusses heavy themes, including suicide and mental health struggles. If you are experiencing distress, please utilize the free, confidential resources below. United States & Canada: Call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. International: Find free, immediate support lines specific to your country at https://findahelpline.com

If you are in the music industry, you can contact Backline: Call 855-BLINE99 or text 254-639 Please prioritize your well-being. Help is always available. Fans like me know Jim James as the lead singer, guitarist and songwriter of My Morning Jacket, as well as through his solo work. This week, Jim stops by the show to promote his new solo album Wowed Out and for a frank conversation about mental illness, his path to sobriety and how he copes when depression derails his day. We also talk about his experience with EMDR, parts work and psychedelic therapies, and why sleep is still a challenge for both of us. September is Recovery Month as well as Suicide Prevention Month, and I’m grateful to Jim for his candor in discussing all of the above. 00:00:00 Normalizing therapy and finding the right practitioner 00:04:44 Processing trauma with EMDR and parts work 00:09:33 Unlearning control issues to become a better collaborator 00:14:19 Overcoming toxic competition in the music industry 00:19:08 Shifting from aggressive ambition to collective gratitude 00:23:56 Sitting with depression and learning to accept dark emotions 00:28:45 Mental health hotlines and building personal support networks 00:33:30 Reframing suicidal ideation as a manageable health condition 00:38:15 Generational cycles and destigmatizing therapy for children 00:43:02 Navigating depressive episodes and responsibilities 00:47:51 Chronic sleep struggles and nighttime anxiety on tour 00:52:39 Letting go of creative outcomes and surrendering to the universe Topics: Shopping for the right therapist EMDR therapy, trauma healing, and parts work Genetic predisposition to high alcohol tolerance Sitting with depression daily and treating it with compassion Understanding mental illness & how to talk about it Overcoming industry competition Open dialogue on suicidal thoughts Crisis hotlines and learning to dialogue about depression Managing chronic insomnia and sharing sleep routines Releasing creative control and surrendering to universe #JimJames #MyMorningJacket #DepressionAwareness#AlcoholismRecovery #EMDRTherapy #MentalHealthMatters #SuicidePrevention #SelfCompassion #InsomniaRelief #MusicianMentalHealth New episodes release every Wednesday. ➡️ Subscribe to The Small Bow Podcast YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheSmallBow?sub_confirmation=1 ➡️ Join The Small Bow Community: https://www.thesmallbow.com/ ➡️ Get the latest on The Small Bow: https://linktr.ee/THESMALLBOW ➡️ Download The Small Bow Podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-small-bow-podcast/id1576208098

Yassir Lester Doesn’t Want the Phone to Ring Sep 16, 2026

Show notes

Have you ever jumped when the phone rings? Yassir Lester does it every time. The writer and comedian (Girls, Black Monday, The Carmichael Show) stops by for a conversation about anxiety, success, growing up poor and how to deal with the fear of surprise. Plus, we talk about why quitting drinking made him a better comedian and the fuzzy line between being courageous and being reckless. I could talk to Yassir for hours, this is a fun one. 00:00:00 Reverse imposter syndrome and industry self-doubt 00:05:33 Comparing test scores and overcoming appearance insecurities 00:10:48 Debt culture and finding creative satisfaction 00:16:08 Balancing business growth with artistic integrity 00:21:30 Driven by competition and the clarity of sobriety 00:26:55 Aiming for perfection while staying grounded through mistakes 00:32:25 Money mindsets and changing family perspectives 00:37:49 Breaking old habits through intense self-reflection 00:43:14 Facing sudden industry success and career shifts 00:48:38 Managing schedule anxiety and coping with bad news 00:54:02 Phone call anxiety and shifting mindset 00:59:26 Finding humor in uncertainty and unpredictable disasters Topics Balancing scale with creative ambition How sobriety improved Yassir's stand-up comedy Striving to be the best like Jordan Distinguishing bravery from recklessness The asymmetric risk model for artists Overcoming fear of failure and losing Why sincere apologies count as winning Trusting personal timing for success Anxiety around phone calls and fear Living in the present and not bracing for bad news #CreativeAmbition #AsymmetricRisk #SobrietyStory #StandUpComedy #AnxietyRelief #OverthinkingAndFear #MindsetShift #FinancialAnxiety #ArtAndCommerce #YassirLester #WriterInterview New episodes release every Wednesday. ➡️ Subscribe to The Small Bow Podcast YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheSmallBow?sub_confirmation=1 ➡️ Join The Small Bow Community: https://www.thesmallbow.com/ ➡️ Get the latest on The Small Bow: https://linktr.ee/THESMALLBOW ➡️ Download The Small Bow Podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-small-bow-podcast/id1576208098

I Spent My Sober Anniversary Avoiding a Video of Perez Hilton | Carey O’Donnell Sep 09, 2026

Show notes

Carey O’Donnell celebrated 10 years of continuous sobriety on the same day Perez Hilton bloodied himself on TikTok Live. Perfect time to come on this show and talk about anniversaries, celebrities and the gnarlier side of addiction. Carey and I both experienced our darkest moments in New York and this episode is full of those memories: 42 minute train delays, yelling your opinion at book club and hoping no one notices, the shame of taking folded laundry back to the laundromat… Plus, hamburger costumes, peeing in elevators and spending hours at the DSW in Union Square. There’s a lot of gross stuff in this episode and also a lot of laughter. Here's Carey on Perez: https://careyodonnell.substack.com/p/pereznnial-horror 00:00:00 Early addiction chaos and Halloween memories 00:03:18 Reflecting on nostalgia and living in New York 00:05:30 Court cases, early recovery, and wild habits 00:10:37 Funny meth stories and extreme behavior 00:14:36 Unpacking viral pop culture media moments 00:18:23 Navigating ego, empathy, and public drama 00:22:18 Pandemic struggles and virtual meetings 00:26:18 Disaster benchmarks and fear of hangovers 00:30:39 The reality of messy lifestyle habits 00:35:05 Late nights, shameful moments, and growth 00:39:40 Sleep routines, career stress, and anxiety 00:43:30 Spiritual rock bottom and recommitting #CareyODonnell #12Step #AddictionStory #RelapseRecovery #SoberStories#Y2KInternet #PerezHIltonEssay #Deadspin #Gawker #WriterInterview #LongTermRecovery #RecoveryMonth Topics Carey O'Donnell on ten years of sobriety Transitioning from New York to Los Angeles Early recovery struggles and program chaos Unpacking viral media and pop culture drama Relapse experiences and dark summer phases The reality of chaotic lifestyle habits Overcoming isolation during the pandemic Facing spiritual rock bottom on Halloween Recommitting to 12-step recovery programs Finding peace, clarity, and personal growth New episodes release every Wednesday. ➡️ Subscribe to The Small Bow Podcast YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheSmallBow?sub_confirmation=1 ➡️ Join The Small Bow Community: https://www.thesmallbow.com/ ➡️ Get the latest on The Small Bow: https://linktr.ee/THESMALLBOW ➡️ Download The Small Bow Podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-small-bow-podcast/id1576208098

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