It's been 2 years since I spoke with sober penpal #128, Kristi Coulter. She has a new book coming out on Tuesday, August 7th called Nothing Good Can Come From This.
But the story of how she got here has a lot to teach us sober folks.
Like, how do you deal with people telling you that you just don't get it, or that you're shit?
I sent out this audio today (episode SP260) to podcast subscribers ...
BUT I am going to make this full podcast available for 48 hours, even if you are not a podcast subscriber.
You'll want to hear this. Start now, just for a few minutes.
Sober Podcast 260. Kristi Coulter (2018)
If you could leave a comment after you listen, that'd be great. Anonymous is fine. To download the entire audio, you can use the link below.
Download SP260. Kristi Coulter (2018)
Sign up for the podcast membership
(1-2 new full-length audios each week, you can cancel whenever you like ... but you won't. more sober tools = good)
Feedback from listeners:
GermanLena: Love that part about it not being about willpower. Because I guess, that’s what works ... slowly getting to know a perspective of things to be great and even greater! And particularly inspiring awesome to getting to know real people who are showing up, and what is possible if you just go through that tough stuff. 'cause grass IS greener on the other (sober) side! Love for that <3"
Emsyface: "Before she quit she felt like she was just fulfilling everyone else’s needs and that her writing/pure creativity was “not essential”. This I think is important because it shows how alcohol makes us just focus on getting through and we deny ourselves any sense of pleasure or frivolity. She talks about reading your blog and you “liking” being sober. Catherine Gray in her book talks about sobriety having such a negative image whereas the reality is anything but. That was so worth hearing again. I found it affirming to hear from someone who didn’t have underlying mental health issues that if one did, one might need more support. Other little nuggets were “drinking doesn’t change reality” (but changes how you process it); and that feelings don’t kill you. ... Thanks for this- one of the best I’ve heard in a while."
from me:
there have been weeks, now, with no update from the painting studio. what you doing?
stuff.
got anything to show?
not yet.
so when he presents me with this painting (Fender 1), i'm like, have i seen this before?
yes. it's been hanging on the wall in my studio for inspiration.
inspiration?
so that i'll play more guitar. do more of those hobby things that we talked about. this is one.
this is one what?
this is one of the guitar paintings...
how many are there?
seven.
seven guitar paintings, hanging on the wall in his studio. let it be said that i never go up to his studio, like twice in 6 years, because it's up 7 flights of stairs (no elevator).
and now he's ready to sell his personal collection 🙂
this painting also shows us what's available when we step 'outside' of the booze elevator. all the things that used to bring us joy, they're still there ...
Fender 2
Fender 2
canvas itself is 30 x 30 cm (12" x 12")
acrylic on wrapped canvas, varnished, edges of the canvas are painted black
Wood frame is African ayous (hardwood), pale straw colour.
Free shipping included.
Available with or without frame
link here > www.artsober.com
hugs from me & him
A great interview. Refreshing. Looking forward to reading the book. Thanks.
Thank you Belle for a great listen. Your first chat together about writing was one of the first sober podcasts I listened to and it really pulled me in. Will order the book today. Am on day 30 today and am plunging in for the next sober instalment!
You girls have so much chemistry, thank you for sharing this with us, it was very entertaining. I love what Kristi says about reality, that drinking doesn’t change reality. It changes your focus, and makes you miserable, but it doesn’t change what’s happening in your life or in the world. It sounds so obvious but it needs reminding.
“You’re just smarter when you’re sober.”
Love it.
Looking forward to reading the book!
It resonates that if you fail at moderation you will fail at sobriety. That is how I feel! Also useful to hear about the thirty days being like like a long haul flight! Holding your breath… 100 days is a good length of time because you can’t just race through holding your breath.
Great interview! I will always be thankful that I found Kristi’s blog and that it lead me to you Belle. Much love, Lmichel
“this is as easy as it’s going to get, regardless of who is the president…”
I am reminded that I need to be sober (and want to be sober) for the zombie apocalypse, and honestly, I think it’s here. I had not explored very much outside of this blog yet, so thanks for this interview! I have pre-ordered the book on Amazon, and look forward to exploring Kristi’s other writing as well.