Ep 19 | Sobriety and Stand-Up | Sam Miller on Overcoming Addiction and Embracing Comedy

Touched Out!

Welcome to Episode 19 of Touched Out! A Mental Health Podcast for Parents.
I'm your host, Carter, and today, we have an incredibly funny, kind, and wise guest, Sam Miller, joining us. In this episode, we'll delve into Sam's journey from addiction to recovery and his thriving career in stand-up comedy.

Sam Miller's Transformation

Sam, from Spokane, Washington, shares his incredible story of transformation. Sober since June 10, 2008, he is actively engaged in the recovery community. Sam opens up about the deep shame he felt during his addiction, particularly in how he hurt his mother, and reflects on the impact of his father, a Lieutenant Colonel in the Air Force, who passed away when Sam was just 12.

Struggles with Addiction

Sam discusses his struggle with addiction, emphasizing that for him, it was not about getting high but running away from sobriety. He recounts his darkest moment when he was fired from his job as a firefighter with the US Forest Service due to excessive drinking, leading to a period of increased suicidal thoughts. The thought of hurting his mother was the only thing that kept him from taking that step.

Path to Recovery

Moving back home to his mother’s house, Sam had a moment of clarity that led him to seek help on June 10, 2008. He went through a grueling detox, marking the beginning of his journey to recovery. Sam shares that his first year of sobriety was more challenging than his last year of drug use, but it was a period of immense growth and adjustment.

Passion for Stand-Up Comedy

Sam has been doing stand-up comedy for 9 years and full-time for the last 2 years. He sees his comedy career as a gift of recovery. Reflecting on his first open mic experience, Sam describes it as a defining moment in his life, realizing he had always been a comedian. Making his family and friends laugh brings him immense joy, reinforcing the healing power of laughter.

Podcast and Album

Sam discusses his podcast, "The Tarp Report," co-hosted with fellow comedian Jess Anderson, as well as his debut album, "Round Trip," which is available now. He emphasizes the importance of raising kind and empathetic children, sharing insights from his 12 years of marriage and being a father to two children, aged 12 and 10.

Words of Wisdom

We conclude the episode with Sam's words of wisdom for anyone struggling with addiction or facing challenging times: "As best you can, find ways to love yourself" and "Keep in mind that there are unknown unknowns."

Connect with Sam Miller

You can find Sam's podcast, album, and tour schedule at Sam Miller Comedy.

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Chapters

1. Introduction and Sam's Journey from Addiction to Recovery (00:00:00)

2. Sam's Comedy Career and the Healing Power of Laughter (00:03:03)

3. Fatherhood and the Impact on Sam's Life (00:05:21)

4. Using Comedy to Address Important Topics (00:08:07)

5. Overcoming Addiction and the Importance of Seeking Help (00:09:02)

6. Promotion: Girls Can Wear Pants Too Children's Book (00:11:03)

7. The Shift into Comedy and the Identity of a Comedian (00:14:39)

8. The TARP Report Podcast and the Journey of Stand-Up Comedy (00:18:29)

9. Balancing Life on the Road and Mental Health (00:26:56)

10. The TARP Report Podcast and the Future (00:30:46)

11. Advice for Those Struggling with Addiction and Mental Health (00:37:49)