In The Mix
Where I share a collection of things and topics of interest I am reading, listening to or talking about
Welcome to “In The Mix” where I share what has piqued my curiosity and interest, heard through the grapevine or landed in my lap every two weeks (sometimes every week). A relevant curation of books, articles, websites, events, podcasts and such that might interest you too! I am a voracious & curious reader, explorer of innovation and thought leadership.
My eyes were on the prizes last week since Dopesick, the Hulu series was up for 14 Emmy awards.
Michael Keaton won an Emmy for his role in Dopesick based on the book Dopesick, by Beth Macy. A stunning and true accounting of how the Sackler family strategically and intentionally addicted America and then blamed opioid addiction on the people prescribed dangerous and highly addictive oxycontin who then do whatever it takes to avoid being “dopesick” from going into withdrawal. While it may be hard to watch in some instances, it is an accurate portrayal of the obsession for the drug and how the brain and the body respond. It’s a great education on how we got here, the people who were laser focused on getting to the source of the opioid crisis including the DEA and VA special attorneys investigating the case. It will enrage you, break your heart and make you double down on compassion. Everyone should watch it.
Zendaya also won a Best Actress Emmy for her role as Rue in the HBO show Euphoria. A series (trigger warning, it’s very graphic) centered around, Rue and her high school friends, Rue’s addiction and attempts at recovery. In her acceptance speech, Zendaya shared, “I just wanted to say my greatest wish for Euphoria was that it could help heal people. I just want to say thank you to everyone who has shared their story with me. I want you to know that anyone who has loved a Rue, or feels like they are a Rue. I want you to know that I am so grateful your stories. I carry them with me and I carry them with her, so thank you so much." If you watch only one episode, watch the special episode part 1 Rue. It took place in a diner on Christmas Eve where Rue Bennett was talking to her sponsor, Ali Muhammad. They had a deeply moving authentic conversation about the realities of addiction, loss, and hope. The two of them have powerful and compelling monologues. After watching that episode my son and discussed it for hours and both agreed, everyone should watch that episode. Everyone.
Glennon Doyle’s, We Can Do Hard Things Podcast turned me on to Dr. Becky Kennedy. This podcast episode Breaking Cycles and Reparenting Yourself struck a few chords especially when she talked about curiosity and working from the tenet that we are all “good inside.” Her work with Internal Family Systems and the Good Inside theory is worth hearing about and practicing.
I then listened to and her podcast, Good Inside, especially the episode about her new book Good Inside. While Good Inside and Dr. Becky are mostly focused on parenting young children, her concepts could be practiced with all ages and with all relationships especially around conflict, challenging behavior and boundaries.
I ordered four new books last week, one in particular is going to take some time to digest but I think it will be worth it. Dr. Gabor Mate has a new book out The Myth of Normal. It’s a BIG book and I will get down to business with it and share my thoughts once I’ve gotten into it BUT Dr. Mate has been on Rich Roll’s podcast and Elise Lohenen’s Pulling The Thread, recently talking about The Myth of Normal. Other important books on addiction and trauma by Dr. Mate, In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts and When the Body Says No. In 2015, he was on Rich Roll’s podcast talking about addiction and choice and calling for a holistic and compassionate approaching to healing addiction.
Lastly, Pearl Jam teamed up with The Alano Club in Portland for Project RED. (Reduction, Education, Distribution) on an Overdose Awareness and Prevention Initiative that will take place at all of Pearl Jam’s US tour dates. Project RED will be on site with representatives from local harm reduction and recovery organizations on every date on Pearl Jam's September US tour to distribute overdose prevention supplies and educational materials and offer training on overdose identification and prevention. There will also be information about local and national supports and services for those in or seeking recovery from substance use or mental health disorders. Eddie Vedder spoke about overdose prevention on stage the other night. So powerful. Pearl Jam Rocks! People in Recovery create AMAZING ways to help others. It’s a beautiful thing to behold really.
I leave you with my two of my favorite Pearl Jam songs: Just Breathe and Wishlist
Take Good Care Mamas,
Shelly