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Recovery, Truth, and Hope with Dr. Larry Smith
Manage episode 517473467 series 2968201
What happens when addiction talks back—and you answer? Dr. Larry Smith, author of Johnnie and Me: Facing the Voice of Alcohol Within, shares how he personified alcohol as “Johnnie,” survived decades of trauma and dependency, and built a daily plan that’s kept him sober since 1999. He also previews his forthcoming novel 2084: The Neuroxone Conspiracy, a medical-thriller riff on Big Pharma, recovery, and personal freedom—making this a raw, hopeful, and deeply human conversation worth hearing.
Sponsored by Harford County Living
Guest Bio:
Dr. Larry Smith is a Canadian chiropractor, author, and recovery advocate who has been sober since September 22, 1999. His memoir Johnnie and Me personifies alcohol as “Johnnie,” the voice that misled him from age 11 until recovery, while his earlier book Embracing the Journey of Recovery opened doors for public speaking and community outreach. A former Ironman triathlete, Larry now writes, speaks, and mentors others in long-term recovery; his upcoming medical-thriller, 2084: The Neuroxone Conspiracy, explores addiction, industry, and choice.
Main Topics:
· Personifying addiction as “Johnnie” and why naming the voice matters
· First drunk at age 11; secrecy, trauma, and trust
· Relapse risk and the “daily plan” for long-term recovery (journaling, meditation, meals, exercise, connection, honest feedback)
· Meetings and connection: why frequency can change, but community matters
· Alcohol plus pills (opiates/benzos): compounding risks and lucky survival
· 12 Steps in plain language and alternatives beyond 12-step frameworks
· Faith, surrender, and releasing attachment to outcomes
· Writing as healing; moving from hiding to radical honesty
· Johnnie and Me
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Chapters
1. 10 Years Strong (00:00:00)
2. Meet Dr. Larry Smith (00:01:29)
3. Why personify alcohol as “Johnnie”? (00:02:45)
4. First drinks, secrecy, and starting at age 11 (00:03:56)
5. Hiding addiction from parents; consequences and fear (00:06:51)
6. Childhood trauma, secrecy, and trust (00:08:05)
7. Early recovery attempts (1997) and lasting sobriety (since 1999) (00:09:47)
8. Long-term recovery: the daily plan (journal, meditate, eat, move, connect) (00:11:24)
9. Meetings: from 5–7/week to weekly, and why connection matters (00:12:54)
10. Alcohol + pills (opiates, benzos): stacked risk and survival (00:14:05)
11. Health checkups, liver tests, and primary care access (00:15:47)
12. Writing as healing: breaking secrecy, finding a publisher (00:17:43)
13. Balancing practice, Ironman, and speaking; COVID-era writing rhythm (00:19:12)
14. Why more “making it” stories matter in recovery (00:22:18)
15. Mid-roll: Sponsor call for businesses (25% off annual; lifetime locked rate) (00:30:52)
16. Faith vs. organized religion; turning outcomes over (00:32:28)
17. “No two brains are the same”: learning from 1 day to 50 years sober (00:34:41)
18. What readers should take away: Hope (00:36:04)
19. Audiobook & translation plans (00:37:00)
20. Signed copies via DrLarrySmithAuthor.com (00:41:25)
21. Sneak peek: 2084: The Neuroxone Conspiracy (medical-thriller) (00:42:30)
22. Recovery policy debate: safe supply, treatment, and choice (00:45:29)
23. Dedication to Neil & Gary; why they mattered (00:50:50)
24. Larry reads “I’m 11 years old, my first drunk” (chapter excerpt) (00:56:58)
25. Quick-hit question: biggest risk that paid off (01:00:34)
26. Keep telling the story—ideas for Larry’s next chapter (01:03:18)
27. Outro, thanks, and supporters shout-out: Full Circle Boards; Sincerely Sawyer Photography (01:03:47)
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