Audrey and Patrick welcome Melanie C. to talk about second chances, disillusionment with electoral politics, and Michael Clayton. Covid lockdown, parental support and medication-assisted treatment helped Melanie find recovery from a fifteen year opiate addiction. Reading Edward Said in college began her education on Palestine and her advocacy for humanity and liberation.

We shouldn’t demand that revolution and resistance come in the ideological manner we prefer. We aren’t okay with our comfort coming at the expense of human lives. As a practice, Melanie suggests that when it comes to social and political critique, we also put mirror on ourselves: how are we contributing to our communities, to our civics, beyond posting?

Follow Melanie on Twitter: @benzostraydogs

Her Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/benzostraydogs/

Opening quote by filmmaker Paul Verhoeven, about Starship Troopers

Anna Scanlon’s Substack: https://substack.com/@rockfoils

Main show theme is “Strangers” by Midnight Prisms

Music and lyrics by Alicia Beck

Music and production by Max Foreman

Mastering by Little Castle Sound

Please follow and listen to Midnight Prisms on Spotify!

https://open.spotify.com/artist/3o5jiLSZMoSXNWL98UBxYI?si=sK-K7IoUSp-QfFKgUwVY7A

Main logo art by Patrick Mitchell and Angelina Harvey (@graffitifucks on Instagram)

Nick Casaccio joins us to talk about Benny Safdie’s The Smashing Machine and its twin dynamics of alcoholism and codependency, relating Mark Kerr’s struggles to our own recoveries. Addiction has a habit of migrating, and we discuss how gambling, shopping, and relationships have taken our stories down new rabbit holes. Nick finished school while he was in treatment more than thirteen years ago, and through Covid, bodybuilding, relationship struggles and physical ailments has continually offered himself in fellowship.

The ultimate purpose of celebrating recovery milestones is to inspire newcomers and share our experience strength and hope to those who still suffer.

Opening clip by Mark Kerr, from a 2009 interview

Episode cover art by Perry Kneisel

Main show theme is “Strangers” by Midnight Prisms

Music and lyrics by Alicia Beck

Music and production by Max Foreman

Mastering by Little Castle Sound

Please follow and listen to Midnight Prisms on Spotify!

https://open.spotify.com/artist/3o5jiLSZMoSXNWL98UBxYI?si=sK-K7IoUSp-QfFKgUwVY7A

Main logo art by Patrick Mitchell and Angelina Harvey (@graffitifucks on Instagram)

• (00:00:00) - A Men's Stag Birthday Bash
• (00:05:42) - How I Learned To Stop Drinking Alcohol During My Dark Times
• (00:11:08) - Gambling Helped Me Finish High School
• (00:17:18) - Casinos are a Bad Place for Gambling Stars
• (00:22:36) - Bipolar Patient Nick On His Spending Sprees
• (00:26:19) - The Smashing Machine: Ending Explained
• (00:27:13) - The Importance of 'The Codependent'
• (00:34:16) - Bipolar patient celebrates her 10th birthday

Audrey welcomes another wounded healer to Outside Issues: spiritual advisor Matthew Blankinship, who helps professionals and peers get stronger in their 11th Step. To become an expert in any field, Matthew believes ten years and ten thousand hours are required, to graduate from “digging the ditches to building the high rise.”

After a traumatic brain injury, paralyzed muscles and Vegas nerve severance (among other injuries), Matthew dedicated his life to healing at age 33, beginning his life anew. Divine wisdom - which aided Matthew in his own recovery as it helps Audrey recover from trauma and grief - is something with only light in it. It works for everyone.

Our highest and best goods project outward to people and the planet. Politics at their best, can be an extension of this. Mental health care and a spiritual practice give us the tools to keep ourselves in check so we can then help others.

Follow Matthew on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mattblankinship

Opening clip by Brad Dourif and David Milch

Main show theme is “Strangers” by Midnight Prisms

Music and lyrics by Alicia Beck

Music and production by Max Foreman

Mastering by Little Castle Sound

Please follow and listen to Midnight Prisms on Spotify!

https://open.spotify.com/artist/3o5jiLSZMoSXNWL98UBxYI?si=sK-K7IoUSp-QfFKgUwVY7A

Main logo art by Patrick Mitchell and Angelina Harvey (@graffitifucks on Instagram)