I’m Gay and Drink Water

EP. 22 - Coffee, Anxiety, Escapism, Balance & More with Writer: Marina Crouse

Marina Crouse is a writer, editor and writing coach living in Los Angeles. Marina and Ally chat about their love for coffee, how they deal with anxiety and balancing their own writing with the work that pays the bills, allyship, what escapism looks like for each of them and much more. 
Follow Marina on Instagram @marinacrousewrites
Check out her website here. 

EP. 21 - 7 Years Sober

Today officially marks 7 years sober for Ally. In this cute little episode, Ally shares some lessons, hard truths and important reminders as she reflects on what she's learned in the last 7 years. 
If you're looking for some quick encouragement, this is definitely worth the listen! 

EP. 20 - Weddings: Sober and Not So Sober

Just like baseball, Ally used to associate alcohol with weddings for such a long time that she declined invitations to several friends' weddings. Whatever it takes to not drink, right? In this episode, Ally talks about the only wedding she was drunk at and the weddings she attended sober. Guess which ones were better for her? :) 
 
Resources corresponding to this episode: 
5 Ways to Stay Sober at a Wedding
9 Tips For Going To A Wedding When You’re Not Drinking
SAMHSA’s National Helpline

EP. 19 - Crowdfunding for Filmmakers, Queer Representation, Creative Balance & More with Filmmaker Justin Garascia

On this BONUS episode of IGADW, Ally chats with filmmaker Justin Garascia on everything from filmmaking to gay representation to alcohol and creativity and so much more.
Justin's brand new short horror-comedy "Trip Upstate!" is currently in post production, and Justin's team recently hit over 100% on their crowdfunding campaign for their project! 
Justin is also a director, writer and actor based in New York City. Before "Trip Upstate," his short film "Go Crazy With Crazy" premiered at the 2020 Big Apple Film Festival and subsequently went on to receive top mention at multiple international film festivals both virtually and in person. Justin currently co-leads the Manhattan Chapter of Filmshop.
"Go Crazy With Crazy" serves as a proof concept for a feature film which is currently in development. 
 
Support Justin further by checking out the following links:
"Trip Upstate!" Crowdfunding Campaign on Seed & Spark
Follow Justin on Instagram
Follow Justin on Twitter
Filmshop Manhattan Chapter & Screener for "Go Crazy With Crazy"
 
 

EP. 18 - From Traumatic Brain Injury to Sobriety - A Conversation with TBI Survivor Megan

On this episode, Ally chats with Megan Ryder, a 31 year old who quit drinking alcohol on 1/22/21. Her one year soberversery is next weekend!! Tune in for details about navigating sobriety as a medical marijuana patient. Megan is a traumatic brain injury survivor with severe pain and requires medical marijuana to thrive. She has struggled with the balance of no alcohol and adding edibles for the pain. However, the conclusion she has come to, for her, is that she chooses to treat the pain in the most holistic manner possible—which means marijuana is a necessity in her life. Lack of alcohol, on the other hand, led her to start achieving and living her best life. She is so proud and grateful to share her story with us. 
 
TW: substance abuse, medical trauma and suicidal ideation. 
 
Resources for this episode:
https://www.leafly.com/learn/legalization/medical-states
https://patient.practicalpainmanagement.com/treatments/medical-marijuana-pain-what-use-for
 

2022 Recap - the Good, the Bad & the Ugly

Nearly a year ago, Ally almost broke her sobriety.
From loneliness to light, Ally's 2022 is a prime example for anyone that things get better, and if you don't know what to do: just keep going and stay hydrated - day by day, hour by hour, minute by minute. 
While she wishes it were different (and easier), some times we have to fight for our happiness and that's exactly what Ally spent doing last year. And it was far from easy and it was incredibly lonely at times, but it is absolutely worth it. 
Welcome to the other side...where things are happier and so much more fun! 

EP. 16 - A Conversation with Sober Trans Life and Business Coach: Jo Walduck

On this episode, Ally chats with Jo Walduck (she/they). Jo is a sober trans life and business coach based in Normandy, France. Since getting sober "just for a month" back in 2019, she has navigated her own chronic health struggles, coming out and transitioning in a foreign country during pandemia, losing two parents in 3 months, and has supported dozens of people on their own paths to and within recovery. And sometimes she wonders why she's tired!
 
Working with an approach recognizing the multiple pathways to recovery, Jo's own recovery encapsulates moving away from alcohol, nicotine, people pleasing, the white supremacist cis-hetero patriarchy and diet culture. It's all connected. Exploring trauma responses, survival roles and building sustainable recovery capital through the lens of positive psychology, NLP, IFS and SCT, Jo's number one client will always be herself. She also does 1:1 coaching and runs an online queer and feminist sober support group 100% free of diet culture.
 
You can find her chatting up the fromagère or the boulanger at the weekly markets, cleaning up after her pussycat, taking long wet walks on the beach in Dieppe, enjoying a pastry or two with her coffees, or trying to put goodness and gentleness out into the spaces she inhabits online.
 
Links Corresponding with this Episode
 
Work With Jo
Follow Jo on Instagram
Transgender Emergency Recovery Fund
Support These 20 Trans POC-Led Grassroots Organizations

EP. 15 - My 21st Birthday & Why I Thought That Would Change My Relationship with Drinking

Ally's 21st birthday was one that she actually wants to remember, and she does because she remembers most of her drunken times. Her big 2-1 was one of the few times she felt safe and was okay and had fun while drinking all day. 
In this episode she recounts her activities for the day and reflects on being 21 and still in the closet. 
 
Additional Support & Resources
Hope for Sober Teens & Dorm Life
Is it Possible to Stay Sober in College? YES.
Tips for Staying Sober in College
 

EP. 14 - Out in the Classroom: A Conversation with High School Choral Teacher Jacob Carlew

Jacob Carlew is in his 7th year of teaching choral music at Branson high school. He lives in Springfield Missouri with his chunky cat Cecil the Magnificent. When he is not binge watching trash tv, he enjoys CrossFit, nagging his married friends, and traveling.
Jacob popped up on my for you page on TikTok last month and has made a large part of the internet smile with his words of wisdom and power pointless PowerPoints from his students. He has grown his following to nearly 75,000 on TikTok.
Jacob and Ally had an incredible conversation about his work as a teacher, what it's like being out in the classroom, how you can be an advocate for teachers everywhere and alcohol’s presence in the queer community and in teachers' lives.  
Additional Resources & Support to this Episode
Donate to the Trevor Project 
Follow Mr. Carlew on TikTok
50 Resources to Support Mental Health for Teacher

EP. 13 - My Creative Process: Sober v. Not Sober

Ally has been writing since she was 7 years old, around the same time she realized she was *different* aka gay. While her writing process and creativity have changed throughout the years, one thing is clear: her art cannot flourish under the influence of alcohol. 
In this episode, Ally takes you through what writing was like during her drinking days and what it looks like now, nearly 7 years sober.