I’m Gay and Drink Water

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. 
 

EP. 12 - A Conversation with Queer Poet, Author, & YouTuber: Carson Bohdi

TW: substance abuse, alcoholism
Carson Bohdi is a Toronto-based Poet, Songwriter, and YouTuber who is most well known for the video series, "Recovering Alcoholic Reacts" on Youtube and “Lessons I’ve Learned Living Alone” on TikTok. Their online brand, Carson’s Creatives, was created in 2016 and expanded in 2022 to include a Patreon page, merchandising store, and recently, they published their first book, “REQUIEM: A Collection of Poetry”, a raw look into their experience with mental health, addiction, and gender identity.
Carson and Ally discuss coming out, substance abuse, identity, writing and more in this episode. Carson gives a deep personal account of their journey with profound insight and reflection, including why they got sober and defining moments along the way. 
Resources Corresponding with This Episode:
Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction
Recovering Alcoholic Reacts on YouTube
Buy "Requiem" a Collection of Poetry
Follow Carson on Instagram
Follow Carson on TikTok
Support Them on Patreon
Carson's Creatives
 

EP. 10 - Halloween 2010: The Wall

In this spooky episode of I'm Gay and Drink Water, Ally gives a moment by moment account of the night she hit the drunk Wall for the first time. What's The wall? The Wall is the point of no return Ally would hit when she drank. She hit The Wall more often than not. 
Hitting The Wall that night was a result of neglected mental health and a depressed college student athlete that didn't know how to navigate her feelings. Not that that's an excuse, but that was just reality back then. 
With reflections sprinkled in throughout this story, Ally gives her listeners a glimpse into what it was like for her to be depressed and drunk and who she was running toward that chilly night in Oxford, Mississippi.
This episode is insightful, bold, and her most vulnerable episode yet. 
TW: Substance abuse, underage drinking, SA, mental health and binge drinking. 
 
Resources In Correspondence with This Episode
NCAA Student Athletes and Mental Health
Mental Health Resources for College Students
National Directory of Mental Health Facilities in America - 2021
Student Athletes and Substance Abuse Support

EP. 09 - Sobriety & Self Worth Meet Spirituality with Author & Spiritual Mentor: Daisy Soul Child

Danielle, author and owner of Daisy Soul Child offers deep insight on her spiritual path along with being sober. Daisy Soul Child offers spiritual mentorship and wants nothing more than to inspire and help women on their journey.
If you're looking for deeper guidance on your sobriety journey or are struggling with your spiritual path, then you're definitely going to want to tune in to this episode! 
Other topics of discussion include: coming out, growing up, family and self-worth.
 
Links Related to This Episode
@daisy_soulchild on Instagram
The Gift Is In My Wounds BookMy Daily Gifts Workbook
https://www.daisysoulchild.com/

EP. 08 - Mourning Loss Outside of Death and Conversations With My Future Self

Your host of I'm Gay and Drink Water, Ally talks about dealing with the feelings of loss after they build up for years and years. 
Learn how Ally connects with her future self to become the highest version of herself and how you, too, can incorporate your own future self-talk conversations to heal parts of your past for a better future. 
*NOTE: Ally is NOT a medical professional and NOT giving medical advice. She's simply a woman sharing her story in hopes that she can help her listeners in someway, shape or form.* 
Follow the I'm Gay and Drink Water podcast on Instagram - @imgayanddrinkwater

EP. 07 - Lou’s Story: Getting and Staying Sober in the UK

On this episode, Ally chats with Lou about getting and staying sober in the UK. They talk about what it was like for Lou to come out in the 90s, AA, blacking out, and how life is so much better without alcohol. 
Lou is a UK based gay woman who has been sober for 3 years. Despite there being some good times during her drinking, the blacking out episodes and consequences outweighed the good. That's why she felt she couldn't continue living that lifestyle and ended up surrendering to sobriety. Lou now lives a free, sober and worthwhile existence without alcohol and can honestly say, she has never been happier!
TW: blacking out, mental health, substance abuse. 
Follow Lou and the Sober, Free and Being Me podcast on Instagram - @sober_free_and_being_me
RESOURCES IN CORRESPONDENCE WITH THIS EPISODE
UK Addiction Treatment Resources
Alcohol Support Services for the LGBTQ+ in the UK
 

EP. 06 - A Conversation with Queer WOC Dry Bar Owner: Cristina Torres of Bendición

TW: substance abuse, mental health 
Bendición Dry Bar is looking to be one of the first Alcohol-Free Bars & Community Spaces in Chicago. Founder and owner, Cristina Torres had been thinking about creating a sober community space for years, and she is doing it!
Bendición is here to challenge the belief that you need alcohol to have fun or be the life of the party. They invite you to try something not often expected of us in bars - To remember the night. To make memories you won't forget. To be Present.
In this episode of I’m Gay and Drink Water, Cristina shares her experience as to what it was like getting sober during the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, who inspired her to start a dry bar in a major drinking city and so much more. This is a brave, honest and inspiring conversation that you do not want to miss!
 
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Bendición Website
The Native Chicago
Eli Tea Bar
Cristina's Block Club Chicago Article
 
LIKE, FOLLOW & SUPPORT BENDICION
Bendición's GoFundMe 
Follow on Instagram
Like & Follow on Facebook
Bendición on TikTok

EP. 05 - Hypothyroidism & Alcohol

SPOILER ALERT - They don't mix! 
Ally was diagnosed with hypothyroidism in 2015. In this episode, she talks about her diagnosis, going from being an elite athlete to sleeping 18+ hours a day, and how alcohol impacted the regulation of her thyroid. 
Stay tuned at the end of this episode for a special announcement! 

EP. 04 - Mental Health in Men & The Importance of Self Reflecting with Aspiring Author, William Tiv

William is a former personal trainer turned aspiring writer because of a friend's advice during the pandemic. From martial arts to journaling, Will has constantly been finding ways to address mental health and self care. He hopes that others, especially men, become more open with being vulnerable about their mental well being.
Ally and Will discuss the importance of self mental health advocacy, self reflection and the impact alcohol has on martial arts training along with its impact on Will's writing process. 
 
Follow Will on Instagram @william.the.writer
Will's YouTube
Will's Website

EP. 03 - A Bisexual Woman’s Journey to Recent Sobriety

Ally & Casey chat about Casey’s personal journey to sobriety and how life is as a newly sober bisexual woman. 
Episode Trigger Warning(s): substance abuse
Casey is a bisexual midwestern woman that is over two months sober from alcohol.  Sobriety has been so deeply impactful on my life and mental health (especially as a queer woman), she wanted to tell her story with IGADW. Outside of her journeys through sobriety and queerness, some highlights of her personal life include caring for her two adorable cats, keeping aquariums, and lots of quiet time on her balcony reading, thanks to my discovery of the public library in the area! 
SAMHSA National Helpline16 Mental Health Resources for LGBTQ+5 Alternatives to AA