Detox Retox with Tom Schwartz
Episode: "Standing Up 8 with Burt Schwartz"
Date: September 16, 2025
Host: Tom Schwarzenegger (aka Tom Schwartz)
Guest: Robert "Burt" Schwartz
Overview:
In this powerful and deeply personal episode, Tom Schwartz invites his brother, Robert “Burt” Schwartz, to share the challenging, raw, and ultimately triumphant story of his journey through severe alcoholism, liver failure, and miraculous recovery via a liver transplant. Marking Bert’s two-year "rebirth" anniversary, the brothers candidly explore addiction, stigma, relapse, the healthcare system, the realities of rock bottom, and the relentless hope that carried them through. The episode aims to uplift, educate, and offer solidarity to anyone touched by addiction, while celebrating Burt’s recovery and continued gratitude for life.
Main Topics & Key Insights
1. Setting the Stage: Gratitude and Mindset
[00:57 – 08:09]
- Tom opens with heartfelt remarks on celebrating Burt’s second chance at life, noting, “It’s been two years since his brush with death and his miracle liver transplant.”
- Emphasizes how witnessing his brother's struggles gave Tom a “whole new respect [and] compassion for people struggling with addiction.”
- Tom describes addiction as a physical disease, not a moral failing. He breaks down how alcohol hijacks the brain’s dopamine, GABA, and glutamate systems, likening it to an “anxiety monster slowly chasing you throughout the day.”
- Sets a tone of empathy, stressing the importance of removing stigma and acknowledging the biological nature of addiction.
Notable Quotes:
- “It’s not a moral collapse. It’s a disease, and it really messes with your survival instincts.” – Tom [04:05]
- “Recognizing this as a disease helps remove the stigma, and I think it opens the door for more compassion, patience.” – Tom [05:51]
2. Celebrating Life: The Rooftop Conversation Begins
[07:42 – 10:51]
- Tom and Burt set the scene on a beautiful rooftop in L.A., reflecting on how every day feels like a gift.
- Tom recalls a favorite Marcus Aurelius quote as a tribute to Bert’s presence:
“When you arise in the morning, think of what a privilege it is to be alive, to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love.” [08:10] - Burt expresses humility and gratitude for his recovery, emphasizing he's “very grateful and humble and grateful.” [08:34]
- The mood is light, joyous, as the brothers poke fun at their habitual phrases and relive Burt’s transformation: “You’re not just surviving, you’re thriving. Papa’s got a brand new bag.” – Tom [09:52]
3. Addiction as a Slow Descent: Nature, Nurture, and Trauma
[10:51 – 14:12]
- The brothers detail how alcohol dependence unfolds gradually. Burt started as a social drinker, then shifted to heavier use following a traumatic incident—a violent assault that left him hospitalized.
- Tom notes, “Most people stop here... But something happened to you. I think that was a seismic shift.” [13:38]
Notable Moment:
Burt recounts waking up in the hospital after the attack, his injuries (jaw, eye, ear), and how the trauma shifted his relationship to alcohol, leading to self-medication and numbing.
- “That was an awful, dreadful night... But thank God it all healed and I'm doing well.” – Burt [14:24]
4. The Invisibly Spiraling Routine of Alcoholism
[16:37 – 25:13]
- Burt explains, in raw detail, what life is like during the depths of alcohol addiction:
- Waking up and immediately drinking to stave off anxiety (“I would always have at least a couple shots ready by my bed for the morning.” – Burt [20:24])
- Using the bathroom as a ritualistic, private space to consume alcohol, even in public places (“I would go in restaurant bathrooms... take a shot and a beer” [23:14])
- Barely eating, surviving on vodka, beer, crackers, and cookies.
- Hiding addiction through mini-bottles, maintaining functionality at work while secretly drinking (“I was a high-functioning alcoholic.” – Burt [25:57])
Notable Moments:
- Burt discusses hiding his addiction, shame, and denial:
- “Denial was part of that...I was in denial. But, yeah, I would sit in there...carry around mini bottles...like having a safeguard.” – Burt [21:41, 22:07]
5. Physical and Psychological Consequences
[26:52 – 33:41]
-
Tom and Burt discuss the severe effects of withdrawal: shaking, seizures, hallucinations.
-
A vivid, chilling account:
- “I remember... you were having a seizure on the ground, convulsing. That’s what prompted our first intervention.” – Tom [32:50]
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Burt adds horrifying details of vomiting blood, jaundice, physical collapse:
- “There had been times where it was so bad where I had woken up and throwing up blood... there was plenty of wake up calls, and I actually kept drinking after that.” – Burt [17:42]
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Burt explains the cycle of relapse and his multiple stints in rehab – “Third time was the charm.” [12:17, 33:18]
6. Near Death: Medical Crisis and Miraculous Survival
[34:32 – 45:28]
- After being told he had “three to six months to live,” Burt details the fight for eligibility for a liver transplant.
- Tom paints a haunting picture of late-stage symptoms: fluid build-up (ascites), severe jaundice, and trips to get liters of fluid drained from Burt's body.
- Burt praises his doctor (“God bless Dr. Baber” – [40:19]) and the Greenville Memorial and Ochsner hospitals for saving his life; Ochsner’s transplant center is highlighted as world-class.
- The emotional ordeal of waiting for a transplant—being called multiple times, incompatibilities, finally, “the third one was a charm.”
- Burt extends gratitude to his unknown donor and their family, honoring their gift of life.
- "I would like to thank my donor and their family very much." – Burt [43:00]
7. Recovery, Faith, and Rebuilding
[45:28 – 49:27]
- Post-surgery: new challenges with immune-suppressing medications, medical routines, and adapting to life after transplant.
- Burt describes joy in the simplest activities: walking, running, appreciating music, and being present without craving alcohol.
- Tom emphasizes how he no longer worries about relapse:
- “I never have to worry about you relapsing anymore. I never have to worry about you when you come to a restaurant or a bar and I know you have full control now.” – Tom [48:07]
- Burt voices a new sense of purpose:
- “There's a lot of zest... I know I'm meant for, you know, obviously helping others. You know, I've already helped a few of my friends... looking out for anyone that has questions or is having trouble with any of these issues.” [49:06]
8. Reflections & Closing Thoughts
[49:42 – 51:41]
- Tom reaffirms the importance of hope, support, and seeking help; acknowledges the reality of relapse.
- “Addiction can be scary, but it shouldn’t be shameful… shame is a huge barrier…You are not your addiction. Relapses can and will happen.” – Tom [51:42]
- Burt closes with:
- “Everyone have a great day and God bless.” [51:32]
Memorable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)
- “Recognizing this as a disease helps remove the stigma, and... opens the door for more compassion, patience.” – Tom [05:51]
- “At the worst of times... I would always have at least a couple shots ready by my bed for the morning.” – Burt [20:24]
- “A medicine that was actually killing me.” – Burt [17:09]
- “I was a high-functioning alcoholic… but then my balance was off and I could tell things were getting worse.” – Burt [25:57]
- “Third time was the charm.” – Burt, on liver transplant [12:22] and rehab [33:18]
- “Your body becomes your own prison.” – Implied throughout Burt’s recounting
- “No, that’s not happening. We began our campaign to get you far too.” – Tom [34:35], on refusing to accept a prognosis of hospice
- “I would like to thank my donor and their family very much.” – Burt [43:00]
- “It’s empowering, wonderful, great feeling… to go anywhere, be around anyone drinking, and never even have a think of it or even look at it and just enjoy the music and the company, enjoy life.” – Burt [48:24]
- “Fall seven times, stand up eight.” – Tom [attribution of episode title, 51:42]
Practical Takeaways
- Addiction is a disease—stigma and shame can hinder recovery.
- Relapse is a part of many people’s recovery story.
- Medical intervention is often essential (medical detox, hospitalization).
- Social support—family, friends, persistent advocacy—can make the difference.
- Even after a life-saving transplant, medication adherence and ongoing self-care are crucial.
- Reaching out, sharing your story, and connecting with others in recovery can be empowering for all involved.
Resources (as mentioned in episode):
- Alcoholics Anonymous
- Smart Recovery
- NIAAA - National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
- Bert’s Instagram: @rjschwa (for those seeking peer-to-peer support)
Recommended Listening Map (Timestamps & Topics)
- 00:57 – 08:09: Framing the discussion: Disease, stigma, empathy
- 10:51 – 16:04: Early stages, first descent, trauma as a trigger
- 20:24 – 25:38: A day in the life of addiction, mental and physical dependence
- 26:52 – 33:41: Rock bottom: seizures, hallucinations, first intervention
- 34:32 – 45:28: Near-death crisis, the organ transplant journey
- 45:28 – 49:27: Recovery, daily life post-transplant, new outlook
Tone & Style
Tom’s style is conversational, irreverent, humorous, and deeply compassionate. Burt is candid, humble, reflective, and grateful. Their camaraderie and love infuse even the darkest recollections with hope and positivity.
Summary
If you or someone you love struggles with addiction, this episode offers insight, solidarity, and hope—removing shame, encouraging medical help, and showing that with support, treatment, and persistence, recovery and a genuinely happy life are possible.
“Addiction can be scary, but it shouldn’t be shameful. Just shame is a huge barrier... Relapses can and will happen. Fall seven times, stand up eight.” – Tom Schwartz [51:42]