I'll Have Another: Dialing Dr. Drew

Summary

Podcast Summary: Kennedy Saves the World

Episode: I'll Have Another: Dialing Dr. Drew

Host: Kennedy
Guest: Dr. Drew Pinsky
Date: May 13, 2026

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Episode Overview

In this engaging and humorous episode, Kennedy welcomes Dr. Drew Pinsky—renowned addiction medicine specialist and media personality—for a wide-ranging conversation over “happy hour.” They explore personal health journeys, the science of sobriety and wellness, the psychological impact of fame, and memorable stories from both of their lives in media and medicine. The tone is witty, candid, and deeply insightful, peppered with heartfelt anecdotes and practical wellness tips.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Sobriety, Age, and Health

• Dr. Drew shares that he stopped drinking this year, partially in solidarity with his wife and for health reasons.
  • “I've stopped drinking this year. Me and Joe Rogan have stopped.” (00:33, Dr. Drew)
• Kennedy jokingly bets her own sobriety on Drew’s choices, highlighting their long-term friendship.
• They discuss the negative effects of alcohol on the brain and body, overriding its social and fun aspects.
  • “It's not good for our brain, guys. So. Not good for the brain. Where's my camera? This one. Not good for your brain?” (00:54, Dr. Drew)

2. The Science Behind Alcohol’s Effects

• The conversation delves into how alcohol affects sleep, muscle tone, and even musculoskeletal issues.
  • Kennedy shares, “If I have more than four drinks, my neck goes out, my C1... when my neck goes out, it's like vomitus.” (02:18, Kennedy)
• Dr. Drew hypothesizes about alcohol’s impact on muscle relaxation and potential positional injuries during sleep.

3. Supplements, Anti-Aging, and Cold Plunges

• Dr. Drew details his supplement regimen focused on combating aging and oxidative stress, notably mentioning nicotinamide riboside and C15.
  • “I'm a big believer in nicotinamide riboside... it elevates NAD on a daily basis.” (03:26, Dr. Drew)
• They briefly discuss the second law of thermodynamics and entropy as a metaphor for aging.
• Kennedy asks about telomere lengthening infusions; Dr. Drew expresses skepticism about causation and efficacy.
  • “I don't know if the telomere lengthening thing is causational or incidental...” (04:54, Dr. Drew)
• The efficacy of cold plunges:
  • “There's a psychological benefit of doing something so miserable and uncomfortable on a regular basis.” (08:13, Dr. Drew)
  • Kennedy describes finishing every shower with two minutes of cold water after talking to an Alaskan cameraman who’s studied healthy centenarians.

4. Reflections on Media, Comedy, and Gutfeld!

• Rich behind-the-scenes chat about preparing for the late-night panel show Gutfeld!
  • “Some people are just funny that kind of miss. And that is not really what you're there for. And a lot of people. It's hard to be funny and say something meaningful at the same time. And you do it every time.” (05:46, Dr. Drew)
• The challenge of improvising witty responses versus scripted jokes in a live comedic environment.
• A running joke about enduring unpredictable prompts from host Greg Gutfeld.

5. Media Fame and Its Psychological Toll

• A heartfelt discussion about the impact of child stardom, fame, and production community on mental health.
• Dr. Drew speaks about his work on Hollywood Demons, focusing on the complex liabilities of being a child star.
  • “It's not just being famous, it's also... your family becomes that little production.” (12:09, Dr. Drew)
• Kennedy recounts her own experiences with fame, therapy (with Marsha Linehan), and coping with the pressure to present a perfect persona.
• On therapy:
  • “I've had a lot of therapy. Still in therapy.” (14:15, Dr. Drew)

6. Notable Anecdotes & Memorable Moments

• Dr. Drew’s health scare while filming Special Forces and being saved by Jamie Lynn Spears.
  • “I can say something that almost... nobody in the world can say, Jamie Lynn Spears saved my life.” (09:47, Dr. Drew)
• Endearing portrayal of Jamie Lynn Spears and her focus on family life.
• Recent loss of radio mentor Jed the Fish discussed with bittersweet remembrance.
  • “He was the first person who taught me it's okay to be weird... as long as you're passionate.” (16:12, Kennedy)
• Discussion on the pressure to please everyone in public life, leading to some self-deprecating political jokes about Gavin Newsom.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Dr. Drew on Alcohol:
  • “Alcohol is actually one of the direct poisons to many human tissues. I know it sucks, and carcinogenic.” (01:12)
• On comedy panels:
  • “It's hard to be funny and say something meaningful at the same time. And you do it every time.” (05:46, Dr. Drew)
• On cold therapy:
  • “It does give you a shot of adrenaline. It wakes you up.” (08:24, Dr. Drew)
• On child stardom:
  • “If you've got some weaknesses at home, your family becomes that little production.” (12:09, Dr. Drew)
• Kennedy on therapy and fame:
  • “You have to have a smile for them because you never know when someone's going to be like, man, I met that Kennedy from MTV and Fox News, and what a no it is.” (14:44, Kennedy)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:33 – Dr. Drew discusses sobriety, health, and supporting his wife
• 01:12 – 02:19 – Science of alcohol’s effect on the brain and body
• 03:18 – Dr. Drew’s wellness regimen and anti-aging discussion
• 04:52 – Telomere infusions and skepticism
• 07:51 – 09:16 – Cold plunges, blue zones, longevity habits
• 09:33 – 11:28 – Dr. Drew’s Special Forces health scare and Jamie Lynn Spears
• 11:29 – 14:39 – Mental health, fame, child stardom, Hollywood Demons
• 16:12 – Radio mentor Jed the Fish remembered
• 14:44, 15:04 – Kennedy and Dr. Drew joke about public personas and politicians

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Tone & Style

The episode is as irreverent and sharp as ever, with Kennedy’s trademark wit and Dr. Drew’s approachable candor. Their rapport makes for a lively blend of serious health advice, personal reflections, and humor, offering listeners heartfelt wisdom as well as a good laugh.

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Summary

This episode is a candid, funny, and insightful dialogue between two friends who bridge the worlds of media, wellness, and public life. Listeners will come away with practical tips on sober curiosity and wellness, a greater awareness of the complexities of fame, and some entertaining behind-the-scenes stories—making this a must-listen for fans of Kennedy, Dr. Drew, or anyone interested in the intersection of health and culture.

Transcript

[A]

Hello, and welcome to this episode of Kennedy Saves the World. I figured, what better way to celebrate happy hour than with a man who has put more people in rehab than Tom Homan has deported to El Salvador by a lot. Dr. Drew Pinsky is here.

[B]

That is probably an accurate number that I have treated probably 10,000 addicts in my day.

[A]

Wow. Congratulations.

[B]

Thank you.

[A]

That's a big number.

[B]

It's a big number.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

But I know something about it. As a result. And you mentioned before the mics heated up, I've stopped drinking this year. Me and Joe Rogan have stopped.

[A]

And was that a pact you made together?

[B]

No, I made it, actually. My wife, who's. I'll leave it to her to say what she's doing because I don't want to reveal anybody's stuff, but I did it. Support her.

[A]

Oh, good for you.

[B]

Yeah, it's been great. And we were just. We just were in Europe until a couple hours ago, and it made such a difference on the jet lag. I mean, as you get older, you really feel this stuff. It's not good for our brain, guys. So. Not good for the brain. Where's my camera? This one. Not good for your brain?

[A]

No. Because when you drink alcohol, it releases acetaldehyde.

[B]

Acetaldehyde that's in the stomach. But it's more than that. Alcohol is actually one of the direct poisons to many human tissues. I know it sucks and carcinogenic.

[A]

I know it causes cancer. It's horrible for your stomach. It's bad for your blood.

[B]

Only drug we use on a regular basis.

[A]

But it's so fun.

[B]

It is fun.

[A]

And I wish it weren't.

[B]

I wish, you know, I had my time with it. Right. 50 years or so. That's fine.

[A]

No, I've. I've boosted up with you. We've had a great time. I always quit drinking when Drew stops drinking because I feel like, you know, something.

[B]

Oh, I see. So instead of alcohol, I get green tea. Well done.

[A]

Because you can't cheers with water. Green tea is an antioxidant.

[B]

Nice. I love it.

[A]

Cheers to Dr. Drew and Momentary sobriety.

[B]

Yeah. I'm not in the program or anything.

[A]

I just.

[B]

I'm supporting my wife.

[A]

I think that's wonderful.

[B]

And by the way, it's a good. I'm. I've been really focused on health and wellness. Wellness last couple of years, and I'm like, this is, of course, part of that has to be.

[A]

And, you know, it's like. And I know that. And you're young enough.

[B]

You can still get away with.

[A]

No, but I don't like. I don't like drinking to the point where I never get hungover, but I hate feeling fuzzy and tired. Oh, and I'll ask you this.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

So if I have more than four drinks, my neck goes out my C1. And I have asked a neurologist, I have asked several chiropractors, I have asked physical therapists. And it only happens at that time. And when my neck goes out, it's like vomitus.

[B]

And is it. You wake up with it or does it. Yeah. So I'm guessing it changes your sleep in some way.

[A]

Do you think it's positional? Yeah. Do you think, like, I sleep in

[B]

a weird position, something that you would normally move out of, you just stay. Something like that. I bet. And again, the muscles loosen from the alcohol and so that might release whatever was being held in place.

[A]

Interesting. And then it goes into a bad

[B]

spot and it's not. Blood supply is not what it should be. It's just. It's just all, you know, it's all cascading. It's all bad. System isn't what it should be. So. Yeah, I can see how that could affect you.

[A]

Yes. So what are you doing in addition to not drinking alcohol in your health and wellness journey?

[B]

I'm doing supplements of various peptides. No, I'm not done peptides, though. I'm looking at that.

[A]

I still got some peptides.

[B]

I don't know what to make of it. I don't know what to make of peptides yet. I'm a big believer in nicotinamide riboside. I'm a huge fan of these. It elevates NAD on a daily basis. Rogan gets NAD infusion.

[A]

That's.

[B]

Joe is my.

[A]

I know a bunch of friends. We all go to the same doctor and they get NAD shots once a week for eight weeks. And then you take time off and

[B]

you don't have to do that. You just take nicotine. Riboside does the same thing.

[A]

Really?

[B]

In my humble opinion, I take C15, a pentadecanoic acid, which is good for. Again, it's all fighting oxidation associated with aging. Right. The oxidative, the nad, the cellular membranes all goes towards oxidative states. The way I talk about it is this. Look, entropy. People don't really. They may not have studied thermodynamics and the second law of thermodynamics.

[A]

And everyone knows the second law. No one knows.

[B]

The first in the physical universe is that entropy is always increasing. So the disorder of the Universe is always expanding. It's why all the molecules in this room don't hover in the corner. All of a sudden, they're always at maximal.

[A]

See, I feel like they're gossiping about me. I feel like they are.

[B]

They could be, but they still at a stage of Maxwell complexity. But that is true of all things in the universe, except one thing. For a brief moment, life is a more ordered state for a minute, and then it kind of keeps going again. And part of that, part of entropy reasserting itself is oxidation.

[A]

Okay, that's very interesting. So I also talked to a friend who gets an infusion to lengthen her telomeres.

[B]

Yeah, I don't know.

[A]

She said it's very expensive.

[B]

I don't know what she's getting. And I don't know if the telomere lengthening thing is causational or incidental or what it happens. And lengthening the telomere is probably a good thing, but exactly why it's happening is still mysterious.

[A]

Yes. So the Kelly brothers, the astronauts, one of whom is like a commie senator now.

[B]

A commie senator, exactly. Like you said, a comedy senator. I, by the way, you know, I was in Europe until a few hours ago. Right. And so my brain is completely screwed up. So you're gonna. We're gonna do Gutfeld in a few minutes, you and I, and you're gonna support me. You're gonna it through this afternoon.

[A]

You're gonna be amazing.

[B]

Thank you.

[A]

I believe in you, by the way.

[B]

You've been doing My Wife and I. Look at every night you're on there, we just go, oh, my God, Kennedy is killing it.

[A]

Oh, that's so sweet.

[B]

Oh, my God. Some of the stuff you've been saying has been funny and entertaining, but just so insightful. And so I really appreciate that.

[A]

Is a testament to the show and the way it's set up.

[B]

I agree. But some people are either. You know how it goes. Part of our job is to make fun of Greg. Right. And you do that. You slip that in there. And then some people are just funny that kind of miss. And that's. But that is not really what you're there for. And a lot of people. It's hard to be funny and say something meaningful at the same time. And you do it every time.

[A]

So I was talking to a comic who does Gutfeld, and they were like, I prep all day long. I write all these jokes. It's not lyso.

[B]

He did that too.

[A]

Yeah. And he's like, it wasn't Lyso. But he was like, I prep all day long, I write all these jokes, I've read all the stories and you've not. And then Greg asked me a completely different question. And if I answer with my material. And it'll look so unnatural.

[B]

Yes, yes.

[A]

So.

[B]

But. But I gotta say, Jamie Lisso is very good at going at sliding over to his stuff and he just. And it's always hysterical.

[A]

And that is a talent.

[B]

That is a talent. And that's, that's why I do too much prep for the show. Because Greg's always goes, Kennedy, do you think that he'll go like, Drew, you're a doctor supposedly. And do you think. And he'll just fill it with something that has nothing? And I usually think to myself, well, I could answer that question, but maybe I'll answer a different one because, you know, it's usually about, you know, Bazumba Gate in Canada or something that he let that go. That was on every single time he did the show for about six months.

[A]

Yeah, because the guy got fired. I mean, the guy should have gotten fired for fraud.

[B]

Was he trolling?

[A]

In a way. But also like deeply mentally ill and grooming and like wanted to over sexualized.

[B]

Busy. Or was he just super pissed at some of the constraints he was under as a teacher?

[A]

That is, that's, you know, that's leaning into. That's borderline projection.

[B]

Okay. That's how I do it. I wouldn't be.

[A]

No, I think, I think you can't go that far. Unless on some level you're a sicko.

[B]

Yes, I agree with that. So thank you.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

For calling me a sicko.

[A]

Don't go anywhere more. Kennedy saves the world right after this. So cold plunges.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

What do you think of cold plunges?

[B]

I mean, hormesis, that's cold. And cold plunges. I, you know, Adam and I have had a long. Adam. I still do a podcast for those of you remember the Adam Corolla days,

[A]

not meaning to name drop and hello.

[B]

Yes, Hi, Adam. He'll be pissed that we were together and I wasn't with him, so. But he and I have had many conversations about this, and he has arrived at the idea that it doesn't even matter if there's a net health biological benefit per se. There's a psychological benefit of doing something so miserable and uncomfortable on a regular basis.

[A]

I love that.

[B]

And forcing yourself into it. And it does give you a shot of adrenaline. It wakes you up. Right.

[A]

Okay. So I always. So I love really hot showers. I love it. I live for it. And I always finish every shower with two minutes of cold water.

[B]

I try to do that too.

[A]

Yeah. Because I was talking to a cameraman in Alaska and he's like, I've studied aging for years. He's like, I've become obsessed with the idea of people who live over 100 and the ones who live still fruitful and productive lives. What are they doing? They said the only thing I can find cross culturally is cold showers or cold submersion.

[B]

That makes some sense. I have a couple things to say about that. One is there's all this preoccupation about the blue zones. I read an article recently said, you know, most of these blue zones are just a bunch of people who lied on their birth date to be able to get their retirement benefits a lot sooner.

[A]

That's hysterical.

[B]

Isn't that funny?

[A]

Yes. But also they walk and have, like, whole foods. Like, because they don't have choices, they don't have processed.

[B]

I don't object to it. Right. They're advocating good things. And then the other thing, it occurs to me, I did a show called Special Forces that maybe Canada you ought to do.

[A]

Oh, my. That's real. I mean, that's like.

[B]

They're not screwing around. They are not. I ended up in the intensive care unit.

[A]

Oh, no.

[B]

In very short order, I can say, much like you could say words about your. What did you call your boyfriend?

[A]

Legal domestic partner.

[B]

Domestic partner. I can say something that almost. Well, I guess nobody in the world can say, jamie Lynn Spears saved my life.

[A]

Wow.

[B]

I can say that.

[A]

Yeah. I don't even think Britney could say that.

[B]

No, no. Jamie Lynn. Jamie Lynn. I got encephalopathic and was getting confused and neurologically out of it. And she grabbed me and took to. Took me to the medical tab.

[A]

Oh, thank God. Was she lovely?

[B]

Lovely.

[A]

Were you able.

[B]

And weirdly, we were able to what,

[A]

Talk about her family trauma?

[B]

She talked about it during the show. I wasn't interested. I was interested in kind of knowing her. And she was ten times lovelier than you could possibly imagine.

[A]

Oh, good.

[B]

And the weird thing. So my family has a place down in Laguna Beach, California, and next to this condo is this big resort called the Montage.

[A]

Oh, I love the Montage.

[B]

Okay, so we went over there.

[A]

I stayed at one in Mexico a few weeks ago.

[B]

Okay, well, this montage in Laguna is one of these. Kind of the original old school.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And. And we had been out of the desert where I did my special Forces in the Jordanian desert. It was just brutal and we'd been out about a week and I came down to Laguna to sort of convalesce because I just got out of the hospital. And we went to the Montage and there is Jamie, the inspiration. Jamie the Spears and her kids and her husband. And we spent the whole weekend with them. And her husband is also the greatest guy in the world. That's really nice trucking company and just a great guy.

[A]

I mean. But what I like about that is she doesn't feel the need to advertise it. That her life is her own.

[B]

She talks about being a mom only. That's what she's interested in.

[A]

Good for her.

[B]

I did not expect to talk about Jamie Spears today, but there it is. And this is anybody that wants to talk about her, really, you gotta examine yourself. Cause she's just. She has a crazy life with a sister. That's one of the most. She's said this. One of the most famous people on earth overnight.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

Wild.

[A]

Yeah. And what fame does, and I know that you have seen this. What fame does to the people around the famous person is almost more insane

[B]

than what the famous person experiencely agree with you. Honey Boo Boo is out there talking about that now. Have you seen her?

[A]

No.

[B]

She's talking about what her mom did to her and her mom's addiction and stuff. And she's talking about it so dispassionately. It actually scares me. But good for her. She's talking about what it is to be in the public scrutiny as a young child. It has liabilities. It's not often typically not good. We did, you know, you have a show. Let me promote something I should please. Yes. I have a show on HBO Max called Hollywood Demons and we did a whole thing on child stars and looked into a bunch of them and ended up really bad. I thought a lot about it and talked to a lot of people about it. And there's so many layers of liability to it. It's not just being famous, it's also. Think about a production. When you go into a production and if you've got some weaknesses at home, your family becomes that little production.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

It really is a very tight knit community you become a part of. I, I remember when we used to do Loveline and MTV. We did it for what, five seasons or something. And I was 34 years old or something when we started that show. And it just ended one day and I, I didn't know what to. I was so stunning to me I was like, you mean I'm not going to see this person I'm actually. What am I supposed to do? Or Chelsea's not. It's not going to be. It was just as an adult, it was like sort of a shock to the system.

[A]

And you're a stable, rational adult.

[B]

Exactly.

[A]

Who studies, like, human physiology and psychology for a living. So you can hover over your own life and take it apart and try and make sense of it. But what about someone who is 14, codependent.

[B]

Codependent. Or 12, and was abandoned or physically abused or God knows what, or didn't have a dad or whatever, and all of a sudden they have a dad in this family system of the production. And maybe for years. Right. It can go for five, seven years, and then everybody goes, boom, gone. It's not good.

[A]

No. That's really interesting. I've never thought about that aspect of it, but when I went to therapy with Marsha Linehan in 1998, she was like. She's like, I don't have room for you. I've got a full slate. But she said, I've never interacted with someone who's famous. And she said, this is actually very interesting to me. I want to see what that did to your brain and how that, like, how that added to your anxiety and post traumatic stress and things like that. And it was helpful to both of us. More so to me, because she changed my life.

[B]

I've had a lot of therapy. Still in therapy.

[A]

Good for you.

[B]

Yeah, it's good. And, And. And part of it is there's a piece that you. You can't go anywhere else. You know what I mean? If you do have a public life, you. You got to talk. You got to take stuff somewhere where it's. You feel safe.

[A]

Well, yes, truly safe. Because, you know, it's like, otherwise, you're living like a politician.

[B]

Oh, tell me, what do you mean, every.

[A]

It's just like.

[B]

Because I wouldn't want to do that.

[A]

No. But yet every. Everyone used to model my whole life.

[B]

Go ahead.

[A]

But you have to. You have to have a smile for them, because you never know when someone's going to be like, man, I met that Kennedy from MTV and Fox News,

[B]

and what a no it is.

[A]

And it could be that you burned your tongue on Starbucks and you're in a bad mood.

[B]

That's right. And so I will model my life after Gavin Newsome. That's what I'll do.

[A]

Lie to everybody. Take advantage of the system for your own personal gain. And then when your problems fail the entire state, blame the voters.

[B]

The voters, the counties, the cities, and the federal government.

[A]

Absolutely.

[B]

Anybody but you.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

But, you know, the last time I saw Norm MacDonald, he told this great joke. He was. He opened with it. He gets up there and he goes, I was there with Fred Stoller. Do you know Fred Stoller? I'm surprised. We'd never been in sort of same circles with us. And they were both performing at the Ice House in Pasadena. Oh, yeah.

[A]

Legendary.

[B]

Yep. And Norm gets up and he goes, oh, man. I just. I just love Bill. Sorry. But I just love Bill Cosby. I love him. I just love this man. I fashion every. Everything I do, I fashion after Bill Cosby, except his comedy. Anyway, so that was a great joke.

[A]

God rest his soul.

[B]

Yes, yes.

[A]

Oh, I. You know, it's like, I think of the people who you've known and lost and the people that you've treated and lost and.

[B]

Hey, I can't. I'm not comfortable talking about a lot of it, too. I mean, you and I could talk privately about it, but not. We lost somebody recently, too. I don't know if you're aware of this.

[A]

Jed. Yeah, Jed the fish, who was one of my mentors at kroq. And that guy. And I was telling someone, and I don't think it was on the podcast, like, he was the first person who taught me it's okay to be weird. Like, you can be weird as a broadcaster, and as long as you're passionate, like, people will connect with you. People will remember you.

[B]

He was weird.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

He had the crazy laugh.

[A]

The crazy laugh. And just. He had a bizarre way of looking at the world, because as you're first getting into broadcasting, you know, you want to be perfect like Katie Couric.

[B]

I know that's that. But that wasn't the era of broadcasting we were raised in. I think Loveline, we started.

[A]

You desensitized.

[B]

I think we started. This is not at all what I intended, trust me. But I think we contributed to this mess we were in. It's an interesting thing to talk.

[A]

I gotta talk to his defense team, because the Loveline did it defense is one that I didn't see coming, but might resonate with just one juror. That's all they need.

[B]

That's all they need.

[A]

All right. We'll do great on Gutfeld. Thank you for all.

[B]

You're going to be there with me.

[A]

You're going to support me and come by anytime.

[B]

I will.

[A]

The legendary Dr. Drew.

[B]

Thank you, guys.

[A]

What this man has seen, he can only talk about a fraction of it, but that is the most interesting fraction you will hear all day. This has been Kennedy Spiritual world. Along with Dr. Drew, I'm Kennedy Listen ad free. With a Fox News Podcast plus subscription on Apple Podcasts and Amazon prime, members can listen to this show ad free on the Amazon Music app. Oh, go ahead and leave me a review while you're there. I'd love to hear what you have to say. You've been listening to Kennedy Saves the World on the Fox News Podcast Network.