Episode Overview

Podcast: Self-Conscious with Chrissy Teigen
Host: Chrissy Teigen
Episode: Carl Radke: Sobriety, Addiction and Identity
Date: January 15, 2026

In this candid and introspective episode, Chrissy Teigen welcomes Carl Radke (of Bravo’s Summer House) to discuss his memoir Cake Eater, his journey to sobriety, grappling with addiction, and reconstructing identity after living publicly as “the fun guy.” Together, they explore the nuances of recovery, the deep roots of addiction in family and culture, and the often messy, non-linear process of personal growth and healing.

Main Themes and Purpose

• Identity and the "Fun One" Persona: Examining how personal and social expectations shape identity, especially when fueled by alcohol and a need to entertain.
• Sobriety and Recovery: Breaking down the realities, misconceptions, and emotional milestones of getting sober—including setbacks and support systems.
• Family, Grief, and Addiction: Carl’s experience growing up with familial addiction and losing his brother to substance abuse.
• Practical Recovery Tools: Sharing insights, routines, and community resources that foster well-being in recovery.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Meaning Behind "Cake Eater" (01:48–04:28)

• Carl explains the title of his memoir:
  • “It’s a term to describe someone handed everything, someone who’s very wealthy... We weren’t poor, just blue collar, middle class, so being made fun of for being rich was confusing... I wanted something for my book that was defined and unique of where I’m from.” (Carl, 01:53)
  • Anecdote of meeting Ben Roethlisberger who immediately called him "cake eater" upon learning where Carl grew up, solidifying the book’s title. (03:54)

2. Childhood and Learning to Be "The Fun One" (04:43–06:28)

• Alcohol was normalized as part of family celebrations; issues with substance use went unrecognized.
• Carl reflects on his innate desire to bring joy and be liked:
  • “I was the kid trying to bring joy to people’s lives… always friendly and smiling... what’s funny is childhood Carl is now back.” (Carl, 05:45)
• Early introduction to masking pain and keeping things light at all costs.

3. Addressing Addiction—Chrissy and Carl’s Parallel Experiences (06:48–10:38)

• Both discuss their struggles with substance use, secrecy, and the pressure to appear fun and unbothered.
• Chrissy reflects:
  • “All my coke days, painkiller days, all of those were in secrecy… Lip Sync Battle, I will say, I was fucked up a lot. And they knew it… they protected me.” (Chrissy, 07:36)
• Carl highlights the non-linear route to recovery and the courage to admit needing help:
  • “Even when I said I needed help, it took me two years... It wasn’t a linear path.” (Carl, 07:51)

4. Hitting Rock Bottom and Seeking Help (08:19–11:50)

• Carl recounts his last rock bottom on January 6th during the pandemic, leading him to seek true support.
  • “I drank five or six bottles of red wine, did tons and tons of cocaine… I called an executive not having slept and said a bunch of crazy things. It was a cry for help.” (Carl, 09:07)
• The stigma of being honest about cocaine vs. alcohol use:
  • “For whatever reason, coke publicly has this connotation of, like, total degenerate… Now I’m like, let’s own it... I’d rather be hated for who I am than loved for who I’m not.” (Carl, 11:17)

5. The Ripple Effect of Sharing Sobriety (12:00–14:10)

• The impact of public honesty:
  • Carl is approached by fans who found inspiration in his story:
    • “You’re the reason I got sober… I hugged her and said, ‘You did the work. …Now you’re going to impact others in your life.’ That’s the gift.” (Carl, 12:12)
• Both stress the contagious/value of visible recovery.

6. Recovery Support Networks—AA, Sponsors, and Community (14:19–16:11)

• Carl’s gradual journey from anonymous Zoom AA calls (as "Cal") to in-person meetings.
• The role of a sponsor:
  • “You have to contribute to the sponsor too… early on, I had to write down names of people I had harmed… the 12 steps for anybody… there’s just a good moral fabric any human could benefit from.” (Carl, 15:24)

7. Sobriety & Life on Bravo (16:17–17:43)

• Navigating the pressures of being filmed while struggling with addiction.
  • “Safe space is the bathroom because there’s no cameras… I thought I knew who I was before I joined Bravo… It was the mirror that I wasn’t ready for…” (Carl, 16:36, 17:17)
• Reliving mistakes repeatedly in the public eye.

8. Withdrawal, Healing, and Authenticity (17:43–21:24)

• Early challenges included drug dreams, physiological and psychological adjustments, and finding joy again.
• Advice: Don’t do it alone, and give it time for true self to re-emerge.
  • “I finally feel like Carl, sober, confident, like me… It took some time to get there.” (Carl, 18:43)

9. Navigating Relationships While Sober (19:02–20:55)

• Healing, ending an engagement, and starting a new relationship before the one-year sober mark.
• Support and companionship made early abstinence easier, but reflection brings perspective.

10. Practical Tips and Daily Routines (21:24–22:33, 35:00–38:10)

• First Steps for Others:
  • Tell someone close, find a supportive therapist, start with a Zoom meeting (camera off is fine).
  • “You cannot do it alone… The first step was for me to tell some close friends... The second step was finding a therapist and actually telling the truth.” (Carl, 21:28)
• Physical Activity: Walking/running outdoors contributes to mental well-being in recovery.

11. Family Addiction and Grief (22:33–34:07)

• Carl’s brother Curtis struggled with heroin, meth, and alcohol. Family response included tough love, but resources were limited.
• Carl processed immense guilt and grief after Curtis’s death, which played out on Summer House.
• Moving personal anecdote:
  • “The last time I spoke to my brother was at my grandfather’s funeral… Him and I never really got resolved… he was found [dead] while we were filming. …He was my hero…” (Carl, 26:30–28:40)
• Finding meaning through service and sharing:
  • “His story is going to help someone.” (Carl, 29:01)

12. Recovery Beyond Sobriety—Giving Grace and Staying Real (32:39–34:07)

• Chrissy and Carl discuss the imperfection of recovery.
  • “Have I lived the perfect program? No. Is there things I could do more of? Probably.” (Carl, 32:44)
  • “I’m not sober anymore, and I feel like I’ve let an incredible amount of people down.” (Chrissy, 32:52)
  • Carl: “Give yourself some grace and be real... the success rate of AA is not 99%... It’s less than 20%.” (32:59)

Memorable Quotes

• On Identity:
  "I’d rather be hated for who I am than loved for who I’m not."
  (Carl Radke, 11:17)

• On Recovery Superpowers:
  "It really is so badass to be sober. So the more mornings you wake up without regret, it gets easier."
  (Chrissy Teigen, 20:55)

• On Impact:
  "All I really did was take better care of myself and open up about it. Because I’m not a doctor, I’m still figuring shit out... but you almost get praised too early... There’s always an imposter syndrome a little bit."
  (Carl Radke, 13:29)

• On Grief and Service:
  "His story is going to help someone."
  (Carl Radke, 29:01)

• On Daily Routines:
  "The first thing you do when you wake up is make your bed. It sets the tone for the rest of the day… it establishes movement and a task."
  (Carl Radke, 36:48)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• "Cake Eater" Origin & Pittsburgh Upbringing – 01:48–04:28
• Masking Pain & Early Family Alcohol Culture – 04:43–06:28
• Chrissy & Carl: Substance Use While Notoriously “Fun” – 06:48–10:38
• Describing Rock Bottom – 08:19–09:34
• The Stigma of Admitting Cocaine Use – 11:04–11:50
• Fan Encounters & The Power of Sharing Sobriety Publicly – 12:00–13:12
• Carl’s First AA Experiences – 14:19–15:13
• Sobriety in the Spotlight (Summer House) – 16:17–17:43
• Grieving Curtis & Processing On Camera – 26:30–29:08
• Toolkit: Carl’s Morning Routine & “Make Your Bed” – 35:59–38:10

Toolkit: Practical & Actionable Insights

Carl’s Morning Routine (35:59–38:10)

• Inspired by Make Your Bed (Admiral McRaven):
  • “The first thing you do when you wake up is make your bed. It sets the tone for the rest of the day. Even in my hotel room, I made the bed.” (Carl, 36:17–37:48)
  • Organizational rituals help clear the mind and promote feelings of competence and order.
• Getting outdoors:
  • Walking/running outdoors is an essential self-care and sobriety tool. “That’s what’s helped me stay sober, because I get high from running.” (Carl, 35:15)
• First steps for anyone struggling:
  1. Confide in a trusted person.
  2. Seek an honest therapist.
  3. Attend a recovery meeting, Zoom OK.
  4. Embrace incremental progress and celebrate small wins.

Tone & Language

The conversation is deeply honest, warm, and often humorous—balancing the gravity of addiction and grief with lightness, resilience, and hope. Chrissy and Carl speak as peers, sharing vulnerabilities and pragmatic encouragement.

For Listeners Who Haven’t Heard the Episode

This episode provides a compassionate, nuanced window into the lived experience of addiction, the complexities of public and private healing, and the liberating power of owning one’s story. Whether you’re facing similar struggles, supporting someone who is, or simply seeking inspiration for your own growth, the open dialogue between Chrissy and Carl—with its candid admissions, practical takeaways, and memorable moments—offers both empathy and practical guidance.