Bonus #107 - Caleb Pitts and Patrick Doran [PATREON PREVIEW]

Summary

Stavvy's World: Bonus #107 - Caleb Pitts and Patrick Doran [PATREON PREVIEW]

Release Date: December 21, 2024
Hosts: Stavros Halkias and friends

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Introduction

In this bonus episode of Stavvy's World, host Stavros Halkias engages in a heartfelt and humorous discussion centered around a listener's struggle with smoking addiction, particularly in the context of overcoming cancer. The episode delves into personal anecdotes, practical advice, and the complexities of addiction recovery, all delivered with Stavros's signature blend of candidness and wit.

Listener’s Story: Red’s Battle with Smoking and Cancer

Timestamp 01:04 - 02:15

The episode begins with a heartfelt voicemail from a listener named Red from Atlanta, Georgia. Red shares his long-term battle with smoking, admitting to a pack-a-day habit since the age of 19. His story takes a poignant turn as he reveals his diagnosis with triple-negative breast cancer three years prior, leading to significant health challenges including a double mastectomy and multiple reconstructive surgeries.

Notable Quote:

"I have been a smoker since I was 19, and now I'm 33 and like a pack a day habit. I'm pretty secretive about it... I was diagnosed with cancer three years ago... And I'm just now starting to get back to feeling like myself." — Red (01:04)

Red expresses his current struggle with resuming his smoking habit despite his desire to quit, highlighting the powerful grip of addiction.

Timestamp 02:00 - 03:26

The hosts commend Red's courage and resilience in overcoming cancer. Stavros acknowledges the difficulty of his situation, with one host remarking:

"Honestly, I tip my cap to you for that one. That's nuts. Red, you're a badass. And congrats on making it through." — Unknown Host 1 (02:04)

Discussion on Smoking Addiction and Cessation Strategies

Timestamp 03:26 - 07:28

The conversation transitions into a broader discussion about smoking addiction, with the hosts sharing their personal experiences and strategies for quitting. They delve into various methods Red has tried, such as patches, gum, and quitting cold turkey, acknowledging the challenges of overcoming addiction despite strong motivation.

Notable Quotes:

"I quit cold turkey for about five months earlier this year, but of course got roped back in as you do... I would just love some maybe outside of the box tips and tricks." — Red (02:15)

"I was sober this year... Give yourself two months where you're like my job these two months, like all my free time. Think of it as like almost working a part-time job." — Unknown Host 1 (07:28)

Advice and Recommendations:

1. Structured Commitment:
   The hosts suggest treating the quitting process like a part-time job, dedicating focused time and effort to maintain sobriety.

   "Give yourself two months... Think of it as like almost working a part-time job." — Unknown Host 1 (07:28)

2. Alternative Methods:
   They discuss alternatives to traditional nicotine replacement therapies, mentioning the Alan Carr book as a popular resource.

   "I have so many friends that have quit smoking with that book, the Alan Carr book." — Unknown Host 1 (07:02)

3. Behavioral Strategies:
   Incorporating new habits and adjusting routines to counteract the triggers associated with smoking addiction.

   "Just taking long ass over exercising and like being... doing shit for my sleep." — Unknown Host 1 (08:30)

4. Professional Help:
   Mention of medications like Chantix, though the discussion humorously touches on misconceptions about its effects.

   "Is there a pill people take to do this? Chantix is that the one." — Unknown Host 3 (09:15)

Humorous Anecdotes and Host Interactions

Timestamp 04:35 - 11:07

The hosts infuse humor into the conversation by sharing their own experiences with smoking and attempts to quit. They recount stories of nicotine poisoning, embarrassing moments related to smoking, and the lengths they've gone to in order to overcome their habits.

Notable Quotes:

"I smoked Marlboro Lights... I smoked like, four of them on my roof and I passed out." — Unknown Host 3 (05:13)

"You can try that out. Yeah, I think. Hit up the fucking thing." — Unknown Host 1 (07:25)

The lighthearted banter continues as they joke about the physical consequences of smoking, such as reconstructed breasts and the importance of maintaining lung health post-surgery.

"How about. That's another thing that. Do it for these new tits... You want to get a lung cancer? Fuck up those beautiful fucking new titties?" — Unknown Host 1 (10:04)

Practical Tips and Encouragement

Timestamp 07:02 - 10:57

Despite the humorous undertones, the hosts provide sincere encouragement and practical tips for Red and listeners facing similar challenges:

1. Time and Patience:
   Emphasizing the importance of giving oneself ample time to adjust and recognizing that quitting is a significant undertaking.

   "Give yourself time to do this. Understand it's gonna be hard." — Unknown Host 1 (08:30)

2. Healthy Alternatives and Activities:
   Engaging in activities that promote well-being, such as exercising or visiting a sauna to manage withdrawal symptoms.

   "Taking long ass over exercising and like being... doing shit for my sleep." — Unknown Host 1 (08:30)

3. Community and Support:
   Leveraging support from friends, partners, and communities to bolster the resolve to quit.

   "Do it for me. I want you to stop smoking." — Unknown Host 1 (09:39)

Conclusion and Final Remarks

Timestamp 10:57 - 11:18

The episode wraps up with the hosts reiterating their support for Red's journey to quit smoking. They blend humor with heartfelt encouragement, reinforcing the message that overcoming addiction is possible with determination and the right strategies.

Notable Quote:

"That's the advice. There we go." — Unknown Host 3 (11:02)

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Key Takeaways

• Understanding Addiction: Smoking addiction is a powerful force that requires significant effort and multiple strategies to overcome, especially when intertwined with serious health issues like cancer.

• Support Systems: Encouragement from friends, family, and communities plays a crucial role in the journey to quit smoking.

• Practical Strategies: Combining structured plans, alternative therapies, behavioral adjustments, and professional help increases the chances of successfully quitting.

• Humor as a Coping Mechanism: Injecting humor into difficult conversations can make the process more relatable and less daunting for both the individual and their support network.

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Stavvy's World continues to provide a platform for meaningful conversations, blending humor with genuine support to help listeners navigate their personal challenges.

Transcript

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[Red]

My name is Red and I'm from Atlanta, Georgia, by way of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Go Quakers. I have a conundrum and I was hoping you could help me with it. So I have been a smoker since I was 19, and now I'm 33 and like a pack a day habit. I'm pretty secretive about it. Most people that are close to me know, but other than that, I try to keep it to myself. That doesn't matter. I was diagnosed with cancer three years ago. Had breast cancer. Triple negative, the gnarly one. Lost all my hair. Double mastectomy, multiple reconstructive surgeries, the whole nine. And I'm. I'm just now starting to get back to feeling like myself. And yes, I did smoke. Ulcer, cancer.

[Unknown Listener 1]

Damn.

[Unknown Host 1]

Respect. Obviously a real smoker.

[Red]

Well, now I'm feeling.

[Unknown Host 1]

Honestly, I tip my cap to you for that one. That's nuts. Red, you're a bad. And congrats on making it through. Sorry you went through that smoke altered.

[Red]

Cancer, obviously a lot less. Well, now I'm feeling good. I've healed. I'm considered cancer free. My smoking has gotten, you know, back to that pack a day habit again. I'm like, desperate to quit. Now, I know that you or I don't know that you to be a smoker, but is this something that you've dealt with or maybe eldest or one of your guests? Like, I have the drive, I have the desire, but I think that addiction is just so strong that, like, I can't even pull away from it, even though I really, really want to. I've tried the patches, the gum. I don't think vaping is a good alternative, so I'm not doing that. I quit cold turkey for about five months earlier this year, but of course got roped back in as you do. So I'm serious about making it happen. I would just love some maybe outside of the box tips and tricks, and I figure you dumb asses can probably give me some really shitty advice, but maybe it'll help. I love what you guys do. I love the podcast. Keep it up. Can't wait to hopefully see you all live on stage one day. Have a good one. Bye.

[Unknown Host 2]

Thank you.

[Unknown Host 3]

Yeah.

[Unknown Host 1]

Yep, yep, yep. Dreamboat tour. Tickets out now. Tickets out now. That's why I really. It's got to imagine being like a nurse helping this woman through chemo. Yeah. Then you just see her, like, hobbling outside and be like, you're like, all right, what the. Yeah, go ahead.

[Unknown Host 3]

She did get breast cancer, which is not exactly known as a smoke. I don't know what kind of frat party trick, but it's not usually the one you get from smoking.

[Unknown Host 1]

Okay. It's usually lung.

[Unknown Host 3]

So I'm approaching saying something I don't. Nobody wants me to say right now.

[Unknown Host 1]

Which is what?

[Unknown Host 3]

Which is just. Who cares? I mean, really, you.

[Unknown Host 1]

You know. Yeah, it is. It is sort of like you did it once. If you smoke through cancer, I mean, that's kind of like a. You're going to stop now. That was the time to be quitter. That was the time to stop. It was probably. It was probably hurt to smoke and you fucking still powered through and now you're feeling good and you're going to stop. Yeah.

[Unknown Host 3]

Have you ever been a smoker?

[Unknown Host 1]

Not really. I mean, like a little bit in college. The classic. Yeah, buy a pack and it lasts you, like, a couple weeks.

[Unknown Host 3]

Yeah.

[Unknown Host 1]

Type of thing. Nothing crazy. Parties.

[Unknown Host 3]

He started smoking. He's like 12 years old. How did you quit?

[Unknown Host 2]

My girlfriend didn't like it.

[Unknown Host 1]

Wow.

[Unknown Host 2]

So he makes you.

[Unknown Host 1]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Unknown Host 2]

Good pussy. Makes you quit smoking.

[Unknown Host 1]

So good pussy. Have you laid up? Not smoking?

[Unknown Host 2]

Yeah, I would say.

[Unknown Host 3]

Well, I quit smoking a couple years ago and I did the full, like, what your dad does to you type of thing when he catches you with a cigarette.

[Unknown Host 1]

Oh, really?

[Unknown Host 3]

Just one time I. I didn't smoke. I smoked Marlboro Lights. And one time I bought a pack of reds and I smoked like, four of them on my roof and I passed out and, dude, that. I was like, I don't think I like this.

[Unknown Host 1]

Yeah.

[Unknown Host 2]

Nicotine poisoning.

[Unknown Host 3]

Yeah, it makes you feel pretty.

[Unknown Host 1]

On my.

[Unknown Host 2]

On my 18th birthday, I went to Hampton beach, and I, like, got too high, and then I ended up smoking a whole pack by accident because I was like, the cigarettes will counteract. And I smoked the whole. My first legal pack of Camel Blues. And then I, like, was on the beach, and I just, like, walked away. And, like, everyone says it looked like I got shot by a sniper. And I just, like, fell down, dug a hole, and just, like, threw up in front of, like, a family watching fireworks.

[Unknown Host 3]

You dug a hole for your.

[Unknown Host 2]

Yeah, for my puke. Crazy polite.

[Unknown Host 1]

That is very polite, but, yeah, I.

[Unknown Host 2]

Mean, maybe just smoke a bunch of it until you puke, like, at the beach or something.

[Unknown Host 1]

But you kept smoking for years.

[Unknown Host 2]

Yeah, I kept smoking for years after that.

[Unknown Host 1]

Now, okay, when your girlfriend made you quit.

[Unknown Host 2]

She didn't make me quit. She just said, I don't like it. And I was like, but what steps did you take?

[Unknown Host 1]

You just stopped.

[Unknown Host 2]

Yeah, I stopped. And then I think Zinn also.

[Unknown Host 3]

Yeah. If you don't like the patches of the gum, there's other. That's all right.

[Unknown Host 1]

Yeah.

[Unknown Host 2]

So I was not smoking for, like, two years, and then he started bringing Zins to parties, and I was like.

[Unknown Host 3]

Well, she must see this.

[Unknown Host 1]

Yeah, I can't do. Since I. I'm so scared. I will get so addicted to them.

[Unknown Host 2]

Oh, yeah. You know, immediately.

[Unknown Host 3]

It's awesome.

[Unknown Host 1]

Yeah, I'm sure they're awesome, but I can't do it right now, man. I don't need another thing. I mean, everyone I talk to, I have so many friends that have quit smoking with that book, the Alan Carr book. Oh, yeah.

[Unknown Host 3]

You know, what is it called again? It's you. If you.

[Unknown Host 1]

Yeah. If you're. You're a.

[Unknown Host 3]

It literally is like, learn to hate yourself or smoking or some.

[Unknown Host 1]

The easy way to stop smoking.

[Unknown Host 3]

Basically the opposite was.

[Unknown Host 1]

I think.

[Unknown Host 2]

I think this was adapted into a Nintendo DS game. There's, like, genuine. There is a stop smoking game for the ds. So if you have a Nintendo ds.

[Unknown Host 1]

Way to go.

[Unknown Host 2]

Yeah, there you go.

[Unknown Host 1]

You can.

[Unknown Host 2]

You can try that out.

[Unknown Host 1]

Yeah, I think. Yeah. Hit up the fucking thing. I mean, the. The only. The advice I can give because, like, I'm sober for. I've been sober this year. I turned 35 this year, and I was like, let me do a full year of surprise just to do it. And I. The general advice, I would say, is, like, it is an undertaking. Like, give yourself. Like, give yourself two months where you're like my job these two months, like all my free time. Like think of it as like almost working a part time job. Yeah. You're like, I am staying sober. Whether that means like, you know, like for me, the first like three weeks I stopped smoking weed. My sleep was so fucking bad, like just couldn't go. So you just getting so high I would pass out that I just like had to really try and tucker myself out by like taking long ass over exercising and like being. Doing shit for my sleep that was like annoying. Like, you know, going to a sauna, like trying to time this. Like just my whole, my whole life revolved around like making all the. Counteracting all the negative effects of being sober. And that fucking sucked. But it was like, all right, it. I worked really hard for those like three weeks and I was able to kind of stick with it. And then I really. It's only affected me in times of real stress. The last couple weeks I've really wanted to get fucked up, but I feel like let's. We're close. It's been like nine months and I just need to do three more. And then I've proven to myself I can do it. And then I'm getting up. But. But in general, I would say yeah, give yourself a. Give yourself time to do this. Understand it's gonna be hard and. Yeah. Try the book. You know, trying.

[Unknown Host 3]

Is there a pill people take to do this? Chantix is that the one.

[Unknown Host 1]

But Ray Liotta was the spokesman for Ray Liotta, may he rest in peace.

[Unknown Host 2]

Well, I mean, he died, but you.

[Unknown Host 1]

Know, he died from Chantix.

[Unknown Host 2]

Yeah, from bull. Just try quitting somewhere else, I guess.

[Unknown Host 1]

No, no, he didn't die from Chantix. He died from a bunch of. Ray Ray had his demons.

[Unknown Host 3]

He did, man.

[Unknown Host 1]

But if he was only on Chantix sooner, he'd be alive. But respect, I mean, it's crazy how much you power through. Yeah, but please, yeah, please stop smoking for. You know, do it for me. I want you to stop smoking. You know, you probably. You're back. You got hair. You got nice luscious hair again. It's grown back. I don't know if they. If you're getting you titties or not, but either way that, that could be cool.

[Unknown Host 3]

Reconstructed titties, she said.

[Unknown Host 1]

She said.

[Unknown Host 3]

Yeah, that's like a new lease on.

[Unknown Host 1]

How about. That's another thing that. Do it for these new tits. Are you kidding me? You want to get a lung cancer? Fuck up those beautiful fucking new titties?

[Unknown Host 3]

Hell no.

[Unknown Host 1]

That's now.

[Unknown Host 3]

I'm doing it for him.

[Unknown Host 1]

Now I'm back. Yeah, you got a new lease on life with fresh tits. And you're going to be wheezing up and down. You need a. You need nice lungs to carry those fat tits up to the stairs. Okay? So get the book. Give yourself some time. Almost even even think about, like, you know, you've been through so much shit that you deserve to maybe even quit. Like on a kind of vacation. Wellness, little vacation. Go somewhere nice. Take a little trip. Fucking. And go to the beach.

[Unknown Host 3]

Let those things out.

[Unknown Host 1]

Throw those titties out.

[Unknown Host 3]

One of the beaches where they let them out.

[Unknown Host 1]

Yeah.

[Unknown Host 3]

And just don't smoke. See what I.

[Unknown Host 1]

Pull your tits out and don't smoke. That's. That's the advice. There we go.

[Unknown Host 3]

That's my book. Smoking. Pull them out.

[Unknown Host 1]

Yeah, Throw them on the glass and stop smoking.

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