Podcast Summary: Therapy Gecko – Episode “I GOT SOBER TO YO-YO”

Introduction In the July 27, 2025 episode of Therapy Gecko, hosted by Ryan Reynolds under the iHeartPodcasts banner, listeners are taken on a journey through Washington Square Park in New York City. The unorthodox host, donned in a gecko suit, engages with strangers to explore their personal stories, focusing on themes of sobriety, self-discovery, and community. True to the show's quirky premise, this episode emphasizes real-life interactions over traditional phone call interviews, offering an authentic glimpse into the lives of everyday individuals.

1. Interview with Archie – Journey to Sobriety and Yo-Yoing

Timestamp: 02:05 – 19:19

Background: Archie, a 23-year-old man, shares his transformative journey from addiction to sobriety, intertwining his passion for yo-yoing with his professional role as a mental health and substance abuse counselor.

Key Discussions:

• Path to Sobriety:

  • Archie discusses his struggle with multiple addictions, including amphetamines, ketamine, alcohol, and cannabis, which began in his early teens.
  • At [04:35], he emphasizes the critical turning point: “I got sober four years ago, so I guess that was like one of the first things that sort of was like a bid to make my life more stable.”
  • The challenges of maintaining sobriety are candidly addressed, highlighting the ongoing effort required to stay clean.

• Professional Life and Community Engagement:

  • In his role as a counselor at a sober living home, Archie dedicates 90% of his work to helping clients rebuild their lives and find community.
  • “Community is like, if you are trying to get sober, trying to make a major change in your life. I think, like, getting a community that's based on accountability and like working together is like gonna get you 80% of the way there for, like, maintaining sobriety that feels so nice.” ([13:31])

• Personal Passions:

  • Archie reveals his love for yo-yoing, magic, and Dungeons & Dragons, which serve as therapeutic outlets and sources of joy.
  • At [06:54], he shares, “I'm a professional yo-yoer, so I get. It's my favorite thing in the world. I love yo-yoing. And that's just something that, like, sort of in a very uncontroversial, easy way makes me happy.”

• Challenges and Support Systems:

  • Balancing his personal recovery with his professional responsibilities is an ongoing challenge.
  • Archie acknowledges the difficulty in not only achieving sobriety but also in sustaining it, especially when everything seems stable: “I think staying sober has been harder.” ([07:40])

Notable Quotes:

• “Living a life where I could go from very high highs to deep cavernous crashes... not being on that feels pretty wonderful.” ([04:11])
• “The 12 steps have been the best thing that's ever happened to me. It's awesome.” ([15:39])

Insights: Archie's story underscores the importance of community and personal passions in the journey to sobriety. His integration of hobbies like yo-yoing and magic not only provides personal fulfillment but also strengthens his connection to others, fostering a supportive environment essential for maintaining his recovery.

2. Interview with James (Also Referred to as Jack) – Navigating a Music Career in NYC

Timestamp: 19:45 – 28:15

Background: James, a musician and aspiring artist from Texas, discusses his endeavors in creating music videos, managing a team, and the logistical challenges of commuting from Philadelphia to New York City for work.

Key Discussions:

• Music Career and Creative Projects:

  • James is involved in producing music videos for his friend Jack, focusing on pop music reminiscent of Justin Timberlake and Pharrell.
  • At [22:35], he explains, “We kind of used to have a different vibe going on. A lot of people are trying to bring back what's going on with early 2000s, hip hop, R and B... that's the same thing we're doing.”

• Team Building and Collaboration:

  • He details the spontaneous formation of his entourage, including roles like social media management and photography.
  • “We fell off for two of those years, and then we reconnected when he moved back into the city, and we've been locked in ever since.” ([15:44])

• Lifestyle and Relocation:

  • The challenges of balancing multiple jobs and the aspiration to establish a stable foothold in NYC are evident.
  • James shares his excitement about moving to Brooklyn and the cultural vibrancy it offers: “I'm gonna be in Brooklyn.” ([26:25])

• Personal Reflections and Goals:

  • Despite the hustle, James expresses a desire to achieve tangible milestones, such as making the finals of a national yo-yo contest.
  • “I also would like to make finals of the national yo-yo contest next year. So that's a more, like. That's a more physical dream that we can point at.” ([10:06])

Notable Quotes:

• “I felt connected to my inner child this morning. I haven't waited in line to buy a video game since 1979.” ([83:30])
• “I'm excited about the piano tuning pod. I'm excited about that. I'm excited about starting to teach voice lessons to kids.” ([81:10])

Insights: James' narrative highlights the intersection of passion and practicality in pursuing a music career. His commitment to both his art and his responsibilities underscores the balancing act many creatives face in thriving urban environments like New York City.

3. Interview with Jason – Struggles with Family Court and Sobriety

Timestamp: 28:15 – 51:03

Background: Jason discusses his ongoing battle with the family court system over child support and custody issues, intertwined with his past addiction and current state of sobriety.

Key Discussions:

• Family Court Challenges:

  • Jason reveals the hardships of navigating family court, particularly in gaining access to his child while facing wage garnishment for child support.
  • At [29:01], he states, “And she made, like, false allegations. She says I'm crazy.”

• Addiction and Recovery:

  • His journey to sobriety began at age 19, following early drug use starting in his early teens.
  • Jason shares, “I used to be that guy...” reflecting on his past behaviors and the stark contrast with his current stable life.

• Coping Mechanisms and Lifestyle Changes:

  • To maintain his sobriety, Jason engages in physical activities like biking and running, avoids triggers, and focuses on personal happiness through hobbies.
  • “I just be riding my bike everywhere because I, you know, my license suspended.” ([31:21])

• Social Media and Content Creation:

  • Jason utilizes platforms like TikTok to create content about his sober life, blending dark comedy with his experiences.
  • At [38:27], he encourages, “Like, you can write something about addiction... make a funny sketch about attempts to get high.”

• Mental Health and Support Systems:

  • Despite his struggles, Jason emphasizes the importance of support systems and community in his recovery process.
  • “Staying sober has been harder... I have to make sure that I'm being of service to other people.” ([07:40])

Notable Quotes:

• “Living, I live, I don’t know if that helps out, but, yeah, I live over there by, you know, City Field.” ([46:58])
• “When you stop consuming and using, you realize that, oh, shit, I am lonely. Oh, shit, I kind of hate myself.” ([35:16])

Insights: Jason's story poignantly illustrates the complex interplay between personal recovery and legal struggles. His candid discussion about the difficulties of maintaining sobriety amidst external pressures serves as a powerful testament to resilience and the enduring quest for personal stability.

4. Interview with Ellen – Life as an Elementary School Principal

Timestamp: 54:46 – 72:32

Background: Ellen, a principal of an elementary school and a graduate opera student, offers insights into her professional life, family dynamics, and personal struggles with OCD.

Key Discussions:

• Balancing Career and Family:

  • Ellen reflects on the challenges and rewards of managing a demanding job while nurturing a family of two children.
  • At [55:00], she shares, “I've been married for 14 years... Life’s going great.”

• Mental Health and OCD:

  • She discusses her battle with moral OCD, focusing on concerns about her actions impacting the environment and others.
  • “I used to be really obsessive about, like, plastic use... I'll never let myself drive anywhere just because I'm like, oh, but if I buy this one plastic thing...” ([71:05])

• Therapy and Coping Strategies:

  • Ellen advocates for the importance of therapy, particularly in dealing with OCD and the pressures of modern life.
  • “It's something that you put as crazy people... people don't understand the value of being good with yourself and going to a therapy.” ([84:11])

• Educational Insights:

  • As a school principal, Ellen observes that current students exhibit entitlement issues, a stark contrast to the less complicated childhoods.
  • “They're entitled. Yeah.” ([58:29])

Notable Quotes:

• “Communicate? Be honest.” ([55:22])
• “It's just, like, self-flagellation not being helpful is probably the most helpful advice.” ([75:04])

Insights: Ellen's dual role as an educator and a student provides a unique perspective on the intersection of academic responsibilities and personal growth. Her openness about mental health challenges emphasizes the importance of seeking support and fostering honest communication within family and professional environments.

5. Interview with Yugi – Exploring Therapy and Personal Boundaries

Timestamp: 90:10 – 103:19

Background: Yugi, a 34-year-old from France, delves into topics of self-love, therapy, and maintaining healthy relationships, all while navigating cultural differences between France and the United States.

Key Discussions:

• Self-Love and Personal Boundaries:

  • Yugi emphasizes the necessity of prioritizing oneself to foster healthier relationships and personal well-being.
  • At [92:16], he states, “The better you love yourself, the better you'll be loved in your group and in your community.”

• Therapy and Cultural Perspectives:

  • Discussing the stigma around therapy in France, Yugi advocates for its acceptance and integration into daily life.
  • “I think it's still like something that you put as crazy people... they need to go because the duality between their lives in France or any country plus their origins...” ([92:41])

• Friendship and Support Systems:

  • Yugi highlights the strength of long-term friendships and how they provide a support network for personal and collective growth.
  • “We have to ask them... I'm trying to work them into it.” ([92:52])

• Parenting and Future Aspirations:

  • He shares his aspirations to provide a safe and communicative environment for his future children, learning from his own upbringing.
  • “I want to have kids... a safe place for them to share anything they want to share with me.” ([93:44])

Notable Quotes:

• “No one will do it. I mean, at some point even your parents think about themselves.” ([90:52])
• “Self-flagellation not being helpful is probably the most helpful advice.” ([75:04])

Insights: Yugi's reflections highlight the universal struggle between self-care and community integration. His emphasis on self-love as a foundation for meaningful relationships and his advocacy for mental health support bridge cultural gaps, offering valuable lessons on personal development and interpersonal dynamics.

Conclusion The “I GOT SOBER TO YO-YO” episode of Therapy Gecko masterfully weaves together diverse personal narratives, each shedding light on the multifaceted journey toward self-improvement and community connection. From overcoming addiction and pursuing creative passions to navigating professional challenges and advocating for mental health, the episode serves as a compelling exploration of human resilience and the enduring quest for fulfillment. Through authentic conversations and heartfelt disclosures, listeners are invited to reflect on their own paths and the value of community and self-awareness in fostering a meaningful life.

Notable Quotes Recap:

• “Live one day at a time.” – Archie ([19:02])
• “You're only young once.” – Ryan Reynolds to James ([25:10])
• “Self-flagellation not being helpful is probably the most helpful advice.” – Nicole ([75:05])
• “The better you love yourself, the better you'll be loved in your group and in your community.” – Yugi ([92:16])

Final Thoughts This episode underscores the importance of sharing personal stories to inspire and support one another. Whether grappling with sobriety, building a career, or seeking personal growth, Therapy Gecko highlights that everyone’s journey is unique yet interconnected through shared human experiences.