Podcast Summary
A candid conversation with Mishka, a best-selling writer, musician, and ultra runner, about his past struggles with alcoholism and current projects: Listen to Mishka's raw and honest conversation about overcoming alcoholism, his success in the Kindle singles market, and his achievements as a writer, musician, and ultra runner.
The Rich Roll Podcast features conversations with individuals who challenge the status quo and inspire positive change. Mishka, this week's guest, is a reformed alcoholic, best-selling writer, musician, and ultra runner. He has written several best-selling Kindle singles and is currently working on a new book. Mishka has appeared on the podcast multiple times, and this conversation was both similar and different from their previous discussions. For new listeners, Mishka's background includes success in the Kindle singles market, a history of alcoholism, and achievements as a writer, musician, and ultra runner. The conversation was raw and honest, with explicit language, but also insightful and wide-ranging. Listeners who have enjoyed Mishka's previous appearances on the show are likely to enjoy this conversation as well. A quick note, this episode contains explicit language, so listeners with young children or sensitive ears may want to use headphones or listen later. The Rich Roll Podcast is brought to you by On, a company innovating in the field of athletic apparel with next-generation fabrics and a heightened level of precision and testing.
Improving Physical Activity and Mental Well-being with On and Waking Up: Listen to Rich Roll's podcast for exclusive discounts on sustainable On running gear and free trials of Waking Up's extensive meditation resources
Both On running apparel and the Waking Up meditation app offer high-quality, innovative solutions to improve physical activity and mental well-being. Rich Roll, the podcast host, shared his experiences with On's sustainable and comfortable running gear, as well as the exclusive discount for listeners. He also emphasized the value of Waking Up, an app that provides a vast library of meditation practices and mindfulness resources, including free trials and scholarships. Additionally, Rich announced his new venture, Voicing Change Media, which aims to foster meaningful conversations and thought-provoking content through various shows. Despite some past challenges with recording live podcasts, Rich and his guest, Mishka, discussed their recent life changes, including Mishka's departure from New York and the completion of his book, which is in the final stages of editing and legal review.
A journey towards forgiveness: Writing about personal relationships can lead to unexpected forgiveness, even when the parties involved are still alive.
The author's memoir is not only an apology and exploration of his relationship with his father, but also a journey towards forgiveness. The author's father read the manuscript and supported him in honoring his version of events, allowing the author to free himself from the expectation of objective truth and embrace the validity of his own story. Despite the initial discomfort, the author discovered that he had forgiven his father against his will, as the process of writing and working through their relationship helped him come to terms with his emotions. This experience echoes Hemingway's quote about a family losing their money - it happened gradually and all at once.
Discovering the truth about his father through an unexpected source: Facing difficult realities and embracing the complexity of relationships can lead to new perspectives and deeper connections.
Sometimes, the truth we've been avoiding can be found in unexpected places. The speaker, during his touring years, came across his father's annulment document, which he believed contained answers to long-held questions about their relationship. Despite his initial hesitation, he eventually read it and discovered revelations about his father's past and their shared experiences. This discovery led him to reconnect with his father and gain a new perspective on him as a complex individual with a past filled with challenges. The process of uncovering this truth was painful but ultimately worthwhile, demonstrating the importance of facing difficult realities and embracing the complexity of relationships.
Embracing the Journey of Recovery: Accepting flaws, empathizing with others, and finding gratitude are essential for personal growth in the face of challenges, such as alcoholism.
Writing can be an unpredictable process, much like watching action figures come to life on their own. The author of the discussion shares his personal experience with alcoholism, acknowledging that he will always be an alcoholic, but he's grateful for the lessons he's learned and the empathy he's gained. He emphasizes the importance of accepting one's flaws and moving forward, rather than dwelling on the past or trying to uncover the causes. The author also highlights the value of understanding and empathizing with others' struggles, as his own experiences have given him a unique perspective. Ultimately, he encourages embracing the present and finding gratitude in the journey, regardless of the challenges faced in the past.
Embracing personal struggles for greater compassion: Recognizing and overcoming personal struggles can lead to empathy and authenticity, allowing us to connect with others and create meaningful art.
Overcoming personal struggles and learning to be gentle with oneself allows for greater compassion towards others. The speaker shares his experience of dealing with shame, regret, and loneliness, and how emerging from those experiences has given him a new perspective on life. He also expresses his disdain for public shaming culture and the importance of recognizing the inherent flaws and complexities of human beings. The speaker's music career serves as an example of how one's past experiences and authenticity can coexist and evolve, even as they create new art that reflects their current state of mind. He also emphasizes the importance of embracing all aspects of oneself, rather than trying to bifurcate or categorize different parts of one's identity. In the process of creating new music, the speaker intends to explore the complexities of human emotions, acknowledging that feeling alone or alienated is not dependent on external factors like substance use.
Living Frugally: A Source of Pride: The speaker values his simple lifestyle, choosing to live in a worn-out van despite success, prioritizing utility and personal values over consumer culture.
The speaker values his simple and frugal lifestyle, choosing to continue living in a worn-out van despite his growing success and the availability of better options. He sees this as a source of pride and a way to maximize utility, rooted in his beliefs about consumer culture and economic decisions. This mindset is influenced by his experiences and personal values, which prioritize using things until they're completely used up. The speaker's dedication to this lifestyle has been a constant in his life, from his Toyota Previa vans to his role in his sister's household. While some may view it as risky or even irrational, the speaker finds joy and meaning in his choices.
New York City: A Place of Transformation or a Reason to Leave?: Understanding personal reasons for leaving New York and addressing root causes of issues is essential for long-term growth and happiness.
New York City holds a significant role in shaping people's lives, and leaving it can be a difficult decision. Some may view it as a place of transformation, where they grew into their true selves despite hardships. Others may feel the need to leave due to personal reasons, such as family ties or mental health struggles. It's essential to understand that moving to a new location doesn't necessarily solve all problems, as they can follow you wherever you go. Instead, addressing the root causes of these issues is crucial for long-term growth and happiness. Ultimately, the decision to leave New York or stay is a deeply personal one, shaped by individual experiences and circumstances.
A Mother's Desire for Freedom and Adventure: Individual desires matter, communication heals, and alternative living arrangements can offer freedom and affordability.
Women, like the speaker's mother, have desires and dreams that go beyond being tied down to a specific place or role. The speaker's mother, despite being 66 years old, wanted to travel and live a more mobile lifestyle. This desire led to the arrangement for her to live in a trailer in her daughter's backyard. The speaker also emphasized the importance of communication and understanding in mending relationships, as seen in her rekindled bond with her sister. Another key point is the speaker's fascination with alternative living arrangements, such as RVs and micro houses, which offer a sense of freedom and affordability. The conversation also touched on the speaker's upcoming tour and book release, as well as her plans to eventually settle down in a more permanent living situation. Overall, the conversation highlighted the importance of individual desires, communication, and adaptability in life.
Impact of Sharing Content: Creating and sharing content authentically can inspire and help others, but it's important to acknowledge the struggle and remain vulnerable.
Creating and sharing content, whether it's through a podcast or writing, can have a profound impact on others. The speaker in this conversation, Rich, shares how he's received an overwhelming amount of positive feedback from his audience. However, he feels uncomfortable with the idea of being seen as an inspiration or someone who's figured everything out. Instead, he identifies more with his audience and sees himself as someone who's also searching for answers and struggling. He also acknowledges that the positive feedback can sometimes feed his ego, and he's learned to be mindful of that. Overall, the conversation highlights the importance of authenticity and vulnerability in creating and sharing content, and the impact it can have on others.
Navigating the Challenges of Success: Success brings unique challenges like managing time, maintaining relationships, and staying true to oneself. Be grateful for opportunities, respond to fans, set boundaries, invest in self, and use success to help others.
Success brings its own unique challenges, including managing time, maintaining relationships, and staying true to oneself. The speaker in this conversation recognized the importance of being grateful for the opportunities that come with success, even if it means neglecting some aspects of their personal life temporarily. They also acknowledged the responsibility of responding to fans and those seeking advice, while also setting boundaries and investing in themselves to continue creating and growing. Ultimately, the speaker found joy in being able to use their success to help others and make a positive impact on their lives. It's a delicate balance, but one that's essential for anyone striving for success in their chosen field.
Self-care is essential for personal well-being and those around us: Neglecting self-care can lead to negative consequences for individuals and their families. Prioritize self-care as an investment in yourself and those who rely on you.
Taking care of oneself is not a selfish act, but rather an essential one for maintaining personal well-being and the well-being of those around us. This was emphasized in a conversation with a sister who felt guilty for taking time for exercise and self-care, as well as in an interview with Jeff Castellas, who shared his experience of the importance of self-care during his son's illness. Both examples illustrate how neglecting self-care can lead to negative consequences for individuals and their families. It's crucial to remember that taking care of oneself is not only necessary for personal growth and identity exploration, but also for showing up emotionally, physically, and mentally for others. So, prioritize self-care, even when it feels like a luxury or a distraction from other responsibilities. It's an investment in yourself and those who rely on you.
The power of love and support: Though we may feel alone in our struggles, loved ones care and support us. Prioritize self-care and seek help when needed.
Even when we feel isolated and alone in our struggles, we are not truly alone. Our loved ones often worry about us and are there for us, even if we may not be aware of it. The speaker's realization of this came when he returned from his battle with addiction and saw the relief in his sister's eyes. Another important takeaway is the importance of self-care and seeking help when needed. The speaker's delay in addressing his health issues, which turned out to be kidney stones, led to unnecessary pain and distress. It's crucial to prioritize our well-being and not ignore symptoms, especially during stressful times. Overall, the discussion emphasizes the interconnectedness of our lives and the importance of both self-care and support from loved ones.
Anxiety's physical effects: A personal story: Addressing emotional stress can prevent physical health issues. Self-care, including eating well and resting, is crucial for maintaining overall well-being.
Emotional stress can have physical manifestations, which was highlighted in the speaker's experience with hand pain caused by anxiety. The speaker shared a personal anecdote about a friend's near-death experience and their own subsequent health issues. The friend's anomaly caused a false alarm for the speaker, who was experiencing symptoms of anaphylactic shock due to anxiety. The doctor advised the speaker to relax, and after some rest and self-care, the symptoms subsided. This experience underscores the importance of addressing emotional well-being to maintain physical health. The speaker also discussed the importance of self-care, such as eating well and getting enough rest, which can help prevent such incidents in the future. Overall, the conversation emphasizes the interconnectedness of emotional and physical health and the importance of prioritizing self-care.
The Energy of Comedians: A High Without the Low: Comedians' company brings joy and fulfillment, surpassing substance use. Balance is key to avoiding fatigue and maintaining overall well-being.
The energy and company of comedians and like-minded individuals can provide a high and positive experience, even surpassing the effects of substance use. The speaker finds joy and fulfillment in their friendships and shared experiences, which contributes to their overall well-being. However, excessive exposure to these environments can also lead to fatigue and a desire for solitude. The speaker plans to maintain a balance between touring with comedian friends and spending time with family, potentially incorporating collaborative projects like podcasts or live shows.
The importance of daily consistency in running: Regular short runs are more beneficial for overall fitness than sporadic long ones, and consistency is key to making running a lifelong habit.
Consistency in running, no matter the distance, is more important than infrequent long runs. The speaker shares his excitement about resuming running after completing his book, acknowledging the importance of daily short runs as opposed to sporadic long ones. He also expresses the desire for a cathartic, epic run as a victory lap for his accomplishment. The speaker expresses gratitude for the opportunity to publish his book and the support from his family, drawing parallels between the endurance of ultra-athletes and spiritual journeys. The speaker's admiration for the Iron Cowboy's achievements highlights the awe-inspiring nature of human endurance, encouraging us to appreciate the depth and complexity behind seemingly extraordinary feats.
Reflecting on the power of pushing oneself to the limits: Embrace the irresponsibility of dreaming and loving life to the fullest, drawing inspiration from extraordinary individuals who face heightened risks.
The act of pushing oneself to the limits, whether it's through an ultra marathon or an unconventional challenge, can be an act of love and a celebration of life. The speaker was deeply moved by James' completion of a marathon in an unconventional way, which reminded him of the quiet, confident, and powerful presence of the Russell Crowe character Maximus in Gladiator. The speaker also reflected on his own running experiences and how love and hatred played a role in motivating him. He criticized the notion that taking risks or leaping into the unknown is irresponsible, and instead, celebrated the extraordinary achievements of individuals like James and Konrad Anker, who face heightened risks in their pursuits. The speaker encouraged embracing the irresponsibility of dreaming and loving life to the fullest.
Celebrating another's achievements: Recognize and celebrate the worth and inspiration of others' accomplishments, rather than feeling threatened or inadequate.
The size of one's dreams and accomplishments does not diminish the worth of another's. The speaker, who completed an epic challenge, expressed admiration and support for another athlete who surpassed his feat. The speaker acknowledged the potential for feelings of jealousy or inadequacy, but instead chose to celebrate the inspiration and motivation derived from the other's achievement. The speaker emphasized that everyone's story and journey is unique, and that there is no zero-sum competition in the world of personal growth and endurance sports. The speaker encouraged giving credit where it's due and recognizing the role one can play in inspiring others to reach for their own goals.
The Power of Sharing Stories and Helping Others Tell Them: Sharing stories can inspire, transform lives, and create meaningful connections. Helping others tell their narratives can lead to increased reach and impact.
Sharing stories and creating a platform for others to tell their narratives can be a powerful and fulfilling experience. The speaker shared how he helped promote a guest's podcast, leading to increased reach and impact, and how this experience reinforced the importance of storytelling in inspiring and transforming people's lives. Additionally, the speaker shared his passion for teaching storytelling at Yale University, fulfilling a childhood dream and emphasizing the power of a well-told story to captivate and inspire. Ultimately, the speaker's reflections highlight the importance of using storytelling as a means of connecting with others, spreading inspiration, and making a positive impact on the world.
A rewarding yet exhausting experience of teaching a writing seminar: Teaching can be intimidating, but connecting with students and helping them grow through constructive criticism leads to a transformative experience for both parties.
Teaching can be an intimidating experience, especially for those who are new to it. The speaker, who was initially terrified about teaching a writing seminar at Yale, found that the process of creating a curriculum and connecting with students was both exhausting and rewarding. The class focused on helping students write nonfiction Kindle singles, but ended up becoming a safe space for them to share and deal with heavy life experiences. The teacher had to be sensitive and thoughtful, while also providing constructive criticism to help students improve their writing. The experience allowed the teacher to connect with other faculty members and academics, and reinforced the importance of resilience and perseverance in the face of negative feedback and challenges. Overall, the seminar was a transformative experience for both the students and the teacher.
Write freely without judgment: Focus on getting ideas down without self-criticism during initial writing stage, then revise and edit later.
Writing is a process of letting go of judgment and allowing the words to flow freely onto the page before revising and editing. The speaker, who taught writing at a prestigious university, emphasized the importance of not worrying about marketing strategies, genre, or perfection during the initial writing stage. Instead, writers should focus on getting their ideas down without self-criticism, and then revise and edit later. The speaker shared his own experiences of delivering unpolished speeches at prestigious events and receiving positive responses, encouraging writers to trust the process and persist through the challenges.
Embracing failures and learning from them: Success often comes from experiencing setbacks and learning valuable lessons. Musician Mishka Shubali encourages listeners to check out his website for tour dates and new single, 'New Jersey Valentine's Day Orphan Blues', reflecting the power of music to inspire and heal through hardships.
Success comes through experiencing failures and learning from them. Mishka Shubali, a musician, emphasized this perspective during the podcast interview. He encouraged listeners, especially those in the UK, to check out his music and upcoming tour dates by visiting his website, mishkashabali.com. The interview concluded with Mishka sharing his new single, "New Jersey Valentine's Day Orphan Blues," and expressing his appreciation for the opportunity to connect with the audience. This anthemic song reflects the idea that everyone makes mistakes, and sometimes it's necessary to embrace the pain and hardships to grow. Overall, the conversation highlighted the importance of resilience and the power of music to inspire and heal.
