I’m Gay and Drink Water: Recent Episodes
Ally Nik
The podcast dedicated to conversations and stories about sobriety, alcohol and creativity within and beyond the LGBTQ+ community.
Before I came out, I dated a handful of men. Tyler was one of them. Dating Tyler was a weird, annoying, and frustrating 3 months of my life.
Listen now for how I grappled dating this baseball bro during my Junior year of college.
I'm Gay and Drink Water, the memoir, comes out August 23, 2024!
Marina Crouse is a writer, editor and writing coach living in Los Angeles. Marina and Ally chat about their love for coffee, how they deal with anxiety and balancing their own writing with the work that pays the bills, allyship, what escapism looks like for each of them and much more.
Follow Marina on Instagram @marinacrousewrites
Check out her website here.
Today officially marks 7 years sober for Ally. In this cute little episode, Ally shares some lessons, hard truths and important reminders as she reflects on what she's learned in the last 7 years.
If you're looking for some quick encouragement, this is definitely worth the listen!
Just like baseball, Ally used to associate alcohol with weddings for such a long time that she declined invitations to several friends' weddings. Whatever it takes to not drink, right? In this episode, Ally talks about the only wedding she was drunk at and the weddings she attended sober. Guess which ones were better for her? :)
Resources corresponding to this episode:
5 Ways to Stay Sober at a Wedding
9 Tips For Going To A Wedding When You’re Not Drinking
SAMHSA’s National Helpline
On this BONUS episode of IGADW, Ally chats with filmmaker Justin Garascia on everything from filmmaking to gay representation to alcohol and creativity and so much more.
Justin's brand new short horror-comedy "Trip Upstate!" is currently in post production, and Justin's team recently hit over 100% on their crowdfunding campaign for their project!
Justing is also a director, writer and actor based in New York City. Before "Trip Upstate," his short film "Go Crazy With Crazy" premiered at the 2020 Big Apple Film Festival and subsequently went on to receive top mention at multiple international film festivals both virtually and in person. Justin currently co-leads the Manhattan Chapter of Filmshop.
"Go Crazy With Crazy" serves as a proof concept for a feature film which is currently in development. Other film/TV credits include: Doomsday (streaming on Amazon), Nick & Nicky, The Upside, GAYS: The Series and Park Day.
Previously he has worked for the Acting for Film Department at New York Film Academy and during that time studied at UCB Theatre in NYC. His short plays have been produced by Mastodon and AMIOS Co. Originally from Detroit, MI he received his BA in Theatre Performance from Western Michigan University.
Support Justin further by checking out the following links:
"Trip Upstate!" Crowdfunding Campaign on Seed & Spark
Follow Justin on Instagram
Follow Justin on Twitter
Filmshop Manhattan Chapter & Screener for "Go Crazy With Crazy"
On this episode, Ally chats with Megan Ryder, a 31 year old who quit drinking alcohol on 1/22/21. Her one year soberversery is next weekend!! Tune in for details about navigating sobriety as a medical marijuana patient. Megan is a traumatic brain injury survivor with severe pain and requires medical marijuana to thrive. She has struggled with the balance of no alcohol and adding edibles for the pain. However, the conclusion she has come to, for her, is that she chooses to treat the pain in the most holistic manner possible—which means marijuana is a necessity in her life. Lack of alcohol, on the other hand, led her to start achieving and living her best life. She is so proud and grateful to share her story with us.
TW: substance abuse, medical trauma and suicidal ideation.
Resources for this episode:
https://www.leafly.com/learn/legalization/medical-states
https://patient.practicalpainmanagement.com/treatments/medical-marijuana-pain-what-use-for
Nearly a year ago, Ally almost broke her sobriety.
From loneliness to light, Ally's 2022 is a prime example for anyone that things get better, and if you don't know what to do: just keep going and stay hydrated - day by day, hour by hour, minute by minute.
While she wishes it were different (and easier), some times we have to fight for our happiness and that's exactly what Ally spent doing last year. And it was far from easy and it was incredibly lonely at times, but it is absolutely worth it.
Welcome to the other side...where things are happier and so much more fun!
On this episode, Ally chats with Jo Walduck (she/they). Jo is a sober trans life and business coach based in Normandy, France. Since getting sober "just for a month" back in 2019, she has navigated her own chronic health struggles, coming out and transitioning in a foreign country during pandemia, losing two parents in 3 months, and has supported dozens of people on their own paths to and within recovery. And sometimes she wonders why she's tired! Working with an approach recognizing the multiple pathways to recovery, Jo's own recovery encapsulates moving away from alcohol, nicotine, people pleasing, the white supremacist cis-hetero patriarchy and diet culture. It's all connected. Exploring trauma responses, survival roles and building sustainable recovery capital through the lens of positive psychology, NLP, IFS and SCT, Jo's number one client will always be herself. She also does 1:1 coaching and runs an online queer and feminist sober support group 100% free of diet culture. You can find her chatting up the fromagère or the boulanger at the weekly markets, cleaning up after her pussycat, taking long wet walks on the beach in Dieppe, enjoying a pastry or two with her coffees, or trying to put goodness and gentleness out into the spaces she inhabits online. Links Corresponding with this Episode Work With Jo Follow Jo on Instagram Transgender Emergency Recovery Fund Support These 20 Trans POC-Led Grassroots Organizations
Ally's 21st birthday was one that she actually wants to remember, and she does because she remembers most of her drunken times. Her big 2-1 was one of the few times she felt safe and was okay and had fun while drinking all day.
In this episode she recounts her activities for the day and reflects on being 21 and still in the closet.
Additional Support & Resources
Hope for Sober Teens & Dorm Life
Is it Possible to Stay Sober in College? YES.
Tips for Staying Sober in College
Jacob Carlew is in his 7th year of teaching choral music at Branson high school. He lives in Springfield Missouri with his chunky cat Cecil the Magnificent. When he is not binge watching trash tv, he enjoys CrossFit, nagging his married friends, and traveling.
Jacob popped up on my for you page on TikTok last month and has made a large part of the internet smile with his words of wisdom and power pointless PowerPoints from his students. He has grown his following to nearly 75,000 on TikTok.
Jacob and Ally had an incredible conversation about his work as a teacher, what it's like being out in the classroom, how you can be an advocate for teachers everywhere and alcohol’s presence in the queer community and in teachers' lives.
Additional Resources & Support to this Episode
Donate to the Trevor Project
Follow Mr. Carlew on TikTok
50 Resources to Support Mental Health for Teacher
Ally has been writing since she was 7 years old, around the same time she realized she was different aka gay. While her writing process and creativity have changed throughout the years, one thing is clear: her art cannot flourish under the influence of alcohol.
In this episode, Ally takes you through what writing was like during her drinking days and what it looks like now, nearly 7 years sober.
TW: substance abuse, alcoholism
Carson Bohdi is a Toronto-based Poet, Songwriter, and YouTuber who is most well known for the video series, "Recovering Alcoholic Reacts" on Youtube and “Lessons I’ve Learned Living Alone” on TikTok. Their online brand, Carson’s Creatives, was created in 2016 and expanded in 2022 to include a Patreon page, merchandising store, and recently, they published their first book, “REQUIEM: A Collection of Poetry”, a raw look into their experience with mental health, addiction, and gender identity.
Carson and Ally discuss coming out, substance abuse, identity, writing and more in this episode. Carson gives a deep personal account of their journey with profound insight and reflection, including why they got sober and defining moments along the way.
Resources Corresponding with This Episode:
Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction
Recovering Alcoholic Reacts on YouTube
Buy "Requiem" a Collection of Poetry
Follow Carson on Instagram
Follow Carson on TikTok
Support Them on Patreon
Carson's Creatives
Ally is here to tell you that quitting is a good thing, and that it's okay to quit things and come back to them later...or not! Most things will still be there anyway.
Quitting should not be frowned upon, especially when it means you're leaving certain situations and things that no longer serve you in the best possible way.
From becoming a vegetarian to quitting alcohol, Ally takes you through the top 5 things she quit in order to become a better, fuller, higher version of herself.
Are you a fan of the show or this episode? Please share with a friend who could benefit from its content(s)!
In this spooky episode of I'm Gay and Drink Water, Ally gives a moment by moment account of the night she hit the drunk Wall for the first time. What's The wall? The Wall is the point of no return Ally would hit when she drank. She hit The Wall more often than not.
Hitting The Wall that night was a result of neglected mental health and a depressed college student athlete that didn't know how to navigate her feelings. Not that that's an excuse, but that was just reality back then.
With reflections sprinkled in throughout this story, Ally gives her listeners a glimpse into what it was like for her to be depressed and drunk and who she was running toward that chilly night in Oxford, Mississippi.
This episode is insightful, bold, and her most vulnerable episode yet.
TW: Substance abuse, underage drinking, SA, mental health and binge drinking.
Resources In Correspondence with This Episode
NCAA Student Athletes and Mental Health
Mental Health Resources for College Students
National Directory of Mental Health Facilities in America - 2021
Student Athletes and Substance Abuse Support
Danielle, author and owner of Daisy Soul Child offers deep insight on her spiritual path along with being sober. Daisy Soul Child offers spiritual mentorship and wants nothing more than to inspire and help women on their journey.
If you're looking for deeper guidance on your sobriety journey or are struggling with your spiritual path, then you're definitely going to want to tune in to this episode!
Other topics of discussion include: coming out, growing up, family and self-worth.
Links Related to This Episode
@daisy_soulchild on Instagram
The Gift Is In My Wounds Book My Daily Gifts Workbook
https://www.daisysoulchild.com/
Your host of I'm Gay and Drink Water, Ally talks about dealing with the feelings of loss after they build up for years and years.
Learn how Ally connects with her future self to become the highest version of herself and how you, too, can incorporate your own future self-talk conversations to heal parts of your past for a better future.
NOTE: Ally is NOT a medical professional and NOT giving medical advice. She's simply a woman sharing her story in hopes that she can help her listeners in someway, shape or form.
Follow the I'm Gay and Drink Water podcast on Instagram - @imgayanddrinkwater
On this episode, Ally chats with Lou about getting and staying sober in the UK. They talk about what it was like for Lou to come out in the 90s, AA, blacking out, and how life is so much better without alcohol.
Lou is a UK based gay woman who has been sober for 3 years. Despite there being some good times during her drinking, the blacking out episodes and consequences outweighed the good. That's why she felt she couldn't continue living that lifestyle and ended up surrendering to sobriety. Lou now lives a free, sober and worthwhile existence without alcohol and can honestly say, she has never been happier!
TW: blacking out, mental health, substance abuse.
Follow Lou and the Sober, Free and Being Me podcast on Instagram - @sober_free_and_being_me
RESOURCES IN CORRESPONDENCE WITH THIS EPISODE
UK Addiction Treatment Resources
Alcohol Support Services for the LGBTQ+ in the UK
TW: substance abuse, mental health
Bendición Dry Bar is looking to be one of the first Alcohol-Free Bars & Community Spaces in Chicago. Founder and owner, Cristina Torres had been thinking about creating a sober community space for years, and she is doing it!
Bendición is here to challenge the belief that you need alcohol to have fun or be the life of the party. They invite you to try something not often expected of us in bars - To remember the night. To make memories you won't forget. To be Present.
In this episode of I’m Gay and Drink Water, Cristina shares her experience as to what it was like getting sober during the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, who inspired her to start a dry bar in a major drinking city and so much more. This is a brave, honest and inspiring conversation that you do not want to miss!
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Bendición Website The Native Chicago Eli Tea Bar Cristina's Block Club Chicago Article
LIKE, FOLLOW & SUPPORT BENDICION Bendición's GoFundMe Follow on Instagram Like & Follow on Facebook Bendición on TikTok
SPOILER ALERT - They don't mix!
Ally was diagnosed with hypothyroidism in 2015. In this episode, she talks about her diagnosis, going from being an elite athlete to sleeping 18+ hours a day, and how alcohol impacted the regulation of her thyroid.
Stay tuned at the end of this episode for a special announcement!
William is a former personal trainer turned aspiring writer because of a friend's advice during the pandemic. From martial arts to journaling, Will has constantly been finding ways to address mental health and self care. He hopes that others, especially men, become more open with being vulnerable about their mental well being.
Ally and Will discuss the importance of self mental health advocacy, self reflection and the impact alcohol has on martial arts training along with its impact on Will's writing process.
Follow Will on Instagram @william.the.writer
Will's YouTube
Will's Website
Ally & Casey chat about Casey’s personal journey to sobriety and how life is as a newly sober bisexual woman.
Episode Trigger Warning(s): substance abuse
Casey is a bisexual midwestern woman that is over two months sober from alcohol. Sobriety has been so deeply impactful on my life and mental health (especially as a queer woman), she wanted to tell her story with IGADW. Outside of her journeys through sobriety and queerness, some highlights of her personal life include caring for her two adorable cats, keeping aquariums, and lots of quiet time on her balcony reading, thanks to my discovery of the public library in the area!
SAMHSA National Helpline 16 Mental Health Resources for LGBTQ+ 5 Alternatives to AA
In this episode, Ally and Shannon dive into alcohol’s presence in standup comedy, what’s changed over the years in Shannon's performing experience, her creative process, family, growing up and so much more.
Shannon is a nationally touring comedian based in Chicago. She is a queer, former beauty queen turned comedian. She has been doing stand up for 8 years and has performed at renowned venues such as: The Annoyance, Second City, Laugh Factory, Zanies, and the Improv- Schaumburg.
Shannon is the host and creator of the My Ex Life Podcast and Hot Topic the Hot Tub Talk Show. She has been featured at the Boom Chicago Comedy Festival, North Carolina Comedy Festival, Sixth City, Omaha Comedy Fest, and Chicago SketchFest, to name a few.
My Ex Life Podcast Ally on the My Ex Life Podcast Hot Topic the Hot Tub Talk Show Shannon's Website Follow Shannon on Instagram - @theshannonbacchus
Almost 6.5 years later, Ally opens up and reflects on the last day she drank alcohol, the events leading up to it and the 3 words she told herself when she decided to quit drinking for good.
TW: substance abuse, SA, self harm
Resources corresponding with this episode:
The Trevor Project 16 Mental Health Resources for LGBTQ+ Alcohol Consumption Support
Get to know your host, Ally and what you can expect on I'm Gay and Drink Water podcast!