Episode 4 — Art, Addiction, and the Sacred Pause (with Rich G)

Path of the Sober Seeker Podcast

Episode Description:
In this honest and far-reaching conversation, James sits down with Rich—an airbrush artist, motorcycle enthusiast, and sober spiritual seeker—to explore the powerful intersection of creativity, addiction, and recovery. Rich opens up about his artistic process and how making “ugly” art became a way to exorcise his inner demons. Together, they discuss how addiction strips us down, how structure can both support and stifle, and how recovery creates space for conscious contact with God.

They unpack the influence of media on our identities, the allure and danger of comfort, and the spiritual insights that only come through disruption. Whether it’s quitting cigarettes, breaking out of destructive routines, or learning how to sit with silence, this episode is a meditation on transformation through the creative and contemplative path.

Show Notes

Topics Covered:

  • Using art as a medium to release and transform internal struggle

  • The dangers of comfort, routine, and societal programming in recovery

  • The difference between good structure and spiritual stagnation

  • How creativity can support conscious contact with God

  • Influence of media, music, and environment on our mindset

  • Reflections on Ramadan and the value of fasting

  • Quitting smoking, one craving at a time

  • Rich’s spiritual experiences in nature and on the road

  • Finding one’s people in AA—and becoming a stranger to your old self

Key Quotes:

  • “Contemplation is the highest form of prayer.”

  • “Art became a way to trap the demons I battled internally and manifest them outside of me.”

  • “Most of society doesn’t have that sacred pause—but recovery gives it to us.”

  • “You’re not guaranteed a boat or a house, but you’re guaranteed a relationship with your Creator.”

Book Recommendations:

  • The Celestine Prophecy by James Redfield

  • Sermon on the Mount by Emmet Fox

Call to Action:
If you’re feeling trapped or spiritually dry, start small. Stay present. Pick up the phone before you pick up the bottle. You are not alone.