David Choe is a world-renowned artist, writer, podcaster and TV host. He tells how as a child, he was made to believe he was destined for greatness but also that he was a complete disgrace, leading him to channel his energy—including deep shame—into art that brought him global recognition. He shares about his addictions that put him on a decades-long cycle of extreme highs and lows and that forced him to eventually acknowledge and heal the childhood trauma he was battling inside. David shows up with raw, authentic presence to show us how we can transmute pain and shame into our best creative work and, more importantly, how complete vulnerability, especially about our hardest experiences, is the ultimate tool for forgiveness and self-acceptance. He also tells us the actual story about early Facebook, Pee-wee Herman and Santa Claus.
Note: This conversation includes topics and language that may not be suitable for younger audiences.
Read the episode show notes at hubermanlab.com.
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Timestamps
David Choe
Drawing, Black & Colors, Death
Telepathy, South Bay
Sponsors: Eight Sleep & LMNT
Childhood, Podcasts, Mundane Moments & Artist Life
Mother, Beliefs, Religion, Artistic Ability, Childhood
Gambling, Transformation; Immigrant, Disgrace
Street Art, Graffiti, Creativity; Paintings, Payment; Sports
Sponsor: AG1
Santa, Belief; Journal, Vulnerability; Heart Break, Art
Facebook, Graffiti; Theft, Gambling
Adapting, Creativity
Album Cover, Art & Payment
Sponsor: Function
Immigrant & Belonging, Academics, Learning Art, Marvel Comics, Shame
Shame, Gambling Addiction, Stress
Sexual Abuse, Trauma, Shame, Addiction
Early Career, Pornography, Author
Graffiti, Disappointment, Rejection; Early Magazines
Sponsor: Mateina
Pornography, Co-Dependence; Movie Set
Pride & Family, Vice; Pokémon
Podcast, Workaholism, Shame, Reality; Anthony Bourdain, Channing Tatum
Writing, Career Success, Workaholism, Vice, News, Self-Sabotage, Heart Attack
Growth & Pain, Sizzler; David Arquette
Rehab, God, Purpose, Parents & Disappointment, The Choe Show, Pee-Wee Herman
Gratitude, Korean Immigrant, Self-Reflection, Brokenness
Emotion, Saying No, Suicide; Vacation & Workaholism, Art
Legacy; Vacation, Work; Authenticity
Surviving & Thriving, Suicide, Addiction, Play the Tape Out, Fun, Feeling Enough
Hope & Faith, Electronics, Santa Claus
Zero-Cost Support, YouTube, Spotify & Apple Follow, Reviews & Feedback, Sponsors, Protocols Book, Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter
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