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This week on Dopey! It's ChrisMiss Time Again - and we remember Chris and think about what we've lost in our latest ChrisMiss episode. We are joined by Ted and Colin—two of Chris’s closest friends—for a long, emotional, laugh filled but ultimately tragic journey through grief, memory, relapse, recovery and death. They recount wild and deeply human stories of Chris: his powerful magnetism,  his “whatevs” persona, and the time he hugged a drunk driver who had just killed someone. Then, we go deep into Chris’s relapse, the shame that may have surrounded it, and the fear of losing connection.

From Mountainside to Katz’s Deli, from a poetry slam to the drunk tank, from legacy to myth to bionic legs traded for heroin—this episode is everything that made Chris unforgettable. PLUS: a classic Dopey voicemail from Tim in Philly involving coke, Cookie, and crackhouse head, and a replay of Episode 71 with Chris. It all ends with the classic version of “Bad Card” and a full-circle Dave and Chris musical outro. Stay strong Dopey Nation, and fucking toodles for Chris.

Opening:
Dave recalls Dave Marshall, the first Dopey community member to die. Dave, Chris, and Dave Marshall once recorded a now-lost episode that ended in a bizarre fight—possibly because Chris was trying to impress Marshall.

Talking Grief:
Dave asks Colin and Ted how they grieve Chris. Colin mentions laughing at dumb things and feeling like Chris is still there. Ted recalls vivid dreams where Chris walks him through his relationship with his wife, like a ghostly Scrooge-style guide. The dream was so powerful he woke up crying.

Dreams of Chris:
Dave shares that Chris is always dead in his dreams, and that he recently had one with both Chris and his mother (also deceased). Chris always knows he’s gone in the dream—making them painful but powerful.

Trend of Death:
The conversation shifts to the changing trends of death in recovery: less overdoses, more suicides, including people they knew.

Settlers of Catan:
Chris’s obsession with the Settlers board game—cheating newbies, logging fake wins on a wooden log, and playing alone while stacking stats. The actual Settlers Log might be lost.

Connection & Community:
Colin reflects on connection as the heart of Dopey and recovery. Chris embodied that connection for many.

Why Did Chris Relapse?
They dive into theories around Chris’s relapse:

He was doing well—finished his master’s, in a stable relationship, BTN job picking up.

Dave wonders if Chris thought the promises of recovery would be better high.

Colin and Ted say Chris might’ve feared losing relationships if he admitted he was using.

Shame and stigma—not about being an addict, but about breaking the recovery identity—were likely massive.

Chris’s Persona:
“Whatevs” was Chris’s favorite line, but everyone agrees—he actually cared a lot. He just didn’t want people to know.

Origin Story:
Chris and Dave met at Mountainside, where Chris became Dave’s “Eskimo”, showing him that 12-step worked.
Chris used to visit Katz’s Deli to impress Dave and his girlfriends.
They texted or talked every single day from 2015 to the day Chris died.

The Fatal Crash Story:
Ted and Chris are en route to a poetry slam when they stumble on a deadly car crash—they are first on scene.

Ted goes int

Dopey 540: ChrisMiss in July - Remembering Chris with Colin and Ted

hear the whole thig there: [www.patreon.com/dopeypodcast]

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📓 Detailed Notes:

Dave opens the teaser from somewhere in the Rocky Mountains — unless he was “eaten by a grizzly, mountain lion, or fell off a cliff.”

It’s Chris Miss week, so he’s been grinding hard, producing five Dopey episodes in a row, and is totally wiped out.

Packing panic:
Dave’s mother-in-law shows up last minute to micromanage their family’s trip prep.

Real ID confusion:

Dave talks about the new airport policy requiring a "Real ID."

TSA claimed his wasn’t valid during the Dopeywood trip to California.

Linda’s mom warns that they might not be able to fly — even though Dave just did.

Dave reflects on the term “feature,” Long Island lingo for added elements on an ID.

The teaser transitions to the Patreon episode with Kimber King.

Kimber is drinking Red Bull White Peach, proudly showing off her case (not a “slab”).

Dave and Kimber talk energy drink habits:

Kimber hates sugar-free versions.

Dave recalls Jolt Cola—“twice the sugar and all the caffeine.”

Dave explains the chaos of prepping for the trip, stockpiling content for while he’s gone.

They discuss a Dopey Nation relapse shared on the recent Patreon Zoom:

A “well-known” community member (unnamed) has relapsed and is looking for treatment.

Dave calls it heartbreaking. Kimber says it’s sad, but this is the nature of addiction.

They agree that both things can be true: it’s sad and it’s also the reality of the disease.

Kimber seems a little off, and Dave teases her about being nervous. She denies it.

Dave recalls Kimber’s last appearance, when she said she was craving coke for Christmas.

Tease ends with:
👉 “Did Kimber shoot coke for Christmas?”
➡️ To find out, join the Patreon: www.patreon.com/dopeypodcast

Dave closes with:

“It’s hard to prepare.”

“Hard to deal with children.”

Sarcastic gratitude affirmations:

“I love my life. I love my family. I'm good enough. I'm smart enough. And doggone it, my life is good.”

Final words:

“Love is the answer. Let your freak flag fly.”

“Stay strong, my brothers and my sisters, in and out of recovery.”

“Join Patreon.”

“Fucking toodles for Chris.”

“Wish us luck out there.”

 

Kimber, Coke for Christmas, Real IDs, & Red Bull Meltdowns TUESDAY TEASE!

www.patreon.com/dopeypodcast

Dave reads a Guitar World story about Kurt Cobain calling Sepultura for heroin tips in Brazil

 

Listener email: outrunning the cops in Michigan with a pocket full of coke and pills

 

Dave confesses he's losing interest in meetings and needs to triple down on spirituality

 

Voicemail from Rebecca in Humboldt County: 90s NYC, Skaw at Wetlands, and a summer of PCP

 

Dave’s memory of turning down PCP at SUNY Purchase

 

Shoutout to Mountainside and Recovery Unplugged

 

Janine interview begins (at Jeremy’s house in LA)

 

Early life: straight-A student, youth group leader, nerdy, argyle-wearing overachiever

 

Parents' divorce at 17 sent her into a total tailspin

 

First time doing coke at a redneck bar in Athens, Georgia (Bird Dog Tavern)

 

Moved to LA to become an actress, got certified to teach bar fitness

 

Pink meth from Armenian gangs in 2002 — Dave wants to know: WTF was it?

 

How she accidentally became a heroin addict at 30 after dating a Marine with a habit

 

Smuggling Suboxone into rehab, getting kicked out, getting arrested 4 times

 

Living in an abandoned cell phone store, eating stolen food, sleeping on cinder blocks

 

Her mom literally prays her way to the crackhouse to find her

 

Eventually gets clean, starts the Chasing Heroin podcast, and does a TED Talk

 

Explains “Post-Traumatic Growth” — and why addicts might actually get better than before

Dopey 539: Jeanine Coulter Kicked Heroin in a Doghouse, Squatted a Cell Phone Store, and Kidnapped an old man

🧷 Show Notes (Teaser):

Dave’s on vacation in the Rockies, losing sleep and dreaming hard

Doug thinks group conscience is sacred — unless he doesn’t like the chairperson

The “prison walk” AA escape plan explained

Bobby Lee controversy & Reddit backlash gets a nod

Ray the Clammer's sandwich wisdom returns

Doug wants stilettos and a thong; Dave wants out of the meeting

Outro includes the classic Dopey song + shoutouts

 

Stilettos, Thongs, Group Conscience and Homoerotic Recovery Walks with Heart Attack Doug aka MAGA Doug

 

💔 Emergency Dopey Episode from vacation in Montana

🕊️ Remembering Don Renz aka DJ – friend, guest, Dopey Nation member

📞 Don’s sister calls Dave from his hospital bedside

🚨 LAPD investigating Don’s death after an alleged assault in Koreatown

📣 Please share Don’s brother Maxwell’s Facebook post

👮‍♂️ Don's final days: fear, paranoia, and meth-induced delusions that turned out to be tragically real

📼 Classic 2016 Dopey: Don, Chris, and Dave—one of the best ever

💊 Don’s insane story: stealing 1,000 Vicodin from a pharmacy at 17

💉 Morphine, fentanyl patches, forged scripts, rehab on his 18th birthday

🍰 Vicodin in his pocket, methadone tales, sadness and hilarity

🧠 Recovery, methadone, relapse, and deep reflections

🕯️ RIP Chris, Ryan, Todd, Annie, Troy, Brian, William... and now, Don.

🙏 If you're using or struggling, please get help. 

In Loving Memory of Don Renz (DJ): Another Tragic Dopey Loss

Episode Notes

Ian’s ska roots in Delaware: straight edge, punk, X’s on hands, no drinking

 

Early drinking: first blackout after Beastie Boys concert

 

Lost his job and dignity over vodka, coke, and computer duster

 

Huffing duster and fishing out in front of his mom

 

Getting drunk on Christmas, giving away his stash, relapsing 2 hours later

 

DUI with fish filet in the car, leg out the window

 

Romantic rehab tales: Phillies hats, making love to Lux

 

Being gay, Catholic guilt, and straight edge shame

 

Getting denied heroin multiple times (God’s plan?)

 

From Oxford House to Joe Rogan with Dave Attell

 

Dry vs. sober: struggles with long-term program commitment

 

Big program talk: Higher power, meetings, shame, recovery service

 

Comedy origin: bombing, podcast beginnings, Jordan Jensen love

 

Howie’s AI girl group Lux and the Lux freakout

 

Ian’s new comedy album, recovery story, Dopey love

 

 

Dopey 537– Ian Fidance! The Ultimate BiSexual/Straight Edge, Huffing Duster in His Mom’s House - 10 years Sober episode!

GET THE FULL BUKATY AT:

www.patreon.com/dopeypodcast

📓 Episode Notes

Dave’s prepping for a huge family vacation to Utah → Lava Hot Springs, Yellowstone, and the Grand Tetons (mispronounced as Tetones).

 

A brutal East Islip dance recital leads Dave to declare: “Kicking heroin is better than this.”

 

Susan’s performance was great — but spaced out by 3 hours of toddler dance hell.

 

Revelation: No more long-ass Dopey events. DopeyCon will be 90 minutes max.

 

Dinner with Linda, the kids, and Dave’s dad → awkward French lesson about “Tetons” = breasts.

 

Farmer’s market trip → meat sticks, truffle cheese, overpriced smoothies, and the dreaded $5 guilt energy bar.

 

Dave chips a tooth on said bar → questions mortality and suspects maybe someone else’s tooth was in the bar.

 

John Bucati appears to talk about New Orleans, sampling, and Life of Pi → Dave calls bullshit and reminisces about watching it high on Grand Street.

 

Announcement: July 24th is Chrismiss in July, August 16 is  Dopey Day (Chris’s birthday).

Kicking Heroin was easier than sitting through this Dance Recital. PLUS BUKATY IS BACK!

Dave opens the show with a shoutout to Stephanie Roberts (7 years sober), Patreon plugs, and a cereal relapse story (Quaker Oatmeal Squares with chocolate chips).

Listener email highlights reactions to the Bobby Lee episode and Reddit backlash.

New Zealand listener Lily calls in with an epic pill-shelving story that ends in her robbing herself.

Musical guest Adam David performs Needle and the Damage Done.

Dave brings out comedian Moshe Kasher, who goes in on ayahuasca, porn ghosts, parenting trauma, and crowd work chaos.

Jason Cabelo celebrates 9 years sober and gets a Dopey coin live.

Annie Lederman joins the Stashword game and later performs a hilarious and filthy stand-up set: mimosa nicknames, AA slogans, drunk driving, IVF, sperm quality, and her fiancé’s hair pills.

Jack Osbourne, Moshe, and Dave discuss Bobby Lee’s no-show, ghost stories, and ayahuasca in recovery.

Rich Roll, Bob Forrest, and Erin Khar debate medication-assisted treatment, trauma, psychedelics, and life transformation.

Amy Dresner tells her infamous coke-and-bike-helmet story live with Dave.

More Stashword, audience chaos, and Dopey Nation shoutouts.

Shane Enholm performs Mud Pies.

Dave ends with a singalong of I Wanna Be Good So Bad and a heartfelt farewell to Ray the Clammer.📝 Episode Notes:

 

Dopey 537: Dopeywood Live! Amy Dresner, Annie Lederman, Moshe Kasher, Jack Osbourne, Rich Roll, Bob Forrest, Shane Enholm, Jake from West Virginia, Adam David + More!

📝 Episode Notes:

Dave's up at 5:30 AM with no sleep aids but hopelessly hooked on s’mores

 

Father's Day gift: a $40 crackhead s’mores hot plate from his daughter

 

Microwave s’mores vs. monstrosity s’mores — full breakdown

 

Massive processed sugar binge: Rice Krispie s’mores, Yaso bar, and Linden’s cookies

 

Full Dopey morning: prayer, meditation, AA, garbage duty, and Susan’s lunch rescue

 

A teaser for the Damon Baker episode (photographer + filmmaker)

 

Sweating at Katz’s and plotting the return of the Dopey Fitness Challenge

 

Bobby Lee Reddit drama: deleted thread accusing Dave of racism

 

Selby explains how Reddit mods can still see deleted posts

 

Solstice hippie parade recap from Selby’s island in the Pacific Northwest

 

Backyard lawn mowing pride and skin-smoothing conspiracies

 

Full Dopey intro song performance to close it out

 

“Stay strong, Dopey Nation, and fucking toodles for Chris.”

 

Is Dave a Racist? Tuesday Teaser! Processed Sugar, Bobby Lee and Deleted Reddit Posts: A Teaser in 100-Degree Heat

NOTES:

Listener emails: brutal black tar vein damage stories (toes, dick, and yes, arteries) plus a chilling NJ dope shack bust and snowstorm cigarette hike

Dad’s odd updates on protests, bad golf, AI school drama, and swampy lakes

Behind-the-scenes Dopey studio chaos, show length fights, and hyped DopeyCon 10-year party plans with Sam Miller confirmed

Bobby Lee jumps in: stealing beers from his dad, shooting meth at 12, and that unforgettable speedball masturbation session in a medical book aisle

Childhood trauma under a strict Korean roof, bullying, and how drugs became his escape hatch

First rehab at 16, early sobriety struggles, and the surreal calm he found in AA meetings and art museums

Finding comedy through AA shares and improv; the jump to MADtv and flopping hard

The infamous Vicodin withdrawal meltdown — shitting his pants on set and all the chaos that came with it

Deep dive into porn addiction, how it fucked his relationships, and the brutal relapse after losing his dad

Spiritual battles — wrestling with God’s will vs self-will, plus tales of bizarre AA characters like oxygen tank old guys in Oklahoma

Closing with a no-holds-barred “This or That” game: meth vs heroin, jerking off rules, and the legendary beef chip story

Bobby’s raw reflections on relapse, fame, and carving out peace in a messy, fucked-up life

My dad comes on to update the nation and to kind of ruin a classic episode

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Dopey 536: BOBBY LEE! Meth at 16, Sh!tting his pants, Porn Addiction, Relapse, Recovery PLUS My Dad!

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