Dopey 576: Crust Punk, Trans Superstar, Autistic Alcoholic, Whippets, Psychosis & Recovery Demystified - The Early Brunner Story

DopeyWood Tickets: https://www.showclix.com/event/dopeywood-2026

Ad Free on $8 and up on Patreon - www.patreon.com/dopeypodcast

This week on Dopey!  Lots of good stuff with TRANS, CRUST PUNK, AlCOHOLIC SUPERSTAR - EARLY BRUNNER! We play a voicemail about someone burying a dead lizard with meth and later digging it up to do lines on the coffin!

Spotify Comments! Someone questions my ibogaine/sublicad/vivtrol experience!

Then we are joined by Early Brunner! Early describes growing up in Wisconsin feeling socially different and isolated, later identifying as autistic and queer. They begin using substances at a young age, first alcohol and cigarettes, then marijuana, finding that drugs helped them connect with others.

In high school and early adulthood, their use escalates. After moving to Milwaukee for college, they drop out, develop a heavy alcohol problem, and become addicted to nitrous oxide. They attempt to stop drinking briefly but quickly relapse.

They move to Austin, where their drinking worsens and leads to alcohol-induced psychosis, compounded by lack of sleep and unstable work. After a breakdown, they leave and move to Florida, where their drug use expands and their life becomes increasingly unstable and survival-focused.

Early becomes fully immersed in a punk/crust lifestyle tied to substance use and identity. Over time, they begin recognizing the negative impact of addiction but continue using.

Later, they become an EMT and witness deaths related to inhalant abuse, which they say is rarely discussed and carries significant shame.

The episode ends with Early discussing their current recovery and work with “Recovery Demystified,” followed by Dave reflecting on the interview, addressing a critical listener comment, and closing with gratitude and show announcements.

All that PLUS TONS MORE on this weeks new episode of the brand new Friday episode of the good old Dopey Show!

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.