Best Elliott Wald Podcasts (2025)

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Lorri Haines - Caught In A Trap 43:36

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28d ago43:36

43:36

In this compelling episode of "Coming Clean With Me," Caught in a Trap, “host Elliott Wald engages in a deeply personal conversation with Lorri Haines, a multimillionaire entrepreneur and reality TV star known for his role in the ITV show ‘My Family and Me’. Despite his current success, Lorri's journey is one marked by significant challenges and pe…

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Paul Dickson 32:58

1M ago32:58

32:58

This is a bonus episode because it's not in the usual format--me talking to person A about person B. For this one, I'm going directly to the subject: the prolific non-fiction writer Paul Dickson. I've been aware of and admired Dickson's work for a long time, probably not long after he set out on his own as an independent, aka freelance, writer in 1…

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Savannah Simms: Music, Madness, and Sobriety 42:01

1M ago42:01

42:01

In this riveting episode of "Coming Clean with Me," addiction specialist Elliott Wald sits down with the multifaceted Savannah Simms, a rising star in the music industry known for her roles as an events manager, artist developer, and DJ. But beneath the vibrant beats and pulsating rhythms lies a story of struggle and redemption. Savannah candidly s…

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David Remnick on John McPhee 36:17

2M ago36:17

36:17

David Remnick has been editor of the New Yorker since 1998 (making him the second-longest-serving editor in the magazine's history, behind William Shawn). Before that, he was a staff writer at the magazine, and before that he was a reporter for the Washington Post. David won a Pulitzer Prize in 1994 for his book Lenin's Tomb: The Last Days of the S…

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Mathew Hopkins - Finding Strenth, My Battle With Addiction 53:38

2M ago53:38

53:38

Matthew Hopkins, recovery warrior. Matthew's raw and unfiltered story takes listeners on a rollercoaster ride through his tumultuous past, from his rebellious childhood in Felixstowe to his shattered dreams of an army career. With unflinching honesty, Matthew opens up about his descent into a world of steroids, brawls, and drug addiction. He recoun…

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Folk Icons II: Elijah Wald on Ramblin' Jack Elliott 31:44

2M ago31:44

31:44

Elijah Wald has been singing and playing guitar for almost fifty years in a wide variety of styles, from blues, folk, ragtime, swing, country, and cowboy songs to classic Swahili pop, the Bahamian guitar style of Joseph Spence, and Mexican corridos. He hit the road in his late teens as a rambling busker, and has toured all over the United States an…

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Folk Icons I: Varda Bar-Kar on Janis Ian 27:28

2M ago27:28

27:28

Varda Bar-Kar is the director of the 2025 documentary Janis Ian: Breaking Silence, about the singer who burst on the scene in 1966, at the age of fifteen, with her song "Society's Child," Since then Ian's career has, well, careered. from high points to low points and back again, more times than you might think possible. Varda was born in England to…

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DJ MAK 10: Grime & Redemption 41:09

2M ago41:09

41:09

In this raw and gritty episode of "Coming Clean with Me," addiction specialist Elliott Wald sits down with DJ Mak 10, a.k.a. Nathaniel Ramsey, one of the founding fathers of the UK grime scene. Like the hard-hitting beats and unfiltered lyrics that define grime music, Mak 10 lays bare his 23-year battle with addiction, pulling no punches as he reco…

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Robert Strauss on Lois Smith 26:27

3M ago26:27

26:27

Robert Strauss is a veteran journalist and the author of three books: Daddy's Little Goalie: A Father, His Daughters, and Sports; Worst. President. Ever.: James Buchanan, the POTUS Rating Game, and the Legacy of the Least of the Lesser Presidents; and John Marshall: The Final Founder. His subject is his friend Lois Smith, whose distinguished acting…

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Beneath the Veneer - The Real Story of Lauren Amy White & Sobriety 41:12

3M ago41:12

41:12

In this gripping episode of *Coming Clean with Me*, host Elliott Wald sits down with the inspiring Lauren Amy White to delve into her tumultuous journey from the depths of addiction to a life of sobriety and empowerment. Known for his expertise in addiction therapy, Wald guides listeners through an unfiltered conversation that reveals the raw and o…

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Kicking Addiction: Joe's Path from Football to Freedom 42:22

3M ago42:22

42:22

In this riveting episode of "Coming Clean with Me," host Elliott Wald, a renowned addiction specialist with 28 years of experience, sits down with Joe Sealey, son of Manchester United legend Les Sealey, for a raw and unfiltered conversation about addiction, loss, and redemption. Joe's story reads like a Hollywood script - a promising football caree…

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John Barth on Bill Siemering 30:50

4M ago30:50

30:50

John Barth has a long and distinguished career in public broadcasting, which started in earnest in the very early 1980s when he got a peculiar and life-changing phone call from Bill Siemering. Siemering--at left in the photo (Barth is at right)--is one of the Founding Fathers of National Public and, it could be argued, has done more than anyone els…

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SEAN WILLERS: Fought the Taliban, Lost to Cocaine 56:57

4M ago56:57

56:57

Prepare for an intense and revealing conversation as Sean Willers, a former British soldier who fought bravely in Afghanistan, opens up about his harrowing journey from the battlefield to the depths of addiction. In this episode of "Coming Clean with Me," host Elliott Wald engages Sean in a candid discussion about the challenges he faced growing up…

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David Leaf on Van Dyke Parks 42:29

4M ago42:29

42:29

David Leaf is the author of SMiLE: The Rise, Fall, and Resurrection of Brian Wilson, which will be published in April 2025. More on his many books, documentaries and music projects at his website. Van Dyke Parks is a legendary American musician, who shows up everywhere from Disney's The Jungle Book, to The Honeymooners, to his historic collaboratio…

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Sarah Drage - Alcoholism Stole My Father 58:05

4M ago58:05

58:05

In this gripping episode of "Coming Clean with Me," host Elliott Wald, an addiction specialist, sits down with Sarah Drage to explore the profound impact of alcoholism on her family. Sarah, a child of an alcoholic parent, shares the deeply personal and emotional journey of her father, Steve, whose life was overtaken by alcohol. Steve, a charismatic…

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Casey Schwartz on Jonathan Schwartz 42:05

4M ago42:05

42:05

Casey Schwartz is the author of Attention: A Love Story, and In the Mind Fields, a book about the emerging field of neuropsychoanalysis. She has written for the New York Times, New York Magazine, the Daily Beast, and other publications. She talks about her father, Jonathan Schwartz, the legendary disc jockey, author, and raconteur. Episode clips: J…

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Paul Sculfor: From Supermodel to Sobriety - From Catwalk to Cocaine 48:24

5M ago48:24

48:24

Join addiction specialist Elliott Wald in this compelling episode of *Coming Clean With Me*, as he sits down with Paul Sculfor, the original male supermodel whose chiselled features once graced the covers of countless magazines and adorned billboards worldwide. Known for his work with fashion giants such as Armani, Versace, Burberry, and Louis Vuit…

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Carrie Rickey on Molly Haskell 28:20

5M ago28:20

28:20

The guest for the episode is Carrie Rickey, who recently published a biography of filmmaker Agnes Varda, A Complicated Passion. Carrie has served as a film critic for The Village Voice, The Boston Herald, and The Philadelphia Inquirer She’s also written widely on art, including for Artforum and Art in America. Carrie's subject is her friend the dis…

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Peter Judd: From Cocaine to Club King 36:25

5M ago36:25

36:25

In this compelling episode of ‘Coming Clean with Me’, host Elliott Wald sits down with one of his closest friends, Peter Judd, to explore a remarkable journey from the depths of addiction to becoming a successful entrepreneur in the nightlife industry. Titled "Peter Judd: From Cocaine to Club King," this episode delves into the personal and profess…

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Dwight Garner on Calvin Trillin 30:25

6M ago30:25

30:25

Dwight Garner is a book critic for The New York Times; his books include Garner's Quotations and The Upstairs Delicatessen: On Eating, Reading, Reading About Eating, & Eating While Reading. Calvin Trillin has been a staff writer at The New Yorker since 1963 and has published more than 400 pieces there, most recently "Of Yiddish, Litvaks, and the Ev…

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Chris Molanphy on Quincy Jones 40:45

7M ago40:45

40:45

Literally just as I was finishing this episode, the word came out that its subject, Quincy Jones, had died at the age of 91. So this goes out as a tribute to his legacy and memory. My guest, Chris Molanphy, is a chart analyst and pop critic who writes about the intersection of culture and commerce in popular music. For Slate, he created and hosts t…

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Steve Wasserman on Robert Scheer 24:40

8M ago24:40

24:40

Since 2016, Steve Wasserman has been publisherof Heyday, an independent, nonprofit press founded in Berkeley, California, where he lives. He graduated from his home town school, UC Berkeley, and his past positions include serving as deputy editor of the op-ed page and opinion section of the Los Angeles Times; editor of the Los Angeles Times Book Re…

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Rem Rieder on Earl Monroe 23:23

9M ago23:23

23:23

My guest is the legendary journalist Rem Rieder. Over the course of more than five decades, he's had positions at both the Philadelphia Inquirer and the late, lamented Philadelphia Bulletin, the Miami Herald, and the Washington Post. He was also the longtime media columnist for USA Today and editor of the American Journalism Review. His subject is …

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Jason Zengerle on Sonny Vaccaro 31:27

9M ago31:27

31:27

Jason Zengerle is a contributing writer for the New York Times Magazine, where he covers politics and national affairs. He previously wrote for at GQ, New York Magazine, and the New Republic. He’s working on a book tentatively titled Hated by All the Right People: Tucker Carlson and the Unraveling of the Conservative Mind. His subject is Sonny Vacc…

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High On Escape, A Story of Trauma & Chaos: Zachary Oliver 50:59

9M ago50:59

50:59

ZACHARY OLIVER The Descent into Darkness Zach Oliver's childhood was a nightmare of chaos and violence. Growing up in a working-class family, his life took a dark turn when he was just five years old. His mother, battling post-natal depression, spiralled into alcoholism. The loving mother he once knew transformed into a monster before his eyes. "Sh…

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The Addicted Psychopath: Lewis Raymond Taylor 1:03:54

10M ago1:03:54

1:03:54

The Addicted Psychopath - Lewis Raymond Taylor. In this gripping episode of *Coming Clean with Me*, “The Addicted Psychopath” host Elliott Wald delves into the tumultuous life of Lewis Raymond Taylor, a man whose journey from a troubled youth to a successful entrepreneur is as harrowing as it is inspiring. Diagnosed with antisocial personality diso…

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F2K Ep. 54 - Pianist/Composer/Bandleader Lafayette Gilchrist 1:08:20

10M ago1:08:20

1:08:20

On today's show, it's the Baltimore-based pianist, composer, and bandleader Lafayette Gilchrist. Lafayette is an extravagantly-gifted instrumentalist and composer, the type of pianist often described as a “two-handed player” for the strong rhythms of his left hand and his nimble melodicism of his right. His deep understanding of the music's history…

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Glenn Kenny on Thelma Schoonmaker 29:42

10M ago29:42

29:42

Glenn Kenny was the chief film critic of Premiere magazine for almost half of its existence, and today he reviews movies for the New York Times. Roger Ebert.com, and the Decider. He’s the author of The World Is Yours: The Story of Scarface and Made Men: The Story of Goodfellas. On this episode, he talks about Thelma Schoonmaker, three-time winner o…

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Alcohol Stole My Spirit, I Took It Back: Luke Clark 39:39

10M ago39:39

39:39

Luke Clark's Journey to Sobriety The Demons We Face In the depths of addiction, we often find ourselves trapped in a cycle of self-destruction, unable to see a way out. For Luke Clark, mental health advocate and host of the popular podcast "Stress Sessions," this cycle was all too familiar. But today, Luke sits across from me, Elliott Wald, addicti…

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Cantona, Kebab & Corner Flags: Confessions of a Man United Fanatic: Jay Motty 41:59

11M ago41:59

41:59

Welcome to "Coming Clean With Me" with host Elliott Wald, Addiction Specialist. Today, I'm thrilled to have Jay Motty in the studio. Jay is a well-known football commentator, journalist and podcaster, perhaps best recognized, as the co-owner and presenter of Manchester United's longest-running YouTube channel. But beyond his professional accomplish…

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Brian Fairbanks on Kris Kristofferson 35:37

11M ago35:37

35:37

Brian Fairbanks is the author of Willie, Waylon and the Boys, How Nashville Outsiders Change Country Music Forever. Previously, he was an investigative reporter at Gawker and The Consumerist. He's also written for The Guardian, The New York Observer, and many other publications, and is the author of Wizards: David Duke, America's Wildest Election, …

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The Ripple Effect: I Broke The Toxic Mould & My Addiction: Josh Connolly 46:33

11M ago46:33

46:33

Unveiling the Raw Truth of Addiction and Recovery Welcome to another powerful episode of "Coming Clean With Me," the podcast that dives deep into the trenches of addiction and emerges with stories of hope and transformation. I'm your host, Elliott Wald, addiction specialist, and today we're in for an unforgettable journey. From Childhood Trauma to …

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Bonus Episode: Newton Minow 31:03

12M ago31:03

31:03

For this bonus episode, The Lives They're Living presents a piece done in an earlier iteration of the show, a profile of Newton M. Minow. The date we're going live is significant, for on Thursday, June 27, presidential candidates Joe Biden and Donald Trump will engage in in a debate. More than any other person, Mr. Minow was responsible for the ins…

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Beyond The Diagnosis; Dr Mclaughlan 48:16

12M ago48:16

48:16

This episode of Coming Clean With Me dives deep into the complex world of addiction. Dr. David McLaughlin, a leading expert in the field, dismantles the myth of addiction as a simple choice. We explore the underlying emotional needs that drive people to addictive behaviors, from anxiety and loneliness to the pursuit of pleasure and coping with pain…

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Carrie Courogen on Elaine May 33:25

12M ago33:25

33:25

"Brilliant," "enigmatic" and "elusive" are just some of the adjectives that have been used to describe Elaine May, but there is no doubt that she has been one of the most influential figures in film and comedy over her nearly seven-decade career. The. guest on this episode, Carrie Courogen, has written the first comprehensive biography of May, Miss…

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Running Through Hell: Charlie Engle's Addiction 58:52

12M ago58:52

58:52

On the podcast today I have ultra-runner and author Charlie Engle. In a captivating conversation, Charlie takes us on his incredible journey from the depths of crack cocaine addiction to becoming one of the world's most accomplished ultra-endurance athletes. He pulls no punches as he delves into the gritty details of his substance abuse, the warm c…

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F2K Ep. 53 - Artist/Musician Steven Erdman 2:46:15

12M ago2:46:15

2:46:15

Here's the part where I give a brief introduction to this episode's guest, something particularly difficult with a guest as extravagantly talented as Steven Erdman. He might be best described as a one-man production company, having skills as a graphic artists with hand-illustrating skills, a songwriter and producer, an animator and filmmaker, and s…

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SAS Addiction: Ollie Ollerton 52:17

12M ago52:17

52:17

SAS ADDICTION Ollie Ollerton's Powerful Journey In this gripping episode, former UK Special Forces operative Ollie Ollerton opens up about his harrowing path from a traumatic childhood incident to battling alcohol addiction, depression, and suicidal thoughts. Ollie shares the profound impact of being attacked by a chimpanzee at a young age, which l…

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Adrienne LaFrance on Albert Brooks 27:22

1y ago27:22

27:22

Adrienne LaFrance is the executive editor of The Atlantic; her profile of the subject of this episode, "The Godfather of American Comedy," appears in the magazine's June 2024 issue. Before joining The Atlantic in 2014, she worked as a reporter for WBUR, Hawaii Public Radio, Honolulu Weekly, and Nieman Journalism Lab. Albert Brooks is a wildly talen…

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“Addiction's No Laughing Matter" Canadian Comedian Andrew Barr 48:37

1y ago48:37

48:37

In this episode of Coming Clean With Me, addiction specialist Elliott Wald interviews Andrew Barr, a comedian who turned his struggles with cocaine and alcohol addiction into material for his act. Andrew shares his journey from starting with alcohol in his 20s to escalating cocaine usage. He discusses the challenges of being a comedian in a bar env…

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Steve Stoliar on Dick Cavett 39:44

1y ago39:44

39:44

Steve Stoliar has been a professional writer for more than 40 year. For television, he wrote episodes of Murder She Wrote, Simon & Simon, The New WKRP in Cincinnati, and others. Before that, while a student at UCLA, he was Groucho Marx’s personal secretary and archivist and later wrote a book based on that experience, Raised Eyebrows.The book is cu…

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Walking Through Addiction's Shadow - The Family's Journey 54:48

1y ago54:48

54:48

Broken Bonds: A Mother's Desperate Call, a Sister's Unyielding Love, Unveiling the Agony and Triumph over Addiction Experience the power of a mother's love and a sister's unwavering adoration, in this heart-wrenching episode of 'Coming Clean with Me.' Join me, as I delve into the challenging journey of a family almost torn apart by a son and brothe…

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David Bianculli on Mason Williams 33:13

1y ago33:13

33:13

David Bianculli has been the TV critic for NPR's Fresh Air since 1987, and is currently a professor of television studies at Rowan University in New Jersey. His books include Teleliteracy: Taking Television Seriously, and Dangerously Funny, The Uncensored Story of the Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour. Among his many other accomplishments, Mason Willia…

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Laurie Gwen Shapiro on Abigail Thomas 29:16

1y ago29:16

29:16

Laurie Gwen Shapiro is an award-winning documentary filmmaker and journalist whose writing has appeared in The New Yorker, the New York Times, New York, the Daily Beast, and many other publications. Her documentary film awards include an Independent Spirit Award for directing IFC's Keep the River on Your Right and an Emmy nomination for HBO's Finis…

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Gene Seymour on Ishmael Reed 39:59

1y ago39:59

39:59

Gene Seymour spent years working for big-city newspapers as a reporter and movie and jazz critic. He's the author of a young adult history, Jazz, the Great American Art. These days, he lives in Philadelphia and contributes mightily on a remarkable range of subjects from baseball to crime novels and many steps in between to The Nation, book forums, …

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Michael Tisserand on Jules Feiffer 31:32

1y ago31:32

31:32

Michael Tisserand is a Minnesota-based writer whose books include Krazy: George Herriman, A Life in Black and White. It's the Eisner Award-winning biography of the creator of the classic comic strip Krazy Kat. Jules Feiffer was born in 1929. He's probably most famous for the comic strip he contributed weekly to The Village Voice for more than 40 ye…

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The Lives They're Living--Trailer 5:16

1y ago5:16

5:16

By Ben Yagoda

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Behind The Drum & Bass: DJ Jumpin Jack Frost Talks Addiction 31:21

1y ago31:21

31:21

In this episode of Coming Clean With Me, addiction specialist Elliott Wald sits down with drum and bass DJ Jumpin Jack Frost for an unflinching conversation about addiction and recovery. Frost opens up about his challenging upbringing and how it fuelled his descent into drug use. He details the consequences this had on his personal and professional…

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The Addicted Lawyer: The Brian Cuban Story 47:43

1y ago47:43

47:43

From Gavel to Gravel: Brian Cuban's Battle with Addiction on Coming Clean With Me Imagine a high-powered lawyer, seemingly untouchable in the courtroom, brought to his knees by a different kind of battle – a brutal fight for his own life against addiction. This is the raw and powerful story of Brian Cuban, on this episode of Coming Clean With Me. E…

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Behind The Beat - A British DJ's Battle With Addiction 47:48

1y ago47:48

47:48

Where beats meet recovery and resilience on the dance floor Get ready for an electrifying episode of 'Coming Clean with Me' as I uncover the pulsating tale of DJ Ross Mac. Join us, as he spins the records on his journey from a cocaine-fuelled DJ lifestyle to a decade of sobriety. In this revealing interview, DJ Ross Mac takes us behind the scenes, …