Jan. 7, 2026

Celebrating Four Years Sober: Paulina Pinsky on Capitalism, Creativity & How Quitting Cannabis Changed Everything

Celebrating Four Years Sober: Paulina Pinsky on Capitalism, Creativity & How Quitting Cannabis Changed Everything

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For the 241st episode of Private Parts Unknown, host Courtney Kocak welcomes writer, educator, and friend of the podcast Paulina Pinsky.
In this deeply personal conversation, Paulina reflects on her journey to four years of sobriety, unpacking how her relationship with cannabis moved from magic to medicine to misery. She talks candidly about addiction, creativity, eating disorders, wellness culture, capitalism, and the quiet ways substance use can become normalized—especially when it’s framed as harmless or even healing. Paulina shares the pivotal rock bottom moment that led her to quit, including a harrowing situation at an Alabama gas station, and explains what it actually takes to rebuild a thriving life, identity, and creative practice on the other side of addiction.

For more from today's guest, Paulina Pinsky:


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