About this episode
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 . Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://drinkag1.com/huberman Eight Sleep: https://eightsleep.com/huberman LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/huberman Function: https://functionhealth.com/huberman Mateina: https://drinkmateina.com/huberman Timestamps 00:00:00 David Choe 00:03:10 Drawing, Black & Colors, Death 00:12:54 Telepathy, South Bay 00:17:52 Sponsors: Eight Sleep & LMNT 00:20:40 Childhood, Podcasts, Mundane Moments & Artist Life 00:28:45 Mother, Beliefs, Religion, Artistic Ability, Childhood 00:33:27 Gambling, Transformation; Immigrant, Disgrace 00:40:10 Street Art, Graffiti, Creativity; Paintings, Payment; Sports 00:52:08 Sponsor: AG1 00:53:30 Santa, Belief; Journal, Vulnerability; Heart Break, Art 01:00:16 Facebook, Graffiti; Theft, Gambling 01:10:57 Adapting, Creativity 01:17:16 Album Cover, Art & Payment 01:23:40 Sponsor: Function 01:25:28 Immigrant & Belonging, Academics, Learning Art, Marvel Comics, Shame 01:35:11 Shame, Gambling Addiction, Stress 01:43:05 Sexual Abuse, Trauma, Shame, Addiction 01:51:52 Early Career, Pornography, Author 02:01:20 Graffiti, Disappointment, Rejection; Early Magazines 02:08:26 Sponsor: Mateina 02:09:27 Pornography, Co-Dependence; Movie Set 02:18:00 Pride & Family, Vice; Pokémon 02:26:44 Podcast, Workaholism, Shame, Reality; Anthony Bourdain, Channing Tatum 02:38:54 Writing, Career Success, Workaholism, Vice, News, Self-Sabotage, Heart Attack 02:52:21 Growth & Pain, Sizzler; David Arquette 02:58:40 Rehab, God, Purpose, Parents & Disappointment, The Choe Show, Pee-Wee Herman 03:05:53 Gratitude, Korean Immigrant, Self-Reflection, Brokenness 03:14:37 Emotion, Saying No, Suicide; Vacation & Workaholism, Art 03:25:23 Legacy; Vacation, Work; Authenticity 03:31:15 Surviving & Thriving, Suicide, Addiction, Play the Tape Out, Fun, Feeling Enough 03:44:43 Hope & Faith, Electronics, Santa Claus 03:51:23 Zero-Cost Support, YouTube, Spotify & Apple Follow, Reviews & Feedback, Sponsors, Protocols Book , Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices