Comedy, Punchlines & Pause - Interview with Comedian, Actor & Writer Dustin Ybarra on Drinking, Recovery & Being Human episode artwork

EPISODE · Jan 20, 2026 · 57 MIN

Comedy, Punchlines & Pause - Interview with Comedian, Actor & Writer Dustin Ybarra on Drinking, Recovery & Being Human

from Step Zero

I’m sitting down with comedian, actor, and writer Dustin Ybarra, and this one is funny, raw, and unexpectedly tender.We talk about what “progressive” alcoholism looked like for him, how it snuck in through comedy culture, and the slow slide from “I’m fine” to consequences he couldn’t outwork anymore.Dustin shares the reality of trying to get sober while still using, the shame cycle that kept pulling him back, and the moment everything cracked open, including a seizure at a meeting that became the turning point.We also get into what stayed the same (his heart) and what changed completely, his relationships, his career, and what it means to put sobriety first even when the opportunity of a lifetime is on the table.Highlights:(03:28) Meeting through sobriety, and the “whole new world” that opens up without alcohol(07:27) The first beer in New York, and realizing it made fear disappear(10:00) When blackouts started hitting the stage, and someone finally said “you might be an alcoholic”(20:00) The seizure at a meeting, and the line that changed everything: “This is gonna be the best day of your life”(31:58) Saying no to a TV role to stay in rehab, and how it came back bigger later(46:08) The 180 shift, amends, relationships healing, and how sobriety ripples out to everyone around youConnect with Dustin:TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dustinybarra7?lang=enWebsite: https://weenietips.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/dustin_ybarra/X (Twitter): https://x.com/Dustin_YbarraYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DustinYbarraLinktree: https://linktr.ee/dustinybarraConnect with Kaitlin:WebsiteInstagramLinkedInYOUTUBE CHANNELTIKTOK

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Comedy, Punchlines & Pause - Interview with Comedian, Actor & Writer Dustin Ybarra on Drinking, Recovery & Being Human

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