Stop Calling Yourself Broken: A Conversation About Sobriety and Wholeness with Laura McKowen

This week, Justin sits down with bestselling author Laura McKowen for an honest, layered conversation about sobriety, identity, creative calling, and the slow, often painful work of becoming whole. Together they explore:• Why “place” matters for emotional and spiritual grounding• The strange internal pull that guides creative people long before they have language for it• How early snippets of desire can act as breadcrumbs into a future self• The difference between writing for yourself and writing for publication• Why AA saved Laura’s life—and where its framing can unintentionally keep people small• How relapse, repeated “Day Ones,” and imperfect recovery are part of the human journey• The relationship between money, creativity, and integrity• Why the long work of sobriety is ultimately a long work of identityThe episode closes with a reading from In the Low and a reflection on why wholeness—not speed, not perfection—is the actual goal.Laura's Website - https://www.lauramckowen.comInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/laura_mckowen Links For Justin:Read Justin's SubstackOrder In The Low - NEW Book with Scott EricksonCoaching with JustinOrder In Rest - New Book of PoemsOrder Sacred StridesJustinMcRoberts.comSupport this podcastNEW Single - Let GoNEW Music - Sliver of HopeNEW Music - The Dood and The BirdThe Book - It Is What You Make itHearts and Minds Amazon Barnes and Noble