Worthiness: Two Artists on Healing, Sobriety & Love

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Unwritten, Stephanie sits down with artist — and her partner — Oliver Kalkofen for an honest conversation about what it really takes to make a life out of art. They talk about growing up being told creativity would never pay, the trap of tying your self-worth to how much you earn, and the slow work of separating the two. Oliver opens up about his darkest chapter, getting sober, and the moment he decided to come back and claim being an artist for good. Together they explore trading drug and alcohol highs for the "high" of raw life and nature, why hitting bottom can become a tool instead of a place to stay, and how two people who've both been to the bottom are now building something steady — as individuals choosing to share a life. A raw, tender talk about creativity, recovery, worth, and love. Content note: this episode discusses substance abuse, mental health, and suicidal thoughts. Support the show https://www.stephshanks.com https://www.instagram.com/unwrittenwithsteph https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephshanks/ https://www.youtube.com/@stephshanks https://www.tiktok.com/@stephshanks?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc https://www.facebook.com/stephshanksphotography