From Addiction to Bitter Wisdom: Ian Rader’s Hilarious Take on Recovery & Personal Growth

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🎙️ Welcome to the Let’s Do More Podcast with Chris Ruflin! In this episode, Chris talks with Ian Rader, author of The Big Bitter Book: A Guide to Staying Bitter and Resentful. Ian shares his nearly 10-year sobriety journey, battling addiction with honesty, humor, and community support.

Ian’s story is raw and relatable, focusing on the emotional struggles of addiction and recovery. He credits 12-step fellowships for saving his life, but his book offers an unconventional view, mixing satire and therapy to explore the messy side of personal growth.

📘 About The Big Bitter Book:

Not your typical self-help guide, The Big Bitter Book is satire and therapy for anyone who’s tried to “do the work” but still feels bitter. Ian captures the petty, messy truths of growth when it feels like emotional debt collection rather than healing. It’s a thank-you to those who’ve tried to change and walked away bitter, using humor and honesty to make sense of the struggle.

👉 Get the book: https://shoplinks.to/Thebigbitterbook

🧠 In This Episode You’ll Learn:

• Ian’s battle with addiction and how he found long-term sobriety
• Emotional challenges behind recovery—bitterness, resentment, and self-doubt
• How humor and satire became healing tools
• The imperfect nature of personal growth
• Advice for those tired of toxic positivity
• The importance of community and finding your tribe
• Staying honest while laughing at yourself

💬 Quotes from Ian:

• “Resentment is like drinking poison and expecting someone else to get sick—and I was drinking gallons of it.”
• “The Big Bitter Book is for people who try to grow but end up sarcastic, not serene.”
• “I’m not here to save your life—I’m here to help you laugh at it.”

📌 Episode Highlights:

00:00 – Introduction
 01:22 – Ian’s Sobriety Story
 06:58 – Emotional Toll of Addiction
 12:33 – The 12-Step Influence
 18:45 – Writing The Big Bitter Book
25:10 – Humor & Healing
31:40 – Self-Help vs. Self-Sabotage
39:25 – Lessons from Sobriety
45:58 – Advice for the Bitter & Hopeful
52:11 – Closing Thoughts

💡 Key Takeaways:

• Recovery is progress, not perfection—sometimes bitter and messy
• Humor helps process trauma and promote growth
• Bitterness is part of healing; what matters is how you use it
• Self-awareness and laughter go hand in hand
• You’re not alone; The Big Bitter Book was written for you

❤️ This episode offers a fresh, honest look at addiction and growth, filled with humor and hope. Whether you’re recovering or supporting someone, Ian’s story and book remind us laughter is vital to healing.

📣 LIKE, COMMENT & SUBSCRIBE for more real talks about recovery and life’s ups and downs.

📱 Connect with Ian:

• Book: https://shoplinks.to/Thebigbitterbook
• Instagram: [Insert handle]
• Website: [Insert link]

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🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & major platforms.

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View this episode on our YouTube channel @lets do more podcast