When is a drink just a drink and when is it something more? In this episode, Pete joins the crew to unpack his story: a late-onset spiral into alcoholism that began only after decades of “normal” drinking. But beneath the surface was always something deeper: childhood trauma, shame, and a relentless chase for belonging. Together, the group opens up about rock bottoms, secrets, habits, and the surprising moment each of them realized… alcohol wasn’t the real problem. This one hits deep.
00:00 – Pete teaches us about the tongue. Organ or body part?
02:27 – Pete shares how he “became an alcoholic in his 50s” after decades of normal drinking
05:53 – The moment the CEO title lost its potency and the shame surfaced
10:13 – How self-deception masked the pain for decades
13:08 – Pete realizes for the first time: “I didn’t even know I was in pain”
27:14 – Jake relives the trauma of losing his brother to alcoholism
34:18 – Brian confesses the secret drinking patterns he thought were harmless
44:38 – Jake describes the “in-between” year before real recovery began
Need help? Find your local AA or Celebrate Recovery group. Or email us at turnsoutpodcast@gmail.com.