EP #1396: How To: Empower Your Teen: Conquering Addiction, Peer Pressure, Social Anxiety & the Need for Self-Care!

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Summary

In this conversation, Lisa Davis interviews author Jas Hammonds about their novel 'Thirsty'. The book explores the story of an 18-year-old named Blake who is trying to gain admittance into an elite underground sorority while struggling with alcohol addiction and social anxiety. The conversation covers themes of class, self-worth, and the complexities of relationships. Jas Hammonds shares their personal experiences with drinking and the importance of questioning societal norms around alcohol. The interview also touches on the significance of therapy and the impact of parental relationships on mental health. The conversation explores the hope that drinking will lose its popularity among young people, similar to how cigarettes have fallen out of favor. The discussion also touches on the importance of coping mechanisms and responsible substance use. The book 'Thirsty' is praised for its representation of gender identity and the exploration of friendship and coping mechanisms. The conversation concludes with a discussion about the author's first book, 'We Deserve Monuments', and ways to support the author.

Keywords: Thirsty, novel, Jas Hammonds, underground sorority, alcohol addiction, social anxiety, class, self-worth, relationships, therapy, parental relationships, mental health, drinking, popularity, cigarettes, hope, coping mechanisms, responsible substance use, gender identity, friendship, Thirsty, We Deserve Monuments, support

Takeaways

• The novel 'Thirsty' explores the challenges faced by an 18-year-old named Blake as she tries to gain admittance into an elite underground sorority while battling alcohol addiction and social anxiety.
• The book delves into themes of class and the pressure to fit in, highlighting the ways in which wealth and alcohol can be intertwined.
• The conversation emphasizes the importance of self-acceptance and the impact of negative self-talk on mental health.
• Jas Hammonds shares their personal experiences with drinking and the process of realizing and addressing their own alcohol addiction.
• The interview also discusses the significance of therapy and the complexities of parental relationships in shaping one's sense of self. Drinking among young people is a topic of concern, and there is hope that it will lose its popularity, similar to cigarettes.
• Coping mechanisms are important, and responsible substance use should be encouraged.
• Representation of gender identity and the exploration of friendship and coping mechanisms are key themes in the book 'Thirsty'.
• The author's first book, 'We Deserve Monuments', explores intergenerational trauma and family secrets.
• Supporting authors by recommending their books to local libraries is a valuable way to show support.

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Sound Bites

• "It is a story about a girl coming to terms with an alcohol addiction."
• "Comparison is a thief of joy."
• "Where does that line happen for just normal people like us?"
• "I keep hoping that drinking will kind of fall by the wayside for young people like cigarettes have."
• "I wish it would lose its popularity. Like my daughter, oh, go ahead, go ahead."
• "My daughter chose a substance-free dorm. And she's hoping just to meet a bunch of nerds who don't party."

Chapters00:00Introduction and Background of 'Thirsty'
02:59Exploring the Challenges of Fitting In and Battling Addiction
06:26Unpacking the Intersection of Class and Alcohol
08:49The Power of Self-Acceptance and Overcoming Negative Self-Talk
10:51Jas Hammonds' Personal Journey with Alcohol Addiction
14:19The Significance of Therapy and Parental Relationships
15:23The Hope for Drinking to Lose Popularity Among Young People
20:49Representation of Gender Identity and Explo