Shedding Skin - Confessions of an Itchoholic
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Episode 3 (out of 10) - Allergies
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In this episode - I am 12 now, going through a metamorphosis. I notice allergies to the cultural forces forging me – control, inauthenticity, ‘strength’ as a masculine trait, unspoken emotions. I clash with my father and his wisdom delivery mechanisms. I am allergic to advertising, marketing, jingles. They win that war, and I develop my first addiction – sugar. The outside doesn’t match the inside. The world seems fake. I conceal, then erupt into petty criminality.
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Subheadings with durations
1. Growing Up (6.24)
2. Cultural Allergies (4.45)
3. Wisdom (3.42)
4. Fear (3.11)
5. The Allergy of Advertising (7.39)
6. Sugar (3.33)
7. Break In (5.24)
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Click here for the written version of this podcast:
https://sheddingskin.substack.com/p/s1-ep03-confessions-of-an-itchoholic
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Shedding Skin - Confessions of an Itchoholic is my memoir of growing up with a body that was not east to inhabit. It will be released an episode each week for a few months. Citing neuroscientists, philosophers and modern-day poets (rockstars) and exploring the 90s popular culture that shaped me (its music, movies and video games), Shedding Skin is a rollicking, humorous ride of self-analysis about the confusion and alienation of growing up with chronic health battles, the disorientating effects of 'coping mechanisms' like drugs and alcohol, and my eventual flailing attempts to understand how to live a deep life whilst struggling with new parenthood.
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Shedding Skin was long listed for the Richell Prize for emerging writers in 2023.
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If you would like to support my work which is free to access, you can donate here at Buy Me a Coffee
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Find me at sheddingskin.substack.com and on Twitter/X @nick_gilpin_
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References and Vid Links here
https://sheddingskin.substack.com/p/s1-ep03-links
