Q&A with Executive Joey Carson
Joey Carson, Executive
Joey Carson is a Transformative leader and change agent with over two decades of broadcast television and digital content production experience. His numerous television credits include a variety of nonfiction and scripted programming for MTV, HBO, A&E, FOX, ABC, NBC, FSN, Oxygen and the multi- Emmy Award-winning documentary “Autism: The Musical.” He was previously chosen by the Producers’ Guild of America and The Hollywood Reporter as one of the “Digital 50,” new media producers and innovators shaping the future of digital storytelling via broadcast, games, interactive television and mobile content.
Q. If you are in recovery, what was your Drug of Choice? and when did you stop using?
A. Alcohol. I stopped twice; once in 1985, then again in 2015 after 25 years of sobriety and a 4-year relapse. Sober over 5 years now.
Q. Do you think addiction is an illness, disease, a choice or a wicked twist of fate?
A. Both a disease and an illness
Q. Do you log on to ZOOM 12-step meetings? How often? Do you share?
A. Yes, I do them weekly in an intensive 12-Step Study group. I share in every meeting and also lead them frequently.
Q. Have you added anything to your Tool-kit to help keep you sober during the pandemic?
A. Exercise and a more disciplined daily routine in general.
Q. Where did you grow up?
A. Corpus Christi, Texas
Q. From what school or teacher did you learn the most?
A. I learned a great many lessons about life, business and relationships from Dr. Phil.
Q. If you had an extra million dollars, which charity would you donate it to?
A. I would spread it around in at least $100,000 increments to organizations supporting: Recovery / Stigma of Addiction Homelessness Disadvantaged Children Pediatric Cancer HIV/AIDS awareness Elderly Care / Wellness Entrepreneurship/Mentoring of disadvantaged Equine Therapy for children/adults Re-Entry programs for offenders Cancer prevention
Q. Do you have any children?
A. Yes. Two daughters 20, 18
Q. Have you started any new projects because of the quarantine?
A. I have spent more time learning and practicing the Hang Drum, a beautiful instrument that I have wanted to play for some time.
Q. If you ever retire would you prefer to live by the ocean, lake, river, mountaintop or penthouse?
A. Mountains with proximity to water.
Q. What is your favorite hotel or resort?
A. The Four Season Hualalai on the Big Island of Hawaii
Q. What is your biggest or littlest pet peeve?
A. People who are late or always running late. One of the biggest contributors to any success I have had in life is punctuality and respect for other people’s time.
Q. Who has had the biggest influence on you throughout your life?
A. From an aspirational standpoint, I would have to say Neil Peart the drummer for the band Rush (and the band as well). His ability to channel his talent, and the consistent discipline of his process was a huge inspiration for me, and gave me something to shoot for in all aspects of life.
Q. If you were giving a dinner party for your 3 favorite authors, living or dead, who would they be? (choose 4 if you think one might be too drunk or stoned to attend.)
A. Alexander Hamilton, Carl Jung, Friedrich Nietzsche
Q. What books are you reading now?
A. I usually read about 4/5 books at a time: Augustus: Adrian Goldsworthy; Iron John: A book about Men by Robert Bly; Atomic Habits: James Clear, Relentless: Tim Grover; Man and His Symbols: Carl Jung
Q. What is your FAVORITE Radio show, news show, podcast?
A. Joe Rogan Podcast
Q. What is your FAVORITE APP?
A. Instagram
Q. Are you bingeing on any TV series? If so which ones.?
A. Arrow – just completed Away – just started The Last Kingdom – completed The Last Ship – completed
Q. Which film have you watched the most?
A. The Godfather
Q. Who is your FAVORITE Director?
A. Christopher Nolan
Q. Who is your favorite sober celebrity?
A. Rob Lowe
Q. What is your FAVORITE Band/composer/musical artist?
A. Rush
Q. What is your FAVORITE Broadway musical/play?
A. Les Miserables
Q. What is your FAVORITE City?
A. Paris
Q. What is your FAVORITE Museum?
A. MOMA – Museum of Modern Art NYC
Q. What is your FAVORITE Restaurant?
A. That’s a tough one. If I had to pick one that I’ve been to the most it would be Mastro’s Steakhouse.
Q. What is the best piece of advice you’ve been given?
A. Throw yourself into the fray, otherwise you will never get noticed. The one piece of advice my father gave me early in my career – and it changed everything.
Q. What is the best piece of advice YOU’VE given?
A. Do your job and stay out of the results – they will come if you do your job.
Q. What is the greatest risk you have ever taken?
A. Buying a big house knowing that 3 major life events had to take place before it closed, and they all happened in perfect order.
Q. What is your biggest regret?
A. That I relapsed after 25 years of sobriety. It shouldn’t have happened, but now looking back I wouldn’t be the improved version of myself without that happening. So it’s bittersweet in a way.
Q. Have you ever been arrested and if so, for what?
A. No, never thank God.
Q. What is the proudest moment in your life?
A. The birth of my children.
Q. What is your favorite Weekly News Bulletin?
A. Obviously the Addiction Recovery eBulletin 😉