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Transform Pain & Trauma Into Creative Expression | David Choe

Overview

Shownote

Highlights

Transcript

Chapters

Pins

Transform Pain & Trauma Into Creative Expression | David Choe

Huberman Lab

2025/12/22

Transform Pain & Trauma Into Creative Expression | David Choe

Transform Pain & Trauma Into Creative Expression | David Choe

Huberman Lab

Huberman Lab

2025/12/22

Overview Shownote Highlights Transcript Chapters Pins

Shownote

David Choe is a world-renowned artist, writer, podcaster and TV host. He tells how as a child, he was made to believe he was destined for greatness but also that he was a complete disgrace, leading him to channel his energy—including deep shame—into art th...

Highlights

David Choe, a celebrated yet deeply introspective artist, opens up about a life marked by extremes—of acclaim and shame, creation and self-destruction. His journey reveals how early trauma and identity struggles shaped not only his art but also decades of addictive behavior and emotional avoidance. This conversation captures his evolution from external validation to inner truth.

10:40

The invisible ingredient in art is whether the person cares.

15:17

Pee-wee Herman approached Laird Hamilton at a 2017 photo show

26:40

My most creative times were in cold, Wi-Fi-free, mundane places, not in romanticized cities.

28:47

His mother's constant praise made him hate himself

39:03

My father told me I disgraced my race for not being a proper artist.

49:54

I still believe in Santa Claus as Christmas approaches.

55:59

Emotional pain from shame lasts longer than physical pain.

1:02:36

I asked for $60k because I needed the money, not thinking about shares

1:10:57

One can't outthink or outsmart feelings.

1:22:07

Sean turned down a multi-million-dollar deal to defend David's worth.

1:32:36

Shame and workaholism are like drugs to me.

1:41:06

The world has become like a casino with ubiquitous gambling.

1:43:08

Highly intelligent people often have experienced significant trauma, especially sexual trauma, which can unlock their mental capabilities.

1:59:04

Fabricated porn stories for money while struggling with identity as an artist

2:03:58

Hustler magazine gave me my first paid writing job after repeated rejections.

2:16:02

Shifted from a vengeful mindset to using art to help at-risk youth and murderers.

2:20:24

Addiction can manifest in unexpected ways, like spending thousands on Pokémon cards.

2:37:07

Channing Tatum offered to produce whatever David Choe writes after being drawn to his raw style.

2:49:35

The Sizzler episode with Tony went viral, won an Emmy, but was later removed, deepening Choe's crisis.

2:55:55

Pee-wee Herman gave me his number after I asked about a porn package from 'Blow'.

3:03:34

Pee-wee Herman loved David's painting of butts and gave feedback on episodes.

3:13:44

To be the greatest artist, you need a crazy, eventful life and must show raw emotion.

3:23:21

You can't outrun pain by helping others; true healing requires facing it.

3:25:23

The happiest and most creative moments came when I had nothing, living in a tiny house.

3:43:46

Spirituality is a power greater than oneself.

3:44:46

Hope and faith are like a powerful drug that's hard to maintain in tough environments.

Chapters

David Choe

00:00

Drawing, Black & Colors, Death

03:10

Telepathy, South Bay

12:54

Sponsors: Eight Sleep & LMNT

17:52

Childhood, Podcasts, Mundane Moments & Artist Life

20:40

Mother, Beliefs, Religion, Artistic Ability, Childhood

28:45

Gambling, Transformation; Immigrant, Disgrace

33:27

Street Art, Graffiti, Creativity; Paintings, Payment; Sports

40:10

Sponsor: AG1

52:08

Santa, Belief; Journal, Vulnerability; Heart Break, Art

53:30

Facebook, Graffiti; Theft, Gambling

1:00:16

Adapting, Creativity

1:10:57

Album Cover, Art & Payment

1:17:16

Sponsor: Function

1:23:40

Immigrant & Belonging, Academics, Learning Art, Marvel Comics, Shame

1:25:28

Shame, Gambling Addiction, Stress

1:35:11

Sexual Abuse, Trauma, Shame, Addiction

1:43:05

Early Career, Pornography, Author

1:51:52

Graffiti, Disappointment, Rejection; Early Magazines

2:01:20

Sponsor: Mateina

2:08:26

Pornography, Co-Dependence; Movie Set

2:09:27

Pride & Family, Vice; Pokémon

2:18:00

Podcast, Workaholism, Shame, Reality; Anthony Bourdain, Channing Tatum

2:26:44

Writing, Career Success, Workaholism, Vice, News, Self-Sabotage, Heart Attack

2:38:54

Growth & Pain, Sizzler; David Arquette

2:52:21

Rehab, God, Purpose, Parents & Disappointment, The Choe Show, Pee-Wee Herman

2:58:40

Gratitude, Korean Immigrant, Self-Reflection, Brokenness

3:05:53

Emotion, Saying No, Suicide; Vacation & Workaholism, Art

3:14:37

Legacy; Vacation, Work; Authenticity

3:25:23

Surviving & Thriving, Suicide, Addiction, Play the Tape Out, Fun, Feeling Enough

3:31:15

Hope & Faith, Electronics, Santa Claus

3:44:43

Zero-Cost Support, YouTube, Spotify & Apple Follow, Reviews & Feedback, Sponsors, Protocols Book, Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter

3:51:23

Transcript

David Choe: I'm a severe gambling addict. Every single addiction is gambling, addiction. If you drink and drive, you're gambling. Addiction is one of those things you can't apply logic to. People are like, what are you running from, Dave? And it's like, we...