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
2025/12/22
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.
David Choe traces his artistic drive to a childhood filled with contradictory messages: destined for greatness, yet fundamentally disgraceful. Raised in a turbulent immigrant household, he internalized deep shame, which fueled both his compulsive creativity and destructive addictions. From painting Facebook’s first office to grappling with unpaid work and industry rejection, Choe’s career unfolded on the fringes of culture and power. He confronted cycles of gambling, workaholism, and emotional isolation, ultimately finding recovery through therapy, plant medicine, and radical honesty. Key relationships—with figures like Anthony Bourdain, Pee-wee Herman, and David Arquette—offered moments of validation that helped him reclaim self-worth. Choe emphasizes that true creativity stems not from suffering, but from embracing vulnerability, breaking free from performance, and transforming pain into authentic expression. His story underscores that healing, not hardship, sustains lasting artistic and personal growth.
10:40
10:40
The invisible ingredient in art is whether the person cares.
15:17
15:17
Pee-wee Herman approached Laird Hamilton at a 2017 photo show
26:40
26:40
My most creative times were in cold, Wi-Fi-free, mundane places, not in romanticized cities.
28:47
28:47
His mother's constant praise made him hate himself
39:03
39:03
My father told me I disgraced my race for not being a proper artist.
49:54
49:54
I still believe in Santa Claus as Christmas approaches.
55:59
55:59
Emotional pain from shame lasts longer than physical pain.
1:02:36
1:02:36
I asked for $60k because I needed the money, not thinking about shares
1:10:57
1:10:57
One can't outthink or outsmart feelings.
1:22:07
1:22:07
Sean turned down a multi-million-dollar deal to defend David's worth.
1:32:36
1:32:36
Shame and workaholism are like drugs to me.
1:41:06
1:41:06
The world has become like a casino with ubiquitous gambling.
1:43:08
1:43:08
Highly intelligent people often have experienced significant trauma, especially sexual trauma, which can unlock their mental capabilities.
1:59:04
1:59:04
Fabricated porn stories for money while struggling with identity as an artist
2:03:58
2:03:58
Hustler magazine gave me my first paid writing job after repeated rejections.
2:16:02
2:16:02
Shifted from a vengeful mindset to using art to help at-risk youth and murderers.
2:20:24
2:20:24
Addiction can manifest in unexpected ways, like spending thousands on Pokémon cards.
2:37:07
2:37:07
Channing Tatum offered to produce whatever David Choe writes after being drawn to his raw style.
2:49:35
2:49:35
The Sizzler episode with Tony went viral, won an Emmy, but was later removed, deepening Choe's crisis.
2:55:55
2:55:55
Pee-wee Herman gave me his number after I asked about a porn package from 'Blow'.
3:03:34
3:03:34
Pee-wee Herman loved David's painting of butts and gave feedback on episodes.
3:13:44
3:13:44
To be the greatest artist, you need a crazy, eventful life and must show raw emotion.
3:23:21
3:23:21
You can't outrun pain by helping others; true healing requires facing it.
3:25:23
3:25:23
The happiest and most creative moments came when I had nothing, living in a tiny house.
3:43:46
3:43:46
Spirituality is a power greater than oneself.
3:44:46
3:44:46
Hope and faith are like a powerful drug that's hard to maintain in tough environments.
