The Sober List, Part 2: Walter May on Sobriety, Creativity & Hollywood Stories

In this episode of the Painful Lessons Podcast, host Tyler Ramsey continues The Sober List series with director Walter May.

Walter opens up about the challenges and rewards of living sober while thriving in the entertainment industry. From navigating Burning Man sober, to working on early Katy Perry music videos, to exploring the sobriety journeys of Marilyn Manson and James Gunn, this conversation blends humor, honesty, and pop culture insight.

We explore:

• Sobriety in Hollywood and creative careers

• Burning Man and psychedelics through a sober perspective

• James Gunn’s comeback and long-term recovery

• Walter May’s work with stars like Katy Perry, Kobe Bryant & LeBron James

• Why sobriety can unlock a creative “superpower”

A mix of storytelling, laughter, and inspiration — this is Part Two of a series celebrating publicly sober celebrities and creatives.

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