Drunk Poets Society: Poet Amy Leigh Wicks on How Alcohol Stole More Than It Ever Delivered
Confessions of a Christian Alcoholic with Jon SeidlShow Notes
“Alcohol is not a kind or fair lover.” That’s how Amy Leigh Wicks describes the relationship that quietly shaped her life for years—one that didn’t always look chaotic from the outside, but was slowly taking more than it ever gave. Amy is a poet, professor, actor, and mom. But long before the PhD, the published poetry books, and the life she has now, there was a different story unfolding beneath the surface. One marked not by obvious addiction, but by a growing pattern she couldn’t fully explain—blackouts that “just happened,” nights that blurred together, and a relationship with alcohol that felt normal… until it wasn’t. In this conversation, Amy shares how alcohol crept into her life—not as rebellion, but as something that promised more. More life. More experience. More feeling. And for a while, it seemed to deliver. But over time, that “more” began to cost her clarity, presence, and ultimately, herself. That realization didn't come after a rock bottom. Instead, it came after a long period of sobriety. Years of it, in fact, where she gave up drinking to prove something—only to find that even while not imbibing alcohol still held a powerful place in her thoughts. That’s when the deeper question surfaced: not “how long can I go without drinking?” but “what kind of relationship is this, really?” What follows is a story not just about sobriety, but about identity. About learning to sit in discomfort instead of numbing it. About discovering that what feels like loss at first can actually be the doorway to a fuller, more integrated life. And ultimately, about a God who meets us not just in our sin, but in our pain, our confusion, and the places we don’t yet understand. If you’ve ever wondered whether your relationship with something—alcohol or otherwise—is quietly shaping more of your life than you realize, this episode will resonate with you. Looking for a one-stop recovery resource? Learn more about the Tyndale Life Recovery Bible here. We explore: — What it actually looks like when alcohol slowly becomes an “abusive relationship” — How blackouts and overdrinking can feel accidental—but reveal a deeper pattern — Why Amy never set out to numb pain, but simply wanted “more life” — The subtle ways alcohol can take more than it gives, even without a dramatic rock bottom — How a three-year “fast” exposed how much control alcohol still had on her mind — The difference between taking a break from drinking and actually changing your relationship with it — Why feeling pain again was uncomfortable—but ultimately necessary for healing — How early church experiences and disillusionment shaped her choices — The role of compassion in looking back on your story without excusing it — What it means to grow up emotionally and spiritually instead of escaping discomfort — Why true recovery is about integration, not just behavior change — How the Gospel speaks not only to sin, but to suffering, trauma, and healing Amy's books: Orange Juice and Rooftops and The Dangerous Country of Love and Marriage Amy's website Follow Amy: @amyleighwicks Get addiction recovery resources and help: veritasrecovery.org Follow me: @jonseidl Order my new book, Confessions of a Christian Alcoholic Get the Tyndale Life Recovery Bible: https://hubs.la/Q041HjWm0 Support the Show: https://www.jonseidl.com/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
More from Confessions of a Christian Alcoholic with Jon Seidl
What do dying people wish for near the end of their lives? Devon Comp knows. He's sat with countless numbers of them as a hospice chaplain. And there's one consistent request: they wish they were more present. More time with their kids. More time focusing on what matters. Another chance to tell someone what they meant to them. One woman even longed to hear the birds more. But no one has ever wished they drank more. They chased their addiction more. Money? Fleeting. Devon joins this episode of "Confessions" to talk about what people facing death can teach those still finding reasons to postpone change. This conversation follows a man who kept welcoming company as cancer took his ability to speak, grieving parents who needed more than a Bible verse, and a man whose drinking made more sense once someone learned what had happened to his wife. For host Jon Seidl, the conversation reaches into an uncomfortable part of recovery: facing how much life alcohol muted while he was using it to cope. And for those who profess hope in Jesus, Devon presses a further question: How much of that hope is actually reaching the way they live? Read Devon’s writing: Safe Haven Follow Devon: @devon_comp Read about his move into nursing: “A Change in Badge.” Explore the FREE Veritas Recovery Community to connect with people on a similar journey Get Gospel-centered addiction recovery resources and help at veritasrecovery.org Follow Jon: @jonseidl Order Jon's book: Confessions of a Christian Alcoholic Watch this episode ad-free at The Vertias Daily
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