<h3> </h3><h3><strong>Show Notes for Dopey Podcast Episode</strong></h3><p>🎙 <strong>Title</strong>: <i>From Graffiti Legend to Addiction Survival: Jonas Gray’s Story</i></p><h3><strong>Opening Highlights</strong></h3><ul><li>🔥 Dave kicks off the episode with a darkly humorous musical intro and a shoutout to the Dopey Nation.</li><li>🌪️ Updates on the postponed <i>Dopey Wood</i> event due to California wildfires. Dave shares heartfelt support for those impacted by the fires.</li><li>💌 Listener emails & voicemails:<ul><li>A raw reflection on the fentanyl crisis and <i>Dopey’s</i> ability to create a safe, relatable space.</li><li>Uplifting news: overdose deaths declined 17% in 2023-2024 due to Narcan availability.</li><li>A listener's horrifying cotton fever story paired with the triumph of three years of sobriety.</li></ul></li></ul><h3><strong>Guest Feature: Jonas Gray (PVC)</strong></h3><p>🎨 <strong>Background</strong>:</p><ul><li>Jonas, an iconic graffiti artist, shares his journey through graffiti culture, drug addiction, and recovery.</li><li>From tagging walls in San Francisco to conquering trains in Europe, Jonas was revered in the graffiti world but fell deeply into addiction.</li></ul><p>💉 <strong>Addiction Descent</strong>:</p><ul><li>Initially using prescription painkillers recreationally, Jonas spiraled into heavy OxyContin and heroin use, eventually finding himself homeless in Philadelphia’s Kensington neighborhood.</li><li>A vivid recount of life in Kensington: a chaotic hub of addiction, violence, and community. Jonas describes a unique crew of shoplifting addicts bonded by loyalty and survival.</li></ul><p>⚡ <strong>Turning Point</strong>:</p><ul><li>After years on the streets and a life-threatening health crisis, Jonas finally sought help.</li><li>A phone call from his longtime friend Liddy, herself in recovery, inspired him to leave the streets and enter rehab.</li></ul><p>🎨 <strong>Recovery & Redemption</strong>:</p><ul><li>Graffiti played a pivotal role in Jonas’s recovery, giving him purpose and community.</li><li>Today, he sells his art and connects with supporters through social media while staying committed to sobriety.</li></ul><h3><strong>Key Moments</strong></h3><ul><li>💊 <strong>Street Economics</strong>: Jonas breaks down the intricate trade of shoplifting, drug dealing, and survival in Kensington.</li><li>🏚️ <strong>Life in a "Castle"</strong>: Stories from living in an abandoned bookstore and forming deep bonds with his crew.</li><li>🚨 <strong>Paranoia & Collapse</strong>: The psychological toll of addiction as police paranoia and constant arrests catch up with him.</li><li>🌈 <strong>Hope Through Connection</strong>: The pivotal moment when his friend Liddy’s recovery showed him sobriety was possible.</li></ul><h3><strong>Sponsor Shoutouts</strong></h3><ul><li><strong>Oro Recovery</strong>: Compassionate treatment with amenities like yoga, sound baths, and sweat lodges.</li><li><strong>Mountainside</strong>: Comprehensive care with a focus on aftercare and spiritual wellness.</li><li><strong>BetterHelp</strong>: Therapy made accessible with online options and specialized care.</li></ul><h3><strong>Listener Engagement</strong></h3><ul><li>✉️ <i>Call to Action</i>: Send in your <strong>cotton fever stories</strong> or any wild tales of addiction, recovery, or hope to [email protected].</li><li>🙌 Shoutout to Patreon supporters for helping keep <i>Dopey</i> going.</li></ul><h3> </h3>