“Hello, I’m Richard.”
That’s how the door opened for Wendy Correa — Ringo at the threshold, sobriety on the other side. The handshake at her very first AA meeting didn’t fix anything overnight; it simply gave her proof that recovery is human, possible and sometimes standing there with a Beatles grin.
Wendy’s story arcs like a mixtape: LA label years that were glittering and gritty; a DUI that snapped the soundtrack; a late-night audition in a tiny booth where knobs and sliders looked like a spaceship; and a mountain town where the request line rang at 4 a.m. with a familiar gravelly voice asking for Warren Zevon.
She had spent a decade in the industry — A&R floors buzzing, Geffen-era stories that could keep you up till last call — only to find that “fun” and “easy” weren’t the same thing, especially for women staring at the glass ceiling long before #MeToo had a hashtag. “It was a lot of fun, but it was not easy,” she says, and that sentence lands like a chorus you already know.
Then came the deal she whispered to the universe: If Aspen is meant for me, give me a DJ job. One phone call later, she was in the KSPN lobby, résumé full of label life, heart full of nerves. The program director slid her into a downstairs booth with a Ricky Lee Jones CD and said, prove it. Wendy queued the track, took a breath, and found her voice: “Wendy Moore here on KSPN-FM, Roaring Fork Radio…” She got the job. Sometimes you’re not waiting for a sign — you’re delivering one into the mic.
Aspen turned into a chapter that could only be written at altitude. There were double shifts and side gigs (Aspen rent is undefeated), and there was also Hunter S. Thompson — calling in song requests at an hour when only coyotes and DJs are awake, later asking if she’d work with him. Imagine learning to ride the rollercoaster while the rollercoaster operator phones in Warren Zevon at 4 a.m. and then hires you. That was Wendy’s classroom.
But the point of her story isn’t celebrity proximity; it’s proximity to herself. Wendy got sober in 1987 — day one stamped during the first South by Southwest — and she built recovery the way people build homes: piece by piece, with help. “I sought out Buddhism and meditation and nature and hiking,” she says. “I started going to AA… later Nicotine Anonymous. I also did psychotherapy and journaling.” When new family revelations shook the ground decades later, she added EMDR and IMTT to the mix — modalities that helped take the “zing” out of triggers without erasing the truth.
A few lines linger. On what that first AA meeting meant: “If Ringo Starr can get sober, so can I.” On recovery as a practice, not a finish line: “There is no magic bullet… You have to work.” On chosen family: keep the people who mirror back your worth. These aren’t slogans — they’re field notes from someone who’s hiked the long way home.
Her forthcoming memoir, “My Pretty Baby,” reaches into childhood innocence and what came after, threading grief, secrecy and intergenerational trauma into a narrative about what it means to heal without pretending it was easy. The cover image — little Wendy, bangs and a doll — holds a kind of time-travel tenderness. The book’s title points right at her: the pretty baby who didn’t know what was coming, but who would eventually write her own ending.
If you’re early on your path, Wendy’s episode is a reminder that recovery is cumulative. Stack what works: the meeting that feels safe, the therapist who helps you rewire the fear, the hike that lets your nervous system settle, the song that puts your breath back where it belongs. If you’re a few decades in, it’s a nudge to keep layering practices as life changes. “Life continues and you have to continue to need helpers along the way,” she says. That’s not weakness; that’s wisdom.
Listen for the stories. Stay for the tools. And if your recovery ever needs a sign, maybe imagine a friendly Beatle at the door, saying “Hello.” The rest is up to you.
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This show is for you if you’ve ever wondered:
– Where can I find inspiring sober podcasts, apps, and creators?
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In this heartfelt episode of The Sober Curator, host Alysse Bryson is joined by a full lineup of Sober Curator contributors—Amy Liz Harrison, Alexandra Nyman, Megan Swan, Kim Parsley, and Dr. Sarah Michaud—to explore the life and legacy of Matthew Perry through a newly released documentary. The conversation delves into the documentary's focus on Perry's addiction battles, his recovery efforts, and his lasting impact. The episode also touches upon how Hollywood treats addiction and the role of documentaries in shaping these narratives.
Timestamps:
[00:00] – Introduction & Alysse Bryson's connection to Matthew Perry
[02:01] – Overview: Matthew Perry and the documentary
[03:16] – Key highlights of the documentary: addiction and recovery themes
[15:04] – The financial aspect of rehabilitation and its exploitation
[21:13] – Conversations about Big Pharma and harm reduction
[31:00] – Codependency within the circle of celebrities
[34:44] – The documentary's mixed narrative and impact on the community
[38:06] – Remembering Matthew Perry's legacy and the humor amidst tragedy
Resources & Links:
-Documentary: Matthew Perry: A Hollywood Tragedy
-Organization: Matthew Perry Foundation
-Review: ”Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing” by Alysse Bryson
-Review: ”Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing” by Amy Liz Harrison
–Alcohol + Substance Use Disorder Guide
–Recovery Nonprofit Resource Guide
–LBGTQ+ Recovery Resource Guide
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About:
Sobriety isn’t the end of the party—it’s just the start of a better one. Hosted by Alysse Bryson, media powerhouse and sobriety’s ultimate hype woman, and joined by Sober Curator contributors, The Sober Curator Podcast* delivers bold convos, pop culture deep dives, and zero-proof living that doesn’t suck. Whether you're sober, sober-curious, or just looking for good vibes without the hangover, we’ve got you covered. Subscribe now—because getting sober matters, staying sober matters more.
The intro and outro music for this episode is proudly featured with permission from Avatari. All rights reserved to the original creators. For more of their work, check out his website: https://www.avatariworld.com/music.
*The Sober Curator Podcast is a space for open and honest conversations about sobriety, recovery, and alcohol-free living. While we celebrate all paths to a sober lifestyle, some topics discussed may be sensitive or triggering for certain listeners. This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice. If you’re in recovery or exploring sobriety, please take care while listening and seek support from trusted professionals as needed.
TSC LIBRARY: Welcome to The Sober Curator Library! We don’t just read books; we immerse ourselves in literary journeys, tune in on Audible, and craft insightful reviews. Our digital shelves are organized into four genres: #QUITLIT, Addiction Fiction, Self-Help, and NA Recipe Books.
MUSIC – PLAY IT AGAIN! 18 Top Sober Musicians You’ll Want to Put on Repeat
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