Journalist Sam Quinones, renowned for his deeply impactful books Dreamland and The Least of Us about the opioid and synthetic drug crises, returns to The Addicted Mind with a profoundly different, yet connected, story. In this episode, Sam and host Duane Osterlind dive into Quinones' newest book, The Perfect Tuba: Forging Fulfillment from the Bass Horn, Band and Hard Work.
Sam shares his unexpected pivot from writing about the devastating cycle of addiction and consumerism—where people seek happiness from something they buy—to exploring stories of people who cultivate their own value from within. He found this liberation and internal worth in the unlikeliest of places: the world of the tuba.
You’ll hear why the tuba, often dismissed as the ‘fat elephant’ of the band, became a metaphor for breaking free of limits and an antidote to the inertia of addiction. Sam shares incredible stories, from the enormous popularity of the tuba in Mexican immigrant communities in Los Angeles to the legendary tale of the two "perfect tubas" that are the "Holy Grail" of the instrument.
This conversation reveals the powerful life lessons learned in the band room: postponed gratification, perseverance, and collaboration. Sam and Duane draw a beautiful, clear analogy between the dedication required to master a tough instrument and the difficult, rewarding journey of addiction recovery. They explore how the energy and creativity harnessed by finding your "perfect tuba"—that thing you work hard for—is the strongest defense against the lure of instant gratification and drugs.
This episode is an inspiration, demonstrating that we are surrounded by people who embody the values needed to heal and strengthen our culture and community
Key Topics
Resources
THE PERFECT TUBA: Forging Fulfillment from the Bass Horn, Band, and Hard Work
https://www.theaddictedmind.com/community
Episode Credits
If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.
If you live in California and are looking for counseling or therapy please check out Novus Mindful Life Counseling and Recovery Center
We want to hear from you. Leave us a message or ask us a question: https://www.speakpipe.com/addictedmind
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.