Dopey 542: Jonathon Shaw on Speedballing, Tattooing Johnny Depp, Iggy Pop, Ayahuasca and deep addiction recovery
This week on Dopey! We welcome legendary tattoo artist and author Jonathan Shaw for a deep and crazy conversation about his turbulent life and career. Before the interview, we read listener emails and voicemails highlighting warnings about dangerous new synthetic kratom products and some serious dopey business. Jonathan shares his upbringing amidst Hollywood royalty shadowed by addiction and violence, the legacy of his father Artie Shaw—a tortured genius jazz musician—and how his early exposure to drugs and trauma shaped his path. They explore Jonathan’s decades-long relationship with ayahuasca ceremonies and spiritual healing, his raw and unfiltered tattoo career spanning global underground scenes, and the brutal realities of addiction, overdose, and survival on the streets — from starting Fun City tattoo shop in NYC’s punk scene to his wild years battling addiction and near-death overdoses. He talks about his first real prayer, hitting rock bottom, and how 12-step sobriety slowly brought him peace despite early struggles with anger and restlessness. JS also opens up about his powerful experiences with plant medicines like ayahuasca and ibogaine in Brazil and Mexico, describing how these ceremonies connected him to his ancestors, a higher power, and a deeper spiritual path. The conversation wraps with wild stories involving Hunter S. Thompson and Johnny Depp, and JS’s belief that recovery and healing come through service and surrender.
Dopey: On the Dark Comedy of Drug Addiction
Audio is streamed directly from the publisher (pscrb.fm) as published in their RSS feed. Play Podcasts does not host this file. Rights-holders can request removal through the copyright & takedown page.
Show Notes
Show Notes
Early Life & Tattoo Beginnings:
JS grew up going back and forth to NYC, starting Fun City tattoo shop in the late ‘70s/early ‘80s, working with punk legends, including Iggy Pop and hanging around the Lower East Side near Katz’s Deli. Took over Spider Webb’s tattoo shop and innovated tattoo styles internationally.
Wild Addiction Years:
Struggled with violent, restless addiction in LA, carrying guns, dealing with near-death overdoses, and hitting rock bottom multiple times. Describes being surrounded by tragedy (neighbors dying, violence) while strung out.
First Sobriety Attempts:
Found AA through a phone call, went to meetings while sick and broken, experienced his first sober year full of fear and confusion but connected with a tribe. Stayed sober for 10 years but was still dangerously angry and unstable.
Relapse & Real Surrender:
After years dry but miserable, relapsed hard on speedballs and other drugs. After a near-fatal speedball overdose, sincerely prayed for help for the first time — a turning point that led to a true surrender and lasting recovery.
Spiritual Awakening & 12 Steps:
Recommitted to sobriety at 48, dove deep into 12-step literature and principles, learning the disease was rooted in selfishness, self-centeredness, and insanity, not just substances. Developed a personal understanding of “God as we understood Him” and built a spiritual relationship that restored sanity.
Plant Medicine Experiences:
Explores ayahuasca and ibogaine ceremonies in Brazil and Mexico — the mother and stern general of plant medicines. Describes transformative, often brutal trips, communicating with ancestral spirits, and being a bridge to help suffering souls find peace.
Integration with AA:
Believes his foundation in AA allowed the plant medicine experiences to speak in a language he understood, blending 12-step spirituality with psychedelic healing. Emphasizes these tools aren’t for everyone; people must be called to them.
Writing & Legacy:
Channels his higher self to write influential, raw literature about addiction and recovery. Proud of his work that connects deeply with people facing darkness.
Wild Stories & Encounters:
Remembers meeting Johnny Depp and Hunter S. Thompson, including a hilarious story about buying mummified fingers at a flea market and delivering a sarcastic note to a hotel room.
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.