Crafting Hope: The Story Behind 'My Pet Dragon' Musical
Episode Overview
Maggie Moe's journey from substance abuse to recovery and sobriety The inspiration behind 'My Pet Dragon' and its aim to destigmatize addiction The creative process of turning personal struggles into a musical production Utilizing music and storytelling to evoke empathy and understanding Hopes for the musical to be a platform for individuals on their recovery journeys
I think that a lot of us want to do. And then, yeah, I definitely wondered if me sharing my story would impact how his relationship with alcohol was and I'm just really glad that it did because I don't know if we could have written the show if you hadn't had that realization.
What happens when you blend personal struggles with creativity? You get 'My Pet Dragon', a musical that turns the spotlight on addiction and recovery in a refreshingly hopeful way. In this episode of 'Let's Talk Addiction & Recovery', host William C. Moyers chats with the brilliant minds behind this production—writer Maggie Moe and composer Joshua Vranas.
Maggie opens up about her own battle with substance abuse and how her journey to recovery inspired the character of Georgia, a young woman fighting her own dragon of addiction. Joshua shares his own experiences with addiction and how working on the musical has been a pivotal part of his sobriety. The duo discusses how 'My Pet Dragon' aims to break down the old stereotypes and outdated archetypes surrounding addiction, replacing them with narratives of trust, courage, and daily victories.
Through music and storytelling, Maggie and Joshua hope to evoke empathy and understanding, encouraging others to see addiction through a lens of compassion rather than judgment. They believe that by sharing their stories, they can help others connect with their own recovery journeys. If you're looking for an inspiring take on addiction and recovery, this episode is a must-listen. You'll find yourself moved by their honesty and motivated by their mission to destigmatize addiction.