15 Sept 2026
The Stories We Carry with Kevin Scott Day, Part 2
In Part 2 of my conversation with Kevin Scott Day, we move beyond what he does today and into the experiences that helped shape the way he sees himself, other people, and life itself.
Kevin began drinking around age 12, eventually becoming physically dependent on alcohol. Losing his job became one of the lowest points of his life, but also the moment when he was finally able to accept help and begin taking responsibility for what came next.
That journey eventually led him into a 12-step program, spirituality, service, law enforcement, and a career as a deputy probation officer.
But recovery wasn't the end of his identity struggles.
Years later, Kevin gave up his badge to move to Canada and marry his wife. What looked like a beautiful new chapter also brought an unexpected kind of grief: the loss of an identity that had given him purpose.
That opened up a much bigger conversation between us:
Who are we when the roles and labels we've built our lives around disappear?
We talk about the identities we give ourselves, the meaning we attach to words, and whether labels can help us grow or quietly keep us connected to an older version of ourselves.
We also get into something I think we often overlook when we're trying to change our lives: the little things.
The cat pooping outside the litter box.
The way someone loads the dishwasher.
Turning off the faucet while you brush your teeth.
Tiny moments may not seem important, but they give us opportunities to practice awareness, intentionality, emotional regulation, and changing our automatic responses before we're standing face-to-face with the enormous things.
As Kevin puts it, the little things can be our time in the batting cage before life puts us at the plate.
We also explore:
• Recovery as more than simply not drinking• The loss of purpose and identity after leaving a career• How perspective influences the way we experience life• Why suffering can become part of our identity• Taking responsibility without believing we're responsible for everything• Practicing change through small, everyday choices• The power our internal language has over us• Whether "recovering alcoholic" can be both a label and a source of freedom• Living according to our values instead of needing every question answered
And somewhere in all of it, we arrive at one of my favorite ideas from this conversation:
Maybe everything can matter without everything having to be so serious.
Kevin doesn't promise people answers. In fact, part of his philosophy is learning to sit with the questions, the contradictions, and the mysteries.
Sometimes the goal isn't finding the answer.
It's becoming aware enough to discover your own.
Connect with Kevin
Kevin primarily works through referrals and word of mouth, but he welcomes questions and conversations.
Email: kevinscottday@gmail.com (mailto:kevinscottday@gmail.com)
This is Part 2 of my conversation with Kevin Scott Day. If you haven't listened to Part 1 yet, start with Episode 32 and then come back here for the rest of our conversation.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit catlcarnell.substack.com/subscribe (https://catlcarnell.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2)
