Welcome to Friendless!
Friendless
Friendless
Are you paying attention? James Avramenko (writer, poet, teacher) is trying to. Friendless is a podcast about paying attention — to yourself, to the people around you, and to the ideas and conversations that help you make sense of being a person. Some weeks that looks like a practical skills episode on emotional regulation, how to actually listen, or the slow work of knowing yourself better. Some weeks it's an honest conversation with a guest, recorded live at an indie bookstore in Vancouver. An engaging and honest look at connection, intimacy, and self-compassion — minus the wellness-industry bullshit. Fun and safety, Sweet Peas!
Aug. 6, 2025

I'm Not at Capacity, I Just Don't Want To (Solo)

I'm Not at Capacity, I Just Don't Want To (Solo)

In this solo episode, James Avramenko returns from a short break to unpack a whirlwind of thoughts, feelings, and cultural critiques. From creative burnout and refusing the algorithm grind, to the power (and misuse) of the word "capacity," this episode goes deep.

James shares insights from nearly two years of sobriety and reflects on what showing up authentically really looks like—at Pride, in friendships, and on the mic. There’s also some spicy etymology, a meditation on complicated legacies, and a surprisingly emotional ode to professional wrestling.

No easy answers, no purity tests—just nuance, honesty, and a little chaos.

Topics Covered:

  • Burnout and creative boundaries
  • The pressure of constant content creation
  • Rethinking the word “capacity”
  • Sobriety and sober joy at Pride
  • Why language matters (and how it can be weaponised)
  • Wrestling, legacy, and Hulk Hogan’s complicated place in history
  • Public shaming, surveillance culture, and online punishment
  • Owning your part in collective problems—and how to move forward

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