{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"The Smoke Trail","title":"The Smoke Trail S1 E31: “The Closer” Aligns with God - A Conversation with Tony Denison","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":3903,"description":"Episode 31: From Addiction to Awakening - Tony Denison's JourneyGuest BioTony Denison (born Anthony John Sarrero on September 20, 1949) is an American actor known for his compelling portrayals of complex characters, often detectives or tough guys. Born in Harlem and raised in Queens to Sicilian parents, he started acting later in life after holding various jobs, including running an illegal gambling club. He gained prominence with roles in \"Crime Story\" (1986-1988) as Ray Luca, \"The Closer\" (2005-2012) as Detective Andy Flynn, and its spin-off \"Major Crimes\" (2012-2018). His film credits include \"Getting Gotti\" (1994) and others like \"Little Vegas\" (1990). With over 32 years of sobriety, Tony draws from personal struggles to inspire others, emphasizing spirituality, humility, and love as a verb in his life and work.SettingRecorded remotely with Smoke in the spiritually charged landscape of Sedona, Arizona, featuring red rock views that evoke reflection and transformation. The conversation flows naturally, blending personal stories with deep philosophical insights in a relaxed, introspective atmosphere.SummaryIn this candid episode, Smoke chats with actor Tony Denison about his remarkable journey from addiction and hardship to sobriety, success, and spiritual awakening. Tony shares his early acting roles in \"Crime Story\" and \"Getting Gotti,\" family connections, and collaborations like scripting \"Last Stop Coney Island\" with Jack Maxwell. He opens up about his rock-bottom moments—running an illegal gambling club, heavy cocaine and alcohol use, and two pivotal sobriety turning points in 1986 and 1993. A divine voice during a full-moon breakdown in 1993 marked his final commitment to recovery. They explore spirituality, consciousness scales, the Bible's metaphors, and universal truths across religions, emphasizing love as a verb, heroism in recovery, and humility. Tony reflects on missing the mark (\"sin\" as an archery term) and finding inner peace beyond material...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/gpR4zY80HQ1Pfo4NQvKH83ON3bEHnaF9vWo61QIeN2I/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9mYjE5/MGYyZTQ1ZDk0YmI0/NjA1NjYyNzBhOTk5/ZGEyOC5wbmc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}