"With gratitude, optimism is sustainable."  Those were words spoken by Michael J. Fox and they prompted me to speak.  So much of my journey has been possible because of gratitude, and my optimism and energy on a daily basis is directly related to it.  I am grateful for so much, including this episode, so please check it out.

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I labeled myself a functioning alcoholic.  I was wrong.  Maybe I was surviving, but I was slowly failing.  What it takes to get sober and stay sober has taught me what real discipline is and that has rolled over into many other aspects of my life.  I've set a new goal that will certainly test my mental and physical discipline - an Ironman!

My guest this week, straight from my home state of New Jersey, is Mike Faria.  His childhood years and less than perfect upbringing may seem typical to some, but his battle with addiction and and its consequences is anything BUT typical.  My jaw dropped multiple times in talking with Mike, and his story is a textbook example of not only the insidious nature of alcohol, but the need to accept when you are powerless over it.

This week’s guest, Emily Paulson, has an impressive journey of recovery that has led her to being a successful mom of five, author, and founder of the digital platform - The Sober Mom Squad.  Her own story and struggles will feel similar to so many which is why her work is increasingly important. 

https://www.instagram.com/emilylynnpaulson/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y%3D

https://instagram.com/sobermomsquad?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Hey-Hun/Emily-Lynn-Paulson/9781955905251

From heavyweight boxer to physics major, and eventually writer and author, Ed Latimore took me through his unique path of recovery and growth.  His physical and intellectual gifts could not be realized until he removed that one thing holding him back…alcohol.

https://instagram.com/edlatimore?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
https://edlatimore.com/resources/sober-letters-chapter/

Zac took the time out of his daily hustle to talk all things recovery, including the successes and difficulties of running his Release Recovery Center and Foundation.  Our free-flowing conversation revealed how he keeps his own recovery front and center despite his hectic work and travel schedule.  We even touched on his serious sports fandom and what it’s like taking it all in sober.  Zac’s passion for not just his recovery, but for others, and being of service, is undeniable and infectious.  Listen and you’ll feel it.

I’ve known Brad, or more specifically Brad’s important online presence, since being a couple of months sober, and I am grateful for his Sober Motivation platform that has served as a constant companion and source of motivation on my journey thus far.  In asking him to join the podcast, I had no idea how powerful his personal story would be, but I now have a greater understanding of the backdrop to all the good he does for the community.  Editing parts of our conversation and his story was not an option, so I simply split it into two episodes.  Here’s part two!

I’ve known Brad, or more specifically Brad’s important online presence, since being a couple of months sober, and I am grateful for his Sober Motivation platform that has served as a constant companion and source of motivation on my journey thus far.  In asking him to join the podcast, I had no idea how powerful his personal story would be, but I now have a greater understanding of the backdrop to all the good he does for the community.  Editing parts of our conversation and his story was not an option, so I simply split it into two episodes.  Here’s part one!

Going somewhere he never would have before sobriety, Dan sits down with sustainable lifestyle expert, Marieke Eyskoot, to learn and find some interesting connections through their differing journeys.  Covering a lot of ground on sustainability, shame, addiction, consumption, and politics, they certainly agree on the answer to this simple question:  If doing something good for yourself can also be good for the world as a whole, wouldn’t you do it?