In this episode of RAW Recovery — a Trudging Together podcast, Dion sits down with comedian, author, and recovery speaker Mark Lundholm for a wide-ranging conversation about addiction, recovery, honesty, and the power of humor in difficult places.

Mark shares stories from decades in recovery and on the road speaking to treatment centers, prisons, and recovery communities across the country. Together they talk about the realities of early sobriety, the importance of being challenged in recovery, and why “first thought wrong” is something many recovering people continue to live with long after putting down the drink or drug.

The conversation moves through topics like sponsorship, codependency, relapse prevention, and the difference between trying to look good and actually getting better. Mark also shares insights from his work helping people navigate recovery, including the idea that “the more truth you tell, the more help you’ll get,” and why recovery often comes down to simple but powerful actions like honesty, willingness, and staying connected to others.

Along the way there’s plenty of humor, honesty, and the kind of real talk that happens when two people in recovery sit down and speak openly about the journey.

You can learn more about Mark Lundholm, find his upcoming show dates, and explore his work at marklundholm.com. His book “Shortcuts: Better Ways to Better Days” is also available on Amazon.

As always, this show is freely offered in the spirit of recovery:

Freely received, freely given.