This is the LAST Wednesday of The Sober Bartender Podcast!! Starting in the new year the show will be rebranded, renamed and revamped! Today I want to express my gratitude for your ongoing support! Both the show and myself have evolved quite a bit from this time last year when we were just starting out!

I share key moments that defined the show, moments that tested my own recovery, highlight growth, lessons learned and give love to the community that has formed around The Sober Bartender. It's important to adapt and grow in creative endeavors so this is both exciting and bitter-sweet.

I explain the reasons for the shift in focus off sobriety/bartending, my process behind the need for change and my commitment to delivering content that remains relevant, engaging and valuable. I'm sharing insights into how the new direction align with the podcasts mission and goals and encourage you to bring any questions or concerns to me so I can address them directly.

I'm so very grateful for your support and for being a HUGE part of the podcasts journey. I'm beyond excited for the upcoming changes and the new opportunities they bring! This podcast (and it's host) have come a long way since the start and you have played a huge role in shaping us both!

Stay tuned for next weeks intro to: The Thought Alchemist: A Mindset Mastery Podcast with me as your host! Remember-the power to change begins with a single thought-let's turn yours to gold!!

I'm here to tell you quitting drinking is NOT a punishment for bad behavior!! Why does it feel that way?

While quitting may initially feel like a punishment, those of us who make this choice find long-term benefits in the way of improved physical health, mental well-being and clarity, emotional stability and overall life satisfaction.

If you want to quit drinking but don't identify as an "alcoholic" or "addicted" there are some general strategies and steps you can follow that can be very helpful.

Quitting drinking is a personal journey-not a punishment-and what works for one person may not work for another. It's important to tailor your approach to your individual needs and circumstances. There is no one size fits all solution. If you're struggling, don't hesitate to reach out or seek professional help to ensure you have the support and guidance necessary for success.

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We're a week away from Thanksgiving and it's a wonderful time to be thankful, grateful and surrounded by the people we love...right? In theory, yes, but that's not always how coming together for the holidays FEELS. Ram Dass (one of my favorite spiritual teachers) said "If you think you're enlightened, try spending a week with your family". While in our own day to day lives we see ourselves growing, expanding and thriving, in the eyes of our family members-we can be viewed in a different light than we'd prefer.

There's the typical questions about when you'll get a boyfriend, when you'll get married, when you'll have a baby, when you'll quit this, or start that. While they're all coming from a meaningful place, they can feel like judgements, attacks and criticism. So for the askers-I recommend finding broader, less intrusive questions-like what was your favorite thing about this past year, or what are you most looking forward to next year? Zoom out and respect the setting and boundaries of the askee. They'll thank you for it! And if you're on the receiving end of the questions, keep in mind that you get to choose how to respond. Defensiveness and anger will leave you feeling drained and guilty. Keep in mind that you can have a plan-like invite the family member to call you tomorrow to discuss private matters as opposed to discussing them in front of your whole fam!

I've included some journaling prompts to fill your cup and align you with your highest good in action leading into the holiday season!

1. What's most important to you in your life right now?

2. What are you particularly good at?

3. What are your greatest strengths?

4. When are you most engaged?

5. How will you leave your mark on the world?

This week we're talking to Randee Prince-Admissions Manager and Alumni at Ripple Ranch Recovery Center. Just a few years ago Randee was on the other side of the desk, checking into the treatment that would change the trajectory of her life. She found herself being treated not only for substance abuse, but mental health as well, something often unaddressed in rehab. Focusing on individualized treatment is something this center does different.

Randee talks about the benefits of treatment, recovery and following through with a program in early sobriety. There's something special about helping another person who's standing exactly where you stood find their way out of the dark. Randee gets to live that-being on the front lines at the recovery center in Comal County, TX. She answers the call that she herself made. Recovery has a beautiful way of bringing us full circle. Listen in to hear Randee share her experience, strength and hope! She is proof-WE DO RECOVER!!

www.rippleranch.com

830-333-8130 admissions

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Research says that although we are all authentic human beings, we are very much impacted, motivated, and driven by our environment. The 5 people you spend the most time with shape who you are. Your conversations dominate your attention. Take a look at what the topic of conversation is in your close friend group. Are you guys discussing what you're working on, the goals you're setting, the challenges you're facing? Or are you talking about other people? Are you talking about how wasted you got, how much you drank, the money you spent, etc? Who you surround yourself with determines where your attention goes.

Tony Robbins says "The only thing that will change your life, change your business, change your relationship, is that you must raise your standards." Surround yourself with people who lift you up, lend you knowledge and help you learn from your mistakes. If you keep messing up and making choices that keep you stuck-and the people around you help you make excuses why that's acceptable/okay/normal/no big deal, you need a new tribe.

The people you surround yourself with influence your mood, how you view the world and the expectations you have of yourself. In this episode we do get into How to choose the right people?

1. Decide what you're after and find others on the same or similar path ex. sober-sober student-student parent-parent

You don't look to couples getting divorced to find out how to strengthen your marriage. You don't go to bakeries to find people to support your fitness and nutrition goals. You don't go to the welfare office looking for inspiration to start a new business. I think you get my point. Who you surround yourself with impacts who you are.

2. Let go of/limit negative relationships. People who frequently complain, talk about how much they hate this or that or them, who assume the worst and just have a negative outlook or opinion of life, of you or of themselves are not the people you want around you, unless you want to model their outlook and topics.

3. Identify positive people. Smart people-especially people smarter than you, hard workers, dreamers and visionaries as well as positive thinkers are all people you will benefit from surrounding yourself with.

4. Join professional groups. Both online and in person, there are groups available to you that are filled with people doing what you want to do, living like you want to live and have the answers to how, where and what it takes to get there.

5. Get outside your comfort zone. All growth starts at the end of your comfort zone.

Confucious said "If you are the smartest person in the room, you are in the wrong room". If the people you spend most of your time with aren't working on themselves, learning, growing and building others up along the way, chances are pretty good that neither are you.

This week's guest is no stranger to suffering. Derek Januszweski didn't get sober the easy way. Not many of us do. He shares insight into the boy who suffered from neglect and unimaginable abuse from his own family's addiction. He then tells us what happened when that abused and traumatized boy got married and had a family of his own. Genetics, trauma, abuse cycles, and addiction all go hand in hand and paint the picture of a lonely pain-filled life.

As per usual on this show- those that make it out of the darkness have an incredible story to tell. Their very own personal how to live a meaningful life after crawling out of hell on earth story. Derek's is extra special. He shares how he came to The Medicine, what it does, who it's for, how it helps and what it is, in this telling episode of finding purpose, meaning and miracles on the road to recovering.

pachamamasanctuary.org

Feel free to contact Derek via email [email protected]

Sanctuary Phone: 603-451-8733