No Alcohol Needed: The Podcast

In this episode, we talk with Chelsea, host of The Recovered Life podcast, Molly, and Brian about navigating difficult emotions. We talk about how we find validation for our emotions, and how we've learned to cope with them, either by distracting ourselves or learning to sit with them. We talk about coping tools such as sharing the burden with others, taking care of ourselves, and even EMDR therapy for overcoming trauma. We talk about learning to be okay with being uncomfortable and acknowledge that emotions won't kill you, but the way you deal with them could.

If you'd like to get to know Chelsea better, you can check out her Instagram profile @recoveredlife and look for her podcast, Recovered Life, on Apple and Spotify.

throughtheglassrecovery.com

[email protected]

Instagram - @through_the_glass_recovery

In this episode, we talk with Denge, Mary, and Michal about our standards and expectations in recovery. As we move further along in our recovery journeys, we often find that our standards change - as they should. Our self worth increases, and we realize we are no longer willing to settle for what we used to. So we ask the question, "How have your standards changed in sobriety?"

We discover several ways our expectations change:

-eating healthier, taking care of ourselves both mentally and physically

-setting, communicating, and enforcing boundaries and expectations with others

-boundaries at work, with friends, and with children and spouses

-how we value and use our time and energy

-standards in friendships

We teach others how to treat us, and now that our standards have changed, we may have to re-teach them.

Denge, Michal, and Mary are all friends we've made in the I Am Sober community. You can find out more about the I Am Sober app at iamsober.com

throughtheglassrecovery.com

[email protected]

Instagram - @through_the_glass_recovery

The holidays are always a big source of anxiety and temptation for people who are in recovery. So we wanted to do an episode on what things to watch out for, share some of our anxieties, and share some of our tried and true tips for surviving the holidays sober. We all have very different families and traditions, so we've gathered what we think is a great mix of folks in this episode to try to share several different perspectives.

We talk about the stress of the whole holiday season, from having money to buy gifts to going to events. We go on to discuss setting boundaries, figuring out what you're able to spend, where you're willing to go, what expectations you're willing to meet and which ones you aren't. And we talk about sticking to those boundaries.

We share our experiences with giving and receiving alcohol as gifts, and how we handled those situations. We also offer tips and ideas for what to say when offered a drink, or when you're asked why you don't drink. We talk about how to plan ahead for social situations, and things we've learned along the way that help make them a little more comfortable. We discuss how to handle serving alcohol to family and friends when we are the ones hosting the gatherings. And we also talk about all of the reasons choosing to stay sober through the holidays is the best decision we've made. The holidays should be a time of joy, and of connection, and of memories made. Let's stay sober, and give ourselves the chance!

Get to know Zoe on her Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesoberoldsoul

throughtheglassrecovery.com

[email protected]

Instagram - @through_the_glass_recovery

In this episode, we talk with our friends Robert and Michal about changing the narrative, what it means to change the stories we've held onto throughout our lives. We talk about the stigma of alcoholism and how it stops people from getting the help we need. We talk about changing spiritual beliefs and religious narratives. We also share about the narratives we hold about ourselves, and how that affects both us and the people in our lives. Listen as we discuss ways to change the lens through which we see the world. 

In this episode we continue our discussion about the challenges of early recovery. 

Everything we wish someone would've told us in the first 30 days of sobriety

3 million people die each year from alcohol. Have you ever wondered how to help? How you can serve others in addiction? It turns out that often, the best person to help an alcoholic is another alcoholic.

Getting sober is hard. Staying sober can be even harder. 

In the second episode of this two part series, we continue our conversation with Molly, John, and Liz about the things we find to be the most difficult parts of emotional sobriety. You'll hear how Molly learned to fall in love with failure. Julie talks about learning to deal with big, difficult emotions, and the others chime in, talking about learning how to not let anger or other feelings to take over in the heat of the moment. Liz shares about struggling to have the confidence to reach out, to be willing to take up space and let someone else help. As always, the best part of the discussion is the way everyone shares their own personal experience to help support the others. Because connection really is the opposite of addiction.

If you'd like to get to know Molly better, you can listen to her story: https://www.sobertownpodcast.com/sober-podcast-episodes/episode-80-ten-seconds-1

Julie and Steve talk about Atlas of the Heart by Brene' Brown: https://brenebrown.com/book/atlas-of-the-heart/

And we would love to hear your own stories – what is the hardest part of sobriety for you? Leave a comment on our website at 

https://www.throughtheglassrecovery.com

or join in the conversation on social media:

https://www.facebook.com/Through-The-Glass-Recovery-108545488674813

https://www.instagram.com/through_the_glass_recovery/

Recovery is different for everyone, bringing unique challenges to everyone who makes the decision to leave alcohol behind. And while we all have our own individual struggles, there's always someone who can relate and who can share the wisdom they've gained from their own experiences. 

In this two part series, Julie and Steve chat with Molly, John, and Liz about what they consider to be the hardest part of their recovery. As each person shares stories of their own struggles - from mommy wine culture, to boredom, to trusting in and handling difficult emotions - everyone else is able to offer their own wisdom and advice based on their own experiences. Listen as John and Steve discuss how to handle free time once drinking is no longer an option. Molly and Liz talk about how frustrating it is that alcohol is found in seemingly every advertisement and TV show. You'll hear the group discuss learning to trust their own emotions instead of always second guessing the way they feel, or believing they "should" be feeling some other way. 

And we would love to hear your own stories - what is the hardest part of sobriety for you? Leave a comment on our website at 

https://www.throughtheglassrecovery.com

or join in the conversation on social media:

https://www.facebook.com/Through-The-Glass-Recovery-108545488674813

https://www.instagram.com/through_the_glass_recovery/

Living intentionally is no longer optional - it's a requirement. One thing we've all learned as we make our way through the process of recovery is that we no longer get to just float through life. We don't get to sit back and let life do what it will while we watch from the sidelines. Recovery is about building a life of intention, of purpose. What does living with intention mean to you, what does that look like in your life?

In this episode, we invite our friends Paula, Alex, and Brian to explore with us the idea of building a life of intention. We explore the ideas of authenticity, defining our values and priorities, making choices that reflect our intentions, and how that all works for us in recovery.

Brian shares this list he's made while journaling, that details all the aspects he believes make up living intentionally. 

1. Taking responsibility and ownership

Julie mentions Rewired by Erica Spiegelman. You can find more information about the book and related resources at https://www.ericaspiegelman.com/

To hear Paula's sobriety story, visit https://www.sobertownpodcast.com/sober-podcast-episodes/episode-07-pollys-story-segment-1

To learn more about personal values and start discovering your own core values, check out the best list we found at  https://www.minessence.net/pdfs/values_definitions.pdf

Visit our website at throughtheglassrecovery.com

Let us know what you think! Send comments or topic suggestions to [email protected]

Or connect with us on social media:

https://www.facebook.com/Through-The-Glass-Recovery-108545488674813

https://www.instagram.com/through_the_glass_recovery/