No Alcohol Needed: The Podcast

By Julie Miller & Steve KnappSociety & Culture Health & Fitness Mental Health Education Self-Improvement Philosophy

No Alcohol Needed: The Podcast episodes

October 13, 2025162 | The Secrets to Handling Conflict Calmly - Without Alcohol
Conflict is one of those things most of us try to avoid - especially when we’re sober and trying to protect our peace. But avoiding conflict doesn’t make it go away; it just creates more problems and pain that we have to deal with later. In this episode, Julie, Steve, Rachel, and Azure sit down to talk about what healthy conflict looks like in sobriety - and how learning to face it with healthy skills, boundaries, and emotional maturity can actually make sobriety feel like something you want to do, not something you have to do.

They get real about people-pleasing, anxious attachment, overreactions, guilt, and what it means to speak up honestly without losing your cool. You’ll walk away from this one feeling seen, equipped, and encouraged to show up for yourself - even in hard conversations.

In this episode:
Why conflict is not a sign of failure - it’s a chance to strengthen relationships
The difference between reacting emotionally and responding with intention
How sobriety changes the way we handle uncomfortable conversations
People-pleasing, anxious attachment, and fear of being rejected
The importance of emotional preparation before tough talks
How to know when to engage - and when to just let something go
Why authenticity sometimes means not being liked by everyone
Conflict is an opportunity to make a relationship better. Every single time.
Learn more about our guests and view the full show notes: https://throughtheglassrecovery.com/podcast/conflict-resolution-in-recovery/
Check out all the resources Through the Glass Recovery offers:
Full podcast episode library
Free Zoom virtual support group
Affordable one-on-one support services
Julie's blog: Create A Life So Full
42 min
October 06, 2025161 | Sober Travel Hacks: How to Enjoy Your Vacation Without Alcohol
Planning your first trip without alcohol can feel intimidating. Imagining the airport, the activities, the culture might leave you wondering, "Can I even enjoy this?" In this episode, Julie and Steve sit down with Darci, Sarah, and Corina to share their experiences, sprinkled with honest, practical advice for traveling alcohol-free while still having fun, feeling connected, and enjoying every moment - without the hangover or the anxiety.

In this episode:
How to redefine adventure so your sober vacation leaves you feeling connected and fulfilled.
How to plan and prepare for an alcohol-free vacation to set yourself up for success.
Understand the let-down effect so it doesn't sabotage your sobriety.
Mindset and reframes so you don't struggle with FOMO while traveling without alcohol.
A sober travel toolkit to leave you confident that you'll have the time of your life, no alcohol needed.

Your first sober vacation may feel unfamiliar at first, but with planning, support, and a little perspective, it can be even more fun, adventurous, and memorable than it ever was when you were drinking.

You can read more about the Let Down Effect that comes after a sober vacation on Julie's blog: https://createalifesofull.com/let-down-effect-sobriety/
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For full show notes and to learn more about our guests, visit the episode webpage: https://throughtheglassrecovery.com/podcast/sober-travel-without-alcohol/
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Find all the sobriety resources that Through the Glass Recovery offers:
- Free virtual support group
- Full library of podcast episodes
- 1-on-1 personalized coaching for sobriety and recovery
- Julie's blog
55 min
September 29, 2025160 | What Makes Sobriety Easier? Real Stories & Practical Tips
If you’ve ever wondered, “Why does sobriety feel so hard? Will it ever get easier?” - this is your episode. Julie and Steve sat down with three sober creators (Dave @djsobershorts , Ness @soberinlaketahoe , and Yliana @alcoholfreesoul ) who have walked through the hardest parts of early recovery and found what actually helps. Their honesty, humor, and hard-earned wisdom will remind you that sobriety doesn’t just get easier - it gets better.

In this episode:
The surprising mindset shifts that make sobriety feel less overwhelming
Daily habits that help you stay grounded when cravings hit
Why support and community matter more than sheer willpower
How to take sobriety one hour, one day at a time without getting lost in the “forever”
The hidden gifts sobriety gives back once you stick with it long enough

This episode is for anyone asking themselves, “Can I really do this?” - the answer is yes, and here’s how.
To learn more about our guests and for full show notes, visit our website:
https://throughtheglassrecovery.com/podcast/what-makes-sobriety-easier/
Check out all the other resources we offer to support your alcohol free life:
Full podcast episode library
Free Zoom virtual support group
Affordable one-on-one support services
The No Alcohol Needed blog by Julie Miller
42 min
September 22, 2025159 | Sobriety Without Comparison: Your Recovery, Your Way
We all compare ourselves to others sometimes - no matter how hard we try not to. And in recovery, comparison can feel unavoidable. Whether it’s scrolling through social media, sitting in a meeting, or just noticing how someone else’s life looks... better, comparison can sneak in and leave us feeling “less than.”

In this episode, we're joined by Gina (Modern Day Monk) and Kristin (The Alcohol-Free Alchemist) to talk about how we find ourselves comparing our recovery to someone else's, and how it impacts the way we see ourselves. We're here with some honest conversation and some tips and tools to help you free yourself from comparison and start doing your recovery your way.

In this episode:
Why social media can fuel insecurity in sobriety.
The difference between comparison that inspires and comparison that destroys.
How to turn comparison into compassion.
Why your recovery will never look exactly like anyone else’s.
The one person you should compare yourself to.

"As soon as you start saying 'should'... you're comparing yourself."

If you find it hard to stop comparing your recovery to someone else's, be sure to check out these episodes, too:

Social Media and Addiction

Comparing Ourselves to Others
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Learn more about our guests and read the full show notes on our website
43 min
September 15, 2025158 | When Sobriety Feels Flat: Moving Through the Plateau
Early sobriety can feel like a rush of relief and excitement - the infamous “pink cloud” we hear about. But what happens when that high fades and you find yourself feeling flat, restless, or stuck in sobriety? In this honest and powerful conversation, Julie, Steve, Rachael, and Chad dig into the reality of plateaus in recovery, how to recognize them, and what it takes to move through - so you don't end up finding yourself slipping backward instead.

In This Episode
The pink cloud effect - why it feels so good at first, and why it eventually fades
How we confuse boredom with peace after living in chaos for so long
Chad’s raw story of breakup, therapy, and rediscovering his spark
The addictive side of “doing the work” and why action matters more than knowledge
How objective truth-tellers (friends, therapists, coaches) help us see what we can’t
Choosing responsibility over victim mode, even when life feels unfair
Practical tools to move from stagnation into growth

“If I feel bored or flat, I take responsibility - it’s my life, and if I’m bored, I’m not doing enough with it.”

Learn more about our guests and read the full show notes:
https://throughtheglassrecovery.com/podcast/sobriety-feels-flat/
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Check out all the resources Through the Glass Recovery offers:
Full podcast episode library
Free Zoom virtual support group
Affordable one-on-one support services
The No Alcohol Needed blog by Julie Miller
38 min
September 08, 2025157 | Beyond Just Staying Sober: Enjoy Life After Quitting Drinking
Welcome back to Season Four of Through the Glass Recovery!

We’re kicking off this season with a conversation that gets to the heart of what so many of us wrestle with: how do you actually create a life so full there’s no space left for alcohol?

You’ve probably seen the quotes and memes: “Create a life you don’t want to escape from.” It sounds amazing, but what does that really look like in day-to-day life? How do you start to enjoy life after quitting drinking? In this episode, Julie, Steve, Amber, Matt, and Robbie share the real and practical ways they’ve discovered joy, connection, and meaning in sobriety - along with the things they’ve had to let go of.

This isn’t just about staying sober.

It’s about learning to live fully awake, present, and grateful for the moments - big and small - that make life worth showing up for.

In this episode, we talk about:
Why connection is the foundation of a meaningful sober life
How concerts, adventures, and family experiences feel richer without alcohol
The surprising truth about activities that aren’t as fun when you’re sober - and why that’s okay
The power of small joys, like a cup of tea, nature, or laughter with friends
How sobriety changes the way we feel emotions - making both the hard and beautiful moments deeper
Why removing clutter, noise, or old habits can be just as important as adding new experiences
Stories of rediscovering hobbies and passions with fresh meaning in sobriety

Whether you’re early in recovery or years into your journey, this conversation is filled with encouragement, laughter, and real talk about building a life that feels vibrant, fulfilling, and most importantly - like your own.
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Learn more about our guests by visiting the full show notes on our website: https://throughtheglassrecovery.com/podcast/enjoy-life-after-quitting-drinking/
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Check out all the resources Through the Glass Recovery offers:
Full podcast episode library
Free Zoom virtual support group
Affordable one-on-one recovery coaching
The No Alcohol Needed blog by Julie Miller
43 min
September 01, 2025156 | Grief, Growth, and the Joy That Only Sobriety Brings
Welcome to Season 4 of Through the Glass Recovery Podcast!

After taking a longer summer break than normal, we're back with some real conversation about burnout, rest, and why this podcast matters so much to us. In this episode, we catch up, reflect on a summer filled with grief, joy, persistence, and adventure, and share how recovery tools continue to carry us through real life.

From moments of heartbreak to moments of magic, this conversation reminds us that recovery is about learning to face everything life throws at us without numbing. And with that comes deeper joy than we ever imagined possible.

"Learn to rest. Not quit."

Takeaways:
Taking breaks is essential for mental health and creativity.
Vulnerability leads deeper connections with others.
Managing stress requires tools and strategies.
Grief is a process that cannot be rushed or prepared for.
Simple moments of joy can be healing and transformative.
Recovery is about facing life's challenges with clarity and strength.
The journey of sobriety continues to reveal deeper levels of joy.
Sharing experiences can help others feel less alone in their struggles.

"What I thought was joy when I was drinking was nowhere close to what real joy feels like."

We’d love to hear from you! Send us your feedback at [email protected] or connect on Instagram. And if this episode resonates with you, please share it with a friend, leave a review, or subscribe to our new YouTube channel to watch the conversations in action.
44 min
August 25, 2025155 | The Hidden Link Between Perfectionism and Addiction
We’re bringing back one of our most popular episodes this week while we get ready to launch brand new content. This conversation about perfectionism and recovery struck a chord with so many of you, and for good reason - it’s real, relatable, and packed with wisdom. Enjoy this re-release, and we’ll be back next week with fresh episodes you won’t want to miss.
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In this powerful episode, our group dives deep into the connection between perfectionism and addiction and how striving to be flawless can sabotage sobriety, self-worth, and emotional healing. Jessica, Sarah, Erica, Hope, Julie, and Steve share raw and honest stories of how perfectionism shaped their drinking, and what it looks like to work through those tendencies in recovery.
From redefining success and learning to sit with mistakes, to practicing self-compassion and choosing authenticity over image, this conversation is full of insight, laughter, and “me too” moments for anyone struggling with not feeling good enough.
Key Topics in this Episode:
Defining our own standards of “good enough”
Authentic connection requires allowing others to see our imperfection
How perfectionism and overachieving go hand in hand to sabotage your mental wellbeing and sobriety
The intertwined journeys of recovery and how they all affect one another
Perfectionism as a sense of control
Recovering from perfectionism is an ebb and flow – some days are easier than others
The tools of sobriety also support recovering from perfectionism
Being a perfectionist can stop you from self reflecting, not wanting to admit your flaws and shortcomings – and therefore stopping you from ever working on them.
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To learn more about our guests, visit the full podcast show notes:
https://throughtheglassrecovery.com/podcast/perfectionism-and-alcoholism/
For access to all of the resources Through the Glass Recovery has to offer, including
- FREE live virtual support group
- 1:1 coaching
- Informative blog articles
- A full podcast episode library
visit our website at throughtheglassrecovery.com
1 hr 3 min
August 18, 2025154 | Earning Back Trust After Addiction
We’re nearing the end of our summer break, but we’re still sharing some of our favorite episodes with you through the end of August. This week’s replay is one that resonates with so many in recovery: rebuilding trust after you stop drinking. It’s a topic that hits close to home for nearly everyone on this journey - because even after we put down the drink, our relationships and our own self-trust don’t heal overnight.
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For many of us, our actions and behaviors have left our family and loved ones no longer trusting us, even after we’ve stopped drinking. So that begs the question – how do you regain trust after quitting alcohol? We’ve gathered Rachael, founder of Addict with Purpose; Michael, founder of SoberPress; and our adventurous friend Nadine to talk about what regaining trust from others – and in ourselves – has looked like in our lives.
You start getting trust back when you start telling the truth.
In this episode:
Learning to trust oneself
Consistency and time as the foundation of trust
Learning to do things that build trust
The value of authenticity in trust building
Honesty is a core component of trust
Living the apology
Understanding that we can’t put a timeframe on someone else’s trust
How to apologize with action
Learning to trust yourself through the hard times
Humility and its role in building trust
Also: learning to trust others
For all of the resources we offer at Through the Glass Recovery, including:
- FREE weekly support group on Zoom
- A full library of over 150 podcast episodes
- blog articles
- 1:1 coaching
Visit our website at throughtheglassrecovery.com
40 min
August 11, 2025153 | Bored in Sobriety? Here's What No One Tells You
We’re continuing our summer re-release series while we take a short break from new episodes until September. This week, we’re bringing back a powerful conversation about something almost every sober person wrestles with at some point: boredom. If you're sober but struggling to fill your time or feeling like life has lost its spark, this episode is for you.
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When you’ve been sober for a bit, boredom seems to be one of the first challenges that shows up. How to fill all that free time? This is especially true if you don’t have any hobbies, or if your social life revolved around drinking.
In this episode, we’re joined by Adriana from Dear Recovery, Jason from Sober Gangster, and sober rapper Gina (Modern Day Monk) to talk about how we dealt with boredom in early sobriety, and how we deal with it now that we’ve been doing this for awhile.
If you struggle to fill your time and find yourself wishing away the hours in the day, this episode is for you!
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“Boredom creates a willingness to try new things.”
In this episode:
Loneliness and boredom sometimes go hand in hand
Connecting with others is an almost instant cure to boredom
Rediscovering hobbies that alcohol had pushed aside
Learning not to overwhelm yourself with activities and to-do lists
Exploring the link between creativity and drinking
New hobbies and activities help build recovery skills
Boredom is not a bad thing!
Boredom is the door to creativity and trying new things
Learning to appreciate the stillness and quiet
Boredom encourages self reflection and “doing the work” of recovery
Asking yourself, “Where’s the void in my life?” and having the courage to address it
Discovering “biohacks” to make life – and sobriety – easier and more comfortable
Want to learn more about the EFT tapping that Adriana mentions? Check out this link.
The group also discusses the benefits of cold plunging.
If you’re still struggling with boredom in sobriety, check out this past episode, where a different group of people share their experiences.
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To learn more about our guests, visit the original show notes on our website:
https://throughtheglassrecovery.com/podcast/boredom-in-sobriety-2/
For tons of sobriety resources, including free support meetings, blog articles, a full library of podcast episodes, and 1:1 coaching, visit our official website:
throughtheglassrecovery.com
41 min