No Alcohol Needed: The Podcast

Fighting the urge to drink alcohol is exhausting. And exhaustion leads to drinking.

In this episode, we chat with Mary, DeeAnn, and Billie about how to curb alcohol cravings. Whether you're working your way through Dry January and it's turning out to be tougher than you thought, or you're just starting out on a life long sober journey, we're armed with the tools and mindset shifts you need to get through the cravings and urges, take back your power, and gain the strength you need to keep moving forward.

In this episode:

Looking for more tools to fight cravings? Check out these other podcast episodes to support your sobriety!

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DeAnn is a human in recovery for just under 5 years. She has a non-profit committed to advocacy for those struggling with substance use disorder.   Her podcast, Show Up and Stay, focuses on the space between recovering from a substance and starting the steps to healing your life. She also has a special project underway: Sober Positive Workplace, which focuses on helping organizations normalize recovery and substance-free individuals in our workplaces and other shared spaces.  DeAnn is currently working on her Masters with Hazelden Betty Ford Graduate School of Addiction Studies and is especially focused on integrated recovery options and counseling services inclusive of resources for co-occurring disorders.

Sober Positive Workplace showcase page on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/96108017/admin/feed/posts/

https://www.instagram.com/showupandstayorg

https://www.linkedin.com/in/deann-knighton2079

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Billie hails from the great state of Oregon in the greater Pacific Northwest. After a career in law enforcement, she now works as a professional elder justice subject matter expert, as well as an instructor in Oregon’s law enforcement academy. She is also a domestic violence advocate for her local police department and meets with survivors of intimate partner violence to provide resources and safety planning options. Billie continues her advocacy by being involved in her states suicide prevention and awareness programs and facilitates her local chapter of a suicide bereavement group for families who have lost their loved ones to suicide. She is wife, mom to two wonderful kids and an avid dog lover.

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Visit our website at throughtheglassrecovery.com to sign up for our weekly newsletter, and to gain access to our FREE weekly recovery meetings.

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When you're starting out in sobriety, the unknown of it all can feel really overwhelming. Each day that goes by comes with questions like, "Is this normal?" and "Will it always be like this?" Sometimes it feels impossible to imagine what life will look like a month or a year from now, and that can cause some real anxiety.

We get it. We've been there - and we've felt all those things. So we decided to gather up some people to have a conversation about what we wish we'd known in early sobriety. In this chat with Alex McRobert (Sober Yoga Girl Podcast host) and Lucy Linger (film writer/director/producer), our hope is that we'll set your mind at ease, make this all feel a little more possible, and let you know you're not alone.

In this episode:

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Lucy is a writer-director-producer working in theatre, film, and TV. She has been directing for over 20 years and her work has been seen at theatres and film festivals in the UK, Europe, and the USA receiving 5 stars and glowing reviews from renowned critics such as The Stage, Time Out, and The Independent and featuring on the British Comedy Guide. She is the Artistic Director of Threadbare Theatre Company and Linger Longer films.

You can visit her website at lucylinger.com

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Alexandra McRobert is a 500-hour registered yoga teacher educator, certified life coach, and holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Education from Queen’s University in Canada. She has lived overseas since she was twenty three in Kuwait, Abu Dhabi and Bali, Indonesia. Alex founded The Mindful Life Practice, a worldwide community for those seeking connection and spirituality on a recovery journey - whether that is recovery from alcohol addiction or something else. Alex teaches yoga online and in-person in Bali, and she leads retreats in Bali and around the world. She also runs 200-hour and 300-hour yoga teacher trainings. Alex is the host of the Sober Yoga Girl Podcast. In her free time, she writes, plays guitar, and likes to spend time with her cat, Princess. 

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Visit Through the Glass Recovery for free resources, support, and more!

throughtheglassrecovery.com

Is sobriety worth it? You hear all the time that it's the battle of a lifetime. That it's a lifelong journey of emotional growth and 'doing the work'. Is it really worth pouring that much time and energy into staying sober?

When you're in the thick of the struggle, it can be tough to remember why you're fighting. This episode is meant to remind you what life is like on the other side of that craving, or that hard situation, or that tough emotion. Listen, and then bookmark this episode so you can come back to it the next time you're not sure if it's really worth it. 

In this episode:

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Chris Cardone, owner of Continuous Beverage Solutions, boasts 24+ years in bartending and hospitality, consulting for NYC’s top bars and restaurants. A 2017 Diageo World Class Bartending US Champion, he placed 5th globally and now judges the competition. Featured in Epicurious and major publications, Chris also educates with DiageoBarAcademy.com, partners on Astreaus Gin, and pioneers "healthy mixology." A flair bartending finalist and trainer to stars, he’s shaped the industry with expertise and passion.

Chris Cardone

Founder @ Continuous Beverage Solutions

Chief Mixologist @ Via Carota Craft Cocktails

Director of Mixology @ Astraeaus

2017 Diageo World Class US Bartender of the Year

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Matt (shamman780), a 39 year old father of two from Burnt Hills, New York is 19 months sober.  He always believed he would get sober but at the same time feared it may never come.  He spent five and half years stuck in the up and down battle with alcoholism before finding a better way.  He wants to thank you everyone for sticking with him through all this. 

He’d like people to know that substance abuse and mental health issues do not discriminate and that if you are struggling there are people out there who want to and who will help you.  Matthew Perry always said to people who are struggling “It’s not your fault”, but this Matthew believes it’s your responsibility.  It’s your responsibility to acknowledge, to accept and to treat it every day, just like you would any other disease. 

Be kind to those who are still struggling.  Sobriety is hard, but it’s worth it.

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Visit our website at throughtheglassrecovery.com to sign up for our weekly newsletter, and to gain access to our FREE weekly recovery meetings. We also have a Facebook Group where our friends and listeners can offer support to one another. Come join us!

Self care isn't just for crisis. It's what creates a life where alcohol has no place. Self care is how we make emotional regulation a natural part of our lives, and it's how we provide maintenance for our sobriety. It can also be a challenge to give ourselves permission to take the time for self care, in a world where self care is often seen as selfish.

In this sobriety podcast episode, we chat with Antje and Lester about how they've incorporated self care into their lives on a daily basis. We all share tips and examples of what works in our lives, and how we continue to make self care a priority in our lives every day, without guilt.

Want to learn more about alcohol and self care? Check out this article about self care mistakes you might be making in sobriety, and what to do instead.

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Antje first discovered drinking as a way to “fix” her eating disorder. She thought that drinking was more acceptable than binging and purging all of her meals. When drinking grew more and more out of control, she reluctantly considered sobriety in January of 2022. Soon after, she found connection and support in an online sober community. She is so glad to that she took that first, scary step and gave sobriety a chance.

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Lester Vaskin is a Criminal Justice Recovery Coach at Peer 180 Recovery Community Organization and a State Opioid Response (SOR) Grant Recovery Coach. He lives in Grad Junction, Colorado.

He is a man in active sustained recovery, which means to him that since December 14th, 2021 he has abstained from any mind altering substance to experience life and all it has to offer, both good and bad, without having to run from it. His life in recovery is a life full  of joy with his girlfriend Miranda and their dog Max.

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Follow Through the Glass Recovery on Facebook and Instagram.

For more free resources, including information about our free weekly Zoom support group, visit our website at throughtheglassrecovery.com

You hear the word "boundaries" all the time in recovery. They're obviously an important piece of staying emotionally and mentally healthy. But what does the word "boundaries" actually mean? How do you set a boundary?

In this episode of Through the Glass Recovery Podcast, we have invited certified recovery coaches Jamie and Nele, and Jessica, author of Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea, to join us in a conversation about what boundaries have actually looked like in our lives. You'll hear real life examples and experiences that you can easily apply to your own life - and give you the courage and strength to set boundaries of your own.

If you're a people pleaser, and put others' needs before your own in order to keep the peace - this episode is for you.

In this episode:

Other episodes you might love:

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Originally from the Bay Area, Jessica lives in Northern California with her husband and 3 young daughters. Jessica has a background teaching special education but she left the field to pursue her passion for writing and to raise her girls. She is a vocal advocate for addiction recovery with over 11 years of sobriety. 

Her debut literary book club fiction novel “Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea,” won the Maurice Prize for fiction from her alma matter UC Davis. It is a devastating and poignant novel that meditates on the often-unspoken costs and sacrifices of motherhood, relationships between women, and the slippery slope of using alcohol to take the edge off.

Available now for preorder and in bookstores everywhere May 13, 2025.

https://a.co/d/au9W8c8

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Jamie Woodall is an entrepreneur and (Still Here) trained Recovery Coach who is passionate about personal transformation. 

She trained as a Therapeutic Tutor for children with Dyslexia, helping them to see their own strengths and self-advocate. Jamie spent over a decade with the experiential education company, Where There Be Dragons, designing and instructing programs in the Himalayas and Indonesia for high school and gap-year students. 

She also co-founded the Odyssey Institute in Bali, which focused on environmental studies, leadership, and global citizenship.

Jamie is fascinated by experiences which push boundaries and inspire introspection, self-awareness, and personal growth.

Currently based on Bowen Island, BC, Canada, she is raising two teenagers, has recently learned to DJ, and is living her best life.

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Nele is the Recovery Program Coordinator at The Health Partnership. Check out her work at: Thehealthpartnership.org

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For more great resources, podcast episodes, recovery meetings, and support groups, check out throughtheglassrecovery.com

You know that ADHD and alcohol abuse are related; that alcohol intensifies ADHD symptoms. But what is it really like to quit drinking when you have ADHD? What are some of the biggest challenges - and how do you over come them?

In this episode, four people with ADHD share their experience of what it was like to quit drinking alcohol while still navigating ADHD symptoms. By the end of the episode, you'll be armed with tools proven to work for your unique challenges.

In this episode:

Delivered from Distraction: Getting the Most Out of Life with Attention Deficit Disorder by Edward Hallowell

Scattered Minds: The Origins and Healing of Attention Deficit Disorder by Gabor Mate

BrainFM app for focus

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Senior Database Architect by day. Husband, Father, Musician, Photographer, Artist, Internet DJ, Astrologer, Designer and Writer by night.

My Website:

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Hello, my name is Amber and I just recently celebrated 2 years alcohol free on Christmas Eve. I live alone with my cats in Rhode Island and work a FT and PT job, saving money, rebuilding my credit and learning how to live an honest and full life.

Growing up as an only child in a toxic family dynamic with alcoholism and undiagnosed mental health disorders running the show, I developed complex trauma that I wouldn’t be aware of until the day I took my last drink and began to uncover the lies that alcohol had me believing for so long. I lacked self love and self worth and believed I was just not built for the kind of life that I desired.

Come to find out I had the power to build that life all along, but alcohol robbed me of the ability to see it. Sobriety has allowed me to see an alternative path in life and recovery is providing the tools that enable me to walk that path. I am in the process of finding my voice and discovering where I can be of service to others who are still stuck in the lie. I hope to someday run a sober living community on a working farm where others can unplug from their toxic environments and truly heal.

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Antje first discovered drinking as a way to “fix” her eating disorder. She thought that drinking was more acceptable than binging and purging all of her meals. When drinking grew more and more out of control, she reluctantly considered sobriety in January of 2022. Soon after, she found connection and support in an online sober community. She is so glad to that she took that first, scary step and gave sobriety a chance.

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Ben is 46 years old, married with two boys ages 11 and 13. He lives in New Hampshire. Ben was diagnosed with ADHD at age 43. He quit drinking alcohol one month after that diagnosis, after openly discussing addiction with his primary care doctor and beginning ADHD medication. Ben still considers himself an ADHD rookie, and continues to educate himself through books, podcasts, and conversations with friends, family, and medical professionals.

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Visit throughtheglassrecovery.com for a full list of episodes, and dozens of other free sobriety resources!

Alcohol addiction is often surrounded by feelings of shame, guilt, and regret. The result is painfully low self esteem that doesn't just go away once you've gotten sober. Building self esteem in recovery takes intention and effort. In this week's podcast episode, we're joined by Cassie and Brenton, who share how they've taken action to build their self esteem in recovery, and the ways their action has impacted their lives.

In this episode:

Need more insight on Self Esteem in Recovery? Check out these other episodes:

https://throughtheglassrecovery.com/podcast/self-esteem-and-sobriety/

https://throughtheglassrecovery.com/podcast/self-worth/

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A former Pastor with over a decade in ministry, Brenton has been on a recovery journey since July 2022. He founded the Instagram account @OfficeRecovery to blend humor and healing, helping others smile, learn to laugh again, and take the next right step forward. With an MBA in leadership underway, he's passionate about creating supportive spaces in faith and recovery communities. Available for speaking and writing engagements, he focuses on faith, sobriety, and inclusive, compassionate leadership. 

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Cassie Bollinger is a full-time student, entrepreneur, and podcast host dedicated to inspiring and supporting others. As a growing Scentsy business owner and host of Who Nose Best, a podcast for Scentsy Consultants, Cassie shares valuable insights into direct sales and personal growth. With her journey of recovery, she brings a unique perspective on building self-esteem and self-worth, and she’s passionate about helping others discover their potential as they overcome challenges and embrace transformation.

https://beacons.ai/casandrabollinger 

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Check out all of our free resources on our website: throughtheglassrecovery.com

You know you need help. You've tried everything, and you're still struggling to quit drinking. Rehab is the obvious next step, but the idea of going to inpatient treatment is overwhelming. In this ground breaking episode, you'll hear from four different guests who share what their experience in rehab was like. And not just their experiences, but you'll also hear how they handled telling their employer they were going to treatment; how they got the most out of the experience; what fears they had, and how they faced them.

Rehab has the potential to be a life changing experience. If you or someone you love is considering going to inpatient treatment for alcohol use disorder, we're here to make sure you're equipped with all the knowledge and advice you need to make this less intimidating, and also to make sure you find lasting freedom from alcohol.

In this episode:

• What will you tell your employer? Your family?

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Billie hails from the great state of Oregon in the greater Pacific Northwest. After a career in law enforcement, she now works as a professional elder justice subject matter expert, as well as an instructor in Oregon’s law enforcement academy. She is also a domestic violence advocate for her local police department and meets with survivors of intimate partner violence to provide resources and safety planning options. Billie continues her advocacy by being involved in her states suicide prevention and awareness programs and facilitates her local chapter of a suicide bereavement group for families who have lost their loved ones to suicide. She is wife, mom to two wonderful kids and an avid dog lover.

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My name is David and I am 20 months into my recovery journey. I had an unhealthy relationship with alcohol for 20 plus years. I started in rehab and began putting in the work. I believe everyone can choose their own path in recovery. Through support from family, friends, community, sharing, and counseling, I have been able to begin healing from childhood traumas. It is an honor to be a part of such a beautiful community of people. I didn’t know how lost I was until I found myself. One love!

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Scott: I am a proud father of twin boys. I host The Sober Heathen podcast with

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Chris McGuinn served as Policy Advisor for the U.S. Department of Labor on opioid issues. He created the “Make Them Describe, Before They Prescribe” campaign, encouraging claimants to ask important questions when receiving new prescriptions. He has also worked in the addiction treatment field, managing single-site and multi-state operations for various Intensive Outpatient providers in the Washington, DC area. He founded More Than 28 to advocate for longer stays and better insurance coverage for treatment. 

www.morethan28.com

Twitter: @morethan28

Instagram: @more_than28

Facebook: www.facebook.com/morethan28

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Visit our website at throughtheglassrecovery.com to sign up for our weekly newsletter, and to gain access to our FREE weekly recovery meetings. We also have a Facebook Group where our friends and listeners can offer support to one another. Come join us!

You can also find Julie and Steve on:

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No matter how long you've been sober, staying sober during the holidays can be tough. So much of our lives revolved around alcohol for so long, and that seems to come on full force when the holiday season hits. Whether it's because you're socializing and celebrating, or because the holidays bring a deep sense of loneliness and grief, we want you to know you're not alone, and you CAN do this - and not just survive the holidays, but thrive through them. Listen as we chat with Austin, Billie, and Jennifer about their experiences with staying sober during the holidays, and what they've learned to make it easier.

In this episode:

• Grief during Christmas

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Billie hails from the great state of Oregon in the greater Pacific Northwest. After a career in law enforcement, she now works as a professional elder justice subject matter expert, as well as an instructor in Oregon’s law enforcement academy. She is also a domestic violence advocate for her local police department and meets with survivors of intimate partner violence to provide resources and safety planning options. Billie continues her advocacy by being involved in her states suicide prevention and awareness programs and facilitates her local chapter of a suicide bereavement group for families who have lost their loved ones to suicide. She is wife, mom to two wonderful kids and an avid dog lover.

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Visit our website at throughtheglassrecovery.com to sign up for our weekly newsletter, and to gain access to our FREE weekly recovery meetings.

You can also find Julie and Steve on:

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What causes a relapse? And what are you supposed to do after a relapse, if that's where you find yourself? In this week's episode of Through the Glass Recovery Podcast, we're joined by Patti Clark and Dave Davis, who share their experiences. Patti relapsed after 10 years of sobriety, and shares what she sees now, looking back on that. Dave went through several relapses before finally reaching lasting sobriety, and the lessons he learned from each relapse are what got him to where he is now. Whether you're currently in a relapse cycle, or just want to avoid relapsing in the future, this episode is chock full of everything you need to hear.

In this episode:

• The loss of connection as a cause of relapse

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Patti Clark is the award-winning author of This Way Up: Seven Tools for Unleashing Your Creative Self and Transforming Your Life. Her own experience as a middle-aged woman in recovery is deeply reflected in her new book, Recovery Road Trip: Finding Purpose and Connection on the Journey Home.

Patti was born and raised in Northern California, lived in New Zealand for many years, and is now living in Portugal. 

Online

https://www.patticlark.org

https://www.facebook.com/PattiClarkAuthor

https://www.instagram.com/patticlarkauthor

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Senior Database Architect by day. Husband, Father, Musician, Photographer, Artist, Internet DJ, Astrologer, Designer and Writer by night.

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Visit our website at throughtheglassrecovery.com to sign up for our weekly newsletter, and to gain access to our FREE weekly recovery meetings.

You can also find Julie and Steve on:

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Facebook 

Tiktok