Real Recovery Talk

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In this episode, we sit down with Mark — the very first recipient of our scholarship through our partnership with the Mindpump Podcast. Mark shares what life has looked like over the last 7 ½ months as he's fully leaned into his recovery journey.

We talk about what ultimately led him to taking that leap of faith, what he's learned about himself throughout the process, and how doing the work has completely transformed his life.

Mark also shares his next big move — making Florida his permanent home — and what his future looks like now that sobriety has given him a second chance at life.

This is a powerful story of willingness, growth, and what happens when you finally surrender and do the work.

Tom IG: https://www.instagram.com/realrecoverytalktom/

Ben IG: https://www.instagram.com/realrecoverytalkben/

RRT IG: https://www.instagram.com/realrecoverytalkpodcast/

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In this episode of Real Recovery Talk, we're getting honest about something we see all the time—families losing faith in the treatment process. Whether it's due to relapse, lack of communication, or just feeling like nothing's working, it's incredibly common for loved ones to feel burned out, discouraged, and ready to give up. We break down the five biggest reasons this happens, including:

Why relapse can feel like treatment failed

How unrealistic expectations create disappointment

The disconnect families feel when they're left out of the process

The weight of broken promises and emotional exhaustion

And the powerful truth that healing has to happen on both sides

We also talk about how families can begin to rebuild trust in the process, and why support, education, and community are crucial not just for the person in treatment—but for the family as well. If you're tired, confused, or losing hope, this episode will remind you that recovery is still possible—and you don't have to walk it alone.

Tom IG: https://www.instagram.com/realrecoverytalktom/

Ben IG: https://www.instagram.com/realrecoverytalkben/

RRT IG: https://www.instagram.com/realrecoverytalkpodcast/

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In this deeply moving episode of Real Recovery Talk, we sit down with Tiffany Owen, author of Wounded to Warrior, to hear her raw and powerful story of transformation.

Tiffany opens up about her darkest moments—multiple suicide attempts, the hopelessness she felt in active addiction, and what it finally took for her to surrender and get sober. Her story is one of pain, but also of resilience, redemption, and radical change.

Today, Tiffany is living a life with purpose. She has created a powerful program that helps others become the best version of themselves, using the same tools and mindset shifts that helped her rebuild from the ground up. She's a coach, a speaker, and an example of what's possible when we stop running and start healing.

This is an episode for anyone who's ever felt broken beyond repair—or has a loved one who has. Tiffany's message is clear: you are not your past, and there is always hope.

📖 Grab her book Wounded to Warrior 🌐 Learn more about her work at: https://coachtiffanyowen.com/

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SWUB EPISODE: https://youtu.be/JB9L1XvKCgw?si=0ehS2m3SDyjf73pk

In this episode of Real Recovery Talk, we sit down with Fausto—better known online as Not Your Average Counselor. Fausto shares his powerful sobriety journey and how he turned some of life's biggest challenges into fuel for something much greater.

After getting sober, Fausto made it his life mission to help others heal—offering therapy and mental health support for free. Yep, free. His passion for service and his ability to connect with people on a real, raw level has helped him impact thousands of lives across California and beyond.

We talk about how Fausto found purpose through pain, why accessibility in mental health care matters, and how he's using his platform to change the game. Whether you're early in recovery, thinking about getting clean, or just looking for some serious inspiration—this episode is for you.

📺 You can find Fausto on YouTube at Not Your Average Counselor.

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In this episode of Real Recovery Talk, we dive deep into the Fourth Step of Alcoholics Anonymous—the personal moral inventory—and why the spirit behind this step is just as important as the words on the page.

Too often, this crucial step gets misunderstood or misused. We talk about how some sponsors—without meaning to—slip into the role of therapist, crossing lines that can actually hurt more than help. We unpack why this step is not about blame or shame, but rather about truth, clarity, and freedom.

We also discuss the importance of working the 12 steps with someone who truly understands the spiritual foundation of the program, not just someone going through the motions. Over the last 50+ years, the 12-step world has changed—and in some ways, the original message has gotten diluted. We get honest about what's working, what isn't, and how to get back to the basics that actually lead to long-term sobriety.

This episode is sponsored by SoberLink, an app/breathalyzer device designed to help you stay connected and accountable throughout your recovery journey.

If you're in recovery, working with a sponsor, or even sponsoring someone yourself—this episode will challenge you to go deeper and get real about what this step is all about.

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In this episode of Real Recovery Talk, Tom and Eric sit down to explore a topic that often gets overlooked in early sobriety: gratitude—not just for the good days, but for the tough ones too.

We kick off the conversation with a powerful question from someone inside our Sobriety Network Facebook group: "How do I stay grateful when everything feels hard?" That sparks a raw, honest discussion about how the path of sobriety isn't always sunshine and serenity—but how the struggles, setbacks, and emotional lows are often the moments that shape us the most.

We talk about how easy it is to drift into frustration or comparison as time goes on in recovery, and how important it is to shift our mindset back to gratitude—gratitude for growth, for clarity, for peace of mind, and even for the hardships that teach us who we really are.

Eric and Tom share personal stories of times when sobriety felt like a grind, and how pushing through those seasons actually deepened their appreciation for the life they've built in recovery. We also reflect on how gratitude isn't something that just shows up—it's something we cultivate through practice, service, and perspective.

If you're in a season where sobriety feels heavy, or you're just looking for some encouragement to help you keep showing up, this one's for you.

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Adams book: https://www.amazon.com/Most-Human-Reconciling-Father-Leonard/dp/0915864738/ref=sr_1_1?crid=S8PBPCO2D3Y3&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.aSy62v_8EipD9qWFK0wWHZ9kT97J7ODoizJhHUX9WJ_XpsaKbm9tBfglwup8OdE4WVZiJuKFOiWDjJjdEyYBBAH7K_9pBiivVX3RuNHXkVPrSOqRTqxMTS7MOkY5ucWgM89olGMfXxq7imSF_LdJKD8RD-7XaXf93syaE23IVlWgoyooUIt01fQW9O7fb0sUYKdg7T0fjBvNVXliCvtuDhUVQ3aiwtxpmVdmWGgVNnU.Ob522WvIAkRbp7lGufZUNeGJdvNSNT-sQMiFcqyQmm0&dib_tag=se&keywords=adam+nimoy&qid=1742930669&sprefix=adam+nimoy+%2Caps%2C134&sr=8-1

In this episode, we sit down with Adam Nimoy — filmmaker, author, and son of the legendary Leonard Nimoy, best known as Spock from Star Trek. Adam opens up about what it was like growing up in the shadow of fame, the challenges within his relationship with his father, and how addiction shaped so much of that dynamic.

But this isn't just a story about struggle — it's about healing. Adam shares how working a 12-step program not only changed his life, but ultimately helped repair the relationship with his dad after years of distance and dysfunction.

With over 21 years sober, Adam talks about what's kept him grounded, what recovery looks like today, and why the spiritual principles of the program still guide him every day. This conversation is honest, inspiring, and a reminder that it's never too late to change — and never too late to reconnect.

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FAMILY FIRST: https://familyfirstas.com/

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In this episode, we're hanging out with Brad Compton, who shares his story of addiction, how far it took him down, and what it took to finally turn things around. Brad gets real about the role a 12-step program played in his recovery and how leaning into his spirituality completely changed his life.

Today, he's celebrating 11 years clean and sober, and he's using his experience to help others. Brad now works with Family First, an amazing adolescent program that supports teens (ages 12–17) who are struggling with addiction.

His passion for helping young people and their families is powerful — and it all stems from the life he's lived and the freedom he's found in recovery. If you're looking for a story full of honesty, hope, and what's possible when you surrender and do the work, this one's for you.

Anywhere Clinic: https://www.anywhereclinic.com/

Dr. Sam Zand IG: https://www.instagram.com/drsamzand?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

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Chat with us! https://www.realrecoverytalk.com/services In this episode, we're joined by Dr. Sam Zand, founder of Anywhere Clinic, to talk about the evolving landscape of addiction treatment. Dr. Zand shares what he's learned over the years working with substance abuse patients and what truly makes a difference in their recovery journey.

We dive into some of the cutting-edge treatments that are starting to gain traction in the mental health and addiction world, and we also take a hard look at where modern medicine has missed the mark—especially when it comes to truly healing the whole person.

If you're curious about what's next in addiction recovery, what needs to change in how we treat it, and how we can bridge the gap between science and compassion, this is a conversation you don't want to miss.

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In this heartfelt episode, we sit down with Laura, a mother who opens up about her son's battle with addiction and how it's impacted her life. She shares the emotional highs and lows of watching her son struggle, and the overwhelming sense of gratitude she feels now that he's finally entered treatment.

Laura talks about how, despite having no prior experience with addiction, she's learning to lean on faith—and truly believes that God has aligned every step of this journey for the better. She also shares the honest truth about her fears, her uncertainties, and how she's choosing to stay hopeful as her son begins his path to recovery.

This episode is for any parent navigating the chaos of a loved one's addiction. Laura's story is a powerful reminder that even in the darkest moments, there's still room for hope.