Calling all Swifties! Tawny and Lisa talk to Julianne Griffin, the founder of Swift Steps, a sober community for Taylor Swift fans, with music as a vital part of recovery. The inclusive group supports Swifties facing challenges from substance use disorder to codependency, heartbreak, toxic familial relationships, gambling, and other compulsive disorders. There are meetings and journaling workbooks that blend Taylor’s music with recovery-focused prompts. Swift Steps also holds monthly themed craft nights, milestone bracelet (instead of traditional coins) projects, and even virtual fitness classes designed to support both mental and physical health, all with an emphasis on T. Swift lyrics and intersectionality.

Music Minute features Taylor Swift, of course!

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Tawny and Lisa talk to Ellen Scanlon, the host of “How to Do the Pot,” a podcast about cannabis for women. This podcast was a huge resource to Tawny when she began implementing cannabis into her recovery program. She fangirled a bit while interviewing Ellen! They discuss what to consider when incorporating cannabis as a medical alternative to prescription drugs. They also talk about the difference between CBD and THC, cannabis for anxiety and endometriosis, and share research on the psychological and physical effects of cannabis. 

Music Minute features Beyonce and West Coast jazz

Listen to How to Do the Pot podcast and get all the info

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Find Ellen on Instagram 

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The new administration is cutting off financial support for nonprofit organizations that support diverse communities, including the LGBTQA+ population, who struggle with higher rates of addiction than the general population. Banning the language of gender and equality has put people’s lives and sobriety in danger. Tawny and Lisa discuss the need to support nonprofit organizations that serve at-risk populations. Consider donating, volunteering, speaking up, and even buying coffee for a cause!

Music Minute features  Tawny and Fred Schneider of the B-52s perform “Outer Space” 

Support nonprofits like Road Recovery, Big Vision NYC, Gay and Sober, and New Alternatives.

Shop the Road Recovery Coffee Collection  

Make calls to your government representatives through 5Calls.org 

Read up:

Trump Shuts Down White House Spanish Language Page and Social Media

 Journalist Gabrielle Kassel’s Video on "Forbidden Words" 

LGBTQ+ Community and Addiction

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Tawny and Lisa discuss a recent essay in The Guardian titled I tried ‘intermittent sobriety’. Here’s what I learned jumping on and off the wagon by Arwa Mahdawi. They appreciate the author’s candid approach to harm reduction for the sake of self-discovery. Intermittent sobriety is similar to sober curiosity in that they both encourage thoughtful consideration in reevaluating one’s relationship with alcohol without going fully sober. These booze-breaks can be regular, planned periods of sobriety or spontaneous decisions. Changing rituals, “playing the tape forward,” and spicy food-induced dopamine (!) are all suggested ways to help. 

Music Minute features Audioslave, Counting Crows and The Who

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Tawny and Lisa share how they feel about the new presidential administration. They’re trying to balance the 24-hour news cycle, active resistance, and staying sober while continuing to find glimmers of joy. Feeling anger? Go for a run or hit a punching bag. Volunteer at a local organization or online. Exhausted? Nap. Play. Binge-watch your comfort show. As always, take care of yourself!

Music Minute features Democracy in Retrograde (audiobook) and The Sobriety Deck Playlist.

Read Tawny’s Rage Resources

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Tawny and Lisa chat with best-selling author, Sari Botton. Sari’s memoir, "And You May Find Yourself: Confessions of a Gen-X Weirdo," is about finding yourself later in life. They discuss Sari’s recent newsletter about how bars and restaurants should embrace quality NA choices. Tawny and Sari also address the reality of pitches being rejected by traditional media outlets and why they bring those rejected stories to their newsletters. Sari publishes Sober Oldster, Oldster Magazine, Memoir Land, and Adventures in Journalism on Substack.

Music Minute features Free to Be You and Me and Joni Mitchell

Read Too Many Bars and Restaurants Still Aren't Effectively Catering to a Growing Sober (and Soberish) Clientele 

Check out all things Sari on Substack

Check out The Sober Oldster Series

Follow Sari on Instagram 

Check out Sari’s website 

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Order Tawny’s new NA drink, (parentheses)

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Tawny and Lisa talk about crying – why humans do it, how it works physically, and what it can mean emotionally. As we grow older, our patterns and triggers for crying evolve. Tawny is just learning to cry and Lisa is not much of a crier. They talk about situations when feel like they “should” cry, but it just doesn’t happen. And Tawny talks about the relationship between sadness to anger and how to work with it. 

Music Minute features System of a Down, Rage Against the Machine, Limp Bizkit, Bob Marley, and Prince. 

Read the article, Why Humans Cry 

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Tawny and Lisa talk with Brian Cuban, a lawyer, writer and recovery advocate. He’s the author of four books, both memoir and fiction. His latest is The Body Brokers, a crime thriller that digs deep into the opioid epidemic. Brian is a groundbreaker in discussing eating disorders among professional men. In fact, 35% of people who struggle with eating disorders are men. They also talk about the co-occurrence of eating disorders and other addictive behavior.

Music Minute features Billy Joel.

Check out Brian’s advocacy work and writing here and here 

Order The Sobriety Deck

Listen to The Sobriety Deck Playlist by Hannah Gardner

Order Tawny’s book, DRY HUMPING: A Guide to Dating, Relating, and Hooking Up Without the Booze

Sign up for "Beyond Liquid Courage"

Order Tawny’s new NA drink, (parentheses)

Purchase Lisa’s memoir, Girl Walks Out of a Bar

Tawny and Lisa talk with Lindsay Sutherland Boal, a coach, advocate, and the founder of both The Uncovery App and She Walks Canada, which support women overcoming problematic relationships with alcohol. They chat about gray-area drinking and the concept of “rock enough,” the acknowledgement that you don’t need a “rock bottom” crisis to quit drinking. The Uncovery App is dedicated to the pursuit of alcohol-free living through self-investigation and support. She Walks Canada organizes walks around the world to support recovery and foster community.

Music Minute features Lindsay’s opera career and tropical lounge music.

Check out The Uncovery App

Learn about She Walks Canada

On Instagram: @theuncoveryapp and @shewalkscanada

Order The Sobriety Deck 

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Order Tawny’s book, DRY HUMPING: A Guide to Dating, Relating, and Hooking Up Without the Booze.

Sign up for Tawny’s newsletter, "Beyond Liquid Courage"

Order Tawny’s new NA drink, (parentheses)

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Tawny and Lisa talk about the evolution of Dry January, including some Do’s and Don’ts. DO give yourself grace, journal about your experiences, find an accountability buddy and/or seek outside support, and stock your fridge for success with NA beverages. DON’T compare your relationship with alcohol to someone else’s, don’t expect to do Dry January “perfectly,” don’t try to take on too many other personal goals at the same time, and don’t overthink it.

Music Minute features The Sobriety Deck Spotify playlist!

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Listen to The Sobriety Deck Playlist by Hannah Gardner

Order Tawny’s book, DRY HUMPING: A Guide to Dating, Relating, and Hooking Up Without the Booze

Sign up for "Beyond Liquid Courage"

Order Tawny’s new NA drink, (parentheses)

Purchase Lisa’s memoir, Girl Walks Out of a Bar