In our current political environment, it’s more important than ever to lean on our sobriety toolkits. What are the core elements of staying sober? Asking for help when needed, knowing your triggers (including people, places, and things), making time for physical activity, taking it all one day at a time, leaning into community, and just breathing. 

Remember the opposite of triggers is glimmers, the things that bring us shots of joy. Also remember HALT –if you feel off, ask yourself if you’re hungry, angry, lonely or tired. If so, acknowledge it and take action to fix it, when you can. Go gently and be kind to yourself!

Music Minute features Christina Aguilera, Janet Jackson and Led Zeppelin

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Tawny and Lisa catch up on all they’ve been reading and watching in an attempt to stay distracted from the horrendous 24-hour news cycle. Allowing time to check out and get lost in stories is a critical element of their self-care and sobriety routines. It’s important to stay informed, but you have to make space for moments of joyful distraction, too.

Music Minute features The Substance soundtrack, Chappelle Roan, Doechii, and Beyonce.

Read:

All Fours

You Don't Need a Budget

 
The Mighty Red

The Herd 

Watch:

Severance

The Substance

Dexter 

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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!

Check out Swift Steps 

Follow Swift Steps on Instagram 

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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

Subscribe to Ellen’s Substack 

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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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