Clean or Sober

Welcome to another episode of "Clean or Sober," the podcast where we dive deep into the journey of recovery and the experiences that shape our lives. Today, we're exploring a very personal and transformative topic: "My Experience with the 12 Steps." As of today, I have been clean and sober for 12 years, 4 months, and 18 days. It's been a journey filled with challenges...

Today, I had the privilege of hosting a guest on the podcast whose journey is nothing short of inspirational. At one point in his life, he found himself sleeping in his car, right outside a bar he used to frequent regularly. Despite numerous challenges, he experienced pivotal "God" moments that eventually led him to surrender. This remarkable individual reached a turning point after endu...

Welcome, listeners, to another episode of Clean or Sober, where we dive deep into stories of recovery, resilience, and triumph. Today's guest has an incredible journey to share, emphasizing the transformative power of staying clean and sober. Focusing on personal growth has catapulted our guest into a leadership role both in the workplace and within their community. Since embracing sobriety,...

Today's guest tried to get sober so many times.  Most of the time he was more interested in getting, using and finding ways and means to get drugs, that he did not care about any single person surrounding him. This led to an overdose which almost left him paralyzed.  There was one last ditch effort by someone amazing people in his life, and the question was asked, "What are you going to...

At the young age of 11, she was a runaway and obviously a part of all the things which come with life on the streets and no parental encouragement or attention.  She was sexually active at the age of 11 and realized she was following in her mothers footsteps.   Despite watching her mother struggled with prostitution and a life of addiction as well, she was lured into the lifestyle and no hope from...

Today's guest has an incredibly inspiring story. She grappled with substance use disorder and untreated mental health issues for a significant period. We often refer to individuals facing both challenges as "double winners" within our program. You've got to appreciate a touch of dark humor, right? Somehow, she managed to achieve sobriety during the pandemic, partly because she...

Today's guest attempted to get clean very young and was not successful.  This led to a life of continuing to use, graduating to more dangerous using which ultimately led to her surrendering enough to try treatment again. She had some period of clean time before thinking to herself, "I can probably just drink a little"  She was able to get honest with her sponsor, make it back to the...

My guest today has tried to get sober many times.  His brother was able to get sober earlier than he did which provided some type of attraction rather than promotion.  This allowed him to see what life could be like not using drugs or alcohol.   He eventually got sober after numerous attempts, creating his own most pits (unbeknownst to others around him), receiving lots of physical injuries and ev...

My guest today was clean in 1987!!  With 36 years clean he shares his experience on how the program was when he entered, the life of misery he was creating for himself, some of which includes 6 DUI's (Driving Under the Influence).   He shares about not living up to the standards his parents set for him which includes, loyalty, honesty and integrity.   At some point he reached his point of sur...

Tonight's episode is brought to you by my very first sponsor.  He was single handedly responsible for saying yes to me when I was looking for someone to guide me through the steps. A very unique person in recovery who has walked countless people through the process of recovery.   He now runs his own business called SnotFair Vintage. SNOT FAIR's Shop - Depop IG: Snot_Fair_Vintage  @snotfa...

My guest today spent years working as a professional in a field where the stigma of addiction or sobriety is looked down upon.  She was able to maintain some time with sheer abstinence but found out over time it takes a little work on her part doing the simple things most people suggest.  After 5 years of what seemed to be a great length and strong sobriety, she found herself divorced and needing...

My guest today is a sobriety coach after suffering multiple relapses, car accidents which almost killed her, and the standard shit that comes with finding ways and means to use more.  Her about me is below. Addiction Coach | Living Over The Influence My name is Hayley and I am from a small town in Ontario, Canada. For years I have known that I want to work with people to help them find freedom fro...

Today I have an amazing guest, with a breadth of knowledge coupled with 20+ years of continuous clean and sober time!!   He really shares a passion I am sure many of us wish we could end.  That is the stigma of being an addict or alcoholic.  The stigma of how others may perceive me once they know the truth.   He does so much in regard to service work.  Just a few projects he is consistently workin...

My guest today is a business owner of an amazing shop called  Rehab Studios (rehabstudiosny.com)   There are so many cool sobriety and recovery related items from clothing to jewelry.   Today we are talking about a few things: Using art/creativity as an outlet Having fun partying sober in recovery Funny war story Successful business The importance of having a tribe/community We dive into many thin...

Please visit them today: https://blog.feedspot.com/sobriety_podcasts/ Matt G is from Canada and shares multiple approaches to recovery and self help outside the rooms of AA or NA. As always if you are interested or know someone who is interested in recovery, and would like to be a guest on the podcast, please reach out to me via cleanorsobercolumbus@gmail.com Book Matt here: https://calendly.com/m...

My guest today has over 12 years of amazing recovery.  This time is filled with 4 different sponsors, from different countries, background and experiences.  During this time, he moved from Puerto Rico to the Dominican Republic.   From there finally ending up in the United States.  Recovery in the Dominican Republic was difficult because he was Puerto Rican, a gay man, and had little experience wit...

My guest today just recently graduated an amazing six-month program which tests your patience, sobriety, and dedication to working a program.  He has moved into their sober living and is starting to gain back his life. He talks a lot about how rough it was living in a household where domestic violence was a normal occurrence, and it was expected to "look the other way OR keep it a secret&quot...

My guest today is strong, both literally and figuratively, and is a proud business owner.  She went from living in an absolute horrible condition filled with drug dealers, prostitutes, bed bugs, and everything else associated with the lifestyle. She would continue through her early years in and out of jail, eventually spending a full year in jail.  She did get out after 7 months but quickly return...

A good friend of mine discusses the struggles when it comes to sponsoring other women.  In the beginning of the podcast, she talks about what it is like to have several years clean and begin to think about stopping going to meetings. Throughout the years, I have felt that way many times.  We discuss the tools used to combat this.  She moves on into what it was like growing up with not one, but two...

My guest today talks about what it was like growing up in a pretty normal household.  Eventually her parents divorced which resulted in life as she knew it changing pretty quickly. She eventually ended up progressing in her disease where she forged checks eventually ending up in jail with her first felony as a result of her mother pressing charges.  At the time it may have seemed harsh, but was ex...

My guest today is from the UK.  She decided once she was well into her sobriety to come over to the United States, not being in great physical shape or as she puts it more eloquently, "Fat, Forty, Funny, and Fucked" and hike across the entire United States. She talks through the mental challenges of being sober, alone, and on a hike without the support of overseas.  She was able to build...

I talk to a dear friend of mine, who just happens to be a doctor.  This not to trump the previous doctor, but this episode is definitely jampacked with exciting stories.  We talk about primarily how geographical changes do not work for an addict alcoholic like him. He moves from New York to Columbus, then over to Guam.  He went from Guam to Japan and had plans to move to Switzerland to end his own...

Dr. Nicole Labor who is a Medical Director over several facilities, and has over 15 years sober, talks about the medical implications of addiction, what that looks like in the brain, and why staying clean and sober is so difficult.

Today's guest shares about the amazing company she works for called Freedom a la Cart.  They offer many services and help survivors of sex trafficking.  From their site, they mention "People are not property" and go on to say: No person should be bought or sold for sex. Not here in Central Ohio. Not anywhere. Freedom a la Cart empowers survivors of sex trafficking and exploitation t...

This episode I am joined by KL Wells, founder and CEO of VoicesInCourage (voicesincourage.com), which is a platform developed for the loved ones of addictions or alcoholics who may have found some resources to help them, but all of them were not a great fit.   KL has developed a support system for the family members who may be struggling as a result of our disease.  As she says, "There are me...