Real World Recovery

🌟 This Week: No Wasted Experience: Turning Jobs Into Purpose 🌟This week, Brett welcomes Patrick Kae back to the podcast—this time not as a guest, but as a new co-host! As Brett prepares for a big move to Charlotte, Patrick is stepping into a bigger role, and together they reflect on what it means to step into the unknown, take on new challenges, and trust the process. A major theme of this episo...

🌟 This Week: Service, Serenity, & Spaceballs: The Podcast 🌟This week on Real World Recovery, we dive into the topic of service work — what it means, what it can look like, and how there’s no one-size-fits-all version of showing up for others. Whether it’s helping someone in the rooms, being there for a neighbor, or using your unique skills to give back, we talk about how service is personal...

🌟 This Week: When the Bank Breaks and the Stream Dries Up 🌟This week on Real World Recovery, Mitchell faces an unexpected financial blow after discovering his bank accounts were emptied to cover a debt — even though the money was meant for his next semester of school. Brett and Mitchell talk through the emotional and practical impacts of the situation, and how recovery tools help navigate setbac...

🌟 This Week: Bloviating, Bowling, & A Bookstore 🌟This week on Real World Recovery, Mitchell opens up about the intense pressure he’s been feeling at school and how pushing too hard—especially when exhausted and overwhelmed—can sometimes backfire. We explore how unrealistic expectations and anxiety can fuel a cycle that ultimately makes it harder to succeed, and why sometimes the best thing w...

🌟 This Week: Allergies, Cartoons, & Technology 🌟This week on Real World Recovery, we're keeping it light, loose, and full of laughs. Between both of us battling seasonal allergies, we took a detour into nostalgia and talked about some of our favorite cartoons and TV shows—like Invader Zim, Community, and Parks and Recreation. We also dive into tech, gaming, and the little things that bri...

🌟 This Week: Missing Parts & Making Meetings 🌟In this week’s episode of Real World Recovery, we kick things off with a story about Mitchell’s car troubles—and how a frustrating situation became a chance to pause, reset, and focus on what really matters. Brett shares how his first week at a new job is going, and we dive into a conversation about one of the most common pitfalls in recovery (an...

🌟 This Week: No Shortcuts in Recovery: The Way Out is Through 🌟This week on Real World Recovery, we’re talking about the tough but necessary process of getting through challenges—without looking for shortcuts. Mitchell shares his experience of fully tapering off opiates and how, despite well-meaning advice from friends, he’s sticking to his plan and seeing it through. We discuss the importance o...

🌟 This Week: Healing, Hustling & A Handful of Stitches🌟In this week’s episode of Real World Recovery, we’re checking in on Mitchell as he continues tapering off his pain meds—a tough but necessary process. He shares how he’s managing, what strategies are helping, and how recovery has given him the tools to navigate this challenge. Brett also has some big news—he’s starting a new job at the s...

🌟 This Week: Pancreatitis, Pain Meds & A Plan 🌟In this episode of Real World Recovery, Mitchell shares the wild turn his week took—one minute, he was in math class, and the next, he was admitted to the hospital with pancreatitis. He talks about the reality of facing a serious medical situation in recovery, including being prescribed high-powered pain meds and how he worked proactively with h...

🌟 This Week: Bonus Episode | A Conversation with Caroline Beidler🌟In this special bonus episode of Real World Recovery, Brett sits down with author, speaker, and recovery advocate Caroline Beidler, MSW for an inspiring conversation about community, connection, and the power of storytelling in recovery. Caroline shares her personal journey, the inspiration behind her work, and her passion for hel...

In this special bonus episode of Real World Recovery, we sit down with Patrick Kae, a lifelong Madison resident who has lived a truly unbelievable life. His journey is raw, powerful, and at times, deeply emotional—touching on addiction, loss, redemption, and the power of second chances. Patrick shares his early experiences growing up around substance abuse, getting into trouble at a young age, and...

🌟 This Week: From Voting Booths to Vocal Booths 🎤🗳️🌟 In this week’s episode of Real World Recovery, we’re keeping things light and fun with a conversation that covers everything from election day experiences to Spanish class surprises! 🗳️📚🎶 Brett shares what it’s like being an election official and talks about a recent job interview that left him feeling optimistic. Meanwhile, Mitchell gives...

🌟 This Week: The Old Man & The Soap Box🌟In this week’s episode of Real World Recovery, we’re covering a little bit of everything—from the wisdom of experience to avoiding the noise of social media. 🎙️We start with a discussion on why dating in early recovery can be a risky move and the importance of focusing on personal growth first. We also talk about the inspiration we get from seeing newe...

🌟 This Week: Humility, Humor, and Bad Decisions🌟In this week’s episode of Real World Recovery, we’re keeping things real with a mix of humility, humor, and a few wild stories from our past. 😆 From questionable life choices to the lessons we’ve learned along the way, we’re talking about how humor and humility go hand in hand in recovery and personal growth. We kick things off with a discussion o...

🌟 This Week: Lighten Up | Laugh, Learn, Let Go🌟 In this week’s episode of Real World Recovery, we’re talking about the power of not taking things too seriously. Life (and recovery) is a whole lot easier when we learn to laugh—at ourselves, at the unexpected, and at the things we can’t control. 😂 Mitchell reflects on his first week of college and how he realized he didn’t need to be so anxious—h...

🌟 This Week: Facing the Unknown & Finding Balance in Overcoming Fears in Recovery 🌟 In this week’s episode of Real World Recovery, Mitchell and Brett tackle the big question: how do we handle the unknown in the future without letting fear take the wheel? 🚗💨 From embracing uncertainty to finding balance in the chaos, this episode dives deep into the mindset and tools needed to stay grounded...

🌟 This Week: Unexpected Challenges | Navigating the Unknown in Recovery🌟 In this week’s episode of Real World Recovery, Mitchell and Brett open up about the unexpected challenges that life throws our way—and how to navigate them without losing your footing in recovery. From surprise setbacks to unforeseen opportunities (and a few surprise visits from Brett’s cats 🐾), we’re talking about the too...

🌟 This Week: Therapy, Acid Jazz, & Rants 🌟 In this eclectic episode of Real World Recovery, Mitchell and Brett cover a little bit of everything—from the transformative power of therapy to the unexpected joys of acid jazz. Along the way, they share stories, insights, and, yes, a few rants about life in recovery and beyond. We dive into how therapy can reshape your perspective, the surprising...

🌟 This Week: Self-Discipline & Creating Lasting Habits 🌟 Building lasting habits and practicing self-discipline can be game-changers in recovery—but where do you start? In this episode of Real World Recovery, we’re exploring how to create sustainable routines and stick to them, even when motivation runs low. 💪⏳ ✨ We’re talking about: ✔️ Why self-discipline matters more than motivation. ✔️...

🌟 This Week on Real World Recovery: Managing Anger & Frustration 🌟 Frustration and anger are powerful emotions that can either fuel growth or create roadblocks in recovery. In this episode, we’re diving into how to recognize, process, and navigate these feelings in a healthy, constructive way (while also having some fun venting, too). 🌊💡 ✨ We’re talking about: ✔️ How frustration and anger...

🌟 This Week: The Power of Accountability 🌟 In this episode of Real World Recovery, we’re unpacking the critical role of accountability in the recovery journey. From staying true to your commitments to building a support system that helps you thrive, accountability is key to lasting change. ✨ We’ll cover: What accountability means in recovery. How to build accountability into your daily life. Th...

In this episode of Real World Recovery, we’re taking a closer look at the concept of a Higher Power. Whether you're following a 12-step program, building your own spiritual path, or just curious about the role of faith, connection, or hope in recovery, this discussion is for you. ✨ We’ll cover: Different interpretations of a Higher Power. How to find one that works for your recovery journey. Why...

Fear is a natural part of life—and an even bigger part of the recovery journey. In this episode of Real World Recovery, we’re tackling one of the toughest emotions we face: fear. From the fear of failure and the unknown to anxiety about relationships, relapse, and success, fear shows up in countless ways during recovery. But it doesn’t have to control us. We’ll explore: ✅How to identify and manag...

Join us this week as Tom Farley, a passionate recovery advocate, sits down with us to share his journey of self-discovery, connection, and gratitude. Fresh off the Thanksgiving holiday, Tom opens up about navigating family gatherings, building a supportive community, and balancing his role as a public figure dedicated to helping others with the ongoing work of personal growth. https://www.recovery...

Holiday Preparations and Pro-tips In this episode, we'll take a look at the emotional roller coaster we've experienced in past holiday events, what we've learned and applied since getting clean, and some insights on our future holiday plans and traditions. We'll take a look at triggers, boundaries, the emotional pitfalls that caught us up, and try to help develop a useful toolkit that anyone can u...