Recovery Rocks

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 soundtrac...

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 workbook...

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 differen...

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-ris...

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 wit...

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 Mi...

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 r...

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 t...

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-...

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...

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 p...

Tawny and Lisa talk about how the change of seasons, including Daylight Savings Time, effects them physically and emotionally. Seasonal Affective Disorder is real and they make space for it. But it also requires an acknowledgement that slowing down means giving themselves permission to be not as productive as usual.    Music Minute features Hanson, Limp Bizkit, The Four Seasons and Garbage.   Chec...

Tawny and Lisa celebrate 250 episodes with a light convo about what they’re reading, watching, and listening to. Tawny’s been going to live performances in NYC, including Julio Torres and LCD Soundsystem. She’s following Taylor Lorenz’s Substack and Hard Fork for tech news.   Read The Winner , Queenie , and Whoever You Are Honey   Listen to podcasts: La Culturistas , SmartLess , and Armchair Exper...

Tawny and Lisa talk about boundaries with social media, taking breaks from it, and being mindful with it. Tawny is quiet-quitting social media and Lisa is spending five minutes a day on it. Addiction to social media is real thing. They talk about the dopamine effects of social media and how that has turned toxic with algorithms and disinformation. Also, consider taking a social media inventory – w...

Tawny and Lisa talk about THE SOBRIETY DECK, out December 3! The deck is 50 cards, broken into five sections: Sobriety Tool Kit, Knowing Ourselves, Relationships, Showing Up, and Experiencing Joy. They dig into cards on Boundaries, Understanding Your Triggers, SoBerthday, and Give Yourself Grace. The deck is full of tips and tools based on the conversations on the podcast. It’s a choose-your-own-a...

Tawny and Lisa talk about the holiday season and how to get through it with your sanity and sobriety. Tawny shares talking points if you want to challenge family members who are aligning themselves with the *wrong* side of history. They also share tips for self-preservation if you opt out of political tension at the dinner table. Set the terms on which you’re willing to engage and stick to them. F...

Tawny and Lisa talk about the U.S. election and its devastating implications. They discuss what happened, what it means, and how we can organize around going forward. There’s anger and fear, but also determination to be part of the fight for democracy. Most of all, to stay or get sober, take care of yourself however that means – exercise, rest, tuning out of social media, and diving deep into comm...

Tawny and Lisa talk about how they look back on their drinking days now. There’s compassion for their old selves, gratitude for living a booze-free life, and an appreciation that in all the drama and mess, there are happy memories to look back on. Not to mention, that they wouldn’t have the lives they have today without living through all the experiences they had before.   Music Minute features Te...

Tawny and Lisa talk about what having Tawny’s book out in the world for a full year has brought. They catch up what’s followed on from the book’s publication, including THE SOBRIETY DECK. Things have changed, some for the good, with sober dating apps and sober mixers popping up. But some of the big sober dating challenges remain. Tawny also shares about reader reactions.    Music Minute features t...

Tawny and Lisa talk with Satya Doyle Byock, LPC, about her book, QUARTERLIFE: The Search for Self in Early Adulthood. Satya is a practicing Jungian psychotherapist in Portland and the director of The Salome Institute of Jungian Studies , where she regularly teaches online seminars. They talk about the changes that happen in early adulthood, as well as how find a therapist despite all of the challe...

Tawny and Lisa talk with Hilary Sheinbaum about her new workbook, GOING DRY: A Practical Guide to Drinking Less and Living More . The workbook takes readers through all phases of a sober or sober-curious journey, ranging from assessing your relationship with drinking to setting realistic expectations to discovering new experiences that bring you joy without booze.  Music Minute features Sabrina Ca...

Tawny and Lisa talk about the specific challenges that addiction to the internet and phones bring. We need them for our work and personal lives. But they can also take over, causing problems and stress through compulsive scrolling, checking social media, and diving down rabbit holes. They talk about Internet and Technology Addicts Anonymous and the broad range of habits and behaviors it helps addr...

Tawny and Lisa talk with Crystal Hill, President and CEO of Twin Cities Wellness Center and Recovery Gym, an intensive outpatient treatment program that includes a physical fitness component. They discuss the benefits of exercise in co-occurring disorder treatment, the importance of finding the right community, and Moral Reconation Therapy .    Music Minute features Iggy Azalea and Liquid Stranger...

Tawny and Lisa chat with Betsy Frost, the CEO of Hoplark, a non-alcoholic beverage brand brewing hop teas and waters with layered flavors. They talk about the evolving NA drink scene and innovations. The drinks aren’t just for sober folks, but for anyone focused on their health and wellness. The also talk about mentorship for women in business, fostering leadership and community.   Music Minute fe...

Tawny and Lisa talk with Ted Mandell, Associate Teaching Professor at the University of Notre Dame’s Department of Film, Television, and Theatre. Tawny has been a guest speaker for Ted’s class, “Drunk on Film: The Psychology of Storytelling with Alcohol and its Effects on Alcohol Consumption.” They talk about the reasons kids drink more when they get to college, the persistence of the excessive dr...