Recovery Rocks

Tawny and Lisa catch up with their friend Shari Hampton, a certified life and recovery coach, consultant, and founder of the non-profit Served Up Sober . They talk about what coaching is (self-discovery, accountability, and support) and what it is not (therapy or 12-step sponsorship). Coaching provides tools and ideas to help people reach goals that may feel out of reach. The coach can’t do recove...

Season 2 of F*cking Sober Podcast is out! Tawny and Lisa talk with its creator, Katie Mack, and Kim Kearns, whose story of motherhood and sobriety is the basis of this season. Each season of F*cking Sober Podcast is a stand-alone eight-episode arc that unpacks the first 90 days of sobriety. It’s unique in the world of recovery podcasts. They talk about mommy wine culture from its origins to where...

Tawny and Lisa talk big self-care and how to set yourself up to make it easier. Tawny calls it “pampering the f*** out of yourself.” She buys herself flowers every week and even created a meditation closet! Setting a designated area at home or somewhere else that’s a go-to place to decompress and recenter can be a big help in recovery. It’s also necessary to set boundaries to actually use the spac...

Tawny and Lisa talk about advocating for your mental health in the workplace. While programs like those under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and other sabbaticals may be available, red tape and stigma can keep us from taking the time we need. They also discuss the need for employers to recognize that a “sick day” can apply to physical health or mental health. The brain is an organ in the body...

Tawny and Lisa talk Dry January and how it’s evolved over the years. “Damp January” and other approaches might be the right road for many people who just want to take a break or are sober curious. It’s not about “sober tourism.” It’s about seeing what it feels like to wake up without hangovers and be more present in our lives. Dry January is a great time to level up how we deal with our difficult...

Tawny opens up about incorporating cannabis in her recovery. Last year, when her anxiety seriously worsened, she was faced with either upping her antidepressant dose or adding Xanax. With neither of those being good options for her, she explored alternatives in plant medicine. She now microdoses cannabis under the guidance of professionals: her general physician, a cannabis doctor, and her therapi...

(CW: includes a discussion of violence and sexual assault) Mary Beth O’Connor is the author of the new memoir, “From Junkie to Judge: One Woman’s Triumph Over Trauma and Addiction.” The abuse and traumas she experienced as a child, including sexual assaults, led Mary Beth into substance use disorders. She started drinking at 12 years old and by 17 she was shooting up methamphetamine. When Mary Bet...

Tawny and Lisa take a different spin on the New Year. Instead of making New Year’s resolutions, which they quit years ago, they talk about what they want to leave behind from 2022. These are things that may have helped them in the past but no longer serve them. For those interested in Tarot, this coincides with the card for 2023 being The Chariot. Music Minute features Everclear, Guns n Roses; The...

Tawny and Lisa go over their favorite reads, listens, and watches of 2022. The year brought great books (including QuitLit!), TV, and music. There was a lot to love this year and book links are below. Some fave TV: Single Drunk Female (Hulu), Dopesick (Hulu), Euphoria (HBO), The Flight Attendant (HBO), and Loudermilk (Amazon). Some fave QuitLit: The Book of Boundaries (Melissa Urban) - https://www...

Vote Recovery Rocks for Best Buddy Podcast: https://vote.signalaward.com/PublicVoting#/2022/shows/general/best-buddy-podcast Imposter syndrome is defined as, “a psychological pattern in which an individual doubts their accomplishments and has a persistent internalized fear of being exposed as a ‘fraud.’” So many of us experience this feeling and we’re not alone. Surveys have shown that between 30%...

Tawny has been taking Lexapro for her anxiety and it’s truly changed her life. Lisa also takes medication for her depression and anxiety. While it may not be an option for everyone, for many people medication is a lifesaver. They talk about how it works and how essential it is to break the stigma around it. They also break down some common myths that keep the medication stigma going. Check out Taw...

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is type of “situational” depression. It happens during certain seasons of the year—most often fall or winter. Shorter days and less daylight may trigger a chemical change in the brain leading to symptoms of depression. Light therapy and antidepressants can help treat SAD. Tawny and Lisa talk about their experiences with SAD and what helps them. Music Minute featur...

Tawny and Lisa talk about coming through challenging periods and how they’re taking care of themselves. Tawny has turned in her book, “DRY HUMPING,” out next fall! And Lisa has been helping her mom transition into the next phase of life. When they experience overwhelming and stressful situations, they both reach into their sobriety tool kit. And they find what brings them Joy. Music Minute feature...

Tawny and Lisa are back together, and they’re talking about the holidays. Sometimes called the Bermuda Triangle of sober life, they can be a lot happier when we set and maintain boundaries, check in with how we’re feeling throughout, and celebrate in ways that are meaningful to us. They also talk about great zero-proof options for holiday events. Go to Tawny’s website for discount codes! https://w...

Tawny and special guest co-host Irina chat with actor, radio personality, and sober badass, Carlos Navarro. You might have seen him on TV in "Bloodline," "The Walking Dead,"  and most recently, Marvel's "Hawkeye." Carlos wasn't always on top. His story will connect with anyone who has ever experienced life's highs and lows and struggled with addiction. He has been broke, jobless, and self-destruct...

Tawny is Mexican, Jewish, and 100% Heavy Metal. Special guest co-host Irina is a Cuban and Russian immigrant. But are they Latina? Spoiler alert: YES! In this intimate episode about identity and culture, Irina talks about growing up in Florida around only fellow Cubans while Tawny discusses not feeling “Mexican enough” despite growing up in Texas, teaching Zumba, and learning Spanish. How have the...

The “B” in LGBTQIA+ is often seen as flaky, a phase, or promiscuous. Although we’re the largest subsect of the queer population, many bisexuals feel like they are not enough — which can impact our recovery. Tawny and special guest co-host Irina discuss how their bisexuality impacts their recovery, how they realized they were queer, and some of the bisexual characters on TV that impacted public vie...

Writing and journaling can often be a big part of our recovery — some of us feel the need to share our stories with the world (or a close few), to heal through our words, and help others through shared experiences. Tawny and special guest co-host Irina talk about how they first met (writing!), how they connected and became writing besties through working on Tawny’s book, and what that process has...

What does recovery from alcohol use disorder look like if you have Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)? Special guest co-host Irina and Tawny talk about getting a late-in-life ADHD diagnosis and how it impacts Irina’s sobriety today. They talk about the three different sub-types of ADHD, how those sub-types present differently in men vs women, and some of the most common (and uncommon!...

And now for something completely different…Lisa chats with Eric Miranda, one of her very first and closest friends in recovery. They talk about the amazing things that can happen in sobriety, making sober friends, the importance of humor, and, of course, rock music! They also talk about food, other substances, and finding balance in recovery.     Music Minute features live music with the Rolling S...

Lisa interviews Karolina Rzadkowolska, author of “Euphoric: Ditch Alcohol and Gain a Happier, More Confident You,” and a recovery coach. Like many of us, Karolina found herself in an unfulfilling career, not feeling good about herself, and drinking to mask the issues. But a break from alcohol led her to a whole new life that she now shares with others who could benefit from taking a break. She and...

With Tawny on a book hiatus, Lisa interviews Shelby John, a therapist, recovery coach, and host of the Confident Sober Women podcast. She is also the author, of “Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Recovery.” Shelby focuses on issues such as facing the wreckage of the past, building confidence, and parenting in sobriety.    Music Minute features classic rock, worship music, and women...

What does it mean to “practice” gratitude beyond the idea of just feeling #grateful? It’s about actually taking an action. It can be looking up at the ceiling and saying “thank you” to the sky for waking up sober, making a quick gratitude list in the morning, or countering negative thoughts with reasons to be grateful. Over time, practicing gratitude can become another sober reflex. Having a basel...

There are all kinds of ways to find support in recovery. From just following hashtags to meeting new friends to getting more involved, opportunities are all over. Tawny and Lisa talk about several free support groups that exist that maybe you haven't heard of. They also support modes of harm reduction for anyone who can help. Below are links to some of their favorite groups. Music Minute/Pop Cultu...

What is it like to tell people who that you don’t drink? And when is the right time? It’s a complicated issue because there are so many layers. Everyone’s story is their own and no one else is entitled to your story. You get to choose who knows what and when. Tawny and Lisa talk about their different experiences telling family, friends, and the world about their decisions to stop drinking. Check o...