Sober Friends

Send us Fan Mail What is service work in recovery?  It's doing a task or a job that helps support others getting sober.  In a meeting, it can be as small as putting chairs away to making coffee.  It can be more involved like being a GSR at District, working at Area or GSO or volunteering for committees.  In the end, it's doing the job that supports others getting sober.  Steve and I are...

Send us Fan Mail Our family of origin can be a cause of stress in recovery.  That's the case for me.  I've had to deal with an unexpected situation around my family of origin this week and I needed my higher power to help me through it.  I shared this stress in a way I hope helps you.  In this episode, we get vulnerable and discuss how the past can show up in the present and how to deal...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we delve into the profound yet practical philosophy of “Take the Next Right Action.” This simple mantra holds a world of meaning, especially for those on the journey of recovery. It’s about the courage to confront the challenging tasks we’d rather avoid, the selfless acts of kindness that elevate others at the expense of our own comfort, and the quiet heroism in e...

Send us Fan Mail Relapse is common in sober communities.  Can chronic relapse be disruptive to the group?  If it is, how should it be addressed?  We talk about chronic relapsers and how their presence can actually enhance the sobriety of those who continue with their recovery journey and how they should be treated with empathy.  We discuss some who relapsed for decades, only to finally find contin...

Send us Fan Mail With summer coming up, it's a great time to talk about the third promise.  Lots from the past give us cause to pause, but we should not regret it but learn from it.  Matt and Steve talk about the past, the harms caused and how to learn from them to make sobriety even better. Support the show 📫 Get more honest conversations about sobriety delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to...

Send us Fan Mail I thought everything would be perfect once we stopped drinking?  WRONG!  Life still happens.  The difference is that you don't have to drink over it and have new tools to get you through the things that happen in life.  This week, Matt had a whole bunch of things happen and I'm sure in 6 months they will be forgotten.  But today, they stink.   Has this happened to you? ...

Send us Fan Mail Join us for an insightful journey as we delve into the nuances of relapse triggers and celebrate wellness milestones! Today, we're opening up about the daunting specter of relapse triggers, sharing personal experiences, and unveiling strategies to fortify your sobriety armor. But before we dive in, catch up on a candid health update from Matt and how embracing a CPAP machine...

Send us Fan Mail You ever wonder why the old timer with 30 years of sobriety still reads the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous over and over and over again?  Didn't they have reading comprehension and could get it the first time?  We talk about it this week and discuss how we treat the Big Book of AA as a text book and something to aways learn from.  And we discuss how re-reading helps the new...

Send us Fan Mail Change is so hard.  I've heard of people saying they love change.  I've also heard of people stop drinking after their beverage was only half drunk.  I could never understand either.  In this episode, we talk about change, why it's hard and how we got through it through our program of recovery.  Are you someone who has challenges with change?  We have lots of tools...

Send us Fan Mail Join us on the Super Friends podcast as we dive deep into creating a sober lifestyle and what that truly means. Steve and our host, Matt, open up about their personal experiences, struggles, and victories on this challenging yet rewarding journey. Matt shares his recent encounters with Tim, who expressed his concern about John's sleep apnea issues and the impact on his well-b...

Send us Fan Mail Join us on the Sober Friends podcast for an insightful discussion about the challenges of maintaining health and wellness on the journey to recovery. In this episode, we dive into the frustrations of dealing with sleep apnea, the temptation of instant relief, and the importance of patience in finding solutions. From struggling with impatience to navigating relationships with food,...

Send us Fan Mail Join us as we delve into a candid conversation about navigating the intricate web of PTSD, food struggles, and alcoholism. In this episode, Matt shares his journey, unveiling how unrecognized PTSD intertwined with his battles with food and alcohol. From therapy revelations to weight loss endeavors, we explore the common threads linking these struggles and how they intersect with a...

Send us Fan Mail Join us for a deeply introspective episode as Matt shares his journey of self-discovery and vulnerability. Fresh out of a therapy session, Matt delves into a candid conversation about unintentional hurts, self-awareness, and the challenges of opening up. From workplace dynamics to personal walls built from past experiences, Matt and Steve explore the complexities of human connecti...

Send us Fan Mail 🌟 Join us as we mark a special occasion—March 21st, a day etched in significance for our host, Matt, who proudly shares his achievement of a decade of sobriety. But beyond personal triumphs, we explore why these anniversaries resonate deeply within the recovery community. 🕊️ With each passing year, every sober milestone becomes a beacon of hope, a testament to resilience, and a s...

Send us Fan Mail Join us in this insightful episode as we delve into the common question that many in recovery face: "Am I doing enough?" Matt shares a recent conversation with a friend who questioned his efforts in recovery, sparking a deep exploration into what it means to truly be "doing enough." With personal anecdotes and reflections, we navigate the complexities of self-d...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Steve and Matt delve into the insidious grip of fear and its impact on their lives. Reflecting on recent experiences, they candidly discuss the repercussions of allowing fear to dictate their actions, from missed opportunities to strained relationships. The conversation unfolds as they share personal anecdotes, from Steve's reluctance to take a day off to Mat...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we delve into the insidious grip of fear and its impact on their lives. Reflecting on recent experiences, they candidly discuss the repercussions of allowing fear to dictate their actions, from missed opportunities to strained relationships. The conversation unfolds as they share personal anecdotes, from Steve's reluctance to take a day off to Matt's tra...

Send us Fan Mail Join us in a candid discussion as we delve into the intricate dynamics of anonymity in recovery. From the deeply ingrained principles of programs like AA to the personal journeys of individuals, we explore the nuances of who to confide in and when. In this episode, Steve shares his early experiences, shrouded in secrecy and fear of judgment, juxtaposed against his present-day open...

Send us Fan Mail In this compelling episode, we delve into the complexities of family dynamics and the impact they have on our lives. Join us as we explore a therapy session where breakthroughs were made, revealing the deep-seated struggles of growing up in challenging environments. From feeling alone amidst a bustling family to coping mechanisms like alcohol, our guest shares candidly about their...

Send us Fan Mail In this candid episode, We delve into the often overlooked challenges faced by individuals in recovery when confronted with medical issues and surgeries. Steve shares his recent experience with hernia surgery and the unexpected pain that followed. The conversation explores the gray area surrounding pain medication in recovery, acknowledging the real struggles some may face. The ho...

Send us Fan Mail Join us in this raw and insightful episode as we dive into the world of emotions, sobriety, and the challenges of navigating life's big feelings.  Our talk on vulnerability sparks a discussion on how individuals with addiction issues often struggle with handling their emotions. From workplace anxiety to the fear of failure, we explore the impact of emotional struggles and how...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Matt and Steve discuss how character defects, such as fear, dishonesty, jealousy, and being transactional, can lead to problems in our relationships and our lives, and how they can trigger us to drink or use drugs. They share their personal stories and insights from working the 12 steps of AA, and how they learned to identify and overcome their character defects....

Send us Fan Mail Is AA all about following the straight and narrow, or is there room for nuance in recovery? This week, Steve and I break free from the black and white thinking that can trap us in sobriety. We tackle the "one drink = start over" dogma, explore the beauty of personal choice, and celebrate the power of tools over rigid rules. Buckle up for a thought-provoking discussion ab...

Send us Fan Mail Join us in this insightful episode where we unpack the challenges and strategies surrounding Dry January. Matt and Steve share personal anecdotes and reflections on their own relationships with specific types of alcohol, the triggers that led them to eliminate certain beverages, and the psychological aspects of cravings versus the mental obsession with alcohol. Engage with their c...

Send us Fan Mail Feeling bloated after the holidays? Ready to hit the reset button on your health and habits? Then join us as we dive headfirst into Dry January: the global phenomenon that's not just about giving up booze, but about rediscovering your relationship with alcohol and taking charge of your well-being. In this episode, you'll: Uncover the surprising origins of Dry January: Fr...