The Grouch and the Brainstorm:A Sobriety Podcast

Expectations can be the key to a lot of misery and pain. Can cause friction in relationships and even make us have resentments. Haden joins Matt, Jill and Mike for a discussion on expectations. Jill makes an announcement that will change the show moving forward.

Many of us have been to rehab and some of us have been more than once. But is it necessary? Some say it is not and some say they would have never got sober without it. Chris, Matt and Mike discuss their experience with rehab and what has happened before, during and after their experience.

Driven by a hundred forms of fear, self-delusion, self-seeking, and self-pity, we step on the toes of our fellows and they retaliate. This little excerpt from The Big Book explains so much, but hits on a mark of why we do what we do. But most importantly why others may react to what we do. Join Jill, Matt and Mike for their experience with this reading from "The Daily "Reflection"

Sometimes we don't slow down long enough to take care of ourselves. New found recovery can open up a life we never imagined and that life can get busy. Matt, Jill and Mike discuss what their experience with self care has done to enhance their recovery and their life.

A term that seams almost archaic but is used often in the big book. "Drink like a gentleman". Sounds simple enough but what exactly is it. In this episode Matt, Jill and Mike explore just what it means to each of us.

An expression I used to often hear when I was new to recovery was people referring to the "God size hole" in them. Misunderstood early on but described by many as "A dark place" or extreme loneliness. Matt, Cal and Mike discuss their experience with this expression.

"This is a program of action." A phrase you start to hear almost immediately when getting into the rooms. What does it really mean? Cal, Jill, Matt and Mike discuss their experience with "action" in and out of the rooms and how it has made our everyday lives better.

Some topics are harder than others to approach. This just happens to be one of those episodes. Join Jill, Matt and Mike as we look at what the Big Book says as well as our experience with these delicate subjects.

My mentor and friend Randy T. has been kind enough to allow us to share his recently told story on our show. I think the story will speak for itself and once again we thank Randy for everything he does to support our recovery. Mike

Is alcoholism a disease? Is it fatal? What are the symptoms? These are just a few of the questions Jill, Matt and Mike discuss on the latest episode.

In most cases the alcoholic lives a double life, wants people to see the good side of their personality. For many there is another side entirely that is now sober and trying to live with the things they have done in the past. Matt, Jill and Mike discuss their experience with this topic.

"“Ministers and doctors are competent and you can learn much from them”. This is a quote from the big book. Sometimes we may need to see just a person that has more of a "professional" view on what may be going on with us. This is our experience with just that. Join Jill, Matt and Mike as we discuss this delicate matter.

Lisa tells her story at the Koala club.

How many times have I thought the impression I made was because of the words I said? Matt, Jill, Lisa and Mike discuss our experience with how much action has affected our lives and recovery compared to our words. How action made our lives better and words were just words. Thank you for joining us on this journey as we pass the 2 year mark.

How many times have I thought the impression I made was because of the words I said? Matt, Jill, Lisa and Mike discuss our experience with how much action has affected our lives and recovery compared to our words. How action made our lives better and words were just words. Thank you for joining us on this journey as we pass the 2 year mark.

The Big Book has a description, Google even has an AI generated description. But what does the day in the life of a recovering alcoholic look like through the eyes of those who live it. Although we speak for no one, we can describe what a day in the life for Matt, Jill and Mike looks like. This is our experience with just that. From waking up, to going to bed. This is what our lives look like.

The Big Book has a description, Google even has an AI generated description. But what does the day in the life of a recovering alcoholic look like through the eyes of those who live it. Although we speak for no one, we can describe what a day in the life for Matt, Jill and Mike looks like. This is our experience with just that. From waking up, to going to bed. This is what our lives look like.

I have had it and a few others I talked to over the years. It can be harmful to our recovery and our mental health. Matt, Jill and I discuss that stinking thinking, what it consist of, how to identify it and what can be done to help.

I have had it and a few others I talked to over the years. It can be harmful to our recovery and our mental health. Matt, Jill and I discuss that stinking thinking, what it consist of, how to identify it and what can be done to help.

Matt, Jill and Mike discuss the phrase "rocketed into the 4th dimension as mentioned on page 25 of the big book. We discuss where we are now compared to where we were then and what the phrase means to us.

Matt, Jill and Mike discuss the phrase "rocketed into the 4th dimension as mentioned on page 25 of the big book. We discuss where we are now compared to where we were then and what the phrase means to us.

What really gets under your skin? What gets you really worked up? Or worse what keeps you up at night causing emotional strain? Most important, what do you do about it? Lacey joins Matt, Jill and Mike as we discuss emotional triggers and our experiences with these pesky feelings.

What really gets under your skin? What gets you really worked up? Or worse what keeps you up at night causing emotional strain? Most important, what do you do about it? Lacey joins Matt, Jill and Mike as we discuss emotional triggers and our experiences with these pesky feelings.

When do I call my sponsor, just exactly how involved do I need them to be. What are my boundaries as a sponsor? Matt, Jill and Mike are joined by Chris C. We discuss how much we rely on our sponsor and how much sponsees rely on us. This is our experience with the sponsor sponsee relationship.

When do I call my sponsor, just exactly how involved do I need them to be. What are my boundaries as a sponsor? Matt, Jill and Mike are joined by Chris C. We discuss how much we rely on our sponsor and how much sponsees rely on us. This is our experience with the sponsor sponsee relationship.