Marcy Backhus

Unbottled

Education EN ↓ 31 episodes

After 38 years of sobriety and 5 years of podcasting, I finally had the good sense to put the two together. Unbottled is where we crack open all things sobriety—without the shame, the whispering, or the “I’m fine” face we all perfected in the 90s. This is a space for honest conversations, practical tools, laugh-so-you-don’t-cry stories, and the kind of truth that only comes after decades of doing the work and living to tell about it. Whether you’re sober-curious, long-time sober, or somewhere in the messy middle, we’re going to talk about the habits, people, boundaries, victories, and ridiculo...

Author

Marcy Backhus

Episodes

AA Without The Myths 16.01.2026 22:55

Send us Fan Mail We lay out what AA is, what it isn’t, and how to try it without pressure or labels. The goal is to trade fear for facts and open a path to support that actually fits your life. • why AA shows up early when you explore sobriety • how fellowship works: sharing, not advice or policing • availability of in‑person and 24/7 online meetings • what AA is: self‑supporting, peer‑led, access...

You Don’t Need Forever To Start 09.01.2026 20:23

Send us Fan Mail The turning point isn’t always loud. Sometimes it’s the quiet morning you wake up done with broken promises, tired of negotiating with yourself, and ready to see what life looks like without alcohol calling the shots. We open up about the subtle signs that drinking takes too much space—mental loops, “I’ll stop tomorrow” bargains, and that feeling of relief when you imagine not hav...

Sobriety Without Shame: Clarity, Choice, Space 01.01.2026 24:20

Send us Fan Mail The noise gets loud—on our phones, at the bar, in our heads. We kicked off Unbottled to cut through that noise and talk about sobriety the way it actually feels: messy, honest, and full of second chances. Marcy shares why she started this show, how 38 years of sobriety have shaped her life, and why she refuses to make recovery a punishment. If you’re sober curious, newly sober, or...

What 38 Years Of Sobriety Really Looks Like 01.01.2026 19:35

Send us Fan Mail We reflect on what 38 years of sobriety actually looks like: not a perfect life, but a practiced one rooted in awareness, service, and community. We share how AA provided structure, why emotional sobriety matters most, and how these tools apply to any “too loud” habit. • who this podcast is for and why belonging matters • why one day at a time still works • differences between get...

A Wider Tent For Every Kind Of Escape 01.01.2026 15:34

Send us Fan Mail What if sobriety isn’t about quitting a substance but about noticing the patterns that keep you numb, busy, or seeking approval? We open the door to a wider view of recovery that includes alcohol, yes, but also food, shopping, work, and the endless chase for gold stars. Instead of shaming, we get practical: simple tools that create awareness, repair what’s frayed, and bring real r...

Unbottled the Beginning 29.12.2025 2:09

Send us Fan Mail Hi friends, I’m Marcy Backhus, and this is Unbottled — a podcast where we talk about sobriety in real life, without shame, secrecy, or pretending we’ve got it all figured out. I’ve been sober since January 11, 1988, and over the years I’ve learned that sobriety isn’t just about what you stop drinking — it’s about what you start noticing. Whether you’re sober-curious, newly sober,...