Sober.Coffee Podcast: Recent Episodes
Mike R and Glenn H
Join Mike & Glenn in the Sober.Coffee Shop as they share experience, strength and hope with those on the sober path of recovery.
The spotlight is on Karen this week! Karen is on the Al-Anon journey while her husband Bruce is on the sober path journey with AA. Desperation brought Karen to Al-Anon and she tells us about changing her mindset from resentment because Bruce made this her problem, to realizing she had to switch the focus to herself, give up control because she could only control herself - not Bruce - and start restoring her sanity.
In this episode:
Previous podcast episode: Love Story Part 1 - Bruce & Karen: https://www.sober.coffee/podcast/episode/214bdf07/a-love-story-part-1-bruce-and-karen
For more about this podcast:
Visit Sober.Coffee website: https://www.sober.coffee
Sober.Coffee on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sober.coffeepodcast/
Recorded at Audiohive Podcasting: https://www.audiohivepodcasting.com
In collaboration with Care Addiction Center: https://www.careaddiction.com
Table for 4 at the coffee shop today! Bruce is on the sober path journey with AA. Karen is on the Al-Anon journey. Married for 34 years, Bruce has been sober for the last 17 years. Bruce and Karen have gone through it. Listen to Bruce’s story today as he tells us about losing his soul to addiction and deciding he didn’t want to spread this disease to his family - instead he chose recovery.
For more about this podcast:
- Visit Sober.Coffee website: https://www.sober.coffee
- Sober.Coffee on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sober.coffeepodcast/
- Recorded at Audiohive Podcasting: https://www.audiohivepodcasting.com
- In collaboration with Care Addiction Center: https://www.careaddiction.com
Ninety days is a habit driver - learning and practicing new coping, living skills and tools. So what does that look like? Join Mike & Glenn in the coffee shop as they talk about the most important things to know and what to expect in the first 90 days.
For more about this podcast:
Visit Sober.Coffee website: https://www.sober.coffee
Sober.Coffee on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sober.coffeepodcast/
Recorded at Audiohive Podcasting: https://www.audiohivepodcasting.com
In collaboration with Care Addiction Center: https://www.careaddiction.com
In Julianna’s story of experience, strength and hope, she shares with Mike & Glenn the cracks and things she is repairing in her life - and she’s repairing them with beauty, much like the art of kintsugi. An ancient Japanese art for restoring ceramics, kintsugi highlights broken cracks with streams of gold and lacquer. Once repaired, it becomes a unique piece of beauty outshining the original.
In this episode:
Book by Annie Grace, This Naked Mind: https://thisnakedmind.com/this-naked-mind
For more about this podcast:
Visit Sober.Coffee website: https://www.sober.coffee
Sober.Coffee on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sober.coffeepodcast/
Recorded at Audiohive Podcasting: https://www.audiohivepodcasting.com
In collaboration with Care Addiction Center: https://www.careaddiction.com
If you’re 10% listening and 90% thinking about what to say next, you’re not living in the moment. Join Mike & Glenn as they discuss what it means to live in the moment. It’s amazing the library of tools and references you can go back to if you stay present in the moment - focused, paying attention, listening, absorbing and inputting things into your mental library.
For more about this podcast:
Visit Sober.Coffee website: https://www.sober.coffee
Sober.Coffee on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sober.coffeepodcast/
Recorded at Audiohive Podcasting: https://www.audiohivepodcasting.com
In collaboration with Care Addiction Center: https://www.careaddiction.com
Dr. John is back! Talking about ISM in the coffee shop. What is ISM? Dr. John says it’s the Human Condition - we are the only creatures on the planet that have the capacity to introspect, to torment ourselves with regret for the past, fear for the future. How do you get out of that ISM? Dr. John proposes the key to sobriety is finding a way out without alcohol.
In this episode:
Dr John Previous Guest Spot w/ Sober.Coffee: https://www.sober.coffee/podcast/episode/eb7089e2/bonus-drop-dr-john-outlines-the-ism-vs-wasm
Book: The Road Less Traveled by Dr Scott Peck:
https://www.amazon.com/Road-Less-Traveled-Timeless-Traditional/dp/0743243153
For more about this podcast:
VisitSober.Coffee website: https://www.sober.coffee
Sober.Coffee on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sober.coffeepodcast/
Recorded at Audiohive Podcasting: https://www.audiohivepodcasting.com
In collaboration with Care Addiction Center: https://www.careaddiction.com
Table for three! Dr. John joins Mike & Glenn at the coffee shop to talk about honesty, expectations, reality, and what it means to work the program. Listen in as Dr. John shares about pivotal moments in his recovery journey, including what was said to him early in sobriety as he contemplated not continuing with AA that made him stick around and stay sober.
In this episode:
Dr John Previous Guest Spot w/ Sober.Coffee: https://www.sober.coffee/podcast/episode/27d59b4c/bonus-drop-dr-john-1-step-one-youre-ffandcked
For more about this podcast:
Visit Sober.Coffee website: https://www.sober.coffee
Sober.Coffee on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sober.coffeepodcast/
Recorded at Audiohive Podcasting: https://www.audiohivepodcasting.com
In collaboration with Care Addiction Center: https://www.careaddiction.com
Glenn rang the bell recently at 8 years sober! In the coffee shop with Mike he shares how his life is totally different today than it was 8 years ago, and it’s magnificent how life changed. Who was Glenn 8 years ago? Who is Glenn today? What led him to sobriety? Join us at the coffee shop to hear Glenn’s story of reflection, loss and triumph.
In this episode:
Book: Never Go Back by Henry Cloud: https://www.amazon.com/Never-Go-Back-Things-Youll/dp/1451669313/
For more about this podcast:
VisitSober.Coffee website: https://www.sober.coffee
Sober.Coffee on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sober.coffeepodcast/
Recorded at Audiohive Podcasting: https://www.audiohivepodcasting.com
In collaboration with Care Addiction Center: https://www.careaddiction.com
Kyle & Josh are in the coffee shop today talking Silly Sips Coffee! Friends since 7th grade, both Kyle and Josh are on their own journey to recovery. What does that have to do with coffee? When Kyle quit drinking, coffee became his go-to beverage of choice. With an opportunity to start a business with Josh, they chose coffee - and giving back.
Silly Sips Coffee donates 10% of profits to Child Mind Institute, a non-profit organization that supports kids and provides resources and tools for children who struggle with mental health such as depression, anxiety and more. It’s personal for Kyle as his struggle with alcohol began by self medicating with alcohol to curb his own anxiety. Josh as well - he admits he could have used this kind of help when he was younger.
Listen in to their story and see how the Silly Sips Coffee movement is growing!
In this episode:
Silly Sips Coffee: https://sillysipscoffee.com/
For more about this podcast:
VisitSober.Coffee website: https://www.sober.coffee
Sober.Coffee on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sober.coffeepodcast/
Recorded at Audiohive Podcasting: https://www.audiohivepodcasting.com
In collaboration with Care Addiction Center: https://www.careaddiction.com
What is the 13th step of AA? It’s not a positive next step after #12, in fact it’s a bad rep for AA. Mike & Glenn discuss the 13th step, bad behavior in AA, and steps to avoid it starting with building a wall or a healthy boundary around your sober zone.
For more about this podcast:
Visit Sober.Coffee website: https://www.sober.coffee
Sober.Coffee on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sober.coffeepodcast/
Recorded at Audiohive Podcasting: https://www.audiohivepodcasting.com
In collaboration with Care Addiction Center: https://www.careaddiction.com
Glenn B joins Mike & Glenn in the coffee shop sharing his story of experience, strength and hope. Glenn B relates that for him it was easy to put down the bottle - it’s easier to deal with life sober. Unfortunately, his sobriety came through legal action and the judge chose for him. His life changed completely in 10 days: got a dui, got out of jail, got a restraining order and wife filed for divorce.
Listen in as Glenn B talks about his experience, his sobriety and three things that matter: Gratefulness, Balance, and Awareness.
For more about this podcast:
Visit Sober.Coffee website: https://www.sober.coffee
Sober.Coffee on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sober.coffeepodcast/
Recorded at Audiohive Podcasting: https://www.audiohivepodcasting.com
In collaboration with Care Addiction Center: https://www.careaddiction.com
You can call it a slip…but that’s bullshit. It’s relapse. Mike and Glenn are in the coffee shop talking about relapse. While Mike has stayed on the recovery path, Glenn was known as the relapse king before he found AA. Listen in for real talk about a serious threat to recovery.
For more about this podcast:
Visit Sober.Coffee website: https://www.sober.coffee
Sober.Coffee on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sober.coffeepodcast/
Recorded at Audiohive Podcasting: https://www.audiohivepodcasting.com
In collaboration with Care Addiction Center: https://www.careaddiction.com
In the coffee shop with Sonia talking about connection. The need for connection during her sober journey led Sonia to EverBlume. As the founder, Sonia created a sobriety group and new way to get support by connecting in small online meetings with people matched to you. Listen in to learn more about Sonia and EverBlume - and find out what’s in Sonia’s sober toolkit. Hint… #1 is Connection.
In this episode:
EverBlume: https://www.joineverblume.com
For more about this podcast:
Visit Sober.Coffee website: https://www.sober.coffee
Sober.Coffee on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sober.coffeepodcast/
Recorded at Audiohive Podcasting: https://www.audiohivepodcasting.com
In collaboration with Care Addiction Center: https://www.careaddiction.com
What do running marathons and sobriety have in common? Both are extremely difficult and both have no shortcuts. Mike & Glenn are in the coffee shop with Coach Luc talking about recovery, fitness, shortcuts, being open to change and more. Listen in as Coach Luc shares how he found sobriety and how someone who always hated running now trains and runs marathons.
In this episode:
Marathon2Sobriety: https://www.marathon2sobriety.ca/
For more about this podcast:
Visit Sober.Coffee website: https://www.sober.coffee
Sober.Coffee on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sober.coffeepodcast/
Recorded at Audiohive Podcasting: https://www.audiohivepodcasting.com
In collaboration with Care Addiction Center: https://www.careaddiction.com
The only way to the top of Mt Everest is the same as the path to recovery - one step at a time. Mike and Glenn are in the coffee shop talking about the similarities and differences of climbing Mt Everest and following the path to recovery. From the necessary preparation, the path, who you are traveling with and challenges along the way, listen in to two guys on the sober road to recovery.
For more about this podcast:
Visit Sober.Coffee website: https://www.sober.coffee
Sober.Coffee on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sober.coffeepodcast/
Recorded at Audiohive Podcasting: https://www.audiohivepodcasting.com
In collaboration with Care Addiction Center: https://www.careaddiction.com
California Sober is like being semi-sober. It’s trading one substance for another…for example, I’m not doing opioids anymore but I’m drinking alcohol. I’m sober, but I smoke pot. I’m sober but I take pain pills. Join Mike and Glenn in the coffee shop as they discuss this #trending topic and why it all comes down to this: how do you define sober?
If you know someone who needs to hear this episode, share it with them!
Want more clinical information about California Sober?
Visit Care Addiction Center’s Resources For Recovery Blog:
https://www.careaddiction.com/addiction-recovery-resources
For more about this podcast:
VisitSober.Coffee website: https://www.sober.coffee
Sober.Coffee on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sober.coffeepodcast/
Recorded at Audiohive Podcasting: https://www.audiohivepodcasting.com
In collaboration with Care Addiction Center: https://www.careaddiction.com
Holidays are loaded with stress, so grab a drink. No, not alcohol. Soda, coffee, tea - anything that gets your mind off what others are drinking. That’s the first tip for newly sober individuals going into family situations this Thanksgiving. Mike and Glenn share more tips and talk about their favorite holiday memories before alcoholism, their worst holiday memories, and what it looks like now in sobriety.
If you know someone who needs to hear this episode, share it with them!
For more about this podcast:
VisitSober.Coffee website: https://www.sober.coffee
Sober.Coffee on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sober.coffeepodcast/
Recorded at Audiohive Podcasting: https://www.audiohivepodcasting.com
In collaboration with Care Addiction Center: https://www.careaddiction.com
Mindful drinking increases awareness and avoids crashing the plane. How? By being aware of why and how much you drink. It’s like keeping score. Mike tells us his score is something like “Drinks: 7353 vs Mike: 0” But admittedly you don’t have to get to the point where you lose everything or hit rock bottom and pay the ultimate consequences to pay attention to drinking.
In this episode you’ll learn mindful drinking is:
- Pausing and evaluating each drink.
- Making a drinking or alternative game plan.
- Ordering first because it’s easy to order a beer, but if someone before you orders a shot, it’s hard to NOT order a shot.
- Rehearsing what you’re going to say and saying it out loud until you are comfortable with it.
- If you have a drink, don’t pound them, savor one.
If you know someone who needs to hear this episode, share it with them!
Want more clinical information about Mindful Drinking?
Visit Care Addiction Center’s Resources For Recovery Blog:
https://www.careaddiction.com/edu/mindful-drinking
For more about this podcast:
VisitSober.Coffee website: https://www.sober.coffee
Sober.Coffee on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sober.coffeepodcast/
Recorded at Audiohive Podcasting: https://www.audiohivepodcasting.com
In collaboration with Care Addiction Center: https://www.careaddiction.com
Through his own path to recovery, Stevie G stayed at a halfway house. While there, he found connections and moved forward in his own recovery, but he saw some things that were disturbing, as if the halfway house had lost the focus on helping recovering alcoholics. After leaving, Stevie was presented with the opportunity - a friend owned some 3 flats - and Stevie said “I think we can do better for people”. That was 30 years ago and he continues to work in the sober community with RCOSA sober living.
RCOSA is a privately funded non-profit organization providing sober living where individuals work on building a foundation for sobriety through love and support, and incredible counselors with lots of experience to help individuals cognitively and emotionally. Everyone gets their own room with different buildings for different demographics like age,and there are two groups a week with group and individual counseling. RCOSA has created a space where people feel like they are vested in their recovery, and have fun along the way. The facilities are top notch, costs are reasonable, and the location is very accessible. Individuals walk into an instant community.
Benefits and focuses of sober living:
- Community
- Accountability and structure
- Direction and Guidance
- Incredible Counselors: individual and group
Thousands of people have gone through RCOSA. The average length of stay is a little under a year. Why? Because
the idea of 28 day treatment is unrealistic - individuals are not cured after 28 days. It takes 6 - 12 months to change those neural pathways and stay at RCOSA is a minimum of 3 months. That’s where the value of RCOSA is, and that is why esteemed alumni are seeing such a benefit.
If you know someone who needs to hear this episode, share it with them!
Mentioned in this episode:
RCOSA website: https://www.rcosa.org/
Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous: https://www.amazon.com/Alcoholics-AAWS/dp/1893007162/
Page 86: https://anonpress.org/bb/Page_86.htm
For more about this podcast:
VisitSober.Coffee website: https://www.sober.coffee
Sober.Coffee on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sober.coffeepodcast/
Recorded atAudiohive Podcasting: https://www.audiohivepodcasting.com
In collaboration withCare Addiction Center: https://www.careaddiction.com
Dr. John shares three ways to go: Drunk, Dry, or Sober. While dry is miserable, restless, irritable, and filled with discontent, and obsessive worry - sober should be the opposite, right? Wrong. Join Mike & Glenn and special guest Dr. John to discuss what it means to be sober.
If you know someone who needs to hear this episode, share it with them!
Mentioned in this episode:
The Wounded Healer: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0385148038/ref=as_li_tl
H.O.W. in Recovery: https://www.careaddiction.com/edu/how-do-i-get-sober
For more about this podcast:
VisitSober.Coffee website: https://www.sober.coffee
Recorded at Audiohive Podcasting: https://www.audiohivepodcasting.com
In collaboration with Care Addiction Center: https://www.careaddiction.com
On their own path to recovery, Mike and Glenn will be the first to tell you when it comes to cravings vs addictions, both words are subjective. Discussing it at the coffee shop, they both agree - cravings are one sign of addition and fertile soil where addiction can really grip in and grow. When you’ve lost control of a craving and you just keep doing it, that’s an addiction.
Sober curious and wondering about cravings? Glenn suggests cravings last about 20 minutes. Can you suffer better for 20 minutes and use tools to get out of the situation like changing your environment or calling a friend?
On the road to recovery? Be aware when you’re going into a situation where you might be tempted - yes you may have a craving, but deal with it. Process it and have a plan.
If you know someone who needs to hear this episode, share it with them!
Want more clinical information about Cravings vs Addiction?
Visit Care Addiction Center’s Resources For Recovery Blog: https://www.careaddiction.com/edu/cravings-vs-addiction
For more about this podcast:
VisitSober.Coffee website: https://www.sober.coffee
Sober.Coffee on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sober.coffeepodcast/
Recorded at Audiohive Podcasting: https://www.audiohivepodcasting.com
In collaboration with Care Addiction Center: https://www.careaddiction.com
Dr. John relates the "ISM" of alcoholism to the human condition, a yearning to fill the void, a yearning for wholeness and connectedness. With Mike & Glenn, he discusses the viewpoint that we don’t need AA to tell us that drinking makes life s*&% or that if you don’t drink your life will be better. What we need AA for is that even when we don’t drink and things get better, even when we clean up our act, we still have a hole in our soul, still yearn, still hunger. If alcohol is the only thing that fills that void, it’s easy to relapse. Which makes working the program, going to meetings and staying connected important on the path to recovery.
If you know someone who needs to hear this episode, share it with them!
For more about this podcast:
VisitSober.Coffee website: https://www.sober.coffee
Recorded at Audiohive Podcasting: https://www.audiohivepodcasting.com
In collaboration with Care Addiction Center: https://www.careaddiction.com
Steve G joins Sober.Coffee at a table for three and gives us a glimpse into his life and how he found sobriety. A sneak peek - it took losing everything over a 20 month period, being homeless and living in the back of a Jeep Renegade, then finding himself in a surprise intervention to get Steve on the path to recovery.
Now, 30 years sober, Steve still goes to a lot of meetings. Why? Because nothing will so much ensure immunity from drinking as intense work with other alcoholics. Besides sponsoring others, going to meetings, and being available to meet for coffee - Steve focuses on sober living, and is the Executive Director for RCOSA, a sober living community in Chicago.
If you know someone who needs to hear this episode, share it with them!
Mentioned in this episode:
RCOSA: https://www.rcosa.org/
Blue October Home: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJTMBGFJVkk&feature=youtu.be
For more about this podcast:
VisitSober.Coffee website: https://www.sober.coffee
Sober.Coffee on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sober.coffeepodcast/
Recorded at Audiohive Podcasting: https://www.audiohivepodcasting.com
In collaboration with Care Addiction Center: https://www.careaddiction.com
Dr. John joins the Sober Coffee shop with Mike & Glenn to explore Step 1 and why it is more complicated than it appears. After all, rarely will a person fail if they thoroughly follow the path. Yet 90% fail. Why? Because they don’t embrace the first step - you’re f&#@cked. Learning to live this reality is how you get better. Listen in for a deeper dive.
If you know someone who needs to hear this episode, share it with them!
For more about this podcast:
VisitSober.Coffee website: https://www.sober.coffee
Recorded at Audiohive Podcasting: https://www.audiohivepodcasting.com
In collaboration with Care Addiction Center: https://www.careaddiction.com
Curtis and Danni had two very different journeys to recovery. While Danni’s tough childhood was filled with abuse and exposure to alcohol and drugs, Curtis was surrounded by social drinkers. Each shares their experiences from the first drink to how they found sobriety, and how they ultimately met each other and embarked on a business venture to create The Sober app.
The Sober app is a safe space where anyone suffering with addiction, or wanting to stay connected, can go to find recovery tools or get help virtually. From meetings and education to resources and community, it can be found on the app.
If you know someone who needs to hear this episode, share it with them!
For more about Danni, Curtis & The Sober app:
Danni on IG: https://www.instagram.com/sober_socially/
The Sober on IG: https://www.instagram.com/thesober.app/
The Sober website: thesober.passion.io
Download The Sober app on Google: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.po1n27xul1xr.p3l6x32ygapp
For more about this podcast:
VisitSober.Coffee website: https://www.sober.coffee
Recorded atAudiohive Podcasting: https://www.audiohivepodcasting.com
In collaboration withCare Addiction Center: https://www.careaddiction.com
From how to pick a sponsor to why old timers and newcomers are - and are not - so different, Mike and Glenn talk about perceptions, reality, and what those years of sobriety actually mean. Coffee is sipped, experience is shared, and the secret sauce is revealed. Listen in to the coffee shop for the 7 keys and most important pieces of advice from admittedly not old timers.
If you know someone who needs to hear this episode, share it with them!
For more about this podcast:
VisitSober.Coffee website: https://www.sober.coffee
Recorded atAudiohive Podcasting: https://www.audiohivepodcasting.com
In collaboration withCare Addiction Center: https://www.careaddiction.com
Resentment is bitter indignation and a negative reaction to perceived mistreatment. Every time you see something, or hear something, it gets processed through your filter. You’re either going to process it as a personal assault on your pride or ego - or you will have acceptance.
Talking about emotional perception and the role it plays in resentment, Mike & Glenn discuss resentment in addiction and in recovery. What fuels it? How does it start? And more importantly, ways to combat resentments, ways to live so you don’t pile them up - and when they do come, ways to dissect and diffuse them.
If you know someone who needs to hear this episode, share it with them!
Mentioned in this episode:
Big Book of AA: https://www.aa.org/the-big-book
For more about this podcast:
VisitSober.Coffee website: https://www.sober.coffee
Recorded atAudiohive Podcasting: https://www.audiohivepodcasting.com
In collaboration withCare Addiction Center: https://www.careaddiction.com
The foundation to building a life in recovery doesn’t always start with lofty goals and high expectations. Sometimes slow and steady builds the sturdiest foundation. The question “how are you doing now that it’s the middle of the year?” starts an open conversation about what the middle of the year and the middle of recovery looks like for Mike and Glenn - and just how much it has to do with how they started.
The answer to the question of how you are doing depends on whether you’re comparing now to the start of the year, or the start of recovery, or even the start of the yesterday. Sure, someone might be doing great compared to before sobriety, but Mike & Glenn suggest that how you find growth is to ask, “are you doing better today than yesterday?” It’s part of being patient, and if you are thinking about changing your lifestyle, know that recovery is going to take time. It’s important to let it play out, be patient, and lay that foundation.
If you know someone who needs to hear this episode, share it with them!
For more about this podcast:
VisitSober.Coffee website: https://www.sober.coffee
Recorded atAudiohive Podcasting: https://www.audiohivepodcasting.com
In collaboration withCare Addiction Center: https://www.careaddiction.com
The news tells you drinking a glass of red wine each night improves health, but news outlets also say anyone under 40 shouldn’t drink any alcohol. The impact of alcohol on health is not always obvious and let’s face it - health is likely lowest on the priority when out there indulging. Mike and Glenn know from experience and have seen close friends suffer physically from negative impacts on alcoholism on their health. Listen in as Glenn compares alcohol to rat poison and Mike talks about mental health, stress and watching friends pay the ultimate physical price - losing your liver.
If you know someone who needs to hear this episode, share it with them!
Want more clinical information about the Impact of Alcoholism on Health?
Visit Care Addiction Center’s Resources For Recovery Blog: https://www.careaddiction.com/edu/effects-of-alcohol-on-health
Mentioned in this podcast:
9 Habits Linked To A Longer, Happier Life: https://www.cnn.com/2022/08/23/health/longevity-live-longer-tips-wellness/index.html
Alcohol Is Never Good For People Under 40: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2022/jul/14/alcohol-is-never-good-for-people-under-40-global-study-finds
For more about this podcast:
VisitSober.Coffee website: https://www.sober.coffee
Recorded atAudiohive Podcasting: https://www.audiohivepodcasting.com
In collaboration withCare Addiction Center: https://www.careaddiction.com
Do you have relationships that are hurting your efforts to sobriety? Over a cup of coffee, Glenn shares his catalyst to moving towards sobriety - starting by getting out of a strenuous relationship because he was trying to get sober on a foundation that shook.
Dr. Henry Cloud, in his book “Never Go Back: 10 Things You'll Never Do Again” gives this advice: do the hard thing. When you recognize you’re in a situation where you’re back-and-forth, back-and-forth - do the hard thing and get out of that situation. Your life is going to suck for six months. But at the six month mark you’ll look back and say “my life is so much better”.
If you know someone who needs to hear this episode, share it with them!
Mentioned in this episode:
Song: Never Go Back Again by Fleetwood Mac: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HM6FrSitvc
Book: Never Go Back by Dr Henry Cloud: https://www.amazon.com/Never-Go-Back-Things-Youll/dp/1451669313/
For more about this podcast:
VisitSober.Coffee website: https://www.sober.coffee/
Recorded atAudiohive Podcasting: https://www.audiohivepodcasting.com/
When it started, Mike and Glenn had one goal: If we could positively impact one person, this whole endeavor would be worth our effort. Grateful to report that between the exchanges and interactions we get online, we know we’ve accomplished this. We’re just a couple of guys talking about life and sobriety, and we have learned and grown through the experience, maybe even more than our listeners.
Episodes Mentioned:
Lindsay Shares Her Experience: https://www.sober.coffee/podcast/episode/23e887e3/bonus-lindsay-shares-her-experience-strength-and-hope
Wedding Bells: https://www.sober.coffee/podcast/episode/1c66c129/wedding-bells-embracing-the-landslide
Riding The Ferris Wheel: https://www.sober.coffee/podcast/episode/24da7a52/living-sober-riding-the-ferris-wheel
Learning To Live as a Left-Hander: https://www.sober.coffee/podcast/episode/f6d03d4b/sobriety-learning-to-live-as-a-left-hander
For more about this podcast:
VisitSober.Coffee website: https://www.sober.coffee
Recorded atAudiohive Podcasting: https://www.audiohivepodcasting.com
In collaboration withCare Addiction Center: https://www.careaddiction.com
“The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” But looking at 12 steps and saying “let’s go, let’s get them done quick” is not how recovery works, it’s a lifelong journey. Taking the first step means surrendering to addiction treatment. But what logically do you do? What does taking the first step mean?
Mike & Glenn discuss: Surrender. Calling your doctor. Doing a substance abuse assessment with a professional. Telling somebody that you love what you are going through. Accepting recovery. Joining a support group. There are many ways to take the first step, but “You’ll never learn to swim if you don’t jump in the pool”
Want more clinical information about taking the first step?
Visit Care Addiction Center’s Resources For Recovery Blog: https://www.careaddiction.com/edu/first-step-in-recovery-treatment
Podcast: Recovery Treatment Defined with Guest Matt Goff:
https://www.sober.coffee/podcast/episode/2de66fae/bonus-drop-recovery-treatment-defined-expert-matt-goff-joins-care-addiction-center
For more about this podcast:
VisitSober.Coffee website: https://www.sober.coffee
Recorded atAudiohive Podcasting: https://www.audiohivepodcasting.com
In collaboration withCare Addiction Center: https://www.careaddiction.com
Are you all-in or only taking half measures on your sobriety? Do you know? Maybe you think you’re all in - but not talking a sip of alcohol is only a half measure.
Mike and Glenn talk about being all-in on sobriety, they open up about their past half measures and how to spot them. Listen in as they discuss honesty, AA meetings, AA events, self service vs serving, connecting with sponsors, and the 12 steps. Mike and Glenn walk through and explore what a half measure looks like and what the full measure looks like for all of these things. Where do you stack up on this list? Are you all in?
If you know someone who needs to hear this episode, share it with them!
Mentioned in this episode:
Big Book of AA: https://www.aa.org/the-big-book
For more about this podcast:
VisitSober.Coffee website: https://www.sober.coffee/
Recorded atAudiohive Podcasting: https://www.audiohivepodcasting.com/
In collaboration withCare Addiction Center: https://www.careaddiction.com
It's a great big step going from drinking to AA. There is no middle ground, no introductory course before walking into AA for the first time saying I have a problem, I need a solution, I’m messed up, I will never drink again.
SOBERCURIOUS is a softer way to say “alcohol may not be served”. It allows for sobriety to be more acceptable - you don’t need to be an alcoholic to be sober. If you have ever wondered “How important has alcohol consumption become in my life?” then exploring the #SOBERCURIOUS movement may be for you.
Want more clinical information about Sober Curious?
Visit Care Addiction Center’s Resources For Recovery Blog: https://www.careaddiction.com/edu/what-is-sober-curious
Read Ruby Warrington’s book, Sober Curious: https://www.amazon.com/Sober-Curious-Blissful-Limitless-Connection/dp/0062869035/
For more about this podcast:
VisitSober.Coffee website: https://www.sober.coffee/
Recorded atAudiohive Podcasting: https://www.audiohivepodcasting.com/
In collaboration withCare Addiction Center: https://www.careaddiction.com
In this episode Glenn talks about mindset and the shift he experienced when he learned to ‘serve the coffee’. In the past, everything he did he could watch it turn around and benefit him in the future. It was a transaction. It was also bullshit.
Serving The Coffee is a mindset of serving others and thinking of yourself last. Serving quietly means no expectation of accolades. You do it when you don’t feel like it. You do it even if you’re angry with the other person. It sets the tone for the day. Research shows that those who consistently help others experience less depression, greater calm, fewer pains and better health.
Glenn & Mike challenge you to do one thing for somebody else. Just try it. Serve the coffee.
For more about this podcast:
VisitSober.Coffee website: https://www.sober.coffee/
Recorded atAudiohive Podcasting: https://www.audiohivepodcasting.com/
In collaboration withCare Addiction Center: https://www.careaddiction.com
Dual diagnosis is any mental condition along with drug or alcohol addiction. Did you know according to the Journal of the American Medical Association, roughly 50% of individuals with a substance use disorder are also dual diagnosed with a mental illness? Alcohol is a great masquerader of mental illness.
At what point do you identify whether you have a dual diagnosis or it’s the alcohol? Not everyone has the same experience. Listen in at the Sober Coffee Shop as Mike and Glenn discuss their experiences with co-occurring disorders and their dual diagnosis, what path they took to sobriety and treatment, and where they are at today.
Want more clinical information about Dual Diagnosis?
Visit Care Addiction Center’s Resources For Recovery Blog: https://www.careaddiction.com/addiction-recovery-resources
For more about this podcast:
VisitSober.Coffee website: https://www.sober.coffee/
Recorded atAudiohive Podcasting: https://www.audiohivepodcasting.com/
In collaboration withCare Addiction Center: https://www.careaddiction.com
In this episode, we talk with Cathy about her experience with Al-Anon throughout her life as a child of alcoholics and later as a mother whose child struggled with addiction.
Al-Anon’s purpose is to help families and friends of alcoholics recover from the effects of living with them.
Think this means you’ll go and learn how to do an intervention, learn how to fix help an alcoholic? NO. You are powerless over them.
Instead, you’ll work on how you are reacting by learning tools on how to handle and manage the alcoholic around you. One example: boundaries. You can love them, you can have compassion, but then you have boundaries like no alcohol in the house.
At Al-Anon you’ll work the 12 steps for yourself - learning love and compassion, and understanding. Relationships start to get better, and when one person gets better, the family gets better.
For more about Al-Anon:
Visit Al-Anon website: https://al-anon.org/
Mokina Fellowship website: https://aamokenafellowship.org/
For immediate information, call: 1-888-4AL-ANON (1-888-425-2666)
For more about this podcast:
VisitSober.Coffee website: https://www.sober.coffee/
Recorded atAudiohive Podcasting: https://www.audiohivepodcasting.com/
In collaboration withCare Addiction Center: https://www.careaddiction.com/
One of the frequent questions that Mike & Glenn get asked is... "What's it like to go to an AA meeting" ? We know how hard it is to walk into the rooms for the first time - So we break the ice for you as we invite some of our AA friends and walk through a "newcomer" meeting.
Hello, My Name is Tom and I'm an Alcoholic....
Tommy C (Full Tank / Recover Rhythms Episode) jumps back in the Sober Coffee shop with Mike & Glenn to explore ANXIETY.... Some, Many, Most of us have or experience anxiety in sobriety - Listen in for a deeper dive and tools.
Mike & Glenn are excited to share the Sober Coffee shop with Tara - The founder of Keep Coming Back Podcast. Tara's objective is to reach the Alcoholic who still suffers - connecting with AA Speakers who share their story of recovery - "Speaker Tapes" for today's generation!!
www.keepcomingback.net
Being stuck sucks. And yet it feels like the default status for many of us.... Tommy Carreras from "Done with Stuck" joins Mike and Glenn to discuss practical approaches to mental challenges and provides access to "Recovery Rhythms" to listeners.
Listen in as Mike & Glenn continue to explore AA Alternatives with an introduction to Life Ring …. While AA is working for us, we know that folks seek non-AA recovery solutions. Join us as we explore.
Special Guest Lisa Boucher joins Mike & Glenn in the Sober Coffee shop. She is renowned author of "Raising the Bottom" and is very active in the sober community helping many on their walk on the sober path. Join us.
Join Mike & Glenn as they share a table of three with Lynn who shares her story of Experience, Strength and Hope on the sober path.
Visit our website!
Recorded at Audiohive Podcasting
Hosted on Transistor.fm
The boys take a look at the past and a look forward as they turn the corner to year 2 of sober.coffee
"Philadelphia Freedom".... As Mike starts singing... Most of us in our throws of Alcoholism are chained ... or owned by the next next drink or bottle of booze. Listen in at the Sober Coffee Shop as Mike & Glenn talk about how FREEING sobriety is and how the steps of AA can break those chains. Listen in to our coffee chats (not Mike's singing...)
Join Mike & Glenn in the Sober Coffee Shop as they discuss Depression, how crippling it can be - and some NON-MEDICAL insights on how to deal as we move forward on the Sober Path....
Join Mike & Glenn in the Sober Coffee shop as we have a table for 3 with Amanda E. White !! We explore Amanda’s story of Experience, Strength & Hope along with the “Value of Therapy” in Sobriety…. AND, we explore her book (guidebook) “Not Drinking Tonight”. A strong episode exploring solutions !!
Mike & Glenn are back in the Sober.Coffee Shop exploring their Experience, Strength & Hope surrounding Meditation - And the VALUE it has with their Sober program. While prayer is a channel to talk to your Higher Power... Meditation is a great channel to Listen...
Mike & Glenn grab their favorite table in the Sober.Coffee Shop where they explore their Experience, Strength & Hope and the value of using a Therapist in Sobriety
Sober.Coffee Celebrates 1 YEAR…. #70 Episodes…. Join us at the Sober Coffee Shop as folks join to say hey and chat about Sobriety !! Thanks for Listening. Season 2 is being teed up !!
Join Mike & Glenn in the Sober.Coffee Shop where they dig in on how, in society. "Asking for Help" is deemed a weakness... BUT, In Sobriety, it's the STRONGEST thing you can do !!
Mike & Glenn focus on Page 417 in the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous - ACCEPTANCE - Unpacking what it means and how to use it to fuel a peaceful/sober life.
Mike & Glenn grab their favorite table at the Sober Coffee shop - Exploring how our trip to Alcoholic Hell was a progressive path.... So is RECOVERY - Progressive Recovery! Listen in as they outline how long the 12 steps should take...
Join Mike & Glenn in the Sober Coffee Shop as Emil joins to share his quick story of Experience, Strength & Hope, then does a deep dive into his AA Service Work in the Chicago Jail System. Certainly a challenging mission. Check out WHO1.com as his mission is to "Put A Book In Jail" - For each AA 24 Hour Coin Purchase - You also put an AA Big Book in the hands of a "detainee" in the Chicago Jail System.
Glenn & Mike will attest that these are the best quality/cool coins we have ever seen.
Nice Work Emil !!
Join Mike & Glenn in the Sober Coffee Shop as they explore the "NOW WHAT" when we quit drinking. Most of use spend exorbitant amounts of time drinking - When we quit - There are many time gaps to fill
Join Mike & Glenn in the Sober Coffee Shop as they set a table for 3 - Welcoming Jewels - Author of “The Making of a Woman From the Inside Out”. Jewels touches on her powerful story of experience, strength & hope…. But really focuses on how “You are Loved” and leaves you with a lot of HOPE !!
About Jewels:
I’m a woman who has lived two lives in one lifetime. The first part was a life of childhood abuse and trauma which grew into the full-blown disease of alcoholism. My life was out of control and I was circling the drain.
The second part is life today and how I urgently worked through my past and now have a wonderful life as a result. But my story is not your average girl gets sober story. I didn’t just get sober. I created a life of truth and authenticity. My story is about removing the expectations and the dogma of society and instead being guided by love and empathy.
www.themakingofawoman.com @Jewelsthemakingofawoman
Mike and Glenn do a lot of things to stay on the Sober Path - We have found that when you stop moving forward, we're quickly moving backwards and even towards a potential relapse. It's easy to become COMPLACENT - But its not a good look in Sobriety.
Bonus Drop: Join Mike and Glenn in the Sober Coffee Shop as they unpack the all to familiar story of a RELAPSE as shared by an Instagram follower. Thanks @YourSoberPal Laura for your share !!
Mike & Glenn benefit from the AA 12 Step Program - Especially the first 164 pages... Listen in at the Sober Coffee Shop as they break down Page 164 where "A Vision For You" is outlined.
Join Mike & Glenn in the Sober Coffee Shop as they dive into HONESTY - Or as they kick around - "The Bullshit Stops Now" !!
Mike and Glenn grab their favorite table and dive into more listener questions. The most recent one is... "Why do I need to wait a year.... before I, change jobs, start a relationship. break off a relationship, etc." What's so magical about the year?
Sober.Coffee loves listener questions - Or just say HI !! Email: Podcast@Sober.Coffee
Getting treatment for Alcoholism can be confusing and scary. Listen in as Care Addiction Center - Executive Director - Matt Goff joins us in the Sober Coffee Shop and explains Detox / Residential / IOP / PHP / Sober Living, etc.
We love engaging and getting questions from listeners. In this episode, Mike & Glenn do a "Rapid Fire" session focusing on 4 questions about "all things sobriety". Feel free to connect with us with questions or just say "HEY" - Email: Podcast@Sober.Coffee
We welcome listener questions here at the Sober.Coffee Shop - One recent one is "What's All This About A Higher Power" ?? Mike and Glenn sit at their favorite table in the coffee shop and explore. Feel free to shoot any question you may have to: Podcast@Sober.Coffee
"Be A Champion In Life" Author - Richard Jensen - Joins Mike and Glenn in the Sober Coffee Shop sharing the value of "Finding Your Vehicle" in sobriety. Richard's Emmy winning story can also be found on ESPN as he describes winning the 2016 National Wrestling Championship.
Richard now travels the country to share his story and motivate high school and college students (over 40,000). To learn more about Richard, please visit his website: www.beachampioninlife.com
Listen in as Mike & Glenn define Head Trash and some tools on how to deal with it. As Glenn says, "Don't let the head trash crush your peace"
Mikey has a list of roughly 1,000 key nuggets that he's pulled/learned from in meetings. Come join us in the Sober.Coffee shop as we line of the espresso shots and do a "rapid fire" round focusing on 6 of them.
Join Mike and Glenn in the Sober.Coffee shop where Glenn shares a recent experience with the need to "Reboot" his MacBookPro. Listen in as we explore the benefit of "Rebooting" as we kick off 2022.
Mike and Glenn grab their favorite table to chat about the "ISM" in AlcoholISM.... Get a blank piece of paper and draw it out with us...
Nathalie joins us in the Sober Coffee Shop sharing her experience at a recent Sober Sunrise Beach Gratitude Meeting - Including how she trudged her way to Gratitude... Key Learning: During her hike where she was trudging a step at a time... The only thing that changed was her Attitude.... Listen In.
Join us as we grabbed a table for 3 in the Sober Coffee Shop - Nathalie shares her powerful story of Experience, Strength & Hope.
Mike & Glenn take viewer questions focused on how to handle the Holidays - SOBER !! Listen in for success tips.
Mike & Glenn explore how to stay on the sober path.... It's easier to stay on that to get back on...
Join Mike & Glenn in the Sober Coffee Shop as they explore whether sobriety is a MIRACLE or the byproduct of doing the right things.
Excited to have Richard Jensen join us in the Sober.Coffee shop - Sharing his story of experience, strength & hope. Starting as a wrestler as a skinny, freckled kid, Richard quickly got caught up in the grips of addiction which led him to prison and ultimately homelessness.
At 37, after a decision to get sober and rebuild his life through wrestling, Rich, at the age of 37, entered college and joined the wrestling team. After a year of losses and brutalizing his body, Richard set his sights on a national wrestling championship title - which he achieved in 2016 !!
Check out all of Richard's story online at www.beachampioninlife.com What a powerful story.
Table for 3 in the Sober Coffee Shop as Karen joins to explore the importance of "Cleaning House" in Sobriety - Mentally, Emotionally & Physically.
Great to have Lynda back in the Sober Coffee Shop as we chat through "Sponsorships" in sobriety (Sponsees and Sponsors)
Karen joins Mike & Glenn in the Sober Coffee Shop exploring the value and benefit of "Forgiveness" in sobriety.
Peggy joins Mike and Glenn in the Sober.Coffee Shop - Sharing her energy and experience, strength and hope. She brought her red sneakers, her energy and certainly HOPE for those on the sober path of recovery. Love how she calls her "Promises" - "Blessings" - Grab an extra espresso - you're gonna need it !
Enjoy having Lynda back in the Sober Coffee Shop as she does a deeper dive on "Sober Solutions"
Table for 3 as Karen joins in the Sober Coffee shop sharing her experience, strength and hope on how to avoid "Triggers" and "Traps"... Especially in early sobriety.
Paul joins Mike and Glenn in the Sober.Coffee Shop as they explore a question Paul faced very early on... "Are you ready to quit forever" ??
Paul joins Mike & Glenn in the Sober.Coffee shop and outlines the value of studying the Big Book instead of just reading it. Listen to Paul as he flash rolls key elements of the Big Book.
Listen in as Mike & Glenn explore the change that is needed to start living and enjoy the benefits of living sober..... Mike outlines his golf swing - Then outlines the changes needed to live a life without booze.
Bonus Drop: Paul G - Director at Trinity Sober Living (Chicagoland) - Joins Mike & Glenn in the Sober.Coffee shop sharing his story of Experience, Strength & Hope.
Mike & Glenn chat about the story in the big book - About the guy that walks out of the tornado shelter... "Look Ma...." Coffee chat about the Damage we did to ourselves and others when we were drinking...
God - As we understand Him.... What if we don't ?? Cary joins Mike & Glenn to chat about her lack of understanding about God - Still searching for understanding - Listen in as there are ways to win and stay sober even thought we don't have the God thing all figured out.
Most of have said many "foxhole prayers"... Those prayers we shoot up to God when we're digging our bottom deeper. Join Mike and Glenn in the Sober Coffee shop as they explore the value of Prayer in Sobriety... PART I
While "Surrender" is a great Cheap Trick song... It's also a KEY to Sobriety !! Listen in as Lynda joins Mike and Glenn to chat about the value of surrendering...
For most, getting sober seems like a monstrous task... Lynda joins Mike and Glenn in the sober coffee shop chatting about "How To Get Started" on the sober path to recovery...
Cary joins Mike & Glenn in the sober Coffee Shop, sharing her story of Experience, Strength & Hope with others on the sober path of recovery. Listen In...
Join Mike & Glenn in the sober coffee shop where Glenn outlines the 22 things (tools) that keep him on the sober path of recovery. Which ones do you use? What are some other things you do ?
Lynda drops by the sober.coffee shop to share her story of experience, strength and hope... Including her "look in the mirror" when she was at her bottom....
Join Mike & Glenn in the coffee shop as they explore each of AA's Promises in detail. They will ALWAYS materialize ... "If we work for them"...
Join Mike & Glenn in the sober coffee shop as they explore AA's 9th Step Promises - Sharing experience, strength and hope for those wanting to know "what they get" if they commit and work the AA 12 Steps.
Join Mike and Glenn in the sober coffee shop as they share their experience, strength and hope and chat about FEELINGS... Are they facts ? Should we act on them ? Let's explore.
Join Mike & Glenn as they explore life in sobriety - Or as Glenn puts it - Riding the "Ferris Wheel".
Glenn shares his Experience, Strength & Hope with his recovery process - "It was not a light switch" - Listen as Glenn outlines how he views sobriety as learning to live life "As a Left-Hander"
Join Mike and Glenn as they chat at the sober coffee shop about what it takes to "Get It"... Including action steps to go "Get It" !
Mike & Glenn hit the coffee shot to share their Experience, Strength & Hope with each other with Step 12 - "Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics and to practice these principles in all our affairs"
Join Mike & Glenn in the coffee shop as they share their Experience, Strength & Hope focused on Step 11 - "Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God - as we understand Him - Praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out"
RuthAnne joins Mike & Glenn in the sober coffee shop as she shares her story of experience, strength and hope through all facets of life.
Pull up a chair and join Mike & Glenn as they share their Experience, Strength & Hope focused on Step 10 - "Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it"
Don joins Mike & Glenn in the sober coffee shop to share his experience, strength and hope - Underlining that "It's OK to Laugh"
Grab an extra cup of coffee and join Mike & Glenn as they focus on Step 9 - "Made direct amends to such people - wherever possible - except when to do so would injure them or others..." Strong action step -
Join Mikey & Glenn as they dig in on Step 8 - "Made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all..."
Coffee table for 3 as Karen joins Mike & Glenn to review Step 7 - "Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings..."
Karen joins Mikey & Glenn in the Coffee Shop to chat about Step 6 - "Were ENTIRELY ready to have God remove all these defects of character..." Wait... What defects ??
Join Mike & Glenn at the corner table as they share their Experience Strength & Hope as it relates to Step 5 - "Admitted to God, to ourselves and to another human being... the EXACT nature of our wrongs..."
Mike & Glenn share their Experience, Strength & Hope with STEP FOUR - "Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves"
Bonus Drop - Table for 3 as Lindsay joins Mike & Glenn at the sober coffee shop to share her story of Experience, Strength & Hope
Glenn takes a "deeper dive" into his Experience, Strength & Hope with STEP THREE - "Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understand Him"
Karen's Story - A friend from the rooms joins Mike & Glenn to share her Experience, Strength & Hope - Come listen in.
Mike & Glenn share their Experience, Strength & Hope with STEP THREE - "Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understand Him"
Mike & Glenn share their Experience, Strength & Hope with STEP TWO - "Came to believe a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity"
What's Sober.Coffee all about? Step "Behind the Counter" with Mike & Glenn and find out.
Mike's backstory - Sharing what things were like, what he did and what things are like today....
Glenn's backstory - Sharing what happened, what he did and what things are like today....
Listen in as Mike & Glenn share their experience, strength and hope with STEP ONE - "We admitted we were powerless over alcohol and our lives had become unmanageable"