Real Sobriety Podcast: Recent Episodes
Robert McClellan
Addiction recovery podcast from Real Sobriety filmmaker and sobriety coach, Robert McClellan. Down to earth, humorous, inspirational and sometimes irreverent - always a good listen to help you in your recovery journey.
After 232 episodes I simply don’t have much else to say on the subject of addiction recovery.
Like a lot of you, getting sober was the best decision I’ve ever made. I am certain that if I did not get into recovery I’d be dead today. Instead, I am living the life of my dreams. And I’ve always said - okay, sometimes preached - that just quitting drinking or drugging should never be the goal, but living a happy, successful life in recovery was the best possible outcome
If you attend traditional 12 step meetings at groups like Alcoholics Anonymous, you have probably noticed the overwhelming presence of the Christian God in the room.
I hope I never get to the point where I think I'm the smartest person in recovery and I can't learn from a newcomer or someone with less time than me.
It is a fairly well known practice for oldtimers around 12 step meetings to tell newcomers to “shut their mouths and open their ears.” That’s what my first sponsor told me all those years ago. I can’t think of anything more disrespectful and potentially damaging to say to someone who is brand new in recovery. The newcomer is fresh off the playing field, maybe better described as fresh off the battlefield of addiction. Their perspective is raw and their need for connection and acceptance from the group is acute.
We can’t proclaim that we are praying for the alcoholic or addict who still suffers and then, when they show up in our rooms, tell them to sit down and shut up.
Our sobriety is about a lot more than stopping our drinking and drugging. It is about improving our quality of life one day at a time.
When I first stopped drinking the last thing I could imagine was my life improving in every way possible. The only thing I could think of, through the fog of my detox was - When will I stop feeling like crap? When will all the guilt and shame and self loathing stop? How will I ever piece my life back together? RealSobriety.com
Welcome Back to the NEW Real Sobriety Podcast! Ep. 228
Real Sobriety started during a series of conversations with my wife, the acclaimed Canadian underwater explorer Jill Heinerth. We were just beginning our lives together and Jill was interested in, and very supportive of my recovery. We each had been married before, and lived extremely different lives. We held no secrets and promised to accept each other for the people we are today, not the messes we were in the past. As a documentary filmmaker, Jill suggested that I share my recovery journey with the world. The result is the award-winning documentary film “Real Sobriety.” Expanding on the purpose of the film, I decided to continue the conversation with the Recovery Community through this podcast. You can find examples recent episodes posted below, and over 200 past episodes at the side bar link - or just click here.
Going forward, I plan to post a new episode each week, and occasionally invite special guests to share their stories with you as well.
Thanks for being here for me and remember - Go out there and Love One Another!
New! Reading From Sober Bob's Bathroom Book and new video podcast announcement! Real Sobriety podcast now on video at Youtube!
Just published my newest book: "Sober Bob's Bathroom Book" - Advice to help you stay sober. And I traveled to the U.S. for the first time in two years! I almost didn't make it back across the Canadian border because of the Covid-19 protocols!
Is celebrating our sobriety anniversaries a good practice? Or should we stick to the One Day At A Time formula? Robert shares some personal news and talks about the dog days of a sober summer.
June is Pride month and I share how things have not always been smooth for our LGBTQ+ cousins in the recovery fellowships like Alcoholics Anonymous.
I found the first script I ever wrote for a 15 year old podcast! It is amazing how simple the program of recovery can be if we just do some simple things - Don't Drink, Go to Meetings, Pray, Talk to Sponsors, and Repeat. I share that first ever podcast idea with you and hope it applies to your successful recovery!
Robert shares thoughts on the past history and the technology and innovation driven future of the recovery community.
From polarized political ideologies to racism, classism, sexism and homophobia, it sometimes seems like the fragile threads that hold a society together are near the breaking point. It is almost enough to make a happy person in recovery relapse. Except - that at the heart of most recovery programs is a philosophy of tolerance, empathy, and service to others. It begins with us. In recovery we learn to get out of our own heads and reach out to help others. Besides the obvious benefits of abstaining from drugs and alcohol, we receive the gifts of empathy and tolerance - even when we don’t agree politically, socially, or culturally, we serve ourselves and the world at large by accepting others and not just tolerating - but embracing our differences.
The drug and alcohol detox experience is a tough challenge in the short-term, but the long-term benefits of getting clean and sober are worth it. Robert shares his own experience with detox.
There is a well publicized and somewhat controversial situation involving a newcomer to sobriety who has been speaking out on TV and Radio. We live in a 21st century technological 24/7 connected world, where a newcomer can leverage the Internet and broadcasts to reach audiences of millions - we shouldn’t condemn them - we should encourage and admire their bravery to speak out and inspire others to find a path to recovery.
Can we use cannabis in recovery? Some people in AA are being shunned and criticized for using cannabis even as they have abstained from alcohol and are working the 12 Step program.
What is the number one thing we can do to stay clean and sober? Stay connected with other people - those people who lift us up and empower our sobriety.
Can alcoholics with time in recovery ever drink like normal people again? Robert shares his views and experience with this timeless question.
Robert shares his early emotional story of poverty, loss, grief, and resentment that he had to overcome to get into addiction recovery. We get addicted to our story and think that we can't change it - but we can flip the script in recovery.
During these stressful times, many of us are relapsing. The emotional and mental health challenges of living through the Covid-19 pandemic must be considered in the addiction recovery community.
Weird times, these. A Covid Pandemic leading to lockdowns, illness and grief but still we must find a way to work our addiction recovery programs and be connected to the recovery community. Plus, lots of updates about the podcast and a new website!
Racism in the recovery community. It is up to those of us who have been around for a while to call it out.
Three months into our Covid-19 pandemic and some of our addiction recovery and sober community have gone back out.
In this special episode Jill and Robert team up to present a combination Into The Planet and Real Sobriety Podcast discussing the pandemic, relationships, isolation, recovery, and what the world may look like once we are all able to join each other again outside.
The addiction recovery journey continues. Robert shares a few bite-sized snippets of how to be happy in successful recovery and where the podcast has been.
Is addiction a disease? A moral failing? A choice? Who cares?!! Robert shares his thoughts on this controversial subject that often comes up in discussions of alcoholism and drug addiction.
Claire Rudy Foster AKA "Foster" joins Robert. A fun, lively conversation about addiction recovery, writing and publishing, and early punk rock influences.
Join Robert with guest Jeffrey Munn, author of Getting Sober Without God - The Practical 12 Steps to Long-Term Recovery from Alcoholism and Addiction. Jeffrey's book is leading to remarkable conversations about the Higher Power concept in 12 Step addiction recovery programs.
Susan Dlouhy is a professional who works with the "Developmentally Different" community. Susan joins Robert McClellan in a cheerful, positive conversation about what it is like to be in successful long term addiction recovery, and what responsibilities we all have to serve others.
Recovery coach, author, and professional chef Paul Silva joins Robert McClellan for an insightful conversation about addiction recovery, social media and living a happy successful life in sobriety. Paul is the author of the popular recovery book, Longing for the Spirit and an acclaimed life coach who specializes in helping people find a path to successful addiction recovery.
The recovery community is present on all social media platforms from Instagram to Facebook to Twitter. When I got sober in 1989 we had much more face-to-face connection. But this is not to say that the past was better. Today, addicts and alcoholics in recovery can reach out from a smart-phone and reach thousands of others in recovery, anywhere in the world. With podcasts, blogs, and videos, people in recovery are more connected than ever.
The Real Sobriety film was framed around a sober motorcycle club. Filmmaker and Robert's wife, Jill Heinerth shares her insight into working with and learning from hardcore sober bikers.
Lots of cool stuff happening! Real Sobriety reaches 101 episodes. Robert McClellan updates the audience with plans for the future of the podcast, books, and other creative projects.
Yes, this is episode 100! Time to do a re-introduction and ponder the question: Do we ever recover from drug and alcohol addiction?
Can we please stop saying relapse is a part of recovery? My friend and fellow blogger/podcaster Paul Silva over at Buzzkill Pod tweeted a very profound message about relapse. It is part of our addiction, not our recovery.
Living in the sober world. Many of us when new to addiction recovery find it really hard to adjust to life in the sober world. It takes courage and trust to move forward.
People in addiction recovery need help and support but we are often too timid to ask for it. Robert McClellan of RealSobriety.com shares his insight in this short podcast about finding a support team, even after 29 years sober.
Our first ever guest - my wife Jill Heinerth joins me and shares what life is like as the partner of a person in addiction recovery. From our early dating days to the present - where Jill shares life with an occasionally crazy person, this is an insightful look at a couple's happy marriage with recovery playing a big role in their success.
Daily maintenance is a big part of working our addiction recovery program and staying sober.
Donald Trump proposes the death penalty for people who sell drugs. Bad news for the addiction recovery community.
Taking Oxycodone and Morphine after my surgery. Addiction recovery advice about pain management.
I'm high on opioid pain meds while I record this addiction recovery podcast about pain management.
Kratom - an herbal analgesic pain reliever that works for me. And it is helping people get off opioids!
What does a person in addiction recovery do when the world seems overwhelming? Connect!
I was wrong about "Change." The recovery "fairy tale" is indeed, just a myth. This is the 68th episode of this podcast, and I know that many times in the course of these installments, I’ve used cliches like “the courage to change” or “choosing to change.” I’m here today to admit my short coming. My late father once told me that the four most powerful words in the English language are “I may be wrong.” Well, I was. The more I learn about myself, and the close friends I admire in the recovery community, the more I realize that recovery is a whole lot more about self discovery than it is about changing who we are. My recovery is more about connection than criticism and change. When we encourage someone to change, we are telling them that they are not good enough as they are. I never want to make that mistake again. I may be wrong.
Not everyone can afford to go to inpatient rehab. Be the change you want to see in the addiction recovery community.
Storms, hurricanes and how my addiction recovery has helped me weather them and much more.
My drugging and drinking won many battles but, in the end, with the help of hundreds of people who came before me, I stumbled and staggered my way off the battlefield and toward the peaceful promises of recovery. Indeed, we must surrender in order to win.
Jeff Bezos save Real Sobriety. Yes, Jeff Bezos, one of the most powerful people on the planet took time to look at our situation, and he instructed his people to reinstate the sales of the Real Sobriety DVD. So, after being angry and resentful, I finally arrived at acceptance, and that is where the positive change happened. Some things are worth fighting for when they serve the greater good.
Removing the Stigma of Addiction. For those of us in long-term recovery, it is up to us to live happy, successful lives, and be an example of what we can accomplish. We can choose to not be stigmatized by societal biases about addiction recovery. Recorded in the parking lot at Toronto Pearson International Airport!
My addiction recovery rant about Jeff Sessions, Kratom, and local police who refuse to administer Naloxone for overdoses. Like all good rants, it runs overtime and sounds a bit crazy.
The Addiction Recovery Purge. Sometimes we need to press the delete button and reset our lives.
Social media and the Internet offers people in addiction recovery 24 hour connection with fellow travelers. Reach out!
Is recovery boring? Hardly! If you take my advice, you will never be bored in sobriety.
A Social Media pitch, and our future lives and plans as people in addiction recovery. realsobriety.com facebook.com/realsobrietypodcast itunes.com/realsobriety @RealSobriety
Starting over. We in addiction recovery can always reinvent ourselves. We fall down, we get up!
Here we are - Episode 50 of an addiction recovery podcast. Who knew? Some insight into the motivation of recovery.
12 Step study - Many of us come to the addiction recovery community by way of the 12 steps. Here's a look at Step 6, where we begin to look to our happy, successful futures.
Step Five. Where we in addiction recovery trust ourselves, our Higher Power and another person with our deepest secrets - so we may live a happy, sober life!
Step 4: Where a lot of people in 12 Step recovery get stuck. We have to face who we really are to get well.
Step 3: Whatever our concept of God or a a Higher Power - a good starting point may be that Step 3 might do nothing more than reveal that we are not all powerful over our addictions and we need - and we seek - help and guidance on the road to recovery.
Step study - Power greater than ourselves. Truth and Insanity in recovery with the 12 Steps.
12 Step Study: Back to Basics. As much as I sometimes rail against the religiosity of A.A. the 12 Step program is probably the best thing we have going in addiction recovery.
Addiction: A Brain Disease. The U.S. Surgeon General has made a very provocative statement that addicts and alcoholics deserve better treatment.
Will religion be the undoing of Alcoholics Anonymous? Some claim A.A. can be, at times, a highly intolerant religious group.
Weed. A hot topic. We in addiction recovery, especially in A.A. are going to see lots of newcomers who legally smoke pot, but have a desire to stop drinking.
Stressful events in addiction recovery. The next few months see an election, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years, a time when recovering alcoholics and addicts need to be extra vigilant about sobriety.
A Casual Update. Robert shares a bit about his life, before and after recovery, the new Real Sobriety blog, and his incredibly cool wife.
Thanks and Gratitude. I think it is important for those of us in addiction recovery to remember the things we have, the people in our lives, and the time we now can enjoy as happy, sober people. Canadian Thanksgiving!
Where did we ever find the time to drink and drug? In our addiction recovery, we can do so many incredible things, from creating a new business or hobby, to climbing Mt. Everest. Time is now our friend.
Are 12 Step Meetings, like Alcoholics Anonymous, still relevant in the 21st Century age of smart phones and instant communication?
Do I Have a Drinking Problem? Houston, we have a problem. That was the iconic radio message transmitted from the crippled Apollo 13 space craft back to mission control. But, we alcoholics don’t have the luxury of mission control to guide us through life.
If you are sitting in a dark room, considering giving up or hurting yourself - this is a message you may want to hear.
Drinking. After a long time sober, I found myself with a drink in my hand. Very uncomfortable. There are situations where we may find ourselves inadvertently jeopardizing our addiction recovery.
Honesty is the best policy - or is it? For those of us in addiction recovery, it can get tricky. Does making amends mean hurting ourselves and others?
The Courage to change is something most of already possess, but just can't tap into. Kind of like the Cowardly Lion of the Wizard of Oz.
Politics and voting. What is the role of people in addiction recovery in the current 2016 Trump vs. Hillary election? Do we vote? is it too much of a distraction? Are politics too much of a trigger to remain sober and maintain sanity?
Addiction recovery podcast with Robert McClellan of RealSobriety.com Topic: Prayer and Medication. Addicts and alcoholics need to be vigilant about using prescription medication.
Real Sobriety addiction recovery podcast with Robert McClellan. Summertime. A casual conversation about online addiction recovery resources with podcasting's favorite recovery coach.
Are we "Good Enough?" Even with years of addiction recovery behind us, we sometimes have those insecure moments when we ask "Is this all worth it?" Short inspirational bits of wisdom from Robert McClellan of RealSobriety.com
We people in addiction recovery choose one another. We Really don't know exactly how another alcoholic or addicted person feels. We can share, we can connect, but all we have is our own experiences and hopes for a clean, sober and happy future. A 3 minute podcast to help you stay clean and sober today!
RealSobriety.com addiction recovery podcast with Robert McClellan, on the Since Right Now addiction recovery network. Join the Recovery Revolution!
RealSobriety.com podcast with Robert McClellan. Be Here Now.
I opened the book and found dozens of short essays illustrated by someone who was obviously familiar with a vast amount of hallucinogens. The author was Ram Dass, who I later discovered was a former Harvard professor, a friend and fellow traveller with the more famous Timothy Leary. Dass’ former name was Richard Alpert, until he undertook several spiritual quest to India and the east, and he transformed from a tweed wearing, pipe smoking Harvard intellectual, to a simple follower of truth. This book sung to me. I had to buy it. I think, after the US to Canadian exchange rate was factored in, it costs me $7.95 That’s Cheap for a new philosophy on life.
Be Here Now
A Drug is a Drug is a Drug...or is it our addiction that we hold onto, no matter the substance?
Real Sobriety 3 minute podcast. Robert McClellan discusses the language of recovery - suggesting we may want to consider "growth," over "recovery."
Real Sobriety Podcast with Robert McClellan of RealSobriety.com Money and Recovery, a place to start over.
Coming out. Addiction recovery. Real Sobriety Podcast with Robert McClellan. From RealSobriety.com
Counting the Days. We sometimes place too much emphasis on the time we have in Sobriety. It is not a race, or a competition. Enjoy every day as a great sober experience. www.RealSobriety.com
From Robert McClellan at RealSobriety.com - You have absolutely nothing to be ashamed of about your addiction recovery!
Real Sobriety addiction recovery podcast. Getting sober involves change - sometimes this involves changing friends and some family members.
Real Sobriety addiction recovery podcast: Inventory - Robert provides insight into the 4th Step of A.A. and most other 12 Step programs. Time to come clean, get honest, and move into the light of addiction recovery.
Addiction recovery podcast. Real insights, real fast. The GOD thing present in most 12 Step groups. Alcoholics Anonymous saved Robert's life, but he couldn't get comfortable with the Spirituality and God premise in the groups. So, he embraced "G-O-D" Good Orderly Direction, instead. Robert talks about coming out as an alcoholic person in recovery, and how we can de-stigmatize the process. For the addict or alcoholic who needs a bit of motivation and inspiration. For more go to: http://www.RealSobriety.com
Addiction recovery podcast. Real insights, real fast. Being happy in recovery from addiction and alcoholism. That is the whole point - to live happy lives free of our addiction. Robert talks about coming out as an alcoholic person in recovery, and how we can de-stigmatize the process. For the addict or alcoholic who needs a bit of motivation and inspiration. For more go to: http://www.RealSobriety.com
Addiction recovery podcast. Real insights, real fast. Slippery places and being around alcohol and drugs. Open bars at a wedding and how the family may react to your new sobriety.Robert talks about coming out as an alcoholic person in recovery, and how we can de-stigmatize the process. For the addict or alcoholic who needs a bit of motivation and inspiration. For more go to http://www.RealSobriety.com
Addiction recovery podcast. Real insights, real fast. Anonymity and Stigma, the two recent hot button issues in recovery. Robert talks about coming out as an alcoholic person in recovery, and how we can de-stigmatize the process. For the addict or alcoholic who needs a bit of motivation and inspiration. For more, go to http://www.RealSobriety.com