Through The Glass Recovery Podcast

E137: Alcohol Abuse and Depression: What No One Talks About (But We Are)

In this raw and honest episode, Julie and Steve sit down with Trevor and Barclay for a heartfelt conversation about the messy overlap between alcohol abuse and depression, and the long road to healing.
Each of them opens up about their personal struggles—what it feels like to hit emotional rock bottom, how they found their way back, and the daily practices that help them stay grounded. You’ll hear stories of isolation, humor used as a lifeline, and the slow, patient work of rebuilding mental health without alcohol.
There’s no toxic positivity here—just real talk about how hard it can be to keep going when nothing seems to be working, and why showing up for yourself (and others) matters more than you think.
Please note: Multiple guests discuss their experiences with suicidal ideation. Please exercise caution when deciding to listen to this episode.
Key points in this episode:
Hitting emotional rock bottom and the loneliness that comes with it
Why depression can be so sneaky, especially in sobriety
Using humor to cope without bypassing the pain
How to keep taking action—even when it feels pointless
The power of medication, therapy, and reaching out for help
Learning to sit with emotions without drinking to escape
Why listening without judgment can be the most powerful thing we offer each other
If you’ve ever felt like you “should” be okay but you’re not, this one’s for you. You are not alone.
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To learn more about our guests, view the full show notes at https://throughtheglassrecovery.com/podcast/alcohol-abuse-and-depression/
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If you are struggling with depression or suicidal ideation, please contact SAMHSA. They are trained to help you.  1-800-662-HELP (4357)
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For information about 1:1 Recovery Coaching, visit https://throughtheglassrecovery.com/recovery-coaching/
 

E136: Avoiding Burnout in Sobriety

If you've been sober for a bit, you know that "burnout" feeling that we're talking about. It's that feeling of, "I don't want to have to think about alcohol and sobriety all the time. I don't want to have to feel like every ounce of energy is going toward this. I just want to live my life!" In case no one has told you - it's totally normal to feel that way.
We're here with Amber, Michael, and Collin today to talk about what to do when you get to that burnout point - and even better, how to avoid it. It's all about finding a balance between doing the work of recovery, and giving yourself space to enjoy that freedom you've worked so hard to achieve.
"When I made my sobriety my identity, that's when I started feeling burned out."
Key topics in this episode:
People who struggle with addiction often struggle with moderation in ALL things - including sobriety work
Trial and error: figuring out what works, and what is just wasted effort
Keeping the work of recovery enjoyable
Processing the fear that if you give yourself space that you'll fall back in
Taking on "recovered" as your entire identity has the potential to cause burnout
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Visit our website at throughtheglassrecovery.com for full bios and information about this week's guests!

E135: How Fear of Failure Is Holding You Back in Recovery

Failure doesn't feel good. Or at least, it doesn't until you change the way you think about it. Too often, people put so much time and energy into avoiding experiencing failure that they fail to move forward at all. That can be said for life in general, but it's especially true in recovery - when fear of failure holds you back from even trying to quit, and then keeps holding you back from making the other changes that need to be made, too.
In this podcast episode, we're chatting with Katie (recovery coach for Peer180 RCO), Matt (host of Till The Wheels Fall Off podcast), and Elizabeth (host of Intelligence on the Rocks podcast) to talk about how fear of failure has shown up in our sobriety journeys, and how we've learned not just to face the fear, but embrace it.
Key points in this episode:
Redefining success in order to redefine failure
Turning failure into opportunities for growth that you can be proud of
The danger in not telling anyone your goals in an attempt to hide any failure that might come
Big fears - like failing our children
2 kinds of failure - the useful kind, and the not so useful kind
When fear of failure shows up as procrastination
Is it fear of failure, or fear of what people will think?
Developing shame resilience
The danger of keeping the bar so low that you can never fail
Learn more about our guests and find the full show notes for this episode at 
https://throughtheglassrecovery.com/podcast/fear-of-failure/
Loved this conversation? Let’s keep it going.
Failure isn’t the end—it’s part of the process. If today’s episode resonated with you, here are a few ways to take the next step:
Join our free recovery support meeting on Monday – because you don’t have to figure this out alone. Click Here
Follow us on social media for daily encouragement and real talk about sobriety. @throughtheglassrecovery on IG
Subscribe to our newsletter for more insights, stories, and support straight to your inbox. Subscribe Here
Leave a rating & review – your words help more people find this podcast and start their own journey.
Whichever step you take, just know this—you’re not failing, you’re learning. And you’re not alone in it.

E134: Social Media and Addiction

One "transfer addiction" that gets overlooked all too often is social media. And while social media has many benefits, it certainly also poses many dangers, especially when it comes to addiction recovery and mental health. In this week's episode, we're chatting with our friends Robbie, Britt, and Vanessa about how social media shows up in our lives, in our recoveries, and its impact on our emotional and mental wellbeing.
Key topics in this episode:
Taking a break from social media
The dopamine hits that come with posting and getting interactions
How to curate your feed to create a positive experience
Using social media to find true connection
Recognizing the different between real connection and surface connection online
The hidden dangers of external validation
Using social media to create drama and chaos when sobriety feels boring
Tools for managing social media use
Setting your intention when using social media
How comparing yourself to others on social media can damage mental health
AI and its detrimental effects on creativity, emotional intelligence, and relationships
To learn more about our guests and for the full show notes, click here. 
Come check out our FREE weekly sober support group on Zoom!
Schedule a free discovery call with Julie or Steve to talk about our one-on-one sober coaching programs.

E133: The Link Between Eating Disorders and Alcoholism

Research suggests that up to 50% of patients with an eating disorder will abuse alcohol or an illicit substance, compared with 9% of the population. We really don't talk about this enough... until today.
We've got three courageous women joining us today for a conversation about how their disordered eating habits have tied into their addiction - and recovery - from alcohol. The two are closely intertwined, and if you're struggling with both, it helps so much to understand how one affects the other. Each of these women has fought her unique battle courageously, and has gained wisdom and compassion to share with the rest of the world.
Join us for this honest, very real conversation about navigating an eating disorder alongside alcohol use disorder.
"It's honestly harder to talk about the eating disorder than it is to talk about the alcohol."
Key Topics in This Episode:
How food keeps you silent
Eating disorders and alcohol abuse are both related to trauma and stress
Overcoming shame as a key component in the recovery of each
Eating disorders as a way to deal with difficult emotions, when you don't have the right tools
Fitting in, trying to be attractive, and it's impact on your relationship with food
Alcohol urges and cravings are similar to the binge/purge urges
When you body is off balance - learning to recognize hunger cues and feeling full
Overexercise as a symtpom of addictive behavior
Learning how to feel
Body scanning and body mapping as tools for recovery
Learning to catch emotions before they become unhealthy
How dopamine fits into the picture
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Meet our guests: https://throughtheglassrecovery.com/podcast/eating-disorders-and-alcoholism/
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Join the conversation:
The online recovery community is an amazing space to make new friends. Come check out our Monday night Sober Happy Hour on Zoom, or join our Facebook group Recovery Your Way, and let’s continue the conversation!
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Free Sober Support Meetings on Zoom: 
https://throughtheglassrecovery.com/meeting-faqs/
Learn more about one on one sober coaching:
https://throughtheglassrecovery.com/recovery-coaching/

E132: What the Heck Do I Do With My Time, and How Do I Make New Friends?

Without systems in place to fill your new time, and a plan to create a supportive sober tribe, recovery from alcohol addiction can feel really boring and lonely. The good news is - it doesn't have to be that way. All you need to do is some creative planning and a bit of mustering up some courage, and you'll find that recovery is actually intensely rewarding. But without any direction, it can be hard to know where to start.
In this week's episode of Through the Glass Recovery Podcast, we're chatting with Brenton (@officerecovery), Charles (@charlessharrisonjr) and Josh (@josh.quits.forever) about how they've filled up the free time that sobriety gave them, and how they've built up a support system that keeps them accountable and provides them with the connection we all need when we decide to create a life that is free from alcohol.
Key topics in this episode:
Nurturing relationships that are created in rehab or treatment programs
The comforting realization that the recovery community is incredibly accepting
The value of social media in creating a sober tribe
The importance of finding people who will challenge you instead of pull you down to their level
The value of creating new habits and routines, and how to get started
Hobbies to fill your time - and find friends with similar interests
Using platforms like Craigslist, MeetUp, and Facebook to find people with common interests
Finding the courage to get out of your comfort zone
The value of finding your authentic self, and choosing to stop trying to be what others want you to be in favor of being your true self.
The eternal quest of the individual human being is to shatter his loneliness. - Norman Cousins
For further listening about filling free time and finding new friends, be sure to check out these other episodes:
E104: Sober and Bored: How to Fill All That Free Time You Just Found
E68: When You're Sober and Lonely
E39: How Loneliness Affects Recovery
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To learn more about our guests, visit https://throughtheglassrecovery.com/podcast/make-new-friends-sober/
For information about our free support group on Zoom, visit https://throughtheglassrecovery.com/meeting-faqs/
 

E131: Healthy Habits for Long Term Sobriety

Long term sobriety requires establishing healthy habits that become a part of your daily routine. Figuring out what your habits need to be is an important part of the recovery exploration process - what works for one person may not work for another. But what we do know is that routines and habits are key for maintaining recovery for the long term.
In this podcast episode, we invite Matt, Ian, and Meghan to join us in a conversation about how they've found a set of habits that fit their lifestyle and their sobriety. Listen, and you'll walk away with a whole stack of ideas for things to try, and ways to incorporate them into your life. And maybe most importantly, how to stay motivated to keep the habits no matter what's going on in your life.
"You can do hard things and make life easier, or you can do easy things and make life harder."
Key topics in this episode:
Incorporating fitness into your life, in ways that are sustainable (even if you hate exercise!)
How books about personal development - not just quit lit - support long term sobriety
The power of prioritizing - choosing one thing to focus on at a time instead of trying to do it all
Baby goals - tiny steps in the right direction are better than giant steps that overwhelm you
How to find YOUR thing
The value of routines in recovery
Trying new things isn't a lifelong committment. You're allowed to stop doing the things that don't work.
Start the day with some wins - little accomplishments that make you feel great.
Resources:
To dowload Julie's e-book about authenticity and self discovery, click here.
For a list of great personal development books that will support your long term sobriety, check out this blog post.
Meet Our Guests:
Matt Shambo (shamman780), is a 40 year old father of two from Burnt Hills, New York.  He celebrated two years sober on February 5, the day after this podcast was recorded.  Matt always believed he would get sober but at the same time feared it may never come.  He spent five and half years stuck in the up and down battle with alcoholism before finding a better way.  He wants to thank you everyone for sticking with him through all this. 
Matthew would like people to know that substance abuse and mental health issues do not discriminate and that if you are struggling there are people out there who want to and who will help you. 
Be kind to those who are still struggling.  Sobriety is hard, but it’s worth it.
#soberdaddoingsoberdadthings
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After losing everything due to overdrinking from a very young age, Ian reached a breaking point and began his journey to reclaim his life. Today, Ian is a successful author, entrepreneur, and the creator of Make It Great (MIG).
Proudly sober since 2017, he has dedicated himself to personal growth, family, and living a life of purpose and clarity. His journey from addiction to empowerment has become his mission: to help others trapped in the same cycle of self-destruction break free and embark on their own transformative path to health, passion, and a renewed mindset.
Through his book, Wild Ride To Sobriety, Ian aims to inspire others to overcome their struggles and embrace a life of balance, success, and fulfillment.  
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Hey, I’m Meghan Melin—wife, mom of two (8 & 6), former personal trainer who used to preach health while secretly binge drinking, and now a sober coach changing lives. I know firsthand what it’s like to feel stuck in a cycle that no longer serves you. I quit drinking, rebuilt my mindset, and now I help others do the same. Through Sober Strong, my coaching, and my YouTube channel, I’m here to show you that sobriety isn’t boring—it’s powerful. 
https://beacons.ai/soberstrong
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Join the conversation:
What habits have helped you the most in your recovery? Come join us on instagram @throughtheglassrecovery or in our Facebook group Recovery Your Way, and let's continue the conversation!

E130: Sober Parenting: The Teen Years

In a world where drinking alcohol is glorified as a coping tool for difficult parenting moments, staying sober and raising kids is definitely a challenge. Each age group comes with it's own conflicts and struggles, but many parents find the teen years in particularly to be emotionally exhausting. If you're in recovery, chances are you already have a hard time managing emotions sometimes. Adding the stress of teenagers to the mix can really throw you for a loop.
On the other hand though, your recovery gives you an incredible opportunity to really show up for your kids. In today's episode, we chat with Amos, Seija, and Robbie about how their sobriety has affected their parenting, and what they've learned since showing up sober for their teens.
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Robbie Pike started his sobriety journey due to being sick of the same old story he would put himself though. He found his cannabis and alcohol use getting worse as the years went on. He used them to cope with everything and anything. He is now over two years sober, and couldn’t be happier with his decision to take on this new journey.
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My name is Seija, I am a grateful recovering alcoholic. I have been sober since April 10, 2015. I grew up in the Chicagoland area and we moved to the Denver suburbs in 2014. I am the proud Mom to three sweet young adults; Jackson (23), Maya (19) and Lincoln (14). I am also thankful to be walking this recovery journey with my partner, Greg, and grateful to do life with him. 
I am fortunate to be able to be of service in many ways in my life - my career in an assisted living community, volunteer work as a victim advocate with a local police department and a proud Board member at our recovery club. 
I am thankful to be able to work with many women in sobriety, honored to be trusted with their story and watch them grow & glow. 
If I could share one bit of advice, I’d remind people in early sobriety that nothing will change if nothing changes. I can’t expect the results to come from the work I don’t do - in every area of my life. Just keep going, I promise life only gets better in sobriety! 
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Amos Dupuis has been sober for 29 months, embracing a new life filled with opportunities beyond imagination. He attributes his journey to the guidance of his higher power, giving gratitude for the doors that have opened—and the ones that have closed with purpose. With a renewed sense of love and possibility, he is experiencing a life that feels truly limitless.
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"That's the goal: to help our kids exceed us."
Episode Highlights:
How to show up when our kids are going through hard times
The added pressure of single parenting
Learning to balance being the friend with being the parent
Helping our kids cope with their own trauma
Supporting them without absorbing their emotions
How to work through all of the regrets we have about our drinking days
Taking to teens about your recovery
How your recovery community will also benefit your teens
Setting the example
Keeping conversations open - even when they're difficult conversations
If you need more support and advice for parenting, make sure you check out Episode 87: Talking to Your Kids About Your Addiction.
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We'd love to hear about your experiences with raising teenagers now that you're sober. Come join the conversation on Instagram or Facebook!

E129: What If AA Doesn't Work?

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is the most widely known path to recovery from addiction, and often it's the only option people are aware of when they decide they're ready to stop drinking. While AA works well for many people, it doesn't always provide what someone needs to achieve lasting sobriety. Our goal is to bring to light how many different options there are for recovering from alcohol use disorder.
Our guests share what their experience in AA was like, how it shaped their recovery, and what they did when they realized they needed something different.
"AA does not have a monopoly on changing your life for the better."
Episode Highlights:
AA offers a "cookie cutter" recovery plan, but humans are not suffering from "cookie cutter" addictions.
Validating reasons that AA isn't always possible, such as difficulty getting to meetings
Using "quitlit" books to support your recovery
Finding a sense of community outside of Alcoholics Anonymous
AA offers an instruction manual that can be a good foundation for recovery, but some people find they need more
Health and wellness as a foundation for recovery
The people of AA is the core - it's what makes it so valuable.
Some groups lean heavily on a higher power, others don't. Sometimes it takes trying a few groups to find one that does fit.
Our recovery needs change based on the seasons of our lives
Scientific, contemplative, and reflective practices as a basis for a recovery plan
"Take what you need and leave the rest."
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Rich Sullivan and his wife run a local sober and sober curious community on Facebook called Clear + Present Strangers. You can find the group by searching. Also check out their Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clearandpresentstrangers/
They also offer a self guided coaching course and 1:1 coaching, as well as promote local alcohol-free events, feature restaurants that offer great NA options.
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Rachel Collins is a licensed clinical professional counselor and founder of Stride Forward Counseling. She is LGBTQIA+ affirming and her mission is to empower you to lead a more meaningful life. Rachel is trained in a variety of therapeutic modalities, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and mindfulness-basedcognitive therapy (MBCT). She has a special interest in working with individuals who are struggling with substance abuse, addiction, and that are highly sensitive. 
Visit her website at https://strideforwardcounseling.com
Check out Rachel's podcast: 
Self-improvement Book Club by Rachel
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/self-improvement-book-club-by-rachel/id1647601481
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Dr. Joanne Ketch LPC: I’ve walked through most of the major seasons of adult life sober. My own journey inspired me to dedicate my career to transforming the treatment of substance use disorder. Through my master’s and doctoral work, I developed a passion for empowering people to own their recovery and breaking down misinformation and stigma around addiction. I believe recovery is about building a full, rewarding life, and I’m honored to share a bit of my story today. You can find more of my work at www.drjorecoverycoaching.com.  
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Resources:
Rewired by Erica Spiegelman - a recovery program based on self reflection and journaling.
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We would love to hear about your experience with AA! We know it works for a lot of people, and it doesn't work for others, and we're always open to hearing stories from both sides of the fence. Come share your thoughts on Instagram: @throughtheglassrecovery or on Facebook
Find full show notes and other resources on our website: throughtheglassrecovery.com
 

E128: Managing Anger in Recovery

"Anger is what stood in front of me to protect me."
In this roundtable discussion, we dig into the topic of anger. We know that anger can be a driving force behind alcohol use, which means we need to not only understand why we get so angry, but also have the tools to deal with our anger in productive ways. Listen as five people share what they've learned about managing anger in recovery.
Key topics in this episode:
Facing the shame and guilt surrounding anger
Specific tools to release anger
Learning to see anger as a signal, and listen to it
Projecting anger toward others, when we are really angry with ourselves
Taking responsibility for your part of the anger you experience
The practice of forgiveness and how it impacts the way we experience anger
Using anger as an excuse for drinking or other unhealthy behaviors
"I can have a healthy relationship with anger."
Tools for coping with anger:
Write a goodbye letter to anger
Practice taking time outs - sooner rather than later
Learn to name anger when it arises
Validate your anger so that you aren't fighting it
Do you struggle with managing anger in recovery? Share your story with us on Instagram @throughtheglassrecovery
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Meet our guests:
My name is David and I am 20 months into my recovery journey. I had an unhealthy relationship with alcohol for 20 plus years. I started in rehab and began putting in the work. I believe everyone can choose their own path in recovery. Through support from family, friends, community, sharing, and counseling, I have been able to begin healing from childhood traumas. It is an honor to be a part of such a beautiful community of people. I didn’t know how lost I was until I found myself. One love!
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At 18, I entered prison. At 19, facing a potential 10+ years for parole violation, a pivotal decision changed my life. In a jail cell on October 12, 1996, at 3 a.m., I swore off mind-altering substances. The 21st encounter with handcuffs pushed me to break free. Living clean and sober for 27 years, I’ve found genuine freedom—earned through work, willingness, and honesty. Sobriety, my most gangster feat, opens doors to a life beyond imagination. – Jason Williams aka Sober Gangster
https://www.instagram.com/sober.gangster
https://www.facebook.com/Sobergangster
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My name is Amy and I am a recovering alcoholic that currently resides in Texas. I have dealt with varying degrees of my alcoholism in the 33 years that I was active in my addiction. I took my first drink with the intent to “get drunk” at 13. In January 2024, I started my healing and sobriety journey. 
 I am grateful to be in recovery and hope to help others along in their journey by sharing my story authentically. You are welcome to reach out to me through social media or email. 
Email: aamymay24@gmail.com
Tiktok: The Sober Amy May @kittykitty_no-no