Through The Glass Recovery Podcast

E85: Exploring the Link Between Alcohol and Social Anxiety (And Empowering You To Overcome It!)

When your liquid courage goes away, how do you get past the social anxiety when you get sober? First, just know you're not alone. So many people struggle with this! Remember when you walk into a situation that a lot of other people there are feeling just as awkward as you are.
We gathered some folks together who have all struggled with social anxiety, and they share their experiences and their wisdom, so hopefully you walk away with some more confidence and a deeper understanding of what it takes to move through social anxiety without alcohol. Join us as we chat with Robbie (host of Golden Hour Adventures podcast); Gina (also known as rapper Modern Day Monk); and Through the Glass regular Matt, as we wade into all those feelings of awkwardness and insecurity.
"The only way to get comfortable doing things sober... is to do things sober."
In this episode:
Actionable tips to help you change your thought patterns in social situations
How some of our guests made social anxiety go away completely
Learning to make friends in sobriety
Recognizing (and learning) your lacking social skills
How to embrace the awkward
Insecurity about appearance
How Covid affected drinking, sobriety, and social interactions
Overcoming the cycle of anxious thoughts
Anxiety over how people are going to react to your decision to stay sober
Facing the fear by pushing through it
Letting people get to know the new, sober version of you
Connection and vulnerability are the key to social anxiety (I mean, aren't they basically the key to everything?)
Most people aren't hyper aware of others. I promise.
Getting comfortable with yourself will give you the confidence to be comfortable with others
"Alcohol worked for me... until it didn't."
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Hello my people! 
My name is Gina Murillo also known as Modern Day Monk. I'm a strong woman in long term sustained recovery and I live a wonderful life as a result of that. I consider myself a vibe influencer, a recovery rapper, and recovery speaker. I teach Muay Thai kickboxing and train Brazilian Jiu-jitsu at the best gym in Grand Junction called Grand Valley Brazilian Jiu-jitsu. I'm also a full time student at Colorado State University and spend my free time helping others in all kinds of ways. My intention is to share my experience, strength, and hope with the world to help empower those around me. You can find some of the life lessons that I have learned on my social media, as I share them to inspire others. Thank you for taking the time to check out my journey. All love. 
https://moderndaymonkmusic.com
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Robbie: I started my sobriety journey due to being sick of the same old story I would put myself though. I found my cannabis and alcohol use getting worse as the years went on. I used them to cope with everything and anything. I'm now nine months sober, I couldn't be happier with my decision to take on this new journey 
https://www.podbean.com/pa/pbblog-ua75n-e24517
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Matt, a 39 year old father of two from Burnt Hills, New York is14 and a half months sober.  He always believed he would get sober but at the same time feared it may never come.  The past five and half years have been a battle with alcohol that he wishes upon no one.  Along the way he has had the constant support of his family, friends and so many he has met along the way to help him achieve sobriety.  He wants to thank you all for sticking with him through all this. 
He'd 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.  Matthew Perry always said to people who are struggling “It’s not your fault”, but this Matthew believes it’s your responsibility.  It’s your responsibility to acknowledge, accept and treat it every day, just like you would any other disease. 
Be kind to those who are still struggling.  Sobriety is hard, but it’s worth it.
shamman780 - instagram
Ben Meyer Recovery Foundation Youtube Video
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Let’s connect!
Visit our website at throughtheglassrecovery.com to sign up for our weekly newsletter, and to gain access to our FREE weekly recovery meetings.
You can also find Julie and Steve on:
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Facebook 
Tiktok

E84: How To Stay Sober When Your Spouse Still Drinks

Is it possible to stay sober, when your spouse still drinks? This is one of the most common challenges our listeners have shared with us, so we've rounded up some guests to share their experiences with it. Of course, the answer is very personal and unique to your situation. But we hope that with some added perspective, maybe you'll find some tips and tools to navigate this situation in your home, if it's one you are struggling with.
Join us as we chat with Kate (Walking The Straight Line), Jordana (Executive Director of a healthcare organization) and Through the Glass regular Sherralynn about how our partner's drinking has affected our sobriety, and how we've learned to handle it.
In this episode:
Understanding that you aren't the problem - it's not your fault
Codependency and enmeshment, and how they affect our marriages
You can't fix or save anyone, no matter how much you love them
Prioritize building a support community
You can't get sober for someone else - and that applies to your spouse as well
Shifting away from being "drinking buddies" and finding a new identity within the marriage
Making the decision to separate
Knowing and communicating boundaries
Understanding what is your responsibility, and not taking on more than that
Finding the courage to communicate your needs
Learning to prioritize yourself and your sobriety
Meet our guests:
My name is Jordana Blesa sober 11 years. Sobriety date 12.27.12. I was born in South America (Argentina) raised in sunny California. I was born into a family of Medical Professionals who were very successful in the medical field. I struggled with school growing up and was labeled with several mental health diagnoses so I believed for a long time “I was and am a problem”. Through my journey of recovery I see that mental health is a “super power” and with the appropriate tools, resources and authentic relationships 
I am more than capable and competent. 
As a young adult I was home schooled and placed in sports: Gymastics and Figure Skating. I excelled at sports and travelled the world as a professional figure skating representing the USA. After several traumatic events I walked away from the sport and went down a journey of self-sabotage, self-imposed crisis and overcame all obstacles and barriers by grace. Through anger and “proving a point” I was able to obtain my Bachelors degree in business and my MBA. All my experiences have led me to work in the behavioral health field. I currently work as an Executive Director for a healthcare organization and have been for the past 4 years helping family members, loved ones, dependent individuals and showing them with a team how recovery is beautiful, rewarding and life is meant to be lived. My mantra is “your past does not define you”. Personally I am an advocate for recovery, live my truth, help others in the recovery community and try my best plant the seed that recovery is possible. I am 39 years old, married and living in Baltimore, Maryland pursuing my dreams in healthcare with a robust team by building from the ground up a 300 bed substance abuse/ mental healthcare facility revolutionizing treatment for Marylanders. 
 My goal is to continue to disrupt the industry of healthcare, continue planting seeds that recovery is possible and being a living example that recovery is possible. “Together we can change the world”. 
Social media- 
Instagram- jordy_84-https://www.instagram.com/jordy_84?igsh=Nmp5bnp2Y2h1YnJ0&utm_source=qr
Facebook- Jordana Blesa-https://www.facebook.com/TiAmoMiAmore?mibextid=AEUHqQ
Linked In- Jordana Blesa-https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordana-blesa-a05b15b4?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
Non-profit Director for f#ck the Stigma
Instagram  - https://www.instagram.com/fukthestigma?igsh=MXNwMzM4b2Y2MHc3eA==
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FTStigma?mibextid=AEUHqQ
YouTube- https://youtube.com/@fthestigma?si=q5BY8ji_lax3J3Wy
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Kate Taylor is a seasoned writer and editor, having worked in London, New York and Rome and with companies such as Disney and the United Nations. She is a big voice on Instagram where she talks about her sobriety and the journey from drinking wine on a nightly basis to where she is today. You can follow her at @walking_the_straight_line
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Sherralynn is a bookish, Anglo-French mum of three who is currently between jobs, but a communicator by profession. She was raised in Norfolk, UK and lives near Paris, France with her French family and cat. Sherralynn’s sober journey began in 2016 after discovering This Naked Mind, and becoming “sober curious”. One baby and several other breaks from alcohol later, she found her sober tribe in August 2022, including Julie and Steve, and hasn’t looked back since. She can be found at @sober_af_for_today on Instagram, or on IAS under Motivated_AF.
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Visit our website at throughtheglassrecovery.com for more information about all of the sobriety resources we offer!

E83: From Denial to Disclosure: The Importance of Honesty in Recovery From Alcoholism

Honesty is one of those topics that seems pretty simple and clear cut at first, but starts getting a little squirmier the more you dig into it. There's layers there, too. Many of us tend to think we're pretty honest folks, but as we work more and more on our recovery, we start recognizing areas of our lives where we'd actually been quite dishonest... and that's especially true when it comes to being honest with ourselves. We've invited three inspiring people in long term recovery to come chat with us, and reflect on how honesty has played in a role in their recovery from alcoholism... and how that's evolved over the course of time. Listen as we talk with Kenny, Emily, and Adam and get real about honesty.
 
"Recovery meant getting honest with myself about my contentment and quality of life. I had to realize I was settling for less than my full potential."
In this episode:
Honesty with yourself - and how that evolves with greater self awareness
Excuses and lies of omission
Using lies to hide and cover up addictions, imperfections, mistakes and flaws
Dishonesty and perfectionism
Advocating for yourself as a part of honesty
Recognizing the physical reaction that happens when you are dishonest
How ego applies to honesty
Understanding - and getting honest about - underlying subconscious beliefs
The freedom that comes with living an open and honest life
"I always believed it was okay, as long as I didn't get caught."
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About our guests:
Kenny Hill is a combat veteran who has been sober for 17 years. He now works as a therapist with addiction and trauma in his private practice, called Recovery Hill.
Beyond his professional life, Kenny has a podcast called Patina’d Podcast, where resilience is the underlying theme as guests discuss their origin stories. This podcast can be found on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcast. 
https://www.youtube.com/@PatinadPodcast/featured
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/patinad-podcast/id1728582206
He also put together a mini-documentary series specific to addiction called “Story Of.” Each guest has sustainable recovery, and shares their experience and personal tips for long-term sobriety. Here is the link for ‘Story Of’:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZhkvLzyf87EjpTsLguktlPllq_kJmM2m
Kenny's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kenny_from_recoveryhill/
And Patina’d Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patinad_podcast/
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Adam Head spent the majority of adulthood running from a life that he found unfulfilling by drowning it in vodka and peppermint schnapps. This eventually landed him in the hospital with a diagnosis of acute alcohol induced liver failure. Fast forward through five rehabs, hundreds of meetings and a divorce, and he still found himself drinking. Until he discovered CBT, Spirituality, and the power of identity. He now lives a life he describes as overflowing with joy and is "effortlessly sober."
X - @theadamhead
www.adamthead.com
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As always, you can find more information about our guests, as well as all of the other resources Julie and Steve offer, at throughtheglassrecovery.com

E82: How Do You Regain Trust After Quitting Alcohol?

For many of us, our actions and behaviors have left our family and loved ones no longer trusting us, even after we've stopped drinking. So that begs the question - how do you regain trust after quitting alcohol? We've gathered Rachael, founder of Addict with Purpose; Michael, founder of SoberPress; and our adventurous friend Nadine to talk about what regaining trust from others - and in ourselves - has looked like in our lives.
You start getting trust back when you start telling the truth.
In this episode:
Learning to trust oneself
Consistency and time as the foundation of trust
Learning to do things that build trust
The value of authenticity in trust building
Honesty is a core component of trust
Living the apology
Understanding that we can't put a timeframe on someone else's trust
How to apologize with action
Learning to trust yourself through the hard times
Humility and its role in building trust
Also: learning to trust others
To learn more about Nadine, Rachael, and Mike, click here
Visit our website at Through the Glass Recovery for access to weekly zoom support meetings, our weekly newsletter, and other resources to support your sobriety.

E81: Self Esteem and Sobriety: Building Confidence After Quitting Drinking

Let's chat about self esteem and sobriety - and why it's so important. Life doesn't automatically just get easy when you quit drinking. Uncomfortable emotions still crop up from time to time, and one of the best things we can do is develop the skills to move through those emotions in a healthy way. One of the emotions that throws people for a loop is insecurity, so that's what we're gonna tackle today.
In this episode, we've invited sober influencer Azure, sober podcaster Brianna, and sober influencer Ginelle to come share with us how they've dealt with insecurity, and what they've done to increase their self esteem since they stopped drinking. If we can learn healthy ways to step out of insecurity and into confidence, we'll be able to handle life that much better. Stay tuned for some great insight and some helpful tips that you'll be able to use the next time insecurity gets the best of you.
"This isn't a game I play alone."
In this episode, you'll hear about:
The difference between external and internal self esteem
The value of trusting and believing in your own intuition
Letting go of living to impress others, and finding the courage to stop being fake
How to define realistic expectations so you can reasonably lower your standards
Learn the importance of small, esteemable acts and how to incorporate them into your life
Understand how excessive apologizing minimizes our value and lowers self worth
How to cope when regret is the source of your insecurity
The value of therapy - not just in sobriety, but in building self esteem
The interconnectedness of shame, vulnerability, and healthy self esteem
To learn more about Ginelle, Azure, and Brianna, click here
Visit our website at throughtheglassrecovery.com for access to weekly zoom support meetings, our weekly newsletter, and other resources to support your sobriety.

E80: The People Pleaser's Guide to Sobriety

The stereotypical "alcoholic" is seen as selfish. Always focused on their own gain, getting their needs met, and using other people to make that happen. 
But... it's actually far more common for people struggling with alcohol misuse to be people pleasers. They bend over backward, taking care of everyone, keeping everyone happy, to the point where they find themselves exhausted, empty, and full of resentment. People pleasing can be a huge pitfall in maintaining lasting sobriety. Today we're joined by Robbie, co-host of Golden Hour Adventures podcast; Leah, sober yoga instructor; and Daph, recovery coach and sober companion, to chat about what people pleasing looks like in our lives, how it affects us, and how we've found the courage to say no more often.
"Sometimes I forget to check in with myself."
In this episode, you'll hear about:
People pleasing as the desire to be liked and to fit in
Understanding the pressure that people pleasing places on us in our daily lives
Saying yes when we really mean no, and how that leads to resentment, which leads to drinking
Boundaries and how to set them if you're a people pleaser
People pleasing to avoid conflict
Dealing with the guilt and resentment that we carry from decisions made from people pleasing
Learning - and remembering - to check in with yourself
Early sobriety requires a certain amount of being 'selfish'
Working through the fear of disappointing others
To learn more about Robbie, Leah, and Daph, click here
Visit our website at Through the Glass Recovery for access to weekly zoom support meetings, our weekly newsletter, and other resources to support your sobriety.
 

E79 Cultivate Hope: Finding Meaning and Purpose in Recovery

We hear from a lot of people who are struggling with finding purpose in recovery. That feeling of being lost, of just floating through life, can be frustrating and can even lead to thoughts of drinking again. We know that if you have found your purpose in life, and you've found the courage to live out that purpose, maintaining lasting sobriety becomes achievable. So we've gathered together a group of folks to share their experiences in finding their purpose, and how it's looked in their lives. You'll hear from sober podcast host Michal, sober influencer Gary, and John, who is a sober ultra runner. We hope you're inspired to dig a bit deeper, and take the steps necessary to live out your own purpose.
"The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose in life is to give it away." -Pablo Picasso
In this episode, we talk about...
Defining our values so that we can more clearly understand our purpose
Allowing your purpose to evolve with you
How sobriety provides the clarity necessary to discover your purpose
Everyone has a gift. To know your gift is to know your purpose - or at least get you pointed in the right direction.
Purpose is nearly always centered in helping others in some way
Don't overcomplicate it! Your purpose is likely something quite simple.
Finding purpose in recovery means you must first discover your true identity
Experiment with what works. Keep an open mind and be willing to change directions often.
What to do if you know your purpose, but you're too afraid to say it out loud
"I know what my purpose is today. I don't need to commit to that for eternity."

E78: How To Build a Sobriety Support Network

If you're feeling alone in your sober journey, if you're wishing you had some extra sobriety support, this sober podcast episode is for you. We've gathered three inspiring women to share with us how they've built a sober support network that works for them. The conversation explains perfectly how no one recovery journey is the same as any other, and how our needs for support in recovery are as unique as our journeys. Listen as we chat with TikToker Taylor, Courtney, author of The One Brought Back , and Through the Glass regular Sherralynn, and discovery many new resources that you can use to build a sobriety support network of your very own.
"Online strangers saved my life."
In this episode, you'll hear about:
The I Am Sober app and community where Steve, Julie, and Sherralynn all met
Why it's important to find people who are also in recovery, so they can relate to your experiences
How to find online meetings (like the ones we host!)
The pros ad cons of telling your immediate family and friends right away
Courtney's journey through court ordered rehab, AA, and other recovery programs and how it was helpful for her
How your church family can provide sobriety support
Figuring out where you feel the most safe, so that you can be vulnerable
How people who aren't in recovery just don't understand, and how that's okay
The importance of continuing to experiment with new sources of support, as you continue to grow on your journey
Not knowing what to expect at a support meeting, and what it's really like when you finally do show up
"I didn't want to be the kind of person who needed to go to meetings."
To learn more about Sherralynn, Courtney, and Taylor, visit our website at throughtheglassrecovery.com 
There, you can also sign up for our weekly newsletter, and to gain access to our FREE weekly recovery meetings.
You can also find Julie and Steve on:
 Instagram 
Facebook 
Tiktok

E77: Recognizing the Alcohol Voice: Practical Tips for Managing Cravings and Urges

"The Alcohol Voice was telling me, 'You don't have to feel this way.'"
Urges and cravings to drink alcohol look different for everyone, but most of us can agree on one thing: there's a voice that pipes up inside our head, trying to convince us to drink. That voice sounds a lot like our own, and it gets really creative and tricky, trying to find ways to get you to give in and have the drink you've been working so hard to avoid. It's not unlike the angel on one side and the devil on another. In this podcast episode, we're joined by sober influencer Elle (@soberinthesprings) and Rich, a recovery coach, to talk about what that voice sounds like inside our heads. We share some practical tips and tricks to shut the voice down and manage the urgest and cravings so common in early sobriety.
"You will never regret choosing to stay sober."
In this episode:
Knowing when you've reached a limit
Giving yourself permission to do whatever you must, to put your sobriety first
The alcohol voice is a bully
How alcohol marketing gives alcohol its voice
Learning to confront and question thoughts
The drinking voice is an alarm - let's talk about how to respond to it.
Mental tips and tricks to move through an urge to drink
How we compare our problems to others and use that to justify our drinking
Our #1 tool for dealing with the drinking voice
To learn more about our guests, visit our website at throughtheglassrecovery.com
Get in touch with Steve and Julie:
Visit our website at throughtheglassrecovery.com to sign up for our weekly newsletter, and to gain access to our FREE weekly recovery meetings.
You can also find Julie and Steve on:
 Instagram 
Facebook 
Tiktok

E76: Conflict Resolution: Improving Communication Skills in Recovery

So it turns out, a lot of us were really bad at communicating. And then we got sober, and realized we couldn't just hide from difficult conversations and conflict anymore. We had to actually learn how to handle it. And it started with learning healthy communication skills in recovery. In this podcast episode, we dig into communication, and how to handle conflict effectively, after you get sober. We're joined by Mike, creator of Own Sobriety; Chris, creator of More Than 28; sober influencer Higgy, and our friend Melissa for a conversation about how we've learned healthy communication skills in recovery.
"I had to learn how to tolerate discomfort."
In this episode:
Finding the courage to say what you need to say
Learning to identify and then express needs
Understanding that conflict in relationships is normal
Facing the shame of forgetting drunken conversations
Developing active listening skills
Recognizing when you are being heard
You must know yourself in order to communicate effectively
Recognizing and unlearning unhealthy behaviors (i.e. manipulation)
Honesty and communication skills in recovery
How to communicate without the "lubricant" of alcohol
Gaining confidence and self awareness in sobriety allows for improved communication
Identifying and communicating boundaries
To learn more about our guests, visit our webite at throughtheglassrecovery.com
Get in touch with Steve and Julie:
Visit our website at throughtheglassrecovery.com to sign up for our weekly newsletter, and to gain access to our FREE weekly recovery meetings.
You can also find Julie and Steve on:
 Instagram 
Facebook 
Tiktok