No Alcohol Needed: The Podcast

Socializing without alcohol is possible - and full of connection, fun, and real confidence. In this episode of Through the Glass Recovery Podcast, we dig into how to rebuild your sober social life, stop relying on “liquid courage,” and rediscover joy in gatherings, friendships, and parties - without the booze.
We’ll cover how to handle those awkward first outings, what to say when people ask why you’re not drinking, how to find new friendships in sobriety, and how to show up confidently without the drink in your hand. Whether you’re newly sober or still figuring out what happens after quitting drinking, this is for you.
What you’ll get in this episode:
A deep look at socializing without alcohol and the fear that “everyone’s watching me.”
Honest stories from women in long-term recovery about rebuilding a sober social life.
Practical strategies to make friends, attend parties, and feel comfortable in social settings while staying sober.
How to shift from relying on alcohol for confidence to showing up as your true self- finding confidence without alcohol.
Tips for meaningful connection and authentic belonging - because sobriety doesn’t mean isolation.
For full show notes, visit
throughtheglassrecovery.com/how-to-socialize-without-alcohol/
 
---SOBRIETY SUPPORT & RESOURCES---
WORK WITH US – Personalized private coaching  
Redesign a life without alcohol - with support.
throughtheglassrecovery.com/recovery-coaching/
 
FREE SUPPORT GROUP ON ZOOM  
Real conversations. No judgment.  
throughtheglassrecovery.com/meeting-faqs/
 
JULIE’S SOBER LIVING BLOG  
Stories and reflections on rebuilding life after alcohol.
createalifesofull.com
FULL LIBRARY OF PODCAST EPISODES
Explore every Through the Glass Recovery conversation.  throughtheglassrecovery.com/podcast/

When we quit drinking, emotions we’ve spent years numbing suddenly come bubbling (or roaring) to the surface - and few feel as uncomfortable or overwhelming as anger. For many of us, it’s an emotion we were never taught to handle, let alone express in a healthy way. In this honest roundtable conversation, we explore what anger really is, why it shows up, and how to deal with anger without landing in fear, shame, or regret.
In this episode, Julie and Steve are joined by Lester Vaskin and Mike Coyne, who share their personal experiences and insights from recovery, relationships, and real life. Together, they unpack the hidden layers beneath anger - fear, disappointment, and unmet expectations - and discuss how learning to sit with and respond to anger can become one of the most powerful tools for growth in sobriety.
In This Episode:
Why anger feels so overwhelming in early sobriety
How childhood conditioning shapes the way we express (or suppress) anger
Understanding anger as a secondary emotion
The difference between reacting and responding
How the “pause” - or “meta moment” - helps your rational brain catch up
Using anger as a motivator for positive change
When anger masks fear, sadness, or hurt
Why avoiding anger keeps us stuck - and how feeling it sets us free
Realistic tools (that you'll actually use) for handling anger in healthy ways
Check out all the resources Through the Glass Recovery offers:
Full podcast episode library
Free Zoom virtual support group
Affordable one-on-one recovery coaching
Julie's blog for alcohol-free living

Dating after giving up alcohol is a whole new world - one that needs you to show up with honesty, self-awareness, and a little bit (or a lot!) of courage. How do you meet people without the bar scene? What if you feel awkward or anxious? And how do you navigate intimacy without dulling the nerves?
In this week’s episode of Through the Glass Recovery Podcast, Julie, Steve, Amber, and Matt open up about the messy, hilarious, and very human experience of dating sober. From rediscovering emotional and physical intimacy to recognizing red flags, this brutally honest conversation reminds us that healthy relationships start with the relationship we have with ourselves.
Whether you’re newly sober, sober curious, or just working on showing up more authentically in your connections, this episode will leave you feeling seen, hopeful, and inspired to keep growing.
In this episode:
How to tell if your sobriety is solid enough to start dating
Navigating dating apps and the questions about drinking alcohol
Red flags to look for that could threaten your sobriety
How sober dating reveals your emotional triggers and teaches you to listen to your gut, not your anxiety
What it means to feel safe with someone emotionally, and how honest communication changes every part of a relationship
Why sex without alcohol can be awkward at first - and ultimately more connected, present, and real
Taking responsibility for your patterns and growth instead of blaming past partners
How heartbreak can lead to growth, and why meaningful relationships start with showing up for yourself first
Releasing the fear of being alone
For full show notes and more information about this week's guests visit https://throughtheglassrecovery.com/podcast/sober-dating-101/
And be sure to check out all the other resources Through the Glass Recovery has to offer:
Full podcast episode library
Free Zoom virtual support group
Affordable one-on-one recovery coaching
Julie's blog for alcohol-free living

Are you feeling isolated after quitting drinking? This is one of the most common challenges expressed by people in early sobriety. In this episode, we explore the challenges of losing friends when you quit drinking and what you can do to rebuild meaningful connections.
In this episode:
Why friendships often change after getting sober
How to invite people into your struggles without fear
The importance of patience and giving your social life time to adjust
How strangers and sober communities can become your strongest support
Real stories of hope, vulnerability, and reclaiming your friendships
If you’re wondering, “I lost all my friends when I quit drinking - now what?” this episode is for you. You’ll hear firsthand experiences from people who rebuilt their lives, created authentic relationships, and found joy in sobriety.
Join our free Monday night Zoom support group to talk to people who truly understand your journey: https://throughtheglassrecovery.com/meeting-faqs/
Read the full show notes here: https://throughtheglassrecovery.com/podcast/lost-friends-when-i-quit-drinking/
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Check out all the resources Through the Glass Recovery offers:
Full podcast episode library
Free Zoom virtual support group
Affordable one-on-one support services
Julie's blog about alcohol-free living
 

When anxiety sets in, it can feel like there’s no way to escape the spiral - especially if you used to rely on alcohol to take the edge off. In this honest, practical conversation, Julie Miller and Steve Knapp sit down with Nadine, Melissa, and Ryan to talk about what anxiety really feels like in recovery, why it shows up, and how to navigate it without falling back into old coping patterns.
This episode is packed with real life stories and lessons learned, with actionable tools that actually help when your mind won’t stop racing. If you get frustrated with anxiety and have a hard time coping without turning to drinking, this one is for you!
In This Episode:
How to recognize when your anxious thoughts are lying to you
Why anxiety often gets louder after you quit drinking - and what to do about it
The connection between boundaries, routines, and emotional regulation
Small daily habits that can help reduce anxious spirals
Why “talking it out” can instantly quiet the noise in your head
When to consider medication or professional support
Grounding techniques that help bring your body back to calm
How to build emotional resilience so anxiety doesn’t control your sobriety
View the full show notes and learn more about our guests: https://throughtheglassrecovery.com/podcast/anxiety-after-quitting-drinking/
SOBRIETY SUPPORT & RESOURCES:
Work with us (coaching): https://throughtheglassrecovery.com/recovery-coaching/
FREE Support Group on Zoom: https://throughtheglassrecovery.com/meeting-faqs/
Julie’s Sober Living Blog: https://createalifesofull.com
Full Library of Podcast Episodes: https://throughtheglassrecovery.com/podcast/

Conflict is one of those things most of us try to avoid - especially when we’re sober and trying to protect our peace. But avoiding conflict doesn’t make it go away; it just creates more problems and pain that we have to deal with later. In this episode, Julie, Steve, Rachel, and Azure sit down to talk about what healthy conflict looks like in sobriety - and how learning to face it with healthy skills, boundaries, and emotional maturity can actually make sobriety feel like something you want to do, not something you have to do.
They get real about people-pleasing, anxious attachment, overreactions, guilt, and what it means to speak up honestly without losing your cool. You’ll walk away from this one feeling seen, equipped, and encouraged to show up for yourself - even in hard conversations.
In this episode:
Why conflict is not a sign of failure - it’s a chance to strengthen relationships
The difference between reacting emotionally and responding with intention
How sobriety changes the way we handle uncomfortable conversations
People-pleasing, anxious attachment, and fear of being rejected
The importance of emotional preparation before tough talks
How to know when to engage - and when to just let something go
Why authenticity sometimes means not being liked by everyone
Conflict is an opportunity to make a relationship better. Every single time.
Learn more about our guests and view the full show notes: https://throughtheglassrecovery.com/podcast/conflict-resolution-in-recovery/
Check out all the resources Through the Glass Recovery offers:
Full podcast episode library
Free Zoom virtual support group
Affordable one-on-one support services
Julie's blog: Create A Life So Full
 

Planning your first trip without alcohol can feel intimidating. Imagining the airport, the activities, the culture might leave you wondering, "Can I even enjoy this?" In this episode, Julie and Steve sit down with Darci, Sarah, and Corina to share their experiences, sprinkled with honest, practical advice for traveling alcohol-free while still having fun, feeling connected, and enjoying every moment - without the hangover or the anxiety.
In this episode:
How to redefine adventure so your sober vacation leaves you feeling connected and fulfilled.
How to plan and prepare for an alcohol-free vacation to set yourself up for success.
Understand the let-down effect so it doesn't sabotage your sobriety.
Mindset and reframes so you don't struggle with FOMO while traveling without alcohol.
A sober travel toolkit to leave you confident that you'll have the time of your life, no alcohol needed.
Your first sober vacation may feel unfamiliar at first, but with planning, support, and a little perspective, it can be even more fun, adventurous, and memorable than it ever was when you were drinking.
You can read more about the Let Down Effect that comes after a sober vacation on Julie's blog: https://createalifesofull.com/let-down-effect-sobriety/
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For full show notes and to learn more about our guests, visit the episode webpage: https://throughtheglassrecovery.com/podcast/sober-travel-without-alcohol/
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Find all the sobriety resources that Through the Glass Recovery offers:
- Free virtual support group
- Full library of podcast episodes
- 1-on-1 personalized coaching for sobriety and recovery
- Julie's blog 

If you’ve ever wondered, “Why does sobriety feel so hard? Will it ever get easier?” - this is your episode. Julie and Steve sat down with three sober creators (Dave @djsobershorts , Ness @soberinlaketahoe , and Yliana @alcoholfreesoul ) who have walked through the hardest parts of early recovery and found what actually helps. Their honesty, humor, and hard-earned wisdom will remind you that sobriety doesn’t just get easier - it gets better.
In this episode:
The surprising mindset shifts that make sobriety feel less overwhelming
Daily habits that help you stay grounded when cravings hit
Why support and community matter more than sheer willpower
How to take sobriety one hour, one day at a time without getting lost in the “forever”
The hidden gifts sobriety gives back once you stick with it long enough
This episode is for anyone asking themselves, “Can I really do this?” - the answer is yes, and here’s how.
To learn more about our guests and for full show notes, visit our website:
https://throughtheglassrecovery.com/podcast/what-makes-sobriety-easier/
Check out all the other resources we offer to support your alcohol free life:
Full podcast episode library
Free Zoom virtual support group
Affordable one-on-one support services
The No Alcohol Needed blog by Julie Miller

We all compare ourselves to others sometimes - no matter how hard we try not to. And in recovery, comparison can feel unavoidable. Whether it’s scrolling through social media, sitting in a meeting, or just noticing how someone else’s life looks... better, comparison can sneak in and leave us feeling “less than.”
In this episode, we're joined by Gina (Modern Day Monk) and Kristin (The Alcohol-Free Alchemist) to talk about how we find ourselves comparing our recovery to someone else's, and how it impacts the way we see ourselves. We're here with some honest conversation and some tips and tools to help you free yourself from comparison and start doing your recovery your way.
In this episode:
Why social media can fuel insecurity in sobriety.
The difference between comparison that inspires and comparison that destroys.
How to turn comparison into compassion.
Why your recovery will never look exactly like anyone else’s.
The one person you should compare yourself to.
"As soon as you start saying 'should'... you're comparing yourself."
If you find it hard to stop comparing your recovery to someone else's, be sure to check out these episodes, too:
Social Media and Addiction
Comparing Ourselves to Others
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Learn more about our guests and read the full show notes on our website
 
 

Early sobriety can feel like a rush of relief and excitement - the infamous “pink cloud” we hear about. But what happens when that high fades and you find yourself feeling flat, restless, or stuck in sobriety? In this honest and powerful conversation, Julie, Steve, Rachael, and Chad dig into the reality of plateaus in recovery, how to recognize them, and what it takes to move through - so you don't end up finding yourself slipping backward instead.
In This Episode
The pink cloud effect - why it feels so good at first, and why it eventually fades
How we confuse boredom with peace after living in chaos for so long
Chad’s raw story of breakup, therapy, and rediscovering his spark
The addictive side of “doing the work” and why action matters more than knowledge
How objective truth-tellers (friends, therapists, coaches) help us see what we can’t
Choosing responsibility over victim mode, even when life feels unfair
Practical tools to move from stagnation into growth
“If I feel bored or flat, I take responsibility - it’s my life, and if I’m bored, I’m not doing enough with it.”
Learn more about our guests and read the full show notes:
https://throughtheglassrecovery.com/podcast/sobriety-feels-flat/
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Check out all the resources Through the Glass Recovery offers:
Full podcast episode library
Free Zoom virtual support group
Affordable one-on-one support services
The No Alcohol Needed blog by Julie Miller