• E228: Kindness Isn’t Weak, It’s a Superpower in Recovery
    May 20 2025

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    On this episode of the Sober Friends podcast, we dive deep into the idea that kindness isn’t some fluffy, feel-good concept—it’s a legit recovery tool. We talk about how hard it can be to receive kindness when we first come in, why it’s often toughest to be kind to the people closest to us, and how practicing kindness—especially when it’s not our default—can transform our relationships and our sobriety. There’s honesty, laughter, and a few tough-love truths in here, plus stories about caring for loved ones, being of service, and learning to meet people where they are without losing ourselves in the process. This isn’t about perfection—it’s about progress, grace, and finding strength in being gentle.

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    33 mins
  • E227: Staying Sober When Life Gets Chaotic- Balance, Busyness, and Letting Go of Control
    May 13 2025

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    Matt and Steve dive into the real-life challenges of maintaining sobriety when life gets busy—from caregiving and family obligations to missed meetings and disrupted routines. They share personal stories about staying grounded in recovery, the importance of asking for help, and learning to let go of control. This candid conversation explores how flexibility, planning, and community support keep them sober through life’s toughest stretches.

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    32 mins
  • E226: No Perfect Recovery- Finding Strength in Fellowship
    May 6 2025

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    Steve and Matt explore why fellowship is a critical "linchpin" in long-term recovery. They share personal stories about how connections with other sober individuals provide essential feedback, guidance, and support when facing life's challenges, like family issues and loss. Steve and Matt discuss how fellowship complements step work, strategies for newcomers who struggle to connect, and why even long-timers need their "pack" to stay sober. Its a vulnerable episode, as they all are and they reveal that nobody has "perfect recovery" and how reaching out to others, whether through meetings, service work, or simple check-ins and how that creates the safety net that makes sobriety possible. Looking to strengthen your recovery community feel isolated on your journey? You'll find a lot of strength from this episode.

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    31 mins
  • E225: The Mountain with Many Paths: Diverse Spiritual Journeys in Sobriety
    Apr 29 2025

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    "'Stop believing in me. I want you to believe in you.' In this powerful episode, we dive into one of recovery's most challenging concepts—finding a higher power. We share our personal spiritual journeys, discuss a thought-provoking reading about a loving, non-judgmental God, and explore how connection with nature and community can form the foundation of spirituality. Whether you're spiritual but not religious, questioning your beliefs, or simply curious about different perspectives on higher power, this conversation offers compassionate insights for your sobriety journey."

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    📫 Get more honest conversations about sobriety delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to The Sober Friends Dispatch, our weekly newsletter where we go beyond the podcast to share real strategies for alcohol-free living. Join our community by clicking here.

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    33 mins
  • E224- When You Can't Change Others- Acceptance as a Pathway to Peace in Sobriety
    Apr 22 2025

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    In this powerful episode, we dive deep into one of recovery's most challenging yet transformative principles: acceptance. Why is it so difficult to accept people and situations as they are? From navigating frustrating family dinners to confronting career disappointments, we explore how our inability to accept "life on life's terms" often leads us back to destructive behaviors. Learn practical strategies for finding peace amid circumstances you can't control, managing expectations in relationships, and recognizing when the quest for justice becomes a pathway to resentment. Our candid conversation reveals how acceptance isn't passive resignation but an active practice that creates space for serenity. Whether you're in recovery or simply seeking more peace in your daily life, this episode offers wisdom on how letting go of control paradoxically gives you back your power. Join us for this honest, heartfelt discussion about accepting reality while still influencing positive change.

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    📫 Get more honest conversations about sobriety delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to The Sober Friends Dispatch, our weekly newsletter where we go beyond the podcast to share real strategies for alcohol-free living. Join our community by clicking here.

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    34 mins
  • E223: Catching the Algorithm of Kindness- How Recovery Teaches Us to Fight Resentment
    Apr 8 2025

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    In this heartfelt episode of Sober Friends, hosts Matt and Steve explore how kindness can be our secret weapon in recovery. In a world where social media algorithms reward outrage and division, they share personal stories about their journeys from being "reformed trolls" to discovering the lasting joy that comes from acts of kindness. Steve opens up about caring for his wife during health challenges, while Matt reflects on putting family needs before his own desires. Whether you're new to sobriety or years into recovery, this episode offers practical wisdom on how kindness to others helps quiet the noise in our own heads—and might just be the key to staying sober in divisive times. Listen for authentic conversation about finding purpose through serving others and the surprising ways recovery teaches us to be kinder, even when things aren't going our way.

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    📫 Get more honest conversations about sobriety delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to The Sober Friends Dispatch, our weekly newsletter where we go beyond the podcast to share real strategies for alcohol-free living. Join our community by clicking here.

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    33 mins
  • E222: Medication in Recovery- When Is It Right for Your Sobriety Journey?
    Apr 1 2025

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    In this candid episode of the Sober Friends Podcast, Matt opens up about his recent decision to start taking prescribed stimulant medication for his ADHD while maintaining his sobriety. He and Steve tackle the complex question many in recovery face: does taking prescribed medication break sobriety? Together, they explore the responsibility that comes with medication management in recovery, the importance of transparency with your support network, and how to balance necessary medical treatment while staying true to your recovery journey. This conversation provides valuable insights for anyone in recovery who may be struggling with mental health conditions requiring medication, offering practical advice on maintaining accountability and making informed decisions about your health while protecting your sobriety.

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    📫 Get more honest conversations about sobriety delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to The Sober Friends Dispatch, our weekly newsletter where we go beyond the podcast to share real strategies for alcohol-free living. Join our community by clicking here.

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    31 mins
  • E221: Celebrating Sobriety- Anniversaries, Milestones, and Different Paths to Recovery
    Mar 25 2025

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    In this episode, Matt celebrates 11 years of sobriety coinciding with his daughter's birthday, while Steve shares his perspective on marking recovery milestones. The hosts discuss how anniversaries serve as powerful symbols of hope for newcomers while acknowledging that everyone commemorates their sobriety journey differently. They explore the importance of service in recovery, whether through sponsorship, offering rides to meetings, or simply being available to others who are struggling. Matt and Steve emphasize that while their recovery has been rooted in AA, they recognize and respect that there are multiple pathways to sobriety. The episode offers encouragement to listeners that recovery is possible, no matter where you are in your journey, and that the common goal—not the specific program—is what truly unites those in recovery.

    Support the show

    📫 Get more honest conversations about sobriety delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to The Sober Friends Dispatch, our weekly newsletter where we go beyond the podcast to share real strategies for alcohol-free living. Join our community by clicking here.

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    33 mins