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Supporting Sobriety Podcast

Supporting Sobriety Podcast

By: Matt Bair & Ryan Hedrick
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About this listen

The Mission

The Supporting Sobriety Podcast is dedicated to providing hope to the unsung heroes behind those struggling with addiction…their friends and family.

We will share insights, stories and resources to help listeners support their loved ones and care for themselves on the recovery journey.

The Hosts

Matt Bair

Matt considers himself blessed to be a recovering alcoholic. His lifetime profession as a radio broadcaster has been derailed multiple times by alcohol abuse but he remains alive and employed through the grace of God and help of others.

Matt lives by the humility introduced in the first step of 12-step recovery, that the alcoholic is truly “powerless over alcohol,” and the alcoholic in use of alcohol possesses a life that is “unmanageable.” He enunciates these beliefs in teaching recovery to alcoholics and addicts, while understanding there’s more to learn from the ones who don’t make it (Keep. Coming. Back). He truly believes everything “always gets better” if you don’t take the next drink or drug. Matt is dedicated to “supporting the supporters” like those who have been critical to his ongoing sobriety.

Matt is the long-time morning and afternoon traffic reporter for WIBC / Indianapolis.

Ryan Hedrick

Ryan Hedrick's life has been a journey of recovery from a challenging battle with addiction spanning nearly 25 years. His struggles with cocaine and methamphetamine led him down a dangerous path, marked by numerous attempts at treatment. However, salvation came in the form of a 12-step program that became his sanctuary.

To break free from the shackles of addiction, Ryan committed himself to giving back to recovery communities nationwide. He extended his support by bringing 12-step meetings to jails and institutions, sponsoring men on their recovery journeys, and regularly attending meetings. Like his co-host, the clutches of drugs and alcohol jeopardized Ryan's life and his career in radio.

Ryan is currently a reporter and morning news anchor at WIBC/Indianapolis where he met his podcast co-host Matt Bair. Together they strive to offer a beacon of hope to those grappling with similar struggles. Their podcast aims to reach and assist individuals behind the scenes by sharing personal experiences, strength, and hope with their followers. Through their collective journey, Ryan and Matt seek to inspire and support those supporting loved ones on the path to recovery.

2025 Urban One Personal Development Personal Success
Episodes
  • Episode 62 | Desire Has No Timeline

    Episode 62 | Desire Has No Timeline
    Aug 27 2025

    Matt Bair and Ryan Hedrick talk about why desire in recovery from addiction isn’t something you can measure or force and what that means for caregivers. They get into the struggles of supporting someone who might not always feel ready to change and why expecting constant motivation can lead to frustration.

    Drawing from what they’ve learned in their own recovery, they talk about how to stay supportive without overstepping, handle your own expectations, and keep your relationship healthy while your loved one navigates the ups and downs. This episode is packed with practical advice and reassurance for anyone walking alongside someone in recovery.

    Resources

    You can find us on X and Instagram: @sobriety_pod. Supporting Sobriety is also available on major podcast platforms like Spotify and Apple. Please like, subscribe, and rate our podcast!

    Al-Anon: Al-Anon.org

    Meetings: aa.rgroup.org/meengs

    NA Meetings: virtual-na.orginte

    Suicide Prevention Hotline: (800) 273-8255

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
    Show More Show Less
    27 mins
  • Episode 61 | Stigma Stops Here: Breaking Addiction Barriers

    Episode 61 | Stigma Stops Here: Breaking Addiction Barriers
    Aug 13 2025

    Matt Bair and Ryan Hedrick discuss the stigma surrounding addiction and its effects on both individuals struggling with substance use and the family and friends who support them. They explain how societal judgment, assumptions, and misconceptions can make recovery more difficult by creating shame, discouraging people from seeking help, and isolating families.

    They also talk about why stigma is so hard to overcome, noting that it is often deeply ingrained in social attitudes, language, and even systems of care. They share strategies for addressing these barriers, including using respectful language, increasing education about addiction, and connecting with local and national support resources.

    Resources

    You can find us on X and Instagram: @sobriety_pod. Supporting Sobriety is also available on major podcast platforms like Spotify and Apple. Please like, subscribe, and rate our podcast!

    Al-Anon: Al-Anon.org

    Meetings: aa.rgroup.org/meengs

    NA Meetings: virtual-na.orginte

    Suicide Prevention Hotline: (800) 273-8255

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
    Show More Show Less
    28 mins
  • Episode 60 | Relapse Happens. Here's How to Handle It

    Episode 60 | Relapse Happens. Here's How to Handle It
    Jul 30 2025

    Matt Bair and Ryan Hedrick sit down to talk about something every caregiver dreads—relapse. What does it mean? Is it the end of progress, or just part of the process? They walk through it honestly, from both sides of recovery.

    If you're supporting someone who’s trying to stay clean, a relapse can feel like a gut punch. It’s confusing, personal, and it can leave you wondering if anything you’re doing is working. In this episode, Matt and Ryan unpack what relapse is, why it happens, and what you can do to respond in a way that helps—without burning yourself out or taking on guilt that isn’t yours.

    They talk about the signs to watch for, how to stay connected, and why relapse doesn’t erase the progress already made. If you're walking this road with someone, this episode gives you real insight, practical takeaways, and a reminder that support still matters—even after a setback.

    Resources

    You can find us on X and Instagram: @sobriety_pod. Supporting Sobriety is also available on major podcast platforms like Spotify and Apple. Please like, subscribe, and rate our podcast!

    Al-Anon: Al-Anon.org

    Meetings: aa.rgroup.org/meengs

    NA Meetings: virtual-na.orginte

    Suicide Prevention Hotline: (800) 273-8255

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
    Show More Show Less
    34 mins
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