If you’ve ever dated sober, or intend to start dating sober, this is the episode for you! We turn the show over to five of our friends who are all active in the sober dating world, and give them a chance to tell all. They talk about everything from dealing with getting rejected and breaking up, to recognizing red flags and deal breakers, to the awkwardness of sober intimacy. Listen and laugh with us… and you’ll probably learn some things along the way, too!

• Online dating apps
• Being uncomfortable when your date drinks
• Your date being uncomfortable when you don’t drink
• Recognizing an unhealthy need for attention and validation
• Learning to communicate honestly and effectively
• Addressing a partner’s substance use
• Higher standards for conversation and connection
• Struggling with insecurity
• The older you get, the harder it seems to get
• Showing up authentically, flaws and all
• Taking things slowly
• Learning to appreciate solitude
• Learning to cope with loneliness

Visit our website for tons of free resources including:

Free weekly zoom support group

Full library of podcast episodes

Weekly sobriety inspiration newsletter

1:1 recovery coaching

About your hosts:

Julie Miller is the founder of No Alcohol Needed, a recovery community supporting women in all stages of recovery from newly sober to recreating the life that's been waiting for them. She is a certified Recovery Coach Professional and has been coaching since 2023. Visit her website at noalcoholneeded.net

Steve Knapp is a men's mental health advocate. He's the co-host of the Forged in Silence podcast and he is passionate about helping men develop the emotional intelligence and resiliency to create meaningful, connected lives.

(This episode was first published June 2, 2024)

With summer upon us, it seems everyone is wondering is to have sober fun – without missing alcohol! The warm weather seems to bring its own set of triggers. We invited Rich and Shana to join us this week, to talk about how they’ve learned to not just survive summer, but to truly enjoy it.

In this episode:

• How mocktails can still make summer events feel special
• Preparation: how to know you’re ready for whatever it is you’re wanting to do
• JOMO – letting others be your reminder for why you’re glad you’re sober
• Working through the fear of upcoming situations
• Sharing your goals with others for increased accountability
• Painting a new picture: it’s always looked the same, but now is your chance to decide how it will look going forward
• Sober travel – how to make it fulfilling
• The value of an adrenaline rush when you’re sober
• How to make sure you still have fun, so you don’t feel like you’re missing out

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Meet our guests: https://throughtheglassrecovery.com/podcast/how-to-have-sober-fun/

Want more inspiration for having fun without alcohol? Check out this blog post: https://throughtheglassrecovery.com/how-to-have-fun-when-youre-sober/

Come hang out with us on Zoom on Monday nights: https://throughtheglassrecovery.com/meeting-faqs/

Need one on one support? We can do that, too! Get more info here:

https://throughtheglassrecovery.com/recovery-coaching/

It's just Steve and Julie this week, and we're talking about the past and the future of Through the Glass Recovery Podcast.

We're getting ready to take a summer break - a longer one that usual - and we'll take the time to discuss the evolution of TTG. As we both move down new paths and our own recovery stories continue to evolve, so will the podcast. We'll still be here behind the scenes though, and we'll still keep most of our free and paid resources available.

From our hearts to yours, thanks to all of our incredible, loyal listeners for always supporting us as we continue this journey. We wouldn't be doing this if it weren't for all of you.

Through the Glass Recovery Resources:

• Monday night Zoom support group (free)
• Facebook page
• Instagram
• Blog
• Podcast episodes
• 1:1 Recovery coaching

Julie's resources:

• No Alcohol Needed blog
• Get the free 40-page e-book

Steve's podcast:

Forged In Silence

What does spirituality really mean in recovery—and do you have to be religious to be spiritual? In this heartfelt and wide-ranging conversation, Julie and Steve are joined by Matt, Corina, and Jamie for an honest, down-to-earth exploration of how spirituality shows up in their sober lives.

From Buddhist philosophy and Bible stories to daily rituals and unexpected symbols of peace, each guest shares a unique path toward meaning, connection, and healing. Whether you’re religious, spiritual-but-not-religious, or just curious—this episode will meet you where you are.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Redefining spirituality outside of religion
• Daily practices that connect us to something greater
• Accidental spiritual awakenings
• Finding meaning in suffering and recovery
• How different faith traditions shaped our sobriety journeys
• The importance of curiosity, open-mindedness, and community
• Using spiritual tools to stay grounded in sobriety

This one is warm, funny, and full of insight. If you’ve ever wrestled with the idea of spirituality in recovery—or avoided it altogether—this is a gentle invitation to explore what might be waiting for you.

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To learn more about our guests, view the full show notes at https://throughtheglassrecovery.com/podcast/spirituality-and-sobriety/

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For information about 1:1 Recovery Coaching, visit https://throughtheglassrecovery.com/recovery-coaching/

In this powerful episode, our group dives deep into the connection between perfectionism and alcoholism and how striving to be flawless can sabotage sobriety, self-worth, and emotional healing. Jessica, Sarah, Erica, Hope, Julie, and Steve share raw and honest stories of how perfectionism shaped their drinking, and what it looks like to work through those tendencies in recovery.

From redefining success and learning to sit with mistakes, to practicing self-compassion and choosing authenticity over image, this conversation is full of insight, laughter, and “me too” moments for anyone struggling with not feeling good enough.

Key Topics in this Episode:

• Defining our own standards of "good enough"
• Authentic connection requires allowing others to see our imperfection
• How perfectionism and overachieving go hand in hand to sabotage your mental wellbeing and sobriety
• The intertwined journeys of recovery and how they all affect one another
• Perfectionism as a sense of control
• Recovering from perfectionism is an ebb and flow - some days are easier than others
• The tools of sobriety also support recovering from perfectionism
• Being a perfectionist can stop you from self reflecting, not wanting to admit your flaws and shortcomings - and therefore stopping you from ever working on them.---

  To learn more about our guests, view the full show notes at https://throughtheglassrecovery.com/podcast/perfectionism-and-alcoholism/

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  For information about 1:1 Recovery Coaching, visit https://throughtheglassrecovery.com/recovery-coaching/

Feeling insecure when you get sober is completely normal, and even expected. Insecurity is a loud companion in early sobriety, and in life. In this episode, we’re talking about it honestly. So often, when we put down alcohol, we find that we no longer have a way to quiet the inner critic... or in some cases, it fuels the insecurity even more. The key to moving through insecurity is to find ways to do it without the shame and avoidance we used to use. Now we use new tools, new mindsets, and the newfound confidence of sobriety.

Chris, Emily, Julie, and Steve gather for a heartfelt conversation about how insecurity showed up for them after putting down the drink, and what it’s looked like to build confidence from the ground up.

Key topics discussed:

• Feeling like the odd one out in social settings without alcohol
• Why insecurity often starts way before our first drink
• How journaling, mindset shifts, and reframing help quiet the inner critic
• The vicious cycle of guilt, stress, and alcohol
• What happens when you stop numbing and start facing hard feelings
• Why confidence isn’t a feeling—it’s something you build
• Insecurity is a natural part of being human, not something to always be avoided.
• Digging into the why: Why do you feel insecure? What fear is beneath the insecurity?

This episode is full of real talk, personal stories, and a few laughs (including talk of Steve’s future AI bobblehead 😄). Whether you’re early in recovery or just feeling shaky in your skin, this one’s for you.

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To learn more about our guests, view the full show notes at https://throughtheglassrecovery.com/podcast/feeling-insecure-when-you-get-sober/

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For information about 1:1 Recovery Coaching, visit https://throughtheglassrecovery.com/recovery-coaching/

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/

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.

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!