#45 What is Sober Curious: A Real Talk Recovery Conversation

Hello, hello friends and welcome back to another episode of The Mary Lacey Banks Show! Tis I, MLB—and today, you’re in for a powerful and deeply personal convo that I know so many of you will feel in your bones.I’m joined by my new friend Julie Benson, who I literally felt spiritually assigned to meet in a yoga circle (yes, really). What started as a chance encounter turned into this rich, heartfelt conversation about sobriety, rock bottom, recovery glow-ups, and what it actually means to be “sober curious.”Julie opens up about hitting rock bottom at age 20, getting sober, living in a halfway house, rebuilding her life from scratch, and what she’s learned in her 13-year recovery journey. We also talk about:The difference between sobriety and quality sobrietyRecovery outside of 12-step programsWhy she doesn’t track her sober date anymoreLiving on borrowed time and why it’s a giftCreating a life you don’t want to numb fromSwitching addictions (yep, we go there)If you’ve ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or like recovery has to look a certain way—this episode is for you.💌 Let this be your permission slip to find your own path, trust your own pace, and take it one beautifully imperfect day at a time.🛎 If you love the show, here’s how to support it (and me!):Please leave a 5-star rating on Spotify 🙏Drop a sweet review on Apple Podcasts 💌Send this episode to a friend who might need to hear it 🫶Your reviews help this little pod baby get into more ears, and it seriously means the world to me.Love you so much. Holding you in the biggest thought hug ever.MLB