Episode 6: Sober in October: Music, Recovery, and Rebuilding Life Through Sobriety with Gregg Hall

Musician Gregg Hall joins the conversation to share his story of sobriety, reflection, and creative renewal. Gregg, now eight years sober from alcohol, performs an original song that reflects on daily struggles, resilience, and choosing a better path for himself and his family.The discussion explores Gregg’s upbringing in a Midwest drinking culture where alcohol was normalized through family gatherings, bars, and social life. He reflects on how drinking was once tied to identity, friendship, and the music scene, especially in live performance culture, where alcohol was deeply embedded.Gregg shares the turning point that led him to quit drinking: not a single rock bottom moment, but a gradual realization that alcohol was holding him back physically, mentally, and creatively. He discusses the challenges of early sobriety, including performing in environments where drinking was expected, and the shift in relationships that followed.Over time, sobriety opened new doors, improving his songwriting, strengthening family relationships, and allowing him to pursue recording opportunities in places like Nashville and Muscle Shoals. He also reflects on personal growth, mental health awareness, and alternative tools like meditation, spirituality, and recovery practices that support his sobriety.The conversation closes with Greg performing “Sober in October,” a song centered on relapse, recovery, and the ongoing process of choosing change one day at a time.Guest: Gregg Hall, Musician, gregghallmusic.comHosts: Brent Hanifl, William Stobb, and Paige GeiserTheme Song: Sober in October - by Gregg Hall & The Wrecking Ball - https://gregghallmusic.comYou’re listening to Wisconsin Sober, the podcast that explores Wisconsin’s complicated relationship with alcohol. Through digging into the state’s history, culture, and the lasting effects of drinking, this podcast seeks to understand—rather than demonize—alcohol’s role in Wisconsin life, while exploring what meaningful change could look like.