The Grouch and the Brainstorm:A Sobriety Podcast

Matt and Mike welcome Mandy from Texas to talk about her struggles, identification and treatment for a mental illness. Her story reminds us all that it's not all about addiction.Primarily about alcoholism and recovery, our show has been and always will be inclusive. Most important is to make everyone aware that there is treatment and a better life waiting.

Recent events in the Shreveport area have left the city in disbelief and mourning, with the deaths of 8 local children and 2 critical wounded adults at the hand of one shooter. One of our own, Chris C. served in the Army with the shooter in this case and brings to the front line the importance of mental health and the impact a tragedy such as this has on the entire community.

April brings about step 4 in most of our circles. A time to take an inventory and a time to reflect on just how and why I am where I am. Step 4 helps that but may be uncomfortable to some. So just why can't I skip that or at least not tell all. Well Matt and Mike discuss just that and a lot more in this long awaited episode of G&B.

Who really has the power and what happens when we think we do? There can be a lesson, often harsh, learned when we we take back the power that we come to believe in. And when an "alcoholic" goes back to their original behavior, is it really that big of a surprise? Lisa, Matt and Mike talk about recent events, new meetings and what life is like on the sober end of things looking out.

Its February again, and as most of use who have been around a while know that February is all about step 2. Matt and Mike do a refresh conversation on step 2 and what it means to us. What some people think is a definite blocker on a new way of life, some of us have came to see that it is in fact a pathway to a life at all. Come join us as we discuss the ins and outs of step 2.

From a functioning college life full of conviviality, Joseph realized he did not drink like other people. His story, told so many times, tells us that once you admit there is a problem you can make a decision to do something about it.

Many of us have had that one "moment of clarity" when deep in addiction. Join us as we hear a sobriety story that is truly amazing. Jason from the great state of Texas, tells us about his journey through life and his struggles to find recovery. And of course that one moment when everything fell into place.

In this Episode, Dion from Colorado tells his amazing journey from Skid Row to being an active participant in helping others in recovery. A fellow podcaster who has seen both sides of recovery and has a lot of good stories to tell. We hope you enjoy.

For the first time venturing out of the US we had the pleasure to have Kiki from London, England tell us her story. Starting at a young age and facing many challenges she has an amazing story to tell. From a low point to becoming an advocate she is not only recovering but making a difference. Thank you Kiki for sharing your time with us.

In keeping with our on going theme through the holidays of having speakers tell their story, this week we have a very special speaker and I do mean special. My co-host Matt L. Recently told his story in Waskom, TX. and someone recorded it. So here is an extra gift to the listener.s Hope you enjoy.P.S. Larry L. Recently celebrated 14 years. Congratulations Larry!

Barclay M from Lafayette takes time to share his sobriety story with me and Matt. Originally from Bator Rouge, Barclays story crosses several states and holds up to major challenges. Hope you enjoy.

Another great story out of East Texas. Dani T in Tyler, Texas shares her story with the recovery community. What a great story it is. Hope you enjoy hearing as much as we enjoyed recording.

From the Koala Club in Bossier City, Larry W tells his sobriety story. I had a chance to see Larry come in the rooms and take up this way of life. I hope you all enjoy this episode and hope everyone had a great sober holiday season.

We always welcome speakers to come on and tell their recovery story. This week Shalena T from Tyler Texas has joined us to tell an amazing story about what it was like, what happened and what it's like now. What an amazing story to hear.

Anytime we can get a story we want to put it out there. This is Tasha telling her story at the Highland club just one day after celebrating a year in recovery. Thank you Tasha for sharing your story with us.

Rich T. Tells his story From a small town without a hope to Texas with 16 years of recovery. Rich tells us how he overcame obstacles to find recovery and hope in AA.

"A much more important demonstration of our principles lies before us in our respective homes, occupations, and affairs" Big book page 19.How well do we handle whet we learn in AA in some of the most stressful settings we are faced with. In this episode Lisa, Matt and Mike discuss their experience with "Kitchen AA" and see we still have some room for growth.

In episode 133 we are delighted to have Nicole from the Koala club in Bossier City, LA come on and tell her story only weeks away from getting her 1 year chip. Her story gives experience, strength and hope to many. Thank you again for being on the show G&BThis is episode 133 (sorry I said 132 on the podcast)

One of the most amazing things in AA is to hear other people tell their story. "What it was like, what happened and what its like now" are common place in the recovery community. Matt recently had the opportunity to interview Jimmy from the Tampa, Florida area. He has been sober since the early 80's and as in most stories they only deliver more hope the longer we keep coming back. We hope you enjoy.

We often hear in early sobriety that our fellows have a gratitude list. But what does it mean? Our friend Coleman visits Matt and Mike today to discuss his daily gratitude list. How it got started, how he keeps up and does it actually help? Just a few topics we discuss in this episode.

In this second part of "Who's the Doctor?" Matt and mike read and discuss the second letter that Dr. William D. Silkworth wrote to help explain to the world his medical opinion of this revolutionary new approach to treating alcoholism.

We often hear about the doctors opinion especially when new to AA. But who exactly is this doctor we are talking about. Matt and Mike explore the Doctor behind "The Doctors Opinion" as well as break down the letters that he wrote.

Please forgive the audio on this episode but I lost my microphone a few minutes into the episode. In this episode Matt and I discuss the condition some of us get in when we go too long without a meeting and just how it can affect other people that care about us. We will be releasing another episode later in the week to make up for the poor quality of this episode.

Welcome back!!The latest news to hit the system of course is the killing of Charlie Kirk. This event and others like it can really get the emotions going and sometimes out of control. The grouch and the brainstorm were not for us. Matt and Mike talk about their experience with this and other events including the suicides of people we know.

Heck, we all have them, we even deep down want others to know them. Are they healthy? Are they toxic. Or are they just a part of everyday life that can actually help if used correctly? Matt, Haden and Mike get together and discuss their experience with the topic of "Opinions".

Expectations can be the key to a lot of misery and pain. Can cause friction in relationships and even make us have resentments. Haden joins Matt, Jill and Mike for a discussion on expectations. Jill makes an announcement that will change the show moving forward.

Many of us have been to rehab and some of us have been more than once. But is it necessary? Some say it is not and some say they would have never got sober without it. Chris, Matt and Mike discuss their experience with rehab and what has happened before, during and after their experience.

Driven by a hundred forms of fear, self-delusion, self-seeking, and self-pity, we step on the toes of our fellows and they retaliate.This little excerpt from The Big Book explains so much, but hits on a mark of why we do what we do. But most importantly why others may react to what we do. Join Jill, Matt and Mike for their experience with this reading from "The Daily "Reflection"

Sometimes we don't slow down long enough to take care of ourselves. New found recovery can open up a life we never imagined and that life can get busy. Matt, Jill and Mike discuss what their experience with self care has done to enhance their recovery and their life.

A term that seams almost archaic but is used often in the big book. "Drink like a gentleman". Sounds simple enough but what exactly is it. In this episode Matt, Jill and Mike explore just what it means to each of us.

An expression I used to often hear when I was new to recovery was people referring to the "God size hole" in them. Misunderstood early on but described by many as "A dark place" or extreme loneliness. Matt, Cal and Mike discuss their experience with this expression.

"This is a program of action." A phrase you start to hear almost immediately when getting into the rooms. What does it reallymean? Cal, Jill, Matt and Mike discuss their experience with "action" in and out of the rooms and how it has made our everyday lives better.

Some topics are harder than others to approach. This just happens to be one of those episodes. Join Jill, Matt and Mike as we look at what the Big Book says as well as our experience with these delicate subjects.

My mentor and friend Randy T. has been kind enough to allow us to share his recently told story on our show. I think the story will speak for itself and once again we thank Randy for everything he does to support our recovery. Mike

Is alcoholism a disease? Is it fatal? What are the symptoms? These are just a few of the questions Jill, Matt and Mike discuss on the latest episode.

In most cases the alcoholic lives a double life, wants people to see the good side of their personality. For many there is another side entirely that is now sober and trying to live with the things they have done in the past. Matt, Jill and Mike discuss their experience with this topic.

"“Ministers and doctors are competent and you can learn much from them”. This is a quote from the big book. Sometimes we may need to see just a person that has more of a "professional" view on what may be going on with us. This is our experience with just that. Join Jill, Matt and Mike as we discuss this delicate matter.

Lisa tells her story at the Koala club.

How many times have I thought the impression I made was because of the words I said? Matt, Jill, Lisa and Mike discuss our experience with how much action has affected our lives and recovery compared to our words. How action made our lives better and words were just words. Thank you for joining us on this journey as we pass the 2 year mark.

How many times have I thought the impression I made was because of the words I said? Matt, Jill, Lisa and Mike discuss our experience with how much action has affected our lives and recovery compared to our words. How action made our lives better and words were just words. Thank you for joining us on this journey as we pass the 2 year mark.

The Big Book has a description, Google even has an AI generated description. But what does the day in the life of a recovering alcoholic look like through the eyes of those who live it. Although we speak for no one, we can describe what a day in the life for Matt, Jill and Mike looks like. This is our experience with just that. From waking up, to going to bed. This is what our lives look like.

The Big Book has a description, Google even has an AI generated description. But what does the day in the life of a recovering alcoholic look like through the eyes of those who live it. Although we speak for no one, we can describe what a day in the life for Matt, Jill and Mike looks like. This is our experience with just that. From waking up, to going to bed. This is what our lives look like.

I have had it and a few others I talked to over the years. It can be harmful to our recovery and our mental health. Matt, Jill and I discuss that stinking thinking, what it consist of, how to identify it and what can be done to help.

I have had it and a few others I talked to over the years. It can be harmful to our recovery and our mental health. Matt, Jill and I discuss that stinking thinking, what it consist of, how to identify it and what can be done to help.

Matt, Jill and Mike discuss the phrase "rocketed into the 4th dimension as mentioned on page 25 of the big book. We discuss where we are now compared to where we were then and what the phrase means to us.

Matt, Jill and Mike discuss the phrase "rocketed into the 4th dimension as mentioned on page 25 of the big book. We discuss where we are now compared to where we were then and what the phrase means to us.

What really gets under your skin? What gets you really worked up? Or worse what keeps you up at night causing emotional strain? Most important, what do you do about it? Lacey joins Matt, Jill and Mike as we discuss emotional triggers and our experiences with these pesky feelings.

What really gets under your skin? What gets you really worked up? Or worse what keeps you up at night causing emotional strain? Most important, what do you do about it? Lacey joins Matt, Jill and Mike as we discuss emotional triggers and our experiences with these pesky feelings.

When do I call my sponsor, just exactly how involved do I need them to be. What are my boundaries as a sponsor? Matt, Jill and Mike are joined by Chris C. We discuss how much we rely on our sponsor and how much sponsees rely on us. This is our experience with the sponsor sponsee relationship.

When do I call my sponsor, just exactly how involved do I need them to be. What are my boundaries as a sponsor? Matt, Jill and Mike are joined by Chris C. We discuss how much we rely on our sponsor and how much sponsees rely on us. This is our experience with the sponsor sponsee relationship.