Sober Disclosure

This week, we sit down with Jaden, who has a year and a half sober and a story rooted in resilience, identity, and discovering who she truly is without substances.Jaden shares that this is her first real attempt at sobriety. Before finding recovery, she tried to do it on her own — with her longest stretch lasting only a few weeks. Without knowledge of recovery or support, the cycle always pulled her back in. For nearly a decade, she was involved in sex work, with meth as her drug of choice, fueling a lifestyle that became increasingly difficult to escape.She opens up about trying to get sober in Mexico, only to find herself using again after connecting with someone on a dating app. Back in the States, she entered a relationship with a man who had years of sobriety before they met — someone who would ultimately introduce her to recovery, but also become part of the chaos. Their relationship was marked by cycles of using, dishonesty, and instability, even as he planted the idea that they both needed to get sober.Jaden’s first experience with treatment, in Santa Monica, didn’t stick. She admits she was doing it for other people, not for herself. After leaving early, she immediately returned to using. But everything began to shift when she got a call from a place called Vera Sanctuary. This time, something felt different. Surrounded by nature and a sense of peace, Jaden began to open up. Listening to panels and hearing others’ stories gave her a sense of hope she hadn’t felt before — and for the first time, she truly leaned in.Her journey wasn’t without setbacks. Around 60 days into the program, her partner — who claimed to be sober — tested positive. Despite initial confusion and denial, the truth surfaced. During a brief time together, Jaden relapsed, resetting her sobriety date. Not long after, she learned he had been pursuing other relationships while she was in treatment. That became a turning point. When he relapsed again, Jaden made the decision to walk away for good.Since then, she has remained committed to her recovery. She chose not to date during her first year, focusing instead on building a foundation within herself. When she finally did begin dating again, it came with new awareness — and new challenges.In this episode, Jaden speaks candidly about navigating sobriety as a trans woman living with HIV. While she is no longer detectable, she shares the emotional weight of stigma and the difficulty of feeling truly seen and accepted. It’s an honest and vulnerable look at the layers of identity that continue to shape her journey.Today, Jaden has come full circle — now working at the same treatment center that helped change her life, leading groups and giving back to others who are where she once was.Her message is both simple and powerful: find out who you are in sobriety. The growth, she says, lives in the things we try to avoid. And ultimately, recovery is a choice — you can wear it like a straight jacket, or like a loose garment.Jaden’s story is about reclaiming your life, embracing your truth, and learning that happiness isn’t something you find — it’s something you build, one honest step at a time.

This week, we sit down with Jacob, who has two and a half years sober and a story that captures the quiet shift from doing recovery for others… to finally choosing it for yourself.Jacob opens up about a thought he carried with him early on — an “out” he had already planned. In his mind, he would stay sober for two years, and then most likely go back home, because deep down, he didn’t feel like he was doing it for himself. While he had always been social before sobriety, his first two years were marked by isolation and loneliness, leaving him questioning what this life was really for.That began to change when he attended Camp Sober Fest to celebrate two years sober. It was there, surrounded by connection and community, that something clicked. For the first time, Jacob found a reason to stay sober that actually belonged to him.Looking back, his story before sobriety was filled with chaos and broken promises. He shares about a trip to Martha’s Vineyard, where he had committed to staying sober for his family — a promise that quickly unraveled. Within days, he found himself using again, eventually leading to a blackout, a confrontation with his dad, and a night spent in jail on the island. That moment became a turning point. After refusing to return to his family’s house, he stayed with his aunt, where his sister called and предложed a new plan: go to California and get sober.What was supposed to be a quick turnaround became delayed when Jacob tested positive for COVID, forcing him to sit still longer than he wanted. But eventually, he made it to California — this time with a different opportunity in front of him.Although he had been to treatment before, Jacob admits the goal was never true sobriety — just learning how to manage his drinking. This time was different. He committed to a long-term program, staying in treatment for a full year and fully immersing himself in recovery.Once there, Jacob hit the ground running. He quickly got a sponsor and worked the steps within three months — and then did them again. And again. Now on his fourth round of steps with his fourth sponsor, he shares honestly about the struggle to find the right connection — someone he could call without it feeling forced. That willingness to keep trying reflects the deeper work he’s committed to today.He stayed busy in the rooms, attending up to nine meetings a week and building a foundation through consistency. By six months sober, he was already secretary of three meetings, a role that helped him build accountability and connection. For Jacob, simply showing up — over and over again — became the key to finding his place.In this episode, Jacob also speaks to his experience as one of the only Black men in many of the rooms he attends, something that mirrors much of his upbringing. While he acknowledges the lack of diversity in Orange County, he shares his perspective with honesty — recognizing both the challenges and his own experience within it.He reflects on early sobriety mistakes, including going out to bars during his first few months — something that eventually caught up with him when his sober living found out. Watching friends relapse during that time became a powerful lesson that helped reinforce his own commitment. He also shares about navigating relationships in sobriety, including dating someone who relapsed, and how he learned to sit with life as it is — without escaping.As his sobriety grew, so did his life. From learning how to build a resume and work a “normal” job, to gaining experience in sales and eventually transitioning into a role as an overnight tech at a treatment center, Jacob began to see a future take shape. Now, he’s back in school pursuing a business degree, with the goal of one day owning his own detox and residential facility.At the heart of Jacob’s story is a simple but powerful message: keep showing up. Even when it feels awkward, even when it feel

This week, we sit down with Mauricio, who has two years of sobriety and a story that speaks to identity, resilience, and finding belonging in a world where he often felt like he didn’t fit.Originally Colombian, Mauricio grew up in South Central Los Angeles, navigating life between cultures — feeling “too white” for the Hispanic community and “too Hispanic” for everyone else. As a gay man, that sense of not belonging only deepened, shaping both his identity and his path into addiction.Mauricio shares how he first got sober after hitting a breaking point while squatting in someone else’s condo. Desperate, he called his parents for help, and they arranged for him to go to a treatment center in Mexico. What followed was an experience he describes as surreal, confusing, and ultimately traumatic.After visiting an upscale facility that left him overwhelmed and fearful, Mauricio chose to trust his parents’ judgment and entered a second center — one that, in his state at the time, felt almost like a movie set. But within weeks, the reality became clear. His detox took place in what he describes as an old horse stable, locked and isolated. He wasn’t allowed to contact his family or leave, and punishments for attempting to escape were severe. Guards monitored patients constantly, and conditions were harsh and inhumane.Mauricio spent four and a half months there before his father began to realize something was wrong and brought him back to the United States. Once home, Mauricio entered an IOP through an LGBTQ center, beginning the process of rebuilding his life. But even then, he admits his mindset hadn’t fully shifted — telling himself that once he got back on his feet, he would eventually drink again.And he did.After reaching a little over a year sober, Mauricio relapsed and quickly found himself back in the depths of addiction. This time, it led him to a spiritual bottom — a moment where he finally surrendered and asked God for help.What happened next felt nothing short of divine. Someone from AA, who had seen him on Grindr, reached out unexpectedly just to check if he was okay. For the first time, Mauricio told the truth. Within minutes, that person showed up at his door and took him to a meeting — a moment Mauricio describes as the beginning of everything changing.Unable to return to residential treatment, he went back to the LGBTQ center and committed to IOP once again — this time with a different willingness. Since then, he has remained sober.Today, Mauricio has found purpose in giving back. He started his own Spanish-speaking meeting in Los Angeles, creating a space for others who, like him, may have struggled to find where they belong. He credits this community and service as one of the most meaningful parts of his recovery.Mauricio’s story is one of survival, identity, and the power of being seen. It’s about what happens when you finally stop running, tell the truth, and allow yourself to be found — proving that even in the darkest places, connection and recovery are possible.

This week, we sit down with Cody, who has six and a half years sober and is navigating one of the most challenging seasons of his recovery — going through a divorce from his husband.Cody’s story begins long before sobriety stuck. He knew he had a problem as early as high school, and at 19, he attended his first AA meeting after a friend invited him. It was in a garage, filled with smoke, and when newcomers were asked to share, Cody felt overwhelmed. He broke down crying, admitting he was terrified of ruining his life. But despite that moment of honesty, he wasn’t ready. Soon after, he moved to San Francisco, where his addiction escalated and he spent years avoiding recovery altogether.It wasn’t until six years later that Cody returned to a meeting — this time meeting Jimmy, and for the first time, showing up for himself. Even then, the shift didn’t come easily. Watching people laugh in the rooms, he assumed they must be high, while he himself was still using edibles. When his sponsor encouraged him to take a newcomer chip, it triggered something in him, and he walked away from sobriety again — leading to another year of using.That year became one of the darkest periods of his life. Cody describes feeling completely alone, confronting what his future could look like if nothing changed. In a moment of surrender, he stopped fighting it — fully leaning into his addiction before finally reaching a breaking point. He called his parents and admitted the truth: he was a full-blown alcoholic.From there, Cody entered treatment, beginning a new chapter that would ultimately reshape his life. He shares vivid memories from that time, including creating an alter ego — complete with a wig — out of fear of being recognized by people in AA while he was still going out to clubs. Beneath the humor of those moments was a deep fear of being seen.While in treatment, a therapist recognized something in Cody that he hadn’t fully seen in himself — suggesting he consider becoming a therapist. That moment planted a seed, ultimately guiding him toward the work he does today and offering a powerful lens through which he understands both himself and others.In this episode, Cody opens up about his patterns in relationships — especially his tendency to rely on others for stability and his desire to control and shape his partners. Through therapy and Al-Anon, he’s begun to unpack those patterns, learning to shift the focus inward and take responsibility for his own growth.He also shares about recently getting an Al-Anon sponsor and the profound connection he feels with them — recognizing a sense of peace and relief that he deeply wants for himself. Through his grand-sponsor, he’s learning an important distinction: while AA is a program of giving back, Al-Anon asks something different — to turn inward, to focus on self-care, boundaries, and rediscovering personal interests and identity.This conversation dives deep into the principles of Al-Anon and the often-overlooked work of learning to sit with yourself. Cody’s story is one of honesty, self-awareness, and transformation — showing that sobriety isn’t just about stopping substances, but about unlearning patterns, facing yourself, and continuing to grow through life’s hardest moments.

This week, we sit down with Courtney, who has two and a half years sober and a story that speaks to the exhausting cycle of trying, relapsing, and believing you might never actually make it out. Originally from Texas, Courtney moved to California 13 years ago in search of sobriety — a journey that took her through treatment an estimated 26 times.Courtney had managed to reach one year sober twice before, only to relapse shortly after each milestone. Looking back, she realizes much of her sobriety felt performative — something she was doing for everyone else rather than something she truly wanted for herself. Her goals were always short-term: just make it to the next milestone. But once she hit a year, she didn’t know what to do with her life beyond that point. With no vision for the future, she’d convince herself she could just go out for one day — and the cycle would begin again. As she puts it, getting high never stopped “working” for her, even though the consequences kept getting worse.Courtney also opens up about the complicated relationship with her biological father and the deep work she’s had to do in therapy to unpack how that relationship shaped her identity, her self-worth, and ultimately her addiction.When she got sober this time, life didn’t suddenly become easier. At just two months sober, Courtney found out that her long-term ex-boyfriend, Connor, had died from an overdose. Grief hit hard, and she describes much of her first year sober as a blur — sleeping through the pain while still trying to show up for a brand new job and a new relationship.Throughout her addiction, Courtney’s mom had helped her get into treatment again and again — but always with strong boundaries when Courtney was actively using. This time was different. When Courtney said she wanted to get sober again, her mom told her she would have to do it herself. Looking back, Courtney believes that shift may have been one of the reasons this sobriety stuck.Today, she takes a different approach to recovery. Courtney hasn’t taken a single sobriety chip — not because she’s not proud, but because she doesn’t want to put pressure on herself or create another milestone she feels she has to perform for. For someone who once believed she would never stay sober, simply being here today feels like a miracle.She also shares how becoming a house manager at just two months sober gave her purpose and structure during the most fragile time of her recovery. Looking back, she believes God was orchestrating things in ways she couldn’t understand at the time — placing people and opportunities in her life exactly when she needed them most to carry her through Connor’s death and into a deeper level of sobriety.One moment that changed her perspective came while sitting in detox for what she believes was the 27th time. She was reading a book when a thought unlocked in her mind:“Yes, you’ve been here before… but you’ve never been beyond.”For the first time, Courtney realized that while she had repeated the same cycle for years, she had never actually seen what life looked like past that one-year mark. And maybe — just maybe — there was a bigger life waiting for her if she stayed.Courtney’s story is about persistence, humility, and the quiet courage it takes to try again — even when you’re convinced you’ll fail. Because sometimes recovery doesn’t start with confidence… it starts with the simple willingness to go farther than you ever have before.

This week, we sit down with Maggy, who celebrated 12 years sober on November 9th. Originally from Illinois and now rooted in recovery after getting sober in New York City, Maggy’s story is one of radical honesty, humility, and learning how to rebuild herself again and again — even with years of sobriety behind her.Maggy shares about her early attempts at sobriety, including a period where she believed she was sober — while still snorting Adderall. It wasn’t until she heard someone share about a similar experience in a meeting that the truth landed. She realized sobriety wasn’t about technicalities or loopholes — it was about honesty. That moment became a turning point.Before getting sober, her drinking was filled with shame, isolation, and quiet desperation. She remembers sitting alone in her room, thinking, “I can drink better if I learn how to drink better.” That thought led her to open her computer and type “Alcoholics Anonymous.” Even then, denial still lingered. Her last drink was at a free concert where she told herself she wouldn’t drink — it was too expensive and wouldn’t do anything anyway. But she drank. Because she couldn’t not drink. And even though she constantly told herself she wasn’t “that bad,” she was living with daily thoughts of wanting to die.Maggy got sober at just 22 years old and walked into her first meeting at the Atlantic Group in New York City — an experience she describes as intense, structured, and exactly what she needed. She jumped in headfirst, took direction, and grew up in the program. But like many, her journey wasn’t linear. Early in sobriety, she entered a relationship and unknowingly made that person her Higher Power. When the relationship eventually ended, she found herself spiritually disconnected and had to return to the rooms with the humility of a newcomer all over again at two years sober.She shares openly about what it means to rebuild — not just once, but multiple times. At ten years sober, Maggy moved back to Illinois and once again faced the loneliness and discomfort of starting over. For a moment, she questioned whether she would ever find her people again. But through willingness and persistence, she did.Maggy also speaks powerfully about mental health in recovery and the importance of outside help. She emphasizes that sponsors are there to guide someone through the steps — not to replace medical professionals or dictate mental health treatment. Her sponsor told her, “I’ll put your hand in God’s hand and take you through the steps,” giving her both spiritual guidance and the freedom to seek the professional help she needed.Today, Maggy uses her experiences — including her mental health struggles — to help others find the right support and resources. She believes those challenges have given her purpose and compassion for others walking similar paths.Maggy’s story is a reminder that recovery isn’t about perfection — it’s about self-honesty. It’s about telling the truth, asking for help, and being willing to start over as many times as it takes. Because sometimes the greatest freedom comes not from fixing yourself — but from finally being honest about who you are.

This week, we sit down with Vinny — a man coming up on three years sober whose story cuts straight to the core of what addiction really is: self-centered fear, emotional avoidance, and the slow erosion of everything that matters.Vinny is brutally honest about the fact that he didn’t become selfish after he started using — he was already that way. Long before meth entered the picture, he was chasing what he wanted, when he wanted it. He married and had children not out of love, but out of desire to possess something. When the woman he was with realized she wasn’t loved and left, Vinny didn’t fight for the relationship — he fought to keep the kids for himself.Years later, life took an unexpected and painful turn when his ex-partner was diagnosed with a rare cancer and had to move back in with him. By then, Vinny was already deep in addiction, revolving his entire life around meth. He cycled through short bursts of sobriety — 30 days, 45 days — but whenever meth called, he answered. Every time.The turning point didn’t come from a court case, a hospital bed, or even the cancer in his home — it came from a vision. Vinny describes seeing his grown children looking at him with disappointment and heartbreak. That moment became his spiritual bottom. He walked into the Fountain Valley Alano Club and said the words that changed everything:“I’m an addict and I can’t stop.”This time, he did it differently. He got a sponsor. He worked the steps. He took commitments. He showed up. And when something wasn’t working, he didn’t quit — he adjusted. He went through multiple sponsors until he found someone who truly understood both him and his drug of choice. For the first time, Vinny didn’t just get sober — he started to recover.Vinny also opens up about the generational trauma that shaped him. His father lived multiple secret lives with three hidden families — and in sobriety, Vinny realized he was becoming the very man he resented most. That awareness, painful as it was, became part of his healing.One of the hardest — and most meaningful — parts of Vinny’s journey has been making amends to his three children. He talks honestly about the fear, the humility, and the slow rebuilding of trust after years of absence and broken promises.He also shares about his first serious relationship in sobriety — one that recently ended — and why, for the first time in his life, he’s choosing not to rush into something new. Instead, he’s learning how to date himself, sit with himself, and actually know who he is without drugs, chaos, or another person to hide behind.Vinny’s story is a powerful reminder that addiction doesn’t just destroy substances — it destroys relationships, identity, and self-respect. And recovery isn’t just about not using — it’s about becoming someone your kids, your past, and your future can finally believe in.

This week, we sit down with Charlene — a woman whose story proves that staying sober isn’t the same as living sober. With over 7½ years of recovery today, Charlene opens up about the two very different versions of sobriety she’s experienced — one driven by fear, and the other rooted in freedom, connection, and purpose.Before this chapter of her life, Charlene had 22 months sober — and it was nothing short of a miracle she made it that far. She originally entered treatment for just 30 days, but on her 29th day, she asked her counselor what her chances of relapsing were. When he said 50/50, fear kicked in — and she stayed for another 30. She did the steps, went to meetings daily while in treatment, and followed the rules. But once she left, she stopped everything. No sponsor. No sober friends. No meetings. She even kept going to happy hour, sitting at the bar drinking water. It was abstinence without connection — and it was never going to last.Her relapse was slow and calculated. One day at happy hour, telling a friend how good her life had become, she was told, “You should have a drink.” And that was all it took. For eight months, she tried to control it — until she was right back where she started: two bottles of vodka a day and burning every relationship to the ground.Charlene is one of seven siblings — five sisters and two brothers — and addiction has touched every corner of her family. She lost a brother to the disease, and she was the first sibling to get sober. Today, two of the sisters she’s closest to are sober too — a legacy of healing that started with her.This time, Charlene did recovery differently. She found Celebrate Recovery and committed to a nine-month, all-women program where missing more than two meetings wasn’t allowed. Twenty-five women, all on the same step, moving through the work together — and for the first time, she didn’t do it alone. When she graduated, she was asked to lead the next group, spending another nine months walking women through the same process that had changed her life.Charlene opens up about what it’s really like to build a life in sobriety — sober sex, dating, and even going through a divorce clean. She also shares how fitness became a powerful anchor in her recovery, and how learning to stop caring what people think of her set her free.Today, Charlene works for The Phoenix, a sober active community that offers free fitness and social events to anyone with 48 hours of sobriety — creating connection, purpose, and belonging where isolation once lived.Charlene’s story is a reminder that fear can keep you dry… but only connection, honesty, and community can help you build a life worth staying sober for.

This week, we sit down with Sarah — who will celebrate five years sober this March — and whose story is a powerful reminder that sometimes it’s not the hundredth attempt that saves us… it’s the first honest one.Sarah had collected plenty of 30-, 60-, and 90-day chips over the years — but none of them were real. She wasn’t staying sober, she was just resetting the clock. Then, something changed. When she finally made it to an honest 90 days, it “just stuck” — and it became the foundation for the life she’s living today.Her drinking began at USC, where she even circled a concern about alcohol on a medical form. That simple moment led to conversations about therapy, psychiatry, and the rooms — but at the time, Sarah wasn’t looking for help. She openly admits she wanted to die an alcoholic death. That sounded easier than living.Before getting sober, Sarah was living in a Motel 6, bouncing between chaos and isolation. She ended up moving in with a man 26 years older than her — someone she’d met in the rooms — who was sober himself. But living there came with no consequences. She could relapse freely, and she did. Eventually, she realized she needed accountability to survive, so she moved in with a woman in recovery — a decision she now says saved her life. She lived with her for three and a half years while working her get-well job at Home Depot and slowly learning how to be a person again.Sarah shares what it was like to experience feelings for the first time in sobriety — including having a crush on a coworker — and how strange, vulnerable, and terrifying it was to navigate emotions without numbing them.Her alcoholism took her to brutal physical and emotional lows. She had multiple DUIs, a medical hold on her license, pancreatitis, and hospital stays so frequent they became routine. She’d text her mom, “I’m going into the hospital today,” and her mom would reply, “Okay sweetie, see you in five days.” With no car, she rode a bike everywhere — eventually upgrading to an e-bike — even pedaling through the rain to her corporate job, determined to keep showing up.In her twenties, Sarah had no friends — not one. She got sober at 31 and was suddenly surrounded by people who cared about her, showed up for her, and loved her. On her first sober birthday, more than 100 people came to celebrate her — something she never imagined would be possible.Sarah’s episode is about loneliness turning into belonging, fake recovery becoming real, and how a single honest 90 days can change everything.It’s a story of grit, grace, and the miracle that happens when you finally stop running — and stay. 💛

In this episode, we sit down with Amanda — whose recovery journey began not in a meeting room, but under the brightest spotlight imaginable.After leaving her hometown in New Jersey in the depths of addiction, Amanda found herself on Dr. Phil alongside her two sisters. What followed was an experience few people can even imagine: being flown out with her family, walking onto a stage, and seeing her parents sitting there — then having to watch herself and her sisters use drugs on national television in front of millions of people.Amanda walks us through what happened behind the scenes — how the show decided where each of them would go for treatment, and how being separated into different programs for different lengths of time deeply impacted each of their recovery paths. While Amanda was incredibly fortunate to receive a much longer stay in treatment, her sisters’ journeys looked very different. Though they didn’t stay sober immediately after, they are now sober today — and Amanda reflects honestly on the survivor’s guilt, gratitude, and complexity that comes with that.She also shares how she learned to rebuild from the ground up — starting with a get-well job at The Latest Thing, learning how to show up consistently, and slowly creating a life that didn’t revolve around chaos or crisis.Amanda opens up about dating her now-husband during her first year of sobriety, navigating his relapse, and how they managed to grow through it instead of apart. Her story highlights the reality that recovery doesn’t happen in isolation — it unfolds in relationships, in work, in disappointment, in forgiveness, and in the daily choice to keep going.This episode is about visibility, family, and the long road from being exposed to truly being free. It’s a powerful reminder that even the most public rock bottoms don’t guarantee sobriety — but they can become the starting point for a life built on humility, accountability, and grace.(And yes — we did mess up the camera for the last 15 minutes, so you’ll mostly be looking at our faces… but trust us, the story is worth it.) 😅🎧 Tune in for a raw, unforgettable conversation about fame, family, and finding real recovery after the cameras turn off.

This week, we sit down with Kelly — whose story is raw, honest, and deeply relatable for anyone who’s ever tried to get sober before they were truly ready. With a sobriety date of 2/16/21, Kelly shares what changed between her first attempt at recovery at 26 and the version of sobriety she’s living today.Kelly’s early substance use leaned more toward drugs than alcohol. Growing up in a family marked by alcoholism, she thought drinking was “yucky” — until a relapse led her straight into it. In her early 20s, she was living in LA when a car accident forced her to move back home. Feeling like the odd one out, she found drugs, lost stability, and eventually found herself kicked out of her parents’ house and living in her car. She shares darkly funny — and painfully honest — stories about experiencing psychosis, constantly believing people were talking about her, and how those thoughts still echo in her life today.This time around, sobriety looked different because her attitude was different. Kelly came in with acceptance — a willingness to do whatever was suggested. Detox. Residential. Sober living. Sponsor. No shortcuts. She talks about a moment in South Florida, deep in chaos, when she called her stepdad and said, “I know I won’t feel like this in an hour or a week — but you need to come get me. I’m unwell.” That moment of clarity saved her life.After returning to California with about 70 days sober, Kelly relapsed — but instead of disappearing, she reached back out to the sober living she’d previously been in, despite having reservations. A relapse involving a substance she believed was something else — later discovered to be laced with fentanyl — gave her a healthy fear that ultimately anchored her recovery. She returned to the program, stayed in sober living for over a year, became a house manager with just four months sober, and made the intentional decision not to date in her first year.Kelly shares how working out became a crucial tool in her sobriety — not as an escape, but as a way to stay present through discomfort. She opens up about gaining weight in recovery, feeling uncomfortable in her own skin, and learning how to move through that discomfort instead of using over it. She reflects on her relationships with other women, how men once felt safer, and why today she prioritizes women’s meetings, strong female connections, and remaining single — by choice.Now, Kelly is living the promises. She’s found purpose, stability, and self-trust — even working as a voice recorder in the court system. Most importantly, she shares that this is the most okay she’s ever been being single.Kelly’s message to the newcomer is simple and powerful: give yourself a year. Lock in. Do the work. And see what happens.This episode is a reminder that recovery doesn’t require perfection — just willingness, honesty, and the courage to stay.

In this episode, we sit down with Paul — a member of Jimmy’s home group who is approaching seven years sober and living proof that real change often begins with a single boundary you can’t talk your way around.Just two weeks before Paul got sober, his brother passed away from complications related to HIV. While he didn’t die directly from drugs or alcohol, he was in active addiction and not taking care of himself — and he was also the person who first introduced Paul to Alcoholics Anonymous. Despite the timing, Paul shares honestly that his brother’s death wasn’t the reason he finally surrendered. Grief alone wasn’t enough to keep him sober — something deeper had to change.That change came when his longtime partner, Nikki — who had just reached one year sober — drew a line in the sand: get sober, or leave me alone. They had been together since 2014 and had survived countless relapses side by side. But this time, Nikki meant it. And for the first time, Paul listened.At the time, Paul was living in a sober living that didn’t hold him accountable — one where he knew he could continue getting high if he wanted to. Instead of staying comfortable, he chose discomfort and moved into a different sober living where he knew he’d be held to a higher standard. He admits he originally stayed sober for Nikki — and even jokes that she appointed his sponsor for him (not exactly how it’s supposed to work). But somehow, it worked. That sponsor finally broke the Big Book down in a way Paul could understand, helping him see his own life reflected in every page.Paul also opens up about identity and honesty — including what it was like to be in a relationship with a transgender partner while still hiding parts of himself. It wasn’t until this stretch of sobriety that he fully owned who he was, stopped keeping secrets, and allowed himself to live openly and authentically.Nikki required Paul to stay in sober living for a full year before they moved in together — another boundary that helped build a foundation rooted in trust, accountability, and growth. Paul shares how far he was willing to go to stay sober, including riding bikes to meetings when he had no other way to get there — something he still does today.We also dive into Paul’s family dynamics. With two brothers who still drink and smoke, Paul has had to learn how to set and maintain boundaries — even when they see how much better his life has become and still ask him to join in. His story highlights the quiet strength it takes to choose yourself, even when the people you love don’t fully understand your choices.Paul’s episode is about honesty, accountability, identity, and the power of boundaries — not as punishment, but as protection. It’s a reminder that sobriety doesn’t come from ultimatums alone… it comes from finally deciding that the life you’re building is worth defending.🎧 Tune in for a grounded, heartfelt conversation about choosing discomfort over destruction — and what happens when you finally stop running from who you are.

We open Season 2 with Courtney — a woman whose story reminds us that sobriety doesn’t click because we try harder… it clicks because we finally become willing. Approaching two years sober on February 24, Courtney shares what changed between her first attempt at recovery and the one that finally transformed her life. Courtney was first introduced to the rooms after a DUI in 2015, but for years, she stayed on the outside looking in. She always felt different — separate — convinced the program was great for them, just not for her. She didn’t believe she drank like other people, and she certainly didn’t believe she needed what the program offered. It took being told — clearly and honestly — that she would never be able to drink like a normal person for something to finally land. The biggest difference this time around? A willingness to seek a relationship with a Higher Power. Instead of just attending meetings, Courtney was told to work the steps and find the spirit — and she did. With the help of a spiritual advisor, she began to understand that God wasn’t something external or distant, confined to a church or a place, but something already within her. What once felt unreachable became constant. Courtney shares how she now understands her life was unmanageable not because God was absent, but because she wasn’t listening. That guiding force had been with her since day one — she just wasn’t aware of it yet. Today, she fully believes her life is unfolding according to a divine plan. She also opens up about the physical toll addiction took on her body. From pancreatitis to alopecia, Courtney entered recovery as a woman losing her hair — an emotionally devastating experience that challenged her self-worth and identity. Throughout her sobriety, she’s worn hair pieces to cover bald spots, but as she’s cared for her body and stayed sober, her hair has begun to grow back — a visible symbol of healing. Courtney reflects on a difficult relationship during her first year sober and how painful — yet necessary — that experience was. Though she wasn’t drinking, she could see her addictive behaviors still running the show, which at times felt even worse. Through that clarity, she learned perspective, accountability, and how deeply sobriety requires change beyond substances. With the same sponsor guiding her through both stints — and helping get her into detox — Courtney shares one clear message for the newcomer: 99.9% won’t work. You have to be all in. You can’t serve two Gods — your Higher Power and yourself. This episode sets the tone for Season 2 — a conversation about surrender, spiritual connection, healing the body and soul, and the courage it takes to return and do it differently the second time around. 

This week, it’s just Jimmy and Breezy — and we’re introducing a brand-new recurring feature we’re calling No Shots, Just Thoughts. These episodes are exactly what they sound like: honest conversations, no guest, no filter, and no agenda other than answering the questions you keep asking. And as long as you keep sending them in, we’ll keep showing up.For our very first No Shots, Just Thoughts episode, we tackle one of the most common (and quietly painful) topics in early recovery: Is the program cliquey? How do you navigate group dynamics? How do you find your people? And what is actually your responsibility versus what you’re projecting?Jimmy and Breezy talk candidly about the newcomer mindset — that overwhelming feeling that everyone in the room is watching you, judging you, or secretly doesn’t like you. They break down why that’s almost never true, how ego and fear can distort perception, and why most people in the room are far more focused on their own stuff than on yours.This episode is part reassurance, part reality check, and part invitation to exhale. It’s about learning how to stay, how to show up without trying to perform or belong too quickly, and how connection often comes naturally when we stop chasing it.If you’ve ever walked into a meeting and felt invisible, awkward, or convinced you didn’t fit — this episode is for you. No shots. Just thoughts. And a whole lot of truth.

This week, we sit down with Hunter — a military kid who grew up learning how to blend in anywhere, yet spent years feeling like he didn’t belong anywhere at all. Now approaching two years sober, Hunter’s story is one of ego, honesty, spiritual awakening, and the powerful shift that happens when you stop performing recovery… and actually start living it.Growing up constantly on the move, Hunter perfected the art of being a chameleon. His dad was a heavy drinker, and the first time Hunter drank — at just ten years old — he got completely hammered. What he remembers most is the relief: for the first time, he was finally out of his own head. But that temporary escape turned quickly into quicksand, pulling him deeper into hopelessness as the years went on.He cycled through treatment centers, learning the language of recovery but never the meaning. He could repeat everything he heard — quote the literature, talk the talk — but none of it reached his heart. It was all manipulation, survival, and performance. His parents eventually did their own work, set firm boundaries, and stopped enabling him. His mom sent an email saying they wouldn’t help him again until he was truly ready to get sober — a turning point that shook him.His first real attempt at recovery came when his military family insurance sent him to treatment in Costa Mesa. Even then, it took a full year of detox-after-detox before anything stuck. When he finally got a year sober, life got big — too big. He brought his parents out to see him take his chip… and then realized the hilltop he had been chasing didn’t deliver the peace he expected. Without a relationship with a Higher Power, his foundation crumbled. His relapse lasted two weeks before he reached out for help, walked into a meeting, and started again — this time with humility.Hunter’s episode dives into the ego traps in the rooms — how easy it is to share just to sound good. He jokes, “I used to think my name was ‘Would anyone like to share?’ because I’d jump up the second they said it,” admitting he loved hearing his own voice more than he loved surrender. What changed everything was finding a sponsor who doesn’t just talk the talk, but walks it — someone calm, grounded, and spiritually aligned.Today, Hunter is building a life rooted in genuine recovery. His relationship with God has completely transformed him — not in a performative way, but in how he shows up with patience, love, tolerance, and presence. He’s learned that real fulfillment isn’t at the top of some imagined hill… it’s in the simple, consistent actions that build inner peace.Hunter’s story is a reminder that recovery isn’t about sounding good — it’s about becoming whole. It’s about letting go of ego, finding a Power greater than yourself, and living the principles in quiet, steady ways that no one sees.

This week, we sit down with Miss Erica — our first trans guest on the podcast — whose story is one of courage, survival, and the relentless pursuit of a life worth living. She has 11 years sober, relapsed, and now celebrates 9 years sober, and her journey shows that even after a decade in recovery, the disease of addiction can still strike — and still be overcome.Erica’s first stint in sobriety lasted three years before she stopped working a program. Remarkably, she held onto her sobriety all the way to year 11, even as life got big — she got married, grew her family, and began finding excuses to skip meetings. When her husband relapsed, she fought the temptation to use alongside him for an extended period, but life’s pressures — needing income and a place to live — led her back into old patterns. Returning to work for her old drug dealer, she thought she could control it, but within five minutes, she picked up and started using.Her relapse was devastating. Erica ended up in sex work, endured abusive fights with her husband, and even set their house on fire while he was asleep — a stark manifestation of the disease that had taken over. Her family stepped in to help, and her husband eventually reached out, wanting things to change. Hitting rock bottom, Erica finally accepted help once more and entered Geary House, where she found exactly what she needed to reclaim her life.Now, she attributes her sobriety to doing the next right thing even when she doesn’t want to. She shares the story of asking a man to sponsor her — someone she initially found a little annoying — and learning the power of consistency, guidance, and spiritual example. Her relationship with her Higher Power is now the cornerstone of her life, and she will never stop sponsoring others, sharing hope, and giving back to the fellowship that saved her.Miss Erica’s story is a profound reminder that there is always a solution, even when life feels darkest — and that recovery is not about perfection, but persistence, humility, and faith.

This week, we sit down with Brett — a man whose story shows that sobriety isn’t built on self-knowledge or “doing recovery perfectly,” but on brutal honesty, spiritual awakening, and the willingness to try again after the fall.Brett will celebrate 8 years sober this January, but his journey wasn’t a straight line. Before this chapter of long-term recovery, he had 22 months sober, doing all the “right things” on paper — meetings, program work, connection. And yet, a single unguarded thought — a mental blank spot — led him into a sudden three-day relapse that changed everything.He talks about how he’s always known he was an addict. Self-knowledge was never the issue. He knew drugs and alcohol would eventually destroy him… and still, he relapsed over and over. The true struggle was his relationship with a Higher Power — a theme that shows up at every turn in his story. He was drawn to his first sponsor because the man was agnostic, which allowed Brett to question, explore, and slowly form his own understanding of something greater than himself. Looking back, every relapse was tied to a spiritual disconnect, dishonesty with himself, and the people he surrounded himself with.Brett opens up about going to his first treatment center knowing he could never safely use again, yet still being unable to stay sober. He contrasts that with his 22-month relapse: a moment where, despite doing the work, he picked up — and immediately realized that the drugs no longer numbed anything. For the first time, he wanted sobriety more than the high.When his girlfriend at the time — now his wife, Samantha — found the heroin, she confronted him head-on and took him straight to detox. When he got out, she told him: We’re doing 90 meetings in 90 days. And she did it with him.Brett reflects deeply on how the Salvation Army’s six-month program cracked him open spiritually in a way nothing else had. It was uncomfortable, structured, and challenging — but it’s where he finally found a Higher Power that made sense to him. After leaving the program, through his sponsor, he met Samantha. Everyone said they’d take each other out… and instead, they built a family grounded in recovery, honesty, and spiritual growth. Today they are married, raising two beautiful daughters, and living the kind of life Brett once thought was impossible for him.Brett’s story is a powerful reminder that relapse doesn’t disqualify anyone from long-term sobriety — and that the real miracle happens when the ego breaks, the heart opens, and a Higher Power finally fits.

In this week’s episode, we sit down with Marcus — who recently celebrated eight years clean and sober on October 29th. Standing 6'7" with a quiet strength and deep insight, Marcus shares how his path from chaos and paranoia to inner peace has reshaped how he sees sobriety, self-compassion, and spirituality.Before recovery, Marcus was driving a beat-up van with expired tags, working hospice while high, and numbing his pain through constant escape. It wasn’t until his sober father called him out that Marcus finally got honest. He walked into an AA meeting with his dad’s contacts — terrified but willing — and started doing everything his sponsor told him to do: 90 meetings in 90 days, daily calls, full surrender.But early sobriety wasn’t easy. Marcus describes feeling psychotic and suicidal, closing his eyes on the freeway just to feel silence. He was haunted by shame, guilt, paranoia, and hallucinations until his parents intervened and got him psychiatric help. Medication helped stabilize him, but the stigma he faced in recovery made him feel even more isolated. When COVID cut off access to his meds, he turned to veganism, meditation, and spiritual practice — finding healing in mindfulness and compassion.Now working at The Hoffman Process, an experiential retreat that helps people rewire trauma and cultivate forgiveness, Marcus uses what he’s learned to help others connect with presence and self-acceptance. While he doesn’t sponsor others, he honors his boundaries, protects his peace, and lives by the same mantra that got him through the hardest days:“One day at a time.”

In this week’s episode, we dive deep with Christian, whose story takes us from military discipline to total chaos — and finally, into recovery and grace.Christian once did so much ecstasy that he was literally kicked out of the Air Force. What followed was two decades of chaos — cocaine, crack, meth, heroin, and a long list of failed attempts to get clean through everything except AA. College couldn’t save him. Fraternity interventions couldn’t save him. Even outdoor rehab didn’t work. But divine timing and family love kept him alive long enough to find the program that finally stuck.After being court-martialed and serving six and a half months in the brig, Christian returned home to Huntington Beach determined to start over — but success and busyness led him right back to old behaviors. A relapse, a suicide attempt, and a near-death seizure finally brought him to his knees in 2018.When COVID hit, Christian found his way back to AA through Zoom in 2021, and this time, something clicked. Under the guidance of a strong sponsor, he began to truly surrender — even taking a year of celibacy to focus on spiritual growth and service.Today, with four years sober, Christian lives by faith, accountability, and the motto: “What other people think of me is none of my business.” From raves and rebellion to recovery and rebirth, his journey is proof that no matter how far you fall, grace can still find you.

This week, we sit down with Emily — whose journey shows that sometimes the turning point isn't a dramatic bottom, but simply reaching a place where you can’t run from yourself anymore.Emily came to California from Virginia wrecked by heroin addiction and years of toxic relationships. With nowhere left to turn, she took a desperate flight west with her ex-husband — and by sheer grace, crossed paths with Gene, a man from AA who would become her sponsor, mentor, and anchor. Gene welcomed her into his home and offered not comfort, but structure, discipline, accountability, and a spiritual foundation she’d never had before.She started over with a get-well job at Fatburger, showed up to meetings every day, and began rebuilding her life from the ground up. And while she struggled deeply to trust women — or trust herself — Emily slowly learned to soften, surrender, and let the program reshape her from the inside out.A pivotal chapter of Emily’s story came at two years sober, when she lost her brother to addiction — and only months later, her stepmom. She shares the raw reality of walking through profound grief without ever wanting to drink or use, and how the love and structure of AA became the safety net that carried her through. Instead of collapsing, she leaned into service, meetings, and her program — proof that a solid foundation in recovery can stand firm in the hardest storms.Emily also opens up about how her disease showed up in early recovery — and how she needed someone who wasn’t afraid to tell her right from wrong. Gene gave her truth and tough love; today she has a woman sponsor who guides her with gentleness and compassion. Both styles, she says, were essential to her becoming the woman she is now.Now building a life rooted in honesty, accountability, spiritual practice, and service, Emily is proof that when you stop running and say yes to guidance — life becomes something sacred, steady, and worth staying sober for.

In Part 2 of Sloan’s story—the first guest we’ve ever needed two full episodes for—we dive into the messy, hilarious, and deeply human side of growing up sober. Sloan got sober at just 16 years old, and in this episode, she opens up about what it was really like to navigate relationships, recovery, and self-worth while learning who she was without drugs or alcohol.She shares stories about dating house managers in sober living, juggling crushes on friends who lived across the street from each other, and how she used relationships to fill the same void that alcohol once did. When Jimmy asks if she ever told her sponsor about these situations, Sloan laughs and recalls her sponsor’s advice: “You can do whatever you want—as long as you’re willing to accept the consequences.”But what stands out most is Sloan’s honesty. She talks about how she used to conveniently leave things out with her sponsor, and how every time she finally told the truth, she’d end up on her sponsor’s doorstep—like the time she confessed she was dating someone with 36 days sober and got a literal nipple twist as a lesson in honesty.Sloan reflects on how the secrets are what separate her from God and her fellows, and how living transparently—no matter how uncomfortable—has become the cornerstone of her sobriety. She also breaks down the importance of daily routine, prayer, and staying grounded in God’s will to keep her ego from spinning stories that feed old behaviors.We also get into how perception changes in recovery—how the patterns she once laughed off as harmless look different now, and how she’s learned to take accountability for the examples she sets. Sloan opens up about the grief she’s endured in sobriety, including the loss of her best friend, and how service, faith, and fellowship have carried her through the darkest times.Today, Sloan is a published author and a powerful recovery speaker who travels the country sharing her story and her faith. From dating chaos to divine direction, Part 2 is a powerful blend of laughter, vulnerability, and grace.🎧 Tune in for a conversation about love, loss, honesty, and what it means to truly grow up in sobriety—one truth and one prayer at a time.

Sloan is our very first guest whose story couldn’t fit into just one episode—because it’s that powerful. She got sober at only 16 years old and will celebrate 14 years on November 1st, 2025. Growing up in Wisconsin, there weren’t any adolescent treatment programs, so her parents did what they could—putting her in hospitals to detox. But even there, something sparked. She picked up the Big Book and saw the word sponsor—and in her young, addicted mind, she thought it meant someone would pay her. She told her parents she had to go to these “meetings” to find a sponsor, thinking she’d stumbled onto a get-rich-quick scheme.At 15, she walked into her first meeting—a flooded church basement women’s meeting—after having her parents drop her off around the corner. The women there welcomed her with warmth and kindness. Someone got her a cup of coffee, someone offered her a cigarette, and no one told her she was too young. Sloan says what kept her coming back was that “we don’t shoot our wounded”—and that no one ever told her there was a time limit on being an addict or alcoholic.But it wasn’t a straight line. Sloan did the 30, 60, 90-day dance for a while, facing five felony charges at just 15 for lying about where she was getting pills to sell—“I’ll lie when the truth would’ve served me better.” After being expelled, she ended up at a sober high school where she had to take drug tests to stay enrolled. She managed to get nine months sober before relapsing for two weeks—and she couldn’t drink enough to drown out what she’d learned in recovery. Her last blackout came on Halloween, ending with her stomach being pumped in the hospital. Ironically, her lowest bottom wasn’t the chaos—it was losing her job at KFC. That’s when she surrendered, even if she didn’t recognize it yet.In early recovery, Sloan was wild—she admits she wasn’t doing the inner work, just showing up and fellowshipping. Her addiction shifted forms: sex, love, validation. Within her first year, she got kicked out of her sober high school after breaking a boy’s nose and managed to get herself blacklisted from all the men’s sober living homes. But she kept showing up—and the women in the program never gave up on her.By three years sober, her untreated mental health nearly took her life. She put a gun in her mouth, and her mom walked in on her. That moment changed everything. Her sponsor—who had also gotten sober young—started bringing meetings to her in the hospital every week for over a year. Slowly, Sloan began doing the real work: healing, surrendering, and finally building a relationship with God. Her sponsor told her she wasn’t fully in God’s will until she was giving it away—helping others still in the psych ward, just like she once was.This episode is raw, real, and full of hope. Sloan’s story shows that recovery doesn’t always look pretty—but grace finds us anyway.🎧 Tune in to Part 1 of Sloan’s journey as we talk about getting sober young, surviving chaos, and finding purpose through pain. (And yes… we end on a cliffhanger that involves a titty twister—Part 2 coming next week!)

Robert just celebrated 11 years sober—and this was his first time ever getting sober. Before that, he had lost absolutely everything he had worked for. When he finally surrendered, he was scholarshipped into a program, and on his very first morning, they took him to a 7 a.m. meeting. He walked in and saw people smiling—truly happy—and in that moment, he was struck sober. He knew deep down that this was it for him.Robert had tried getting “Jesus sober” before—turning to church, praying for strength—but it never lasted. The second he left, the relief disappeared. But when he walked into AA, something clicked. The fellowship gave him not just sobriety, but a God of his own understanding. Today, he gets on his knees and prays every single morning.Growing up in the South, Robert never felt safe being openly gay. When he first moved to Thousand Oaks, he feared he’d be the only gay man in the rooms—like he was right back in the South, feeling like the outsider again. But through prayer, faith, and the love of the fellowship, he found belonging and a spiritual home.When Robert came into the program, he had nothing—no job, no car, no money, and no connection to his family. In that first year, he learned humility, how to ask for help, and how to reach out when he was struggling—and every time, someone in AA reached back. For six years straight, he went to a meeting every single day. “I just wanted someone to point me in the right direction,” he says, “and that direction was always toward God.”At 13 months sober, tragedy struck when his aunt, uncle, and cousin were killed by a drunk driver. Robert shares the painful realization that he was that kind of drunk driver—and how, by the grace of God, he was sober when it happened. He walks us through how his faith carried him through that unimaginable grief, and how he’s learned to trust that God’s hand is in everything—both the blessings and the heartbreaks.Over time, his life rebuilt itself piece by piece: a car from someone in the program, a job from another member, reconnection with family, and a sense of purpose rooted in helping others. Today, Robert gives back by showing up for the newcomer the same way people showed up for him.🎧 Tune in for a powerful and emotional conversation about surrender, faith, and the kind of grace that only comes from hitting bottom and choosing to rise—with God and the fellowship lighting the way.

Sam has 9 years sober, with alcohol and cocaine as her drugs of choice. While she experienced physical bottoms, it was the spiritual sickness that nearly broke her—the slow erosion of her values, her morals, and her sense of self. She remembers stealing from a friend, blacking out on a family trip to Disneyland, and terrifying her loved ones when she wound up in Long Beach at a stranger’s house. That was the final straw for her family, especially her mom—who told her plainly: you have a problem with alcohol, and you need help.Her sister didn’t even want to be around her anymore, a loss that would later become one of the biggest blessings in recovery when they rebuilt their bond. Sam reached out to an old friend, whose boyfriend connected her with a treatment program in Villa Park. Her dad picked her up at the airport, and in one of those surreal alcoholic moments, actually stopped at Vons so she could buy a box of wine before going into detox. Sam remembers thinking she could never fathom a life without drinking.In treatment, everything began to shift. She found her first real friend in recovery—someone who later passed away from this disease—and she met Brett, who would become her husband. Grief could have taken her out, but instead, she leaned on meetings—sometimes two or three a day—and the fellowship carried her through. She also met her sponsor in a moment of vulnerability after making a “fool” of herself at a meeting. This woman related to her instantly and became a guiding light.At four months sober, Sam started dating Brett. He had only a few more months than she did, and everyone swore they would take each other out. And for a moment, it looked like they might—when Brett relapsed on heroin just shy of two years sober. Sam had 18 months at the time, found his stash in their bathroom, and confronted him. Brett went back to detox, got sober again, and they made the decision to stay together. Since then, they’ve leaned into meetings and the fellowship as the foundation of both their sobriety and their relationship.🎧 Listen in as Sam shares her journey of honesty, heartbreak, and healing—a story of rebuilding family bonds, finding love in recovery, and discovering that fellowship is the heartbeat of a sober life.

Jenna has 11 years sober, and her story starts with a last drunk she’ll never forget: Four Lokos, weight-loss pills, sleep meds, and a desperate attempt to convince herself that everything she’d heard in AA meetings was wrong. But one morning she woke up, picked up the phone, and got honest about everything she was doing. At just 43 days sober she landed in the hospital with pancreatitis, where doctors told her if she hadn’t stopped drinking when she did, she could have died.Her dad—an Al-Anon member for nearly 20 years—had always held firm boundaries. From her hospital bed, Jenna finally called him. Eventually he came, and she got to make her final amends. She also had three criminal charges hanging over her head. Instead of running, she chose to face them head-on. Within her first six months sober, she served 45 days in jail. Her sponsor told her to get a Big Book and be of service inside, and she did—taking her 90-day chip behind bars.When Jenna was released, her dad picked her up at dawn. He asked if she wanted breakfast; she wanted a 7 a.m. meeting. From there, she started rebuilding: a pumpkin patch job, babysitting, and then, at six months sober, an honest moment in a job interview that led to her first real break. By one year, she was applying to work in treatment. Without a driver’s license, she promised the interviewer she’d get it within 48 hours. Seeing her dad waiting outside the interview impressed him so much he offered her the job—the start of her career helping others.Jenna also shares candidly about her first year in recovery—hooking up with newcomers “left and right,” and how her sponsor never judged her, only offered suggestions. It was powerful to learn her lessons with someone by her side, ready to point her toward the right path.🎧 Listen for a conversation about brutal honesty, second chances, and how integrity and willingness can turn even the messiest beginnings into a life of service and purpose.

Cesar has 2 years and 9 months sober—and we first met him at Camp Sober Fest. Randall, who’s now his sponsor, brought him to camp to find community. In this episode, Cesar gets deeply vulnerable about why he chose Randall, an openly gay man, to guide him through the steps. He talks about growing up bicurious but fearful, and how that fear fed into internalized homophobia. Sponsorship with Randall has helped him begin to break that down—and today they’re best friends.Randall took Cesar through the Big Book heavy, with two simple rules: be of service and have fun. Cesar shares how he grew up in a Mexican household marked by beatings and how that left him self-seeking and hungry for attention. He spent most of his life on drugs, avoiding intimacy, and says learning to communicate and connect in sobriety—especially with women—has been one of his biggest challenges.In his first year, Cesar stayed single and celibate, focusing instead on giving back at Geary House, where he was of service to newcomers. He also talks about rebuilding his life from scratch—losing his driver’s license after seizures, starting over at Subway and then a warehouse job, both thanks to people in recovery.We dive into Cesar’s evolving relationship with a higher power, too. Coming in, he didn’t believe in God, and hearing others share about faith was hard. But over time he’s come to see a spiritual presence—“someone always looking over me”—guiding his path.We wrap up with Cesar’s reflections on Camp Sober Fest, how it helped him get out of his shell, and why service and community remain his anchors today.🎧 Listen for a conversation about faith, fear, friendship, and the freedom that comes from building a sober life one day—and one act of service—at a time.

Julian has 21 months sober, and this is his very first time in the rooms of AA. His journey started in the army, where drinking was the norm—and sometimes even encouraged. When his platoon wanted to promote him, Julian realized more responsibility would interfere with the one thing he wasn’t willing to let go of: his drinking. So he admitted to his officer that he had a problem, and they sent him to sober classes. In the military, alcohol and drugs weren’t exactly hidden—it was all about suiting up, showing up, and sweating it out until you could function again.Julian opens up about the many layers of his story: identifying as bisexual and how that played out in his drinking, his trips to the psych ward, and his final blackout that lasted for days until his dad and brother found him and got him into treatment. That was the turning point, and he hasn’t looked back since.This conversation gets personal when Jimmy asks why Julian is always so “weird” towards him in their meeting—and Julian reveals that he has autism and has often felt intimidated by how close everyone is. It’s a moment of honesty that says a lot about how we all experience recovery differently.Julian also talks about the things he didn’t do the “right” way in his first year—like ignoring his sponsor’s suggestion not to date a newcomer. But today, he says he’s in the healthiest relationship of his life, and that breaking the rules didn’t mean breaking his sobriety.🎧 Listen in for a conversation that’s raw, funny, and real—about the military, mental health, sexuality, and finding freedom in recovery on your own terms.

Parker has just over a year sober—and this is his first time trying recovery. His story is unique from the start: he didn’t even have his first drink until he was 22, and by 27 he was already at the end of the line. In just five years, alcohol had taken everything from him—including the one thing he had always clung to: his body.Growing up, Parker was bullied, and body dysmorphia took hold early. When he found bodybuilding, it became both his escape and his identity. Even when he was drinking, he refused to touch beer—not because he didn’t want to drink, but because he was terrified of getting fat. Eventually, though, alcohol stripped away his routines, his fitness, and his sense of self.When he got sober, Parker knew he needed structure to survive. He went back to the basics: waking up early, cooking all his meals, moving his body. Fitness became his anchor, and now it’s how he helps others in recovery—guiding them toward health, consistency, and purpose.His journey hasn’t been perfect. He talks about his time in treatment, a chaotic sober living packed with twenty people (and even finding someone dead there), and the reality of not working a 12-step program. He even got kicked out of sober living for smoking weed. But through it all, he found his path and his purpose—helping others get sober and rebuild their lives through fitness.Today, Parker shows that recovery doesn’t have to look one way. His story is about honesty, discipline, and the freedom that comes from finding what truly works for you.🎧 Listen in for a conversation that’s raw, powerful, and proof that recovery can be built one routine, one workout, and one day at a time.

Eli has two and a half years sober, but his journey here wasn’t straightforward. We first met him at the second Camp Sober Fest back in Big Bear, when he decided to show up on his birthday without knowing a single person. To get outside of himself, he volunteered as the videographer—giving him a purpose and a way to connect.Before that, Eli had tried to get sober a few times, but never in residential treatment. He went to outpatient programs mostly to please his family, stayed sober for a while, and always relapsed—harder each time. His final drunk was the breaking point: hysterically crying, naked in the shower, talking to himself until both his parents walked in. Within an hour, they got him into treatment. Day one, he hit a low he’ll never forget—shitting his pants—and ever since, he’s donated clothes to that same program.At first, Eli planned to stay 30 days. But as that milestone crept up, he just kept listening to people with more time than him—and chose to stick it out. From treatment he went into sober living, and then into a new way of life. His path hasn’t looked traditional: instead of going through the book, he worked the steps with a workbook; instead of leaning on meetings, he found his people at Camp Sober Fest. What matters most is that he finally accepted what it means to be an alcoholic when someone explained it simply—he could get addicted to anything. Looking back, he saw that pattern had been there his whole life.Today, Eli runs his own business, stays connected to his sober family, and has aspirations and goals he chases because of sobriety. His story proves there’s no one right way to do this—as long as you keep showing up, keep saying yes, and keep building a life worth staying sober for.🎧 Listen in for a conversation that’s raw, funny, and a reminder that recovery doesn’t have to look perfect—it just has to work.

Randall has just over four years sober—but it took a long road, eight or nine treatment centers, and countless false starts to get here. For years, he would make it close to a year sober, talking the talk but never really walking the walk, only to relapse and leave wreckage behind. This time, things are different.Today, Randall isn’t loud about his sobriety. In fact, he’s quiet—because it’s no longer about words, it’s about actions. He says sobriety has become sacred, something people can see in his life rather than something he needs to shout about. And the biggest difference? Service. For the first time, he’s sponsoring other men, walking them through the twelve steps, and finding purpose in being the “cool dad” who leads with love instead of shame or guilt.Randall opens up about mourning the chaos of his addiction, about the deep ties between meth and sex in gay culture, and how even in sobriety the pull of old behaviors can resurface in unexpected ways. He shares the raw story of a moment at one year sober when he found himself doing something he swore he’d never do again—because recovery isn’t about perfection, it’s about continuing to grow.What changed everything was finding a sponsor he could truly trust—someone who had used the way he had, even sat in jail with him, but who also had a life worth chasing on the other side. That trust gave Randall the willingness to follow suggestions, and in turn, to give his sponsor “grandkids.” Today, he calls his sponsees the greatest gift of his life.🎧 Listen in for a conversation that’s honest, gritty, and full of hard-earned wisdom about what it really takes to go from talking about recovery to living it.

Jordan has just over 4 years sober—and she got sober at 21. But her journey with recovery started long before she walked into her first meeting. Growing up with two parents in recovery, she saw firsthand both the beauty and the heartbreak this life can bring. When one parent stayed sober and the other relapsed, her family changed forever. Her parents divorced, and her relationship with her mom faded away.Her dad, with over 30 years sober, had a roadmap for her recovery long before she even knew she needed it. By the time she made the decision to get sober, every room she entered seemed to already know her story—and people were ready to help her succeed.But Jordan wasn’t interested in the chaotic young people’s meetings. She craved depth and weight in the messages she heard, because anything less and she knew she’d just go back out. Her recovery became a place where she truly grew up—learning not just how to stay sober, but how to live.Today, Jordan works in the treatment industry, is in a healthy relationship, and embodies the truth that sobriety is a gift worth protecting. Her story is a testament to the fact that you can be young and still take this seriously—and that sometimes, the program really does raise you.🎧 Listen in for a conversation that’s heartfelt, wise beyond its years, and a reminder that no matter where you start, recovery can give you everything you need to build a beautiful life.

This episode is unhinged in the best way. Jimmy and Breezy were OUT OF CONTROL, and Richie—well, Richie kept up like the seasoned vet he is. With 24 years sober, Richie brings us a rollercoaster of a story that starts with eviction on day three and somehow lands in grace, humility, and Pop-Tarts.Richie got sober at 21, after years of burning every bridge—including the one with his mom, who finally said, “I hope you fall hard enough to bounce back.” And fall he did… onto a cat-hair-covered cot in someone’s hallway. What came next sounds like a movie: a chance encounter with a celebrity who showed him trust when he’d never trusted himself, a Pop-Tart that became a symbol of hope, and the slow, painful process of becoming a person who could show up.From baking cakes for meetings with his mom (because he couldn’t afford one) to navigating heartbreak and trauma, Richie shares what it looked like to build a new life from nothing. He opens up about the relationship that changed him—and the devastating loss that nearly broke him. He talks about being a feral animal who learned how to clock in, clean toilets, and show up when it mattered. Working at Starbucks became spiritual—because for the first time, people countedon him.Now, 24 years later, Richie reflects on getting back to basics, checking in with his trusted crew, and trying to live by one of his favorite quotes:“Things work out best for people who make the best of how things work out.”He’s still learning, still laughing, and still letting himself be human.“I’m always me—but I’m not always one way. And I like the flow of that.”🎧 Buckle up for a wild, hilarious, and deeply moving conversation with someone who’s done the work—and lived to tell the tale.

This week, we sit down with Alexandra—Breezy’s best friend and a beacon of grace, grit, and radical honesty. With eight and a half years of sobriety, Alexandra brings us a story that’s both deeply personal and universally relatable to anyone who’s ever tried to rebuild their life from the inside out.Originally from New Jersey, Alexandra made the spontaneous decision to move to California during the dead of winter—because, as she puts it, “smoking a cigarette outside just sounded... nice.” But what followed was far more than just a change in weather. In her early days of recovery, she found herself bargaining with life, telling herself she could always opt out if sobriety didn’t work. But then came the shift—one sunny afternoon, Breezy and her crew showed up to move her into a new sober living, and everything began to change.Alexandra opens up about the raw, real experience of navigating those first 30, 60, 90 days, the challenges of living with other women in recovery, and the messy beauty of building community from scratch. She talks about becoming a house manager, trying on new identities (including dating women for the first time), and making questionable decisions—like dating newcomers she met at panels—all while slowly healing and learning.In a heartbreaking and powerful moment, Alexandra shares the story of a missed amends—how a close friend passed away from an overdose before she could make things right, and how she now carries the weight and gift of a living amends. It’s a reminder that this disease is cunning, baffling, powerful—and deadly. But it’s also a story of hope, connection, and the deep transformation that comes from showing up, even when it’s hard.🎧 Listen in for a conversation that’s unfiltered, unforgettable, and full of hard-earned wisdom from someone who’s lived it all—and kept going.

In this powerful and refreshingly honest episode, we sit down with Larissa—aka Larz—the certified cool girl of AA. She’s smart, hilarious, effortlessly stylish, and radiates the kind of authenticity you can’t fake. On February 5th, Larz celebrated one full year of sobriety—and today, she’s sharing the real story behind that milestone.Larz opens up about getting sober young and clocking two years of sobriety the first time around. But as she candidly admits, willingness only goes so far if you’re not ready to give up the life you’re still holding onto. She unpacks what made this time different—and what finally pushed her to let go for real.From blacked-out wax appointments and champagne-fueled shifts at Bronze Bunny to crashing at grandma’s house (who, it turns out, partied just like her), Larz tells it all with the perfect mix of grit, humor, and grace. Her relapse lasted five years—but the seeds of recovery were always there. Eventually, it took one phone call from an old sponsor and a familiar meeting room to bring her back to herself.Larz talks about hitting her emotional bottom, trying to hang on to weed, and finally realizing she was just dealing with untreated alcoholism. Her first year back in sobriety has been filled with quiet miracles—moments of reconnection, self-love, and discovering the woman she was always meant to be.This episode is about the difference between wanting sobriety and being truly willing to do the work. It’s about coming home to yourself—messy past and all—and embracing the freedom on the other side.🎧 Listen now for a conversation full of laughter, truth, and the kind of transformation that only comes from real surrender.

We kick off this milestone 30th episode with the ultimate icebreaker—Markus taking his tooth out on mic—and what follows is just as raw, honest, and unforgettable.With 16 months of sobriety, Markus opens up about what finally made this third try at recovery different. After two previous stints in treatment and a pattern of fleeing—either back home or off to chase a relationship—he decided this time would be all in. No more half-measures. Just a simple commitment: say yes to everything that could help him heal.Markus shares candidly about his diagnoses of anxiety and bipolar depression, and how his mental health struggles both fueled his addiction and complicated recovery. But instead of running this time, he stayed. He didn’t date. He didn’t chase an escape. He turned inward and started doing the hard work—on his identity, his self-worth, and his emotional health.This episode dives deep into what it really takes to rebuild from the inside out. We talk about what self-esteem looks like in early sobriety, how loneliness can sneak in even when you're doing the right things, and what it means to actually want to live differently.In a beautiful twist, Markus flips the script mid-conversation and starts interviewing Breezy, asking her if she truly loves herself. What unfolds is a vulnerable exchange about grief, feeling dead inside, and the emotional complexity of connection—including Markus and Breezy’s brief but meaningful romance during his first year sober, and how that connection helped shape his healing.This episode is about mental health, honest recovery, and learning to stay—not just sober, but present.🎧 Listen now for a story about radical honesty, emotional growth, and the messy, beautiful work of becoming whole.

In Episode 29 of Sober Disclosure, Breezy and Jimmy sit down with Satch, a man whose road to recovery was anything but straight—but who now celebrates ten solid years sober. With unflinching honesty and deep insight, Satch shares the story behind his transformation from a chronic relapser to a pillar of recovery and resilience.Before sobriety stuck, Satch cycled through 27 treatment centers, never staying sober for more than three months. Despite a privileged upbringing—adopted by his aunt and raised with love, comfort, and opportunity—Satch’s addiction didn’t discriminate. He thrived in structured environments, even leading groups in treatment, but as he puts it: “The person who made it hard for me, was me.” What finally changed? He had to hit his own bottom.Satch walks us through that pivotal moment: a suicide attempt, waking up alive, and realizing his mom had already sent his insurance card—ready to help. He talks candidly about the heartbreak of losing a friend in treatment—someone who relapsed once and didn’t survive—and how that tragedy led him to Treehouse, the program that finally gave him what he truly needed: accountability, structure, and zero hand-holding.From making his bed to learning how to belong, Treehouse taught Satch the fundamentals of being a human again. And the sober living community and alumni program gave him the connection he’d always craved. For the first time, he wasn’t just surviving—he was part of something bigger.This episode doesn’t shy away from the hard stuff. Satch bravely opens up about the hidden struggles of early recovery, including how he engaged in sex work during his first year sober—and how that shaped his sense of worth, intimacy, and identity, even a decade later. His sponsor’s guidance helped him escape that life, and the healing continues to unfold.This is an episode about more than addiction—it’s about acceptance, courage, and choosing to stay. Satch’s story is a powerful reminder that no number of failed attempts makes you a failure, and that healing happens when we finally stop running—from others, from truth, and from ourselves.Because sometimes, the 28th try is the one that changes everything.Listen now.

In Episode 28 of Sober Disclosure, Breezy and Jimmy welcome a high-energy guest with an even higher recovery IQ—Pierre, Jimmy’s personal fitness coach and a powerhouse of resilience, humor, and transformation. With four and a half years sober, Pierre brings a global perspective, raw honesty, and an infectious laugh to the mic.Pierre’s journey starts in Paris, where he got sober for the first time at just 19 years old. He stayed clean for three years—but a two-year relapse followed, one that brought him face-to-face with the questions so many wrestle with: Was I really an alcoholic? Was it something deeper? Through mental health struggles, medication, and moments of deep doubt, Pierre eventually found his way back to recovery—and this time, it stuck.This episode is equal parts hilarious and heartfelt. From seances in treatment to a mysterious fire (yes, really), Pierre’s stories are as wild as they are revealing. He opens up about choosing not to date in his first year sober—a decision that surfaced addictive behaviors in other areas, especially around money. With a knack for sales and a hunger for escape, he dove headfirst into a lifestyle of travel, snowboarding, and unchecked spending. But no amount of external adventure could quiet the internal noise.Together, the three talk candidly about what it’s like being young, sober, and male—navigating friendships, emotional isolation, and the struggle to find authentic connection. Pierre shares his experience of “sponsor hopping,” looking for someone to co-sign the easy way out, before finally leaning into the kind of accountability that changes everything.Through it all, Pierre never loses his sense of humor—and that’s exactly what makes this episode so special. It’s a reminder that sobriety isn’t just about surviving. It’s about thriving, laughing, and building a life you actually want to live.From relapse to radical honesty. From burnout to balance. From hopelessness to handstands in the gym.New mantra: You don’t have to give up fun to get sober—you just have to give up the stuff that was killing you.Listen now.

In Episode 27 of Sober Disclosure, Breezy and Jimmy welcome a powerful new voice to the mic—Taylor, who is 18 months sober and walking proof that even the darkest chapters can lead to unimaginable transformation. Her journey is harrowing, heartfelt, and ultimately, hopeful.Taylor takes us back to the beginning, where the seeds of addiction were planted not in rebellion, but in her own home. She watched her mother, once prescribed pills by a doctor, slowly fall into dependence—an unraveling that was obvious to Taylor’s friends, and eventually undeniable to her. What started as confusion and pain soon twisted into a dangerous kind of closeness, and Taylor found herself pulled into the same patterns. The same escape. The same devastation.Taylor’s addiction to heroin brought her to the brink—not just emotionally and spiritually, but physically. At her lowest point, she nearly lost function in her arms. Yet in the ashes of near-destruction, something began to shift. This time, sobriety stuck. And everything began to change.She opens up about the deep loneliness of being the only two in her family—she and her mother—who struggled with substance use, and how that bond was both a burden and a strange comfort. She shares the painful attempts to get sober before this time, and what made this recovery journey different.At six months sober, Taylor met her now-boyfriend—someone also walking the path of recovery. Their relationship has become a space of mutual accountability, honesty, and support. Together, they’ve discovered what it means to grow—individually and as a team—through healing and through hard truths.This conversation is raw, courageous, and full of the wisdom that only comes from having survived what many do not. Taylor’s story is not just about getting clean—it’s about getting free. About learning to feel again, trust again, and love herself again.From trauma to truth. From numbness to connection. From heroin to hope.New mantra: Healing is possible—especially when we don’t have to do it alone.Listen now.

In Episode 26 of Sober Disclosure, Breezy and Jimmy sit down with a very special guest—Ken, who just celebrated his first full year of sobriety. More than a listener, Ken is our number one follower, commenter, and supporter, and it’s an honor to share the mic with someone whose recovery journey has been deeply intertwined with this podcast.Ken opens up about what it’s like to experience his longest stretch of sobriety to date, and how he’s replaced the chaos of addiction with connection, service, and an ever-growing relationship with a power greater than himself. He shares how early recovery felt like stepping into a new world—where laughter and lightness were possible, and peace wasn’t just a fantasy, but a daily practice.Ken’s story is rooted in the quiet strength of witnessing his stepdad live over 30 years sober—no preaching, just presence. That memory stayed with him, and when he was truly ready, he knew where to turn. With raw honesty, Ken talks about entering sobriety in the middle of a toxic relationship, and how the last year has been a journey of falling in love with himself and finally believing he deserves more.He opens up about the anger that used to define him—how it masked fear, pain, and deep insecurity—and how recovery gave him the tools to name those feelings, sit with them, and move through them. Ken also talks about the heartbreak of divorce and estrangement from his children, and the courage it took to pause everything—work, distraction, avoidance—and make his sobriety his full-time job. From multiple meetings a day to giving people rides to theirs, he’s learned what it means to be of maximum service and to stay in conscious contact with his Higher Power.This episode is a vulnerable, spiritual, and deeply human conversation about what happens when we stop running, show up for ourselves, and finally allow grace to meet us where we are. Ken’s journey is a reminder that sobriety is not the end—it’s the beginning of becoming who we were always meant to be.From Girls to God. From anger to peace. From fear to faith.New mantra: We’re just getting started.

In Episode 25 of Sober Disclosure, Breezy and Jimmy sit down with the unforgettable Courtney Jean Hairstylin’ Queen, who just took 15 years sober—but the road to that milestone is anything but typical. Before this sobriety stuck, Courtney was a revolving door drunk, constantly shape-shifting into whoever the world wanted her to be. Chameleon, caretaker, chaos navigator—she played every part but her own.Before recovery, Courtney never put herself first. She talks openly about how she was misunderstood by straight women, judged in early sobriety for being a lesbian, and bullied in sober living. The girls she lived with stole her peanut butter and dismantled the bike she used to get to work and meetings. But every morning, she reassembled it while blasting Biggie Smalls—because getting and staying sober was non-negotiable.Courtney was raised by her dad to be the “oldest son” to two younger brothers. Today, she carries the unimaginable weight of having lost both of them to addiction. She shares what it’s like to stay sober through that kind of grief, and how recovery gave her the emotional tools to survive it—and live beyond it.She credits her early recovery to a “bad bitch” sponsor who didn’t care if Courtney scared people, didn’t care about labels, and definitely didn’t coddle her. She made her read the Big Book daily, stay consistent, and show up even when it was uncomfortable. Courtney admits she was once a self-proclaimed “douchebag harmful little girl” who would rather hurt others than face herself—but the program taught her how to grow the hell up, get out of her anger, and learn emotional honesty.From working her first get-well job at Medieval Times with a grown-out mullet to walking through profound loss with grace, Courtney’s story is both hilariously real and devastatingly human. She also happens to be the sister of Breezy’s late ex, adding another deeply personal layer to this powerful episode.Today, she’s in her soft girl era—a place of peace, softness, and strength. This conversation is full of grit, grief, humor, and healing. It’s a reminder that the toughest people often have the biggest hearts—and that after everything, we can still choose to live.New mantra: And now we live.

In Episode 24 of Sober Disclosure, Breezy and Jimmy sit down with Sara, whose winding journey back to sobriety proves that recovery doesn’t always begin with surrender—but it often ends there.Sara first met Jimmy in 2008 when they both checked into treatment at Yellowstone. What followed was 14 years of trying to prove she could drink “like a lady,” fueled by denial, family expectations, and a deep knowing that if she returned to AA, it would work—and she wasn’t ready for that kind of truth.When Sara finally made her way back to meetings, staying sober was a day-by-day struggle. In early recovery, if there wasn’t a meeting, there was a relapse. But everything shifted when she matched with a man on a dating app—someone who, unbeknownst to her, was in recovery. He accidentally sent her the link to a Big Book study. That’s how she found out he was in AA. He set a clear boundary: if they were going to see each other again, she needed to be sober. She was. And she stayed.That man is now her fiancé. And what began as a romantic connection grew into something deeper—a spiritual awakening. At the start of their relationship, Sara offered a simple prayer: “God, remove anything that no longer suits me or my highest good.” What followed was not just sobriety, but serenity.In this episode, Sara talks about the vulnerability of getting sober while navigating a new relationship, and why she now understands the warnings people give about that path. Still, her fiancé’s example made the program deeply attractive—and it became her own. Today, she sponsors women with love and clarity, guiding them not with pressure, but with what’s in the book.Sara’s voice carries the quiet confidence of someone who’s found acceptance, peace, and purpose. This is a story of grace, second chances, and what happens when we stop running—and finally let the program catch us.

In this powerful and eye-opening Episode 23 of Sober Disclosure, Breezy and Jimmy sit down with Patt O., whose story shatters the illusion that time in sobriety guarantees peace. Patt has been sober for over two decades, and his mother was one of the most well-known women in Alcoholics Anonymous. But growing up in her shadow, Patt found himself trapped in an image—not just of what others expected from him, but what AA seemed to expect as well.For his first 8 to 10 years in the program, Patt did everything “right.” He was the guy sponsoring everyone, speaking at events, attending all the meetings, and living out the slogans. From the outside, he was the AA poster child. On the inside, he was spiraling. At eight years sober, Patt was planning to end his life. He couldn’t reconcile why, after doing everything the program said, he still felt so empty and disconnected.This episode digs deep into that turning point—standing on a freeway overpass, ready to jump, when something Patt can only describe as God intervened. It wasn’t a lightning bolt moment of clarity, but a quiet shift that pulled him back. From there, everything began to change—not because he “worked harder,” but because he finally sought a real connection with a power greater than himself.Patt shares how his early years in recovery were filled with ego, dishonesty, manipulation, and control. And how only when he let go of trying to manage everyone else’s experience did he start to heal. He talks about how he sponsors men today—by making space, not giving orders—and why he's wary of some AA catchphrases that get tossed around as truth but aren’t rooted in the Big Book or experience.This is a rare and honest look at what can happen when recovery is based on performance rather than connection—and how real spiritual awakening often begins where the slogans end. Patt’s story is a reminder that sobriety alone doesn’t save us—connection does.

In this honest and heartfelt Episode 22 of Sober Disclosure, Breezy and Jimmy sit down with Angel—one of Jimmy’s sponsees—who just celebrated one year of sobriety. This is a raw look at what the first year of recovery really feels like: the confusion, the growth, the setbacks, and the powerful moments of clarity that can change everything.Angel’s journey began with the wrong intentions—choosing his first sponsor more for image than impact. But that changed when he met Jimmy at Camp Sober Fest, where the power of real community and connection showed him what recovery could actually look like. Since then, Angel has been all in, attending almost a meeting a day and building his recovery around fellowship, structure, and service.Angel opens up about surviving heart failure and a stroke—not what pushed him to get sober, but what eventually helped him realize how little he valued himself. It wasn’t until treatment in his late thirties that he learned basic life skills—making his bed, cooking, cleaning—and, more importantly, the discipline that would help him build a life worth staying sober for.This episode dives deep into Angel’s spiritual journey, his “God shots,” and the hard lessons he's still learning—about expectations, codependency, and the complicated relationship he has with his mother. He shares how sobriety has helped him show up for friends, but how he's still figuring out how to show up for family.Angel’s story is a reminder that recovery is messy, human, and deeply personal—but that even in the early days, when the dust hasn’t fully settled, there is hope, growth, and transformation. This is recovery in real time.

In this milestone 21st episode of Sober Disclosure, Breezy and Jimmy sit down with Amber from Palmdale, California—who got sober at just 21 years old and now celebrates ten years of continuous sobriety. Her story is a moving reflection of courage, community, and the quiet strength it takes to choose recovery early in life.Amber opens up about the emotional toll her addiction took on her family, especially her twin sister, and how her mom—32 years sober herself—was able to hold strong, loving boundaries when Amber was deep in her drinking. When Amber hit her breaking point, her mom gave her the freedom to go—but it was her dad's tearful plea to stay and get help that ultimately turned the tide.Being young in a small-town recovery scene wasn't easy, but Amber faced it head-on. She connected with older members, leaned into the program, and—as she puts it—“followed the winners.” Through moves, sponsor changes, and dry spells, Amber kept showing up and digging deeper. Her message today is clear: recovery isn’t about doing it perfectly—it’s about continuing to do the work.Tune in for a heartfelt conversation about early sobriety, family redemption, and what it means to build a life you’re proud of, one day at a time.

In this raw and compelling episode of Sober Disclosure, Breezy and Jimmy sit down with Gene—Jimmy’s sponsor and a man with 23 years of sobriety whose no-nonsense approach to recovery has helped shape countless lives. Gene doesn’t sugarcoat it. From day two sober, when he was unexpectedly handed the keys to the meeting hall and the coffee commitment, he learned that trust and responsibility are earned by showing up—early, often, and all in.Gene shares how the men in his early recovery challenged him, sharpened him, and gave him a framework to grow—emphasizing discipline, action, and accountability. That hunger to understand led him deep into the Big Book and the history of AA, not for comfort, but for clarity and truth. He wanted to know more—and then pass that knowledge on.We also get real about Breezy’s first reaction to their sponsorship meeting, and the friction that came from Gene’s intense style—and Breezy’s search for a Higher Power. In a moving turn, Gene talks candidly about his wife’s terminal cancer and the profound impact it had on his life and his sobriety.Gene’s style of sponsorship is structured, direct, and unapologetically tough—but always in service of helping others find freedom. His story is a powerful reminder that recovery isn’t about comfort—it’s about transformation, and sometimes that requires fire.

In this deeply inspiring episode of Sober Disclosure, Breezy and Jimmy sit down with Honey—founder of Yellowstone, a nonprofit treatment center in Orange County that has become a beacon of hope for those who’ve tried everything else. With 32 years of sobriety under her belt and a soul-deep commitment to service, Honey describes herself as “just trying to be a helper”—but her impact is anything but small.Yellowstone is where Jimmy went through treatment, and in this full-circle moment, he reflects on how Honey and her program not only helped him heal, but stood by him through court, offering support when it mattered most. Honey’s unique perspective—of someone who works in treatment while fiercely protecting her identity as a member of Alcoholics Anonymous—grounds this episode in humility, grace, and deep experience.Honey opens up about her own journey, including her very first meeting—Gucci—a Southern California classic that’s still going strong. She shares the simple but powerful story of reaching out her hand as a greeter, and how that one act of service reminded someone they were welcome, even in the depths of a return. With only three sponsors over the course of her sobriety, she speaks lovingly of her longest one, the legendary Pattie O., and how she was really just looking for someone to love her.Now, 25 years after opening Yellowstone, Honey continues to show up—attending six meetings a week not out of obligation, but because, as she says, “I always feel better when I leave, and I don’t want to miss the awesome meetings.” Her vision is one of radical inclusivity, a program that welcomes everyone and believes recovery is possible for all—no matter how far gone they feel.Honey’s story is one of transformation, quiet leadership, and getting better in spite of herself. It’s a moving reminder that humility, consistency, and showing up can change not just one life—but thousands.Tune in for a conversation about legacy, love, and what happens when we extend a hand—and a heart—to the next suffering person.

In this courageous and deeply personal episode of Sober Disclosure, Breezy and Jimmy sit down with AJ—a man with three and a half years sober, a powerful story of resilience, and a deep commitment to doing the work. As Jimmy’s sponsee, AJ brings raw honesty, Southern grit, and a whole lot of heart to the mic.Growing up in the Bible Belt of Texas, AJ struggled not just with addiction, but with the shame of being gay in an environment where he felt he had to hide who he was. It wasn’t until he came out to California for treatment that he experienced what it felt like to be truly seen—and accepted—for the first time. He shares the moment he asked Jimmy to be his sponsor, and how Jimmy gave it to him straight: “I’m crazy, and you better be ready to work.”AJ’s path hasn’t been easy. After a period of sobriety, he spiraled into psychosis, and it was his mom—an Al-Anon member and one of our most dedicated listeners—who helped rally the family and convince him to return to California for treatment. Facing jail time back in Texas, AJ was granted a second chance by a judge who offered him an opportunity to change his life—if he followed through. And he did. Not only did AJ complete six months of treatment, he went on to become a house manager, a leader, and an example of what recovery can look like when we show up fully.One of the most powerful moments in this episode is AJ’s story of his third step—how, with Jimmy by his side, he made a pact with his Higher Power and began to rebuild his life on spiritual principles. His journey is one of redemption, freedom, and finally finding peace in his own skin.And of course, AJ leaves us laughing, closing the episode with his personal formula for staying sane and sober: the three M’s—meditation, meetings, and masturbation.Tune in for an unforgettable conversation about identity, family, second chances, and the spiritual magic of recovery.

In this powerful and deeply honest episode of Sober Disclosure, Breezy and Jimmy sit down with Cheyenne, a man with over 11 years of sobriety whose journey challenges everything we think we know about recovery. From battling addiction in the rave scene to rediscovering joy, connection, and a relationship with God, Cheyenne’s story is raw, real, and incredibly moving.Cheyenne opens up about his early fears in sobriety—especially the belief that he’d never be able to enjoy music festivals or raves again. But at just six months sober, his sponsor introduced him to the Insomniac Consciousness Group, a nonprofit founded by his sponsor and sponsee brothers. The group creates sober spaces inside music festivals, hosting meetings, handing out candy, and offering community to anyone needing a safe, substance-free space. It was here that Cheyenne began to see sobriety not as the end of fun, but as the start of something even better.But the journey wasn’t easy. With over a year sober, Cheyenne hit a deep emotional low—so dark that he contemplated taking his own life. He shares the moment his sponsor told him something that changed everything: “You need to surround yourself with people who care more about you than how you feel.” That simple truth became a turning point. It led Cheyenne not only toward healing but also toward building a deeper relationship with a higher power—something that continues to ground and guide him today.Now, Cheyenne volunteers with the Consciousness Group, helping others experience the joy of sober raving and reminding people that sobriety doesn’t limit life—it expands it. His story is a testament to second chances, spiritual growth, and the importance of being part of a community that truly sees you.Tune in to hear how Cheyenne found purpose, connection, and a reason to dance again—proof that recovery can lead to a life far greater than we ever imagined.

In this raw and heartfelt episode of Sober Disclosure, Jimmy and Breezy sit down with Shawn, who opens up about his complex journey through sobriety. With just over two years sober, Shawn shares his struggles with emotional sobriety, revealing that it's been the missing piece in his recovery. Despite multiple attempts at sobriety in the past, Shawn recognizes that emotional awareness was something he never fully addressed until now.Shawn dives deep into his current work with a new sponsor, who is helping him unpack the root causes of his addiction, focusing on the "why" behind his drinking rather than just following the surface-level actions prescribed by the program. He also discusses his codependency issues, particularly with women, and how he spent six years in a relationship that kept him from truly looking inward.Jimmy jokingly calls Shawn a "sensitive douche," urging him to share more emotion, but Shawn takes that challenge to heart. He opens up about the painful loss he's recently experienced in sobriety, and the emotional weight he has had to carry. This episode is a powerful reminder that recovery is not just about quitting substances, but about doing the deep emotional work necessary to heal. We are so proud of Shawn for getting real and allowing us to be part of his journey. Tune in for a moving conversation that highlights the importance of emotional sobriety, vulnerability, and the strength it takes to truly face your pain in recovery.

In this insightful episode of Sober Disclosure, Breezy and Jimmy sit down with Brent, Jimmy’s last sponsor, for a deep conversation about sponsorship, growth, and the transformative power of sobriety. Brent reflects on what it was like to sponsor Jimmy during his first year of sobriety—an intense period where Jimmy was navigating the ups and downs of early recovery. Brent shares how, at just two years sober himself, he had to maintain a firm, rigid approach, thinking that was the only way to recover. He recalls the unforgettable moments, including the time Jimmy bled through his house, but you'll have to tune in for that story!Over time, Brent has come to understand that sobriety isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. His relationship with his higher power has evolved, and he now embraces a more open and flexible understanding of spirituality.In this episode, Brent opens up about how he invites God into his life today and how his experiences have reshaped his perspective on sobriety. Tune in to hear the wisdom Brent has gained from his own recovery and sponsorship, and learn how his spiritual journey has played a crucial role in both his and Jimmy’s sobriety. This episode is a powerful reminder that recovery is not a single path but a deeply personal journey of growth, faith, and connection.