Sobertown Podcast

Host: Elaine Skylar Neal  Guest: Ted Perkins    Recovery Movie Meetups with Ted Perkins   Sobertown Podcast guest host, Elaine Skylar Neal, catches up with Ted Perkins, author of Addicted in Film: Movies We Love About the Habits We Hate. Ted has an amazing new companion project he just launched bringing a dynamic tool into the recovery space that's the first of its kind.    Recovery Movie Meetups is a program using films about addiction and recovery within group sessions to help generate powerful lasting change through self-reflection and support. Participants watch these films along with a structured companion workbook allowing for high-impact teachable moments within recovery groups, community organizations, sober homes, therapy settings, residential programs, and more.    It's also important to note that the advisory committee for this non-profit based organization includes some very prestigious leaders in the recovery community, including two co-founders of SMART Recovery USA.   Online Film Premiere of Clean Slate -   Be sure to attend the online film premiere and screening of Clean Slate on Sunday, May 14th at 7 pm Eastern and 4 pm Pacific. The online screening of Clean Slate is the first in a series of online film premieres that Recovery Movie Meetups is sharing free within the recovery community, connecting people in recovery worldwide for this unique event.   To watch the trailer for Clean Slate and RSVP for the premiere, head over to: https://www.recoverymoviemeetups.com/events   To Learn More About How to Get Involved with Recovery Movie Meetups or To Find a Meeting, visit: https://www.recoverymoviemeetups.com/   Ted Perkins is a former Universal Pictures and Warner Bros. Studio executive, Hollywood Producer, screenwriter, author, and public speaker among many other cool accomplishments.    Elaine Skylar Neal is a website designer, photographer, and writer based in a dinky town no one has ever heard of in Colorado. She also publishes the travel blog, Travels and Curiosities featuring hidden gems and other random weirdnesss.   XOXO   ELAINE SKYLAR NEAL Photographer | Content Creator | Squarespace Website Designer  elaineskylar.neal@gmail.com   PHOTOGRAPHIC WORK https://elaineskylar.com/  TRAVEL BLOG https://www.travelsandcuriosities.com/ WEBSITE DESIGN https://www.championcreatives.com/ INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/travacurio/ TWITTER https://twitter.com/travacurio PINTEREST https://www.pinterest.com/travacurio/ FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/travacurio/   Other Sober Resources: I Am Sober App Getting Sober ...Again Boom Rethink The Drink Recovery Movie Meet-Ups No Sippy No Slippy. Not Another Drop No matter What.   Remember to Pour The Poison Down The Sink!!      Sobertownpodcast.com  

Born and raised in central Pennsylvania and currently residing in northern New Jersey, Brian learned to binge-drink in the US Army way back in 1995 and has had a tumultuous relationship with alcohol ever since. He began his quest for sobriety in June 2015 following a regrettable drunken wakeup call and promptly stayed alcohol-free for four and a half years. Like many, however, his sober road has been anything but linear, and since he made a fateful decision to re-introduce alcohol into his life in late 2019, he's grappled with on-again/off-again stretches of trying to quit vs. drinking to excess. More recently, and due in no small part to alcohol, he hit a rock bottom that included both a suicide attempt and the end of his almost 14-year marriage. But this is a story with a happy ending. In the months that have followed the rock bottom, Brian has reinvented his commitment to sobriety in a way that has him excited about the future. Brian is a heart-on-his-sleeve kinda guy who, in addition to fighting for sobriety, enjoys exercising, meditating, being outdoors, reading, writing, vegging out in front of the TV, and spending time with his two beautiful daughters.   Other Sober Resources: I Am Sober App Getting Sober ...Again Boom Rethink The Drink Recovery Movie Meet-Ups No Sippy No Slippy. Not Another Drop No matter What.   Remember to Pour The Poison Down The Sink!!      Sobertownpodcast.com    

Host: Viv, aka Sober_iThrive Guests:  Susie Streelman, Founder Zeroproof Experiences and Peggi Cooney, Chief Connection Officer, Zeroproof Experiences.    Sober in the City hits the East Coast this Sept 8-10 in Portland, Maine!  Following four previous experiences held in Long Beach, Sacramento, Austin and Palm Springs, Sober in the City has turned into a nationwide movement where people can experience a luxury social event with everything but the buzz. Whether going out on the town for dinner, a movie, live music, or just catching up with friends – you know that none of it requires alcohol. Sober in the City shows attendees exactly what an alcohol free gathering feels like -- MAGIC.   Susie:   Former drinker of White Zin, Chardonnay, Red Blends and Sauvignon Blanc.  Currently standing over here, waving my arms.  Look!  Alcohol Free!  It’s super fun over here! She now collaborates with others to create experiences where connections are virtually guaranteed.  You’ll probably forget alcohol wasn’t invited after attending a Sober in the City experience but will likely walk away feeling empowered in your alcohol free lifestyle! Susie has two twenty something boys, and loves, golf, yoga and travel She ives in Long Beach with her husband of 31 years.    Peggi: All of my personality tests indicate that I am an influencer who always looks for ways to motivate people and drive enthusiasm! Susie is my perfect partner in this.  Giving up alcohol in 2019 gave me the life I didn’t know I wanted and a community I didn’t know I needed. As my ZPE title suggests, I love meeting and connecting with all people sober or sober curious who seek social interaction on a whole new level. In other words, I revel in showing people a good time and being the catalyst for new friendships.  Since 2019, I have made living an alcohol-free life my priority. In fact, in 2021, I wrote a book about it: “This Side of Alcohol.” I bring facilitation skills from my job as a social work instructor for a local university. ZPE/Sober in the City and Susie check all the boxes for me. I know they will for you too. Zeroproof Experiences website:  zeroproofexperiences.com Instagram: @zeroproofexperiences Facebook:  Join Private Facebook Group “This Side of Alcohol.” https://www.facebook.com/groups/2849973675327724   Other Sober Resources: I Am Sober App Getting Sober ...Again Boom Rethink The Drink Recovery Movie Meet-Ups No Sippy No Slippy. Not Another Drop No matter What.   Remember to Pour The Poison Down The Sink!!      Sobertownpodcast.com    

Host: Viv, aka Sober_iThrive Guest: Ana Lozano Harmon A Family's Addiction: A Journey Through a Mother's Heart, written by Ana Lozano Harmon, is a powerful memoir that follows a mother as she deals with her son’s addiction. Through her experiences, Ana discovers the struggles as a minority from an immigrant background and she becomes an advocate for change. With unwavering love and determination, Ana shows the power of resilience and survival. This inspiring and heartwarming story is a reminder that a whole family can support one another with faith that can help conquer even the most difficult of challenges. Addiction rushes into a person’s life like a Tsunami. Slow at first, seemingly out of sight, trickling in, until it crashes ashore— leaving devastation in its wake. Drugs and alcohol can wreak havoc, destroying everything—and everyone in its path. Yet, Ana Lozano Harmon, her son Anthony, and her entire family endured the pain, tears, and tragedy to tell the tale. This is the story of survival, of drug and alcohol addiction, through the strength of a mother’s love and with a family who pulled together unconditionally—to save one of their own. A mother’s love for a child is everlasting, yet, facing addiction, can place a soul-wrenching strain on a mother’s heart, pushing it beyond normal limits. Ana’s situation became desperate in trying to help her son. Yet each day, the pain pushed her closer to the edge, almost beyond reach. Maybe you are here in desperate need, filled with despair, and a driving desire to understand what to do?… Is this you? About the author, Ana Lozano Harmon enjoys family gatherings at home believes togetherness keeps unity within the family circle. A Family’s Addiction is her first published book. Ana is retired from NBC/Telemundo TV stations where she took pride in helping fellow co-workers enjoy their time with family. Ana says, “I never believed that I could be an author of a book, but having faith and praying before starting each page, gave me the inspiration to share my life, pain, hardship, and triumph within my journey. And the best of all is this book allowed me to share with you.” This book is dedicated to all those suffering addicts, recovered addicts, parents of addicts.     Other Sober Resources: I Am Sober App Getting Sober ...Again Boom Rethink The Drink Recovery Movie Meet-Ups No Sippy No Slippy. Not Another Drop No matter What.   Remember to Pour The Poison Down The Sink!!      Sobertownpodcast.com    

This week, Heather Lowe, Founder of Ditched the Drink and a Certified Professional Life and Recovery Coach, shares her transformative journey from alcohol dependency to empowerment. She dives into her early life and the normalization of drinking, the pressures of perfectionism, and the aftermath of loss. Heather discusses discovering sober resources, her eventual decision to quit, and the evolution of her recovery practices. Now five years sober, she emphasizes building a sober community and offers valuable advice for those exploring a life without alcohol.

Host: Viv, aka Sober_iThrive Guests: Bryce Cobb III and Liz McKean, Hosts from Rise Recover Live Podcast   To find Rise Recover Live on any podcast app: https://pod.link/riserecoverlive The Phoenix website: https://thephoenix.org/ To Download The Phoenix App: https://thephoenix.org/the-phoenix-app/ The Rise Recover Live Podcast is hosted by Bryce Cobb III and Liz McKean and powered by The Phoenix. Every week we share stories from The Phoenix community and beyond, celebrating the resilience of people, the power of community, and the journey of recovery in every form and pathway. We hope that listeners of all backgrounds are inspired to be part of the movement and to break down stigma. Together, we rise, recover, and live. Bryce lives in Detroit, Michigan, and Liz in Tampa, Florida. They found The Phoenix in very different ways but share a deep appreciation for community and its role in their own recovery journeys. Our hosts come to the mic with a shared excitement for highlighting stories that inspire hope and showcase the strength of the recovery community. The Phoenix is a sober, active community and a national nonprofit dedicated to breaking down the stigma of substance use disorder and recovery. You can find Phoenix events in over 44 states, most led by volunteers, and all free to anyone with 48 hours of sobriety. Most events are held in community spaces such as local gyms, yoga studios, and parks, in addition to daily live stream classes on zoom. The activities that happen at Phoenix events range from fitness to meditation to art to music- anything that fosters connection in a safe and supportive environment. Join by downloading the app, and attending an event either virtually or in person. If The Phoenix is not present yet in your local community, it’s easy to become a volunteer and get started!     The Phoenix on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/riserecoverlive/ Scott Strode on the Rise Recover Live Podcast (YouTube Version): https://youtu.be/DI9WU4qXuW4 Scott Strode’s Ted Talk: https://youtu.be/Wh9O3-ciOYs If you’d like to tag us individually on Instagram, you can do so using these tags: Phoenix is @riserecoverlive Bryce is @brycethethird Liz is @starfishyoga     Other Sober Resources: I Am Sober App Getting Sober ...Again Boom Rethink The Drink Recovery Movie Meet-Ups No Sippy No Slippy. Not Another Drop No matter What.   Remember to Pour The Poison Down The Sink!!      Sobertownpodcast.com        

Ben Tuff grew up splitting his time between Atlanta, GA and Jamestown, RI. He attended Colby College where he met his now wife, Gretchen and treasured his times working at a sailing instructor and boat captain in the British Virgin Islands. Between Jamestown and the BVI, Ben developed a lifelong appreciation for the ocean. Ben is a lifelong educator and has had the privilege of working with hundreds of boarding students from across the world. In 2012, Ben made the life-altering decision to break free of the hold that the addiction to alcohol had on him. Despite not knowing how to swim, the sport of triathlon arrived quickly in his life. After seven years of competitive triathlon, Ben made the switch to marathon swimming. After many crossings from Newport, RI to Jamestown, RI on Save the Bay Swims, Ben throttled it up with the 12.5 Mile FKCC Swim Around Key West. After that, he couldn’t stop and completed a 21-mile swim around Jamestown, a 19-mile swim from Block Island to Jamestown, and most recently swimming the length of Narragansett Bay by swimming 24 miles from Providence, RI to Jamestown, RI. Esteemed producer, Matt Corliss, chronicled Ben’s journey to sobriety and the parallels of his recent swim. The film, “Swim Tuff: How I Swam my Way Out of the Bottle” is projected to be released Spring 2023. Swim Tuff trailer Swim Tuff teaser v101 mov Original   Ben Tuff Swim Tuff LLC 59 Styles Lane PO Box 213  Peru, VT 05152 Cell: 678-296-0982 BenTuff@gmail.com     Other Sober Resources: I Am Sober App Getting Sober ...Again Boom Rethink The Drink Recovery Movie Meet-Ups No Sippy No Slippy. Not Another Drop No matter What.   Remember to Pour The Poison Down The Sink!!      Sobertownpodcast.com  

Host: Viv aka Sober_iThrive Guest: TJ Woodward TJ Woodward is a revolutionary recovery expert, bestselling author, inspirational speaker, educator, and addiction treatment specialist who has helped countless people through his simple yet powerful teachings. The creator of The Conscious Recovery Method, a groundbreaking and effective approach to viewing and treating addiction, TJ is also the author of three bestselling books and their respective workbooks: Conscious Recovery, Conscious Being, and Conscious Creation. TJ Woodward is a revolutionary recovery expert, bestselling author, inspirational speaker, educator, and addiction treatment specialist who has helped countless people through his simple yet powerful teachings. TJ enlightens and entertains audiences around the world. Utilizing his captivating and authentic style, he assists people in literally changing the way they exist through his informative and dynamic talks and training. He is also the creator of The Conscious Recovery Method, which is a groundbreaking and effective approach to viewing and treating addiction.   TJ is a featured thought leader on wholehearted.org along with Brené Brown, Marianne Williamson, Dr. Gabor Maté, and Mark Lundholm, as well as a featured thought leader in the upcoming docuseries Addiction, Revealed, which will be released in early 2023. Dr. Michael Beckwith gave him the honor of being ordained as an Agape minister. He was also the founding minister of the Agape Bay Area in Oakland, the first satellite community of The Agape International Spiritual Center in LA.  TJ is the author of the bestselling books Conscious Recovery: A Fresh Perspective on Addiction, Conscious Being: Awakening to Your True Nature, and Conscious Creation: 5 Steps to Embracing the Life of Your Dreams, as well as the co-author of their accompanying workbooks. Website: www.TJWoodward.com    Social Media Links:  • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tjwoodward_/     • YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/tjwoodward   • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TJWoodwardAuthor/   • Twitter: https://twitter.com/TJWoodward_    Other Sober Resources: I Am Sober App Getting Sober ...Again Boom Rethink The Drink Recovery Movie Meet-Ups No Sippy No Slippy. Not Another Drop No matter What.   Remember to Pour The Poison Down The Sink!!      Sobertownpodcast.com

Host: Viv aka Sober_iThrive Guest: Ann Dowsett Johnston I am an award-winning journalist and bestselling author, turned psychotherapist. For more than 25 years, I worked at Maclean’s magazine, Canada’s newsweekly, where I was perhaps best known as the chief architect of the Maclean’s university rankings—and for a series of columns on modern life, including “The Boy Can’t Sleep,” anthologized in Carol Shields’ Dropped Threads II. Drink book by Ann Dowsett Johnston Winner of seven National Magazine Awards, I am also the recipient of a Southam Journalism Fellowship and the Atkinson Fellowship in Public Policy. It was for the latter that I prepared a 14-part series on Women and Alcohol in the Toronto Star, looking at the closing gender gap on risky drinking. In 2013, I wrote Drink: The Intimate Relationship Between Women and Alcohol, a book named one of the top 10 of the year by the Washington Post. Part memoir, part journalistic exploration, the book exposes the “pinking” of the alcohol industry. Says Gabor Mate: “The writing is gripping and vivid, the voice personal, the research exacting, the stories revealing if sometimes heartbreaking, the conclusions essential. A triumphant life, a triumphant book.” ‍ Since the publication of Drink, I have worked hard to destigmatize mental health and addiction, earning an honorary Doctor of Laws from Queen’s University for my efforts. I am also the recipient of a Transforming Lives award from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), the American Research Society on Addiction’s Media Award, plus the T. A. Sweet Award from the Ontario Psychiatric Association for helping address stigma related to mental health and addiction. ‍ In 2017, I decided to follow my heart, applying to the Master’s of Social Work program at Smith College in Northampton, Mass. What this represents is the fulfillment of a decades-old dream: to become a psychotherapist. During my internships, I worked at the Jean Tweed Centre in Toronto, and with psychotherapist Jan Winhall at Focusing on Borden.Writing remains a significant part of my life, and I am hard at work on my second book. In my spare time, I am a white-water reader, a lover of nature, and a traveller. I am the mother of one grown son, Nicholas Johnston, also a psychotherapist, who is married and lives in Los Angeles. https://www.anndowsettjohnston.com/workshops https://www.anndowsettjohnston.com/about-ann   Other Sober Resources: I Am Sober App Getting Sober ...Again Boom Rethink The Drink Recovery Movie Meet-Ups No Sippy No Slippy. Not Another Drop No matter What.   Remember to Pour The Poison Down The Sink!!      Sobertownpodcast.com      

Join us in our latest episode to discuss how important balanced eating is and how regular exercise can make a big difference in the early stages of alcohol detox. We talk to Gigi Grassu, a fitness and nutrition expert who has come up with a unique approach that combines nutrition, fitness that is tailored to each person, and human connection. She explains how important a balanced way of eating is and how regular exercise can make a big positive impact in the early stages of alcohol detox. Born and raised in Los Angeles to Romanian-Greek parents, she showed incredible enthusiasm for all active activities growing up. After going through some life struggles, she persevered and overcame them with fitness, which became the start of her journey and an outlet for a new, healthier, and happier lifestyle. Gigi has been in the fitness industry for over ten years and has much experience and knowledge. She offers virtual or in-person training, one-on-one or group classes in boutique and commercial gyms, and major studios like Paramount, Disney, and Fox. Gigi's unique approach to fitness has made her one of the top trainers in Los Angeles, where 90% of her clientele comes from referrals. She has also been featured in the news, on podcasts, and in several health and fitness magazines. Join us as we discuss how important a balanced way of eating is and how regular exercise can make a big difference in the early stages of alcohol detox.   Website: Shape Up with Gigi Official Page  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shapeupwithgigi Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shapeupwithgigi/  Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/shape-up-with-gigi-los-angeles Youtube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCY63Jl5MlBxbVZvGZdMWnsg Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/shapeupwithgigi/) Log in or sign up to view See posts, photos and more on Facebook.   Other Sober Resources: I Am Sober App Getting Sober ...Again Boom Rethink The Drink Recovery Movie Meet-Ups No Sippy No Slippy. Not Another Drop No matter What.   Remember to Pour The Poison Down The Sink!!      Sobertownpodcast.com