

Real Recovery Talk
Tom Conrad, Ben Bueno, Dr. Pamela Tambini
We are a podcast dedicated to sobriety and recovery from alcohol and drugs. (And whatever other addiction that is out there) It doesn't matter what you have been through in the past. We have all done very bad things in our addiction. This does not define who we are. We know there is a way out of addiction. Family and loved ones, you play a part in this as well. There are plenty of stories out there of families and loved ones not knowing what to do with their addicted loved one. Let us guide you on the right things to do and the right decisions to make to ensure that you and your loved one gets the help that you need.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 3, 2025 • 1h 41min
570: Firefighter Told He'd Never Ride Again… Alcohol Nearly Killed Him
Do you have a family member/loved one srtuggling with addiction? https://www.realrecoverytalk.com/frc In this episode of Real Recovery Talk, we sit down with Mattie Johnson, a firefighter who was told he would never ride a fire truck again. Why? Because alcohol nearly killed him. For years, Mattie lived fast — drinking hard, partying, and pushing his limits while working in the fire service. He ignored repeated warnings from doctors: "If you don't stop drinking, you're going to die." The wake-up calls came in the form of multiple ICU visits, coughing up blood, and finally stage 4 liver failure. At one point, Maddie accepted that he would drink himself to death. But then, against all odds, he received a life-saving liver transplant, and chose recovery. This is a raw, unfiltered story of: 🚒 Fire service culture & alcoholism 💉 Near-death experiences from alcohol abuse 🩸 Facing liver failure & a transplant 🙏 Finding purpose, sobriety, and a second chance If you or someone you love is battling alcoholism, Maddie's story proves that even from the edge of death, recovery is possible. 👉 Subscribe to the channel for new episodes every Wednesday at 5 AM. 📩 Need help or guidance? Email us: 👉 Don't forget to subscribe and share this with someone who needs to hear it. Treatment Prep Guide: https://www.realrecoverytalk.com/treatmentprep SoberLink: https://www.soberlink.com/partners-family-and-friends/rrt Join our Big Book Study! https://www.realrecoverytalk.com/bigbookstudy Join our FREE FB Support group!: https://www.facebook.com/groups/realrecoverytalk Download our free guides!: https://www.realrecoverytalk.com/guides Tom IG: https://www.instagram.com/realrecoverytalktom/ Ben IG: https://www.instagram.com/realrecoverytalkben/ RRT IG: https://www.instagram.com/realrecoverytalkpodcast/

Aug 29, 2025 • 56min
569: She Got Sober Without Treatment: Here's How
Do you have a family member/loved one srtuggling with addiction? https://www.realrecoverytalk.com/frc In this episode of Real Recovery Talk, Tom and Ben sit down with Franchesca, who shares her powerful story of getting clean without traditional addiction treatment. After multiple failed attempts at rehab, Franchesca found recovery in the rooms of a 12-step fellowship — and she's been clean for 13 years. This conversation dives into her early struggles, being a teen mom, losing and regaining custody of her son, detoxing without medical help, and how community, surrender, and honesty saved her life. Whether you're in recovery yourself or walking alongside a loved one, this story is a reminder that there isn't just one way to get sober. 👉 Don't forget to subscribe and share this with someone who needs to hear it. Treatment Prep Guide: https://www.realrecoverytalk.com/treatmentprep SoberLink: https://www.soberlink.com/partners-family-and-friends/rrt Join our Big Book Study! https://www.realrecoverytalk.com/bigbookstudy Join our FREE FB Support group!: https://www.facebook.com/groups/realrecoverytalk Download our free guides!: https://www.realrecoverytalk.com/guides Tom IG: https://www.instagram.com/realrecoverytalktom/ Ben IG: https://www.instagram.com/realrecoverytalkben/ RRT IG: https://www.instagram.com/realrecoverytalkpodcast/

Aug 27, 2025 • 29min
568: Big Book Study: A Vision for you
Do you have a family member/loved one who struggles with addiction?: https://www.realrecoverytalk.com/frc In today's episode, Erik takes us through A Vision For You from the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous Treatment Prep Guide: https://www.realrecoverytalk.com/treatmentprep SoberLink: https://www.soberlink.com/partners-family-and-friends/rrt Join our Big Book Study! https://www.realrecoverytalk.com/bigbookstudy Join our FREE FB Support group!: https://www.facebook.com/groups/realrecoverytalk Download our free guides!: https://www.realrecoverytalk.com/guides Tom IG: https://www.instagram.com/realrecoverytalktom/ Ben IG: https://www.instagram.com/realrecoverytalkben/ RRT IG: https://www.instagram.com/realrecoverytalkpodcast/

Aug 24, 2025 • 11min
567: We want to OFFER YOU MORE with less...
Do you have someone in your life that struggles with addiction and you feel lost or alone? Join us here! https://www.realrecoverytalk.com/frc We are excited for this new adventure, and freaked out a little bit too! 👉 Don't forget to subscribe for more real conversations about addiction, recovery, and hope. 📩 Questions or need help? Reach out: info@realrecoverytalk.com
Aug 22, 2025 • 1h 17min
566: Pregnant and Addicted: Why There's No Help for Women
Do you have someone in your life that struggles with addiction and you feel lost or alone? Join us here! https://www.realrecoverytalk.com/frc What happens when a woman struggling with addiction becomes pregnant — and discovers there are little to no resources to help her? In this episode of Real Recovery Talk, Tom and Ben sit down with Heather, a researcher and advocate, to unpack the hidden struggles women face when battling addiction, especially during pregnancy. From stigma and lack of support to how treatment centers and families can respond, this conversation pulls back the curtain on an issue most people never talk about. Why pregnant women are one of the most stigmatized groups in addiction. The uphill battle mothers face when seeking treatment. How stigma and lack of resources often keep women from asking for help. Stories of hope and what real recovery can look like for women and families. This is one of our most eye-opening conversations yet — whether you're in recovery yourself, love someone who is, or simply want to understand this issue better. 👉 Don't forget to subscribe for more real conversations about addiction, recovery, and hope. 📩 Questions or need help? Reach out: info@realrecoverytalk.com

Aug 20, 2025 • 38min
565: Big Book Study: Working with others Part 2
Do you have a family member/loved one who struggles with addiction?: https://www.realrecoverytalk.com/frc In today's episode, Erik takes us through Working with Others: Part 2 from the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous Treatment Prep Guide: https://www.realrecoverytalk.com/treatmentprep SoberLink: https://www.soberlink.com/partners-family-and-friends/rrt Join our Big Book Study! https://www.realrecoverytalk.com/bigbookstudy Join our FREE FB Support group!: https://www.facebook.com/groups/realrecoverytalk Download our free guides!: https://www.realrecoverytalk.com/guides Tom IG: https://www.instagram.com/realrecoverytalktom/ Ben IG: https://www.instagram.com/realrecoverytalkben/ RRT IG: https://www.instagram.com/realrecoverytalkpodcast/

Aug 17, 2025 • 59min
564: Build Your Sobriety Like a Business
Do you have a family member/loved one srtuggling with addiction? https://www.realrecoverytalk.com/frc I was listening to a guy on a podcast talk about what it really takes to build a successful business. He said most entrepreneurs spend the first few years working seven days a week, sixteen hours a day, pouring absolutely everything into it. And I thought—man, that's exactly what early sobriety should look like. You get out what you put in. If you treat your recovery like it's part-time, you're going to get part-time results. But if you go all-in, the payoff is massive. So today, we are breaking down three specific things you can start doing right now to make sure you're building your sobriety the right way from day one. Have questions or need support? Email us anytime at info@realrecoverytalk.com. ➡️ Learn more about our Family Reconnect Program: www.realrecoverytalk.com/frc Treatment Prep Guide: https://www.realrecoverytalk.com/treatmentprep SoberLink: https://www.soberlink.com/partners-family-and-friends/rrt Join our Big Book Study! https://www.realrecoverytalk.com/bigbookstudy Join our FREE FB Support group!: https://www.facebook.com/groups/realrecoverytalk Download our free guides!: https://www.realrecoverytalk.com/guides Tom IG: https://www.instagram.com/realrecoverytalktom/ Ben IG: https://www.instagram.com/realrecoverytalkben/ RRT IG: https://www.instagram.com/realrecoverytalkpodcast/

Aug 15, 2025 • 1h 9min
563: Make your sobriety count! George Graduated with 2 Masters Degrees!
Do you have a family member/loved one srtuggling with addiction? https://www.realrecoverytalk.com/frc In this episode of Real Recovery Talk, we sit down with George, who recently graduated with not one — but two master's degrees. His story is a powerful reminder that getting clean and sober isn't the end of the road — it's the start of an entirely new life. George opens up about his journey through addiction, the turning points that led him to sobriety, and how he's used his recovery as a launching pad for personal and professional transformation. From rebuilding his self-worth to achieving academic excellence, George's story proves that recovery can unlock possibilities you never thought were within reach. If you've ever wondered what's truly possible in sobriety, this episode will leave you inspired and motivated to see the opportunities waiting on the other side of addiction. 📩 Have questions or need support? Email us anytime at info@realrecoverytalk.com. ➡️ Learn more about our Family Reconnect Program: www.realrecoverytalk.com/frc Treatment Prep Guide: https://www.realrecoverytalk.com/treatmentprep SoberLink: https://www.soberlink.com/partners-family-and-friends/rrt Join our Big Book Study! https://www.realrecoverytalk.com/bigbookstudy Join our FREE FB Support group!: https://www.facebook.com/groups/realrecoverytalk Download our free guides!: https://www.realrecoverytalk.com/guides Tom IG: https://www.instagram.com/realrecoverytalktom/ Ben IG: https://www.instagram.com/realrecoverytalkben/ RRT IG: https://www.instagram.com/realrecoverytalkpodcast/

Aug 13, 2025 • 32min
562: Big Book Study: Working with others
Do you have a family member/loved one who struggles with addiction?: https://www.realrecoverytalk.com/frc In today's episode, Erik takes us through Working with Others from the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous Treatment Prep Guide: https://www.realrecoverytalk.com/treatmentprep SoberLink: https://www.soberlink.com/partners-family-and-friends/rrt Join our Big Book Study! https://www.realrecoverytalk.com/bigbookstudy Join our FREE FB Support group!: https://www.facebook.com/groups/realrecoverytalk Download our free guides!: https://www.realrecoverytalk.com/guides Tom IG: https://www.instagram.com/realrecoverytalktom/ Ben IG: https://www.instagram.com/realrecoverytalkben/ RRT IG: https://www.instagram.com/realrecoverytalkpodcast/

Aug 10, 2025 • 1h 15min
561: Why Florida Leads the Nation in Addiction Treatment
Do you have a family member/loved one srtuggling with addiction? https://www.realrecoverytalk.com/frc Why is Florida the #1 place in the U.S. for addiction treatment? In this episode, we reveal how Palm Beach County became the model for recovery programs nationwide — and why other states are trying to copy it. From the huge recovery community to world-class sober living, here's why so many people come here to get sober… and stay sober. 📩 Have questions or need support? Email us anytime at info@realrecoverytalk.com. ➡️ Learn more about our Family Reconnect Program: www.realrecoverytalk.com/frc Treatment Prep Guide: https://www.realrecoverytalk.com/treatmentprep SoberLink: https://www.soberlink.com/partners-family-and-friends/rrt Join our Big Book Study! https://www.realrecoverytalk.com/bigbookstudy Join our FREE FB Support group!: https://www.facebook.com/groups/realrecoverytalk Download our free guides!: https://www.realrecoverytalk.com/guides Tom IG: https://www.instagram.com/realrecoverytalktom/ Ben IG: https://www.instagram.com/realrecoverytalkben/ RRT IG: https://www.instagram.com/realrecoverytalkpodcast/


