Socializing without alcohol is possible - and full of connection, fun, and real confidence. In this episode of Through the Glass Recovery Podcast, we dig into how to rebuild your sober social life, stop relying on “liquid courage,” and rediscover joy in gatherings, friendships, and parties - without the booze.

We’ll cover how to handle those awkward first outings, what to say when people ask why you’re not drinking, how to find new friendships in sobriety, and how to show up confidently without the drink in your hand. Whether you’re newly sober or still figuring out what happens after quitting drinking, this is for you.

What you’ll get in this episode:

• A deep look at socializing without alcohol and the fear that “everyone’s watching me.”
• Honest stories from women in long-term recovery about rebuilding a sober social life.
• Practical strategies to make friends, attend parties, and feel comfortable in social settings while staying sober.
• How to shift from relying on alcohol for confidence to showing up as your true self- finding confidence without alcohol.
• Tips for meaningful connection and authentic belonging - because sobriety doesn’t mean isolation.

For full show notes, visit

throughtheglassrecovery.com/how-to-socialize-without-alcohol/

---SOBRIETY SUPPORT & RESOURCES---

WORK WITH US – Personalized private coaching

Redesign a life without alcohol - with support.

throughtheglassrecovery.com/recovery-coaching/

FREE SUPPORT GROUP ON ZOOM

Real conversations. No judgment.

throughtheglassrecovery.com/meeting-faqs/

JULIE’S SOBER LIVING BLOG

Stories and reflections on rebuilding life after alcohol.

createalifesofull.com

FULL LIBRARY OF PODCAST EPISODES

Explore every Through the Glass Recovery conversation. throughtheglassrecovery.com/podcast/

When we quit drinking, emotions we’ve spent years numbing suddenly come bubbling (or roaring) to the surface - and few feel as uncomfortable or overwhelming as anger. For many of us, it’s an emotion we were never taught to handle, let alone express in a healthy way. In this honest roundtable conversation, we explore what anger really is, why it shows up, and how to deal with anger without landing in fear, shame, or regret.

In this episode, Julie and Steve are joined by Lester Vaskin and Mike Coyne, who share their personal experiences and insights from recovery, relationships, and real life. Together, they unpack the hidden layers beneath anger - fear, disappointment, and unmet expectations - and discuss how learning to sit with and respond to anger can become one of the most powerful tools for growth in sobriety.

In This Episode:

• Why anger feels so overwhelming in early sobriety
• How childhood conditioning shapes the way we express (or suppress) anger
• Understanding anger as a secondary emotion
• The difference between reacting and responding
• How the “pause” - or “meta moment” - helps your rational brain catch up
• Using anger as a motivator for positive change
• When anger masks fear, sadness, or hurt
• Why avoiding anger keeps us stuck - and how feeling it sets us free
• Realistic tools (that you'll actually use) for handling anger in healthy ways

• Full podcast episode library
• Free Zoom virtual support group
• Affordable one-on-one recovery coaching
• Julie's blog for alcohol-free living

Dating after giving up alcohol is a whole new world - one that needs you to show up with honesty, self-awareness, and a little bit (or a lot!) of courage. How do you meet people without the bar scene? What if you feel awkward or anxious? And how do you navigate intimacy without dulling the nerves?

In this week’s episode of Through the Glass Recovery Podcast, Julie, Steve, Amber, and Matt open up about the messy, hilarious, and very human experience of dating sober. From rediscovering emotional and physical intimacy to recognizing red flags, this brutally honest conversation reminds us that healthy relationships start with the relationship we have with ourselves.

Whether you’re newly sober, sober curious, or just working on showing up more authentically in your connections, this episode will leave you feeling seen, hopeful, and inspired to keep growing.

In this episode:

• How to tell if your sobriety is solid enough to start dating
• Navigating dating apps and the questions about drinking alcohol
• Red flags to look for that could threaten your sobriety
• How sober dating reveals your emotional triggers and teaches you to listen to your gut, not your anxiety
• What it means to feel safe with someone emotionally, and how honest communication changes every part of a relationship
• Why sex without alcohol can be awkward at first - and ultimately more connected, present, and real
• Taking responsibility for your patterns and growth instead of blaming past partners
• How heartbreak can lead to growth, and why meaningful relationships start with showing up for yourself first
• Releasing the fear of being alone

For full show notes and more information about this week's guests visit https://throughtheglassrecovery.com/podcast/sober-dating-101/

• Full podcast episode library
• Free Zoom virtual support group
• Affordable one-on-one recovery coaching
• Julie's blog for alcohol-free living