Is sobriety worth it? You hear all the time that it's the battle of a lifetime. That it's a lifelong journey of emotional growth and 'doing the work'. Is it really worth pouring that much time and energy into staying sober?

When you're in the thick of the struggle, it can be tough to remember why you're fighting. This episode is meant to remind you what life is like on the other side of that craving, or that hard situation, or that tough emotion. Listen, and then bookmark this episode so you can come back to it the next time you're not sure if it's really worth it.

In this episode:

• Sobriety is "The Ability To..."
• Be present; get healthy; save money
• Facing the issues on the inside that you've avoided for too long
• Emotions - understanding and allowing them
• Self discovery and authenticity
• How relationships improve with sobriety
• Experiences keep getting better the longer you're sober
• Understanding happiness and how to achieve it
• The health benefits of sobriety - and no longer worrying

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Chris Cardone, owner of Continuous Beverage Solutions, boasts 24+ years in bartending and hospitality, consulting for NYC’s top bars and restaurants. A 2017 Diageo World Class Bartending US Champion, he placed 5th globally and now judges the competition. Featured in Epicurious and major publications, Chris also educates with DiageoBarAcademy.com, partners on Astreaus Gin, and pioneers "healthy mixology." A flair bartending finalist and trainer to stars, he’s shaped the industry with expertise and passion.

Chris Cardone

Founder @ Continuous Beverage Solutions

Chief Mixologist @ Via Carota Craft Cocktails

Director of Mixology @ Astraeaus

2017 Diageo World Class US Bartender of the Year

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Matt (shamman780), a 39 year old father of two from Burnt Hills, New York is 19 months sober. He always believed he would get sober but at the same time feared it may never come. He spent five and half years stuck in the up and down battle with alcoholism before finding a better way. He wants to thank you everyone for sticking with him through all this.

He’d like people to know that substance abuse and mental health issues do not discriminate and that if you are struggling there are people out there who want to and who will help you. Matthew Perry always said to people who are struggling “It’s not your fault”, but this Matthew believes it’s your responsibility. It’s your responsibility to acknowledge, to accept and to treat it every day, just like you would any other disease.

Be kind to those who are still struggling. Sobriety is hard, but it’s worth it.

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Self care isn't just for crisis. It's what creates a life where alcohol has no place. Self care is how we make emotional regulation a natural part of our lives, and it's how we provide maintenance for our sobriety. It can also be a challenge to give ourselves permission to take the time for self care, in a world where self care is often seen as selfish.

In this sobriety podcast episode, we chat with Antje and Lester about how they've incorporated self care into their lives on a daily basis. We all share tips and examples of what works in our lives, and how we continue to make self care a priority in our lives every day, without guilt.

• Questions to ask yourself to identify self care
• Meeting your basic needs
• Self care is a requirement, not an option
• How to know if self care is working
• Relaxing looks different for everyone. Learn how it looks for you.
• The healing quality of nature
• Connection acts as self care
• Self care evolves as you evolve
• Work/life balance and how it pertains to self care
• Self care as part of routines
• Savoring, meditation, mindfulness, and gratitude

Want to learn more about alcohol and self care? Check out this article about self care mistakes you might be making in sobriety, and what to do instead.

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Antje first discovered drinking as a way to “fix” her eating disorder. She thought that drinking was more acceptable than binging and purging all of her meals. When drinking grew more and more out of control, she reluctantly considered sobriety in January of 2022. Soon after, she found connection and support in an online sober community. She is so glad to that she took that first, scary step and gave sobriety a chance.

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Lester Vaskin is a Criminal Justice Recovery Coach at Peer 180 Recovery Community Organization and a State Opioid Response (SOR) Grant Recovery Coach. He lives in Grad Junction, Colorado.

He is a man in active sustained recovery, which means to him that since December 14th, 2021 he has abstained from any mind altering substance to experience life and all it has to offer, both good and bad, without having to run from it. His life in recovery is a life full of joy with his girlfriend Miranda and their dog Max.

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For more free resources, including information about our free weekly Zoom support group, visit our website at throughtheglassrecovery.com

You hear the word "boundaries" all the time in recovery. They're obviously an important piece of staying emotionally and mentally healthy. But what does the word "boundaries" actually mean? How do you set a boundary?

In this episode of Through the Glass Recovery Podcast, we have invited certified recovery coaches Jamie and Nele, and Jessica, author of Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea, to join us in a conversation about what boundaries have actually looked like in our lives. You'll hear real life examples and experiences that you can easily apply to your own life - and give you the courage and strength to set boundaries of your own.

If you're a people pleaser, and put others' needs before your own in order to keep the peace - this episode is for you.

In this episode:

• How to determine your "no's"
• The idea that boundaries are a practice, not a skill to be learned and checked off
• Learning by example - find strong mentors
• Getting comfortable with disappointing people
• Getting past your people pleasing instincts
• Boundaries can create conflict - and that's okay
• It's all about telling people what IS welcome in our lives
• Crossed boundaries can bring a chance for deeper connection
• Setting boundaries with yourself (which is tough, but necessary.)
• Navigating boundaries in a relationship when your spouse drinks

Other episodes you might love:

• Managing conflict in recovery
• How to stop people pleasing
• More about setting boundaries

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Originally from the Bay Area, Jessica lives in Northern California with her husband and 3 young daughters. Jessica has a background teaching special education but she left the field to pursue her passion for writing and to raise her girls. She is a vocal advocate for addiction recovery with over 11 years of sobriety.

Her debut literary book club fiction novel “Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea,” won the Maurice Prize for fiction from her alma matter UC Davis. It is a devastating and poignant novel that meditates on the often-unspoken costs and sacrifices of motherhood, relationships between women, and the slippery slope of using alcohol to take the edge off.

Available now for preorder and in bookstores everywhere May 13, 2025.

https://a.co/d/au9W8c8

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Jamie Woodall is an entrepreneur and (Still Here) trained Recovery Coach who is passionate about personal transformation.

She trained as a Therapeutic Tutor for children with Dyslexia, helping them to see their own strengths and self-advocate. Jamie spent over a decade with the experiential education company, Where There Be Dragons, designing and instructing programs in the Himalayas and Indonesia for high school and gap-year students.

She also co-founded the Odyssey Institute in Bali, which focused on environmental studies, leadership, and global citizenship.

Jamie is fascinated by experiences which push boundaries and inspire introspection, self-awareness, and personal growth.

Currently based on Bowen Island, BC, Canada, she is raising two teenagers, has recently learned to DJ, and is living her best life.

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Nele is the Recovery Program Coordinator at The Health Partnership. Check out her work at: Thehealthpartnership.org

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For more great resources, podcast episodes, recovery meetings, and support groups, check out throughtheglassrecovery.com