Conflict is one of those things most of us try to avoid - especially when we’re sober and trying to protect our peace. But avoiding conflict doesn’t make it go away; it just creates more problems and pain that we have to deal with later. In this episode, Julie, Steve, Rachel, and Azure sit down to talk about what healthy conflict looks like in sobriety - and how learning to face it with healthy skills, boundaries, and emotional maturity can actually make sobriety feel like something you want to do, not something you have to do.

They get real about people-pleasing, anxious attachment, overreactions, guilt, and what it means to speak up honestly without losing your cool. You’ll walk away from this one feeling seen, equipped, and encouraged to show up for yourself - even in hard conversations.

In this episode:

• Why conflict is not a sign of failure - it’s a chance to strengthen relationships
• The difference between reacting emotionally and responding with intention
• How sobriety changes the way we handle uncomfortable conversations
• People-pleasing, anxious attachment, and fear of being rejected
• The importance of emotional preparation before tough talks
• How to know when to engage - and when to just let something go
• Why authenticity sometimes means not being liked by everyone

Conflict is an opportunity to make a relationship better. Every single time.

Learn more about our guests and view the full show notes: https://throughtheglassrecovery.com/podcast/conflict-resolution-in-recovery/

• Full podcast episode library
• Free Zoom virtual support group
• Affordable one-on-one support services
• Julie's blog: Create A Life So Full

Planning your first trip without alcohol can feel intimidating. Imagining the airport, the activities, the culture might leave you wondering, "Can I even enjoy this?" In this episode, Julie and Steve sit down with Darci, Sarah, and Corina to share their experiences, sprinkled with honest, practical advice for traveling alcohol-free while still having fun, feeling connected, and enjoying every moment - without the hangover or the anxiety.

In this episode:

• How to redefine adventure so your sober vacation leaves you feeling connected and fulfilled.
• How to plan and prepare for an alcohol-free vacation to set yourself up for success.
• Understand the let-down effect so it doesn't sabotage your sobriety.
• Mindset and reframes so you don't struggle with FOMO while traveling without alcohol.
• A sober travel toolkit to leave you confident that you'll have the time of your life, no alcohol needed.

Your first sober vacation may feel unfamiliar at first, but with planning, support, and a little perspective, it can be even more fun, adventurous, and memorable than it ever was when you were drinking.

You can read more about the Let Down Effect that comes after a sober vacation on Julie's blog: https://createalifesofull.com/let-down-effect-sobriety/

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For full show notes and to learn more about our guests, visit the episode webpage: https://throughtheglassrecovery.com/podcast/sober-travel-without-alcohol/

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Find all the sobriety resources that Through the Glass Recovery offers:

- Free virtual support group

- Full library of podcast episodes

- 1-on-1 personalized coaching for sobriety and recovery

- Julie's blog

If you’ve ever wondered, “Why does sobriety feel so hard? Will it ever get easier?” - this is your episode. Julie and Steve sat down with three sober creators (Dave @djsobershorts , Ness @soberinlaketahoe , and Yliana @alcoholfreesoul ) who have walked through the hardest parts of early recovery and found what actually helps. Their honesty, humor, and hard-earned wisdom will remind you that sobriety doesn’t just get easier - it gets better.

In this episode:

• The surprising mindset shifts that make sobriety feel less overwhelming
• Daily habits that help you stay grounded when cravings hit
• Why support and community matter more than sheer willpower
• How to take sobriety one hour, one day at a time without getting lost in the “forever”
• The hidden gifts sobriety gives back once you stick with it long enough

To learn more about our guests and for full show notes, visit our website:

https://throughtheglassrecovery.com/podcast/what-makes-sobriety-easier/

Check out all the other resources we offer to support your alcohol free life:

• Full podcast episode library
• Free Zoom virtual support group
• Affordable one-on-one support services
• The No Alcohol Needed blog by Julie Miller

We all compare ourselves to others sometimes - no matter how hard we try not to. And in recovery, comparison can feel unavoidable. Whether it’s scrolling through social media, sitting in a meeting, or just noticing how someone else’s life looks... better, comparison can sneak in and leave us feeling “less than.”

In this episode, we're joined by Gina (Modern Day Monk) and Kristin (The Alcohol-Free Alchemist) to talk about how we find ourselves comparing our recovery to someone else's, and how it impacts the way we see ourselves. We're here with some honest conversation and some tips and tools to help you free yourself from comparison and start doing your recovery your way.

In this episode:

• Why social media can fuel insecurity in sobriety.
• The difference between comparison that inspires and comparison that destroys.
• How to turn comparison into compassion.
• Why your recovery will never look exactly like anyone else’s.
• The one person you should compare yourself to.

If you find it hard to stop comparing your recovery to someone else's, be sure to check out these episodes, too:

Social Media and Addiction

Comparing Ourselves to Others

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Learn more about our guests and read the full show notes on our website

Early sobriety can feel like a rush of relief and excitement - the infamous “pink cloud” we hear about. But what happens when that high fades and you find yourself feeling flat, restless, or stuck in sobriety? In this honest and powerful conversation, Julie, Steve, Rachael, and Chad dig into the reality of plateaus in recovery, how to recognize them, and what it takes to move through - so you don't end up finding yourself slipping backward instead.

In This Episode

• The pink cloud effect - why it feels so good at first, and why it eventually fades
• How we confuse boredom with peace after living in chaos for so long
• Chad’s raw story of breakup, therapy, and rediscovering his spark
• The addictive side of “doing the work” and why action matters more than knowledge
• How objective truth-tellers (friends, therapists, coaches) help us see what we can’t
• Choosing responsibility over victim mode, even when life feels unfair
• Practical tools to move from stagnation into growth

Learn more about our guests and read the full show notes:

https://throughtheglassrecovery.com/podcast/sobriety-feels-flat/

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• Full podcast episode library
• Free Zoom virtual support group
• Affordable one-on-one support services
• The No Alcohol Needed blog by Julie Miller

Welcome back to Season Four of Through the Glass Recovery!

We’re kicking off this season with a conversation that gets to the heart of what so many of us wrestle with: how do you actually create a life so full there’s no space left for alcohol?

You’ve probably seen the quotes and memes: “Create a life you don’t want to escape from.” It sounds amazing, but what does that really look like in day-to-day life? How do you start to enjoy life after quitting drinking? In this episode, Julie, Steve, Amber, Matt, and Robbie share the real and practical ways they’ve discovered joy, connection, and meaning in sobriety - along with the things they’ve had to let go of.

It’s about learning to live fully awake, present, and grateful for the moments - big and small - that make life worth showing up for.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Why connection is the foundation of a meaningful sober life
• How concerts, adventures, and family experiences feel richer without alcohol
• The surprising truth about activities that aren’t as fun when you’re sober - and why that’s okay
• The power of small joys, like a cup of tea, nature, or laughter with friends
• How sobriety changes the way we feel emotions - making both the hard and beautiful moments deeper
• Why removing clutter, noise, or old habits can be just as important as adding new experiences
• Stories of rediscovering hobbies and passions with fresh meaning in sobriety

Whether you’re early in recovery or years into your journey, this conversation is filled with encouragement, laughter, and real talk about building a life that feels vibrant, fulfilling, and most importantly - like your own.

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Learn more about our guests by visiting the full show notes on our website: https://throughtheglassrecovery.com/podcast/enjoy-life-after-quitting-drinking/

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• Full podcast episode library
• Free Zoom virtual support group
• Affordable one-on-one recovery coaching
• The No Alcohol Needed blog by Julie Miller

Welcome to Season 4 of Through the Glass Recovery Podcast!

After taking a longer summer break than normal, we're back with some real conversation about burnout, rest, and why this podcast matters so much to us. In this episode, we catch up, reflect on a summer filled with grief, joy, persistence, and adventure, and share how recovery tools continue to carry us through real life.

From moments of heartbreak to moments of magic, this conversation reminds us that recovery is about learning to face everything life throws at us without numbing. And with that comes deeper joy than we ever imagined possible.

Takeaways:

• Taking breaks is essential for mental health and creativity.
• Vulnerability leads deeper connections with others.
• Managing stress requires tools and strategies.
• Grief is a process that cannot be rushed or prepared for.
• Simple moments of joy can be healing and transformative.
• Recovery is about facing life's challenges with clarity and strength.
• The journey of sobriety continues to reveal deeper levels of joy.
• Sharing experiences can help others feel less alone in their struggles.

We’d love to hear from you! Send us your feedback at throughtheglassrecovery@gmail.com or connect on Instagram. And if this episode resonates with you, please share it with a friend, leave a review, or subscribe to our new YouTube channel to watch the conversations in action.

We’re bringing back one of our most popular episodes this week while we get ready to launch brand new content. This conversation about perfectionism and recovery struck a chord with so many of you, and for good reason - it’s real, relatable, and packed with wisdom. Enjoy this re-release, and we’ll be back next week with fresh episodes you won’t want to miss.

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In this powerful episode, our group dives deep into the connection between perfectionism and addiction and how striving to be flawless can sabotage sobriety, self-worth, and emotional healing. Jessica, Sarah, Erica, Hope, Julie, and Steve share raw and honest stories of how perfectionism shaped their drinking, and what it looks like to work through those tendencies in recovery.

From redefining success and learning to sit with mistakes, to practicing self-compassion and choosing authenticity over image, this conversation is full of insight, laughter, and “me too” moments for anyone struggling with not feeling good enough.

Key Topics in this Episode:

• Defining our own standards of “good enough”
• Authentic connection requires allowing others to see our imperfection
• How perfectionism and overachieving go hand in hand to sabotage your mental wellbeing and sobriety
• The intertwined journeys of recovery and how they all affect one another
• Perfectionism as a sense of control
• Recovering from perfectionism is an ebb and flow – some days are easier than others
• The tools of sobriety also support recovering from perfectionism
• Being a perfectionist can stop you from self reflecting, not wanting to admit your flaws and shortcomings – and therefore stopping you from ever working on them.

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To learn more about our guests, visit the full podcast show notes:

https://throughtheglassrecovery.com/podcast/perfectionism-and-alcoholism/

For access to all of the resources Through the Glass Recovery has to offer, including

- FREE live virtual support group

- 1:1 coaching

- Informative blog articles

- A full podcast episode library

visit our website at throughtheglassrecovery.com