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Sober Steve is joined by Ralf Rasmussen, host of RealClearFetish! Talks RealClearPlay!
Ralf shares his journey from addiction to seven years of sobriety, delving into the challenges and triumphs of navigating the intersection of recovery, kink, and queer identity.

We discuss:
🌈 The power of embracing authentic queer identity in sobriety.
🖤 Ralf’s journey through addiction, recovery, and reclaiming his kink life without substances.
🎤 How creating a podcast and a sober kink community became pillars of his recovery.
💡 Insights on navigating mental health and ADHD in recovery.

Whether you’re curious about sober kink, need inspiration for your recovery journey, or want to hear from someone living their truth, this episode is packed with wisdom, humor, and hope.

Guest Info:
Find Ralf’s podcast, Real Clear Fetish Talks, on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.
Follow him on social media @realclearfetish or email at realclearfetish@gmail.com.

What’s Next?
Hit play to hear Ralf’s inspiring journey! Don’t forget to follow gAy A for weekly episodes, and leave a review to help other sober queer heroes find us.

#GayAPodcast #QueerSobriety #SoberKink #RecoveryJourney #RealClearFetish #LGBTQRecovery #SoberHeroes

Photo of Ralf by @joshidotphoto

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Check out my guest appearance on RealClearTalk this week, and check out the show wherever you find this podcast!!

Show notes from the episode:

Steve B has been sober since May 28th, 2021, and is the host of gAy A: The Queer Sober Hero Show.
Having isolating during his drinking, he has only begun embracing his interests in leather, fetish, and kink in sobriety- something he believes is necessary for him in order to live a full, happy, and sober life.
He is forever grateful for his sober family, his podcasting community, and kinksters like you!
#RealClearFetishTalksRealClearPlay
Music: Valence - Infinite [NCS Release]
Instagram: @gayapodcast
Instagram: @juststevesrq
All podcast platforms:
gAy A: The Queer Sober Hero Show
#RealClearFetishTalksRealClearPlay
Music: Valence - Infinite [NCS Release]
Recorded on 17th October 2024 on Zoom, see original video on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/Q0aY-8QvW6U
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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In this episode of Gay A: The Queer Sober Hero Show, host Sober Steve welcomes Richard Dean, a fellow sober friend, to share his inspiring journey through addiction, recovery, and the exploration of codependence. Richard opens up about the challenges he faced in early sobriety, the lessons he learned from relapse, and the powerful transformation he experienced through programs like Alcoholics Anonymous and Codependents Anonymous. Together, they discuss the unique aspects of queer sobriety, the importance of finding balance in relationships, and the pivotal role of fellowship in maintaining sobriety.

Topics Covered:

• Richard’s journey from addiction to recovery, including relapses and the turning points that inspired lasting change.
• Navigating queer identity in sobriety and the importance of community connection.
• The impact of codependency in relationships and how Codependents Anonymous helped Richard find balance.
• Staying close to program practices, the role of daily routines, and how meditation, prayer, and fellowship play into Richard’s recovery.
• Richard’s advice on staying connected and finding joy in the present, along with embracing authenticity and freedom in life.

What's Next? Hear the full episode to dive into Richard’s story and gain valuable insights into navigating recovery and codependence as part of the queer sober community. Make sure to follow Gay A on your favorite podcast platform to catch new episodes every Thursday!

Follow Richard Dean: Instagram: @richarddean326

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In this episode of gAy A: The Queer Sober Hero Show, Sober Steve welcomes back Julianne Griffin, aka Jewels, the founder of Swift Steps—a unique sober community for Swifties in recovery. They dive deep into the therapeutic power of journaling, finding balance in sobriety, and the challenges of staying accountable in recovery. Jules shares how the love for Taylor Swift’s music, lyrics, and journey has become a powerful anchor for Swift Steps members to connect, support each other, and grow.

What’s Covered in This Episode:

• Swift Steps 101: For those unfamiliar with Swift Steps, Jules provides an overview of this inspiring recovery community for Swifties.
• Journaling with Taylor: Discover how the Swift Steps course, Blank Spaces and Brave Faces, uses Taylor Swift's music and lyrics as a journaling framework, encouraging members to explore their recovery journeys, release shame, and embrace self-compassion.
• Personal Growth and Accountability: Jules reflects on the challenges of showing up for herself, balancing self-care with the demands of community leadership, and the importance of support networks in recovery.
• Navigating Family Triggers: From co-dependency to challenging family relationships, Jules opens up about the struggles of setting boundaries and seeking personal growth within recovery.
• The Power of Swift Steps Community: Hear how Swift Steps members inspire each other, keep each other accountable, and bring a shared purpose that continues to enrich Jules’ own journey in sobriety.

What’s Next?
Curious to learn more about Swift Steps or join this vibrant community? Head over to their social media @swiftsteps13 or check out swiftsteps.org to join the mailing list and receive all the details.

Tune in for insights, laughs, and a whole lot of Taylor-inspired recovery wisdom, and don’t forget to hit "follow" so you never miss an episode of gAy A! 🌈✨

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Hey there, super sober heroes! 🦸🏽‍♂️ This week on Gay A, Sober Steve is thrilled to welcome back a fan-favorite guest and globetrotter, Frankie New! Steve and Frankie dive into a topic close to Frankie's heart: Traveling in Sobriety.

In This Episode: Join Steve and Frankie as they discuss the unique adventures and perspectives that come with sober travel. From finding queer-friendly destinations and the occasional surprise doll museum to embracing the joy of being fully present in each moment, Frankie shares insights on the empowering freedom that sobriety brings to his journeys. Here’s what else to look forward to:

• 🎒 Sober Travel Tips: How to stay grounded, prioritize safety, and find enjoyment—wherever in the world you are.
• 🌏 Navigating Different Cultures: Frankie's experiences with queer and sober spaces across continents and why he feels more comfortable than ever traveling solo.
• 💫 Rediscovering Fun and Connection: How being sober has allowed Frankie to connect more deeply with the places he visits and the people he meets.

Follow Frankie on Instagram and TikTok at @FashionQueerHistorian to keep up with his latest journeys and fascinating research!

Follow Us Here, and on all the Socials @gAyApodcast

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Hey, Super Sober Heroes! In this episode of gAy A, Sober Steve welcomes back Jaycee K. Clark for a powerful conversation on the impact of social media on mental health and sobriety. With over 1,227 days sober, Steve sits down with Jaycee to discuss how social media plays a dual role in our lives—both as a tool for connection and a source of distraction. Jaycee, who will be one of the keynote speakers at the Here, Queer, Sober event next September, shares personal insights from her recent social media hiatus and how it transformed her recovery and self-care routine.

Key Takeaways from the Episode:

• Social Media Hiatus: Jaycee opens up about taking a break from social media to focus on her mental health and emotional well-being. She highlights the importance of recognizing when social media becomes a distraction and how taking a step back helped her reconnect with herself.
• The Power of Disconnecting: How disconnecting from the online world can create space for deep emotional healing, self-reflection, and improved mental health in sobriety.
• Being Intentional: Jaycee emphasizes the need to be intentional with social media use—knowing when to engage, when to take a break, and how to create healthy boundaries.
• Balancing Creation and Consumption: As someone who uses social media for activism and sobriety advocacy, Jaycee shares tips on balancing content creation and consumption while staying grounded and present.
• Lessons in Recovery: They dive into the parallels between social media dependency and addiction, discussing how both require self-awareness and personal boundaries to maintain balance.
• Being Vulnerable and Staying Connected: Jaycee talks about the importance of staying connected with her recovery community, even when offline, and how being open with others about her struggles helps her stay grounded.

Key Moments:

• Jaycee explains how her relationship with social media changed after entering recovery.
• How taking a break from social media empowered her to focus on her mental health and sobriety.
• Steve and Jaycee discuss the pros and cons of social media in the recovery space and how to navigate the pressures of being online.
• Jaycee talks about using social media as a tool for advocacy and sharing her recovery journey out loud.

Connect with Jaycee:
Follow Jaycee Clark on Instagram: @officialjayceek

Resources Mentioned:

• Here, Queer, Sober event in NYC, September 2024

Stay Connected:
Follow us on Instagram: @gAyApodcast
Find more resources and episodes at www.sobersteve.com.

Tune in Every Thursday:
Make sure to hit Follow so you don’t miss new episodes of gAy A every Thursday!

If you enjoyed this episode:
Please leave us a rating and review on your favorite podcast platform. Your feedback helps us reach more people in the LGBTQ+ recovery community.

Stay Sober, Friends!

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Hey there, Super Sober Heroes! In today’s episode of gAy A, host Sober Steve (with 1,227 days sober!) welcomes back Danielle—one of our long-time pod family members, to dive into a topic that many in the LGBTQ+ community can relate to: Being “Out” in Sobriety.

What you’ll hear in this episode:

• Danielle reflects on her experiences of coming out in college and how it mirrors her sobriety journey.
• They discuss the importance of recovering out loud and the impact of living authentically in both your sexuality and your recovery.
• The connection between vulnerability and community, and how being open helps others feel less alone.
• Danielle shares how running is part of her self-care routine in sobriety and how she finds both mental and physical health benefits from it.
• Why it’s so crucial to be present and how sobriety allows Danielle and Steve to fully embrace life’s ups and downs.
• The societal assumptions about the queer community and sobriety, and how the LGBTQ+ community continues to evolve with more support and visibility.

Danielle’s candid and insightful take on being open about sobriety, sexuality, and life is sure to inspire anyone struggling with the idea of coming out in any aspect of their life. The conversation highlights the importance of connection, community, and embracing your authentic self, no matter the fears or challenges you face.

Key Moments:

• Danielle shares her personal story about coming out in college after a tragic event sparked her to live authentically.
• The parallel between coming out as LGBTQ+ and coming out as sober.
• The importance of vulnerability and how recovering out loud has helped others start their sobriety journeys.
• Reflections on how the queer community continues to grow stronger despite challenges.

Connect with Danielle:
Follow Danielle on Instagram at @DC_and_Rosie (closed account but accepting friends of Steve!)

Resources Mentioned:

• Looking for support in your sobriety journey? Visit www.sobersteve.com for more resources and community connections.

Make sure to hit Follow so you don’t miss any of our upcoming episodes, and don’t forget to tune in every Thursday for new content.

Follow us on Social Media:

• Instagram: @gAyApodcast
• Facebook: gAy A Podcast

If you enjoyed this episode:
Leave us a rating or review on your favorite podcast platform! Your feedback helps us reach more listeners and grow this amazing community.

Stay Sober, Friends!

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In this week’s episode, host Steve Bennet-Martin, aka Sober Steve the Podcast Guy, continues the dive into gAy A's archives with Part 2 of "Sober Support from the Vault." After more than 225 episodes, Steve brings back some powerful early interviews that still resonate today. Whether you’re a new listener or a longtime fan, this episode offers a chance to revisit impactful stories from some of gAy A's earliest guests who continue to make waves in the queer sober community.

Featuring clips from early interviews with Charlie Gray, Danielle (Daisy Soul Child), Michael from Happy Without The Hooch, and Scott, this episode is packed with wisdom, vulnerability, and inspiration. From exploring how sexuality intersects with addiction to understanding the deep support that the sober community provides, this episode is not one to miss.

Key Takeaways:

• Charlie Gray on Vulnerability: Hear how Charlie used his memoir, At Least I'm Not a Frog, to be open and raw about his darkest moments, and why he believes it’s important to be honest about the "dirty" parts of addiction to help others feel less alone.
• Danielle (Daisy Soul Child): In this clip, Danielle talks about coming out as a lesbian in the Black community and how hiding her true identity played a role in her addiction. She offers powerful advice on how accepting and loving yourself can be a key to recovery.
• Michael from Happy Without The Hooch: Michael shares how being gay impacted his relationship with alcohol, especially in a world where LGBT socializing often revolves around bars. He also reveals how he found new ways to build community and connection in sobriety.
• Scott's Legacy: In one of the most poignant clips of the episode, Steve reflects on Scott, a friend and fellow member of his home group who passed away sober. Scott’s wisdom and dedication to sobriety, despite life’s challenges, continues to inspire Steve and the gAy A community.

Follow Us:
Follow gAy A wherever you’re listening to make sure you never miss an episode—new episodes every Thursday!

**Where to Find Us:**
Me:
- gAy A on IG 🟢
- gAy A everywhere else 🖇️
- Charlie Gray on Amazon Books
- Charlie's Instagram 🔴
- Danielle's IG 🟢
- Michael on IG 🟢

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