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

Are you feeling isolated after quitting drinking? This is one of the most common challenges expressed by people in early sobriety. In this episode, we explore the challenges of losing friends when you quit drinking and what you can do to rebuild meaningful connections.

In this episode:

• Why friendships often change after getting sober
• How to invite people into your struggles without fear
• The importance of patience and giving your social life time to adjust
• How strangers and sober communities can become your strongest support
• Real stories of hope, vulnerability, and reclaiming your friendships

If you’re wondering, “I lost all my friends when I quit drinking - now what?” this episode is for you. You’ll hear firsthand experiences from people who rebuilt their lives, created authentic relationships, and found joy in sobriety.

Join our free Monday night Zoom support group to talk to people who truly understand your journey: https://throughtheglassrecovery.com/meeting-faqs/

Read the full show notes here: https://throughtheglassrecovery.com/podcast/lost-friends-when-i-quit-drinking/

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

When anxiety sets in, it can feel like there’s no way to escape the spiral - especially if you used to rely on alcohol to take the edge off. In this honest, practical conversation, Julie Miller and Steve Knapp sit down with Nadine, Melissa, and Ryan to talk about what anxiety really feels like in recovery, why it shows up, and how to navigate it without falling back into old coping patterns.

This episode is packed with real life stories and lessons learned, with actionable tools that actually help when your mind won’t stop racing. If you get frustrated with anxiety and have a hard time coping without turning to drinking, this one is for you!

In This Episode:

• How to recognize when your anxious thoughts are lying to you
• Why anxiety often gets louder after you quit drinking - and what to do about it
• The connection between boundaries, routines, and emotional regulation
• Small daily habits that can help reduce anxious spirals
• Why “talking it out” can instantly quiet the noise in your head
• When to consider medication or professional support
• Grounding techniques that help bring your body back to calm
• How to build emotional resilience so anxiety doesn’t control your sobriety

View the full show notes and learn more about our guests: https://throughtheglassrecovery.com/podcast/anxiety-after-quitting-drinking/

SOBRIETY SUPPORT & RESOURCES:

Work with us (coaching): https://throughtheglassrecovery.com/recovery-coaching/

FREE Support Group on Zoom: https://throughtheglassrecovery.com/meeting-faqs/

Julie’s Sober Living Blog: https://createalifesofull.com

Full Library of Podcast Episodes: https://throughtheglassrecovery.com/podcast/

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