For a lot of people, AA is the only recovery path they’ve ever heard of. But what happens when you walk into a meeting and it just doesn’t feel right? What if you tried it, didn’t connect with it, or couldn’t see yourself adopting the identity or structure it requires? On this episode, Julie and Steve sit down with returning guests Alexandra McRobert and Barclay Mullins to talk honestly about how to get sober without AA, what worked for them, and what to do when you need a different path.

• What each person expected AA to be and what their real experience was
• How to know when AA isn’t the right fit for you
• The pressure and identity struggles that can come with the program
• Why some people thrive in AA and others don’t
• The role of language, labels, and self-identity in recovery
• How to build your own recovery path without meetings
• Community options outside AA and why connection is still essential
• Internal work, spiritual practices, and tools that supported early sobriety
• Alternative resources like quit lit, apps, online groups, yoga, journaling, and coaching
• One small step you can take today if you want to get sober without AA

If you’re new here…

Through the Glass Recovery is a podcast for people who want a life that feels happy and full, not miserable. We talk about emotional wellness, sobriety, self worth, and building a life you don’t wish you could escape from.

Learn more about us: https://throughtheglassrecovery.com

For full show notes: https://throughtheglassrecovery.com/podcast/getting-sober-without-aa/

Sign up for Julie's values workshop - https://createalifesofull.com/values-workshop-for-sobriety/

–SOBRIETY SUPPORT & RESOURCES–

WORK WITH US - Personalized private coaching

Redesign a life without alcohol - with support.

https://throughtheglassrecovery.com/recovery-coaching/

FREE SUPPORT GROUP ON ZOOM

Real conversations. No judgment.

https://throughtheglassrecovery.com/meeting-faqs/

JULIE’S SOBER LIVING BLOG

Stories and reflections on rebuilding life after alcohol.

https://createalifesofull.com

FULL LIBRARY OF PODCAST EPISODES

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

The holidays can feel overwhelming when you are sober. Family dynamics, financial pressure, busy schedules, and old memories all collide. For many people in early sobriety, this season brings up fear, loneliness, and the anxiety of navigating everything without a drink.

In this episode, Julie and Steve sit down with guests Janice Johnson Dowd and Kristian Nylund to talk honestly about what sober holidays look like. They share real stories about their own first alcohol-free Christmases and Thanksgivings, how uncomfortable those early days felt, and what eventually made the season easier and more meaningful.

In this episode:

- Why the holidays felt so tied to alcohol - The worry of feeling left out or judged when you stop drinking - What the first sober holiday is really like - Why triggers are not failure and what they are trying to show you - How to handle family gatherings when people expect you to drink - The power of preparation and having a plan - Letting go of old expectations and creating new traditions - Watching other people drink and why it can change your perspective - How presence becomes the best part of sober celebrations - Why community support matters during the holidays - What makes the holidays feel magical again in sobriety - How to find peace, connection, and meaning even if the season looks different now

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Check out all the resources we offer:

- Full podcast episode library : https://throughtheglassrecovery.com/podcast/ - Free Zoom virtual support group : https://throughtheglassrecovery.com/meeting-faqs/ - Affordable one on one recovery coaching : https://createalifesofull.com/support-options/ - Julie’s blog for alcohol free living : https://createalifesofull.com/category/blog/

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

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