Recovery Unfiltered
Taking recovery discussion to a different level. Bringing comedy and the lighter side of sober living along with educating non-alcoholics and alcoholics. Hear real stories unfiltered.
Motherhood, Addiction, and the Courage to Choose Differently
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At just fourteen years old, Christy found herself pushing suitcases out of her window, running away with a boyfriend to Texas, and soon after, discovering she was pregnant. This moment would be the first of many life-altering decisions that shaped her journey through addiction, motherhood, and eventually, recovery.
Christy's raw account of growing up too fast pulls no punches as she details her early introduction to methamphetamine, the painful choice to place her daughter in an open adoption, and her years-long battle with alcoholism that followed. What makes her story particularly...
Milestones and Mountains: 14 Years of Recovery
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Birthdays in recovery are powerful milestones that remind us of both how far we've come and the work that carried us here. In this deeply personal episode, we celebrate Rob's 14th sobriety birthday with surprise calls from sponsees and friends while exploring the universal principles of recovery that apply to healing of all kinds.
Through heartfelt conversations and raw reflections, we uncover the striking similarities between physical rehabilitation and addiction recovery. Both journeys demand consistent effort, particularly during those lonely moments when no one is watching. As Rob shares, "The difference...
What Happens When Guilt Drives Your Amends?
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Larry and Rob explore the concept that relapse is not about external triggers but rather a reflection of one's spiritual fitness and how thoroughly they've worked on their recovery.
• Discussing a member who relapsed and questioned whether to make amends again
• Sharing stories of transformation, particularly focusing on Nathan's physical and spiritual growth
• Examining the Big Book's guidance on spiritual fitness and the alcoholic mind
• Exploring when making amends might cause more harm than good
• Diving into a powerful story about someone who made unnecessary amends that destroyed...
When Guilt Destroys What Sobriety Built
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Ever wonder if "coming clean" about your past might actually do more harm than good? This provocative episode of Recovery Unfiltered tackles one of recovery's most challenging dilemmas: when making amends becomes a selfish act rather than a healing one.
Larry and Rob dive deep into the concept of spiritual fitness and what happens when it's lacking. Through candid conversation and powerful examples, they demonstrate how relapses aren't triggered by external factors but by spiritual deficiencies. "If you feel like drinking around alcohol, there's something wrong with your spiritual status," Rob...
Sober Out Loud
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Larry and Rob explore the transformative power of willingness in recovery and the emotional impact of recording vulnerable stories.
• Reflecting on the powerful episode with Kim and Mike that brought unexpected tears
• Larry's sponsee Blake making progress through steps 4-7 of the program
• The critical importance of willingness as "indispensable" in recovery
• Developing a genuine relationship with God requires action, not just prayer
• Getting honest with yourself is the foundation for spiritual connection
• Making amends is not about saying "sorry" but taking responsibility
• Some amends may never be p...
She Never Gave Up On Him, Even When He Gave Up On Himself
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How does a marriage survive the unthinkable? In this powerful, emotional episode, Mike and Kim open their hearts to share their 18-year journey through grief, addiction, and eventual healing after losing their son Michael in a tragic accident.
When devastation struck their family, Mike spiraled into addiction while Kim struggled to hold everything together. Their raw honesty about rock bottom moments—from Kim finding Mike with drugs to contemplating suicide—reveals the brutal reality of how grief can tear lives apart. Yet somehow, their bond endured when statistics said it shouldn't.
...
Sobriety Birthdays: Celebrating Recovery Milestones
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Standing at the metaphorical "edge of the sidewalk," where addiction and recovery intersect, requires a profound choice about which path to take. This raw, honest conversation delves into the significance of sobriety birthdays and what they truly represent beyond simple abstinence from alcohol.
We explore the emotional complexity of recovery anniversaries, particularly the tendency to relive painful memories during the weeks leading up to these milestones. This phenomenon, common yet rarely discussed, serves as a powerful reminder of why we chose recovery in the first place. The distinction between the day...
Healing the Open Wound: The Power of Sponsorship
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Sometimes God moves in unmistakable ways. For Larry, it happened during a Saturday morning meeting when a newcomer named Blake shared his story. A warm feeling washed over him—what he calls "God's spiritual two-by-four"—and he knew instantly he needed to sponsor this man despite his previous reluctance to take on sponsees.
This powerful moment opens a deeply authentic conversation about what makes sponsorship work, fail, or transform lives. Rob and Larry explore the critical timing of recovery, using the striking metaphor of a newcomer as "an open wound"—one that w...
When the Light Returns: A Journey Through Darkness
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Grief has no timeline, but what happens when it consumes your entire life for 17 years? In this raw and unflinching conversation, Mike and Jason share their parallel journeys through unthinkable tragedy—both losing teenage sons in the same accident in 2007.
Mike's candid testimony reveals how alcohol became his only coping mechanism after his son Michael's death. "I felt that there's no way I could ever be okay again with this tragedy," he confesses, describing years spent driving drunk, hiding vodka bottles, and pushing away his grieving wife who feared she would soo...
When Your Past Shapes Your Present: A Story of Fatherhood, Loss, and Healing
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Mike S pulls no punches as he shares the story of his turbulent childhood with an alcoholic, abusive father in Oakdale, California. Born into chaos, Mike describes how he'd be locked in his room until his father came home, only to receive brutal beatings that went far beyond normal discipline. "I grew up getting beat like that," he explains, "and I always joke I think I started to like it because I was stubborn."
When Mike was just 12, his life took another devastating turn—coming home from school to find the ho...
Behind The Sober Life, We Still Battle Our Demons
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Depression doesn't magically vanish when the alcohol does. In our 40th episode, Larry bravely shares his recent struggle with depression despite approaching his three-year sobriety milestone. This raw conversation explores the reality that getting sober doesn't automatically fix all mental health issues, and sometimes professional help is needed alongside recovery work.
We dive deep into the telltale signs sponsors recognize before someone relapses—communication patterns changing, disengagement from meetings, and the façade that "everything's great" when behavior suggests otherwise. These insights aren't just valuable for sponsors but for anyone with lov...
Breaking the Chains: From Waiting to Working the Steps
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Nathan's journey through recovery takes a powerful turn as he shares why he waited almost six years before working the 12 steps, and the profound transformation that followed when he finally did. What began as simple abstinence eventually led to a spiritual awakening that changed everything.
"There were definitely time periods in those five-plus years where I struggled big time emotionally, spiritually, mentally—which I didn't have to," Nathan reveals. His testimony highlights the crucial difference between merely being sober and experiencing true recovery. While life improved somewhat after quitting drinking, he co...
From Vegas Blackouts to Sober Victories: Nathan's Roller Coaster Recovery
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Nathan shares his powerful journey from childhood trauma to finding lasting recovery after multiple relapses. His story reveals how early exposure to family addiction, violence, and loss shaped his relationship with substances and his path to healing.
• Experienced significant childhood trauma including his grandmother's murder when he was eight
• Found early escape through sports but struggled with anger and fighting throughout his youth
• Developed alcoholism and drug addiction following his father's pattern
• Experienced the typical "six to eight month" sobriety cycle before relapsing multiple times
• Reached rock bottom aft...
Sponsorship & Brotherhood
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Recovery isn't meant to be a solo journey—we explore the critical role of sponsorship in AA and why reaching out when you're struggling isn't bothering someone but giving them purpose.
• The official birth of AA wasn't when Bill W got sober, but when he shared his story with Dr Bob across a kitchen table
• Sponsorship isn't explicitly mentioned in the first 164 pages because the book itself was designed to be the sponsor for those who found it
• When you don't call your sponsor during struggles, you're actually being selfish...
The Angry Sober Guy's Guide to Not Being an Asshole
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Confronting raw emotions without numbing agents is one of the toughest challenges in recovery. We explore how anger manifests in sobriety and practical ways to process difficult feelings when you can no longer escape through substances.
• Brandon shares his experience at six months sober, describing the challenge of facing life's frustrations without any escape
• Discussing how alcohol numbs negative emotions and the resulting emotional intensity when that coping mechanism is removed
• Exploring the connection between resentments and our own character flaws
• Looking at how unprocessed anger affects family relation...
When God and Grit Meet Episode #35
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Discover the unfiltered truths of recovery in our latest episode that delves into the complex interplay between faith and raw honesty. Are spirituality and the language surrounding it clean-cut? This episode disrupts that notion as we explore the surprising intersection of faith and, yes, even four-letter words.
Join our candid conversations filled with personal anecdotes that highlight vulnerability in recovery. When we embrace our struggles and share our hardships, we create a supportive community that lifts everyone up. We discuss the essential role of connection and authenticity in recovery and how e...
Navigating Recovery with Humor and Heart Episode #34
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The episode dives into the complex interplay of pain, humor, and the recovery journey. We discuss resentment towards a higher power, the unexpected nature of recovery, and how laughter can help navigate life's struggles, underscoring the importance of community and authentic conversations in fostering healing.
• Laughter as a coping mechanism in recovery
• Navigating resentment towards a higher power
• Understanding pain as a teacher rather than punishment
• Accepting the unexpected nature of recovery
• Highlighting the importance of community in sober life
• Building resilience through shared experiences
• Embracing imperfections on the...
Denial Episode #33
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Welcome back to the podcast. On this episode Rob,John and myself discuss the diffrent forms of denial
Thank You for Joining Us.. Please share with friends. If you or anyone you know is struggling with alcoholism please reach out to us. We can get you help. recoveryunfilteredpodcast@gmail.com
Statue of Limitations Episode 32
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Rob & I discuss the everyday struggles of life and living in the world and keeping your serenity,
Thank You for Joining Us.. Please share with friends. If you or anyone you know is struggling with alcoholism please reach out to us. We can get you help. recoveryunfilteredpodcast@gmail.com
The Simplified Path to Spiritual Change Episode 31
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In this episode, we reflect on the complexities of sobriety, tackling myths about triggers and the importance of community in recovery. Listeners hear compelling stories that highlight personal accountability and the critical role of connection in navigating the recovery journey.
• Discussing humorous moments that initiate deep conversations
• Addressing the true nature of addiction and triggers
• Emphasizing the significance of community support
• The impact of sponsorship on recovery journeys
• Sharing a poignant story about loss and its lessons
• Exploring the need for personal responsibility in recovery
• Closing thoughts on ongoing g...
# 8 Is a Bitch..
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Heather tells her amazing story. She fought through a dual diagnosis to save herself and her baby. Her strength is amazing. It was a joy to sit and listen.
Thank You for Joining Us.. Please share with friends. If you or anyone you know is struggling with alcoholism please reach out to us. We can get you help. recoveryunfilteredpodcast@gmail.com
Westside John Episode 29
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John joins us to talk about his alcohol & meth addiction. He has 21 years of sobriety.
Thank You for Joining Us.. Please share with friends. If you or anyone you know is struggling with alcoholism please reach out to us. We can get you help. recoveryunfilteredpodcast@gmail.com
Our Doctor is Here.
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Friend of the podcast Rachel Barry joining us through Zoom. She brings insight to plant base medicine and depression. Thank You so much Rachel. We look forward to future podcast with you. Your clients will be so blessed with your knowledge and compassion.
Thank You for Joining Us.. Please share with friends. If you or anyone you know is struggling with alcoholism please reach out to us. We can get you help. recoveryunfilteredpodcast@gmail.com
F**K That Guy!!!!!! Episode 27
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Rob and I in studio talking about service and giving back! I think Rob still has a resentment with Frank. Yea Fuck that guy. Please reach out recoveryunfilteredpodcast@gmail.com
Thank You for Joining Us.. Please share with friends. If you or anyone you know is struggling with alcoholism please reach out to us. We can get you help. recoveryunfilteredpodcast@gmail.com
Mari You Inspire us!!!!!! Episode 26
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Matt & Mari are back in studio to discuss the holidays with loss and sobriety.
Thank You for Joining Us.. Please share with friends. If you or anyone you know is struggling with alcoholism please reach out to us. We can get you help. recoveryunfilteredpodcast@gmail.com
!!!! Merry Christmas !!!!!! Brandon Turns 90 Episode 25
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Brandon hits 90 days sober. We discuss the highs & lows of early sobriety.
Thank You for Joining Us.. Please share with friends. If you or anyone you know is struggling with alcoholism please reach out to us. We can get you help. recoveryunfilteredpodcast@gmail.com
How It Works Episode 24
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Doug,Brad,Rob & Larry discuss Chapter 5 How it Works.
Thank You for Joining Us.. Please share with friends. If you or anyone you know is struggling with alcoholism please reach out to us. We can get you help. recoveryunfilteredpodcast@gmail.com
Depression & Alcoholism
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Rob and I have a guest that battled depression not alcoholism. We talk about the differences and the similarities. She is also a very important part of Larrys life. Thank You Laurel for sharing and being a part of our podcast.
Thank You for Joining Us.. Please share with friends. If you or anyone you know is struggling with alcoholism please reach out to us. We can get you help. recoveryunfilteredpodcast@gmail.com
Boones Farm Creator
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Rob and I have Dawson in studio to discuss getting sober in the 80's.. His stories give us strength & hope.. He also tells us about who created Boones Farms Wine.
Thank You for Joining Us.. Please share with friends. If you or anyone you know is struggling with alcoholism please reach out to us. We can get you help. recoveryunfilteredpodcast@gmail.com
Caught Eating Cheetos again...
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Rob & I discuss step 10. Remember if you or anyone you know is needing help please reach out to us at recoveryunfilteredpodcast@gmail.com
Thank You for Joining Us.. Please share with friends. If you or anyone you know is struggling with alcoholism please reach out to us. We can get you help. recoveryunfilteredpodcast@gmail.com
This Shit is real !!!! Episode 20
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Jason is back to with his sober wife Jenny to give us the rest of his story. He talks about the rest of his kids and how the promises are being revealed in his life. Jenny also talks about the benefits of being sober.
Thank You for Joining Us.. Please share with friends. If you or anyone you know is struggling with alcoholism please reach out to us. We can get you help. recoveryunfilteredpodcast@gmail.com
Sober Out Loud Episode 19
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2 shots and a beer joins in studio to discuss the promises.
Thank You for Joining Us.. Please share with friends. If you or anyone you know is struggling with alcoholism please reach out to us. We can get you help. recoveryunfilteredpodcast@gmail.com
Cali Sober Episode 18
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We bring Brad back into the studio as out former pot head to discuss the contreversal idea of California Sober. Please rember that these are our opinions. We are not by any means professional. Please just listen and enjoy the conversation.
Thank You for Joining Us.. Please share with friends. If you or anyone you know is struggling with alcoholism please reach out to us. We can get you help. recoveryunfilteredpodcast@gmail.com
Face & Voice for radio Episode 17
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Rob & I Sit with our Friend Mike. He has an amazing radio voice and a great story..
Thank You for Joining Us.. Please share with friends. If you or anyone you know is struggling with alcoholism please reach out to us. We can get you help. recoveryunfilteredpodcast@gmail.com
Rob Unchained Episode 16
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Rob & Larry talk about recovery through the 12 steps. Rob gets serious about how the steps should be worked.
Thank You for Joining Us.. Please share with friends. If you or anyone you know is struggling with alcoholism please reach out to us. We can get you help. recoveryunfilteredpodcast@gmail.com
Complacency in Sobriety Episode 15
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Jason & Kim are back for a topic of complacency. It is a struggle that many alcoholics go through. We as alcoholics must stay spiritual fit. When we get comfortable in our sobriety is when our disease tends to grow..
Thank You for Joining Us.. Please share with friends. If you or anyone you know is struggling with alcoholism please reach out to us. We can get you help. recoveryunfilteredpodcast@gmail.com
Being in the Now Jason & Kim Episode 14
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Jason & Kim R , two people that have been in love since the 5th grade are in the studio this week. Jason gives us his story and Kim is along to talk about the journey. The struggles that the wife goes through watching the love of their life fall apart and the joy of watching him climb out of the ashes.
Thank You for Joining Us.. Please share with friends. If you or anyone you know is struggling with alcoholism please reach out to us. We can get you help. recoveryunfilteredpodcast@gmail.com...
Meditating on the Shitter Episode 13
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We invite Doug back to talk 12 Steps and living in recovery. This was a fun one. It is always fun to talk recovery.
Thank You for Joining Us.. Please share with friends. If you or anyone you know is struggling with alcoholism please reach out to us. We can get you help. recoveryunfilteredpodcast@gmail.com
Unfiltered Comes Unexpectedly Episode 12
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Pat joins us again to finish his story. We talk over some topics and more was revealed to Larry unexpectedly.
Thank You for Joining Us.. Please share with friends. If you or anyone you know is struggling with alcoholism please reach out to us. We can get you help. recoveryunfilteredpodcast@gmail.com
Two Can Superman! Episode 11
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We are joined by Pat who has 31 years of sobriety. His story is filled with stories of wreckage and recovery. The knowledge in the studio with Pat and Rob left Larry speechless... Just kidding nothing could make that happen..
Thank You for Joining Us.. Please share with friends. If you or anyone you know is struggling with alcoholism please reach out to us. We can get you help. recoveryunfilteredpodcast@gmail.com
