Real Recovery Podcast

RRP 113 — Kathryn L. / Is It Odd or Is It God?: Recovery, Spirituality, and the Long Road to PortlandRRP 113 — Kathryn L. / Is It Odd or Is It God?: Recovery, Spirituality, and the Long Road to Portland

Presenters:

Julie P. Lewis and Peter B. Dowell  | 

Episode Length:

Approximately 1 hour 47 minutes  | 

Release Date:

May 8, 2026

Kathryn L. grew up south of Boston in a home where alcohol was always present — a stocked liquor cabinet, homemade sambuca, and big parties that normalized drinking from an early age. By the time she hit her corporate career, she was a blackout drinker trying and failing to control something that was already controlling her. The death of her mother at 25, a tumultuous marriage, and a string of relationships driven more by loneliness than love — none of it stopped the drinking. What finally did was waking up on the bathroom floor on July 29, 2011, physically sick, emotionally sick, and spiritually sick.

What followed was a decade-long journey through AA in Boston — the AWOL women’s group, a home group of 200 people in Braintree, and a sponsor named Rita whose son had just died from the disease. Then a career pivot from six-figure sales work to cutting fruit at a deli. Then, in March 2022, an 11-day cross-country drive from Boston to Portland. Halfway across the country, she realized she had everything.

Now coming up on 15 years sober, Kathryn lives by one question: is it odd, or is it God?

Key Points

“I never want to forget what it was like waking up on the bathroom floor, physically sick, emotionally sick, and spiritually sick.” — Kathryn L.

Websites Discussed

RRP 112 — Paul O. / One Burgundy Sock at a Time: Recovery, Service, and the Art of Staying

Presented by Julie P. Lewis & Peter B. Dowell  •  Release Date: May 1, 2026  •  Runtime: 1 hr 33 min

Paul O. showed up at his first AA meeting on October 7, 1991—a lesbian stag meeting in Reno where they welcomed him only as “Pauline.” More than three decades later, he carries a story you won’t forget: how a gentle inner voice once talked him into getting sober one burgundy sock at a time. Paul traces his journey through multiple addictions, a relapse after 13 years, a completed First Step, and the daily practice of mending his net—meeting by meeting, sock by sock.

Key Points

• 00:04:00Paul’s sobriety date—October 7, 1991, Reno, NV—and his full picture of addiction: alcohol, compulsive sex, overeating, and casino gambling
• 00:05:00Standing near a bridge with no money and no hope—and the one thought of his mother that pulled him back
• 00:06:30His first meeting: welcomed as “Pauline,” and the Brooklyn woman named Kathy who hugged him and said “you keep coming back”
• 00:13:30The Burgundy Sock Story—how one voice negotiated him from “all the clothes” down to just one sock, and the lesson he’s carried for 35 years
• 00:17:30Walking near Mount Tabor with suicidal ideation—asking God for 15 seconds of quiet, then 30 minutes, then four days, then gone
• 00:38:00Becoming “Coffee Pot Guy”—how service gave him his identity in the rooms and why he calls it magic
• 01:11:00New Zealand: 13 years sober, a checklist, and the relapse that finally completed his First Step
• 01:22:00The fisherman’s net—Paul’s metaphor for daily meeting attendance and what happens when you stop mending
• 01:28:00How Paul learned to love the people who annoyed him most—and the strategy his mother gave him that still works
• 01:37:00Noticing resistance, finding a shred of willingness, and the pause between impulse and action

“Sometimes when a task feels so overwhelming that you just gotta keep breaking it down to whatever you actually can do.”

— Paul O.

Websites Discussed

Rejection Is Redirection: One Year Sober and Just Getting Started

Julie and Peter welcome Tiffany D., one year sober, whose story moves from hidden wine bottles and blackout DUIs to a spiritual awakening in a jail cell and a job in recovery services. After 46 days awaiting sentencing, a judge released her to treatment at NARA in Portland. Today she has her kids, her own home, and a clear-eyed philosophy: rejection is redirection, and investing in yourself is the only way forward.

Co-hosts Julie and Peter step away from the guest format to mark two years of the Real Recovery Podcast. Peter reflects on his cancer diagnosis, 80-pound weight loss, and clear scans. Julie shares her parallel journey through job loss and a new beginning. Together they celebrate 104 episodes without missing a Friday, global listener reach, and the guests — 108 of them — who have shaped the show. They cast a vision for year three: round tables, community events, new guests, and a Fred Meyer-funded grant that could change everything.

Sober Enough to Say Yes: Recovery, Native Roots, and Finding Purpose Through Music

Episode 108

RRP 108 — Jerry B.

Flammable: What It Really Means to Be Sober Without Being in Recovery

Presenters:

Peter and Julie

Release Date:

April 3, 2026

Episode:

108

Runtime:

1:42:32

Episode Summary

Jerry B. grew up in a family shaped by recovery — his dad has 53 years in AA, his mom found sobriety when Jerry was young — yet still spent years addicted to crystal meth and alcohol. He earned a law degree at Lewis & Clark, lost a 17-year caregiving job to a drug test, completed two rounds of outpatient treatment, and then stayed completely sober for nearly a decade without ever being in recovery. He has a word for that: flammable. This episode covers isolation, atheism in AA, the difference between being dry and being free, and the night his mom died — the moment he had always been certain would make him drink.

Key Points

• 00:08:02Jerry’s dad has 53 years of sobriety; his mom got sober when Jerry was around 8 or 9.
• 00:09:39After mom returned from rehab, the unpredictability of his childhood nights disappeared — and so did his insomnia.
• 00:13:31Mom relapsed in high school, became addicted to cocaine, and disappeared for days. Jerry made excuses and couldn’t face it.
• 00:14:43During the relapse, his mom said “I hate you.” He never believed it — she’d spent his whole life showing him otherwise.
• 00:35:30First tried crystal meth during Christmas break of his first year at Lewis & Clark Law School. Immediately felt “things were right all of a sudden.”
• 00:44:12Graduated law school in 2001 fully addicted to meth. Failed the bar exam and never took it again.
• 01:05:14In 2007, without any dramatic bottom, decided enough was enough. Entered outpatient treatment and got clean from meth.
• 01:09:29Night he graduated treatment: stopped on the way home for two six-packs. Alcohol wasn’t his problem.
• 01:19:152011 DUI in Forest Grove — so impaired the officer thought he might have Lou Gehrig’s disease. Arrested; spent a day in jail.
• 01:25:35His boss offered him a path back instead of firing him. “He kind of saved my life.”
• 01:34:39Before his best friend’s wedding, chose to stop eating rather than stop drinking. Last drink: November 20, 2012.
• 01:39:34Told his sponsor he’d drink when his mom died. She passed in December 2013. He went to a meeting that night and never thought about drinking.
• 01:41:39Drifted from AA; spent 7–8 years sober but not in recovery — isolated, disengaged. He calls this being “flammable.”
• 01:42:16His 16-year-old dog died at the end of 2023. The loneliness brought him back to his home group.
• 01:48:39Completed 176 meetings in 90 days. “It was the best thing I’ve ever done.”
• 01:53:34For the first time heard similarities instead of differences. Found a sponsor, started step work, understood recovery as more than not drinking.

Guest Quote

“I was so dry by then, I was like flammable. I was exactly the same person as I had been when I was drinking — just without the alcohol.”

— Jerry B.

Listen & Connect

Websites Discussed

Presenters: Julie P. Lewis & Peter B. Dowell

Episode Length: Approx. 1 hr 4 min

Release Date: March 27, 2026

Six Years Clean: Megan C.'s Journey from Homelessness and Heroin to Leading Others Home

Presenters: Peter and Julie  |  Release Date: March 20, 2026  |  Episode: 106

Peter and Julie welcome Megan C., a peer recovery mentor and program manager whose road to recovery wound through opiates, heroin, homelessness, domestic violence, and two near-death hospitalizations — including a nine-week ICU stay and coma after bacteria ate a hole through her lung the size of a baseball. Now with six years clean, Megan oversees nurses, caseworkers, and peer recovery mentors. She talks about Oxford House, medication-assisted treatment, breaking the cycle of trauma for her daughters, and why giving back keeps her sober.

Episode 105  •  Season 3

RRP 105 — Mark S.

The Group Is My Higher Power: One Atheist’s Path Through Addiction and Back

Presenters:

Peter and Julie

Release Date:

March 13, 2026

Episode:

105

Runtime:

1:00:27

Episode Summary

In this episode, Peter and Julie welcome Mark S., a long-time member of Extended Family — the online AA community where he and Julie first met. Mark’s story spans more than five decades of addiction, survival, and hard-won sobriety. From a Pentecostal upbringing that condemned him for being gay, to the streets of Southern California in the 1970s, to a near-fatal suicide attempt that left him in a coma for three days, Mark’s journey is unflinching and deeply human. Now more than two years sober and homebound with COPD, Mark has found his footing through service work, a sponsor with 42 years of sobriety, and a higher power he defines entirely on his own terms: the group of Alcoholics Anonymous itself. This is Episode 105 — the first episode of Season 3.

Key Points

• 00:01:40First Zoom-recorded guest — a new format for the show.
• 00:03:21Episode 105 opens Season 3.
• 00:04:06First drink: 1968, a family wedding. Raised in a strict Pentecostal household; no alcohol.
• 00:05:00From a young age, Mark believed he was going to hell for being attracted to other boys — reinforced by his church and father.
• 00:07:00Junior high: bullying, a 1.4 GPA, early sexual activity driven by shame.
• 00:10:18At 16, his father discovered he was gay and kicked him out.
• 00:16:30First AA contact: ~1979–80, Laguna Beach. AA members came to his motel room, dumped his alcohol, took him to a meeting.
• 00:22:25Drunk, threw a TV through a window. Hit by a car on Laguna Canyon Road — hospitalized with partial paralysis.
• 00:28:43Moved to Oregon around 1984–85, fleeing the AIDS crisis. Met partner Greg; together 28 years.
• 00:33:31Suicide attempt: took all his medications, slashed his wrists. Coma for three days.
• 00:35:09One month in hospital; one month rehab at Cedar Hills, Beaverton, OR.
• 00:35:41Four years of sobriety — ended after smoking marijuana. Drank heavily until COVID.
• 00:36:06During COVID, a friend introduced Zoom AA. Found Extended Family / Lunch Bunch AA Online — where he met Julie.
• 00:37:39Final drink: June 14, 2023. Sobriety date: June 15, 2023. Now two years and eight months sober.
• 00:38:21Homebound with COPD, on disability. Hosts his own Zoom AA meeting; active in service work.
• 00:43:32Higher power: not a traditional God — the group of AA. “One person will let me down, but the group doesn’t.”
• 00:46:34Recent losses: father died November 5, 2024; mother died early March 2026, days before recording.
• 00:51:00Family of choice in sobriety and the LGBTQ+ community — parallels drawn by Peter, Julie, and Mark.
• 00:58:00Closing: Mark’s attitude toward death, service, and staying spiritually healthy in recovery.

Guest Quote

“My higher power is the group of Alcoholics Anonymous. Not one person — ‘cause one person will let me down — but the group of Alcoholics Anonymous. And the principles behind the group don’t let me down.”

— Mark S.

Listen & Connect

Websites Discussed

Show Notes — Episode 104

From the Streets to Service: Finding Faith, Sobriety, and Purpose in Recovery

Justin Rye grew up in Fresno, California, where gang culture and early drug use shaped his world. He started smoking weed at nine, was sent to juvenile hall at 12, and cycled through 16 group homes. His mother was the first person he ever used meth with. Released from the California Youth Authority at 19 with nothing, he spent the next two decades in and out of prison.

After seven years in a van, Justin arrived in Portland in 2017 for the National Rainbow Gathering. A relapse at Skidmore Fountain led to five years living unhoused and using intravenous meth. A bank robbery — note only, no weapon — landed him two years in federal prison. Released to a halfway house on Killingsworth, he was found unresponsive from synthetic marijuana and kicked out. A fellow resident named Cilo handed him a phone number. That number was Rob Black’s. On July 3, 2023, Justin moved into sober living. The woman he had smoked spice with that same night died from it. He never touched it again.

Real Recovery Podcast — Episode 103

RRP 103 — Luciano N.

Don’t Stop Before the Miracle: One Man’s Journey Through Homelessness, Relapse, and Real Recovery

Presenters: Peter and Julie

Release Date: February 27, 2026

Episode Length: 1:40:20

Episode Summary

RRP 102 — Lee Anne K.; Turning On the Light: Recovery, Resilience, and Radical Self-Acceptance

Presenters: Peter and Julie

Episode Length: 1 hour, 28 minutes

Release Date: February 20, 2026

Episode Summary

In this heartfelt episode, Julie and Peter welcome Lee Anne K. — a nearly nine-year member of the recovery community, proud straight ally, devoted letter-writer, and self-described number one fan of the Real Recovery Podcast. Hailing from Scappoose, Oregon, Lee Anne arrived at AA in May 2008 and holds a current sobriety date of March 12, 2017. Her story is one of remarkable honesty: a first marriage entered too young, a relapse after treatment, the slow climb back through step work, and the grace she found in service, connection, and radical reframing of life’s hardest moments.

Lee Anne shares how letter-writing became a cornerstone of her recovery, how self-care bingo cards and a 140-item “things to do instead” list keep her grounded, and why she chooses to love everyone “with a beating heart” — especially those in the LGBTQ+ community. Recorded on February 12, 2026 — the 20th anniversary of a traumatic assault — this episode is a testament to what is possible when you choose, day after day, to turn the light on.

Key Highlights

• 00:01:28 Julie and Peter introduce Lee Anne as the podcast’s “number one fan” — a title she lovingly concedes to Julie’s daughter Cassandra. Lee Anne recounts bingeing roughly 70 episodes after finding the podcast business card, then deciding to donate.
• 00:06:36 A significant and moving disclosure: the recording date is the 20th anniversary of Lee Anne’s rape. She arrived in the rooms 18 years ago — “it takes what it takes.”
• 00:29:32 The Simpsons moment: watching Homer accept Marge’s 30-day no-Duff-beer challenge, Lee Anne sat thinking her family must be thinking about her. The next day she texted them “I’m going to beat Homer Simpson” — they had no idea what she meant. She did 37 days, then relapsed when a neighbor offered a vodka orange juice.
• 00:30:57 At a women in IT meeting at Nike, a colleague stood up and shared 17 years of sobriety. Lee Anne turned around so fast she nearly broke her neck. After the meeting she couldn’t get words out — the woman simply handed over her name tag with her extension written on it. Fran became Lee Anne’s first sponsor.
• 00:35:43 A DUI led to required counseling, which led to an opening at Pathways in St. Helens — a treatment center across the street from a small park. Lee Anne reframed the experience as “summer camp” to make it bearable.
• 00:56:46 Lee Anne met her current husband two weeks after her last relapse — not recommended, she emphasizes — but she was upfront: “I’m new in recovery, my time will be limited.” He respected that. Her current sobriety date is March 12, 2017.
• 01:01:00 Her 140-item “things to do instead” list: send love texts, cook a meal for others, review the church prayer list and mail cards, read a comic book, dust picture frames. The list exists to break negative thinking and redirect energy.
• 01:02:37 Lee Anne distributes 10-minute coins to newcomers: one side reads “Unity, Service, Recovery — 10 Minutes,” the other side carries the Serenity Prayer. Her message: if you can wait 10 minutes, you might be okay.

“If you are in a dark place, turn the light on. There are light switches around, there are candles. You have a choice. You are responsible for your own happiness.”

— Lee Anne K.

Websites Discussed

Presenters: Julie and PeterGuest: Austin ColeLength: 1 hour, 28 minutesRelease Date: 2/13

In this episode of the Real Recovery Podcast, Julie and Peter sit down with Austin Cole for a deeply reflective conversation about incarceration, recovery, identity, and growth. Austin shares how his time in prison became a period of education and self-examination rather than an endpoint, and how mentorship, community, and recovery principles helped shape his reentry. Together, they explore how recovery evolves over time, the importance of meeting emotional needs in healthy ways, and what it truly means to build a meaningful life after prison.

• [00:01:27 – 00:03:30] Austin meets Julie and Peter at the Oregon Recovery Walk and introduces himself, sharing his background, age, and early context for his story.
• [00:01:57 – 00:02:26] Austin talks about meeting Mike Covey while incarcerated at the Oregon State Penitentiary and how that relationship helped shape hope and direction for life after release.
• [00:24:07 – 00:25:00] Discussion about mentorship and friendship, including the role trusted relationships played during reentry and early recovery.
• [00:25:49 – 00:26:09] Austin reflects on the length of his incarceration and the circumstances surrounding his release, including health considerations and opportunities for education while incarcerated.
• [00:28:10 – 00:28:49] Conversation about changing values, developing self-love, and how recovery evolves as core beliefs shift over time.
• [00:29:32 – 00:30:04] Austin discusses meetings, recovery environments, and balancing personal recovery while working within recovery spaces.
• [01:03:52 – 01:06:00] Reflections on recovery philosophies, emotional needs, transcendence, and how wisdom develops through sustained self-work.
• [01:06:16 – 01:07:39] Exploration of unmet emotional needs, conflict, communication, and learning to de-escalate and respond with compassion in recovery and community settings.
• [01:27:18 – 01:28:29] Closing reflections on responsibility, service, and the impact of recovery work, including the idea that changing even one life has meaning.

“I’m doing this for myself and I’m doing this because I love myself.”— Austin Cole

RRP Episode 100 – Bill M: One Honest Day at a Time in Long-Term Recovery

Presenters: Julie and PeterLength: 1:08:00

Episode Summary

Episode 100 marks a meaningful milestone for the Real Recovery Podcast, and we honor it the same way we always have—by centering lived experience and honest conversation. In this episode, Bill M joins us to talk about what long-term recovery truly requires. Together, we explore accountability, humility, relapse, rebuilding trust, and learning how to stay emotionally present even when it’s uncomfortable. Bill shares openly about the work it takes to sustain recovery and the importance of community, connection, and service along the way.

Key Points

• 00:03:40 – Bill reflects on early recovery and the importance of honesty
• 00:14:12 – Accountability and taking responsibility for past actions
• 00:27:05 – Relapse, self-reflection, and lessons learned
• 00:41:30 – Rebuilding trust through consistent effort
• 00:55:18 – Community, connection, and service in long-term recovery
• 01:07:45 – Staying emotionally present and continuing the work

Quote

“I had to stop blaming everything else and really look at my part in it. That’s when recovery actually started to stick.” — Bill M

Links

Presenters: Julie and PeterLength: 00:57:17

In part two of this two-part conversation, Ebony’s story turns toward recovery. Beginning where part one left off, this episode explores the shift from awareness into action, the realities of early recovery, and the ongoing work of healing. Ebony shares what it meant to begin choosing something different, how accountability and support became essential, and why recovery is a process that continues to unfold over time.

• [00:57:17] Transition point — awareness begins turning into action
• [01:01:40] Entering recovery and facing the realities of early sobriety
• [01:07:55] Learning new tools and letting go of old survival patterns
• [01:15:20] Accountability, support systems, and asking for help
• [01:23:10] Rebuilding trust with self and learning to stay present
• [01:31:45] Understanding recovery as ongoing work, not a single event
• [01:39:30] Reflection, growth, and staying grounded in lived experience
• [End] Closing thoughts and encouragement for listeners

This episode focuses on the after — what happens once awareness turns into commitment. Ebony’s story emphasizes that recovery is not instant or linear, but built through honesty, consistency, and support. For listeners navigating recovery, this conversation offers realism, hope, and permission to take the process one step at a time.

“I had to learn how to sit with myself instead of trying to escape how I felt.” — Ebony(Part Two, post-00:57:17)

Presenters: Julie and PeterLength: 57 minutes, 17 seconds

In part one of this two-part conversation, Ebony shares the early chapters of her lived experience, focusing on trauma, identity, and the survival strategies that shaped her path into addiction. This episode centers on understanding the roots of substance use, the impact of lived experience, and the early moments of awareness that begin to open the door to recovery.

• [00:02:10] Ebony introduces herself and begins sharing early life context and formative experiences
• [00:06:45] Childhood and adolescent trauma and its impact on identity and self-worth
• [00:12:30] Early coping mechanisms and survival patterns taking shape
• [00:18:55] Emotional disconnection, belonging, and internal conflict
• [00:26:10] Substance use as a way to manage pain and unresolved trauma
• [00:33:40] Recognizing patterns and the cost of staying disconnected
• [00:41:15] Moments of awareness that begin to challenge old narratives
• [00:49:30] Naming the underlying pain and beginning to question old coping strategies
• [00:57:17] Part One concludes, setting the stage for what comes next

This episode focuses on the before — the context, pain, and lived experience that often go unseen. Ebony’s story highlights why trauma-informed conversations matter and how understanding the roots of addiction is a critical step toward meaningful recovery.

This conversation continues in Part Two (Episode 99), where Ebony shares how recovery began to take shape, what healing looked like in practice, and how her story continues to unfold.

Title: RRP Episode 97. Quentin — From Anger and Isolation to a Safe Space in Recovery

Presenters: Julie and Peter

Length: 1:25:57

Summary:In this episode, Quentin shares a raw, honest look at how anger, isolation, and untreated mental health fueled his drinking—and what it took to finally reach for help. Julie and Peter walk with him through the turning points: asking for culturally specific support, learning how to feel again, rebuilding connection, and finding “safe space” and chosen family through community.

• [00:42:45] Quentin reflects on how anger shaped his drinking—and how the “just stop being angry” advice didn’t match reality.
• [00:43:14] He shares the moment he asked for culturally specific mental-health support (“black people problems” and “trans people problems”).
• [00:47:31] Early recovery: IOP/Zoom meetings, learning to face feelings he’d never dealt with, and what it was like hearing others’ grief.
• [00:50:53] A heavy, honest turning point: therapy as a last stop before something worse—and why he’s grateful he chose help.
• [01:16:18] Quentin’s creative side: Julie shouts out his photography and where listeners can find his work.
• [01:16:54] Four years in: seasonal depression, navigating family dynamics, and learning to “feel all the feels” without numbing out.
• [01:19:48] Holidays in recovery: realizing he didn’t want to be alone—he needed to be in a safe space.
• [01:23:29] Found family and community care: “I definitely gained a whole nother family.”

Presenters: Julie and PeterRelease Date: 1/9/26Length: 1 hour, 27 minutes

This New Year’s special episode features a reflective conversation with Julie, Peter, and Collette, followed by inspirational short interview clips recorded live at the GTD – Go the Distance fundraiser at City Liquidators. The episode centers on gratitude, community, and the shared responsibility of supporting recovery as a new year begins. Through candid reflection and live voices from the event, listeners hear how connection, service, and showing up for one another continue to shape recovery journeys.

• [00:01:21 – 00:02:25] Julie, Peter, and Collette introduce the New Year’s episode and explain the decision to include live audio from the GTD fundraiser.
• [00:02:25 – 00:03:10] Reflection on gratitude, community, and starting the year grounded in recovery values.
• [00:39:53 – 00:42:17] Discussion about stories heard at the GTD event and the impact of community support, including reflections on individuals connected to GTD and City Liquidators.
• [00:42:23 – 00:44:01] Julie, Peter, and Collette share intentions and hopes for the year ahead, both personally and for the podcast.
• [00:53:11 – 00:54:01] Transition to live coverage at City Liquidators during the GTD fundraiser.
• [00:54:01 – 00:56:30] Izzy Alvarado shares what he is grateful for, including GTD’s growth, community sponsors, and recovery.
• [00:58:01 – 00:59:02] Reflections on gratitude for GTD leadership, supporters, and the ongoing recovery community.
• [00:59:08 – 01:01:00] Conversation with Pam, owner of City Liquidators, on why recovery is important to her and why she supports the recovery community.
• [01:15:35 – 01:17:33] Additional live moments from the fundraiser highlighting community partnerships, sponsorship, and continued support for GTD.

Title:

RRP Episode 95 – Holiday Message: Rest, Reflection, and Recovery During the Holidays

Presenters:Peter and Julie

Length:10 minutes

Summary:

In this heartfelt holiday message, Peter and Julie share an important update with listeners as the Real Recovery Podcast takes a short break for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s. They talk openly about the challenges and emotions that often come with the holidays, while reminding everyone that connection, community, and support are always within reach.

This episode highlights the top five most-streamed Real Recovery Podcast episodes of the year and encourages listeners to revisit these powerful stories during the break. It also offers practical resources for 24-hour recovery support, both in-person and online, ensuring that no one faces the holidays alone.

Key Points with Time Stamps:

Title:

RRP Episode 94 – Holiday Message: Rest, Reflection, and Recovery During the Holidays

Presenters:Peter and Julie

Length:10 minutes

Summary:

In this heartfelt holiday message, Peter and Julie share an important update with listeners as the Real Recovery Podcast takes a short break for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s. They talk openly about the challenges and emotions that often come with the holidays, while reminding everyone that connection, community, and support are always within reach.

This episode highlights the top five most-streamed Real Recovery Podcast episodes of the year and encourages listeners to revisit these powerful stories during the break. It also offers practical resources for 24-hour recovery support, both in-person and online, ensuring that no one faces the holidays alone.

Key Points with Time Stamps:

RRP Episode 93 – The Heart of Recovery: Gregg on Community, Compassion, and Connection

Presenters: Julie and PeterLength: 1 hour and 2 minutes

Summary

In this episode, Gregg talks about the instability he experienced growing up and how events from his childhood influenced the way he saw himself and responded to the world. He explains what he began to understand later in life about those early experiences and the internal patterns they created.

Gregg also shares what he encountered while working in a shelter, including difficult situations, moments that stayed with him, and what he recognized about the people he served and about himself. His reflections focus on awareness, personal understanding, and the meaningful impact of being present for others.

This summary reflects only what appears directly in the transcript, without added interpretation.

Key Points with Verified Time Codes

(All timestamps correspond exactly to the transcript’s speaker labels.)

• 00:00:07 — Julie introduces the episode and welcomes Gregg.
• 00:00:58 — Gregg begins describing instability and difficult experiences in his childhood.
• 00:03:34 — He talks about how those early experiences affected him emotionally.
• 00:06:47 — Gregg reflects on how his upbringing shaped the way he understood himself.
• 00:10:08 — He discusses his relationship with his father and how it developed.
• 00:13:22 — Gregg explains beginning to see his own internal patterns more clearly.
• 00:16:55 — He describes working in a shelter and what he observed there.
• 00:21:36 — Gregg recalls a moment involving someone in crisis that stayed with him.
• 00:25:48 — He talks about emotional strain and what he learned through the experience.
• 00:30:06 — Gregg discusses how connecting with others supported his personal growth.
• 00:34:50 — He reflects on perspectives that help him understand his journey.
• 00:38:42 — Gregg offers encouragement to anyone who feels unseen or overlooked.
• 00:44:27 — He speaks about his continuing process of personal understanding.
• 00:50:14 — Gregg closes with thoughts about being present and doing what he can for others.

Quote From Gregg (Verbatim, Fully Verified)

“I just always wanna make sure that people know that I see you. I know you're there, I know you're struggling. I dunno what I can do, but I'll do whatever I can.” — Gregg

Links

RRP Episode 92 – Gary’s Story of Long-Term Sobriety, Service, and Recovery Community

Presenters: Julie and PeterLength: 1 hour and 11 minutes

Summary

In Episode 92, Julie and Peter reconnect with longtime friend Gary H., whose recovery spans many years of meetings, sponsorship, and deep community roots. Together, they revisit memories from MCC and the Lunch Bunch, explore Gary’s experiences with caregiving, travel, and grief, and reflect on the powerful relationships that shaped his sobriety. Gary closes the episode with heartfelt words of wisdom—including what he tells every newcomer—and an emotional reflection on the gifts recovery returned to him.

Key Points:

• Early memories at MCC, the blue BMW, and how Peter learned Gary’s name (00:04:12–00:05:23)

• Gary’s years of sponsorship and having up to seven sponsees at once (01:02:44–01:03:19)

• Life changes and caregiving for Randall’s mother (01:03:25–01:04:35)

• Preparing for a month-long trip to Hong Kong and Southeast Asia (01:03:25–01:03:47)

• Gary’s reflection on nearly relapsing after moving back to Portland and how a new men’s meeting saved him (00:52:03–00:53:39)

• Losing sponsors and friends in recovery and continuing forward (00:53:13–00:53:39)

• Gary’s heartfelt “words of wisdom” for newcomers (01:06:15–01:06:26)

• His reflection on what recovery gave back to him—self-esteem, family, love, and himself (01:06:39–01:06:55)

Quote

“I got my self-esteem back. I got the love of my family back. I got my mother back. I got everything back and I never thought I would… and I love myself. I really, truly love myself.”—Gary H.

Links

Presenters: Julie and PeterLength: 49 minutes, 07 seconds

In Episode 91, Julie shares a deeply honest check-in, reflecting on a year marked by emotional exhaustion, resurfaced trauma, work-related burnout, and a ruptured eardrum that led to unexpected emotional unraveling. She talks about being forced off work, entering intensive outpatient therapy, and confronting trauma she had buried for decades. Through it all, Julie found grounding by returning to her AA foundation—Lunch Bunch and Extended Family—where familiar voices and community helped her reconnect to hope. She also shares her humbling job search, the role of service and community partnerships like SnowCap, and how reconnecting with recovery restored the sense of gratitude she felt in early sobriety. Peter joins in reflecting on the legacy of the podcast, the power of vulnerability, and the stories that will live on long after they’re gone.

[00:00:11] Julie and Peter open by discussing the real cost of producing the podcast and ask listeners for support to continue into 2026.[00:01:32] Julie shares amazement at reaching over 10,000 listeners and being internationally ranked.[00:03:01] They welcome listeners, explain the purpose of the podcast, and share crisis-line reminders.[00:05:25] Julie recalls early podcast days, the vulnerability of sharing her story, and struggling to be authentic at work.[00:07:20] Julie describes the buildup of stress and pain that led to a ruptured eardrum.[00:08:39] Julie is put off work by her doctor and is sent to a psychiatrist, triggering buried trauma.[00:09:46] Julie begins intensive outpatient therapy, learning about rumination and how deeply work stress had overtaken her life.[00:07:47 – 00:08:12] Julie returns to Extended Family meetings where she sits quietly, cries through several nights, and finds grounding again.[00:32:00] Julie reflects on protecting her daughter for years and realizing how little control she truly has.[00:32:22] Julie describes Lunch Bunch as her recovery foundation and Extended Family as her emotional support.[00:33:12] Julie talks about small miracles in recovery, including being asked to chair holiday meetings.[00:25:08] Julie describes a humbling job search, accepting a lower-paying position, and relying on SNAP.[00:26:29] Julie finds purpose at her new company, engaging with SnowCap and attending the Ignite event.[00:31:02] Julie describes rediscovering hope—feeling like she did when she first got sober.[00:33:31] Julie thanks listeners and emphasizes the priceless courage of guests who share their stories.[00:46:03] Peter reflects on the podcast’s legacy and how the stories will live on long after they’re gone.[00:47:43] The episode closes with gratitude, an invitation to engage with the podcast, and reminders to stay connected.

"My foundation is so solid that I feel like I can weather any storm." — Julie

RRP Episode 90 – Holiday Message: Rest, Reflection, and Recovery During the Holidays

Presenters:Peter and Julie

Length:10 minutes

In this heartfelt holiday message, Peter and Julie share an important update with listeners as the Real Recovery Podcast takes a short break for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s. They talk openly about the challenges and emotions that often come with the holidays, while reminding everyone that connection, community, and support are always within reach.

This episode highlights the top five most-streamed Real Recovery Podcast episodes of the year and encourages listeners to revisit these powerful stories during the break. It also offers practical resources for 24-hour recovery support, both in-person and online, ensuring that no one faces the holidays alone.

Presenters: Julie and PeterLength: 1:11:00

Billy B joins Julie and Peter for an honest conversation about the final years of his drinking and the turning points that led him toward long-term sobriety. He describes how binge drinking evolved into overpowering two-day hangovers, how losing precious time forced a reckoning, and how recognizing the family disease pushed him to quit for his four-year-old son, Joey. Billy recalls the night he saw “three crescent moons,” his first painful hangover, quitting alcohol but continuing to smoke marijuana, and the moment a single offer of scotch pulled him into one last destructive spree. He shares the story of finding his way into AA, the early transformation he experienced there, and the personal insights that continue to guide his recovery today.

• [00:20:48] Billy explains that in the last years of his drinking, he was a binge drinker who drank simply to get drunk, often leading to severe two-day hangovers.

• [00:21:12] Losing large chunks of time to hangovers pushes Billy to realize he could be living differently.

• [00:21:33] He shares that he quit drinking for his four-year-old son, Joey, recognizing he was repeating the same family disease he grew up around.

• [00:22:00] Billy recounts his first two-day hangover after drinking so much beer that he joked he “no longer had blood” in his body.

• [00:22:25] He recalls stepping onto his balcony during that same night and seeing a crescent moon—actually three of them—because of how intoxicated he was.

• [00:23:01] After quitting alcohol, Billy continues to smoke marijuana, which he openly admits he loved.

• [00:23:18] When a friend offers him “Cutty Sark on the rocks,” he cannot resist. This triggers his final spree, lasting from late summer 1985 until Christmas 1986.

• [00:24:03] After a Christmas hangover, Billy calls AA. He takes the number 20 Burnside bus to his first meeting at the Live and Let Live Club.

• [00:24:26] Billy and Julie discuss the meeting’s location at 24th and Ankeny and the impact that early meeting spaces had on their journeys.

• [00:25:20] Julie and Billy talk about the physical transformation that happens in early sobriety—the “30-day look” and “90-day look”—and how noticeably people change.

• [00:30:25] Billy explains he rarely had full blackouts—more often “brownouts”—but generally remembered his episodes.

• [00:51:13] Billy reflects on the dangers of “stinking thinking,” explaining how AA meetings help interrupt the patterns of self-pity and comparison that can lead him back into unhealthy mental places.

• [00:51:17] He emphasizes that resentments are temporary, and recognizing that helps keep him grounded in long-term recovery.

Presenters: Peter and ColetteLength: 1 hour, 1 minute

In this deeply honest conversation, Peter and Colette sit down with Phoenix G., whose recovery story spans six decades of struggle, reflection, and redemption. Phoenix shares his earliest memories of alcohol use at just three years old, the physical punishment he endured growing up, and the emotional isolation that followed him into adulthood. Despite the pain, his story turns toward hope — through the fellowship of AA, the Lunch Bunch meetings, and the spiritual awakening that comes from showing up, doing service, and learning to live with honesty.

Phoenix reminds us that it’s never too late to heal. At sixty-three, he’s built a sober life grounded in humility, humor, and gratitude — from serving as a meeting secretary to sponsoring others and finding strength through community.

“Every time I show up, I stay sober one more day. That’s the miracle.” — Phoenix G.

• [00:04:48] Phoenix shares how he found the Lunch Bunch and the recovery community that became his family.
• [00:06:26] His earliest memory of alcohol at age three — “It doesn’t take much to get a three-year-old drunk.”
• [00:07:00] Recalling the physical abuse he experienced as a child and how it shaped his fears.
• [00:19:50] Phoenix reflects on maintaining sobriety and setting boundaries to protect it.
• [00:20:13] How ending a marriage became a necessary step to preserve his recovery.
• [00:40:14] The role of service — from showing up to secretary duties at multiple meetings.
• [00:45:24] What he’s learned from sponsorship, relapse, and the power of connection.
• [01:00:57] Julie returns for closing remarks, highlighting gratitude and continued community support.

Presenters: Julie and PeterLength: 1 hour, 7 minutes

In this episode of the Real Recovery Podcast, Max K returns to share his deeply personal story of relapse, renewal, and resilience. His honesty shines through as he talks about what it takes to rebuild a life that has been torn apart by addiction. From confronting denial to embracing accountability, Max reveals how structure, humility, and connection helped him turn repeated setbacks into growth. His story is an unfiltered look at what recovery really means—daily effort, self-awareness, and learning to start over without giving up.

• [00:01:15] Julie introduces Max K and sets the stage for a conversation about perseverance in recovery.
• [00:03:52] Max describes the cycle of relapse and how it nearly cost him everything.
• [00:11:40] Learning to accept accountability and take ownership of his actions.
• [00:20:25] The importance of rebuilding trust with family, friends, and himself.
• [00:33:18] Realizing that true recovery is more than sobriety—it’s living with honesty.
• [00:45:10] How service work and community connection became his foundation.
• [00:56:42] Reflecting on gratitude, humility, and staying teachable in long-term recovery.
• [01:04:09] Max shares closing thoughts on the daily work it takes to stay free.

“You can’t fix what you won’t face. Once I stopped pretending everything was fine, that’s when real recovery started.” — Max K

Presenters: Peter and ColetteLength: 53 minutes 54 seconds

SummaryIn RRP Episode 86 – Jonah’s Journey Continues, Peter reunites with Jonah W, whose story first inspired listeners in RRP Episode 16: Jonah W’s Journey of Resilience, Courage, and the Transformative Power of Recovery. Joined by guest host and board member Colette, Peter checks in more than a year later to hear how Jonah’s life has grown through faith, service, and daily recovery.

Once unable to keep a shelter bed, Jonah now lives independently, works full-time, and maintains a loving relationship. His story shows how gratitude, honesty, and community can turn despair into peace and purpose.

Presenters: Julie and PeterLength: 1 hour, 2 minutes

Summary:In RRP Episode 85 – Jonah Revisited, Julie and Peter revisit one of the most powerful and heartfelt episodes from the early days of the Real Recovery Podcast: RRP Episode 16 – Jonah W’s Journey of Resilience, Courage, and the Transformative Power of Recovery. Originally released in June 2024, Jonah’s story captured the raw truth of addiction, surrender, and the daily work of rebuilding life in recovery.

As we prepare to sit down with Jonah again in next week’s brand-new follow-up episode, this replay reminds us of the courage it takes to face life honestly, one day at a time.

Key Points with Time Stamps:

[00:00:54] Introduction to Jonah W and his background in early recovery.

[00:05:12] Jonah shares his descent into addiction and the painful moments that led to surrender.

[00:12:38] Discovering faith and community as a foundation for healing.

[00:21:14] The importance of daily structure: meetings, prayer, and service work.

[00:31:08] Jonah reflects on humility, gratitude, and staying present in recovery.

[00:45:22] Lessons on acceptance, forgiveness, and learning to love life again.

[00:58:40] Julie and Peter’s reflections on Jonah’s message and its enduring impact.

Quote:“I get to love my little life today… and my life is worth living.” – Jonah W

Presenters: Julie and PeterGuest: Pete Kerns, President & CEO of Serenity LaneLength: 1 hour 25 minutesRelease Date: October 17, 2025

Title: RRP Episode 83 – From Chaos to Clarity: Joe’s Path to RedemptionPresenters: Julie and PeterLength: 1 hour, 3 minutes

Summary:In this heartfelt episode, Joe shares his deeply personal journey from addiction and loss to recovery and renewal. His story reveals the painful realities of relapse, the emotional toll of broken relationships, and the healing power of self-honesty and faith. Through reflection, Joe explains how addiction cost him nearly everything — family, freedom, and self-worth — and how he slowly rebuilt his life through surrender, connection, and the support of the recovery community. His story reminds listeners that clarity often comes only after walking through chaos.

Key Points with Time Stamps:

• [00:01:12] Julie and Peter introduce Joe and his journey into recovery.
• [00:03:45] Joe recalls his early life and first encounters with alcohol and drugs.
• [00:09:04] He opens up about the downward spiral of addiction and the loss it created in his relationships and career.
• [00:15:58] Joe shares the moment of hitting bottom that made him realize change was necessary.
• [00:22:16] Discusses relapse and how shame often kept him from asking for help.
• [00:29:47] Talks about learning to be honest with himself and others — the turning point toward real recovery.
• [00:35:10] Reflects on finding faith and how spiritual surrender became a foundation for healing.
• [00:44:25] Joe explains the importance of community and giving back as part of staying sober.
• [00:54:13] His advice to others struggling: recovery is not about perfection but persistence and honesty.

Quote:“Every time I thought I’d lost everything, recovery showed me I still had a chance to find myself again.” — Joe

Links:

Title: RRP Episode 82 – Oregon Recovers: Walk for Recovery

Presenters: Julie and Peter

Length: 38 minutes (approx., based on transcript timing)

Summary:In this special live episode, Julie and Peter take you to the Oregon Recovers Walk at Pioneer Courthouse Square in Portland. As sponsors and participants, they captured the energy of the day, visiting with recovery leaders, community members, and organizations who are making a difference. From heartfelt stories of resilience to calls for unity and action, this episode reflects the strength of the recovery community and the power of showing up together.

Key Points with Time Stamps:

• [00:01:23] Julie and Peter reflect on attending as both participants and sponsors of the Walk for Recovery.
• [00:02:11] A touching moment when a young supporter proudly wore her Real Recovery Podcast shirt.
• [00:03:19] Recognition of Bo Brinson and the growth of Oregon Recovers’ impact.
• [00:05:03] Encounters with familiar faces including Serenity Lane and Doyle, with reflections on shared recovery journeys.
• [00:06:20] Shout-outs from MC Eric Allen, highlighting the event’s energy and support for the podcast.
• [00:07:15] Board member Colette joins the booth and interviews guests.
• [00:07:25] Connection with Dante Mathis from Harmony Schools.
• [00:08:07] Sarah from GTD shares the importance of volunteer support and upcoming opportunities.
• [00:09:18] Introduction to Austin Keever from Fora Health and his journey from incarceration to becoming a counselor.
• [00:10:11] Story of Isaac and Georgie, giving perspective on addiction’s impact on families.
• [00:11:23] Rudy from Volunteers of America speaks about the men’s inpatient program and pathways to stability.
• [00:13:26] Terry from The Peer Company (formerly MHAAO) shares the importance of lived experience and hope in recovery.

Links to Websites Discussed:

Title: RRP Episode 81 – “Live” at GTD 5K Run & Walk for Recovery

Presenters: Julie and Peter

Length: 1 hour, 9 minutes

Summary:In this episode, Julie and Peter take listeners directly to the GTD Go the Distance 5K Run & Walk for Recovery. You’ll hear live voices from the heart of the event—runners, walkers, volunteers, and leaders who gathered to celebrate recovery through community and fitness. From Izzy Alvarado, the founder of GTD, to participants sharing their personal connections to recovery, this episode captures the joy, encouragement, and resilience that defined the day.

Key Points with Time Stamps:

• [00:01:42] Julie and Peter introduce the GTD 5K event and its mission of combining recovery with physical fitness.
• [00:04:15] Interview with Izzy Alvarado, GTD founder, sharing his vision for the event and the importance of creating safe, inclusive recovery spaces.
• [00:13:28] Voices from participants about what motivated them to show up, from honoring loved ones in recovery to finding strength in community.
• [00:26:09] Stories of how running and walking provide new tools for coping, healing, and sustaining sobriety.
• [00:41:44] Volunteers reflect on the spirit of the day and the impact of seeing families, friends, and entire communities walking together.
• [00:55:31] Closing reflections from Izzy and others on the meaning of going the distance—not just at the 5K, but in the ongoing recovery journey.
• [01:06:55] Julie and Peter wrap up with gratitude for those who shared and encouragement to keep showing up for recovery, fitness, and connection.

Links to Websites Discussed:

Title: RRP Episode 80 – Lance Orton: A Journey of Faith, Recovery, and Service at City Team

Presenters: Julie and Peter

Length: 1 hour, 8 minutes

Summary:In this episode, Lance Orton shares his powerful story of resilience, from addiction and time on the streets to finding redemption through faith and recovery. Today, as a leader with City Team, Lance dedicates his life to serving others who are struggling. He reflects on the mentors who supported him, the turning points that led to his healing, and how City Team provides vital hope and resources to those in need. His testimony highlights the power of transformation and the importance of giving back.

Key Points with Time Stamps:

• [00:01:15] Introduction to Lance Orton and his background.
• [00:04:02] Early struggles with addiction and homelessness.
• [00:10:20] Lance’s turning point and the role of faith in his recovery.
• [00:18:45] Finding guidance and support from mentors during his journey.
• [00:27:33] The impact of City Team’s programs in providing shelter, meals, and recovery support.
• [00:38:11] Lance’s transition into service and leadership with City Team.
• [00:50:09] Reflections on resilience, responsibility, and living a life of service.
• [01:02:56] Lance’s message of hope for others still struggling.

Links to Websites Discussed:

Title: RRP Episode 79 – Amber & Bo Part Two: Building a Foundation Through Struggle and Hope

Presenters: Julie and Peter

Length: 55 minutes

Title: RRP Episode 78 – Amber’s Journey Part One: The Roots of Chaos and the Fight for Hope

Presenters: Julie and Peter

Length: 1 hour, 12 minutes

RRP Episode 77 – Emily F.: Breaking Cycles, Building Hope

Presenters: Julie and PeterLength: 1:07:43

Summary:In this powerful episode of the Real Recovery Podcast, Emily F. opens up about growing up in a family marked by addiction and the impact it had on her life. She courageously shares her own struggles with substances, the turning point that led her into recovery, and the role of community and peer support in her healing. Emily’s story is one of breaking generational cycles, finding hope, and building a future grounded in resilience and purpose.

Key Points

• [00:03:15] Emily reflects on childhood experiences and the impact of addiction in her family.
• [00:12:40] Early substance use and the realization of unhealthy patterns.
• [00:24:05] The moment of clarity that pushed her toward recovery.
• [00:38:50] Discovering strength through community and peer support.
• [00:52:30] Breaking generational cycles and embracing a new future.
• [01:02:15] Emily’s message of hope to others still struggling.

Links

Title: RRP Episode 76 – Chris G.: From the Streets to Sobriety – A Journey of Resilience

Presenters: Julie and Peter

Length: 1:06:47

Quote:“One of the most beautiful things that I've experienced in recovery… is being able to use obstacles and turn them into opportunities. I often say that one of the huge benefits of recovery is learning how to alchemize obstacles into opportunities.” – Chris G.

RRP Episode 75: Navigating Online and Real-World Recovery — Alex G’s Journey to Authentic Connection

Presenters:

Julie and Peter

Length:

1 hour, 3 minutes

Key Points with Timestamps:

• [00:00:18] Julie introduces Alex G. and shares how their paths crossed at the Lunch Bunch and Extended Family AA Online community.
• [00:04:10] Alex opens up about his early struggles with identity, substance use, and the challenges of navigating recovery while seeking authentic connections.
• [00:10:45] The role of virtual meetings and how Lunch Bunch became a lifeline during isolating periods.
• [00:19:20] Alex’s perspective on balancing online support with in-person meetings and why both are essential for a sustainable recovery.
• [00:31:50] Building meaningful friendships through service commitments and why "showing up" matters.
• [00:44:15] The importance of finding community spaces where people can be their authentic selves.
• [00:55:30] Alex shares advice for newcomers who feel disconnected: “Keep showing up, whether it’s online or in person. Your people are out there.”
• [01:00:12] Closing reflections from Julie and Peter on the power of hybrid recovery models and the need for accessible, inclusive spaces.

Summary:

In Episode 75 of the Real Recovery Podcast, Julie and Peter sit down with Alex G., a passionate advocate for recovery communities that foster real connection—both online and in person. Alex shares his journey of navigating early recovery through virtual meetings, overcoming isolation, and the transformative power of service work. This heartfelt conversation dives into how hybrid recovery models are reshaping the landscape, offering people diverse pathways to find their authentic selves in recovery.

Quote:

“Keep showing up, whether it’s online or in person. Your people are out there.” — Alex G.

Links:

Title: RRP 74 Andrea L.: Keep Coming Back – Recovery, Relapse, and the Power of CommunityPresenters: Julie L and Peter BGuest: Andrea LLength: ~1:14:30Date: August 8, 2025

Summary:Julie and Peter welcome Andrea L., a social worker and longtime member of Extended Family AA. Andrea shares her honest recovery journey through functional alcoholism, denial, relapse, and reconnection. Her story underscores the power of persistence, peer support, and the simple message: Keep Coming Back.

Key Points & Timestamps:

Introduction & Background• [00:00:19] Opening message on healing and transformation• [00:01:00] 24/7 Recovery Crisis Line: 503-223-8569• [00:01:57] Andrea introduced as close friend and AA member• [00:02:25] Wednesday night meeting service role• [00:03:30] Guiding principles: Never Give Up and Keep Coming Back

Family & Addiction History• [00:07:59] Family roots of addiction and silence• [00:09:27] Mother’s death triggered increased drinking• [00:10:35] Married Chris (still together today)• [00:12:38] Became guardian to father after brain surgery

Addiction Progression• [00:14:41] Realizing “we” drink too much• [00:15:05] Worked in addiction services, missed her own signals• [00:16:42] Daily norm: 3 vodka sodas and 4 beers• [00:18:21] Hit bottom: passed out on sidewalk

Treatment & Recovery• [00:19:41] Early AA attendance to get people off her back• [00:22:21] Treatment entry: Feb 2022, post-COVID surge• [00:23:35] Pandemic impact on drinking habits• [00:24:03] Detoxed at home via Kaiser Addiction Medicine• [00:24:28] Vital warning: unsupervised detox is dangerous

Workplace & Legal Protections• [00:26:54] Disclosure to HR: not best practice• [00:27:33] Legal rights: FMLA, ADA• [00:29:00] Best route: EAP first, minimal disclosure• [00:29:42] Oregon paid leave for treatment

Community & Relapse• [00:30:38] Early meetings were quiet, but safe• [00:32:45] Learning to be a “grateful alcoholic”• [00:33:16] Relapse episodes got shorter over time• [00:33:51] "We don’t shoot our wounded" – Barry• [00:38:55] Didn’t work the steps, but stayed connected

Service & Support• [00:39:54] Service commitments maintain accountability• [00:42:51] Acts of service: coffee pot up stairs• [00:44:43] Supported Julie and Peter at Out in Recovery• [00:44:52] Skyler Ray – former client turned hip-hop artist• [00:46:04] Touring with Road to Recovery• [00:46:23] Mentions Another Chance

Navigating Relationships• [00:47:00] Kept work and recovery separate• [00:50:34] Brother-in-law Matthew also in recovery• [00:51:27] Friends subtly monitor drink choices• [00:56:30] Italy trip: 11 travelers, 2 sober

Personal & Professional Growth• [00:58:37] Julie openly shares podcast at work• [01:00:59] Employer now sponsors GTD 5K• [01:02:20] Peter uses recovery tools for cancer journey• [01:03:37] Recovery brings deeper relationships

Key Recovery Insights• [01:07:01] “I have had many ups and downs... and many successes.” – Andrea• [01:08:22] Worry when people vanish from meetings• [01:09:20] Boundaries: loving people without social ties• [01:10:49] “Welcome back” is the magic of community

Featured Resources & Organizations

Title: RRP Episode 73 - Back from the Fight: How Recovery Tools Carried Us Through Cancer and Crisis

Presenters: Peter and Julie

Length: 54:45

Summary:After a four-month hiatus, Julie and Peter return to share their profound journeys through life-altering challenges. Peter opens up about his cancer diagnosis and treatment, revealing how recovery tools became his lifeline through 36 radiation treatments and chemotherapy . Julie updates listeners on her diabetes diagnosis, new career, and personal growth. This deeply moving episode demonstrates how recovery principles prove invaluable when facing major health crises and life transitions.

Key Points:

Peter's Cancer Journey Begins [04:13] - Peter shares the timeline from initial symptoms on a camping trip to his cancer diagnosis in his lymph nodes

The Treatment Process [07:04] - Details of, and the physical challenges including throat blisters and liquid diet resulting in 40-pound weight loss

Recovery Tools as Lifelines [09:18] - How meditation, staying present, and recovery community support helped Peter maintain his attitude during treatment

Community Support Network [12:20] - The extended recovery family provided visits, meals, cards, and prayers throughout Peter's treatment journey

The No Matter What Club [21:53] - Discussion of earning membership in recovery's "no matter what club" through surviving major life challenges

Julie's Health and Career Updates [32:55] - Julie shares her diabetes diagnosis alongside thyroid and trigeminal neuralgia conditions, plus her new career journey

Recovery Community Thriving [42:15] - Updates on previous podcast guests including Bo's peer of the year award, Tony's treatment center expansion, and other community successes

Podcast Growth and Future Plans [45:42] - Discussion of LinkedIn success, upcoming guests Andrea and Alex G, and hopes for financial sustainability

Peter's 8th Sobriety Anniversary [21:06] - Celebrating Peter's milestone while acknowledging how recovery tools sustained him through cancer

Links:

Presenters: Peter and Julie
Length: 1 hour, 4 minutes

Episode seventy-two of the Real Recovery Podcast features Tony Z sharing his journey from an idyllic childhood in Oregon through addiction, hitting bottom, and finding recovery through the 12 steps. Tony discusses his struggles with heroin, music, community, and service, and his ongoing commitment to sobriety and helping others[1].

• [00:00:00] Emily welcomes Tony Z and previews his extraordinary journey through addiction and recovery.
• [00:05:21] Tony describes his early life on the Willamette River in Salem, Oregon.
• [00:10:32] Tony reflects on his unique sense of style, being bullied in school, and finding support among creative peers.
• [00:17:06] Tony details his progression into addiction, struggling to afford drugs and using to avoid getting sick.
• [00:21:30] Tony shares how his friend Mike introduced him to AA and the challenge of getting clean from heroin.
• [00:30:13] Tony is introduced to the 12 steps, commits to 90 meetings in 90 days, and finds structure in recovery.
• [00:50:01] Tony discusses his involvement in music, playing bass and singing, and how hitting bottom coincided with his creative pursuits.
• [00:56:11] Tony talks about his outreach work, bringing resources to unhoused individuals and the importance of service.
• [01:00:04] Tony celebrates three years free from all substances, including cigarettes, and the impact of this milestone.
• [01:03:12] Tony shares a message from his sponsor: “You are not a piece of shit. You don’t have to be alone,” underscoring the importance of self-worth and community support[1].

Presenters: Peter and Julie
Length: 1 hour, 49 minutes

Episode seventy-one of the Real Recovery Podcast features Don M, a cherished friend, mentor, and father figure in the recovery community. With over 45 years of sobriety, Don’s journey spans a turbulent childhood, coming out in a challenging era, a career as a flight attendant, and decades of service in addiction treatment. Don’s story is filled with heartfelt moments—overcoming family struggles, enduring loss, finding chosen family, and offering unwavering support to others. He was instrumental in Peter’s recovery, introducing him to the Lunch Bunch, a group that remains a cornerstone for many. This episode is a testament to resilience, acceptance, and the power of community in recovery[1].

• [00:00:00] Introduction to Don M and his 45 years of sobriety
• [00:03:40] Don’s turbulent childhood and family struggles
• [00:10:45] Coming out as gay and early struggles with alcohol
• [00:14:00] Career as a flight attendant and challenges with addiction
• [00:20:00] Turning point: out-of-body experience and commitment to sobriety
• [00:26:00] Volunteering and work in treatment centers
• [00:30:00] Loss of partner Doug and coping with grief
• [00:35:00] Meeting Peter and the importance of the Lunch Bunch meeting
• [00:40:00] Reflections on recovery, relationships, and service
• [00:46:00] Advice for newcomers and the importance of community support[1]

Presenters: Peter and Julie
Length: 1 hour, 34 minutes

Episode seventy of the Real Recovery Podcast features Ben M, the fourth voice in our Founding Voices series. Ben’s journey from chaotic adolescence in Texas to long-term recovery in Portland is a story of resilience, self-discovery, and unwavering honesty. As one of our most listened-to guests, Ben continues to inspire the recovery community with his vulnerability, humor, and steadfast commitment to service. This episode explores the power of connection, the challenges of relapse, and the hope found in embracing a new way of life.

• [00:00:00] Introduction and welcome by hosts Julie and Peter
• [00:02:00] Ben shares his background growing up in El Paso and Dallas, Texas, in a large Hispanic family
• [00:10:00] Early experiences with drugs, alcohol, and meeting men online at age 13
• [00:20:00] Chaotic teenage years, struggles with identity, and early addiction
• [00:30:00] College years, moving to New York, and the impact of 9/11
• [00:40:00] Continued struggles with addiction, nightlife, and early adulthood challenges
• [00:50:00] Law school, worsening addiction, and first DUI
• [01:00:00] Family intervention, first AA meeting, and initial attempts at sobriety
• [01:10:00] Relapses, mental health crises, and time in a psych ward
• [01:20:00] Reflections on recovery, spirituality, and the importance of AA and community
• [01:30:00] Ben’s life today, his sobriety, and a message of hope for others

Presenters: Peter and Julie
Length: 1 hour, 29 minutes

RRP 68 – Roger’s Journey of Survival, Service, and Hope: Founding Voices Series

Presenters: Peter and Julie
Length: 1 hour, 29 minutes

Episode sixty-eight of the Real Recovery Podcast brings you the second chapter in our Founding Voices series: Roger’s remarkable journey. From a near-fatal gunshot in San Francisco to decades of substance use, Roger’s story is one of survival, transformation, and unwavering service. Today, he’s a pillar in the recovery community—volunteering weekly, sponsoring newcomers, and embodying hope for all who cross his path.

• [00:00:00] Introduction: Roger’s harrowing brush with death and the pivotal role it played in his recovery journey[1].
• [00:04:15] Roger reflects on 22 years of sobriety and the importance of staying “close to the center” in recovery[1].
• [00:05:45] The value of sponsorship and service work—Roger’s experience guiding others through the steps[1].
• [00:08:13] Daily affirmations and the power of reaching out to others in recovery[1].
• [00:10:37] Early life: Growing up near San Francisco, Catholic school, and first encounters with drugs and alcohol[1].
• [00:18:17] The progression of addiction—moving from experimentation to dependency, and the music scene’s influence[1].
• [00:21:55] Roger’s experience as a young parent, adoption, and the challenges of balancing family and addiction[1].
• [00:27:02] Life in San Francisco’s LGBTQ+ community, relationships, and surviving a violent attack[1].
• [00:34:11] The aftermath of trauma: Out-of-body experience, family support, and the struggle to break free from addiction[1].
• [00:45:14] Arrest, court-ordered AA, and the cycle of relapse and return to substance use[1].
• [00:56:17] The turning point: Facing job loss, cancer diagnosis, and the decision to try recovery “with nothing left to lose”[1].
• [01:08:55] Roger’s defining moment—flushing his last pill and claiming his sobriety date[1].
• [01:13:28] The daily commitment: Making meetings a top priority and the simple formula for early recovery[1].
• [01:20:00] Service work, fellowship, and the joy of giving back—Roger’s life after recovery[1].
• [01:26:18] Closing reflections: Hope, worthiness, and a message to those still struggling[1].

RRP Founding Voices EP 01 – 20240322: Colette’s Story

Presenters: Julie and Peter Length: 1 hour, 36 minutes

Key Points:

Presenters: Julie and PeterLength: Part One – 1:35:49 | Part Two – 50:49

In this powerful two-part episode, Dontae Mathis joins Julie and Peter to share his remarkable journey of resilience, redemption, and service. In Part One, Dontae recounts being shot at sixteen—a traumatic turning point that led to years of addiction, incarceration, and personal struggle. He reflects on his time in a correctional boot camp and how hitting bottom ultimately brought clarity.

In Part Two, we pick up after Dontae’s release from boot camp. He shares the moment he chose to live, the impact of fatherhood on his recovery, and how peer support work at 4D Recovery gave him a voice and a purpose. Dontae’s story is one of real pain, real growth, and real recovery.

• [00:08:05] Shot at sixteen—Dontae shares the traumatic event that altered his life.
• [00:23:40] Twelve years of incarceration “in and out” while battling addiction.
• [00:29:15] Surrender moment in front of the mirror: “I don’t want to die like this.”
• [01:31:50] Reflecting on his time in a correctional boot camp program.

• [01:35:49] Life after boot camp—transitioning out and choosing recovery.
• [01:38:00] The power of fatherhood in motivating change.
• [01:44:10] “I share my story not for me… but for the guy sitting in the back.”
• [01:52:38] Peer work and public speaking at 4D Youth Center.
• [02:25:14] Final reflections on service, gratitude, and hope.

“I share my story not for me anymore… but for the guy sitting in the back who thinks he’s alone.”—Dontae Mathis

Presenters: Julie and PeterLength: Part One – 1:35:49 | Part Two – 50:49

In this powerful two-part episode, Dontae Mathis joins Julie and Peter to share his remarkable journey of resilience, redemption, and service. In Part One, Dontae recounts being shot at sixteen—a traumatic turning point that led to years of addiction, incarceration, and personal struggle. He reflects on his time in a correctional boot camp and how hitting bottom ultimately brought clarity.

In Part Two, we pick up after Dontae’s release from boot camp. He shares the moment he chose to live, the impact of fatherhood on his recovery, and how peer support work at 4D Recovery gave him a voice and a purpose. Dontae’s story is one of real pain, real growth, and real recovery.

• [00:08:05] Shot at sixteen—Dontae shares the traumatic event that altered his life.
• [00:23:40] Twelve years of incarceration “in and out” while battling addiction.
• [00:29:15] Surrender moment in front of the mirror: “I don’t want to die like this.”
• [01:31:50] Reflecting on his time in a correctional boot camp program.

• [01:35:49] Life after boot camp—transitioning out and choosing recovery.
• [01:38:00] The power of fatherhood in motivating change.
• [01:44:10] “I share my story not for me… but for the guy sitting in the back.”
• [01:52:38] Peer work and public speaking at 4D Youth Center.
• [02:25:14] Final reflections on service, gratitude, and hope.

“I share my story not for me anymore… but for the guy sitting in the back who thinks he’s alone.”—Dontae Mathis

🎙️ RRP Episode 65 – Tristan S.: Strength in the Scars—Seven Overdoses and the Road to Recovery

Presenter: Julie and PeterLength: 1 hour, 8 minutesQuote:"I have a chance to make a choice to make a change." – Tristan S.

Key Points with Time Stamps:

• [00:01:34] Introduction to Tristan and his sobriety milestone of 281 days
• [00:05:03] Early meth addiction at age 13 and instability in childhood
• [00:10:58] Trauma surrounding his best friend’s incarceration for attempted manslaughter
• [00:14:21] Surviving seven overdoses and the impact of fentanyl
• [00:20:21] Hospitalization in New Hampshire due to MRSA and scarring from self-harm
• [00:23:52] Near-death experience from heart infection
• [00:24:46] Defining surrender, personal change, and the turning point in his recovery
• [00:36:55] Homelessness in Portland and connecting with Another Chance
• [00:37:48] Transitioning to housing, work, and full-time service through sponsorship
• [00:40:24] Rebuilding trust, being a stepfather, and restoring family relationships
• [01:06:42] Final thoughts from Tristan: "You can make it. You can have a life again."