EPISODE 76

Happy July 4th! Daniel and Jenna talk about "sitting it out" and the choice to accept a potentially boring holiday in exchange for the reward of staying sober. They discuss pressure from family, friends and spouses to match their drinking habits and just try to be "normal", which can lead to dishonesty and manipulation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jenna shares about a recent conversation with her son regarding self worth and positive self talk. Jenna and Daniel talk about the life skills they're learning in recovery and how they continue to put them into practice in everyday life. They discuss their own personal need for self-reward in recovery, whether its a simple verbalization of a job well-done, or treating themselves to a sober gift.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Daniel talks about recently deleting his TikTok account and what a freeing feeling it was to let go of something that was no longer serving him. Daniel and Jenna acknowledge the impact sober TikTok has had on both their sobriety and the positive experiences they have had. They also address the potential for obsessive behavior and the desire for acceptance with social media. They discuss how this decision ties into boundary setting as a necessary part of recovery. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jenna tells Daniel about some recent milestones her family has experienced and expresses appreciation for her sobriety, and for being fully engaged and emotional. She addresses a brief desire to drink at her daughter's graduation celebration dinner, and Daniel talks about how that is normal, and that it is unrealistic to think you'll never have another craving. They talk about "negative permanent language" and as it applies to sobriety.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Daniel and Jenna talk about alcohol-free products that have recently become more popular including elixirs, microdose mushroom beverages, and supplements. They discuss their own personal preferences with these products and how they feel it could potentially affect their sobriety.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Daniel tells Jenna about recently losing power and adjusting his family activities for an evening. They talk about their rationalization to drink in those types of circumstances during active addiction. Jenna talks about how relieved she feels to be able to participate in relaxing activities on her own without the lure of alcohol constantly pulling at her choices. They also discuss the ability to stay awake and alert in the evenings, whether that means giving their children rides to and from activities, being productive at home, or simply relaxing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Daniel and Jenna talk about "residual shame" as Daniel continues his job search and is faced with some previous acquaintances via social media. They discuss the rationale for amends and how it can sometimes be authentic and sometimes self-serving, and the importance of making that distinction before approaching someone from the past.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jenna and Daniel talk about how their sobriety has affected their marriages. Having much different experiences, they share the differences and similarities of how their relationships have evolved as they have discovered their true authentic selves in sobriety. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jenna talks about going to a Phillies game and how her sobriety gave her a sense of freedom versus restraint. Daniel talks about how much his recent injury continues to limit his activities and how he's handling the associated frustration. They discuss weed, CBD and THC, and talk about how some people in recovery will sometimes seek "permission" to start smoking in place of drinking. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Daniel tells Jenna of a recent neck injury which leads to a discussion about the disruption of certain activities in his sober toolbox. They talk about the critical nature of maintaining routine and adjusting their sober activities as needed. Daniel asks the question "what is this trying to teach me" versus feeling overly frustrated or defeated. He acknowledges how different his situation would be in active addiction as they discuss boundary-setting and supporting loved ones. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices