This week we have...
Beth McDonough @bemcdn
She is a seasoned journalist and investigative reporter whose career spanned some of the nation’s largest television markets, from Houston and Philadelphia to Minneapolis and Missouri.
She is also the author of the book Standby. (On sale now on Amazon)
McDonough says it recounts her public downfall, taking readers behind the headlines of her jail time and arrests.Today, she lives in southern Utah surrounded by red rock mountains and five national parks, where she writes, hikes, practices yoga, and explores new cultures through travel.
Sharing life with her rescue dachshund, she continues to tell stories—this time her own—about resilience, redemption, and finding peace after a career spent in the fast lane.
We had a great conversation with Beth and we know that you will get a lot out of this talk.
Enjoy the episode.
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This week we have...
Both Mike and Bill again! Mike is back and we had plenty to catch up on.
Mike started off with his reading and it was all about faith. Following those that came before us, taking suggestions that didn't make sense to us, acting "as if." It was a good reading and a good conversation.
Then we chatted about opinions and trust, the purpose of our lives, judging people and resentments and is this thing that we do a miracle or not?
For those that don't know, Ace Frehley from Kiss died a week ago and he was a big deal in Mike's life. We had a chance to talk through it, hear some stories and remember the man and his music.
The wrap up was about Flo from the TV show Alice. She passed away a month or so ago, and we hadn't had the chance to talk about it. The conversation quickly degenerated into burnt grits.
You'll have to listen for that to make sense.
Enjoy the episode.
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This week we have...
Tony H! @a_stoic_sobriety
Tony is an IT executive by day and a writer by night, sharing his journey of sobriety through his blog A Stoic Sobriety. With 36 years of sobriety, he focuses on 12-Step recovery principles combined with Stoic Philosophy.
Tony offers practical wisdom and encouragement to those seeking freedom from addiction.
Don’t let the Stoicism fool you; he insists on making sobriety fun and can cry with the best of them.
We had a great conversation and make sure to check out what he is up to:
Instagram @a_stoic_sobriety
Website astoicsobriety.com
Enjoy the episode.
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This week we have...
Mike and Bill! Are you surprised? Mike was, so you are not alone.
Mike started out with his reading and it was about change and staying fresh in this thing that we do. We act differently, work our program differently and we grow as people. At least we should. It was a good conversation.
We also chatted about service work, did we hate what alcohol was doing to us, getting booze in hard times and a recap of some Charlie Sheen stuff.
There is the documentary on Netflix, the book, and he appeared on a podcast that Bill listened to. Some funny stories in all of that, but the best part is that Charlie sounds healthy. That is a good thing.
Lastly, Bill wrote an article titled "No Bad Examples," that is featured on The Sober Curator. Check it out.
Enjoy the episode.
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This week we have...
Betty G - @buddha.betty
Betty knows what rock bottom looks like. Before 2019 her days were a blur of heroin, street hustle, and heartbreak—with the unthinkable pain of losing both parents to suicide.
Then a single, life-shaking moment changed everything: a near-death-like experience during an overdose that sent her through a cosmic replay of her life, face-to-face with loved ones on the other side, and straight into a crash course on her soul’s pre-game plan.
She woke up realizing she could shape her own story instead of replaying old trauma.
We had a great conversation with her and we know that you will enjoy it.
She was with us for the first hour and then Mike and Bill closed out the episode with some of the normal nonsense. And some recovery stuff.
Enjoy the episode.
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Instagram @buddha.betty
Website buddhabetty.com
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This week we have...
Our good friend Mara @marajsankin from Cleveland and from Episode 94. (Check out that episode to hear her full story)
This time she is with us to talk about what she does for a living and about her new business venture.
The episode is all about death, in the best way possible, and Mara explains how it is her mission to help people die with dignity.
This is an episode that is unlike anything we have done before and a sincere thank to Mara for being our guide.
Enjoy the episode.
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This week we have...
Episode Murder. Yes! It's Episode 187 and This Episode Will Kill You. Or at least make you laugh. Or smile. Or something.
Mike started out with his reading and it was about role models and copying what good people do. We needed that when we got sober and had the privilege of having many good role models.
Then it was Jamie Lee Curtis, Lost In Space, things we should change, a baby shower, expecting the worst, not haters, AA membership and Charlie Sheen.
And there is a joke about Vince Neil to wrap things up.
Enjoy the episode.
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Yes! It's a Bonus Clip!
This is a clip from Episode 186 and it isolates the readings (yes, he did 2 this week) that Mike did on the episode.
Mike did his homework and picked out a couple of readings that fit the "mood" of the week, but more importantly, fit with what we believe and how we feel.
If you listen closely, you will hear what he is trying to say.
Enjoy the clip.
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This week we have...
Mike and Bill, with a lot to talk about. It was a weird week, but it gets sliced up and laid out in the only way that we know how.
Mike started out and actually did a couple of readings this week. They were short, but they had a point to them.
The main lesson is what we try to live by; Try to make your corner of the world a little better today and there are solutions.
Danger Moose and The Cheese are retired. For now.
We had some announcements about a friend, an ex-wife and a baby.
We chatted about a trail juggler, Jesus is coming, we can make a difference, The Big Book is a group book and learning the hard way.
We wrapped up with some Charlie Sheen. There is a documentary out now with him and he just released a book. Bill did a rundown on the first part of the documentary and stay tuned for a recap of the book. We think it will be interesting.
Enjoy the episode.
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This week we have...
A change in plans! Yes, we had our good friend Kate scheduled, but there was a technology issue, so you are stuck with Mike and Bill.
We will have Kate on a some point though. We promise.
Mike started off with his reading and it was about Fear, Faith and Courage. Things scared us in early recovery, and we still get scared, but we have the tools to deal with all of it. And do it all sober. It was a good conversation.
Next, we introduced 2 new characters; Danger Moose & The Cheese. Just listen, it will make sense.
Then it was Dr. Frankenstein, being particular with our behavior, making amends, dropping your phone, feeling better in sobriety, and some Marc Maron.
Mike also did the wrap up of his Alaska trip and Bill did a brief wrap up of his trip to Illinois. What will we do when we get sober?
Enjoy the episode.
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This week we have...
Mike and Bill on Hump Day! Yes, we have plans this weekend, so we recorded early. Not that it matters, but we are telling you either way.
Mike kicked things off with his reading and it was about life on life's terms. Things happen (good, bad and indifferent), but how we handle those things is what matters. Do we want to be part of the problem or part of the solution? It was a good talk.
We chatted about the Cracker Barrel (who hasn't, right?) and yes, that was the inspiration for "The Caucasian Container" title.
Then it was the new season, Marc Maron and free-styling, pure Michigan, Higher Power stuff, good news, perfect is boring, the radio gig wrap up, the F*cking Sober Podcast and grandkids.
We mentioned that we have plans this weekend. Mike and Chris are in Alaska and Bill is hanging out with FIB's in the southern part of the FIB state. (If you don't know what a FIB is, Google it)
Enjoy the episode.
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This week we have...
First of all, Mike is back!
And secondly, it's the Season 7 Finale! Do you care? Just a little?
Well, we started our a little punchy, but of course in a fun way. And we had a lot to talk about.
Mike was back with his reading and it was a really good one. It was about relationships, both in and out of recovery and it hit home with us. It was a great conversation.
Then we did a wrap up of our family trip, talked about Marc Maron, memes, a best man, dial-up internet, getting comfortable with sadness and sometimes you have to row.
We also both experienced some loss this week. You all know Chris (Mike's fiancé), and she is a lover of all cats. Her number one had to be put down this week and to say it was hard for her would be an understatement.
And Bill found out that a very dear friend of his died this week. She was only 56, she was one of us and even though all of the details were not made public by the family, we have some thoughts.
It was a weird week, but we were right where we needed to be.
And a sincere thank you to all of you for hanging out with us.
Enjoy the episode.
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This week we have...
Ian Fee ( #ian.fee ) is a successful author, entrepreneur, and the creator of Make It Great (MIG).
Proudly sober since 2017, he has dedicated himself to personal growth, family, and living a life of purpose and clarity.
His journey from addiction to empowerment has become his mission: to help others trapped in the same cycle of self-destruction break free and embark on their own transformative path to health, passion, and a renewed mindset.
Through his book, Wild Ride To Sobriety, lan aims to inspire others to overcome their struggles and embrace a life of balance, success, and fulfillment.
Enjoy the episode.
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This week we have...
Mike and Bill and Mike had an announcement! Yes, you need to listen to hear it.
And we had a bit of a technical glitch at about 4 or 5 minutes into into the episode. Just hang in with us, because we worked through it and no. We didn't edit anything.
Mike started out with his reading and it was about the pace of life. Before we got sober it was all chaos, intensity and drama. But now, for the most part, we have peace in our lives and when we don't, we know how to get back to it. The reading was great and we had a good conversation.
We talked about willingness, feeling inadequate (and why we shouldn't), being selfish in recovery and showing people that we care.
And we have a family weekend coming up this weekend. We will all be in Chippewa Lake, Ohio and it's going to be wonderful.
Enjoy the episode.
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This week we have...
The hosts of this fine podcast are back for another week of whatever we feel like talking about. Sober stuff and all the rest.
Mike started out with his reading and it was about the Higher Power stuff. Yes, we all need one, but it can be a bit challenging at times, especially in the beginning. We had a good conversation and it was a great reading.
We had a nice comment from a follower and a new listener, plus he sent a cool reel where he tattooed an orange with our logo. (that can be watched on our Instagram page)
We talked a little bit about old school TV, things we like about ourselves, asking for feedback and our instincts, negative comments, enjoying moments, relationships and one funny hiker story and one tragic hiker story.
And somehow, high school yearbooks came up. Stay Cool & Have A Great Summer. We have all heard that one before, right?
Enjoy the episode.
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Yes! It's a Bonus Clip!
Everyone is talking about Ozzy, and we are no different. Or are we?
This is a clip from Episode 179 and we did this clip to give everyone a bite sized portion of the episode, but yes, you should listen to the whole thing.
We had a conversation about Ozzy and his career. Mike is our resident music expert and he has a possibly different view of Ozzy in general, but it's worth the listen.
Enjoy the clip.
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This week we have...
More fun with Mike and Bill. Yep, it's your favorite wacky duo, back at it.
Mike started out with his reading and it was about courage and change. Becoming different people in recovery and finally accepting life, truth and consequences. It was a great topic and a good conversation.
Our friend Heidi (Episode 87) celebrated 20 years sober this week. It may not always be strawberries and orgasms, but she has done this thing for 2 decades. Congrats to her!
Mike has his radio gig coming up in a few weeks. He gave the rundown on that again, but stay tuned.
Then it was a story about a drug house apartment, optimistic or pessimistic, rushing in or taking our time, sharing our story in early recovery, Marc Maron, corn sweat and yes; Grabbing Snakes By The Tail.
A handful of celebrities died this week, but we spent a few minutes talking about Ozzy Osbourne. Everyone is posting about him and doing a ton of tributes, and we may have a slightly different take, but what else is new? It's worth the listen.
Enjoy the episode.
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This week we have...
Mike and Bill and we are proud to report that neither one of us attended a Cold Play concert this week. For any reason.
Mike started out with his reading and it was all about trusting in someone or something other than ourselves. The Higher Power thing and others that have showed us the way. It was a good reading and a good conversation, because that is the backbone of what we need to do every day.
This was a mid-summer cleanup episode, so we talked about a variety of things. There were huffing deer, the pink cloud, the fellowship (are we involved enough), peace and serenity, when we were out of control, shortcomings versus good qualities, angry feelings and a little bit about Step 4.
Also, Elon Musk had an issue with his AI bot and yes, we talked about Fruit And Feelings.
Enjoy the episode.
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This week we have...
Mike and Bill, back to normal. And we use the word "normal," very loosely.
Mike started off with his reading and it was about keeping it simple. It's a common phrase in the recovery community and although it should be "simple," it can be challenging. We had a good conversation.
We talked about an AA anniversary, Mary Lou Retton, the history behind John Barleycorn, acting like a sober person, negative sentences, Cologuard (What Can We Do For Brown), using our talents, sober friends and Kentucky.
We also had a brief conversation about resentments. They are the number one offender and no good for any of us.
Enjoy the episode.
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This week we have...
Mike and Bill's 4th of July, Freedom Episode.
Mike started off with his reading and yes, it was about freedom. During our active addiction, we had no freedom at all. We were ruled by alcohol and drugs and life was a chore.
Now we can do what we want, when we want (within reason) and life is far better. Enjoy the freedom.
We ranted a bit about podcasters begging for money and using guilt along the way. We don't like that.
Then it was on to social social media, being humble, using kind words, insignificant troubles, being critical and the word Diddy came up. Don't worry, we aren't supporters.
We wrapped up with a few articles and a wet crotch at the airport.
Enjoy the episode.
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