In this wide-open and adventurous conversation, host Chad Johnson sits down with Ryan Lee, the founder of Capsule Adventures, a sober travel company that blends exploration with recovery. Ryan takes us through his remarkable journey—from the grind of corporate America to hitting rock bottomin New Orleans, where he sought sobriety, and the winding path in between.Along the way, he discovered how to combine his love of travel with his commitment to living sober, ultimately creating a space where others canexperience the world without alcohol.

Hold on tight—this ride through Ryan’s life is raw, funny, and inspiring.Spoiler alert: he makes it out alive…and sober.

Summary

In this engaging conversation, host Chad speaks with Tommy G, the Hockey Town Hypnotist, about the transformative power of hypnosis and hypnotherapy. They explore Tommy's journey from skepticism to becoming a skilled hypnotist, the techniques he uses to help people overcome addiction and trauma, and the scientific principles behind hypnotherapy. The discussion also highlights the mission of the Tom Silver Foundation, which aims to provide free hypnotherapy services to those in need, continuing the legacy of Tom Silver, a pioneer in the field. Tommy shares insights from his experiences and the importance of addressing underlying issues in mental health and recovery.

In this soul-stirring episode of Not All There, Chad sits downwith Chicago-based singer and songwriter Nathan Peterson for a vulnerable conversation about grief, healing, and the quiet power of breath. Nathan opens up about his personal journey through loss, and how music,silence, and stillness became tools for survival—and eventually, transformation.

Together, they explore what it means to nurture yourself without guilt, especially in a world that often asks us to put others first. Nathan shares insights into how grief isn’t something to fix or outrun, but something to befriend—one breath at a time.

This episode is for anyone who’s been cracked open by life and is learning to rebuild with gentleness, truth, and love.

Find more about Nathan Peterson here:

https://nathanpeterson.net/

In this powerful live recording from our Sober Soirée series, Jim H. takes the mic to share a raw and reflective look at his recovery journey. With honesty and humor, Jim explores how community, creativity, and vulnerability helped him face anger, rebuild relationships, and find meaning in sobriety.

Sober Soirées are more than just events — they’re a lifeline. These gatherings create space for storytelling, connection, and healing, strengthening the recovery community one voice at a time. They are free to attend, but not free to create.

If this episode moves you, please consider donating to the Art of Recovery Foundation. Your support helps us keep the lights on, the mics hot, and the stories flowing. Together, we’re building something real — and we need your help to keep it going.

Donate Here:

👉 https://givebutter.com/jq3VbW

Storyteller Kevin shares his personal journey with alcoholism, reflecting on the loss of his best friend and the struggles of sobriety. He discusses the complexities of understanding alcoholism, the challenges of relapse, and the importance of community and support in recovery. Through his experiences, he emphasizes the significance of curiosity and connection in the healing process.

Takeaways

The misconceptions about being an alcoholic.

Relapse can happen even after years of sobriety.

Community and support are crucial in recovery.

Therapy played a significant role in his understanding of alcoholism.

Art of Recovery Foundation

Donate Here

Email Chad at: chad@soberchad.com

In this story, Melissa shares her personal journey throughaddiction and recovery, emphasizing the importance of community, support, and the act of showing up for oneself and others. She reflects on her early aspirations, the struggles of living with alcoholism, and the transformative power of recovery in her life.

Takeaways

Showing up for others is crucial in recovery.

Community plays a vital role in overcoming addiction.

Alcoholism can manifest even in seemingly normal lives.

The journey to sobriety often starts with self-acceptance.

Mental health struggles can accompany addiction.

Finding a supportive network is essential for recovery.

Recovery allows for a fulfilling life without substances.

Therapy can help uncover deeper issues related to addiction.

Honesty is a key component of sobriety.

Donate for Not All There & Sober Soirees

https://gofund.me/79c1464d

Art of Recovery Foundation

https://givebutter.com/jq3VbW

https://www.artofrecoveryfoundation.org/

In this powerful and personal episode, recorded live at the very first Not All There Sober Soirée, Chad steps up to the mic to share his own story of addiction and recovery. Through raw honesty and dark humor, he reflects on the pain, the hope, and the healing that comes with choosing sobriety. This isn’t just a story about addiction—it’s about community, connection, and the courage to speak the truth out loud.

July is our fundraising month.
If this episode moved you—or if you believe in the power of storytelling to save lives—we ask for your support. Every dollar donated helps us continue producing the Not All There podcast and hosting future Sober Soirées, where voices like Chad’s (and yours) can be heard. Together, we’re building a space for healing, laughter, and hope.

Thank you for walking this path with us.

Donate Here:

https://gofund.me/ba3c36b9

https://notalltherepod.com/

https://www.artofrecoveryfoundation.org/

What happens when a guy hits rock bottom and insteadof staying there, builds a retreat in paradise where people heal using psychedelics? You get Andrew Tansil. In this episode, the founder of Sayulita Wellness Retreat walks us through his own mental health reckoning, how plantmedicine cracked him open (in a good way), and why healing works best when you do it with intention, honesty, and a few strangers in the jungle. It’s a conversation about tripping with purpose, facing your shadow, and choosing connectionover chaos—with just enough weird to keep it real.