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.

In this episode of Not All There, host Chad Johnson sits down with Barney Whiter, one of the UK’s leading financial coaches, for an honest and revealing conversation about the connection between money, fear, and alcohol.

Speaking from his home just outside London, Barney opens up about how his drinking once fueled his drive and dulled his childhood anxieties around financial security—but at a cost. What started as a coping mechanism became abarrier to his health, his happiness, and his professional fulfillment.

Barney shares intimate details of what life was like before, during, and after his drinking, and how sobriety reshaped not only his relationship with alcohol, but also with money, purpose, and self-worth. If you've ever wonderedhow high-functioning professionals mask deep-rooted fears with booze—or how it feels to strip all that away and start again—this one’s for you.

This is a story of financial expertise, personal reckoning, and the clarity that comes when the fog lifts.

Takeaways

Barney Weider transitioned from finance to coaching after experiencing burnout.

He emphasizes the intersection of finance, career, and health in his coaching.

Burnout is a significant issue in modern work culture.

Barney's journey involved a 35-year drinking career that he reflects on critically.

He highlights the gradual nature of addiction and its creeping effects.

COVID-19 impacted many people's drinking habits, including his own.

Health scares prompted Barney to confront his alcohol use.

Self-awareness is crucial for personal growth and recovery.

Barney uses various techniques to help clients find their own paths.

The process of recovery is about discovery and understanding oneself.

In this heartfelt episode of Not All There, Chad sits down with his dear friend Amy D., a gifted storyteller and fierce spirit in long-term recovery. Amy shares her powerful journey of identity, addiction, and healing—beginning with her experience growing up adopted into a prominent localfamily and the early signs that she didn’t drink like everyone else. From chasing creative dreams at film school to working in Hollywood, and eventually returning to Chicago, Amy's story is one of resilience, self-discovery, and survival.

Together, Chad and Amy open up about the winding path of recovery—its triumphs, its setbacks, and the lessons learned along the way. They also share a deeply emotional tribute to their beloved friend Vic, who passed away fromcancer on April 29, 2025. Vic’s life and legacy touched them both profoundly, and this episode is lovingly dedicated to his memory.

This one’s raw, real, and full of grace. A reminder that no matter how far we drift, there’s always a way back—to recovery, to community, and to ourselves.
In loving memory of Vic 💔🕊️

Takeaways

Amy was adopted and discovered her biological family later in life.

She came from a long line of alcoholics, which influenced her relationship with alcohol.

Her first experience with alcohol was at a young age, leading to early struggles with drinking.

Amy's journey to sobriety began when she surrounded herself with sober friends.

She faced challenges in Los Angeles, losing her support system and struggling with addiction again.

Marriage brought its own set of challenges, especially with her husband's career in the film industry.

Amy's postpartum depression led her to seek help and ultimately return to drinking.

The importance of community and connection in recovery cannot be overstated.

Faith and creativity play crucial roles in personal growth and recovery.

The conversation highlights the need for love and support in overcoming life's challenges.

Keywords

sobriety, addiction, recovery, community, personal growth, mental health, family, creativity, faith, relationships