You know the thought. That thought that sneaks in...

Maybe I can drink again. Maybe I can keep it under control now. Maybe just one.

In this episode of Through the Glass Recovery Podcast, Julie Miller and co-host Steve Knapp are joined by Lucy, Brenton, and Bry for an honest conversation about what happens when you try to moderate drinking. Not just in theory, but their actual, lived experience.

They talk about what the moderation voice sounds like, why it’s so convincing, and what actually happened when some of them tried it. They also explore the mental exhaustion of constantly negotiating with alcohol and the relief that comes when the decision is finally taken off the table.

If you’ve ever wondered whether moderation could work for you, this episode offers clarity and perspective.

In this episode, we talk about:

• The “maybe I can have just one” voice and why it shows up
• Why moderation takes so much mental and emotional energy
• How nostalgia can distort our memories of drinking
• What happened when some of the guests tried moderating
• Why stress, grief, or anxiety often blow moderation apart
• Taking the decision off the table and reducing decision fatigue
• What freedom, peace, and self-trust can look like in sobriety

This is not about shame or scare tactics. It’s about understanding your own patterns and knowing that struggling with this question doesn’t mean you’re failing.

New to Through the Glass Recovery? Learn more about us at https://throughtheglassrecovery.com

Hosts: Julie Miller & Steve Knapp Guests: Lucy Linger, Brenton Sconce, Bry Bleau

Learn more about our guests:

https://throughtheglassrecovery.com/moderate-drinking/

–SOBRIETY SUPPORT & RESOURCES–

WORK WITH US - Personalized private coaching

Redesign your life without alcohol - with support.

https://throughtheglassrecovery.com/recovery-coaching/

FREE SUPPORT GROUP ON ZOOM

Real conversations. No judgment.

https://throughtheglassrecovery.com/meeting-faqs/

JULIE’S SOBER LIVING BLOG

Stories and reflections on rebuilding life after alcohol.

https://createalifesofull.com

FULL LIBRARY OF PODCAST EPISODES

Explore every Through the Glass Recovery conversation. https://throughtheglassrecovery.com/podcast/

People talk about “doing the work” in sobriety, but most of us start out not even knowing what that means. In this episode, Julie and Steve sit down with Dave Rushing and licensed therapist Sean Rollinson for an honest conversation about emotional sobriety, early misconceptions, and the deeper work that begins after the alcohol is gone.

Inside this episode you’ll hear:

• Why quitting drinking is only the beginning • What emotional sobriety really looks like • How self-reflection becomes a life-changing skill • What courage and connection offer in recovery • How to build confidence, authenticity, and self-worth after alcohol

Whether you’re in early sobriety or years into recovery and wanting more clarity, this episode will help you understand the real path toward a full, grounded life.

Read the full episode summary and get to know our guests: https://throughtheglassrecovery.com/doing-the-work-in-sobriety/

–SOBRIETY SUPPORT & RESOURCES–

WORK WITH US - Personalized private coaching

Redesign your life without alcohol - with support.

https://throughtheglassrecovery.com/recovery-coaching/

FREE SUPPORT GROUP ON ZOOM

Real conversations. No judgment.

https://throughtheglassrecovery.com/meeting-faqs/

JULIE’S SOBER LIVING BLOG

Stories and reflections on rebuilding life after alcohol.

https://createalifesofull.com

FULL LIBRARY OF PODCAST EPISODES

Explore every Through the Glass Recovery conversation. https://throughtheglassrecovery.com/podcast/

For a lot of people, AA is the only recovery path they’ve ever heard of. But what happens when you walk into a meeting and it just doesn’t feel right? What if you tried it, didn’t connect with it, or couldn’t see yourself adopting the identity or structure it requires? On this episode, Julie and Steve sit down with returning guests Alexandra McRobert and Barclay Mullins to talk honestly about how to get sober without AA, what worked for them, and what to do when you need a different path.

• What each person expected AA to be and what their real experience was
• How to know when AA isn’t the right fit for you
• The pressure and identity struggles that can come with the program
• Why some people thrive in AA and others don’t
• The role of language, labels, and self-identity in recovery
• How to build your own recovery path without meetings
• Community options outside AA and why connection is still essential
• Internal work, spiritual practices, and tools that supported early sobriety
• Alternative resources like quit lit, apps, online groups, yoga, journaling, and coaching
• One small step you can take today if you want to get sober without AA

If you’re new here…

Through the Glass Recovery is a podcast for people who want a life that feels happy and full, not miserable. We talk about emotional wellness, sobriety, self worth, and building a life you don’t wish you could escape from.

Learn more about us: https://throughtheglassrecovery.com

For full show notes: https://throughtheglassrecovery.com/podcast/getting-sober-without-aa/

Sign up for Julie's values workshop - https://createalifesofull.com/values-workshop-for-sobriety/

–SOBRIETY SUPPORT & RESOURCES–

WORK WITH US - Personalized private coaching

Redesign a life without alcohol - with support.

https://throughtheglassrecovery.com/recovery-coaching/

FREE SUPPORT GROUP ON ZOOM

Real conversations. No judgment.

https://throughtheglassrecovery.com/meeting-faqs/

JULIE’S SOBER LIVING BLOG

Stories and reflections on rebuilding life after alcohol.

https://createalifesofull.com

FULL LIBRARY OF PODCAST EPISODES

Explore every Through the Glass Recovery conversation. https://throughtheglassrecovery.com/podcast/