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Episode 292: Afternoon with the Atheists
In this episode of Beyond Belief Sobriety, you will meet John C. from Paris, Vick Losick, from New York City, John Huey from Washington D.C., and Larry Knight from Toronto. The four appeared on the podcast to talk about a new secular recovery meeting they started called “Afternoon with the Atheists,” which is named after a panel discussion they have been presenting at Secular AA Conferences since 2016. The meeting is intended to provide a safe space for atheists or secularly-minded people in general to find support for their recovery without the burden of a Higher Power, 12 Steps, Traditions, and all the slogans and language found in 12 Step meetings. The meetings are held on Zoom every Sunday at 2:00 PM EST. Meeting Information Meeting Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86933796705 Zoom ID: 869 3379 6705 Passcode: 965219 Links Episode 48: Larry K and the Settlement with the Toronto Intergroup Support the podcast If you’d like to support this podcast, please consider clicking here to become a patron. Your contribution of just $1, $3 or $5 a month goes a long way towards building this community! To view this and other episodes of Beyond Belief Sobriety on YouTube, visit this link.
Episode 291: Overcoming Sugar Addiction with Mike Collins
In this episode we talk with Mike Collins. Mike is the founder of sugaraddiction.com and is passionate about helping people overcome their addictions. He is the author of “The Last Resort Sugar Detox”, which you can read for free on his website. This was Mike’s second appearance on our podcast. He was previously our guest on episode 115 which was posted in July 2019. What we talked about Mike’s community with over 20,000 participants. Sugar as the gateway drug The recovery community paving the way to address our obesity crisis Sugar is in most of the food we see in the grocery store. We need to eat whole foods. We know more about the dangers of sugar than ever before. As adults we aren’t using sugar to feel good, we are simply fighting withdrawals. Mike’s story. The importance of understanding sugar addiction as a substance use disorder. Sugar addiction impairs emotional development. Thirty Day Detox. Detox to lifestyle program. Spectrum of sugar addiction. Difference between Mike’s program and 12 Step fellowships such as Overeaters Anonymous and other groups. Largest Sugar Detox to start on January 1. The Quit Sugar Summit. Reducing the stigma and increasing awareness of sugar addiction. Links sugaraddiction.com The Quit Sugar Summit “Last Resort Sugar Detox Guide”
Episode 290: Clean Slate | A Conversation with the Filmmaker Jared Callahan
When it comes to creating a compelling documentary, the process surprisingly often starts with putting the camera down. As Host John Sheldon’s guest on this episode of Beyond Belief Sobriety explains, establishing a relational trust element is essential to capturing those intimate moments that make us forget we’re watching a film. In his absorbing new project, set in a real-world rehab facility, Director Jared Callahan integrates us into the minute-to-minute struggle that is addiction, changing and re-shaping our understanding of it as a disease. “Clean Slate,” a release from People People Media, tells the raw and very personal story of two roommates who hatch a plan to make a short film about their recovery journey – while still on their recovery journey. By putting a vulnerable and unflinching lens on addiction, Jared and his team personalize its grip on sufferers and their families. The hope, says the director, is to cultivate new levels of empathy and broader awareness. “I could have used more statistics or graphs, but for this film the best way was just to say these are the guys and this is the reality at this time,” says Jared, who is also a pastor. “These are people who are your family and neighbors.” The film-within-a-film narrative opens a unique window onto recovery, highlighting the healing power of creativity, even in the face of relapse and isolation. You’ll come away from this conversation eager to watch “Clean Slate” (available on these streaming platforms) and share it with others. Community, says the director, is what knits together hope and progress along the lifelong journey that is recovery. It’s all about building trust and accountability, capturing the beauty of returning to things we have loved and lost along the way. “People who work in recovery circles laugh really hard and cry really hard,” says Jared, “and in that they are not pretending to be perfect. They are just very real.” “Clean Slate” is available now across all streaming media platforms, including at Amazon Prime, Apple TV and on YouTube. Key Takeaways About the inspiration behind “Clean Slate”: How Jared surprised himself by getting sucked into the compelling story of two roommates – aspiring filmmakers – in rehab. How Jared used both the film-within-a-film and a foundational trust relationship as a portal into a very specific, raw season of his subjects’ lives. The recovery environment itself is a sort of central character in the film, holding space for the laughter, tears and vulnerability that form the heart of the documentary. The Brutality of Relapse: About the real-time story of a principle in the film whose course to recovery is not straight. What Jared Hopes People Get Out of “Clean Slate”: A more nuanced understanding of addiction as a disease. The stark aloneness and isolation experienced in relapse. An opportunity for people – both addicts and their loved ones – to feel seen and understood. About the ethics of documentary filmmaking and the essential intimacy that develops when the process is relational and integral. Why the up-close and personal approach taken in “Clean Slate” is important – and deliberately different from a more medically or institutionally oriented approach. Mental Health and Addiction: The downward spiral and legal challenges associated with trying as family members to support those suffering one or both afflictions. Understanding the “long-term, forever” nature of addiction and the multi-pronged approach (including treatment and community) necessary to support recovery. Balancing Story with Education: In the process of exploring topics and sharing messages, Jared is himself being schooled on both life and the art of filmmaking. Jared is at work on a new podcast project that will blend storytelling with important information and insights related to a specific group’s unfolding experience of a12-step-based program. From Step Zero to Step One: About moving from the lowest lows towards those first tentative rungs on the recovery ladder. Jared’s origin story as a filmmaker, a journey that has taken him from chronicler of a teen skateboard scene to directing feature-length films to starting his own production company and retreat space for artists, People People Media. A Parting Request: Visit one of these links to watch “Clean Slate” and share it with people in your life who might be touched or helped by the film’s message! Key Quotes “As a documentary filmmaker, a lot of my job is creating a safe environment.” (Jared) “I try to put a mirror up to who my subjects are to show both them and the world a portal into this aspect or season of life.” (Jared) “People who work in recovery circles laugh really hard and cry really hard … and in that they are not pretending to be perfect. They are just very real.” (Jared) “There are some moments on every project that I put the camera down on purpose because filming is relational. They’re trusting me. It’s not just filming everything and putting a camera in their face.” (Jared) “If you journey with (the characters) you can add empathy to your life because you can see from their own experiences and words what it’s like to be them and what it’s like for them daily, hourly, minute-ly working on being healthy and staying sober.” (Jared) “I really appreciate the recovery communities we’ve experienced in the way they value community and a multi-pronged system. No one thing is going to solve everything.” (Jared) “Feeling like you’re in the room and the camera goes away … that’s the best thing I can do as a filmmaker.” (Jared) “I could have used more statistics or graphs, but for this film the best way was just to say these are the guys and this is the reality at this time … These are people who are your family and neighbors.” (Jared) “I want to be shaped, change, grow and learn. So when I do it with a video camera I kind of get to invite you along with me on a journey I’ve experienced in a really deep way.” (Jared) “Recovery communities are so good at word of mouth and sharing their lives and things that matter to them, so I hope we’ve made something that matters to them … and that they share it with other people.” (Jared) Further Resources Learn more about People People Media. Additional films offered by Jared and his team. About Our Guest Jared is a national Emmy-nominated filmmaker whose work has been released through PBS, The New York Times, GQ, The Atlantic, Sundance, Tribeca and 250+ film festivals worldwide. His NYT Op-Doc, “Saltwater Baptism,” was nominated alongside Lady Gaga for a 2018 Webby Award. Jared also founded People People Media, a boutique production and collaboration space for artists working in a variety of media. FOLLOW Jared and People People Media: Website | Instagram | Trailer | LinkedIn Show Notes Written by knwhelmick at Fiverr
Episode 289: Soberlink | Accountability in Recovery
Accountability is at the core of any recovery program and, as we are reminded on this episode of Beyond Belief Sobriety, there are many roads to get there. Host John Sheldon invites his guest, Mark Knobloch, to share some of the strategies he finds most helpful to the people he advises as an addiction recovery advisor. Having been a previous guest of the pod (Episode #181 can be found here), Mark has returned to delve a little more deeply into the benefits he has seen play out for users of Soberlink, an in-home system featuring a cutting-edge breathalyzer with facial recognition technology. The system offers transparency and peace of mind while those in treatment re-build confidence in themselves and trust with those they love. John and Mark reflect on the importance of meeting people fighting addiction wherever they are – physically, emotionally, psychologically and even spiritually. Both have found through the course of their own journeys that less dogma means more room for authenticity in recovery. With alcohol in particular and addiction in general so prevalent across the globe, there is growing momentum towards calling out an industry that lobbies relentlessly to make this potentially lethal substance glamorous. It’s everywhere! But because of conversations like this one, a growing number of people are bringing awareness to the powerfully negative impact alcohol has on individuals, families and entire communities. Mark shares reflections on his work and the meaning it brings to his life 10 years into sobriety, emphasizing the sense of purpose (and fun) he has found in supporting others in finding their unique paths to health and freedom. It was a pleasure to hear Mark’s first-hand observations about our partners at Soberlink – who have given Beyond Belief Sobriety ongoing support and sponsorship. Click here to learn more about the unique remote alcohol technology that Soberlink has created to help provide accountability for people in recovery. The system includes a high-tech breathalyzer device with facial recognition that allows you to share your sobriety in real time with loved ones. To view this and other episodes of Beyond Belief Sobriety on YouTube, visit this link. Key Takeaways Mark previously appeared in Episode #181 (which you can find here) to discuss a variety of tools and resources he uses in recovery. He has returned with a special focus on his experience deploying the Soberlink At 10 years in recovery, Mark has gotten a lot out of following different routes to sobriety and self-understanding, including the 12 steps, yoga and meditation. The importance of meeting people in addiction where they are and enabling them to progress through a course of treatment that works for them as individuals. Thoughts on Smart Recovery, a cognitive behavioral therapy-oriented program for sobriety that both John and Mark have explored with interest. How Soberlink helps solidify peace of mind while trust is being rebuilt among people in recovery and their family members. Finding the Path: Active listening is a cornerstone of Mark’s approach to coaching, encouraging conversation with open-ended, empathetic questions. It Takes All Kinds: Mark reviews a range of sobriety tools that have been effective for those he counsels, from the drug Antabuse to the 12 steps to the gym or spending time in nature. The treatment of diseases like diabetes has changed dramatically over the decades, so why shouldn’t there be a similar evolution in treating addiction? John reviews some key elements of the Echo Recovery peer support program: Understanding recovery as a process of change. Considering goals and expectations for life in recovery. Meeting people where they are. Alcoholics Anonymous is a tool that works for many – but not for all – and can’t be judged based on any one meeting or group. The alchemy changes all the time. Why do we normalize alcohol use in society? Buy into marketing messages that depict it as glamorous, positive and fun? Remember when cigarettes were regarded that way? About physical and psychological dependency and just how little we’re aware of the risks when we first start drinking. Dogma and rigidity can be the enemy of recovery, repelling people in search of help. John and Mark reflect on accountability and the ways in which purpose keeps them showing up for themselves and others in recovery. What does it mean to drop the mask and be authentic? Where and when does claiming sobriety come into claiming one’s complete self in all contexts? (Don’t miss John’s livestream on the topic!) Key Quotes “Recovery jobs don’t typically pay much. It’s got to come more from the heart.” (Mark) “Our (recovery) motto is: Meet the client where they’re at. Multiple pathways. Whatever works.” (Mark) “Make sure the person knows that you’re truly listening – not going in and out. You’re absorbing what they’re saying and that’s how you can pick up on what direction an individual (wrestling with recovery) might want to go.” (Mark) “It helps to have some underlying purpose for being sober – beyond just not going to jail and staying out of trouble.” (John) “If you have other things that you can add to your arsenal, it strengthens your sobriety and recovery. It gives you more confidence.” (John) “(AA) Meetings find their own personality. You’ve got to give it a shot and try several locations.” (Mark) “If it’s not fun I’m not going to stay with it … There has to be an element of fun to it. I don’t want to sit around and be miserable and watch everyone else watch football and drink beer!” (Mark) “Anytime I’ve heard anybody talk about Soberlink it’s always been positive … It’s just nice to know that the people who sponsor this podcast are doing something that’s helpful for people in recovery; that it’s a product that actually helps people.” (John) Further Resources Soberlink Check out Smart Recovery. More about Echo Recovery. About Alcoholics Anonymous. About Mark Mark Knobloch is a certified recovery advisor who works with Aware Recovery Care in Connecticut. He uses a variety of tools to help individuals and their families navigate in-home treatment for addiction. Follow Mark Website | LinkedIn | Facebook Show Notes Written by knwhelmick at Fiverr
Episode 288: Katy Jacopi | Challenges of a Secular Recovery
As she shares with Host John Sheldon on this episode of Beyond Belief, entering recovery as a non-believer at the height of pandemic presented Katy Jacopi with special challenges. Where to find community and support when the Alcoholics Anonymous concept of a “higher power” isn’t the right fit? “The reason I couldn’t deny that I had an alcohol problem was my skepticism, my ability to ask questions and not just take something at face value,” she explains. “It’s who I am and I wouldn’t be where I am today without this thought process.” Like John, Katie is speaking out where she can to ensure that the most inclusive possible message reaches the greatest number of people – without shame or the need to subscribe to any one set of beliefs. Katy, who is a poet and writer, shares the story of her journey to recovery, which she ultimately cobbled together with a mix of intuitive, personal choices. You’ll learn on this episode about the many alternative groups and formats that have sprung up to serve a broad spectrum of people – resources that can still be hard to locate today, let alone 25 years ago when John first got sober in a more narrowly AA-centric world. “We’re so conditioned to be afraid of doubt,” says Katy, who is starting a podcast on exactly that topic. “If we give voice to that fear, but also acknowledge how doubt has a positive impact on who we are as people, I think it can help facilitate a bigger conversation.” Get out your notepad. This conversation highlights lots of great recovery groups! To view this and other episodes of Beyond Belief Sobriety on YouTube, visit this link. Key Takeaways After she was diagnosed with bipolarism, Katy uncovered the existence of a problem with alcoholism and went in search of secular support. Reframing “higher power” as something other than God still wasn’t a comfortable fit for Katy, who found the entire concept problematic, regardless the language or imagery in which it was couched. Can – or should – the 12 steps written nearly 100 years ago be reconceived in ways that make them more inclusive? Katy got clarity about her alcoholism through conversation with a knowledgeable, empathetic friend and writing poems about her experience getting sober. What defines sobriety? It’s a process of change as understood by each of us individually in our own way and time. Even if there’s a relapse, you are still going through a process of change! The most important thing when it comes to supporting recovery? Meet people where they are and with the intention of helping them reach their goals! John shares two resources he has explored: LifeRing Secular Recovery Smart Recovery: Life Beyond Addiction Reflections on the unfortunate tensions that can shroud AA meetings when people are unaccepting of those with a secular orientation. Often the most dogmatic people are the most vocal – and create the most tension in rooms – with regard to the necessity of a “higher power” in the context of AA. Dealing with a potential mental health issue? Removing alcohol is a great first step towards clarity, diagnosis and treatment. Openness is key to removing stigma and reaching people in search of recovery. The reasons Katy reached out to John: She’s starting her own podcast and wanted to experience being a guest. She sought an opportunity to share her story and ask her questions. She wanted to discuss hurdles she encountered as a non-believer seeking help. Katy shares plans for her upcoming podcast, which will feature stories about how doubt has factored into the lives of people in transition. Closing thoughts on the power of doubt, shame and navigating fear to find – and be confident about – our beliefs. Key Quotes “Many treatment centers and other organizations that have to do with recovery are staffed by people familiar with the 12 steps … and haven’t educated themselves beyond that.” (John) “Ultimately I had to be true to myself and I am an atheist and … even back 30 years ago I didn’t use the term ‘higher power.’ ” (John) “You decide for yourself what your recovery is … That word recovery has actually been defined by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) as nothing more than a process of change, of personal growth.” (John) “There is no definition that you put on someone else for what their recovery is.” (John) “I didn’t want to walk into a community and be honest about my outlook on life only to maybe hinder someone else’s experience.” (Katy) “The reason I couldn’t deny that I had an alcohol problem was my skepticism, my ability to ask questions and not just take something at face value … It’s who I am and I wouldn’t be where I am today without this thought process.” (Katy) “It’s a shame that something that started out trying to be open and inclusive for everybody has somehow become more focused on a narrower path.” (John) “We are fortunate that there are so many more ways to get sober now.” (John) “I was drinking for all the wrong reasons and then dealing with the consequence and the fallout.” (Katy) “The more people who talk about (addiction), the more opportunity exists that it will reach somebody who needs to hear it.” (Katy) “Those of us who are sober and in a position to be open about it are doing a service because it helps eliminate the stigma behind not just having an addiction but being in recovery.” (John) “We’re so conditioned to be afraid of doubt … If we give voice to that fear, but also acknowledge how doubt has a positive impact on who we are as people, I think it can help facilitate a bigger conversation.” (Katy) Further Resources LifeRing Secular Recovery. Smart Recovery: Life Beyond Addiction. An online locator for secular AA meetings is available here. Women for Sobriety. The Soberish Book Club. About Katy Kathryn V. Jacopi, an adjunct professor, received her MFA in creative writing from Fairfield University. Her writings have appeared in Pudding Magazine, Statorec, Fjord, Manzano Mountain Review, and Drunk Monkeys. Kathryn’s poem received first place for the 2016 Hysteria Writing Competition. When she’s not reading, writing, and lesson planning, Kathryn’s either kayaking or enjoying her spouse’s fantastic cooking. This is Kathryn’s first publication in Fictional Café. Follow Katy Facebook | Essay Show Notes Written by knwhelmick at Fiverr
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