SoberSide Chat

15. Recovery Begins When You Love Yourself First - with Louis DiMaggio

In this episode, Louis shares how the path to recovery begins when you begin putting yourself first. He shares his struggles, loss of a dear friend to addiction, his desire to be there for and with his family, and, above all else, be there for himself to enjoy and experience life. What we discussed during the show: * 00:00 Intro * 01:18 Louis' favorite quote * 01:36 Louis' background * 01:57 How his struggle with substance abuse began * 03:30 What has Louis accomplished in his sobriety journey so far, and, what he hopes to accomplish in the future * 05:20 Louis' typical day during addiction vs. now * 08:14 How Louis deals with triggers and cravings * 10:17 Key to finding long term success in recovery * 12:28 Why people fail at staying sober * 15:52 Louis' rock bottom * 17:10 Happiest moment of life * 18:07 Has Louis forgiven herself? * 18:45 What do people often get wrong about Louis * 19:22 What Louis wished he knew when he was 20 * 19:49 Rapid Fire round - * What is on Louis' nightstand * What is his favorite meal * Favorite book * How many hours of sleep he gets every night * A TV show Louis binged and thoroughly enjoyed * One thing he is truly grateful for today * 20:39 Louis’ advice to anyone struggling with addiction Connect with @SoberSideChat * Instagram: @sobersidechat [https://www.instagram.com/sobersidechat/] * Twitter: @sobersidechat [https://twitter.com/sobersidechat/] * Website: https://SoberSideChat.com/ [https://sobersidechat.com/] * Shownotes & Transcript: https://sobersidechat.com/louis-dimaggio/ [https://sobersidechat.com/louis-dimaggio/] Other episodes you might find interesting: * I Am Enough! [https://sobersidechat.com/heather-stroh/] * The Ability to Dance Fearlessly, Sober [https://sobersidechat.com/ian-young/] * Choose Your Struggle [https://sobersidechat.com/jay-shifman/] * Law Enforcement, PTSD, Addiction & Recovery [https://sobersidechat.com/mike-lando/] * Appreciating Little Things and Living a Purposeful Life in Sobriety [https://sobersidechat.com/christian-p-life-story/] * Embracing Discomfort to Begin Healing in Sobriety [https://sobersidechat.com/eric-r-life-story/] * Adding “Alivefulness” to Life [https://sobersidechat.com/david-charles-bower/] * My Story: The Ripple Effects of Alcoholism [https://sobersidechat.com/pranaya-ghimire/] * We are not Bad People Trying to be Good, We are Sick People Trying to be Well [https://sobersidechat.com/maurice-o/] * How Substance Abuse Destroys Families [https://sobersidechat.com/jackie-harounian/]

14. The Ability to Dance Fearlessly, Sober - with Ian Young

Ian has been in recovery since 2001, and has since been working around the world in the Addiction treatment industry - successfully touching the lives of thousands of addicted people and their families, showing them a new way to live and rebuild their lives. Connect with Ian: * https://ian-young.com/ [https://ian-young.com/] * It’s Not About Me [https://ian-young.com/about-me/its-not-about-me/] * Sober Services [https://www.sober-services.com/] * Addiction Recovery Clinic in Phuket, Thailand [https://phuketaddictionrecoveryclinic.com/] Connect with SoberSide Chat: * Website: https://SoberSideChat.com/ [https://sobersidechat.com/] * Full Shownotes & Transcript: https://sobersidechat.com/ian-young/ [https://sobersidechat.com/ian-young/] * Instagram: @sobersidechat [https://www.instagram.com/sobersidechat/] * Twitter: @sobersidechat [https://twitter.com/sobersidechat/] What we discussed during the show: * 00:00 Intro * 03:10 Ian's favorite quote(s) * 06:03 Ian’s background and struggles * 12:43 How it all started * 19:33 How he was able to choose abstinence for good * 26:37 The key to finding long term success in recovery * 41:19 Rapid Fire round * What's on his nightstand * Favorite meal * Favorite book * Favorite TV show * One thing he's grateful for today * 37:35 About his book - “It’s Not About Me” * 41:25 Ian’s advice to anyone struggling with addiction Other Episodes You Might Enjoy: * “I am Enough” [https://sobersidechat.com/heather-stroh/] * Choose Your Struggle [https://sobersidechat.com/jay-shifman/] * Healing Your Past [https://sobersidechat.com/erik-a/] * Using Yoga as a Tool to Address Addiction [https://sobersidechat.com/beth-shaw/] * A Retired Police Officer on Dealing with Life on Life’s Terms [https://sobersidechat.com/mike-lando/] * Appreciating Little Things and Living a Purposeful Life in Sobriety [https://sobersidechat.com/christian-p-life-story/] * Adding “Alivefulness” to Life [https://sobersidechat.com/david-charles-bower/] * My Story: The Ripple Effects of Alcoholism [https://sobersidechat.com/pranaya-ghimire/] * How Substance Abuse Destroys Families – A Lawyer’s Perspective on Addiction, Suicide & Relationships [https://sobersidechat.com/jackie-harounian/]

13. Life Story: "I am Enough" - with Heather Stroh

In this episode, Heather shares her journey on passing death to life, her struggles with addiction, mental health & the willingness to live, and finally, finding faith and freedom on her path to recovery. What we discussed during the show: * 00:00 Intro * 01:20 Heather's favorite quote * 02:50 Heather's background * 03:50 How Heather’s struggle with substance abuse began * 05:20 How it progressed * 15:45 How she managed to stop and stay stopped * 21:30 What has Heather accomplished in her sobriety journey so far, and, what she hopes to accomplish in the future * 29:50 Heather's typical day during addiction vs. now * 35:07 Heather’s tips on addressing cravings * 40:25 Top 3 reasons why people fail at staying sober * 19:04 What the word 'recovery' means to Heather * 19:34 Heather’s rock bottom * 21:15 Happiest moment of life * 23:53 Has Heather forgiven herself? * 25:33 What do people often get wrong about her * 27:11 What is Heather trying to learn * 27:27 What Heather wished he knew when he was 20 * 40:25 How can friends and family offer support * 49:40 Rapid Fire round - * What Heather likes to do for fun * What is her favorite meal * Favorite book * How many hours of sleep she gets every night * A TV show Heather binged and thoroughly enjoyed * One thing she is truly grateful for today * 51:25 Heather’s advice to anyone struggling with addiction SoberSide Chat Podcast Details: * Website: https://SoberSideChat.com/ [https://sobersidechat.com/] * Shownotes & Transcript: https://sobersidechat.com/heather-stroh/ [https://sobersidechat.com/heather-stroh/] * Instagram: @sobersidechat [https://www.instagram.com/sobersidechat/] * Twitter: @sobersidechat [https://twitter.com/sobersidechat/] Other episodes you might like: * Choose Your Struggle [https://sobersidechat.com/jay-shifman/] * Law Enforcement, PTSD, Addiction & Recovery [https://sobersidechat.com/mike-lando/] * Appreciating Little Things and Living a Purposeful Life in Sobriety [https://sobersidechat.com/christian-p-life-story/] * Embracing Discomfort to Begin Healing in Sobriety [https://sobersidechat.com/eric-r-life-story/] * Adding “Alivefulness” to Life [https://sobersidechat.com/david-charles-bower/] * My Story: The Ripple Effects of Alcoholism [https://sobersidechat.com/pranaya-ghimire/] * We are not Bad People Trying to be Good, We are Sick People Trying to be Well [https://sobersidechat.com/maurice-o/] * How Substance Abuse Destroys Families – A Lawyer’s Perspective on Addiction, Suicide & Relationships [https://sobersidechat.com/jackie-harounian/]

12. Choose Your Struggle - with Jay Shifman

In this episode, Jay Shifman shares his struggle with a misdiagnosed mental health disorder, two suicide attempts, addiction to prescription pills, and, his long journey to recovery. Jay is a vulnerable storyteller, stigma-destroying speaker, podcaster, and event host. He hosts a wildly popular podcast Choose Your Struggle [https://kite.link/Choose-Your-Struggle] that has been downloaded over 35 countries. Jay’s personal story of struggle is familiar to the millions of people all over the world who also struggle with issues of mental health, substance misuse, and addiction. Now in long-term recovery, it is Jay’s mission to encourage difficult conversations and honest education. Jay uses his voice, and his platforms to educate, entertain, and empower. He lives in Philadelphia with his wife, Lauren, and their dog, Nell. Connect with Jay: * JayShifman.com [https://www.jayshifman.com/] | ChooseYourStruggle.com [https://www.chooseyourstruggle.com/] * Jay’s Podcast: Choose Your Struggle [https://kite.link/Choose-Your-Struggle] * Social: Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/ChooseYourStruggle] | Twitter [https://twitter.com/CYS_Jay] | Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/jayshifman/] | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayshifman/] | TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@cys_jay?lang=en] Connect with SoberSide Chat: * Website: https://SoberSideChat.com/ [https://sobersidechat.com/] * Full Shownotes & Transcript: https://sobersidechat.com/jay-shifman/ [https://sobersidechat.com/jay-shifman/] * Instagram: @sobersidechat [https://www.instagram.com/sobersidechat/] * Twitter: @sobersidechat [https://twitter.com/sobersidechat/] What we discussed during the show: * 00:00 Intro * 01:56 Jay's favorite quote: “He who has a why to live for can bear almost any how.” ― Friedrich Nietzsche.” * 06:33 Jay’s background and struggles * 10:50 Why Jay prefers the term ‘substance misuse’ (instead of ‘substance abuse’) * 13:07 Examples of Jay’s favorite practices for mental health care and how we can implement them in our everyday lives * 16:51 Substance misuse red flags * 20:54 The key to finding long term success in recovery * 24:05 Why Jay considers himself in recovery without being sober * 29:05 About Jay’s podcast ‘Choose Your Struggle’ and his narrative series ‘Rock Bottom Storytellers’ * 33:15 Jay’s lowest point in life * 37:00 Happiest moment of life * 39:12 What do people often get wrong about her * 41:19 Rapid Fire round - 5 Questions 1. What's on his nightstand 2. Favorite meal 3. Hours of sleep he gets every night 4. Favorite TV show 5. One thing he's grateful for today * 42:57 Jay’s advice to anyone struggling with addiction Other episodes you might like: * Using Yoga as a Tool to Address Addiction [https://sobersidechat.com/beth-shaw/] * One Day at a Time – A Life Story [https://sobersidechat.com/maurice-o/] * Living a Purposeful Life in Sobriety [https://sobersidechat.com/christian-p-life-story/] * Embracing Discomfort to Begin Healing in Sobriety [https://sobersidechat.com/eric-r-life-story/]

11. Life Story: Healing Your Past, Following Suggestions and Helping Others Keeps You Sober - with Erik A.

In this episode, Erik shares how being separated from drugs and alcohol by force, when he ended up in a jail cell, made him realize that his life would continue to get worse if he stayed on that path. That is when he became willing to do anything suggested to him, embrace a program, and follow the path that was laid out for him in his journey to recovery. What we discussed during the show: * 00:00 Intro * 01:41 Erik's favorite quote: “Let Go and Let God" * 02:19 Erik's background * 03:28 How Erik got started drinking * 04:26 How his drinking progressed * 05:55 How he managed to stop and stay stopped * 07:50 What has Erik accomplished in his sobriety journey so far, and, what he hopes to accomplish in the future * 10:42 Erik's typical day in addiction vs. now * 13:15 Erik’s thought on the key to finding long-term success in sobriety * 15:56 Top 3 reasons why people fail at staying sober * 19:04 What the word 'recovery' means to Erik * 19:34 Erik’s rock bottom * 21:15 Happiest moment of life * 23:53 Has Erik forgiven himself? * 25:33 What do people often get wrong about him * 27:11 What is Erik trying to learn * 27:27 What Erik wished he knew when he was 20 * 35:44 Rapid Fire round - 5 Questions 1. What's on his nightstand: Notebooks, Books & a Phone Charger 2. Favorite meal: Poke Bowl 3. No. of hours of sleep every night: 6-8 4. Favorite TV show: The Umbrella Academy [https://www.netflix.com/watch/81079219] 5. One thing he's grateful for today: His sobriety. His family. * 37:40 Erik’s advice to anyone struggling with addiction or lost & confused ——————— SoberSide Chat Podcast Details: * Website: https://SoberSideChat.com/ [https://sobersidechat.com/] * Shownotes & Transcript: https://sobersidechat.com/erik-a/ [https://sobersidechat.com/erik-a/] * Instagram: @sobersidechat [https://www.instagram.com/sobersidechat/] * Twitter: @sobersidechat [https://twitter.com/sobersidechat/]