Sober Motivation: Sharing Sobriety Stories

“Moderation Was Torture” — Tanya’s Sobriety Story

In this episode of the Sober Motivation Podcast, Brad sits down with Tanya to talk about what it really looks like to get sober and stay sober when your journey isn’t linear.
 
Tanya shares how she grew up with a stable home and little exposure to alcohol—but still struggled with insecurity, belonging, and wanting to feel “cool,” which made alcohol feel like the solution. What started as binge drinking and partying progressed into DUIs, escalating consequences, and the painful truth many people discover: once the addiction wiring is there, moderation feels like torture.
This conversation goes deep into relapse, grief, identity, relationships, resentment, and recovery—plus the power of community, AA, faith, service work, and learning to build self-worth from the inside out. Tanya also shares how she stayed sober through devastating loss and what helped her reach one year sober.
If you’re sober curious, trying to quit drinking, rebuilding after relapse, or looking for real tools to protect your sobriety long-term, this episode will hit home.
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Shaz Didn’t Know What to Call It—Alcoholic, Binge Drinker, or Gray Area Drinking—But He Knew He Had to Stop

Gray Area Drinking, Binge Drinking, Alcoholism, Alcohol Use Disorder or Problem Drinking? How Do You Know When Alcohol Is the Issue.
In this episode of the Sober Motivation Podcast, Brad sits down with Shaz to share a raw and honest story of alcohol's role, blackouts, secret drinking, and pandemic-era daily drinking. This conversation is for anyone who doesn’t see themselves as fitting with a label, but still feels uneasy about their relationship with alcohol.
Shaz walks through how alcohol shifted from social use to binge drinking, how gray area drinking quietly escalated, and how secrecy, rationalization, and comparison kept him stuck for years. You’ll hear why waiting for a diagnosis or label delayed real change—and how sobriety, connection, and community support became the turning point.
If you’re sober curious, questioning your drinking, or wondering whether life would feel better without alcohol, this conversation offers clarity, validation, and a path forward—without shame or judgment.
Contact Shaz on IG: https://www.instagram.com/shazman07/
 

From Alcohol Blackouts To 34 Years Sober: Brian's Story.

In the final episode of 2025, Brad sits down with Brian, who share's a raw and honest sobriety story that spans decades.
Brian opens up about growing up in Spokane, Washington surrounded by alcoholism, violence, and instability — and how hockey became his escape. As a teenager, alcohol quickly became more than “weekend fun,” turning into blackout drinking, fights, arrests, and a dangerous spiral that ended in a moment that forced everything to change.
Brian shares what finally made him ask for help, why leaving his environment was a key part of getting sober, and what it took to rebuild identity, friendships, and confidence without alcohol. Brian’s last drink was December 28th, 1991 — and today he reflects on 34 years sober, life in Germany, and the mindset that helped him protect his recovery for the long haul.
In this episode, we cover:
•Childhood trauma, absent father, and growing up around addiction
•Hockey as an outlet for anger, pain, and survival
•Early drinking, escalation, blackouts, and legal consequences
•The turning point that forced Brian to choose recovery
•Treatment, relocating, and why “new environment” mattered
•Rebuilding identity without alcohol (social life, confidence, dating)
•Long-term sobriety tools: honesty, boundaries, and an exit plan
•What 34 years sober has taught Brian about freedom and control
 
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Brian on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrbrianpiper/
 

Forged in Fire: Jess’s Sobriety Story

In this powerful episode of the Sober Motivation Podcast, Brad sits down with Jess, who shares her raw and honest sobriety story. Jess opens up about childhood trauma, sexual assault, military service in the Air Force, prescription drug addiction, Ambien misuse, alcohol dependence, and the moment that nearly ended her life.
Jess also shares what it took to rebuild from the ground up — treatment, sober living, a complete life reset, and the mindset shift that helped her move from victim to survivor. Today, Jess is approaching 9 years sober and is finishing her PhD in psychology with a focus on addiction and recovery.
This episode is a powerful reminder that addiction can hide in plain sight — and that long-term recovery is possible, even after unimaginable pain.
Jess On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessosborn0824/

How To Get Sober? When Drinking Is All You Know with Chester and Rick Duff.

Chester and Rick Duff share a special friendship, one that was once fuelled by drinking and addiction. They both joined me in the studio to share the full story of the different places addiction took them to and how they have been able to break the cycle. For Chester is was more daily drinking, which triggered a true hatred towards himself and Rick Duff was more of the weekend warrior but sobriety has changed things completely. We go over many "Rock Bottoms" and failed attempts at sobriety to Chester reaching 9 months sober on the date this episode goes live. 
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Chester on IG: https://www.instagram.com/chester_alarie/
Rick Duff on IG: https://www.instagram.com/rickduffmusic/
 

How To Stay Sober Over The Holidays With Special Guests

This episode of Sober Motivation Holiday features Jess Lopez, Megan, and Nisha, who share their collective experiences and expert insights on maintaining sobriety through the holiday season. Hosted by Brad, the discussion includes practical tips on planning for sobriety at social events, embracing joy and gratitude, handling grief, and supporting loved ones on their recovery journeys. The guests highlight the importance of community, self-care, and intentional living as essential tools for thriving in sobriety during the festive period.
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Jess: https://www.instagram.com/mysobersunrise/
Nisha: https://www.instagram.com/nishapatelcoaching/
Megan: https://www.instagram.com/meganeileen3/

Jermaine's Story: Sober Up or Die

If you’ve ever wondered, “Why can’t I stop?” or felt trapped by shame, this one hits deep. Brad sits down with Jermaine Dante’ Burse, a Bay Area native (Vallejo, California) whose drinking didn’t start as party chaos; it was quiet, functional, in-house alcoholism that escalated over a decade into withdrawal seizures, pancreatitis, liver failure symptoms, jaundice, a coma, and life support. Today, Jermaine is 12 years sober. wU8vxHo2GK1Lfb22s3Yq
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Jermaine on IG: https://www.instagram.com/jermainedante_art/
 

Getting Sober After a Near-Fatal Crash: Olivia’s Story

On this episode of the Sober Motivation Podcast, I talk with Olivia about her sobriety journey, choosing an alcohol-free life, and what it really took to get sober after years of pain. Olivia opens up about growing up with severe OCD (intrusive thoughts/compulsions), trauma, and using alcohol as self-medication to quiet anxiety, feel confident, and fit in. She shares how addiction, BPD, and escalating alcohol + cocaine use led to chaos, toxic relationships, rehab attempts, and a near-fatal car crash that became her turning point toward sobriety. A “miracle” phone call led to the right opportunity, where she learned self-awareness, accountability, and built a sustainable, sober, alcohol-free life. This episode is for anyone trying to get sober, stay sober, and keep going. Proof that recovery and sobriety create a ripple effect for family, healing, and hope.
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Oliva on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sobercoasterlife/

The Wake-Up Call: How Brittany Stopped Drinking and Took Her Life Back

Brittany joins the Sober Motivation Podcast to share her powerful story of growing up in Minnesota with a father who struggled with alcoholism, living with clinical depression, and using alcohol to cope with trauma, loneliness, and shame. She talks about becoming a “high-functioning” drinker—doing well at work and school while secretly relying on alcohol every day. Brittany also opens up about getting trapped in an abusive relationship, the trauma bond that kept her stuck, and the moment everything changed after a violent incident. On January 3rd, she chose sobriety, learned to ride out cravings, and started rebuilding a life filled with real joy, self-respect, and emotional healing. If you’re questioning your relationship with alcohol, stuck in toxic patterns, or wondering if change is possible, this recovery story will give you hope and motivation to keep going.
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Brittany on IG:  https://www.instagram.com/innatedivinity/

Josh's Escape from Alcohol and Brink of Death to Sobriety.

In this episode, Josh shares his heart-wrenching journey from a childhood impacted by abuse and perfectionism to the depths that alcohol took him. Throughout the years of struggling, Josh had a DWI, rehab stays, but he never wanted to make changes for himself.  He recounts hitting rock bottom with a near-death experience in Italy, which became the catalyst for his transformation. Through resilience, therapy, and unconditional love from his family, Josh finds his way back to himself, embracing sobriety and self-love. Josh’s powerful story is an example that life can turn around, and although sobriety is not easy, it’s worth it.
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Josh on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jgmaurice/