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Super Sober Heroes, welcome back! Today, I’m joined once again by my dear friend and co-founder of Here Queer Sober, Phil B! With 7 years, 9 months, and 24 days sober, Phil shares about his whirlwind year—completing his master’s degree in counseling, navigating job offers, moving into his own apartment, and embracing the next chapter of his recovery and career.

We also dive into:
✨ The big life transitions that tested his recovery—and how he stayed grounded
✨ Balancing sobriety & career in addiction counseling
✨ Finding the right meeting routine after so much change
✨ The first-ever Here Queer Sober Conference (coming September 27-29, 2024) and how you can get involved!

Phil reminds us that sobriety isn’t about avoiding life—it’s about showing up fully, embracing change, and creating something meaningful. 🌈💪

Resources & Links:

📍 Register for the Here Queer Sober Conference:
➡️ Find the link pinned in the Here Queer Sober Facebook Group
📧 Email Phil at philip@herequeersober.org

📢 Want to lead a workshop or panel?
🎤 DM me on Instagram @gAyApodcast

📍 Follow Phil & Here Queer Sober:
📲 Instagram: @herequeersober

🎧 Listen now & get ready for part two with Phil coming soon! And as always—stay sober, friends. 💖✨

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In this episode of Gay A: The Queer Sober Hero Show, host Steve is joined by the amazing Holland, who shares his journey to recovery, approach to spirituality, and how sobriety has transformed his life. Holland, who celebrates a sobriety date of February 2, 2022, opens up about growing up in Hawaii and Alaska, their struggles with addiction, and finding their way back to recovery after a series of challenges. Holland also discusses the importance of service, humility, and staying connected to their queer and recovery communities.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Holland’s early years in Hawaii and Alaska and their experience with addiction starting at a young age.
• The challenges of balancing recovery and spirituality and how embracing ambiguity with their higher power has been a game-changer.
• How sobriety has allowed them to process big feelings and lean on tools like therapy, service, and community connection.
• The power of service in recovery, from giving rides to newcomers to being active in the service structure of AA.
• Navigating friendships, relationships, and dating as a queer person in recovery and the importance of setting boundaries and standards.
• Holland’s daily practices for maintaining sobriety, including meditation, gratitude, and embracing humility in their professional and personal life.
• A focus on progress over perfection and the mantra, “Let go, let God,” that keeps them grounded.

Memorable Quotes:

• “Being sober means I get to feel all the big feelings and then rely on tools to not do the crazy next steps.”
• “I never want to be too big to clean up chairs because that’s where I meet future sponsees.”
• “You don’t have to pay back taxes for the person you were. You deserve good things now.”

Resources Mentioned:

• Book: Every Feeling Is Big – A poetry book about heartbreak and relationships in recovery. [Available on Amazon.]

Stay Connected:

Follow us on Instagram @gAyApodcast for updates, behind-the-scenes content, and more.

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Episode Highlights

🌍 Traveling Sober & Building Community:
Johnny shares how he founded Sober Gay Adventures, offering intimate, 10-day trips for queer sober travelers to explore the world with accountability and connection. His goal was to create meaningful travel experiences for those in recovery, providing fellowship in small groups across the globe.

🏳️‍🌈 Embracing Queer Joy:
Johnny talks about loving the vibrant, campy, and dramatic aspects of queer culture and how that community connection has deepened in his sobriety.

💔 Navigating Loss & Addiction:
Johnny opens up about how the sudden passing of his best friend led to years of heavy drinking and eventual morning drinking. His breaking point came after a health scare that led him to fully commit to recovery.

🛠️ Sobriety Tools:
Johnny highlights the importance of daily meetings, meditation, gratitude lists, and building authentic connections as essential tools in his recovery.

🌿 Sober Gay Adventures in 2025:
Johnny shares upcoming travel experiences including:

• London to Paris: Iconic city exploration with day trips to Stonehenge and Mont-Saint-Michel.
• Italy Tour: Rome, Florence, Venice with immersive food tours and Tuscany day trips.
• Crete, Greece Retreat: A yoga and meditation retreat with daily excursions, evening sharing circles, and themed celebrations.

Connect with Johnny

🔗 Website: sobergayadventures.com
📸 Instagram: @sobergayadventures
📘 Facebook: Sober Gay Adventures

Stay Connected with gAy A

📲 Follow us on Instagram: @gAyApodcast
💌 Want to share your story or ask a question? Send a DM on Instagram or visit sobersteve.com to guest or connect!

🎧 New episodes every Thursday!
Until next time, stay sober, friends! 🌈✨

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