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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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Super Sober Heroes, today I’m joined by Adam Schuler, a writer and advocate for addiction recovery, who shares his powerful journey through relapse, resilience, and ultimately rediscovering joy in sobriety.

Adam gets candid about:
✨ The role of relapse in his recovery journey—and why it's not a failure, but a teacher
✨ How connection & community helped him finally break free from addiction
✨ The unexpected realization that changed his recovery: joy matters
✨ His approach to structure, accountability, and rebuilding a sober life
✨ How writing became his creative outlet and a tool for healing

Plus, we talk about his new book, Trudge: The Road to Happy Destiny 📖, a collection of parables, prose, and meditations on addiction and recovery.

Resources & Links:

📚 Check out Adam’s book: Trudge: The Road to Happy Destiny
➡️ Available on Amazon (Kindle & Paperback)

📚 Upcoming Memoir: Adam and Everything—Coming March 2024!

📲 Follow Adam on Instagram: @adamschulerwrites

🎧 Listen now & join the conversation! And as always—stay sober, friends. 💖✨

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Hey there, Super Sober Heroes! This week on Gay A, I’m joined by returning guest and podcast favorite, Mark, as we dive into the transformative power of sobriety and how it’s helped him embrace his authentic queer self.

From growing up in a Catholic family with strict gender norms to navigating the complexities of being openly gay in the workplace, Mark shares his journey of self-discovery, healing, and unapologetically owning his queerness—brooches, skirts, and all!

We also discuss:
🌈 Reconnecting with queerness after decades of societal and self-imposed barriers
🌟 How sobriety teaches us to relearn lessons we’ve forgotten
💔 The impact of loss on sobriety and self-growth
💪 Why authenticity is a practice, not a destination

Whether you’re navigating your own queer identity, seeking inspiration to live authentically, or just here for Mark’s fabulousness, this episode is a must-listen!

Connect with Mark:
Follow him on Instagram: @HeyMarko8

Join the Conversation:
🌟 What steps have you taken to live your most authentic self?
🌟 How has sobriety helped you reconnect with your identity?
Let us know! Email us or connect on socials @GayAPodcast.

Don’t Miss Out!
Follow Gay A wherever you listen to podcasts for new episodes every Thursday!

#GayAPodcast #QueerSobriety #LivingAuthentically #LGBTQRecovery #SobrietyJourney #QueerCommunity #SoberLife

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In this episode of gAy A, your queer sober hero show, I’m sharing holiday tips and tricks to help you navigate the festive season while staying sober. Whether you’re celebrating your first holiday in recovery or just looking for a little extra support, this episode dives into advice from listeners and my own experience on avoiding triggers, setting boundaries, and thriving through the season.

I’m also celebrating 1300 days of continuous sobriety and reflecting on the tools and community that have helped me along the way. If the holidays feel overwhelming, you’re not alone, and we’ve got you covered!

Episode Highlights:

• Why the Holidays Are Challenging for Sobriety:
  • Unrealistic expectations for joy and happiness can amplify feelings of isolation.
  • Family dynamics and alcohol-heavy work events can be major triggers.
  • Reflection on the past year may bring up both positive and difficult emotions.
• Listener Advice for Staying Sober:
  • “If you feel stressed or tempted, just leave. You always have a way out.” – Laura
  • “Avoid triggers at all costs. Prepare mentally for difficult situations.” – J Dusty Grimes
  • “Sobriety is the best gift you’ll ever receive. Stay humble and grateful.” – Charlie Gray
• Practical Sobriety Tips:
  • Use HALT (Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired) to avoid emotional pitfalls.
  • Set boundaries for yourself and plan an exit strategy for challenging events.
  • Lean on sober support systems like meetings, literature, or sobriety podcasts.
  • Focus on mindfulness and breathing exercises to manage stress in real-time.
• My Reflections on Celebrating Without Alcohol:
  • Learning to embrace sobriety as a gift.
  • How recovery tools and planning have helped me navigate triggers.
  • The joy of celebrating milestones and holidays sober and authentically.

Want to Share Your Story?
I’d love to feature you on the show in the new year! Send me an email at gayapodcast@gmail.com or DM me on social media @gayapodcast to share your experiences with sobriety and recovery.

Thank You for Listening!
Thank you for tuning in to gAy A. Wishing you a safe, happy, and sober holiday season. I’ll be taking a short break over the holidays but will return with fresh episodes in the new year. Until then, stay safe, stay grounded, and most importantly—stay sober, friends.

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In this episode, originally released on April 22nd, 2022, Steve welcomes Scott to share their experience, strength, and hope with you, along with advice on getting and staying sober.

Follow Scott on Instagram @scotttgrasso and follow us while you are at it @gAyApodcast.

Also check out their website: https://www.scottgrasso.com/

Thank you for listening. Please rate and review if you have found this information helpful.

If you are interested in sharing your story, getting involved with the show, or just saying hi, please e-mail me at gayapodcast@gmail.com

Or Follow Us wherever you are listening so you can get new episodes when they come out every Monday and Thursday. Until that time, stay sober, friends!

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Episode Description:
Hey there, Super Sober Heroes! This week on Gay A, I’m diving back into the vault to revisit one of my earliest episodes on astrology and addiction. Originally recorded at just 105 days sober, this episode explores how our zodiac signs might influence our relationship with alcohol.

But that’s not all—I'm adding fresh insights and exploring a new article on zodiac signs and their connections to other addictive tendencies. Whether you’re a Leo who loves to splurge (looking at you, Amazon cart), or a Pisces drawn to emotional escapism, there's something here for everyone.

So, does your sign align with your past or present tendencies? Let's break it down together!

What’s Next?
✨ Listen to the full episode and share your thoughts on how your zodiac sign aligns with your past habits.
✨ Join the conversation: Email me, text the show, or connect on socials @GayAPodcast.
✨ Don’t forget to follow Gay A for weekly episodes every Thursday!

Resources Mentioned:

• Original Zodiac and Alcohol Article
• New Zodiac and Addiction Article

#GayAPodcast #QueerSobriety #AstrologyAndAddiction #ZodiacSigns #SoberCurious #LGBTQRecovery #SoberJourney #AddictionRecovery

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