Brobriety: Sobriety, Mental Health, and Wellness For Men (And Women, and the Men and Women Who Love Them)

Seth Perry started using drugs and alcohol as a teenager to feel acceptance, and later to manage the symptoms of bipolar disorder, but after his addiction spiralled into drug psychosis and damaged his relationships with friends and family, he got clean. Then, a chance meeting put him on the path to becoming a pastor, and now he helps recovering addicts developing their own spiritual practice. In this incredible discussion, Seth shares:How a lack of openness around emotions impacted his beliefs around masculinityHow bipolar disorder contributed to his substance abuse, and how attempts to manage it developed into full-blown addictionHis journey to sobriety and spiritualityHow sober living helped him stay soberHow people in recovery can exercise their spiritual muscle Seth Perry is a recovering addict, pastor and video creator living in Kingston Ontario, Canada. He has a Masters Degree in Theology and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Film Production. Seth got clean in April of 2010 and he has worked as a chaplain in a treatment centre, an addictions counsellor, a support worker and he has also managed a sober living house. In his final 6 years of active addiction he was a stand-up comedian. He left life on the stage behind when he got clean. Seth’s greatest strength is talking about spirituality and recovery in an inclusive way. When he works with his fellow addicts he takes a broad approach to spirituality. Seth recognizes we live in a diverse world and spiritual caregivers must adapt to each individual's unique context. This broad spiritual approach to recovery is expressed in his video content that he produces on his new YouTube channel titled simply: “Seth Perry”. Learn more about Seth on his YouTube channel or follow him on Instagram at @VeganPastor.

“When nothing is certain, anything is possible.”Dr. Jeremy Goldberg grew up in a household with an alcoholic mother and got a crash course in acceptance and personal responsibility. Now, he uses the lessons he learned through those struggles to help build a generation of better men. In this powerful conversation, he discusses:How men can lead with heart and wholenessHow the meaning of being a man is evolvingThe lack of initiation rituals for men in western cultureHow his mother’s alcoholism shaped himDr. Jeremy Goldberg is trying to make kindness cool and the world better than it was yesterday. He wrote a book, gave a TEDx talk, coaches clients, leads retreats, hosts a podcast, and shares daily delights with more than 40,000 followers on Instagram. He's worked for governments and universities for over a decade, is an expert in human behavior, and spent years studying how our brains influence our actions and wrote a Ph.D. thesis about it.  He's a recovering scientist turned life coach who speaks fluent burrito.  He own a van and a man bun and in my spare time, I collect silver linings.  People pay him to make them cry.Learn more about Jeremy: @longdistancelovebombs

Kevin Bellack had a great career and a loving family, but watched his drinking spiral out of control as he used it to manage job-related stress and keep his emotions at bay. After spending time stuck in the cycle of wanting to quit, he finally reached out to a therapist—a single step that changed his life.In this episode, Kevin shares: How sobriety has given him the opportunity to understand himself better and invest in himself more How much of his personal growth has come through acceptance with discomfortHow he’s grown from someone who drank to avoid his emotions into someone who shares his innermost thoughts with an online audienceHow little habits help him achieve big goalsKevin, also known as The Sober Ginger, is an alcohol free accountant and co-host on the 1,000 Hours Dry and 1,000 Hours Dry Stag pages on Instagram.  He is 41 years old and lives in Cleveland, Ohio with his wife and daughter.

Growing up, Graeme found himself on the outside a lot, so he turned to alcohol and drugs to finally find a sense of belonging. Once he started to feel the pain of his actions and see the broken promises to himself stack up, he realized he had a problem. After living in rock bottom for four years, at 27 years old he found himself in an AA meeting and has stayed sober for the past 19 years.The message of hope he found in connecting with others who were soberHow he managed himself in early, middle, and late sobrietyHow spiritual principles have helped him stay sober through a mid-life sobriety crisisHow sobriety gives him the chance to feelGraeme recently celebrated 19 year of continuous sobriety. Over the better part of the last 2 decades Graeme has committed much of his time to learning about substance misuse and how to help others to live a life free of addiction and addictive behaviours.  As an actor, comedian and corporate trainer Graeme’s work has taken him all over the world.  These days you can find him wandering along the driftwood covered beaches of the Pacific Northwest in the hopes of spotting a pod of orcas.

A decade ago, Josh Beharry tried taking his own life. Now he devotes his life to helping other men identify symptoms of depression or suicide and overcome the stigma of discussing them.In this episode, Josh tells us about:His journey of recovery from his suicide attempt, and why recovery isn’t always linearThe prevalence of depression and suicide amongst menTools he uses to manage his depression nowHow speaking up about mental health issues can save your lifeSince recovering from experiences with depression in 2010, Josh has become a passionate advocate for mental health. Josh coordinates the communications and website for HeadsUpGuys, a resource for supporting men in their fight against depression by providing tips, tools, information about professional services, and stories of success.Resources:HeadsUpGuysJosh's storyThe Canada Suicide Prevention ServiceTethr

Six years ago Lou Redmond, by all accounts, had a pretty good life—a good job, an active social life, partying on the weekends, plenty of Seinfeld—but it wasn’t the life he wanted, so he set out to discover how he could build a life that was more aligned with who he was, and now he spreads his message of purpose, mindfulness, and self-confidence all over the country.In this episode, Lou joins us to discuss:His ‘hero’s journey’ from corporate ladder climber to life of purposeThe difference between finding a purpose and building a purposeful lifeThe ripple effect the positive change in our lives can bring to othersThe beauty of embracing failure and imposter syndromeLou Redmond is an author, meditation teacher, life coach, and inspirational speaker. His honest and relatable approach offers hope and guidance to those on the path of meditation and self-development.His meditations have been listened to over 700,000 times and his course, Learn to Stop Caring What Others think is one of the most popular on Insight Timer. Lou is also the founder of One Mindful Education, an organization that brings meditation, yoga, and mindfulness into schools across the country.Lou's courses on Insight TimerLearn more about Lou hereFollow Lou on Instagram

A 23-year-old Alex Kaplan buried his father and then buried his grief in alcohol and cocaine. Now he uses his passion for filmmaking to share stories highlighting the human experience and spread the gospel of openness and vulnerability to people lacking connection and struggling with addiction. In this interview with Alex, we discuss:How his father’s passing led to his addiction to alcohol and cocaineWhy he believes vulnerability is a superpowerHow he’s creating community through the power of storyWhy connection in sobriety is so importantAlex Kaplan is a native of Philadelphia and is a new resident of Los Angeles. He is the Co-founder & Executive Director of Of Substance, an innovative nonprofit working to overcome the shame, blame, and stigma surrounding addiction through premium, entertaining short films, turning immersive cinema into an approachable tool for behavioral change. After surviving his own battles with addiction, Alex is grateful to have stumbled upon an exciting way to use his skills as a filmmaker to help others on their path of recovery. We all struggle with something that makes us feel shame, and shame leads to isolation and loneliness. Of Substance is committed to showing everyone that no matter what you struggle with, you're not crazy, you're not alone, and there is hope. Alex's personal mission in life is to positively transform people's relationships with themselves and others in their lives, and their beliefs in what's possible.Learn more about Alex and Of Substance at @of_substance or OfSubstance.org.Show Notes:Note: nothing in this podcast is intended to be a replacement for medical or professional advice. If you, or someone you care about, is suffering from addiction or substance abuse, visit one of the confidential, non-judgmental resources below:The Recovery Village HotlineHealth Canada Substance Use ResourcesThe Alcohol Addiction Center Resource Page

When Chris Marshall was five years old, his dad was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia and he was thrust into a role as ‘man of the house’, kicking off a multi-decade odyssey to figure out what ‘being a man’ really looked like, including using alcohol as a substitute for belonging. Now, he uses social media and live events to spread a message of sobriety and self-acceptance around North America. In this interview with Chris, we discuss:Early life traumaBecoming the ‘man of the house’ as a childAlcohol as a vehicle for belongingCreating sober spacesThe science of self discoveryNormalizing expression of emotion for menFollow Chris at @sans_bar or learn more at thesansbar.com.Chris Marshall is an event curator, mental health advocate, co-founder of Sober by Southwest, and owner of Sans Bar, a sober bar community based in Austin Texas. In addition to his award winning bar in Austin, Marshall has produced alcohol-free social events in over 15 cities across the United States and Canada which offer elevated connection centered experiences sans alcohol. He has been featured in USA Today, Rachel Ray Magazine, Time Magazine, and NPR’s Morning Edition.Show Notes:Note: nothing in this podcast is intended to be a replacement for medical or professional advice. If you, or someone you care about, is suffering from addiction or substance abuse, visit one of the confidential, non-judgmental resources below:The Recovery Village HotlineHealth Canada Substance Use ResourcesThe Alcohol Addiction Center Resource Page

On an unexpectedly (or expectedly) political episode of Brobriety, we discuss something everyone is already sick to death of hearing about: The U.S. election! Specifically, the right’s attack on Hunter Biden’s addiction, Biden and Trump’s sobriety, rugged individualism as a symptom of toxic masculinity, the strength of community, protecting your mental health from politics, and why everyone deserves a yearlong nap.Show Notes:Note: nothing in this podcast is intended to be a replacement for medical or professional advice. If you, or someone you care about, is suffering from addiction or substance abuse, visit one of the confidential, non-judgmental resources below:The Recovery Village HotlineHealth Canada Substance Use ResourcesThe Alcohol Addiction Center Resource PageRecommended:Donate to #BrovemberFollow @van_soberFollow @WFLBCGood sober drinks for good sober people: Soberdry

Who are we? What is a man? Why did we spend decades of our lives addicted to alcohol and drugs? Is masculinity inherently toxic? All these questions will be answered and MORE in the first episode of Brobriety, your new favorite podcast tackling sobriety and mental health for men, women, and the men and women who love them. Also: rat facts!Show Notes:Note: nothing in this podcast is intended to be a replacement for medical or professional advice. If you, or someone you care about, is suffering from addiction or substance abuse, visit one of the confidential, non-judgmental resources below:The Recovery Village HotlineHealth Canada Substance Use ResourcesThe Alcohol Addiction Center Resource PageTalking Points:Johann Hari: This Could Be Why You're Depressed or AnxiousRat Park

Yo, it's a new podcast about sobriety and masculinity, by the guys for the guys (and anyone who knows a guy) tackling substance abuse, relationships, mental health, trauma, and what it really means to be a man in the modern era. New episodes coming soon!

Everyone has their own journey to sobriety—for some people, it's waking up one day and asking yourself 'why do I need to drink?' For others, it's a car crash and criminal charges. In this meeting of the Club Soda Club, Scott and Derek share what got them to sober up, the many failed attempts before that, finding gratitude for their darkest moments, and how this pandemic is fucking with our mental health. Also: HAPPY BIRTHDAY SCOTT!Recommendations:Uli's Restaurant in White Rock, B.C.The Lonely City by Olivia LaingNote: nothing in this podcast is intended to be a replacement for medical or professional advice. If you, or someone you care about, is suffering from addiction or substance abuse, visit one of the confidential, non-judgmental resources below:The Recovery Village HotlineHealth Canada Substance Use ResourcesThe Alcohol Addiction Center Resource PageMental Health and the COVID-19 PandemicCanadian Government Resources on caring for your mental health during COVID-19

Another week in isolation, and the club is feeling nostalgic. Scott talks about how his routine remains largely interrupted, Derek shares how he drove halfway across the country to visit his dying grandfather, and they both share their stories of the first time they remember getting drunk, how it made them feel, and the enduring lessons they learned from those early days of drinking. Also: teenage self-loathing, sober strip club visits, sober home brewing, and serving as sober role models for the youths.Recommendations:Developing your own film at homeEveryone else is doing it: bake some sourdough breadNote: nothing in this podcast is intended to be a replacement for medical or professional advice. If you, or someone you care about, is suffering from addiction or substance abuse, visit one of the confidential, non-judgmental resources below:The Recovery Village HotlineHealth Canada Substance Use ResourcesThe Alcohol Addiction Center Resource Page

What is there left to do when every possible distraction from yourself has been stripped away? After an extended hiatus, Scott and Derek are back to discuss, in great detail, about how they’re managing being stuck at home just like everyone else. How sobriety set us up to cope with a pandemic, the dark side of socially isolated drinking, the long term effects of drinking to cope, why we need to start seeing alcohol abuse as a public health crisis, and how this situation has made everyone a little more empathetic and vulnerable.Recommendations:The After PartyVanSoberThe Hangover Free Club: Free Virtual Sober GatheringsThe Phoenix Virtual ProgrammingDuneBojack HorsemanNote: nothing in this podcast is intended to be a replacement for medical or professional advice. If you, or someone you care about, is suffering from addiction or substance abuse, visit one of the confidential, non-judgmental resources below:The Recovery Village HotlineHealth Canada Substance Use ResourcesThe Alcohol Addiction Center Resource Page

Valentine's Day is around the corner and love is in the air, so we welcome new official cohost Big Kate of The Soberkates, take the opportunity to look at alcohol as a substitute for intimacy, how drinking impacted our own romantic histories, the vast difference between how men and women process drunken hookups, the grey area of drunk consent, codependency, sex and vulnerability, sober dating and the benefits of dating someone who is also sober, Derek and Kate talk about THEIR relationship, overcoming a fear of sober sex, drunk food when sober, and sober date alternatives.Recommendations:The SoberkatesVanSoberWhere Should We BeginHow to Figure Out What You Want In a RelationshipThe Deep V with Casey JoNote: nothing in this podcast is intended to be a replacement for medical or professional advice. If you, or someone you care about, is suffering from addiction or substance abuse, visit one of the confidential, non-judgmental resources below:The Recovery Village HotlineHealth Canada Substance Use ResourcesThe Alcohol Addiction Center Resource Page

Just in time for your new year's resolutions, we're joined by the amazing Big Kate of Philadelphia's The Soberkates to discuss her journey to sobriety, the 'pink cloud' of early sobriety, realistic strategies for maintaining sobriety long term, the self-improvement journey that often accompanies sobriety, why it's not easy to become a yoga teacher, sober influencer culture, addiction transference, everyone needs therapy, when self-improvement becomes compulsive, and how to take your Dry January through 2020 and beyond.Recommendations:Follow The SoberkatesAlso VanSoberThe Pink Cloud of Early SobrietyBaba’s BuchaAttached: The New Science of Adult AttachmentNote: nothing in this podcast is intended to be a replacement for medical or professional advice. If you, or someone you care about, is suffering from addiction or substance abuse, visit one of the confidential, non-judgmental resources below:The Recovery Village HotlineHealth Canada Substance Use ResourcesThe Alcohol Addiction Center Resource Page

‘Wine mom’ culture is suddenly everywhere—but is it a healthy outlet for socially isolated mothers, or a cynical marketing ploy by alcohol advertisers? We’re joined by newly sober new mom Julie Robertson to discuss the inherent sexism in wine mom critiques, drinking habits for new moms and dads, the community role in raising children, healthy outlets for parenting stress, why problematic drinking is on the rise with women, alcohol as part of ‘wellness’ culture, gender roles in parenting, and a whole lot of other meaty stuff on the intersection of alcohol and family.Recommendations:When IPA Goes NA: Hairless Dog Brewing Aims for Craft Beer With Zero AlcoholThe Gravy TrainHopTea is deliciousAmerican Cultures Kombucha TaproomJoin the official VanSober Meetup group - our first meetup is November 26th!Note: nothing in this podcast is intended to be a replacement for medical or professional advice. If you, or someone you care about, is suffering from addiction or substance abuse, visit one of the confidential, non-judgmental resources below:The Recovery Village HotlineHealth Canada Substance Use ResourcesThe Alcohol Addiction Center Resource Page

Into every sober person's life, a few drunk people must fall. In this episode, the Club Soda Gang (including Jess!) discuss the joys of driving home early, the Irish Goodbye, withholding judgment on those who continue to drink, tips for extricating yourself from drunk people, and more. Also: bacteria pancakes, Star Wars (because Scott), and Jess shares a VERY long-winded story about a haircut.Recommendations:The Avett Brothers - Closer Than TogetherMaking your own kombuchaI Met The Woman of My Dreams, and She Lives 2,400 Miles Away (The Gottman Institute)Note: nothing in this podcast is intended to be a replacement for medical or professional advice. If you, or someone you care about, is suffering from addiction or substance abuse, visit one of the confidential, non-judgmental resources below:The Recovery Village HotlineHealth Canada Substance Use ResourcesThe Alcohol Addiction Center Resource Page

Alcohol contributes to many things, but we can conclusively say that 'professionalism' is not one of them. So why is drinking so entrenched in North American work culture? On a Jess-less episode, Scott and Derek discuss alcohol abuse in the workplace, drunken office party mishaps, whether sobriety is a career-limiting move, drinking for work travel, how workplaces can accommodate healthier lifestyle choices, drinking isn't as fun as you remember (unless you remember it isn't fun).Recommendations:CheckingIn, an app for self awareness1619, a podcast about American historyNote: nothing in this podcast is intended to be a replacement for medical or professional advice. If you, or someone you care about, is suffering from addiction or substance abuse, visit one of the confidential, non-judgmental resources below:The Recovery Village HotlineHealth Canada Substance Use ResourcesThe Alcohol Addiction Center Resource Page

As three different people at varying stages of our sober journeys, we share our successes, our struggles, what makes someone an 'alcoholic', how we identify ourselves, our shifting addictions, our favorite non-alcoholic drinks, and where we see ourselves going next.Recommendations:Scott’s a dork(For those of you who missed the reference, which I assume is everyone)VanSoberThe StopDrinking SubRedditTikTok: Occasionally EntertainingChill Gaming With JessNote: nothing in this podcast is intended to be a replacement for medical or professional advice. If you, or someone you care about, is suffering from addiction or substance abuse, visit one of the confidential, non-judgmental resources below:The Recovery Village HotlineHealth Canada Substance Use ResourcesThe Alcohol Addiction Center Resource Page