531: Sick of Being Controlled by Their Addiction? How to measure your own success...
Release Date: 06/01/2025
543: I Shouldn’t Be Alive... 8 Years Sober: Destiny's Story
Real Recovery Talk
Do you have a family member/loved one who struggles with addiction?: In this episode, we sit down with our friend Destiny, who just celebrated eight years of continuous sobriety! Destiny shares her incredible journey — from the depths of addiction to a life filled with purpose, hope, and service. We talk about what it really takes to stay sober long-term, how her mindset has evolved over the years, and the ways she continues to grow in her recovery. Whether you’re brand new to sobriety or years into the journey, this conversation is packed with insight and inspiration. Treatment Prep...
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542: Stop Doubting Yourself: Pastor Todd Mullins: Don't Let Doubt Take You Out
Real Recovery Talk
Do you have a family member/loved one who struggles with addiction?: DONT LET DOUBT TAKE YOU OUT: Christ Fellowship: https://www.christfellowship.church/ In this episode, I’m joined by Ryan Laabs and Pastor Todd Mullins, lead pastor of Christ Fellowship Church here in South Florida. Pastor Todd shares the story behind his new book Don’t Let Doubt Take You Out - and how doubt shows up in our addictions, recovery journeys, and everyday life. We all opened up about our own experiences with self-doubt: how it creeps in, how it can pull us off track, and what it takes to break...
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541: Big Book Study: How It Works Part 1
Real Recovery Talk
Do you have a family member/loved one who struggles with addiction?: In today’s episode, Erik takes us through the first half of How It Works from the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous. This is one of the most read and quoted sections in all of AA — but do people really understand what it’s saying? Erik breaks it down line by line, shares how it applied to his own recovery, and calls out some common ways people misinterpret this chapter. If you’ve ever wondered why “rigorous honesty” is so emphasized — or if you’ve gotten hung up on words like “spiritual awakening” —...
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540: Mental Health Medications: Do They Really Work?
Real Recovery Talk
Do you have a family member/loved one who struggles with addiction?: In this episode, Tom, Ben, and Dr. Tamanini sit down for a real conversation about antidepressants. We break down common questions like: Do they really work? Should people in sobriety take them? Are they overprescribed? Dr. Tambini brings her clinical experience to the table, and we talk openly about what we’ve seen in the addiction and recovery world when it comes to these medications. Whether you’ve taken antidepressants yourself, know someone who has, or are just curious about their role in mental health and...
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539: Why Men’s Mental Health Still Gets Ignored; AA is 90 YEARS OLD
Real Recovery Talk
Do you have a family member/loved one who struggles with addiction?: Treatment Prep Guide: SoberLink: Join our Big Book Study! Join our FREE FB Support group!: Download our free guides!: Tom IG: https://www.instagram.com/realrecoverytalktom/ Ben IG: https://www.instagram.com/realrecoverytalkben/ RRT IG: https://www.instagram.com/realrecoverytalkpodcast/ In this episode of Real Recovery Talk, Tom Conrad and Benjamin B. discuss the impactful history and personal influence of Alcoholics Anonymous, the significance of Men's Mental Health Month, and their own experiences...
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538: Big Book Study: We Agnostics: Part 2
Real Recovery Talk
Family Reconnect Waitlist: In this episode, we dive deeper into We Agnostics, continuing the conversation around developing a relationship with a Power greater than ourselves. This section of the chapter challenges us to look at our past beliefs—or lack thereof—and how those ideas may have blocked us from getting sober. We break down the spiritual logic laid out in the Big Book, discuss how fear and ego can keep us stuck, and explore what it really means to be open-minded when it comes to spirituality in recovery. Whether you’re new to the steps or revisiting them, this part of...
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537: From Heroin in the Hospital to 8 Years Sober – Josh’s Story of Redemption
Real Recovery Talk
Family Reconnect Waitlist: In this episode of Real Recovery Talk, Tom Conrad, Benjamin B, and their guest, Josh, discuss Josh's eight-year sobriety journey. They dive into topics such as geographical change sparked by divine intervention, how life continues to challenge sobriety, and the significant impact of a spiritual journey. 00:00 Introduction of the Episode and Guests 00:21 Josh's Sobriety Journey and Key Moments 00:58 Sponsor Segment - Soberlink 02:29 Introductions Continued 03:42 Discussion on the Reality of Sobriety 14:31 Josh's Experience in Sober Living 17:42 The Importance of...
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536: He Recovered from a TERRIBLE OPIOID ADDICTION!
Real Recovery Talk
Family Reconnect Waitlist: In this episode, we’re joined by Kevin Lanning, host of The Rise Above Podcast, who shares his powerful story of recovery after nearly a decade of battling opiate addiction. Now with 7½ years clean, Kevin opens up about what it truly took for him to achieve long-term sobriety — from hitting bottom to finding purpose through service and connection. Kevin talks in detail about how working with others has been the driving force behind his recovery and how The Rise Above Podcast has helped him build meaningful relationships, spark honest conversations, and stay...
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535: Big Book Study Week 9: We Agnostics: Part 1
Real Recovery Talk
Family Reconnect Waitlist: In Week 9 of our Big Book Study, we dive into the first half of We Agnostics — one of the most pivotal and misunderstood chapters in Alcoholics Anonymous. This section speaks directly to those who struggle with the idea of a Higher Power, offering both challenge and invitation. We break down how the Big Book addresses resistance, doubt, and past experiences with religion, and why belief doesn’t have to come all at once — or look any certain way. If you’ve ever thought, “I want recovery, but I’m not sure about all this God stuff,” this is the...
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534: To the Addict Who’s Still Struggling…
Real Recovery Talk
Family Reconnect Waitlist: This one’s for the person who’s stuck—tired of using, tired of lying, tired of being miserable, but terrified of what sobriety actually looks like. I’m not here to sugarcoat it. Getting clean isn’t easy. It takes grit, honesty, and a willingness to do things differently. But it’s possible. In this episode, I’m talking directly to you—the addict who knows they need to change but doesn’t know where to start. If you’ve been waiting for a sign, this is it. You’re not broken. You’re not hopeless. But you are going to have to fight for the life you...
info_outlineFamily Reconnect Waitlist: https://www.realrecoverytalk.com/frc
In today’s episode, we open by talking about the latest news surrounding Britney Spears — not to add to the media frenzy, but to reflect on the heartbreaking reality that unfolds when someone you love is in emotional or mental crisis. Her public struggles mirror what so many families quietly go through when a loved one is battling addiction or mental health issues behind closed doors.
That sparks a deeper question we explore in this episode: How do family members measure progress in their own lives, even when their addicted loved one is still in chaos? We shift the focus away from trying to “fix” the addict, and instead talk directly to the family member who’s exhausted, confused, and wondering if anything they’re doing is actually helping. We offer real tools — boundary-setting, emotional detachment, accountability, and mindset shifts — to help you start regaining your peace, your power, and your sanity. Whether your loved one is still using, in treatment, or you’re just trying to hold it together — this episode will give you a new lens and a plan you can start using today.
Treatment Prep Guide: https://www.realrecoverytalk.com/treatmentprep
SoberLink: https://www.soberlink.com/partners-family-and-friends/rrt
Join our Big Book Study! https://www.realrecoverytalk.com/bigbookstudy
Join our FREE FB Support group!: https://www.facebook.com/groups/realrecoverytalk
Download our free guides!: https://www.realrecoverytalk.com/guides
Tom IG: https://www.instagram.com/realrecoverytalktom/
Ben IG: https://www.instagram.com/realrecoverytalkben/
RRT IG: https://www.instagram.com/realrecoverytalkpodcast/