Tag: Alcoholic Anonymous

“The Voice” alum Audra McLaughlin is back and more powerful than ever. Joining Mike and Glenn in Nashville, Audra opens up about her transformative journey from darkness to light, the peace she’s found in her purpose, and how her music now serves as a lifeline for others in recovery. This is more than just a podcast; it’s a testament to resilience and the healing power of music. Plus, get the latest on her new releases.

In this episode, Nashville-based singer-songwriter Audra joins Mike and Glenn to share a profound narrative of resilience and transformation. Moving beyond her past, Audra discusses her evolution from “sick to sparkle,” detailing how she traded the shadows of addiction for a life of purpose and clarity. Her music serves as a beacon for those navigating their own sober journeys, offering a soulful connection for anyone seeking to redefine themselves.

The Art of Sobriety: Crafting a Lasting Legacy with Jermaine Dante Burse

Author and artist Jermaine Dante Burse returns to the coffee shop with Mike and Glenn to dive deep into his life’s work: creating a legacy that outlasts his time on Earth. Driven by a powerful purpose rooted in his sobriety, Jermaine shares the discipline and exhaustion that come with living life fully present. This conversation isn’t just about art or addiction; it’s a battle cry against complacency—an essential listen for anyone seeking to embrace their own potential.

From the Brink of Death to a Platform of Purpose: Author/Artist Jermaine Dante Burse Joins Sober.Coffee

In this powerful episode, Mike and Glenn sit down with Jermaine Dante Burse, who shares a raw and inspiring story of survival and transformation. Once in a coma with organ failure due to alcoholism, Jermaine has forged over a decade of hard-won sobriety into a powerful platform for helping others. Discover how art, writing, and the courageous process of making amends became his path to reconciliation and a new life. This is a story of reclaiming trust, discovering brilliance on the other side of dependence, and the journal notes that inspired his searing memoir,
Autopsy of My Former Self (available at Barnes & Noble).

In this discussion, Mike and Glenn explore the crucial question: “Now what?” as they look ahead to 2026. They delve into how living a life driven by passion and purpose is essential for true success.

Key takeaways from the conversation include:

• The “Work” is the Key: The principle of “Drive,” which mirrors the active approach of the AA program, suggests that to elevate your life, you must actively do the work.
• The Mantra of Success: Embrace the commitment: “If you want what we have and are willing to go to any length to get it,” recognizing that success requires unwavering dedication.
• Action is Everything: The idea that “AA doesn’t work” is true only if you don’t work the program. Similarly, if you want a better life, you must live a better life.
• Showing Up is Non-Negotiable: Glenn and Mike agree that simply showing up is a foundational part of “going to any length.”
• Direction through Awareness: Self-awareness is key to understanding your proper direction and requires being open to new experiences.
• Inspired by The Purpose Driven Life: Drawing inspiration from Rick Warren’s book, they advocate for incorporating spirituality and serving others into your plan.

Mike and Glenn emphasize that the time for passive wishing is over—it’s time to take action to achieve the life you want.

 Brian Mackender — Sober.Coffee’s very own barista extraordinaire — joins Mike and Glenn in the coffee shop for a special Christmas Eve conversation. Together, they dig into a few key ingredients of successful sobriety, including the value of showing up for meetings, staying grounded in the present moment, and recognizing the risks of overconfidence. Brian also brings his experience as the owner of Audiohive Podcasting in Crest Hill, Illinois, adding depth and an outside perspective to the discussion. Merry Christmas to all!

Dating in Sobriety: When Are You Ready?

Mike and Glenn welcome Jackie and Tommy for a frank discussion on dating, emphasizing that real relationships are built on honesty. The group explores the common guidance of waiting a full year of sobriety before dating, stressing that personal health must be the top priority. Key takeaways include:

• Prioritizing self-improvement before seeking a partner.
• “Comfort” does not equal “ready.”
• Dating isn’t just for singles—married couples should also invest in focused time together.
• The essential need to discuss relationship opportunities with a trusted mentor/sponsor (“someone who can read your label”).
• A strong warning about trauma bonding and the importance of checking one’s own motives as well as being aware of others’.
• The indispensable role of spirituality in making sound relationship decisions.

Part 2: Forgiveness as the Foundation of Recovery

Keton Douglass rejoins Mike and Glenn for the conclusion of their two-part discussion, focusing on the core themes of forgiveness, healing, and addiction through her work with the iTHIRST initiative.

As a theologian, Douglass asserts that a lack of forgiveness is a destructive venom that actively threatens recovery, noting that the emotional weight of resentment primarily harms oneself.

Key insights from the conversation:

• The Power of Forgiveness: By unlearning childhood wounds and embracing the concept of a loving, forgiving Higher Power, deep healing becomes possible. The message is simple: if God can forgive, so can we.
• Clearing Resentments: Turning toward a Higher Power helps clear away resentments and resists the temptation of idolatry, leading to a path of righteousness.
• The Tripod of Wellness: True freedom requires surrender and work, balancing the three pillars of wellness: Spirituality, Mental, and Physical health.
• Prayer and Work: The solution for the hurting lies in combining spiritual work, specifically prayer, with concrete effort.

Finally, Douglass shares her involvement in the upcoming TV show, Unshackled, on the Shalom World Network.

Healing the Addiction Crisis: A Blueprint for the Church

Mike and Glenn are joined by author and recovery advocate Keton Douglass to discuss the devastating opioid epidemic that is sweeping across all demographics and borders. Douglass, who champions the collective mantra of “Being Hope Dealers,” is working on the front lines to raise recovery awareness, specifically focusing on education at the church level.

The conversation highlights:

• The Blueprint: Her book, The Road to Hope: Responding to the Crisis of Addiction, offers a systemic approach to addiction education and awareness.
• iTHIRST Ministry: Douglass’s involvement with iTHIRST, a mission dedicated to bringing hope to the over 45 million Americans suffering from Substance Use Disorders.
• Spiritual Healing: The core belief that spiritual healing is the glue to recovery.
• Mutual Healing: The idea that “mutually broken people can help heal each other.”
• The Church’s Role: The agreed-upon necessity for churches to act as “hospitals for the sick,” with iTHIRST providing the tools to be “the hands to healing” in 45 states.

(Part 1 of 2)

Join Mike and Glenn in the coffee shop as they celebrate Thanksgiving, sharing memories and lessons from the Serenity Prayer, and exchanging stories from years past – while looking forward to the 2025 holiday season.