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Tawny and Lisa discuss how they have drifted away from their regular music listening during the pandemic. A big reason for that has been content overload and the feeling that they should always be listening to a podcast or an audiobook to be learning something new. But now they realize finding joy in music, whether it’s old favorites or some new tunes, is essential to their recovery. They cover everything from Dua Lipa to Kate Bush to Guns ‘n Roses.

Lisa talks about how she’s been struggling with her eating through COVID and Tawny talks about her relationship with food. As with any other substance, they agree that it’s important to look at why their eating can feel disordered at times. And to give themselves grace and compassion when those struggles come up. Music Minute includes Halsey’s “Nightmare” and Silverchair’s “Ana’s Song.”

Recovery advocate, survivor, writer, and overall rock star Jen Elizabeth (@resurrektion_of_me on social) talks with Tawny and Lisa about harm reduction: what it is and why it’s saving lives. They delve into the stigma that needs to be broken around harm reduction, including in the recovery community. They also talk about the work of Dr. Carl Hart and community organizations like The Sidewalk Project.

Tawny and Lisa talk about getting their COVID vaccines and revisit their earlier concerns about agoraphobia as we start to return to something like normal. The good news is neither of them are experiencing significant fears going back out into the world. Tawny talks about reading, "How to Talk to a Science Denier" and the concern around living in different realities. Music Minute features Dolly Parton’s “Vaccine (from “Jolene”) and Dashboard Confessional’s “Vaccinated” (from “Vindicated”). And live music will be the order of the day this summer!

TW: Heavy content. Tawny and Lisa talk about Lisa’s search for whether trauma underlies her substance use disorder. They talk about nightmares, looking back at the past, and looking forward. Music Minute: Tawny recommends “Beautiful Trauma” by Pink and Lisa discusses “Dreams” by Fleetwood Mac.

Relapse is a common conversation in the recovery community. Tawny and Lisa discuss how relapse isn’t black and white, especially for folks in recovery from eating disorders, sex addiction, or other behaviors. When it comes to Netflix binges or online shopping, it can be a fine line between self-care and unhealthy escapism, but Tawny and Lisa share tips on how to distinguish between the two. Music Minute: The girls share their favorite Bruce Springsteen songs

Tawny and Lisa open up about their journeys to getting on medication for depression and anxiety. This conversation is a classic example of how everyone’s recovery journey is unique and always evolving. The two also stress the value of taking mental health days at work. Music Minute: Alanis Morrisette’s “Smiling” and their eternal crush on Pete Davidson.

Kate from Seltzer Squad podcast joins Tawny and Lisa as they discuss what it’s like to have a partner who still drinks alcohol. Kate and Lisa talk about having partners who are “normies” with alcohol. They also discuss protecting their own recoveries and finding their voices in conversations with their partners.

In sobriety, it’s common to feel like we’re constantly making up for the time we wasted while we were getting wasted. Lisa and Tawny bond over the feeling of constantly feeling like they’re behind, which leads to feeling exhausted from trying to play catch up.

Lisa and Tawny revisit their reasons for getting sober and how they channeled creativity in their recovery. Lisa wrote a book, Tawny became a freelance writer/blogger, and they started this podcast! The two also discuss the role that “liquid courage” played in their drinking lives and how they found confidence in sobriety. The Music Minute features “Snow” by the Red Hot Chili Peppers and “Doesn’t Remind Me” by Audioslave

Lisa and Tawny talk about the value of asking for help. Whether it’s for something urgent like needing help getting sober or something mundane like asking for assistance with luggage on an airplane, we can often feel like our problem isn’t worth wasting peoples’ time. In fact, asking for help can make life easier for other people, too! Tawny shares how finding a therapist and support group relieved her friends and family from having to bear all of the weight. The Music Minute features Sheryl Crow and Eric Clapton.

Lisa and Tawny reflect on 2020 while preparing for another sober New Year’s Eve. They talk about what it’s like to be sober during a global pandemic and how their recovery is impacted. They also discuss the importance of making your goals and resolutions as realistic as possible. The Music Minute is all about our current vinyl favorites: The Flaming Lips B-Sides and The Rollings Stones Exile on Main Street.

Khadi is a sober lawyer in NYC who launched the non-profit, Sober Black Girls Club, as a way to provide resources to people of color. She and Lisa discuss the normalization of alcohol culture in law firms then she and Tawny discuss creating their own online sober platforms. SBGC hosts support groups, leads online workshops, provides mentorship, and so much more! Find them at www.soberblackgirlsclub.com and follow them at @soberblackgirlsclub. The Music Minute honors the sexiness of Aubrey Graham...AKA Drake.

Tawny opens up about how having her wisdom teeth pulled triggered extreme relapse anxiety. Lisa shares a story about having wrist surgery and the drama that ensued from potentially being prescribed pain killers. She and Lisa discuss how they sometimes take sobriety for granted—especially during humbling reminders like this. This conversation aims to destigmatize relapse, honoring the fact that it’s a common part of some peoples’ recovery stories. The Music Minute celebrates Queen Stevie Nicks and the greatness of Fleetwood Mac.

Tawny and Lisa talk about chasing that elusive, dangling carrot. Lisa shares stories about how she used her job as an NYC lawyer as a way to seek validation. Tawny talks about her insecurities around being a writer, wondering if she’ll ever “arrive”. They both come together to discuss body image and how to stop comparing ourselves to others. The Music Minute features a discussion on Lenny Kravitz’s memoir and how Lisa is dancing to 80’s club music.

Bethany Stevens does it all, y’all! She’s a queer, femme lawyer who’s working on her Ph.D. in sociology. She also leads support groups for the sober disability community. She joins Lisa and Tawny to discuss her personal journey and how able-bodied folks can be allies when they witness ableism. The Music Minute is all about pop! Bethany talks all things Cardi B and Rihanna. Follow Bethany at @disabethany. Check out her YouTube channel about sex and disability. Join her Disabled and Sober support group on Facebook.

F*cking Sober is a new serialized podcast about the first 90 days of sobriety. The creator of this new show, Mack, joins Tawny and Lisa this week. Mack opens up about recovering from heroin addiction, experiencing relapses, and how she fictionalized her story to create Anita, the protagonist of F*cking Sober. The Music Minute is all about sober musicians that Mack has collaborated with on each episode of the show! P.S. Tawny is the developmental editor for F*cking Sober and she’s excited for y’all to check it out :) Follow the show at @fckingsober_podcast. Listen to the show on Spotify and iTunes. Check out the website to learn about F*cking Sober and the creative team behind it.

Tawny and Lisa catch up as election season transitions into the holiday season. They discuss how their socially distanced holiday plans affect them and their families. They also read from a Vice article, giving listeners tips and talking points before having the “I’m not going home for the holidays” discussion with family. They also discuss not glamorizing past holidays. Remember that maintaining boundaries this holiday season will pay off. The Music Minute focuses on holiday tunes. How to Tell Your Family You’re Not Coming Home For The Holidays written by Rachel Miller for Vice

As Lisa and Tawny get more comfortable adapting to Work From Home life, but have a lot of mixed feelings. There’s grief for our old ways of life, but glimmers of the positive that the future might bring. A lot of acceptance and gratitude in store!

Chris Marshall, writer and Founder of Sans Bar, joins the girls this week to discuss writing, the intersection of Blackness and Recovery, and of course...Hamilton! He also shares insight on why he created a booze-free bar in Austin, Texas and why he’s obsessed with Lin-Manuel Miranda.