Recovery Rocks

Episode 125: Episode 125: Tawny’s Upcoming Book DRY HUMPING!

24 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Tawny got a book deal!! She and Lisa are excited AF. DRY HUMPING, out September 2023, is a booze-free guide to sex, dating, and relationships. She and...

Episode 124: Episode 124: Is Sobriety a Skill?

17 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

A listener wrote to ask Tawny, “Is sobriety a skill?” Tawny and Lisa say yes. It’s a skill they develop, practice daily, keep fresh, and try to ...

Episode 123: Episode 123: Technology/Social Media Addiction Update

10 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The last time Tawny and Lisa talked about technology and social media addiction was pre-pandemic. The problem has gotten worse since but the core prob...

Episode 122: Episode 122: Look Back But Don’t Stare

03 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It started when Tawny sent Lisa a Facebook memory of Tawny getting kicked out of a Blue Oyster Cult concert. They decided they had much to discuss on ...

Episode 121: Episode 121: Special Guest Irina Gonzalez – Pandemic Drinking and Sobriety

27 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Tawny and Lisa chat with Irina Gonzalez, an editor and a freelance writer covering parenting, recovery, and Latinx culture. She also hosts the podcast...

Episode 120: Episode 120: Special Guest Casey Davidson of Hello Someday

20 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Tawny and Lisa talk with Casey Davidson, of Hello Someday Coaching and the Hello Someday podcast. She’s a certified life coach and a Master Practiti...

Episode 119: Episode 119: Special Guest Pam Gaslow – Author of Don’t Bring Your Vibrator to Rehab

13 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Tawny and Lisa chat with Pam Gaslow, whose new memoir, Don’t Bring Your Vibrator to Rehab, chronicles her relapse after nearly a decade of sobriety,...

Episode 118: Episode 118: Special Guest Beth Lapides

06 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Tawny and Lisa talk with Beth Lapides, the creator and host of Los Angeles' groundbreaking alternative comedy show, UnCabaret, where marginalized perf...

Episode 117: Episode 117: Special Guest Deni Carise, Ph.D.

29 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Tawny and Lisa talk with Deni Carise, Ph.D., a founder and the Chief Science Officer of Recovery Centers of America (RCA). Tawny recently met Deni at ...

Episode 116: Episode 116: Special Guest Katie Mack – Creator/Producer of F*cking Sober Podcast

22 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Katie Mack is a groundbreaking sober creative and the Creator/Producer of F*cking Sober: the first 90 days podcast, which won the 2021 Webby Award for...

Episode 115: Episode 115: Sponsors in 12-Step and Support in Other Sobriety Communities

15 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Tawny and Lisa tackle a question from a listener: “How do you get a sponsor if you’re not in AA?” For those in recovery outside AA, and for sobe...

Episode 114: Episode 114: Special Guest Robin McIntosh of Workit Health

08 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Robin McIntosh is the Co-CEO and Co-Founder of Workit Health, which offers clinically-proven virtual care for substance use, mental health, and co-occ...

Episode 113: Episode 113: Breaking Up with The Beatles and Other Obsessions

01 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Tawny and Lisa talk about the recent op-ed piece in The New York Times, “We Can’t Work It Out: Why I Finally Broke Up with The Beatles,” by Josh...

Episode 112: Episode 112: Special Guest Simone Finch – Creator and Executive Producer of SINGLE DRUNK FEMALE

25 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Simone Finch is the creator and executive producer of the Freeform/Hulu semi-autobiographical dramedy SINGLE DRUNK FEMALE. The show happens to be Tawn...

Episode 111: Episode 111: Special Guest David Odyssey

18 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

David Odyssey is a writer, editor, performer, diviner, and cosmic being, who also happens to be sober. And he’s an incredible new friend of the podc...

Episode 110: Episode 110: Sober Sex Event Recap

11 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Tawny hosted her first in-person event since the pandemic started in collaboration with the folks at Minus Moonshine, Her Highness, Crisp & Crude!...

Episode 109: Episode 109: Anxiety and Panic Attacks

04 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Tawny and Lisa both deal with anxiety disorder and, like so many of us, sometimes experience panic attacks. In this episode, they talk about how they ...

Episode 108: Episode 108: Sex and the City…and Sobriety

25 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The “Sex and the City” reboot, “And Just Like That…,” examines Miranda’s struggle with drinking. Tawny and Lisa have thoughts on a portray...

Episode 107: Episode 107: You Don't Need to Hit Rock Bottom

18 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Tawny and Lisa discuss Tawny’s article in Tempest, “Do I Need to Hit ‘Rock Bottom’ Before Quitting Alcohol?” The answer is no! You don’t h...

Episode 106: Episode 106: Little Sips and Bites

11 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

What happens when you take a sip of your club soda with lime and realize it’s got vodka in it? Or you bite into a chocolate and realize your mouth i...

Episode 105: Episode 105: Skincare & Sobriety

04 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Tawny and Lisa talk about #skincare, the giant online conversation about skincare routines. Tawny’s article for Mic, “The Best Skincare Routine is...

Episode 104: Episode 104: Special Guest Swan Huntley, author of GETTING CLEAN WITH STEVIE GREEN

28 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Swan Huntley is the author of the new book GETTING CLEAN WITH STEVIE GREEN, a novel about one woman’s messy (and very funny) journey from self-delus...

Episode 103: Episode 103: Welcome to 2022!

21 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

New Year, same pandemic. Tawny and Lisa talk about the keeping sane in a continuing crazy time. One key is not putting pressure on themselves with New...

Episode 102: Episode 102: Special Guest Shahjehan Khan – KING OF THE WORLD Podcast

14 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Shahjehan Khan is the creator and host of KING OF THE WORLD, a riveting, bingeable podcast about his experience as a Pakistani American Muslim teenage...

Episode 101: Episode 101: Special guest Amanda White, @therapyforwomen

07 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Amanda’s book, Not Drinking Tonight launched this week, and Tawny and Lisa were thrilled to talk all about it with her. Amanda is a therapist behind...

Episode 100: Episode 100: Our 100th Episode!

17 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Tawny and Lisa celebrate 100 episodes of Recovery Rocks! They talk about how the showstarted, how it’s evolved, and how much joy it brings them. Wha...

Episode 99: Episode 99: Finding and Loving Hobbies

10 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In sobriety, life can get big. Tawny and Lisa talk about using their newfound time to do thingsboth fun and cathartic. Hobbies can be tools in working...

Episode 98: Episode 98: Destination Addiction

03 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Destination addiction is the addiction to the idea that if a certain future event or circumstanceoccurs, life’s problems will be solved. Tawny and L...

Episode 97: Episode 97: The Money We Save Not Buying Booze

26 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Money is often a taboo topic but it’s a significant issue in recovery. The good news is that themoney we used to spend on alcohol and all that goes ...

Episode 96: Episode 96: No One Cares

19 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Tawny and Lisa talk about why and how to stop focusing so much on other people’s opinions, real and imagined. An article in The Atlantic entitle, “...

Episode 95: Episode 95: Dry Months: Sober October and Dry January

13 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

With Sober October over and Dry January around the corner, Tawny and Lisa talk about these annual challenges. Perfect for the sober curious (and the s...

Episode 94: Episode 94: Here Come the Holidays

05 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Are they really here already? Tawny and Lisa talk about gearing up emotionally for the holiday season. With everyone coming from a different pandemic ...

Episode 93: Episode 93: When You Want to Help Someone Who Doesn’t Want Help

29 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Lisa and Tawny talk about their experiences trying to help and support others who don’t want help. Groups like Ala-non, ACOA, and CODA, support peop...

Episode 92: Episode 92: Alcohol and the Workplace

22 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Big shout out to our listener Andy who floated the topic of dealing with the ubiquity of alcohol inthe workplace! Tawny and Lisa talk about how the “...

Episode 91: Episode 91: Sober Celebrities

15 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Sober celebrities can be a source of inspiration, providing an example to relate to in similarstruggles, not to mention de-stigmatizing and normalizin...

Episode 90: Episode 90: It’s Never Too Soon to Ask for Help

08 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Tawny and Lisa talk about how whether you’re choosing sobriety or sober curious, it’s nevertoo soon to connect with a community and peer support (...

Episode 89: Episode 89: Special Guest Anna David Talks About the Re-Release of Her Novel, Party Girl!

01 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Lisa has been fan-girling Anna David for many years and now she and Tawny call her their friend.Anna joined the show to talk about the relaunch of her...

Episode 88: Episode 88: Emotional Hangovers

24 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

After emotionally intense times, such as traveling, spending time with family, holidays, or big events, Tawny and Lisa can feel exhausted and maybe a ...

Episode 87: Episode 87: Our Sobriety Toolboxes

17 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Tawny and Lisa break down what a sobriety toolbox actually is to them, both a maintenance kit and something to grab onto in break-glass moments. Tawny...

Episode 86: Episode 86: Finding Friendships in Sobriety

10 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Like so many people, Tawny and Lisa worried about how they’d fit in with their friends after getting sober. (Tawny’s recent article on the topic f...

Episode 85: Episode 85: Sober Dating and Sour Humanoids with special guest, Nick

03 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Tawny’s partner Nick joins the conversation to talk sober dating, the importance of dating yourself, and their meet-cute moment. They also dig into ...

Episode 84: Episode 84: Our Love/Hate Relationship with Meditation

27 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Like so many people, Tawny and Lisa have struggled with meditation. The idea of sitting with your breath without sitting in your thoughts sounds great...

Episode 83: Episode 83: Acknowledging the Wins

20 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Tawny and Lisa talk about the importance of giving themselves credit for the good things they do, big and small, in sobriety – not always focusing o...

Episode 82: Episode 82: Special Guests Kathy and Morgan from the Sober Dating App

13 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Kathy and Morgan are the mother/daughter team behind podcast sponsor Sober Dating. They talk about how they turned this genius idea into a new app wit...

Episode 81: Episode 81: When We Struggle in Sobriety

06 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Tawny and Lisa go back to basics to talk about how they deal with triggers in sobriety, including those that pop up coming out of the pandemic. Spoile...

Episode 80: Episode 80: The Truth About Binge Drinking

30 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The U.S. CDC defines binge drinking as four drinks for a woman or five drinks for a man over a two-hour period. That sounds like a pre-party to a lot ...

Episode 79: Episode 79: Sex and Love Addiction with Special Guest Brianne Davis

23 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Brianne Davis, author of the novel “Secret Life of a Hollywood Sex and Love Addict,” joins Tawny and Lisa to talk about this often-misunderstood a...

Episode 78: Episode 78: Language of Sobriety/Recovery

16 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

With the explosion of conversation around sobriety and recovery, the words we use to describe elements of it can get confusing. Self-confessed “word...

Episode 77: Episode 77: Special Guest Alysse Bryson, The Sober Curator

09 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Tawny and Lisa talk with Alysse, founder of The Sober Curator, SOBER POP, and all kinds of sober lifestyle and community connections. Alysse coined #s...

Episode 76 – Forgiving Ourselves and Others (Part 2)

25 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Tawny and Lisa talk further on forgiveness, particularly owning their own mistakes. They try to avoid ruminating and choose to “look back, but not s...

Episode 75 – Forgiving Ourselves and Others (Part 1)

18 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In what became a two-part conversation, Tawny and Lisa take on this big topic. Forgiveness can bring peace when and if the time is right. And there is...

Episode 74 – Investing in Ourselves and What’s Possible

11 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Tawny and Lisa talk about investing time, energy, and sometimes resources in things that bring them joy. For Tawny, it led to a Webby Award for the “...

Episode 73 - Sober Summer

04 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Tawny and Lisa talk about summer excitement but there are still big pandemic issues affecting all of us. An article in The Atlantic captured the new d...

Episode 72 – Talking to Friends and Family About Your Drinking

28 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Tawny talks about her recent interview with WebMD.com about these often-tricky conversations. This discussion has gone mainstream! Music Minute featur...

Episode 71 – Our Favorite NA Drinks

21 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

As the sober world continues to evolve, so does the drink market. This episode celebrates Tawny's favorite NA beers, wines, liquors, and other fun boo...

Episode 70 – Missing our Music

14 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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 overl...

Episode 69 – Food Issues

07 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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 substan...

Episode 68 – Harm Reduction with guest Jen Elizabeth

30 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Recovery advocate, survivor, writer, and overall rock star Jen Elizabeth (@resurrektion_of_me on social) talks with Tawny and Lisa about harm reductio...

Episode 67 - Life After Vax

23 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Tawny and Lisa talk about getting their COVID vaccines and revisit their earlier concerns about agoraphobia as we start to return to something like no...

66 - What Lies Beneath

12 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

TW: Heavy content. Tawny and Lisa talk about Lisa’s search for whether trauma underlies her substance use disorder. They talk about nightmares, look...

65 - Relapse

05 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Relapse is a common conversation in the recovery community. Tawny and Lisa discuss how relapse isn’t black and white, especially for folks in recove...

64 - No Shame in the Medication Game

26 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Tawny and Lisa open up about their journeys to getting on medication for depression and anxiety. This conversation is a classic example of how everyon...

63 - When Your Partner Isn’t Sober

19 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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 a...

62 - Always Feeling Behind/Playing Catchup

12 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Episode 61: Welcome to 2021!

05 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Lisa and Tawny revisit their reasons for getting sober and how they channeled creativity in their recovery. Lisa wrote a book, Tawny became a freelanc...

Episode 60: Asking For Help

01 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Episode 59: Looking Towards 2021

24 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 pandem...

Episode 58: Interview with Khadi, Founder of Sober Black Girls Club

18 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 dis...

Episode 57: Relapse Anxiety

11 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Tawny opens up about how having her wisdom teeth pulled triggered extreme relapse anxiety. Lisa shares a story about having wrist surgery and the dram...

Episode 56: Addiction to Perfectionism

04 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 vali...

Episode 55: Bethany Stevens and The Sober Disability Community

28 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 s...

Episode 54: F*cking Sober with Mack

20 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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. Mac...

Episode 53: Sober During the Holidays...During a Pandemic: Season 4 Premiere

13 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Tawny and Lisa catch up as election season transitions into the holiday season. They discuss how their socially distanced holiday plans affect them an...

Episode 52: Adjusting to WFH (Work From Home) Life

31 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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, bu...

Episode 51: Chris Marshall, Intersectional Recovery, and Hamilton

24 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Chris Marshall, writer and Founder of Sans Bar, joins the girls this week to discuss writing, the intersection of Blackness and Recovery, and of cours...

Episode 50: The Importance of SoBerthdays

17 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Tawny and Lisa take turns discussing the importance of celebrating SoBerthdays...AKA Sober Anniversaries. They talk about fun ways to reflect on and c...

Episode 49: How We Handle Rejection

10 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Rejection is something we all deal with throughout our lives. Lisa and Tawny discuss some of the times they’ve been rejected and how they dealt with...

Episode 48: The Sober Conversation

03 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Telling people you quit drinking can be awkward. Tawny and Lisa share tips on how to navigate this conversation. They emphasize the difference between...

Episode 47: Sober Firsts

26 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Some can be highs and some can be lows, but there’s a first time for everything in sobriety! Tawny and Lisa discuss “explaining” why you’re no...

Episode 46: When Shit Hits the Fan

19 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Dealing with death and grief are a real challenge for everyone and can test our recoveries. Tawny and Lisa discuss different kinds of grief, the dange...

Episode 45: Boundaries in Quarantine

12 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Lisa shares a big takeaway from studying to become a SheRecovers coach: boundaries are the space you hold around yourself to protect your recovery. Ta...

Episode 44: Sex (Or Lack Thereof) in Quarantine

05 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Tawny and Lisa chat about how it’s totally OK to have a low sex drive during this very unsexy global pandemic. Tawny offers alternative ways to conn...

Episode 43: Special Guests - Amanda Eyre Ward and Jardine Libaire, Authors of THE SOBER LUSH

29 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Tawny and Lisa interview Amanda and Jardine, whose new book, The Sober Lush, comes out Tuesday, June 2. A Sober Lush life is lived in the present and ...

Episode 42: What We’re Binging, Reading, & Listening to in Quarantine

24 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Tawny’s stuck in the 90’s with binging Melrose Place and streaming Billboard’s top hits of 1995 on Spotify. Lisa’s digging Homeland and Say Ye...

Episode 41: Special Guest Eve Goldberg, Founder of BIGVISION NYC

15 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Lisa and Tawny chat with Eve Goldberg, the founder of BIGVISION NYC. Eve started this non-profit after her son’s heartbreaking overdose, She didn’...

Episode 40: Grocery Store Anxiety in Quarantine

08 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Lisa and Tawny discuss the anxiety they both feel while grocery shopping during the quarantine. Their sobriety tool belts keep them calm during these ...

Episode 39: The Importance of Hobbies

01 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

What is a hobby? How can it be a creative outlet? Tawny and Lisa talk about the surprising and fulfilling things they got interested in once they got ...

Episode 38: The One About Higher Power and Spirituality

24 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Lisa talks through how a 12-step program led to her thinking on a Higher Power and Tawny addresses her spiritual skepticism. As always, even when thei...

Episode 37: Special Guest Shari Hampton!

17 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The incredibly inspiring founder of Served Up Sober, Shari Hampton, joins the ladies to talk about the gifts of sobriety and how being of service to o...

Episode 36: Technology Addiction

10 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Tawny and Lisa talk about the difficulty separating from their devices and how that can affect their recovery. Mindless social media scrolling, compar...

Episode 35: Special Guest Anna David! - Recovery, Book Publishing, and More

03 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Lisa’s personal hero, Anna David, joins the conversation to talk about her journey and the unexpected career transitions recovery can offer. Coming ...

Episode 34: Recovery and Health Care System

27 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Access to treatment for substance use and mental health disorders should be available to everyone, not just those who can afford it. Tawny and Lisa ta...

Episode 33: When It Gets Lonely

20 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Tawny and Lisa talk about loneliness, what it means to them, and strategies for getting through it. Single or in a relationship, home alone or surroun...

Episode 32: Catching Up

20 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

They’re back! After a year on hiatus, Tawny and Lisa talk about what they’ve been up to, including a cross-country move and a loved-up in-town mov...

Episode 31: Special Pre-Season Bonus Episode with Guest Mike Russell!

13 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Mike is a cancer survivor, recovery advocate, and the founder of Monument, a platform designed to connect those struggling with alcohol to medical pro...

Episode 30: Season 2 Finale: Music Chat with Ruby Warrington and Dave Starr

24 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Lisa and Tawny wrap up Season 2 of the show with guests Ruby Warrington and Dave Starr talking about the importance of music in their lives and in the...

Episode 29: LIVE with Dave Starr (aka Tawny’s dad!)

17 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Tawny and Lisa chat with Dave Starr (a.k.a. Tawny's dad!) about sobriety and being a heavy metal musician. This unique episode is full of laughter, te...

Episode 28: LIVE with Ruby Warrington, author of Sober Curious

10 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Tawny and Lisa chat with Ruby Warrington about all things "sober curious": what it means, the questions to ask, avenues to explore, and why there's no...

Episode 27: Revealing Our Recovery

27 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Getting sober is an intensely personal decision and journey. Tawny and Lisa describe their experiences telling -- and not telling -- other people in t...

Episode 26: How Recovery Changes Over Time

21 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Sobriety is not a static thing. As we move through recovery and get healthier, our feelings about the past, present, and future evolve. We do it diffe...