E74: Courageous Conversations: How Vulnerability Fuels Recovery

Vulnerability is one of the hardest pieces of a strong recovery foundation, but it's also one of the most important. Without embracing the discomfort, you'll never find the connection that is truly the key to thriving once you quit drinking. In this podcast episode, we are joined by Justin from The Hope Shot, Casey from F-around and Recover, and our friend Matt to talk about the challenges they have faced when it comes to showing up vulnerably. We talk not only about the wins, but also the struggles, especially when it comes to men and facing society's beliefs surrounding vulnerability. 

Connection is the opposite of addiction. Vulnerability is how we find connection.

In this episode:

• Showing and receiving love feels vulnerable
• It takes time to break down walls and let people in
• Drinking numbs our emotions; vulnerability is allowing ourselves to feel them
• Calculated risk: knowing when you're ready to face something vulnerable
• Despite society's beliefs, vulnerability is strength and courage
• Being vulnerable with strangers is sometimes easier
• Ownership of our mistakes and flaws is vulnerability
• How honesty pertains to vulnerability
• Why the people close to us are the hardest to be vulnerable with
• Facing fear and standing up for yourself
• Misplaced vulnerability - finding the right person with whom to share your truth

Today February 5th, Matt celebrates one year of Sobriety.  This is something he always believed would happen but at the same time feared may never come.  The past five and half years have been a battle with alcohol that he wishes upon no one.  Along the way he has had the constant support of his family, friends and so many he has met along the way helping him achieve sobriety.  He wants to thank you all for sticking with him through all this. 

He'd like people to know that substance abuse and mental health issues do not discriminate and that if you are struggling there are people out there who want to and who will help you.  Matthew Perry always said to people who are struggling “It’s not your fault”, but this Matthew believes it’s your responsibility.  It’s your responsibility to acknowledge, to accept and to treat it every day, just like you would any other disease. 

Be kind to those who are still struggling.  Sobriety is hard, but it’s worth it.

Casey Jordan is a recovery advocate and father of 2 from Hillsboro, Ohio. When Casey made the choice to get sober in May of 2022, he quickly became passionate about spreading hope to others in active addiction. He started the online recovery community “F Around & Recover” shortly after finishing an inpatient rehab program as a way to connect with other sober individuals and inspire anyone struggling to take the first step toward recovery. Since founding F Around & Recover, Casey has increasingly focused his energy on spreading the message that recovery is NOT “one size fits all”, feeling strongly that people shouldn’t be shamed for using different paths to sobriety. His dream is to play a role in recovery and sober living programs being implemented in rural communities. When Casey isn’t running “F Around & Recover”, he can usually be found spending time with his young kids.

Get in touch with Steve and Julie:

Visit our website at throughtheglassrecovery.com to sign up for our weekly newsletter, and to gain access to our FREE weekly recovery meetings.

You can also find Julie and Steve on:

 Instagram 

Facebook 

Tiktok