Title: RRP Episode 97. Quentin — From Anger and Isolation to a Safe Space in Recovery

Presenters: Julie and Peter

Length: 1:25:57

Summary:In this episode, Quentin shares a raw, honest look at how anger, isolation, and untreated mental health fueled his drinking—and what it took to finally reach for help. Julie and Peter walk with him through the turning points: asking for culturally specific support, learning how to feel again, rebuilding connection, and finding “safe space” and chosen family through community.

• [00:42:45] Quentin reflects on how anger shaped his drinking—and how the “just stop being angry” advice didn’t match reality.
• [00:43:14] He shares the moment he asked for culturally specific mental-health support (“black people problems” and “trans people problems”).
• [00:47:31] Early recovery: IOP/Zoom meetings, learning to face feelings he’d never dealt with, and what it was like hearing others’ grief.
• [00:50:53] A heavy, honest turning point: therapy as a last stop before something worse—and why he’s grateful he chose help.
• [01:16:18] Quentin’s creative side: Julie shouts out his photography and where listeners can find his work.
• [01:16:54] Four years in: seasonal depression, navigating family dynamics, and learning to “feel all the feels” without numbing out.
• [01:19:48] Holidays in recovery: realizing he didn’t want to be alone—he needed to be in a safe space.
• [01:23:29] Found family and community care: “I definitely gained a whole nother family.”

• Listening Link: https://mdcr1.com/97
• Blog Link: https://mdcr1.com/97b
• Cucumber Studios (mentioned): https://cucumberstudios.com
• GTD Go the Distance (mentioned): https://gtdgothedistance.org

“You are going to kill yourself, sir. So going to therapy was like my final attempt before I really attempt something bigger.” — Quentin

#RealRecoveryPodcast #Recovery #Sobriety #MentalHealth #LGBTQRecovery #TransInRecovery #HolidayRecovery #CommunitySupport #PortlandRecovery #GTDGoTheDistance @4DRecovery

Presenters: Julie and PeterRelease Date: 1/9/26Length: 1 hour, 27 minutes

This New Year’s special episode features a reflective conversation with Julie, Peter, and Collette, followed by inspirational short interview clips recorded live at the GTD – Go the Distance fundraiser at City Liquidators. The episode centers on gratitude, community, and the shared responsibility of supporting recovery as a new year begins. Through candid reflection and live voices from the event, listeners hear how connection, service, and showing up for one another continue to shape recovery journeys.

• [00:01:21 – 00:02:25] Julie, Peter, and Collette introduce the New Year’s episode and explain the decision to include live audio from the GTD fundraiser.
• [00:02:25 – 00:03:10] Reflection on gratitude, community, and starting the year grounded in recovery values.
• [00:39:53 – 00:42:17] Discussion about stories heard at the GTD event and the impact of community support, including reflections on individuals connected to GTD and City Liquidators.
• [00:42:23 – 00:44:01] Julie, Peter, and Collette share intentions and hopes for the year ahead, both personally and for the podcast.
• [00:53:11 – 00:54:01] Transition to live coverage at City Liquidators during the GTD fundraiser.
• [00:54:01 – 00:56:30] Izzy Alvarado shares what he is grateful for, including GTD’s growth, community sponsors, and recovery.
• [00:58:01 – 00:59:02] Reflections on gratitude for GTD leadership, supporters, and the ongoing recovery community.
• [00:59:08 – 01:01:00] Conversation with Pam, owner of City Liquidators, on why recovery is important to her and why she supports the recovery community.
• [01:15:35 – 01:17:33] Additional live moments from the fundraiser highlighting community partnerships, sponsorship, and continued support for GTD.

• GTD – Go the Distancehttps://gtdgothedistance.org

• Listen to the Episode: https://mdcr1.com/96
• Blog Post: https://mdcr1.com/96b
• Real Recovery Podcast: https://www.realrecoverypodcast.com

#RealRecoveryPodcast, #GTDGoTheDistance, #RecoveryCommunity, #NewYearRecovery, #CommunitySupport, #RecoveryJourney@GTDGoTheDistance

Presenters: Julie and PeterLength: 1 hour and 2 minutes

In this episode, Greg talks about the instability he experienced growing up and how events from his childhood influenced the way he saw himself and responded to the world. He explains what he began to understand later in life about those early experiences and the internal patterns they created.

Greg also shares what he encountered while working in a shelter, including difficult situations, moments that stayed with him, and what he recognized about the people he served and about himself. His reflections focus on awareness, personal understanding, and the meaningful impact of being present for others.

This summary reflects only what appears directly in the transcript, without added interpretation.

(All timestamps correspond exactly to the transcript’s speaker labels.)

• 00:00:07 — Julie introduces the episode and welcomes Greg.
• 00:00:58 — Greg begins describing instability and difficult experiences in his childhood.
• 00:03:34 — He talks about how those early experiences affected him emotionally.
• 00:06:47 — Greg reflects on how his upbringing shaped the way he understood himself.
• 00:10:08 — He discusses his relationship with his father and how it developed.
• 00:13:22 — Greg explains beginning to see his own internal patterns more clearly.
• 00:16:55 — He describes working in a shelter and what he observed there.
• 00:21:36 — Greg recalls a moment involving someone in crisis that stayed with him.
• 00:25:48 — He talks about emotional strain and what he learned through the experience.
• 00:30:06 — Greg discusses how connecting with others supported his personal growth.
• 00:34:50 — He reflects on perspectives that help him understand his journey.
• 00:38:42 — Greg offers encouragement to anyone who feels unseen or overlooked.
• 00:44:27 — He speaks about his continuing process of personal understanding.
• 00:50:14 — Greg closes with thoughts about being present and doing what he can for others.

“I just always wanna make sure that people know that I see you. I know you're there, I know you're struggling. I dunno what I can do, but I'll do whatever I can.” — Greg

• Listen to This Episode: https://mdcr1.com/93
• Blog Post: https://mdcr1.com/93b
• Real Recovery Podcast: https://www.realrecoverypodcast.com

#RealRecoveryPodcast #RecoveryJourney #CommunitySupport #TraumaRecovery #AddictionRecovery @RealRecoveryPodcast

RRP Episode 92 – Gary’s Story of Long-Term Sobriety, Service, and Recovery Community

Presenters: Julie and PeterLength: 1 hour and 11 minutes

Summary

In Episode 92, Julie and Peter reconnect with longtime friend Gary H., whose recovery spans many years of meetings, sponsorship, and deep community roots. Together, they revisit memories from MCC and the Lunch Bunch, explore Gary’s experiences with caregiving, travel, and grief, and reflect on the powerful relationships that shaped his sobriety. Gary closes the episode with heartfelt words of wisdom—including what he tells every newcomer—and an emotional reflection on the gifts recovery returned to him.

Key Points:

• Early memories at MCC, the blue BMW, and how Peter learned Gary’s name (00:04:12–00:05:23)

• Gary’s years of sponsorship and having up to seven sponsees at once (01:02:44–01:03:19)

• Life changes and caregiving for Randall’s mother (01:03:25–01:04:35)

• Preparing for a month-long trip to Hong Kong and Southeast Asia (01:03:25–01:03:47)

• Gary’s reflection on nearly relapsing after moving back to Portland and how a new men’s meeting saved him (00:52:03–00:53:39)

• Losing sponsors and friends in recovery and continuing forward (00:53:13–00:53:39)

• Gary’s heartfelt “words of wisdom” for newcomers (01:06:15–01:06:26)

• His reflection on what recovery gave back to him—self-esteem, family, love, and himself (01:06:39–01:06:55)

Quote

“I got my self-esteem back. I got the love of my family back. I got my mother back. I got everything back and I never thought I would… and I love myself. I really, truly love myself.”—Gary H.

Links

Listen to the Episode: https://mdcr1.com/92Read the Blog: https://mdcr1.com/92bReal Recovery Podcast: https://www.realrecoverypodcast.com

Hashtags and Mentions

#RealRecoveryPodcast #RecoveryCommunity #SobrietyJourney #AlcoholicsAnonymous #SponsorshipInRecovery #HopeAndHealing #LongTermRecovery@RealRecoveryPodcast

Presenters: Julie and PeterLength: 49 minutes, 07 seconds

In Episode 91, Julie shares a deeply honest check-in, reflecting on a year marked by emotional exhaustion, resurfaced trauma, work-related burnout, and a ruptured eardrum that led to unexpected emotional unraveling. She talks about being forced off work, entering intensive outpatient therapy, and confronting trauma she had buried for decades. Through it all, Julie found grounding by returning to her AA foundation—Lunch Bunch and Extended Family—where familiar voices and community helped her reconnect to hope. She also shares her humbling job search, the role of service and community partnerships like SnowCap, and how reconnecting with recovery restored the sense of gratitude she felt in early sobriety. Peter joins in reflecting on the legacy of the podcast, the power of vulnerability, and the stories that will live on long after they’re gone.

[00:00:11] Julie and Peter open by discussing the real cost of producing the podcast and ask listeners for support to continue into 2026.[00:01:32] Julie shares amazement at reaching over 10,000 listeners and being internationally ranked.[00:03:01] They welcome listeners, explain the purpose of the podcast, and share crisis-line reminders.[00:05:25] Julie recalls early podcast days, the vulnerability of sharing her story, and struggling to be authentic at work.[00:07:20] Julie describes the buildup of stress and pain that led to a ruptured eardrum.[00:08:39] Julie is put off work by her doctor and is sent to a psychiatrist, triggering buried trauma.[00:09:46] Julie begins intensive outpatient therapy, learning about rumination and how deeply work stress had overtaken her life.[00:07:47 – 00:08:12] Julie returns to Extended Family meetings where she sits quietly, cries through several nights, and finds grounding again.[00:32:00] Julie reflects on protecting her daughter for years and realizing how little control she truly has.[00:32:22] Julie describes Lunch Bunch as her recovery foundation and Extended Family as her emotional support.[00:33:12] Julie talks about small miracles in recovery, including being asked to chair holiday meetings.[00:25:08] Julie describes a humbling job search, accepting a lower-paying position, and relying on SNAP.[00:26:29] Julie finds purpose at her new company, engaging with SnowCap and attending the Ignite event.[00:31:02] Julie describes rediscovering hope—feeling like she did when she first got sober.[00:33:31] Julie thanks listeners and emphasizes the priceless courage of guests who share their stories.[00:46:03] Peter reflects on the podcast’s legacy and how the stories will live on long after they’re gone.[00:47:43] The episode closes with gratitude, an invitation to engage with the podcast, and reminders to stay connected.

"My foundation is so solid that I feel like I can weather any storm." — Julie

Listen to this episode: https://mdcr1.com/91Blog post: https://mdcr1.com/91bReal Recovery Podcast: https://www.realrecoverypodcast.com/SnowCap Community Charities — https://www.snowcap.org/

Referenced in transcript (no URLs provided in transcript):

• Lunch Bunch
• Extended Family
• Ignite Event

Julie’s honesty in this check-in reminds listeners that recovery continues to evolve no matter how many years one has. This year pushed her to return to the basics—support, meetings, honesty, and community. Her story reinforces the truth that setbacks aren’t signs of failure, but moments that bring us back to our foundation.

#RealRecoveryPodcast #RecoveryJourney #AddictionRecovery #SobrietyStories #AA #HopeAndHealing #CommunitySupport @RealRecoveryPodcast