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.

AA is a spiritual program.  In this session, Mike, Glenn, and Tommy O discuss "The God Thing".  The topic makes people squirm, but on this morning, the boys step up and hit spirituality head-on. A must-listen.

Tommuy O joins the fun at the coffee shop, where the boys discuss the power of action (over words) and the word "yes".  Getting comfortable with the uncomfortable allows for the growth that we were made for, they agreed. From an AA perspective, meditation and prayer, health, service, and awareness are among the tools used to move from plateau to plateau.  Win the moment...

Stephanie rejoins Mike and Glenn at the coffee shop, where they discuss the business of life, being present in the moment, and sobriety service work.  Stephanie reinvented herself as a bright light in her recovery community.  Loud and proud, she carries hope to those around her in sobriety and society.  A unique perspective comes as she shares from the view of an ER nurse and how “God Drops” – are given AND accepted.  Just three normal people learning and serving.

Mike and Glenn revisit the coffee shop, where they discuss love, appreciation, prayer, and patience, as well as the actions that accompany these concepts.  

Inspired by the story of the band Linkin Park, Mike and Glenn dive into a heartfelt conversation about what it means to lose your voice — not just creatively, but emotionally and spiritually — and how the journey of recovery offers a chance to find a new one. Through it all, they talk about staying focused on one shared goal: reaching the finish line sober, with authenticity and hope intact.

 In this episode, Mike and Glenn talk about navigating change and the importance of staying adaptable when life shifts unexpectedly. They reflect on how to adjust course without losing sight of what truly matters — maintaining consistency, structure, and purpose in their recovery journey. While they don’t claim to have all the answers, they remain committed to doing the next right thing. 

Author Mike Shooty joins Mike and Glenn in the coffee shop to talk about taking sobriety one day at a time and his book, Lost in London, A Journey from Insanity to Acceptance (available on BookBaby.com).  

Alena joins Mike and Glenn in the coffee shop, sharing the struggles with alcohol and drug abuse.  Eventually breaking the cycle, Alena finds peace these days caring for the loves of her life: Herself and her horses.  A story of strife into sobriety reminds us that "No matter how far down the scale we have gone, we will see how our experience can benefit others" 

Mike and Glenn welcome one of the cool guys in sobriety into the coffee shop to discuss bringing a message of hope into the jail system.  Emil has a distinct enthusiasm for the program of Alcoholics Anonymous and has served other struggling alcoholics for quite a few twenty-four hours.  Find more information about Emil and his work at https://harmonyxing.com/bio and https://www.chicagoaa.org/committees/committee-corrections/

In the last episode of the Summer Series, Joe and Ryan rejoin Mike and Glenn, where they discuss the steps, one-by-one, in a fast and furious format.  

In part 3 of 4 of the Summer Series, Joe and Ryan rejoin Mike and Glenn, where they discuss music, favorite sober moments, showing up, sharing your story, mixed worlds, service, sponsorship, picking up the phone, meetings, invitations, involvement, turning it over, God, guardrails, doing the work, staying fresh, staying the course, relapse, and of course, the promises - all in rapid fire fashion.

In part 2 of 4 of the Summer Series, Joe and Ryan rejoin Mike and Glenn, where they discuss community, service, trust, connection, relationships, reasons, being present, and basically "Normal Living" and of course, the promises.

Glenn and Mike welcome Joe and Ryan to the coffee shop for a few weeks of summer-focused sobriety.  In this session, Ryan shares details about his journey towards recovery.  From DUI to program defiance, the boys shared how the fellowship, the steps, and anniversaries supported their quest to accept that life on this side of drinking is far better than the prior.  

Mike and Glenn welcome Hamza to the coffee shop to discuss the grind, stresses, and the fear of what can happen vs finding joy in a whole life using techniques such as breathwork.  Learn more at www.breathesober.com