Supporting Sobriety Podcast

By: Matt Bair & Ryan Hedrick
  • Summary

  • The Mission

    The Supporting Sobriety Podcast is dedicated to providing hope to the unsung heroes behind those struggling with addiction…their friends and family.

    We will share insights, stories and resources to help listeners support their loved ones and care for themselves on the recovery journey.

    The Hosts

    Matt Bair

    Matt considers himself blessed to be a recovering alcoholic. His lifetime profession as a radio broadcaster has been derailed multiple times by alcohol abuse but he remains alive and employed through the grace of God and help of others.

    Matt lives by the humility introduced in the first step of 12-step recovery, that the alcoholic is truly “powerless over alcohol,” and the alcoholic in use of alcohol possesses a life that is “unmanageable.” He enunciates these beliefs in teaching recovery to alcoholics and addicts, while understanding there’s more to learn from the ones who don’t make it (Keep. Coming. Back). He truly believes everything “always gets better” if you don’t take the next drink or drug. Matt is dedicated to “supporting the supporters” like those who have been critical to his ongoing sobriety.

    Matt is the long-time morning and afternoon traffic reporter for WIBC / Indianapolis.

    Ryan Hedrick

    Ryan Hedrick's life has been a journey of recovery from a challenging battle with addiction spanning nearly 25 years. His struggles with cocaine and methamphetamine led him down a dangerous path, marked by numerous attempts at treatment. However, salvation came in the form of a 12-step program that became his sanctuary.

    To break free from the shackles of addiction, Ryan committed himself to giving back to recovery communities nationwide. He extended his support by bringing 12-step meetings to jails and institutions, sponsoring men on their recovery journeys, and regularly attending meetings. Like his co-host, the clutches of drugs and alcohol jeopardized Ryan's life and his career in radio.

    Ryan is currently a reporter and morning news anchor at WIBC/Indianapolis where he met his podcast co-host Matt Bair. Together they strive to offer a beacon of hope to those grappling with similar struggles. Their podcast aims to reach and assist individuals behind the scenes by sharing personal experiences, strength, and hope with their followers. Through their collective journey, Ryan and Matt seek to inspire and support those supporting loved ones on the path to recovery.

    2024 Urban One
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Episodes
  • Episode 45 | Caring for Others While Battling Your Own Addiction
    Nov 20 2024

    Matt Bair and Ryan Hedrick dive into the challenges caregivers face when they’re supporting someone in active addiction while struggling with their own substance use. We explore key questions: Are you drinking to cope? How are you feeling? If you’re using, what and how much? Caregivers are the backbone of families, but you need to prioritize your own well-being. When you don’t take care of yourself, you risk burnout or relapse. This episode is packed with insights for caregivers who are also navigating their own addiction. Take care of you—we need you here.

    Joining the show:

    Tina McIntosh, who started Joy’s House, and Corrina Thompson, its Community Relations Manager and Co-founder of Caregiver Way, join the show. They share personal stories about losing their fathers to alcoholism and offer insights from their work supporting caregivers and aging adults.

    Timestamps and discussions:

    9:42 – 11:05: Tina and Corrina share how alcoholism impacted their families.

    11:27 – 11:37: Corrina reflects on missing signs of her father’s addiction.

    11:40 – 12:16: Sharing fond memories of their fathers.

    12:16 – 14:48: Tina recounts a powerful story about her dad.

    14:49 – 16:51: Did Tina or Corrina confront their fathers about alcoholism?

    16:52 – 17:39: Corrina celebrates one year without alcohol!

    17:55 – 19:06: Corrina talks about how self-care keeps her sober, and Tina adds her observations.

    19:43 – 21:00: Are more caregivers using substances to cope today?

    21:09 – 22:43: Why caregivers may be especially vulnerable during the holidays.

    22:43 – 24:05: Practical ways caregivers can manage stres

    24:26 – 26:15: Why identifying as a caregiver matters.

    27:00 – 29:52: Key resources for caregivers to get suppor

    Resources

    You can find us on X and Instagram: @sobriety_pod. Supporting Sobriety is also available on major podcast platforms like Spotify and Apple. Please like, subscribe, and rate our podcast!

    Guest resources: Caregiver Way & Joy's House - Joy's House ♫ Medicaid’s Hidden Support for Caregivers

    Al-Anon: Al-Anon.org

    Meetings: aa.rgroup.org/meengs

    NA Meetings: virtual-na.orginte

    Suicide Prevention Hotline: (800) 273-8255

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    37 mins
  • Episode 44 | Should You Go to Thanksgiving Dinner?
    Nov 13 2024

    Matt Bair and Ryan Hedrick discuss the complex dynamics between an addict and their caregiver during the holiday season, specifically focusing on whether or not to attend Thanksgiving dinner. Family gatherings come with numerous considerations: How long has your loved one been sober? Is the environment supportive? Will there be people drinking or using substances, potentially creating discomfort? With the holidays being a difficult period for many, this timely episode explores these questions to help caregivers and recovering individuals make informed choices.

    Timestamps and Discussions:

    3:27 - 4:50 – The holidays pose challenges for both those using drugs and those in recovery. Ryan shares a personal story about advising an ex-girlfriend to skip her family’s Thanksgiving due to their drug use.

    5:00 - 6:05 – Post-election season can heighten emotions; it’s essential to be mindful of how others might feel and react during gatherings.

    6:10 - 7:26 – Matt and Ryan delve into the potential consequences of declining an invitation to Thanksgiving dinner, emphasizing that there are circumstances where an addict should consider not attending.

    7:28 - 9:15 – The discussion shifts to the importance of genuine togetherness. Attending out of obligation alone can be detrimental; understanding why you’re choosing to go (or not) is crucial.

    9:30 - 10:04 – Establishing an exit strategy is highlighted as a key tool. Open communication with loved ones about feelings and potential triggers is advised.

    10:19 - 11:20 – Long trips to visit family can be stressful, especially if there is unresolved tension between members.

    12:30 – Closing thoughts wrap up the discussion, reinforcing the importance of planning and self-awareness during the holidays.

    Resources

    You can find us on X and Instagram: @sobriety_pod. Supporting Sobriety is also available on major podcast platforms like Spotify and Apple. Please like, subscribe, and rate our podcast!

    Al-Anon: Al-Anon.org

    Meetings: aa.rgroup.org/meengs

    NA Meetings: virtual-na.orginte

    Suicide Prevention Hotline: (800) 273-8255

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    15 mins
  • Episode 43 | Our Main Takeaways from the Fentanyl Crisis Part 4
    Nov 6 2024

    In the last episode of our series on America’s fentanyl crisis, Matt Bair and Ryan Hedrick break down two critical issues: how fentanyl is increasingly mixed into various drugs, including counterfeit pills sold online, leading to sudden overdose deaths, and how fentanyl addiction often begins with a prescription. They discuss the deadly and hidden risks of fentanyl in the drug supply and explore the path from medical use to dependency.

    Special Guest: ESPN’s Lauren Sisler


    Lauren Sisler, ESPN broadcaster and former gymnast, joins to discuss her new book, Shatterproof, where she shares her personal story of resilience after losing both parents to addiction. She talks about her journey of healing, the impact of addiction, and her hope to inspire others to address mental health and addiction with compassion and strength.

    Key Topics & Timestamps:

    11:45 – 14:18: Lauren on courage and willingness to tell her story of losing her parents to addiction 22 years ago.

    14:25 – 15:17: Lauren’s perspective on addiction and how it affected her parents, including their struggle with fentanyl addiction.

    15:30 – 17:00: Insight into Lauren’s father’s job as a VA technician and the challenges he faced without any clear signs of his addiction’s severity.

    17:08 – 20:03: How stigma around addiction may have stopped her parents from seeking help.

    20:15 – 23:48: Writing Shatterproof as a therapeutic journey and a part of Lauren’s healing.

    24:00 – 26:37: Lauren’s thoughts on discussing addiction with her son when he’s older.

    27:00: Lauren’s advice for caregivers with loved ones suffering from addiction.

    Resources:

    You can find us on X and Instagram: @sobriety_pod. Supporting Sobriety is also available on major podcast platforms like Spotify and Apple. Please like, subscribe, and rate our podcast!

    Guest link: About — Lauren Sisler

    Al-Anon: Al-Anon.tiorg

    Meetings: aa.rgroup.org/meengs

    NA Meetings: virtual-na.orginte

    Suicide Prevention Hotline: (800) 273-8255

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Show More Show Less
    36 mins

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