Unbottled

Marcy Backhus
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After 38 years of sobriety and 5 years of podcasting, I finally had the good sense to put the two together. Unbottled is where we crack open all things sobriety—without the shame, the whispering, or the “I’m fine” face we all perfected in the 90s. This is a space for honest conversations, practical tools, laugh-so-you-don’t-cry stories, and the kind of truth that only comes after decades of doing the work and living to tell about it. Whether you’re sober-curious, long-time sober, or somewhere in the messy middle, we’re going to talk about the habits, people, boundaries, victories, and ridiculous moments that shape a sober life. Think of Unbolted as the place where we unhook the armor, loosen the bolts, and talk real sobriety—candid, witty, a little sassy, and full of hope because life gets a whole lot lighter when you stop tightening everything down and start opening up.

  1. 4D AGO

    How Relapse Really Starts Long Before The Drink

    Send us Fan Mail Relapse is the topic most people in recovery whisper about, even though it’s one of the most common turning points in sobriety. I’m Marcy, and I’m going to say the quiet part out loud: relapse is usually not a random moment of chaos. It often starts weeks earlier with isolation, stress, resentment, exhaustion, and the slow drift away from support. When we understand that, relapse prevention becomes less about willpower and more about spotting patterns early. We walk through the kind of relapse thinking that sounds smart in the moment “I can handle one,” “It wasn’t that bad,” “Nobody would know” and why your brain can feel so convincing when it wants comfort. I share what has kept me grounded in long-term recovery, why connection beats secrecy, and why disappearing after a slip is the most dangerous move you can make. If you’ve relapsed recently, I want you to hear this clearly: you are not starting from scratch. You are starting from experience. We also talk to the people who love someone in recovery. Shaming doesn’t create change, it pushes people deeper into addiction. Support can look like helping someone get to a meeting, finding therapy, and making space for honest conversation without excuses or humiliation. Recovery is complicated, human, and rarely a straight line. It’s returning, recommitting, learning, adjusting, and trying again. If this lands close to home, listen, share it with someone who needs it, and then take one small action toward connection today. Subscribe to Unbottled, leave a review, and tell me: what’s the earliest sign you’re drifting away from your sobriety?

    21 min

  2. MAY 8

    The AA Big Book

    Send us Fan Mail We kick off our AA series by taking the fear out of the Big Book and talking about why it still helps people get sober and stay sober nearly 90 years after it was first published. We share how to approach the language, the stories, and the process without trying to be perfect, so you can focus on growth and real support.  • why we start the AA series with the Big Book  • what the Big Book is and why it got that nickname  • why lived experience beats theory in alcohol recovery  • how stories create connection and reduce shame  • how to handle outdated language without losing the message  • what happened at my first Big Book meeting and why small meetings can help  • the main parts of the book: the Doctor’s Opinion, stories, and the 12 steps  • how to read it in chunks, use it with a sponsor, and treat it like a tool  If you're loving these conversations, I have two other podcasts you need to check out. You can find everything, every episode, updates, and more on my website, marcybackusmedia.com.

    20 min

  3. MAY 1

    90 Meetings In 90 Days;

    Send us Fan Mail We start a new AA-focused chapter of Unbottled and get real about why “90 meetings in 90 days” keeps showing up in early sobriety. I share how daily meetings helped me survive the trigger-heavy first months, build a routine, and stay sober one day at a time for 38 years.  • why I’m shifting into AA-focused episodes and what AA offers  • what “90 meetings in 90 days” actually is and why it’s a suggestion  • how early sobriety triggers work and why the first 90 days feel shaky  • using meetings to replace bar time and home-drinking time  • repetition as a way to build habits, routine, and stability  • familiar faces and real accountability that keeps you connected  • giving a meeting three tries before you decide it’s not for you  • permission to be imperfect, leave early, stay quiet, and still count it  • common resistance thoughts and how they keep people stuck  • trying different meetings and deciding based on experience  If you ever want to get a hold of me, marcybackhusmedia@gmail.com

    19 min

  4. APR 24

    Not Everyone Will Cheer For Your Sobriety

    Send us Fan Mail Not everyone in our life will love the sober version of us, especially when our “no” forces other people to look at their own habits. We talk about why this pushback happens, how to set boundaries without a speech, and how to let go of relationships that only worked when we were drinking.  • why some people want the old version back  • how sobriety can feel like you become “the problem”  • the subtle ways pressure shows up at parties and events  • setting boundaries even when it feels uncomfortable  • reframing boundaries as protecting your peace  • simple phrases to shut down pushy questions  • outgrowing environments and relationships as part of growth  • finding support through AA, Al-Anon, and community  On my website, marcybackhusmedia.com. I have a link to Al Anon and I have a link to AA. If you're wondering, if you're seeking, if you are someone supporting someone, click those links, get yourself some help

    16 min

  5. APR 17

    How Friends And Family React When You Quit Drinking

    Send us Fan Mail Sobriety doesn’t just change what we drink, it changes how people treat us and how we move through rooms that used to feel normal. We name the confusing reactions from friends and family, then share ways to set boundaries and protect our recovery without turning it into a fight.  • the three common “camps” loved ones fall into before we quit drinking  • why people stay silent or joke even when they’re worried  • how unintentional enabling can happen at home and in friendships  • what shifts fast once we’re sober and why it can unsettle others  • the remarks that sound small but can be triggering  • a simple reframe: most people don’t know how to help  • how we can clearly state boundaries so others can relax  • why AA open meetings can help families understand recovery  • why Al‑Anon matters when you love someone with alcohol addiction  • why relationships changing is clarity, not failure  If you're loving these conversations, I do have two other podcasts. You need to check them out. You can find everything, episodes, updates, and more on my website, MarcyBacchusmedia.com, Marcy with a Y, Backhus with a CK, Marcybackhusmedia.com, and obviously where everybody gets their podcasts.

    20 min

  6. APR 10

    Do You Really Need AA?

    Send us Fan Mail I get honest about the question “Do I really need AA?” and why the real issue is what keeps us sober when motivation drops. I share what worked for me in Alcoholics Anonymous, why going it alone can get risky fast, and how you can build support that fits your life. • the appeal of quitting drinking on your own and why it sometimes works • why relying on the same brain that got you here can lead back to relapse • what AA actually offers beyond myths about cults or forced belief • accountability and community as protection when motivation disappears • my early sobriety story and what 38 years sober has taught me • the danger of “I’ve got this” and the quiet drift away from support • practical support options including AA, therapy, online community and trusted friends • questions to ask yourself if you keep going back to drinking You can find everything, episodes, updates, and more on my website, which is marcybacchusmedia.com. You can also email me at marcybacchusmedia at gmail.com.

    21 min

  7. APR 3

    The Higher Power Problem

    Send us Fan Mail The fastest way to lose someone who needs sobriety support is to say one word: God. I get it. For a lot of us, that word comes with baggage, judgment, rules, or old wounds, and it can make Step Two and Step Three feel like a deal-breaker before recovery even has a chance. So I’m going to talk about the God thing plainly, gently, and without turning it into a sermon.  I share why I’m comfortable with God, why many people are not, and the line I once said to a friend that helped her stay open: “I can lend you my God until you have one that works for you.” Then we reframe what AA actually asks for a “power greater than yourself” not a specific religion, not a specific name, and not something you have to perform or explain. Your higher power can be nature, the beach, the universe, the rooms full of sober people, peace, love, or simply the idea of something bigger than your current struggle.  We also get practical about why a higher power matters for relapse prevention and daily sobriety: it takes pressure off your nervous system, gives you somewhere to put the hard stuff, and helps most when willpower is gone at the end of a brutal day. If you’re still resisting, I offer three simple questions to help you find a starting point without forcing a label. If this hits home, share this with someone who’s stuck on the God piece, subscribe for more real-talk recovery, and leave a review so more people can find us.

    18 min

  8. MAR 27

    Why Support Matters More Than Willpower In Sobriety

    Send us Fan Mail We move from the first days of quitting to the real work of staying sober, where willpower fades and support becomes the difference maker. I explain why doing recovery alone turns into isolation and how connection, meetings, and sponsorship keep you honest when your brain starts bargaining.  • shifting from starting sobriety to staying sober  • why “I should do this alone” becomes isolation  • how the brain minimizes, justifies, and rewrites the past  • what real support can look like through meetings and check-ins  • why this podcast helps but cannot replace real connection  • what a sponsor is and what a sponsor is not  • common fears about sponsorship and how to normalize them  • simple ways to ask for a sponsor and choose someone who resonates  • staying sober through daily choices, honesty, and asking for help  If you're liking this kind of conversation, make sure you check out my other podcasts. I have Inside Marcy's Mind, I do life hacks, everyday systems, and things that make life easier. I have my other podcast called Aging A For Sissies. You can find both wherever you're listening.

    18 min
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Trailer

About

After 38 years of sobriety and 5 years of podcasting, I finally had the good sense to put the two together. Unbottled is where we crack open all things sobriety—without the shame, the whispering, or the “I’m fine” face we all perfected in the 90s. This is a space for honest conversations, practical tools, laugh-so-you-don’t-cry stories, and the kind of truth that only comes after decades of doing the work and living to tell about it. Whether you’re sober-curious, long-time sober, or somewhere in the messy middle, we’re going to talk about the habits, people, boundaries, victories, and ridiculous moments that shape a sober life. Think of Unbolted as the place where we unhook the armor, loosen the bolts, and talk real sobriety—candid, witty, a little sassy, and full of hope because life gets a whole lot lighter when you stop tightening everything down and start opening up.

Information

  • Creator
    Marcy Backhus
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    23
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Unbottled
  • Show Website
    Unbottled