Unbottled

Marcy Backhus
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  • SELF-IMPROVEMENT

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.

Episodes

  1. 4D AGO

    You Don’t Need Forever To Start

    Send us a text The turning point isn’t always loud. Sometimes it’s the quiet morning you wake up done with broken promises, tired of negotiating with yourself, and ready to see what life looks like without alcohol calling the shots. We open up about the subtle signs that drinking takes too much space—mental loops, “I’ll stop tomorrow” bargains, and that feeling of relief when you imagine not having to manage it anymore. From there, we break down the biggest blockers: comparison that keeps you stuck because you’re “not as bad as so-and-so,” fear of labels that feels heavier than your truth, and the myth that you must choose forever on day one. Instead, we offer a practical, compassionate approach: try a short break, focus on today, and track what actually changes—sleep, mood, energy, and clarity. We talk openly about mixed emotions too, how relief and grief can sit side by side, and why that’s a normal part of releasing something that once felt like a friend. We also share why support beats white-knuckling. You’ll hear what AA really is (and isn’t), how to sample meetings without pressure, and why three visits to the same group can make a difference before you decide. If AA isn’t your path, we point to other supportive options—online communities, therapy, and peer groups—because the common thread in lasting sobriety is real human connection. By the end, you’ll leave with small, doable steps, language that reduces shame, and a simple plan to move from curiosity to action at your own pace. If something in you paused while reading this, let that pause matter. Hit follow, share this with someone who needs a gentle nudge, and leave a review to help others find the show. What’s the one small step you’ll try today?

    20 min

  2. JAN 1

    A Wider Tent For Every Kind Of Escape

    Send us a text What if sobriety isn’t about quitting a substance but about noticing the patterns that keep you numb, busy, or seeking approval? We open the door to a wider view of recovery that includes alcohol, yes, but also food, shopping, work, and the endless chase for gold stars. Instead of shaming, we get practical: simple tools that create awareness, repair what’s frayed, and bring real relief when life turns up the pressure. We break down how an honest inventory can locate the small ruptures—missed promises, sharp words, avoidance—so you can turn apology into actual repair. We sit with the idea of surrender as a grounded choice, whether your higher power is God, the ocean, or the quiet steadiness of a tree in your yard. These moves shift the nervous system from fight to steadier presence, and they’re useful whether you’re newly sober, sober-curious, or just tired of running on fumes. Instead of brittle New Year resolutions, we lean into intentions that support learning and momentum. Curiosity replaces punishment so you can stay in the game when a lapse happens. You’ll also hear what’s coming next: a step-by-step tour through the Twelve Steps in plain language, a simple guide to AA traditions, honest talks on boundaries that hold, aging while sober, relationships that can bear truth, and the daily practice of joy. Expect zero purity tests and plenty of practical insights. Open AA and speaker meetings are highlighted as accessible spaces to learn life skills even if alcohol isn’t your main struggle, because the pressure is universal and the toolkit travels. If this resonates, follow along, subscribe, and share with someone who might need a gentler path. Tell us what you want explored next and the tools you’re trying this week—your story helps shape where we go.

    16 min

  3. JAN 1

    What 38 Years Of Sobriety Really Looks Like

    Send us a text We reflect on what 38 years of sobriety actually looks like: not a perfect life, but a practiced one rooted in awareness, service, and community. We share how AA provided structure, why emotional sobriety matters most, and how these tools apply to any “too loud” habit. • who this podcast is for and why belonging matters • why one day at a time still works • differences between getting sober in 1988 and today • many paths to sober without judgment • the role of service, structure and accountability • steps as tools and traditions as protection • higher power as personal anchor, not religion • emotional sobriety beyond abstinence • real life: illness, family, work and temptation • next up: sobriety as a life practice If this podcast resonates, follow or subscribe, share it with someone who might need it, and remember you don't have to have all the answers to start living unbottled

    20 min

  4. JAN 1

    Sobriety Without Shame: Clarity, Choice, Space

    Send us a text The noise gets loud—on our phones, at the bar, in our heads. We kicked off Unbottled to cut through that noise and talk about sobriety the way it actually feels: messy, honest, and full of second chances. Marcy shares why she started this show, how 38 years of sobriety have shaped her life, and why she refuses to make recovery a punishment. If you’re sober curious, newly sober, or simply tired of waking up thinking “I did it again,” this conversation meets you where you are. We explore a simple, powerful reframe: sobriety isn’t about what you stop doing; it’s about what finally gets quiet enough to hear. That quiet reveals three gifts—clarity, choice, and space. Clarity lifts the “wet wool blanket” off your mind. Choice returns agency so you can decide how to spend your time, money, and energy. Space lets you show up at parties, games, and family dinners without planning your next escape. Along the way, Marcy unpacks why periodic drinking can still be alcoholic, how AA became a life-saving tool, and why it’s not the only door. The lens widens beyond alcohol to the other loud habits—over-scrolling, overworking, sugar, shopping—and how swapping the noun keeps the principles intact. You’ll hear personal context that grounds the show: growing up in the Valley, early blackout drinking, the first AA meeting in a small library, Friday night home group in Chicago, a year shaped by cancer and community, and the humility of never quite feeling like a “grown-up.” Most of all, you’ll get an invitation: experiment with quiet. Try dry January. Try a meeting. Try a nightly check-in. Try asking what you’d hear if you weren’t numbing. We’re building a space that honors AA and welcomes other paths, with future guests sharing different routes to recovery. If this resonates, follow or subscribe, share it with a friend who might need it, and email Marcy at Marcy Bacchus Media at gmail.com if you have a story or a path to contribute. Let’s live unbottled—one clear, honest day at a time.

    24 min

  5. SEASON 1, EPISODE 1 TRAILER

    Unbottled the Beginning

    Send us a text  Hi friends, I’m Marcy Backhus, and this is Unbottled — a podcast where we talk about sobriety in real life, without shame, secrecy, or pretending we’ve got it all figured out. I’ve been sober since January 11, 1988, and over the years I’ve learned that sobriety isn’t just about what you stop drinking — it’s about what you start noticing. Whether you’re sober-curious, newly sober, long-time sober, or just wondering why something in your life feels a little too loud… you’re welcome here. Let’s unbottle the truth and talk about what actually helps.

    2 min

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
    5
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Unbottled
  • Show Website
    Unbottled