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. 5D AGO

    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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. MAR 20

    What Happens After The First 30 Days Sober

    Send us Fan Mail Day 31 can feel calmer on the outside while your mind quietly starts negotiating in the background. I talk about why the space after the first 30 days can be uncomfortable, and how support and structure help you stop surviving and start building.  • why the first 30 days feel intense and why that matters  • what changes after day 30 and why “space” can feel scary  • how the brain turns relapse into “reasonable” logic  • why doing sobriety alone can be harder than it needs to be  • what AA is at its core: one alcoholic talking to another  • what an AA meeting feels like and how you can just listen  • my first meeting story and how connection keeps me coming back  • bringing it back to today with one small sober action  If you're enjoying this kind of real, honest conversation, you might want to check out my other podcasts, too. I have Inside Marcy's Mind, where I talk about life hacks, things nobody teaches you, and how to make everyday life just run smoother. If I've become your friend through this podcast and you want to hear me a little bit more, here's another one: Aging Aim for Sissies. You can find both wherever you're listening right now. I also have a website, Marcybackusmedia.com.  You can email me at Marcybackhusmedia@gmail.com. I'd love to hear from you. I'd love to hear your stories. If you're struggling, reach out. I'm happy to help. Email- marcybackhusmedia@gmail.com Website- marcybackhusmedia.com

    18 min

  8. MAR 13

    The First 30 Days Sober

    Send us Fan Mail We break down what the first 30 days without alcohol actually feel like, from your body recalibrating to your emotions coming back online. We share why the early month can feel like a roller coaster and how patience, support, and simple tools help you keep moving forward. • how sleep, stress hormones, and energy shift after you stop drinking • why early sobriety can bring fatigue, headaches, and mood swings • how alcohol numbs feelings and why emotions can surge when you quit • using meetings or a support system when feelings feel overwhelming • how routines and triggers drive cravings and why cravings pass • practical ways to pause and change your environment • what clarity looks like in relationships, stress, and boundaries • unexpected gifts like time, money, pride, and better sleep • rebuilding self-trust through daily sober choices • why persistence matters more than perfection and how to respond to slips If this episode helped you today, share it with someone who might need to hear it. email: marcybackhusmedia@gmail.com  website: marcybackhusmedia.com

    20 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
    21
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Unbottled
  • Show Website
    Unbottled