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

    You’re Not Broken—Your Brain Prefers Familiar Discomfort Over Unfamiliar Growth

    Send a text Fear has a way of getting loud the moment change becomes real. We name that fear without flinching and walk through the questions that slam your mind when you picture life without alcohol: how will I relax, who will I be, will my friends still feel like home. Instead of treating those questions as proof you can’t, we unpack why your brain clings to the familiar and how to move anyway—one ordinary day at a time. We get honest about identity. Alcohol often sneaks into how we describe ourselves—the fun one, the regular, the unwind-after-work person. Pulling it out can feel like pulling out a thread that holds your whole story together. Here’s the truth: sobriety doesn’t delete your personality; it reveals it. Real connection gets stronger. Relationships built on rounds may slip away, and that stings, but what stays tends to be richer, quieter, and far more real. We also talk about the fear of feeling—how numbing pain also numbs joy—and why letting emotions back online is uncomfortable at first and deeply healing over time. You’ll hear practical ways to ride out the tough hours: swap the after-work ritual, script simple lines for social events, track sleep and moods to see real progress, and lean on support you trust. We explain the brain’s bias for familiar discomfort, why fear spikes at the edge of change, and how that spike often signals transformation, not danger. You don’t have to imagine forever. You just need today. We close with a preview of what the first 30 days can look like—sleep shifts, big feelings, and the first signs that your life is turning toward freedom. If this resonated, follow the show, share it with someone who needs a steady voice, and leave a review so more people can find their first day. What would your life look like if alcohol wasn’t in charge anymore?

    16 min

  2. FEB 27

    You Don’t Need Rock Bottom To Change

    Send a text We explore the quiet turning point when discomfort becomes enough to change, and how honesty can start sobriety long before catastrophe. Marcy shares her Monday-morning decision, the reality of mental gymnastics, the role of fear, and why one private step can open a wider future. • sobriety as a choice before bottom • the quiet moment that signals change • personal story of the first meeting and early days • mental negotiations and the courtroom in your head • the myth that you must suffer to qualify • fear of identity, friends, and 5 p.m. routines • permission to keep early sobriety private • one honest day at a time as a method • awareness as strength, not weakness • practical next steps and resources If this episode spoke to you, share it with someone who might need to hear it You don’t have to hit bottom to choose better You don’t have to implode to evolve And you don’t have to do this alone.com On my website, you can listen to my other podcasts, but I also want you to know the link to AA is there Reach out If you need help, reach out today If you’re not ready, keep listening Take what I’ve said, work with it, live with it And around here we tell the truth so we can live free

    16 min

  3. FEB 20

    So You Stopped Drinking; Now What, Bossy Pants?

    Send a text We explore how sobriety grows beyond not drinking and into daily emotional work, honest self-reflection, and real freedom. Marcy shares tools for handling control, resentment, identity shifts, and non-linear growth, grounded in 38 years of experience. • alcohol as symptom, not root • emotional sobriety and the power of the pause • control as a sneaky substitute for drinking • resentment as slow poison and how to release it • identity after alcohol and choosing who to be • growth as non-linear, progress over perfection • practical tools: meetings, sponsors, inventories, amends • willingness and honesty as the core of change • simple next steps for early sobriety If this episode spoke to you, share it with someone who might need it Go to my website, Marcybackismedia.com There is a link to Alcoholics Anonymous there

    16 min

  4. FEB 12

    Tools For Early Sobriety

    Send a text We share practical tools for early sobriety that replace chaos with calm and make nights safer. Meetings, routine, connection, HALT, and a progress mindset turn empty space into steady ground. • meetings as rhythm, accountability, and social support • 90-in-90 and online options across time zones • building a weekly meeting mix for different needs • routine to reduce evening risk and decision fatigue • phone list as real invitation to connect • HALT to meet basic needs before cravings grow • progress over perfection and keep it simple • patience and one-tool-at-a-time momentum Remember, stay curious, stay connected, stay unbottled

    19 min

  5. FEB 6

    You Don’t Have To Do This Alone: How To Find The Right AA Sponsor

    Send a text We break down the real purpose of AA sponsorship and why connection gives you a better chance at lasting sobriety. Practical tips, plain language, and zero pressure on how to choose, ask, and change sponsors if you need to. • why isolation fuels drinking and connection supports recovery • what a sponsor is and how they help • what a sponsor is not and common misconceptions • how to spot steady sobriety and red flags • simple scripts for asking someone to sponsor you • why it’s okay to change sponsors over time • how meetings normalize your story and reduce shame • upcoming tools for early sobriety and routines You can email me at marcybacchusmedia@gmail.com. Take what helps and leave the rest. You don’t have to do this alone.

    22 min

  6. JAN 30

    You Don’t Need Forever To Stay Sober Today

    Send a text We slow down the phrase “one day at a time” and turn it from a cliché into a practical tool for real-life sobriety. Fear of “forever” gives way to daily choices, flexible plans, and honest connection. • why forever thinking fuels anxiety and stalls progress • how one day at a time lowers pressure and restores control • what the phrase does not mean and what it actually means • practical containment tactics for hard moments • using hours, meetings, and calls when a day is too long • building social support and replacing old routines • humility, honesty and staying present as long-term strategy • teaser for next topic on sponsorship You can reach me at marcybackhusmedia@gamil.com if you have questions or want to share your story

    18 min

  7. JAN 23

    First AA Meeting, Demystified

    Send a text Fear loves the unknown, which is why a first AA meeting can feel like a leap into the dark. We open the door and let you look around before you walk in: the simple format, the rhythms of a typical room, and the many ways you can participate without pressure. I share why open and closed meetings exist, what happens at speaker and discussion formats, and how online meetings can be a low-friction starting point if walking into a physical room feels like too much right now. Together we unpack the most common worries—being made to talk, crying in front of strangers, seeing someone you know—and replace them with clear options and boundaries. You’ll hear how anonymity protects your privacy, why “I’m just here to listen today” is always enough, and how to decide if a meeting is your fit by trying it three times. Instead of chasing rock-bottom stories, we focus on the quiet signals that matter more: familiar thoughts, shared feelings, and the small “me too” moments that spark honest change. This is sobriety as a human practice, not a performance—real people, real choices, real support. Whether you’re sober curious, newly sober, returning after a break, or simply trying to understand your relationship with alcohol, this guide offers calm, practical reassurance and concrete steps. If today isn’t the day, that’s okay. When you’re ready, the door will still be there, and you’ll know what to expect. If this helped, follow the show, share it with someone who needs it, and leave a quick review so others can find their way to the room.

    19 min

  8. JAN 16

    AA Without The Myths

    Send a text We lay out what AA is, what it isn’t, and how to try it without pressure or labels. The goal is to trade fear for facts and open a path to support that actually fits your life. • why AA shows up early when you explore sobriety • how fellowship works: sharing, not advice or policing • availability of in‑person and 24/7 online meetings • what AA is: self‑supporting, peer‑led, accessible • what AA is not: religious, a cult, or mandatory • finding fit: women‑only, men‑only, LGBTQ, atheist meetings • suggestions vs rules: sponsor, steps, 90 in 90 • structure, shared language, and hope as core benefits • permission to listen quietly and leave what doesn’t fit • AA as one path among many to recovery You can find all three of my podcasts wherever you get your podcasts, Spotify, Apple, all the usual suspects. You can also go to Marcybackismedia.com and listen to any of my podcasts, any of the episodes.

    23 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
    13
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Unbottled
  • Show Website
    Unbottled