The Cup of Joe Show

Letting Go of Old Ideas: John C.'s New Way of Life

He couldn’t control his drinking, but when he wasn’t his life became intolerable.
In this week’s episode of The Cup of Joe Show, we sit down with John C., a man whose journey from early exposure to addiction recovery to over a decade of sobriety is both honest and beautifully redemptive.
John first got high in 10th grade—and just as quickly found himself in rehab. It was there he met Alcoholics Anonymous and a group of people who, to his surprise, were kind, welcoming, and familiar. But addiction doesn’t let go so easily. By 16, John had crafted a lifestyle around partying, and by 21, he was making cross-country attempts to sober up—from New Orleans to Maui—always believing he could outthink or outpace the disease.
He cycled through stints in AA, convinced he was “fine,” even as his emotional and mental state unraveled. Everything changed the day he suffered multiple devastating losses and realized no amount of liquor could numb the pain.
Still clinging to old childhood beliefs and fears, John nearly talked himself out of real recovery—thinking the rooms of AA were there to fix his marriage instead of his spirit. But it was in Atlanta, at the Fifth Tradition meeting, that he found something deeper: belonging, clarity, and the willingness to follow suggestions.
John’s story is a powerful example of what happens when you finally let go of old ideas and commit to doing the work.
🎙️ Recovery isn’t about perfection—it’s about participation, connection, and the courage to stay stopped.
For information on the 5th Tradition Group in Atlanta, GA visit http://5thtraditiongroup.com/
🌟 Looking for daily encouragement and inspiration? Visit our friends at Daily Ponderables — your source for strength, hope, and reflection 365 days a year.
The Cup of Joe Show explores the journey of recovery from alcohol and drug addiction—one story, one conversation, and one step at a time. New Episode Every Thursday at Noon.

Delulu, Detox, and Deliverance: Shelby C.'s Freedom

They don’t want to hear it—they want to see it. So, I trained my feet where to go.
On this heartfelt episode of The Cup of Joe Show, we welcome Shelby C.—a woman whose story of recovery is raw, real, and rooted in hard-won freedom. Married to former guest Scott C. (from Ego to Enlightenment), Shelby’s road to sobriety began with deep emotional pain and a desperate desire to feel something other than unworthy.
As a redhead teased relentlessly growing up, Shelby battled low self-esteem, buried anger, and the aching discomfort of never quite fitting in. Alcohol and drugs provided temporary relief—and blackouts became her norm. She believed the lies: “Everyone else is the problem” and “I’m only hurting myself.” But the illusion shattered during a lonely Christmas in 2014, when family after family member began cutting ties.
With her world unraveling, Shelby hit a spiritual and physical bottom—mixing drugs and alcohol in a moment of hopelessness. Living in her car and hopping between couches and hotel rooms, it was her dog, Paquito, who became her anchor. She detoxed painfully, without medical help, and took the first step into rehab—and a new way of life.
Early sobriety meant feeling feelings she’d long numbed out, facing the wreckage she caused, and taking action to rebuild what addiction broke.
Today, Shelby suits up and shows up and is living proof that recovery is shown, not told.
🎙️ If you’ve ever wondered what it looks like to claw your way from the edge into a life of purpose—this is it.
🌟 Looking for daily encouragement and inspiration? Visit our friends at Daily Ponderables — your source for strength, hope, and reflection 365 days a year.
The Cup of Joe Show explores the journey of recovery from alcohol and drug addiction—one story, one conversation, and one step at a time. New Episode Every Thursday at Noon.

Y Not Tony: Acceptable, Doable and Right in Front

It takes one to reach one—and Harry reached me when I needed it most.
In this raw and inspiring episode of The Cup of Joe Show, we sit down with Tony T., a man whose journey took him from a California prison cell to a life rooted in faith, purpose, and service. Tony first felt the "ease and comfort" of alcohol at just 11 years old. Growing up in the “land of sugar and honey,” where anything goes, his motto became "Y Not?"—a phrase that defined his reckless path through drinking, drugs, and time behind bars.
But even in prison, hope found its way in. Tony’s cellmate Tiny—who was anything but tiny—planted a seed by reading from the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous daily. After a short-lived attempt at sobriety post-release, Tony hit another low—until a conversation with his father and the sound of bottles smashing in a dumpster woke something deep within him.
That awakening led him to Harry, a man who became the sponsor Tony didn’t know he needed. Harry, a believer in simple spiritual principles, helped Tony rebuild his life through the 12 Steps, 12 Traditions, and a mantra that still guides him today: “Is it acceptable? Is it doable? Is it right in front of you?”
Through heartbreaking challenges—including his wife’s cancer diagnosis, losing his sponsor, and family struggles—Tony has stayed grounded by relying on the spiritual toolbox handed to him in recovery: trust God, clean house, help others.
🎙️ This episode is a powerful testament to how grace, grit, and guidance can rebuild a life from the inside out.
🌟 Looking for daily encouragement and inspiration? Visit our friends at Daily Ponderables — your source for strength, hope, and reflection 365 days a year.
The Cup of Joe Show explores the journey of recovery from alcohol and drug addiction—one story, one conversation, and one step at a time. New Episode Every Thursday at Noon.

Motorcycles, Mayhem, and Mercy: James K.’s Wake-Up Call

“Please don’t let me walk out the door and get into something I can’t get out of.”
🎙️ On this episode of The Cup of Joe Show, James K., sober since October 2008, shares how a life fueled by alcohol, ego, and violence brought him to the brink—and how grace, guidance, and grit pulled him back.
From partying through jobs with easy access to alcohol, to finding "his people" in the Navy, James rose in ranks before his drinking caught up with him in the form of a brutal workplace fight and an unexpected exit. At home, he was a ghost—present but unwelcome. An alcohol-fueled motorcycle accident left him hospitalized, but it was a moment of mercy from a police officer that opened the door to change.
That moment of clarity led him to Jody, a tough-love recovery leader who held him accountable and connected him with Mark C.—a sponsor who shattered his denial and helped him rebuild from the inside out. James embraced a new life with his family rooted in honesty, humility, and action.
👉 This is a story about what happens when you stop running and start reaching out. Hit play and hear how James K. learned to live, love, and lead—sober.
Whether you’re in recovery, love someone who is, or just believe in the power of second chances, this episode will leave you inspired.
🌟 Looking for daily encouragement and inspiration? Visit our friends at Daily Ponderables — your source for strength, hope, and reflection 365 days a year.
The Cup of Joe Show explores the journey of recovery from alcohol and drug addiction—one story, one conversation, and one step at a time. New Episode Every Thursday at Noon.

A Second Chance at Success: Garrett H.’s Journey to Sobriety

What happens when the pain becomes louder than your pride? Garrett H.’s story is a raw, gripping tale of love, loss, and ultimately, redemption.
Raised in two loving homes, Garrett bounced between California and Tennessee, trying to find solid ground. Marijuana was his escape—until alcohol took center stage. Despite a promising career, marriage, and multiple second chances, the disease of alcoholism kept pulling him under. From multiple stints in rehab to a D.U.I. and divorce, Garrett shares the harrowing reality of living with addiction while trying to keep up appearances.
But on June 2, 2023, everything changed. Given the “gift of desperation,” Garrett committed to 90 meetings in 90 days and finally found freedom on the other side of surrender. In this powerful conversation, Garrett opens up about the moment everything broke—and how asking for help became the bravest thing he ever did.
Whether you're in recovery, love someone who is, or just need a reminder that transformation is possible, this episode will hit you straight in the heart.
🌟 Looking for daily encouragement and inspiration? Visit our friends at Daily Ponderables — your source for strength, hope, and reflection 365 days a year.
👉 The Cup of Joe Show explores the journey of recovery from alcohol and drug addiction—one story, one conversation, and one step at a time. New Episode Every Thursday at Noon.

Pop Off to Peace: Bob T.’s 41 Years of Sobriety

God help me with my thinking!
On this episode of The Cup of Joe Show, we sit down with Bob T., a 74-year-old powerhouse of transformation whose sobriety journey began on Groundhog Day, 1984—a fitting metaphor for a life once stuck in a loop of rage, insecurity, and resentment.
Nicknamed “Pop Off” for his explosive temper, Bob takes us through the raw and real story of how a sponsor named Dale, a painful emotional bottom, and the unwavering support of the fellowship helped him move from fury to freedom.
Bob shares what it was like to spend 18 months on Step One, how grief nearly derailed his recovery, and how fear often hides behind anger. With hard-earned wisdom and deep humility, he reveals how gratitude, service, and emotional honesty saved his life.
🎙️Tap in to hear how Bob turned his curse into a calling—and why, 41 years later, he says he’s never been happier.
👉 Whether you’re walking your own path of recovery, loving someone who is, or just crave a story of true transformation—you’ll want to hear this one.
🌟 Looking for daily encouragement and inspiration? Visit our friends at Daily Ponderables — your source for strength, hope, and reflection 365 days a year.
The Cup of Joe Show explores the journey of recovery from alcohol and drug addiction—one story, one conversation, and one step at a time. New Episode Every Thursday at Noon.

Finish What You Started: Randy T. 26 Year’s Sober

He took his last drink at a Greyhound station in L.A.—He now wakes up grateful instead of hungover.
🎙️ In this gripping episode of The Cup of Joe Show, we sit down with Randy T., a man who went from blackouts at 14 to 26 years of unwavering sobriety. Randy took his last drink at a Greyhound bus station in Los Angeles in 1999—in what followed a progressive story of pain, redemption, and spiritual transformation.
Born into a strict California household, Randy was kicked out at 18 because of his drinking and entered a cycle of alcohol-fueled chaos—jobs lost under the cover of night, a toxic relationship with another alcoholic, and a life-altering arrest in Florida.
Years of solitude in a trailer nearly ended him—until a quiet act of surrender led him to get into treatment where a chance meeting with the legendary Dr. Paul O. (whose story appears in the AA Big Book) shifted the entire course of Randy’s life with just one question: “Why don’t you finish what you started?”
Today, Randy lives in East Tennessee, where he continues to carry the message of hope and healing. His story is one of divine timing, second chances, and the power of showing up. Listen now and be reminded: it’s never too late to start over.
👉 If you or someone you love has ever struggled with addiction—or if you just believe in the power of transformation—you won’t want to miss this one.
🌟 Looking for daily encouragement and inspiration? Visit our friends at Daily Ponderables — your source for strength, hope, and reflection 365 days a year.
The Cup of Joe Show explores the journey of recovery from alcohol and drug addiction—one story, one conversation, and one step at a time. New Episode Every Thursday at Noon.

Tempered Hope: Randall K. No Longer at War with Himself

God starts as an experiment—and ends up as an experience.
In this episode of The Cup of Joe Show, we sit down with Randall K., a man whose path to sobriety was paved with heartbreak, fear, and ultimately, grace. After being medically discharged from the military, Randall’s drinking spiraled. He lost his beloved Aunt Mae—his moral compass—and shortly after, his father, who had fought his own battle with alcoholism. Randall’s life began to unravel, with multiple DUIs, a prison sentence, and a stint in rehab.
But the true turning point came after a domestic violence charge—a moment that shook him to his core. A man who had never been violent suddenly faced the reality of what his life had become. In jail, he pleaded for AA meetings, remembering the joy he saw in his father’s face during periods of sobriety—and the genuine smiles of people in the rooms.
What followed was a slow rebuild from the inside out. Randall shares what it means to live with tempered hope, how he’s learned to stop being at war with himself, and how faith moved from a concept to a personal experience. His story is gritty, humble, and full of hard-earned wisdom.
🎙️ If you or someone you love is seeking redemption, direction, or just a reason to keep going—this conversation might be the spark you need.
🌟 Looking for daily encouragement and inspiration? Visit our friends at Daily Ponderables — your source for strength, hope, and reflection 365 days a year.
The Cup of Joe Show explores the journey of recovery from alcohol and drug addiction—one story, one conversation, and one step at a time. New Episode Every Thursday at Noon.

How a Skeptic Found Recovery and a Higher Power: David W., 15 Years Sober

For 37 years, David W. drank every single day—a Juilliard prodigy turned high-powered lawyer, hiding his addiction in plain sight while his personal life unraveled. Raised by brilliant but skeptical atheist parents, he scoffed at anything beyond what he could see. But his first drink at 13 fueled both his musical genius and his desperate need to fit in, making alcohol his lifelong escape. By 17, he was a daily drinker, and decades later, addiction still ruled—until May 3rd, 2010 changed everything.
Early in his recovery a planned relapse in a Vero Beach bar flipped into a moment of divine intervention, shattering his atheist armor with a spiritual awakening he couldn’t deny. Now, David reveals how a recovery mentor and a higher power rewrote his story, and how making amends to his daughter gave him undeniable proof that the 9th step promises are real.
From a lifetime lost in the bottle to mending his most precious relationships, David’s journey proves one thing: it’s never too late to find hope.
🎙️ Hit play now—because if a skeptic can find faith after 37 years lost, so can you. Subscribe, share, and join a community that’s hooked on hope.
🌟 Looking for daily encouragement and inspiration? Visit our friends at Daily Ponderables — your source for strength, hope, and reflection 365 days a year.
The Cup of Joe Show explores the journey of recovery from alcohol and drug addiction—one story, one conversation, and one step at a time. New Episode Every Thursday at Noon.

Natalie Z.: All In, All the Time

Recovery has nothing to do with the way we drink or drug, it’s about how we get sober.
On this episode of The Cup of Joe Show, meet Natalie Z., a woman whose story is as raw as it is inspiring. From a childhood marked by emotional unrest and a desperate need to feel seen, to an adolescence that spiraled into addiction to everything from alcohol to heroin—Natalie was all in, all the time. But underneath the chaos was a search for relief, connection, and healing.
Her first attempt at sobriety in 2012 didn’t stick—because, as she admits, she wasn’t ready to be honest. But everything changed when a sponsor asked her one simple but powerful question: “What do you need to talk about to stay sober right now?” That conversation cracked something open. In 2017, she surrendered and let the help actually help her.
Now with years of solid recovery, Natalie shares the hard truths and healing lessons that keep her grounded today. She leans on service, works harder now than ever, and lives a life built entirely around recovery—a life she once never thought possible.
🎙️ Whether you’re in recovery, love someone who is, or simply want to hear how radical transformation is possible, this episode is for you.
Book referenced in the podcast: Dreamland: The True Tale of America’s Opiate Epidemic by Sam Quinones
🌟 Looking for daily encouragement and inspiration? Visit our friends at Daily Ponderables — your source for strength, hope, and reflection 365 days a year.
The Cup of Joe Show explores the journey of recovery from alcohol and drug addiction—one story, one conversation, and one step at a time. New Episode Every Thursday at Noon.