episodes
I Didn't Quit the Work. I Quit the Way I Worked with Gabby Bernstein
In this episode of Soberness, Cat sits down with #1 New York Times bestselling author and spiritual teacher Gabby Bernstein for a raw, funny, and honest conversation about healing, parenting, and power in the digital age. Gabby shares why she’s never had a boss, but has “quit” many old patterns that no longer served her, from unresolved trauma to limiting beliefs. She opens up about what it means to unburden yourself and change not just what you do, but how you do it. They also talk about the responsibility that comes with having a public platform. In Gabby’s words, “We’re all the media now.” Whether you have one follower or one million, your words carry energy, and that energy has consequences. And in one of the most memorable stories, Gabby reflects on a parenting moment during Covid lockdowns when her son shouted “f*ck you” at her. Instead of reacting with punishment, she chose humor and compassion, a choice that instantly diffused the pressure in their home and reminded her that sometimes laughter is the most powerful release.
He Said He'd Quit at 30. Then 35. Then...
Jason Biggs has a sobriety story that isn’t neat, pretty, or tied up with a bow. It’s full of broken promises to himself, humiliating moments, and the strange distortions of living in the spotlight.
I Got Sober to Not Be an A**hole with Glen Matlock (Sex Pistols Bassist)
Glen Matlock... yes, that Glen Matlock, original bassist for the Sex Pistols, has a story about sobriety that’s as loud, messy, and unfiltered as the music that made him famous.
I Broke AA rules & Sobriety in Politics | Molly Jong-Fast
Molly Jong-Fast went to rehab at 19, convinced she was the youngest person in history to get sober. She wasn’t. But she did rack up 27 years of sobriety, multiple kids she never planned to have, and a career calling out political bullsh*t for Vanity Fair.
Sobriety Behind Bars: What No One Tells You About Prison & Addiction | Amika Mota
What’s the truth about getting sober in prison? In this powerful episode, Amika Mota shares her journey from addiction to incarceration—and the unexpected realities of recovery behind bars. From fighting fires as an inmate to leading change on the outside, her story is raw, eye-opening, and deeply human.
Nick Thune's Absinthe Relapse and the Comeback That Followed
Comedian and actor Nick Thune gets brutally honest about his sobriety journey—getting sober at 17, staying dry for 12 years, and the one drink in Vegas that triggered a decade-long relapse. From absinthe and near-death moments to a comeback rooted in faith, fatherhood, and self-forgiveness, this is one of Soberness’ most raw and redemptive episodes yet. If you've ever questioned your relationship with alcohol, struggled with shame, or wondered what recovery can really look like—this conversation is for you.
Jonathan Goldstein on Family, Forgiveness & F-Bombs
What happens when humor meets heartbreak? In this episode of The Soberness Podcast, acclaimed writer and Heavyweight host Jonathan Goldstein dives into the tangled roots of family dysfunction, forgiveness, and the stories we carry from childhood. Through wit and vulnerability, Jonathan unpacks emotional inheritance, estrangement, and what it means to find peace without closure.
Black, Sober, and Still Not Believed: Stories from the Frontlines
Why Can’t We Talk About Race in Recovery Spaces? In this powerful and unfiltered live episode of the Soberness Podcast, we brought the community together at the historic Algonquin Hotel to unpack what it means to heal while Black in a system built without us in mind.
Margaret Cho Opens Up About 19 Months in Rehab—and What Came After
Comedian, actress, and activist Margaret Cho opens up about her 19 months in rehab, her sobriety journey, and how Korean culture, fame, and addiction intersected in her life. From using music and EMDR therapy to heal, to discussing phone anxiety, text therapy, and relapse fears, Margaret shares a deeply human and relatable path to recovery. We also talk about the pressures of perfectionism, the silence around addiction in Asian communities, and how she’s embraced aging, activism, and self-acceptance through comedy, style, and spiritual practice. If you're navigating sobriety, identity, or just love raw, honest conversations—this one’s for you.
Surviving AIDS and Addiction: Louie Mandrapilias’ Unbelievable Story
In Part 2 of this unforgettable Soberness conversation, Louie Mandrapilias returns to share the most haunting and transformational chapters of his story. From smuggling contraband across borders to spiritual awakenings in an Indian ashram, to surviving the AIDS crisis and a devastating overdose that left a friend dead, Louie unpacks it all with honesty, reflection, and grace.
He Didn't Know He Belonged—Until Al-Anon
Philip Galanes, beloved New York Times advice columnist and author of Social Q’s sits down with Cat Greenleaf on Soberness. Though not sober himself, Philip opens up about what he’s learned through decades of friendships with people in recovery, his experience attending Al-Anon, and his personal journey of healing after loss, shame, and self-doubt.
Radha Agrawal Built a Sober Party Empire—Here’s Why
In this joyful, soulful, and radically honest episode of Soberness, Cat Greenleaf sits down with Radha Agrawal—founder of the global sober dance movement Daybreaker, co-founder of THINX and TUSHY, and visionary behind The Belong Center. Radha shares her journey of choosing a sober lifestyle, creating safe spaces for connection and community, and redefining fun without substances.
Gabby Bernstein on Getting Sober, Staying Grounded, and Letting Go
#1 New York Times bestselling author, spiritual teacher, and motivational speaker Gabby Bernstein joins the Soberness Podcast to explore her profound journey through addiction recovery, trauma healing, and motherhood. Gabby opens up about her spiritual awakening, overcoming childhood trauma, and how her sober lifestyle deepened her connection to herself and others. They discuss anxiety relief, nervous system regulation, EMDR therapy, and the importance of truth-telling in sobriety. This conversation touches on manifesting miracles, conscious parenting, reparenting your inner child, and Gabby’s daily spiritual practices that help her stay grounded and inspired. Whether you’re on a sobriety journey, seeking healing, or curious about spiritual growth, this episode offers wisdom, vulnerability, and actionable insight.
Why Lawrence Zarian Almost Didn't Make It—and How He Turned It Around
Lawrence Zarian opens up like never before about his battle with addiction, his path to sobriety, and his journey toward self-acceptance. In this powerful Soberness episode, Lawrence shares emotional stories about surviving cocaine and alcohol addiction, embracing his identity as a gay man, and how nearly dying became the turning point that saved his life.
Blondie, The Sex Pistols & a Sober Life: Glen Matlock Tells All
Glen Matlock opens up like never before. In this revealing episode of Soberness, Cat Greenleaf sits down with the legendary Sex Pistols bassist to talk about life on tour, the day he saw a rabbit at the bar, the chip bag that changed his life, and why after 30+ years sober, he still thinks about Guinness.
Awkward, Honest, and Hilarious Sobriety Story
This isn’t your typical sobriety story. In this hilarious and honest episode of Soberness, Cat Greenleaf sits down with Victoria Vanstone of the award-winning Sober Awkward podcast to talk about tequila-fueled chaos, redefining what it means to be sober, and why laughter is a key part of healing. Expect puke stories, play-the-tape-forward wisdom, and unapologetic truth.
How A Gay International Smuggler Got Sober
In this jaw dropping episode of Soberness, Louie shares stories from his new book Flew Too High that feels like a blockbuster movie. Hear about his highs and the rock-bottom moment that forced him to confront his addiction. Louie tells the raw truth about his journey to recovery, the turning point that changed his life, and the lessons he hopes will inspire others on their path to sobriety.
Molly Jong-Fast on Surviving Addiction and Reinventing Herself
Journalist, author, and political commentator Molly Jong-Fast opens up about her battle with addiction, getting sober as a teenager, and the journey of reinventing herself. From navigating a tumultuous upbringing to finding her voice in media and politics, Molly shares the hard truths of recovery, the lessons she’s learned, and how sobriety has shaped her career and personal life.
Jason Biggs Opens Up About His Relapse Struggles
Jason Biggs opens up about the struggles with addiction that he kept hidden from the public eye. Known for his roles in American Pie and Orange Is the New Black, Jason shares the personal battles he faced behind the scenes, the wake-up call that led him to sobriety, and the lessons he’s learned along the way.
Why Sobriety Made John Henson a Better Comedian
In this heartfelt and hilarious episode of Soberness, comedian and former Talk Soup host John Henson gets real about his journey to sobriety and how quitting alcohol transformed his life and career. John opens up about growing up with an alcoholic parent, the emotional toll that led him to drinking, and how getting sober helped him reconnect with his creativity and sharpen his comedic voice.