EPISODES

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

#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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

In this very special episode of the Soberness podcast we meet the Sober Cobras (the team behind Soberness) as they interview host Cat Greenleaf. Learn about the most memorable and impactful guests and how this podcast as been a huge help to the creators as well as the audience.

How Rich Vos Found Redemption Through Recovery | Soberness Podcast In this candid episode of Soberness, legendary comedian Rich Vos opens up about his journey from addiction to sobriety and how recovery changed his life—both on and off the stage. He shares raw and hilarious insights into the struggles of staying sober in the stand-up comedy world, the lessons he’s learned along the way, and why sobriety has made him a better comedian, husband, and father. With his signature wit and brutal honesty, Vos proves that even in the darkest moments, laughter can be a powerful tool for healing. Whether you're in recovery or just looking for inspiration, this episode is a must-watch.

Megan Klein, founder of Little Saints, shares her personal journey of wellness, sobriety, and the unexpected ways alcohol was holding her back. Despite living a health-conscious lifestyle, she found herself trapped in a cycle of nightly drinking—until she made the life-changing decision to quit alcohol, weed, and cigarettes for good.

Chris Marshall, founder of Sans Bar, shares his deeply personal journey from addiction to creating one of the first alcohol-free bars in the U.S. Recorded live at the Mindful Drinking Festival, Chris opens up about the wake-up call that led to his sobriety, the challenges of loneliness in addiction, and how he’s building a new social scene for sober and sober-curious people.

In this episode of Soberness, a panel of top chefs and mixologists discusses the challenges and triumphs of staying sober in the high-pressure world of hospitality. Recorded live at the Mindful Drinking Festival, these culinary experts share their personal stories of addiction, recovery, and how mindfulness has shaped their approach to life. Discover how the industry’s culture is shifting toward inclusivity, with non-alcoholic trends taking center stage and offering hope to those on their sobriety journey. Whether you're in hospitality or curious about the intersection of food and mindful living, this episode serves up plenty of inspiration and insight.

In this powerful live episode of Soberness, hip-hop legend Darryl “DMC” McDaniels returns to share his remarkable journey from addiction to redemption at the Mindful Drinking Festival in Washington, DC. DMC, one-third of the groundbreaking group Run-D.M.C., discusses the pivotal moments that led him to sobriety, how childhood trauma and identity shaped his struggles, and the transformative power of vulnerability and creativity.

Soberness is a new podcast from Cat Greenleaf, creator and host of Talk Stoop. Cat brings her legendary interviewing style and ten years of sobriety to wild conversations with celebrities and notable people who have been on their own sober journeys, either out loud in public or quietly at home.

In this heartfelt and hilarious episode of Soberness, David Manheim, creator of the Dopey podcast, shares how a show that began as a collection of funny addiction stories turned into a powerful recovery community. David opens up about the impact of humor and vulnerability in breaking down stigma, the lessons he’s learned from personal loss, and how storytelling can save lives. This conversation offers insight, hope, and plenty of raw honesty for anyone on the path to sobriety.

Grammy-nominated artist Tracy Bonham opens up about her journey to sobriety and the role music played in her healing. Known for her hit single “Mother Mother” and her raw, emotional songwriting, Tracy shares how she used music as a tool to confront pain, process emotions, and find strength in recovery.

Author and journalist Hilary Sheinbaum dives into the transformative power of dry challenges like Dry January. Drawing from her personal experience and research for her book The Dry Challenge, Hilary explains what happens when you stop drinking for a month and the surprising physical, emotional, and social benefits of going alcohol-free.

It's Christmas time, not just in Hollis Queens! While RUN DMC's classic holiday smash is in heavy rotation, check out this heartfelt episode of Soberness. Darryl “DMC” McDaniels, one-third of the legendary hip-hop group Run-DMC, opens up about his struggles with addiction, depression, and finding purpose beyond fame. DMC shares the pivotal moments that led him to sobriety, the role therapy played in his healing, and how creativity and self-discovery saved his life.

In this emotional and deeply honest episode of Soberness, legendary actor and voice artist Hank Azaria opens up about his sobriety journey and the role his dear friend, the late Matthew Perry, played in helping him find recovery. Best known for his work on The Simpsons and iconic roles in film and TV, Hank shares how addiction, childhood trauma, and love addiction shaped his life and career.

Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Nick Kristof explores the intersection of addiction, poverty, and trauma in America. Drawing from years of investigative reporting and a deep understanding of social issues, Nick shares why he believes recovery is the key to healing individuals, families, and communities across the nation.

In this powerful episode of Soberness, Donna Chavous shares her journey from addiction to becoming a renowned interventionist. Donna opens up about the life-altering lessons addiction taught her about resilience, courage, and self-discovery. She dives into the emotional toll of trauma, the importance of facing pain head-on, and how breaking generational cycles can lead to healing and growth.

In this deeply personal episode of Soberness, fashion icon and former What Not to Wear host Stacy London shares her journey of self-discovery, recovery, and transformation. Known for her style expertise, Stacy reveals a side of herself rarely seen by the public as she opens up about her struggles with food addiction, trauma, and the emotional crutches she leaned on to navigate life’s challenges.