SoberCity

SEASON 1 : EPISODE 12

“No Such Thing as a Functional Alcoholic: Drew’s 8-Year Journey from Secret Drinking to Radical Honesty"

Seth sits down with Drew—a successful attorney, father of four, and recovering "functional alcoholic"—to dismantle the lie that addiction has to look dramatic to be destructive. Drew shares his story of nightly wine dependency, dishonest grocery store runs, and his calendar of failed sobriety attempts which ultimately led him to surrender on October 30, 2016. 

This episode discusses:

🔹 Why "two drinks a night" can be just as enslaving as blackout binges 

🔹 The misleading ways professionals excuse addiction as cultural, social, and excusable.

🔹 How honesty is crucial to sobriety and adhering to your known values.

🔹 The reality that getting sober does not mean life will not be difficult.

🔹 Why forgiveness, even when not reciprocated, is the ultimate act of self-liberation 

🔹 Sobriety is a superpower.

From co-parenting through divorce to recently becoming engaged to be married again, Drew’s story proves recovery isn’t about perfection, it’s about trading the illusion of control for the freedom of RADICAL accountability. 

If you relate to Drew’s story and would like to connect with him, don’t wait.

📧 ndsskjoldal@gmail.com

 

☎️ Need help? Want to talk? Contact Seth at:

📧 sobercitypod@gmail.com 

📞 605.545.2609 

Follow SOBERCITY:

✅ Facebook: https://facebook.com/sobercitypod 

✅ Instagram: instagram.com/sobercitypod 

✅ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sobercitypod 

✅ YouTube: youtube.com/@sobercitypod 

SEASON 1 : EPISODE 11

"The Other Side of Addiction: A Therapist’s Guide for Families & Spouses"  

Seth sits down with Tracy Palecek—his own therapist—to tackle the often-overlooked struggles of family members living with addiction. As a licensed therapist specializing in trauma, resilience, and addiction dynamics, Tracy offers a lifeline to spouses and loved ones who feel isolated, manipulated, or emotionally exhausted by their partner’s disease.  

This episode dives into:  
🔹 Why families of addicts face *more* isolation than the addicts themselves  
🔹 CODEPENDENCE - and also, the new movement of PRODEPENDENCE.
🔹 How addicts weaponize blame—and how to stop internalizing it  
🔹 The PTSD-like triggers spouses face even after sobriety is accomplished
🔹 Why "dry drunks" can be just as destructive as active addiction  
🔹 Boundary scripts that actually work (without becoming the "parent" in the relationship)  

Tracy also shares her front-row perspective to Seth’s journey—including the lies he told in therapy for years—and why she believes families deserve their own support systems. Whether you’re navigating a loved one’s active addiction or rebuilding trust in recovery, this episode is a toolkit for survival—and a reminder that your pain matters too.  

Connect with Tracy:  
📧 tracy@palecektherapy.com  

☎️ If you’re struggling with alcohol/addiction (or love someone who is), do not hesitate to reach out to Seth:  
📧 sobercitypod@gmail.com  
📞 605.545.2609  

Follow SOBERCITY:

✅ Facebook: https://facebook.com/sobercitypod  
✅ Instagram: instagram.com/sobercitypod  
✅ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sobercitypod  
✅ YouTube: youtube.com/@sobercitypod 

SEASON 1 : EPISODE 10

"From Blackout to Breakthrough: Kyle's Life-or-Death Journey to Sobriety"

 

Seth sits down with Kyle who celebrates over four years of continuous sobriety after nearly drinking himself to death at age 27. Kyle shares his harrowing journey which ultimately led to a hospital stay where doctors gave him three options: die, become diabetic, or get sober.

With unflinching honesty, Kyle recounts hitting his breaking point when withdrawal hallucinations led him to call 911 during a snowstorm. The conversation delves into his 24-day hospital stay (including 22 days of tube feeding), the spiritual visions that anchored his recovery, and how he now tends bar completely alcohol-free—proving that transformation is possible even in the most triggering environments.

 

Now thriving with renewed faith and purpose, Kyle offers hard-won wisdom about breaking family cycles of addiction, finding freedom in surrender, and why he considers every sober day "bonus time" after nearly losing his pancreas. His story is a powerful reminder that rock bottom is whenever you stop digging.

 

If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, please reach out. You're never alone.

sobercitypod@gmail.com

(605) 545-2609

 

Follow SOBERCITY:

✅ Facebook: https://facebook.com/sobercitypod

Instagram: instagram.com/sobercitypod

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sobercitypod

YouTube: youtube.com/@sobercitypod

SEASON 1 : EPISODE 9

“From Chaos to Serenity: Troy’s Journey to Sobriety"

Seth welcomes Troy, a husband, father, and recovering alcoholic whose story of transformation is deeply rooted helpings others, honesty, and humility. With a rebellious attitude and decades of alcohol abuse, Troy’s path of destruction includes 11 DUI’s, 7 stints in treatment, +2 years in the penitentiary, and ultimately leads to facing a 10 year sentence. Troy’s story is a testament that nobody is beyond hope.

He talks about the power of accountability and community. Now +3 years sober, Troy shares how he went from a life of manipulation and self-destruction to one centered on honesty, service, and spiritual growth. His testimony is a powerful reminder that recovery is not just about quitting alcohol—it's about healing from the inside out and living a life of integrity, one day at a time.

☎️ If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, please reach out. You’re never alone.
📧 sobercitypod@gmail.com
📞 605.545.2609

Follow/Subscribe to SOBERCITY:
✅Facebook: https://facebook.com/sobercitypod
✅Instagram: instagram.com/sobercitypod
✅TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sobercitypod
✅YouTube: youtube.com/@sobercitypod

"From Wine Mom to Free Mom: A Journey of Sobriety and Self-Discovery" 

Seth sits down with Alicen, a real estate broker, military veteran, and mother of three who celebrates over 800 days of continuous sobriety after decades of battling alcohol dependency. Alicen shares her deeply personal story—from her first drink at 14 that led to being suspended from her high school basketball team, to becoming a "wine mom" who secretly pre-gamed dinner with friends, to finally finding freedom in sobriety at age 40. 

With refreshing honesty, Alicen recounts how she hit her breaking point not with a dramatic rock bottom, but through quiet desperation. The conversation delves into her transformative journey through early sobriety's challenges, including navigating going to downtown Nashville with friends, an all-inclusive resort trip, and becoming an owner of a bar at a lake - all while alcohol-free.

Now thriving in her business, marriage, and motherhood, Alicen offers hard-won wisdom about breaking habits and dependency, the dangerous normalization of "mommy wine culture," and why simply removing alcohol wasn't enough—she had to rebuild her identity. Her story is a powerful testament that you don't need to lose everything to gain everything.

Alicen’s Recommended Resources:

• “The Sober Mom” Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1B8ja85ZDa/
• “The Naked Mind” Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/this-naked-mind-podcast/id1287269357
• “The Sober Mom Life” Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/.../the-sober-mom.../id1631208632

☎️ If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, please reach out. You’re never alone.

📧 sobercitypod@gmail.com | 📞 605.545.2609

Follow/Subscribe to SOBERCITY:

✅Facebook: https://facebook.com/sobercitypod

✅Instagram: instagram.com/sobercitypod

✅TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sobercitypod

✅YouTube: youtube.com/@sobercitypod

Episode 7 - Caleb: From Chaos to Clarity

Seth sits down with Caleb, who celebrates over 4 years of continuous sobriety after surviving a brutal battle with alcoholism that began at age 14. Caleb shares his unflinching journey through blackout drinking, false criminal charges that nearly sent him to prison for 30 years, and the spiritual awakening that ultimately saved his life.  

With raw vulnerability, Caleb recounts how alcohol became his solution for childhood insecurities and social anxiety, only to spiral into violence, near-fatal accidents, and legal nightmares. The conversation takes listeners through his darkest moments - including a DUI that finally forced him into treatment - to the unexpected lifeline he found in a sober motorcycle club that became his chosen family.  

Now a devoted husband, father and business owner, Caleb offers hard-earned wisdom about overcoming generational addiction, the danger of untreated resentments, and why simply "putting down the bottle" isn't enough for true recovery. His story is a powerful testament to the miracles that can happen when desperation meets divine intervention.  

☎️ If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, reach out to sobercitypod@gmail.com or contact Seth directly at 605.545.2609 for support. You’re never alone ❤️

Thank you for listening!

Follow/Subscribe to SOBERCITY

✅Facebook: https://facebook.com/sobercitypod

✅Instagram: instagram.com/sobercitypod

✅TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sobercitypod

✅YouTube: youtube.com/@sobercitypod

Episode 6 - Holly: 12 Years of Wisdom, Breaking Cycles & Healing Generational Trauma

Seth sits down with Holly, a remarkable individual celebrating nearly 13 years of continuous sobriety. With her psychology background and hard-earned wisdom in sobriety, Holly offers invaluable insights into addiction, recovery, and breaking free from generational trauma. She shares how she's maintained her sobriety through life's toughest challenges while helping others like Episode 5's guest Vic find their own path to recovery.

The conversation delves into navigating toxic relationships, the transformative power of helping fellow alcoholics/addicts, and understanding addiction through both personal experience and psychological knowledge. As someone who's lived with alcoholism and studied it academically, Holly provides a unique dual perspective on this disease.

☎️ If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, reach out to sobercitypod@gmail.com or contact Seth directly at 605.545.2609 for support. You’re never alone ❤️

Thank you for listening!

🙏🙏Follow/Subscribe to SOBERCITY 🤜🤛

✅Facebook: https://facebook.com/sobercitypod

✅Instagram: instagram.com/sobercitypod

✅TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sobercitypod

✅YouTube: youtube.com/@sobercitypod

In this inspiring fifth episode, host Seth sits down with his good friend Vic, who has over two years of sobriety and has been a constant source of positivity and encouragement in Seth’s own recovery journey. Vic opens up about her struggles with relapse, emphasizing her unwavering determination to keep trying despite setbacks. She shares deeply personal stories, including the pain of disappointing loved ones, the consequences of getting caught drinking at work, and how she overcame a seriously traumatic experience

Despite the challenges she faced at a young age, Vic’s resilience and commitment to sobriety have led her to a life where she is not only living sober but thriving. Her story is a powerful testament to the strength of the human spirit and the importance of never giving up.

Thank you for listening! 

If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, reach out to sobercitypod@gmail.com or contact Seth directly at 605.545.2609 for support.  

Follow and Subscribe to SOBERCITY:
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/sobercitypod 
- Instagram: instagram.com/sobercitypod
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sobercitypod
- YouTube: youtube.com/@sobercitypod

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