Best Sober Holiday Podcasts for Motivation and Support
When the Holidays Feel Like a High-Stakes Emotional Obstacle Course
If the holidays had a mission statement, it would be something like:
“Let’s gather everyone who triggers you, put them under one roof, add cinnamon, and see what happens.”
The whole month smells like warm sugar and emotional regression. Before we explore the best sober holiday podcasts from around the recovery world, start with the two episodes we created specifically for this moment in your life:
These conversations are practical, grounded, and honest in that “I needed someone to say this out loud” way.
And if you’re looking for more motivation, perspective, and support to keep your sobriety anchored while the season tries to sweep you into chaos, here are several excellent podcasts to fortify your mind and steady your recovery.
Time to fortify your earholes.
1. Less Pressure, More Presence from the No Permission Necessary Podcast
One of the most refreshing holiday conversations I’ve heard this year comes from No Permission Necessary, hosted by Molly Bierman and Jill Griffin. Their episode, “Less Pressure, More Presence/Finding Peace During the Holidays,” is a thoughtful look at how the holiday season can pull us in a hundred emotional directions. Instead of telling you to push through it, they invite you to slow down, breathe, and step into the moments that genuinely matter.
The discussion feels real and relatable. They talk openly about navigating family dynamics, setting boundaries without guilt, and the challenge of staying connected to your mental health when the season gets noisy. There’s a strong emphasis on letting go of perfection and finding gratitude in small, grounding experiences.
This conversation isn’t a “holiday survival guide” in the traditional sense. It’s more of a gentle reminder to shift out of pressure and into presence. For anyone in recovery, supporting a loved one, or simply trying to stay centered, it’s a reassuring listen that helps you reclaim the parts of the season that actually feel good.
2. The Sober and Happy Podcast
Hosted by Tim Phillips, who shares his decade-long journey through sobriety, The Sober and Happy Podcast offers motivational insights and practical tools for living a joyful sober life.
The Holiday episode #134: “Sober for the Holidays (Without Missing the Fun)” — offers a simple, realistic plan for getting through the season without drinking and without feeling left out. Tim tackles common triggers like family dynamics, social pressure, and old traditions with warmth and humor.
3. Sober Holidays — Through the Glass Recovery
This episode from the Through the Glass Recovery podcast is heartfelt and incredibly relatable. The hosts unpack holiday-specific stressors, including financial pressure, complicated family expectations, alcohol-heavy traditions, and the emotional weight many people carry during this time.
What makes this episode powerful is the blend of personal stories and practical strategies. You hear how real people handle gift giving with alcohol, how they set boundaries, how they say no, and how they stay anchored when the room feels wobbly.
It feels like sitting with a supportive group who “gets it.”
4. Sober Holiday Strategies from The Hello Someday Podcast
A Great Fit for Women and Anyone Exploring a More Mindful Holiday
Hosted by Casey McGuire Davidson, this podcast is warm and deeply validating for those who are sober curious or in early recovery.
The episode “Sober Holiday Strategies: Expert Tips To Stay Sober From Christmas To New Year’s Eve” is especially relevant this time of year. It’s packed with practical advice for navigating office parties, family gatherings, and emotional triggers — especially for those in their first sober holiday season.
It’s insightful and empowering, particularly for women looking to strengthen their confidence and boundaries.
Why These Podcasts Help
These podcasts aren’t about perfection. They’re about community, hearing voices that remind you why sobriety matters and that you’re not walking this road alone. Listening can help you:
Reconnect with your “why.”
Set boundaries before social events.
Find calm when emotions run high.
Replace holiday pressure with perspective.
Whether you’re wrapping gifts, commuting, or taking a quiet walk, pop in your earbuds and let these voices remind you of your strength.
Find Support That Fits You
If you’re looking for more than podcasts this season, something personal, grounded, and actionable, consider connecting with Recovery Collective in Annapolis. Our team offers individual therapy, recovery coaching, Addiction Recovery Intensives, and group support designed to help you navigate triggers and build lasting sobriety through the holidays and beyond.
For those who want a structured, self-guided option, you can start right now with our self-paced e-course.
Control or Quit? Your Guide to Cutback or Cutoff Alcohol
Gives you the tools, frameworks, and reflective exercises to understand your drinking patterns and make a clear, confident choice about what's next. It’s built for anyone feeling stuck, scared to change, or unsure whether moderation or sobriety is right for them.
Whether you prefer therapy, coaching, or a private e-course you can work through at your own pace, you don’t have to do this alone.
Schedule a confidential consultation, enroll in the Control or Quit? E-course, or join The Collective Newsletter for weekly insights on mindfulness, relapse prevention, and recovery tools that keep you centered all year long.
Because staying sober through the holidays isn’t just about saying “no” — it’s about building a life you no longer want to escape from. Please get in touch with us if you’d like to discuss further support.