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In this episode of gAy A: The Queer Sober Hero Show, Sober Steve welcomes back Julianne Griffin, aka Jewels, the founder of Swift Steps—a unique sober community for Swifties in recovery. They dive deep into the therapeutic power of journaling, finding balance in sobriety, and the challenges of staying accountable in recovery. Jules shares how the love for Taylor Swift’s music, lyrics, and journey has become a powerful anchor for Swift Steps members to connect, support each other, and grow.

What’s Covered in This Episode:

• Swift Steps 101: For those unfamiliar with Swift Steps, Jules provides an overview of this inspiring recovery community for Swifties.
• Journaling with Taylor: Discover how the Swift Steps course, Blank Spaces and Brave Faces, uses Taylor Swift's music and lyrics as a journaling framework, encouraging members to explore their recovery journeys, release shame, and embrace self-compassion.
• Personal Growth and Accountability: Jules reflects on the challenges of showing up for herself, balancing self-care with the demands of community leadership, and the importance of support networks in recovery.
• Navigating Family Triggers: From co-dependency to challenging family relationships, Jules opens up about the struggles of setting boundaries and seeking personal growth within recovery.
• The Power of Swift Steps Community: Hear how Swift Steps members inspire each other, keep each other accountable, and bring a shared purpose that continues to enrich Jules’ own journey in sobriety.

What’s Next?
Curious to learn more about Swift Steps or join this vibrant community? Head over to their social media @swiftsteps13 or check out swiftsteps.org to join the mailing list and receive all the details.

Tune in for insights, laughs, and a whole lot of Taylor-inspired recovery wisdom, and don’t forget to hit "follow" so you never miss an episode of gAy A! 🌈✨

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Hey there, super sober heroes! 🦸🏽‍♂️ This week on Gay A, Sober Steve is thrilled to welcome back a fan-favorite guest and globetrotter, Frankie New! Steve and Frankie dive into a topic close to Frankie's heart: Traveling in Sobriety.

In This Episode: Join Steve and Frankie as they discuss the unique adventures and perspectives that come with sober travel. From finding queer-friendly destinations and the occasional surprise doll museum to embracing the joy of being fully present in each moment, Frankie shares insights on the empowering freedom that sobriety brings to his journeys. Here’s what else to look forward to:

• 🎒 Sober Travel Tips: How to stay grounded, prioritize safety, and find enjoyment—wherever in the world you are.
• 🌏 Navigating Different Cultures: Frankie's experiences with queer and sober spaces across continents and why he feels more comfortable than ever traveling solo.
• 💫 Rediscovering Fun and Connection: How being sober has allowed Frankie to connect more deeply with the places he visits and the people he meets.

Follow Frankie on Instagram and TikTok at @FashionQueerHistorian to keep up with his latest journeys and fascinating research!

Follow Us Here, and on all the Socials @gAyApodcast

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Hey, Super Sober Heroes! In this episode of gAy A, Sober Steve welcomes back Jaycee K. Clark for a powerful conversation on the impact of social media on mental health and sobriety. With over 1,227 days sober, Steve sits down with Jaycee to discuss how social media plays a dual role in our lives—both as a tool for connection and a source of distraction. Jaycee, who will be one of the keynote speakers at the Here, Queer, Sober event next September, shares personal insights from her recent social media hiatus and how it transformed her recovery and self-care routine.

Key Takeaways from the Episode:

• Social Media Hiatus: Jaycee opens up about taking a break from social media to focus on her mental health and emotional well-being. She highlights the importance of recognizing when social media becomes a distraction and how taking a step back helped her reconnect with herself.
• The Power of Disconnecting: How disconnecting from the online world can create space for deep emotional healing, self-reflection, and improved mental health in sobriety.
• Being Intentional: Jaycee emphasizes the need to be intentional with social media use—knowing when to engage, when to take a break, and how to create healthy boundaries.
• Balancing Creation and Consumption: As someone who uses social media for activism and sobriety advocacy, Jaycee shares tips on balancing content creation and consumption while staying grounded and present.
• Lessons in Recovery: They dive into the parallels between social media dependency and addiction, discussing how both require self-awareness and personal boundaries to maintain balance.
• Being Vulnerable and Staying Connected: Jaycee talks about the importance of staying connected with her recovery community, even when offline, and how being open with others about her struggles helps her stay grounded.

Key Moments:

• Jaycee explains how her relationship with social media changed after entering recovery.
• How taking a break from social media empowered her to focus on her mental health and sobriety.
• Steve and Jaycee discuss the pros and cons of social media in the recovery space and how to navigate the pressures of being online.
• Jaycee talks about using social media as a tool for advocacy and sharing her recovery journey out loud.

Connect with Jaycee:
Follow Jaycee Clark on Instagram: @officialjayceek

Resources Mentioned:

• Here, Queer, Sober event in NYC, September 2024

Stay Connected:
Follow us on Instagram: @gAyApodcast
Find more resources and episodes at www.sobersteve.com.

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Stay Sober, Friends!

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