Podcast
Chapter 3 Stigma
Hosted by Kyle Zibrowski · EN
Chapter 3 Stigma — Addiction, Recovery & Hope
Chapter 3 Stigma is a podcast about what happens after the decision to change — when the real work of recovery begins. Hosted by Kyle Zibrowski, a recovering alcoholic and storyteller, the show dives into the heart of addiction recovery, mental health, and healing from shame through raw, unfiltered conversations with people who’ve lived it.
Each episode explores what it means to rebuild after addiction: how to navigate relapse, repair trust, find forgiveness, and rediscover purpose. You’ll hear from therapists, recovery coaches, medical professionals, and loved ones who share hard-won insights about sobriety, relationships, and resilience.
Whether you’re battling alcoholism, substance use disorder, or learning how to support someone in recovery, this podcast offers real-world tools, emotional honesty, and the reminder that you are not alone.
Our mission: to end stigma, build understanding, and remind every listener that recovery isn’t a finish line — it’s a new chapter.
Topics you’ll find here:
addiction recovery • sobriety • relapse prevention • family healing • supporting a loved one • overcoming stigma • trauma recovery • emotional sobriety • mental health and addiction • personal growth
Follow Chapter 3 Stigma to hear powerful stories that prove: even after addiction, life can begin again.
20episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
When Recovery Isn’t the Whole Story
Dec 3100:31:42Tap to summarize👉 This conversation continues on the More Than Capable podcast.Subscribe here: Apple Podcast [Click Here]Spotify [Click Here]YouTube [Click Here]To hear the full episode and continue forward with this work, please pause here and subscribe to the More Than Capable podcast on your listening platform of choice.Do you need immediate help?Suicide Hotline - 988Substance Abuse and Mental Health hotline - 1-800-662-4357Want to reach out?Find us on:Instagram (@chapter3stigma)YouTube (@Chapter3Stigma)Chapter 3 Stigma SubstackThis episode marks an important turning point for Chapter 3 Stigma.In this conversation, I’m joined by my wife Alyssa to talk openly about why this body of work is being intentionally sunset — not abandoned — and how it’s evolving into something broader, deeper, and more aligned with where this journey has led.Chapter 3 Stigma was created for people at their lowest point — those battling addiction, shame, isolation, and the belief that they were beyond help. Its purpose was always clarity, accessibility, and hope. Short, honest episodes meant to meet someone in the depths of despair and remind them they weren’t alone.Over time, however, the conversation expanded beyond addiction itself. Recovery didn’t end the work — it revealed it.Together, Alyssa and I reflect on:Why growth sometimes requires letting go of what once served youThe hidden work of recovery that begins after sobrietyHow identity, self-belief, and discipline are rebuilt in small, unglamorous stepsThe tension between accepting who you are and knowing there’s more aheadAnd why community — not motivation — is what carries people forwardChapter 3 Stigma will remain available as a resource for those in early recovery and for loved ones seeking understanding. There will be a small number of final episodes released here to thoughtfully close this chapter, with a focus on relationships, family, and life after recovery begins.This isn’t an ending. It’s a widening of the lens.If this work has ever helped you, please consider subscribing, rating, and sharing. Those simple actions help this message reach people who are still quietly searching for a way through.You are not alone.You are loved.And you are more capable than you think.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Chapter 3 Stigma01:01 Transition to More Than Capable02:43 Reflections on Past Conversations07:22 The Purpose of Chapter 3 Stigma10:19 Navigating Recovery and Relationships11:48 The Garbage Can Sticker Project16:59 The Concept of More Than Capable22:11 The Journey of Self-Belief28:38 The Human Experience of Struggle
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Breaking Addiction Cycles: From 2.5 Seconds to 2.5 Years Sober | Ep. 72
Nov 1800:25:25Tap to summarizeDo you need immediate help?Suicide Hotline - 988Substance Abuse and Mental Health hotline - 1-800-662-4357Want to reach out?Find us on:Instagram (@chapter3stigma)YouTube (@Chapter3Stigma)Chapter 3 Stigma SubstackIn this deeply personal solo episode, Kyle reads one of the most painful chapters from his upcoming memoir, a chapter titled Cycles.At two and a half years sober, Kyle revisits the paranoia, the rituals, the lies, and the physical and emotional unraveling that defined his drinking. It’s a window into the madness of addiction from the inside out: the secret alcohol runs, frantic cover-ups, manipulation of loved ones, and the suffocating obsession that made every day feel impossible to escape.This is not an easy listen. It’s uncomfortable, disgusting, and at times brutal. But it’s also a testimony to what recovery can make possible.Kyle shares this chapter not to shock, but to reach anyone who feels trapped in their own cycle of urges, relapse, and shame—and to show that there is a solution, no matter how hopeless it feels in the moment.If you’re struggling, or if someone you love is, you are not alone. There is a way out of the darkness. And life on the other side is bigger and brighter than you can imagine.
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From Loss to Leadership: Building Community After a Stillbirth with Zach Tauscher | Ep 71
Nov 501:26:30Tap to summarizeDo you need immediate help?Suicide Hotline - 988Substance Abuse and Mental Health hotline - 1-800-662-4357Want to reach out?Find us on:Instagram (@chapter3stigma)YouTube (@Chapter3Stigma)Chapter 3 Stigma SubstackAfter losing their daughters — Lucy and Brynlee — cousins Kyle and Zach found themselves walking parallel paths through unimaginable loss and slow, patient healing.In this powerful conversation, Zach shares the story of Brynlee's stillbirth and how he and his wife, began rebuilding their lives while honoring her memory. Together, Kyle and Zach open up about the unseen side of grief, the guilt that fathers often carry, and how men can learn to grieve out loud instead of in silence.Zach explains how he transformed his pain into purpose — starting a local support group for parents navigating pregnancy and infant loss, speaking publicly for the first time, and finding meaning by helping others heal.This episode is for anyone learning to live after loss — parents, partners, or friends trying to understand what it means to move forward with both love and grief in hand.Topics Covered:Grief, guilt, and the father’s role in lossThe power of community and shared healingHow men can process emotion without shameTurning tragedy into purpose and leadershipChapters00:00 — Introduction 03:40 — Brynlee’s Story: The Day Everything Changed10:55 — Grieving as a Father: Isolation and Silent Pain18:30 — The Unseen Weight: Guilt, Faith, and Questions Without Answers26:15 — Communicating Grief: Marriage, Family, and Support Systems34:10 — Finding Purpose in Pain: The Early Stages of Healing42:55 — Building Community: The Birth of the Support Group51:45 — Leadership Through Vulnerability58:20 — Hope and Legacy: Keeping Brinley’s Memory Alive1:04:40 — Closing Reflections: Living Forward with Love and Grief
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The Science & Heart of Alcohol Recovery with Dr. Amy Swift | Ep. 70
Oct 2200:57:05Tap to summarizeDo you need immediate help?Suicide Hotline - 988Substance Abuse and Mental Health hotline - 1-800-662-4357Want to reach out?Find us on:Instagram (@chapter3stigma)YouTube (@Chapter3Stigma)Chapter 3 Stigma SubstackWhat actually happens inside rehab? What keeps people in recovery after they leave?Dr. Amy Swift, Deputy Chief Medical Officer at Silver Hill Hospital, joins Kyle to pull back the curtain on the clinical and emotional sides of recovery.Silver Hill Hospital WebsiteThey explore:The difference between inpatient, residential, and outpatient programs—and how families fit into each.Why recovery starts with small, “chewable” steps (and what “holding hope” really means).How DBT tools like emotional regulation and interpersonal effectiveness reduce relapse risk.The power of family involvement—and how loved ones can help without enabling.The truth about co-occurring disorders (depression, anxiety, bipolar) hiding under addiction.What happens after rehab—discharge plans, emotional reactivity, and rebuilding relationships over time.Dr. Swift’s blend of clinical expertise and human compassion offers a roadmap for anyone touched by addiction—patients, families, and professionals alike.Chapters00:00 Welcome & Dr. Smith Intro01:08 Why This Conversation Matters03:04 What Is Silver Hill Hospital04:25 Inpatient vs Outpatient Explained06:22 Who Decides the Right Program07:15 When Families Bring Someone In10:31 The Fear of Rehab & Early Resistance12:43 The Family’s Role in Recovery14:12 Post-Rehab Reality16:30 DBT & Emotional Skills for Recovery17:30 Using Conflict as Growth18:00 Discharge Plans & Perfectionism21:18 Recovery Is a Marathon22:28 Family Week at Silver Hill23:38 When the Family Isn’t Ready25:35 Addiction Within Relationships26:24 Dr. Swift’s Journey Into Addiction Medicine28:11 Finding Confidence as a Clinician29:46 Redefining Success & Holding Hope31:29 Emotional Boundaries & Letting Go33:15 Building Resilience as a Healer36:44 Women, Shame & Motherhood in Recovery38:01 Kyle’s Story: Leaving Family to Heal41:30 Healing Parental Guilt & Late-Stage Redemption43:19 The Light Returning Gratitude in Recovery45:17 Co-Occurring Disorders Explained50:48 Facing Emotions After Detox51:29 Feeling Again53:04 Advice for Families & Society54:25 Closing Reflections
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The Exhale: We’re Back (And Different) with Alyssa | Ep. 69
Oct 800:46:51Tap to summarizeDo you need immediate help?Suicide Hotline - 988Substance Abuse and Mental Health hotline - 1-800-662-4357Want to reach out?Find us on:Instagram (@chapter3stigma)YouTube (@Chapter3Stigma)Chapter 3 Stigma SubstackIn this episode of the Chapter 3 Stigma Podcast, Alyssa and Kyle share their personal journey of navigating family growth after loss, the emotional complexities of pregnancy, and the intertwining of grief and joy. They reflect on their experiences with addiction recovery, the anticipation of welcoming a new child, and the challenges of adjusting to life with two sons. The conversation emphasizes the importance of support, love, and finding a new normal amidst life's challenges and ever changing state.Chapters00:00 Introduction to the Journey02:20 Reflections on Family Growth04:42 Navigating Pregnancy After Loss07:16 The Emotional Rollercoaster of Expecting10:16 Facing Medical Concerns12:58 The Anticipation of New Life15:47 The Birth Experience18:31 Welcoming a New Family Member21:07 Adjusting to Life with Two Sons23:49 Grief and Joy Intertwined26:13 Finding a New Normal29:01 The Impact of Two Boys at Home on Family Dynamics31:28 Concluding Thoughts and Future PlansKeywordsaddiction, recovery, family, pregnancy, grief, parenting, emotional journey, support, love, healing
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The Final Episode (For Now): Love, Forgiveness, and Two Years of Recovery | Ep. 68
Jun 501:05:31Tap to summarizeDo you need immediate help?Suicide Hotline - 988Substance Abuse and Mental Health hotline - 1-800-662-4357Want to reach out?Find us on:Instagram (@chapter3stigma)YouTube (@Chapter3Stigma)Chapter 3 Stigma SubstackIn this heartfelt and unfiltered conversation, Kyle sits down with his wife Alyssa for what will be the final episode of Chapter 3 Stigma—at least for now. Together, they reflect on the past two years of sobriety, the difficult decisions that kept them together, and the private battles that played out behind the scenes of addiction recovery.Alyssa shares what it was like to love someone who didn’t love himself, the cost of codependency, and how she found her own path of healing alongside Kyle’s. They explore the complexity of forgiveness, the difference between trust and letting go, and what it means to rebuild a relationship from the ground up.Whether you're a loved one of an addict, deep in your own recovery, or seeking hope in dark places, this episode is for you.This episode marks a pause—not an end—as Kyle reflects on the journey and what may come next with the book and broader body of work.00:00 Introduction to the Journey01:01 Reflecting on the Podcast's Impact04:54 Turning the Tables: A Conversation with Alyssa05:14 Commitment Through Difficult Times08:11 The Struggles of Loving an Addict09:24 Recognizing Self-Care Issues12:50 The Complexity of Honesty15:29 New Beginnings and Parenthood18:49 The Positive Side of Recovery20:16 The Role of Partners in Recovery22:25 Forgiveness and Healing25:14 The Process of Forgiveness30:00 Self-Forgiveness and Growth32:14 Reconnecting with Identity34:34 Looking Back on the Journey34:59 Transformation Through Recovery37:07 Navigating Relationships in Recovery39:45 Hyperprotection and Trust41:37 Evolving Together in Recovery43:00 Preparing the Next Generation46:04 Forgiveness vs. Trust49:04 The Power of Gratitude52:15 Reflections on the Journey57:49 Messages of Hope for Loved OnesKeywordsaddiction, recovery, alcoholism, relationships, forgiveness, self-care, commitment, mental health, family, personal growth, recovery, addiction, relationships, forgiveness, gratitude, hope, transformation, trust, family, support
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Episode 67 - A Vision for You: Finding Freedom, Fellowship, and a Future Beyond Addiction
May 2800:25:02Tap to summarizeDo you need immediate help?Suicide Hotline - 988Substance Abuse and Mental Health hotline - 1-800-662-4357Want to reach out?Find us on:Instagram (@chapter3stigma)YouTube (@Chapter3Stigma)Chapter 3 Stigma SubstackIn this episode of Chapter 3 Stigma, Kyle wraps up the foundational 164 pages of the Alcoholics Anonymous Big Book, focusing on the final chapter, A Vision for You. Kyle reflects on the illusions of control in addiction, the liberating act of surrender, and the deeper identity formed in recovery—not just sobriety.Drawing from personal experience and the transformative language of the Big Book, Kyle explores the difference between being sober and living in active recovery. This episode is a moving invitation for those struggling with alcoholism, as well as for their loved ones, to see addiction through a new lens and to discover hope, healing, and lasting purpose.00:00 Introduction to the Chapter 3 Stigma Podcast01:00 Wrapping Up Alcoholics Anonymous Insights06:48 Exploring the Final Chapter: A Vision for You11:57 The Cycle of Addiction and Recovery16:46 The Power of Community and Fellowship21:02 Forgiveness, Sacrifice, and Spiritual GrowthKeywords: addiction recovery podcast, Alcoholics Anonymous, Big Book chapter 11, letting go of control, living sober, dry drunk vs recovery, spiritual awakening, AA for loved ones, recovery identity, how to get sober, fellowship in recovery, Chapter 3 Stigma
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Episode 66 - Book Sneak Peek: “Hope” — The Day I Walked Into Rehab
May 21, 202500:17:26Tap to summarizeDo you need immediate help?Suicide Hotline - 988Substance Abuse and Mental Health hotline - 1-800-662-4357Want to reach out?Find us on:Instagram (@chapter3stigma)YouTube (@Chapter3Stigma)Chapter 3 Stigma SubstackIn this special Chapter 3 Stigma episode, Kyle pulls back the curtain on his work-in-progress memoir—written for his son Grant and future children—to preserve every hard-won lesson from two years of sobriety. After hitting a major milestone in the editing process, Kyle reads the first half of “Hope,” the chapter that opens the book’s rehab section. You’ll hear the exact moment he surrendered everything, the gut-punch goodbye with his wife Alyssa, and the two promises he made in intake: trust the program and learn to say “I love you” to the man in the mirror.From parental guilt and hospital flashbacks to an unexpected sense of relief, this reading lays bare the terror and tender optimism of Day 1 in rehab. The second half of the chapter drops exclusively on the Chapter 3 Stigma Substack; links are in the show notes. Whether you’re battling addiction or supporting someone who is, let this honest glimpse of hope remind you that recovery is possible—and worth every step.00:00 Introduction to the Journey of Healing01:01 The Process of Writing and Reflection04:10 Entering Rehab: A New Beginning05:39 Facing Fears and Embracing Hope10:07 Promises to Self: A Commitment to Change14:17 Sharing the Journey: The Healing ProcessKeywordsaddiction, recovery, hope, healing, personal story, alcoholism, family, resilience, mental health, support
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Episode 65: Two Years of Recovery and Mother’s Day: A Marriage Transformed by Recovery
May 14, 202501:04:38Tap to summarizeDo you need immediate help?Suicide Hotline - 988Substance Abuse and Mental Health hotline - 1-800-662-4357Want to reach out?Find us on:Instagram (@chapter3stigma)YouTube (@Chapter3Stigma)Chapter 3 Stigma Website & BlogIn this deeply personal episode, Kyle invites his wife Alyssa back to the Chapter 3 Stigma podcast for a conversation recorded on Mother’s Day 2025, nearly two years after Kyle entered rehab for alcoholism. What follows is a moving and honest dialogue between partners about what it means to rebuild trust, parent with presence, and navigate the emotional terrain of recovery together.Alyssa takes the lead, asking Kyle unfiltered questions about what’s changed in the last two years, what still challenges him, and how he’s stayed sober through life’s curveballs. From discussing the power of the 12 steps to the fear of complacency, to grieving the loss of their daughter Lucy while staying spiritually connected, this episode offers hope and depth for anyone walking the path of healing or supporting someone who is.Whether you're newly in recovery, a longtime supporter, or someone seeking hope in a hard season, this conversation will stay with you.00:00 Welcome & Why Mother's Day Will Never Be the Same Again02:34 “Doesn’t It Feel Like Another Lifetime?” — Alyssa Reflects04:11 The One-Year Chip, Milestones, and What Comes Next08:39 “How Did You Do It?” — Kyle on Listening, Action & AA10:52 From Rehab to Real Life: Building Consistency & Confidence13:05 The Hardest Part: Letting Go and Forgiving14:55 What’s Been Easy: Joy, Presence & Parenting in Recovery17:58 Alcohol Today: Boundaries, Triggers & Reclaiming Peace23:38 Showing Up for Others: Giving Back in the AA Community29:41 Surprise Realization: I Was Afraid of My Own Potential32:34 Time, Energy & Creativity Recovered in Sobriety35:14 "I Couldn’t Picture Life Beyond 35" — Facing the Future40:08 Legacy Over Achievement: What Really Matters44:42 What I Haven’t Shared Yet: Resentment, Rage, and Growth46:22 The Fear of Complacency and Staying Connected50:04 One-on-One Conversations and Writing the Book for Grant54:31 What Progress Looks Like Now: Emotional Stability & Prayer59:54 Talking to Lucy: Faith, Grief, and End-of-Day Reflection1:02:53 Final Reflections: A Life Rebuilt One Day at a TimeKeywords: recovery podcast, sobriety anniversary, couple in recovery, addiction and marriage, 12 steps of AA, emotional sobriety, grief and sobriety, faith in recovery, relapse prevention, parenting sober, Mother's Day recovery story, overcoming alcoholism
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Episode 64 - The 15-Year Resentment: What I Learned About Forgiveness in Recovery
May 7, 202500:20:45Tap to summarizeDo you need immediate help?Suicide Hotline - 988Substance Abuse and Mental Health hotline - 1-800-662-4357Want to reach out?Find us on:Instagram (@chapter3stigma)YouTube (@Chapter3Stigma)Chapter 3 Stigma Website & BlogIn this episode of Chapter 3 Stigma, Kyle reflects on one of recovery’s most misunderstood challenges: the difference between forgiveness and trust. Sharing his own experience with a 15-year resentment, Kyle explores how the 12 steps helped him finally let go, and why trust doesn't come with forgiveness—it’s earned over time. Whether you're an addict in recovery or someone who loves one, this episode offers a grounding, honest look at how to move forward without rushing reconciliation.00:00 Introduction to the Journey of Recovery01:01 Exploring Forgiveness and Trust03:27 The Impact of Resentment on Recovery07:24 Self-Forgiveness and Its Importance10:19 Understanding the 12 Steps: Forgiveness and Trust14:36 Making Amends and Building Trust16:37 The Distinction Between Forgiveness and Trust18:42 Closing Thoughts on Recovery and RelationshipsTopics/TagsAddiction recoveryForgiveness and trust12 step programSobriety podcastHow to forgive in recoveryRebuilding trust in recoveryResentment in sobrietyEmotional relapseStep 4 and 5 AASelf-forgiveness addictionHealing relationships in addiction
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