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In 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 Again

02:34 “Doesn’t It Feel Like Another Lifetime?” — Alyssa Reflects

04:11 The One-Year Chip, Milestones, and What Comes Next

08:39 “How Did You Do It?” — Kyle on Listening, Action & AA

10:52 From Rehab to Real Life: Building Consistency & Confidence

13:05 The Hardest Part: Letting Go and Forgiving

14:55 What’s Been Easy: Joy, Presence & Parenting in Recovery

17:58 Alcohol Today: Boundaries, Triggers & Reclaiming Peace

23:38 Showing Up for Others: Giving Back in the AA Community

29:41 Surprise Realization: I Was Afraid of My Own Potential

32:34 Time, Energy & Creativity Recovered in Sobriety

35:14 "I Couldn’t Picture Life Beyond 35" — Facing the Future

40:08 Legacy Over Achievement: What Really Matters

44:42 What I Haven’t Shared Yet: Resentment, Rage, and Growth

46:22 The Fear of Complacency and Staying Connected

50:04 One-on-One Conversations and Writing the Book for Grant

54:31 What Progress Looks Like Now: Emotional Stability & Prayer

59:54 Talking to Lucy: Faith, Grief, and End-of-Day Reflection

1:02:53 Final Reflections: A Life Rebuilt One Day at a Time

Keywords: 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