Podcast
Supporting Sobriety Podcast
Hosted by Matt Bair & Ryan Hedrick · EN
The Mission
The Supporting Sobriety Podcast is dedicated to providing hope to the unsung heroes behind those struggling with addiction…their friends and family.
We will share insights, stories and resources to help listeners support their loved ones and care for themselves on the recovery journey.
The Hosts
Matt Bair
Matt considers himself blessed to be a recovering alcoholic. His lifetime profession as a radio broadcaster has been derailed multiple times by alcohol abuse but he remains alive and employed through the grace of God and help of others.
Matt lives by the humility introduced in the first step of 12-step recovery, that the alcoholic is truly “powerless over alcohol,” and the alcoholic in use of alcohol possesses a life that is “unmanageable.” He enunciates these beliefs in teaching recovery to alcoholics and addicts, while understanding there’s more to learn from the ones who don’t make it (Keep. Coming. Back). He truly believes everything “always gets better” if you don’t take the next drink or drug. Matt is dedicated to “supporting the supporters” like those who have been critical to his ongoing sobriety.
Matt is the long-time morning and afternoon traffic reporter for WIBC / Indianapolis.
Ryan Hedrick
Ryan Hedrick's life has been a journey of recovery from a challenging battle with addiction spanning nearly 25 years. His struggles with cocaine and methamphetamine led him down a dangerous path, marked by numerous attempts at treatment. However, salvation came in the form of a 12-step program that became his sanctuary.
To break free from the shackles of addiction, Ryan committed himself to giving back to recovery communities nationwide. He extended his support by bringing 12-step meetings to jails and institutions, sponsoring men on their recovery journeys, and regularly attending meetings. Like his co-host, the clutches of drugs and alcohol jeopardized Ryan's life and his career in radio.
Ryan is currently a reporter and morning news anchor at WIBC/Indianapolis where he met his podcast co-host Matt Bair. Together they strive to offer a beacon of hope to those grappling with similar struggles. Their podcast aims to reach and assist individuals behind the scenes by sharing personal experiences, strength, and hope with their followers. Through their collective journey, Ryan and Matt seek to inspire and support those supporting loved ones on the path to recovery.
24episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Episode 76 | What We Hold On To
2w ago00:24:11Tap to summarizeRyan Hedrick talks about how resentment can keep people stuck, and what shifts when someone you care about gets clean and starts doing the work. He speaks with Amanda E., now eight years clean, about showing up for her family, building a support network she can rely on, and the tools she uses to work through resentment. They also talk about what caregivers should understand so resentment doesn’t strain the relationship. Follow & ListenX and Instagram: @sobriety_podAvailable on Spotify, Apple, and other major platforms ResourcesAl-Anon: al-anon.orgAA Meetings: aa.intergroup.org/meetingsNA Meetings: virtual-na.orgSuicide Prevention Hotline: 800-273-8255 (24/7)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →Episode 75 | Ready, Set, Sponsor
Apr 800:23:35Tap to summarizeRyan Hedrick sits down with his sponsor Jose G for a direct conversation about what sponsorship really means in recovery and what it means for you as a caregiver.They explain why sponsorship is the heartbeat of the program. A sponsor helps your loved one see what they are up against, shares real experience, strength, and hope, and walks them through the 12 steps step by step.Ryan and Jose get into how you can spot real readiness, the difference between smart support and overreach, and why trusting the process matters even when it is hard to watch.Ryan also shares what he learned from past sponsors, what helped him, and what did not.The Supporting Sobriety Podcast is for caregivers of people in recovery or active addiction. If you are trying to support someone and not lose yourself in the process, this episode gives you real, practical direction. Follow & ListenX and Instagram: @sobriety_podAvailable on Spotify, Apple, and other major platforms ResourcesAl-Anon: al-anon.orgAA Meetings: aa.intergroup.org/meetingsNA Meetings: virtual-na.orgSuicide Prevention Hotline: 800-273-8255 (24/7)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →Episode 74 | The Other Side of Addiction
Apr 100:22:11Tap to summarizeRyan Hedrick sits down with Daryl Gilmer, a recovering addict with 11 years clean and a story that speaks for itself. From fighting to keep and raise his son to figuring out what it really means to be a present father, Daryl brings a real, grounded perspective on parenting in recovery.The conversation stays honest and practical using your past as a tool, not something to run from, and how showing up with love can actually change lives. Ryan also shares his own experience stepping into fatherhood and not always knowing what to do with that kind of responsibility and blessing.They get into what surrender really means beyond just the word, and how it shows up in daily life. Daryl also talks about being in the role of a caregiver while staying solid in his own recovery, which adds another layer to his journey.It’s a straightforward conversation about growth, responsibility, and what recovery can really look like over time. Follow & ListenX and Instagram: @sobriety_podAvailable on Spotify, Apple, and other major platforms ResourcesAl-Anon: al-anon.orgAA Meetings: aa.intergroup.org/meetingsNA Meetings: virtual-na.orgSuicide Prevention Hotline: 800-273-8255 (24/7)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →Episode 73 | When the Door to Treatment Finally Opens
Mar 1800:21:08Tap to summarizeRyan Hedrick talks with an Indianapolis treatment specialist about what it takes to enter treatment. They discuss a common issue: not everyone is ready.Some people are unsure if they want to stop.Others are not sure they have a problem. Ryan shares a time when he was not ready for treatment and what stayed with him from that experience. They explain how addiction can affect thinking and keep someone stuck between continuing and making a change. Ryan also describes when he decided to seek help, what led to that decision, and what he does now to maintain recovery. This episode covers: How people approach treatment What can delay that decision How change can begin GuestSommer TothOutreach AssociateRecovery Centers of America at IndianapolisDirect: 317-907-82011-800-RECOVER Follow & ListenX and Instagram: @sobriety_podAvailable on Spotify, Apple, and other major platforms ResourcesAl-Anon: al-anon.orgAA Meetings: aa.intergroup.org/meetingsNA Meetings: virtual-na.orgSuicide Prevention Hotline: 800-273-8255 (24/7)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →Episode 72 | When Love Won’t Let Go
Mar 1100:20:47Tap to summarizeRyan Hedrick is joined by his wife for a conversation about addiction, recovery, and how those experiences affected their family. They discuss their past, the impact addiction had on their home, and how recovery changed the dynamics of their relationship and family life. Ryan also speaks to caregivers and loved ones who support someone in recovery, addressing some of the challenges and adjustments that can come with that role. His wife shares her perspective on life before and after recovery and how their family has adapted over time. This episode focuses on the experiences of a family navigating addiction, recovery, and the changes that followed. You can find us on X and Instagram: @sobriety_pod. Supporting Sobriety is also available on major podcast platforms like Spotify and Apple. Please like, subscribe, and rate our podcast! Al-Anon: Al-Anon.org AA Meetings: aa.intergroup.org/meetings NA Meetings: virtual-na.org Suicide Prevention Hotline: (800) 273-8255 (24/7) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →Episode 71 | Letting Go Without Letting Down
Mar 400:26:58Tap to summarizeRyan Hedrick sits down to talk about something every parent, spouse, or loved one in recovery eventually faces: how do you let go… without letting them down?We center the conversation around three questions that can keep you up at night: How much do I step in? What are the expectations now? And how do I stay optimistic when other people doubt them — or when I start doubting myself?Ryan shares honestly about how his relationship with his wife has changed now that she’s in recovery. He reflects on what it used to look like, what it looks like today, and the hard but freeing shift from trying to manage everything to learning how to trust, surrender, and love differently.He’s also joined by Teresa and Mark Perlite, parents to Luke, a young man who is doing incredibly well in his recovery. They walk us through Luke’s journey — and just as importantly, their own. We talk about control, surrender, letting go, managing resentment when it builds up, and what to do when things are actually going well. Because success brings its own emotions too.This episode is real, relatable, and full of perspective for anyone trying to support someone they love without losing themselves in the process. You can find us on X and Instagram: @sobriety_pod. Supporting Sobriety is also available on major podcast platforms like Spotify and Apple. Please like, subscribe, and rate our podcast! Al-Anon: Al-Anon.org AA Meetings: aa.intergroup.org/meetings NA Meetings: virtual-na.org Suicide Prevention Hotline: (800) 273-8255 (24/7) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →Episode 70 | Trading One Addiction for Another
Feb 2500:19:08Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Ryan Hedrick opens up about what it really means to trade one addiction for another. From drugs to social media, he explores how addiction is still addiction, even when it shows up in different forms and at different levels. Ryan shares honest examples from his own recovery journey and sits down with a friend who has been clean for more than six years to talk about how social media has impacted his sobriety. You will also hear from a young woman in Florida and an author who specializes in helping caregivers navigate a loved one’s addiction and recovery. If someone you love is in recovery, this is an episode you will not want to miss. It is a real conversation about how addiction can continue to evolve, even while recovery is in progress. Resources You can find us on X and Instagram: @sobriety_pod. Supporting Sobriety is also available on major podcast platforms like Spotify and Apple. Please like, subscribe, and rate our podcast! Al-Anon: Al-Anon.org Meetings: aa.rgroup.org/meengs NA Meetings: virtual-na.orginte Suicide Prevention Hotline: (800) 273-8255 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →Episode 69 | When Belief Becomes Trust
Feb 1800:19:05Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Ryan Hedrick talks about his experience with addiction and the long process of rebuilding his life. He explains what his day‑to‑day looked like when he was using, including the period he spent living in a crack house in Washington, D.C. He also describes the moment his mom stepped in and helped him start the path toward recovery. Ryan walks through what he found in 12‑step meetings, the people who modeled a calmer way of living, and how his outlook changed as he began to trust the recovery process.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →Episode 68 | Grief, Sobriety, and Life on Life’s Terms
Nov 2600:31:36Tap to summarizeMatt Bair and Ryan Hedrick open up about grieving clean and sober, and the challenges that come with living life on life’s terms. Ryan shares about his recent trip to Maryland, where visiting his grandmother in a nursing home stirred emotions he had to process without leaning on old habits. Matt talks about how sobriety has changed the way he handles family issues, and together the guys reflect on what it means to face these moments with clarity and honesty. Resources You can find us on X and Instagram: @sobriety_pod. Supporting Sobriety is also available on major podcast platforms like Spotify and Apple. Please like, subscribe, and rate our podcast! Al-Anon: Al-Anon.org Meetings: aa.rgroup.org/meengs NA Meetings: virtual-na.orginte Suicide Prevention Hotline: (800) 273-8255 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →Episode 67 | Grief, Recovery, and the Road Back Home
Nov 600:29:40Tap to summarizeMatt Bair and Ryan Hedrick talk about coping with grief and loss while in recovery. Recently, Ryan traveled to Maryland to be with his family as they said goodbye to his father, an experience he had never faced before. Matt also shares his own perspective on handling loss and finding balance through recovery. Together, they discuss practical ways to manage difficult emotions and support one another through challenging times. This episode offers helpful insight for caregivers and anyone walking alongside a loved one dealing with loss. Resources: Al-Anon: Al-Anon.org Meetings: aa.org/find-aa NA Meetings: na.org/meetingsearch/virtual-meeting-search/ Suicide Prevention Hotline: (800) 273-8255 National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) - Resources for Families Families Against Narcotics (FAN) - Support for Families SAMHSA’s National Helpline (1-800-662-HELP) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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