When UFC legend Dustin Poirier was arrested for public intoxication at an airport on Father's Day, the reaction was immediate:

"He has a disease."

But what exactly does that mean?

In this solo episode, Shane dives into one of the most controversial conversations in recovery: the disease model of addiction.

If addiction is a disease, is smoking a disease too?

Why do we send people to rehab for alcohol and drugs, but not cigarettes?

Why do some people lose control of their lives through addiction while others quit cold turkey and never look back?

Drawing from personal experience, current events, and the work of addiction researcher Stanton Peele, Shane explores the tension between personal responsibility, brain science, recovery culture, and human agency.

This isn't an anti-recovery episode. It's a conversation about asking better questions.

In this episode:
• The Dustin Poirier airport incident and what it reveals about alcohol
• Is addiction really a disease?
• Why nicotine may be one of the hardest addictions to quit
• The difference between addiction, dependence, and choice
• Insights from Stanton Peele's work on addiction and recovery
• Why purpose, meaning, and personal agency matter
• Can both the disease model and personal responsibility be true?

Whether you're in recovery, questioning your relationship with alcohol, or simply interested in the broader conversation around addiction, this episode will challenge you to think differently.

The goal isn't to prove who's right. The goal is to ask the questions most people are afraid to ask.

Join “The Victory Circle”, our FREE Sober Guy Mens Community at https://www.thatsoberguy.com/offers/SvjjuEQ2/checkout

Want to go 30 Days Alcohol Free? Try our 30-Day Sober Performance Challenge — https://www.thatsoberguy.com/quit-drinking-alcohol-for-30-days

Sober Executive Performance Reset: A 12 Week Private Coaching Experience - APPLY HERE https://www.thatsoberguy.com/coaching

Shanes New Book, Sober Guy How Do I - https://a.co/d/81ZIgtE
Invite Shane to Speak - https://www.thatsoberguy.com/speaking

For More Resources go to http://www.ThatSoberGuy.com

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What has changed about recovery, sobriety, and alcohol over the last decade?

In this episode of That Sober Guy Podcast, Shane Ramer sits down with Paul Churchill, founder and host of the Recovery Elevator Podcast, for a conversation that has been more than ten years in the making.

Shane and Paul both launched their podcasts in the early days of the modern sobriety movement and have spent years talking with thousands of people navigating their relationship with alcohol. In this episode, they reflect on how the recovery landscape has evolved, what they've learned from their audiences, and why more people than ever are questioning alcohol's role in their lives.

Together, they tackle some of the biggest debates in recovery today, including identity, labels, moderation, the sober curious movement, and whether people need to hit rock bottom before making a change.

They also discuss the common struggles men face when trying to quit drinking, the excuses that keep people stuck, and why so many smart, successful people continue drinking even when they know it's holding them back.

In this episode:

• How the sobriety and recovery movement has changed over the last decade • The rise of the sober curious movement • Do people still need to identify as alcoholics? • Can some people successfully moderate their drinking? • The biggest lies people tell themselves about alcohol • Why successful people continue drinking despite the consequences • What keeps people stuck longer than necessary • Lessons learned from thousands of conversations about recovery and personal growth • Where the future of sobriety may be headed

Whether you're sober curious, alcohol free, in long term recovery, or simply questioning your relationship with alcohol, this conversation offers practical insights, honest reflections, and plenty of thought provoking discussion.

Takeaway:

If you're a man looking to quit drinking, improve your health, sharpen your focus, and connect with other like minded men, join our free online men's community, The Victory Circle.

You'll find accountability, support, and encouragement from men who are committed to becoming stronger husbands, fathers, leaders, and business owners.

CONNECT for a free month of Paul's Café RE. https://www.cafe-re.org/alcohol-free-community/ Connect

Join “The Victory Circle”, our FREE Sober Guy Mens Community at https://www.thatsoberguy.com/offers/SvjjuEQ2/checkout

Want to go 30 Days Alcohol Free? Try our 30-Day Sober Performance Challenge — https://www.thatsoberguy.com/quit-drinking-alcohol-for-30-days

Sober Executive Performance Reset: A 12 Week Private Coaching Experience - APPLY HERE https://www.thatsoberguy.com/coaching

Shanes New Book, Sober Guy How Do I - https://a.co/d/81ZIgtE

Invite Shane to Speak - https://www.thatsoberguy.com/speaking

For More Resources go to http://www.ThatSoberGuy.com

Follow us on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shane-ramer-7534bb257/

Follow us on Instagram @ThatSoberGuyPodcast

Follow us on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/thatsoberguypodcast

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What happens when the dream you've spent your entire life chasing comes to an end?

In this episode of That Sober Guy Podcast, Shane sits down with former NFL linebacker Brandon Siler to discuss identity, purpose, leadership, mental health, and life after professional sports.

Brandon shares his journey from being a standout athlete at the University of Florida and captain of a National Championship team to spending six seasons in the NFL with the San Diego Chargers and Kansas City Chiefs. But this conversation goes far beyond football.

Together, Shane and Brandon explore what happens when your identity is tied to performance, why so many high achievers struggle after reaching their goals, and how men can build a life of purpose beyond success, status, and external accomplishments.

They also discuss leadership, resilience, mental health, discipline, and the challenges many men face when navigating major life transitions.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why identity can become a trap for high performers • What happens when the thing that defines you is taken away • The connection between purpose, fulfillment, and mental health • Why many successful men struggle silently • Leadership lessons from the NFL that apply to everyday life • How discipline and accountability create long term success • The importance of building a legacy beyond your career • How to find meaning and purpose in your next chapter

Whether you're an athlete, entrepreneur, business owner, father, leader, or someone navigating a major transition, this conversation offers practical wisdom on how to build a life rooted in purpose rather than performance alone.

Takeaway:

If you're a man looking to improve your health, strengthen your mindset, and connect with other men committed to growth and accountability, join our free online men's community, The Victory Circle.

You'll find support, encouragement, and practical tools to help you become a stronger husband, father, leader, and man.

Pure Recovery California

Siler Brain Clinic

Join “The Victory Circle”, our FREE Sober Guy Mens Community at https://www.thatsoberguy.com/offers/SvjjuEQ2/checkout

Want to go 30 Days Alcohol Free? Try our 30-Day Sober Performance Challenge — https://www.thatsoberguy.com/quit-drinking-alcohol-for-30-days

Sober Executive Performance Reset: A 12 Week Private Coaching Experience - APPLY HERE https://www.thatsoberguy.com/coaching

Shanes New Book, Sober Guy How Do I - https://a.co/d/81ZIgtE

Invite Shane to Speak - https://www.thatsoberguy.com/speaking

For More Resources go to http://www.ThatSoberGuy.com

Follow us on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shane-ramer-7534bb257/

Follow us on Instagram @ThatSoberGuyPodcast

Follow us on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/thatsoberguypodcast

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