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Supporting Sobriety Podcast

Supporting Sobriety Podcast

By: Matt Bair & Ryan Hedrick
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About this listen

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.

2025 Urban One
Personal Development Personal Success
Episodes
  • Episode 58 | What Happens When They Get Better?
    Jun 25 2025

    Matt Bair and Ryan Hedrick discuss how jealousy can quietly surface in the caregiving journey—especially when the person you've been helping through addiction starts getting clean and rebuilding their life. It’s a shift that can feel confusing. Suddenly, the person you supported is gaining momentum, getting recognition, maybe even moving forward faster than you expected—and you're left sorting through your own emotions.

    They talk about how this dynamic plays out in real life: the unspoken tension, the guilt that can come with feeling resentful, and the need for caregivers to have their own space to heal. Matt and Ryan share personal stories, real talk, and helpful takeaways for anyone who's ever carried the emotional weight of someone else's recovery.

    This episode is about honesty, not shame—and about giving caregivers permission to feel, process, and grow. Because when someone you love gets better, your journey doesn’t end. In a lot of ways, it’s just beginning.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    34 mins
  • Episode 57 | Sponsorship vs. Caretaking: Finding the Balance in Recovery
    Jun 11 2025

    Matt Bair and Ryan Hedrick sit down to talk about the tricky line between being a sponsor and being a caregiver. They get into how sponsorship can provide structure, support, and accountability—but also how the lines can blur when you're helping someone you love. It’s not always easy to know when you’re helping and when you might be doing too much. In this episode, they share personal stories, talk about setting boundaries, and explain how both sponsors and caregivers can show up in healthy, balanced ways without burning out.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    35 mins
  • Episode 56 | Staying Clean Through Chaos
    May 21 2025

    Matt Bair and Ryan Hedrick reflect on their recovery journey. Over the last several years, they've faced significant challenges, but they haven't returned to drugs or alcohol. They discuss how that’s been possible, their caregivers' role, and what it’s like to stay in recovery while handling the ups and downs of everyday life.

    Caregivers—whether family, friends, or mentors—can be the difference between staying stuck and moving forward. For many in recovery, that kind of support can shift the entire direction of their lives.

    If you're supporting someone struggling with addiction, there are resources available to help:

    • Al-Anon Family Groups: Provides support for those affected by someone else's drinking.

      • Website: https://al-anon.org

      • Phone: 1-888-4AL-ANON (1-888-425-2666)Facebook+9Al-Anon Family Groups+9stl-al-anon.org+9Al-Anon Family Groups+1Find Recovery+1

    • Nar-Anon Family Groups: Offers support for families and friends of individuals with drug addiction.

      • Website: https://www.nar-anon.org

      • Phone: 877-424-4491Nar-Anon of New Jersey+1Al-Anon Family Groups+1

    • Partnership to End Addiction: Provides resources and support for families dealing with a loved one's substance use.

      • Website: https://drugfree.org

      • Helpline: 1-855-378-4373NOT ONE MORE ALABAMAEluna+1Facebook+1

    • SAMHSA’s National Helpline: A free, confidential, 24/7 treatment referral and information service for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders.

      • Website: https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline

      • Phone: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)

      • Find Supporting Sobriety on any major podcast platform, including Spotify and Apple. Follow on social media @sobriety_pod. Please like, subscribe, and rate the show—it helps more people find it.

        Resources mentioned in this episode:

        • Al-Anon Family Groups

        • AA Online Meetings

        • NA Virtual Meetings

        • Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 (Available 24/7)

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    33 mins
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