Untoxicated Podcast

Sheri and Matt Salis just wanted a normal life – normal marriage, normal careers, a normal house and happy kids. Instead, they lived a life of lies and terror as they struggled with Matt’s alcoholism. While their experience sounds rare, with over 15 millions problem drinkers in America, their alcoholic marriage was all too normal. Matt has been writing about their experiences in alcoholism and recovery for years. On the Untoxicated Podcast, Sheri and Matt talk about it, too. No subjects are off limits as the couple discusses the trauma of active addiction, the pain of early recovery, the destruction and rebuilding of trust, and the impact on their intimate relationship. If you love an alcoholic, the disease will terrorize your relationship. We hope you’ll listen and find healing in our shared stories. For more support from Sheri and Matt, check out their Echoes of Recovery program providing connection and healing for the loved ones of alcoholics.

Episodes

Ep293 – How Work Plus Time Equals Progress with Lori

April 28, 2025 • 69 mins

Lori is a five-time guest on the podcast for very good reason - she brings a fresh an intelligent perspective to every conversation. On this episode, Lori explains the emotional safety she is experiencing in her marriage, and how replacing bad memories with good combines with her faith, and her own person trauma and resentment processing work, to bring her joy and peacefulness. She does the work, and she lets time in sobriety work ...

Mark as Played

Ep292 – The Fog of Chronic Addiction

April 21, 2025 • 53 mins

Acute addiction gets all the headlines - when the drinker drinks too much and creates chaos and trauma. But the fog chronic alcoholism rolls into the spaces between drinks - when the alcoholic is temporarily sober but operating with a warped mind. The fog of chronic alcoholism impacts the loved ones and the drinker in different ways. If you love or loved an alcoholic, and your recovery could benefit from connection with people who...

Mark as Played

Ep291 – Nervous System Leads the Way with Rose

April 14, 2025 • 69 mins

Rose stayed in her alcoholic marriage until she could stay no longer. The impact on her nervous system made her methodical and planned decision to separate her only choice. Listen to Rose reflect on the turning points she experienced as she felt her nervous system heal. If you love or loved an alcoholic, and your recovery could benefit from connection with people who understand, please check out our Echoes of Recovery program. If...

Mark as Played

Ep290 – Alcoholic Gaslighter’s Top Ten List

April 7, 2025 • 67 mins

Sheri and Matt run through the top ten things alcoholics say to their partners. Do you recognize your relationship in their conversation? If you love or loved an alcoholic, and your recovery could benefit from connection with people who understand, please check out our Echoes of Recovery program. If you would like to support the Untoxicated Podcast with an monthly tax deductible $10 donation, please go to SupportUntoxicated.org.

Mark as Played

Ep289 – Tied to No Particular Outcome with John Olander

March 31, 2025 • 55 mins

Trigger warning: Domestic violence is discussed John Olander has a network of relationships all over Denver, and he is as tenacious as he is inspiring. But John experienced 20 dark years, crossing over the line from high-functioning alcoholism into self-inflicted, alcohol-fueled legal issues which led to homelessness and isolation. But he bounced back, and his is a true success story of letting go and leaning into community. If y...

Mark as Played

Ep288 – Blame

March 24, 2025 • 68 mins

Blame serves a purpose when trying to heal from alcoholism as the drinker or the partner. But there are areas where blame does not belong. In this episode, Sheri and Matt break down the impact of blame, and discuss the foundational elements of recovering from the blame of addiction. If you would like to support the Untoxicated Podcast with an monthly tax deductible $10 donation, please go to SupportUntoxicated.org If you love or ...

Mark as Played

Ep287 – Focus for More Impact with Ayla Fleming

March 17, 2025 • 62 mins

Ayla Fleming is a licensed clinical social worker and telehealth therapist practicing in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York. Since specializing in helping individuals, couples, and families recovering from codependency related to addiction, her personal well-being, and that of her clients, is surging. To contact Ayla, please check out her website. And for more on Bowen Family Systems Theory, please click here. If you would lik...

Mark as Played

Ep286 – Identity as a Cause of Addiction

March 10, 2025 • 71 mins

Drinkers often becomes aware of the loss of identity associated with sobriety, but on this episode, Sheri and Matt discuss the role of varying categories of identity as a cause of addiction. Sheri reveals her love of smiting people, and Matt explains his eagerness to meet in Topeka at 8am Monday morning. If you would like to support the Untoxicated Podcast with an monthly tax deductible $10 donation, please go to SupportUntoxicate...

Mark as Played

Ep285 – Sober Sex in Relationships Roundtable

March 3, 2025 • 87 mins

The recovery community is full of resources about sex after alcohol for singles, but sober sex in relationships is a topic that has been ignored...until now. Nicole, Tess, and Alan are featured on this episode with input from eight people in recovery who have faced a variety of challenges with sex in sobriety. If you would like to support the Untoxicated Podcast with an monthly tax deductible $10 donation, please go to SupportUnto...

Mark as Played

Ep284 – Sexual Violations in Alcoholic Relationships

February 24, 2025 • 61 mins

Trigger warning: sexual assault and violence Unconsented sex occurs in relationships impacted by problematic alcohol consumption at a rate 18 times more frequently than in general population relationships. Sheri and Matt discuss this and other tragic statistics, and the implications for partnerships in recovery, as well as for our broader alcohol culture. If you would like to support the Untoxicated Podcast with an monthly tax de...

Mark as Played

Ep283 – Kelly on Thriving when the Marriage Does Not Survive

February 17, 2025

It was not her choice. Kelly shared with her husband what she needed from the marriage, and he asked for a divorce. Sometimes boundaries and detachment are not enough for the drinker to seek recovery. But Kelly is working hard on her growth and recovery plan, and she is finding relief and peacefulness in a house free from the pain of addiction. If you love or loved an alcoholic, and your recovery could benefit from connection with...

Mark as Played

Ep282 – Reconnecting after Detachment

February 10, 2025 • 65 mins

Attachment and connection are not the same thing. Detachment in a healthy relationship in recovery from alcoholism is a permanent state. If done with respect, consistency, and emotional safety, choosing times and topics for connection can help a partnership thrive. If you love or loved an alcoholic, and your recovery could benefit from connection with people who understand, please check out our Echoes of Recovery program. And if ...

Mark as Played

Ep281 – Live Roundtable from the Bahamas

February 3, 2025 • 74 mins

You can almost hear the turquoise Caribbean waves lapping in the background of this conversation recorded live from the annual Marriagevolution retreat, this year in the Bahamas. Hear how things change over time, both in relationships and in families, as individual recovery progresses for former drinkers and their partners. Listen to Jenn talk about no longer feeling compelled to, "move around the words," of her husband as he talks...

Mark as Played

Ep280 – Moving Beyond Eggshells with Marjorie

January 27, 2025 • 75 mins

Marjorie is certified in trauma and addiction support, and she is a leader in our Echoes of Recovery program. On this episode, she helps Sheri and Matt understand that, "You can't think your way out of emotions." She also shares her sacred boundary that, "Kindness is something that I won't negotiate." Listen for these and other profound signs of growth, and learn the two meanings of the eggshells referenced in the episode title. I...

Mark as Played

Ep279 – Why Men are Failing

January 20, 2025 • 73 mins

The industrialized world is experiencing an epidemic of men who are unemployed or underemployed, not married or dating, living with their parents, and suffering deaths of despair. And the gender gap in higher education is greater than anyone ever imagined. The experts on the subject point to economic factors for the failure of men, but Sheri and Matt think the experts are missing a critical emotional piece of the puzzle they are tr...

Mark as Played

Ep278 – Sex Talk with Nikki

January 13, 2025 • 76 mins

Nikki speaks boldly and vulnerably about a wide variety of taboos sex subject. From sex-drive discrepancy after childbirth to feelings of sexual brokenness to the sloppy disconnected sex of active addiction to arguments that always seemed to come back to sex, Nikki's experiences have something to which all of us can relate. Listen to Nikki tell the beautiful love story of the epiphany that got her and her husband back on track both...

Mark as Played

Ep277 – “Freeze” as a Defense Mechanism

January 6, 2025 • 58 mins

Nervous system activation is often described as one of these four reactions: fight, flight, freeze or fawn. Sheri used all four tools to protect herself in her marriage to Matt during and after his active alcoholism. On this episode, the couple talks about how Matt misinterpreted Sheri's reluctance to engage as a sign that she was waiting for his enlightened epiphanies. They also talk about steaming tomatoes and wind gusts in churc...

Mark as Played

Ep276 – Despair and Hopelessness of the Week Between

December 30, 2024 • 61 mins

The week between the holidays carries with it a cascade of emotions for people in a relationship experiencing active addiction or recovery. Sheri and Matt talk about the baggage this one-of-a-kind week used to carry with it, and the relative calm of lasting recovery. They also talk about antiquated payment methods, and a history of New Year's Eve plans that will have you feeling good about your celebrations. If you love or loved a...

Mark as Played

Ep275 – Self-Control and Detachment from Family at the Holidays

December 23, 2024 • 56 mins

Is self-control detachment? Sheri and Matt might debate the definitions, but they agree on the value of controlling the controllables around family at the holiday season. If you love or loved an alcoholic, and your recovery could benefit from connection with people who understand, please check out our Echoes of Recovery program.

Mark as Played

Ep274 – Spiritual Curiosity with David Bird

December 16, 2024 • 88 mins

David Bird is a spiritual explorer with stories to tell about the hopelessness and lack of control of addiction, and the peace and freedom of knowing everything is going to be OK. Through major health scares and a variety of addictive substances, David has been through it all, and maintained humility despite so much interesting growth. If you are interested in engaging in conversations like this one with other people seeking the s...

Mark as Played

Popular Podcasts

On Purpose with Jay Shetty

I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!

Stuff You Should Know

If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

Dateline NBC

Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com

The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show

The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show. Clay Travis and Buck Sexton tackle the biggest stories in news, politics and current events with intelligence and humor. From the border crisis, to the madness of cancel culture and far-left missteps, Clay and Buck guide listeners through the latest headlines and hot topics with fun and entertaining conversations and opinions.

The Joe Rogan Experience

The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.

Advertise With Us

Untoxicated Podcast

Episodes

.css-14f5ked{margin:0;word-break:break-word;display:-webkit-box;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;box-orient:vertical;-webkit-line-clamp:2;overflow:hidden;}Ep293 – How Work Plus Time Equals Progress with Lori

.css-r6mb8g{margin:0;word-break:break-word;display:-webkit-box;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;box-orient:vertical;-webkit-line-clamp:1;overflow:hidden;}Ep292 – The Fog of Chronic Addiction

Ep291 – Nervous System Leads the Way with Rose

Ep290 – Alcoholic Gaslighter’s Top Ten List

Ep289 – Tied to No Particular Outcome with John Olander

Ep288 – Blame

Ep287 – Focus for More Impact with Ayla Fleming

Ep286 – Identity as a Cause of Addiction

Ep285 – Sober Sex in Relationships Roundtable

Ep284 – Sexual Violations in Alcoholic Relationships

Ep283 – Kelly on Thriving when the Marriage Does Not Survive

Ep282 – Reconnecting after Detachment

Ep281 – Live Roundtable from the Bahamas

Ep280 – Moving Beyond Eggshells with Marjorie

Ep279 – Why Men are Failing

Ep278 – Sex Talk with Nikki

Ep277 – “Freeze” as a Defense Mechanism

Ep276 – Despair and Hopelessness of the Week Between

Ep275 – Self-Control and Detachment from Family at the Holidays

Ep274 – Spiritual Curiosity with David Bird

Popular Podcasts

Ep293 – How Work Plus Time Equals Progress with Lori

Ep292 – The Fog of Chronic Addiction