S2E8: Emotional Sobriety, Creative Compass, and Life After Addiction with Heidi Moos

S2E8: Emotional Sobriety, Creative Compass, and Life After Addiction with Heidi Moos

Curious about how others navigate their sobriety journey? This conversation with Certified Peer Recovery Specialist and former teacher Heidi Moos offers a grounded look at what comes after putting the drink down. Heidi talks with host Nichole about the difference between simply stopping a substance and actually building a life that feels calm, connected and worthwhile. Heidi explains her work through Creative Compass, where she supports people who are sober or sober-curious and “want more” from life.

Together with clients, she builds an “emotional sobriety toolkit” that focuses on self-soothing, values, goals and that tricky space after the initial high of early sobriety fades. As she puts it, “You can quit a substance. That doesn't mean you're really in recovery. That just means you're not using anymore.” Her story runs through childhood in a family impacted by addiction, middle school teaching for the “quiet kids,” and a long-standing urge to hold space for others.

That path eventually led to peer support training and a deep belief in multiple pathways to recovery, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. Heidi also shares the heart behind Art Lab, a free, grant-supported creative gathering for people in recovery and their families. Think mindful watercolour sessions, collage, zine-making and plenty of scribbling, all with zero pressure to produce a masterpiece.

Some folks come for the art, some just for the company, but the focus is always on process, play and community rather than perfection. If you're wondering what emotional sobriety might look like in real life – or you just like the idea of swapping boozy brunches for paint, paper and genuine connection – this conversation might spark a few ideas. What kind of “more” could your own recovery be pointing you toward?