Sobriety - Another Non-AA Path, coffee with Dean NSobriety - Another Non-AA Path, coffee with Dean N
Sober.Coffee Podcast
Mike and Glenn share coffee with recovery coach Dean Newcomb, who explains how he built a non‑AA path to long-term sobriety rooted in a direct relationship with God. The conversation compares AA and non‑AA approaches while stressing honesty, help-seeking and a full, purposeful life without alcohol.
26:35•2 Sept 2026
Building Sobriety Without AA: Dean’s Higher-Power Path Over Coffee
Episode Overview
- Sobriety is possible without AA by combining honesty, spirituality and consistent daily practices.
- A direct relationship with a higher power can replace rigid religious rules and institutional structures.
- Filling life with meaningful goals — family, education, work and hobbies — helps keep alcohol out of the driver’s seat.
- Saying "I need help" and talking openly to someone is a crucial starting point for change.
- There is no single correct programme; the important part is finding a path that keeps you sober and growing.
“I can bypass the middleman and go right to the root of who I want my relationship with.”
Curious about how others keep sober without sitting in a circle of folding chairs? This coffee shop chat is right up that alley. Mike and Glenn sit down with recovery coach Dean Newcomb, who has been sober since 18 October nearly 18 years, to show that AA is a strong option, but not the only one. Dean calls himself a "non‑AA" guy, even though he respects many AA ideas.
His turning point came after a grim first meeting in a church basement where he was told, "you're not welcome back." Living in a rural area with hardly any meetings, he built his own path, centred on a direct relationship with God.
As he puts it, "I can bypass the middleman and go right to the root of who I want my relationship with." You'll hear how Dean used rehab (twice), honest self-assessment, and daily spiritual habits to stay sober while sharing a house with an active drinker.
He talks about hiking in nature as "his church", listening to the Bible on audio each morning, and filling his life with life: raising his son, returning to study, building a career, and eventually becoming a certified recovery coach. This conversation aims at anyone who feels like AA "doesn't fit" or can’t get to meetings, yet still craves sobriety.
Mike and Glenn keep things light, honest, and practical while stressing that the key ingredients — honesty, willingness to ask for help, and some kind of higher power — matter more than the exact programme you choose. If you've ever thought, "I’ve lost control, but I don’t know where to start," this chat might nudge you towards those three simple words Dean highlights: "I need help." What kind of path could that open up for you?
Do you want to link to this podcast?
Get the buttons here!
More From This Show
The latest episodes from the same podcast.