Matt Bair and Ryan Hedrick open up about how alcohol has shaped parts of their lives, the good, the bad, and the wake-up calls, and why Alcohol Awareness Week matters. They talk about those first red flags we sometimes ignore, how easy it is to stay in denial, and why it’s so important for individuals and families to pay attention.

If you're caring for someone who struggles with drinking, it can feel overwhelming. You're not alone. Here are some resources that can help:

Al-Anon Family Groups at www.al-anon.org
Support for people affected by someone else’s drinking

SAMHSA Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
Free and confidential help, available 24 hours a day

Partnership to End Addiction at drugfree.org
Tools and guidance for families who want to help

Whether you're trying to support someone, struggling yourself, or just want to understand more, this episode brings a real, down-to-earth take on alcohol and the impact it can have.

Resources Mentioned
Al-Anon Meetings: al-anon.org
AA Meetings: aa.org/meetings
NA Meetings: virtual-na.org
Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: 988 or 800-273-8255

Follow Us
You can find us on X and Instagram @sobriety_pod
We're on all the major podcast platforms including Spotify and Apple
Please like, subscribe, and leave a rating if this episode helped you or someone you care about

 

Matt Bair and Ryan Hedrick open up about how alcohol has shaped parts of their lives, the good, the bad, and the wake-up calls, and why Alcohol Awareness Week matters. They talk about those first red flags we sometimes ignore, how easy it is to stay in denial, and why it&rsquo;s so important for individuals and families to pay attention.
If you're caring for someone who struggles with drinking, it can feel overwhelming. You're not alone. Here are some resources that can help:
Al-Anon Family Groups at <a href="https://www.al-anon.org" data-start="715" data-end="757">www.al-anon.org</a> Support for people affected by someone else&rsquo;s drinking
SAMHSA Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) Free and confidential help, available 24 hours a day
Partnership to End Addiction at <a href="https://www.drugfree.org" data-start="953" data-end="993">drugfree.org</a> Tools and guidance for families who want to help
Whether you're trying to support someone, struggling yourself, or just want to understand more, this episode brings a real, down-to-earth take on alcohol and the impact it can have.
Resources Mentioned Al-Anon Meetings: al-anon.org AA Meetings: aa.org/meetings NA Meetings: virtual-na.org Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: 988 or 800-273-8255
Follow Us You can find us on X and Instagram @sobriety_pod We're on all the major podcast platforms including Spotify and Apple Please like, subscribe, and leave a rating if this episode helped you or someone you care about
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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.

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.

Supporting Sobriety Podcast

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.

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