I Love Being Sober

In this powerful live conversation recorded at Camelback Recovery, Tim Westbrook sits down with Dr. Don Middleton to explore the intersection of faith, addiction medicine, and lasting transformation.
 
Dr. Middleton is a board-certified physician with more than 30 years in family medicine and currently practices addiction medicine at the internationally renowned Meadows Behavioral Health in Wickenburg, Arizona. He also serves as medical director at Vital 4 Men and was named Arizona Physician of the Year at the state medical convention.
 
In this episode, we dive into his book The Dunamis Effect: When Your Higher Power Is Jesus and discuss what happens when Christian faith becomes the foundation of 12-step recovery.
 
This conversation covers:
Christian 12-step recovery and the meaning of "Dunamis"

The role of Jesus as a Higher Power in addiction recovery

Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) and faith-based recovery 

The balance between science, scripture, and sobriety

Rebuilding identity after addiction

Overcoming shame after relapse 

The future of Christian recovery ministries

 
Dr. Middleton also shares his perspective on the controversy surrounding medications in recovery and how medical science and spiritual transformation can work together — not against each other.
 
Whether you're early in recovery, a treatment professional, part of a Christian recovery ministry, or simply curious about the role of faith in sobriety, this episode offers practical insight and hope.
 
Learn more about Dr. Middleton's work:
📘 The Dunamis Effect: When Your Higher Power Is Jesus (Available on Amazon)
🌐 https://dunamisinitiative.com
 
📱 Follow "Dunamis Initiative" on Facebook and YouTube

In this powerful episode of I Love Being Sober, Tim Westbrook sits down with award-winning singer/songwriter, vocal coach, and woman in recovery Shylah Ray Sunshine for an honest conversation about sobriety, childhood trauma, motherhood, and the healing power of the human voice.
Raised by parents struggling with alcoholism, Shylah shares how early exposure to addiction shaped her life — and how finding 12-step recovery helped her break generational patterns and begin deep emotional healing. She opens up about becoming a mother while navigating her own trauma recovery, balancing career and spiritual growth, and what it truly means to "come home to yourself."
Together, Tim and Shylah explore:
Growing up in an alcoholic household and finding recovery

The role of 12-step programs in healing trauma

Breaking generational cycles through sobriety

Motherhood and recovery

Quitting smoking and reclaiming the physical voice

How trauma lives in the body — and in the voice

Music as medicine and facilitating healing through sound

Using breath, vibration, and expression as tools for transformation

Shylah also shares insights from her work as a professional vocal coach and creator of Soul Voice Singing, explaining how reconnecting with your voice can unlock emotional freedom, self-expression, and spiritual alignment. This episode bridges addiction recovery, trauma healing, creativity, and spirituality — offering hope and practical insight for anyone seeking deeper healing. If you've ever struggled to speak your truth, break unhealthy patterns, or reconnect with your authentic self, this conversation is for you.
About the Guest
Shylah Ray Sunshine is a multi-award-winning Neo-Soul and R&B artist, DJ, professional vocal coach, and proud First Nations Algonquin woman based in Los Angeles. Her music has been shared worldwide, and her work focuses on healing, empowerment, and authentic expression.
Learn more about Shylah Ray Sunshine and her Soul Voice Singing work at:
www.shylahraysunshine.com

In this episode of I Love Being Sober, Tim Westbrook sits down with Grammy Award–winning composer and sound healing pioneer Barry Goldstein to explore how music can be used as medicine for mental health, nervous system regulation, sleep, and addiction recovery.
Barry is the creator of Acousticeuticals™—therapeutic music designed to support emotional regulation, reduce stress, and guide the brain into more coherent and regulated states. His work has been used in hospitals, treatment centers, medical practices, and research settings, and he has collaborated with leaders such as Dr. Daniel Amen, Dr. Joe Dispenza, and Dave Asprey.
Tim shares his personal experience using the sleep playlist Barry created with Dr. Daniel Amen, which he listens to every night as part of his recovery and mental health routine. Together, they break down why certain music works, how sound impacts the brain and nervous system, and how people in recovery can use music intentionally to calm anxiety, quiet negative self-talk, and improve sleep.
This conversation blends neuroscience, frequency, energy, and practical tools, making it especially relevant for anyone navigating anxiety, trauma, burnout, or addiction recovery.
In this episode, you'll learn:
How music regulates the nervous system

The science behind sound, frequency, and brain states

Why music can reduce anxiety and emotional overwhelm

How to biohack your brain with intentional music

The role of music in trauma healing and recovery

Why sleep-focused music improves sleep quality, not just sleep duration

How to build a simple music practice for mental health and recovery

Whether you're in recovery, a mental health professional, or someone looking for natural tools to support emotional regulation and sleep, this episode offers a powerful new way to think about music as medicine.

In this episode of I Love Being Sober, Tim Westbrook sits down in person with Jaime Vinck, President of The Meadows Behavioral Healthcare, to have an honest, no-hype conversation about addiction treatment and recovery.
Jaime is the author of The Rehab Playbook: Demystifying Addiction Treatment, a guide written to help people in treatment and their families understand what rehab actually does, why it sometimes falls short, and how to approach recovery with clarity instead of confusion.
Recorded live at Camelback Recovery Treatment Center in front of outpatient clients, this conversation speaks directly to people who are:
Currently in treatment
Early in recovery
Returning to treatment after relapse
Skeptical due to past treatment experiences
Family members trying to help without causing harm
Together, Tim and Jaime explore why rehab isn't a "fix," how trauma and mental health influence addiction, what accountability really means in recovery, and why aftercare and daily structure matter more than motivation alone.
This episode also addresses common misconceptions about rehab, including:
Why treatment doesn't always work the way people expect
How broken or poorly matched programs can impact recovery
Why relapse is not a moral failure
What ethical, effective addiction treatment actually looks like
If you or someone you love is navigating addiction treatment, recovery, or the decision to seek help, this conversation offers realistic hope, practical insight, and a clearer understanding of the recovery process — without shame, fear, or false promises.

Tim Westbrook sits down with entrepreneur and CEO Tommy Mello, founder of A1 Garage Door Service, who shares what it really takes to build a high-growth company and how working nonstop could lead to self-destruction. He opens up about workaholism, burnout, identity, and the moment he realized that performance alone was not enough. They explore how ambition can quietly become a coping mechanism, why work is often a socially acceptable addiction, and what it looks like to create success without sacrificing health, relationships, or peace of mind. They also discuss lifestyle changes, stress management, stepping away from alcohol for clarity, and the role of boundaries, values, and purpose in long-term well-being. This episode is for anyone asking: How do I stay driven without destroying myself?
Topics covered:
Workaholism and burnout

Mental health and high performance

Stress, pressure, and coping strategies

Alcohol, lifestyle changes, and clarity 

Identity, purpose, and sustainable success