From the Brink of Death to a Platform of Purpose: Author/Artist Jermaine Dante Burse Joins Sober.Coffee

In this powerful episode, Mike and Glenn sit down with Jermaine Dante Burse, who shares a raw and inspiring story of survival and transformation. Once in a coma with organ failure due to alcoholism, Jermaine has forged over a decade of hard-won sobriety into a powerful platform for helping others. Discover how art, writing, and the courageous process of making amends became his path to reconciliation and a new life. This is a story of reclaiming trust, discovering brilliance on the other side of dependence, and the journal notes that inspired his searing memoir,
Autopsy of My Former Self (available at Barnes & Noble).

In this discussion, Mike and Glenn explore the crucial question: "Now what?" as they look ahead to 2026. They delve into how living a life driven by passion and purpose is essential for true success.

Key takeaways from the conversation include:

• The "Work" is the Key: The principle of "Drive," which mirrors the active approach of the AA program, suggests that to elevate your life, you must actively do the work.
• The Mantra of Success: Embrace the commitment: "If you want what we have and are willing to go to any length to get it," recognizing that success requires unwavering dedication.
• Action is Everything: The idea that "AA doesn't work" is true only if you don't work the program. Similarly, if you want a better life, you must live a better life.
• Showing Up is Non-Negotiable: Glenn and Mike agree that simply showing up is a foundational part of "going to any length."
• Direction through Awareness: Self-awareness is key to understanding your proper direction and requires being open to new experiences.
• Inspired by The Purpose Driven Life: Drawing inspiration from Rick Warren's book, they advocate for incorporating spirituality and serving others into your plan.

Mike and Glenn emphasize that the time for passive wishing is over—it’s time to take action to achieve the life you want.

Brian Mackender — Sober.Coffee’s very own barista extraordinaire — joins Mike and Glenn in the coffee shop for a special Christmas Eve conversation. Together, they dig into a few key ingredients of successful sobriety, including the value of showing up for meetings, staying grounded in the present moment, and recognizing the risks of overconfidence. Brian also brings his experience as the owner of Audiohive Podcasting in Crest Hill, Illinois, adding depth and an outside perspective to the discussion. Merry Christmas to all!