Sober Edge

Do you recall what you loved to do when drinking was not part of the 'all-inclusive' package? 

My guest on Episode 165 of the podcast is Darci Murray, who believes wholeheartedly in "Sensory Heightened Travel". Darci has been 'hooked' on travel since childhood, having grown up with a mom who was a travel agent and learning early on to love new adventures. 

Darci is one of several travel agents who are newly focused on AF and sober travel, but she is doing things a little bit differently. 

Hooked on travel is intentional about creating experiences that allow us to be fully immersed in the local culture, and allow us to explore the things that light us up. When we stop taking alcohol on vacation, we have the beautiful opportunity to experience a part of ourselves that we might have lost to booze.

Darci also has some unique offers, including traveling with 'sober locals', 'dry grad trips' and an invitation to our sober supportive friends and family!

Find out more in the Show Notes HERE

What if you had a road map to a sober life you love? What if it came in four simple steps? Does that sound easier than a lifetime of 'working on yourself'? 

I know that life is not simple; humans are complex. We have emotions, backgrounds, circumstances, and it would be foolish to think that we could expect everyone's sober journey to look the same. But, after 5+ years of working with hundreds and hundreds of women on their AF journey, I have discovered a few things to help you move forward.

Having a framework is powerful; it allows our minds to focus in on the process and can help make change less overwhelming. The first two steps from last week are: know yourself and grow yourself. I have found that starting with these two explorations sets us up for the next two steps: love yourself and be yourself.

Let's unpack this together:

Love Your SELF: Learning to love ourselves is hard for most of us. Drinking can rob us of the ability to love ourselves fully. We often carry shame, guilt and regret about our drinking and over-drinking. When we put down the bottle, we can begin to practice loving thoughts and behaviors towards ourselves. This is the ultimate self-care; learning to care for ourselves with love and compassion. 

Be Your SELF: As we learn the first three steps, we gradually start to feel more comfortable in our own skin. We feel more authentic, and we find ways to ask for more, and to give more. Learning to 'be' is the ultimate lesson in life, one that takes a lifetime to learn. When alcohol is present, we delay this beautiful evolution. When alcohol is removed, we start the great adventure of life!

Full Show Notes HERE

Want to know about The SELF Experience? Find out more HERE

Today, I share two areas that I am focused on and that I help clients explore when we ask, 'what now, what next?' on this alcohol-free journey.

The first place to start is to KNOW yourself. So many of us go through life without asking 'who are we?'. I love self-reflection and I love a good quiz, but trust me, finding out which Disney Princess you are is not the same as knowing yourself:)

It's not that we have purposefully gone through life without looking in the mirror, but women wear a lot of hats; wife, mother, employee, caregiver. It's no surprise that we often filter who we are by who we are with. And, for many of us, giving up alcohol allows us to start to explore who we are outside the roles we play, who we are on the inside.

The second step, I believe, on this path to living alcohol-free is to GROW yourself. When we leave alcohol behind, we are in a unique position of having more time, energy and clarity to devote to personal growth. 

Here are a few takeaways from this episode:

Show Notes HERE

If you would enjoy participating in a small group and having a guide, I invite you to check out The SELF Experience program where we spend time on these two important steps of not only living AF but thriving AF! The SELF Experience

Practical spirituality. Innate health. The journey from numbing and escaping life to becoming present offers insight into how we live our lives.

My guest today, Sam Goldfinch has been on this journey for many years. In this episode he shares wisdom gathered from his own spiritual journey and the teaching of several of his spiritual mentors.  We talk about the difference between pleasure and joy; the distinction between desire and craving and my personal favorite, how to let go of ‘seeking’ and embrace ‘finding’. This is a deep conversation with someone whose knowledge is vast and whose heart is even bigger! I consider this entire conversation a gift from Sam to me and to you; I hope you enjoy it!

Sam Goldfinch is a sobriety coach who helps people to release addictions and discover their innate health, without using willpower or missing out on life. Having left a damaging relationship with alcohol behind 7 years ago, Sam understands it is insight, not 'information', that will lead people home to the truth of who they really are and to true freedom.

Full Show Notes Here

Many people go through a stage in their alcohol-free journey where the idea of drinking surfaces. This can show up as romanticizing alcohol, or flirting with the idea of moderation. In today’s episode, I address the possibility of PAWS (Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome) and FAB (Fading Affect Bias). One or both of these symptoms can show up after a few months without drinking and they can catch us by surprise. I also break down the different stages we go through when we first stop drinking:

This episode shares how to recognize and counteract both PAWS and FAB and where and when to get support.

And finally, it's important to remember that 'thinking is not drinking'. Try meeting these thoughts with curiosity and letting go of self-critisism and judgement .

Full Show Notes Here

Concerned about navigating the holidays without drinking? Grab my free guide here

Complaining, Venting, Whining...whatever we call it we all do it! Complaining is never helpful and often annoying. It can be an energy drain mentally, physically and spiritually. So how do we stop complaining? In today's episode I am going to share 3 steps to breaking the cycle of complaining:

Awareness Antitode Practice

I also share about my brand new free guide: How to Navigate the Holidays Sober! Whether you are 1 day alcohol-free, 1000 days alcohol-free or simply sober curious, this is an opportunity to discover a practical guide that will have you leaving behind FOMO and embracing JOMO!

Your Holiday Survival Guide Here

Full Show Notes Here

This episode highlights one woman’s journey through AA and beyond. During the course of this conversation, my guest, Racquel Reid will share her story of recovery and the benefits and, for her, pitfalls of a traditional 12-step program.

Racquel shares openly about the four years where she lived most of her life in the recovery rooms as an AA Poster Girl. Racquel quietly discovered that the longer she stayed in the program, the more disempowered she felt. She lost trust with herself and found herself simply existing vs. living. When Racquel decided she was craving fulfillment, she started a small group to support women getting outside of the walls of AA and into nature. That led to a deep dive into mediation and eventually to discovering the work of Annie Grace and This Naked Mind. A TNM coach since 2021, Racquel has continued to stretch her sense of adventure and curiosity and in early 2023 Racquel will leave her permanent home behind and travel the world, connecting with people, cultures and adventure! She will continue to offer 1:1 coaching for women who are excited about finding their own passion for growth.

Full Show Notes Here

What can a 24 year old teach us about not drinking - plenty! Emily Powell shares her sober curious journey with the fresh perspective of a recent college graduate and a clinical mental health therapist. We talk about what it’s like to stop drinking when you’re young and how to navigate the unexpected challenges that come up, not matter your age. She lists energy, confidence and time as the top benefits to living her life alcohol-free. Emily walks us through her decision to reframe what being social means and why she believes this empowering decision doesn’t have to be extreme.

Emily (she/her/hers) is a compassionate, empathic, and dedicated mental health therapist and advocate. Emily is the owner and director of a therapy private practice and works with teens and young adults. She identifies as a psychodynamic and feminist therapist. Emily has been “sober curious” since May of this year and shares that not drinking has been “one of the best gifts I could have given myself.” 

Full Show Notes

Is it possible to Boss Your Brain Around? Absolutely! I do it all the time. And, I want to share with you why it is so important and how you can do it too! In today's podcast I will share some stories from my own life and some examples from my clients (anonymous of course), that demonstrate just how powerful this tool can be.

Here are 4 things I want to share when it comes to the how:

Awareness - what is your brain saying to you? Tune into that elevator music. Tools to bring awareness: meditation and mindfulness. Don’t believe everything you think. Some of the thoughts aren’t even yours. We hear a statement over and over and after a while we accept it as truth. And, as you tune into some of your thoughts, notice how many you don’t consider acting on? It’s the same with drinking. Just notice and move on. Lighten up! I like to remind myself that my brain is just doing what it is supposed to and I am not a freak or anomaly, I’m just human! Get curious and ask questions. When we have a thought that creates fear, anxiety or stress, we need to know that we can explore that thought using curiosity. Let’s take the drinking thought for example, if your brain says “Oh, a glass of Chardonnay sounds so good”, rather than pushing it away we can explore it with curiosity. “How interesting that my brain just said that… I wonder why? Do I really think wine sounds good? And, maybe, but does that mean I have to drink, or want to drink?”

I also share on the podcast a little  bit more about my brand new program, The SELF Experience where we get to practice 'bossing our brain around' along with a lot of other pretty cool things!

The doors are now open, and you can find out all about it here:

The SELF Experience

Full Show Notes Here

If you have ever tried to make a change, whether it is a habit or a routine or a change around alcohol, one key component is laying the foundation. Having that solid foundation is the difference between trying to balance on a stool with two legs vs a stool with three legs; in other words, there is a huge difference.My guest today, Molly Desch, has created an offering in the AF space that focuses on what to do first. Together we explore what it takes to make a lasting change, why behavior comes last and how to set yourself up for success.

Molly is a Certified Life Coach with a degree in Psychology. She works with middle-aged working moms who are ready to take back the reins of their lives, who are open to new ways of achieving real results, and just need a little help along the way. The Alcohol-Free Foundations Program builds a level of confidence that will allow women to say goodbye to the control alcohol has over their lives, while restoring time and energy to live free.

Full Show Notes Here

The SELF Experience Waitlist

Dannielle is a former client and a current friend! She is the first person that I coached who was on the 'other side of drinking' and she is part of the inspiration for my new SELF program. Dannielle shares her journey to uncovering the false stories and exchanging the weight of her covering for a cloak of power! We talked about the work she did and the ways in which she grew during our time together, from exploring a beginner's mindset to recognizing and embracing the transitional seasons of this journey. Dannielle is a gifted storyteller, a wise leader and an inspiring guest!  

Don't miss the end of the episode where her and I take turns sharing "What piece of the puzzle we are picking up". We invite you to play along!

Full Show Notes HERE

The SELF Experience Waitlist

This episode is inspired by all of you! And, it’s an episode that is very near and dear to my heart because I love to talk about the ‘after alcohol’ part of this journey. My own path was forged by exploring what is possible on the other side, this podcast was created to focus on inspiration for alcohol-free living, and now I have a program designed exclusively for women to discover more after leaving alcohol behind. It seems to me that we place a lot of focus on the drinking to not drinking part of becoming alcohol-free and not nearly enough time on how to live once we are alcohol-free. I love to help others explore the place we arrive once we have ditched the drink and started to truly live. It reminds me a bit of pregnancy, where the entire focus is on delivering the baby and very little focus on how to raise a child! As a brand new mama at 23, with no younger siblings, I needed a manual! Of course it was brutiful (thank you Glennon) and messy and incredible all at once. And, I think there are a lot of similarities to this AF journey. Lots of focus on breaking up with booze and very little focus on our AF life. Once again, we are mostly left to figuring it out as we go, often feeling a bit lost and lonely as we step into a place of infinite possibilities.

What if we did have a guide? And a manual? And a tour group? That sounds way more fun! That’s what the SELF Experience, coming in November is all about! Let’s do the AF life together, in community, so we can discover our true and beautiful SELF.

FULL SHOW NOTES HERE

The SELF Waitlist HERE

Shelby John is a therapist, life coach and mom of 3 who specializes in helping women gain confidence after sobriety. This is an important conversation about an important topic. The many women I coach both in a group and individually are often looking for a way to grow more comfortable in their new ‘sober skin’. Shelby has a podcast and a Facebook group that addresses the needs of women 1-5 years into recovery who still feel like something is missing. 

Shelby has 20 years in recovery and recently published her first book, Recovering in Recovery. She also spent her early years of recovery in AA and we have a refreshing conversation about 12 step programs and living beyond 12 step programs. We also talk candidly about the challenges of raising teenagers, connecting authentically with other woman and how to keep growing in recovery.

Shelby is a licensed clinical social worker with a private practice where she specializes in trauma, addiction, and anxiety. With years of experience in the field, she founded Shelby John Coaching and is the happy host of the Confident Sober Women podcast. After getting sober she became a fresh, authentic voice in the sobriety space, showing women how to build confidence and love their lives beyond recovery. Shelby is the mother to three, the wife to one loving man, and has been sober since July 1, 2002.

Full Show Notes Here 

The SELF Experience waitlist HERE

Today I am delighted to introduce you to a new friend, Matt Gardiner. The work of becoming alcohol-free and staying alcohol-free looks different for everyone. For many, spiritual work plays a big part.  Matt has a background and training  in the healing modalities of story work, sound therapy and breathwork. These are three components of his roadmap based on his own healing journey.  In this episode Matt shares his work as a sound therapist and his practical tips for using our own stories to bring about healing and recovery. 

Matt Gardiner is a passionate and empathetic Recovery Coach & Life Coach who has helped numerous people get out of their 'stuck stories' and move towards the life of their dreams.

Check out The Sober Edge Coaches Academy here!

Full Show Notes

Earlier this year I was fortunate to work with a talented group of future This Naked Mind Coaches. These individuals came to TNM from a variety of backgrounds but they had one thing in common: their desire to help people find freedom from alcohol. For 6 months they learned valuable coaching skills including the methodology of This Naked Mind to create results for their future clients. During these 6 months I also worked with a handful of them as their chosen 1:1 coach. During these sessions we worked on business skills, mindset, coaching and limiting beliefs. After the formal training for TNM ended, I invited future coaches to join me in a 6-part workshop series to further their confidence and skill set. Fourteen of them have joined me for the last three months to continue to hone their skills and increase their marketing and messaging to reach clients and build a successful and dynamic business. During these months I realized that working with new coaches in the sober space is an incredible way to impact more people than ever. I have thoroughly enjoyed the enthusiasm and creativity in working with people who are passionate and driven to create real change. And, I realize I don’t want to stop working with new coaches!

So, I am pleased to announce The Sober Edge Coaches Academy! This is a robust offering including hands-on workshops, weekly office hours, a coaches community and practice coaching sessions. If you are a newer life coach, health coach, or sober coach I invite you to explore the Academy and sign up for the wait list. Door open in early October!

Full Show Notes Here

With every alcohol-free journey there is a story. Despair, loss and pain; some stories darker than others. Then there is the rising, the knowing and the triumphant coming back to oneself. Authors have told their stories in the popular genre of ‘Quit Lit’ books and recovery memoirs. But there is another way to share this story - through poetry. Today’s guest, Skye Nicholson has written a beautiful offering that tells the story of her journey through the healing power of alchemy. Alchemy, Skye shares in her book, is the process of transmutation, requiring a good serving of magic, faith and backbreaking conviction. Exactly like our journey to freedom on the other side of alcohol 

I loved this episode with Skye which includes her reading two poems from her book: Unexpected Alchemy, Poems of Addiction and Awakening.

Skye Nicholson is a certified This Naked Mind Empowerment Coach, and founded Soul’s Truth Coaching in 2021.

Full Show Notes Here

Imagine if you could elevate your mood, kick cravings to the curb and break the cycle of overdrinking forever! My guest today specializes in using Amino Acid Therapy to help those with alcohol use disorder get off the roller coaster of stopping and starting when it comes to drinking.

Chris Engen is Board Certified in Holistic Nutrition (BCHN ™) and holds a Nutrition Consultant Certificate (NC) from Bauman College of Holistic Nutrition and Culinary Arts. She  also holds an Advanced Certification as a Recovery Nutrition Coach (CRNC2) for  Nutritional Therapy / Amino Acid Therapy from The Academy for Addiction and Mental Health Nutrition.I really enjoyed this conversation and I learned so much about neuro transmitters and the importance of balancing our brains. This episode goes deep on the science and highlights the importance of getting the individualized support we need on this journey to living our best and healthiest lives.

FULL SHOW NOTES HERE

Christy Wynne first appeared on the podcast in October 2021, episode #2. When she and her husband Billy pressed pause on AWAKE, Denver,  I knew it was time for an update. Listen in as Christy shares her hopes and plans for AWAKE 2.0 and the gift it has been to create this safe and beautiful alcohol-free space. We also talk about her recent travels to Spain, her upcoming 50th birthday and the challenge and joy of embracing simplicity. This update is followed by the original episode that aired on October 27, 2021.

FULL SHOW NOTES HERE

Karla Adkins is a Senior This Naked Mind Coach, wife, mother, dog-mom and she is also the face of the dark and dangerous side of drinking. In 2014, Karla found herself in the hospital fighting for her life as her liver was failing. Her drinking to quell her panic attacks had resulted in the terrifying diagnosis of cirrhosis. Karla discovered first hand the shame and stigma associated with this disease and is passionate about opening up the conversation between patient and provider. Her first book “And She Came Tumbling Down” is available for pre-order and will be released on September 7th. 

This conversation is raw and real, heartbreaking and triumphant. Karla, by sharing her personal story is breaking the silence that surrounds this disease. Her courage is paving the way for each of us to question our own relationship with alcohol and to open our hearts to others who are struggling for their own freedom. 

Full Show Notes

My guest today is Christy Osborne, the creator of the wildly popular lovelifesobewithChristy Instagram account. Christy is an expat living in London where she has created resources for other moms around drinking and learning to live in a foreign country. Christy shares her own story of changing her relationship with alcohol and the joy she has found in being fully present with her family and children. Christy shares her take on the mommy wine culture and how she chooses to see the word ‘sober’ as a proud declaration of choosing a bigger, better and brighter life!

Full Show Notes Here

Kimberly Pittman-Schultz describes herself as a poet and a human. Kimberly is also a Grief Mentor. We had an incredibly powerful conversation where Kimberly shares the deep work that she does in helping people reimagine and recreate their lives so they can hold on to their loved ones in a new way, move into the future with a sense of purpose, and experience joy again. 

Kimberly Pittman-Shultz is the author of two books: Grieving Us: A Field Guide for Living with Loss Without Losing Yourself and Mosslight a poetry book. Her gift is addressing the special needs of those grieving a beloved companion; implementing mindfulness & sensory healing; writing—poetry, personal storytelling & journaling.

Full Show Notes

Jennifer Salzman considered herself a ‘normal’ drinker until her divorce in 2012. Gradually she started drinking more and more, believing the lies of the alcohol industry that alcohol was the answer to all the pain and loneliness. After 8 long years of struggling to drink less, Jennifer decided to make a change. She spent 8 months without drinking alternating between misery and willpower. After discovering This Naked Mind, Jennifer joined the Path and began her journey to freedom. Along the way, Jennifer began to see herself through the eyes of her fellow pathmates as someone whole and worthy. She discovered how to live happily as a non-drinker and that the biggest act of rebellion was NOT drinking! Jennifer’s new confidence and joy led her to train as a This Naked Mind Coach. Jennifer is newly certified and specializes in helping people claim their inner rebel and ditch booze for something better!

Full Show Notes

Catching Your Breath with Cancer Survivor Victoria English Martin

Victoria is a This Naked Mind Senior Coach and a personal friend. She is also a breast cancer survivor. This episode is about her journey through cancer and the strength and beauty that she found on the other side. Her story is emotional, painful and so inspirational. From her early days of drinking to quell panic attacks, to finding herself drinking again after a brutal battle with cancer, Victoria opens up her heart to show what is possible when we give up our armor and allow our hearts to break wide open. 

Victoria English Martin is a mother of four, integrative nutritionist, alcohol coach, best-selling author, podcast host and breast cancer survivor. She began misusing alcohol in her 30’s. Today, Victoria strives to help people reframe their relationship with drinking while finding empowerment in all areas of life. 

Full Show Notes Here

Moderation is a subject that comes up all the time in my alcohol-free coaching. This topic is surrounded by a lot of emotion and when someone is considering changing their relationship with alcohol, it often seems that moderation is the perfect answer, the ‘golden ticket’. “If I could just have one”, “If I could just drink like normal people, take it or leave it”, are sentiments that I hear a lot in the coaching programs where I work. And I get it. That was me. I wanted to moderate because I could not imagine a life without alcohol. I also wanted to still drink occasionally because giving up alcohol forever would mean I had a problem with alcohol (was I an alcoholic?) and I wasn’t ready to admit that to anyone, even myself. On the podcast, I share three reasons that make moderation so difficult including the science behind tolerance. Think moderation is the easy way out? Let’s explore together!

Full Show Notes Here

Bigger Than Alcohol with Joshua James

Josh is a career bartender who decided to take a year off of drinking to see what would happen. Along the way he began exploring AF beverage options and decided to record 50 YouTube reviews of NA products. Now 3 years into this project and his own alcohol-free life,, Josh has opened Ocean Beach Cafe, the largest NA bottle shop on the West Coast and one of the only brick and mortar sober bars in the United States. Ocean Beach Cafe serves as home base while Josh continues to explore the more than 300 NA beverages from around the world that have hit the market in recent years. Josh takes his passion to the streets with sober meet ups and teaching people how to rebrand sobriety. Follow him on IG at Josh the non-alcoholic and be sure and check out Ocean Beach Cafe when you visit SF!

Full Show Notes Here

Playing to your strenghts

I’m a sucker for a quiz or assessment; Enneagram, Meyers-Brigg, DISC, all of them. I particularly love the framework of The Four Tendencies, created by author Gretchen Rubin. If you have ever wondered about the why some people find it so easy to create a new habit and others find it nearly impossible - this is the quiz for you. Find out if you are an Obliger, Upholder, Questioner or Rebel and discover how to ‘play to your strengths’. When it comes to taking control and following through, whether it’s alcohol, sugar or exercise, understanding yourself better is key!

Full Show Notes Here

Have you ever wondered what would happen if you changed everything? Meet Amy Hill my guest this week. Amy shares how trusting her intuition led her to explore living alcohol-free which led to a radical departure from the life she had been leading. 

Amy shares her passion for adventure and personal growth which led her to leaving her job, moving out of the country and taking her AF journey to the next level!

Full Show Notes Here

Have you experienced an alcohol-free vacation? After my recent trip I wanted to reflect on the power of gratitude, cerveza sin alcohol, and sticking to your morning routine! I also touch on what comes up with a 'digital detox' and the joys of traveling with toddlers. Bon Voyage!

Full Show Notes Here

Matt and Amy Edwards have been dating for 25 years and married for almost 23 years. Together, they have two kids, 21 & 17 and a sweet Corgi named Oreo.  Amy stopped drinking first and Matt followed a few months later. The experience and learnings from navigating this journey inspired them to start a podcast, The Alcohol Free Marriage. The AFM showcases the fun and joy a couple can have without drinking and hopefully inspires others to take out the booze but leave the fun!

Full Show Notes

Fit Recovery and the Missing Links with Chris Scott

This episode is for my wellness enthusiasts! I had an amazing time learning from Chris Scott, the founder of Fit Recovery. We talk about everything from nutrition and gray area drinking, to the importance of bio chemistry on the road to recovery. Chris shares how his own trial of supplements and fitness allowed him to hack his own recovery and discover how to teach this to others. If you have ever doubted the importance of nutrition on this journey back to health, Chris will make you a believer!

Chris Scott founded Fit Recovery to help people from around the world transcend alcohol and optimize their health. He has been addiction-free since 2014. He is the author of Drinking Sucks!, creator of online course & support community Total Alcohol Recovery 2.0, and cohost of the Elevation Recovery Podcast with Matt Finch.

Full Show Notes Here

What happens when you show up to life without alcohol? Eliza Desch shares her transformation from surviving to thriving on the Path and beyond! Eliza and I talk about her decision to take a break from drinking that led her to join This Naked Mind’s Path program where we met in December 2020. Eliza showed up two months AF and spent a year honing her alcohol-free muscles, creating new experiences and fostering deep connections with other newly sober friends.  Along the way Eliza rediscovered her joy for living and learned to prioritize her own well-being. In addition to living AF, Eliza shares her health journey that ultimately led to her losing 40+ pounds! She has also become an fierce advocate of the NA (non-alcoholic) beverage industry and has watched her confidence and business soar.    Eliza Desch is one of the Bay Area’s most in-demand hair and makeup artists with over a decade of experience creating flawless, customized looks for brides, special and professional occasions, and a host of respected brands and editorial clients. 

Full Show Notes Here

Chronic Pain & Alcohol with Annie Miller

This is your brain, this is your brain on pain. For those enduring chronic pain, there is a new method to ease suffering and improve quality of life. My guest, Annie Miller introduces us to the new field of Pain Reprocessing Therapy. Annie shares the key to changing the way your brain interprets pain and the neuroscience of how pain and the brain work together. We also touch on her expertise in CBTI (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia) and the role alcohol plays in both sleep and pain. This episode is packed with practical tips to manage insomnia and chronic pain and brings a message of hope to those struggling with chronic pain.

Annie Miller is a licensed psychotherapist in private practice in the Washington DC area. She is the owner and founder of DC Metro Sleep and Psychotherapy.

 Annie specializes in working with sleep disorders, chronic pain, and trauma. Annie uses a variety of evidence-based techniques including CBT-i for insomnia, EMDR for trauma, CBT for anxiety disorders, and PRT (pain reprocessing therapy) for chronic pain.

 Full Show Notes Here

Dr. Brooke Scheller is a Doctor of Clinical Nutrition, Certified Nutrition Specialist and an expert in nutrition and the effects of alcohol use on gut and brain health. She combines her clinical background with a passion for health-tech and innovation in the food, supplement and personalized wellness industry. Dr. Brooke offers online courses and individual programs that use cutting-edge nutritional practices to change your relationship with alcohol and repair the body from long-term alcohol use. 

I am so excited to have Dr. Brooke Scheller on the podcast - we ‘geek out’ on nutrition, gut health, brain health and the impacts of alcohol. 

I ask Dr. Brooke the exact questions you would: what about supplements; how do I support my body after alcohol, and more!

FULL SHOWNOTES HERE

Today’s conversation with Starla Wine founder Dawn Maire is all about JOMO (Joy of Missing Out). When Dawn stopped drinking, she didn’t want to stop enjoying wine. So, she took her passion for wine and her love of cooking into the kitchen and began exploring how to create a wine, without alcohol, that brought the same taste sensation she had previously enjoyed. The result is Starla Wine.

Founded by Dawn Maire and Jamie Coulter, Starla alcohol removed wine is deliciously and passionately produced for wine lovers who cannot or choose not to drink wine with alcohol. A combination of winemaking artistry and the finest quality botanicals and aromatics results in a luscious, full bodied wine without the hangover.

Starla is low calorie, low carb, and has zero added sugars. It pairs with pesto chicken, cheese boards, and 6am boxing. Starla’s trio of premium varietals, including Sauvignon Blanc, Red Blend and Sparkling Rosé, are available online at StarlaWines.com and specialty retailers nationwide.

Get Your coupon code for 20% off by visiting the show notes!

Full Show Notes Here

Stress - we have a complicated relationship with stress. We find ourselves avoiding stress, blaming stress and creating stress. Today, I want to share two new ideas with you: 1. Stress is not all bad. 2. There is a way to let go of stress. The first idea is all about hormetic stress. This is where we find small exposure to stress, ones where we return quickly back to baseline (homeostasis) are actually beneficial in building up resilience. The second teaching point is about letting go of stress with something called ‘completing the stress cycle’. In this episode I share 9 ways to let go of stress as a proactive way of lowering our anxiety and creating more peace, clarity and joy. I created an info graph about these 9 steps so be sure to grab your copy in the show notes page of this episode.

Full Show Notes Here

Life coaching; what is it and how do I know if I need it? 

Today, I am delighted to introduce you to my life coach, Lorna Wilson.

Lorna shares the in’s and out’s of what life coaching is designed to do (it’s not therapy and it’s not giving advice); how to find the right coach and she shares some of the tools she uses to move her clients forward. Lorna and I also get personal as we share our own Life Purpose statements. 

In my own coaching practice, The Sober Nutritionist, I offer life coaching in freedom from alcohol, after alcohol and building a sober coaching business. I currently have two spots open to work with 1:1 clients. If you are interested, visit the show notes to connect.

Full Show Notes Here

My guest today is Angie Chaplin.  Founder and owner of Mindful Leadership + Recovery, Angie Chaplin is a speaker, facilitator, educator and author with more than 20 years of work in human resources and organizational development. Leveraging her own journey from alcohol addictionto business owner, Angie guides leaders to live, love, and lead extraordinary lives of their own design.

In this episode, Angie walks us through the principles of leadership and how to  apply them to Personal Leadership. Her Value Mapping Model teaches us to use our own values as a guide to living AF. Angie shares her framework for change based on the 4 pt. Behavioral change model and shares how to create a WRAP a wellness recovery action plan. . This episode is chock full of practical tools and practical steps. As Angie says, life after alcohol is a ‘choose your own adventure’. 

Full Show Notes Here

Your 60, 90 days alcohol-free. You feel solid and happy….at home. But, what happens when your first vacation rolls around? Or, the boozy work convention? Susan Larkin is a This Naked Mind Coach who shares her 5 key steps to learning how to manage our mind and discover the joy and beauty of sober travel!

Susan shares her own discovery about the pitfalls of travel and how to navigate landmines using a variety of tactics and tools so that you can have the vacation of your dreams - without alcohol!

Susan’s mission is to help professional women discover how to get their drinking under control and become free and create a life they want to wake up to! She knows first-hand what it’s like to feel stuck, knowing alcohol did not work for her, but also not being able to let go. 

Susan is passionate about helping women take back their power of choice, and create an amazing and vibrant life!

Full Show Notes Here

Intentional Growth. This alcohol-free journey is one of the most intense periods of self-development and personal growth that one might ever experience. Many of us, me included, come to appreciate and even enjoy the intense learning phase. So, if you don't want to fixate on alcohol but you want to keep growing and learning, what comes next?

This episode is a bit of a departure as Teri shares how she does ‘the work’ to keep learning and growing on the other side of drinking. This is Part 2 of a two-part series where Teri shares resources and tips to help you stay connected and centered as you create this alcohol-free life!

Part 2 focuses on community - where can you find and engage with those with others who are also focused on personal growth? Teri shares her own mastermind experience and how she created an 'intentional' book club to escape the 'wine and whine' club she had been a part of for several years.

Are you also looking for community support? Are you looking for lasting change and a place to share your journey? I invite you to take a quick survey. It is anonymous and there are only 3 questions. Quick Community Survey

Your After Alcohol Guide Teri’s guide to creating your best life after alcohol!

Grab your resource list: Teri’s Guide to Intentional Growth

Quick Community Survey: quick and easy 3 question survey

 Come behind the scenes as Teri shares in this special 2-part episode how to keep growing and learning on the other side of drinking.

Full Show Notes

Your After Alcohol Guide here

This conversation with Jodi Cohen, founder of Vibrant Blue Oils has helped me recognize the power that is in oils.  I have been curious for a while if essential oils could offer any support during the detox and repair phase after we stop drinking, so I reached out my fellow FNTP (Functional Nutritional Therapy Practitioner) Jodi Cohen. Why? Essential Oils harness the power of plants that have been used for centuries for their healing properties. One of the reasons that oils work vs. supplements is that essential oils can cross the blood-brain barrier through our olfactory system, or sense of smell, without having to breakdown through our digestive system and other organs. This can mean a direct path to healing. In particular, we talk about using essential oils to help stimulate the Vagus Nerve and help us reduce anxiety on our journey to regulate our nervous system while removing alcohol. 

Full Show Notes Here

Your After Alcohol Guide (free download)

For Bitter For Worse

What happens when you get hit with a job loss and a health crisis all at once? If you are like my podcast guest this week, Shelley Elkovich, you do what you love - create a cocktail ‘made with love, not alcohol’. We have a rich and fascinating conversation about taking a leap of faith, and turning your passion into your full time business. Shelley shares the inspiration behind her cocktail company, For Bitter For Worse, what it means to ‘reverse bootleg’ and how to become a social pollinator.

Full Show Notes Here

Your After Alcohol Guide Here

Congratulations! You’ve made it 30, 60, 100 days without drinking! You feel amazing, powerful, rested, restored, and….terrified. 

There is so much emphasis on not drinking and how to stop and support around taking a break, but, what happens when we have stopped? Where is the support and guidance to stay stopped?

And so, in todays episode, I share how I focus on the ‘after alcohol’ piece in my coaching. And I outline some practical steps to help you navigate what comes next.

Full Show Notes Here

One of my favorite things in this Alcohol-free space is discovering new and delightful offerings that are without alcohol. Today, I invite you to get to know Rightside Brewing and Owner and Founder Emree Woods. Since opening operations in January of 2020, Rightside Brewing and Emree have been on an incredible journey, sharing their NA beer at festivals, Atlanta’s first pop-up NA bar and throughout the South East. Rightside Brewing is a true labor of love for Emree and her team and her passion for her craft and her mission are evident in this interview. I enjoyed hearing about her inspiration for Rightside, the origin of the name, and how she is proud of the example she is setting for her two small children.

Full Show Notes Here

Week 4 of the Coaches Series:

Debi Talbert is a Tiny Habits coach as well as a This Naked Mind Senior coach who specializes in helping us understand more about the connection between our thoughts, emotions and behavior. We had so much fun talking about habit ‘recipes’, how to troubleshoot when a habit is not working and we even created a habit recipe around drinking more water! She also answers questions from listeners about how many habits can we tackle at once, and why are some people better at creating habits than others?

Full Show Notes Here

In our 3rd episode of Coaches Series, Teri talks with fellow This Naked Mind Coach Ruby Williams. Ruby has newly certified as a Sleep Coach and they share a fascinating conversation about the impact of alcohol on sleep, the importance of sleep hygiene and the all important question: “When will I start sleeping again?”

Full Show Notes here

My friend Martha Wright has created an alcohol-free life on the other side of owning a winery! And, she has done it with a sense of excitement, fun and adventure. She shares how to redefine hospitality, and how to enjoy wineries and other venues without missing out. She also has a unique approach that helps us shift our mindset from taking a 30 day break as a place of deprivation, an ‘alcohol time-out’, to a place of taking 30 days off as a playful treat and the ultimate self-care experience.

Martha Wright is a New Orleans-born wine industry veteran turned sobriety/mindful drinking coach. She works in small groups and 1:1 in her own practice, Clear Power Coaching, as well as coaching hundreds of people within This Naked Mind (founded by best-selling author Annie Grace) where she is a Senior Coach. She offers a path to regain control that focuses on understanding the neuroscience of habits, uncovering unconscious beliefs, honing coping tools, and cultivating fun and play. You can download her free guide, You Can Enjoy Wine Country Alcohol-Free and 4 Other Crazy Things No One Told Me About Sobriety

Full Show Notes Here

Welcome to our Coaches Series. I will be sharing some phenomenal guests who happen to be This Naked Mind Coaches. I am so excited to bring their expertise to the podcast. Today, we are kicking off with  WENDY McCALLUM, LLB,  a Burnout Coach & Wellness Expert and the host of the Bite-Sized Balance Podcast.

Wendy teaches busy professionals (who are often approaching burnout and using alcohol to cope) how to reclaim time for themselves, reduce stress, build healthier habits, and increase their daily joy. 

No stranger to burnout, Wendy spent 12+ years working as a lawyer, then partner, in Calgary. As a busy litigator and mom of two young children, she struggled to find her “work-life” balance. In 2008, she left law to create a life she didn’t need to escape from. 

Alcohol-free since January 2018, Wendy is also a Certified Naked Mind Alcohol Coach.

Full Show Notes Here

The Sober Nutritionist meets Sober Yoga Girl! 

Alex and I discuss the courage it took to move abroad at a young age, the physic who changed everything and how the yoga mat is a metaphor for life.

When Alex became sober in 2019, yoga played a key role in her sober journey. In 2020, Alex founded the Mindful Life Practice Community and Sober Curious Yoga, an online yoga community with participants from all over the world who are changing their relationship with alcohol using mindfulness techniques such as yoga, meditation, community and journaling.

Find the Full Shownotes Here

Peggi Cooney is the author of This Side of Alcohol, a raw and compelling account of her journey from shame, guilt, and anger into self-compassion, self-discovery, and forgiveness. She is also the founder of the Facebook community This Side of Alcohol and a vocal and courageous voice in the alcohol-free space. We talk about her ‘on her knees’ moment that changed everything and what she did to get and stay sober. Check out the show notes link to find Peggi's book and Facebook group and the other resources mentioned in today's episode.

 *warning - there is some explicit language and reference to physical fighting. 

Full Show notes here

Wonder why only 8% of people keep New Year’s resolutions? What if you are actually self-sabotaging? Today, Teri shares why January could be the worst time to start a new habit, how making bold declarations could lead to drop out and how to make small changes stick. Also, if you want to practice this concept, check out two new offerings of RESTART®, where you can start by noticing how what you eat can change how you feel! 

Full Show Notes Here

Grab my free guide Here

Have you ever wondered if alcohol is getting in the way of your creativity? Today I talk with Will, a Creative Director, Graphic Designer, and serial entrepreneur who has launched three creative design studios during his 20+ year career. Even though Will had a successful career, he shares that letting go of alcohol sparked a creative energy and exponential learning that made him feel superhuman! He has also reignited his love for learning, and discovered Pickleball and the power of play. Will shares a breakthrough moment when he wrote a post titled “Alcohol is a Liar, a Thief and an A–hole.” Will broke free from alcohol the night of June 1, 2020 when he finished his last drink. His life has never been quite the same, and each day presents him with another hidden gift that reminds him how lucky he is.

Full Show Notes Here

Laura Whitesel shares her alcohol-free journey and how it led to her break up with sugar. She shares the tools she learned from This Naked Mind and the work with Molly Carmel and how she now has regained her health and has created a life style that she is proud to say makes her feel unstoppable!

Full Show Notes Here

SUGAR!!! It's a thing, and it's EVERYWHERE. Whether we're alcohol free or not, navigating the world of food is just not possible without sugar playing some part. The things is... there's 'added' sugar, 'healthy sugar', 'hidden sugar' (the list goes on) so how on earth do we figure this stuff out? We get a guide, that's how! And today's guest is just that. This Naked Mind coach and functional nutritionist Teri Patterson is here to save the day!

See Full Show Notes here 

Jeff Graham turned to alcohol to cope with crippling anxiety, decades later he discovered that alcohol was adding fuel to the fire. When he stopped drinking, Jeff was able to find freedom from anxiety and the power of community. Since becoming alcohol free 2 years ago, Jeff has found a joy and purpose in helping others discover their own freedom through his sober community,  Getting BAC 2 Zero. Jeff brings honesty, humor and passion into today's episode.

Full Show Notes Here

In today’s episode, Teri interviews her friend and fellow FNTP, Aimee Ames. Aimee opens up about her wellness journey and how becoming alcohol-free was a key part of discovering joy. If you have ever wondered what will happen to your relationships, Aimee talks in depth about the power of connection and what friendship means now. This rich conversation includes Aimee’s story about drinking and not drinking during Covid, her work with midlife women and the role alcohol plays, and the beauty and courage of breaking generational trauma. 

Full Show Notes Here

Scott Pinyard is a rock star in the alcohol-free community and as the Head Coach of This Naked Mind he has been responsible for creating and sharing programs that have impacted thousands of individuals. In this episode Scott shares his journey from an unfulfilled career as an engineer to finding meaning and mission in helping others. Scott talks about tips to help us on our own journey, including the importance of micro commitments, how important our thoughts are, and he shares and exercise you can try at home!

Full Show Notes Here

It’s my Six-Year Soberversary! In this episode I am sharing some of what I have learned along the way, including what has changed in my business, my health and my relationships. I feel a deep sense of gratitude as I reflect on all that has opened up for me on the other side of drinking.

I also have a special invitation for you to join This Naked Mind and a free 5 day Virtual Event. I will be one of the coaches and I would love to have you join in the fun! The link is in the show notes.

Full Show notes here

Shelly is a certified accountant and a part-time real estate agent living in the Seattle area. When Shelly recognized her drinking was interfering with living a whole and healthy life. she joined the Path, a This Naked Mind membership program. Shelly could not believe there was a program that started with ‘not trying to stop drinking’. That was the beginning of Shelly’s new life where her 14 months of alcohol freedom have shown her how to live in alignment with her values and created an internal peace she didn’t know she was craving. In this episode, Shelly and Teri talk about the very personal reason why she decided to change her relationship with alcohol and how she didn't know her last drink was her last.

Find full show notes here

Growth mindset or fixed mindset? Tune in while Teri shares the work of Carol Dweck and how her groundbreaking work opens up the world of growth mindset. Teri explores how to let go of blame, criticism and doubt and allow new emotions to fuel our alcohol-free journey. Find the full show notes here.

Full Show notes available here: Episode 6

Amanda E. White is a licensed therapist, retired party girl and the creator of the popular instagram account @therapyforwomen. She is the author of the book “Not Drinking Tonight”. She is the founder and owner of the group therapy practice, Therapy for Women Center, based in Philadelphia serving clients across the country. In this episode, Amanda shares her decision to let go of 'cool' and embrace not drinking. She talks about her decision to live an intentional life and the popularity of her Instagram account, which allows her to help women set boundaries vs. rules and normalize not drinking. She shares about her upcoming book "Not Drinking Tonight" and how hopeful she feels that real change is on the horizon. 

Full Show Notes Here

In today’s episode, Teri shares more about her journey to alcohol freedom and how understanding decision fatigue helped her change her mindset about flirting with moderation. Decision fatigue and moderating go hand in hand; having to decide every day whether today is a day to drink, a day to not drink or a day to start again means we must constantly use resources that are finite. What happens when we run out of decision making energy? Listen in as Teri shares her journey through moderation and how making one firm decision changed everything! 2:41 Questioning my drinking 3:36 No answers 4:30 Our brain on pain 5:12 My moderation ‘rules’ 8:29 F.E.A.R. 11:16 Forever 14:55 Practice making a firm decision The November Live Alcohol Experiment: https://join.nakedmindpath.com/hp-std-path-program-detail?affiliate_id=2106752

What does it mean to become fully awake? Our guest, Christy Wynne shares her story on today’s podcast. Christy has a background practicing integrative medicine as a physician assistant, with a strong interest in hormonal health, nutrition, nervous system regulation/neuroscience, mindfulness, trauma and radical self care. She believes in taking a holistic approach to uncover the root cause of any disease or behavior. Christy decided to become free from alcohol in 2018 and is now a senior coach with This Naked Mind. She is the co-founder of Awake, the nation's first full service alcohol free bar in Denver. Christy lives in Colorado with her husband, two kids, two dogs and a cat, where she enjoys all of the amenities of mountain living, when she's not pursuing her main passion of world travel. In our conversation, Christy shares how she and her husband stopped drinking while living abroad and how Europe became the inspiration for their alcohol-free bar, Awake, Denver. She talks about the power of community and where she has found connection and inspiration through new friends and sober retreats. Christy tells us more about the founding of Awake, Denver and the impact it is having on the local population and the larger alcohol-free community. Christy shares her secrets to finding freedom and how learning to trust ourselves is the most important part. Letting go of alcohol while living in Provence, France 3:40 Her biggest fear about becoming AF 7:00 Creating Community and shedding friends 11:58 What’s happening at Awake, Denver 19:50 Awake, Denver https://awakedenver.com/ Christy’s website: https://www.danceyourselfcleancoaching.com/

Full Show Notes Here

Welcome to The Sober Edge - this is a place to be motivated, inspired and astounded by life on the other side of drinking! Listen in to your host Teri Patterson, Functional Nutritionist and This Naked Mind Senior Coach as she shares her passion about living life alcohol free. Whether you are sober curious, living an alcohol-free life or wondering if there is more to life than just going through the motions, this is the podcast for you. Discover practical tools to level up your life; explore tactics to drink less and live more; be inspired by real men and women sharing their stories of ditching booze and gaining a whole new life. Teri brings her experience from coaching thousands of people looking to make a change and wisdom gained from her own sober journey to help you create the life you truly want, where anything is possible! Details about the Podcast 1:55 The ‘missing piece’ 3:32 Teri’s Alcohol-free story 4:41 Keys to Making a change 7:40 The Sober Nutritionist website https://www.thesobernutritionist.com/ Free Guide: 5 Healthy Reasons to Take A Break https://www.thesobernutritionist.com/alcohol-free-guide

Are you ready for a Good Mood Revolution? I know I am!  I think we can all use a bit more joy and happiness in our daily lives.

I sat down with Matt O'Neill, author and podcast host of The Good Mood Revolution. We had an enlightening conversation about the 8 Negative Moods and the 8 Positive Moods. Matt is an expert at breaking down big concepts into bite-sized, actionable steps. 

Here are some highlights from our chat:

Matt's book will be released in mid-December. What a perfect read for the New Year!

Show Notes HERE

Want to hear Matt talk about his book? He will be joining us in January in The Sober Edge Book Club as part of our Author Spotlight series. Find out how to join the club HERE

My journey continues beyond learning how to become AF and yours will too.

I think the most striking difference between becoming AF and living AF is the shift in focus and time. I have experienced and witnessed what is possible when alcohol is out of the way. 

Time feels different now that I am living alcohol-free. The time I used to spend drinking, thinking about drinking and recovering from drinking is now ‘new time’. And, with a new sense of time, I have been able to explore this next chapter of my life. When I was drinking, time passed with me numbing out and with opportunities missed. Now, time is lived vs. passed. I create experiences vs. avoiding them. 

I shared in Part 1 my journey through my first Sober Anniversary. In those first 12 months, so many things shifted for me, but I was still focusing a lot on behavior and those raw emotions. I spent that first year doing a few things that set me up for the next stage - living alcohol-free.

I didn’t have a road map or a guide for my AF journey (boy, do I wish I had!). I think I pushed my way through those first few months with force - I even used some of my anger to fuel my resolve. But, as I moved past year 1, my emotions started to level, and I began to feel excited and peaceful as I settled into my ‘new normal’. 

(Listen in on this episode to hear more of my lessons, or go to the Show Notes)

The lessons continue. Just like happiness is a direction, not a destination, living AF is an expansive state of being, not a place where we arrive. If I had stopped at just ‘becoming alcohol-free’, I would have stayed in that place of focusing on my behavior and my emotions. I would have missed the place where I am now, a place where the adventure of life continues to unfold in new and surprising ways. 

Cheers to LIVING Alcohol-Free!

Full Show Notes Here

The SELF Experience - find out more about living AF!

On October 18, 2015, I woke up with a slight hangover and a mountain of guilt. I had let myself down, again, but I had also let other people down. I felt like a horrible person, someone I didn't recognize. I had finally had enough - enough of letting alcohol be the most important relationship in my life.

After that one decision almost 9 years ago, my life has unfolded in ways I could only have imagined. While I felt in my gut that I was meant for more, I had spent so long tamping down my dreams and ideas that I had no idea what might lie ahead. I have always been a 'personal growth junkie' listening to Zig Ziglar on cassette tapes and joining several MLM's to rub shoulders with other dreamers. But my dreams were always plagued with doubts that I could do more and be more. I now recognize that alcohol was a way to soften the blow of an unfulfilled life.

This episode is a 'look back' at becoming AF, it's a glimpse into those early days. In this episode I share 4 things I have embraced by becoming AF. 

Next week, I will follow up with 'Living Alcohol-Free' a glimpse into these past 8 years and I will share 5 more things I've learned along the way.

Show Notes Here

Empowered AF 5x Coaching Certification - the doors are closing! This is your chance to join and save $1000. If you have wondered, dreamed or imagined becoming a life coach and helping other's experience freedom from alcohol, this is an incredible offer. Use this link to find our more, apply and save $1000! 

What if you stopped drinking and followed your passion for a new AF business? That's exactly what happened to Marlys Aspinwall and her husband Chuck. 

In 2021, after she found herself drinking too much during COVID, Marlys decided to take a break. Her husband quickly followed her lead. Three months later, they opened a pop-up bottle shop.

Marlys shares in this episode of The Sober Edge podcast that at the time, they hadn't even decided that their break from alcohol was going to be permanent. But, after experiencing the connection and the opportunity to encourage their customers, they were hooked. Chuck began searching for a brick and mortar storefront where they could set up a bottle shop and a sober bar.

I asked Marlys to share some tips for starting an AF business and for working with your partner. Here's what she had to share:

Find the full show notes HERE, along with a coupon code for 15% off your first order!

Are you tired of talking about alcohol and drinking and not drinking? I get it, just as we can experience recovery fatigue, I believe we can also burn out by talking about alcohol too much. 

Yep, I want to invite you to NOT talk about alcohol. 

I have shared before my philosophy that 'behavior comes last'. A quick refresher: changing our behavior is only one part of changing our relationship with alcohol. We must also change our thoughts and beliefs about alcohol. We have to go beyond willpower and the outdated idea of not 'picking up' (as the solution) as they say in some recovery circles. 

The reality is, with my coaching clients, we spend only a small percentage of our time talking about drinking and not drinking. What we talk about instead is the reasons behind our drinking. We focus on making alcohol small by building a bigger life, one we don't want to hide from. 

In this podcast episode, I break down the steps of what to do instead and why this is the sweet spot to lasting change. 

Full Show Notes HERE

Midlife is often a time of big transitions. Giving up alcohol can also create monumental shifts. As we move through these transitions, we sometimes leave parts of ourselves behind, and sometimes we leave others behind.

My friend and fellow coach Aimee Ames has been on her own transitional  journey, including going back to school to become a Functional Nutritionist, redefining her relationship with alcohol and ending a 23-year marriage. Along the way, Aimee discovered that 'you are your one true partner'. I love this saying as it reminds me of what I came to recognize in my own path: the one person who will be with you at the end, is you.

I am excited to share this conversation with you. Aimee is an incredible human who shares her wisdom freely and shares the difficult parts as well. 

Amy also talked about her work with the Somatica Institute, training as an intimacy coach and a sex and relationship coach. 

Find out more in the Show Notes HERE

There's a saying, "You become like the 5 people you spend the most time with". The wisdom behind this statement is the urgency. We recognize that we have a limited amount of time to rub shoulders with people who inspire us and challenge us to grow. And, it can prompt us to choose our friends wisely. Spend time with negative people and we might find ourselves complaining more. Spend time with positive people and we suddenly feel more energy and hopefulness. 

In this podcast episode, I break down the ways we can do a personal inventory and start noticing if the things we are allowing into our lives are bringing us 'up' or bringing us 'down'. This exercise requires intention and space; the exact things that we have access to when we put alcohol aside.

We can use our clarity of mind, our free time and our energy to engage in new ways. But, beyond just bringing new things in and filling our days haphazardly, this exercise invites you to notice what feels good, what lights you up, what sparks your curiosity and your passion. 

This alcohol-free life is a catalyst to paying attention; this is your opportunity to build the life you want!

Full Show Notes HERE

The Sober Summit - get your free ticket HERE

What's on your bucket list? Chances are it includes at least one place you want to travel to. But traveling sober? Many of us are nervous and might even avoid the idea of planning a sober vacation. After all, if you are like most of us, travel and alcohol went together without question. 

Meet my friend Michelle Plante. Michelle is the founder of Michelle Plante Travels and, since becoming alcohol-free at the very beginning of 2019, her travel plans always include fabulous adventures where no alcohol is needed. 

In addition to taking her travel experiences to a whole new level, Michelle shares what else has changed since becoming AF:

After discovering the joys of AF travel, Michelle is now curating Wellness, Adventure and Luxe trips for sober women. 

Check out Michelle's adventures to Costa Rica and India, and follow along with her special travel blogs: all links in Show Notes

Are you excited about The 2024 Sober Summit? Get your free ticket to 24 fabulous speakers - link in Show Notes

If you have ever wondered if other people talk to themselves, the answer is yes. In one form or another, everyone has a voice in their head. This voice has a lot to say, and we listen. According to Ethan Kross, author of 'Chatter', if you have ever replayed a conversation in your mind, or coached yourself through a problem or skill, you've used your inner voice. Most people rely on and benefit from theirs every day. But what happens when our inner coach turns into the inner critic? 

The clients I work with often find themselves stuck in negative self-talk and turning the talk around is an important part of coaching. On the current episode of the podcast, I share several ways to bring awareness to the voice in our heads and make peace with it. There are practical tips that help us become the 'cheerleader' vs. the 'critic':

Find out more tips in the Show Notes

And you struggle with negative self-talk, I am offering a book study, starting at the end of September, that will feature Chatter by Ethan Kross. This series will provide practical steps to turn that voice into your on-call coach! Find out more HERE

Loneliness is possible even when we are surrounded by people. In today's culture, we have more opportunities than ever to connect - we can face a family member, catch up with a video chat or reach out with a text message. Yet we often feel disconnected from others. 

My guest on the podcast this week is Nick Jonsson, an executive coach and alcohol-free coach who understands the impact of loneliness. In fact, he wrote a book on the subject, 'Executive Loneliness'. In 2018, Nick found himself stressed out, drinking too much and feeling disconnected from his family, his friends and from life. He decided to make a change and, with the help of a 12-step program, he started his sober journey. Because of the anonymity of his program, Nick recovered in secret and didn't share openly about his new lease on life. That changed in 2019 when a good friend committed suicide. Nick realized that he had no idea his friend was struggling, and he vowed to start a brave conversation about loneliness, mental health and recovery.

Visit the Show Notes page to learn more about Nick and his work

IAccording to a 2018 independent study by Drinkware, 60% of adults admit to using alcohol to cope with stress. If your stress is caused by burnout, alcohol is the worst possible solution. 

In our conversation today, my guest Jamie Phillips,  shared the signs of burnout:

In addition to burnout and recovery, Jamie and I talked about how 'drinking was her favorite thing' and the prevalence of alcohol in the queer community. Jamie shares openly and honestly how she discovered a deeper layer of purpose behind alcohol.

You can find out more in the Show Notes

I am excited to dig deep into our belief system and how these conscious and sub-conscious beliefs can keep us stuck as we make changes in our relationship with alcohol and beyond.

First, let's talk about the three levels of belief - particularly relevant when we think about alcohol:

Substance (what we believe about the liquid alcohol Society (what our culture, our family of origin and society tells us about alcohol that we have come to accept as the truth) Self (what we believe about ourselves that relates to alcohol)

These levels of belief are in order (1-3) intentionally. Challenging our belief system gets harder as we move from substance to society to self. (For more on this, and examples, listen to this week's podcast episode.)

So, how are beliefs formed, and how do we challenge the beliefs that no longer serve us?

Listen in to learn how beliefs are formed and the socratic method which can help you discern your own truth when it comes to alcohol.

More details in the SHOWNOTES

Women's Hormones - Menopause - Weight Gain - Alcohol - Fasting

In today's episode we talk about women's hormones and my guest helps break down what we can do to  thrive no matter what stage of life we are in!

Meet my friend and fellow coach, Elly Young. Elly is a wealth of information when it comes to understanding how best to support our hormones. Elly is an expert in cycle-syncing, which is a fascinating practice of eating to support your hormones. And, if you are post-menopausal, you can learn to use metabolic-syncing to achieve the same results!

This episode is packed with great information to empower you to support your body as you age. Some of the subjects we cover:

Visit the Show Notes HERE

We all want to understand the meaning of life, and so do our mythical heroes. They often go on adventures to strange worlds, fight dark forces, and come back with new knowledge.

The hero’s journey explains this adventure by breaking it into stages. It shows how a hero faces and overcomes challenges to learn and grow.

Does this remind you of your own alcohol-free journey? In this episode of The Sober Edge Podcast, I share my take on an AF hero's journey.

The 12 steps outlined in the graphic are easy to adapt to our own journey to alcohol-freedom. Just like the heroes of mythology or your favorite Star Wars character, you are called to the adventure of a lifetime!

Full Show Notes HERE

Ready for your own AF Adventure? 

Join The SELF Experience waitlist for women who are alcohol-free and looking for more

Join REFRESH, a program for women who are struggling to become  or stay alcohol-free

I recently sat down with Betsy Frost, the CEO of Hoplark Brands to talk about drinking less, the NA industry, and why she believes hops are 'magic'.

Hoplark brings us the 'Yes And…' which is to say it brings the flavor and the complexity of hops to tea, sparkling water and 0.0 beverages. A range of products that have zero sugar, zero alcohol and zero calories!

Betsy shares that hops are a magical ingredient that has basically been ‘held hostage’ by the beer makers for hundreds of years. And, Hoplark is taking back hops and bringing the brewing aspect without the fermentation or malt into a new variety of beverages to delight the palate.

Frost describes the brewers at Hoplark as a ‘bunch of passionate 'hopheads’ who want to ‘free hops from beer’. But, the company philosophy goes beyond hops. Betsy shares in this episode of The Sober Edge Podcast that Hoplark Brands delivers a new way of thinking about alcohol-free beverages - beyond personal choice but offering new and inclusive options. She sees this class of beverages as less ‘anti-alcohol’ and more ‘pro-options’.

Tune in to hear more of our conversation, including:

Head to the Show Notes HERE to grab a 35% discount code to try Hoplark Teas, 0.0 and Sparkling Waters!

And, if you are ready to say 'no' to alcohol and 'yes' to a bigger, more flavorful life, grab a time on my calendar and let's chat! Free Discovery Call HERE

My friend and colleague Kristin Horstman is a certified Gray Area Drinking Coach with a specialty in helping clients learn how to nourish their nervous system. 

We also touch on:

Kristin also has a passion for a non-profit organization, CMC, Foundation For Change. This organization helps support family members whose loved ones are dealing with substance use. She shares the philosophy of the CMS which is based on science and kindness. My favorite part is that CMC goes beyond offering support and actually teaches skills to help one feel empowered to care for their loved one. This program can help families let go of the outdated ‘tough love’ method and lead with connections.

Find out more about the work of CMC and Kristin in the  Show Notes

Kristin and I also get to hang out together in The Sober Edge Book Club - if you are a sober curious or sober serious woman who loves books - please consider joining us! More Info HERE

Life's adventures come in many forms. My recent conversation with friend and colleague Racquel Reid brought this home.

We have the adventures we choose, the adventures thrust upon us and the adventures we let go. 

When Racquel left on her travel adventure, she never imagined that she would end up in her current situation. Yet, somehow, Racquel has found a place of adventure and freedom even in the midst of hardship and struggles. Her journey of finding her 'wild and free' is inspiring and heartwarming.

In our conversation we touch on:

Visit the Show Notes for More

Midlife is the perfect time to take a break from alcohol. "Stop Drinking in Your 50's and Beyond" is created exclusively for midlife women. Get the tactical support and the key foundation in only 6 weeks. Simple, affordable, effective. Learn More

As an alcohol freedom coach, I emphasize the importance of community as we go through this monumental change. Traveling together means we get support, understanding and a shared sense of camaraderie that doesn't (always) happen in other places. 

As an entrepreneur and business owner in this alcohol-free space, I wanted a community that supported my unique business. This is a mission-driven business for most of us. It is also a place where passion projects abound. All of us deserve a supportive place to hang out.

I met Maggie Klaassens at a Sober In The City event in Portland, ME last September. As we got to know one another, we realized we both had a burning desire to create a community for entrepreneurs just like us. And so, The Sober Hive was born! 

The mission of The Sober Hive is aligned with these three principles:

Community Connection Collaboration

Let's come together to grow this AF movement!

Find out more about The Sober Hive 

Show Notes HERE

Challenge:

noun

A call to take part in a contest or competition, especially a duel

verb

Invite (someone) to engage in a contest

The idea of a contest involves a clear objective with a finish line. But, does the idea of a 'challenge' really work when it comes to changing our relationship with alcohol or food? 

Just around the corner is 'Dry July', an opportunity to take 30 days off from drinking. While these types of challenges can help us get started, the really challenging part comes at the end of the month, or the 30 days. 

Here are some ideas I share on the podcast

Full Show Notes HERE

What if, instead of health, we decide to seek wellness? What if, beyond health, there is a beautiful place called 'wellness'? In our culture today we are often bombarded with wellness products and wellness lifestyles, but what does that really mean? 

My guest on the podcast today, Megan Swan, has her own spin on wellness, and we talked about her modern approach to wellness that takes us beyond health (health has been defined as the opposite of disease) to a 360 degree approach.

Megan Swan Wellness is her brand, and she teaches the foundation of wellness to include strategic practices that are both sustainable and easy. I love this conversation because we touch on many of the foundations that I also believe create a beautiful and balanced state of well-being; i.e. wellness. 

Here are some highlights:

Show Notes HERE

Over 50% of families deal with addiction. If you have a family member who struggles, it can be challenging to walk the line between compassion and tough love, enabling and offering support. And, the closer the family member, the more challenging it can be to set healthy boundaries.

My guest on the podcast today is Dr. Brian Licuanan. Dr. Brian is an author, speaker, and board-certified psychologist practicing in Southern California. He specializes in family crisis interventions and has extensive experience working with highly acute clients struggling with substance abuse disorders and mental health conditions. He reached out to share his new book,  "How to Get Your Resisting Loved One into Treatment: A Step-by-Step Guide for Mental Health and/or Addiction Crisis". 

We talked about the processes Dr. Brian teaches and assists with as well as these highlights:

Fatigue in helping a loved one - when is it time to take intervention to the next level?

I also ask Dr. Brian what if YOU are the one dealing with alcohol use disorder? Tune in to hear his answer.

SHOW NOTES HERE

For most of us, our relationship with alcohol, whether we are drinking or not, is complicated. When we find ourselves 'romanticizing' alcohol, it can feel confusing.

First, let's normalize these thoughts. Longing for the past, or feeling nostalgic, is a normal emotion. It is often tied to a longing for the way we used to be or the way we used to feel. I recently had a client share that 'nostalgia' is one of the reasons she drinks, that longing to feel a certain way or searching for a past version of herself can lead her to desire a drink. 

In this episode of The Sober Edge Podcast, I break down nostalgia and how it can lead us to the exact place my client ended up: with a desire to drink, or to a memory where alcohol seems attractive. 

Here is one definition of nostalgia from 'Atlas of The Heart' by Brené Brown: a yearning for the way things used to be in our often idealized and self-protective version of the past.

I also used an article from  Psychology today (link in show notes) to further breakdown how nostalgia connects us to alcohol. You will hear 5 key points as you listen to the episode.

This trip down memory lane that is nostalgia is not without danger; enter cautiously and ask yourself these three questions:

Head to the SHOWNOTES for the links to the TEDX Talk I mention as well as the Psychology Today article.

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While I love a good ‘self help’ book, I was completely fascinated by the title of my guests’ book: “Not Another Self Help Book”. How could I resist having her on the podcast to share her unique perspective on how to show up in the world when life is hard?

Lindsey Kane Leaverton is an author, songwriter, former minister and a financial wealth management expert. She also identifies as a proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community, a woman with ADHD, OCD and PTSD; as she shares, she has ‘all the adjectives’! 

Lindsey wrote this book, "Not Another Self-Help Book" to highlight some of the most challenging things we experience as humans, and how we might find a gift in each of these challenges, such as pain, trauma, addiction and waiting. We also talk about how she lost everything when she came out as gay, her long journey with chronic pain, our equal dislike of the phrase “God doesn’t give you more than you can handle”. We cover a lot in today’s episode and have a lot of laughs along the way.

Here are some of my favorite parts:

I hope you love this episode as much as I did! 

Get all the details of how to connect with Lindsey and more in the SHOW NOTES

Interested in The Sober Edge Book Club? Check out our new pricing HERE!

*Lindsey does not identify as sober or alcohol-free but does share her deep respect and personal experience with Al-Anon. If you follow Lindsey on social media, you may see her with a drink in hand, but on today’s episode we do not talk about her drinking nor do we glorify the drinking of alcohol in any way.

A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of meeting a new friend. Constance Todd Smith is an alignment coach (I love this!) who has been on her own journey of exploration, which started 38 years ago when she decided to 'live on the bright' by choosing sobriety.

In addition to being an alignment coach, Constance is also a Yoga teacher, an Ecstatic Dance instructor, the founder of a Facebook group devoted to the teachings of Abraham Hicks and a sailor! She credits her break-up with alcohol as the start of her adventurous life.

She describes herself as a  Hybrid of sorts - a rockin’ combination of a successful businesswoman and a spiritual/esoteric junkie. Her gifts, which she readily shares with her clients, include writing, meditation and manifesting. She is also hard at work on her latest project, your very own sober life guide - keep your eyes out for "A Sober Companion"!

To find out more about Constance and my new REFRESH program, visit the SHOW NOTES

How do you define abundance? It might be having more, or it might be desiring less. When it comes to creating space, having an abundant mindset can be key. 

Creating space can manifest in many different ways; being open to opportunities means almost anything is possible. I have talked about creating space before, but I have recently been challenged to broaden my personal definition of how we create space. In my own life, creating space looks like removing something, be it emotional (a negative thought), physical (throw out the old blouse), or spiritual (exploring those biases). But, I now understand it doesn't look that way for everyone. For you, it might be picking up the ball that you dropped, or letting go of old fears that breed scarcity. 

I recorded today's podcast episode to share more about space, scarcity, abundance and alcohol. I hope you will listen and perhaps be inspired or enlightened to explore your own 'space'.

ZPE Connect and The Sober Edge Book Club - Join us for a live event on May 20th from 6-8 PM in 4 different locations. Find out more HERE

SHOW NOTES HERE

"Everyone has a story or a struggle that will break your heart. And if we’re really paying attention, most people have a story that will bring us to our knees".  Brene Brown shared this quote in a 2018 article. The other part of this truth is that sharing our stories can help us heal. 

* Please be aware: this episode touches on suicide and suicidal ideation 

I recently sat down with a new friend, certified recovery coach Jessica Duenas. Jessica offers writing and reading workshops to help those in recovery learn to tell their own story. She believes that storytelling is a way to help us heal and process our recovery journey. Jessica has her own healing story; she was the Kentucky State Teacher of The Year in 2019, but she was living a double life. Her alcohol addiction had become life-threatening, and she ended up in rehab multiple times in 2020. 

Her 'break-free' moment came when she wrote a story for the local paper sharing her alcohol-use disorder with the public for the first time.  Jessica admits it was a vulnerable move. She was unsure of how her story would be received and realized that, finally, it didn't matter what anyone else thought, it was time to share her truth.

To hear more of Jessica's story and the work she does in the world, visit the SHOW NOTES page HERE

Childless Not By Choice - my friend and colleague, Maureen Benkovich is offering support with those of us who might be struggling with the upcoming Mother's Day Holiday. This special event, United In Experience: A Mother's Day Alternative takes place on Thursday May 9th. You can register to attend HERE

If you have every felt tired of 'doing the work' (of getting sober, bettering yourself, growing as a human...) you are not alone.

In today's episode I share how to re-frame 'Recovery Fatigue' and gain back any lost momentum or motivation. If you are wondering how to 'keep going' on this journey to being AF and living AF, listen in for 4 tips on how to beat Recovery Fatigue!

Full Show Notes Here

Interested in a REFRESH? Small group video support, prompts and coaching. Apply HERE

This is an extra special episode of The Sober Edge Podcast - we are inviting ALL of you to meet author Laura Cathcart Robbins.

First, you will meet Laura in this special podcast episode. Robbins is the author of Stash: My Life In Hiding. This powerful book takes us on the emotional journey of Laura's addiction to sleeping medication and alcohol. I must share that I was riveted as I read her account of navigating being a Hollywood wife and mother and board president of the private school her children attended WITH sourcing extra refills of Ambien. 

I know that many of us had a relationship with alcohol that included 'hiding', whether it was hiding the amount you drank, or the fact that you were drinking again. This is part of why Laura's story is so powerful. Her honest telling of her story includes the parts of her past that she was hiding from everyone in her life. 'My Life In Hiding' is about so much more than hiding one's addiction, it includes learning how to be honest with ourselves.

During this interview, Laura and I were careful not to divulge any 'spoilers' as the book is full of twists and turns. The one 'spoiler' is that we know Laura is ultimately triumphant over her addiction and, like many of us, her life looks completely different now. This book is ultimately a love story, with her children, a surprise relationship but, most importantly, with herself.

Laura Cathcart Robbins is the best-selling author of the Atria/Simon & Schuster memoir, Stash, My Life In Hiding, and host of the popular podcast, The Only One In The Room. She will be joining us in our Author Spotlight Special inside The Sober Edge Book Club.

Show Notes HERE

Register to attend our Author Spotlight and meet Laura HERE

When we stop drinking and over drinking we have so many possibilities. 

 Have you dreamed about what's next? Perhaps you have thought about writing a book? Starting a podcast? Or maybe you have a product in mind that you want to create and bring into the world to share with your AF community?

My podcast guest today, Tawny Lara, has done all of these things. I first met Tawny when she joined us in The Sober Edge Book Club to share her brand-new book: Dry Humping: A Guide to Dating, Relating and Hooking Up, Without the Booze.  Tawny is known as 'the sober sexpert'. While the title of the book is meant to be provocative, the book is written as a recovery resource; a resource for sexual liberation, sexual empowerment, and empowering women to get to know their own bodies.It’s about communication and boundaries. There is even a chapter about sober breakups. Ultimately, it's about creating better relationships, especially with yourself.

Tawny is also the co-founder of (parentheses) a vinegar-based botanical beverage she produces with her husband, and the co-host of the Sobriety Rocks podcast. 

Tawny shares her unique take on life and her creative style in this interview.

Learn more about Tawny's work in the Show Notes HERE

Do you believe that 'with sobriety anything is possible'? When you hear the story of Todd Crandell, you will. Todd is the founder of Racing for Recovery, a  non-profit center to help people move away from addiction and towards recovery. Todd is the Original Sober Ironman and is also known as Sober Ultra Man on Instagram.

Todd is a living, breathing example of a sober life and lifestyle. He believes that exercise can be a big component of healing from addiction and, while some may consider his devotion to running (113 Ironman competitions on 6 different continents) to be an addiction to running, Todd doesn't see it that way. He believes that, for him, running is a healthy passion that leads to a vibrant and healthy life.

Highlights from our conversation include:

Full Show Notes

Have you ever felt 'stuck'? Chances are, the answer is yes. We can feel stuck in circumstances, situations that feel beyond our control. We can feel stuck when we are trying to manage other peoples feelings or reactions. Let's face it, feeling stuck can suck!

If you have ever asked yourself these questions, you are not alone. Becky Vollmer is the author of "You Are Not Stuck" and she shares on the podcast exactly how we move from feeling stuck to feeling empowered by choice.

Becky is more than an author; she is a yoga teacher, a retreat leader and a spiritual guide who coaches women to take back their power. Becky's mission is "... to empower people to pursue the lives they dream of instead of settling for the ones they feel stuck in..."

Our podcast conversation moves from the success of her book to her 'prescription' for moving from fear to freedom to her take on 'Thelma and Louise'ing it'!

Show Notes HERE (find out more about Becky; see previous podcast episodes and sign up for The Sober Nutritionist newsletter)

If you have ever considered rehab to help change your relationship with alcohol - there is good news. With these changing times and the possibility of telehealth and online therapy, there are more options than ever.

Most of us are familiar with the traditional models of treatment. Now, there is a new model that is available. My guest on the podcast this week is Robin McIntosh, co-founder of Workit Health, an alternative to the traditional form of rehab.

Workit Health addresses many of the barriers to entering treatment:

Workit Health has a combined approach which includes screening for medication assistance, harm reduction goals, and group therapy. 

I am excited to know this option is out there - I am deeply invested in bringing you more tools, more choices and, ultimately, more freedom. I hope you will take a close look at online rehab and see if it might be the right for you or a loved one.

Full Show Notes HERE

My guest on the podcast today, Kim Ades has an executive coaching company called Frame of Mind Coaching. I love her philosophy around our frame of mind. Kim shares so many packed moments of inspiration and wisdom in this episode, including:

Kim also shares a unique process she has created called “The Journal That Talks Back”. This is a process whereby your journal is read and responded to by a trained Frame of Mind Coach. Kim uses this process for young executives to access support as they grow into leaders. I find this unique offer fascinating and Kim and I explore a bit about how to use this process in our AF journey and well beyond alcohol! 

Full Show Notes HERE

Learn more about The Sober Edge Book Club and join now for $5.00 off your first month!

One of the many gifts of becoming alcohol-free is the ability to explore our inner world.

In the podcast episode I share with Aundrea Sides, we dive into the extraordinary and psychic realm of possibility. This is an episode I want to invite you to listen to closely. Aundrea shares her experience and wisdom with unleashing our inner knowledge through frequency, vibration, intuition and imagination. 

Aundrea shares the power of using your mind with your intuition and creating an open heart where we can all take inspired action. We also talk about the danger of 'leaky energy'. This is where we ask a lot of other people their opinion instead of tuning into our own intuition. Brene Brown talks about the dangers of 'polling'; when we find ourselves asking everyone around us what we should do. And, if you have experienced a new-found trust in yourself since ditching alcohol, you know exactly what we are talking about. There comes, with new awareness, or as Aundrea would say, cosmic clarity, a delight in knowing what is for us. 

Full Show Notes HERE