Podcasts about SMART Recovery

In this episode, Colleen pulls back the curtain on a personal “bitch slap from the universe” that arrived in the form of a sudden, unexplained expulsion from a coaching program she once considered family. What could have been a spiral into shame became something else entirely—a masterclass in emotional sovereignty. She walks you through the shock, the grief, and the moment she realized: this wasn't actually about her. Instead of chasing fairness or demanding explanations, she chose action over rumination, redirecting her energy toward opportunities that actually align with her values. With candor, humor, and zero self-pity, Colleen models what it looks like to process hurt without handing away your power—and to see a painful ending as a door swinging wide to something better. This is more than a story about rejection; it's a real-time demonstration of the freedom that comes from owning your emotional narrative and refusing to let someone else's decisions define you.    

In this episode, Colleen dismantles one of the most costly habits we carry through life: the obsession with figuring out whose fault it is. She makes a powerful distinction between fault—the cause of a problem—and responsibility—your power to choose how you respond. The moment you stop waiting for someone else to make things right, you stop handing them your power. With humor, wordplay, and grounded examples, she shows how clinging to blame keeps you stuck, resentful, and drained—while letting go frees you to act from a place of choice, not victimhood. Whether it's waiting on an apology, reimbursement, or just “closure,” the real cost is the energy you lose while holding someone else accountable for your own next move. Colleen invites you to reclaim your response-ability, stop making other people's actions the condition for your own happiness, and give situations “all the attention they deserve—none.” Because when you drop the weight of fault, you gain the freedom to create the life you actually want.    

Send us a textAlcohol was just the symptom. Matt and Steve talk about childhood wounds, confidence, and why lasting sobriety can take more than AA. From therapy to medical care, they share the tools that keep them sober—and why it's okay to build your own recovery path.Love the show? Stay connected between episodes with the Sober Friends Dispatch—our Substack newsletter packed with real stories, honest reflections, and tools to help you live your best sober life.

When my client, Michele, told me she was going to reintroduce alcohol. I'll be honest — I was nervous. Actually, that's bullshit. I felt like a failure. She'd been sober for 10 months.  I was her sobriety coach. And at that time, I was still operating on the mindset that once an alcoholic, always an alcoholic. Because everybody knows you can't unpickle a cucumber.  But as we learn in coaching school, the client is the expert on their own lives. Telling people what they should and shouldn't do is condescending, not coaching. So I checked my own fear and anxiety and held space for her. Michele is the first client I coached with a truly open mind — where there is no “right” way to drink, no moral high ground for whoever has the most sober days, and no starting over after you have a drink. Alcohol is neutral–it's not good or bad or right or wrong. It's not the problem and it's not the solution. Working with Michele completely changed the way I think about recovery from alcohol use disorder. She is my patient zero, if you will. This experience laid the foundation for the work I do now as a mindful drinking coach. And she's here today to share her story and talk about what it's really like to learn how to trust yourself again…to heal your relationship with yourself so you don't have to worry about your relationship with alcohol. It's raw. It's honest. It's messy. And for me, it's personal — because this opened my eyes, my mind and my heart to see what's really possible when you stop using the past to predict the future.    If you are ready to get support from a community of women who are co-creating this change with intention and clarity— Click here to BOOK A DISCOVERY CALL.    Do you want help from Colleen with a situation you're struggling with? Click here to submit your question for Colleen's NEW Q& A episodes. Your name will not be mentioned on air!    Find me on: YouTube: @HangoverWhisperer TikTok: @hangoverwhisperer Instagram: @thehangoverwhisperer  X (Twitter) : @NotAboutTheAlc

Great question! In a nutshell, Volunteer Support Coordinators (VSCs) are experienced SMART Recovery volunteers dedicated to mentoring and supporting meeting facilitators. VSCs foster a welcoming and accessible environment for local volunteers to build connections and thrive.  On this podcast we are joined by three VSCs, each representing a different state: Kenzie Smith (North Carolina), Tammy Ginader (Florida), and Chris Gatewood (Virginia). Each of them shares their discovery of SMART, what lit their fire about it, and why they decided to give back by taking on the role of a Volunteer Support Coordinator. Helpful links: More information about VSCs Nationwide Roster of VSCs  

In this episode, Colleen shares a raw, behind-the-scenes moment from her own emotional funk and breaks down exactly how she worked through it—thought by thought, feeling by feeling. From vacation wine to love-bombing exes to that post-holiday productivity pressure, she shows how even seemingly minor emotional clutter can trigger deep, subconscious beliefs that hijack your nervous system. Instead of bypassing or blaming her mood, Colleen slows down and listens—uncovering the core belief underneath it all: I've done something wrong. What follows is a masterclass in emotional self-leadership. You'll hear how she clears the subconscious “rock in her shoe,” replaces it with a more empowering truth, and reclaims her mental space, energy, and creative flow. This isn't emotional perfectionism. This is radical presence—and it's how you clear the emotional backlog that's actually running your life.    

In this episode, Colleen reframes one of the most misunderstood experiences in recovery: anxiety. Far from being just a diagnosis or a quirk of personality, anxiety is presented as a signal—an embodied alert system that points to the quality of your thoughts. She breaks down the real reason alcohol feels impossible to control: not because you're broken, but because your brain, hijacked by stress, is obsessing over a problem it thinks it must fix. And when that problem is alcohol, you become trapped in a loop of overthinking, guilt, and trying harder—while your body begs for presence, stillness, and care. She offers a radical shift: your anxiety isn't something to be solved. It's something to listen to. Not with your mind, but with your body. This isn't a mindset hack—it's nervous system healing. And it starts by learning how to stop listening to your brain's recycled stories, and start thinking on purpose.    

In this episode, Colleen names the real culprit behind so many evening drinking spirals: not lack of willpower, but an overloaded nervous system weighed down by thought patterns we treat as facts. She challenges the idea that we need to “solve” our problems in order to feel better—and instead offers a radical invitation: what if the problems aren't the problem? What if it's our focus that's keeping us stuck? Through candid stories from her own life, Colleen models what it looks like to let go of the drama we're not meant to carry. From ex-spouses to global politics, she demonstrates the power of conscious disengagement—choosing presence over rumination, joy over justification, clarity over control. This isn't emotional avoidance. It's sovereignty. When we stop trying to manage what was never ours to fix, we finally free up the energy to create what we actually want.    

In this episode, Colleen shares a game-changing reframe about why we actually get stuck—even when we have the motivation, the clarity, and the plan. Building on fresh neuroscience from Dr. Kira Babinet, she introduces us to the habenula, a lesser-known part of the brain that slams the brakes on our behavior when failure is perceived—whether it's already happened or we're just afraid it might. Colleen unpacks how the brain's bias toward failure and loss doesn't just stall action—it can kill our momentum completely. But instead of forcing progress through pressure or willpower, she offers a gentler, radically effective solution: the iterative mindset. One that removes failure from the equation entirely, replacing it with curiosity, experimentation, and self-compassion. No more proving, no more perfection—just real change, one tiny tweak at a time. This isn't about setting better goals. It's about learning how to stop punishing yourself with the gas pedal when your brain's already hitting the brakes.    

If you've been trying to change so that you can feel ready, healed, better and in control, this episode will explain how it's possible to feel those things now–before you've figured everything out. I'm going to explain how to access your higher self—not as a future fantasy, or as someone you'll be someday when you get everything right, but as a real-time frequency shift grounded in neuroscience, nervous system regulation, and the principles of manifestation.. You'll learn: Why your higher self isn't someone you become—it's someone you tune into How to use quantum physics to attract positive thoughts and feelings that alter your reality The role your subconscious mind plays in your brainwave states and vibrational coherence between your heart and brain A simple daily practice using breath, emotion, and intention to align your internal frequency This episode blends science and soul. I'll show you how to reprogram your internal signal so that your reality reflects who you already are—not who you're still trying to become. Click here to BOOK A DISCOVERY CALL if you're ready to fully commit to your personal growth and do the work to get emotionally sober. Side effects include an 80 percent reduction in drinking. Want daily updates from me? TikTok: @hangoverwhisperer Instagram: @thehangoverwhisperer Twitter (X): @NotAboutTheAlc YouTube: @hangoverwhisperer —Do you want coaching from Colleen on a situation you're struggling with? Click here to submit your question. Your name will not be mentioned on air!

In this episode, Colleen shares a quiet but powerful moment from one of her recent coaching calls—where a client celebrated a huge win, and Colleen noticed her own body signaling that something was off. What unfolded wasn't a rupture, but a subtle shift: a reminder that even seasoned leaders can bypass consent in moments of well-meaning reflex. And that noticing the signal doesn't mean spiraling—it means listening. Through her own self-check-in, she unpacks what it looks like to be emotionally sober in the face of mild shame: not resisting it, not fixing it, just feeling it long enough to hear what it's pointing to. Rather than defending her role or projecting the discomfort outward, Colleen models the kind of internal pause that turns self-awareness into relational repair—and deeper self-trust. This episode isn't about coaching techniques. It's about what happens when we make space to feel the moment before we justify it. Because sometimes, the most responsible thing we can do is let the feeling teach us—before we write the story.    

We talk with Amanda and Tommy from F Fentanyl, their organization that works tirelessly to bring free naloxone, best known under the brand name Narcan, and education to everywhere from elementary schools to raves. Their efforts are saving lives, part of the reason the opioid overdose rate has been going down in the United States. If you want to watch the video of this episode, check out our YouTube channel @addictionandthefamily. Special Guest: Amanda Nicol and Thomas Guerra.

In today's episode, Colleen walks us through a deceptively simple question that came up on a recent coaching call: How do I actually feel my feelings? The answer isn't mindset. It isn't a technique. It's presence. She explores the difference between thinking about emotions and physically experiencing them—without adding a story, a solution, or a label. With grounded metaphors and everyday honesty, she invites you to see emotions as temporary energy—not identity. You'll hear what happens when we resist that energy, and how easily it creates stagnation, self-protection, and shame loops that can shape entire patterns of behavior. If you've been trying to “work on yourself” without shifting how you relate to your emotional state, this episode may open a quieter, more embodied door.    

Click here to watch this episode on YouTube! If you've ever wondered whether medication could help you drink less — or you've tried naltrexone and felt disappointed — this episode is for you. I'm joined by Katie Lain, founder of Thrive Recovery and a fierce advocate for the Sinclair Method — a science-backed approach that uses naltrexone to reduce alcohol cravings over time. Katie shares her personal story of going from daily binge drinking to finding freedom without needing to get sober. She's also going to explain what most people get wrong about relying on medication alone to change their relationship with alcohol. If you've been stuck in the “gray area” — drinking more than you want to, but not seeing yourself as an alcoholic — you'll love this conversation. You'll walk away with a big-picture understanding of what it takes to rewire the brain for lasting change, and how to move through the messy middle of behavior change without shame, guilt, or black-and-white thinking. Katie Lain is the founder of Thrive Alcohol Recovery. You can find her @thrivealcoholrecovery on YouTube, Instagram, Linked-In and Facebook.  Want daily updates from me? TikTok: @hangoverwhisperer Instagram: @thehangoverwhisperer Twitter (X): @NotAboutTheAlc YouTube: @hangoverwhisperer   Click here to BOOK A DISCOVERY CALL if you're ready to fully commit to your personal growth and do the work to get emotionally sober. Side effects include an 80 percent reduction in drinking.   —Do you want coaching from Colleen on a situation you're struggling with? Click here to submit your question. Your name will not be mentioned on air!  Email  

In today's episode, Colleen shares a personal and refreshingly honest story about her relationship with nicotine—and how emotional sobriety has shifted the way she responds to temporary imbalance. What starts as a candid reflection on sneaky vape relapses becomes a powerful reminder that healing isn't about perfection. It's about how we respond when we veer off course. Colleen takes us through her own journey of regulating her nervous system, loosening old beliefs about addiction, and trusting that balance always returns—especially when we stop making a big deal out of being human. This isn't a story about failure; it's a blueprint for self-trust, grace, and gently coming home to yourself without shame. If you've ever found yourself back in an old habit and wondered, "Did I just ruin everything?"—this episode offers a softer, smarter answer: No. You just forgot for a second how resilient you really are.

In today's episode, Colleen lifts the veil on a common self-sabotage mechanism that often flies under the radar: worry. What begins as a moment of genuine joy and success quickly dissolves into anxiety—and not because something actually went wrong, but because her nervous system quietly panicked at how good it all felt. Using a relatable personal story and the concept of the “upper limit problem,” Colleen explores how we unconsciously block positive emotions the moment they start to expand. Whether it's a burst of pride, creative momentum, or a deep sense of peace, many of us unknowingly kink the hose of our own emotional flow—defaulting to worry as a way to shut it all down. This episode offers a practical and empowering reframe: your worry isn't a warning—it's a signal that something good is trying to get in. If you're ready to stop letting anxiety pull the plug on your joy, this one's for you.

Wheeler Community Health Care is a nonprofit agency that provides comprehensive human services across the state of Connecticut. Their vision is, "All people will have the opportunity to grow, change, and live healthier, productive lives." In this podcast we have a conversation with two representatives of Wheeler initiatives: Heather Clinger, a Program Manager at the Connecticut Center for Prevention, Wellness, and Recovery and Laura Zeppieri, Project Coordinator for Youth Recovery Connecticut. Both Heather and Laura share their passion for providing effective strategies for breaking into cycles of addictive behaviors and offering resources for individuals who might be coming from many different perspectives and backgrounds. They affirm SMART Recovery as an effective pathway to recovery, but offer a wide array of support tailored to individual needs.  

In today's episode, Colleen peels back the curtain on one of the most radical shifts we can make: recognizing that we are not our thoughts—we're the observer behind them. What starts as a reflection on managing the energy in your body becomes a masterclass in emotional authorship, reminding us that our thoughts, not our circumstances, are what create our lived reality. Using the metaphor of a self-driving car, Colleen breaks down how most of us are unconsciously letting outdated programming steer our lives. But it doesn't have to be that way. When you take back the wheel—choosing how you want to feel and filtering your thoughts through that emotional compass—you begin to rewrite the narrative of your life, one aligned action at a time. This episode is both a wake-up call and a permission slip: to believe what feels good, let go of what causes suffering, and trust that healing your inner world is how you change the outer one. If you've ever wondered whether it's really possible to feel free, peaceful, and powerful in your own skin—this is your answer.    

In today's episode, Colleen walks us through a high-stakes moment with one of her clients—standing at the emotional fork in the road between old habits and radical self-responsibility. After a tense night at her childhood home, surrounded by triggering family dynamics and judgment, this client found herself spiraling into shame after a single shot of tequila… and a familiar pattern of self-attack. With her sister likely ready to confront her, she reached out for support—not to fix the situation, but to reclaim her power before it got hijacked. What unfolds is a masterclass in nervous system protection, mindset choice, and learning how to stop reacting to the stories in your head (and the ones projected onto you). This episode is your reminder that peace isn't earned through explanation—it's chosen in the moment, with breath, presence, and courage. If you've ever felt like you have to prove, fix, or defend your choices just to feel okay again—this one will show you another way.

In today's episode, Colleen shares a real-life moment of emotional sobriety in action—when an old blog post, a rogue email, and a morning scroll tried to hijack her peace before she even got out of bed. What begins as a minor tech task quickly spirals into a stress response… until she catches it. Instead of reacting from urgency, she pauses, reconnects with her intention for the day, and remembers: just because it feels urgent doesn't mean it is. This episode is a practical, embodied reminder that emotional sobriety isn't about getting it perfect—it's about noticing the pattern before it runs your whole day. If you're done letting false alarms steal your time, energy, and presence, this one shows you how to reclaim control—without rushing to fix anything.

FFRF announces another Ten Commandments lawsuit, this one in Texas. After covering state/church news at the federal, state and local levels, we talk with Joe Gerstein, M.D., founder of SMART Recovery, a secular program for dealing with alcoholism and other addictions that is based on science and evidence, not faith.

In today's episode, Colleen reveals the sneaky way our own thoughts quietly become emotional abuse—and how to interrupt the habit of thinking things that hurt. From bedtime mirror pep talks to buried beliefs about being “a hot mess,” this episode explores how subconscious thought loops create the feelings that sabotage your confidence, relationships, and self-trust. Colleen explains how your nervous system isn't reacting to your circumstances—it's reacting to your story. And most of that story? It's fiction you've been rehearsing for years. If you're ready to stop bullying yourself with thoughts you'd never say out loud to a friend, this episode is your start to choosing a better script and creating safety in your own mind.

Ann and Zakia chat about the difficulties of being authentic when you come from a dysfunctional family or from a place where the language is different. And we play some clips from the Living Free archives. The Living Free show is a place to hear authentic story-telling from people who have struggled with the effects of addiction, their own or others'.If you would like to hear the whole conversations, the clips were from these episodes:https://www.3cr.org.au/livingfree/episode/alateen-and-al-anon-dan https://www.3cr.org.au/livingfree/episode/al-anon-family-groups-mandyhttps://www.3cr.org.au/livingfree/episode/alcoholics-anonymous-jennie-08feb2024 If you would like to find out more:Al-Anon Family Groups https://al-anon.org.au/Gamblers Anonymous https://gaaustralia.org.au/get-in-touch/Narcotics Anonymous https://www.na.org.au/multi/Alcoholics Anonymous https://aa.org.au/Overeaters Anonymous https://www.oa.org.au/SMART Recovery https://smartrecoveryaustralia.com.au/(link is external)Justice Connect https://justiceconnect.org.au/our-services/homeless-law/Show your support for the Living Free show by donating to 3CR https://www.3cr.org.au/donate#Alcoholism #Al-Anon #RecoveryThe Living Free show may involve discussion of topics such as suicide, mental illness, self-harm and family violence. Please practise self-care and care of others when listening.

Click here to register for the Rewrite Neural Pathways to Escape Negative Self-Talk Workshop on July 12th Click here to watch this episode on YouTube   Do you have confidence and discipline in most areas of your life, and feel befuddled as to why your drinking feels so hard to control?   If your drinking feels out of alignment with your values, your goals, or your sense of self, this episode will give you a clear understanding as to what's really going on, and also five powerful, science-based strategies that will help you stop yourself from over-drinking—without relying on willpower, restriction, or shaming yourself into submission.  Whether you're trying to moderate, avoid shame spirals, or feel more in control after a stressful day, these tools will help you reset your nervous system, reconnect with your values, and get your brain off autopilot so you can build new habits that align with who you really are.

In today's episode, Colleen unpacks why your background alarm is going off—and how to finally turn it off. You're not lazy. You're not broken. And your bedtime resistance, your anxious spinouts, your self-sabotage? They're not random. They. Are. Patterns. Habits formed by younger versions of you who were just trying to stay safe. This episode dives into how childhood beliefs shape your nervous system, why emotional energy gets trapped in the body, and how to reclaim that energy instead of wasting it on panic, shame, or perfectionism. If your anxiety feels like it runs the show, Colleen gives you a way to interrupt the pattern and stop thinking your way out of a feeling problem. Whether you're healing from overdrinking, a divorce, or just trying to move through your day with more peace, this one shows you exactly how to get back into your body and claim your power. Key Takeaways: That “resistance” you feel? It's not laziness—it's a child part of you stuck in a story. Your background alarm (aka chronic anxiety) is often a relic from the past—not a reaction to the present. Trying to think your way through a feeling problem only keeps the alarm ringing. If you're done spiraling, numbing, or wondering why you sabotage the things you say you want—this episode is your wake-up call to stop overriding your body and start listening. And if you're ready to reduce your drinking by 80% and finally trust yourself again? Schedule a discovery call with Colleen or the team- BOOK A DISCOVERY CALL.    Do you want help from Colleen with a situation you're struggling with? Click here to submit your question for Colleen's NEW Q& A episodes. Your name will not be mentioned on air!  Find me on: YouTube: @HangoverWhisperer TikTok: @hangoverwhisperer Instagram: @thehangoverwhisperer  X (Twitter) : @NotAboutTheAlc  Transcript  

Introducing Therapy for Addiction - Learning Never Stops – Planning Your CPD In Episode 344 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, your hosts Rory Lees-Oakes and Ken Kelly take us through this week's topics: Firstly, in ‘Ethical, Sustainable Practice', we look at the ethical use of AI in therapy, highlighting potential risks and ethical responsibilities. Then in ‘Practice Matters', Rory speaks with Caroline Evers Endicott about her lecture Introducing Therapy for Addiction - a vital area of practice that's often underrepresented in core training. And finally, in ‘Student Services', Rory and Ken discuss how learning never stops in counselling - and why planning your CPD is essential as you qualify and build your therapeutic career. Ethical Use of AI in Therapy [starts at 03:34 mins] Ken Kelly, joined by his digital twin “DigiKen,” opens the episode by exploring the ethical use of AI in therapy—how it's quietly being integrated into practice, and the serious questions it raises. Key points of this section include: AI tools such as scheduling apps, transcription software, or marketing generators are already present in most practices. Many of these tools are hosted on international servers and may not comply with UK GDPR or ethical standards. Therapists must assess whether any digital tool: Complies with UK data laws. Has adequate encryption and security. Aligns with professional ethics. Stores client data securely. While AI should never replace the therapeutic relationship, it can support therapists with non-clinical tasks like admin, marketing, or web design. Introducing Therapy for Addiction [starts at 23:23 mins] In this week's Practice Matters, Rory speaks with Caroline Evers Endicott about working with addiction and her CPD lecture Introducing Therapy for Addiction. Key points from the discussion: Addiction is a stigmatised mental health condition and is often overlooked in standard counselling training. Many clients present with anxiety, trauma, or depression before disclosing addiction later in therapy. Therapists are encouraged not to immediately refer clients on but to recognise the skills they already possess. Therapist tools Caroline highlights include: Person-centred skills: empathy, non-judgement, trust building. Modalities such as CBT, DBT, Motivational Interviewing, and Mindfulness. Understanding clients' use of substances as a way to self-regulate or self-medicate unresolved trauma or neurodivergence. Caroline also explores: The value of self-reflection for therapists working with addiction. Recovery pathways including 12-step, SMART Recovery, and CBT-informed models. The importance of understanding your clients holistically and not reducing them to “just an addict”. Learning Never Stops – Planning Your CPD [starts at 51:24 mins] In this final Student Services of the season, Rory and Ken discuss how to make the most of your academic break by planning your continued professional development (CPD). Key points include: Graduates often face barriers in employment without additional training (e.g. trauma-informed work or online therapy). CPD should balance: Ethics – e.g. being trauma-informed helps you work safely with complex presentations. Sustainability – e.g. online therapy training increases employability and client access. Choose CPD based on: Clear learning outcomes. Practical application of skills. Client needs you're most likely to encounter. Ken and Rory encourage newly qualified therapists to: Reflect on gaps in their training. Focus on real-world skills they can use in the therapy room. Avoid overloading themselves - CPD should feel purposeful and empowering. Links and Resources Critical Thinking Matrix for AI in Therapy Counselling Skills Academy Advanced Certificate in Counselling Supervision

We talk with Robyn Scott about how she draws on her career in comedy to help people recover from addiction using improv techniques, and how people can not only heal, but soar after trauma as they recognize their strength and creativity. Special Guest: Robyn Scott.

You've probably heard me say the common phrase “the call is coming from inside the house” — but what if every judgment you make about someone else is too? In this episode, Colleen unpacks the concept of The Black Mirror — the idea that your emotional reactions to other people are often projections of the stories, beliefs, and insecurities you hold about yourself. You'll learn how to flip the script when you're triggered by someone else's behavior, turn judgment into powerful self-awareness, and use emotional sobriety skills to stop reacting from fear and start responding from clarity. This is shadow work, made practical. This episode is for the woman who is ready to take her power back… by owning what's hers and releasing what isn't.    

Grounded in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), SMART Recovery is a self-empowering approach to addiction and other problematic behaviours.  SMART Recovery groups support people with substance dependencies or problem behaviours to lead a balanced life. Nigel is a facilitator of such a group and has lived experience of alcohol dependency. In this episode he discusses the use of CBT, mindfulness and breathwork to help stay free of addictions. If you're concerned about your own problematic behaviour or the problematic behaviour of a relative or friend and would like to find out more about SMART Recovery you can contact them at smartrecoveryaustralia.com.au(link is external) or call them on (02) 9373 5100.Show your support of Living Free by donating to 3CR https://www.3cr.org.au/donate#Alcoholism  #Recovery The Living Free show may involve discussion of topics such as suicide, mental illness, self-harm and family violence. Please practise self-care and care of others when listening. 

When college student April Lombard first considered checking out a SMART Recovery meeting on her LSU campus, she worried that it would be both cringey and lame. Turns out it was neither. In fact, based on the value April found in the science-based approach, she decided to take the facilitator training and get even more involved. In this podcast April shares some of her personal recovery journey, her perspective as a young person in recovery, and why having multiple pathways available to students just makes sense. 

Click here to watch the full interview with Carley on YouTube In Part 2 of Carley's story, we dive into the healing that began once she joined the program. You'll hear how she learned to regulate her nervous system, rewire her brain, and change the story she told herself about who she was. Carley shares how she finally stopped chasing external validation, started putting herself first without guilt, and showed up more fully — not just for herself, but for her kids, her husband, and her work. We also talk about what it means to “be emotionally sober” and why drinking less wasn't the ultimate win for Carley — it was becoming the woman she never thought she could be. This part of the conversation is a celebration of what's possible when you stop trying to get sober and start learning to feel safe in your own body. What you'll hear in Part 2: The skills Carley developed that helped her reduce her drinking by 80% How emotional sobriety changed her marriage, her parenting, and her self-talk Why she now calls herself “unrecognizable” — in the best way What she would say to any woman who's scared to take the first step   Click here to BOOK A DISCOVERY CALL if you're ready to fully commit to your personal growth and do the work to get emotionally sober. Side effects include an 80 percent reduction in drinking. Want daily updates from me? TikTok: @hangoverwhisperer Instagram: @thehangoverwhisperer Twitter (X): @NotAboutTheAlc YouTube: @hangoverwhisperer —Do you want coaching from Colleen on a situation you're struggling with? Click here to submit your question. Your name will not be mentioned on air!

Most women don't realize how uncomfortable they are with feeling good—until things start going too well. That's when the sabotage creeps in. A snappy comment. A skipped workout. An unnecessary glass of wine. In today's episode, Colleen breaks down the concept of the “upper limit problem” from The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks—and explains how perfectionists and people-pleasers unknowingly block joy, ease, and success by clinging to struggle. You'll learn how your emotional thermostat gets set in childhood, why guilt and discomfort with pleasure keep you stuck, and how to reset your internal baseline so peace and happiness stop feeling unsafe. This episode is a powerful reminder that you don't have to earn your joy. You just have to stop arguing for your limitations.  

In today's episode, Colleen shares a powerful one-on-one coaching conversation with a client who was dreading a weekend trip with her judgmental, high-maintenance mother-in-law. What started as a fear of overdrinking turned into something much deeper—a real-time lesson in emotional ownership, boundaries, and what it means to become unfuckwithable. This episode isn't about family dynamics—it's about taking your power back. If you've ever agreed to something just to avoid conflict and ended up feeling resentful, this is for you. You'll walk away with practical language, new scripts, and the mindset shift that will help you stop outsourcing your emotional well-being to other people's moods.    

Click here to watch the full interview with Carley on YouTube In this raw and relatable conversation, I'm joined by one of my incredible clients, Carley — a driven healthcare professional, mom of two, and former daily drinker who once believed her only two choices were to either quit drinking forever or keep white-knuckling it with shame and regret. Carley opens up about what her drinking looked like behind closed doors and the pressure she put on herself to “keep it together” — until it started to fall apart. She shares how overachieving, perfectionism, and people-pleasing became coping mechanisms, and how alcohol slowly crept in as her off-switch. We talk about the moment she realized her mental math wasn't working anymore, the emotional buildup that led her to finally book a discovery call, and what shifted when she heard someone say: “You don't have to get sober. You just have to feel better.” This is an incredibly powerful episode for anyone who has ever felt stuck between drinking too much and feeling like you can't stop completely. Carley's story is proof that emotional sobriety isn't about rules — it's about freedom. What you'll hear in Part 1: The hidden stressors that led Carley to overdrink (even as a healthcare worker who knew better) The fear of reaching out for help — and what made her finally do it The myth of “just try harder” and why it never works The exact moment she realized she didn't have to choose between chaos and abstinence   Click here to BOOK A DISCOVERY CALL if you're ready to fully commit to your personal growth and do the work to get emotionally sober. Side effects include an 80 percent reduction in drinking. Want daily updates from me? TikTok: @hangoverwhisperer Instagram: @thehangoverwhisperer Twitter (X): @NotAboutTheAlc YouTube: @hangoverwhisperer —Do you want coaching from Colleen on a situation you're struggling with? Click here to submit your question. Your name will not be mentioned on air!   

In this episode of the Recovery Matters podcast, Michelle Ketchum celebrates her first year of sobriety. Michelle discusses her journey from a toxic relationship and substance use to finding the strength to seek help and enter rehab. She shares her experiences of personal growth, the importance of community, and her involvement in sober living and activities through organizations like The Phoenix and Smart Recovery. Michelle also talks about fulfilling her lifelong dream of becoming a published author. Her story is an inspiring example of overcoming adversity and finding hope and support in recovery. 00:00 Introduction and Host Introductions00:38 Early Life and Family Support01:30 High School and First Encounters with Drugs06:28 College Life and Denial of Addiction13:54 Toxic Relationships and Hitting Rock Bottom22:28 Facing Rehab Fears22:57 The Rehab Experience24:18 Building New Friendships27:31 Life After Rehab28:31 Managing a Sober House30:13 Discovering New Passions38:05 Becoming an Author43:36 The Phoenix and Smart Recovery46:24 Advice for Newcomers ----Across the Web----

In today's episode, Colleen unpacks a subtle but powerful mindset that can completely shift how you experience stress, pressure, and time. Whether it's a packed calendar, an airport sprint, or your own inner critic barking about everything you should be doing, the real problem isn't your to-do list—it's your nervous system. This episode explores how urgency is often just emotional dysregulation in disguise, and why “getting everything done” will never create the calm you're actually craving. If you're constantly on the go, juggling work, family, and the secret shame of overdrinking, this one will help you slow down without falling behind—and start practicing emotional sobriety in the way you move through your day.

If you're drinking more than you want to, but every time you try to cut back it feels like one more thing to do… this episode is for you. Today, I'm sharing the real story that kept me stuck in the drinking cycle for years—the one that has nothing to do with alcohol:

In today's episode, Colleen shares a personal reflection on what it means to stay emotionally sober when things are going really well. When the business is booming, the boxes are checked, and it feels like everything is finally clicking. Most of us assume that emotional work is about learning how to handle hard moments—grief, anxiety, cravings, conflict, etc. Though that's true in it's own right, there is still a catch. ----> If your mood is dictated by external wins, then your nervous system is still being hijacked, and the crash that follows might be more subtle—but it can also be just as dysregulating.

In this episode, Colleen breaks down the difference between thinking your feelings and actually feeling them—and why most high-achieving women get stuck in a loop that keeps them stressed, stuck, and searching for answers in the wrong places. You'll learn a simple, body-based skill that helps you shift out of emotional overwhelm and back into clarity, presence, and personal power—without needing to fix, solve, or overexplain anything at all. Whether you're drinking to numb the noise or overthinking your way into burnout, this episode will show you how to interrupt the loop and finally let go—for real.

OVERVIEWIs there a real benefit to a recovery ride or would you be better off just taking the day off completely? Both recovery rides and complete rest are beneficial, but the choice between the two depends on how fatigued you are, your mood, and what else you have going on in your life. Sports science says they accomplish the same thing and are essentially interchangeable. But there are absolutely times when Coach Adam Pulford recommends active recovery (easy ride, walking, yoga, etc.) and other times when he advocates for complete rest. Learn to make the right choice when it really matters in Episode 251 of "The Time-Crunched Cyclist Podcast".TOPICS COVEREDActive vs. Passive RecoveryWhen to choose complete rest or passive recoveryWhen to choose a recovery ride or active recoveryOff-the-bike active recoveryResearch on active vs. passive recovery effectivenessLINKS/RESOURCESPassive vs Active Recovery on Peak Sprint Power Production: https://www.thieme-connect.com/products/ejournals/abstract/10.1055/s-0032-1331717Passive vs Active Recovery on MLSS Performance: https://cdnsciencepub.com/doi/abs/10.1139/h2012-105Passive vs Active Recovery:Passive Recovery Is Superior to Active Recovery During a High-Intensity Shock MicrocycleGood to Go Book: Christie AschwandenASK A QUESTION FOR A FUTURE PODCASTHOSTAdam Pulford has been a CTS Coach for nearly two decades and holds a B.S. in Exercise Physiology. He's participated in and coached hundreds of athletes for endurance events all around the world.Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, or on your favorite podcast platformGET FREE TRAINING CONTENTJoin our weekly newsletterCONNECT WITH CTSWebsite: trainright.comInstagram: @cts_trainrightTwitter: @trainrightFacebook: @CTSAthlete

Today's episode is for the woman who's doing everything right—and still feels like she's falling apart.   Colleen sits down with Laurie James, somatic coach and author of Sandwiched: A Memoir of Holding On and Letting Go to talk about what happens when your nervous system hits a breaking point. Laurie ended up in the hospital—twice—after leaving a toxic marriage, raising four daughters, dating again, writing a book, and trying to heal.   This is a raw, honest conversation about how success can hide trauma, why “pushing through” is often dissociation in disguise, and how to regulate your nervous system before your body takes matters into its own hands.  

Most of us see anxiety as a personal flaw—something to fix, medicate, or avoid. But what if anxiety isn't the problem at all? What if it's the invitation? In today's episode, Colleen breaks down the two types of anxiety as explained by Dr. Russell Kennedy—foreground alarm and background alarm—and shares a personal story of how unresolved fears and childhood programming were quietly driving Colleen into burnout... even though her mindset looked great on the surface. This isn't just about alcohol. It's about understanding the real source of your stress, shifting from self-bullying to self-trust, and learning how to work with your nervous system instead of against it. Whether you're drinking to deal with anxiety or simply tired of pushing through life at full speed, this episode will help you stop fighting the wrong battle—and start healing what's actually underneath.

In today's episode, Colleen dismantles one of the most common mindset traps she see's in her clients: the belief that anxiety is something to get rid of. If you've ever said, “I'm just an anxious person,” or used alcohol to calm your nerves before a flight, presentation, or party—you're not alone. But what if anxiety itself isn't the problem? She'll walk you through a real client breakthrough where they shifted the focus away from “less anxiety” and toward something far more powerful: a regulated nervous system. You'll learn why trying to “not drink” or “not be anxious” backfires neurologically, and what to focus on instead.

After 10 months of consistent progress, one of my clients recently found herself drinking every day for two weeks. In this episode, I walk you through the private coaching conversation we had—what really caused the setback, how she responded, and why it had nothing to do with alcohol. If you've ever told yourself “I should be farther along by now,” or felt the crushing weight of shame after slipping into old patterns, this episode is a must-listen. You'll learn how to recognize when you're caught in a thinking problem—not a drinking problem—and how to respond in a way that propels you forward instead of holding you back. What You'll Learn: Why over-drinking isn't a sign of failure—but an invitation to go deeper The biological reason why stress makes you revert to old coping habits How thoughts like “I don't have enough time” silently sabotage your behavior Why the perception of failure activates the “kill-switch” for your motivation The power of slowing down, asking for help, and telling yourself the truth Key Insight: You can't change your drinking without changing your thinking. And you can't change your thinking if your body is in a stress response. Emotional sobriety means learning to create enough internal safety that you can question your own thoughts—without collapsing into shame.   —Want daily updates from me? Find me on TikTok @hangoverwhisperer and IG @thehangoverwhisperer and YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@hangoverwhisperer   —Click here to BOOK A DISCOVERY CALL if you're ready to fully commit to your personal growth and do the work to get emotionally sober. Side effects include an 80 percent reduction in drinking.   —Do you want coaching from Colleen on a situation you're struggling with? Click here to submit your question. Your name will not be mentioned on air!   

In today's episode, you'll hear a deeply personal story about the night Colleen's college-age kids brought home a big bottle of vodka—and invited her to join them. Years ago, this would've been the moment she feared the most. But something powerful has shifted. You'll hear how self-trust changes everything, how desire—not discipline—is what drives real transformation, and why the solution to alcohol use disorder has nothing to do with drinking. Whether you're still stuck in the "managing it" phase or wondering how to build a life that feels bigger than your nightly glass of wine, this episode will show you how to trade self-protection for self-permission—and how to begin crafting a new kind of evening ritual, one that gives you energy instead of stealing it.

This episode looks at the role of negative emotions in our lives, how to recognize and ride through them, how to learn from them, and how these things show up in recovery from addiction (and other mental health disorders) for both the person with the disease and those who love them. This episode is based on the "Biology of Mental Health" series that I teach at Windmill Wellness Ranch. Our podcast has been going since February of 2020, and we started producing both video and audio versions of each episode starting April 2025. Moving forward, each episode will be released as both video on YouTube and audio on Fireside. YouTube channel: @addictionandthefamily

If the solution to alcohol use disorder isn't a behavior, but a feeling— HOW THE HELL DO YOU PRACTICE A FEELING? In today's episode, Colleen breaks down the mindset shift that will completely change the way you think about manifestation. Not the toxic, glittery, vision-board version. But the grounded, neuroscience-backed practice of training your body and brain to feel powerful on purpose—so you don't need alcohol to feel that way for you. Colleen explains why "wanting" and "waiting" energy keeps you stuck, why your thoughts aren't facts (even the convincing ones), and how to get off the mental hamster wheel of self-doubt, disappointment, and shame. If you're ready to stop “trying to change” and start experiencing change in real time—this one's for you.  Key Takeaways: The solution to alcohol use disorder is a feeling—not a behavior. Thoughts are habits. What you believe isn't always true—it's just familiar. Manifestation isn't magic; it's alignment. Feel like the version of you you want to become. Wanting and waiting energy blocks progress. “What's working now” energy opens the path forward. You can only think how you feel. Change your feeling, and your brain will catch up.   Action Step: Get a What's Working Now journal. Start tracking all the tiny signs that your transformation is already happening. Even if you wake up hungover. Especially if you wake up hungover. The more you train your brain to notice wins, the more progress you'll make. If you are ready to get support from a community of women who are co-creating this change with intention and clarity— Click here to BOOK A DISCOVERY CALL.  Do you want help from Colleen with a situation you're struggling with? Click here to submit your question for Colleen's NEW Q& A episodes. Your name will not be mentioned on air!    Find me on: TikTok: @hangoverwhisperer Instagram: @thehangoverwhisperer X: @NotAboutTheAlc   Transcript  

Most women assume their drinking habit is a willpower issue. But what if your body is actually sounding an alarm?   In today's episode, Colleen sits down with functional medicine expert Dr. Meg Mill to unpack the hidden connection between histamines, hormones, and alcohol. If your wine tolerance has changed, your moods are all over the place, or you're feeling bloated, anxious, or inflamed—this conversation is essential.   Dr. Meg explains how histamines affect everything from headaches to anxiety, why your red wine might hit differently depending on the time of month, and what to do if you feel like your body is reacting to everything lately.   This isn't about giving up pleasure—it's about understanding what your body is asking for.

In today's episode, Colleen shares a story about a client who unsubscribed from her email list—and how that one glitch almost triggered a cascade of false assumptions, unspoken tension, and missed opportunity. It's a reminder that the smallest emotional reactions (the ones that barely register) are often the most dangerous. Because they go unchecked. Unquestioned. Unchallenged. This episode will help you stop letting your emotions drive blind—and show you how to reroute your thinking so you can create a different future than your past.

Today's episode is a must-listen for any woman navigating midlife hormonal changes and struggling with overdrinking.  Colleen sits down with Bria Gadd—the Period Whisperer—to talk about the real reason so many high-achieving women hit a wall in their 30s and 40s. This is an honest conversation about how to hear your body's whispers before they become screams, and why pushing through your exhaustion puts your body into “health debt.”   If you've ever wondered whether your fatigue, mood swings or wine cravings have more to do with stress than weakness, this episode will show you how to shift from survival mode to sustainable wellness.