Podcasts about this naked mind

Is your life mostly intact — job fine, marriage okay, responsibilities covered — and yet you're drinking every single night and can't quite picture stopping? That's exactly where Tim Knapp was for years, and he was also, at the same time, one of the people other people called in a crisis. He spent over a decade working inside addiction recovery programs, walking men out of homelessness and incarceration, understanding the neuroscience of dependency from the inside out. High-functioning doesn't mean fine, and Tim's story is one of the most honest, clear-eyed accounts of what it actually looks like when the two things are true at once.  Tim and Coach Cole discuss: Growing up in small-town Oklahoma and discovering the buzz at age 12 — including a homemade raisin wine operation that launched a decade-long love affair with the altered state Why Tim loved the buzz itself more than the taste, and how that distinction became the key to his freedom Working at the Bowery Mission in New York City while his own drinking quietly escalated in the background The painful intersection of conscious and subconscious mind: knowing something is hurting you and still wanting it anyway How reading This Naked Mind led to an afternoon of rereading, a conversation at the kitchen bar, and the first honest talk he'd ever had with his wife about his drinking Why you don't have to lose everything before you're allowed to ask for help — and why high-functioning drinkers are often the least likely to reach out The photo of his childhood self on the fridge, and what it means to welcome that person back Tim's coaching style: asking questions that get to the why, not just the what, and his conviction that you already have everything you need to change Episode links: https://thisnakedmind.com/bookhttps://www.timknappcoaching.com/ Related Episodes: Healing Through Self-Love: Cole's Naked Life | EP 737 — https://thisnakedmind.com/healing-through-self-love-coles-naked-life-e737/  Find the Courage to Choose Yourself: Patrick's Naked Life | EP 735 — https://thisnakedmind.com/find-the-courage-to-choose-yourself-patricks-naked-life-e735/ EP 20: Reader Question – What do You do about Missing the “High” from Drinking? -  https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-20-reader-question-what-do-you-do-about-missing-the-high-from-drinking/ Ready to take the next step on your journey?  Visit https://learn.thisnakedmind.com/podcast-resources for free resources, programs, and more. Until next week, stay curious! This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp, Green Chef, Quince, Shopify, Zazzle, and OSEA. BetterHelp: BetterHelp is offering our listeners 10% off at ⁠betterhelp.com/nakedmind ⁠Green Chef: Get 50% off your first month, then 20% percent off for 2 month at ⁠greenchef.com/NAKEDMIND ⁠Quince: get free shipping and 365-day returns at ⁠quince.com/naked⁠Shopify: Sign up for $1 month trial at ⁠shopify.com/mind⁠ Zazzle: Save 25% on your first order at ⁠zazzle.com⁠ OSEA: Get 10% off your first order sitewide with code NAKEDMIND at ⁠OSEAMalibu.com⁠

What if sobriety was just the beginning, not the destination? In this episode, Anna Donaghey sits down with clinical psychologist Dr. Sarah Michaud, who draws on over 40 years of recovery and professional experience to explore the deep link between codependency, control, and unfulfilled needs. While getting sober is a huge step, Sarah reveals why the work often starts after the drinking stops as we swap one “fix” for another: relationships, work, food, or anything to soothe an uneasy mind.Together, they explore where codependency begins, how it shows up in everyday choices (from dinner to major life patterns), and why true freedom starts with honesty, first with yourself, then with others. If you find yourself always looking outside for relief or suspect that “people pleasing” is costing you your peace, this episode offers validation, hope, and practical first steps toward a healthier relationship with yourself.Here are the Highlights: 00:00 Intro: Recovery is about more than drinking00:51 Meet Dr. Sarah Michaud: psychologist, author, and 42 years sober03:20 Getting sober didn't fix everything; the real work starts after alcohol06:01 The cycle, looking for the next relationship, job, or fix12:05 What is codependency? Explained simply, and why it matters13:33 A brief history: codependency in addiction recovery14:23 The inability to be yourself out of fear of others' reactions21:01 How unmet needs drive both drinking and codependency22:30 Childhood patterns, why we bring old survival tactics into adulthood24:07 Why many people swap addictions after sobriety33:37 How community and reality checks break denial35:00 Compassion is essential, but so is responsibility for your experience50:17 You can know the truth and still take your time deciding what to do52:54 “I am responsible for my thoughts, feelings, and behaviours”54:42 Start by letting go of one thing you do for others56:58 Don't scroll past self-recognition; this is where the work starts.Anna's book "What Are You Thirsty For? Rethinking Alcohol and The Life You Want", is now out in the world for you to buy!Order your copy, access her free tools and explore her coaching programmes at: https://thebigdrinkrethink.com/The Thirsty For More Mindset Lab is Anna's ‘inner circle' - a calm, thoughtful space where conversations continue, patterns are explored, and things begin to make sense. Find out more at: https://thirstyformore.substack.com/If you appreciate the podcast and would like to show a bit of love, you can donate the cost of a coffee here. It helps support the time and care that goes into making the show: https://buymeacoffee.com/bigdrinkrethinkAbout the host Anna:Anna is a certified Alcohol Mindset Coach, trained by Annie Grace of This Naked Mind. Drawing on her own journey out of alcohol addiction, she now helps others explore and control their drinking. With a career spanning 25 years as a Strategist in the Advertising industry, she combines her own lived experiences, with great insight into what makes us tick and what influences us to behave the way we do.Connect with Anna:Website: thebigdrinkrethink.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/annadonagheyInstagram: instagram.com/bigdrinkrethinkProduced by winteraudio.co.ukAbout Dr. Sarah Michaud:Dr. Sarah Michaud is a clinical psychologist who has worked in the field of addiction and co-dependency for over 30 years. She is also the author of One psychologist's recovery from co-dependency and addiction: A memoir and manual for freedom.She has been sober for over 40 years and brings her humour, directness, compassion and insight to support folks in recovery. She is also the cohost of a youtube channel called Leaving Crazytown with her best bud Finn where they talk all things recovery and have lots of laughs.Connect with Sarah:Website: https://drsarahmichaud.com/

What if rethinking your relationship with alcohol wasn't about restriction, but about discovering a new version of yourself? Anna Donaghey introduces a raw and funny conversation between the Gavin Sisters, who went from "beer-swigging, Chinese takeout comedy double act" to thriving, teetotal vegan wellness entrepreneurs.Starting with Sharon's health crisis, the Gavin Sisters share how identity naturally shifts when you let go of the rituals that no longer serve you. Through illness, single motherhood, and career shakeups, they show how quitting drinking can open up a bigger life. If you worry you won't be "you" without alcohol, this episode offers a hopeful, relatable new script.Here are the Highlights: 00:00 Intro: The “identity question” behind drinking habits02:14 The Gavin Sisters' old routine: comedy, wine, and takeout04:08 Sharon Gavin's illness, diagnosis, and the wake-up call08:19 Loretta Gavin on why she couldn't imagine life without alcohol10:40 How pressure and pain pushed both sisters to make a change11:45 Why quitting alcohol was the “biggest needle mover”14:35 Firsts: sober holidays, Christmas, hens, and the surprising joy16:07 Sobriety doesn't fix everything but it brings energy for real problems22:15 How stories about “who you are” can limit or liberate you25:02 Key advice for anyone in an identity shift: give it time28:37 Sharon Gavin on seeing wine as “anxiety in a glass”29:00 Fourteen years alcohol-free: real freedom and zero regrets30:00 Why it's okay to just give up for a month30:45 Gratitude for Anna Donaghey and the journeyAnna's book "What Are You Thirsty For? Rethinking Alcohol and The Life You Want", is now out in the world for you to buy!Order your copy, access her free tools and explore her coaching programmes at: https://thebigdrinkrethink.com/The Thirsty For More Mindset Lab is Anna's ‘inner circle' - a calm, thoughtful space where conversations continue, patterns are explored, and things begin to make sense. Find out more at: https://thirstyformore.substack.com/If you appreciate the podcast and would like to show a bit of love, you can donate the cost of a coffee here. It helps support the time and care that goes into making the show: https://buymeacoffee.com/bigdrinkrethinkAbout the host Anna:Anna is a certified Alcohol Mindset Coach, trained by Annie Grace of This Naked Mind. Drawing on her own journey out of alcohol addiction, she now helps others explore and control their drinking. With a career spanning 25 years as a Strategist in the Advertising industry, she combines her own lived experiences, with great insight into what makes us tick and what influences us to behave the way we do.Connect with Anna:Website: thebigdrinkrethink.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/annadonagheyInstagram: instagram.com/bigdrinkrethinkProduced by winteraudio.co.ukAbout the Gavin Sisters:Sharon and Lauretta are an acclaimed comedy double act who have appeared in numerous TV and stage productions and written plays for the West End.They went from red wine-drinking, Chinese take-out aficionados to advocates of a plant-based lifestyle. Sharon's diagnosis of a rare autoimmune disease was the turning point. Covered head to toe in a chronic rash and at times wheelchair-bound, with her husband gone and Lauretta, also a single mum, stepping in to care for them all, the sisters transformed their lives together.They transitioned to a plant-based diet, gave up alcohol and processed foods, and Lauretta retrained as a natural vegan chef. Sharon is now off all medication and back running.In 2018 they set up The Detox Barn, named by Condé Nast as one of the best wellness retreats in the UK for 2023 and 2024, and later launched Funki Coffee and the Gavin Sisters Wellness Show podcast.Connect with the Gavin Sisters:Website: https://gavinsisters.co.uk/The Detox Barn: https://gavinsisters.co.uk/pages/retreats-the-detox-barn

Ever used drinking to cope with grief and felt like it wasn't even a conscious choice but rather a reflex? Jonathan knows that feeling exactly. He'd been living alcohol-free for two and a half years when he lost his father-in-law and then his dad, just months apart, during the pandemic. On the drive home from the funeral, he stopped at a Mexican restaurant and ordered a margarita. He thought he'd have one and go back to his life. Instead, the door that had been closed swung open, and the whole cycle started over. This conversation with Coach Cole is about grief, identity, and what it really takes to find your way back to yourself. Jonathan and Coach Cole discuss: How a scuba trip at sixteen taught Jonathan that alcohol was the price of admission for real connection, and how that belief quietly ran the show for twenty-five years Building his identity around being the life of the party through the service industry years, and the first time he realized he had no off switch Spending an entire Renaissance Festival doing alcohol math in his head, calculating drinks instead of making memories with his wife The fight, the blackout, and the tearful run in the rain that brought him to the This Naked Mind audiobook How reading This Naked Mind produced what felt like an overnight shift, and the anger he felt at never having been told what alcohol actually was Going two and a half years alcohol-free during the pandemic, then losing his father-in-law and his dad within months of each other The single margarita at a Mexican restaurant that cracked the door back open, and how the whole cycle restarted without a single conscious choice Going through the TNM Institute as his own first client, uncovering twenty-five years of people-pleasing, and finally stepping into who he actually is And more on IFS parts work, somatic experiencing, rebuilding self-trust, and what it means to show up in your own truth... Episode Links: Start your journey at nakedmindpath.com  https://www.thisnakedmindinstitute.com/tnmi-home Related Episodes: How Do I Deal With Death and Grief Without Alcohol | Reader Question | EP 262 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-262-reader-question-grief-without-alcohol/ How Quitting Drinking Saved My Life | Kay B.'s Naked Life | EP 717 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-717-naked-life-story-kay-b/ Alcohol and Grief | Coaching Questions with Pam McRae | EP 382 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-382-coaching-questions-with-scott-pinyard/ Ready to take the next step on your journey? Visit https://learn.thisnakedmind.com/podcast-resources for free resources, programs, and more. Until next week, stay curious! This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp, Green Chef, Quince, Shopify, Zazzle, and OSEA. BetterHelp: BetterHelp is offering our listeners 10% off at ⁠betterhelp.com/nakedmind ⁠Green Chef: Get 50% off your first month, then 20% percent off for 2 month at ⁠greenchef.com/NAKEDMIND ⁠Quince: get free shipping and 365-day returns at ⁠quince.com/naked⁠Shopify: Sign up for $1 month trial at ⁠shopify.com/mind⁠ Zazzle: Save 25% on your first order at ⁠zazzle.com⁠ OSEA: Get 10% off your first order sitewide with code NAKEDMIND at ⁠OSEAMalibu.com⁠

Is your evening drink a true choice or just a well-worn ritual your brain expects at the end of every day?Your host Anna Donaghey breaks down the hidden psychology behind the “wine o'clock” habit. She explains the science of habit loops, why willpower alone can't break the cycle, and offers a step-by-step framework for gently rewiring your automatic drinking response. Discover practical, compassionate tools to recognise your real needs and build a life that genuinely satisfies them with no white-knuckling required.If you feel stuck in the routine of pouring a drink as the sun goes down, this episode shows you how (and why) to change the script.Here are the Highlights: 00:00 Intro: Why we reach for a drink between 5–7pm01:24 The “witching hour” and the automatic pull toward alcohol02:18 What is a habit loop?04:26 The craving isn't for alcohol, it's for relief, calm, and transition06:14 Understanding neural pathways and why habits feel automatic08:21 The reward script: why your brain believes drinking is the solution09:19 Why willpower doesn't work at “wine o'clock”21:33 What did you drop when alcohol became the answer?22:24 A new way through the evening, one day at a time23:46 Listen to Ep 124 with Beverly Meyer (GABA + the biology of stress)24:50 Find all the resources on Anna's website, www.thebigdrinkrethink.com.Anna's book "What Are You Thirsty For? Rethinking Alcohol and The Life You Want", is now out in the world for you to buy!Order your copy, access her free tools and explore her coaching programmes at: https://thebigdrinkrethink.com/The Thirsty For More Mindset Lab is Anna's ‘inner circle' - a calm, thoughtful space where conversations continue, patterns are explored, and things begin to make sense. Find out more at: https://thirstyformore.substack.com/If you appreciate the podcast and would like to show a bit of love, you can donate the cost of a coffee here. It helps support the time and care that goes into making the show: https://buymeacoffee.com/bigdrinkrethinkAbout the host Anna:Anna is a certified Alcohol Mindset Coach, trained by Annie Grace of This Naked Mind. Drawing on her own journey out of alcohol addiction, she now helps others explore and control their drinking. With a career spanning 25 years as a Strategist in the Advertising industry, she combines her own lived experiences, with great insight into what makes us tick and what influences us to behave the way we do.Connect with Anna:Website: thebigdrinkrethink.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/annadonagheyInstagram: instagram.com/bigdrinkrethinkProduced by winteraudio.co.uk

What if that evening glass of wine isn't just a habit, but your body reaching for balance it's missing elsewhere?Anna Donaghey is joined by certified clinical nutritionist Beverly Meyer to decode the neuroscience behind our relationship with alcohol, specifically GABA, the nervous system's key calming neurotransmitter, and why modern life is quietly depleting it. Beverly shares practical, food-first strategies to genuinely restore GABA levels and explains why your body is always trying to help you, never sabotage you.If you've ever wondered, "Why can't I just say no to that drink?", this episode is for you.Here are the Highlights: 00:00 Intro: Alcohol and why nervous system regulation matters01:06 Meet Beverly Meyer: clinical nutrition and the missing GABA link05:14 GABA 101: The neurotransmitter explained in plain English10:05 Does alcohol “pretend” to be GABA?12:22 Are you GABA deficient before you ever pick up a drink?16:24 When alcohol “parks” on GABA receptors and why that matters 18:13 Alcohol as a solution, not the problem- the real story about depletion20:00 Changing the drinking conversation21:09 Why food matters most25:00 Paleo eating and asking “What did humans evolve to eat?”28:18 Why Beverly ditched Wi-Fi and breakfast cereal40:09 Herbal strategies for sleep and stress45:27 Your body is on your side, learn to listen and support it47:15 Where to find out more.Anna's book "What Are You Thirsty For? Rethinking Alcohol and The Life You Want", is now out in the world for you to buy!Order your copy, access her free tools and explore her coaching programmes at: https://thebigdrinkrethink.com/The Thirsty For More Mindset Lab is Anna's ‘inner circle' - a calm, thoughtful space where conversations continue, patterns are explored, and things begin to make sense. Find out more at: https://thirstyformore.substack.com/If you appreciate the podcast and would like to show a bit of love, you can donate the cost of a coffee here. It helps support the time and care that goes into making the show: https://buymeacoffee.com/bigdrinkrethinkAbout the host Anna:Anna is a certified Alcohol Mindset Coach, trained by Annie Grace of This Naked Mind. Drawing on her own journey out of alcohol addiction, she now helps others explore and control their drinking. With a career spanning 25 years as a Strategist in the Advertising industry, she combines her own lived experiences, with great insight into what makes us tick and what influences us to behave the way we do.Connect with Anna:Website: thebigdrinkrethink.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/annadonagheyInstagram: instagram.com/bigdrinkrethinkProduced by winteraudio.co.ukAbout Beverly Meyer:Beverly Meyer is a Certified Clinical Nutritionist (CCN) who has been in practice since 1985. Her journey into functional health began in the 1970s when, facing a debilitating virus that traditional medicine couldn't resolve, she sought out alternative practitioners - and never looked back. Hospitalised twice with Epstein-Barr Virus and living with chronic pain, hormonal issues, severe anxiety and poor sleep, she didn't just study these conditions. She lived them.In 2016, told to put her affairs in order after a mysterious health crisis, Beverly did what she has always done - researched her way to an answer, identifying a rare genetic disorder herself and finding the treatment she needed.Today she shares her knowledge through her website, consultations, and her long-running podcast Primal Diet - Modern Health, and is particularly known for her work on sleep, anxiety and the adrenals.Beverly's website contains hundreds of articles, a free eBook, a newsletter and an online store that offers supplements to support a huge range of health needsFind out more: https://www.ondietandhealth.com/

Wondering how I stopped drinking after trying to moderate for years? "Have I got a story for you!" says Michele. She ran a business, raised her daughter, kept things moving — and drank every night in a relationship where no one questioned it. Then the pandemic stripped away her structure, her purpose, and everything that had kept things manageable. She tried cutting back. She tried understanding it. Nothing stuck — until This Naked Mind gave her something willpower alone never could: a real understanding of what alcohol was doing to her, and the freedom to simply stop wanting it. Michele and Coach Cole discuss: How a functional habit quietly grew through a painful breakup, pandemic isolation, and lost purpose Why Michele spent her first year using This Naked Mind while still trying to moderate — and what finally changed The hospitalization that became her line in the sand How This Naked Mind helped her understand what alcohol was actually doing to her body and brain How shame became the thing that made drinking impossible to continue Reframing her hardest moments as the reason her daughter now has a fully present mom ADHD, generational patterns, and why "why can I stop sometimes but not others?" finally has an answer And more on identity, community, and what it means to find your own path to alcohol freedom… Episode links: nakedmindpath.com Related Episodes: Is Drinking In Moderation Possible? | Reader Question | EP 08 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-08-reader-question-moderation-possible/ Using Alcohol To Treat Adult ADHD | Amy's Naked Life | EP800 - https://thisnakedmind.com/using-alcohol-to-treat-adult-adhd-amys-naked-life-e800/ I use alcohol to be a better wife and mother | Reader Question | EP 238 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-238-reader-question-i-use-alcohol-to-be-a-better-wife-and-mother/ Ready to take the next step on your journey?  Visit https://learn.thisnakedmind.com/podcast-resources for free resources, programs, and more. Until next week, stay curious! This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp, Green Chef, OSEA, Quince, and Shopify. BetterHelp: BetterHelp is offering our listeners 10% off at betterhelp.com/nakedmind  Green Chef: Green Chef is offering 50% off your first month, then 20% off for two months at greenchef.com/nakedmind use code NAKEDMIND. OSEA: Get 10% off of your first order sitewide with code NAKEDMIND at OSEAMalibu.com Quince: get free shipping and 365-day returns at quince.com/naked Shopify: Sign up for $1 month trial at shopify.com/mind

What if alcohol isn't just a habit, but quietly shrinking the size of your world, dulling joy, and making ordinary pleasures feel like “not enough”? In this solo episode, Anna Donaghey shares honest insights from her own journey, exploring how drinking can subtly narrow both what you do and how much you feel.She unpacks the concept of the “hedonic threshold,” showing why your favourite activities may start feeling flat, and how even small milestones (like a child's birthday) come to feel incomplete without a drink. Anna also gets real about what happens when you start to cut down: why everything can feel dull at first, why that's normal, and how given time, colour and excitement quietly returns to the things you love.This episode is for anyone curious about changing the way they think about alcohol.Here are the Highlights: 00:00 Intro: When the world starts to shrink 01:19 The subtle ways alcohol “shrinks” your world 04:44 When joy becomes muted and life feels flat 06:14 The hedonic threshold: Why dopamine matters 07:55 Why ordinary pleasures start feeling not enough 09:53 The key questions to ask yourself 10:15 How activities drop away when drinking more 11:46 When drinking becomes the point 12:35 A sharp illustration: Prosecco at a one-year-old's birthday 16:27 Why giving up alcohol feels flat at first 17:59 How your world starts to expand again 19:32 A gentle prompt: Is your world quietly contracting? 20:03 How to connect, find resources, and support.Anna's book "What Are You Thirsty For? Rethinking Alcohol and The Life You Want", is now out in the world for you to buy!Order your copy, access her free tools and explore her coaching programmes at: https://thebigdrinkrethink.com/The Thirsty For More Mindset Lab is Anna's ‘inner circle' - a calm, thoughtful space where conversations continue, patterns are explored, and things begin to make sense. Find out more at: https://thirstyformore.substack.com/If you appreciate the podcast and would like to show a bit of love, you can donate the cost of a coffee here. It helps support the time and care that goes into making the show: https://buymeacoffee.com/bigdrinkrethinkAbout the host Anna:Anna is a certified Alcohol Mindset Coach, trained by Annie Grace of This Naked Mind. Drawing on her own journey out of alcohol addiction, she now helps others explore and control their drinking. With a career spanning 25 years as a Strategist in the Advertising industry, she combines her own lived experiences, with great insight into what makes us tick and what influences us to behave the way we do.Connect with Anna:Website: thebigdrinkrethink.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/annadonagheyInstagram: instagram.com/bigdrinkrethinkProduced by winteraudio.co.uk

What if rethinking your drinking didn't start with “giving up” alcohol, but instead you created the kind of life you don't want to escape from? In this episode, Anna Donaghey sits down with adventurer and educator Belinda Coker to explore how rediscovering adventure, nature, and forgotten passions can quietly make alcohol fade into the background, no willpower or rock bottoms required.They talk honestly about growing up with normalised drinking, the “aha” moment that prompted Belinda to get hiking boots back on, and now teaching others how action, not theory, builds real confidence. She shares practical advice from her own journey, how immersing herself in adventure, house-sitting, and creativity helped her let go of drinking, and how to navigate tricky emotions (and triggers) in sobriety.Whether you're just curious, stuck in a rut, or ready for a big change, this story has uplifting lessons for anyone wanting a richer, more expansive life with or without alcohol.Here are the Highlights:00:00 Meet Belinda Coker: Rethinking drinking isn't always about alcohol01:25 Belinda's story: adventure, midlife, and rediscovering passions02:58 Realising I had a drinking problem, only in hindsight05:19 Divorce, difficult periods, and drinking to cope07:00 Hiking becomes the new reward10:22 What adventure offers that alcohol can't11:27 How new routines slowly nudged out drinking13:43 Returning to what you loved before alcohol14:41 When Friday nights become about flow, not wine18:12 Simple living, big happiness (and saving money)20:47 Why Belinda finally chose to stop drinking alcohol for good21:30 Recognising emotional triggers for drinking23:31 How she handles hard days now28:00 Why being honest about difficulties matters29:55 The “hike your own hike” philosophy for sobriety36:19 Out in the wild: zero desire for a drink41:29 How to get unstuck42:26 Where to find Belinda Coker and her work.Anna's book "What Are You Thirsty For? Rethinking Alcohol and The Life You Want" is now out in the world for you to buy!Order your copy, access her free tools and explore her coaching programmes at: https://thebigdrinkrethink.com/The Thirsty For More Mindset Lab is Anna's ‘inner circle' - a calm, thoughtful space where conversations continue, patterns are explored, and things begin to make sense. Find out more at: https://thirstyformore.substack.com/If you appreciate the podcast and would like to show a bit of love, you can donate the cost of a coffee here. It helps support the time and care that goes into making the show: https://buymeacoffee.com/bigdrinkrethinkAbout the host Anna:Anna is a certified Alcohol Mindset Coach, trained by Annie Grace of This Naked Mind. Drawing on her own journey out of alcohol addiction, she now helps others explore and control their drinking. With a career spanning 25 years as a Strategist in the Advertising industry, she combines her own lived experiences with great insight into what makes us tick and what influences us to behave the way we do.Connect with Anna:Website: thebigdrinkrethink.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/annadonagheyInstagram: instagram.com/bigdrinkrethinkProduced by winteraudio.co.ukAbout Belinda Coker:Belinda Coker is an Australian hiker, writer, and educator who helps women rebuild confidence through practical adventure and responsible travel. She has completed solo hikes from Australia's Red Centre to crossing Greenland's Arctic Circle, experiences that shaped her belief that confidence grows through action, not theory. Through her platforms, Soul Treader and The House Sitting Collective, she teaches how structure, trust, and responsibility create genuine freedom and stability in life.Connect with Belinda:Website: https://soultreader.com/

What happens when the thing you're most afraid to lose is also the thing quietly costing you everything? Anne grew up in a home where five o'clock cocktails were as reliable as the sunset. Drinking was culture, celebration, and comfort, and for a long time, it felt completely earned. But through two pregnancies, her parents' declining health, and eventually losing both of them, a bottle a night became two. A blackout fight with her husband, one she has zero memory of, became the moment she couldn't look away anymore. She found This Naked Mind, joined The Path in October 2023, and started doing the unglamorous daily work. "Looking back, I can see how I rewired my mindset around drinking," Anne says. "It was subtle. It just got a little easier and a little easier." Two and a half years later, she's present, she's lucid at 11:30 PM when her kids need her, and she's collecting memories she actually gets to keep. In this episode, Anne and Coach Cole talk about: The family culture that made drinking feel normal, necessary, and completely deserved Losing both parents, leaning harder on wine, and the night a blackout broke through the denial Why Anne chose The Path over rehab — and what drew her to TNM's nonjudgmental approach How journaling and questioning her own thoughts slowly dismantled beliefs she'd never examined Being the parent who's awake and present at 11:30 PM — and why that changed everything Open, honest conversations with her teenage sons about alcohol and family history Natural highs from tennis wins, ski trips, and family dinners that beat any buzz she remembers And more on trading old problems for ones she's genuinely glad to have... Episode links: nakedmindpath.com Related Episodes: How To Rewire Your Brain To Stop Drinking| Meet Our Coaches | E827 - https://thisnakedmind.com/how-to-rewire-your-brain-to-stop-drinking-e827/  How To Talk To Your Kids About Alcohol | Interview | EP523 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-523-how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-alcohol-with-scott-pinyard-and-tnm-parents/  What Do You Do About Missing the “High” from Drinking? | Reader Question | EP 20 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-20-reader-question-what-do-you-do-about-missing-the-high-from-drinking/ Ready to take the next step on your journey? Visit https://learn.thisnakedmind.com/podcast-resources for free resources, programs, and more. Until next week, stay curious!

Most women think they have a drinking problem. They don't. They have an urge problem… and a response problem. Because here's what no one tells you: An urge to drink isn't permanent. It's not even that powerful. It's a wave. It rises… peaks… and passes. Sometimes in as little as 15–20 minutes (shoutout to Annie Grace and This Naked Mind for bringing language to this

Parties are supposed to be fun. So why does going alcohol-free feel so hard in a room full of drinkers? In this solo episode, Anna Donaghey draws on years of experience as an alcohol mindset coach and as someone who still actually goes to parties, to give you the toolkit she wishes she'd had.This one is practical from start to finish. Anna walks you through how to prepare before you arrive, what to bring, how to handle the "just have one!" brigade, and how to manage that rising self-consciousness when the energy in the room starts to shift. She also talks honestly about the drunk gap, why it exists, why it's not your fault, and how to stop letting it ruin your night.You'll leave with real scripts for declining drinks, strategies for those tricky social moments, and a reminder that waking up clear-headed the morning after a party is actually kind of wonderful.Whether you're newly alcohol-free, sober-curious, or just exploring what a night out could look like without drinking, this episode has you covered.Here are the Highlights: 00:00 Intro: Why parties without alcohol feel daunting 01:24 “But what do I actually do?” Why practical tools matter 02:13 The importance of a “before” plan – know your WHY for the night 05:44 Arrive calm, don't underestimate your pre-party state 06:16 Why you need a drink in your hand within 30 seconds 07:01 Always have an exit plan (and travel independently) 07:57 No more “performative suffering” - enjoy your alcohol-free drink 09:55 You don't owe anyone an explanation (scripts for awkward questions) 12:21 Seek out “real” conversations (and the power of good questions) 16:40 When others act weird about your not drinking16:25 Understanding the party “arc” when the “drunk gap” opens 18:12 Missing out, or a sign it's time to go? The case for an early exit 21:20 Why caring what others think fades over time 24:02 The underrated joy of a hangover-free morning after 25:10 The essential party toolkit 27:08 How sober socialising becomes second nature Anna's book "What Are You Thirsty For? Rethinking Alcohol and The Life You Want", is now out in the world for you to buy!Order your copy, access her free tools and explore her coaching programmes at: https://thebigdrinkrethink.com/The Thirsty For More Mindset Lab is Anna's ‘inner circle' - a calm, thoughtful space where conversations continue, patterns are explored, and things begin to make sense. Find out more at: https://thirstyformore.substack.com/If you appreciate the podcast and would like to show a bit of love, you can donate the cost of a coffee here. It helps support the time and care that goes into making the show: https://buymeacoffee.com/bigdrinkrethinkAbout the host Anna:Anna is a certified Alcohol Mindset Coach, trained by Annie Grace of This Naked Mind. Drawing on her own journey out of alcohol addiction, she now helps others explore and control their drinking. With a career spanning 25 years as a Strategist in the Advertising industry, she combines her own lived experiences, with great insight into what makes us tick and what influences us to behave the way we do.Connect with Anna:Website: thebigdrinkrethink.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/annadonagheyInstagram: instagram.com/bigdrinkrethinkProduced by winteraudio.co.uk

Today, Jason and Sarah Hull attended a high-level mastermind in Boise, Idaho, where they were surrounded by top entrepreneurs, learning firsthand how proximity to the right people can completely shift your mindset and business trajectory.  In this episode of the #DoorGrowShow, property management growth experts Jason Hull and Sarah Hull discuss the power of in-person masterminds, why one insight from the right room can change everything, and how stepping out of your environment is essential for real transformation and business growth. You'll Learn [00:01] Introduction and Purpose of the Episode [03:10] Inside the Boise Mastermind Experience [06:00] Why the Right Room Changes Everything [10:20] The Power of In-Person Transformation [20:30] The Problem With Growing Behind a Screen [32:20] Thinking Bigger and Expanding Vision [44:10] Invitation to Join the DoorGrow Mastermind Quotables "You don't need that much, you need one thing from the right person, and that is really enough to pay for the whole year of the program, which is incredible." " "Transformation comes by getting you in person and changing the business owner." "If you don't change your environment, that's the challenge is you if you if you're always in your office, you're always behind a screen, you're always on your phone, whatever, that environment is the environment you're already in, you have to change the environment in order to change the person." Resources DoorGrow and Scale Mastermind DoorGrow Academy DoorGrow on YouTube DoorGrowClub DoorGrowLive Transcript Jason Hull (00:01) Five, four, three, two, one. All right, we are Jason and Sarah Hull, the owners of DoorGrow, the world's leading and most comprehensive coaching and consulting firm for long-term residential property management entrepreneurs. For over a decade and a half, we have brought innovative strategies and optimization to the property management industry. At DoorGrow, we are on a mission to transform property management business owners and their businesses.   We want to transform the industry, eliminate the BS, build awareness, change perception, expand the market, and help the best property management entrepreneurs win. Now, let's get into the show. Okay, so in today's episode, we are gonna be chatting about what, Sarah? We just went to...   weird place to go, but we voluntarily went to Boise, Idaho. What? Boise is a cool place. Boise is a cool place. It's but chilly temperature wise. Okay. Affirmative. It's better than... I'm not going to start ripping on places. This is not a good precedent to set. All of your places, if you're listening, are awesome, including... I think Boise is super cool. It's a beautiful area. Beautiful area.   Okay, Sarah is not a fan of Boise apparently, but I like Boise. So my two favorite places that I was thinking of living were Boise and Austin, and we ended up in Boise. We did not end up in Boise. mean, we ended up in Austin. That's what I meant. We ended up in Austin. All right, can we move forward? so we went to an event in Boise. Russell Brunson. Cool, Russell Brunson's headquarters is in Boise.   So we went there and we are part of his inner circle, which is a $50,000 a year mastermind. And we're always trying to learn from the best. think he is probably the most savvy internet marketer on the face of the earth right now, or at least one of the top. And he's quite brilliant. And he's just a really good human and he attracts really, really cool entrepreneur, entrepreneurial people, like the people that he curates.   So the people in the mastermind make it way cooler. Like as one of the ladies said when we were there, she's like, I thought Russell's cool, but you're all cooler. yeah. She said, I joined for Russell. I She said, I only joined for Russell, but you know what? You guys are like so awesome. Like you guys make this way better than I even thought. And she said, don't tell Russell I said that. But I'm kind of here for you guys now. Yeah. All right.   Cool, so, and we got to hang out and they split us up into rooms and they put kind of a, I don't know, like a leader or a coach over each room. And we had Annie Grace who had been in a previous mastermind with me with Alex Sharpen. And she wrote a really awesome book called This Naked Mind, built this empire helping people get free from the addiction of alcohol and doing something very different than what's typically done that's been very, very effective.   And she's been very close to Russell and learned a lot of really cool stuff and she scaled her business very large. And so it was great to have her leading the room. So first we had this badass, Annie Grace leading the room. And then in our room, we also had Myron Golden, which if any of you have ever followed any of his stuff, like this guy helps people, tenets their businesses just by helping them shift their money mindset, help them shift their thing about fees and stuff. He doesn't target property management business owners.   We haven't even paid money to Myron yet, but we got to hang out in the room with him and he does some extremely high ticket coaching. And so it was really cool to have him in the room, give feedback. And we also, who else do we have in the room? Dr. Benjamin Hardy. Awesome guy, right? Yeah. So Ben Hardy. So if you ever heard of the book 10 X is easier than two X or who not how, or all these, he's written a lot of books.   Science of scaling his latest one really awesome time as a tool He was in the room giving hanging out with us as well. We were hanging out with Richmond din he is and runs an eight figure coaching bit or business to helping people with tiny challenges and like there's just there was so many there's another guy that has a VA company I think he said he told me he's doing 50 million a year. So we were hanging out in the room with cool people   and we got to present and share and then we got to get feedback from others, which was really awesome. So it was just really cool. So what do we want to tell them about this? So one of the things that we have known for a really long time is being in rooms like that is just so powerful and it's really it's invaluable. Yeah. Because one little thing that you can take away, just one, you don't need a list, you don't need, you know, notebooks.   You don't need all this. Oh, I know what to do and I've got 15 things That I'm gonna do this week and then after that I've got the next 98 on my list like that's probably too much You don't need that much you need one thing from the right person and that is really enough to pay for the whole year of Program which is incredible. Yeah   It's connected us with such amazing incredible growth minded very outward focused People who are looking to change the world and have an impact and do amazing things. They're not you know, just in it because They want to be they're not just in it because they go, you know, I guess I can make some money Yeah, like they're they're looking to really have an impact and make it   tremendous change in this world and being connected with people like that at events like this is so incredible and every single time that we go to one of these events I never know what we're going to get out of it before we go. I just know that it's going to be amazing. So I don't go into it   Looking for a specific thing. I don't go into it thinking okay I need to figure out how to do this or I need this answer or I need to do this thing or talk to this person or get this you know answer to this question or you know this Strategy that I'm looking for I never go into it with anything most of the events that we've gone to We go into it Sometimes not even feeling like we need anything Yeah, lot of times we just go   And we go, I don't really think I need anything. think we're pretty solid. Let's just be in the room. And even when you go into it with that mindset, man, you still get stuck. You still, you still, go, man, I didn't even know that I needed that. And I'm so glad that we were there. I'm so glad that we got it. And sometimes it's just being around people who think the same way that you do or think even bigger.   than you do because if you think, hey, you know, I've made it, right? Like we all have that moment in life where we go, I'm like, made it, I'm good, I make this much, I can take care of my family, I can, you know, do the things that I want and have the things that I want and, you know, have this lifestyle that maybe is even better than you had ever imagined. And sometimes we go, okay, I've arrived, I'm here, I've made it. And then you get into a room like that and you go, wow, there's so much more.   There's so much more that I can do and there's so much more that I can give and there's so much more that I can be. Yes. Amazing. So good. Yeah. So I've been in a lot of different masterminds. and I together have been in several and yeah, being around the right people is what it takes to level up. Your business is the sum of the five entrepreneurs or   business owners that you spend the most time with basically. And you need to be in the right room. And so we've decided, know, we recently, one of our mentors, Aaron Stokes, was, he founded ShopFix Academy, he coaches auto repair shops. He was very generous and we worked with him and he taught us a lot of stuff. He recently passed and he crashed his plane, which was really sad. I really had a hard time kind of.   coming to grips with that and being in Boise was helpful for that. I got to share with everybody some of the stuff with our group that I had learned from Aaron, which was awesome because Aaron's stuff was really great. I shared about the importance of believing in people and hope and how that actually affects your clients more than your tactics and how I rarely end a coaching call without telling the person, hey, I believe in you, you can do this. And that's from Aaron.   And so I shared a little bit of some of the things Aaron taught and it was awesome because it was nice to see the caliber of people that we were in the room with resonate with it and see Myron Golden thanking me for sharing that and other people that, you know, just saying, hey, this is true. This is awesome stuff. We have decided to shift our own mastermind to being more in-person. Why? So.   The challenge is most property managers are stuck trying to grow from behind a screen. They're watching webinars, they're sitting on Zoom calls, they're collecting PDFs maybe that they'll never read, and they're wondering why nothing ever changes. Have you ever been there? I've been there. Things didn't really start to happen for me until I started getting in the room. Now, there's a lot of stuff you can learn and things that can happen digitally, but what we found is that when people are in person, something shifts.   Transformation is what's needed to grow the business. As Erin would say, if you change the owner of the business, you change the shop. Fix the owner, fix the shop. So if we fix the property management business owner, if we can trans, and that's been our mission statement, our mission statement at DoorGrow is to transform property management business owners and their businesses. But we know that   Transformation comes by getting you in person and changing the business owner. We just don't see it happen digitally. just, it doesn't work as well. So we started onboarding all of our clients in person and that's been huge. It's been huge in so many ways, getting deep into their business, identifying a ton of problems that they would hide behind a screen and not share, getting real about them, getting transparent. And so there's just been big shifts with that. Now we're shifting to our   activities and our events being in person. And so if you don't change your environment, that's the challenge is you if you if you're always in your office, you're always behind a screen, you're always on your phone, whatever, that environment is the environment you're already in, you have to change the environment in order to change the person. And so the people around you, they aren't moving fast enough, they don't think big enough. And nobody's holding you to the standard that you know you're capable of. And so the door grow mastermind that we've   curated and created has amazing people. And so we want these people to be around each other, rubbing shoulders, getting to know each other, creating friendships, finding mentors, finding heroes, people they look up to. I've had people that I looked up to like Aaron and they changed our business. And so this mastermind, it's about getting serious. It's about coming out, spending time here in Austin with us, getting multiple times a year.   working on your business. So we just created an announcement for our spring intensive, where we're gonna go deep into our clients' businesses. If you wanna be part of this, if you wanna sample this, you wanna experience some of this, then reach out to us. You're welcome to come hang out with us. We'd love for you to get a taste, but you show up, you get in the room with other owners that are actually doing the work and you leave with a plan, momentum, relationships.   that are going to change you. They're going to change how your business goes. And all of the cool stuff we've had, it's all there still. Like the weekly calls on the online community, our new DoorGrow Hub app, which is amazing. All the trainings inside of DoorGrow Academy, that's all there, but that's really exists to keep you executing between your trips to Austin, where we grow and help you figure out how to grow your business. And those things are support system, which is nice, but it's not the main event.   And so that's the big shift that we're doing in the mastermind.   people walk out of that room different. And people walk out of that room with connections and friendships that will just last. And it's because you're surrounding yourself with your people. When you find your people, there is something that you can just feel it. You can feel the energy in the room. There's something that ignites inside of you. I was sitting in that room, and this is not our first Russell event, but I was sitting in that room and I was going, man, these are my people.   This is like, this is where we need to be. Yeah. And talking to Benjamin Hardy and going, yeah, you're right. I have no idea why I'm thinking 10 million. You're right. 10 million is a stupid number. That's, that's like child's play. You're right. I should be going for a hundred million. I have no idea why I wasn't going for a hundred million, but now there's like a clear path and a clear, reason to do it. And   I would not have been thinking 100 million is a reasonable number for us if I didn't end up in that room with Benjamin Hardy. Yeah, let's go. Let's do it. Right. OK. I mean, the impact that we get that we can have by doing that will be awesome. And, you know, that was a big block for me. I realize I'm like, I don't care enough about the money.   but I care about impact and that gets me excited and money is your ability to create impact. That's how you have reach. So let me know if, listen to this and let us know, are you stuck in this cycle? Are you exhausted, overwhelmed, stuck as the bottleneck in your own business? Do you feel like you can't keep up? You no longer love or even like the business that you built.   Maybe you're spending too much time doing admin work, playing catch up while your competitors are signing the clients you should have. Have you promised your family next year will be different? Maybe we'll have that vacation, but nothing changes. Do you start projects with great intentions but struggle to follow through without accountability? Are you tired of trying to figure everything out alone, which as I say is the slowest path to growth? While your competitors seem to have all the support and figure it out, well, you're not alone.   That's what most property managers, they're saying things like, I want to grow, but I'm the bottleneck. Everything depends on me. I need to either sell the business or move on or make this sustainable. Finally, I want to add more doors, but I'm overwhelmed. They don't know where to start. If I don't solve this, I'll stay stuck and growth will stall or worse. I'll start losing doors and clients. And maybe you experienced that. So this is stuff that we tackle in our mastermind. So we'll help you get the business going. We'll help you get the business cleaned up. So   I want you to step into your future real quick and then we'll wrap up. Just imagine this picture yourself. You're walking into a room in Austin, Texas, full of other property management business owners. These aren't tire kickers or people collecting info. These are operators who got on a plane because they're serious about building something real. These aren't people going to a property management conference just to go to the bar and check out from their life, right? At the hotel.   These people got on a plane because they're serious. And you sit down at a table with owners, they manage maybe 50, 200, 500 plus doors, maybe someone a thousand, right? Someone shares how they added 30 doors last month, maybe using our Realtor intro engine, another owner walks you through how they restructured their pricing and add another 25K in their monthly revenue. A third pulls you aside at the evening mixer and says, I was exactly where you were eight months ago. Here's what changed everything for me. You can't.   get that on a Zoom call. You can't get that in a Facebook group. You can't get that through a video or training. That kind of moment changes everything. Michael Poon, he had that experience before he added 40 units in July. Last year, Ken Harmon had it when he went from zero to 105 doors in six months by putting in just one or two hours a day. This is what happens when you stop trying to figure everything out alone and you step into a room that makes it harder to play small like Sarah was talking about.   So now picture this, you're back at home, three days after our spring intensive, you're executing your 90 day plan with total clarity, your accountability partner texts you, hey, I just hit my goal for the week, how are you doing? You made that friend or that connection, and you realize you're not just building a business, you're building relationships that are gonna last for years, and these have to be built in person. So remember that feeling, because that future starts right now today when you decide.   to stop just watching from behind a screen and you come spend time with us and show up in person. All right, so if this is interesting, reach out to us. can check us out at doorgrow.com. Anything else you want to add? All right. It's coming up in May. It's coming up in May. coming up in May. So by the time this episode airs, unless you're watching it live, it...   But don't fret, we've got another one coming up in October. So this year we're doing two plus our DoorGor Live. So it'll be May in October plus DoorGor Live in October. Then next year we're gonna start vacating through. And we onboard new clients every month in person. You'll come hang out with us. right, so, all right, if you've ever felt stuck or stagnant, you wanna take your business to the next level, reach out to us at doorgor.com for free training on how to get unlimited leads for free. Text the word leads.   to 512-648-4608. Also join our free Facebook community just for property management business owners at doorgrowclub.com. And if you want tips, tricks, ideas, and to learn about our offers and how we can help you, subscribe to our newsletter by going to doorgrow.com slash subscribe. And if you found this even a little bit helpful, don't forget to subscribe and leave us a review on wherever you found this.   We'd really appreciate it. Until next time, remember, the slowest path to growth is to do it alone. So let's grow together. Bye everyone.

Why does alcohol feel essential to parties, celebrations, and big social events? And what's really at stake when you rethink your drinking in those spaces? Anna Donaghey is joined by Evan Cudworth, a self-described “party coach,” who shares his personal journey through alcohol-fueled confidence, alter egos, and radical new rituals.Together, they explore why we outsource energy and confidence to booze, how nostalgia can keep us stuck, and why the real “party” has to start within. Evan Cudworth breaks down his unique framework for building confidence and joy without alcohol and offers stories from both wild raves and deep silence at Burning Man.Whether you're worried you can't party sober (or just curious how presence can replace performance), this episode shares new possibilities.Here are the Highlights: 00:00 Intro: The myth that drinking is the party01:16 Why parties without alcohol feel unimaginable07:21 Creating alter egos: who are we trying to access?09:31 The “alcohol is a credit card” analogy11:42 How social norms & culture shape drinking14:44 Parties as rituals: St. Patrick's Day and celebration engines20:30 The act of doing shots and what it really signifies24:42 Sober rituals and the power of intention29:56 The party within: reclaiming confidence and aliveness33:59 Building new evidence: is partying sober actually crap?34:44 The 7-stage “Party Within” framework44:41 Stop chasing nostalgia, what if you created joy instead?48:22 “Live more, numb less”, a new party philosophy51:05 The ultimate invitation: be the energy you want to see52:03 When it's not about you: making others feel they belongAnna's book "What Are You Thirsty For? Rethinking Alcohol and The Life You Want", is now out in the world for you to buy!Order your copy, access her free tools and explore her coaching programmes at: https://thebigdrinkrethink.com/The Thirsty For More Mindset Lab is Anna's ‘inner circle' - a calm, thoughtful space where conversations continue, patterns are explored, and things begin to make sense. Find out more at: https://thirstyformore.substack.com/If you appreciate the podcast and would like to show a bit of love, you can donate the cost of a coffee here. It helps support the time and care that goes into making the show: https://buymeacoffee.com/bigdrinkrethinkAbout the host Anna:Anna is a certified Alcohol Mindset Coach, trained by Annie Grace of This Naked Mind. Drawing on her own journey out of alcohol addiction, she now helps others explore and control their drinking. With a career spanning 25 years as a Strategist in the Advertising industry, she combines her own lived experiences, with great insight into what makes us tick and what influences us to behave the way we do.Connect with Anna:Website: thebigdrinkrethink.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/annadonagheyInstagram: instagram.com/bigdrinkrethinkProduced by winteraudio.co.ukAbout Evan Cudworth:Evan Cudworth is, as far as anyone can tell, the world's first & only party coach - and he believes partying will save humanity. A nerdy UChicago graduate who came up in the underground rave & music scenes. Alongside his own struggles with validation, alcohol, & substances, in the post-pandemic chaos he created The Party Within, a 7 step framework for high-achieving adults who've been sold the lie that optimisation and fun are opposites.His argument is simple and a little heretical: the wellness industrial complex has made us more isolated, more rigid, and worse at being in a room together -and the cure is learning to actually party in our modern world.He's inspired thousands to libertate their social lives from anxiety, scrolling, & substances, and his work has appeared in GQ, the Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, and Teen Vogue.He's here to make the case that partying might be the thing that saves us.Connect with Evan:Website: https://partycoach.me/

What does it really mean to “show up” in your life and how is that different from simply “turning up”? In this solo episode, Anna Donaghey explores one of the most honest motivations she hears from people rethinking alcohol: the desire to be present. She shares why presence goes so much deeper than physical attendance. Alcohol is often used as an emotional buffer, and what's possible when you start showing up as the unfiltered version of yourself at home, at work, and in every room you enter.Anna offers a powerful reframe: real presence is not just a skill for parties, but a life skill that transforms relationships and the texture of daily life. This episode is packed with gentle invitations to experiment with being genuinely present for yourself and the people who matter most.Here are the Highlights:00:00 Intro: Today we're exploring the quest for true presence01:32 The difference between turning up and showing up03:41 How alcohol acts as a costume, buffering us from authenticity07:05 Alcohol, performance, and the “gap” we're trying to bridge10:55 Children and loved ones can feel when you're only “half there”11:54 A new version of attention is possible13:13 The surprising gifts of ordinary, real-time connection14:19 Why social events can feel the hardest17:06 Learning to trust your own presence20:06 Reframing sobriety: not deprivation, but a richer experience23:26 Real presence includes awkwardness and dullness24:14 Letting your actual energy lead is both vulnerable and enough27:35 Real confidence versus performed confidence30:07 Showing up is a gift to others, not just yourself34:37 Final question: will you turn up or show up?34:46 What's coming next: unpacking the cultural architecture of alcohol and social life.Anna's book "What Are You Thirsty For? Rethinking Alcohol and The Life You Want", is now out in the world for you to buy!Order your copy, access her free tools and explore her coaching programmes at: https://thebigdrinkrethink.com/The Thirsty For More Mindset Lab is Anna's ‘inner circle' - a calm, thoughtful space where conversations continue, patterns are explored, and things begin to make sense. Find out more at: https://thirstyformore.substack.com/If you appreciate the podcast and would like to show a bit of love, you can donate the cost of a coffee here. It helps support the time and care that goes into making the show: https://buymeacoffee.com/bigdrinkrethinkAbout the host Anna:Anna is a certified Alcohol Mindset Coach, trained by Annie Grace of This Naked Mind. Drawing on her own journey out of alcohol addiction, she now helps others explore and control their drinking. With a career spanning 25 years as a Strategist in the Advertising industry, she combines her own lived experiences, with great insight into what makes us tick and what influences us to behave the way we do.Connect with Anna:Website: thebigdrinkrethink.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/annadonagheyInstagram: instagram.com/bigdrinkrethinkProduced by winteraudio.co.uk

What happens when the strategies we rely on to avoid pain, achievement, busyness and constant momentum stop working?In this powerful conversation, Anna Donaghey is joined by April Day Garcia, author of The Room to Be Brave: Sometimes the way forward begins with going back, to explore how avoidance can hide in plain sight, especially for high-functioning people disguised as success.April shares how chasing achievement and belonging led her further from herself, with alcohol acting as a quiet form of escape. When a period of forced stillness changed everything, she began the deeper work of healing, returning to the “rooms” where old beliefs began.This episode offers a hopeful reframe: avoidance isn't failure, it's protection and real change starts not with becoming someone new, but with coming home to who you already are.Here are the Highlights:00:00 Intro: Rethinking avoidance with April Day Garcia00:45 The art of avoidance and the illusion of achievement02:27 April's memoir mapping unravelling through literal rooms05:11 Running from the pain, and chasing achievement09:33 How avoidance can sometimes look like high performance11:31 No room for vulnerability, linking emotions to old, unsafe moments13:49 Alcohol's role in numbing, postponing, and belonging16:50 Avoidance creates new problems, emotional costs rise20:35 The clear rupture: seeing darkness reflected in family23:07 Having a breakdown broke the cycle, and led to giving up alcohol38:09 The hardest rooms: confronting your own mistakes and shadow work41:55 Old beliefs aren't yours and reclaiming your true self44:12 Redeveloping your rooms and rewriting your story52:36 Choose your hard, start with one room54:04 Healing isn't failure, sometimes your truest self is waiting in the rooms you feared most.Anna's book "What Are You Thirsty For? Rethinking Alcohol and The Life You Want", is now out in the world for you to buy!Order your copy, access her free tools and explore her coaching programmes at: https://thebigdrinkrethink.com/The Thirsty For More Mindset Lab is Anna's ‘inner circle' - a calm, thoughtful space where conversations continue, patterns are explored, and things begin to make sense. Find out more at: https://thirstyformore.substack.com/If you appreciate the podcast and would like to show a bit of love, you can donate the cost of a coffee here. It helps support the time and care that goes into making the show: https://buymeacoffee.com/bigdrinkrethinkAbout the host Anna:Anna is a certified Alcohol Mindset Coach, trained by Annie Grace of This Naked Mind. Drawing on her own journey out of alcohol addiction, she now helps others explore and control their drinking. With a career spanning 25 years as a Strategist in the Advertising industry, she combines her own lived experiences, with great insight into what makes us tick and what influences us to behave the way we do.Connect with Anna:Website: thebigdrinkrethink.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/annadonagheyInstagram: instagram.com/bigdrinkrethinkProduced by winteraudio.co.ukAbout April Day Garcia:April Day Garcia spent years in forward motion - busy, capable, and running without knowing it. As a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant, Reiki practitioner, and self-described chronic over-doer, she was excellent at moving through life while avoiding the rooms that needed her most.Sober since August 2024, April has been doing the harder work: going back into the experiences that shaped her deepest beliefs about herself, sitting in those spaces long enough to heal them, and discovering that who she was on the other side had been there all along. Her debut memoir, The Room to Be Brave: Sometimes the way forward begins with going back, is the story of what it means to stop running - and be brave enough to go back.Connect with April:Book: https://a.co/d/01NvRuC9Instagram: @theroomtobebraveWebsite: https://www.aprildaygarcia.com/

What really drives us to reach for alcohol, and why is avoidance so quietly powerful in our habits? In this episode, Anna Donaghey unpacks the psychology behind using alcohol as a coping mechanism, revealing how it silences discomfort and acts as a fast-acting state change in our modern lives. Drawing from her own lived experience and insights from her Substack “The Thirsty For More Mindset Lab,” Anna explores how avoidance is not weakness, but a deeply human strategy rooted in our biology and history.She dives into the difference between signals (those uncomfortable feelings and nudges) and state changes, explaining how alcohol overrides what our mind is trying to tell us. With practical examples and gentle guidance, Anna encourages listeners to get curious about their own habits, question the signals they might be silencing, and imagine life with alternative strategies that don't come at such a cost.Here are the Highlights:00:00 Welcome, this week we are exploring the theme of avoidance01:03 How alcohol is used to numb and silence discomfort02:20 The British Medical Council: alcohol as the nation's favourite coping mechanism04:04 Avoidance as an intelligent survival strategy, not denial05:12 Our ancient brain responds to discomfort06:00 Alcohol as a fast-acting state changer, it quietens the alarm08:23 Alternative avoidance strategies: work, scrolling, food09:09 We have a regulation systems, relief can be instantly available10:01 Learning to listen to discomfort13:17 Anna's Sunday “unease”, discovering the real signal beneath the habit14:04 Signals as information about our needs and alignment15:07 When avoidance no longer works, what comes next?16:04 Imagining alternative strategies without the cost of alcoholAnna's book "What Are You Thirsty For? Rethinking Alcohol and The Life You Want", is now out in the world for you to buy!Order your copy, access her free tools and explore her coaching programmes at: https://thebigdrinkrethink.com/The Thirsty For More Mindset Lab is Anna's ‘inner circle' - a calm, thoughtful space where conversations continue, patterns are explored, and things begin to make sense. Find out more at: https://thirstyformore.substack.com/If you appreciate the podcast and would like to show a bit of love, you can donate the cost of a coffee here. It helps support the time and care that goes into making the show: https://buymeacoffee.com/bigdrinkrethinkAbout the host Anna:Anna is a certified Alcohol Mindset Coach, trained by Annie Grace of This Naked Mind. Drawing on her own journey out of alcohol addiction, she now helps others explore and control their drinking. With a career spanning 25 years as a Strategist in the Advertising industry, she combines her own lived experiences, with great insight into what makes us tick and what influences us to behave the way we do.Connect with Anna:Website: thebigdrinkrethink.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/annadonagheyInstagram: instagram.com/bigdrinkrethinkProduced by winteraudio.co.uk

Why do we agonise over disrupting the social flow by saying “no thanks” to a drink, even when alcohol is quietly disrupting so much more in our lives? In this thought-provoking solo episode, Anna Donaghey explores the micro-moments of clarity that often crop up when we consider changing our drinking habits. Drawing from a recent conversation with Ry Gavan, Anna explores how alcohol quietly sits behind so many social occasions, becoming a synchronised ritual, yet the real disruptions to our wellbeing are often overlooked, minimised, or accepted as “just life.”She examines the tension between the fear of social awkwardness and the reality of how quickly our circles adapt, and offers practical tools to handle that brief moment of discomfort.This episode is for anyone ready to question the script, trust those quiet nudges, and make choices around alcohol that genuinely align with who they are.Here are the Highlights:00:00 Welcome to “Tiny Clarity Moments 2”01:06 Wanting better sleep, energy, patience, but fearing social awkwardness03:20 The imagined disruption versus reality04:26 Ry's true story: friends adjust, little actually changes05:01 The disruptions we tolerate: poor sleep, lost weekends, tension07:16 A question to ask: what disruptions am I already accepting?07:47 How do you make it easier to say no?09:41 Why you don't owe an explanation10:44 Changing the subject and shifting the conversation11:04 The power of holding an alcohol-free drink in your hand11:33 Reframing: you're just doing something different tonight13:31 Embracing quiet confidence, normalising intentional choices14:23 What disruption is really worth worrying about?15:22 Creating space for others by asking honest questionsThe first part of this mini-series on Tiny Clarity Moments can be found here on Apple or here on Spotify.Anna's book "What Are You Thirsty For? Rethinking Alcohol and The Life You Want", is now out in the world for you to buy!Order your copy, access her free tools and explore her coaching programmes at: https://thebigdrinkrethink.com/The Thirsty For More Mindset Lab is Anna's ‘inner circle' - a calm, thoughtful space where conversations continue, patterns are explored, and things begin to make sense. Find out more at: https://thirstyformore.substack.com/If you appreciate the podcast and would like to show a bit of love, you can donate the cost of a coffee here. It helps support the time and care that goes into making the show: https://buymeacoffee.com/bigdrinkrethinkAbout the host Anna:Anna is a certified Alcohol Mindset Coach, trained by Annie Grace of This Naked Mind. Drawing on her own journey out of alcohol addiction, she now helps others explore and control their drinking. With a career spanning 25 years as a Strategist in the Advertising industry, she combines her own lived experiences, with great insight into what makes us tick and what influences us to behave the way we do.Connect with Anna:Website: thebigdrinkrethink.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/annadonagheyInstagram: instagram.com/bigdrinkrethinkProduced by winteraudio.co.uk

What happens when we question alcohol's role as the backdrop to almost every social moment? In this powerful episode, Anna Donaghey is joined by Ry Gavan from DRiNKLiNK, a Scotland-based charity supporting families affected by someone else's drinking, for an honest conversation about the ripple effects of alcohol in our lives.Rather than focusing solely on “extremes,” Anna Donaghey and Ry explore why alcohol's real power lies in its expectation: its presence at celebrations, commiserations, sport, family gatherings, and so much more. They explore the underlying fear of social disruption when someone opts out, the tension between belonging and authenticity, and the surprising reality that our imagined social fallout rarely materialises.This episode is a must-listen for anyone curious about the social script around drinking, the underestimated impact of alcohol, and what actually changes (for the better) when you step outside the expectation.Here are the Highlights:00:00 Intro: Exploring alcohol as the expected backdrop01:04 The tension of opting out02:08 Ry's story05:24 Social rituals, identity, and the anxiety of changing your “role”09:50 Alcohol is woven into Scottish life, sports, family, and celebrations11:28 Grey area drinking, and challenging the “boring” label14:43 Underestimating the real disruption of drinking15:15 Alcohol's impact on deaths, hospitalisations, and NHS strain18:34 How one change can influence others in the group19:26 Belonging anxiety, why standing out feels risky, but rarely is22:36 Moving beyond thinking alcohol as the “glue” of social connection29:53 Confidence and learning to love who you are33:53 Underestimating the real impact of drinking35:26 DRiNKLiNK's work and impact40:07 Alcohol and social inequalities42:28 Testing your assumptions and finding new evidence44:43 Gamifying sobriety, progress, joy, and positive change46:15 How to connect with DRiNKLiNK and share your story.Anna's book "What Are You Thirsty For? Rethinking Alcohol and The Life You Want", is now out in the world for you to buy!Order your copy, access her free tools and explore her coaching programmes at: https://thebigdrinkrethink.com/The Thirsty For More Mindset Lab is Anna's ‘inner circle' - a calm, thoughtful space where conversations continue, patterns are explored, and things begin to make sense. Find out more at: https://thirstyformore.substack.com/If you appreciate the podcast and would like to show a bit of love, you can donate the cost of a coffee here. It helps support the time and care that goes into making the show: https://buymeacoffee.com/bigdrinkrethinkAbout the host Anna:Anna is a certified Alcohol Mindset Coach, trained by Annie Grace of This Naked Mind. Drawing on her own journey out of alcohol addiction, she now helps others explore and control their drinking. With a career spanning 25 years as a Strategist in the Advertising industry, she combines her own lived experiences, with great insight into what makes us tick and what influences us to behave the way we do.Connect with Anna:Website: thebigdrinkrethink.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/annadonagheyInstagram: instagram.com/bigdrinkrethinkProduced by winteraudio.co.ukAbout Ry Gavan:Ry Gavan works with DRiNKLiNK, a Scotland-based charity supporting people affected by someone else's drinking.He's passionate about destigmatising sobriety and challenging the expectation that alcohol is required for connection.His work focuses on the ripple effects drinking has on families and communities and what changes when we begin to see clearly without it.Connect with Ry:Website: https://drinklink.org/

Picking health over alcohol—what if that choice could feel less like deprivation and more like relief? Monica grew up in a culture where drinking wasn't just normal, it was identity: being the fun one, staying late, shining at happy hour, making alcohol the “reward” for workdays, celebrations, stress, and everything in between. Even when the downsides started showing up (worse anxiety, feeling run-down, the exhausting mental math of “when's my next drink?”), not drinking didn't feel like a real option—just something you powered through until you “earned” going back. After reading This Naked Mind, Monica finally had language for what she'd been living: cognitive dissonance. She could see alcohol clearly…and still want it. She tried breaks, challenges, and milestones, but it kept feeling like white-knuckling. Then she joined The Path and something shifted. Instead of forcing a forever decision, she learned how to pause, observe, and stack up real-life evidence—what actually happened when she didn't drink at a birthday, during the holidays, in hard relationship moments. In this episode, Coach Cole and Monica talk about how rewiring happens one data point at a time—and how choosing self-compassion over self-judgment helped alcohol become small and insignificant. Monica also shares a powerful realization from pregnancy, and a moment of fear that made her see just how badly she wanted freedom. Coach Cole and Monica discuss: Growing up with alcohol as identity: “life of the party” and the go-to reward Why “just drink less” kept feeling impossible (even with motivation) How The Path helped Monica start observing instead of battling herself Stacking evidence: first alcohol-free “firsts” that built confidence Anxiety dropping when alcohol left the equation—and what surprised her mostPregnancy, “it's not an option,” and what that revealed about her true preferences A health scare thought that exposed the depth of the pattern—and the breakthrough it sparkedPicking health over alcohol through curiosity, compassion, and real-life proof And more topics… Episode links: nakedmindpath.com Related Episodes: I see no benefit to alcohol, why can't I just quit? – Reader Question – E60 – https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-60-reader-question-see-no-benefit-alcohol-cant-just-quit/ Why Do I Drink When I Know It's Bad For Me? - Reader Question - E660 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-660-readers-question-why-do-i-drink-when-i-know-its-bad-for-me/ Learning to Trust Yourself Again – Alcohol Freedom Coaching – E746 – https://thisnakedmind.com/learning-to-trust-yourself-again-alcohol-freedom-coaching-e746/ Ready to take the next step on your journey?  Visit https://learn.thisnakedmind.com/podcast-resources for free resources, programs, and more. Until next week, stay curious!

Send a textThe Books That Helped Me Get and Stay Sober | The Sober Butterfly PodcastIn this solo episode of The Sober Butterfly Podcast, Nadine shares the books that helped her question her relationship with alcohol, get through early sobriety, and begin the deeper healing work that came after quitting drinking.From classic quit lit like Quit Like a Woman, Blackout, We Are the Luckiest, and This Naked Mind to recovery staples like The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous and A Woman's Way Through the Twelve Steps, Nadine reflects on how books became a lifeline in the earliest and most fragile stages of her alcohol-free journey.She also shares nontraditional sobriety reads that helped her rebuild her mindset and heal, including Atomic Habits, The Mountain Is You, The Body Keeps the Score, The Inner Work, and Dry Humping by past Sober Butterfly guest Tawny Lara.Whether you're sober curious, newly sober, years alcohol-free, or simply exploring your relationship with drinking, this episode offers a thoughtful reading list and honest reflections on how books can support recovery, healing, and growth.Books mentioned in this episode:Quit Like a Woman by Holly WhitakerBlackout by Sarah HepolaWe Are the Luckiest by Laura McKowenThis Naked Mind by Annie GraceAlcoholics Anonymous (The Big Book)A Woman's Way Through the Twelve Steps by Stephanie S. CovingtonAtomic Habits by James ClearSober on a Drunk Planet by Sean AlexanderThe Mountain Is You by Brianna WiestThe Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der KolkThe Inner Work by Ashley Cottrell and Mathew MichelettiDry Humping by Tawny LaraSponsors

What happens when you're crushing your break, feeling better than you have in years, but that little voice starts whispering, "Okay, but what about day 31?" In this episode, Coaches Soraya and Hayley help two Path members figure out exactly that. Christine opens up about her "Hellcat" pattern of achievement and escape, learning how to stay on track after a 30-day alcohol break by understanding the anxiety underneath it all. Alex discovers he doesn't need a task to check off—he can follow how good he feels as his GPS. These conversations get real about navigating life beyond the break, being with uncomfortable feelings, and building momentum that lasts. In Christine's session: Understanding binge drinking cycles as responses to anxiety and perfectionism Learning how to stay on track after a 30 day alcohol break by addressing underlying emotions Why seeking worthiness through external validation fuels the urge to escape The "Hellcat" pattern of going full speed then crashing with alcohol to decompress Discovering anxiety isn't the enemy—it's a signal asking for attention and care Tools for being with uncomfortable emotions instead of numbing or escaping them How transforming your relationship with anxiety breaks the drinking cycle And more breakthroughs about worthiness, self-compassion, and finding calm... In Alex's Session: Why day 31 feels more uncertain than day 30 when the break structure ends Practical strategies for how to stay on track after a 30 day alcohol break using emotion-based goals The difference between completing tasks versus building a life you don't want to escape from How lengthening your break can provide vital feedback and create new goals Reframing potential setbacks from disappointment to curiosity and valuable data points Choosing "renewed" over "horrible" and why emotional shifts drive lasting change And more insights... Soraya Odishoo is a compassionate Certified This Naked Mind Coach who blends somatic healing with therapeutic models to support recovery. She serves people who feel disconnected from their true selves and want freedom from substances or behaviors that no longer serve them. She takes a trauma-informed, heart-centered approach with a strong focus on accessibility for BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities. Learn more about Coach Soraya: https://thisnakedmind.com/coach/soraya-arjan-odishoo-alpc/ Hayley Scherders is a Senior Coach with This Naked Mind with training from the Canadian Addiction and Mental Health Association. Drawing from personal experience, Hayley provides a safe, compassionate, judgment-free space where clients feel supported. She believes that with the right mindset, anyone can change at any time. Learn more about Coach Hayley:⁠ http://thisnakedmind.com/coach/hayley-scherders/⁠ Episode links: nakedmindpath.com Related Episodes: How do I go back to normal life after The Alcohol Experiment? - Reader Question - E508 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-508-reader-question-how-do-i-go-back-to-normal-life-after-the-alcohol-experiment/ What is a data point? - Reader Question - E520 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-520-reader-question-what-is-a-data-point/ How To Stop Numbing Your Feelings and Start Living - Alcohol Freedom Coaching - E859 - https://thisnakedmind.com/using-alcohol-to-numb-emotions-afc-e859/ Ready to take the next step on your journey?  Visit https://learn.thisnakedmind.com/podcast-resources for free resources, programs, and more. Until next week, stay curious! This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp, Quince, and Shopify. BetterHelp: BetterHelp is offering our listeners 10% off at betterhelp.com/nakedmind . Quince: get free shipping and 365-day returns at quince.com/naked . Shopify: Sign up for a $1 month trial at shopify.com/mind

In this episode, Duane speaks with Early Brunner, the founder of Recovery Demystified. Early shares their powerful journey of navigating addiction as a queer, neurodivergent (autistic) person growing up in a small town. They discuss why traditional recovery models like AA can feel alienating for marginalized groups and how science-based "Quit Lit," neuroscience, and self-compassion provided the path to lasting sobriety.Key Topics & Chapters[00:03] Introduction to Early Brunner Early introduces their background: growing up undiagnosed autistic in 90s Wisconsin, dealing with profound social rejection, and discovering substances at age 10 as a way to find social connection.[04:30] The 13-Year Struggle Early discusses the "vicious cycle" of trying to quit using willpower alone. They share the shame of failed attempts and the realization that the substances that once provided relief were now the primary source of their crippling anxiety.[14:05] The Turning Point: Beyond Willpower The shift began when Early found science-based resources like This Naked Mind by Annie Grace. Understanding the neuroscience of addiction helped them realize they weren't "broken" or "powerless," but rather dealing with a brain-based challenge that could be repaired.[23:34] The Birth of Recovery Demystified After working as an EMT and seeing the failures of the traditional medical system, Early felt called to create a space specifically for those with "complex identities"—queer and neurodivergent folks who face significantly higher rates of addiction due to systemic trauma.[33:44] Neurodivergence and Addiction A deep dive into why ADHD and Autistic individuals are more prone to substance use, focusing on lower baseline dopamine levels, sensory overload, and the "mashing of the dopamine button" to cope with a world not built for them.[36:10] Destigmatizing the Story Early explains the importance of looking at the "whole person," including their childhood (ACEs score), rather than just their worst moments in active addiction. Quotes"Willpower is like a muscle, and muscles get tired over time... I think you need an ounce of willpower and about 25 pounds of everything else." — Early Brunner"One size fits all is not real. It's not real for baseball caps, and it's not real for recovery plans." — Early Brunner"The first step was asking: 'What would someone who loves themself do?'" — Early BrunnerResources MentionedBook: This Naked Mind by Annie GracePodcast: Recovery ElevatorConcept: ACEs Score (Adverse Childhood Experiences)Connect with Early BrunnerWebsite: recoverydemystified.comPodcast: Recovery DemystifiedSocial Media: @recoverydemystified (Instagram/Substack)Email: info@recoverydemystified.comNovusMindfulLife.comEpisode CreditsIf you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Losing the fear of not drinking can feel impossible, can't it? For Lindsey, alcohol was woven into every milestone: sixth-grade sleepovers, college weekends, early marriage, and long workweeks that ended with “just one more” drink on the couch. Drinking wasn't just a habit; it was how she fit in, turned off the noise, and chased that first rush of feeling totally okay for a moment. Over time, the hangovers became brutal, and the mental fallout was even worse—fights with her husband, Sunday dread, and memories she didn't always want to remember. One morning, after a night that ended with a chipped tooth and dry heaving on the kitchen floor while her daughter watched, something inside her shifted. Lindsey found This Naked Mind and, for the first time, felt like someone was telling her she wasn't broken—this is simply what alcohol does. The book became a permission slip to step off the hamster wheel and experiment with not drinking at all. In this episode, Lindsey joins Coach Cole to talk about rebuilding self-trust, reshaping a marriage that was once built on drinks, and becoming the kind of mom whose daughters see her saying “no” with confidence instead of needing a glass to cope. Lindsey and Coach Cole discuss: Lindsey describes the first drink in middle school and how quickly alcohol became tied to identity, popularity, and feeling “okay” for a moment. The progression from curiosity to dependence: chasing euphoria, ignoring red flags, and waking up in emotional and physical pain. How “I'll just drink less” experiments and endless rules kept her stuck in the same cycle of regret, self-doubt, and harsh inner dialogue. The breaking point: a trip that ended with a chipped tooth, a morning spent on the bathroom floor, and her daughter seeing a version of mom Lindsey never wanted to be. Finding This Naked Mind and reframing her story—from “I'm the problem” to “this is what alcohol does,” opening space to question everything. What changed when she began losing the fear of not drinking: more stable moods, clearer health goals as a trainer, and deeper presence with her family. The new foundation of her marriage and parenting—less reactivity, more responsibility for her own choices, and a commitment not to be someone else's story of what they had to overcome. How losing the fear of not drinking allowed Lindsey to feel “light as a feather” and more. Episode links: nakedmindpath.com Related Episodes: How To Stop Using Alcohol As A Crutch - Alcohol Freedom Coaching - E811 - https://thisnakedmind.com/how-to-stop-using-alcohol-as-a-crutch-e811/ What Is the Pink Cloud? - Reader's Question - E320 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-320-reader-question-what-is-the-pink-cloud/ How To Feel Good Without Alcohol - Reader's Question - E702 - https://thisnakedmind.com/podcast/ep-702-readers-question-how-to-feel-good-without-alcohol/ Ready to take the next step on your journey?  Visit https://learn.thisnakedmind.com/podcast-resources for free resources, programs, and more. Until next week, stay curious!

In today's episode, Sara sits down with author and advocate Celeste Yvonne, whose book It's Not About the Wine cuts straight through the noise of mommy wine culture and exposes what's really going on behind the scenes.   This conversation digs into the political and psychological systems that encourage women to drink, profit from their burnout, and quietly benefit when mothers are overwhelmed, numb, and too exhausted to challenge the status quo.   Sara and Celeste unpack how alcohol became the “acceptable” coping mechanism for modern motherhood, why women are drinking more than ever, and how targeted marketing turned female exhaustion into a trillion-dollar opportunity for Big Alcohol. If you've ever wondered why drinking feels so normalized for moms or why quitting sometimes feels rebellious, this episode will connect the dots.   They also explore what happens when women finally step out of that fog. Spoiler, clarity changes everything. From relationships to emotional patterns to political awareness, sobriety becomes a form of awakening, and that awakening has a ripple effect.   If you've felt the spark of something waking up inside you, this episode will fan that flame. In this episode, you'll hear: Why mommy wine culture exploded on social media and who benefitted from it How Big Alcohol used burnout, overwhelm, and emotional labor as a marketing strategy Why numbing out keeps women small, quiet, and disconnected from their own power The cultural expectations that trap women into drinking more than they realize How marketing shifted from cigarettes to wine, and why women became the primary target The connection between sobriety and political clarity What real self care looks like when alcohol is no longer the default How sobriety gives women their voice back, and why that voice matters The emotional patterns alcohol keeps hidden and what rises to the surface when you stop Why women often feel angrier in early sobriety, and why anger is actually a sign of waking up About Celeste Celeste Yvonne is a writer, speaker, and author of It's Not About the Wine: The Loaded Truth Behind Mommy Wine Culture. Her work has been featured in the Washington Post, Today Show, and Good Morning America. You can follow her  on social media @theultimatemomchallenge (on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok) or on Substack. Ready for a powerful reset? Dry January is coming, and I'm hosting my biggest 30-day alcohol-free experience starting January 1. You'll get daily support, coaching, and a community that actually understands what you're working toward. Join the waiting list for first access and an exclusive discount. Join the waitlist: nomorewasteddays.co/waitinglist Books Mentioned Dopamine Nation by Dr. Anna Lembke Referenced for understanding the pain, pleasure, and dopamine balance. Atomic Habits by James Clear Recommended for building new habits and rewiring routines in early alcohol-free life. This Naked Mind by Annie Grace A foundational book that helped Sara shift her beliefs about alcohol. The Addiction Inoculation by Jessica Lahey Recommended by Celeste for understanding how to raise kids in an alcohol-centric culture. Fawning by Dr. Ingrid Clayton Mentioned in your discussion about people-pleasing and emotional patterns. Quit Like a Woman by Holly Whitaker Cited as one of the major books shaping the conversation around women and alcohol. Drink by Ann Dowsett Johnston Referenced for its research on how and why women became the primary target of alcohol marketing. It's Not About the Wine by Celeste Yvonne Central to the episode and the conversation about mommy wine culture and political awakenings.   ****************************************************   Dry January Waiting List If something in this conversation stirred something in you, don't ignore it. Dry January is right around the corner, and this is your chance to start the year clear, grounded, and fully back in your power. My 30 Day Alcohol Free Experience begins January 1, and the women who join this challenge always walk out with more confidence, more energy, and a level of clarity they didn't know they were missing.   Get on the waiting list today so you're the first to know when enrollment opens and you'll unlock an exclusive discount only available to waitlist members. If you're craving a reset or a real change, this is your moment to take it. Join the waitlist: nomorewasteddays.co/waitinglist   ************************************************   Follow the podcast on Social Media: IG: @nomorewasteddays.pod   Follow Sara on Social Media: IG: @no_more_wasted_days TikTok: @no_more_wasted_days Facebook: www.facebook.com/NoMoreWastedDaysOfficial

What does it really mean to be the life of the party when you can't remember the conversations you had? Tiffany grew up in a family where alcohol was as normal as water, present at every meal. Working on cruise ships and yachts, she became the person who never wanted to go home, always chasing the next bar until sunrise. Many people wonder do I need to give up partying when considering change, and Tiffany faced this exact question. After discovering This Naked Mind, she realized she could create a vibrant, connected life without ethanol controlling her every move. In this episode, Tiffany joins Coach Cole to discuss breaking generational patterns and discovering that the best parties don't require alcohol. Coach Cole and Tiffany discuss: Being known as the party animal who never wanted to go home Losing a job due to drinking and the wake-up calls that followed The question many face: do I need to give up partying? How her boyfriend supported her through a year of transformation Going from closing down bars to closing down coffee shops And other topics… Episode links: nakedmindpath.com Related Episodes: Partying and Parenthood - Payal's Naked Life - E461 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-461-naked-life-story-payal/  How do I lose the desire to drink on special occasions? - Reader Question - E440 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-440-reader-question-how-do-i-lose-the-desire-to-drink-on-special-occasions/ Letting Go of A Party Girl Identity - Maggie's Naked Life - E429 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-429-naked-life-story-maggie/ Ready to take the next step on your journey? Visit https://learn.thisnakedmind.com/podcast-resources for free resources, programs, and more. Until next week, stay curious! Quince For your next trip, treat yourself to the luxe upgrades you deserve from Quince. Go to Quince.com/naked for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns Hungryroot Get 40% off your first box + a free item for life at Hungryroot.com/nakedmind with code nakedmind Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at Shopify.com/mind Cozy Earth Black Friday came early at Cozy Earth! Stack my code NAKEDMIND with their sitewide sale for up to 40% off.

What happens when quitting drinking saves your life but ruins your marriage? Samuel thought stopping drinking would fix everything, but it actually revealed that his relationship couldn't survive the person he was becoming. His drinking story is terrifying—regular blackouts, waking up in strangers' beds, traumatic incidents that destroyed his wife's trust. But when he finally found freedom using This Naked Mind, he made an unexpected discovery: quitting alcohol unlocks creativity and triggers a cascade of positive changes. Now he meditates daily, journals constantly, and uses writing as his primary coping mechanism. In this episode, Samuel joins Cole to explore how the most painful decisions can lead to the most profound personal growth. TRIGGER WARNING: This episode contains discussions of alcohol blackouts, relationship trauma, and divorce that some listeners may find triggering. In this episode, Samuel and Coach Cole discuss: Growing up in a family and culture where drinking was the norm. The scary reality of blacking out and the fear of a "demon inside." Ditching alcohol for the first time out of shame, and then falling back into the pattern of drinking The surprise of how quitting drinking unlocked creativity and a love for writing. How This Naked Mind's teachings on the subconscious mind sparked a cascade of habit changes. The unexpected challenge of a marriage ending after stopping drinking The power of journaling and the written word as a coping mechanism and a tool for self-discovery. Finding new passions like writing short stories, reading philosophy, and meditating. Using James Clear's Atomic Habits to create lasting change. How not drinking allowed Samuel to confront his inner world and grow as a person. And more… Episode links:Related Episodes: Does alcohol really make you more creative?- Reader Question - E310 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-310-reader-question-does-alcohol-really-make-you-more-creative/  What is the deal with blackouts? - Reader Question - E304 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-304-what-is-the-deal-with-blackouts/ What If Your Biggest Regrets Are Actually Your Greatest Teachers? - Alcohol Freedom Coaching - E817 - https://thisnakedmind.com/finding-purpose-and-direction-after-quitting-alcohol-e817/ Ready to take the next step on your journey?  Visit https://learn.thisnakedmind.com/podcast-resources for free resources, programs, and more. Until next week, stay curious! Quince- Find your fall staples at Quince. Go to Quince.com/naked for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too. Hungryroot- Get 40% off your first box + a free item for life at Hungryroot.com/ nakedmind with code nakedmind Shopify- Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at Shopify.com/mind BetterHelp- Get 10% off your first month at BetterHelp.com/nakedmind

What To Do When The Emotions Hit After You Quit Drinking | Alcohol Freedom Coaching | E845 Trigger Warning: The topics discussed in this episode, particularly in the second half, involve sensitive subjects such as family trauma, abuse, and addiction. Listener discretion is advised. Are you drinking to avoid emotions and finding yourself trapped in endless mental loops about whether to have that drink? Mimi struggles with cognitive dissonance - the uncomfortable tension between wanting to be healthy and fearing social rejection when she doesn't drink. Meanwhile, Heather discovers that childhood trauma is driving her unconscious reach for alcohol whenever difficult emotions surface. In this powerful episode, Coach Cole and Coach Hayley demonstrate what coaching inside The Path looks like, guiding both women through breakthrough moments using This Naked Mind methodology. Watch as they help Mimi find peace with her decision not to drink and support Heather in witnessing emotions she's been pushing down for years, showing how compassionate coaching can bring deep healing and lasting freedom. In Mimi's session: Exploring cognitive dissonance and why it creates inner conflictFear of judgment when choosing not to drink at social and family eventsAnxiety about losing connection when alcohol isn't part of the pictureRecognizing the cost of drinking for belonging vs peace of mindNaming cravings and the fear of giving in during family visitsDiscovering the freedom that comes from releasing old storiesSeeing how coaching inside The Path untangles fear, belonging, and valuesAnd so much more In Heather's session: Facing the flood of emotions that surface after removing alcoholExploring the connection between childhood trauma and drinking to avoid emotionsWhy unresolved experiences from the past can resurface during alcohol-free livingLearning to witness emotions instead of pushing them downRecognizing how alcohol gave the illusion of relief but delayed healingProcessing sadness, fear, and discomfort with compassion instead of avoidanceExperiencing how The Path's coaching helps create safety and lasting growthAnd more… Cole Harvey is a certified Naked Mind Senior Coach. For years, he felt lost and used alcohol as a way to cope, until he decided to go alcohol-free and focus on finding his purpose. Through curiosity, self-compassion, and adventure, he transformed his life. As a habit change and mindset coach, Cole helps young men understand themselves, build better habits, and find meaning. Learn more about Coach Cole: https://thisnakedmind.com/coach/cole-harvey/  Hayley Scherders is a Senior Coach with This Naked Mind and with training from the Canadian Addiction and Mental Health Association. Drawing from personal experiences, Hayley understands how tough change can be and provides a safe, compassionate, and judgment-free space where her clients can feel supported. She believes that with the right mindset, anyone can change their life at any time. Learn more about Coach Hayley: https://thisnakedmind.com/coach/hayley-scherders/  Episode links: nakedmindpath.com Related Episodes: Using Alcohol To Numb Pain - Simone's Naked Life - E207 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-207-naked-life-story-simone/  Why is it so hard to become alcohol free? - Reader Question - E646 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-646-readers-question-why-is-it-so-hard-to-become-alcohol-free/ Ready to take the next step on your journey?  Visit https://learn.thisnakedmind.com/podcast-resources for free resources, programs, and more. Quince- Find your fall staples at Quince. Go to Quince.com/naked for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too. Hungryroot- Get 40% off your first box + a free item for life at Hungryroot.com/nakedmind with code nakedmind Shopify- Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at Shopify.com/mind BetterHelp- Get 10% off your first month at BetterHelp.com/nakedmind

Have you ever felt guilty about missing precious memories because of alcohol? Amy's journey began in sixth grade in a family where alcohol was simply part of every gathering. Years later, when her kids confronted her about her drinking, she realized she was missing out on being truly present for the moments that mattered most. After reading This Naked Mind and experiencing one terrifying night where she got so sick she thought she might die, Amy finally quit drinking for good. Now she describes feeling like she's not the same person without alcohol—and she's learned to see this complete transformation as a beautiful thing, even though it can feel a little scary discovering who she truly is. Trigger Warning: This episode contains a mention of suicide. Listener discretion is advised. In this episode, Amy and Coach Cole discuss : Growing up in a family culture centered around drinking Beginning her drinking journey in sixth grade Years of questioning whether she had a drinking problem The confrontation when her children called out her drinking Failed attempts at moderation and temporary sobriety Why she got sick every single time she drank The final terrifying night that changed everything How This Naked Mind helped her find lasting change Embracing the reality that she is not the same person without alcohol Wanting to be fully present for precious family moments Rediscovering her authentic self and core values Moving forward without regret but with intention And other topics… Episode links: Related Episodes: Are vacations and holidays more fun without drinking?- Reader Question - EP 164 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-164-are-vacations-and-holidays-more-fun-without-drinking/  Who Am I Without Wine? - Identity & Sophistication - Alcohol Freedom Coaching - E801 - https://thisnakedmind.com/creating-a-new-identity-after-quitting-drinking-alcohol-freedom-freedom-coaching-e801/ Uncoupling Alcohol and Identity - Andrew's Naked Life - E549 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-549-naked-life-story-andrew/ Ready to take the next step on your journey? Visit https://learn.thisnakedmind.com/podcast-resources for free resources, programs, and more. Until next week, stay curious! Quince- Find your fall staples at Quince. Go to Quince.com/naked for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too. Hungryroot- Get 40% off your first box + a free item for life at Hungryroot.com/ nakedmind with code nakedmind Shopify- Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at Shopify.com/mind BetterHelp- Get 10% off your first month at BetterHelp.com/nakedmind

The Ripple Effect of Quitting Drinking | Meet Our Coaches | E843 The ripple effect of quitting drinking—what if it reaches far beyond one empty glass? Coach Pam speaks with TNM Alcohol Freedom Guides, Ruby and Kai, who share how they found their way to freedom with This Naked Mind. As coaches for The Path, they now help others do the same. Ruby, a former wine industry insider, recounts her journey of letting go of the self-blame that kept her stuck, while Kai reflects on the decades she spent using alcohol to quiet her mind and cope with personal challenges. Together, they show how gentle coaching questions reshape beliefs, why connection is the opposite of addiction, and how identity shifts make life bigger and calmer. You'll get practical tips to turn “data points” into progress, and replace alcohol's supposed rewards with what you actually need—rest, relief, and connection. In Coach Ruby's Session: A-Ha Moments - The importance of "aha moments" in personal transformation. Dual Addiction - How her struggles with binge eating and alcohol were intertwined Shedding Shame - The power of letting go of shame and self-blame to find freedom The Power of The Path - How community and connection are the opposite of addiction The Ripple Effect - How her decision to become alcohol-free positively impacted her family and friends It's Never Too Late - Realizing that true change and self-discovery can happen at any age In Coach Kai's Session: Quietening Inner Voices - Using alcohol from a young age to cope with personal struggles Willpower is Finite - The moment she realized willpower alone wasn't enough to sustain change Scientific Approach - How the analytical, science-based approach of This Naked Mind impacted her You Are Not Broken - The powerful message that it's the alcohol, not the person, that is the problem. Waste No More Time - The life-changing mantra that motivated her to join The Path and not look back Ruby Williams is a certified Naked Mind Senior Coach dedicated to helping people rethink their relationship with alcohol. With 19 years of experience in the wine industry, Ruby understands how alcohol can become a regular part of life, especially in social or stressful situations. After finding freedom in 2019, she was empowered to improve her health, lose weight, and achieve lifelong goals. Ruby uses thoughtful questioning to help clients shift their mindset and build a more balanced, fulfilling, and healthier relationship with alcohol. Learn more about Coach Ruby: https://thisnakedmind.com/coach/ruby-williams/ Kai Birdsall, ALPC, is a Certified Naked Mind Coach who helps people change their relationship with alcohol and the habits that keep them stuck. A professional gay woman with a BSc and MBA, she brings 25+ years of corporate leadership to science-based, compassion-led coaching. Kai now supports women in midlife, LGBTQ+ clients, and anyone navigating big transitions—menopause, divorce, illness, career shifts—to manage stress without alcohol and live more authentically. Learn more about Coach Kai: https://thisnakedmind.com/coach/kai-birdsall-alpc/ Episode links: nakedmindpath.com Ready to take the next step on your journey? Visit https://learn.thisnakedmind.com/podcast-resources for free resources, programs, and more. Until next week, stay curious! Quince- Find your fall staples at Quince. Go to Quince.com/naked for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too Hungryroot- Get 40% off your first box + a free item for life at Hungryroot.com/nakedmind with code nakedmind Shopify- Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at Shopify.com/mind BetterHelp- Get 10% off your first month at BetterHelp.com/nakedmind

Today we have Camille. She's 36 years old, from Coeur d 'Alene, Idaho, and she took her last drink on August 22nd, 2024.   This episode brought to you by Better Help – 10% off of your first month #sponsored   Café RE   [04:26] Paul introduces Camille:   Corrine is 36 years old and lives in Coeur d'Alene, ID with her husband and two young children. For fun they enjoy spending time with friends in their community and spending time outside.   Camille says her father got sober when he was 24 and while growing up, she wasn't told that she couldn't drink but her dad gave her things to look out for. She experimented with alcohol in her teens while partying with friends. When she was 18, she began to be very active with church and started dating her now husband.   Camille and her husband got married when she was 21 and she says her drinking ramped up in her mid-twenties. They enjoyed hosting get-togethers with friends and neighbors. Camille says that over time she began to lose the “on/off switch”. She and her husband were still active in church, so Camille found herself living a secretive double life.   Camille was able to quit drinking both times she was pregnant but would always be ready to start back after giving birth. When her first child was five months old, Camille began drinking boxed wine in an effort to believe that she wasn't drinking as much as she was. Not long after this, she began having alcohol in multiple locations so she could rotate through it.   Working as a hairstylist and taking on more responsibility at church found Camille more exhausted and feeling more shame about her drinking. She began to feel like God was asking her to hand her problem over. She was at the point where she was disgusted with how she looked and felt and tired of the anxiety and mental gymnastics surrounding her drinking.   Camille's husband never questioned her drinking, and she was scared to bring it up. When he decided to quit drinking in solidarity with a friend, Camille decided to join them a few weeks later.   The first two weeks, Camille says she was white knuckling. She tried to distract herself as much as possible. She started making jewelry, exercising, listening to podcasts and reading quit lit. She tried listening to This Naked Mind again and identified with a lot of things.   Camille began to burn ships with her friends and fellow church members and learned she was not alone. Her parents were very supportive when she shared with them as well. After the first two weeks, Camille began to reap the benefits of an alcohol-free life. She says she now feels free and fully present with the people that matter.   [47:39] Thoughts from Paul:   This is an intro that Paul says he has been wanting to do for a while but has shied away because the subject matter can be triggering for some, including himself. Politics, news, the state of the US, the state of the world. The message he wants to convey is DO NOT DRINK THE KOOL-AID.   The news, social media, politicians and all of the algorithms on the internet are trying to put you in a fearful state. They have learned that fear and fake news hold your attention longer, that they can control you better, and they make more money on advertisements, etc.   One thing on the news that we see is doom and gloom, but Paul shares that he does not see that in real life. He doesn't want to downplay things, but things aren't nearly as bad as the news wants you to think. We need to start choosing where to put our attention. We are almost enabling addicts who are addicted to power by giving them our attention.   Go meet you neighbor, learn the names of birds in your yard, and be kind to yourself. Humans are going through a lot of change at the moment. And change is hard. We're going to be just fine.      Recovery Elevator Rule 22, let's lighten up and not take ourselves too seriously. I love you guys.   RE on Instagram Recovery Elevator YouTube Sobriety Tracker iTunes     

What is an alcohol coach, and how can they guide you to freedom from alcohol? Path Coaches Cole and Julie join Coach Pam to discuss their unique approach to coaching, which goes beyond just quitting alcohol. In this episode, they share how coaching is not about giving answers but about helping clients shift their mindset, address emotional triggers, and how their work empowers clients to reclaim control of their lives. In this episode, Coach Pam and Coach Cole discuss: The unexpected feeling of relief when he committed to a year of not drinking His journey from fighting his "shadow self" to befriending it Comparing old "authoritarian" coaching to the gentle guidance of an alcohol coach Using questions and perception shifts to uncover inner wisdom The power of letting go of beliefs that no longer serve you Why learning from setbacks is more powerful than striving for perfection How the Path program helps you rebuild your foundation brick by brick Finding incredible and enriching things in witnessing others' transformations And more… Coach Pam and Coach Julie discuss: Recognizing a "nagging feeling" as a sign to explore her relationship with alcohol The "Aha" moment from drinking and getting curious about it Transforming from a Path participant to a Path coach Using the ACT Process to reframe thoughts and reduce the desire to drink Finding profound change by letting go of stories, shame, and guilt The importance of community support to realize you're not alone How she handled major life events with the support of the Path Why she believes there's "no downside" to investing in a year-long program And other topics… Cole Harvey is a certified Naked Mind Senior Coach. For years, he felt lost and used alcohol as a way to cope, until he decided to go alcohol-free and focus on finding his purpose. Through curiosity, self-compassion, and adventure, he transformed his life. As a habit change and mindset coach, Cole helps young men understand themselves, build better habits, and find meaning. Learn more about Coach Cole: https://thisnakedmind.com/coach/cole-harvey/ Julie Lively is a certified This Naked Mind Alcohol Freedom Coach and Master Gray Area Drinking Coach. After years of struggling with drinking, Julie found lasting freedom through the science and compassion of This Naked Mind. She now helps midlife women navigating major life transitions—like career changes, empty nests, menopause, and caring for aging parents—break free from alcohol's grip. Julie empowers women to reclaim confidence, clarity, and peace, guiding them to live alcohol-free and with joy. Learn more about Coach Julie: https://thisnakedmind.com/coach/julie-lively/ Episode links: nakedmindpath.com Related Episodes: Healing Through Self-Love - Cole's Naked Life - E737 - https://thisnakedmind.com/healing-through-self-love-coles-naked-life-e737/ How do I go back to normal life after The Alcohol Experiment?- Reader Question – E508 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-508-reader-question-how-do-i-go-back-to-normal-life-after-the-alcohol-experiment/ Is Organic Wine Better For You? - Alcohol Freedom Coaching - E791 - https://thisnakedmind.com/is-organic-wine-better-for-you/ Ready to take the next step on your journey?  Visit https://learn.thisnakedmind.com/podcast-resources for free resources, programs, and more. Until next week, stay curious!

If divorce or co-parenting has you thinking “this could drive me to drink,” you're not alone. Separation brings anger, resentment, logistics chaos, and a whole lot of nervous-system fireworks. Alcohol can feel like the quickest off-switch — but it doesn't solve anything, and usually makes you more anxious and less steady. In this episode, I'm talking to Scott Pinyard — former Head Coach at This Naked Mind, alcohol-free coach, and creator of a co-parenting program — about navigating divorce, toxic co-parenting, anger, and alcohol. I asked Scott (coach and long-time co-parent who divorced when his daughter was a toddler) to share how to stop trying to change your ex, work with your own anger, and create pockets of peace for you and your kids — without numbing out with alcohol. For the full show notes, kindly go to this podcast episode link: https://hellosomedaycoaching.com/divorce-toxic-co-parenting-anger-alcohol/ 4 Ways I Can Support You In Drinking Less + Living More Join The Sobriety Starter Kit, the only sober coaching course designed specifically for busy women. My proven, step-by-step sober coaching program will teach you exactly how to stop drinking  — and how to make it the best decision of your life. Save your seat in my FREE MASTERCLASS, 5 Secrets To Successfully Take a Break From Drinking  Grab the Free 30-Day Guide To Quitting Drinking, 30 Tips For Your First Month Alcohol-Free. Connect with me for free sober coaching tips, updates + videos on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest and TikTok @hellosomedaysober. Love The Podcast and Want To Say Thanks? ☕ Buy me a coffee! In the true spirit of Seattle, coffee is my love language. So if you want to support the hours that go into creating this show each week, click this link to buy me a coffee and I'll run to the nearest Starbucks + lift a Venti Almond Milk Latte and toast to you! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/hellosomeday 

✨ Enrollment for PUSH to 100 is officially open! This is my signature 100-day alcohol-free challenge designed to give you daily support, live coaching, and community so you never have to walk this path alone. Enrollment closes September 11th and space is limited so grab your spot today! www.nomorewasteddays.co/push-to-100/   In this shorty episode, I'm taking you all the way back to my very first day alcohol-free: May 13, 2019. I'll share what life looked like the week before, how my husband and I went from heavy drinking to considering a break, and the exact details of how I got through Day 1. From writing “I do not drink” in my journal, to listening to This Naked Mind on my commute, to sipping LaCroix and kombucha at home. This was the day that quietly but powerfully changed everything. You'll hear: The lead-up to my Day 1, including a cruise, milestone birthdays, and that inner knowing that I needed change. How I set myself up for success with gratitude journaling, affirmations, quit lit, and non-alcoholic drinks. The importance of having an after-work plan and identifying my “witching hour.” The one piece I wish I had embraced sooner: community. Whether you're just thinking about quitting, preparing for your own Day 1, or already a few days in, my story will give you inspiration, practical tools, and the reassurance that you don't have to figure it out alone.

What if the first real step toward change isn't putting down the drink, but learning to listen to yourself? What if the key to breaking free has less to do with willpower, and more to do with compassion, curiosity, and connection? In this powerful conversation, Coach Pam is joined by Coaches Kath and Soraya to explore two very different alcohol journeys that led to the same realization: you don't have to hit rock bottom to know that something needs to shift. For both women, the breakthrough came not in a single dramatic moment—but in a growing awareness that their drinking didn't match their values or the life they truly wanted to live. Through their work in The Path, they've helped hundreds of people learn how to feel their feelings, rewrite their limiting beliefs, and discover how to show up for yourself and stop drinking—in a way that feels empowering, not punishing. If you've ever felt like your struggle “doesn't count” or you're just not sure if you deserve support, this episode will change the conversation. In this episode, Coach Kath and Coach Pam discuss: Why a problematic relationship with alcohol doesn't always look “bad” What changed when Kath stopped comparing herself to others The importance of community in shifting from shame to empowermentHow to trust your inner voice when it says something isn't right Why coaching isn't about giving advice—it's about holding space How to show up for yourself and stop drinking—even if you've tried before …and more In this episode, Coach Soraya and Coach Pam discuss: How early rehab and AA shaped (and complicated) her beliefs The game-changing moment when she asked, “What if I'm not broken?” The power of recognizing that you've been showing up all along How to feel your feelings instead of drinking them away Why success is simply raising your hand and taking back the driver's seat How to show up for yourself and stop drinking by reclaiming your worth …and more Coach Kath is a Certified This Naked Mind Coach and ALPC who supports single parents and busy professionals in breaking free from alcohol. She once used wine to cope with stress, until she realized it was quietly draining her joy. In 2021, she quit drinking and found lasting change through the This Naked Mind approach. Kath now helps others tap into that same clarity and freedom with compassion and practical tools. Her coaching is grounded in real-life experience and a deep belief in what's possible. Learn more about Coach Kath: https://thisnakedmind.com/coach/kath-roberts/ Coach Soraya is a compassionate Certified This Naked Mind Coach and certified Kula Yoga instructor, combining somatic healing and therapeutic models to support her clients' journeys to recovery. With a deep commitment to working with individuals who feel disconnected from their true selves, Soraya specializes in helping people break free from addictions to substances or behaviors that no longer serve them. Her heart-centered, trauma-informed approach is rooted in collaboration and trust, with a focus on accessibility for BIPOC and LGBTQIA++ communities. Soraya's passion lies in guiding others back to their personal power, allowing them to find peace, purpose, and lasting healing. Learn more about Coach Soraya: https://thisnakedmind.com/coach/soraya-arjan-odishoo-alpc/ Ready to take the next step on your journey?  Visit https://learn.thisnakedmind.com/podcast-resources for free resources, programs, and more. BetterHelp: Get 10% off your first month at ⁠⁠http://BetterHelp.com/NAKEDMIND|BetterHelp.com/NAKEDMIND⁠⁠ Quince: For your next trip, treat yourself to the luxe upgrades you deserve from Quince. Go to ⁠⁠http://Quince.com/naked|Quince.com/naked⁠⁠ for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns Hungryroot: Get 40% off your first box + a free item for life at ⁠⁠http://Hungryroot.com/mind|Hungryroot.com/mind⁠⁠ with code mind Shopify: Start your $1/month trial at ⁠⁠http://Shopify.com/mind|Shopify.com/mind⁠

How do I stop sabotaging my attempts to quit drinking?  Jane's story will hit close to home for anyone who's ever wondered why they can stick to other healthy habits but struggle with alcohol. She exercises regularly, eats well, and maintains discipline in other areas of life, yet finds herself repeatedly breaking her commitment to quit drinking. In this honest coaching session, Jane opens up to Coach Tabbin about the internal dialogue that leads her from nail appointments to wine purchases, and how emotional triggers consistently derail her best intentions. Together, they uncover how unprocessed grief and the need to control uncontrollable situations drove her to use alcohol as emotional suppression. This episode provides practical insights into understanding the subconscious mind's role in drinking decisions and developing the self-compassion needed to break free from self-sabotaging patterns. In Jane's session: Struggling to stick to decisions about not drinking Dealing with anxiety about future alcohol-related situations Using distraction techniques for alcohol-free days Coping with self-criticism and feeling like a disappointment Understanding alcohol as a form of self-sabotage Building trust in alcohol-free living Learning to practice self-compassion The cognitive dissonance between conscious desire to quit and subconscious urges Finding support in community and relationships and more… Coach Tabbin is a Senior Coach with This Naked Mind, certified in ALP (Affective Liminal Psychology) and Grey Area Drinking. After years of battling alcohol, including a period of over seven years of not drinking interrupted by major life events, she found lasting freedom through This Naked Mind in 2018. Now a full-time coach, she helps senior professionals, especially those aged 45+, rewire their brains to live alcohol-free. With a background in advertising, Tabbin understands the pressures of high-powered careers and brings compassion and expertise to those navigating similar struggles. She is also a speaker, the host of The Alcohol Debate podcast, and the author of the Amazon best-seller Bottling Up Trouble. Learn more about Coach Tabbin: https://thisnakedmind.com/coach/tabbin-almond-alpc/ Related Episodes: Why do I keep sabotaging my sobriety? - Alcohol Freedom Coaching – E728 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-728-readers-question-why-do-i-keep-sabotaging-my-sobriety/ End Self-Sabotage with Self-Love - Alcohol Freedom Coaching - E742 - https://thisnakedmind.com/end-self-sabotage-with-self-love-alcohol-freedom-coaching-e742/ Learning To Trust Yourself Again - Alcohol Freedom Coaching - E746 - https://thisnakedmind.com/learning-to-trust-yourself-again-alcohol-freedom-coaching-e746/ Ready to take the next step on your journey?  Visit https://learn.thisnakedmind.com/podcast-resources for free resources, programs, and more. Until next week, stay curious! BetterHelp: Get 10% off your first month at BetterHelp.com/nakedmind Quince: For your next trip, treat yourself to the luxe upgrades you deserve from Quince. Go to Quince.com/naked for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Hungryroot: Get 40% off your first box + a free item for life at Hungryroot.com/nakedmind with code nakedmind Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at Shopify.com/mind

You've been a bartender for years, and alcohol has been a constant in your social life, your travels, and career—so how do you stop drinking when you work in a bar? For Gina, the turning point came when she realized that alcohol no longer added value to her life, in fact, it almost seemed mundane to drink. After reading This Naked Mind by Annie Grace, Gina unlocked a new way of thinking about alcohol and began to see how much freedom there was without it. In this episode, Gina shares her journey and the strategies that helped her break free from a life dictated by alcohol. In this episode, Gina and Cole discuss: How alcohol became an "annoying albatross" after being a constant part of her life. Her unique experience as a lifelong bartender and solo traveler, with alcohol as a companion. Pondering the question - how do you stop drinking when you work in a bar The profound impact of Annie Grace's "This Naked Mind" and how it confirmed everything she thought. Why she didn't tell a single soul about her journey for a year. Rediscovering her creative potential and finishing a novel started 15 years ago in a "drunken stupor." The financial benefits of sobriety – saving $10,000 in a year and two months! How she manages to still interview bartenders and write about spirits without craving a drink. Gina's powerful message to her past self: "You do not have to be drunk to have fun." And so much more… Episode links: Gina's podcast - https://lakeandsumterstyle.com/healthy-living-podcast/ Gina's article - https://lakeandsumterstyle.com/repurposing-a-beloved-glass-for-a-more-purposeful-life/ Related Episodes: Can someone in the service industry stay sober? - Reader Questions - E560 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-560-reader-question-can-someone-in-the-service-industry-stay-sober/ The Sober Experiment - Alex and Lisa's Naked Life - E259 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-259-naked-life-story-alex-and-lisa/ How To Plan an Alcohol-Free Vacation - Reader's Questions - E652 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-652-readers-question-how-to-plan-an-alcohol-free-vacation/ Ready to take the next step on your journey?  Visit https://learn.thisnakedmind.com/podcast-resources for free resources, programs, and more. Until next week, stay curious! BetterHelp: Get 10% off your first month at BetterHelp.com/nakedmind Quince: For your next trip, treat yourself to the luxe upgrades you deserve from Quince. Go to Quince.com/naked for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Hungryroot: Get 40% off your first box + a free item for life at Hungryroot.com/nakedmind with code nakedmind Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at Shopify.com/mind

Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions of cancer, illness, loss, and intense emotional pain (including shame and guilt) related to alcohol use. Please listen with care. What if the reason you can't seem to stop drinking is because your brain is wired to keep returning to old patterns? Coach Pam talks with coaches Tabbin and Hayley about how understanding the way our brain processes alcohol can be a game changer. By learning how to rewire your brain to stop drinking, we can break free from the cycles that keep us trapped. They discuss the neuroscience behind alcohol cravings, how to address emotional triggers, and the tools that help create lasting change. This episode is packed with insights on how to reshape your mind for a healthier, alcohol-free life. In this episode, Coach Tabbin and Coach Pam discuss: Trying various methods to control alcohol for 20 years before finding success Her experience with AA and feeling like she hadn't hit "rock bottom" to belong The profound impact of a breast cancer diagnosis and her return to drinking during a moment of immense fear Discovering This Naked Mind and the shocking realization that alcohol causes breast cancer The "aha" moment of revulsion towards alcohol, leading to lasting alcohol freedom since May 2018 Her focus on fitness and health as key motivators for an alcohol-free life The importance of self-compassion in overcoming "stuckness" and inner criticism Recognizing how to rewire your brain to stop drinking changed her perception of alcohol from pleasurable to harmful …and more In this episode, Coach Hayley and Coach Pam discuss: Finding This Naked Mind through a search for non-judgmental alcohol support Her relief at discovering a science and compassion-based program that felt like "coming home" Overcoming deep shame and the fear of sharing her story The core belief that "you are not broken" when struggling with alcohol dependence Learning to reframe thoughts and shift perspective as a powerful coaching technique Her personal experience with her mother's illness and the guilt associated with past drinking Understanding the concept of doing "the best you could with the tools you had" Embracing feelings and allowing emotions to move through her as a vital coping mechanism The realization that life is still "lifey" even without alcohol, but now with better tools Why you shouldn't wait for a "rock bottom" or "ideal timing" to seek change …and more Coach Tabbin is a Senior Coach with This Naked Mind, certified in ALP (Affective Liminal Psychology) and Grey Area Drinking. After years of battling alcohol, including a period of over seven years of not drinking interrupted by major life events, she found lasting freedom through This Naked Mind in 2018. Now a full-time coach, she helps senior professionals, especially those aged 45+, rewire their brains to live alcohol-free. With a background in advertising, Tabbin understands the pressures of high-powered careers and brings compassion and expertise to those navigating similar struggles. She is also a speaker, the host of The Alcohol Debate podcast, and the author of the Amazon best-seller Bottling Up Trouble. Learn more about Coach Tabbin: https://thisnakedmind.com/coach/tabbin-almond-alpc/ Coach Hayley is a certified TNM Coach with training from the Canadian Addiction and Mental Health Association. Drawing from personal experiences, Hayley understands how tough change can be and provides a safe, compassionate, and judgment-free space where her clients can feel supported. She believes that with the right mindset, anyone can change their life at any time. Learn more about Coach Hayley: https://thisnakedmind.com/coach/hayley-scherders/ Episode links: nakedmindpath.com

Join Ellie and Scott as they dive into the art of talking about your alcohol-free or sober journey - whether it's dating, friendship, or handling tough questions from family.

Today we have Lori. She is 58 years old from Vancouver, Canada. She took her last drink on February 21st, 2024.   This episode brought to you by: Better Help – 10% off of your first month #sponsored Café RE – the social app for sober people   [03:11] Thoughts from Paul:   Paul shares that his second book, Dolce Vita, is currently in the editing process and should be out by November this year. This was also the name of the bar he owned Spain when he was in his 20's. The name is Italian for “the good life” which Paul once thought he could find at the bottom of a bottle. He began to notice that his Dolce Vita had an expiration date that would get shorter and shorter over time.   The thing Paul thought was delivering the dolce vita was slowly and methodically destroying any chance of having one. It wasn't until he finally ditched the booze that the good life actually showed up. He learned that the sweetness wasn't in escaping life, it was finally showing up for it.   The good life is right here in front of us all, right here in this moment, as long as we stay away from a drink today.   [09:19] Paul introduces Lori:   Lori is 58 years old and lives in the suburbs of Vancouver, Canada. She has been married for 37 years, and they have two grown children and one grandchild. Lori has been a realtor for 35 years and for fun she enjoys golf and physical fitness.    Lori shares that she had a great childhood, but her mother was an alcoholic, and it affected her negatively throughout the years. In high school, Lori aspired to be an actress and craved attention. Having an already outgoing personality, it just got bigger when she was drinking and garnered more attention.   Lori had a lot of resentments towards her mother over the years and admits she treated her poorly. They did not make amends before her mother passed, and Lori says that is when her drinking started ramping up. On the outside, everything was going well with her career and her kids, but the weekends revolved around drinking.   Some mornings Lori would wake up depressed, regretful of her actions the night before and be plagued with the “not again” feelings. Lori and her husband would discuss cutting back on drinking and she acknowledges that he only drank as much as he did because of her.   In 2022 Lori was able to quit drinking for 77 days with the help of This Naked Mind and participated in two 30-day alcohol experiments. Then something negative happened and Lori found herself reaching for a glass of wine. Before long she was drinking at any time of day, hiding alcohol in her sock drawer and sneaking shots of moonshine.   After a weekend trip with some friends where Lori could not get the happy buzz that she was looking for from the alcohol, she knew that something had to change. She joined the RE Ukelele course and decided to stick around. With the help and encouragement of some fellow members, she started to believe that maybe she could be alcohol-free.   Lori began going to a lot of chats with Café RE, first with the camera off just taking notes. She began to participate by asking questions and listening. The community has helped Lori find her mantra to hit the pillow sober every night. The first 30 days felt like the calendar was moving backwards, but she kept going.   Lori still stays social with her friends but has recently been feeling like she is at a crossroads. Some events that used to be fun no longer are and she is feeling a shift. The RE community means a lot to her and she is currently seeking more sober connections local to her.   Some of the bright lights in sobriety for Lori are the ability to be heard, being reliable, and she now feels better physically as well as mentally.   Lori's parting piece of guidance: please decide your “whys” If the cons outweigh the pros, you need to take alcohol out of your life.   Recovery Elevator You took the elevator down, you gotta take the stairs back up. We can do this. I love you guys.     RE on Instagram Recovery Elevator YouTube Sobriety Tracker iTunes     

In this midyear news roundup episode of Recovery in the Middle Ages, Mike and Nat discuss the most significant addiction and recovery stories of 2025. From the federal crackdown on kratom's potent opioid-like compound to San Francisco's hard pivot away from harm reduction, we're breaking down what these changes mean for people in and around recovery. We'll also explore why New York's overdose death rate just dropped like a rock, how Scotland's first legal injection site is making waves, and why India's rehab clinics are overflowing.  It's our first episode since February so buckle up. We've got some personal updates and reflections on the last five months that will be of interest to one and all. *This podcast does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment.* Please remember to SUBSCRIBE to the podcast on your favorite platform to get the latest episode delivered right to your devices as soon as it's released. LINKS: We are a listener-supported podcast. If you like what we're doing here at RMA and want to support the show, JOIN THE RECOVERY IN THE MIDDLE AGES PATREON  Our sole mission is to help other people achieve sobriety and become their best, most authentic selves. As little as $3 a month makes a big difference and helps us keep the lights on.  https://www.patreon.com/RecoveryintheMiddleAges As always, we thank you for your support.  RMA ON YOUTUBE FOLLOW US ON TWITTER  Facebook Page We also have a Facebook Group! Request to join the group. It's a private space for continuing the discussion of what Nat and Mike talk about on the podcast. Hope to see you there. PLEASE leave us a 5 star review on I-Tunes if you're enjoying the show and SUBSCRIBE to get the latest episodes.  Email: MikeR@middleagesrecovery.com Natx@middleagesrecovery.com We all have a story. Tell us yours and we'll share it on the show! E-Mail your story to miker@middleagesrecovery.com If you're in trouble with substance abuse and need help, reach out. There are thousands of people who have put problems with addiction in their rear-view mirrors and you can be one of them. While we neither endorse nor condemn any particular program, the sheer number of available AA and NA meetings suggest that reaching out to those organizations would be a good first step, (but maybe not the last step), on your road to recovery.   https://www.aa.org/ https://www.na.org/meetingsearch/ Marijuana Anonymous (just in case): This Naked Mind  

Today we have Rachel. She is 48 years old and lives in Minneapolis, MN. She took her last drink on August 28th, 2018.   This episode brought to you by: Better Help – 10% off of your first month #sponsored Sober Link – learn more and save $50 off of a device     Come join us in beautiful Bozeman, Montana this August 6th – 10th for our annual flagship retreat. We have a few camping spots as well as a few spots left in the men's cabin.   [02:50] Thoughts from Paul:   Healing can look a bit like a paradox and Paul shares several examples showing this. Tying this same idea into ditching the booze we can say that quitting drinking can make you feel more anxious at first, when it's actually making you calmer in the long run. Quitting drinking can make you feel more emotional and raw when it's actually making you more resilient. Sobriety can make you feel bored at first, but it's actually clearing space for hobbies and adventures that you'll deeply enjoy.   Healing can hurt at first, but look out, brighter days are just on the horizon. Can you do this? Absolutely. Will there be stumbles, bad days? Without a doubt.   You can do this, you are doing this and you're further along on your AF journey than you think. Keep moving forward.   [06:30] Paul introduces Rachel:   Rachel is 48 and lives just outside of Minneapolis, MN. She is married and they have three cats. She is a director in financial services and for fun she enjoys reading, writing and attending meet ups with other sober people.   Alcohol was always present when Rachel was growing up. She was an achiever in school and had already completed some college before graduating high school. Drinking was not a focus for her through her school years, and she didn't start drinking until later in her life.   Around 2008 during the national financial crisis, Rachel says her drinking changed. Being a bond trader during this time was tough due to the uncertainty of the future. Rachel found herself having a drink after work and it became part of habit loop for her: go to work, come home, have a drink.  Over the next 7 to 10 years, that one drink turned into multiple bottles.   Rachel was desperate to figure out how to solve this issue without drinking and tried moderation with no luck. She began reading books like This Naked Mind and listening to podcasts like RE. She felt the stories on the podcast were relatable because they were normal people and not the stereotypical bum under a bridge with the brown paper bag.   After hearing suggestions of trying to quit for 30 days, Rachel decided to try it and has been sober ever since. She says the first three days were hard but within seven days she was sleeping better than she ever had. Rachel began substituting wine with sparkling water and while it was tough at first, it became her new habit. She also joined Café RE and found community there and in AA.   Rachel recently self-published a book called Functional: A High Performer's Guide to Achieving Freedom from Alcohol. She says she wrote a book that she wishes were available to her when she got sober. Many of the books out there have glaring rock bottom moments which Rachel said she didn't have. She believes that it may sometimes be harder for people without a rock bottom to quit because it isn't as obvious that they need to.   Rachel's best advice to somebody that is functional is to just try to quit for 30 days and use it as a time of self-discovery.   Recovery Elevator It all starts from the inside out. I love you guys. We can do this.   Café RE – the social app for sober people RE on Instagram Recovery Elevator YouTube Sobriety Tracker iTunes       

TW: This episode discusses sensitive topics related to alcohol use, addiction, and mental health. Are you searching for how to stop drinking without calling yourself an alcoholic? That's the question Coaches Bill, Lisa, and Pam answer in this episode, as they courageously share their journeys of finding freedom from alcohol. Coach Bill explains how This Naked Mind helped him quit drinking without adopting the label of "addict," while Coach Lisa reflects on how The Path offered her a safe, supportive space to learn about herself and stop judging her relationship with alcohol. Tune in as they explore how self-compassion, curiosity, and community can help you create the life you deserve. In this episode, Coach Bill + Coach Pam discuss: Choosing This Naked Mind because it showed him how to stop drinking without calling yourself an alcoholic Seeking a program that uplifted him and showed him his inherent power. The profound shift from despair to helping others find freedom. Practicing grace, compassion, and kindness towards himself in the process. Overcoming fear with curiosity to examine what was "underneath the drinking." The beauty of connecting with others in the This Naked Mind community. The realization that The Path shows you the way to feel your inherent awesomeness. Moving from a mindset of perfection to one of continuous progress. …and more In this episode, Coach Lisa + Coach Pam discuss: Feeling truly "seen" for the first time by This Naked Mind content. Finding security and safety within The Path program, realizing she wasn't alone. Learning to stop judging herself and building self-trust. How alcohol forced a conversation that led to designing a life she's excited to wake up to. The understanding that her "anxiety" was her inner wisdom desperate to be heard. The profound feeling of hope and possibility on her first alcohol-free Christmas morning. The truth that there's "no VIP line to freedom" – every step matters and consistency builds self-trust. …and more Coach Bill is a certified Naked Mind Senior Coach who turned his personal struggle into his life's mission. Starting his relationship with alcohol at 16 to cope with trauma and lack of community support, Bill spent 40 years trapped in cycles of negativity and dependency before finding freedom through This Naked Mind on December 27, 2021. He believes there's a better way than traditional recovery methods and specializes in helping LGBTQAI+ individuals explore their unique path to alcohol freedom through honest self-exploration in a completely safe, judgment-free environment. Learn more about Coach Bill: https://thisnakedmind.com/coach/bill-masters/ Coach Lisa is a Certified Senior This Naked Mind Coach and Designing Your Life Coach. After breaking free from daily drinking in 2018, she now helps high-achieving women overcome anxiety and disconnection through intentional, alcohol-free living. Lisa's coaching blends science-backed mindset work with practical life design strategies, guiding women to create lasting change and authentic joy. With over two decades of leadership in international sport, she brings a grounded, compassionate presence to clients navigating burnout, reinvention, and self-discovery. Learn more about Coach Lisa: https://thisnakedmind.com/coach/lisa-kwiatkowski/ BetterHelp: Get 10% off your first month at ⁠⁠http://BetterHelp.com/NAKEDMIND|BetterHelp.com/NAKEDMIND⁠⁠ Quince: For your next trip, treat yourself to the luxe upgrades you deserve from Quince. Go to ⁠⁠http://Quince.com/naked|Quince.com/naked⁠⁠ for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns Hungryroot: Get 40% off your first box + a free item for life at ⁠⁠http://Hungryroot.com/mind|Hungryroot.com/mind⁠⁠ with code mind Shopify: Start your $1/month trial at ⁠⁠http://Shopify.com/mind|Shopify.com/mind⁠

What happens when your biggest insecurities surface every time you enter a social situation? Rachel relies on drinking to overcome anxiety at networking events, transforming into her "bubbly self." Chris battles a cycle of progress and setbacks, especially when family visits trigger old patterns. Coach Bill helps them learn how to set healthy boundaries with alcohol while building authentic confidence that doesn't depend on liquid courage. In Rachel's session: Addressing imposter syndrome and social anxiety at networking events Reframing feelings of inferiority into curiosity about potential mentors Recognizing "not belonging" thoughts as internal stories, not reality Planning alcohol-free alternatives like dinners with comfortable colleagues Maintaining social connections while learning how to set healthy boundaries with alcohol Practicing presence without staying too long at after-work events And more topics… In Chris' session: Breaking cycles of progress and setbacks in alcohol-free journeys Navigating family disappointment and social pressure around drinking Identifying relationships overly dependent on alcohol consumption Preparing non-alcoholic drink alternatives for social situations Challenging beliefs about needing alcohol to be interesting Developing exit strategies for overwhelming social gatherings And more… Coach Bill is a certified Naked Mind Senior Coach who turned his personal struggle into his life's mission. Starting his relationship with alcohol at 16 to cope with trauma and lack of community support, Bill spent 40 years trapped in cycles of negativity and dependency before finding freedom through This Naked Mind on December 27, 2021. He believes there's a better way than traditional recovery methods and specializes in helping LGBTQAI+ individuals explore their unique path to alcohol freedom through honest self-exploration in a completely safe, judgment-free environment. Learn more about Coach Bill: https://thisnakedmind.com/coach/bill-masters/ Related Episodes: EP 622: Reader's Question – Effective Strategies for Setting Boundaries with Family |https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-620-readers-question-effective-strategies-for-setting-boundaries-with-family/ EP 439: Naked Life Story – Nat X  | https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-439-naked-life-story-nat-x/ EP 670: Reader's Question – How do you stay motivated to be alcohol-free? | https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-670-readers-question-how-do-you-stay-motivated-to-be-alcohol-free/ Ready to take the next step on your journey?  Visit https://learn.thisnakedmind.com/podcast-resources for free resources, programs, and more. Until next week, stay curious!

What if you could enjoy socializing without alcohol and actually feel more connected? Regina's story is a powerful reminder that alcohol doesn't have to be part of the equation. From her early days of using alcohol to fit in, to the realization that alcohol was no longer serving her, Regina shares how her relationship with alcohol shifted. Through challenges and growth, she learned how to enjoy socializing without alcohol and found deeper, more authentic connections. Join Regina and Coach Cole as they dive into her journey and explore how breaking free from alcohol can unlock real social joy. In this episode, Cole and Regina discuss: Growing up with family mental health and addiction challenges First drinking experience at 12 and using alcohol for emotional release How to enjoy socializing without alcohol when it's been your connection tool Understanding the difference between social drinking and problem drinking Family patterns of addiction and mental health struggles Using alcohol as a coping mechanism for anxiety and trauma Postpartum psychosis and the wake-up call to change The power of "This Naked Mind" and cognitive dissonance concepts Finding empowerment through alcohol-free experiences Learning how to enjoy socializing without alcohol at concerts and events Practical strategies for maintaining alcohol freedom and other topics…

Why do I need wine every night now when I used to be able to control my drinking? Ronna faced this exact question during the pandemic when her occasional wine with dinner transformed into a nightly necessity for coping with grief and stress. As a musician and pastor's wife, she grew up in a family where alcohol was normalized, but a series of devastating losses—including her sister-in-law's suicide and her mother's death just ten days apart—pushed her daily drinking from social habit to survival tool. After discovering This Naked Mind and learning the science behind alcohol addiction, Ronna realized she wasn't weak or destined to repeat family patterns—she was simply human, responding to an addictive substance during unimaginable pain. In this episode, Ronna joins Coach Cole to share her 448-day journey from shame and hiding to freedom and self-compassion. Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussion of suicide and family loss. Coach Cole and Ronna discuss: Growing up in a family where alcohol was normalized and expected Starting drinking as a teenager and touring musician lifestyle The slow progression from wine with dinner to daily necessity How pandemic stress amplified existing drinking patterns Dealing with devastating family losses including suicide and death Using alcohol as a tool to cope with grief and stop overthinking The shame of hiding drinking while in a visible church position Discovering This Naked Mind and learning addiction science Realizing "why do I need wine every night now" had scientific answers Finding freedom in "I drink as much as I want, I just don't want to" Choosing self-compassion over shame about past drinking And other topics…

What would you do if your child told you that you loved alcohol more than them?  For Kate, this devastating moment was just one of many wake-up calls in her journey with alcohol. Growing up in a home where emotions weren't openly expressed, Kate developed patterns of using alcohol to navigate social situations and ultimately to escape feeling uncomfortable emotions. As her tolerance increased, her drinking became more secretive, hidden from her family in elaborate ways that mirrored behaviors she had observed in her own mother. Her story is a vulnerable, honest look at how alcohol keeps you from feeling emotions—grief, guilt, shame, and even love—and what it took to stop hiding and start healing.  In this eye-opening conversation, Kate shares with Annie how finding This Naked Mind helped her understand the science behind her drinking, empowering her to not just change her behavior but transform her entire relationship with alcohol and emotions. In this episode, Annie and Kate discuss: Kate's childhood experiences with alcohol and her mother's secret drinking The progression from social drinking to daily consumption and hiding Creative methods for obtaining alcohol during COVID restrictions The growing disconnect with her daughter due to prioritizing drinking How alcohol keeps you from feeling emotions while hijacking brain chemistry The final day of drinking and the 3 AM moment of decision to change Discovering This Naked Mind and the failed attempt at moderation The transformative experience of The Path program and health improvements Rebuilding trust with family and becoming a certified coach to help others And other topics… Episode links: Connect with Kate - https://freedomaffect.com/ Start reading This Naked Mind - https://thisnakedmind.com/bookJoin The Path - https://go.tnmprograms.com/the-path-from-this-naked-mind Related Episodes: EP 616: Reader's Question – Getting Past Emotional Drinking Triggers – https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-616-readers-question-getting-past-emotional-drinking-triggers/ EP 632: Reader's Question – How To Stop Running Away from Life and Emotions – https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-630-readers-question-how-to-stop-running-away-from-life-and-emotions/ Dare to Feel: Agnes's Naked Life | E771 - https://thisnakedmind.com/dare-to-feel-agness-naked-life-e771/ Ready to take the next step on your journey?  Visit https://learn.thisnakedmind.com/podcast-resources for free resources, programs, and more. Until next week, stay curious!

Why do we keep drinking even when we know it's hurting us? For Sammie, the answer lay beneath the surface—in the pain she hadn't faced. Her story shows how unresolved trauma leads to drinking and how ignoring what hurts often feels safer than healing. Until it doesn't. In this episode, she opens up about what it took to stop numbing and start living fully. In this raw and real conversation, Annie and Sammie unpack how unresolved trauma leads to drinking and what it means to finally feel your feelings without fear. From parenting through grief to starting over at 49, Sammie's story is a powerful reminder that it's never too late to break old cycles. In this episode, Annie and Sammie discuss: Early alcohol exposure and teen drinking Losing both parents in 19 days Why drinking became her emotional escape What grief looked like in real life What made her stop for good The power of The PATH and the community Experiencing her first alcohol-free festivals Using nursing experience to help others detox safely Finding meaning in coaching and service How unresolved trauma shows up in everyday choices Why it's never too late to change And other topics… Episode links: Sammie's Sober Heroes - https://www.sammiessoberheroes.com/Start reading This Naked Mind - https://thisnakedmind.com/bookJoin The Path - https://go.tnmprograms.com/the-path-from-this-naked-mind

What if the glass of wine you reach for every evening is actually treating something deeper than just stress? Amy takes us through her journey from teenage experimentation to mommy wine culture, revealing how alcohol became her trusted companion through life's challenges. As a high-functioning professional juggling parenting, caregiving responsibilities, and undiagnosed issues, she found herself using alcohol to treat adult ADHD without even realizing it. It wasn't until her son developed addiction issues that Amy began questioning her own relationship with alcohol. Through family therapy, reading This Naked Mind, and completing The Alcohol Experiment, Amy discovered how alcohol was masking her authentic needs while creating more anxiety and depression. Now alcohol-free for four years, she shares how breaking this cycle led to profound personal growth and genuine joy. In this episode, Annie and Amy discuss: Growing up in a conservative "Leave It to Beaver" household Teenage experimentation with alcohol as rebellion Transitioning from weekend binge drinking to daily wine culture How mommy wine culture normalized problematic drinking Using alcohol to treat adult ADHD without realizing it The connection between disordered eating and alcohol consumption Parenting adopted children with unique challenges How family therapy led to self-discovery Breaking free from alcohol at age 51 Finding authentic joy and peace in midlife And other topics… Episode links: Start reading This Naked Mind - https://thisnakedmind.com/book Join The Alcohol Experiment - www.alcoholexperiment.com Related Episodes: EP 719: Naked Life Story – Katie W. - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-719-naked-life-story-katie-w/ EP 110: Reader Question – I stopped drinking alcohol but now I binge on Netflix and ice cream. What's the deal? - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-110-reader-question-stopped-drinking-alcohol-now-binge-netflix-ice-cream-whats-deal/ EP 678: Reader's Question – How to Stop Restricting Food while Drinking? - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-678-readers-question-how-to-stop-restricting-food-while-drinking/ Ready to take the next step on your journey?  Visit https://learn.thisnakedmind.com/podcast-resources for free resources, programs, and more. Until next week, stay curious!

What if the anxiety you've lived with for years could disappear by changing just one habit? Lauren never questioned the drinking culture she grew up with in the UK, where pubs were central to every social occasion. When the pandemic hit shortly after her move to Canada, she began noticing how alcohol had shifted from enjoyment to an unsatisfying habit. Through research and repeatedly listening to This Naked Mind, Lauren began building an alcohol-free lifestyle that lasts, taking extended breaks from drinking that revealed surprising benefits—including the complete disappearance of her anxiety. In this episode, she shares her journey of ups and downs, the importance of self-compassion after slip-ups, and how she's found more genuine joy and connection without alcohol at the center of her life. In this episode, Annie and Lauren discuss: From British pub culture to questioning alcohol's role How the pandemic revealed problematic drinking patterns The process of building an alcohol-free lifestyle that lasts Why tracking "failures" can be counterproductive The complete disappearance of anxiety after reducing alcohol Discovering genuine joy without drinking The surprising impact on hormone health and overall wellness Finding alternatives to "chasing the high" after activities Recognizing the link between alcohol and emotional stability Creating new traditions beyond drinking culture And other topics… Episode links: Related Episodes: EP 445: Finding Joy with Catherine Gray - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-445-finding-joy-with-catherine-gray/ EP 448: What I Wish I Knew Before My First Drink – The Thief of Joy - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-448-what-i-wish-i-knew-before-my-first-drink-the-thief-of-joy/ EP 20: Reader Question – What do You do about Missing the “High” from Drinking? - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-20-reader-question-what-do-you-do-about-missing-the-high-from-drinking/ Ready to take the next step on your journey?  Visit https://learn.thisnakedmind.com/podcast-resources for free resources, programs, and more. Until next week, stay curious!