The Sober Mom Life (suzanne)

Mom and I just got back from the latest Sober Mom Life retreat in Scottsdale, Arizona, and it was absolutely fantastic! This retreat was such a breath of fresh air and really solidified my feelings that we’re building an amazing community of caring, non-judgmental sober women.  You’ll hear all about the event, from the meals to the sessions to the bonding and everything in between. Plus, you’ll get the inside scoop on how to sign up for the next Sober Mom Life retreat if you'd like to join us in the fall!  Thank you to the wonderful companies that supported the retreat with their delightful gifts:  In My Sundays pajamas: https://www.inmysundays.com/ Adorn 512 Jewelry: https://www.adorn512.com/ Take the personality test Susan mentioned: https://viacharacter.org/ Are you looking for community in sobriety? Join us in the The Sober Mom Life Cafe!  For $40/month, you’ll get access to 12 weekly peer support meetings, the exclusive Cafe social feed, our monthly book club and happy hour, the chance to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, and even a monthly Bravo chat! For a limited time, get one week free!  We also have The Sober Mom Life Community for just $5.95/month - In the Community, you’ll receive access to the exclusive Community social feed, the exclusive community chat, our monthly book club, and one free weekly meeting.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Whispers of an ‘alcoholic’ father felt constant in Elizabeth’s home as a child, leading her to associate alcohol with secrecy and shame. With this stigma in mind, she successfully kept alcohol at the fringes of her life for many years. It wasn’t until she moved after college that alcohol started to find its way in - as a crutch to lean on to make new friends in a new place.  As the years passed and alcohol slipped more deeply into Elizabeth’s day-to-day life, the word ‘alcoholic’ lurked continually in the back of her mind, but she didn’t know if the term truly applied to her. Then, a joke her children made, calling her an alcoholic, made her stop in her tracks. Was she? This led Elizabeth to try her hand at moderation, but like so many of us it did not work at all. Thinking she needed something more, Elizabeth took a break from drinking. In that break she experienced something majorly eye opening - the pure joy she could feel during a night of sober partying. She didn’t need alcohol to have fun! It was then that the puzzle pieces started to come together. Finally, This Naked Mind and Quit Like a Woman clued her into the ways in which alcohol was harming her, and during her preparation for a vacation where alcohol would be center stage she realized… she didn’t want to drink anymore. In that moment she became spontaneously sober!  Elizabeth is now four months sober and she wants you to know: Yes, sometimes it is hard, but you will never regret a night when you don’t drink.  Are you searching for a community to support you in your sobriety? Try our NEW and IMPROVED Cafe FREE for a week!  We have more meetings, more hosts and even more connection. Join here for $40/month and get a week free! In addition to daily peer support meetings, you’ll get access to the exclusive Cafe social feed, our monthly book club, the chance to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, merch discounts and so much more. We also have The Sober Mom Life Community for just $5.95/month - In the Community, you’ll receive access to the exclusive Community social feed (like Facebook, but better!), the exclusive community chat, our monthly book club, and one free weekly meeting.  My mocktail recipe book, ‘No Ethanol Needed’ is finally here! Grab your copy here: https://mykindofsweet.com/2024/01/the-no-ethanol-needed-mocktail-ebook-is-here/ Click here to follow The Sober Mom Life on Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If anyone can make sobriety look glamorous, it’s Morgan Matkovic. Morgan is a lifestyle blogger, special needs advocate, mother, and author. On top of all that, she is almost three months sober! Morgan and I have been blogging buddies for nine years, and I am so happy that our paths have crossed in this wonderful way!  Today Morgan talks about the role alcohol played on her social feed when she was drinking, why she felt so ready to try Dry January this year, how her daughter’s ASD diagnosis made her realize that alcohol was not making motherhood easier, and so much more!  Morgan’s lifestyle blog is so beautiful and aspirational. Check her out on Instagram at @morganmatkovic or at www.morganmatkovic.com.  Would you like to join us for the next Sober Mom Life retreat on Oct 10-13 in Asheville, NC? Step one is to join The Sober Mom Life Cafe! For just $25/month, you get access to 8 weekly peer support meetings, the exclusive Cafe social feed (like Facebook, but better!), our monthly book club, the monthly Q+A, the ability to join the retreat, and the chance to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, and merch discounts!  We also have The Sober Mom Life Community for just $5.95/month - In the Community, you’ll receive access to the exclusive Community social feed (like Facebook, but better!), the exclusive community chat, our monthly book club, and one free weekly meeting.  My mocktail recipe book, ‘No Ethanol Needed’ is finally here! Grab your copy here:  https://mykindofsweet.com/2024/01/the-no-ethanol-needed-mocktail-ebook-is-here/ Click here to follow The Sober Mom Life on Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kelly is a mid-40’s mom of three, on again/off again stay at home mom who is working on figuring how to navigate a new ADHD diagnosis and sobriety. She began her drinking career in high school like many of us. It wasn’t her favorite, due to the lack of control she felt when drunk. Between joining the military at 20 and then being a mom not wanting to find a new pot dealer in her 30’s, she shifted to alcohol. First it was for fun partying, then it became a helpful way to shut down her brain to sleep, and finally a way to wash away the overwhelm of parenthood. A few decades later, she recognized it had become problematic and had no idea how to manage life without it. While she is less then thrilled about all the work a sober life entails, she absolutely knows that it is worth it. She just reserves the right to grumble about it.  Alcohol Explained by William Porter and Quit Like a Woman by Holly Whitaker were instrumental in opening Kelly’s eyes to realize the truth: She wasn’t the problem. Alcohol was the problem.  After a few stops and starts, in March of 2023 she quit for good! She has found the community she craved in The Sober Mom Life Cafe and she leans on podcasts and self care in order to stay sober. It has felt like a hard road, and she is so proud of herself for what she has accomplished!  Join us in the The Sober Mom Life Cafe! For just $25/month, you get access to 8 weekly peer support meetings, the exclusive Cafe social feed (like Facebook, but better!), our monthly book club, the monthly Q+A, the ability to join the retreat, and the chance to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, and merch discounts!  We also have The Sober Mom Life Community for just $5.95/month - In the Community, you’ll receive access to the exclusive Community social feed (like Facebook, but better!), the exclusive community chat, our monthly book club, and one free weekly meeting.  My mocktail recipe book, ‘No Ethanol Needed’ is finally here! Grab your copy here: https://mykindofsweet.com/2024/01/the-no-ethanol-needed-mocktail-ebook-is-here/ Click here to follow The Sober Mom Life on Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, Audrey and I are tackling a big topic: Why we believe pregnancy is different and doesn't completely count as a sober experience. We know that might sound harsh, but stick with us! Because our goal in today’s episode is to empower you to see all that sobriety has to offer you that you didn’t experience during pregnancy. We lay out how sobriety differs from pregnancy, the ways in which pregnancy makes it easy to abstain, how society pressures us to pick a drink back up immediately after giving birth, and so much more.  If you’re a mom who quit during pregnancy and is wondering if alcohol might be making motherhood harder - this episode is for you.  Join us in the The Sober Mom Life Cafe! For just $25/month, you get access to 8 weekly peer support meetings, the exclusive Cafe social feed (like Facebook, but better!), our monthly book club, the monthly Q+A, the ability to join the retreat, and the chance to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, and merch discounts!  We also have The Sober Mom Life Community for just $5.95/month - In the Community, you’ll receive access to the exclusive Community social feed (like Facebook, but better!), the exclusive community chat, our monthly book club, and one free weekly meeting.  My mocktail recipe book, ‘No Ethanol Needed’ is finally here! Grab your copy here: https://mykindofsweet.com/2024/01/the-no-ethanol-needed-mocktail-ebook-is-here/ Click here to follow The Sober Mom Life on Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s an exciting day on the pod - The incredible Emily Ley is finally here, and she is telling her sobriety story publicly for the very first time!  In today’s episode, Emily will share about how she began to self medicate with alcohol to manage undiagnosed ADD, her silent sober curious journey, the doctor that completely invalidated her urge to quit drinking, how she feels like she discovered a ‘secret to life’ in sobriety, and so much more!  Emily wants you to know: you do not have to have a ‘Capital P’ Problem to quit drinking!  If you were as moved and inspired by Emily as I was, then you need to follow her on Instagram at @emilyley and check out her books and organizational products at www.emilyley.com Join us in the The Sober Mom Life Cafe! For just $25/month, you get access to 8 weekly peer support meetings, the exclusive Cafe social feed (like Facebook, but better!), our monthly book club, the monthly Q+A, the ability to join the retreat, and the chance to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, and merch discounts!  We also have The Sober Mom Life Community for just $5.95/month - In the Community, you’ll receive access to the exclusive Community social feed (like Facebook, but better!), the exclusive community chat, our monthly book club, and one free weekly meeting.  My mocktail recipe book, ‘No Ethanol Needed’ is finally here! Grab your copy here:  https://mykindofsweet.com/2024/01/the-no-ethanol-needed-mocktail-ebook-is-here/ Click here to follow The Sober Mom Life on Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is such a pinch me moment! The incredible Annie Grace is on the podcast. Annie’s first book, This Naked Mind, changed my life. And I’m not alone! So many women in the Sober Mom Life Cafe have had the same experience. In addition to being the bestselling author of multiple books, Annie Grace is the founder of This Naked Mind, where millions of people have found freedom from alcohol through her groundbreaking emotion-based change framework.  In today’s episode, we’ll talk about how a drinking heavy workplace culture brought alcohol into Annie’s life, the importance of removing shame from the conversation when speaking about alcohol, Annie’s thoughts on moderation, how sobriety affected her relationships, and even how to talk to your kids about alcohol. This Naked Mind is a must read. I recommend buying both the audiobook and book copies to get the most out of the experience!  Join us in the The Sober Mom Life Cafe! For just $25/month, you get access to 8 weekly peer support meetings, the exclusive Cafe social feed (like Facebook, but better!), our monthly book club, the monthly Q+A, the ability to join the retreat, and the chance to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, and merch discounts!  We also have The Sober Mom Life Community for just $5.95/month - In the Community, you’ll receive access to the exclusive Community social feed (like Facebook, but better!), the exclusive community chat, our monthly book club, and one free weekly meeting.  My mocktail recipe book, ‘No Ethanol Needed’ is finally here! Grab your copy here:  https://mykindofsweet.com/2024/01/the-no-ethanol-needed-mocktail-ebook-is-here/ Click here to follow The Sober Mom Life on Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Society has done such an effective job of teaching us to restrict our emotions that it can feel hard to believe that emotions are a completely natural human experience. So many of us learned to reach for a drink when we started to feel an uncomfortable emotion, and we lost touch with how to feel anything at all.  Learning how to feel your emotions is often one of the biggest parts of a sobriety journey. So today, I ask my therapist mom: How do you feel emotions in an effective way?  We’ll talk about how to recognize and process emotions, the dangers of emotional numbing, understanding shame, and even how to model effective emotional awareness for our children.  Join us in the The Sober Mom Life Cafe! For just $25/month, you get access to 8 weekly peer support meetings, the exclusive Cafe social feed (like Facebook, but better!), our monthly book club, the monthly Q+A, the ability to join the retreat, and the chance to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, and merch discounts!  We also have The Sober Mom Life Community for just $5.95/month - In the Community, you’ll receive access to the exclusive Community social feed (like Facebook, but better!), the exclusive community chat, our monthly book club, and one free weekly meeting.  My mocktail recipe book, ‘No Ethanol Needed’ is finally here! Grab your copy here:  https://mykindofsweet.com/2024/01/the-no-ethanol-needed-mocktail-ebook-is-here/ Click here to follow The Sober Mom Life on Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this flashback from May 2023, I’ll share my approach to sobriety, and how I found myself at the place I am now with alcohol.  When I began my sober journey, I only knew what I didn’t want: I didn’t want alcohol to take one more day away from me. Now I know what I do want: a full, expansive and beautiful sober life.  Your sober journey gets to look the way YOU want it to. It doesn’t have to follow anyone else’s guidelines.  If you’re looking for a community of wonderful sober moms to support you while you build your own sober life, join us inside The Sober Mom Life Cafe! For just $25/month, you get access to 8 weekly peer support meetings, the exclusive Cafe social feed (like Facebook, but better!), our monthly book club, the monthly Q+A, the ability to join the retreat, and the chance to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, and merch discounts!  We also have The Sober Mom Life Community for just $5.95/month - In the Community, you’ll receive access to the exclusive Community social feed (like Facebook, but better!), the exclusive community chat, our monthly book club, and one free weekly meeting.  My mocktail recipe book, ‘No Ethanol Needed’ is finally here! Grab your copy here:  https://mykindofsweet.com/2024/01/the-no-ethanol-needed-mocktail-ebook-is-here/ Click here to follow The Sober Mom Life on Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For women with a history of disordered eating, the first months of sobriety can often include an unwanted surge of challenging experiences around food. Registered Therapist and eating disorder specialist Liza Feilner joins Suzanne and Susan today to help us navigate this tricky issue. Liza has over two decades of experience supporting women with eating disorders, and she has also been sober since she was 23 years old! She’ll share why food challenges and disordered eating can arise in sobriety, the importance of giving yourself grace as you navigate major life changes, and how to seek help if you are struggling in this way.  Learn more about Liza’s practice: https://www.claritygroup.org/liza-feilner Are you looking for community in sobriety? Join us in the The Sober Mom Life Cafe!  For $40/month, you’ll get access to 12 weekly peer support meetings, the exclusive Cafe social feed, our monthly book club and happy hour, the chance to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, and even a monthly Bravo chat! For a limited time, get one week free!  The Sober Mom Life Community is also available, for just $5.95/month - In the Community, you’ll receive access to the exclusive Community social feed, the exclusive community chat, our monthly book club, and one free weekly meeting.  Check out The Sober Mom Life on Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today’s real sober mom, Ashlee, made a pledge to herself when she was young: she would never drink. Ashlee had experienced first hand the damage caused by a parent who drank, and she never wanted to be that mom. Yet, when she turned 21 and had her first drink, things got complicated. For her, it was ‘love at first sip’.  Today, Ashlee tells the story of how the ‘attention seeking party girl lifestyle’ upended her life almost immediately. She details the intense drinking culture she experienced in the military, and shares how alcohol seeped into every corner of her life until it affected her ability to show up for her husband, her work, and her children.  Ashlee experienced deep healing and recovery in AA, and she shares her opinions on the strengths and limitations of the program.  Ashlee wants you to know: You can quit even when it feels like the world around you is centered around alcohol. Those who love you can adapt!  Join us in the The Sober Mom Life Cafe! For just $25/month, you get access to 8 weekly peer support meetings, the exclusive Cafe social feed (like Facebook, but better!), our monthly book club, the monthly Q+A, the ability to join the retreat, and the chance to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, and merch discounts!  We also have The Sober Mom Life Community for just $5.95/month - In the Community, you’ll receive access to the exclusive Community social feed (like Facebook, but better!), the exclusive community chat, our monthly book club, and one free weekly meeting.  My mocktail recipe book, ‘No Ethanol Needed’ is finally here! Grab your copy here:  https://mykindofsweet.com/2024/01/the-no-ethanol-needed-mocktail-ebook-is-here/ Click here to follow The Sober Mom Life on Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Katie and I are back for the second installment of SobieTEA where we spill the tea about our favorite escape: Bravo TV! This week we’ll deep dive into The Valley, and Katie will explain why the pool party gave her ‘the ick’. Then, we’ll share our thoughts on Carl and Lindsay’s impending breakup on Summer House.  Plus, Lala’s insemination party, the power of Craig and Shep’s friendship, and Katie brings us a brand new segment: Gone in 60 Seconds!  Do you have feedback or topics you’d like to cover on the next SobieTEA? Send Katie a note at @soberlivingct on Instagram!  Join us in the The Sober Mom Life Cafe! For just $25/month, you get access to 8 weekly peer support meetings, the exclusive Cafe social feed (like Facebook, but better!), our monthly book club, the monthly Q+A, the ability to join the retreat, and the chance to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, and merch discounts!  We also have The Sober Mom Life Community for just $5.95/month - In the Community, you’ll receive access to the exclusive Community social feed (like Facebook, but better!), the exclusive community chat, our monthly book club, and one free weekly meeting.  My mocktail recipe book, ‘No Ethanol Needed’ is finally here! Grab your copy here:  https://mykindofsweet.com/2024/01/the-no-ethanol-needed-mocktail-ebook-is-here/ Click here to follow The Sober Mom Life on Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Like so many small town girls, Abby’s first drink was a wine cooler in the middle of a field. Though she hated the taste, she learned that alcohol could be a tool to rely on: for an escape from her painful home life, as a way to fit in, and to help her ignore the nagging feeling that she didn’t belong. Throughout college and young adulthood, she leaned on it, throwing herself into a heavy drinking social life until she realized… She didn’t like herself.  Even as Abby began to work on herself, alcohol remained in her life, and it stayed present as she fell in love, got married and had two kids. In the pandemic though, stuck at home with a baby and a toddler, her drinking began to spiral in a new way.  When Abby began to question her drinking, she reached for podcasts like this one, and she was so comforted by the women who sounded so much like her. Alcohol felt like a part of her identity, though, and she had no idea if she could give it up. However, the questions started to get louder. Could she get off this train before she hit rock bottom? Did she want her children to know her as a party girl?  She knew she had to try. Hand in hand with her sister, she decided to attempt 100 days of sobriety. After she successfully reached 100 days it became clear to her: she didn’t want to go back!  Abby recommends that you just start, even if you don’t feel ready. It can be messy and imperfect at the beginning, and that’s okay!  Join us in the The Sober Mom Life Cafe! For just $25/month, you get access to 8 weekly peer support meetings, the exclusive Cafe social feed (like Facebook, but better!), our monthly book club, the monthly Q+A, the ability to join the retreat, and the chance to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, and merch discounts!  We also have The Sober Mom Life Community for just $5.95/month - In the Community, you’ll receive access to the exclusive Community social feed (like Facebook, but better!), the exclusive community chat, our monthly book club, and one free weekly meeting.  My mocktail recipe book, ‘No Ethanol Needed’ is finally here! Grab your copy here: https://mykindofsweet.com/2024/01/the-no-ethanol-needed-mocktail-ebook-is-here/ Click here to follow The Sober Mom Life on Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today’s real sober mom, Sara, is back on the pod after first appearing in November of 2022! If you haven’t listened to her first episode, be sure to check it out here. Today, Sara catches us up on how she’s been doing now that she is almost 2 ½ years sober - with sobriety, her family, and her personal life.  We’ll talk about how dabbling in moderation back in the day has helped Sara stay sober now, her new perspective on free time now that she’s sober, the importance of letting our kids have the center stage on their memorable milestone moments, and all the ways in which Sara can now show up for her family that weren’t possible when she was drinking.  Are you searching for a community to support you in your sobriety? Try our NEW and IMPROVED Cafe FREE for a week!  We have more meetings, more hosts and even more connection. Join here for $40/month and get a week free! In addition to daily peer support meetings, you’ll get access to the exclusive Cafe social feed, our monthly book club, the chance to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, merch discounts and so much more. We also have The Sober Mom Life Community for just $5.95/month - In the Community, you’ll receive access to the exclusive Community social feed (like Facebook, but better!), the exclusive community chat, our monthly book club, and one free weekly meeting.  My mocktail recipe book, ‘No Ethanol Needed’ is finally here! Grab your copy here:  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As a younger child in her family, Kelsi always looked forward to having her first drink. Her older siblings made alcohol seem like the centerpiece of belonging, connection and fun. This perspective stayed with Kelsi throughout high school and college, and since she was still able to stay on top of life while rocking a hangover, she never saw it as a problem.  As Kelsi moved into adulthood, fitness goals and parenthood made her feel ready to slow down. Yet, alcohol stayed present in her life. Ready for a change, Kelsi began the moderation game. Though she could successfully moderate most of the time, every once in a while a slip would occur, and a sense of failure would erupt within her, chipping away at her self esteem. Two such slips resulted in actions that put her children in danger - and at that point Kelsi had a major wakeup call: She really didn’t like who she was when she was drinking. The only way for her to change was to stop drinking entirely.  Kelsi feels so much freedom in her sobriety, and she credits her sober community for helping her thrive!  Are you new to sobriety? Grab our 5 Tips to Help you Through your First 30 Days of Sobriety!  Are you searching for a community to support you in your sobriety? Try our NEW and IMPROVED Cafe FREE for a week!  We have more meetings, more hosts and even more connection. Join here for $40/month and get a week free! In addition to daily peer support meetings, you’ll get access to the exclusive Cafe social feed, our monthly book club, the chance to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, merch discounts and so much more. We also have The Sober Mom Life Community for just $5.95/month - In the Community, you’ll receive access to the exclusive Community social feed (like Facebook, but better!), the exclusive community chat, our monthly book club, and one free weekly meeting.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Katie and I are here for another installment of SobrieTEA, where we spill the tea about our favorite escape: Bravo TV! This week we’re talking about the season finale of Vanderpump Rules, Brittany’s frustration at Jax’s drinking, the problematic drinking culture on Summer House, and Carl and Lindsay’s fight.  Plus - PK and Dorit, Why budgets are being slashed in reality TV, and the bizarre behavior of the guests on Below Deck Down Under.  Do you have topics you’d like us to cover on the next SobrieTEA? Send Katie a note at @soberlivingct on Instagram!  Are you searching for a community to support you in your sobriety? Try our NEW and IMPROVED Cafe FREE for a week!  We have more meetings, more hosts and even more connection. Join here for $40/month and get a week free! In addition to daily peer support meetings, you’ll get access to the exclusive Cafe social feed, our monthly book club, the chance to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, merch discounts and so much more. We also have The Sober Mom Life Community for just $5.95/month - In the Community, you’ll receive access to the exclusive Community social feed (like Facebook, but better!), the exclusive community chat, our monthly book club, and one free weekly meeting.  My mocktail recipe book, ‘No Ethanol Needed’ is finally here! Grab your copy here: https://mykindofsweet.com/2024/01/the-no-ethanol-needed-mocktail-ebook-is-here/ Click here to follow The Sober Mom Life on Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Karen grew up in a home without alcohol, but that didn’t stop it from finding her in high school. Binge drinking quickly became a part of her life, and she chose not to go to college because she knew she would party it away. After making her way through beauty school, Karen became a mom, and drinking ended up slipping pretty easily into the backseat of her life. She was able to moderate her drinking for years.  Then, Karen’s children got older, and more space appeared in her days. She consistently began to fill that new free time with alcohol. Like so many moms, the pandemic pushed alcohol to the center stage of her life, and in a full resurgence of her drinking, Karen struggled to show up for her family and experienced her first blackout - at age 53. It seemed like something was wrong, and Karen committed to Dry January to see if alcohol was the problem. On Day 18 something incredible happened. She ‘woke up’. The lights were brighter, the colors were more vivid, and Karen started to wonder - what had she been missing while numbing out with alcohol? That experience led Karen to dive deep into quit lit, podcasts and meetings in the Sober Mom Life Cafe. All the while, though, she kept drinking. But over the months she found courage to ask herself a big question: What was she getting from alcohol? And, was it making her experience better in any way?  Karen committed to 90 days of sobriety to find out. By Day 40 it was clear to her - alcohol was making her life harder and was robbing her of experiences. She was not going back.  Are you searching for a community to support you in your sobriety? Try our NEW and IMPROVED Cafe FREE for a week!  We have more meetings, more hosts and even more connection. Join here for $40/month and get a week free! In addition to daily peer support meetings, you’ll get access to the exclusive Cafe social feed, our monthly book club, the chance to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, merch discounts and so much more. We also have The Sober Mom Life Community for just $5.95/month - In the Community, you’ll receive access to the exclusive Community social feed (like Facebook, but better!), the exclusive community chat, our monthly book club, and one free weekly meeting.  My mocktail recipe book, ‘No Ethanol Needed’ is finally here! Grab your copy here: https://mykindofsweet.com/2024/01/the-no-ethanol-needed-mocktail-ebook-is-here/ Click here to follow The Sober Mom Life on Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Madeline Campbell from Happiest Sober is on the pod today to share her unique sobriety journey. You guys, Madeline quit drinking in her 20s. Can you imagine?! One of the biggest reasons why Madeline began to question her drinking so early in life is because she had a great role model growing up: a sober mom.  Today, we talk about Madeline’s childhood experience with a sober mom, how her drinking progressed through her late teens and 20s, the ways in which her mom helped her navigate sobriety when she was ready to quit, the importance of speaking to your kids about alcohol, and embracing the discomfort that can arise in early sobriety.  Check out Madeline’s wonderful sobriety Instagram @happiestsober, and check out The Happiest Sober Podcast!  Are you searching for a community to support you in your sobriety? Try our NEW and IMPROVED Cafe FREE for a week!  We have more meetings, more hosts and even more connection. Join here for $40/month and get a week free! In addition to daily peer support meetings, you’ll get access to the exclusive Cafe social feed, our monthly book club, the chance to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, merch discounts and so much more. We also have The Sober Mom Life Community for just $5.95/month - In the Community, you’ll receive access to the exclusive Community social feed (like Facebook, but better!), the exclusive community chat, our monthly book club, and one free weekly meeting.  My mocktail recipe book, ‘No Ethanol Needed’ is finally here! Grab your copy here: https://mykindofsweet.com/2024/01/the-no-ethanol-needed-mocktail-ebook-is-here/ Click here to follow The Sober Mom Life on Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thank you to everyone who submitted questions through @thesobermomlife on Instagram!  Today, Audrey and I are delving into the most popular topics that you asked.   We’ll share our thoughts on non-alcoholic drinks, the challenges that arise in maintaining sobriety, how to handle it when your friends don’t handle your sobriety well, why we think that day drinking is hell, and much more! Would you like to submit a question for a future AMA? Leave a 5-star review on The Sober Mom Life Podcast on Apple Podcasts and leave your question in the review! Are you new to sobriety? Grab our 5 Tips to Help you Through your First 30 Days of Sobriety!  Are you searching for a community to support you in your sobriety? Try our NEW and IMPROVED Cafe FREE for a week!  We have more meetings, more hosts and even more connection. Join here for $40/month and get a week free! In addition to daily peer support meetings, you’ll get access to the exclusive Cafe social feed, our monthly book club, the chance to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, merch discounts and so much more. We also have The Sober Mom Life Community for just $5.95/month - In the Community, you’ll receive access to the exclusive Community social feed (like Facebook, but better!), the exclusive community chat, our monthly book club, and one free weekly meeting.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, Kristen Beckett of @mocktailsandmarathons joins me for a great conversation about the false promise of moderation, the challenges of navigating drinking and sobriety with a partner, and the beauty of the online sober community.  A fellow Wisconsite, Kristen grew up in a home where drinking was seen as a normal part of everyday life. After the traumatic birth of her daughter, however, she began to lean on alcohol for more than just a way to unwind. The progressive nature of the substance then took hold, and during Covid she began drinking in the mornings to stave off the hangover from the night before. What followed were multiple rock bottoms, a trip to the ER, many Day 1’s, and ultimately the moment when it just clicked… and she was done.  Kristen began @mocktailsandmarathons as a way to unpack her experiences during early sobriety, and she found so much healing and growth in the community she has built there!  Kristen wants to encourage you to stick with it! You will find your groove.  Are you new to sobriety? Read How to Navigate Your First Sober Summer with Ease!  My mocktail recipe e-book, ‘No Ethanol Needed’ here to help you through the summer! Grab your copy here.   Are you searching for a community to support you in your sobriety? Try our NEW and IMPROVED Cafe FREE for a week!  We have more meetings, more hosts and even more connection. Join here for $40/month and get a week free! In addition to daily peer support meetings, you’ll get access to the exclusive Cafe social feed, our monthly book club, the chance to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, merch discounts and so much more. We also have The Sober Mom Life Community for just $5.95/month - In the Community, you’ll receive access to the exclusive Community social feed (like Facebook, but better!), the exclusive community chat, our monthly book club, and one free weekly meeting.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Summer has arrived! The days are long, the weather is gorgeous, and the pool party invites are starting to arrive. If the idea of not drinking this summer is causing you anxiety, this episode is for you.  Today we’re going to prepare you for your first sober summer, so you can experience the magic that can be found in these long, beautiful, alcohol-free days. We’ll talk about making the decision to stay sober, reconnecting with your younger self who loved summer before alcohol, and how to manage the social challenges that might arise in a sober summer.  If you’re looking for more resources for your sober summer, check out my latest blog post: How to Navigate Your First Sober Summer with Ease!  My mocktail recipe e-book, ‘No Ethanol Needed’ is here to help you through the summer! Grab your $7 copy here.   How to Socialize Sober  Are you searching for a community to support you in your sobriety? Try our NEW and IMPROVED Cafe FREE for a week!  We have more meetings, more hosts and even more connection. Join here for $40/month and get a week free! In addition to daily peer support meetings, you’ll get access to the exclusive Cafe social feed, our monthly book club, the chance to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, merch discounts and so much more. We also have The Sober Mom Life Community for just $5.95/month - In the Community, you’ll receive access to the exclusive Community social feed (like Facebook, but better!), the exclusive community chat, our monthly book club, and one free weekly meeting.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Julia Dzafic is back on the show to share a story that is so relatable and important. If you are new to sobriety and summer is feeling like a challenge, then this is a must listen!  Julia’s first appearance on the podcast highlighted her first experience with sobriety, but as summer rolled around that year, she felt like she had a grip on alcohol. Maybe it was finally possible for her to drink in a controlled and moderated way. Moderation seemed to work for a month, but by three months Julia found herself right back where she’d started - unable to control her drinking. It was then that she realized, once and for all, that alcohol did not work for her body.  Today, Julia is 6 weeks sober, and this time it feels permanent. Julia vulnerably shares the lessons she learned from her moderation attempt, and how she is doing sobriety differently this time around. We talk about self compassion, social anxiety, relationships, and so much more.  Julia’s just released a beautiful cookbook, Garden Grown!  Follow Julia on Instagram @lemonstripes Are you searching for a community to support you in your sobriety? Try our NEW and IMPROVED Cafe FREE for a week!  We have more meetings, more hosts and even more connection. Join here for $40/month and get a week free! In addition to daily peer support meetings, you’ll get access to the exclusive Cafe social feed, our monthly book club, the chance to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, merch discounts and so much more. We also have The Sober Mom Life Community for just $5.95/month - In the Community, you’ll receive access to the exclusive Community social feed (like Facebook, but better!), the exclusive community chat, our monthly book club, and one free weekly meeting.  My mocktail recipe book, ‘No Ethanol Needed’ is finally here! Grab your copy here: https://mykindofsweet.com/2024/01/the-no-ethanol-needed-mocktail-ebook-is-here/ Click here to follow The Sober Mom Life on Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Audrey and I are back with another installment of Ask Me Anything!  Today we’re giving our thoughts on how to handle your new sobriety in so many circumstances - on vacation, during family visits, at sporting events, and more.  Plus, we’ll share some of our lowest drinking moments, our advice for talking to kids about alcohol, an update on upcoming Sober Mom Life retreats, and even some affordable fashion tips!  Would you like to submit a question for a future AMA? Leave a 5-star review on The Sober Mom Life Podcast on Apple Podcasts and leave your question in the review! Are you new to sobriety? Grab our 5 Tips to Help you Through your First 30 Days of Sobriety!  My mocktail recipe e-book, ‘No Ethanol Needed’ here to help you through the summer! Grab your copy here.   Are you searching for a community to support you in your sobriety? Try our NEW and IMPROVED Cafe FREE for a week!  We have more meetings, more hosts and even more connection. Join here for $40/month and get a week free! In addition to daily peer support meetings, you’ll get access to the exclusive Cafe social feed, our monthly book club, the chance to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, merch discounts and so much more. We also have The Sober Mom Life Community for just $5.95/month - In the Community, you’ll receive access to the exclusive Community social feed (like Facebook, but better!), the exclusive community chat, our monthly book club, and one free weekly meeting.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One of the biggest worries that often comes up in our groups is: How do I travel without drinking? Whether it be a trip to Europe or an all inclusive vacation, it can be hard to envision what travel can look like when you take the focus off of alcohol.  My mom, who’s almost 2 years sober, just got back from a trip to Paris! Today she’s here to share everything she experienced on her sober trip in hopes that you’ll feel inspired to experience a sober trip of your own.  She’ll share how her sobriety was treated by her travel companions, how she communicated her sobriety to others, the NA options that were available to her, and what it felt like to stick to her values and commitments as she traveled.  Are you searching for a community to support you in your sobriety? Try our NEW and IMPROVED Cafe FREE for a week!  We have more meetings, more hosts and even more connection. Join here for $40/month and get a week free! In addition to daily peer support meetings, you’ll get access to the exclusive Cafe social feed, our monthly book club, the chance to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, merch discounts and so much more. We also have The Sober Mom Life Community for just $5.95/month - In the Community, you’ll receive access to the exclusive Community social feed (like Facebook, but better!), the exclusive community chat, our monthly book club, and one free weekly meeting.  My mocktail recipe book, ‘No Ethanol Needed’ is finally here! Grab your copy here: https://mykindofsweet.com/2024/01/the-no-ethanol-needed-mocktail-ebook-is-here/ Click here to follow The Sober Mom Life on Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Best selling author Emily (Belden) Bond joins me today for an eye opening conversation about her breast cancer journey and how it has changed her relationship with alcohol.  Emily shares the unbelievable story of how she was diagnosed, how her treatment has unfolded over the past year, what she experienced when she shared her diagnosis publicly, and how cancer has forever altered her relationship with alcohol.  Emily urges all women to seek testing for breast cancer, no matter your age. Please share Emily’s diagnosis story with 8 other women to help raise awareness! 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lives.  Learn more about Emily and her writing on her website and her Instagram!  Are you searching for a community to support you in your sobriety? Try our NEW and IMPROVED Cafe FREE for a week!  We have more meetings, more hosts and even more connection. Join here for $40/month and get a week free! In addition to daily peer support meetings, you’ll get access to the exclusive Cafe social feed, our monthly book club, the chance to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, merch discounts and so much more. We also have The Sober Mom Life Community for just $5.95/month - In the Community, you’ll receive access to the exclusive Community social feed (like Facebook, but better!), the exclusive community chat, our monthly book club, and one free weekly meeting.  My mocktail recipe book, ‘No Ethanol Needed’ is finally here! Grab your copy here: https://mykindofsweet.com/2024/01/the-no-ethanol-needed-mocktail-ebook-is-here/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Katie and I are here for another installment of SobieTEA, where we spill the tea about our favorite escape: Bravo TV!  This week we’re talking about the Vanderpump Rules 3-part reunion, the latest developments on The Valley, Carl and Lindsay’s breakup from a sober perspective, and the status of the Real Housewives of New Jersey reunion.  Plus - The Traitors Season 3 cast announcement, celebrity spottings, the missing alcohol on Below Deck Mediterranean, and Katie’s Bravo-centric plans for her upcoming LA trip Do you have topics you’d like us to cover on the next SobieTEA? Send Katie a note at @soberlivingct on Instagram!  Are you searching for a community to support you in your sobriety? Try our NEW and IMPROVED Cafe FREE for a week!  We have more meetings, more hosts and even more connection. Join here for $40/month and get a week free! In addition to daily peer support meetings, you’ll get access to the exclusive Cafe social feed, our monthly book club, the chance to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, merch discounts and so much more. We also have The Sober Mom Life Community for just $5.95/month - In the Community, you’ll receive access to the exclusive Community social feed (like Facebook, but better!), the exclusive community chat, our monthly book club, and one free weekly meeting.  My mocktail recipe book, ‘No Ethanol Needed’ is finally here! Grab your copy here: https://mykindofsweet.com/2024/01/the-no-ethanol-needed-mocktail-ebook-is-here/ Click here to follow The Sober Mom Life on Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Growing up on the road following the Grateful Dead tour, Elan didn’t experience much in the way of boundaries. This loose childhood caused Elan to feel uncared for and unsafe. Alcohol wiped that feeling away, and she quickly began to rely on the substance. As Elan got further into childhood, her father remarried, and his new wife installed strict boundaries. Elan rebelled intensely, and landed in the first of many treatment centers at age 13.  It’s clear to Elan now that treatment could only work for her if the yearning for change came from within, and Elan simply wasn’t ready. So, she continued to drink throughout her teens and twenties, until her alcohol consumption resulted in a debilitating bout of pancreatitis. Though she was told to stop drinking alcohol, she was prescribed painkillers to deal with the pain, and she quickly became addicted to those instead. This led to a dangerous time in her life that resulted in her partner dying as a result of his own experience with painkillers.  It was at that moment that Elan experienced a wakeup call. Feeling her own grief, and seeing the grief that poured from his loved ones, Elan realized she never wanted to make someone feel like that. She was killing herself, and she needed to stop.  Elan chose sobriety at 28 and began a deep spiritual journey to learn who she was, how she felt, and how to process it all. She found that sobriety offered her access to the full range of human emotion - and that true joy was only available to her within a sober life. Sobriety has been a massive portal for her personal growth, and she feels like she’s only just beginning!  Elan can be found on Instagram @joyreignitionspecialist Are you searching for a community to support you in your sobriety? Try our NEW and IMPROVED Cafe FREE for a week!  We have more meetings, more hosts and even more connection. Join here for $40/month and get a week free! In addition to daily peer support meetings, you’ll get access to the exclusive Cafe social feed, our monthly book club, the chance to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, merch discounts and so much more. We also have The Sober Mom Life Community for just $5.95/month - In the Community, you’ll receive access to the exclusive Community social feed (like Facebook, but better!), the exclusive community chat, our monthly book club, and one free weekly meeting.  My mocktail recipe book, ‘No Ethanol Needed’ is finally here! Grab your copy here: https://mykindofsweet.com/2024/01/the-no-ethanol-needed-mocktail-ebook-is-here/ Click here to follow The Sober Mom Life on Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Katie and I are here for another installment of SobieTEA, where we spill the tea about our favorite escape: Bravo and reality TV. We’ve got a lot to talk about this week!  We’re diving deep into the role that alcohol plays in the lives of The Real Housewives of Orange County, from the false dichotomy of ‘alcoholism’ to how alcohol has exposed the cracks in the friendships between the women.  Plus: the new sober bar Carl is opening in Brooklyn (in partnership with multiple past guests of our show!), the upcoming Love Island reunion, and the bar fights Katie and Suzanne got in during their drinking days.  Are you searching for a community to support you in your sobriety? Try our NEW and IMPROVED Cafe FREE for a week!  We have more meetings, more hosts and even more connection. Join here for $40/month and get a week free! In addition to daily peer support meetings, you’ll get access to the exclusive Cafe social feed, our monthly book club, the chance to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, merch discounts and so much more. We also have The Sober Mom Life Community for just $5.95/month - In the Community, you’ll receive access to the exclusive Community social feed (like Facebook, but better!), the exclusive community chat, our monthly book club, and one free weekly meeting.  My mocktail recipe book, ‘No Ethanol Needed’ is finally here! Grab your copy here: https://mykindofsweet.com/2024/01/the-no-ethanol-needed-mocktail-ebook-is-here/ Click here to follow The Sober Mom Life on Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today my brother Jay is joining me for a conversation that he and I both know a lot about - grief and sobriety. Our society encourages us to be quiet about the complicated and overwhelming feelings of grief, but it needs to be talked about, so today we’re doing just that.  Jay lost his best friend one month ago in a tragic accident, and today he’s here to share with us how he has been processing his traumatic loss, and how sobriety has played into his experience. Jay wants you to know that there is no substance that will take away the pain of loss. Grief can only be managed with time.  If you’re struggling with grief and sobriety, check out my other episode on the topic here.  Are you searching for a community to support you in your sobriety? Try our NEW and IMPROVED Cafe FREE for a week!  We have more meetings, more hosts and even more connection. Join here for $40/month and get a week free! In addition to daily peer support meetings, you’ll get access to the exclusive Cafe social feed, our monthly book club, the chance to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, merch discounts and so much more. We also have The Sober Mom Life Community for just $5.95/month - In the Community, you’ll receive access to the exclusive Community social feed (like Facebook, but better!), the exclusive community chat, our monthly book club, and one free weekly meeting.  My mocktail recipe book, ‘No Ethanol Needed’ is finally here! Grab your copy here: https://mykindofsweet.com/2024/01/the-no-ethanol-needed-mocktail-ebook-is-here/ Click here to follow The Sober Mom Life on Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gill Tietz of Sober Powered is here to help me kick off Dry July with an Alcohol 101 lesson. From her perspective as a former biochemist, Gill drops some major bombs about alcohol’s effects that will forever change how you look at the substance.  We’ll dive into what alcohol is, how it affects our bodies and brains, how alcohol consumption affects women's bodies differently, and alcohol withdrawal symptoms.  If you’re struggling in your sobriety, let this episode enlighten you to all of the science-backed reasons why quitting is one of the best decisions you will ever make!  Learn more about Gill on Instagram and check out her Dry July series on the Sober Powered Podcast.  Are you searching for a community to support you in your sobriety? Try our NEW and IMPROVED Cafe FREE for a week!  We have more meetings, more hosts and even more connection. Join here for $40/month and get a week free! In addition to daily peer support meetings, you’ll get access to the exclusive Cafe social feed, our monthly book club, the chance to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, merch discounts and so much more. We also have The Sober Mom Life Community for just $5.95/month - In the Community, you’ll receive access to the exclusive Community social feed (like Facebook, but better!), the exclusive community chat, our monthly book club, and one free weekly meeting.  My mocktail recipe book, ‘No Ethanol Needed’ is finally here! Grab your copy here: https://mykindofsweet.com/2024/01/the-no-ethanol-needed-mocktail-ebook-is-here/ Click here to follow The Sober Mom Life on Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kathryn has been a lifelong overachiever, but that didn’t stop her from being a heavy drinker. It did, however, mask her view of what alcohol was doing to her life. In 2019, Kathryn received her first hint of a wakeup call when she fell down a flight of stairs after a night of drinking. This injury resulted in an emergency surgery months later and has left her with permanent nerve damage.  Kathryn absolved alcohol of blame for the fall and continued drinking. During the pandemic, struggling with the insecurities that arose from her injury, Kathryn turned to alcohol more than she ever had before. Her drinking became a source of strife between her and her boyfriend and was central to their breakup. In the aftermath she went on a booze filled trip that culminated in a massive hangover and anxiety attack. This time, she heeded the wakeup call and committed herself to sobriety and personal growth. This journey led her back to her boyfriend and she quickly became pregnant.  A beautiful transition into parenthood made Kathryn think she could invite alcohol back into her life. She thought she’d now be able to moderate safely. This started a back and forth dance with drinking, until she could finally see the benefits of sobriety clear as day.  Kathryn is now completely confident in her choice to stay sober. She feels like she can have just as much fun when she’s sober, and has no interest in ever going back!  Are you searching for a community to support you in your sobriety? Try our NEW and IMPROVED Cafe FREE for a week!  We have more meetings, more hosts and even more connection. Join here for $40/month and get a week free! In addition to daily peer support meetings, you’ll get access to the exclusive Cafe social feed, our monthly book club, the chance to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, merch discounts and so much more. We also have The Sober Mom Life Community for just $5.95/month - In the Community, you’ll receive access to the exclusive Community social feed (like Facebook, but better!), the exclusive community chat, our monthly book club, and one free weekly meeting.  My mocktail recipe book, ‘No Ethanol Needed’ is finally here! Grab your copy here: https://mykindofsweet.com/2024/01/the-no-ethanol-needed-mocktail-ebook-is-here/ Click here to follow The Sober Mom Life on Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Audrey is back on the show today to celebrate Dry July and her own 2 year soberversary! She’ll tell the story of the last time she ever got drunk and how it kickstarted her path toward choosing sobriety. Plus, we’ll talk about the benefits you’ll receive from trying a Dry July, rising above the shame in early sobriety, the problematic trend of alcohol at children’s birthday parties, and the power of connection in sobriety.  We want you to know - you don’t need anyone’s permission to get sober. You knowing is enough! Hear Audrey’s sobriety story here.  Are you searching for a community to support you in your sobriety? Try our NEW and IMPROVED Cafe FREE for a week!  We have more meetings, more hosts and even more connection. Join here for $40/month and get a week free! In addition to daily peer support meetings, you’ll get access to the exclusive Cafe social feed, our monthly book club, the chance to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, merch discounts and so much more. We also have The Sober Mom Life Community for just $5.95/month - In the Community, you’ll receive access to the exclusive Community social feed (like Facebook, but better!), the exclusive community chat, our monthly book club, and one free weekly meeting.  My mocktail recipe book, ‘No Ethanol Needed’ is finally here! Grab your copy here: https://mykindofsweet.com/2024/01/the-no-ethanol-needed-mocktail-ebook-is-here/ Click here to follow The Sober Mom Life on Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Susan Knower, my therapist mom, joins us today for an Ask Me Anything, therapist style! She is a licensed professional counselor with a substance abuse specialization and is here today to answer the most common questions you submitted on Instagram.  We’ll talk about the challenge of convincing a loved one to stop drinking, if trauma can be healed without a professional therapist, how the ‘stages of change’ apply to alcohol, the role of a therapist in a person’s healing journey, our thoughts on rehab, and tips for redirecting your negative internal thoughts.  The following books were mentioned in today’s episode:  Codependent No More by Melody Beattie Buy Yourself the F*cking Lillies by Tara Schuster Are you searching for a community to support you in your sobriety? Try our NEW and IMPROVED Cafe FREE for a week!  We have more meetings, more hosts and even more connection. Join here for $40/month and get a week free! In addition to daily peer support meetings, you’ll get access to the exclusive Cafe social feed, our monthly book club, the chance to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, merch discounts and so much more. We also have The Sober Mom Life Community for just $5.95/month - In the Community, you’ll receive access to the exclusive Community social feed (like Facebook, but better!), the exclusive community chat, our monthly book club, and one free weekly meeting.  My mocktail recipe book, ‘No Ethanol Needed’ is finally here! Grab your copy here: https://mykindofsweet.com/2024/01/the-no-ethanol-needed-mocktail-ebook-is-here/ Click here to follow The Sober Mom Life on Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

My husband Russell is back on the show, and this time things are a little different - he’s 100 days sober!  Today Russell will share why he decided to commit to one full year of sobriety. We’ll talk about the benefits of creating a goal, how he’s handled challenging social situations without drinking, and the physical, mental and emotional changes he’s experienced in the first 100 days of his sobriety.  Plus, Russell gives his advice for the ever popular question - what to do if you want your partner to stop drinking.  Check out Russell’s first appearance on the show here. Are you searching for a community to support you in your sobriety? Try our NEW and IMPROVED Cafe FREE for a week!  We have more meetings, more hosts and even more connection. Join here for $40/month and get a week free! In addition to daily peer support meetings, you’ll get access to the exclusive Cafe social feed, our monthly book club, the chance to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, merch discounts and so much more. We also have The Sober Mom Life Community for just $5.95/month - In the Community, you’ll receive access to the exclusive Community social feed (like Facebook, but better!), the exclusive community chat, our monthly book club, and one free weekly meeting.  My mocktail recipe book, ‘No Ethanol Needed’ is finally here! Grab your copy here: https://mykindofsweet.com/2024/01/the-no-ethanol-needed-mocktail-ebook-is-here/ Click here to follow The Sober Mom Life on Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

My mom Susan is back on the show to talk about an extremely important topic - drinking and driving. In addition to being a therapist, Susan is an Intoxicated Driver Program Assessor, and in this role she has listened to people talk about the fallout of drinking and driving for over two decades.   The legal and safety repercussions of DUIs, DWIs, or OWIs can be intense. One of the scariest parts, in my opinion, is that very few of us actually understand the details of how quickly alcohol can affect our safety behind the wheel. So, today we’re going to shed light on the facts.  You’ll learn what ‘blood alcohol level’ truly means, how safe (or unsafe) it is to drive below the legal intoxication limit of .08, and symptoms you’ll experience at different blood alcohol levels.  Are you searching for a community to support you in your sobriety? Try our NEW and IMPROVED Cafe FREE for a week!  We have more meetings, more hosts and even more connection. Join here for $40/month and get a week free! In addition to daily peer support meetings, you’ll get access to the exclusive Cafe social feed, our monthly book club, the chance to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, merch discounts and so much more. We also have The Sober Mom Life Community for just $5.95/month - In the Community, you’ll receive access to the exclusive Community social feed (like Facebook, but better!), the exclusive community chat, our monthly book club, and one free weekly meeting.  My mocktail recipe book, ‘No Ethanol Needed’ is finally here! Grab your copy here: https://mykindofsweet.com/2024/01/the-no-ethanol-needed-mocktail-ebook-is-here/ Click here to follow The Sober Mom Life on Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today’s Real Sober Mom, Laura, grew up in a home with two struggling parents - her father with alcohol addiction and her mother with mental illness. The fractures in her homelife caused her to struggle socially at school, but once she tried alcohol she experienced a sense of relief. Her challenges didn’t feel so hard when she was drinking. At that point, alcohol quickly became enshrined in her life through her teens and twenties.  As an adult, Laura fell into the profile for gray area drinking. When her daughters began to enter their teenage years, she began to worry. Did she want her daughters to have the same experience that she had as a child? The answer was no. It was time to make a change.  Laura’s path to sobriety took many steps, with stops and starts. Finally, community support and education gave her what she needed to completely leave alcohol behind. Today, Laura shares how hypnosis helped her in her sobriety journey, the trauma she has had to face with a therapist now that she is sober, how her relationship with her husband has been affected by her lifestyle change, and the experiences she had on work trips as she was trying to get sober.  Are you searching for a community to support you in your sobriety? Try our NEW and IMPROVED Cafe FREE for a week!  We have more meetings, more hosts and even more connection. Join here for $40/month and get a week free! In addition to daily peer support meetings, you’ll get access to the exclusive Cafe social feed, our monthly book club, the chance to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, merch discounts and so much more. We also have The Sober Mom Life Community for just $5.95/month - In the Community, you’ll receive access to the exclusive Community social feed (like Facebook, but better!), the exclusive community chat, our monthly book club, and one free weekly meeting.  My mocktail recipe book, ‘No Ethanol Needed’ is finally here! Grab your copy here: https://mykindofsweet.com/2024/01/the-no-ethanol-needed-mocktail-ebook-is-here/ Click here to follow The Sober Mom Life on Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Katie and I are here for another installment of SobieTEA, where we spill the tea about our favorite escape: Bravo and reality TV!  This week we’re talking about Suzanne’s first impressions of Love Island, and the dizzyingly jampacked first episode of Season 18 of The Real Housewives of Orange County.  Plus - Katie meets Jax on her LA trip, How Lindsay’s pregnancy will affect Summer House, and our opinions on The Situation’s book.  Do you have topics you’d like us to cover on the next SobieTEA? Send Katie a note at @soberlivingct on Instagram!  Are you searching for a community to support you in your sobriety? Try our NEW and IMPROVED Cafe FREE for a week!  We have more meetings, more hosts and even more connection. Join here for $40/month and get a week free! In addition to daily peer support meetings, you’ll get access to the exclusive Cafe social feed, our monthly book club, the chance to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, merch discounts and so much more. We also have The Sober Mom Life Community for just $5.95/month - In the Community, you’ll receive access to the exclusive Community social feed (like Facebook, but better!), the exclusive community chat, our monthly book club, and one free weekly meeting.  My mocktail recipe book, ‘No Ethanol Needed’ is finally here! Grab your copy here: https://mykindofsweet.com/2024/01/the-no-ethanol-needed-mocktail-ebook-is-here/ Click here to follow The Sober Mom Life on Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Shannon always went overboard with alcohol, from the very first time she got drunk from her parents liquor cabinet when she was 15. She spaced out her drinking in her teens and twenties because she always knew she would drink all night once she got started.  Once Shannon began having kids she became obsessed with having a clean, healthy, non-toxic life. She cooked entirely organic and was extremely careful about the chemicals in her home, but she gave alcohol a pass. She turned a blind eye to any information that said alcohol was bad for her health. When a breast cancer diagnosis turned Shannon’s life upside down in 2020, her alcohol consumption began to grow worse and she began extremely angry that she had developed cancer despite her deep commitment to a healthy lifestyle. The fact that she got cancer simply didn’t make sense to her.  In the years following her fight with breast cancer, Shannon finally began to open her ears to the truth about what alcohol can do to the body, and she is so thankful that she started to listen. She kept drinking while she was learning about alcohol's effects, but eventually she knew too much. One year ago Shannon woke up and realized she was done. She is so proud of herself for now having a full year of sobriety under her belt!  Are you searching for a community to support you in your sobriety? Try our NEW and IMPROVED Cafe FREE for a week!  We have more meetings, more hosts and even more connection. Join here for $40/month and get a week free! In addition to daily peer support meetings, you’ll get access to the exclusive Cafe social feed, our monthly book club, the chance to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, merch discounts and so much more. We also have The Sober Mom Life Community for just $5.95/month - In the Community, you’ll receive access to the exclusive Community social feed (like Facebook, but better!), the exclusive community chat, our monthly book club, and one free weekly meeting.  My mocktail recipe book, ‘No Ethanol Needed’ is finally here! Grab your copy here: https://mykindofsweet.com/2024/01/the-no-ethanol-needed-mocktail-ebook-is-here/ Click here to follow The Sober Mom Life on Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Maria is back on the pod! When she was last here she was six months sober, and today she’ll tell us about the changes, challenges, and wins she’s had in her sobriety journey in the past year. You’ll hear why Maria no longer counts days, the normalcy she now feels regarding her sobriety, and the immense benefit that sober community has had in her life as she’s navigated through challenging times, such as an IVF transfer that didn’t pan out and a lapsed experience with cannabis.  Check out Maria’s first episode on the podcast here!  Are you looking for community in sobriety? Join us in the The Sober Mom Life Cafe!  For $40/month, you’ll get access to 12 weekly peer support meetings, the exclusive Cafe social feed, our monthly book club and happy hour, the chance to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, and even a monthly Bravo chat! For a limited time, get one week free!  We also have The Sober Mom Life Community for just $5.95/month - In the Community, you’ll receive access to the exclusive Community social feed, the exclusive community chat, our monthly book club, and one free weekly meeting.  Click here to follow The Sober Mom Life on Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today’s episode is all about social anxiety in sobriety - that anxiety you get before, during or after an interaction that can just be so hard to handle. Anxiety can be so overwhelming, but there’s good news! It is very treatable and you can find relief.  My guest today is Courtney - a good friend, a Sober Mom Life Cafe member, and a therapist! She knows all about this social anxiety, both as a professional and as a person who experiences it regularly herself.  You’ll learn what social anxiety is, how it differs from introversion, how to manage your fear of judgment, the importance of self compassion, and Lynn Lyon’s ‘Three Exes’ to manage your anxiety.  Plus, Courtney will conclude by guiding us through a self compassion meditation!  Resources Courtney recommends:  Quiet by Susan Cain  Lynn Lyons  10% Happier with Dan Harris Check out Courtney’s Real Sober Mom’s interview here!  Are you looking for community in sobriety? Join us in the The Sober Mom Life Cafe!  For $40/month, you’ll get access to 12 weekly peer support meetings, the exclusive Cafe social feed, our monthly book club and happy hour, the chance to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, and even a monthly Bravo chat! For a limited time, get one week free!  We also have The Sober Mom Life Community for just $5.95/month - In the Community, you’ll receive access to the exclusive Community social feed, the exclusive community chat, our monthly book club, and one free weekly meeting.  Click here to follow The Sober Mom Life on Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if we saw rehab as an opportunity instead of sign of failure? Jen is here today to help you make that perspective shift! Jen is a major part of the Sober Mom Life Cafe, and she shared her story on The Real Sober Moms last fall! Be sure to check out that episode for a deep dive on her story. Today, Jen details her two separate experiences in rehab, and how a different mindset going into each stint made all of the difference in the world. She wants you to know - rehab doesn’t have to be seen as a black mark on your life! It can be seen as a launching pad for starting the life you want to live.  If rehab isn’t an option for you, that’s okay! Just make sure to find somewhere where you can share your truth and shed your shame, whether that be with family, a trusted friend, a therapist, or a community of like minded people going through the same things as you.  Are you searching for a community to support you in your sobriety? Try our NEW and IMPROVED Cafe FREE for a week!  We have more meetings, more hosts and even more connection. Join here for $40/month and get a week free! In addition to daily peer support meetings, you’ll get access to the exclusive Cafe social feed, our monthly book club, the chance to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, merch discounts and so much more. We also have The Sober Mom Life Community for just $5.95/month - In the Community, you’ll receive access to the exclusive Community social feed (like Facebook, but better!), the exclusive community chat, our monthly book club, and one free weekly meeting.  My mocktail recipe book, ‘No Ethanol Needed’ is finally here! Grab your copy here: https://mykindofsweet.com/2024/01/the-no-ethanol-needed-mocktail-ebook-is-here/ Click here to follow The Sober Mom Life on Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alcohol was at the center of the world that Gillian grew up in, and the things she witnessed made her feel very unsafe. That lack of safety stayed with her into adulthood and ultimately became the main driver of her own drinking. Gillian’s first drink at 13 gave her a sense of cozy warm peace that she desperately craved, and from that moment she was hooked.  After over a decade of being the life of the party, Gillian’s first break from alcohol came during pregnancy. That taste of sobriety felt so surprisingly good that she fleetingly considered quitting after she gave birth. It was a thought that only lasted two hours into the birth of her son when someone brought champagne to her hospital room.  For years, Gillian was able to push aside any thought that her drinking was problematic. She ‘didn’t have a problem’. She could still show up for her life, her fitness and her family! Yet, as she aged, these things started to change. Hangovers and blackouts upended her once manageable lifestyle, and with it cracks began to appear in her work and her family.  One day, Gillian accidentally listened to a podcast about the benefits of going alcohol-free, and she had a shocking epiphany: Alcohol was the source of all of her problems. Yet, sobriety felt terrifying. She didn’t know who she was without alcohol. It seemed central to her entire personality. Despite it all, though, she found the courage to try.  Gillian is now 9 ½ months sober and has experienced a full transformation. She doesn’t even recognize the person that she was anymore. She is now out and proud about her sobriety. She’s found so much meaning in influencing others (including her mom!) to stop drinking. She encourages you to share your sobriety journey too!  Enrollment for the next Sober Mom Retreat is now live, and you’re invited! We’ll be gathering at the Mountain Shadows Resort in Arizona from Feb 27-Mar 2, 2025. If you’re looking for community and self care in sobriety, this retreat is for you! Book your spot here.  Are you looking for community in sobriety? Join us in the The Sober Mom Life Cafe!  For $40/month, you’ll get access to 12 weekly peer support meetings, the exclusive Cafe social feed, our monthly book club and happy hour, the chance to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, and even a monthly Bravo chat! For a limited time, get one week free!  We also have The Sober Mom Life Community for just $5.95/month - In the Community, you’ll receive access to the exclusive Community social feed, the exclusive community chat, our monthly book club, and one free weekly meeting.  Click here to follow The Sober Mom Life on Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our resident scientist, Gill Tietz of SoberPowered, is back on the pod to help us understand the recent US Surgeon General’s report on the link between cancer and alcohol consumption. This link is something that we in the sobriety space have known for a long time, but it is the first time that the government has publicly announced the connection.  We’ll talk about how this report might change people’s drinking habits, how alcohol and cancer are related, and even how your body heals as your years of sobriety progress.  Plus, Gill and I will share how our five year sober-versaries have felt for each of us!  To hear more from Gill, check out The SoberPowered Podcast!   Check out Gill’s past episodes on The Sober Mom Life:  An Alcohol Reality Check  Your Dry January Dream Team The Sober October Roundtable It’s Not You, it’s the Alcohol Are you looking for community in sobriety? Join us in the The Sober Mom Life Cafe!  For $40/month, you’ll get access to 12 weekly peer support meetings, the exclusive Cafe social feed, our monthly book club and happy hour, the chance to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, and even a monthly Bravo chat! For a limited time, get one week free!  We also have The Sober Mom Life Community for just $5.95/month - In the Community, you’ll receive access to the exclusive Community social feed, the exclusive community chat, our monthly book club, and one free weekly meeting.  Click here to follow The Sober Mom Life on Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As a fitness professional, Hollie Nicholson always kept alcohol out of her weekdays, but those weekends of drinking still took their toll until, in 2019, she started asking questions. Despite embodying health in many aspects of her life, Hollie faced a personal challenge with alcohol—and one day, she decided she had enough. Every weekend, amidst living a life filled with healthy habits, alcohol was still a part. For the next six years, Hollie drank with the blinders off. She noticed how inconsistent moderation success could be, she learned about the true impacts that alcohol could have on her body and mind, and she felt how good she could feel through stints of sobriety. But still, a question remained: how could you live a full sober life?  In May of 2024, shortly after she turned 40, Hollie woke up after a night of drinking with severe anxiety and she asked herself - what if she could live her next decade totally different than her last? At that moment, she had a lot of questions but she knew one thing - she was getting sober. Inspired by the Sober Mom Life community, she embraced the idea that it’s entirely okay to let go of alcohol—no dramatic reasons needed. The Cafe has given Hollie such a sense of support and community. She’s even experienced an incredible connection story with another member that she tells on the pod!  Learn more about Hollie’s fitness program for women in mid-life on IG @hollienicholsonstrong or on her website.  Are you looking for community in sobriety? Join us in the The Sober Mom Life Cafe!  For a limited time, get one week free!  For $40/month, you’ll get access to 12 weekly peer support meetings, the exclusive Cafe social feed, our monthly book club and happy hour, the chance to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, and even a monthly Bravo chat! We also have The Sober Mom Life Community for just $5.95/month - In the Community, you’ll receive access to the exclusive Community social feed, the exclusive community chat, our monthly book club, and one free weekly meeting.  Click here to follow The Sober Mom Life on Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Courtney Andersen, the brilliant mind behind @sober.vibes, is on the show today to talk about her new book “Sober Vibes: A Guide to Thriving in Your First Three Months Without Alcohol”. @sober.vibes is one of the first sobriety accounts I followed when I began my sobriety journey, and it’s still one of my absolute favorites!  As a sober coach, Courtney’s goal is to help you shed the ‘shoulds’ of sobriety, and to empower you to chart your own path as you create a sober life. Your story is unique to you - your recovery will be too!  “Sober Vibes: A Guide to Thriving in Your first three months without alcohol” is out now! Grab your copy here: https://www.courtneyrecovered.com/sober-vibes-pre-order Connect with Courtney and Sober Vibes at the links below: Website- https://www.courtneyrecovered.com IG- https://www.instagram.com/sober.vibes TT- https://www.tiktok.com/@sobervibesofficial FB- https://www.facebook.com/sobervibes  Podcast- https://www.courtneyrecovered.com/podcast Free 30-day sober, not boring calendar- https://www.courtneyrecovered.com/opt-in Work with Courtney- https://www.courtneyrecovered.com/8-weeks-sobriety-support-next-level-sobriety Join us in the Sober Mom Life Cafe! For $15/month, join other sober moms inside the cafe for weekly meetings, bonus episodes, a Discord chat, a monthly book club, the option to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, and so much more! Learn all about it here: https://mykindofsweet.com/sober-mom-life-cafe/ If you’re looking for a community of wonderful sober moms to support you while you build your own sober life, join us inside The Sober Mom Life Facebook group!  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1542852942745657 We have merch!!!! Check it out here! Click here to follow The Sober Mom Life on Instagram Love this show? Let me know by rating and reviewing the show on Apple Podcasts! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Managing anger and emotions is one of the most common topics that comes up in our Sober Mom Cafe meetings. Once the barrier of alcohol is removed, it is so common to feel a lot of the emotions that you’ve been numbing for years. Today my mom Susan, our resident psychologist, joins me to talk about dealing with these emotions that arise in early sobriety. You’ll learn what’s happening in your brain when you feel anger, how to connect to the vulnerable emotions that are beneath that anger, the importance of healthy boundary setting in sobriety, and more!  Related episode - How to Navigate Sobriety if Your Partner Still Drinks: https://podcasts.apple.com/ee/podcast/how-to-navigate-sobriety-if-your-partner-still-drinks/id1631208632?i=1000618323943 Join us in the Sober Mom Life Cafe! For $15/month, join other sober moms inside the cafe for weekly meetings, bonus episodes, a Discord chat, a monthly book club, the option to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, and so much more! Learn all about it here: https://mykindofsweet.com/sober-mom-life-cafe/ If you’re looking for a community of wonderful sober moms to support you while you build your own sober life, join us inside The Sober Mom Life Facebook group!  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1542852942745657 We have merch!!!! Check it out here! Click here to follow The Sober Mom Life on Instagram Love this show? Let me know by rating and reviewing the show on Apple Podcasts! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There comes a time in every woman’s sobriety journey when she feels called to proudly own sobriety and leave the shame behind. ‘Coming out’ as sober to your family, friends, or even publicly can feel scary! So today, Audrey and I are here to help you think through how to handle these conversations and announcements when you’re ready.  We chat about tactics and phrases for sharing your sobriety story, tackling fears of rejection, how to handle the dreaded ‘forever’ question, and the importance of building new relationships that are rooted in sobriety.  If you haven’t heard Audrey’s sobriety story, check it out here!  https://mykindofsweet.com/2023/08/lesson-from-one-year-of-sobriety/ Announcing the Sober Mom Life Cafe! For $15/month, join other sober moms inside the cafe for weekly meetings, bonus episodes, a Discord chat, a monthly book club, the option to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, and so much more! Learn all about it here: https://mykindofsweet.com/sober-mom-life-cafe/ If you’re looking for a community of wonderful sober moms to support you while you build your own sober life, join us inside The Sober Mom Life Facebook group!  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1542852942745657 We have merch!!!! Check it out here! Click here to follow The Sober Mom Life on Instagram Love this show? Let me know by rating and reviewing the show on Apple Podcasts! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode is such a dream team of badass sober women! I got together with Gillian Tietz of Sober Powered, Casey Davidson of The Hello Someday Podcast and Amanda E. White of Therapy for Women and The Recoverd-ish Podcast to talk about all things Sober October.  This episode is great for you if you’re just starting out on your sobriety journey with Sober October or if you’re checking in as you maintain your sobriety!  Announcing the Sober Mom Life Cafe! For $15/month, join other sober moms inside the cafe for weekly meetings, bonus episodes, a Discord chat, a monthly book club, the option to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, and so much more! Learn all about it here: https://mykindofsweet.com/sober-mom-life-cafe/ If you’re looking for a community of wonderful sober moms to support you while you build your own sober life, join us inside The Sober Mom Life Facebook group!  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1542852942745657 We have merch!!!! Check it out here! Click here to follow The Sober Mom Life on Instagram Love this show? Let me know by rating and reviewing the show on Apple Podcasts! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Celeste Yvonne is back on the pod today to talk about her fantastic new book ‘It’s Not About the Wine: The Loaded Truth Behind Mommy Wine Culture’! This book is a must read for any mom.  We dive deep into how the mental load of motherhood and systemic issues in our society drive women to seek unhealthy coping mechanisms like alcohol. Then, Celeste will share strategies that you can use to replace alcohol as a coping mechanism in your own life.  Celeste wants you to know that the alcohol industry doesn’t want to help you cope… It just wants access to your wallet.  Check out Celeste’s own story in her first Sober Mom Life interview: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sober-mom-life/id1631208632?i=1000586090757 Learn more about Celeste and grab a copy of her new book here! https://www.celesteyvonne.com Join us inside the Sober Mom Life Cafe! For just $15/month, you grt access to weekly meetings, bonus episodes, a Discord chat, a monthly book club, the option to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, and so much more! Learn all about it here: https://mykindofsweet.com/sober-mom-life-cafe/ If you’re looking for a community of wonderful sober moms to support you while you build your own sober life, join us inside The Sober Mom Life Facebook group!  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1542852942745657 We have merch!!!!  Check it out here! Click here to follow The Sober Mom Life on Instagram Love this show? Let me know by rating and reviewing the show on Apple Podcasts! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today’s real sober mom Melissa has such a relatable sobriety journey. She had always had a love/hate relationship with alcohol. No matter how ‘fun’ it felt to cut through her anxiety and let loose by getting drunk, she always ended up suffering through a terrible shame spiral the next day. Still, this all seemed ‘normal’, so she kept it up throughout so many stages of her life.  Even though she was ready to quit drinking, Melissa’s fear of losing her friends kept a drink in her hand for a long time. She finally found the courage to do it and is now 6 months sober! In sobriety, Melissa has found a connection with her true authentic self. She feels so much more able to show up for her kids in a consistent way. And her social life? Sure, it’s changed… but it was a change that she was so ready for!  Melissa encourages you to push through the fear and to listen to your gut! You’ll know it’s time when you’re ready.  Join us inside the Sober Mom Life Cafe! For $15/month, join other sober moms inside the cafe for weekly meetings, bonus episodes, a Discord chat, a monthly book club, the option to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, and so much more! Learn all about it here: https://mykindofsweet.com/sober-mom-life-cafe/ If you’re looking for a community of wonderful sober moms to support you while you build your own sober life, join us inside The Sober Mom Life Facebook group!  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1542852942745657 We have merch!!!!  Check it out here! Click here to follow The Sober Mom Life on Instagram Love this show? Let me know by rating and reviewing the show on Apple Podcasts! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I received a message from a follower last week that cut right to the heart of the fear that so many women feel when considering sobriety:  “I want to quit drinking… but I’m afraid I won’t be any fun”. Today my therapist mom and I will help you reframe your thinking around ‘boredom’ so that you can more easily visualize the vibrant life that lies waiting for you on the other side. Because in a culture obsessed with alcohol, sobriety is not boring. It’s edgy, rebellious, and incredibly freeing! Learn more about Erik Erickson’s Stages of Development: https://www.simplypsychology.org/erik-erikson.html Join us inside the Sober Mom Life Cafe! For just $15/month, you grt access to weekly meetings, bonus episodes, a Discord chat, a monthly book club, the option to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, and so much more! Learn all about it here: https://mykindofsweet.com/sober-mom-life-cafe/ If you’re looking for a community of wonderful sober moms to support you while you build your own sober life, join us inside The Sober Mom Life Facebook group!  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1542852942745657 We have merch!!!! Check it out here! Click here to follow The Sober Mom Life on Instagram Love this show? Let me know by rating and reviewing the show on Apple Podcasts! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mina Starsiak Hawk, the host of Good Bones on HGTV, is here to chat with me about the sobriety journey that she’s undertaken alongside her husband! If you haven’t listened to the incredibly powerful podcast that she recorded with her husband about their choice to go sober, be sure to check it out here.  This conversation is full of great advice about so many aspects of sobriety. Mina shares how she shaped the conversation when she first ‘had the talk’ with her husband about his drinking. Plus, she has some fantastic ideas that you can try in order to support your own early sobriety.  Follow Mina here:  https://www.instagram.com/mina_starsiak_hawk/?hl=en Join us inside the Sober Mom Life Cafe! For just $15/month, you get access to weekly meetings, bonus episodes, a Discord chat, a monthly book club, the option to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, and so much more! Learn all about it here: https://mykindofsweet.com/sober-mom-life-cafe/ If you’re looking for a community of wonderful sober moms to support you while you build your own sober life, join us inside The Sober Mom Life Facebook group!  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1542852942745657 We have merch!!!!  Check it out here! Click here to follow The Sober Mom Life on Instagram Love this show? Let me know by rating and reviewing the show on Apple Podcasts! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Halloween is right around the corner, so Audrey and I are here to offer you some spooky support as you enter what can be a triggering holiday. Hear our thoughts on why drinking while trick-or-treating became a thing, get empowered to try out a sober Halloween, and laugh along with us as we share our cringey stories from drunken Halloweens of the past!  If you’re on the fence about trying a sober Halloween, just remember: you’ve given alcohol so many Halloweens. Take this one for yourself and  experience how it can be different.  Join us inside the Sober Mom Life Cafe! For just $15/month, you get access to weekly meetings, bonus episodes, a Discord chat, a monthly book club, the option to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, and so much more! Learn all about it here: https://mykindofsweet.com/sober-mom-life-cafe/ If you’re looking for a community of wonderful sober moms to support you while you build your own sober life, join us inside The Sober Mom Life Facebook group!  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1542852942745657 We have merch!!!!  Check it out here! Click here to follow The Sober Mom Life on Instagram Love this show? Let me know by rating and reviewing the show on Apple Podcasts! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Parenting expert Jamie Glowacki is here to share about her alcohol free journey! Jamie recently ditched alcohol for a second time in her life. She stopped drinking for years shortly after the birth of her son so that she could show up better as a new parent. As he got older, though, alcohol slowly crept back into her life. Now, she’s quit again, and with a new focus in mind: her own health and well being.  Jamie tells us about her vivid drinking history (which includes time in the circus!), how her life and drinking originally changed with an unexpected pregnancy, and how her now teenage son’s behavior made her question her own alcohol choices. Plus, she sprinkles in some excellent parenting tips along the way!  Jamie’s best selling book, ‘Oh Crap, Parenting’ is available here: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Oh-Crap!-I-Have-a-Toddler/Jamie-Glowacki/Oh-Crap-Parenting/9781982109738 Visit www.jamieglowacki.com to find all the ways to connect with Jamie.  Join us inside the Sober Mom Life Cafe! For just $15/month, you grt access to weekly meetings, bonus episodes, a Discord chat, a monthly book club, the option to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, and so much more! Learn all about it here: https://mykindofsweet.com/sober-mom-life-cafe/ If you’re looking for a community of wonderful sober moms to support you while you build your own sober life, join us inside The Sober Mom Life Facebook group!  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1542852942745657 We have merch!!!! Check it out here! Click here to follow The Sober Mom Life on Instagram Love this show? Let me know by rating and reviewing the show on Apple Podcasts! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sara’s story should be a book. After blacking out on just a few sips of her very first beer when she was almost 16, Sara decided that she needed to ‘get better at’ drinking. This resulted in multiple major rock bottoms before she even turned 21.  The rollercoaster of her drinking came to a relieving pause once she became pregnant with twins. Yet, as her kids got older, beer progressively found its way back into her life until she was back to chugging multiple beers a day… and experiencing regular blackouts.  A conversation with her child finally opened her eyes to her problem in a stunning and painful way. After that day, each drink came with a debilitating shame spiral. It all became too much one 4th of July weekend. The next day, with the loving support of her mother, Sara made the decision to say goodbye to alcohol for good.  Sara credits self care, journaling, therapy, and having a replacement beverage on hand with helping her stay sober for 14 months!  Join us inside the Sober Mom Life Cafe! For $15/month, join other sober moms inside the cafe for weekly meetings, bonus episodes, a Discord chat, a monthly book club, the option to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, and so much more! Learn all about it here: https://mykindofsweet.com/sober-mom-life-cafe/ If you’re looking for a community of wonderful sober moms to support you while you build your own sober life, join us inside The Sober Mom Life Facebook group!  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1542852942745657 We have merch!!!! Check it out here! Click here to follow The Sober Mom Life on Instagram Love this show? Let me know by rating and reviewing the show on Apple Podcasts! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today's chat with Stacy will give you an inspiring sneak peek into what it’s like to be 5 years sober!  Since childhood, Stacy struggled with feelings of not being good enough. This led to insecurities, social anxieties, and self loathing  - and alcohol served as her tool to push it all away. Yet, the alcohol instead brought along new problems. Fertility and liver issues served as a wake up call, and while it took her a little bit of time, she finally found the courage to get sober.  Stacy went through rehab, found an amazing therapist, and began journaling and meditating on the daily. Talking about the feelings that lived at the root of her pain has helped her gain love and acceptance for herself!  Stacy shares advice on navigating social anxiety while sober, finding recovery tools that work for you, and how to tell your friends about your sobriety.  Join us inside the Sober Mom Life Cafe! For $15/month, join other sober moms inside the cafe for weekly meetings, bonus episodes, a Discord chat, a monthly book club, the option to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, and so much more! Learn all about it here: https://mykindofsweet.com/sober-mom-life-cafe/ If you’re looking for a community of wonderful sober moms to support you while you build your own sober life, join us inside The Sober Mom Life Facebook group!  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1542852942745657 We have merch!!!!  Check it out here! Click here to follow The Sober Mom Life on Instagram Love this show? Let me know by rating and reviewing the show on Apple Podcasts! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jillayne’s experiences with alcohol always felt problematic, going all the way back to her sorority years in college when she felt like everyone else could drink ‘normally’… except for her. Despite this rocky beginning, alcohol still made its way to the center of her adult life.  In addition to having alcohol present at every social event, Jillayne began drinking to help her cope with her anxiety. What she didn’t know at the time was that the alcohol was only making her anxiety worse.  Jillayne’s road to sobriety wasn’t linear. It was full of  short stops after embarrassing nights and attempts at moderation. But she made it! Now, she’s 117 days sober. She wants you to know that if she can do it, you can too! No longer does she wake up anxious and full of self loathing. Now, she wakes up proud of herself every morning.  Follow along with her sober journey on Instagram  @jillayne1 Join us inside the Sober Mom Life Cafe! For $15/month, join other sober moms inside the cafe for weekly meetings, bonus episodes, a Discord chat, a monthly book club, the option to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, and so much more! Learn all about it here: https://mykindofsweet.com/sober-mom-life-cafe/ If you’re looking for a community of wonderful sober moms to support you while you build your own sober life, join us inside The Sober Mom Life Facebook group!  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1542852942745657 We have merch!!!!  Check it out here! Click here to follow The Sober Mom Life on Instagram Love this show? Let me know by rating and reviewing the show on Apple Podcasts! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joanna is a beloved OG in the Sober Mom Life community (she's been coming to meetings since our very first one!) and today she’s going deeper than ever to tell the details of her very relatable sobriety story!  Though alcohol was a social norm throughout Joanna’s life, her issues with drinking didn’t really start until she had kids. Almost from the beginning of motherhood, Joanna turned to alcohol as a way to manage her anxiety and exhaustion as a working mom.  Eventually she was diagnosed with anxiety, but she didn’t link it to her drinking at all.  Things kicked up a notch during Covid, when the disaster aligned with a very destabilizing moment in her family’s life. Alcohol became a bedrock of her and her husband’s coping strategy. As those years progressed, hard liquor became more and more common for her, and blackouts began to ensue.  Joanna woke up on July 5th, 2022 after a particularly bad blackout, and she knew she was done. Joanna shares the genius approach she took to inform family and friends. She wants you to know that those conversations don’t have to go deep if you don’t want them to!  Join us inside the Sober Mom Life Cafe! For just $15/month, you grt access to weekly meetings, bonus episodes, a Discord chat, a monthly book club, the option to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, and so much more! Learn all about it here: https://mykindofsweet.com/sober-mom-life-cafe/ If you’re looking for a community of wonderful sober moms to support you while you build your own sober life, join us inside The Sober Mom Life Facebook group!  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1542852942745657 We have merch!!!!  Check it out here! Click here to follow The Sober Mom Life on Instagram Love this show? Let me know by rating and reviewing the show on Apple Podcasts! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today Hilary Phelps joins me for an inspiring conversation about her 16 year sobriety journey! While you may recognize her as the oldest of the Phelps children known for their swimming fame, Hilary is known today as an addiction recovery advocate, retreat facilitator, speaker and holistic coach who is dedicated to helping women walk the path of recovery.  Hilary tells the story of how alcohol robbed her of her sense of identity, the recovery path that worked so well for her until she reached an ‘emotional bottom’ at 18 months, how she came to see recovery as a lifelong commitment, and the big decision she made at 15 years sober to go public with her experience.  She wants you to know that sobriety is a constant choice of choosing you, and she encourages you to seek community and connection to support your recovery.  To learn more about Hilary and connect with her, visit https://www.hilaryphelps.com/ and on Instagram @ Hilary recommends you read Women Who Run with Wolves  Join us inside the Sober Mom Life Cafe! For just $15/month, you grt access to weekly meetings, bonus episodes, a Discord chat, a monthly book club, the option to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, and so much more! Learn all about it here: https://mykindofsweet.com/sober-mom-life-cafe/ If you’re looking for a community of wonderful sober moms to support you while you build your own sober life, join us inside The Sober Mom Life Facebook group!  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1542852942745657 We have merch!!!! Check it out here! Click here to follow The Sober Mom Life on Instagram Love this show? Let me know by rating and reviewing the show on Apple Podcasts! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alcohol use is booming within the Boomer generation, especially among women, and troubling trends are beginning to come to the surface. My therapist mom, a Boomer herself, is back on the podcast to help us break down why drinking is continuing its upward trend within her generation. We talk about the risks that come with this post retirement drinking culture, including brain health, its effect on the hospital system, and its effect on families. Plus, we’ll chat about how to set healthy boundaries if your mom’s drinking is endangering your kids. Articles we cite in today’s episode:  The Guardian - Why so few baby boomers are doing Dry January: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/jan/04/baby-boomers-dry-january-generation-drinking-booze The New York Times - One in 10 Older Adults Binge Drink, Study Says: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/02/health/binge-drinkers-adult-alcohol.html The Huberman Lab Podcast - What Alcohol Does to Your Body, Brain and Health: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DkS1pkKpILY Even more articles! https://www.nbcnews.com/now/video/rehabilitation-centers-work-to-treat-addiction-in-older-adults-197498437566 https://www.caron.org/blog/the-link-between-the-rise-in-dementia-and-substance-use https://americanaddictioncenters.org/alcoholism-treatment/elderly Join us inside the Sober Mom Life Cafe! For just $15/month, you grt access to weekly meetings, bonus episodes, a Discord chat, a monthly book club, the option to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, and so much more! Learn all about it here: https://mykindofsweet.com/sober-mom-life-cafe/ If you’re looking for a community of wonderful sober moms to support you while you build your own sober life, join us inside The Sober Mom Life Facebook group!  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1542852942745657 Click here to follow The Sober Mom Life on Instagram Love this show? Let me know by rating and reviewing the show on Apple Podcasts! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The ‘firsts’ are often the hardest moments in early sobriety, and as we enter the holiday season, a lot of scary firsts are on the horizon. If your idea of your first sober Thanksgiving feels overwhelming, click play! Today I’m sharing five big tips that will help you navigate your first sober Thanksgiving.  Remember, I’m cheering you on! You deserve a chance to see what a sober Thanksgiving can feel like. You’ve got this!  Get my holiday mocktail recipes delivered to your email here: https://mykindofsweet.myflodesk.com/ef4f5k6txi If you’re looking for a community of wonderful sober moms to support you while you build your sober life, join us in the Sober Mom Life Cafe! For $15/month, you’ll get weekly meetings, bonus episodes, a Discord chat, a monthly book club, the option to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, and so much more! Learn all about it here: https://mykindofsweet.com/sober-mom-life-cafe/ Join us inside The Sober Mom Life Facebook group!  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1542852942745657 We have merch!!!! Check it out here! Click here to follow The Sober Mom Life on Instagram Love this show? Let me know by rating and reviewing the show on Apple Podcasts! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You might recognize Taylor Cole from the early 00’s reality show Laguna Beach! At the beginning of this year, Taylor made a big decision: To be ‘alcohol-free in 2023’. She’s gained so much from this experience, and she’s now ready to tell her sobriety story! Taylor shares what it was like to film a secretly booze-infused reality show as a teenager, how that affected her relationship with alcohol moving into adulthood, and the big shift in her life that opened her eyes to the damage that alcohol does to the body. She wants you to know that you don’t have to have a ‘problem’ in order to say goodbye to alcohol!  Taylor is now a holistic nutritionist and functional therapy practitioner. You can find her on Instagram at @taylorcole Taylor recommends using an Oura ring to gain an eye opening peek into your health! https://ouraring.com Join us inside the Sober Mom Life Cafe! For just $15/month, you get access to weekly meetings, bonus episodes, a Discord chat, a monthly book club, the option to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, and so much more! Learn all about it here: https://mykindofsweet.com/sober-mom-life-cafe/ If you’re looking for a community of wonderful sober moms to support you while you build your own sober life, join us inside The Sober Mom Life Facebook group!  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1542852942745657 We have merch!!!! Check it out here! Click here to follow The Sober Mom Life on Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nikki’s relationship with alcohol started in an ominous way. At 11 years old she drank a small bottle of whiskey, blacked out, and woke up in the hospital.  Despite this experience, Nikki wasn’t deterred from drinking in the future. She found that she didn’t have an ‘off switch’ - once she started it felt almost impossible to stop until she passed out. This lifestyle worked for her for a time, but the story changed when she had kids at 30. Suddenly, hangovers began to feel so costly and she didn’t feel like she could show up as the mom that she wanted to be. She attempted moderation, but it just felt like a balancing act that was taking up too much of her brain space. Then, one day, it dawned on her… she didn’t have to drink.  Nikki continued to drink for another six months after her epiphany, until a bad hangover left her wanting to stay as far away from alcohol as possible. She decided not to drink at a party later that day, and she then took sobriety one event and one party at a time until not drinking began to feel like the norm for her! She is now over 2 years sober, and while sobriety doesn’t always feel ‘easy’ for Nikki because her family and friends still drink, but she is so grateful that she continues to make the choice because she has never once woken up the next day and wished she’d gotten drunk the night before.  Join us inside the Sober Mom Life Cafe! For just $15/month, you grt access to weekly meetings, bonus episodes, a Discord chat, a monthly book club, the option to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, and so much more! Learn all about it here: https://mykindofsweet.com/sober-mom-life-cafe/ If you’re looking for a community of wonderful sober moms to support you while you build your own sober life, join us inside The Sober Mom Life Facebook group!  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1542852942745657 We have merch!!!! Check it out here! Click here to follow The Sober Mom Life on Instagram Love this show? Let me know by rating and reviewing the show on Apple Podcasts! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jennifer never thought it even was possible for her to a drinking problem for one simple reason: she only drank beer. While she began as a social drinker, one day something sinister seemed to simply click on in her mind. At that point, her drinking began to snowball out of control until it reached the point where she was drinking dozens of beers a day while hidden in the privacy of her car. Her family stepped in and gave her the opportunity to stop the cycle by staging an intervention. Jennifer courageously chose to follow their request to enter treatment. She considers it to be one of the best experiences of her life.  Now almost seven years sober, Jennifer is full of valuable wisdom on how to live an unapologetic sober life! She shares her tips for getting through your first sober holiday and how to handle pushy people who might be getting you to drink.  Announcing the Sober Mom Life Cafe! For $15/month, join other sober moms inside the cafe for weekly meetings, bonus episodes, a Discord chat, a monthly book club, the option to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, and so much more! Learn all about it here: https://mykindofsweet.com/sober-mom-life-cafe/ If you’re looking for a community of wonderful sober moms to support you while you build your own sober life, join us inside The Sober Mom Life Facebook group!  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1542852942745657 We have merch!!!! Check it out here! Click here to follow The Sober Mom Life on Instagram Love this show? Let me know by rating and reviewing the show on Apple Podcasts! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brooke is here today to celebrate 100 days of sobriety!  Mommy Wine Culture was just ramping up when Brooke had her daughters. It crept into her life slowly and steadily until it was a regular fixture in her days. She thought she had a sophisticated superpower - she could drink so much, but she always managed to stay lucid. She now realizes she was programmed to see that as a good thing.  As Brooke got older, she began to attempt moderation. She tried it again and again, but her drinking always ramped up again… until one day this summer when she saw a reel from Suzanne! The reel, which told her that she didn’t have to be an ‘alcoholic’ to quit drinking, was the epiphany she needed. She is now celebrating 100 days and finding so much new joy in life! She is excited to keep going so that she can better show up for her teenage daughters.  If you’re just starting on your sobriety journey, Brooke wants you to know that it’s okay to take it one day at a time! Plus, let yourself eat all that sugar you’re craving. It’ll be okay!  Join us inside the Sober Mom Life Cafe! For just $15/month, you get access to weekly meetings, bonus episodes, a Discord chat, a monthly book club, the option to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, and so much more! Learn all about it here: https://mykindofsweet.com/sober-mom-life-cafe/ If you’re looking for a community of wonderful sober moms to support you while you build your own sober life, join us inside The Sober Mom Life Facebook group!  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1542852942745657 We have merch!!!!  Check it out here! Click here to follow The Sober Mom Life on Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Like so many of us, alcohol was ever present in Melissa’s life as she was growing up. Though it didn’t hold much interest for her when she was young, its constant presence eventually sucked her in when she was in college. And, as the years went on, it became a centerpiece in her life.  Whenever Melissa’s drinking began to feel like too much, she turned to moderation as a way to cope. Yet time and time again, alcohol simply crept back in until it was just as much of an issue as it had been before. Finally, after a very careful attempt at moderation ended in failure, she decided there was only one other way: to quit completely.  Melissa is now 66 days sober! She is feeling so much relief to finally be free of the cycle.  Join us inside the Sober Mom Life Cafe! For just $15/month, you get access to weekly meetings, bonus episodes, a Discord chat, a monthly book club, the option to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, and so much more! Learn all about it here: https://mykindofsweet.com/sober-mom-life-cafe/ If you’re looking for a community of wonderful sober moms to support you while you build your own sober life, join us inside The Sober Mom Life Facebook group!  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1542852942745657 We have merch!!!! Check it out here! Click here to follow The Sober Mom Life on Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Karolina Rzadkowolska is with me today to chat about her book Euphoric: Ditch Alcohol to Gain a Happier, More Confident You.  Today, Karolina shares with us how choosing sobriety six years ago led her on a journey to find deeper purpose, creativity, and power in her life. Plus, we chat about the importance of finding sober role models, the power in breaking generational patterns, and how sobriety can serve as a catalyst for major personal growth.  Karolina now helps women walk a sober path as an alcohol-free life coach. To learn more about her offerings, visit https://euphoricaf.com Join us inside the Sober Mom Life Cafe! For just $15/month, you get access to weekly meetings, bonus episodes, a Discord chat, a monthly book club, the option to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, and so much more! Learn all about it here: https://mykindofsweet.com/sober-mom-life-cafe/ If you’re looking for a community of wonderful sober moms to support you while you build your own sober life, join us inside The Sober Mom Life Facebook group!  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1542852942745657 We have merch!!!! Check it out here! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Brooke Scheller is back on the pod to talk about her fantastic upcoming book “How to Eat to Change How You Drink”! In today’s episode, Brooke tells us about the three drinking archetypes, nutritional changes you can make to support your body and mind in your first weeks of sobriety, and how nutrition can help heal the body from past alcohol use. Plus, she’ll give a sneak peek into the great (and easy!) recipes in her book!  Preorder Dr. Brooke’s book and learn more about her community, The Functional Sobriety Network, at www.functionalsobriety.com Follow Dr. Brooke on Instagram @drbrookescheller Join us inside the Sober Mom Life Cafe! For just $15/month, you get access to weekly meetings, bonus episodes, a Discord chat, a monthly book club, the option to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, and so much more! Learn all about it here: https://mykindofsweet.com/sober-mom-life-cafe/ If you’re looking for a community of wonderful sober moms to support you while you build your own sober life, join us inside The Sober Mom Life Facebook group!  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1542852942745657 We have merch!!!! Check it out here! Click here to follow The Sober Mom Life on Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A couple of weeks ago I released an interview on the podcast that has drawn a bit of controversy, and it’s opened up a bigger conversation that I feel is so important to address. So, today I’m here with my therapist mom to talk about it.  I want you to know: The work that you are doing to explore or maintain sobriety is life changing. You are changing your world (and your family’s world!) by walking this brave path. This is revolutionary work. And, it is enough. You don’t have to start a podcast, or write a book, or launch a business in your sobriety. The courageous work of healing yourself and showing up for your family in a new way is the most important work you could do. This can be your legacy, and it’s a damn good one.  Join us inside the Sober Mom Life Cafe! For just $15/month, you get access to weekly meetings, bonus episodes, a Discord chat, a monthly book club, the option to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, and so much more! Learn all about it here: https://mykindofsweet.com/sober-mom-life-cafe/ If you’re looking for a community of wonderful sober moms to support you while you build your own sober life, join us inside The Sober Mom Life Facebook group!  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1542852942745657 We have merch!!!!  Check it out here! Click here to follow The Sober Mom Life on Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I love taking a look back at the end of each year, so today I’ve compiled some of my favorite moments from this year’s episodes to share with you! Get ready to hear some standout moments from all of our fantastic guests in 2023. If you’d like to go deeper into any of these conversations, be sure to visit the full episodes! In this episode you'll hear from: 2:10 - Amanda E. White (Ep 44) 4:32 - Jo Piazza (Ep 46) 6:35 - Carolyn Robistow (Ep 48) 8:54 - Meg Geisewite (Ep 51) 10:59 - Lizzy Savetsky (Ep 52) 12:16 - Julia Dzafic (Ep 53) 13:54 - Laura McKowan (Ep 55) 15:55 - Meg Fee (Ep 56) 17:00 - Laura Tremaine (Ep 57) 19:54 - Kristen Kennedy (Ep 59) 22:24 - Jenn Kautsch (Ep 60) 24:05 - Gretchen Adams (Ep 61) 25:10 - Jessica Lahey (Ep 62) 28:00 - Jessica Jeboult (Ep 64) 29:25 - Laura Cathcart Robbins (Ep 65) 30:48 - Jolene Park (Ep 71) 32:18 - Deb, The Mocktail Mom (Ep 77) 34:00 - Kimberly Kearns (Ep 79) 35:20 - Casey Davidson (Ep 85) 37:02 - Audrey (Ep 87) 38:12 - Payal Desai (Ep 89) 40:47 - Tawny Lara (Ep 93) 43:20 - Courtney Andersen (Ep 95) 43:56 - Celeste Yvonne (Ep 103) 45:03 - Mina Starsiak Hawk (Ep 107) 47:21 - Audrey (Ep 109) 49:25 - Jamie Glowacki (Ep 111) 51:02 - Hillary Phelps (Ep 113) 52:42 - Taylor Cole (Ep 119) 54:12 - Karolina Rzadkowolska (Ep 121) 55:27 - Dr. Brooke Scheller (Ep 123) 56:19 - My mom Susan! (Ep 125) Thank you so much for being a part of the incredible Sober Mom Life community in 2023! I can’t wait to continue the journey with you in 2024. Join us inside the Sober Mom Life Cafe! For just $15/month, you get access to weekly meetings, bonus episodes, a Discord chat, a monthly book club, the option to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, and so much more! Learn all about it here: https://mykindofsweet.com/sober-mom-life-cafe/ If you’re looking for a community of wonderful sober moms to support you while you build your own sober life, join us inside The Sober Mom Life Facebook group!  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1542852942745657 We have merch!!!!  Check it out here! Click here to follow The Sober Mom Life on Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Real Sober Mom Megan is here today to share her extremely important (and relatable!) sobriety story.  On the outside, Alcohol never seemed like a ‘problem’ in Megan’s life. But on the inside, something felt increasingly off. After receiving two very different opinions from health professionals regarding her drinking, she needed answers to the big question: what was an acceptable level of drinking for her? So, she began detective work! Megan took herself on a long series of stops and starts, paying attention to every detail and educating herself along the way. One year and three months ago she made her decision: it was time to fully embrace sobriety.  Megan wants you to know: you are so close to experiencing the beauty on the other side of sobriety. Keep going!  Megan recommends This Naked Mind.  Join us inside the Sober Mom Life Cafe! For just $15/month, you get access to weekly meetings, bonus episodes, a Discord chat, a monthly book club, the option to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, and so much more! Learn all about it here: https://mykindofsweet.com/sober-mom-life-cafe/ If you’re looking for a community of wonderful sober moms to support you while you build your own sober life, join us inside The Sober Mom Life Facebook group!  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1542852942745657 We have merch!!!! Check it out here! Click here to follow The Sober Mom Life on Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Real Sober Mom Katie is here today to share her important sobriety story! Like so many of us, alcohol had been normalized for her from the very beginning. She got her first taste at twelve years old, and she absolutely loved it.  Once Katie entered parenthood, her drinking switched from social to something she did alone in her home. Gradually, the bottles of wine became boxes to fit her growing intake. When she began drinking in the mornings to satisfy her cravings, a terrifying realization dawned on her… she had developed a physical addiction.  With the leadership of her family, Katie entered rehab in January 2023 and went through an intense detox experience. She absolutely loved rehab, and she recommends it to anyone who needs help! For Katie, 2022 has been a transformative year of learning to live sober. There have been slips along the way, but she is so grateful to the women of the sober mom community for the support they have given her in her quest to stay sober!  Katie wants you to know that the work can feel so hard, but it is SO worth it. Keep going!  Join us inside the Sober Mom Life Cafe! For just $15/month, you get access to weekly meetings, bonus episodes, a Discord chat, a monthly book club, the option to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, and so much more! Learn all about it here: https://mykindofsweet.com/sober-mom-life-cafe/ If you’re looking for a community of wonderful sober moms to support you while you build your own sober life, join us inside The Sober Mom Life Facebook group!  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1542852942745657 We have merch!!!!  Check it out here! Click here to follow The Sober Mom Life on Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Newly alcohol-free, sober mom Amy is here to tell her story!  As a rule follower in high school, Amy didn’t start drinking until college. Yet, at that point, she didn’t even question it. It felt like ‘that’s just what you did in college’. Amy’s drinking remained unquestioned for years as she moved into her 20s, started drinking at home to cut stress, and became a mom.  But slowly, questions and uneasiness began to pop up. With a helpful nudge from her sister in law and the guidance of a great podcast, Amy started to give her drinking a closer look. She explored moderation and breaks with open eyes. After a long journey, she has now made the decision to go fully alcohol free! For her health, for her family, and for herself. Amy wants you to know that you deserve to have informed consent about the effects alcohol! Learn how it affects your mind and body, and make your decisions from there.  Amy recommends the podcast Stop Overdrinking and Start Living for anyone beginning their journey to understand their drinking.  Join us inside the Sober Mom Life Cafe! For just $15/month, you get access to weekly meetings, bonus episodes, a Discord chat, a monthly book club, the option to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, and so much more! Learn all about it here: https://mykindofsweet.com/sober-mom-life-cafe/ If you’re looking for a community of wonderful sober moms to support you while you build your own sober life, join us inside The Sober Mom Life Facebook group!  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1542852942745657 We have merch!!!! Check it out here! Click here to follow The Sober Mom Life on Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As we get ready to enter 2024, I want to invite you to reframe how you view your personal story with alcohol.  So many of us have been caught in society’s lie that a ‘normal’ drinker can ‘control’ this highly addictive substance, quickly tossing you into the role of the villain if you ‘fail’ to do so.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  What if, in 2024, instead of seeing yourself as the villain… you cast yourself as the hero of your story? What if you get to be the one who saves yourself from this uncontrollable villainous substance? What would that change for you?  My guess is it would change everything.  It’s invaluable to connect with others who deeply understand what you’re going through. The amazing women inside of the Sober Mom Life Cafe are just that, and they will support you every step of the way as you walk this brave path. Inside the Cafe, you will receive access to Discord chat rooms to connect with other moms, many meetings each week (including a new spouses meeting in 2024!), a monthly book club, a secret podcast, the ability to tell your story on The Real Sober Moms and so much more!  Join by Dec 31st to lock in the 2023 rate of $15/month! The price will be rising to $25/month in 2024. Join here: https://mykindofsweet.com/sober-mom-life-cafe/ If you’re looking for a community of wonderful sober moms to support you while you build your own sober life, join us inside The Sober Mom Life Facebook group!  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1542852942745657 We have merch!!!!  Check it out here! Click here to follow The Sober Mom Life on Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I teamed up with Gill Tietz from Sober Powered and Micheala and Erinn - the Team behind the 2 sober girls podcast to give our best advice on how to thrive this Dry January! In the show we’ll talk about the concept of Dry January and its impact on sobriety.  They share their personal experiences and perspectives on the benefits and challenges of participating in Dry January.  The conversation also touches on the importance of setting smaller goals and seeking support during the early stages of sobriety.  The hosts reflect on what advice they would give to their newly sober selves and emphasize the need to be present and embrace the journey of sobriety.  In this conversation, the guests discuss the benefits of sobriety and share their personal transformations during their first 30 days of sobriety.  They highlight the freedom, peace, and mental shift they experienced after giving up alcohol.  They also talk about the physical benefits, such as better sleep and improved health. The guests emphasize the power and confidence they gained by staying sober and how it positively impacted their lives.  They also discuss the importance of self-care and creating a nurturing environment. Overall, the conversation highlights the transformative journey of sobriety and the positive changes it brings. Takeaways Dry January can be a helpful and socially acceptable way to take a break from alcohol and explore sobriety. The benefits of Dry January include increased awareness of drinking habits, improved physical and mental health, and the opportunity to build sober momentum. It is important to set realistic goals and seek support during the early stages of sobriety. Sobriety is a journey of self-discovery and growth, and it is important to be patient and kind to oneself throughout the process. Sobriety brings a sense of freedom, peace, and mental shift. Giving up alcohol leads to better sleep and improved physical health. Staying sober empowers individuals and boosts their confidence. Creating a nurturing environment and practicing self-care are essential in sobriety. Join us inside the Sober Mom Life Cafe! For just $25/month, you get access to weekly meetings, bonus episodes, a Discord chat, a monthly book club, the option to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, and so much more! Learn all about it here: https://mykindofsweet.com/sober-mom-life-cafe/ If you’re looking for a community of wonderful sober moms to support you while you build your own sober life, join us inside The Sober Mom Life Facebook group!  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1542852942745657 We have merch!!!! Check it out here! Click here to follow The Sober Mom Life on Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this replay from 2022, I’ll share why it’s so important to build a sobriety toolbox. I really wish there was a better word than “toolbox”, though. “Toolboxes” are used on things that are broken. I am not broken and neither are you. Nevertheless, today I’ll share the tools that I rely on not just to cope, but to flourish in sobriety. These tools have lifted me up and given me nourishment, rest and focus.  I hope you can find something here to add to your own sobriety toolbox!  Book recommendations: (affiliated links) This Naked Mind by Annie Grace https://thisnakedmind.com/this-naked-mind/ We Are the Luckiest by Laura McKowen https://www.lauramckowen.com/books/we-are-the-luckiest Quit Like a Woman by Holly Whitaker  https://amzn.to/3Qnk6lS The Unexpected Joy Of Being Sober by Catherine Gray https://amzn.to/3w1mCWB Sunshine Warm Sober by Catherine Gray  ​​https://amzn.to/3w0igPK A Sober Girls Guide Podcast  https://www.asobergirlsguide.com/podcast Blackout : Remembering The Things I Drank To Forget by Sarah Hepola https://amzn.to/3zPvNL7 What’s in your sobriety toolbox? Let me know at @thesobermomlife on Instagram.  Join us inside the Sober Mom Life Cafe! For just $25/month, you get access to weekly meetings, bonus episodes, a Discord chat, a monthly book club, the option to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, and so much more! Learn all about it here: https://mykindofsweet.com/sober-mom-life-cafe/ If you’re looking for a community of wonderful sober moms to support you while you build your own sober life, join us inside The Sober Mom Life Facebook group!  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1542852942745657 We have merch!!!!  Check it out here! Click here to follow The Sober Mom Life on Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Exciting changes are coming to the Cafe and the podcast, starting November 1st!  Today, I’ll share with you why I’ll only be releasing new episodes on Mondays starting in November, and what that means for the Real Sober Moms series (Don’t worry! They’re not going away!).  Then, I’ll give you a sneak peek into some exciting changes that will be coming to the Sober Mom Life Cafe starting November 1st. (Hint: there will be so many more weekly support meeting options, and a new monthly Bravo call!)   Try our NEW and IMPROVED Cafe FREE for a week!  We have more meetings, more hosts and even more connection. Join here for $40/month and get a week free! In addition to daily peer support meetings, you’ll get access to the exclusive Cafe social feed, our monthly book club, the chance to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, merch discounts and so much more. And finally, I’ll share a bit about what to expect at the next Sober Mom Life retreat, including the exciting news that you won’t need to be a Cafe member to sign up!  We also have The Sober Mom Life Community for just $5.95/month - In the Community, you’ll receive access to the exclusive Community social feed (like Facebook, but better!), the exclusive community chat, our monthly book club, and one free weekly meeting.  My mocktail recipe book, ‘No Ethanol Needed’ is finally here! Grab your copy here: https://mykindofsweet.com/2024/01/the-no-ethanol-needed-mocktail-ebook-is-here/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

My very first guest, Katy Rexing, is back on the show! Check out her first episode here. Today, Katy gives us a big life update. She’ll talk about what it was like to follow her gut and move her family to California, despite experiencing intense fear every step of the way. She’ll share how her husband has followed her into embracing a sober life. Plus, we’ll talk in depth about what everyone in our family gains when we choose sobriety as parents. Katy wants you to know that nothing within you is ‘broken’. You are already whole. You just need to find a way to accept it. If you are interested in exploring meditation in an easy going way, join Katy for weekly meditation! You can learn more at https://katyrexing.com/. Follow her on Instagram at @katyrexing Are you searching for a community to support you in your sobriety? Try our NEW and IMPROVED Cafe FREE for a week!  We have more meetings, more hosts and even more connection. Join here for $40/month and get a week free! In addition to daily peer support meetings, you’ll get access to the exclusive Cafe social feed, our monthly book club, the chance to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, merch discounts and so much more. We also have The Sober Mom Life Community for just $5.95/month - In the Community, you’ll receive access to the exclusive Community social feed (like Facebook, but better!), the exclusive community chat, our monthly book club, and one free weekly meeting.  My mocktail recipe book, ‘No Ethanol Needed’ is finally here! Grab your copy here: https://mykindofsweet.com/2024/01/the-no-ethanol-needed-mocktail-ebook-is-here/ Click here to follow The Sober Mom Life on Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alcohol was ever present in Jessie’s childhood, to the point where it felt like she had two sets of parents: sober parents during the day, and drunk parents at night. Drinking affected each of her parents differently, though, and she was told from a young age that only her father had a drinking problem, because alcohol made him treat others poorly. Once Jessie started drinking at 14, she leaned on this assumption and never questioned her drinking.  As a young adult, Jessie married to a man with an alcohol addiction and became pregnant. Postpartum Depression hit her hard upon having her son, and Mommy Wine Culture seeped in, leading her to rely on alcohol to cope when she didn’t feel comfortable asking for help. As her son got older, though, she began to realize that she didn’t want him to grow up in the same way she did, so she left her husband and tried to start anew.  It wasn’t until Jessie found herself single after a couple more relationships that she began to wonder if her own drinking was a problem. This question led her to the The Sober Mom Life Facebook group! After a long time of lurking, she posted in the group that she just wanted to be sober for one day. The support she got from the community was unexpected, beautiful, and overwhelming. That one day of sobriety turned into two days, which turned into a full week, which has now turned into 6 months of sobriety!  Jessie believes she only succeeded in sobriety with community support. She wants you to know that it is okay to ask for help! If you’re struggling in any way, whether it be with parenting, alcohol, or something else, you are safe to ask for help.  Are you searching for a community to support you in your sobriety? Try our NEW and IMPROVED Cafe FREE for a week!  We have more meetings, more hosts and even more connection. Join here for $40/month and get a week free! In addition to daily peer support meetings, you’ll get access to the exclusive Cafe social feed, our monthly book club, the chance to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, merch discounts and so much more. We also have The Sober Mom Life Community for just $5.95/month - In the Community, you’ll receive access to the exclusive Community social feed (like Facebook, but better!), the exclusive community chat, our monthly book club, and one free weekly meeting.  My mocktail recipe book, ‘No Ethanol Needed’ is finally here! Grab your copy here: https://mykindofsweet.com/2024/01/the-no-ethanol-needed-mocktail-ebook-is-here/ Click here to follow The Sober Mom Life on Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Audrey is here for part two of our chat. Today we’ll talk about my book and Audrey’s recent sober vacation to Hawaii!  Writing a book has been so similar to sobriety in that I’ve had to take the process one day at a time. I’ll share what that was like, and why I was confident that I would successfully reach the finish line. Then, Audrey will tell us all about her recent sober vacation to Hawaii! She had a lot of insights and realizations on the trip, and she’ll share them here.  Try our NEW and IMPROVED Cafe FREE for a week!  We have more meetings, more hosts and even more connection. Join here for $40/month and get a week free! In addition to daily peer support meetings, you’ll get access to the exclusive Cafe social feed, our monthly book club, the chance to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, merch discounts and so much more. We also have The Sober Mom Life Community for just $5.95/month - In the Community, you’ll receive access to the exclusive Community social feed (like Facebook, but better!), the exclusive community chat, our monthly book club, and one free weekly meeting.  My mocktail recipe book, ‘No Ethanol Needed’ is finally here! Grab your copy here: https://mykindofsweet.com/2024/01/the-no-ethanol-needed-mocktail-ebook-is-here/ Click here to follow The Sober Mom Life on Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Melinda’s career as a prosecuting attorney, alcohol felt like a necessary way of life. From college on, every professional event centered around alcohol. As time passed, Melinda felt helpless - it felt like it would be career suicide if she stopped drinking.  Melinda’s drinking tipped from social to personal when she left her husband, and it accelerated to an alarming degree after her father’s unexpected death. Eventually, Melinda found herself in a dangerous spiral of hiding her drinking from her new partner, her family, and her friends, until she realized she needed help.  But help was hard to come by. Due to her public profile, the local treatment center sought to treat her secretly, away from the rest of the patients. It confirmed her worst fear - that her career was in jeopardy if she chose sobriety. Eventually, her drinking led to a break up, and she realized - she couldn’t quit just for her partner. She had to quit for herself. So, one day she decided to commit, and she hasn’t touched a drink since!  Melinda is now 2 years sober and she has completely changed her life. She patched up her relationship, changed careers, and developed a healthy routine that has radically shifted her mental and physical health. She also started her own podcast! Check out Women’s Work: A Sober Perspective for professional women who want to stop drinking.  Melinda wants you to know: There’s no shame in saving your own life!  Are you searching for a community to support you in your sobriety? Try our NEW and IMPROVED Cafe FREE for a week!  We have more meetings, more hosts and even more connection. Join here for $40/month and get a week free! In addition to daily peer support meetings, you’ll get access to the exclusive Cafe social feed, our monthly book club, the chance to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, merch discounts and so much more. We also have The Sober Mom Life Community for just $5.95/month - In the Community, you’ll receive access to the exclusive Community social feed (like Facebook, but better!), the exclusive community chat, our monthly book club, and one free weekly meeting.  My mocktail recipe book, ‘No Ethanol Needed’ is finally here! Grab your copy here: https://mykindofsweet.com/2024/01/the-no-ethanol-needed-mocktail-ebook-is-here/ Click here to follow The Sober Mom Life on Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Audrey is back for a 2-part episode! This conversation was so wide ranging that we’re breaking it into two parts. Today we’ll cover Sober October and how sobriety can aid us in the midst of natural disasters.  Asheville, NC, which is the location of our upcoming retreat, was hit with devastating flooding by Hurricane Helene. Audrey will share her personal experience with natural disaster recovery, and specifically how her sobriety vastly altered how deeply she could show up for her family. Then, we’ll dive into Sober October to help you frame your perspective on this month of sobriety if this is something you’re participating in.  Tune in Monday for part two of this conversation where we’ll talk about Suzanne’s experience finishing the draft of her book and Audrey’s recent sober trip to Hawaii!  Try our NEW and IMPROVED Cafe FREE for a week!  We have more meetings, more hosts and even more connection. Join here for $40/month and get a week free! In addition to daily peer support meetings, you’ll get access to the exclusive Cafe social feed, our monthly book club, the chance to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, merch discounts and so much more. We also have The Sober Mom Life Community for just $5.95/month - In the Community, you’ll receive access to the exclusive Community social feed (like Facebook, but better!), the exclusive community chat, our monthly book club, and one free weekly meeting.  My mocktail recipe book, ‘No Ethanol Needed’ is finally here! Grab your copy here: https://mykindofsweet.com/2024/01/the-no-ethanol-needed-mocktail-ebook-is-here/ Click here to follow The Sober Mom Life on Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Katie and I are here for another installment of SobrieTEA, where we spill the tea about our favorite escape: Bravo and Reality TV! And oh boy, is there a lot to talk about in this installment.  We’ll jump right into our thoughts about the amazing new season of Southern Charm, including JT’s ill conceived gift, Shep’s moderation game, and Whitney’s odd role on the show.  Then we’ll tackle The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills with thoughts about Dorit’s new F-it energy, Kathy and Kyle’s emotionally toxic family, and Jennifer Tilly’s debut.  And finally, we’ll get to the cream of the crop, The Real Housewives of Salt Lake! We’ll breakdown Meredith’s incredible Bat Mitzvah episode, Angie’s ‘high body count hair’ comment, how well Bronwyn is fitting into the show, and Mary and her son’s meaningful connection over his addiction. Plus: Katie’s review of Sonja Morgan’s live cabaret show, how Potomac dredged up Suzanne’s religious trauma, the evolution of alcohol on reality shows, the home stretch of Katie’s pregnancy, and the end of an era on Vanderpump!  Join us in the The Sober Mom Life Cafe! For $40/month, you get access to 12 weekly peer support meetings, the exclusive Cafe social feed, our monthly book club and happy hour, the chance to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, and even a monthly Bravo chat! For a limited time, get one week free!  We also have The Sober Mom Life Community for just $5.95/month - In the Community, you’ll receive access to the exclusive Community social feed (like Facebook, but better!), the exclusive community chat, our monthly book club, and one free weekly meeting.  My mocktail recipe book, ‘No Ethanol Needed’ is here! Grab your copy here: https://mykindofsweet.com/2024/01/the-no-ethanol-needed-mocktail-ebook-is-here/ Click here to follow The Sober Mom Life on Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drinking had always been normalized for Jennifer P. - from drinking in high school friends’ rooms out of boredom, to parties and clubs, and all the way to mommy wine culture once she had her son. The questions started to pop up once she became medicated for anxiety. The meds weren’t mixing well with alcohol, leading to dangerous blackouts. After a few scary and shame inducing experiences Jennifer made the decision to quit.  One incredible piece of Jennifer’s story is that her husband decided to quit with her! Jennifer shares how she approached that important conversation, which resulted in immense support from her partner.  Would you like to share your Real Sober Mom story? It all starts by joining our Patreon! The Sober Mom Life Patreon offers so much, including a weekly meeting, exclusives, early access to the Real Sober Moms, a discord chat, and more! Learn all about it here: http://patreon.com/user?u=84021397 If you’re looking for a community of wonderful sober moms to support you while you build your own sober life, join us inside The Sober Mom Life Facebook group!  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1542852942745657 We have merch!!!! Check it out here! Click here to follow The Sober Mom Life on Instagram Love this show? Let me know by rating and reviewing the show on Apple Podcasts! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Paige began drinking as a way to connect with her now husband and to ‘wind down’ from a high intensity career. Infertility and motherhood kicked it up a notch, though, as she fell prey to the media narrative that alcohol was supposed to ‘help’ her cope with such stressors. Before long, Paige found herself struggling to moderate, which resulted in attempts to hide her drinking from her husband.  First, Paige tried AA, but she just didn’t feel as though the term ‘alcoholic’ resonated with her. She looked far and wide to find communities that actually worked for her, and she’s so glad she did! She wants you to know that one size does not fit all for sobriety. There are so many resources and recovery communities out there. Keep searching until you find what works for you!  Would you like to share your Real Sober Mom story? It all starts by joining our Patreon! The Sober Mom Life Patreon offers so much, including a weekly meeting, exclusives, early access to the Real Sober Moms, a discord chat, and more! Learn all about it here: http://patreon.com/user?u=84021397 If you’re looking for a community of wonderful sober moms to support you while you build your own sober life, join us inside The Sober Mom Life Facebook group!  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1542852942745657 We have merch!!!! Check it out here! Click here to follow The Sober Mom Life on Instagram Love this show? Let me know by rating and reviewing the show on Apple Podcasts! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Noel’s story is one of breaking generational patterns. After growing up in a drinking culture with heavy drinking parents and having terrifying close calls herself, Noel learned about how alcohol ravaged the lives of each of her grandparents. She couldn’t help but feel that she was following in their footsteps.  Everything within her told her it was time to quit, but quitting felt so foreign to Noel as she didn’t know any sober people. She’s here today to tell you that it’s worth it to take the step, even if you aren’t familiar with the path! Would you like to share your Real Sober Mom story? It all starts by joining our Patreon! The Sober Mom Life Patreon offers so much, including a weekly meeting, exclusives, early access to the Real Sober Moms, a discord chat, and more! Learn all about it here: http://patreon.com/user?u=84021397 If you’re looking for a community of wonderful sober moms to support you while you build your own sober life, join us inside The Sober Mom Life Facebook group!  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1542852942745657 We have merch!!!! Check it out here! Click here to follow The Sober Mom Life on Instagram Love this show? Let me know by rating and reviewing the show on Apple Podcasts! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jen’s sobriety story is miraculous and inspiring, and today she’s here to share it with all of us!  Her story begins in childhood where she survived a harrowing school shooting. Her family was not one to talk about emotions, however, so her trauma surrounding the event was never dealt with. This led to unexplainable anxiety once her own children started school.  In 2019, after a hard night of drinking her husband decided that they were both going to quit. Not one to be told what to do, Jen took her drinking back up on the sly after a few months in order to cope with undiagnosed PTSD and PPD, thus beginning a dangerous double life. Covid exacerbated this situation drastically as she suddenly found herself homeschooling 4 elementary aged children for a full year with no support. Before long, she couldn’t function without alcohol, leading to a family intervention, 2 stints in rehab, and an arrest for drinking and driving.  Jen wants you to know that rehab can be amazing! It is not the jail sentence it is so often painted to be. Rehab taught her how to talk about her feelings, gave her access to life changing healing and therapy, and helped her find the community she needed to choose sobriety for herself. If you feel that rehab might be the right path for this, then definitely take a listen to this episode!  If you’re looking for a community of wonderful sober moms to support you while you build your own sober life, join us inside The Sober Mom Life Facebook group!  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1542852942745657 We have merch!!!! Check it out here! Click here to follow The Sober Mom Life on Instagram Love this show? Let me know by rating and reviewing the show on Apple Podcasts! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Michelle’s sobriety story is so relatable. While alcohol had been a big part of her life since high school, after having a child she settled into being a ‘special occasions and weekends’ drinker. Blackouts and hangovers occurred when she drank, but since it wasn’t very often she didn’t think much of it.  During Covid, things changed. Michelle found herself drinking almost nightly. The blackouts and hangovers became crippling due to their consistency. It was then that she decided to set rules around her drinking and attempt moderation.  On the outside, it likely looked like moderation was working for her. But even with long breaks in between drinking, Michelle found that once she started drinking she couldn’t stop. Six months ago, she realized that blackouts and hangovers just weren’t worth it anymore. It was time to quit for good.  Michelle is now six months sober! Finding a community and doing the work made all the difference for her. She is now experiencing sobriety in a full and rich way.  Announcing the Sober Mom Life Cafe! For $10/month, join other sober moms inside the cafe for weekly meetings, bonus episodes, a Discord chat, a monthly book club, the option to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, and so much more! Learn all about it here: https://mykindofsweet.com/sober-mom-life-cafe/ If you’re looking for a community of wonderful sober moms to support you while you build your own sober life, join us inside The Sober Mom Life Facebook group!  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1542852942745657 We have merch!!!! Check it out here! Click here to follow The Sober Mom Life on Instagram Love this show? Let me know by rating and reviewing the show on Apple Podcasts! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today Shelby joins me to share her sobriety journey. Join us for a chat about numbing difficult emotions, postpartum depression, the ‘torture’ of moderation, and the lessons learned when returning to alcohol after a stretch of sobriety.  Shelby is now 8 months sober and wants you to know that hard things are always going to come your way. Either you can choose to numb each new hard thing. Or you can figure out a new way to handle hard things. Shelby encourages you to try a new way!  Announcing the Sober Mom Life Cafe! For $10/month, join other sober moms inside the cafe for weekly meetings, bonus episodes, a Discord chat, a monthly book club, the option to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, and so much more! Learn all about it here: https://mykindofsweet.com/sober-mom-life-cafe/ If you’re looking for a community of wonderful sober moms to support you while you build your own sober life, join us inside The Sober Mom Life Facebook group!  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1542852942745657 We have merch!!!!  Check it out here! Click here to follow The Sober Mom Life on Instagram Love this show? Let me know by rating and reviewing the show on Apple Podcasts! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kacey has been a loyal listener of the Real Sober Mom chats since the beginning of her sobriety journey and today it’s her turn to tell her story!  Today, Kacey shares how she questioned her drinking for years before she quit, the ups and downs she had on the way to achieving sobriety, and all the ways in which social media helped her along the way. Kacey drank because she thought that it would slow the roller coaster of her out of control life, but she’s here to tell you it does not work! In fact, alcohol only makes the ride more dizzying and more anxiety inducing.  Announcing the Sober Mom Life Cafe! For $10/month, join other sober moms inside the cafe for weekly meetings, bonus episodes, a Discord chat, a monthly book club, the option to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, and so much more! Learn all about it here: https://mykindofsweet.com/sober-mom-life-cafe/ If you’re looking for a community of wonderful sober moms to support you while you build your own sober life, join us inside The Sober Mom Life Facebook group!  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1542852942745657 We have merch!!!! Check it out here! Click here to follow The Sober Mom Life on Instagram Love this show? Let me know by rating and reviewing the show on Apple Podcasts! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today I’m joined by Dani, a fellow Wisconsinite who is celebrating 84 days sober! Dani never thought she’d make it this far with sobriety. Alcohol had been central to her life since childhood… She grew up spending days in bars with her dad, was given her first drink by her dad, and was always led to believe that alcohol was just a normal part of life. At the same time, though, she dealt with abuse from her father which was exacerbated by his addiction to alcohol.  Throughout adulthood, Dani reached for beer to cope more and more. But then, one action by her child made her realize she had to quit, because she never wanted him to grow up the way she did.  Today we talk about the importance of support on your sobriety journey, the challenge of trying to quit both alcohol and cigarettes at the same time, how hard the big ‘firsts’ can feel, and so much more.  Dani wants you to know that while you are doing this yourself, you are not alone! There is always a huge community of other sober women to support you.  Announcing the Sober Mom Life Cafe! For $10/month, join other sober moms inside the cafe for weekly meetings, bonus episodes, a Discord chat, a monthly book club, the option to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, and so much more! Learn all about it here: https://mykindofsweet.com/sober-mom-life-cafe/ If you’re looking for a community of wonderful sober moms to support you while you build your own sober life, join us inside The Sober Mom Life Facebook group!  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1542852942745657 We have merch!!!! Check it out here! Click here to follow The Sober Mom Life on Instagram Love this show? Let me know by rating and reviewing the show on Apple Podcasts! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today Lindsey shares her incredibly relatable story of masking grief and trauma with alcohol until it became too much. It turns out, the very thing that  she thought was helping her was actually making her life infinitely harder.  After stumbling upon The Sober Mom Life Facebook group last fall, Lindsey began to wonder if it was time to ditch alcohol for both her mental and physical health. The final straw occurred when she learned of alcohol related health issues that ran in her family. Like a light switch, she decided to stop. She’s now four months sober!  Community, podcasts and quit lit have been so supportive on Lindsey’s journey to reframing her understanding of alcohol. She wants you to know that alcohol makes life harder - give yourself a chance to experience sobriety so you can feel the relief for yourself.  Lindsey recommends these books!  Open book by Jessica Simpson Quit Like a Woman by Holly Whitaker Announcing the Sober Mom Life Cafe! For $15/month, join other sober moms inside the cafe for weekly meetings, bonus episodes, a Discord chat, a monthly book club, the option to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, and so much more! Learn all about it here: https://mykindofsweet.com/sober-mom-life-cafe/ If you’re looking for a community of wonderful sober moms to support you while you build your own sober life, join us inside The Sober Mom Life Facebook group!  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1542852942745657 We have merch!!!!  Check it out here! Click here to follow The Sober Mom Life on Instagram Love this show? Let me know by rating and reviewing the show on Apple Podcasts! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, Liz joins me on the Real Sober Moms!  Growing up, the adults in Liz’s family would often congregate at her family’s home to drink and ‘let loose’, resulting in an environment where Liz felt unsafe and invisible. Despite that discomfort, she learned to equate alcohol with fun, and emotional connection. This difficult combination of emotions led to challenges for Liz in high school when her father was diagnosed with cancer. By the time he passed away early in her college career, she was drinking regularly as a way to escape and manage her grief.  Liz’s relationship with alcohol began to change when she became a mom herself. She realized that she wanted something for her kids that she didn’t have as a child: she wanted them to feel safe and seen. It became clear to her that alcohol was not going to serve her in that mission. In fact, it was going to stand in the way. She decided at that moment to leave alcohol behind. She has never looked back!  Would you like to share your Real Sober Mom story? It all starts by joining The Sober Mom Life Cafe! For $15/month, you’ll join other sober moms for weekly meetings, bonus episodes, a Discord chat, a monthly book club, the option to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, and so much more! Learn all about it here: https://mykindofsweet.com/sober-mom-life-cafe/ If you’re looking for a community of wonderful sober moms to support you while you build your own sober life, join us inside The Sober Mom Life Facebook group!  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1542852942745657 We have merch!!!!  Check it out here! Click here to follow The Sober Mom Life on Instagram Love this show? Let me know by rating and reviewing the show on Apple Podcasts! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today I’m joined by Jaime (our very first returning sober mom!) for an update on how she’s doing as she reaches one year of sobriety.  Jaime’s journey in this first year of sobriety has been so inspirational in all aspects of her life, from her health to her friendships and relationships, and even her brand new morning routine. Most excitingly, Jaime has become a certified sober coach! Learn more about her offerings and follow along with her sobriety journey on Instagram at @amazingly_alcoholfree.  Check out Jaime’s first appearance on The Real Sober Moms here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sober-mom-life/id1631208632?i=1000584475071 Would you like to share your Real Sober Mom story? It all starts by joining The Sober Mom Life Cafe! For $15/month, you’ll join other sober moms for weekly meetings, bonus episodes, a Discord chat, a monthly book club, the option to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, and so much more! Learn all about it here: https://mykindofsweet.com/sober-mom-life-cafe/ If you’re looking for a community of wonderful sober moms to support you while you build your own sober life, join us inside The Sober Mom Life Facebook group!  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1542852942745657 We have merch!!!!  Check it out here! Click here to follow The Sober Mom Life on Instagram Love this show? Let me know by rating and reviewing the show on Apple Podcasts! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Growing up in a big Italian family, alcohol was everywhere during Bri's childhood. From sips of wine from her parent’s glasses to beers while celebrating basketball games, Bri was raised to see alcohol as a fun way for adults to unwind and connect with each other.  When Bri became a mom herself, she began to understand her own mother’s nightly drink, and gradually Mommy Wine Culture became central to her life. Yet, what seemed like a carefree, easy and glamorous approach to being a mom wasn’t all it was cracked up to be.  One night, a lightbulb went off in her mind. She took a sip of wine, noticed its gross taste, and felt deeply the damage she was doing to her body. Right then and there, she stopped drinking for good.  Tune in for Bri’s story, with a sprinkle of Bravo gossip, in this week’s episode!  If you’re looking for a community of wonderful sober moms to support you while you build your own sober life, join us inside The Sober Mom Life Facebook group!  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1542852942745657 We have merch!!!!  Check it out here! Click here to follow The Sober Mom Life on Instagram Love this show? Let me know by rating and reviewing the show on Apple Podcasts! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, Bethany bravely shares her story of navigating a traumatic pregnancy decision in the wake of Roe v Wade being overturned. Join us as we discuss the space that sobriety can create for healing, the little moments of beauty that can only be experienced by a sober mind, and so much more.  Bethany wants you to know that committing to sobriety can be one of the biggest acts of self love.  Bethany recommends reading The Artist’s Way.  Announcing the Sober Mom Life Cafe! For $15/month, join other sober moms inside the cafe for weekly meetings, bonus episodes, a Discord chat, a monthly book club, the option to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, and so much more! Learn all about it here: https://mykindofsweet.com/sober-mom-life-cafe/ If you’re looking for a community of wonderful sober moms to support you while you build your own sober life, join us inside The Sober Mom Life Facebook group!  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1542852942745657 We have merch!!!! Check it out here! Click here to follow The Sober Mom Life on Instagram Love this show? Let me know by rating and reviewing the show on Apple Podcasts! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today Joanne joins me to share the wisdom she has collected over her 5 YEARS of sobriety! Hear the reaffirming stories of how she finally took the leap to stop drinking, the beautiful support she has received from family and friends, and what it feels like to confidently step into the identity of a sober woman.  Joanne is absolutely in love with her sober life! She wants you to know that if you are feeling the call to ditch alcohol, trust yourself. You’ll be so happy you did.  Check out Alcohol Lied to Me by Craig Beck Announcing the Sober Mom Life Cafe! For $15/month, join other sober moms inside the cafe for weekly meetings, bonus episodes, a Discord chat, a monthly book club, the option to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, and so much more! Learn all about it here: https://mykindofsweet.com/sober-mom-life-cafe/ If you’re looking for a community of wonderful sober moms to support you while you build your own sober life, join us inside The Sober Mom Life Facebook group!  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1542852942745657 We have merch!!!! Check it out here! Click here to follow The Sober Mom Life on Instagram Love this show? Let me know by rating and reviewing the show on Apple Podcasts! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today’s real sober mom Heather knew the havoc that addiction could wreak after spending years in a marriage with a man addicted to pills. In comparison, her challenges with alcohol never seemed that bad. Yet, as the years moved on and Heather went through the grief of losing her mom, her drinking intensified and she began to notice a decline in both her mental and physical health.  Heather’s sober journey has been unfolding since her first Dry July in 2019, and she’s now been fully sober since January 1st, 2023! Her mental and physical health have improved drastically, and she now feels strong in so many new ways.  Heather wants you to know that there is nothing more powerful than a sober woman!  Announcing the Sober Mom Life Cafe! For $15/month, join other sober moms inside the cafe for weekly meetings, bonus episodes, a Discord chat, a monthly book club, the option to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, and so much more! Learn all about it here: https://mykindofsweet.com/sober-mom-life-cafe/ If you’re looking for a community of wonderful sober moms to support you while you build your own sober life, join us inside The Sober Mom Life Facebook group!  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1542852942745657 We have merch!!!!  Check it out here! Click here to follow The Sober Mom Life on Instagram Love this show? Let me know by rating and reviewing the show on Apple Podcasts! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today Amanda is here to share her story as she nears 10 months of sobriety!  Amanda’s father quit drinking and joined AA when she was ten, and from then on alcohol became a strict ‘no’ in her household… but no one would tell her why. This inability to talk to her parents about emotions and big things led Amanda to develop a secret life in high school - one of sneaking around, drinking, and keeping it all to herself.  As life unfolded and Amanda became a parent, she found comfort in being a ‘party mom’ while moving regularly for work. This constant uprooting made her rely on alcohol more and more, both as a means of connection and as a way to mask her sadness.  The years of constant partying took their toll, until one night it became too much. Amanda woke up the next day and just ‘stopped’. She was afraid and had no idea how to do it, but she was committed to try. Finding the Sober Mom community has made all the difference!  Amanda wants you to know that there is no shame in sobriety, no matter what anyone says!  Announcing the Sober Mom Life Cafe! For $15/month, join other sober moms inside the cafe for weekly meetings, bonus episodes, a Discord chat, a monthly book club, the option to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, and so much more! Learn all about it here: https://mykindofsweet.com/sober-mom-life-cafe/ If you’re looking for a community of wonderful sober moms to support you while you build your own sober life, join us inside The Sober Mom Life Facebook group!  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1542852942745657 We have merch!!!!  Check it out here! Click here to follow The Sober Mom Life on Instagram Love this show? Let me know by rating and reviewing the show on Apple Podcasts! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jess grew up in the alcohol-soaked culture of Wisconsin. It was everywhere - in her home, on the TV, and at every social event. She didn’t even know for a long time that it was an option to quit drinking.  When motherhood entered the picture in Jess’s mid-20s, drinking became her daily way to cope. She knew deep down that she had an issue, but she wasn’t ready to face it. Instead, she focused on balancing her life in every way… other than quitting alcohol.  The pandemic, which followed shortly after the birth of her third child, kicked things up a notch until Jess knew that she needed to make a change. Quitting was HARD for her. She experienced many stops and starts. But once she stopped shaming herself for the addiction that alcohol had created, she began to find her way forward.  Jess is now 10 months sober! She is so proud of the work she has done to get here. She wants you to know that sometimes this road is hard, and that’s okay! Just keep walking.  Jess recommends Alan Carr’s Stop Drinking Now: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=alan+carr+easy+way+to+quit Connect with Jess on Instagram: https://instagram.com/balanced_entrepreneur?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== Announcing the Sober Mom Life Cafe! For $15/month, join other sober moms inside the cafe for weekly meetings, bonus episodes, a Discord chat, a monthly book club, the option to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, and so much more! Learn all about it here: https://mykindofsweet.com/sober-mom-life-cafe/ If you’re looking for a community of wonderful sober moms to support you while you build your own sober life, join us inside The Sober Mom Life Facebook group!  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1542852942745657 We have merch!!!! Check it out here! Click here to follow The Sober Mom Life on Instagram Love this show? Let me know by rating and reviewing the show on Apple Podcasts! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices