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This conversation with Dr. Dawnmarie Risley-Childs stays with you. Not because it’s easy to hear, but because it’s real.

Dawnmarie shares her story of growing up in severe abuse and how that shaped her path into psychiatry, and eventually into a much deeper kind of healing. What stands out isn’t just what she’s been through, it’s how she talks about responsibility, boundaries, and what it actually takes to move forward when your past feels overwhelming.

There’s an honest look at things many women in recovery quietly wrestle with. The difference between coping and healing. The weight we carry in our bodies. The complicated truth about family, especially when safety and love don’t exist in the same place.

You’ll also hear a grounded perspective on newer approaches to trauma recovery, including psychedelic-assisted therapy, and why some people turn to it after trying everything else.

A few things we get into:

• What long-term trauma can do to your sense of self
• Why boundaries can feel so uncomfortable, especially with family
• The connection between trauma recovery and the body
• Letting go of what you’ve been carrying for years
• What real emotional healing can look like over time

This episode speaks directly to sober women and women in recovery who are doing the deeper work. The kind that goes beyond just removing alcohol and into rebuilding a life that actually feels steady and honest.

If you’ve ever felt stuck in your sobriety journey, or like you’ve done a lot of work but something still feels heavy, this conversation might land in a meaningful way.

About the Host
Shelby John is a licensed therapist and founder of Wholistic Living. Through the Confident Sober Women podcast, she explores sobriety, mental health, nervous system regulation, and emotional healing for women building a life after alcohol.

Connect with Shelby
Website: https://shelbyjohn.com

Podcast: Confident Sober Women

Support the show

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate & share this episode with a sober woman or someone suffering from anxiety, depression, ADHD, sleep problems and negative thought patterns who needs to hear she is not alone.

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, my remote Neurofeedback Therapy program is up and running. Learn more here!Learn more about EMDR therapy, EMDR Intensives and Remote Neurofeedback.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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Some stories stay with you, not because they’re dramatic, but because they’re honest.

In this conversation, Shelby sits down with Vivian Moyo, a trauma-informed life coach, to talk about what it really means to heal after deep loss. Vivian shares her experience of losing her mother at a young age, growing up without her father, and navigating layers of grief that followed her into adulthood.

What stands out isn’t just the pain, but the patterns that formed around it. People pleasing. Overgiving. Losing yourself while trying to take care of everyone else.

They talk openly about how trauma can shape identity, relationships, and emotional habits, and what it looks like to slowly come back to yourself. Not through quick fixes, but through awareness, boundaries, and doing the uncomfortable work of facing what’s been avoided.

There’s also a strong focus on emotional sobriety. Not just staying away from alcohol, but learning how to sit with your feelings without escaping them.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• The impact of early childhood trauma and unresolved grief
• How people pleasing and overhelping can become coping mechanisms
• The role of creativity as a tool for emotional healing
• Letting go of relationships, habits, and identities that no longer fit
• Building boundaries and learning to choose yourself
• What emotional sobriety looks like in everyday life

This is a grounded, real conversation for women in recovery, sober curious women, and anyone working through trauma, loss, or major life transitions.

About the Guest
Vivian Moyo is a qualified life coach and trauma-informed therapist who helps individuals heal from their past, overcome emotional challenges, and build a life rooted in clarity and confidence. Her work is shaped by both professional training and lived experience.

Website: https://moyowellnesstherapy.com/

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@moyowellnesstherapy

Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/76edyttlLES02qLHBdHrTH

TikTok: @moyowellnesstherapy

About the Host
Shelby John is a licensed therapist and founder of Wholistic Living. Through the Confident Sober Women podcast, she explores sobriety, emotional healing, nervous system health, and personal growth for women building lives rooted in clarity, confidence, and true freedom.

Website: https://shelbyjohn.com

Support the show

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate & share this episode with a sober woman or someone suffering from anxiety, depression, ADHD, sleep problems and negative thought patterns who needs to hear she is not alone.

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, my remote Neurofeedback Therapy program is up and running. Learn more here!Learn more about EMDR therapy, EMDR Intensives and Remote Neurofeedback.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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What if sobriety is less about labels and more about how you live, think, and feel each day?

In this episode, Shelby sits down with transformation coach Heather Simco to talk about a more honest and grounded approach to recovery. With over a decade of sobriety and more than 20 years in entrepreneurship, Heather shares how high-achieving women can move beyond burnout, alcohol, and self-sabotage by focusing on emotional sobriety, not just abstinence.

They explore the patterns that often go unnoticed, including shifting addictions, perfectionism, overconsumption, and the constant search for relief. This conversation looks beyond quitting alcohol and focuses on what it actually takes to feel well in your daily life, mentally, physically, and emotionally.

Heather also shares her personal story, including rebuilding relationships, navigating motherhood, and the level of awareness it takes to stay grounded in recovery. If you have ever questioned your habits, your coping mechanisms, or what real freedom looks like, this episode offers a clear and practical perspective.

In this episode, you will hear about:

• Reframing sobriety and removing the stigma around the word “addict”
• Emotional sobriety and its role in long-term healing
• Hidden addictions such as food, control, and productivity
• Nervous system regulation and mental health in sobriety
• Building a balanced and sustainable life after alcohol

This conversation is for sober women, sober curious women, and anyone on a sobriety journey who is focused on emotional healing, mental health, and building a more stable and clear life.

About the Guest
Heather Simco is a transformation coach and founder of Complete Concierge Solutions and Sober Boss Babe. She helps high-achieving women break free from burnout, alcohol, and self-sabotage through mental, physical, and emotional sobriety. Her work focuses on helping women reclaim their energy, strengthen their leadership, and build aligned lives and businesses.

Connect with Heather:

Website: www.heathersimco.com
Instagram: @heathersimco
TikTok: @heathesimco
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@heathersimco

About the Host

Shelby John is a licensed therapist and founder of Wholistic Living. Through the Confident Sober Women podcast, she explores mental health and sobriety, trauma recovery, and personal growth for women who are building lives rooted in clarity, confidence, and real freedom.

Website: https://shelbyjohn.com

Support the show

If this episode was helpful, consider subscribing, rating, or sharing it with someone who might need it. This could be a sober woman, someone exploring life after alcohol, or anyone working through anxiety, depression, or emotional challenges.

Shelby also offers remote neurofeedback therapy and EMDR as part of her work in trauma recovery and nervous system regulation. You can learn more on her website.

Her memoir, Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety, is available wherever books are sold.

Support the show

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate & share this episode with a sober woman or someone suffering from anxiety, depression, ADHD, sleep problems and negative thought patterns who needs to hear she is not alone.

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, my remote Neurofeedback Therapy program is up and running. Learn more here!Learn more about EMDR therapy, EMDR Intensives and Remote Neurofeedback.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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In this episode of Confident Sober Women, Shelby sits down with Colette Baron-Reid for an honest conversation about what long-term sobriety really looks like in real life.

With more than 40 years of sobriety, Colette shares her experience with addiction, recovery, and the deeper emotional work that followed. This conversation moves beyond quitting alcohol and focuses on what it takes to stay well over time. They talk about trauma, identity, and the ongoing commitment to growth that comes with living in recovery.

Shelby and Colette also explore the realities of 12-step recovery, the role of humility, and how patterns shaped by the nervous system and past experiences can continue to show up even after getting sober. Colette speaks openly about her healing journey, including her experience with EMDR, and how her understanding of recovery has evolved over the years.

This episode will resonate with women in recovery who are asking what comes next after sobriety and how to build a life that feels steady, clear, and grounded.

In this episode, you will hear about:

• The difference between early sobriety and long-term recovery
• Emotional healing and trauma recovery after addiction
• Nervous system regulation and mental health in sobriety
• The role of community, structure, and humility
• Letting go of identity patterns that no longer serve you

Colette Baron-Reid is an internationally respected author, artist, educator, and spiritual intuitive. She is the co-author of The Art of Manifesting: A Meditative Drawing Practice to Rewire Your Brain and Create Your Reality and has been in recovery for over four decades.

Connect with Colette:

Website: https://www.colettebaronreid.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/ColetteBaronReid/featured
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/colettebaronreid
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colettebaron_reid/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colettebaronreid/

About the Host:

Shelby John is a licensed therapist and founder of Wholistic Living. Through the Confident Sober Women podcast, she explores sobriety, emotional healing, nervous system regulation, and personal growth for women who are building lives rooted in clarity, confidence, and real freedom.

Website: https://shelbyjohn.com

Support the show

If this episode resonated with you, consider subscribing, rating, or sharing it with someone who may need it. This could be a sober woman, someone in a sobriety journey, or anyone navigating mental health challenges, anxiety, or emotional healing.

Shelby also offers remote neurofeedback therapy and EMDR sessions as part of her work in trauma recovery and nervous system regulation. You can learn more on her website.

Her memoir, Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety, is also available wherever books are sold.

Support the show

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate & share this episode with a sober woman or someone suffering from anxiety, depression, ADHD, sleep problems and negative thought patterns who needs to hear she is not alone.

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, my remote Neurofeedback Therapy program is up and running. Learn more here!Learn more about EMDR therapy, EMDR Intensives and Remote Neurofeedback.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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In this episode of Confident Sober Women, Shelby sits down with entrepreneur, podcast host, and author Sarah Barnes Humphrey for a conversation about identity, resilience, and rebuilding life after everything falls apart.

Sarah shares the story of what she calls the worst day of her life. Just days before her 37th birthday, her family’s logistics company suddenly closed, leaving her without the career path she had spent nearly two decades building. What followed was a period of grief, uncertainty, and deep reflection about self-worth, purpose, and what comes next.

Sarah talks about the emotional reality of starting over and the messy middle that many women experience when life does not go according to plan. Through that process, she began to redefine success, rebuild her confidence, and eventually grow the podcast and platform that she leads today.

Shelby and Sarah explore how experiences like loss, career shifts, and personal setbacks can challenge our sense of identity but also create space for growth and emotional healing.

If you are navigating change, rebuilding confidence, or exploring life after alcohol, this conversation offers a grounded look at resilience and the power of finding your voice.

In this episode you will hear:

• How losing her family business forced Sarah to rebuild her identity
• The emotional impact of sudden career and life changes
• How self-worth can shift during difficult life transitions
• The reality of entrepreneurship and the “messy middle” of growth
• Why healing work and self-reflection matter for women in recovery

This episode speaks to many women on a sobriety journey or navigating life after alcohol, where personal growth often requires rebuilding confidence, addressing mental health and sobriety, and learning how to move forward after difficult experiences.

About the Host

Shelby John is a licensed therapist and founder of Wholistic Living. Through the Confident Sober Women podcast, she explores sobriety, emotional healing, nervous system health, and personal growth for women who are building lives rooted in clarity, confidence, and true freedom.

Connect with Shelby

Website
https://shelbyjohn.com

Podcast
Confident Sober Women

Support the show

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate & share this episode with a sober woman or someone suffering from anxiety, depression, ADHD, sleep problems and negative thought patterns who needs to hear she is not alone.

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, my remote Neurofeedback Therapy program is up and running. Learn more here!Learn more about EMDR therapy, EMDR Intensives and Remote Neurofeedback.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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In this episode of Confident Sober Women, Shelby sits down with recovery advocate and mindfulness teacher Lane Kennedy for an honest conversation about long-term sobriety, nervous system regulation, and what it really takes to build a stable life after alcohol.

Lane shares her journey of 29 years in recovery and reflects on the unexpected lessons that come with staying sober across decades. From early recovery to parenting, global travel, career shifts, and the challenges of navigating stress in modern life, this conversation explores how recovery continues to evolve over time.

Shelby and Lane talk openly about the role of spirituality in long-term sobriety, the reality of nervous system dysregulation, and how stress can quietly shape our habits, relationships, and health. They also explore the subtle ways addiction patterns can resurface even years into recovery and why awareness, humility, and daily practices remain essential.

Together they discuss how sobriety is not just about removing alcohol, but about building a life that feels grounded, connected, and sustainable.

If you are navigating your own sobriety journey or working on emotional healing and nervous system regulation, this episode offers both perspective and encouragement from two women who have lived the process.

In this episode you will hear:

• What long-term sobriety actually looks like after decades
• How nervous system regulation supports emotional healing
• Why spirituality often becomes a foundation in recovery
• The impact of stress, parenting, and life transitions on sobriety
• How community and connection support women in recovery

This conversation is a reminder that recovery is not a one-time event. It is a lifelong process of growth, awareness, and learning how to live with clarity and confidence.

About the Host

Shelby John is a licensed therapist and founder of Wholistic Living. Through the Confident Sober Women podcast, she explores sobriety, emotional healing, nervous system health, and personal growth for women who are building lives rooted in clarity, confidence, and true freedom.

Connect with Shelby

Website
https://shelbyjohn.com

Podcast
Confident Sober Women

Support the show

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate & share this episode with a sober woman or someone suffering from anxiety, depression, ADHD, sleep problems and negative thought patterns who needs to hear she is not alone.

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, my remote Neurofeedback Therapy program is up and running. Learn more here!Learn more about EMDR therapy, EMDR Intensives and Remote Neurofeedback.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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In this episode of Confident Sober Women, Shelby sits down with writer and journalist Carly Schwartz to talk about addiction, emotional sobriety, and the complicated path to recovery.

Carly is a former editor in chief of the San Francisco Examiner and a founding editor of HuffPost San Francisco. Her upcoming memoir, I’ll Try Anything Twice: Misadventures of a Self-Medicated Life, shares the honest and often surprising story of her journey through depression, drug use, and eventually sobriety.

What makes Carly’s story powerful is her ability to talk about difficult experiences with honesty, humor, and perspective. In this conversation, Shelby and Carly explore the deeper emotional work of recovery and the role community plays in healing.

Together they discuss how many women in recovery struggle with belonging, self-criticism, and the belief that their pain is not “bad enough” to count. Carly shares how sobriety helped her move from self-medication and isolation toward connection, emotional healing, and a more grounded life.

In this episode you will hear about:

• Carly’s sobriety journey and the moment she realized her relationship with substances needed to change
• The connection between depression, addiction, and self-medication
• Why humor and storytelling can help reduce stigma around mental health and recovery
• The role of community and belonging in the recovery process
• Letting go of people pleasing and learning to live authentically

This conversation is a reminder that recovery is not just about stopping alcohol or drugs. It is about rebuilding a relationship with yourself and finding confidence in sobriety.

If you are a sober woman, sober curious, or navigating life after alcohol, this episode offers an honest look at the emotional layers of healing and growth.

About the Host

Shelby John is a licensed therapist and founder of Wholistic Living. Through the Confident Sober Women podcast, she explores sobriety, emotional healing, nervous system health, and personal development for women building lives rooted in clarity, confidence, and true freedom.

Connect with Shelby

Website
https://shelbyjohn.com

Podcast
Confident Sober Women

Support the show

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate & share this episode with a sober woman or someone suffering from anxiety, depression, ADHD, sleep problems and negative thought patterns who needs to hear she is not alone.

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, my remote Neurofeedback Therapy program is up and running. Learn more here!Learn more about EMDR therapy, EMDR Intensives and Remote Neurofeedback.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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In this solo episode of Confident Sober Women, Shelby John returns after a period of personal and professional growth to share what’s evolving in her life, her work, and the direction of the podcast.

Shelby opens up about a season of transition—navigating motherhood, major life changes, and expanding her therapy practice—while reflecting on how these experiences deepen her understanding of healing. She shares why sobriety, while powerful, is only the starting point for many women.

This episode explores what it really means to move beyond just removing alcohol and begin addressing the deeper patterns that keep women feeling stuck. Shelby introduces a more expanded focus on emotional healing, nervous system regulation, and trauma recovery—key elements in building a grounded and meaningful life after alcohol.

If you are a sober woman, sober curious, or navigating your own sobriety journey, this episode offers a real and honest look at what comes next.

In this episode you will hear:

• Why sobriety is only the first step in lasting change
• The connection between mental health and sobriety
• How nervous system regulation supports emotional healing
• What trauma recovery can look like beyond talk therapy
• Why many women in recovery still feel stuck after quitting alcohol

This conversation is for women who are ready to move beyond coping and start building confidence in sobriety, creating lives rooted in clarity, emotional resilience, and true freedom.

About the Host

Shelby John is a licensed therapist and founder of Wholistic Living. Through the Confident Sober Women podcast, she explores sobriety, emotional healing, nervous system health, and personal growth for women who are building lives rooted in clarity, confidence, and true freedom.

Connect with Shelby

Website
https://shelbyjohn.com

Podcast
Confident Sober Women

Support the show

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate & share this episode with a sober woman or someone suffering from anxiety, depression, ADHD, sleep problems and negative thought patterns who needs to hear she is not alone.

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, my remote Neurofeedback Therapy program is up and running. Learn more here!Learn more about EMDR therapy, EMDR Intensives and Remote Neurofeedback.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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In this episode of the Confident Sober Women podcast, Shelby John sits down with Beth McDonough, a former television crime reporter with more than 30 years of experience covering major news stories across the United States.

Beth shares her powerful and deeply personal recovery story. She speaks openly about addiction, trauma, shame, incarceration, and the long process of rebuilding her life after losing her career and public reputation. This conversation focuses heavily on personal responsibility and what it truly takes to get sober and stay sober.

Throughout the episode, Beth reflects on how unprocessed grief, career pressure, and untreated trauma contributed to her addiction. She explains how recovery required accountability, trauma-informed therapy, and ongoing commitment to healing through tools such as 12-step programs and EMDR.

This episode is especially meaningful for women navigating sobriety, career loss, or major life transitions. Beth’s story offers hope to anyone who feels stuck in shame or believes they have gone too far to start over. Her journey is a reminder that recovery is not about returning to who you once were, but about building a stronger and more authentic version of yourself.

If you are interested in addiction recovery for women, sober living, trauma healing, and rebuilding confidence after hitting rock bottom, this episode will resonate deeply.

📘 Book Mentioned by Beth McDonough

Standby
Beth’s memoir explores addiction, recovery, chronic illness, and resilience. The book speaks to today’s cultural conversation around mental health, sober curiosity, chronic illness awareness, and female empowerment.

🔗 https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/standby-beth-mcdonough/1148126303?ean=9798894278186

Support the show

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate & share this episode with a sober woman or someone suffering from anxiety, depression, ADHD, sleep problems and negative thought patterns who needs to hear she is not alone.

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, my remote Neurofeedback Therapy program is up and running. Learn more here!Learn more about EMDR therapy, EMDR Intensives and Remote Neurofeedback.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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In this eye-opening episode of The Confident Sober Women podcast, host Shelby John sits down with award-winning investigative journalist Shoshana Walter, author of Rehab: An American Scandal. Together, they uncover the shocking realities of America’s addiction treatment industry—where compassion and healing sometimes collide with corruption, exploitation, and profit.

Shoshana shares the powerful stories behind her groundbreaking reporting for The Marshall Project and Reveal, which exposed how some court-ordered rehab programs forced people struggling with addiction into unpaid labor—working in factories, warehouses, and even processing plants under the guise of “treatment.” Her work sheds light on the systemic failures in the U.S. recovery landscape and the human cost of unregulated programs that prey on the most vulnerable.

Shelby and Shoshana explore:

• How the opioid epidemic reshaped America’s rehab industry—and where it went wrong
• The dark history of “tough love” recovery programs rooted in Synanon and behavioral modification
• Why unregulated and for-profit treatment centers continue to thrive today
• The legal and ethical gray zones surrounding work-based rehab programs
• The critical role of “recovery capital”—the internal and external supports that make lasting sobriety possible
• The devastating gap in treatment options for mothers and families, and what real reform could look like

This conversation is a must-listen for anyone in recovery, professionals in the mental health and addiction fields, and families seeking treatment for a loved one. It’s a raw, informed, and deeply compassionate discussion about what’s broken—and what hope still exists for creating an addiction recovery system that truly heals.

📘 Learn more about Shoshana Walter and her book on her website https://www.shoshanawalter.com/

🌿 Want to take control of your anxiety and build emotional resilience in recovery?
Download Shelby’s free guide, Is Neurofeedback Right for You? at www.shelbyjohn.com
Discover how remote neurofeedback can help you regulate your emotions, sleep better, and feel confident in your sober l

Support the show

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate & share this episode with a sober woman or someone suffering from anxiety, depression, ADHD, sleep problems and negative thought patterns who needs to hear she is not alone.

Support the show

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, my remote Neurofeedback Therapy program is up and running. Learn more here! Learn more about EMDR therapy, EMDR Intensives and Remote Neurofeedback.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerable so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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Today, I sit down with Renae Van Roekel, founder of Connecting to Cope, to explore the journey from childhood trauma and people-pleasing to accountability, healing, and helping others. If you’ve ever felt stuck under shame, guilt, or perfectionism, you’re not alone.

What You’ll Learn

• How early trauma and being told “you’re bad” became Renae’s internal narrative
• The cost of people-pleasing addiction, perfectionism, and hiding shame
• Her pivotal moment: why she chose to turn herself in rather than stay silent
• What happens when unhealed trauma collides with family, career, and relationship demands
• Tools she uses now to rewrite her brain: EMDR therapy, Rational Evaluations, journaling, self-care routines
• How negative thinking patterns show up & how to rewrite them with new core beliefs
• Rebuilding difficult family relationships, and how honesty, patience & courage can mend the past

Spotlight on Tools & Modalities

• EMDR therapy – how it helped Renae release trauma beyond talk therapy and regain mental focus
• Rational Evaluations (RSA) & cognitive-behavioral work she learned in prison’s RDAP program
• Daily practices: journaling, self-check-ins, inner dialogue shifts, patience with self

Visit her at www.connectingtocope.comhttps://www.facebook.com/connectingtocope/
https://www.instagram.com/connectingtocope/

If you've struggled with addiction, people-pleasing, perfectionism, or inherited shame, Renae’s story shows you can transform your life by facing truth, doing the healing work, and choosing purpose. You can reclaim your identity, your integrity, and your power to choose.

Ready to do the next work on healing your past & reclaiming your voice? Learn more at www.wholisticlivingtherapy.com

Support the show

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate & share this episode with a sober woman or someone suffering from anxiety, depression, ADHD, sleep problems and negative thought patterns who needs to hear she is not alone.

Support the show

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, my remote Neurofeedback Therapy program is up and running. Learn more here! Learn more about EMDR therapy, EMDR Intensives and Remote Neurofeedback.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerable so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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Join host Shelby John as she sits down with Meg Gluth, a confident sober woman, successful business owner, and advocate for long-term recovery. In this inspiring episode, Meg shares her transformative journey from struggling with alcohol as a coping mechanism to building a thriving life rooted in sobriety, purpose, and authentic living.

Episode Highlights:

Meg discusses her recovery story, from her Midwest upbringing and challenges with early sobriety to finding her path through AA and personal growth work. She opens up about losing her first wife to cancer while in law school and how functional alcoholism masked deeper pain for years.

Learn about the four essential pillars Meg built in her first five years of sobriety: building community through sober social activities, establishing spiritual practices like yoga and meditation, working with a therapist on emotional baggage, and prioritizing physical health through exercise and mindful consumption.

Meg shares practical strategies for maintaining confidence and emotional sobriety, including the power of personal accountability, keeping promises to yourself, and understanding that small, consistent habits create lasting transformation. She emphasizes humility as central to her approach, recognizing that your best thinking got you into trouble, and that there's always more to learn.

About Meg Gluth:

Meg is the owner and operator of a manufacturing company headquartered in Seattle with locations nationwide. Her business does approximately $100 million in annual revenue, supplying raw materials and components to industries ranging from home improvement to oil and gas. Meg is also a yoga instructor and passionate advocate for women in recovery.

Connect with Meg:

Visit www.megangluth.com for more information.

Resources Mentioned:

Laura McKowan's "We Are the Luckiest," personal therapy, yoga practice, AA fellowships, and remote neurofeedback therapy for anxiety and sleep support.

Support the show

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate & share this episode with a sober woman or someone suffering from anxiety, depression, ADHD, sleep problems and negative thought patterns who needs to hear she is not alone.

Support the show

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, my remote Neurofeedback Therapy program is up and running. Learn more here! Learn more about EMDR therapy, EMDR Intensives and Remote Neurofeedback.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerable so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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Join host Shelby John as she shares powerful strategies for navigating transition times in sobriety. Whether you're dealing with back-to-school stress, seasonal changes, or major life shifts, this episode provides actionable tools to help you thrive instead of just survive.

What You'll Learn:

5 Essential Transition Tools for Women in Recovery:

• Transition Rituals - How to intentionally mark changes and set intentions
• The STOP Technique - A proven method to rewire your brain's stress response
• Support Check-ins - Building proactive connection points before you're struggling
• Energy Audits - Protecting your energy during overwhelming times
• Nervous System Reset - Revolutionary approach using remote neurofeedback therapy

Key Topics Covered:

• Why transitions trigger women in recovery more intensely
• How substance use rewires our brain's response to uncertainty
• Creating new neural pathways for conscious choice vs reactive behavior
• Back-to-basics approach during high-stress periods
• Remote neurofeedback therapy as brain training for regulation

Featured Resource:

Learn about Shelby's remote neurofeedback therapy program - a non-invasive, at-home brain training solution that helps retrain your nervous system's response to stress, anxiety, and triggers. Perfect for women ready to take their recovery to the next level.

Shelby's Website: www.shelbyjohn.com

Free Consultation: Available for remote neurofeedback therapy.

Support the show

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate & share this episode with a sober woman or someone suffering from anxiety, depression, ADHD, sleep problems and negative thought patterns who needs to hear she is not alone.

Support the show

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, my remote Neurofeedback Therapy program is up and running. Learn more here! Learn more about EMDR therapy, EMDR Intensives and Remote Neurofeedback.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerable so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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In this episode of the Confident Sober Women Podcast, host Shelby sits down with Emily Sayre Smith, author of "Smartass Memoir of a Mouthy Girl," for an honest conversation about hitting rock bottom and finding redemption through sobriety.

The Breaking Point That Changed Everything

Emily shares the moment that saved her life, sitting on her bedroom floor in West Hollywood at 42, with a gun in her mouth. What happened next was a spiritual awakening that would transform her entire existence: "If I don't kill myself, anything is possible." This realization led her to her first AA meeting.

Why Traditional Recovery Works (Even When You Fight It)

From classical ballerina to gym owner to construction manager to published author, Emily's career path has been anything but linear. But it's her 27-year sobriety journey that reveals the real transformation. She discusses:

• Fighting the concept of powerlessness as a "Type A, go-getter"
• Finding God in rooms full of other recovering addicts
• The slow burn of emotional growth and why "peeling the onion" takes decades
• Surviving major life upheavals sober, including divorce after 22 years

The Truth About Long-Term Sobriety

This isn't your typical "pink cloud" recovery story. Emily and Shelby dive deep into the reality that recovery work never truly ends. Even with decades of sobriety, life can still knock you down - but the tools you develop make all the difference.

Key takeaways from this episode:

• Why hitting your personal "bottom" is often necessary for lasting change
• How community and connection become lifelines in recovery
• The importance of continuing to tell your truth
• Why self-love isn't just a buzzword, it's the foundation of healthy relationships

Emily's recent divorce led to another suicidal crisis, but this time she chose treatment over alcohol. Her journey to self-discovery at 65 offers hope for anyone struggling with codependency and the need for external validation.

Resources Mentioned

• Emily's book: "Smartass Memoir of a Mouthy Girl" (available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble)
• Connect with Emily on Facebook: Emily Sayre-Smith
• AA meetings and 12-step

Support the show

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate & share this episode with a sober woman or someone suffering from anxiety, depression, ADHD, sleep problems and negative thought patterns who needs to hear she is not alone.

Support the show

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, my remote Neurofeedback Therapy program is up and running. Learn more here! Learn more about EMDR therapy, EMDR Intensives and Remote Neurofeedback.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerable so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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You’ve been sober for a while now, maybe a year, maybe several, but emotionally, mentally, even physically, you still don’t quite feel like yourself.

You’ve done the therapy. You’ve worked the steps. You know all the tools. And yet…

• You still feel anxious or overwhelmed
• You can’t sleep or wake up exhausted
• You overthink everything or spiral into negative thought loops
• You wonder why you’re sober but still don’t feel free

If that sounds familiar, this episode is for you.

In today’s solo episode of the Confident Sober Women podcast, I’m diving into why your brain can still feel stuck—even years into recovery—and what you can do about it. As a licensed therapist specializing in trauma and addiction, and a woman with over 20 years in sobriety myself, I’ve seen this pattern again and again in the women I work with.

Here’s the truth: Emotional sobriety requires brain-based healing.

We talk about:
🔹 What’s really going on in your brain and nervous system after long-term substance use
🔹 Why talk therapy isn’t always enough to heal trauma or negative patterns
🔹 How unresolved brain imprints from stress, trauma, and addiction affect you years later
🔹 Why you might still struggle with anxiety, low mood, poor sleep, or reactivity

I also introduce a powerful tool I use in my practice, remote neurofeedback, that helps retrain the brain to function in healthier, more balanced ways.

Neurofeedback is a practical, science-backed, non-invasive solution that works from the comfort of your own home. It supports healing from the inside out, especially for sober women struggling with:

💡 Persistent anxiety or perfectionism
💤 Sleep and focus issues
💔 Emotional reactivity or burnout
💪 High-functioning but still not feeling well

Plus, I share 3 things you can start doing today to begin regulating your nervous system and supporting your emotional sobriety—whether you’re ready for neurofeedback or not.

If you're ready to go deeper in your recovery, this episode will offer insight, hope, and practical support to help you move forward.✨

Learn more about remote neurofeedback therapy: www.shelbyjohn.com/neurofeedback

Ready to schedule a consultation or learn if neurofeedback is right for you?

Support the show

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate & share this episode with a sober woman or someone suffering from anxiety, depression, ADHD, sleep problems and negative thought patterns who needs to hear she is not alone.

Support the show

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, my remote Neurofeedback Therapy program is up and running. Learn more here! Learn more about EMDR therapy, EMDR Intensives and Remote Neurofeedback.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerable so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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Dr. Vanessa Klugman shares her powerful 10-year recovery story, revealing how perfectionism and people-pleasing led to prescription drug addiction that cost her medical license. Discover the evidence-based tools she used to transform her inner critic into self-compassion and build a thriving life coaching practice.

What You'll Learn

• Why perfectionism can be a dangerous form of self-sabotage
• The connection between achievement-based love and addiction
• Three powerful tools to quiet your inner critic: CBT, meditation, and self-compassion
• How to practice the life-changing "self-compassion break" technique
• Why struggling is part of the human experience (and how to embrace it)
• The difference between mindfulness meditation and other types
• How to rebuild your identity after losing everything

Key Takeaways

"Addiction is the solution, not the problem" - Vanessa explains how substances become coping mechanisms for deeper issues like perfectionism, poor boundaries, and people-pleasing.

The self-compassion break has three parts:

1. Mindfulness - Notice you're struggling
2. Self-kindness - Offer yourself compassion
3. Common humanity - Remember you're not alone

Guest Bio

Dr. Vanessa Klugman is a physician turned recovery coach who specializes in helping people overcome self-sabotaging habits, including perfectionism, procrastination, and addiction. After losing her medical license due to prescription drug addiction, she rebuilt her life using evidence-based practices and now coaches clients nationwide.

Resources Mentioned

• Tara Brach - Radical Acceptance podcast and books
• Kristin Neff - Self-Compassion research and practices
• RAIN meditation technique
• 12-step recovery programs
• Mindfulness-based self-compassion courses

Connect with Dr. Vanessa Klugman

Website: resiliencerecoverycoaching.com
Instagram: @resiliencerecoverycoaching
Facebook: Resilience Recovery Coaching

Support the show

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate & share this episode with a sober woman or someone suffering from anxiety, depression, ADHD, sleep problems and negative thought patterns who needs to hear she is not alone.

Support the show

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, my remote Neurofeedback Therapy program is up and running. Learn more here! Learn more about EMDR therapy, EMDR Intensives and Remote Neurofeedback.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerable so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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Episode Highlights: Paulette Kengg, 67, shares her powerful transformation from a "take it or leave it" drinker to alcohol addiction in her mid-50s, and her ultimate freedom through faith-based recovery. After battling chronic insomnia for 8.5 years and following and old friend's advice to drink wine as a sleep aid, Paulette found herself addicted to alcohol—keeping a wine bottle by her bedside instead of sleeping pills.

Key Topics Discussed:

• How chronic insomnia led to alcohol dependency
• Why AA and traditional recovery programs didn't work for Paula
• The role of trauma in addiction (Paulette's father was murdered when she was 14)
• Combining neuroscience with biblical principles for lasting sobriety
• The Heart of Addiction Bible study by Mark Shaw
• Overcoming shame around addiction in Christian communities
• EMDR therapy and trauma healing
• Neuroplasticity and brain recovery in sobriety
• Daily spiritual practices for maintaining sobriety

Paula's Sobriety Tools:

• Daily Bible study, prayer, and meditation
• Journaling (she's kept journals since age 14)
• Exercise and proper nutrition
• Self-compassion and reparenting work
• Serving others in recovery community

Near-Death Experience: Paulette shares her harrowing story of nearly bleeding to death after mixing Jack Daniels with Ambien, emphasizing how addiction progressed despite life-threatening consequences.

Resources Mentioned:

• Spirit-Led Sobriety book by Paulette Kengg
• This Naked Mind by Annie Grace
• Andrew Huberman Podcast Episode 86
• Heart of Addiction Bible study
• EMDR therapy
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Connect with Paulette:

• Newsletter: spiritledsobriety.com
• Instagram: @spiritledsobriety2
• Facebook: Spirit-Led Sobriety (private group)
• Email: spiritledsobriety@gmail.com

Episode Takeaways: Recovery isn't one-size-fits-all. Paulette's journey shows that combining scientific understanding of addiction with spiritual transformation can create lasting change. Her story demonstrates the importance of not giving up on yourself, even after years of failed attempts.

Support the show

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate & share this episode with a sober woman or someone suffering from anxiety, depression, ADHD, sleep problems and negative thought patterns who needs to hear she is not alone.

Support the show

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, my remote Neurofeedback Therapy program is up and running. Learn more here! Learn more about EMDR therapy, EMDR Intensives and Remote Neurofeedback.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerable so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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Feeling Drained Even in Sobriety? Here's Why (And What to Do About It)

You got sober. You did the hard work. So why do you still feel completely emotionally exhausted?

In this powerful episode of Confident Sober Women, host Shelby John dives deep into the silent struggle many sober women face—emotional dysregulation and nervous system burnout. If you're walking through life in a fog of overwhelm or feeling like you’re doing everything “right” but still running on empty, this one’s for you.

Sobriety gets you out of the chaos, but it doesn’t automatically heal trauma or reset your nervous system. That’s the work of emotional sobriety—and it’s what this episode is all about.

💡 Here’s what you’ll learn today:

✅ Why emotional exhaustion in sobriety is not a sign of failure
✅ The difference between sobriety and emotional sobriety
✅ How to regulate your nervous system before trying to “solve” anything
✅ A 3-step roadmap to rebuild your emotional energy from the inside out
✅ Practical tools to ground your body and process emotions without judgment

Shelby also shares the proven healing tools she uses in her practice like EMDR therapy, EMDR intensives, and remote neurofeedback—and how they can support deeper emotional healing, even years into sobriety.

🛠️ Three Steps to Begin Rebuilding Today

1. Regulate First, Reflect Later – Calm your nervous system before diving into “why.” Use grounding tools like deep nasal breathing, 5-4-3-2-1, or a quick barefoot walk.
2. Name the Emotion Without Judgment – Practice saying, “Right now, I’m noticing…” to acknowledge and release your feelings safely.
3. Rebuild from the Root – Go deeper than symptoms. Address unresolved trauma and dysregulation with effective tools like EMDR or neurofeedback.

If you're ready to stop white-knuckling your emotions and start truly healing, this episode offers compassionate insight and doable steps to start feeling better now.

🎧 Don’t forget to hit subscribe and share this episode with a sober sister or any woman you know who’s navigating emotional overwhelm—even if she’s not in recovery.

📍 Want deeper support?
👉 Learn about EMDR Intensives
👉 Explore

Support the show

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate & share this episode with a sober woman or someone suffering from anxiety, depression, ADHD, sleep problems and negative thought patterns who needs to hear she is not alone.

Support the show

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, my remote Neurofeedback Therapy program is up and running. Learn more here! Learn more about EMDR therapy, EMDR Intensives and Remote Neurofeedback.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerable so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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In this transformative episode of the Confident Sober Women podcast, Dr. Ginny Trierweiler unveils a deeply personal and scientifically-backed journey of health transformation that will challenge everything you thought you knew about dieting, nutrition, and wellness.

Dr. Trierweiler shares her powerful personal story of hitting rock bottom at 55 - struggling with chronic pain, pre-diabetes, and feeling trapped in a body that was rapidly deteriorating. Her pivotal moment came while working in nursing homes, witnessing individuals in their 60s and 70s losing their independence.

Breaking the Dieting Cycle

• Why traditional calorie-cutting approaches are actually making metabolic health WORSE
• How 70% of food in our environment is processed and destructive to our health
• The critical difference between calories and nutrients
• Why intuitive eating can be dangerous for those struggling with health challenges

Emotional and Physical Transformation

Dr. Trierweiler candidly discusses:

• Overcoming alcohol dependency
• Dealing with chronic pain through nutrition
• Reconnecting with her body's true needs
• The emotional journey of healing beyond just physical symptoms

Revolutionary Nutrition Principles

Dr. Trierweiler breaks down her evidence-based approach to nutrition, revealing:

1. Abundant Nutritious Eating: Contrary to restrictive diets, she advocates eating MORE of the right foods
2. Nutrient Density Over Calorie Counting: Understanding how what you eat matters more than how much
3. Holistic Healing: Addressing gut health, hormones, and cellular nutrition
4. Sustainable Lifestyle Changes: Creating a approach that feels liberating, not restrictive

Mindset Shifts for Lasting Change

• Breaking free from food and alcohol addiction
• Understanding the dopamine vs. serotonin response to food
• Creating positive emotions around healthy habits
• Treating nutrition as self-care, not punishment

Connect:

• Book Waitlist: Slender for Good Book Waitlist
• Website: Slender for Good
• Facebook:

Support the show

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate & share this episode with a sober woman or someone suffering from anxiety, depression, ADHD, sleep problems and negative thought patterns who needs to hear she is not alone.

Support the show

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, my remote Neurofeedback Therapy program is up and running. Learn more here! Learn more about EMDR therapy, EMDR Intensives and Remote Neurofeedback.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerable so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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In this powerful episode of Confident Sober Women, host Shelby welcomes Julie Bloom, a recovery coach and mental health trainer who shares her inspiring 7-year sobriety journey that began with an unexpected "gift of illness."

Episode Highlights:

Julie reveals how severe burnout, PTSD, and vertigo became catalysts for her sobriety journey after 20 years as a college Spanish teacher. As a former "well-caffeinated and chardonnay working mom," Julie describes how her alcohol dependence developed while balancing career demands with raising a young daughter.

The conversation explores how serious health challenges—including debilitating vertigo—forced Julie to stop drinking and began her recovery, initially through audiobooks and podcasts like The Bubble Hour while isolated "in the corner of her sectional."

Key Insights on Recovery:

• Identity Transformation: Julie discusses how sobriety required creating a new identity after leaving her tenured teaching position, leading to certification as both a professional and recovery coach.
• Emotional Regulation: Learn practical techniques for managing emotions, including mindfulness, journaling, and "adaptive thinking"—giving the appropriate amount of time, space, and energy to situations.
• Creativity in Recovery: Discover how breaking free from addiction cycles unleashes creative potential, providing the "clarity, bandwidth, and energy" needed to envision and build a fulfilling life.
• Midlife Challenges: The episode addresses how perimenopause, career dissatisfaction, and relationship issues often intersect with recovery journeys, creating what Julie calls a "shitty planet alignment."

Julie shares her journey of professional reinvention, becoming a mental health trainer and speaker who helps others develop resilience and adaptability. She emphasizes the importance of community and altruism in recovery, including her work with SheRecovers.

Shelby and Julie discuss how ADHD symptoms can intensify during perimenopause due to decreasing estrogen levels, highlighting the need for neurological approaches to healing beyond traditional talk therapy.

This episode provides valuable insights for women seeking sobriety and emotional well-being, particularly during significant life transitions.

For more information, follow Julie at

Support the show

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate & share this episode with a sober woman or someone suffering from anxiety, depression, ADHD, sleep problems and negative thought patterns who needs to hear she is not alone.

Support the show

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, my remote Neurofeedback Therapy program is up and running. Learn more here! Learn more about EMDR therapy, EMDR Intensives and Remote Neurofeedback.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerable so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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Why You're Always Anxious (And How To Regulate Your Nervous System)

Welcome back to The Confident Sober Women Podcast! I’m your host, Shelby John, sober therapist, EMDR therapist, and fellow woman in recovery. In today’s solo episode, we’re diving into a topic that comes up constantly with my clients, friends, and even in my own life: nervous system regulation.

You might say, “Why am I always anxious?” or “Why do I feel overwhelmed when nothing’s even wrong?” If that sounds familiar, this episode is for you. We’ll explore why your anxiety often seems to appear out of nowhere, what’s really happening in your body, and the powerful science-backed tools you can use to feel calm, clear, and in control—especially in sobriety.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

✔️ What your nervous system actually does (think of it like your body’s operating system)
✔️ How trauma, stress, and addiction keep your system in fight-or-flight—even when you’re safe
✔️ Why nervous system regulation is crucial to sustainable sobriety
✔️ Three simple tools to use TODAY to reduce anxiety and regain calm:

• The Physiological Sigh (a proven breath technique straight from neuroscience)
• Orienting to Safety (a quick somatic practice to ground your body)
• Name It to Tame It (a powerful brain hack to reduce emotional reactivity by 50%)

Plus, I share how EMDR therapy and remote neurofeedback go beyond talk therapy to retrain your brain and heal anxiety and trauma at the root. These tools are especially helpful for women who’ve been sober a year or more and are craving deeper healing and emotional freedom.

If you’re ready to stop white-knuckling your day and finally feel peace in your body—this episode will show you exactly how to start.

🔗 Want to try remote neurofeedback from home?
Learn more about my program and see if it’s right for you at shelbyjohn.com
💥 It’s available to women worldwide—no license limitations!

✨ Share this with a sober sister who needs to hear it, and don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast so we can reach more incredible women just like you.

You are not alone. You are not broken. And you don’t have to stay stu

Support the show

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate & share this episode with a sober woman or someone suffering from anxiety, depression, ADHD, sleep problems and negative thought patterns who needs to hear she is not alone.

Support the show

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, my remote Neurofeedback Therapy program is up and running. Learn more here! Learn more about EMDR therapy, EMDR Intensives and Remote Neurofeedback.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerable so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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In this insightful conversation, Shelby welcomes Amanda Kuda, author of "Unbottled Potential," to discuss different pathways to sobriety and the importance of finding what resonates with you personally.

Amanda shares her journey to sobriety, which began when she realized her weekend drinking habits were counteracting her weekday personal development work. Despite not hitting "rock bottom" or fitting traditional addiction narratives, she recognized alcohol was preventing her from becoming her most authentic self.

Key Takeaways:

• Amanda's approach to sobriety came from a spiritual angle, studying influencers like Wayne Dyer, Marianne Williamson, and Gabby Bernstein
• Both women discuss how there are multiple valid paths to recovery beyond the 12-step model
• The skills of emotional regulation and sitting with discomfort are essential for long-term sobriety
• Journaling prompt: "Wait, what am I thinking?" can help process emotions that might trigger drinking
• Learning to name your emotions and accept all feelings as valid helps reduce emotional volatility

Amanda emphasizes that you don't need to have a "drinking problem" for alcohol to be a problem in your life. If it's preventing you from being your most authentic self, that's reason enough to question your relationship with it.

Shelby highlights how recent research, including the 2025 Surgeon General's report, confirms that no amount of alcohol is safe for consumption, supporting the decision to live alcohol-free regardless of where you fall on the spectrum of use.

This conversation powerfully illustrates that recovery doesn't always fit into prescribed models - what matters most is finding an approach that resonates with you and leads to a better life.

Connect with Amanda Kuda:

• Website: amandakuda.com
• Instagram: @amandakuda
• TikTok: @amanda.kuda
• Facebook: amandakuda
• LinkedIn: amandakuda
• Book - Unbottled Potential: Amazon

Are you ready to explore your relationship with alcohol from a fresh perspective?

Support the show

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate & share this episode with a sober woman or someone suffering from anxiety, depression, ADHD, sleep problems and negative thought patterns who needs to hear she is not alone.

Support the show

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, my remote Neurofeedback Therapy program is up and running. Learn more here! Learn more about EMDR therapy, EMDR Intensives and Remote Neurofeedback.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerable so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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Rebuilding What Addiction Broke: A Conversation with Janice Johnson DowdIn this powerful episode of the Confident Sober Women podcast, we're joined by Janice Johnson Dowd, author of "Rebuilding Relationships in Recovery." As a retired social worker with 12 years of sobriety and a mother of four, Janice shares her journey from functioning alcoholic to recovery advocate with remarkable candor.

Episode Highlights:

• Janice's background working in addiction treatment centers before her own alcoholism developed in her 40s
• The complex dynamics of balancing motherhood, career, and self-care that contributed to her drinking
• Her experience with inpatient treatment and how focusing exclusively on recovery actually damaged family relationships
• The challenging path of repairing relationships with her four children (ages 13-21 at the time of her treatment)
• Why validation, accountability, and persistent communication are crucial for family healing
• The importance of finding balance between recovery work and family reconnection
• How to effectively listen to and validate different family members' experiences
• Why staying sober is the foundation for rebuilding trust, but isn't enough on its own

Practical Takeaways:

1. Take accountability for your actions and validate others' perspectives, even when they differ from yours
2. Practice deep listening without immediate reactions, especially with adolescents and young adults
3. Persist in healing efforts even when family therapy or initial conversations feel uncomfortable or unsuccessful
4. Recognize developmental differences in how children process a parent's addiction and recovery
5. Find balance between recovery work and family engagement
6. Take advantage of small moments for connection and organic healing conversations
7. Get support from sponsors, therapists, and recovery peers when navigating challenging family situations

Janice emphasizes that repair is possible even after significant damage to relationships. Her story offers hope to those struggling with similar challenges and provides practical guidance for rebuilding what addiction has broken.

Connect with Janice:

• Book: "Rebuilding Relationships in Re

Support the show

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate & share this episode with a sober woman or someone suffering from anxiety, depression, ADHD, sleep problems and negative thought patterns who needs to hear she is not alone.

Support the show

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, my remote Neurofeedback Therapy program is up and running. Learn more here! Learn more about EMDR therapy, EMDR Intensives and Remote Neurofeedback.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerable so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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Maura Casey opens a window into her 39-year sobriety journey with raw honesty and gentle wisdom. As a journalist who worked for prestigious publications like The New York Times and Hartford Courant, Maura's story reveals how professional success intertwined with her recovery from growing up in what she calls a "tumultuous" Irish family where "alcohol was the seventh member."

The conversation takes us through Maura's childhood, where drinking at age 13 was normalized within her family culture. We witness her awakening moment at 28 when she realized her drinking was following her father's destructive pattern, prompting her sobriety journey. What follows is a masterclass in emotional sobriety—the deeper work beyond simply putting down the drink.

Shelby and Maura explore the transformative power of establishing healthy boundaries after years of people-pleasing tendencies. Their discussion illuminates the crucial distinction between guilt ("I did something bad") and shame ("I am bad"), offering listeners practical insights into healing these emotional wounds. The conversation weaves through making amends, changing behaviors, and finding pride in breaking generational patterns of alcoholism.

Perhaps most powerful is Maura's reflection on writing her memoir, "Saving Ellen," which chronicles her family's journey through addiction, illness, and recovery. She shares how her sister Ellen followed her into sobriety, demonstrating the ripple effect our personal healing creates. Whether you're newly sober or decades into recovery, this episode reminds us that showing up authentically each day is a miracle worth celebrating. Subscribe now and join our community of confident, sober women discovering their true potential.

Find Maura's memoir "Saving Ellen" available April 1st from Skyhorse Publishing. Connect with her at CaseyInk.com or email AuthorMKCasey@gmail.com.

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Don’t forget to subscribe, rate & share this episode with a sober woman or someone suffering from anxiety, depression, ADHD, sleep problems and negative thought patterns who needs to hear she is not alone.

Support the show

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, my remote Neurofeedback Therapy program is up and running. Learn more here! Learn more about EMDR therapy, EMDR Intensives and Remote Neurofeedback.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerable so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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What happens when we finally stop hiding and embrace our authentic selves? For Margie Schaller, living with secret sobriety for 18.5 years came at a significant personal cost—until one transformative moment changed everything.

Margie's journey begins with childhood curiosity about her mother's ever-present glass of scotch and water, evolves through becoming the "chug champ" of her sorority, and reaches a critical turning point after a horrific car accident. Despite having a rod surgically placed in her leg following the crash, Margie returned to drinking as soon as physically possible. It wasn't until a family intervention months later that her recovery journey truly began.

But getting sober was just the first step. As a professional whose job literally required "wining and dining" potential speakers, Margie found herself white-knuckling through business dinners, passing the wine list to others, and crafting excuses for why she wasn't drinking. When she briefly mentioned her sobriety during a professional talk ten years into her recovery, influential colleagues warned her not to "talk about that sober thing"—reinforcing her decision to keep this essential part of herself hidden.

The conversation takes a powerful turn when Margie describes the moment everything changed. At a women's conference 18.5 years into her sobriety, when asked how many didn't drink "for whatever reason," Margie slowly raised her hand alongside 15% of the room—women she knew professionally but had never realized shared this experience. This revelation led to co-founding Sober Life Rocks, creating spaces for professionals navigating alcohol-centric business environments while sober.

Shelby and Margie explore the evolution of recovery culture, the blessings of discomfort as a reminder of who we truly are, and the profound transformation that comes with authenticity. As Margie beautifully describes the sensation of finally living her truth: "I literally feel like my cells have rearranged themselves."

Ready to explore what authentic living might mean for you? Connect with Margie through the Sober Life Rocks community on LinkedIn or learn about the upcoming Amplify Sober Voices conference for those leading the sober movement.

Support the show

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate & share this episode with a sober woman or someone suffering from anxiety, depression, ADHD, sleep problems and negative thought patterns who needs to hear she is not alone.

Support the show

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, my remote Neurofeedback Therapy program is up and running. Learn more here! Learn more about EMDR therapy, EMDR Intensives and Remote Neurofeedback.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerable so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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In this powerful episode of the Confident Sober Women Podcast, Shelby welcomes Gail Taylor, a recovery advocate, keynote speaker, and musician who shares her inspiring journey from childhood addiction to successful reinvention.

Episode Highlights:

• Gail's early struggles: How losing her father at age 12 led to substance abuse and dropping out of school at 16
• The path to recovery: Gail's "high bottom" recovery journey and how she recognized her addiction through her son's similar struggles
• From finance to music: How Gail reinvented herself at age 61 by learning piano and pursuing music full-time
• The power of internal dialogue: Why changing your thoughts is the first step to reinventing yourself
• Recovery as reinvention: How sobriety is our first opportunity to transform our lives
• Creating community: The importance of building relationships both in and outside of recovery circles
• Message for loved ones: Tools for maintaining your own happiness while supporting someone with addiction

Key Takeaways:

1. Control your internal dialogue: Challenge negative thinking patterns with the mantra "garbage in, garbage out" and practice reframing negative thoughts
2. Reinvention is possible at any age: Gail went from addiction to managing $130 million in finance to becoming a musician and speaker
3. Your past doesn't define your future: "The fact that we missed a beat in life doesn't matter. It's about today and the future."
4. Recovery is just the beginning: Continue to layer on new interests, communities, and growth opportunities
5. Self-care isn't selfish: Maintaining your own wellbeing is essential, especially if you're supporting someone with addiction

Memorable Quotes:

"I come from a place of healed scars and not open wounds." - Gail Taylor

"Every person going into recovery has to reinvent themselves, because that's the whole nature of what recovery is - the starting point of you reinventing yourself." - Gail Taylor

"Self-care is not selfish, it's important." - Gail Taylor

Connect with Gail Taylor:

• Website: gailtaylormusic.com
• Book: "Curveballs: Unlocking Your Potential Through Personal Growth

Support the show

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate & share this episode with a sober woman or someone suffering from anxiety, depression, ADHD, sleep problems and negative thought patterns who needs to hear she is not alone.

Support the show

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, my remote Neurofeedback Therapy program is up and running. Learn more here! Learn more about EMDR therapy, EMDR Intensives and Remote Neurofeedback.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerable so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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In this powerful episode of the Confident Sober Women podcast, host Shelby John welcomes Louise Atthey, sobriety coach and team member at The Luckiest Club. With nearly 16 years of sobriety, Louise shares her journey from rock bottom to spiritual awakening and how surrendering to a higher power transformed her recovery.

What You'll Learn:

• Louise's pivotal moment driving into a ditch in 2009 that led her to AA
• How accepting spirituality despite initial resistance became her salvation
• The three pillars that saved Louise's life: sobriety, female connection, and prayer
• Why intellectual approaches to recovery often fail without spiritual surrender
• Practical ways to develop your own spiritual practice, even as a former atheist

Key Takeaways:

• The "spectrum" approach to addiction problems versus black-and-white thinking
• Why community support is essential for successful sobriety
• Finding hope through others' stories and experiences
• How spirituality provides relief from the burden of self-reliance
• Ways to overcome spiritual trauma or resistance to higher power concepts

Louise candidly discusses her transformation from "devout atheist" to someone who found peace through prayer, describing the moment she got on her knees and reluctantly asked for help. She explains how creating a concept of a loving, compassionate higher power allowed her to surrender control and find true freedom in recovery.

Both Shelby and Louise reflect on why they consider themselves "the luckiest" - gaining personal responsibility, humility, and spiritual connection that many others never experience.

Connect with Louise Atthey:

• Instagram: @louise_atthey
• Website: https://www.louiseatthey.com/
• Check out her newsletter and upcoming course

Resources Mentioned:

• The Luckiest Club
• Free Neurofeedback Guide: www.shelbyjohn.com

Support the show

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate & share this episode with a sober woman or someone suffering from anxiety, depression, ADHD, sleep problems and negative thought patterns who needs to hear she is not alone.

Support the show

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, my remote Neurofeedback Therapy program is up and running. Learn more here! Learn more about EMDR therapy, EMDR Intensives and Remote Neurofeedback.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerable so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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Christine Soja's recovery journey began not in a treatment center but at her kitchen table with a sketch pad and pen. As a stay-at-home mom of two young boys, she found herself drowning in an identity crisis, using alcohol as "self-care" while silently wondering, "Who am I? How did I get here?"

When Christine discovered a 100-day drawing challenge on Instagram just as she decided to quit drinking, something unexpected happened. What started as a simple commitment to draw daily for 100 consecutive days became the cornerstone of her sobriety. By establishing a creative practice with clear parameters—one notebook, one set of pens, just 10 minutes daily—Christine accidentally created a powerful recovery tool that filled the time and space previously occupied by alcohol.

The neurological impact was profound. Her daily creative practice delivered small, sustainable dopamine hits that helped rewire her brain away from substance dependence patterns. More importantly, the consistency built something she'd been missing: trust in herself. "I was shocked at the end that I actually did it," she shares, revealing how each completed drawing reinforced her ability to keep promises to herself—a fundamental skill in recovery.

Beyond the neurological benefits, Christine's creative journey connected her with a community that offered new ways to relate without alcohol. She discovered parts of herself long buried under motherhood's demands and society's expectations. "I started to see myself—proof of my own life right there on paper," she explains, capturing the existential healing that creative expression offers.

Now a SheRecovers coach and counselor at a Seattle-based recovery center, Christine facilitates women's intensive outpatient programs incorporating art for emotional and spiritual growth. Her 7-day creative challenges and 100-day sobriety programs help others discover what she learned firsthand—that creativity isn't about becoming a professional artist but about expressing yourself authentically, quieting your inner critic, and building confidence that extends far beyond art into every area of recovery.

Connect With Christine at www.alchemy-recovery.net to learn how small, consistent creative practices can become the foundation for lasting change.

Support the show

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate & share this episode with a sober woman or someone suffering from anxiety, depression, ADHD, sleep problems and negative thought patterns who needs to hear she is not alone.

Support the show

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, my remote Neurofeedback Therapy program is up and running. Learn more here! Learn more about EMDR therapy, EMDR Intensives and Remote Neurofeedback.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerable so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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Join me for an inspiring episode with Marci Hopkins, that reveals the transformative journeys of women in recovery, showcasing their battles with addiction and the strength they've found to reclaim their lives. We dive deep into the fascinating realm of neurofeedback therapy—a cutting-edge tool that allows individuals to train their brains from the comfort of their homes.

This episode features personal stories of triumph over trauma, emphasizing the importance of self-discovery and community support in building confidence.

As our guest candidly share their journeys, they illuminate how past experiences shaped their identities and create a roadmap for healing and personal growth. By integrating helpful routines, gratitude practices, and emotional awareness, women can shift their narrative toward one of empowerment and possibility.

We also touch upon the physiological changes women face during perimenopause, exploring how these transitions can affect their relationship with alcohol and overall well-being.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking clarity, hope, and community on their recovery journey. Tune in, get inspired, and remember, you're not alone. Please subscribe and share this episode with someone who might benefit from these conversations!

Find Marci at https://wakeupwithmarci.com/
Instagram @wake_up_with_marci/

Support the show

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate & share this episode with a sober woman or someone suffering from anxiety, depression, ADHD, sleep problems and negative thought patterns who needs to hear she is not alone.

Support the show

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, my remote Neurofeedback Therapy program is up and running. Learn more here! Learn more about EMDR therapy, EMDR Intensives and Remote Neurofeedback.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerable so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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In this powerful episode of the Confident Sober Women podcast, host Shelby John sits down with Linda Parmar, a financial coach specializing in helping women in recovery achieve financial sobriety.

With raw honesty, Linda shares her journey from being a financial advisor managing millions while secretly drowning in credit card debt and engaging in "blackout shopping."

Key Topics Covered:

• Understanding financial sobriety and breaking free from spending addiction
• The emotional connection between money behaviors and recovery
• How childhood money stories impact our current relationship with finances
• Practical strategies for creating a sustainable spending plan without restriction
• Breaking the shame cycle around financial literacy and money management
• Tips for avoiding spending triggers and establishing healthy money boundaries

Notable Insights:

• Linda's personal journey of paying off $130,000 in credit card debt
• The concept of "financial infidelity" and its impact on relationships
• Why traditional budgets often fail and how spending plans offer a better alternative
• The importance of addressing emotional triggers and money mindset
• Practical solutions like grocery pickup and removing shopping apps to avoid triggers

Resources Mentioned:

• Rocket Money app for spending tracking (US)
• Strategies for building a personalized spending plan
• Tips for maintaining financial sobriety while in recovery

Connect with Linda Parmar:

• Website: lindaparmar.com
• Instagram: @lyndaparmarmoneycoach
• Podcast: Financial Sobriety School

Whether you're in recovery or simply looking to develop a healthier relationship with money, this episode offers valuable insights into breaking free from financial shame and creating lasting change. Linda's story proves that no matter how deep in debt you may be, recovery is possible with the right support and tools.

Share this episode with someone who might be struggling with their relationship with money or anyone interested in learning more about financial sobriety.

Support the show

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate & share this episode with a sober woman or someone suffering from anxiety, depression, ADHD, sleep problems and negative thought patterns who needs to hear she is not alone.

Support the show

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, my remote Neurofeedback Therapy program is up and running. Learn more here! Learn more about EMDR therapy, EMDR Intensives and Remote Neurofeedback.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerable so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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What happens when the path to self-discovery is paved with the challenges of addiction? Join us for a compelling conversation with Jen Hirst, the inspiring founder of the Lighthouse Society.

Jen candidly shares her journey from battling alcohol addiction, initially as a misguided remedy for anxiety and emotional turmoil, to finding her way to sustainable sobriety. Her story not only shines a light on the hidden struggles many face but offers hope and tangible strategies for those ready to embrace change. Through her experiences, Jen highlights the importance of self-reflection and understanding one’s usage history as a crucial step toward recovery.

Discover the power of storytelling and gratitude as we discuss the transformative impact of sharing one’s journey in recovery. Together, Jen and I explore how small, consistent habits, such as drinking more water and practicing gratitude, can lead to profound personal growth.

Drawing inspiration from Rachel Hollis, we emphasize the importance of specificity and reflecting on recent experiences to cultivate a positive outlook. Through personal anecdotes, we highlight the entwined challenges and triumphs of maintaining a positive mindset in sobriety, reinforcing that while recovery is simple, it is by no means easy.

In our conversation, we also navigate the complex landscape of establishing boundaries for emotional sobriety and achieving physical wellness. Jen introduces us to Mel Robbins' "Let Them" theory, advocating for inner peace by releasing control over others while clarifying the active need for setting boundaries.

We venture into the intersection of sobriety, nutrition, and wellness, offering practical strategies to overcome common hurdles like sugar cravings. By integrating gratitude and community support, we provide a holistic approach to wellness that nurtures both physical and emotional well-being, empowering individuals on their path to sustainable sobriety.

You can find Jen on her website www.joinlighthousesobriety.com or
Instagram: @jenleehirst

Oh and by the way if you are ready to learn more about how remote Neurofeedback therapy can help you with ADHD, sleep problems, anxiety or performance issue, grab my

Support the show

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate & share this episode with a sober woman or someone suffering from anxiety, depression, ADHD, sleep problems and negative thought patterns who needs to hear she is not alone.

Support the show

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, my remote Neurofeedback Therapy program is up and running. Learn more here! Learn more about EMDR therapy, EMDR Intensives and Remote Neurofeedback.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerable so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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Journey with Karin E. Clark through her powerful recovery story - from growing up in an alcoholic family to finding sobriety, overcoming fertility challenges, and building a meaningful counseling career. Learn practical tools for healing, personal growth, and breaking generational patterns of addiction.

Key Takeaways:

• Understanding addiction as a symptom of deeper emotional pain
• Practical recovery strategies beyond traditional 12-step programs
• Healing core beliefs like "I'm not enough"
• Techniques for emotional regulation and self-awareness

Guest Highlights: Karin E. Clark, MS

• Addiction Recovery Counselor
• Specializes in teen and family system counseling
• 40+ years in recovery
• Relocating to Portugal in April

Connect with Karin:

• Email: info@karineclark.com
• Website: www.karineclark.com
• Phone: 608-215-7755

Practical Tools Discussed:

1. Pause and breathe before reacting
2. Use "I" statements in communication
3. Ask "What am I feeling?" during emotional triggers
4. Practice self-compassion and internal focus

Recommended Resources:

• "A Woman's Way Through the 12 Steps" book
• EMDR therapy
• Remote Neurofeedback Therapy-Learn more here.

Support the show

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate & share this episode with a sober woman or someone suffering from anxiety, depression, ADHD, sleep problems and negative thought patterns who needs to hear she is not alone.

Support the show

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, my remote Neurofeedback Therapy program is up and running. Learn more here! Learn more about EMDR therapy, EMDR Intensives and Remote Neurofeedback.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerable so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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In this raw and honest 200th episode milestone, host Shelby John opens up about how perfectionism nearly prevented her from celebrating this incredible achievement. Through vulnerable sharing, she explores how the pressure to create the "perfect" celebration led to temporary paralysis - a common challenge many face in recovery and life transitions.

Key Takeaways

• How perfectionism can paradoxically prevent us from taking action
• Why non-traditional celebrations can be more authentic and meaningful
• The power of vulnerability in leadership and recovery
• Navigating life transitions: empty nesting, perimenopause, and evolving relationships
• The importance of community in long-term recovery success

Episode Highlights

[00:00] - Shelby reveals why there was a brief podcast hiatus [02:15] - The paralysis of perfectionism: when expectations prevent progress [04:30] - Reframing celebrations: why traditional timelines don't matter [07:45] - Reflection on recent mini-episodes and community feedback [10:30] - Vision casting for 2025: personal and professional transitions [13:45] - Introduction to remote neurofeedback opportunities [15:30] - Call for guest suggestions and community involvement

Featured in This Episode

• Discussion of end-of-year mini-episodes
• Preview of upcoming guest interviews
• Introduction to remote neurofeedback program
• Vision boarding and future self-work
• Community celebration plans for Episode 200

Resources Mentioned

• Email: wholisticliving@shelbyjohn.com
• Website: www.shelbyjohn.com
• Remote Neurofeedback Program consultation booking
• Previous mini-episodes (end of 2024)

Connect With Shelby

• Website: www.shelbyjohn.com
• Email: wholisticliving@shelbyjohn.com
• Social Media: @ShelbyJohnCoaching

Episode Tags

SoberPodcast #Recovery #Perfectionism #MilestoneCelebration #EmotionalSobriety #WomenInRecovery #SoberLife #PersonalGrowth #Authenticity #ConfidentSoberWomen

Support the show

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate & share this episode with a sober woman or someone suffering from anxiety, depression, ADHD, sleep problems and negative thought patterns who needs to hear she is not alone.

Support the show

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, my remote Neurofeedback Therapy program is up and running. Learn more here! Learn more about EMDR therapy, EMDR Intensives and Remote Neurofeedback.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerable so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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In this empowering episode, host Shelby John breaks down how to transform your vision board into tangible results. Perfect for sober women ready to make 2025 their breakthrough year!

Key Highlights:

• Morning Vision Practice: Spend 3 minutes connecting with your vision board and choosing one focus area
• Future Self Navigation: Make decisions by asking "What would my future self do?"
• Weekly Vision Reviews: 15-minute Sunday check-ins for gentle course correction
• Vision Anchors: Creating physical reminders in your environment
• Daily Celebration Practice: Acknowledging small wins for lasting motivation

This episode builds on December's vision board workshop with Jeanette (previous episode). Learn practical steps to implement your vision, regardless of where you are in your recovery journey.

Resources Mentioned:

• Vision Board Workshop Episode with Jeanette (December 2024)
• Vision Planner Download (link in episode)

Connect with Shelby:

• Instagram: @shelbyjjohn
• Facebook Group: Confident Sober Women

Remember: Progress over perfection. You can't fail unless you quit, and you can always hit the reset button to realign with your vision.

Support the show

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate & share this episode with a sober woman or someone suffering from anxiety, depression, ADHD, sleep problems and negative thought patterns who needs to hear she is not alone.

Support the show

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, my remote Neurofeedback Therapy program is up and running. Learn more here! Learn more about EMDR therapy, EMDR Intensives and Remote Neurofeedback.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerable so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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In this insightful episode of the Confident Sober Women podcast, host Shelby welcomes recovery coach Jeanette Hounjet to discuss creating meaningful visions for the new year instead of traditional resolutions. Jeanette, founder of Now She's Living, shares her personal recovery journey and expert guidance on vision boarding and intentional goal-setting for women in recovery.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Jeanette's unique recovery path, from her first AA meeting at 21 to discovering personalized recovery approaches through She Recovers
• Why traditional New Year's resolutions may not serve us and alternative approaches to goal-setting
• The importance of examining inherited beliefs and conditioning when creating personal visions
• How addiction can stunt emotional development and value formation
• Practical steps for creating and implementing an effective vision board
• Strategies for remaining open to receiving what you envision
• The role of beliefs, thoughts, and feelings in manifestation
• Why keeping your vision private initially can protect your energy and dreams

Notable Quotes: "There is not just one road to recovery." - Jeanette Hanjae "Let your thoughts be your cheerleader, not this downer voice that is keeping you stuck." - Jeanette Hanjae

Practical Tips:

• Start with curiosity when creating your vision board
• Choose visual representations of 5 key desires for the year
• Practice gratitude as if your desires are already manifesting
• Use "just for today" mindset when working toward goals
• Begin with small, consistent actions rather than overwhelming changes

Resources Mentioned:

• Now She's Living website (nowshesliving.com)
• Free 2025 Vision Planner download
• She Recovers community

Connect with Jeanette Hanjae: Website: nowshesliving.com
Instagram: @nowshesliving Pinterest: @nowshesliving

Support the show

Support the show

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, my program Sober Freedom Transformation is now open! It is for women who have been sober for a year to many and are ready to discover who they want to be in long term sobreity, develop confidence and improve their relationships.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerably so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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In episode of the Confident Sober Women podcast, host Shelby welcomes Julie, to discuss navigating boundaries and saying "no" during the holiday season.

Julie shares her journey from a social drinker to finding herself in isolated drinking patterns after having children and moving to the suburbs, ultimately leading to her decision to quit alcohol.

The conversation delves into the evolution from early sobriety to emotional sobriety, highlighting how recovery transforms relationships and personal growth. Julie and Shelby discuss the importance of developing a strong "A-Team" of supportive relationships and how priorities shift with age and sobriety, emphasizing quality connections over quantity.

Key takeaways include:

• The challenge of saying "no" stems from fear of disappointing others
• Practical strategies for setting boundaries, including the DEAR MAN technique (Describe, Express, Assert, Reinforce, Mindful, Negotiate)
• How to start small with boundary-setting and build confidence
• Ways to compromise while maintaining personal limits
• The importance of allowing others to have their feelings about your boundaries
• Tips for holiday-specific situations like family gatherings and work parties

The hosts emphasize that boundary-setting is a skill that requires practice, starting with small decisions like dinner choices before tackling bigger challenges like holiday commitments. They share practical examples of how to communicate boundaries effectively, including using "yes, and" statements instead of "but" to create win-win situations.

Julie explains how validating others' feelings while maintaining personal boundaries can lead to better outcomes, and both hosts discuss the value of taking time to reflect before responding to requests. They share personal examples from parenting and professional situations, demonstrating how these principles apply across different life areas.

Connect with Julie through Instagram, Facebook, or her website Julie Derashynski Coaching, or email her at Julie@JWDcoaching.com.

Support the show

Support the show

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, my program Sober Freedom Transformation is now open! It is for women who have been sober for a year to many and are ready to discover who they want to be in long term sobreity, develop confidence and improve their relationships.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerably so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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The holiday season can be a psychological minefield for women in recovery, filled with emotional triggers that can challenge even the most resilient individuals. In this powerful episode, host Shelby John provides practical strategies to help you move through the holidays with grace, self-compassion, and emotional stability.

Why Holidays Are Emotionally Challenging

• Neurological triggers that activate past memories
• Sensory experiences that transport you back to unprocessed emotions
• Societal pressure of performative happiness
• Amplified grief and loss
• Complex family dynamics
• Recovery-specific challenges

3 Powerful Tools for Emotional Processing

1. Emotional Check-In Practice

• Create a consistent daily routine
• Establish a sacred space for reflection
• Practice non-judgmental observation of your emotions
• Identify the root of your feelings
• Develop self-understanding and compassion

2. Expanding Your Boundary Toolkit

• Master verbal boundaries using "I" statements
• Implement physical boundaries (time limits, exit strategies)
• Create scripts for managing sensitive conversations
• Protect your emotional energy
• Prepare responses in advance

3. Grounding Techniques

• Use physical methods like weighted blankets
• Practice progressive body relaxation
• Engage all five senses to stay present
• Implement breathing techniques
• Develop personal meditation strategies

Bonus Resources

🌟 Free Resource: Discover how remote neurofeedback can support your healing journey. Schedule your free 15-minute consultation and learn about this evidence-based treatment for anxiety, depression, and more.

Key Takeaways

• Your emotional responses are valid
• Healing is a journey, not a destination
• You have the power to navigate challenging moments
• Self-compassion is your greatest ally

Remember: The holidays don't have to be something you merely survive—they can be an opportunity for gentle, loving navigation of your emotions.

Website: Shelbyjohn.com

If you loved this episode, please leave a rating and review, and share with a friend who might need these tools.

Support the show

Support the show

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, my program Sober Freedom Transformation is now open! It is for women who have been sober for a year to many and are ready to discover who they want to be in long term sobreity, develop confidence and improve their relationships.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerably so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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In this powerful and vulnerable episode of the Confident Sober Women Podcast, host Shelby and guest Christy dive deep into the complex emotional landscape of grief, loss, and loneliness—especially during the holiday season. Drawing from personal experiences of recovery, grief, and healing, they offer compassionate strategies for managing difficult emotions and creating meaningful experiences.

Key Takeaways

• Understanding Grief: Grief isn't linear and doesn't have an expiration date. It's normal and healthy to experience emotions at your own pace.
• Creative Healing: Creativity can be a powerful tool for processing emotions, from painting and journaling to cooking and gardening.
• Building Support: Creating a supportive "A-team" of understanding individuals who can sit with you in your emotions is crucial.
• Redefining Expectations: You have the power to define what holidays and personal experiences mean to you.

Healing Strategies Discussed

1. Emotional Acknowledgment

• Normalize your feelings of sadness, loneliness, and grief
• Avoid rushing to "fix" or suppress emotions
• Recognize that not everyone will understand your emotional process

2. Creative Expression

• Use creativity as a healing mechanism
• Experiment with various forms of creative expression:

3. Physical Movement

• Engage in movement to process and release emotions
• Simple activities like walking, sitting outside, or feeling sunshine can be healing
• Use physical activities to connect with your body and senses

4. Ritual Creation

• Develop personal rituals to honor loss and memories
• Examples include:
  • Lighting candles
  • Creating memory journals
  • Establishing new family traditions
  • Participating in memorial events

Connect with the Host
Website: purpledogsober.com Instagram: @purpledogsober

Support the show

Support the show

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, my program Sober Freedom Transformation is now open! It is for women who have been sober for a year to many and are ready to discover who they want to be in long term sobreity, develop confidence and improve their relationships.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerably so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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Financial stress isn't just about dollars and cents—it's a critical component of recovery that can make or break your sobriety journey. In this powerful episode, I break down the deep connection between money and emotional healing.

Why Financial Wellness Matters in Sobriety:

• Money represents more than just currency
• Can be a profound source of anxiety
• Potential trigger for old coping mechanisms
• Reflection of self-worth
• Critical to sustainable recovery

5 Game-Changing Strategies:

1. Honest Financial Inventory Take a compassionate, judgment-free look at your current financial situation. List income sources, document expenses, review spending patterns, and identify emotional spending triggers.
2. Realistic Holiday Budgeting
3. Set total spending limits
4. Allocate funds for gifts, events, self-care
5. Use cash envelopes
6. Create separate holiday savings account
7. Track spending with budgeting apps
8. Reimagine Gift-Giving
9. Set clear spending limits
10. Consider group exchanges
11. Create meaningful, low-cost gifts
12. Offer experiences over material items
13. Make charitable donations
14. Emotional vs. Financial Currency Reframe your money mindset:
15. "I need to buy something to be loved" → "I am worthy of love exactly as I am"
16. Focus on connection, not price tags
17. Invest in quality time and genuine experiences
18. Build Financial Resilience
19. Develop emergency fund
20. Create debt reduction plan
21. Repair credit
22. Seek financial counseling

Bonus: Spiritual Money Management

• Practice daily gratitude
• Recognize abundance
• Release scarcity mindset
• Be kind to yourself

Pro Tip: Your worth is NOT determined by your bank account. Recovery is a journey of continuous growth.

Want to supercharge your healing? Explore remote neurofeedback therapy for trauma recovery. Schedule a free 15-minute consultation at www.shelbyjohn.com.

Ready to transform your relationship with money and sobriety? Listen now and share with a friend who needs this message!

Support the show

Support the show

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, my program Sober Freedom Transformation is now open! It is for women who have been sober for a year to many and are ready to discover who they want to be in long term sobreity, develop confidence and improve their relationships.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerably so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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Are you dreading family gatherings during the holiday season? Wondering how to maintain your sobriety and emotional balance when family dynamics threaten to overwhelm you? In this episode of the Confident Sober Women podcast, host Shelby John provides a comprehensive roadmap for navigating family interactions with grace, strength, and self-preservation.

Key Insights in This Episode:

Understanding Family Dynamics

Uncover the deep-rooted interaction patterns that can trigger emotional responses and potentially jeopardize your recovery. Shelby breaks down common family roles:

• The Hero: Perfectionism personified
• The Scapegoat: Bearing unwarranted blame
• The Lost Child: Often overlooked and silent
• The Mascot: Using humor as a defense mechanism

Learn to recognize your typical family role and how it impacts your emotional well-being.

Masterful Communication Strategies

Discover the art of communication in recovery with game-changing techniques:

• Implement powerful "I" statements
• Maintain a calm, measured tone
• Practice active listening
• Establish clear, compassionate boundaries

Creating Meaningful Sober Traditions

Redefine family time with innovative, alcohol-free activities that promote connection and wellness:

• Morning group walks
• Healthy cooking together
• Engaging board game nights
• Collaborative volunteer experiences
• Creative craft projects

Essential Self-Care Toolkit

Build your personal stress-management arsenal with:

• 4-7-8 breathing technique
• Quick meditation strategies
• Journaling practices
• Strategic exit plans for overwhelming situations

Bonus Resource

Explore remote Neurofeedback therapy as an innovative approach to healing trauma, managing anxiety, and supporting your recovery journey.

💡 Practical Takeaways:

• Recognize and transform family interaction patterns
• Communicate effectively without compromising your emotional sobriety
• Create new, meaningful family traditions
• Develop robust self-care strategies

Who Should Listen:

• Women in recovery
• Individuals navigating family relationships
• Those seeking emotional wellness strategies
• Anyone supporting a loved one in recovery

🎧 Ready to transform your family gatherings? Listen now and discover how to stay sobe

Support the show

Support the show

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, my program Sober Freedom Transformation is now open! It is for women who have been sober for a year to many and are ready to discover who they want to be in long term sobreity, develop confidence and improve their relationships.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerably so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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Navigating Social Gatherings: A Sober Woman's Guide to Confidence and Joy During the Holidays

Are you dreading holiday social events and worried about maintaining your sobriety? You're not alone. In this powerful episode of the Confident Sober Women podcast, we dive deep into practical strategies that will transform your approach to social gatherings, helping you not just survive, but truly thrive during the holiday season.

Key Highlights:

• Understanding Your Personal Triggers
• Setting Healthy Boundaries
• Choosing Supportive Social Environments
• Creating Fun Sober Alternatives

Whether you're newly sober or have been on your recovery journey for years, this episode provides actionable insights to help you:

• Identify and manage social triggers
• Communicate your needs confidently
• Create enjoyable social experiences without alcohol
• Protect your emotional well-being during challenging social situations

Inside this episode, you'll learn:

• Specific communication scripts for declining drinks
• Emotional regulation techniques for high-stress social moments
• How to evaluate social invitations through the lens of your recovery
• Creative ideas for sober socializing that are actually fun

For women in recovery, the holidays can feel like navigating a minefield. But with the right tools and mindset, you can approach social gatherings with confidence, grace, and genuine joy. This episode is your comprehensive guide to maintaining your sobriety while creating meaningful connections.

Additional Resources:

• Free Sober Social Survival Guide (link in show notes)
• Community support group information
• Recommended sobriety apps and online resources

If you found this useful please share with a friend so we can grow our community!

About the Host: Shelby John is a passionate advocate for women in recovery, dedicated to creating empowering conversations that support personal transformation. As the host of the Confident Sober Women podcast, she provides practical, compassionate guidance for women building lives they love.

Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes and is not a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional about your specific recovery journey.

Support the show

Support the show

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, my program Sober Freedom Transformation is now open! It is for women who have been sober for a year to many and are ready to discover who they want to be in long term sobreity, develop confidence and improve their relationships.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerably so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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Are you struggling with anxiety in recovery? This episode is your lifeline to understanding and managing anxiety like never before. Today, I share five transformative strategies that have been absolute game-changers for women in recovery.

Key Episode Highlights:

• The science behind the powerful 4-7-8 breathing technique
• Neurofeedback therapy: Your brain's ultimate reset button
• Mindfulness practices that actually work for busy women
• How movement becomes medicine for your mental health
• The neurological power of gratitude

What You'll Learn:

• Understand the neurological roots of anxiety
• Discover proven techniques to manage stress and emotional triggers
• Learn about neurofeedback therapy and its incredible benefits for women in recovery
• Practical, science-backed strategies you can implement immediately

FREE Download: "Is Neurofeedback Therapy Right for You?" Grab your comprehensive guide to understanding how we can literally rewire our brains for emotional wellness.

For Women Seeking:

• Anxiety relief
• Sobriety support
• Mental health strategies
• Neurological healing
• Emotional transformation

Expert Insights Include:

• Detailed breakdown of breath work science
• Mind-body connection explanations
• Neurofeedback therapy deep dive
• Mindfulness techniques for real life
• Gratitude practices that rewire your brain

Resources Mentioned:

• 4-7-8 Breathing Technique
• Neurofeedback Therapy
• Mindfulness Practices
• Gratitude Journaling

Connect and Learn More:

• Free Consultation
• Download Free Guide
• Join Our Community

Timestamps: 00:00 - Episode Introduction 05:00 - Breathing Technique Deep Dive 10:00 - Neurofeedback Explained 15:00 - Movement and Anxiety 20:00 - Mindfulness Practices 25:00 - Gratitude and Brain Health 30:00 - Closing Thoughts and Resources

Keywords: anxiety, neurofeedback, sober women, mental health, brain healing, recovery strategies, emotional wellness, mindfulness, breathwork, gratitude

Call to Action: Download your FREE guide now! Schedule your consultation to start your journey to emotional freedom. Share this episode with a woman who needs to hear this message.

Support the show

Support the show

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, my program Sober Freedom Transformation is now open! It is for women who have been sober for a year to many and are ready to discover who they want to be in long term sobreity, develop confidence and improve their relationships.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerably so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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Join me for an empowering deep dive into maintaining sobriety, emotional wellness, and personal boundaries during the most challenging time of the year. In this must-listen episode, we break down five transformative strategies to help sober women not just survive the holidays, but truly thrive. Whether you're in early recovery or years into your journey, these practical tips will give you the confidence and tools to enjoy the season on your own terms.

Key Takeaways:

• Proven strategies for setting boundaries with family
• Comprehensive self-care techniques for emotional resilience
• Practical methods to manage holiday triggers
• Techniques for redefining joy in sobriety
• Empowerment tools to protect your recovery journey

Timestamps:

• 00:00 - Episode Introduction
• 05:00 - Proactive Planning and Boundary Setting
• 15:30 - Self-Care as a Non-Negotiable Priority
• 25:45 - Reframing Expectations and Embracing Authenticity
• 35:20 - Developing Emotional Resilience Strategies
• 45:10 - Celebrating Your Strength and Redefining Holiday Joy
• 55:00 - Closing Thoughts and Actionable Takeaways

Resources Mentioned:

• EMDR therapy - www.shelbyjohn.com
• Recommended Support Groups
• Suggested Reading List for Sober Women
• Self-Care Toolkit Recommendations

Transcript Snippet:

"Recovery during the holidays isn't about restriction – it's about creating a powerful, authentic experience that celebrates your strength and growth."

Call to Action:

• Subscribe to the Confident Sober Women Podcast
• Join our private community www.facebook.com/groups/confidnetsoberwomen
• Share this episode with a friend who needs support
• Leave a review to help other women find this resources

Support the show

Support the show

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, my program Sober Freedom Transformation is now open! It is for women who have been sober for a year to many and are ready to discover who they want to be in long term sobreity, develop confidence and improve their relationships.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerably so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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In this transformative episode of Confident Sober Women, functional nutrition expert Dr. Lahana Vigliano, founder of Nuvitru Wellness, reveals groundbreaking insights about holistic health transformation. Her revolutionary approach to women's wellness combines ancient wisdom with modern functional medicine, offering hope for those seeking genuine healing.

Key Highlights:

• Dr. Lahana's Journey: From aspiring MD to holistic healing pioneer, discover why she chose to revolutionize traditional healthcare through functional nutrition.
• The Gut-Health Revolution: Learn why your gut is the master key to hormone balance, weight management, and overall wellness, creating a powerful "domino effect" of healing.
• Revolutionary Patient Care: Understand why exploring your health timeline "from your mother's womb to now" is crucial for true healing and sets apart genuine root-cause practitioners.
• Breaking Stress Cycles: Uncover why stress—not just diet—might be blocking your wellness journey and how creating joy becomes medicine.
• Practical Natural Healing: Discover simple yet powerful steps using real food, nutrient diversity, and consistent small changes for lasting transformation.

Essential for Sober Women: This episode offers critical insights for women navigating sobriety, revealing how physical healing supports emotional sobriety. Whether newly sober or years into your journey, learn how integrating these practices can strengthen your path to wellness.

Connect with Dr. Lahana Vigliano:

• Website: nuvitruwellness.com
• Instagram: @nuvitruwellness
• Podcasts: Functional Nutrition Radio and Power Women Wellness

Ready to transform your sober journey through better health? This episode provides the roadmap you've been searching for.

Join Our Community: Subscribe, review, and share with women ready to revolutionize their health journey. Together, we're building stronger, healthier, more empowered lives.

Support the show

Support the show

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, my program Sober Freedom Transformation is now open! It is for women who have been sober for a year to many and are ready to discover who they want to be in long term sobreity, develop confidence and improve their relationships.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerably so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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In this powerful episode of Confident Sober Women, host Shelby interviews Patti Clark, author of Recovery Road Trip and a woman whose journey to sobriety and emotional healing has inspired countless others. Patti’s story takes us through her early years in a dysfunctional family, struggling with addiction, and ultimately finding the path to recovery. With honesty and wisdom, Patti reveals how she overcame trauma, addiction, and the challenges of sustaining long-term sobriety.

Highlights:

• Early Life Struggles: Patti shares the impact of growing up in an alcoholic family, which led to her own battle with addiction at a young age.
• Life-Changing Choices: From working in Alaska’s high-stakes environment to a transformative moment of clarity, Patti chose a new path.
• Connection as the Key to Recovery: Patti emphasizes the power of connection over isolation in achieving and sustaining sobriety. This episode highlights the importance of finding community and choosing the right support system, whether through 12-step groups, alternatives like She Recovers, or other modern recovery groups.
• Emotional Sobriety & Self-Love: Patti speaks about the deeper work that follows initial sobriety, addressing emotional regulation and the need for self-love—crucial for long-term success in recovery.
• Preventing Relapse: Hear insights from Patti’s research on why women relapse and the essential practices that help sustain sobriety. She shares her experience of stepping away from her program, the dangers of complacency, and the importance of maintaining a support network.

Top Takeaways:

1. Embrace Connection: Sobriety thrives in community. Whether through 12-step, therapy, or other recovery groups, staying connected to others is vital for long-term recovery.
2. Do the Deeper Work: Healing doesn’t stop at sobriety. Engage in practices like journaling, creative expression, and neurofeedback for trauma to deepen your recovery.
3. Micro-Changes Lead to Transformation: Small, consistent actions—routine, emotional awareness, and self-care—build a fulfilling, sober life.

Tune in to this episode and be sure to share with a friend and leave a review in your platform if you are liking what you hear in the show. Whether you’re in early recovery or years along, Patti’s wisdom and insights are sure to inspire you to strengthen your own journey.

Visit Patti's website www.patticlark.or

Support the show

Support the show

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, my program Sober Freedom Transformation is now open! It is for women who have been sober for a year to many and are ready to discover who they want to be in long term sobreity, develop confidence and improve their relationships.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerably so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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In this powerful episode of Confident Sober Women, I sit down with Michelle Risser, LISW-S, a therapist, coach, and consultant with 24 years of sobriety. Michelle shares her journey from early recovery to becoming a certified EMDR therapist, while navigating life's challenges including trauma, a car accident, and breast cancer. Learn practical strategies for emotional regulation, nervous system healing, and building a thriving life in long-term recovery.

Episode Highlights:

• Michelle's journey to sobriety at age 26 and breaking the family cycle of addiction
• Transforming trauma into purpose: Becoming an EMDR therapist after a life-changing car accident
• Practical tools for managing emotions and regulating the nervous system in recovery
• The power of routine and self-trust in maintaining long-term sobriety
• Innovative approaches to changing negative thought patterns, including "ridiculously over-the-top self-talk"
• Navigating life's challenges while maintaining professional responsibilities and sobriety
• The importance of body awareness and somatic healing in recovery

Key Takeaways:

1. Recovery is a layered approach combining different healing modalities
2. The importance of addressing trauma for sustainable recovery
3. Practical strategies for managing emotions without substances
4. How to build self-trust through consistent daily routines
5. The role of humor and perspective in emotional regulation

Resources Mentioned:

• EMDR Therapy
• Meditation practices for recovery
• Somatic healing techniques
• Nervous system regulation strategies

Guest Bio:

Michelle Risser, LCSW-S, is a therapist, coach, and consultant with 24 years of sobriety. She specializes in helping professionals increase their impact while decreasing burnout. As a certified EMDR therapist and consultant, she brings both personal and professional expertise to trauma healing and recovery work.

Connect with Michelle:

• Website: www.mrisser.com
• Instagram: @michelle_risser

Recovery Tools Discussed:

• Body scan techniques
• Breathwork practices
• Meditation
• Ice pack for nervous system regulation
• Positive self-talk strategies
• Worst-case scenario exercises
• Laughter as a healing tool

Support the show

Support the show

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, my program Sober Freedom Transformation is now open! It is for women who have been sober for a year to many and are ready to discover who they want to be in long term sobreity, develop confidence and improve their relationships.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerably so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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In this powerful episode of Confident Sober Women, with Kelley Kitley, a Chicago-based psychotherapist and author, to explore the nuanced journey of women in sobriety.

Kelley shares her compelling story of growing up above her parents' bar and her path to recovery, offering insights that will resonate with many sober women. The conversation touches on:

• The evolution of recovery resources, from traditional 12-step programs to modern approaches like neurofeedback therapy for anxiety
• The importance of developing consistent routines and self-care practices in early sobriety
• How EMDR therapy can be a powerful tool for addressing underlying trauma in addiction
• The concept of emotional sobriety and its crucial role in long-term recovery
• Strategies for avoiding cross-addiction and maintaining balance in recovery
• The value of sharing personal stories to break stigmas around addiction and mental health

Kelley and Shelby discuss the complexities of parenting in sobriety, navigating relationships, and the ongoing work of self-discovery. They emphasize the importance of community and connection in sustaining a fulfilling sober lifestyle.

Listeners will gain practical insights on:

• Building a strong foundation in early recovery
• Developing emotional resilience and self-awareness
• Balancing self-care with family and professional responsibilities
• Utilizing various therapeutic modalities, including neurofeedback for anxiety
• The power of vulnerability and authenticity in recovery

Whether you're new to sobriety or have years of recovery, this episode offers valuable perspectives on the journey of women in sobriety. Kelley's expertise as a therapist, combined with her personal experience, provides a unique and inspiring look at transforming addiction into a life of purpose and empowerment.

Don't miss Kelley's recommendations for resources on and connect with her at www.kelleykitley.com, where you can learn more about her practice and her book, "MY self." Also, find her on Instagram @kelleykitley. Let's celebrate sober women

Support the show

Support the show

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, my program Sober Freedom Transformation is now open! It is for women who have been sober for a year to many and are ready to discover who they want to be in long term sobreity, develop confidence and improve their relationships.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerably so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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In this powerful episode of Confident Sober Women, host Shelby interviews Britney, a mother of three who transformed her life through sobriety. Britney shares her journey from growing up in a family affected by addiction to finding freedom in long-term recovery.

Key topics include:

• Breaking generational cycles of addiction
• Parenting strategies in sobriety
• Creating healthy boundaries with children
• Emotional growth in long-term recovery
• Building sober community through events

Britney opens up about how childhood trauma led to early alcohol use as a coping mechanism. She describes her transition to sober parenting and the profound impact it's had on her family.

The conversation explores how sobriety has allowed Britney to be more present and patient as a mother. She shares insights on setting healthy boundaries, having difficult conversations with kids, and modeling positive behaviors.

Shelby and Britney discuss the challenges of navigating social situations and friendships in sobriety. Britney reveals how she's built a supportive sober community through her event planning business, Sober Sisters Events.

This episode offers hope and practical advice for women in recovery, especially those balancing motherhood and sobriety. Britney's story demonstrates how breaking free from addiction can transform not just one life, but generations to come.

Listeners will gain valuable perspectives on:

• Using self-care and mindfulness in recovery
• Communicating effectively with children about alcohol
• Finding sober support systems
• Embracing sobriety as a positive lifestyle choice

Whether you're a mother in recovery, considering sobriety, or simply interested in breaking generational patterns, this episode provides inspiration and actionable insights for living your best sober life.

Connect with Britney: Instagram: @Sober.sisters.events
Website: sobersisters.events.com

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and share! Your support helps us reach more women on their journey to confident, fulfilling sobriety.

Support the show

Support the show

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, my program Sober Freedom Transformation is now open! It is for women who have been sober for a year to many and are ready to discover who they want to be in long term sobreity, develop confidence and improve their relationships.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerably so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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In this inspiring episode of Confident Sober Women, host Shelby welcomes Tricia Lewis, creator of the Recovery Happy Hour podcast. Tricia shares her journey through addiction and into long-term recovery, offering valuable insights for women seeking sobriety and personal growth.

Key Highlights:

• Tricia's path to sobriety, starting in November 2016
• The challenges of being an overachiever in recovery
• Balancing work, life, and recovery in the restaurant industry
• Transitioning from workaholic tendencies to a more balanced lifestyle
• The importance of self-awareness and addressing self-centeredness in recovery
• Strategies for managing anxiety and ADHD in sobriety
• The power of gratitude and mindfulness in maintaining long-term recovery
• Practical tips for setting boundaries and honoring personal needs

Tricia emphasizes the value of slowing down and listening to your body, a crucial skill for women in recovery. She discusses how her journey led her to focus on service work, including art therapy with foster children, highlighting the importance of giving back in sobriety.

The conversation touches on the challenges of identity shifts in recovery, especially when facing unexpected life changes. Tricia and Shelby explore how long-term sobriety provides tools for resilience and adaptability, essential for navigating life's ups and downs.

For women struggling with anxiety or considering therapies like neurofeedback or EMDR, this episode offers hope and practical advice. Tricia's experience with managing ADHD in sobriety provides valuable insights for those dealing with co-occurring disorders.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking inspiration and practical strategies for maintaining long-term recovery, managing mental health, and finding purpose in sobriety.

Connect with Tricia: Website: www.recoveryhappyhour.com
Instagram/Facebook: @recoveryhappyhour

Support the show

Support the show

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, my program Sober Freedom Transformation is now open! It is for women who have been sober for a year to many and are ready to discover who they want to be in long term sobreity, develop confidence and improve their relationships.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerably so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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Today on the Confident Sober Women podcast I speak with Caroline Beidler, MSW, author and recovery advocate. Caroline shares her transformative journey from addiction to long-term recovery, offering hope and practical insights for women seeking a life free from substance use.

Key topics include:
- The power of recovering out loud and normalizing an alcohol-free lifestyle
- How recovery communities provide grace and forgiveness
- The role of therapy in addressing substance use and trauma
- Implementing healthy boundaries for internal peace and joyful living
- Neurofeedback therapy as a treatment for anxiety and addiction

Caroline, founder of Circle of Chairs and author of "Downstairs Church" and "You Are Not Your Trauma," brings her expertise as a mental health provider and addiction recovery specialist to this engaging conversation. Learn how to stop worrying and start living confidently in sobriety.

Discover practical tools for:
- Building resilience in long-term recovery
- Healing family patterns and generational trauma
- Thriving in sobriety and embracing a new life

Whether you're a woman in recovery, seeking help for addiction, or looking to support loved ones, this episode offers valuable insights and strategies for a fulfilling, alcohol-free life.

Connect with Caroline:
- Website: https://www.carolinebeidler.com
- Instagram: @carolinebeidler_official
- Book: "You Are Not Your Trauma: Uproot Unhealthy Patterns, Heal the Family Tree" (Available on Amazon)

Join us as we explore the grit and grace of addiction recovery, and learn how to live boldly and confidently in long-term sobriety. Your journey to a transformed life starts here.

If you have 30 seconds can you please leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts so other women can find us as we continue to build our community of women who want to THRIVE in long-term recovery.

If you are interested in learning more about at-home neurofeedback I would love to share the program with you. It is an evidence-based form of therapy for anxiety, ADHD, insomnia, performance, and addiction recovery. I can share more here.

Support the show

Support the show

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, my program Sober Freedom Transformation is now open! It is for women who have been sober for a year to many and are ready to discover who they want to be in long term sobreity, develop confidence and improve their relationships.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerably so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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Today I talk with Susan Packard about her transformative long-term recovery journey from a high-level executive struggling with alcohol to a beacon of sober leadership and authorship.

Once a successful executive at HGTV who couldn't control her drinking, Susan entered recovery embarking on a path that would not only transform her life but also inspire countless others.

Key Highlights:

• Susan's transition from struggling with alcohol to embracing long-term sobriety
• How recovery fueled her successful writing career and leadership approach
• Breaking the stigma around mental health and substance abuse in professional settings
• The concept of emotional fitness and its application in the workplace
• Balancing body, brain, and heart for holistic leadership
• Inspiring stories of young people in recovery showing remarkable resilience

Susan emphasizes that recovery is a continual process of growth and learning that can unlock discipline, joy, and creativity. We delve into Susan's books, including "Fully Human," which courageously addresses emotional fitness in the context of recovery and its relevance to the professional world.

"To be a great leader, it is body, brain, heart. We need to take care of all three parts of us if we want to maximize the full promise of ourselves," Susan shares, underlining the connection between personal mastery and accountability. We explore practical self-care strategies essential for showing up authentically in both personal and professional spheres.

Susan's work with college students in recovery communities offers a fresh perspective on young leadership, showcasing inspiring stories of bravery and resilience among young people navigating sobriety in challenging environments.

This episode is perfect for:

• Professionals balancing career and recovery
• Leaders interested in creating mental health-friendly work environments
• Young adults in recovery seeking inspiration
• Women exploring paths of sobriety and personal growth

Whether you're in recovery, considering sobriety, or interested in personal growth and leadership, this episode offers valuable lessons for everyone. Susan's story reminds us that our challenges can become our greatest strengths, transforming not just our own lives but the lives of those around us.

Subscribe now and join our community of strong, sober women redefining success and leadership.

You can learn more at www.susanpackard.com

Support the show

Support the show

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, my program Sober Freedom Transformation is now open! It is for women who have been sober for a year to many and are ready to discover who they want to be in long term sobreity, develop confidence and improve their relationships.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerably so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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In this groundbreaking episode, we explore the crucial role of nutrition in addiction recovery and mental health with Christina Veselak, MS, LMFT, CN. Discover how proper nutrition can be the key to long-term sobriety and emotional well-being for those struggling with substance use disorders.

Key Topics Covered
- The impact of nutrition on addiction recovery and mental health
- Protein's role in managing cravings and preventing relapse
- The connection between blood sugar, willpower, and addiction
- Nutrition as a complementary approach to traditional addiction treatment
- How nutrition affects the efficacy of psychiatric medications

Christina Veselak, MS, LMFT, CN, is a clinical therapist with extensive experience in trauma and addiction treatment. She has integrated nutrition into her practice, focusing on helping individuals achieve lasting recovery from substance use disorders.

Highlights for Sober Women and Those in Long-Term Recovery
1. Personal journey: Christina's struggle with anxiety, depression, and food allergies
2. The "third leg of the stool" in addiction recovery: Nutrition
3. Addressing chronic relapse through targeted nutritional interventions
4. The link between protein intake and mental health stability
5. How proper nutrition can enhance the effectiveness of addiction treatment

Key Insights for Addiction Recovery
- The importance of regular protein intake to manage cravings and prevent relapse
- Understanding the biochemistry of addiction and how nutrition plays a vital role
- Practical tips for maintaining stable blood sugar levels during recovery
- The potential of nutritional interventions to reduce overdose deaths
- Alternatives to medication for the complex biochemistry of addiction and mood disorders

Action Steps for Sustainable Sobriety

1. Incorporate regular protein intake into your daily routine
2. Be mindful of blood sugar drops and their impact on willpower
3. Consider nutritional approaches a traditional addiction treatment methods
4. Explore the connection between your diet and mental health symptoms
5. Consult with a nutritionist experienced in addiction recovery for personalized guidance

Visit Christina Veselak's websites for valuable information and resources:
- Amino Acid Therapy
- Eating Protein Saves Lives

Support the show

Support the show

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, my program Sober Freedom Transformation is now open! It is for women who have been sober for a year to many and are ready to discover who they want to be in long term sobreity, develop confidence and improve their relationships.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerably so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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In this insightful episode of the Confident Sober Women podcast, we delve deep into the intricate connection between our nervous systems and how we show up in relationships, especially in the context of long-term recovery.

Our guest, Amy, shares her journey as a highly sensitive individual who learned to "read the room" from a young age to avoid being a burden. We explore the concept of neuroception - how our bodies unconsciously sense danger and respond, often without our awareness. Amy reveals how alcohol became a tool for downregulation in her past.

We discuss the importance of recognizing these bodily sensations and energy exchanges in our relationships. The conversation touches on the challenges of communicating these feelings effectively and the significance of developing this awareness for healthier interactions.

The episode also covers:

• How childhood wounds manifest in adult relationships
• The value of speaking up about our feelings
• Techniques for asking good questions to foster deeper connections
• Amy's journey of spiritual growth and nervous system "regrooving"

Connect with Amy on Instagram @regulatewithamy to continue the conversation.

Support the show

Support the show

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, my program Sober Freedom Transformation is now open! It is for women who have been sober for a year to many and are ready to discover who they want to be in long term sobreity, develop confidence and improve their relationships.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerably so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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As we transition from summer to fall, join Shelby John for a special episode of the Confident Sober Women podcast. Today, we're diving into Chapter 1 of 'Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety' - a memoir born from the chaos of 2020.

In this episode:

• Explore the journey beyond getting sober
• Discover the power of emotional sobriety in long-term recovery
• Learn about the four pillars for building confidence and thriving in sobriety
• Grab a copy of the 5 Steps To Change Your Negative Thinking

While getting sober was Shelby's first major life transformation, this book - and podcast - focus on THRIVING in long-term sobriety. It's about building a life you don't want to escape from.

For women in all stages of recovery - from newly sober to years into their journey - this episode offers insights into:

• Navigating life beyond early recovery
• Pursuing heart's desires in sobriety
• Building unshakable confidence as a sober woman

Grab your favorite mocktail and tune in to this empowering episode. Subscribe, leave a review, and help other women discover the life-changing joy of long-term sobriety.

For more on transforming your life in recovery, visit www.shelbyjohncoaching.com

ConfidentSoberWomen #RecoveryMemoir #SobrietyJourney #EmotionalSobriety #WomenInRecovery"

Support the Show.

Support the show

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, my program Sober Freedom Transformation is now open! It is for women who have been sober for a year to many and are ready to discover who they want to be in long term sobreity, develop confidence and improve their relationships.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerably so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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Welcome Back, Sober Ladies!

Hello, my beautiful sober ladies! I’ve missed you all so much! This summer has been a whirlwind, full of both fun and distractions, but I’m thrilled to be back behind the mic.

In this special solo episode of the Confident Sober Women podcast, I’m giving you an inside look at what’s been happening behind the scenes and sharing my exciting vision for this new season.

I’ve been reflecting on the incredible journey we’ve been on together, and I’m eager to dive into the topics that have been on my heart—topics that will empower, inspire, and support you on your sober journey.

This season, we’re aiming higher than ever. My goal? To spread the message of confident, joyful and enlighted sobriety far and wide, making the Confident Sober Women podcast a household name in the world of women’s recovery. My mission is to normalize not drinking for every woman in this modern recovery era.

But I can’t do it without you! Please help me grow this incredible community by sharing the show with your friends, fellow sober or alcohol and drug-free women, and anyone who needs a little extra inspiration on their path to sobriety and thriving alcohol-free.

Remember, new episodes drop every Tuesday—so be sure to subscribe, share, and tune in weekly! And leave a review if you like the show, this will our mission to normalize not drinking.

Thanks for tuning in. See you next week!

XO,
Shelby

Support the Show.

Support the show

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, my program Sober Freedom Transformation is now open! It is for women who have been sober for a year to many and are ready to discover who they want to be in long term sobreity, develop confidence and improve their relationships.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerably so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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I am not a writer, and I published a book. This doesn’t make any sense right?

I still can’t believe I published a memoir but I blame the fog and chaos of the year 2020.

Many people over the past few years have asked me how I did it?

Today, on the Confident Sober Women podcast, I decided to share more about what possessed me to share the deepest and most personal stories of my life, with the world.

Getting and staying sober at the time was the hardest thing I had done in my life and created the first major before and after moment of my life.

When I looked around there were so many powerful women, many of which have been guests on the show, writing their stories.

But the focus was always on the getting sober part.

Of course, my story shares some of this, but the purpose of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Saving Joy of Sobriety was to tell my story about living and THRIVING in long-term sobriety.

Sobriety is only the beginning.

The work of emotional sobriety is what creates the major transformation to build a life you don’t want to escape from.

The story is about how I changed my life, the actuality of recovering in recovery.

How I uncovered the truth about the lies I believed and the four pillars I created to show other women how they can build confidence and thrive.

Today, I share the audio version of the intro for the book and later I will share chapter 1.

It is my greatest passion and pleasure to serve other women in the recovery community…

…and to be a guiding light for those waking up after the initial phases of early recovery and want to pursue all the desires of their heart.

So grab a big glass of water or your favorite mocktail and enjoy today’s episode of Confident Sober Women wherever you listen to your podcasts.

Be sure to subscribe to the show and leave a review so other women can find us, it really helps me out a lot.

To learn more about the transformation you can have in long-term recovery visit www.shelbyjohncoaching.com

Support the Show.

Support the show

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, my program Sober Freedom Transformation is now open! It is for women who have been sober for a year to many and are ready to discover who they want to be in long term sobreity, develop confidence and improve their relationships.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerably so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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Did you feel isolated when you got sober? Christina shared her feelings of social isolation due to her sobriety and COVID. It was actually helpful that things were shut down in the beginning for her but when the world opened bac up she found she didn’t know how to socialize.

Through her own lived experience of sobriety and not having a community, she decided to create one. She was a military spouse in a heavy drinking culture and she lost all her friends when she got sober. She wanted to go out and have fun and she did see it. So Christina started planning small events and built it from there. She wanted to show multiple ways to live an alcohol-free life.

Christina shared how she struggled with managing her feelings in the first few years of sobriety. She did engage in cross-addictions as well until she learned to soothe herself and cope in a more healthy way. She knew she had to create her own sober social reality.

Marriage is generally work no matter what but even more so when issues like substance abuse are part of it. She and her husband both ended up getting sober and worked hard through counseling to rebuild their relationship.

We had a great chat about the non-alcoholic drink space and how intentional she was when she started trying them in her sobriety. She shares how NA products kept her sober and allowed her to move past the craving.

Christina Kimbrough is a dynamic speaker and the visionary founder of Free Life LLC, an innovative company dedicated to hosting non-alcoholic events and operating a pop-up non-alcoholic bar. Christina is committed to creating inclusive spaces and vibrant experiences for all.

http://www.freelifellc.org/

Grab a big glass of water or your favorite mocktail and enjoy our conversation.

Support the Show.

Support the show

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, my program Sober Freedom Transformation is now open! It is for women who have been sober for a year to many and are ready to discover who they want to be in long term sobreity, develop confidence and improve their relationships.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerably so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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Do you desire MORE now that you have been sober for longer?

Alysse got sober before all the “sober luxuries” that are available now just weren’t available and she was still very young and her social and professional life revolved around drinks.

Thankfully immediately she enjoyed some of the benefits of not drinking however she was still making a lot of the same bad decisions in dating and managing life. After a few years of not drinking she knew she didn’t want to go back to substances but the depression she was experiencing set in deeply. She experienced a sober bottom around four years sober.

One day at a time she surrounded herself with people who supported her decision to stay sober. Alysse shares both the fun and the tears that have filled her eighteen years of sobriety. She created The Sober Curator to offer resources for those in long-term recovery and filled it with all the things she needed during her journey.

Alysse wants to smash the stigma that living in long-term sobriety is boring. She has had way more fun in sobriety than she did during her active addiction! She loves to look for adventures and try new things. Alysse and I share how we grew in our confidence throughout recovery, and boundaries are a big part of that. She also learned to share openly about her recovery in her professional life which developed her self-confidence even more.

Alysse and I talk about the unique position we have to serve people who have already been sober for a little while and are doing the work of emotional sobriety and want to thrive in long-term recovery.

Alysse Bryson is a strong woman in recovery, an innovative media maven, a marketing guru, and gal about town. This sober gal has a humorous outlook on life and a fierce determination to succeed.

https://www.alyssebryson.com/
https://thesobercurator.com/

Support the Show.

Support the show

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, my program Sober Freedom Transformation is now open! It is for women who have been sober for a year to many and are ready to discover who they want to be in long term sobreity, develop confidence and improve their relationships.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerably so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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Have you ever heard of the "power dead-even rule"?

Pat Heim of the Heim Group coined this phrase in her book Hardball For Women: Winning At The Game Of Business.

She says for a woman to have a healthy realationship with another woman the self-esteem and power of one must be of the same weight as the other in the eyes of each woman.

I share more about this on todays episode, and much more!

One way to have opportunities for women to support each other is to create events for women that also celebrate women!

We are two weeks away from the Soulful Sisters: An Alcohol Free Summer Soiree. Do you have your ticket?

Join us for an evening of fun on June 18th at the CoffeeBar Bel Air for amazing food by Alaina's Gourmet Creations and KK Sweets And delicious and sophisticated mocktails by Chilled By Jas.

Grab a girlfriend and mark your calend

Support the Show.

Support the show

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, my program Sober Freedom Transformation is now open! It is for women who have been sober for a year to many and are ready to discover who they want to be in long term sobreity, develop confidence and improve their relationships.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerably so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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Chrissy found drinking to be problematic in her 30s. She shared how sometimes things would go ok and that prevented her from understanding her problem with alcohol.

Chrissy’s mission is to teach people how to understand their intuition and listen to their bodies. She shares how this is critical in understanding not only the thoughts and feelings we have but why are we having them. She didn’t use a specific recovery program but did layer on a lot of support and resources related to sobriety after trying to do it all by herself.

Our bodies know what we need to do but it’s our brains that tell us we don’t know. She learned that support is critical to help to highlight the things we are not aware of related to long-term recovery.

Chrissy started to work on the myths that she believed sobriety was doing for her. She found out she wasn’t satisfied with her life and the limiting beliefs that were preventing her progress.

Chrissy and I talk about the trauma response of people pleasing and how it impacts so many women. It wasn’t clear to her when she was drinking. Sobriety has given her the clarity to create her future self and understand her value and worth.

Towards the end, Chrissy shared some practical ways she believes you can start to get in touch with your own purpose and intuition. You can literally start doing these things today. The inner work never stops for us, we are all under construction and are always growing and changing.

Chrissy Janiga is a wife, mom, author, social worker, and coach who lives in Florida. She’s passionate about helping women remove alcohol, step into their purpose, and manifest their deepest desires.

www.chrissyjaniga.com
@chrissyjaniga on all socials

Support the Show.

Support the show

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, my program Sober Freedom Transformation is now open! It is for women who have been sober for a year to many and are ready to discover who they want to be in long term sobreity, develop confidence and improve their relationships.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerably so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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Kristin followed more of a social curiosity path and doesn’t live completely alcohol-free but has taken a hard look at her drinking and made changes. Kristen had a week of a lot of events and drank a lot more than she usually would and noticed how it truly affected her and she didn’t like it. This was her aha moment.

Kristen realized she didn’t really love the alcoholic drinks she was consuming and then asked herself ‘If I don’t really love them then why am I drinking? She also read This Naked Mind by Annie Grace and learned so much more about the marketing behind alcohol and the science of how it reacts in our bodies.

We know that alcohol use is linked to heart disease, cancer and so many other health conditions and Kristen felt she didn’t want to have that risk to her health.

She immediately saw the social implications of her not drinking. People were asking her about it and she could tell it made others uncomfortable. Kristen also began to notice how the corporate space does not support people who don’t want to drink alcohol with sophisticated cocktails.

Kristen shares more personally on how she didn’t love the way she showed up or the person she became when she drank. She could tell she wasn’t her normal self and even noticed that she looked different.

Kristen is the owner of Typecast Meetings + Events, a boutique corporate event management company based in New England. She helps companies of all sizes find a great hotel for their corporate off-sites, meetings and incentive programs worldwide as well as help with the end-to-end planning.

linkedin.com/in/kristenacollins

The Alchemy of Natural Healing
True, lasting healing is a transformative journey of mind, body and spirit. This...

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Support the Show.

Support the show

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, my program Sober Freedom Transformation is now open! It is for women who have been sober for a year to many and are ready to discover who they want to be in long term sobreity, develop confidence and improve their relationships.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerably so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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Can you feel a big change coming and is it bringing a lot of emotions?

Today it's just you and me on the show talking about emotional transitions. This time of year often brings up a lot of change and therefore a lot of feelings. Many of them are good, sometimes not so good but either way, they are there.

Thriving in long-term sobriety means learning how to get comfortable with your emotions and believing they will pass eventually. We don't always have control over the feelings that show up but we do over our actions.

If you like what you hear please take 30 seconds to leave a rating and review so other women will find us. And share with a friend you think will get something out of it.

The Alchemy of Natural Healing
True, lasting healing is a transformative journey of mind, body and spirit. This...

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Support the Show.

Support the show

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, my program Sober Freedom Transformation is now open! It is for women who have been sober for a year to many and are ready to discover who they want to be in long term sobreity, develop confidence and improve their relationships.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerably so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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Did you know that healthy boundaries allow you to protect your core values?

Beth shared how her drinking took off when she went off to college and escalated into adulthood but since she always held a job and was productive she never viewed it as problematic.

Her consequences increased until her last six months of drinking where every day she said ‘I’m not going to drink tonight. Finally, she reached out to a therapist whose card she had picked up for a friend.

Beth shared about her experience getting sober in AA and how the real change happened for her when she started to invest in her own recovery and doing the work.

She talks about how she is more focused on self-awareness and mindfulness. Being aware of what is happening in our minds and bodies helps us to make better choices in our lives.

We talk about how core values are grounding and they require us to establish healthy boundaries to honor those values.

Beth shares how she is struggling with boundaries in her relationship with work and in creating this can empower others and respect her value of serenity. This work never stops and can be enhanced in long-term sobriety.

Beth also shares some practical tools she uses in her life to help her to identify what matters to her.

Beth Harbinson is the founder of Sobar® and is committed to local efforts focused on reducing the stigma associated with alcoholism, addiction and mental illness and providing greater access to treatment resources. Sobar’s mission is to provide and promote innovative beverage options to those who cannot or choose not to drink alcohol.

https://www.drinksobar.org/
https://www.facebook.com/drinksobar/
https://www.instagram.com/drinksobar/

Support the Show.

Support the show

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, my program Sober Freedom Transformation is now open! It is for women who have been sober for a year to many and are ready to discover who they want to be in long term sobreity, develop confidence and improve their relationships.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerably so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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Do you struggle with bloating, joint pain, digestive issues or knowing what to eat?

Samantha is a woman in long-term recovery who has dedicated her life to service work and helping others. She shares how she enjoyed several years of sobriety, was in a toxic marriage, went through infertility treatment, and hadn’t done the emotional work on he own past trauma and turned to drugs and alcohol.

Samantha’s own fitness and health journey informed her path professionally to becoming a functional diagnostic nutritionist. After she did her own functional medicine testing she discovered food sensitivity she didn’t know she had as well as a dysfunctional gut. It created a vicious cycle of setting off her dopamine receptors (similar to her addiction) that set off binge eating.

Samantha shares how there are usually a combination of things going on, the underlying symptoms we can’t figure out leave us perplexed. They are your body’s way of telling you something isn’t right. She uses this knowledge to help others in long-term recovery heal their bodies.

Michael Polan says “Eat real food, not to much, mostly plants” and that is a motto I have loved for years. Samantha shares a similar sentiment about those who are in recovery keep it simple. Eat whole foods.

Samantha is a functional diagnostic nutritionist, specializing in gut health. Drawing from her own experiences and struggles, Samantha has found purpose in helping others heal their bodies and minds.

www.seefitpt.com
IG @seefitliving
https://www.facebook.com/seefitpt

Support the show

Support the show

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, my program Sober Freedom Transformation is now open! It is for women who have been sober for a year to many and are ready to discover who they want to be in long term sobreity, develop confidence and improve their relationships.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerably so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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Do you ever wonder about the "science" behind addiction?

Judy shares her history of using drugs and alcohol and even though she was doing exactly what she thought she wanted she was miserable. Today, after decades of sobriety her life is beyond what she could have ever imagined.

Her neuroscience journey has been driven by her desire to understand what is different about the brains of people like her before she got started, then as she succumbed to the substances and then in recovery.

Judy became curious about what was so compelling about substances for people like her and also the fact that the same obsession and compulsion that drove her to substance use helped her succeed in school and her career.

Judy shares her neuroscience research on what happens to the brain when we use drugs. For women, the relief or using drugs to cope is a big mechanism more so than with men because they are more susceptible at the biological level to stress.

She shares how addiction comes about from experiences and how the brain is adapting in addiction. It can also adapt in recovery but that adaptation takes time. Our feelings and thoughts are the most reliable indicator of how things are going. Our actions and decisions about what we are doing etc are more reliable for gauging progress.

Judy’s research on the use and abuse of recreational drugs began during adolescence. After hitting bottom and getting clean and sober in her twenties, she went on to earn a doctorate in behavioral neuroscience and is currently a professor at Bucknell University. In 2019 Judy published a bestselling book Never Enough: The Neuroscience and Experience of Addiction, which has since garnered a worldwide audience.

You can reach out to Judy via email j.grisel@bucknell.edu
Grab her book

The LYLAS Podcast
If you know what LYLAS stands for, then this podcast is for you! Two besties since...
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Support the show

Support the show

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, my program Sober Freedom Transformation is now open! It is for women who have been sober for a year to many and are ready to discover who they want to be in long term sobreity, develop confidence and improve their relationships.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerably so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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A few years ago Jen started talking about normalizing not drinking. Jen got sober in AA and at the time she kept questioning when she would integrate back into normal social spaces.

She wanted to have elevated non-alcoholic options that were on par with her friends and family were drinking and beautifully presented.

Jen shared how her introversion and shyness as a young person prevented her from fitting in. Alcohol helped her to feel the belonging she longed for.

Jen got so tired of being asked “Why aren’t you drinking” and began her mission to create social spaces where people can make the choice to just not drink AND feel like they fit in.

Jen has seen a dramatic shift in the corporate scene because half of Americans say they want to drink less or not at all.

We shared thoughts on modeling for our teens and young adults that non-drinking is an option. Although they may experiment we can share details about the dangers of substances on the developing brain when they see adults having fun and living life without alcohol it creates options for them.

Jen shares that we can and should go into all of our spaces and when you see an opportunity share your voice about the non-alcoholic options. We can also encourage our communities and corporations to plan events that are not alcohol centered.

You never have to feel pressured to share your own story but simply ask how are we handling having non-alcoholic options. Just add in your thoughts about providing mocktails or whatever NA options feel appropriate.

The landscape around not drinking is changing and becoming so much more accepted.

Jen Gilhoi is an advocate for and creator of healthy social experiences that decentralize alcohol. She’s an event experience strategist and founder of Sparktrack and cofounder of Zero Proof Collective. Jen is also cofounded Sauna and Sobriety in May 2023 to model safe, adult spaces that foster healing and belonging without substances.

Jengilhoi.com
Zeroproo

The LYLAS Podcast
If you know what LYLAS stands for, then this podcast is for you! Two besties since...
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Support the show

Support the show

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, my program Sober Freedom Transformation is now open! It is for women who have been sober for a year to many and are ready to discover who they want to be in long term sobreity, develop confidence and improve their relationships.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerably so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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Have you ever believed the lies you told yourself? This episode is for you.

Marci shared how alcohol originally was something she did for fun but then became her medicine when she was depressed. She used it to numb all the pain she had until she realized she couldn’t stop.

Marci found a recovery program that aligned with her values and focused on changing her thoughts. She shared how she realized that alcohol was only making her depression worse and keeping her in this terrible cycle so she put on her sneakers and went for a walk. And that was the beginning of her sobriety experience.

We talk about how alcohol LIES to us, it tells us all the ways we are not enough. Marci looked past her insecurity and reached out to someone she knew who was a coach who helped her build the confidence she needed to start her business as an alcohol-free woman. She shared how the time she gained back from being sober gave her the much-needed space she needed to learn and grow a business.

Marci can identify where her belief that she was not enough and to have value came from her childhood. Now Marci knows that she doesn’t need anyone to give her the attention and recognition she can give herself and that is enough.

She knows we don’t have to believe everything we think.

We dive more into some of the cognitive behavioral work on thought changing. Part of this process is knowing that a lot of automatic thoughts will continue to come but the point is whether or not we accept them or not. We leave you with some real practical skills for thriving in long-term recovery.

Marci Rossi is a certified success coach who helps women redefine their relationship with alcohol. Once a near-daily drinker, Marci has completely reframed her perspective on alcohol so that she no longer desires it, and now she helps others do the same. To learn more about Marci, visit https://www.marcirossi.com/ or @CoachMarciRossi on social media.

The LYLAS Podcast
If you know what LYLAS stands for, then this podcast is for you! Two besties since...
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Support the show

Support the show

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, my program Sober Freedom Transformation is now open! It is for women who have been sober for a year to many and are ready to discover who they want to be in long term sobreity, develop confidence and improve their relationships.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerably so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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Laurie was raised by parents who struggled with substance abuse and took those coping skills out into the world and her professional corporate experience which perpetuated the drinking.

Laurie works in the world of Human Resources where she shares her story with those who need to hear it. Through those experiences, she had to look at herself and be accountable for her choices related to her health and wellness.

Laurie is looking for joy in this phase of my life. We talked about the mundane activities of life and how we manage them while also pursuing joy. We have to do the small things, every single day over time to make the HUGE transformations.

This is where our core values come into play in long-term recovery and you use them to back into your goals to determine where to start.

Laurie shares practical strategies to plan for failure. She shares that she knows when she goes to a networking event her instinct is to grab a drink and down it. Therefore, she tries to prepare and plan for failure to achieve success. We both share the way we do these including planning our drink of choice.

Her book Corporate Drinker highlights the corporate design for events that are centered around alcohol experiences. Laurie is creating conversations around employers including more exclusive environments for everyone.

Laurie Ruettimann began her career as an HR leader and grew to become a writer and speaker. Laurie's best-selling book, "Betting On You," addressed modern workplace dynamics, and is preparing to release her new book, "Corporate Drinker," in 2025.

You can learn more about Laurie on her website, https://laurieruettimann.com/

The LYLAS Podcast
If you know what LYLAS stands for, then this podcast is for you! Two besties since...
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Support the show

Support the show

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, my program Sober Freedom Transformation is now open! It is for women who have been sober for a year to many and are ready to discover who they want to be in long term sobreity, develop confidence and improve their relationships.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerably so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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What do sobriety, spirituality and menopause all have in common?

Kate shares how her early religious experiences had a key role in her drinking. In fact, religion was her first drug. Kate shares vulnerably about her struggle with her drinking and her spiritual struggle, she referred to it as an inner and outer mismatch. She also realized later that as a child who was neurodivergent in a neurotypical world, she didn’t know where she fit in. She was attempting to control, regulate and fit into her world by using religion.

Kate finally found something online she could relate to through a blog and started to make friends. She muscled her way through it and then started to discover self-care.
Kate shares beautifully has she used her middle age experience to turn her emotional work inward.

“A spiritual practice is any act habitually entered into with your whole hearts as a way to enter into a contemplative experience used to explore the holy moment” This sums it up for her.

Kate shared practical ways she has learned to manage her nervous system because high stress leads to high cortisol levels which prevent us from connecting to anything around us.

Part of her development has been regarding women’s empowerment As she approached middle-age and entered perimenopause she began studying women’s experiences specifically around alcohol use and what is the need not being met.

What is this next part of life going to look like. And it isn’t going to be like our younger years. As alcohol-free woman we already have an edge!

Kate Baily is an author, speaker, and community and podcast host specializing in habit change, holistic well-being and midlife transition.

Kate co-founded Love Sober and the author of ‘ Love Yourself Sober: A Self-Care Guide to Alcohol-Free Living for Busy Mothers’ and her new book ‘Love Your Sober Year - A Seasonal Guide to Alcohol-Free Living’ is available now.

Website: https://www.lovesober.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lovesober.cic/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lovesober.cic/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/kateb

The LYLAS Podcast
If you know what LYLAS stands for, then this podcast is for you! Two besties since...
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Support the show

Support the show

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, my program Sober Freedom Transformation is now open! It is for women who have been sober for a year to many and are ready to discover who they want to be in long term sobreity, develop confidence and improve their relationships.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerably so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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Did you get sober using a 12 step program or are you an AA skeptic?

While she was getting sober and in the midst of a series of lost relationships Arlina found some people at work who were also living alcohol free and ushered her into a twelve step program.

Arlina embraced her twelve step program as a “very pragmatic process for sorting out her baggage and gave her an opportunity to redefine what spirituality was to her.”

Arlina layered on her program things like therapy and personal development to continue to feed her desire to grow. There is plenty of space for this and does not mean you "aren't in AA", you are simply growing in long-term recovery.

We talked about the scientific addiction to substances as well as the lies we believe about what those substances do for us. There was a real identity shift for Arlina from being what she perceived as young and fun when she was drinking and her thought was not the fun was over.

We also went over establishing healthy habits as a way to build self-trust. She likes the idea of tiny commitments to create sustainable change.

There are many hangups people have with AA. One of the major one is the people. Arlina breaks down the typical barriers that people get hung up on about the twelve step programs.

Arlina Allen is a Certified Recovery Coach (IAPRC), Certified Hypnotist CH, the Founder of Sober Life School, and host of the award winning recovery podcast "The One Day At A Time Recovery Podcast" with over 300 episodes. She helps busy women quit drinking and create a life they love!

You can find more about her on her, including her book due out this year, www.soberlifeschool.com

The LYLAS Podcast
If you know what LYLAS stands for, then this podcast is for you! Two besties since...
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Support the show

Support the show

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, my program Sober Freedom Transformation is now open! It is for women who have been sober for a year to many and are ready to discover who they want to be in long term sobreity, develop confidence and improve their relationships.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerably so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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Have you ever “fought” the addiction path? And then everything you touch has to do with sobriety?

Melissa shared how she coped through her first year and how she allowed herself to feel all the feels. Then at the year mark she decided to write a book. The desires of her heart were bubbling up in long-term recovery.

She created a vision board at that time and she has achieved everything on that board. These are the blessings of getting and staying sober. Melissa discovered how much she loved teaching other people about their finances and running a business and wants to give back to young people to help them as well.

In this episode, Melissa goes through her acronym B.I.T.C.H. and shares how helpful it is to have someone to connect with regarding matters of money. Women in sobriety have the opportunity to take control of understanding their finances and how that relates to what they want for their life in long-term recovery.

We talk about some real practical tools for learning more about your finances as well as your emotions around that. This episode is packed with value for Thriving with your finances in sobriety. We don’t all need to become financial planners but we should know the basics of how things work, and know how to get the help you need.

Melissa Leon is a 20-year finance and accounting professional passionate about teaching women to manage time and money. Melissa co-owns Two Sense Consulting (a Bookkeeping and Fractional CFO firm) and is the Podcast Host and Author of the #1 Best Seller “Efficiency Bitch, How Ambitious Women Can Have It All Without Doing It All.”

Twosenseconsulting.com
EfficiencyBitch.com
@two.senseconsulting
@efficiencyB

Podcast: efficiency bitch
EfficiencyBitch.com

The LYLAS Podcast
If you know what LYLAS stands for, then this podcast is for you! Two besties since...
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Support the show

Support the show

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, my program Sober Freedom Transformation is now open! It is for women who have been sober for a year to many and are ready to discover who they want to be in long term sobreity, develop confidence and improve their relationships.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerably so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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Does your employer know you are sober?

Janet struggled in the beginning of sobriety because she didn’t know there was a whole world of sober people out there who could help her.

She had to decouple her identity from the drinker and party girl and work out who she was in long-term sobriety. Janet shared how she has found so many things including cold plunging to get the dopamine hit that she was seeking from alcohol.

It was astounding to her how people in the wellness space talk about being healthy and yet they serve alcohol at all of their events. If more people understood what alcohol was doing to them they could have a better life.

Janet managed to influence the policies at her workplace to be more supportive of people with substance use disorders. She helped create a space where people felt more comfortable asking for help.

In her work, she highlights how we have destigmatized other issues throughout history so this concept isn’t new. She wants the policies to always give the employees the support and help they need with less of a punitive stance. She encourages all of us to take these concepts to our employees and advocate for changes that create more support.

Founder of Choose Sunrise, Janet is on a mission to help employers attract and retain top talent by creating an Alcohol Safe Workplace®...without killing the buzz!

https://choosesunrise.co.uk
https://www.linkedin.com/in/janet-hadley/
https://www.instagram.com/choose_sunrise/
https://www.youtube.com/@soberbusinessnetwork

The LYLAS Podcast
If you know what LYLAS stands for, then this podcast is for you! Two besties since...
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Support the show

Support the show

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, my program Sober Freedom Transformation is now open! It is for women who have been sober for a year to many and are ready to discover who they want to be in long term sobreity, develop confidence and improve their relationships.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerably so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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Do you know how to discover your own personal core values?

Angie’s freedom from alcohol started the month before the pandemic started her 5th hospitalization due to her drinking. The pandemic put all her in-person programs on hold at 40 days of sobriety.

She used a core values activity from graduate school to help her regain leadership in her sobriety. Angie shares the activity she does with others using a deck of values cards to help people truly gain clarity about their values.

In general, we take on the values of our family of origin and the addition of substances during adolescent development can stunt our ability to discern what belongs to us and what are others. The blessing of building emotional sobriety is the opportunity to understand values not only for yourself but with your partner, your family and your workplace.

Curiosity and clarity drew her to learn more about what led her to use alcohol as a coping mechanism. She dug into mindfulness, the enneagram and her behavior styles. Long-term sobriety is a growth opportunity to explore what the most important things in life are to you.

Speaker, consultant, and author Angie Chaplin is the founder of Mindful Leadership, a woman-owned small business based in Iowa City. As a survivor of life-threatening alcohol use disorder, Angie's courageous journey epitomizes her values of integrity, curiosity, clarity, connection, and love.

https://www.angiechaplin.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/angiechaplin
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/MindfulLeadership2020
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/_Mindful_Leadership_

The LYLAS Podcast
If you know what LYLAS stands for, then this podcast is for you! Two besties since...
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Support the show

Support the show

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, my program Sober Freedom Transformation is now open! It is for women who have been sober for a year to many and are ready to discover who they want to be in long term sobreity, develop confidence and improve their relationships.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerably so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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Jess is the mom of two boys, she is sweet, honest and was a sucker for the mommy wine culture. It seemed normal to her.

Jess shared how she was hanging in the crowd that did everything with alcohol until she found This Naked Mind and started to become curious as sobriety.

The first year of sobriety for her was very much about survival, how can I get past the witching hour. And then she came to believe this was her new identity as a non-drinking in long-term sobriety.

Jess focused on healing and being of service. She created a journal to help herself and others to build confidence, self-love and healing in sobriety. She found it so beneficial as a chance to be off the screens in front of her boys.

Because of the modern sobriety movement, making this change wasn’t significantly difficult for her within her social circles. Having fun and non-alcoholic products helped her feel comfortable.

Jess is the host and founder of Decidedly Dry. She inspires the ever-growing sober community and believes it is her calling to help women embrace a sober lifestyle. She’s the mom of two active, adventurous and loving boys, and resides in the beautiful Pacific Northwest.

https://decidedlydry.substack.com/
IG: @decidedlydry

The LYLAS Podcast
If you know what LYLAS stands for, then this podcast is for you! Two besties since...
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Support the show

Support the show

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, my program Sober Freedom Transformation is now open! It is for women who have been sober for a year to many and are ready to discover who they want to be in long term sobreity, develop confidence and improve their relationships.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerably so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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What if huge transformations in your life only take small changes done every day?

This is exactly what Michelle Smith did when she first got sober in order to prevent herself from turning to a drink.

Michelle was dealing with grief from the loss of her mom, her husband was deployed to war and she was suffering from postpartum depression. She struggled with shame and guilt and used alcohol to quiet the noise.

Her parents died way sooner than they should have and she recognized that she was an adult orphan. Michelle realized that she was putting her children in the same position she was in. And she decided drinking was a nonnegotiable.

Michelle shared her experience of waking up after early sobriety and rediscovering her feelings and what she will do with those feelings. She discovered her true joy.

Michelle and I talked about basic habits that we started layering in this phase of long-term recovery. She shared how she started with drinking water, then walking, and listening to amazing podcasts. All of this went against her the old version of her life and drinking wasn’t fitting in the way that it did before.

Michelle’s perspective on life in long-term sobriety is so refreshing and real. She is a no-nonsense, strong and confident woman. She refuses to over-commit. She has healthy boundaries today to protect her own mental health. Michelle shared a practical tool she uses to help remind her of these things every day.

Michelle Smith is a bestselling author, keynote speaker, and the founder of Recovery is the New Black, a digital community for women living or exploring an alcohol-free life. Since getting sober in 2016, she has integrated both her personal and professional experience toward normalizing sobriety in our boozy culture.

www.recoveryisthenewblack.com
Instagram & Facebook: recoveryisthenewblack

The LYLAS Podcast
If you know what LYLAS stands for, then this podcast is for you! Two besties since...
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Support the show

Support the show

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, my program Sober Freedom Transformation is now open! It is for women who have been sober for a year to many and are ready to discover who they want to be in long term sobreity, develop confidence and improve their relationships.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerably so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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The journey from early sobriety to long-term recovery.

Becky’s first 18 months of sobriety were all white knuckled and left her with a huge amount of rage. She was dry but not sober. Then she found her way into a 12-step program.

She described her childhood exposure to alcohol like the movie Everything, Everywhere, All At Once.

Becky talks about the difference between women in early sobriety and those in long-term recovery. We now have our full selves to deal with. And the goal becomes emotional sobriety.

We dive into some of the principles that guide us in this phase of long-term recovery and her perspective on them.

Becky Vollmer is an author, longtime yoga teacher, and creator of You Are Not Stuck, a movement that empowers people to pursue the lives they most deeply desire. She teaches the principles of empowerment and choice through popular workshops and retreats. Becky is also a woman in long-term recovery and she also is a leading voice in the sobriety community.

Website: https://www.youarenotstuck.com/

FB: https://www.facebook.com/YouAreNotStuck/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/youarenotstuck/

Book: Amazon or Bookshop.org

The LYLAS Podcast
If you know what LYLAS stands for, then this podcast is for you! Two besties since...
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Support the show

Support the show

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, my program Sober Freedom Transformation is now open! It is for women who have been sober for a year to many and are ready to discover who they want to be in long term sobreity, develop confidence and improve their relationships.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerably so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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Amy has always been passionate about health and wants to help people change their lives using nutrition. Amy started drinking more heavily due to grief and realized she wanted to get sober. She is now a woman in long-term sobriety.

Amy talks about her process in working with women around building a healthy lifestyle. She knows that it is usually a big change so she starts with “ditching the bag” referring to processed foods. Her conversations are always about how you feel.

We shared about the importance of taking proper inventory of how much and what you are consuming since most of the time people are over or underestimating how much they are consuming. Building confidence in health as well as in long-term recovery takes persistence and understanding of the truth.

Amy says we have to learn to get curious about our habits. To notice the data points along the way that inform our behavior. Write things down, reflect on them and the feelings from the decisions.

Amy Fox is on a mission to educate everyone about how our food choices affect our health and happiness. Amy holds a Master of Science in Food and Nutrition Sciences and is a Certified Functional Food Professional and founder of Food and Mood Lab. Learn more at foodandmoodlab.com.

The LYLAS Podcast
If you know what LYLAS stands for, then this podcast is for you! Two besties since...
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Support the show

Support the show

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, my program Sober Freedom Transformation is now open! It is for women who have been sober for a year to many and are ready to discover who they want to be in long term sobreity, develop confidence and improve their relationships.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerably so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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Have you ever been so exhausted you thought drinking was the solution to your problems?

Meg is an ordinary mom trapped in the mommy wine culture. She began her sober curious journey in November of 2019 where her love of science led her to discover the real truth about alcohol and its seductive lies.

Meg shares how she was sucked into what society told her was the solution to her problem which led her to a nightly wine habit. Sober curiosity finally led her to break up with alcohol. She is now enjoying her life on long-term sobriety.

Despite being sober for four years Meg shares how vulnerable we can still be when the epic moments of life show up. But instead of drinking, she has learned to allow the feelings, honor them and get curious about them.

She shares the shift she had after the first year of sobriety. She woke up and began to do the work of emotional sobriety and truly manage our uncomfortable feelings. Meg began showing up for herself which made her more capable of showing up for her family.

As a truth-teller and best-selling author, Meg is changing the narrative on the mommy wine culture, the hustle culture, and our pro-drinking culture. In Meg’s award-winning debut book, Intoxicating Lies: One Woman's Journey to Freedom from Gray Area Drinking, Meg flips the script on the five most intoxicating lies we tell ourselves about alcohol and that we are enough.

Facebook: Intoxicating Lies: One Woman's Journey to Freedom from Gray Area Drinking
Instagram: @intoxicatingliesbook
www.meggeisewite.com

The LYLAS Podcast
If you know what LYLAS stands for, then this podcast is for you! Two besties since...
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Support the show

Support the show

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, my program Sober Freedom Transformation is now open! It is for women who have been sober for a year to many and are ready to discover who they want to be in long term sobreity, develop confidence and improve their relationships.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerably so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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Are you an expert at taking breaks from alcohol?

Susie was an avid runner and fitness guru. She started to make the connection between her alcohol use and feeling bad during training so she had periods of time where she took a break from alcohol. She felt she became an expert at taking breaks from alcohol. This helped her accomplish things when she did.

She shares how the glamorization of alcohol in our society made her feel that becoming a nondrinker was not an option. She wanted to feel validated in her alcohol-free lifestyle. For Susie the alcohol-free beverage industry has been such a blessing and a complete game changer.

Susie shared her experience with socializing in long-term sobriety and her frustration with not having aesthetically pleasing nonalcohol options when she was out in restaurants or in business environments. We shared some of the brands that are popping up now that are easily accessible now.

The identity shift that occurs when someone becomes alcohol-free is a big transition. This can be a very big deal for some of us. Even in long-term sobriety you can encounter others who just don’t get why you aren’t drinking. Having adult, alcohol-free options really helps in these situations.

Susie is the Founder, Zeroproof Experiences - Sober in the City which are weekend experiences that redefine the concept of fun without alcohol.

With her unique perspective, Susie is dedicated to helping others discover the joy and freedom that come with an alcohol-free lifestyle. Through Zeroproof Experiences, she curates immersive events that celebrate life, connection and personal growth without the need for alcohol.

www.zeroproofexperiences.com
@zeroproofexperiences

Here is the link to the Thriving in Long-Term Sobriety Workshop, mentioned in the Intro.

The LYLAS Podcast
If you know what LYLAS stands for, then this podcast is for you! Two besties since...
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Support the show

Support the show

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, my program Sober Freedom Transformation is now open! It is for women who have been sober for a year to many and are ready to discover who they want to be in long term sobreity, develop confidence and improve their relationships.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerably so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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Happy New Year!

Are you a resolution person? I am not, and I explain more about this in the intro to this episode. I am a huge believer in sustainable change and we can decide at any time when we want to make a change, set a goal, or learn something new.

Life as an alcohol-free woman is filled with lies we tell ourselves, I bet you could name a few right now. Today I am kicking off the 2024 Confident Sober Women season by sharing my Tedx Style talk from May of 2023.

In this talk, I lay out the exact process I went through to learn how to THRIVE in long-term sobriety. I learned how to be confident and love myself, how to stand up for myself in relationships, create healthy boundaries and eliminate my negative thinking patterns.

You can hit the reset button in your sober life anytime you want. Whether it's a Thursday in January, a Tuesday evening in July or the first of the month. Anytime you want to make a sustainable change in your life you can.

Please share this episode with a friend who would benefit. And if you can spare 30 seconds leave a rating and review, it helps a lot!

The LYLAS Podcast
If you know what LYLAS stands for, then this podcast is for you! Two besties since...
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Support the show

Support the show

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, my program Sober Freedom Transformation is now open! It is for women who have been sober for a year to many and are ready to discover who they want to be in long term sobreity, develop confidence and improve their relationships.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerably so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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This is a re-publishing of episode 115 from earlier this year but seems incredibly impactful at this point. I wanted to re-share our conversation but Dawn is doing incredible work and has inspired me with her organization, She Recovers.

So much so that I became a professional designee with She Recoers this year and I am proud to be part of their movement.

Enjoy this conversation and look forward to new episodes in 2024! Happy Holidays.

The LYLAS Podcast
If you know what LYLAS stands for, then this podcast is for you! Two besties since...
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Support the show

Support the show

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, my program Sober Freedom Transformation is now open! It is for women who have been sober for a year to many and are ready to discover who they want to be in long term sobreity, develop confidence and improve their relationships.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerably so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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This is the last episode of the 2023 season and I wanted to share a message with you about doing hard things. As women in long-term sobriety, we have already done a whole lot of really hard things.

Life will never stop giving us challenges. They are always there for all of us. But the best way to handle it is to get better at hard things, instead of always seeking easy. Sobriety affords you the ability to be present, to have clarity and choices today.

In thinking of the year ahead, what are some things you would like to do, see, make, and achieve? And more importantly, what is your plan for getting them? I can't wait to meet all of you sober ladies right back here next year for so much more fun and conversations.

Be sure to share the show with a friend and binge-listen to all the episodes before this. Check out Episode 58 5 Ways To Have Fun Without Alcohol For The Holidays, and Episode 55 Healthy Boundaries For The Holidays.

Be sure to subscribe to the show and hey if you like it will you leave a rating and review it really helps to let others know we are here. See you in the new year.

Support the show

Support the show

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, my program Sober Freedom Transformation is now open! It is for women who have been sober for a year to many and are ready to discover who they want to be in long term sobreity, develop confidence and improve their relationships.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerably so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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How do you balance your life between work and self-care?

Kristi Coulter is a woman in long-term sobriety and a former high-level executive at Amazon. She justified her drinking because she didn’t look like those other people who were problem drinkers, and she was successful.

Sobriety gave her a story but also the stamina to do difficult things. Kristi was a high achiever as a young person and then quickly continued that in her career. At Amazon there was so much to do and the jobs were so hard it was impossible to be an overachiever. This became a perfect storm for someone who needs to overachieve.

After her first year of sobriety we start to ask ourselves what do I want. Kristi also shared that she had to learn how to be nice to herself and her creativity started coming back. With time she learned to set healthy boundaries which was huge in her growth. This helped her balance her work life and her personal life and learn to respect herself in long term recovery.

We discussed the power of sustainable change, slowly doing things consistently over time to make HUGE transformations.

Kristi Coulter is the author of the memoirs EXIT INTERVIEW and NOTHING GOOD CAN COME FROM THIS. She also works as a freelance editor and writing teacher. Kristi lives with her husband and their golden retriever in Seattle and Los Angeles.

https://www.kristicoulter.com (site)
https://www.facebook.com/kristicoulter/
https://www.instagram.com/kristiccoulter

The LYLAS Podcast
If you know what LYLAS stands for, then this podcast is for you! Two besties since...
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Support the show

Support the show

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, my program Sober Freedom Transformation is now open! It is for women who have been sober for a year to many and are ready to discover who they want to be in long term sobreity, develop confidence and improve their relationships.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerably so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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When you are overcome with anxiety, grief or sadness what do you do?

Despite being the fastest swimmer in the country at one point Hilary Phelps never felt good enough, pretty enough or smart enough in her life. She started using drugs and alcohol to make her feel a part of.

She focused more on the negative so the accomplishments or compliments couldn’t even get into her energy field. Through her work in recovery, she has become ok with who she is and has learned that not everyone is for her in long-term sobriety.

Hilary and I shared a lot about the benefits as well as potential consequences of putting boundaries in place. She talked about how if we set a goal and then we don’t do it, no one else in our life care. We are letting ourselves down. This applies to boundaries as well when we allow people to push back on them.

In our active addiction, we self-sacrifice in all areas. When we begin doing the work of emotional sobriety and building confidence, setting boundaries and respecting ourselves it is a lot easier to manage difficult emotions and stay in peace. Therefore, in recovery, it is really important to keep the promises we make to ourselves. Hilary says the whole thing is a journey.

Hilary shared about her experience with motherhood, divorce and grief and how she dealt with those HUGE emotions. What sobriety does is allow her to show up on life’s terms. She offers real practical tools on how she deals with the big feelings. You will be able to put them in place starting today.

Hilary is a speaker, an addiction recovery advocate, a writer, and a holistic wellness coach. Her mission and purpose is to help other women find their voice and heal from anything that is holding them back from finding their purpose. Hilary lives in Arlington, Virginia with her son, Alexander.

www.HilaryPhelps.com
@HilaryPhelps_ (Instagram)
@HilaryPhelps (Twitter)

The LYLAS Podcast
If you know what LYLAS stands for, then this podcast is for you! Two besties since...
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Support the show

Support the show

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, my program Sober Freedom Transformation is now open! It is for women who have been sober for a year to many and are ready to discover who they want to be in long term sobreity, develop confidence and improve their relationships.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerably so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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Do you have a plan for sober success this holiday season? We know that preparation is the key to success in all things and this time of year is no exception.

Heather Lowe shares some amazing insight into how to manage work environments as well as family situations where drinking is a main event.

The facts are 1/3 of the population doesn’t want at all but we are put in situations when we feel pressure to drink. So asking for them to provide alcohol free options that aren’t simply soda or water can be very supportive.

Heather challenges all of us on a long term recovery journey to speak up if we can about having options that allow us to feel comfortable.

We also share about incorporating boundaries so you can have a more joy filled season doing the things the way you want to. Making a plan ahead of time for what events you will attend, how long you will stay and who will go with you.

Tuning in and doing what’s right for you whether or not anyone agrees is important. Be prepared to disappoint others but you have to stop abandoning yourself.

Heather Lowe is the Founder of Ditched the Drink, a wellness company dedicated to helping professionals drink less before it gets worse. Heather is a Certified Professional Life and Recovery Coach, Certified Addiction Awareness Facilitator, and the Director of Marketing Consumer Products for the International Center of Addiction Recovery Education (ICARE). She received The Top Sober Coach Award from Coach Foundation, 2023.

You can find more information about Heather and be in touch at her website www.ditchedthedrink.com and @ditchedthedrink on Facebook, Instagram. LinkedIN, Pinterest

The LYLAS Podcast
If you know what LYLAS stands for, then this podcast is for you! Two besties since...
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Support the show

Support the show

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, my program Sober Freedom Transformation is now open! It is for women who have been sober for a year to many and are ready to discover who they want to be in long term sobreity, develop confidence and improve their relationships.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerably so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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Have you ever been embarrassed to share a mistake you made so you just tried to cover it up?

Today I share with you what happened last week, and how I woke up to a flooded basement.

It has been a bit of a time lately with a lot of cleaning, moving things, getting estimates, and my daughters coming home from college. Thankfully I have the tools today to take care of myself in long-term sobriety. Instead of spiraling into an emotional hot mess, I jumped into solution mode.

That is the transformation that happens when you work on your emotional sobriety to take your life from good to AMAZING and thrive in long-term sobriety.

Support the show

Support the show

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, my program Sober Freedom Transformation is now open! It is for women who have been sober for a year to many and are ready to discover who they want to be in long term sobreity, develop confidence and improve their relationships.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerably so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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Boadi Moore is the author of three books one of which is, Healing Your Attachment Wounds: A Guide to Healing What's Hidden in Your Attachment Style and Relationships'. We discuss her findings in the study of attachment most specifically in relation to her experience with motherhood, intimate relationships, addiction and long-term sobriety.

In this book, Boadi digs deep to break down how these wounds form, how they affect us, and how we can heal ourselves. She presents a comprehensive guide for reframing our perceptions and understanding the positive and negative attributes of our attachment style, and how we can create a roadmap toward healing.

As mammals, we are born to be attached. The way we parent, the conversations we have with our children it is so important that we understand how our own attachments early on show up.

Everything evolves in our life in relationship to our ability to attach or not to others in our lives. Boadi says she is still learning this. We talk about reparenting, by reacquainting ourselves with our authentic selves. She also shares why this is so important for sober women in their healing recovery journey.

Boadi shares her research that explains all addiction comes from abandonment and neglect that change the chemical structures in our brains that lead us to self-medicate. We talk about how we have all found ways to fill a hole or sensation in the body. In the book, Boadi shares more about how to self-soothe in a more natural way to help those of us in recovery.

We talk about what is it going to take to deal with all of this now. Boadi shares about reframing and rewriting the script of our lives by eliminating our negative thinking patterns. Creating that future self to imagine where we want to be and how to get there.

https://boadimoore.com
www.facebook.com/boadimoore
www.linkedin.com/in/boadi-moore/

The LYLAS Podcast
If you know what LYLAS stands for, then this podcast is for you! Two besties since...
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Support the show

Support the show

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, my program Sober Freedom Transformation is now open! It is for women who have been sober for a year to many and are ready to discover who they want to be in long term sobreity, develop confidence and improve their relationships.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerably so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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This is day 1 of the Thriving in Long-Term Sobriety workshop series I did in October 2023. It was also streamed to my Facebook group, Confident Sober Women.

In this episode, I share the three shifts that are necessary for you to thrive in long-term recovery and elevate your life in recovery. This is the beginning of the emotional sobriety work in order to gain more confidence, build deeper and fulfilling relationships and improve your physical health.

Day 2 and 3 are available here as well.

The LYLAS Podcast
If you know what LYLAS stands for, then this podcast is for you! Two besties since...
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Support the show

Support the show

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, my program Sober Freedom Transformation is now open! It is for women who have been sober for a year to many and are ready to discover who they want to be in long term sobreity, develop confidence and improve their relationships.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerably so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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This is Day 2 of the Thriving in Long Term Sobriety workshop series I hosted in October 2023. It was also streamed into the Confident Sober Women Facebook group.

In this episode, we talked about the first two pillars of the Sober Freedom Transformation, which is the program for women who have a year or more of sobriety and are waking up to the possibilities of what life can be like. We discuss eliminating negative thinking patterns and transforming daily habits and routines and how both of those help to build confidence, deeper more fulfilling relationships and better physical health.

Day 1 adn 3 are also available here.

The LYLAS Podcast
If you know what LYLAS stands for, then this podcast is for you! Two besties since...
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Support the show

Support the show

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, my program Sober Freedom Transformation is now open! It is for women who have been sober for a year to many and are ready to discover who they want to be in long term sobreity, develop confidence and improve their relationships.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerably so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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This is Day 2 of the Thriving in Long Term Sobriety workshop series I hosted in October 2023. It was also streamed into the Confident Sober Women Facebook group.

In this episode, we talked about the second two pillars of the Sober Freedom Transformation, which is the program for women who have a year or more of sobriety and are waking up to the possibilities of what life can be like. We discuss discovering your personal core values and harnessing the energy of a spiritual connection and how both of those help to build confidence, deeper more fulfilling relationships and better physical health.

The LYLAS Podcast
If you know what LYLAS stands for, then this podcast is for you! Two besties since...
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Support the show

Support the show

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, my program Sober Freedom Transformation is now open! It is for women who have been sober for a year to many and are ready to discover who they want to be in long term sobreity, develop confidence and improve their relationships.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerably so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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Lynnae was young when she got sober and she describes hitting a physical bottom and being overly sensitive. Her recovery was being in those thoughts and emotions and grew into learning how not to feel so intensely. Her sons addition forced her to dig further into the tools of long-term sobriety.

Lyannae shared that she had a wonder woman mentality that the bigger the problem she was dealing with and then overcome the better she was. Solving problems became a secondary addiction. She leaned into her knowledge of energy work for her healing that help her elevate her recovery.

Lynnae and I talk about managing difficult emotions, boundaries and learning to “feel” the energy of things in our lives. She shares a practical tool for figuring out what belongs to you and what doesn’t.

You can connect with Lynnae on her website or on socials @lynnaeanncoaching

The LYLAS Podcast
If you know what LYLAS stands for, then this podcast is for you! Two besties since...
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Support the show

Support the show

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, my program Sober Freedom Transformation is now open! It is for women who have been sober for a year to many and are ready to discover who they want to be in long term sobreity, develop confidence and improve their relationships.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerably so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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Jo Weatherford is a woman in long-term recovery and a friend of the Confident Sober Women podcast. She was on the podcast back on March 22, 2022 episode 70 Overcoming Victim Consciousness where she shared a lot of her story and focused on the difference between knowledge and action. Check it out.

We talked a lot about what it’s like after the first year of sobriety, the changing in thinking patterns and relationships and the emergence of a new identity.

Today Jo is an independent, single and sober woman who is building a new business with her partner who is also in recovery. It’s called Recovery Remix an online support and education platform that gets to the heart of addiction and reminds us “it’s not about the addiction, it’s about who you become when you break free.”

You can find her on their website www.recoveryremix.com.

The LYLAS Podcast
If you know what LYLAS stands for, then this podcast is for you! Two besties since...
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Support the show

Support the show

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, my program Sober Freedom Transformation is now open! It is for women who have been sober for a year to many and are ready to discover who they want to be in long term sobreity, develop confidence and improve their relationships.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerably so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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Nikki is an incredible truth teller in long term sobriety who is on fire for Jesus. She and her husband started a celebrate recovery program in their community and are truly thriving and offering hope to so many who need it.

Between them they have 9 kids, a true his, hers and ours situation. Nikki said the key to her success in sobriety is to always remain teachable. She share how different seasons of their life and parenting have required different forms of strength. She replaced the unhealthy with new healthy habits helped her step into the beautiful role of wife and mother in a much better way.

No matter how hard we try our choices that break relationships and trust have to be restored. The wreckage caused by active addiction is harmful to all. Like me, Nikki believes there’s not just one way to sobriety, we can all do it in different ways.

Today she is trying to forage something that will have ripple effects for many generations. This is a beautiful conversation about the choices we have in thoughts, life and parenting. We both agree that living in the solution is where we get the most peace.

Www.prisoner2preacher.org
Www.50shadesoftruth.com
Www.facebook.com/nikole.thompson.9

The LYLAS Podcast
If you know what LYLAS stands for, then this podcast is for you! Two besties since...
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Support the show

Support the show

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, my program Sober Freedom Transformation is now open! It is for women who have been sober for a year to many and are ready to discover who they want to be in long term sobreity, develop confidence and improve their relationships.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerably so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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Today I wanted to share with you part of my TedX talk from May 2023 where I uncovered the truth about the lies we believe. This is just a clip of the talk specifically highlighting the lies however you can go listen to the whole thing here.

Long term recovery is different than early sobriety. It's an amazing time of awakening, growth, building confidence, emotional sobriety, and pursuing the desires of your heart. So many women struggle with negative beliefs about themselves and those lies are holding them back.

In my FREE workshop series starting October 16, I am sharing with you the exact way I changed my life in long term recovery and how I serve women on their journey. We will meet for 30-45 minutes for 3 days and you are going to have so much clarity about what you want and some practical tools for how to get there.

Jump on in there now! And hey, invite a friend.

Support the show

Support the show

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, my program Sober Freedom Transformation is now open! It is for women who have been sober for a year to many and are ready to discover who they want to be in long term sobreity, develop confidence and improve their relationships.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerably so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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Oliveyah was born into a cult and often found herself living in a “drama triangle”. She used Alanon to help her learn how to take responsibility for her life and stop being a victim. Oliveyah learned she could change her next thought and her next action.

Today, Oliveyah helps other people be in alignment with the choices they have. This process is so important as we grow into emotional sobriety, learn to trust ourselves again and make the choices that take us to the future self we envision.

Oliveyah shares about the importance of looking for things to give up or let go of in order to get through a tough time rather than adding things. This requires knowing what you actually want as specifically as possible. Then you give up something in relation to that thing. Stay tuned she shared an amazing example of how she did this in her own life.

You can get her free book at loosetheweightbook.com and on socials @OliveyahFisch

The LYLAS Podcast
If you know what LYLAS stands for, then this podcast is for you! Two besties since...
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Support the show

Support the show

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, my program Sober Freedom Transformation is now open! It is for women who have been sober for a year to many and are ready to discover who they want to be in long term sobreity, develop confidence and improve their relationships.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerably so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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Chelsea was “thirsty” for all knowledge regarding getting well. She shared about her personal relationships and the challenges she had with the most intimate ones after she got sober.

We also talked about sugar and our obsession with it as an indicator of becoming an addict later because of the similar qualities it has to alcohol. Chelsea shared how giving up sugar for her was harder than alcohol.

We discussed the workarounds we can use for our favorite places like Starbucks or Chick-Fil-A to help maintain our health.

Chelsea also shares her experience with socializing in sobriety and the challenges and boundaries she has created for herself.

She has a podcast called So Fired, IG @sofiredpod

The LYLAS Podcast
If you know what LYLAS stands for, then this podcast is for you! Two besties since...
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Support the show

Support the show

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, my program Sober Freedom Transformation is now open! It is for women who have been sober for a year to many and are ready to discover who they want to be in long term sobreity, develop confidence and improve their relationships.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerably so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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What’s it like after a year? That is the theme of today's conversation and Hadley did not disappoint. We did into the identity issues that are sure to arise after we stay sober, the changes in our relationships, and the bubbling up of the desires of our hearts.

Hadley is an avid distance runner, a woman in long-term sobriety, a mother of three, and an author of an up-and-coming book.

You can find her on Instagram @hadley_sorensen.

The LYLAS Podcast
If you know what LYLAS stands for, then this podcast is for you! Two besties since...
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Support the show

Support the show

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, my program Sober Freedom Transformation is now open! It is for women who have been sober for a year to many and are ready to discover who they want to be in long term sobreity, develop confidence and improve their relationships.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerably so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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Brooke and I continue our conversation from last week today. We talked about the highs and lows with blood sugar and how that makes us not feel good or causes fatigue as well as depression and anxiety.

Breaking the cycle needs to be our priority. We want the part of us that has the value of health and vitality to be in charge.

We have more willpower when our blood sugar is in control. Brooke talks about the use of protein and meal timing to help combat us getting into this situation. As well as preparation is key to combatting these times.

This conversation is power-packed with content for healing the gut, inflammation, autoimmune diseases and cravings. Creating balance in the bacteria in the gut helps manage all of this.

You can connect with Dr. Brooke Scheller on her website, www.brookescheller.com and on Instagram @drbrookescheller.

Be sure to pre-order her book, How To Eat To Change How You Drink.

The LYLAS Podcast
If you know what LYLAS stands for, then this podcast is for you! Two besties since...
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Support the show

Support the show

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, my program Sober Freedom Transformation is now open! It is for women who have been sober for a year to many and are ready to discover who they want to be in long term sobreity, develop confidence and improve their relationships.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerably so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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Dr. Brooke Scheller was a heavy drinker for years as she earned a master's degree and a doctorate in the wellness field. She loves to use her functional medicine training to help people solve the “mysteries” of what’s wrong with them.

Because of her background in health and wellness, Brooke knew she was living a double life, yet she couldn’t stop.

She helps her client focus on “the one thing” of stopping drinking in order to change everything. She shares how just doing this one thing made such a big difference for her and of course for so many others.

We talk about creating sustainable success in health by taking baby steps consistently every day to create huge change.

We end of this first episode by discussing learning how to manage your blood sugar when it comes to changing your diet when you are alcohol-free. You are less likely to grab a drink when your blood sugar is balanced. We will pick up right there next week.

Be sure to listen to the next part as this conversation is packed with so much goodness when it comes to our health.

You can grab her book How To Eat To Change How You Drink on her website.

Support the showSupport the show

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, I have an awesome course called Creating Healthy Boundaries; it's affordable, easy to follow, and will make a big difference in how you feel. Check it out here.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerably so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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Sobriety is ONLY the beginning. We do so much work to become alcohol free which is a miracle, but the emotional sobriety comes later.

After I got sober in 2002 it became apparent that the biggest challenge I faced in those first few years was my negative thinking patterns. I was stuck in a cycle that had me continuously beating myself up every day. I was sober and of course, I felt a lot better and my life was getting better, because that’s what happens when you stop using substances. But the thought patterns had to be challenged.

In this episode I share with you just how I did that and the 5 ways I use to show other women how to do the same. I also mention the 5-day negative thinking challenge that is in the Guides section of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group. You can access it for free if you are a group member. Go ahead and join now!

If you haven’t read my memoir, Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety you can hear more about my story of living well beyond recovery and the ways I show others to do the same. Check it out here.

Support the showSupport the show

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, I have an awesome course called Creating Healthy Boundaries; it's affordable, easy to follow, and will make a big difference in how you feel. Check it out here.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerably so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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Beth Anstandig was a sensitive kid. She realized young that the world had a lot of chaos that she did not understand so she gravitated toward her animals. They were so different than the humans.

We tell stories about how the loneliness of the human experience can feel socially immature, especially for moms.

Beth talks about the self-care that is necessary to meet our needs. We first have to recognize what those needs are, and then share those with the people closest to us.

This is a direct contrast to the animal world because they are giving their young feedback about how to behave including learning to listen to other people's needs.

We overuse the term self-care so often in our society but what we are really talking about are needs.

We are no different than pack animals we just think we are and our sophisticated brains allow us to talk ourselves out of our own needs

We are not supporting parents the way we should in our society. We talked about making the choice to take jobs far away from family and community to raise their kids.

We can convince ourselves that we don’t have a choice but we do. Creating a community of support with people who can meet my needs is self-care. “What are the resources I need to be a mammal in balance."

You can reach Beth on her website https://www.thecircleupexperience.com/

Check out her amazing book https://www.thecircleupexperience.com/thehumanherdbook/

Support the showSupport the show

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, I have an awesome course called Creating Healthy Boundaries; it's affordable, easy to follow, and will make a big difference in how you feel. Check it out here.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerably so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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Osso Safe was born out of pain. They want to turn pain into power. She believes safety is a critical component of living well. And if you are a survivor your one job is to not repeat it.

Your home is like an umbrella. If the home is not safe then you are dealing with things like trafficking, sexual abuse, school bullying, public violence, and addiction.

Like Sabrina says, we go towards what we are used to even if it's bad.

Osso safe is changing systems, and saving lives. They are working with the real estate industry where safety becomes a required standard of residence. They are also working to create a space where children have a say in where they live.

Impacting the world of addiction by making the home safe.

www.ossosafe.com

Support the showSupport the show

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, I have an awesome course called Creating Healthy Boundaries; it's affordable, easy to follow, and will make a big difference in how you feel. Check it out here.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerably so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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Gayani is a psychiatrist who specializes in educating parents and teens about addiction specifically about prevention and the author of A Psychiatrist Guide: Stop Teen Addiction Before It Starts.

Gayani has had many clients die from addiction, and she recognized the difficulty it takes to get into recovery and the support that is necessary. In doing her research she noticed there was a lot of content about how to treat addiction but felt there was nothing regarding preventing addiction.

We talk about the power of EMDR therapy and trauma work which is critical for healing the brain and reducing the desire for people to use substances to escape life.

Substances actually stop the development of the brain. Things like marijuana use will stop the brain development and you don’t catch up. You can't get that back.

Gayani is a huge promoter of learning how to deal with things like anxiety without the use of highly addictive substances. It is such a big risk.

Help them learn to delay their gratification, to self-soothe when they can’t/don’t get what they want, to manage their uncomfortable feelings. They don’t have to satisfy those feelings right away, they can live with it, sit with it, distract themselves etc. They do change and the feelings will go away.

www.Drgayani.com

Support the showSupport the show

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, I have an awesome course called Creating Healthy Boundaries; it's affordable, easy to follow, and will make a big difference in how you feel. Check it out here.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerably so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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Valier J Walsh is the author of Shattered to the Core, a memoir. Valerie shares how through a tremendous amount of adversity she was searching for a solution. She tried it all and what she realized was what she needed to reach for was sobriety.

Valerie wasn’t an athlete as a young person but now has a health and fitness career. She discovered the beauty around her when she started running and it stuck. She also needed an outlet and physical activity became her thing.

We talked about our journeys into the fitness world and its correlation to recovery. Valerie wants movement to be accessible to all people and refers to it as functional training. I love that language. We break down the barriers of our negative thinking patterns and how that helps to make actual sustainable change.

Valerie shares that her general philosophy on nutrition is talking yourself through it. Similar to when we were getting sober, thinking it all the way through. So practical.

You can find Valerie on her website www.valerijwalsh.com, Facebook group Core Method or on Instagram @valeriejwalsh.

Mentioned in the episode:
Martin Rooney creator of Training for Warriors

Support the showSupport the show

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, I have an awesome course called Creating Healthy Boundaries; it's affordable, easy to follow, and will make a big difference in how you feel. Check it out here.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerably so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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Jill Haire-Constantini and I are both therapists and entrepreneurs. We sit down for an intimate look at her terribly unhealthy relationships for years. She got sober, went back to school, and got her divorce and her bachelor’s degree on the same day.

Jill had a defining moment while in the midst of a car accident when she heard a voice “Relax on Impact” which later became the title of her book.

Sobriety afforded Jill the opportunity to not only reclaim her life but become an author, therapist, and coach.

Jill shares the connection she made between her growing-up years and her pattern of unhealthy relationships. She found herself and her other half through extensive trauma therapy and building emotional sobriety.

Her entrepreneurial spirit has allowed her to help so many others with her program, to heal their past and build healthy relationships.

We shared the process of writing our books and our passion for bringing hope and relatability to as many women as possible.

Support the showSupport the show

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, I have an awesome course called Creating Healthy Boundaries; it's affordable, easy to follow, and will make a big difference in how you feel. Check it out here.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerably so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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Dr. Katie Nall is a mathematician who went in search of helping her students with their math anxiety (which of course translates into all anxiety).

She came across the brilliant work of Nick Ornter who created Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) or tapping.

And has been helping so many people calm their nervous systems and bodies of the anxiety the literally disables them.

How empowering it is to know there are things you can literally do yourself to calm your mind and body and begin the healing process.

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, I have an awesome course called Creating Healthy Boundaries; it's affordable, easy to follow, and will make a big difference in how you feel. Check it out here.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerably so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

Support the showOh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, I have an awesome course called Creating Healthy Boundaries; it's affordable, easy to follow, and will make a big difference in how you feel. Check it out here.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerably so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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In today's episode, I am thrilled to have the remarkable Lisa Boucher as my guest. Lisa is not only an author, but also a trained polo horse handler, former bartender, and a registered nurse. After transforming her own life, Lisa got sober at the age of 33, and her incredible story has touched the lives of many. Her book, Raising The Bottom: Making Mindful Choices in a Drinking Culture, received accolades including being a finalist in the International Book Awards in health, addiction, and recovery, and winning the USA Best Book Award in women's health in 2017.

Highlights:

• Overcoming Challenges in the Medical Community
• Healing from Trauma
• Embracing Faith and Trust
• The Common Denominator of Struggle
• Empowering Insights for Sleepful Nights

Links:

• https://lisaboucherauthor.com/
• https://www.instagram.com/lboucherauthor/
• https://www.facebook.com/RaisingtheBottom/

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, I have an awesome course called Creating Healthy Boundaries; it's affordable, easy to follow, and will make a big difference in how you feel. Check it out here.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerably so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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In this episode, I sit down with Talia Bennick, the extraordinary entrepreneur behind Crisp & Crude Company. Talia's unique story takes a refreshing twist as she shares her journey of creating an alcohol-free beverage that promotes relaxation and calm. Although her motivation stemmed from personal struggles, Talia's determination led her to build an enticing range of flavors infused with mood-lifting botanical extracts. As an advocate for the alcohol-free movement, Talia also delves into her experience as a non-drinker, offering valuable insights into managing social anxiety and gracefully handling questions about her choice.

Highlights:

• Unveiling the Crisp and Crude Company: Crafting Alcohol-Free Bliss
• Empowering Choices: Navigating Social Anxiety and Overwhelm
• The Evolution of the Alcohol-Free Movement
• Behind the Scenes: From Idea to Creation

Links:

• https://crispandcrude.com/

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, I have an awesome course called Creating Healthy Boundaries; it's affordable, easy to follow, and will make a big difference in how you feel. Check it out here.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerably so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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In today's episode, I am thrilled to introduce my guest, Mayara Souza, a certified sound therapist and holistic wellness practitioner. Mayara's unique approach empowers individuals to achieve deep relaxation, overcome emotional blocks, and unleash their body's innate healing capabilities. Get ready to be captivated by her fascinating journey, as she shares her insights on bridging cultural gaps, the transformative power of plant medicine, and the importance of letting go of victimhood mentality.

Highlights:

• Unleashing the Power of Sound Therapy
• Cultural Perspectives on Wellness
• Embracing Plant Medicine for Sobriety
• Unlocking the Body's Innate Healing Potential
• Shedding the Victimhood Mentality

Links:

• https://mayara-souza.com/

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, I have an awesome course called Creating Healthy Boundaries; it's affordable, easy to follow, and will make a big difference in how you feel. Check it out here.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerably so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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Today I have a very special guest, Karolina Rzadkowolska, a certified alcohol-free life coach and bestselling author of the book Euphoric: Ditch Alcohol and Gain A Happier, More Confident You. Karolina's expertise lies in transformation-based coaching, positive psychology, and she is a Senior Certified This Naked Mind Coach. Get ready for an enlightening conversation about habits and mindset, and how they shape our journey toward emotional sobriety.

Highlights:

• Understanding the difference: Habits and Mindset
• Reaching your upper limit
• Impacting habits for lasting change
• Giving yourself permission

Links:

• https://euphoricaf.com/
• https://www.euphoricbook.com/
• https://www.amazon.com/Big-Leap-Conquer-Hidden-Level/dp/0061735361/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1685976802&sr=8-1

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, I have an awesome course called Creating Healthy Boundaries; it's affordable, easy to follow, and will make a big difference in how you feel. Check it out here.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerably so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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In today's episode, I have the incredible GiGi Langer joining us. GiGi is not only a presenter and retreat leader but also the author of the award-winning book, "50 Ways to Worry Less Now: Reject Negative Thinking to Find Peace, Clarity, and Connection." In this enlightening episode, GiGi shares her wisdom on regulating healing and inviting a higher power into your journey of recovery.

Highlights:

• Regulating your healing and inviting a higher power
• Conquering negative thoughts in recovery
• Breaking free from limiting beliefs
• The power of self-soothing
• Struggles with character defects
• Re-parenting yourself

Links:

• https://www.amazon.com/Ways-Worry-Less-Now-Connection/dp/0999122002/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1685421299&sr=8-1
• https://gigilanger.com/
• https://www.instagram.com/gigilangerworrylessnow/

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, I have an awesome course called Creating Healthy Boundaries; it's affordable, easy to follow, and will make a big difference in how you feel. Check it out here.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerably so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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In this episode, we dive deep into the inspiring journey of Nisha Lehmann, a mobile developer by day and a dedicated advocate for better mental health by night. Nisha shares her personal experiences with substance use, the challenges she faced, and how she emerged as a powerful force in the sober, curious movement. Join us as we explore the transformative power of sobriety, the importance of open conversations, and the innovative app she's developing to create a safe space for those struggling with mental health and addiction.

Highlights:

• Discover how Nisha's personal experiences led her to the sober curious movement.
• Understand the significance of recognizing the impact of substances on our identity.
• Explore the unique features and benefits of Confident Conversations.
• Understand how the app addresses the diverse needs of various communities.
• Delve into the importance of building a supportive online community for mental health and addiction recovery.
• Learn about Nisha's strategies for staying sober and true to oneself.
• Explore the ways in which alcohol can mask our true identities and hinder personal growth.
• Understand the dark thoughts that can accompany addiction and the path towards healing.
• Examine the societal stigma surrounding mental health and substance use.
• Learn about Nisha's advocacy work and her efforts to empower others through open conversations.
• Discuss the importance of creating a safe and inclusive space for diverse communities, including sexual assault victims and gamers.

Links:

• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nisha-leh...
• Website: www.confidconvos.com
• Twitter / Pinterest / Instagram: @confidconvos

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, I have an awesome course called Creating Healthy Boundaries; it's affordable, easy to follow, and will make a big difference in how you feel. Check it out here.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerably so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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In today's episode, I have a very special guest, Jessica Jeboult. Jessica is a writer, podcast host, and founder of A Sober Girls Guide, an incredible platform that has helped countless women in their journey towards sobriety and self-discovery.

In this thought-provoking discussion, we'll be diving deep into the very core of personal growth.

Highlights:

• Accountability: The first step towards change is accepting responsibility for our actions, both good and bad. Jessica shares her insights on the importance of accountability in personal development and how it can lead to better decisions and a happier life.
• Personal Responsibility: Recognizing that our choices have consequences and embracing the power of personal responsibility can open the door to a life of greater fulfillment.
• Attachment Styles: Our attachment styles play a significant role in our relationships, influencing how we connect and interact with others.
• The Humbling Moment of Realization: It's not easy to admit that we've been making choices that aren't working for us. We'll talk about the courage it takes to recognize when we're the ones causing our pain and the importance of being honest with ourselves.
• Choosing Something Different: We explore how choosing differently can be a powerful act of self-love. It's about admitting to ourselves when we're not content, coming to terms with past decisions that may not have served us, and having the courage to make new choices that align with our true selves.

Links:

• A Sober Girls Guide
• A Sober Girls Guide Podcast
• Instagram
• Vibe Gummies

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, I have an awesome course called Creating Healthy Boundaries; it's affordable, easy to follow, and will make a big difference in how you feel. Check it out here.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerably so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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Welcome to another episode of the Confident Sober Women Podcast, where we empower and support women in their journey to a fulfilling, sober life. Today, I'm excited to have Harriet Harrer as my guest. Harriet is a renowned speaker, author, and facilitator who's dedicated to inspiring change and bringing miracles to life. Join us as we dive deep into transforming negative thinking patterns and explore practical tools to help you find balance and inner peace.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• The power of embracing oneness and equality in our experiences, pain, and journey to recovery, and how this vision can foster compassion and encouragement for others.
• The importance of changing our thinking patterns to live well in life, despite the pain and challenges we face.
• Why stepping out of our comfort zones is crucial for sober, confident women to become the women of integrity and grace they've always wanted to be.
• Harriet's personal struggles with negative self-talk and how she learned to eliminate negative thinking patterns through daily practice.
• The "stop sign technique" and other practical tools for replacing thoughts with positive affirmations in the heat of the moment, fostering a calmer mind and body.

Don't miss this heartfelt conversation with Harriet, as we explore how to change your perspective on negativity and provide practical tools to help you live a more joyful, connected life. Tune in, learn, and be inspired to step out of your comfort zone, embrace the oneness of who we are, and transform your thinking patterns for a better life.

Links:

• Mel Robbins Journal
• One Thousand Gifts - Ann Voskamp
• Miracles of Recovery - Harriet Hunter

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, I have an awesome course called Creating Healthy Boundaries; it's affordable, easy to follow, and will make a big difference in how you feel. Check it out here.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerably so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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Today, I am thrilled to have my friend Meg Daly as my guest. Meg is a speaker, podcast host, and the founder of the Live More Drink Less 30 Day Reset. She specializes in helping gray area drinkers and empaths discover ways to find more calm in their every day lives.

In this episode, Meg shares her personal journey of learning to face her emotions head-on, rather than running away from them. We explore the common compulsion to escape from heavy feelings and emotions through various coping mechanisms, such as alcohol, food, shopping, and sex. Meg emphasizes the importance of allowing emotions to simply "be" - recognizing them, naming them, and letting them pass through.

Highlights:

• Embracing emotions: Why acknowledging and sitting with our emotions, rather than running away from them, is a key component of healing and personal growth.
• The power of choice: Recognizing our ability to decide how we want to feel and taking charge of our emotional well-being, even in the most difficult circumstances.
• Change and mourning: Understanding that change is a natural part of life and allowing ourselves to grieve and process the emotions that come with it.
• Asking ourselves the right questions: Learning to check in with ourselves and determine what we need in the moment to move forward and create a more fulfilling life.

Join me for this deeply insightful and empowering conversation as Meg shares her wisdom on navigating emotions, embracing our personal power, and living a more balanced and fulfilling life.

Links:

• https://megkdaly.com/
• https://www.facebook.com/groups/2710231689214768
• https://megkdaly.com/category/podcast/

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, I have an awesome course called Creating Healthy Boundaries; it's affordable, easy to follow, and will make a big difference in how you feel. Check it out here.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerably so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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In today's episode, I am take a unique twist and shine the spotlight on the inspiring journeys of women in the recovery world who've not only embraced sobriety but also leveraged the tools and skills they've gained during their recovery journey to establish flourishing businesses.

My first guest is my friend Courtney Anderson, a sober coach, podcast host, the founder of National Sober Day (September 14), and the creator of Sober Vibes, and online community for recovery and sober-curious women of all ages. Courtney shares her insights on building a thriving community and the importance of showing up consistently, even on days when things don't seem to be working out.

Highlights:

• The transformative power of recovery: Learn how the tools and skills developed during recovery can be channeled into building a successful business.
• Evolution of passions and ideas: Discover how initial business ideas often evolve into something entirely different and more aligned with one's true purpose.
• The importance of consistency: How showing up everyday, regardless of the circumstances leads to success.
• Navigating the highs and lows of entrepreneurship: Learn valuable lessons on adapting to the ups and downs of running a business.
• Boundaries in business: Understand the significance of setting boundaries to maintain a healthy work-life balance.

Links:

• Courtney's last episode: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1416319/10457790-socializing-without-alcohol-w-courtney-anderson.mp3?download=true
• https://www.courtneyrecovered.com/
• Pre-order Courtney's book: https://www.courtneyrecovered.com/sober-vibes-pre-order

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, I have an awesome course called Creating Healthy Boundaries; it's affordable, easy to follow, and will make a big difference in how you feel. Check it out here.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerably so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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In today's episode, I sit down with Bracha Goetz, a Havard-educated author of 40 children's books and the candid memoir, Searching for God in the Garbage. Join us as we dive into spirituality in life and in recovery, managing big emotions, and finding gratitude in life's smallest pleasures.

Highlights:

• The role of spirituality in recovery (from any addiction), and how it helped Bracha transform her life.
• The importance of connecting with a higher power in the healing process.
• Managing big emotions: how to sit with discomfort and managing overwhelming emotions as we work towards healing and growth.
• Finding gratitude in the small things and the importance of presence and mindfulness in rediscovering the simple joys of life.
• The decision to stay stuck in misery or choose happiness and work towards a solution.
• Discovering what brings you joy.

Links:

• https://www.goetzbookshop.com/
• https://www.instagram.com/brachagoetzbooks/?hl=en

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, I have an awesome course called Creating Healthy Boundaries; it's affordable, easy to follow, and will make a big difference in how you feel. Check it out here.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerably so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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In this episode, I have a heart-to-heart conversation with the incredible Amy Liz Harrison, bestselling author, 12-step coach, recovery/mental health advocate, and founder of A-Team Press. Tune in as we discuss the challenges of parenting sober, especially when our kids reach the drinking age, and how to navigate these testing waters with strength and resilience.

Highlights:

• Amy shares her personal journey to sobriety and how it inspired her books, "Eternally Expecting" and "Eternally Awkward."
• Parenting sober: challenges and triumphs
• The importance of being honest and real with our children about our past experiences
• Strategies for supporting our children as they navigate their own paths
• How to handle the fear and anxiety of watching our kids walk down the path we once struggled with

Don't miss this powerful conversation with Amy Liz Harrison as we delve into the realities of parenting sober, and the strategies to help our children navigate their own paths with resilience and wisdom. Subscribe and tune in now!

Links:

• https://www.instagram.com/amylizharrison/
• https://www.amylizharrison.com/
• https://www.amylizharrison.com/booksandpodcast
• https://www.amazon.com/Eternally-Awkward-Reflects-Mysteries-Anxiety/dp/B09WZKXR3G

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, I have an awesome course called Creating Healthy Boundaries; it's affordable, easy to follow, and will make a big difference in how you feel. Check it out here.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerably so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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Today, we are joined by a very special guest, Dana Miranda, a Certified Educator in Personal Finance, author, and personal finance journalist. Dana is the founder of Healthy Rich, a platform for inclusive, budget-free financial education, where she works with organizations, schools, and companies dedicated to making money better for people who are often left out of the conversation about money. She has also been published in top-tier media outlets like Forbes, Insider, Culture Study, the New York Times, CNBC, The Motley Fool, NextAdvisor, and Inc. Magazine, among others.

In this episode, we dive deep into 3 key topics:

• Money and finances
• Mindset and sobriety
• And personal core values

Dana shares her journey of becoming sober in May of 2015 without going through treatment or recovery programs. We also discuss work ethic and achievement, the value of doing the work because the work needs to be done, and the challenges high achievers face when attaching their worth to performance. Dana shares her insights on how to overcome a scarcity mindset when it comes to finances and the importance of wanting to have an impact through our work.

This episode is packed with valuable advice and actionable tips to help you navigate your finances and mindset in sobriety and to align your work with your personal core values. So, join me and tune in to this inspiring conversation with Dana Miranda!

Links:

https://www.healthyrich.co/

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, I have an awesome course called Creating Healthy Boundaries; it's affordable, easy to follow, and will make a big difference in how you feel. Check it out here.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerably so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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Join us in today's episode as we delve into a powerful and transformative conversation with Dr. Donna Marks, an author, consultant, public speaker, and psychotherapist with over three decades of experience. Dr. Marks shares her personal journey with addiction, starting from her childhood, and the keys to reclaiming oneself and living a fulfilling life.

Highlights:

• Introduction to Dr. Donna Marks, an author, consultant, public speaker, and psychotherapist with over 30 years of experience.
• Dr. Marks discusses the top three aspects of her emotional, physical, and spiritual design for living, and how they are essential for reclaiming oneself and finding one's way back.
• Donna shares her personal story of addiction, starting from her childhood, when she experienced alcoholism, eating disorders, and sexually inappropriate behavior in her family.
• How she got sober at 30, maintained sobriety for 23 years, and then intentionally relapsed after facing numerous catastrophes in her life.
• The need to become healthy and recognize the deadly toxins in our lives, such as nicotine, alcohol, trans fats, and sugar, and how they contribute to the majority of major medical illnesses.
• The importance of reclaiming our freedom from addiction, valuing our brains and individuality, and thinking for ourselves.
• Encouraging listeners to find their unique mission in life and fulfill their individualized and special purpose.

Tune in to this inspiring and insightful episode with Dr. Donna Marks as we explore the journey to reclaiming ourselves, loving ourselves, and overcoming addiction. Discover the steps to living a healthy, meaningful, and purpose-driven life, free from the chains of addiction. Don't miss out on this opportunity to gain valuable insights and tools for personal transformation.

Links:

• https://drdonnamarks.com/
• https://drdonnamarks.com/books/exit-the-maze/#buy
• https://drdonnamarks.com/videos/podcasts/
• https://drdonnamarks.com/videos/guided-meditations/

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, I have an awesome course called Creating Healthy Boundaries; it's affordable, easy to follow, and will make a big difference in how you feel. Check it out here.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerably so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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My guest today is Valerie Cantella. Valerie is an award-winning multi-passionate communications and public affairs professional who's living a life beyond her wildest dreams. She is the author of Off Script: A Mom's Journey Through Adoption, A Husband's Alcoholism, and Special Needs Parenting. In this episode, she shares her journey as a mother of teens with mental health issues, the struggles of special needs, parenting, the effects of alcoholism on a marriage, and how she learned to embrace the unimaginable to create an extraordinary life.

Highlights:

• Learning her husband was an alcoholic
• Learning how to set boundaries in difficult situations
• Overcoming the shame and fear associated with addiction
• What it’s like to see your child struggle with addiction and get clean and sober

Links:

• Off Script: A Mom's Journey Through Adoption, A Husband's Alcoholism, and Special Needs Parenting
• Valerie's Website
• Follow Valerie on IG

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, I have an awesome course called Creating Healthy Boundaries; it's affordable, easy to follow, and will make a big difference in how you feel. Check it out here.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerably so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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My guest today is Dawn Nickel, founder of SHE RECOVERS® Foundation, who is a thought leader in the women's recovery sphere as well as an accomplished leader, dedicated researcher, and visionary in the recovery moment. Dawn has been in long-term recovery since 1987 and she shares her story of addiction to cocaine, marijuana, alcohol, and pills, and how recovery has been a lifelong journey of healing.

Dawn believes that everyone is recovering from something, whether it be overdrinking, overworking, eating disorders, love addiction, or gambling. In today's episode, she shares her personal journey and the different modalities she has explored to address the underlying issues that led to her addiction.

Dawn also discusses how she started in 12-step recovery, but after hitting a wall with workaholism, she started a movement called She Recovers with her daughter. They started with a yoga retreat in Mexico and have now hosted over 50 retreats and launched a coach designation program. She Recovers has evolved from a passion project to a business and has hosted conferences all over the US.

Recovery is a journey through the past and into the present and learning how to live in the present. Dawn encourages everyone to explore different modalities and find what works best for them.

Links:

• https://sherecovers.org/

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, I have an awesome course called Creating Healthy Boundaries; it's affordable, easy to follow, and will make a big difference in how you feel. Check it out here.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerably so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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My guest today is Erin Khar, an author, and advocate who has made a name for herself by writing about addiction recovery, mental health, parenting, and relationships. Her debut memoir, “Strong Out,” has garnered critical acclaim and earned a spot on many anticipated reading lists. Erin also writes a popular weekly advice column on Substack.

Today’s episode focuses on destigmatizing addiction and the shame that surrounds it. Erin shares her personal story and discusses the importance of having open and honest conversations about addiction. She explains house addiction affects not only the individual but also their loved ones and communities.

Highlights:

• The root causes of addiction and the impact of trauma
• The role of compassion and empathy in helping those struggling with addiction
• The importance of community-based programs

Links:

• Ask Erin
• Erin's Website
• Follow Erin on IG

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, I have an awesome course called Creating Healthy Boundaries; it's affordable, easy to follow, and will make a big difference in how you feel. Check it out here.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerably so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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My guest today is Lisa Frederiksen. Lisa is an author, speaker, and consultant who focuses on substance use disorders, mental health disorders, secondhand drinking, toxic stress, trauma, and related topics. In this episode, we discuss core values and healthy boundaries in the context of living in recovery from substance use disorders. We delve into the idea that once someone becomes sober, underlying feelings of trauma, shame, guilt, and self-loathing often persist and can drive negative behavior. We discuss the importance of addressing these underlying issues in order to achieve long-term recovery.

We also touch on the concept of “families are sick,” and how dysfunction at a high level can impact everyone in the family.

Highlights:

• Generational trauma and breaking the cycles.
• The importance of understanding that the stress response is wired into being human, and how experiences during the first three years of life can shape the way our brain works in relation to stress.
• The importance of creating healthy boundaries, not just in relation to substance use, but also in relation to other areas such as relationships, work, and family.
• The importance of learning to honor and respect yourself enough to make yourself a priority, which is what emotional sobriety work is all about.

Links:

• Lisa's Website

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, I have an awesome course called Creating Healthy Boundaries; it's affordable, easy to follow, and will make a big difference in how you feel. Check it out here.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerably so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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My guest today is Jess Reid. Jess is a weight loss and personal development coach specializing in ketogenic nutrition. She was also recognized as one of the Top Personal Development Coaches by Coach Foundation. In this episode, we discuss how to help women heal their relationship with food, weight, and body image. We also explore why it can be so difficult to change our behaviors long-term and how our thoughts, feelings, and beliefs play a big role in our behaviors.

We dive into the importance of self-care, self-soothing, and the idea that not all coping mechanisms are created equal. It’s about identifying which ones are helpful and which are harmful and finding new ways to care for ourselves.

Highlights:

• The foundation of weight loss and how it can be used as a tool to help break the cycle of self-sabotage, shame, and pain.
• The conditioned beliefs that women have about food, weight, and body image, and how they can limit us in our weight loss journey.
• The all-or-nothing mentality that many people have when it comes to diet and nutrition.
• How perfectionism and restriction can be replaced with a more sustainable mindset that encourages a holistic and mindful approach to weight loss.

Links:

• Jess's Website
• Free Meeting My Own Needs Mindset Class
• Follow her on Instagram and Facebook: @theketofit
• Podcast: Self Care Keto

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, I have an awesome course called Creating Healthy Boundaries; it's affordable, easy to follow, and will make a big difference in how you feel. Check it out here.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerably so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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My guest today is Mary Beth O’Connor. Mary Beth is an author, attorney, and speaker and has also incorporated multiple sources to build a secular, non-12-step, or faith-based recovery plan. In this episode, we talk about dealing with toxic family relationships and the importance of doing a self-analysis to understand your own emotions and behaviors.

Highlights:

• The impact of toxic family dynamics
• The importance of setting boundaries
• The role of self-analysis in recovery and in understanding and managing your emotions
• Techniques for emotion control and finding inner peace

Links:

• Mary Beth's Website
• Email her at marybeth@junkietojudge.com
• Buy her book here!

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My guest today is Peggi Cooney. Peggi is a fellow social worker, an instructor coach for the UC Davis in California, an author, and the host of Hola sober. In this episode, we delve into the often-overlooked topic of secondary trauma.

This is a particularly important topic for therapists, social workers, and other professionals who work in those fields, as they are frequently exposed to the traumatic stories and experiences of their clients. It’s also an important topic for those who are in recovery due to their own past experiences of trauma and their ongoing work in support groups and recovery communities.

We’ll be exploring what secondary trauma is, how it can manifest, and the impact it can have on those who experience it. We’ll also discuss strategies for recognizing and addressing secondary trauma, including self-care practices, seeking support from the people around you, and setting boundaries to protect your well-being.

This episode is a must-listen if you’re a therapist, social worker, or someone in recovery. Tune in to learn more about secondary trauma and how to care for yourself while supporting others through their own struggles.

Links:

• Peggi's Website
• Facebook Group

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, I have an awesome course called Creating Healthy Boundaries; it's affordable, easy to follow, and will make a big difference in how you feel. Check it out here.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerably so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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We are immensely grateful for your patience in our season of podcasting pause. But enough already! Starting Tuesday, February 7, we'll come to you with our regularly scheduled programming.

As promised, here are the links to the most popular episodes:
Episode 41: Building Habits Using Your Central Nervous System w/ Amy Guerrero
Episode 51: Reparenting Yourself Using Sustainable Tools w/ Sicily
Episode 78: Boundaries in Love and Sex Addiction w/ Brianne Davis

Additional resources:
5 Ways to Change Your Negative Thinking Patterns
5 Ways to Take Control of Your Anxiety Course use code: TAKECONTROL20 for 20% off!

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, I have an awesome course called Creating Healthy Boundaries; it's affordable, easy to follow, and will make a big difference in how you feel. Check it out here.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerably so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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The Confident Sober Women podcast welcomes you into meaningful conversations where we help sober women uncover the truth about the lies they believe, transform their lives, and love themselves beyond recovery—hosted by Shelby John, therapist, coach, and author who has walked through the desperation and despair of active addiction.  In this podcast, Shelby shares her own personal journey, as well as the stories of other women who have found freedom, empowerment, and confidence in sobriety, from navigating relationships and careers to self-care and mental health. 

New episodes release every Tuesday!

Are you a member of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group? It’s a free and private space for sober women who want to build confidence, improve their relationships, and love their lives beyond recovery. Join now!

You can join the Sober Freedom Inner Circle any time for a group coaching experience that will move your life from good to AMAZING!

Grab a copy of my memoir, Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety, wherever you buy your books!

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2022 has been an AMAZING time for the Confident Sober Women podcast. We celebrated our 2 year birthday this month AND 100 episodes in October.

Go check out the 100th episode celebration.

Part of being a confident sober woman is living with healthy boundaries. And that’s why I am taking a break from producing the show until the new year. If you haven’t gotten my 6 Healthy Boundaries for Sober Holidays download yet, grab it now. It might be just the difference you need this season. And share with a friend who needs it!

Don’t worry you have 105 episodes to consume while I am busy planning and scheduling shows for next year. And if you have any ideas for things you want to learn about please send them to me at confidentsoberwomen@gmail.com or shoot me a DM.

Oh and by the way, if you didn’t know I have an awesome course called Creating Healthy Boundaries, it's affordable, easy to follow and will make a big difference in how you feel. Check it out here.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today, and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery and I shared my story so raw and vulnerably so that others would know they aren't alone and there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids and have a healthy body all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

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Christine Malek is a Coach, Speaker, International Advocate for Women Against Abuse & Domestic Violence, and the founder of The SASSI Academy.

SASSI is an acronym that stands for Strong, Assertive, Smart, Sexy, Independent, and through this program, women will rediscover their true selves, their minds, and their purpose in life.

Christine has an incredible story of survival, strength, and resilience that she vulnerably shares in this episode. She discusses the different types of abuse she endured, finding sobriety after some major health issues, and how she was able to survive and escape an abusive relationship by finding a spiritual connection.

We also talk about

• The importance of changing your health and mindset
• What it's like to have a real Spiritual experience
• How Spirituality helps you manage big emotions
• The power of journaling

and so much more! You can get in touch with Christine through her Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SASSICoachChristine/
or her website https://sassicoach.com/

Are you a member of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group? It’s a free and private space for sober women who want to build confidence, improve their relationships, and love their lives beyond recovery. Join now!

You can join the Sober Freedom Inner Circle any time for a group coaching experience that will move your life from good to AMAZING!

Grab a copy of my memoir, Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety, wherever you buy your books!

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Today's guest is Lauren Widdle, an author, journalist, and public speaker who has shared her story from the TEDx stage. Lauren opens up about how her struggle to cope with anxiety and difficult emotions led her to start drinking at the age of 13 and eventually using cocaine in her 20s. She explains what it was like to go from desperately seeking acceptance from the people in her life to finding herself again through sobriety.

Lauren breaks down the importance of shedding the stories and lies we've internalized from others, connecting with something outside of ourselves to help us manage and control our emotions, and the power of setting and having routines.

We also talk about:

• Managing fear as a woman
• We don't ever really "arrive" at the finish line in life
• Habits and tools to help regulate emotions
• Building boundaries and letting go of other people's opinions about us

You can get in touch with Lauren and find her TEDx talk, book, and other projects on her website https://laurenwindle.com/

Are you a member of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group? It’s a free and private space for sober women who want to build confidence, improve their relationships, and love their lives beyond recovery. Join now!

You can join the Sober Freedom Inner Circle any time for a group coaching experience that will move your life from good to AMAZING!

Grab a copy of my memoir, Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety, wherever you buy your books!

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Tamra LaRese is a Spiritual Mentor and coach who uses her personal healing journey and Spiritual gifts to help others align themselves with their authentic self. In this episode, Tamra talks about the power of emotions and how they have a physical impact on our bodies. She shares her story from early recovery when she discovered that the cause of her hand pain and swelling was not arthritis but, in fact, a result of stored trauma and blocked energy.

Tamra and I also discuss the connection between our thoughts and our emotions, the power of choice, and how we can manage the big and often difficult emotions that come up in our recovery lives.

You can connect with Tamra here:

Website: https://www.tamralarese.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvrTro4pvSN5g1ZbZioVKgg

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/healingboutiquespokane

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tamra.larese/

Are you a member of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group? It’s a free and private space for sober women who want to build confidence, improve their relationships, and love their lives beyond recovery. Join now!

You can join the Sober Freedom Inner Circle any time for a group coaching experience that will move your life from good to AMAZING!

Grab a copy of my memoir, Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety, wherever you buy your books!

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After the conversation I had with Lindsay Sutherland Boal on Tuesday there were three things that stood out to me.

Listen in for 3 ways to answer the question Who am I? And then let me know what you come up with.

Be sure to share this with a friend who you think would benefit. We can't keep all the good stuff to ourselves.

Learn more about what I do to clear away the BS from your past so you can clearly see the truth about who you are and what you want. www.shelbyjohncoaching.com

If you aren't in the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, come join us. It is a free and private group where I share practical tools and strategies to help you reveal the truth about your life!

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Lindsay Sutherland Boal is an actress. opera singer, long distance runner, certified life coach and founder of She Walks Canada, and podcast host of The Covid Chronicles Canada. Lindsay tried to get sober six times before she was successful--namely because she didn't know what her recovery options were. She shares what finally saved her was confiding in a group of women on the same path as her, as well as simply walking!

We discuss the lies that she believed about herself in active addiction, and how trauma makes us believe these things that are not true about ourselves. We also talk about relationships and the part we play in marital or partnership issues. Lindsay shares how she has changed the ways she shows up in the world since becoming sober.

Lindsay and I talk about the openness and empathy of the next generation and all of the positive changes that we hope continue to come in the future world because of it. We also discuss self-awareness, recognizing when someone is not benefitting us and being selective with the people we allow into our lives.

Lindsay also shares more about She Walks Canada--the movement to empower women to live the lives that they are meant to live. You can find her on her website shewalkscanada.com.

Find a copy of Ann Dowsett Johnston's book mentioned in this episode here.

Are you a member of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group? It’s a free and private space for sober women who want to build confidence, improve their relationships, and love their lives beyond recovery. Join now!

You can join the Sober Freedom Inner Circle any time for a group coaching experience that will move your life from good to AMAZING!

Grab a copy of my memoir, Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety, wherever you buy your books!

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Megan Peters is a sober woman, a writer, photographer, and a podcaster. She started out as a social drinker, but her relationship with alcohol turned into something much more lonely and she began to really struggle with her identity. She was inspired to get sober by other sober women, and has now been in recovery for nine years.

Megan and I talk about labels and identifications as women who have struggled with alcoholism, and she shares how she identifies herself now--as an imperfect human doing her best. Megan tells us that one of the biggest things to happen for her in sobriety has been learning who she is and what she really likes.

We discuss learning how to trust and listen to yourself and your intuition, and we also talk about rediscovering the things we loved to do as children and bringing them back into our lives as adults. You can find Megan on Instagram or on her website crazybananas.com.

Are you a member of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group? It’s a free and private space for sober women who want to build confidence, improve their relationships, and love their lives beyond recovery. Join now!

You can join the Sober Freedom Inner Circle any time for a group coaching experience that will move your life from good to AMAZING!

Grab a copy of my memoir, Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety, wherever you buy your books!

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100 Episodes of the Confident Sober Women podcast. I still can’t believe it.

Someone with more knowledge of this stuff than me told me that only 10% of podcasters make it to 100 episodes and only 1% make it to 200! Wow if that isn’t motivating I don’t know what is!

So this is cause for celebration.

In this episode, I meet with three of my most downloaded guests to get an update on what has been going on since their episode when live.

Our first guest is Jean McCarthy. I first talked with Jean on Episode 21 about Simple Daily Habits on February 17, 2021. Jean is the creator of The Bubble Hour podcast which has 256 episodes (including one with me Season 9, Episode 2) and 4 million downloads. WOW. She is also the author of The Unpickled books with a new one coming out in November, you can check them out right on her website.

Jean shares some real-life struggles she has had since our time together and how she has been dealing with the big emotions, while also staying sober and building her business. I am so thankful for Jean’s work and all she is doing to advocate for everyone in the recovery community.

Next, is Deb Masner, who appeared March 1, 2022 on episode 67 called The Positive Parts Of Not Drinking. Deb is the creator of Alcohol Tipping Point where she supports women who are questioning their drinking and might be ready to take a break. She created what she calls the Alcoholiday and offers resources as well as a podcast. You can check out our conversation on her podcast on March 23, 2022.

Deb is raising two kids and she recently celebrated a milestone anniversary with her husband. She shared about the joys she is having in all of that and her gratitude for sobriety. You can follow her on Instagram @alcoholtippingpoint and check out her podcast. Her energy and spirit are infectious.

Last but not least I spent time with Jen Kautsch from Sober Sis. Jen was featured on the Confident Sober Women podcast on Episode 32 on May 5, 2021. Since then Jen has hit a milestone birthday and is truly coming into her own at 5 years sober! She is building her business helping sober curious women practice not drinking. She shares how being emotionally available has been such a blessing for her adult children.

Jen offers a 21-day reset, workshops and she has MERCH! Jen is writing her first book and is planning her first live event. How exciting. You can follow Jen on Instagram @sobersis to keep up with all the things she has coming up.

Thank you to everyone for listening for 100 episodes and being here to help build emotional sobriety. Be sure you are part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, that is our community.

Also, if you are ready to do this work but don’t know where to start or want some help, the Sober Freedom Inner Circle is your next step.

If you like what you are getting on this podcast please leave a rating and review, it goes a long way to helping our show be successful! Thank you again so much for being here.

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Dr. Andrea Vitz is the founder and CEO of Levelheaded Doc and the primary developer of Emotional Sobriety (EMSO) Training, as well as the author of the book The You You've Never Met and a doctor of chiropractic.

While Dr. Andrea has never had a problem with substance abuse, she did struggle with being attention-seeking, dishonest, manipulative, and controlling--and she became involved in the world of alcoholism and sobriety when her step-father died from alcoholism. It was then that she started to develop more self-awareness and realized that we are all addicted to our emotions and in need of emotional sobriety.

Dr. Andrea shares her definition of emotional sobriety: to sustain a constant level of peace, clarity, and levelheadedness. She believes the one thing a person must have in order to achieve emotional sobriety is desire, and that emotional insobriety is the primary problem in our society because of the power and contagiousness it has.

We discuss how to discover our emotionally intoxicated identities in order to combat the negative thoughts and overcome trauma--which is then followed by us recreating our identities and becoming the people we truly are and want to be. We also talk about the difference between being "clean" from drugs and alcohol, and being truly sober. Dr. Andrea also shares with us some of the components of her Emotional Sobriety training.

You can find Dr. Andrea on her website, or email her at drandrea@levelheadeddoc.com.

Are you a member of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group? It’s a free and private space for sober women who want to build confidence, improve their relationships, and love their lives beyond recovery. Join now!

You can join the Sober Freedom Inner Circle any time for a group coaching experience that will move your life from good to AMAZING!

Grab a copy of my memoir, Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety, wherever you buy your books!

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Laura McKowen is the bestselling author of We Are the Luckiest: The Surprising Magic of a Sober Life, the founder and CEO of The Luckiest Club, and the host of Tell Me Something True Podcast. Laura started drinking in her teens and continued through college, her marriage, and early motherhood. She shares that she was forced to get sober after hitting her rock bottom following her separation from her husband.

Laura also shares her reasons for not identifying as an "alcoholic"--which she believes has very negative connotations--but rather as "sober" or "in recovery." We discuss the challenges of motherhood in sobriety and in general, as well as the catharsis of having to be honest in recovery. We also talk about jealousy and envy--especially in the age of social media--and how we can shift our mindsets to overcome it.

Laura's new book, Push Off From Here, comes out March 7, 2023 and is available for pre-order now. You can find her on her website or Instagram.

Are you a member of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group? It’s a free and private space for sober women who want to build confidence, improve their relationships, and love their lives beyond recovery. Join now!

You can join the Sober Freedom Inner Circle any time for a group coaching experience that will move your life from good to AMAZING!

Grab a copy of my memoir, Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety, wherever you buy your books!

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Janey Lee Grace is a sober woman who wears many hats--including being the author of many books. While writing several books on holistic living over many years, she herself was keeping the secret of her alcoholism. She was a gray area drinker and did not hit "rock bottom" with her alcohol addiction, yet recognized that her alcohol consumption was not healthy nor was it what she wanted to continue doing in her life.

Janey and I talk about the glamorization of alcohol and the reinforcement of drinking in our society. We discuss how drinking alcohol becomes part of our identity and how that causes challenges in knowing who we are when we become sober, but also the positives of early sobriety once we learn how to make space for growth, true self care, creativity, and new experiences. We also discuss the changes in, or sometimes endings of, relationships in sobriety, and she shares some great tips on developing self love and discovering our identities in recovery.

You can find Janey on Instagram @janeyleegrace and on her website thesoberclub.com.

Find her book, Happy Healthy Sober: Ditch the Booze and Take Control of Your Life, on Amazon here.

Are you a member of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group? It’s a free and private space for sober women who want to build confidence, improve their relationships, and love their lives beyond recovery. Join now!

You can join the Sober Freedom Inner Circle any time for a group coaching experience that will move your life from good to AMAZING!

Grab a copy of my memoir, Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety, wherever you buy your books!

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Erica Barnett is a journalist, the author of the memoir Quitter: A Memoir of Drinking, Relapse, and Recovery, and the co-founder of the Seattle news website PubliCola. Erica quit drinking many times but kept falling back into relapse--which she now actually accredits to her recovery. She tried several different things to get sober, including Alcoholics Anonymous, rehab, and cognitive behavioral therapy.

Erica talks about her negative thoughts and preconceptions about AA that created barriers for her early on, and how she overcame them and learned to accept and benefit from how well the 12 step program truly works for anyone regardless of political or religious beliefs. We also discuss how the program helps people develop more integrity as well as make amends.

We discuss negative behavior and thinking patterns, how they still show up in ourselves at times and how to change them. She also shares more about her website PubliCola and we talk about the toxicity of the internet and social media, as well as her struggle to not engage in conflict online.

You can find Erica on Twitter @ericacbarnett and at ericacbarnett.com. You can also email her at erica@publicola.com.

Are you a member of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group? It’s a free and private space for sober women who want to build confidence, improve their relationships, and love their lives beyond recovery. Join now!

You can join the Sober Freedom Inner Circle any time for a group coaching experience that will move your life from good to AMAZING!

Grab a copy of my memoir, Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety, wherever you buy your books!

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Mindi Huebner is a sober woman and a mindset mastery coach. She comes from a long line of alcoholics, and though she never thought of herself as an alcoholic, she decided one day that she didn't like who she was or how she felt when she drank, so she made the choice to get sober.

Mindi shares an important reminder that it's not about what you're giving up, but rather about what you are gaining when you let go of what no longer serves you. We discuss the loss of control that occurs when drinking alcohol, and how being a "control freak" is not always a negative thing.

We also talk about how drinking alcohol is a coping mechanism and about opening our minds to finding new coping strategies--which only happens when we make a conscious choice to do so. She shares that we must train our brains to recognize the gains, otherwise we will only see the losses.

Mindi also shares the sentiment that the choice to change occurs when the pain of the known is greater than the pain of the unknown, and we discuss the importance and the challenges of embodying the person we want to be in order to become that person.

You can find Mindi on Instagram and LinkedIn. You can also check out her free guided meditation for mental rehearsal at rewireyourbrainclub.com.

Are you a member of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group? It’s a free and private space for sober women who want to build confidence, improve their relationships, and love their lives beyond recovery. Join now!

You can join the Sober Freedom Inner Circle any time for a group coaching experience that will move your life from good to AMAZING!

Grab a copy of my memoir, Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety, wherever you buy your books!

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Martha Krejci is a sober woman in long-term recovery, a business strategist, author, and motivational speaker. While Martha had a good upbringing, she did experience childhood trauma that resulted in abandonment issues when her older sister--who played a large part in raising her--left for college when she was a young child. She used alcohol as a way to help her overcome being an introvert and experiencing social anxiety and awkwardness in hopes of keeping people from leaving her.

Martha shares her story about pregnancy loss and blaming her alcoholism for her miscarriage, which ultimately motivated her to quit drinking cold turkey. She let go of the negative thoughts and viewed herself as a strong woman--a superhero--making the choice to create a healthy womb for a baby to grow in. Her husband was an incredible support to her, and we talked about the need to have support and connection from people while in recovery.

Martha and I discussed the negative thinking patterns and self-talk that can sometimes take over and make us believe things about ourselves that are not true--and the importance of being able to recognize that these thoughts are irrational as well as see the positive, true things about us. We also talked about being able to recognize when negative thoughts are coming from emotion or logic, and making sure we are being part of the solution to our negative experiences as opposed to contributing to the problem.

You can find Martha in her Facebook group: Families Creating Legacies with Martha Krejci, or on her website withmartha.com.

Are you a member of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group? It’s a free and private space for sober women who want to build confidence, improve their relationships, and love their lives beyond recovery. Join now!

You can join the Sober Freedom Inner Circle any time for a group coaching experience that will move your life from good to AMAZING!

Grab a copy of my memoir, Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety, wherever you buy your books!

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Martha Hughes is a sober woman, runner, fitness expert, and podcaster. She got sober not because of the bad experiences she had with alcohol (though she did have them), but because she was bored of doing the same things over and over again. One day she decided to take the leap and start attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and get an AA sponsor, and has since never looked back.

Martha shares that getting sober did not solve all her problems, but it made her problems solvable. It was after she got sober that she really became serious about her running. She shares about her running podcast, Martha Runs the World, which covers all topics related to running and features many every-day runners as guests.

Martha and I talk about the negative thinking patterns that can sometimes show up with our exercise routines in both active addiction as well as in recovery, and how to eliminate them. She also shares how having a perfectionist parent affected her self-image and self-love in a negative way. We discuss how to "deal with life on life's terms" and how to be responsive instead of reactive when life gets hard.

We also discuss nutrition and weight management not only as sober women, but as middle-aged women in general. Martha also shares her upcoming long distance running plans, as well as gives great tips for those who want to start running.

You can find Martha on her website marthrunstheworld.com.

Are you a member of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group? It’s a free and private space for sober women who want to build confidence, improve their relationships, and love their lives beyond recovery. Join now!

You can join the Sober Freedom Inner Circle any time for a group coaching experience that will move your life from good to AMAZING!

Grab a copy of my memoir, Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety, wherever you buy your books!

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Tamika Thomas is a transparent author, podcaster, life coach, and inspirational speaker. Addiction was a large part of the generational trauma that took place in her family and played a big role in her life during childhood. As an adult and former alcoholic now in recovery, she went to school to become a drug and alcohol counselor but ultimately moved to prevention and early intervention.

Tamika believes that core values are a way for us to be, do, and have everything we need in our lives. She shares that her biggest personal core values are: living to inspire--not impress, lifting as she climbs, and turning her trials into treasures. We discussed people pleasing and co-dependency--common traits of children of addicts--and their effects on relationship building, as well as trauma bonding.

We talked about ways to discover our personal core values, one of which is to take a calendar or financial inventory, and about what happens when we are not living in alignment with our core values: we may experience anxiety, depression, etc. which can manifest physically in our bodies at times. We also discussed the important fact that as we evolve in recovery, our values may change.

You can find Tamika on Instagram @tamika_thomas_ as well as visit her website tuesdaywithtamika.com.

Find the book we discussed in this episode, The Body Keeps the Score, here.

Are you a member of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group? It’s a free and private space for sober women who want to build confidence, improve their relationships, and love their lives beyond recovery. Join now!

You can join the Sober Freedom Inner Circle any time for a group coaching experience that will move your life from good to AMAZING!

Grab a copy of my memoir, Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety, wherever you buy your books!

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Lisa is the author of the memoir Girl Walks Out of a Bar as well as the cohost of the podcast Recovery Rocks. She had a 12 year descent into an alcohol and cocaine addiction, but hid her addiction and would have been known as a "high-functioning alcoholic". She checked herself in to an outpatient program as well as attended Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, and finally felt that she was at home and could live honestly in those spaces.

Lisa and I discussed our callings to speak out and share our stories as a way to help others who have alcoholism in their lives in some way. We also talked a lot about personal core values: When we live in alignment with our personal core values, we attract the right people in our lives; and if our core values are already established and we are living in alignment with them then it is much easier not to derail when things in life get hard. As a recovery coach, Lisa realized that if she was going to help others find their core values, then she needed to discover her own--so she started working to identify those herself and learned that service was of great value to her.

Another important discussion was about asking ourselves questions to gain a better understanding of ourselves, such as: "What am I making this decision for?" or "What am I afraid of?" We also talked about the importance of self-awareness and spirituality in recovery, as well as making time for meditation, praying, etc. in our routine.

You can find Lisa on her website: lisasmithadvisory.com or on Instagram: @girlwalksout. You can also email her at girlwalksout@gmail.com.

You can move your life from good to AMAZING any time by joining the Sober Freedom Inner Circle for a transformational group coaching experience with other sober women who are on the journey of building confidence and emotional sobriety in recovery!

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Arielle is a recovery coach, life coach, and the CEO of My Sober Compass. As a child and a teen, she was always trying to find ways to escape herself. After having her first drink at the age of 18, alcohol began to take over her life and she lost sight of who she was, and she went to a holistic rehab facility in Canada in 2015. After going to therapy when in recovery from alcoholism, she realized she was lacking self-love--which began her journey into re-discovering her values and self-worth.

We discussed the importance of surrounding yourself with like-minded, authentic people. Arielle shares that she practices free writing to discover her most important personal core values. To do this, ask yourself the questions: "Who am I?" and "What do I want in life?" and see what comes to you. We also talked about anxiety in sobriety, and identifying how you want to feel (peaceful, content, etc.), as well as discovering our values, beliefs, and desires as sober adults without influence from others. We shared our thoughts on the importance of being aligned with our personal core values, and how we can experience things like anxiety and depression when we are not living in alignment with them.

You can find Arielle on Instagram at @arielledyment or @lived.app. You can also visit the Lived App website.

You can find my free, private Facebook group here, and grab a copy of my memoir, Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety, wherever you buy your books!

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Hope Andersen is a published poet, memoirist, and novelist who got sober in 1981 through a 12-step program. In her first few years of recovery from her alcohol addiction, she started focusing on other addictions (food addiction and addiction to men). She experienced manic depression after having children and experiencing trauma with the death of her mother and father, had a suicide attempt, and learned that she had bipolar disorder--yet she remained sober and got the help she needed with proper treatment and medication. After losing her sense of self, she turned to her Higher Power for guidance and was called to write. She has since written six books and numerous screenplays.

We discussed the similarities of recovering from both alcoholism and bipolar disorder. Self care, living in a routine, and learning to trust yourself are vital components to any kind of recovery. Hope shares of her first spiritual awakening in her 20s when she desperately reached out to her Higher Power for help, and she shares that she continues to have spiritual awakenings every day--which are about growing, changing, and becoming the "you" you want to be. We also discussed the importance of meditation to find that spiritual connection in sobriety.

You can find Hope on Facebook on her personal page, or her author page: Hope Anderson - Author.

Check out her six books on Amazon:
When the Moon Winks
Where the Wind Blows
How to Remodel a Life
Postcards from a Loving God
Taking in Air
The Book Sisters

Be sure to join my free Facebook group: Confident Sober Women. It is a private group full of sober women who want to build confidence, improve their relationships, and love their lives beyond recovery!

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Chrystal Cuellar is a sober, Christian Life Coach who helps women ditch alcohol and become a warrior of Christ. Going through her own journey of sobriety and finding Christ again, led her to where she is today. Before letting go of alcohol she was a huge binge drinker, in a very toxic relationship, and without a relationship with Christ.

Chrystal talks about codependency in relationships as an addict as well as finding her way out of negative thinking patterns and the lies she told herself (for example: “I’m not good enough”.)

Reminding ourselves that while we may feel a certain way about ourselves, feelings are not facts. We must learn how to change the negative thoughts if they are not true, and accept them if they are.

Chrystal and I also talk about the importance of finding a spiritual connection outside ourselves. Having a relationship with Jesus is not necessarily the same as practicing a man-made religion. It's more about following God and letting God heal us as opposed to following and depending on people (in the church).

Chrystal is running a 4 week program right now called Sober And Free. Check out the link for more information.

How to find guest online: TikTok, Instagram, website

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Veronica Valli is a woman in long-term sobriety and as a recovery coach and psychotherapist, she understands that there is no ONE path to sobriety.

Veronica is the author of the book ‘Soberful: Uncover a sustainable, fulfilling life free of alcohol’, co-host of the Soberful Podcast, and creator of successful online recovery programs,

Veronica and I share how parenting our children teaches us to be mothers. At three years sober she went through a difficult time with relationships and was suicidal. She realized there was something wrong and started consistently doing things to support her mental and emotional health.

The “magic formula” of sobriety is consistency. We believe self-centeredness is the root of many of our problems–it isn’t what you think of yourself, it’s how often.

Spirituality is a key part of sobriety–it is not religion but is simply being good to your spirit, personal development, growth, and self-awareness. It is a blessing to be able to recognize the need for connection with something bigger than ourselves or other humans.

You can find Veronica on her website, Instagram.
Grab her book Soberful here.

Are you a member of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group? It is a free and private space for sober women who want to build confidence, improve their relationships, and love their lives beyond recovery! Join now.

Pick up my memoir Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever you buy your books!

You can join the Sober Freedom Inner Circle anytime for a group coaching experience that will move your life from good to AMAZING!

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Michelle Dixon is yoga teacher and holistic health coach that focuses on grounded health and wellness. She has a thriving holistic health YouTube Channel.

Not everybody who is struggling with substance abuse has a life that is completely falling apart–sometimes everything appears normal and even good on the outside.

Having yoga in her life allows her to connect to her inner peace. We talk about the fact that spirituality and religion are not the same. Michelle is able to use yoga to connect with herself on a deeper level in sobriety.

When you improve one area of your life (physical, spiritual, financial health, etc.) it bleeds over into the other areas leading to overall improvement. Yoga has helped her slow down her thoughts and decrease impulsivity, as well as increase self-awareness.

You can find Michelle on her YouTube Channel.

Are you a member of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group? It is a free and private space for sober women who want to build confidence, improve their relationships, and love their lives beyond recovery! Join now.

Pick up my memoir Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever you buy your books!

You can join the Sober Freedom Inner Circle anytime for a group coaching experience that will move your life from good to AMAZING!

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Kezia Calvert is an introvert who loves to escape in the pages of a book. She is a truth seeker, a storyteller and a life long learner.

We talked about the importance of humility and helping others who may be in a similar situation that we were in. Addiction does not discriminate.

Kezia lost her soul when she was in active addiction. She shared how she uses daily routines and meditations, positive self-talk and honoring your body every day to support her mental and spiritual health.

Being grounded spiritually means being fully in your mind and body.  You can find Kezia on her website  https://www.keziacalvertcreative.com/ or on Instagram @thesoberelephantchronicles

You can join the Confident Sober Women Facebook group here, its the main hub for all of our content and connection so you won't miss a thing.

Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold!

Join other sober women on the journey of building confidence and emotional sobriety so you can have more fulfilling relationships, healthier bodies and love your life beyond recovery in the Sober Freedom Inner Circle!

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Alexandra McRobert is a Yoga Teacher, Certified Life Coach, entrepreneur, podcaster, and Ontario Certified Teacher. From a very young age, she was drawn to yoga as a way to calm her mind and manage an undiagnosed mood disorder. 

She began practicing yoga daily at the age of eighteen and completed her first 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training in 2014 at Yandara Yoga Institute in Mexico. In 2017, she completed her 300 Hour Yoga Teacher Training at Zuna Yoga in Bali.

We had a fabulous conversation about all the different options and the accessibility we have to different groups and programs to get sober today. 

Alexandra shared how yoga plays a part in her sobriety journey. The philosophy of yoga aligns with the 12 steps. Yoga can be a way to connect spiritually. 

You can find Alexandra Instagram @themindfullifepractice or on her website www.mindfullifepractice.com 

Are you part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group? It is a free and private group for sober women who want to grow beyond their initial recovery.  Come on over. 

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Tamara Kirby is a licensed and internationally certified Addictions Therapist who works with people in all stages of recovery. She offers intensive coaching to those who are just getting started. Then later, deeper dives may be taken to address irrational beliefs, unresolved childhood trauma, relational and financial concerns.

In our conversation, Tamar talked about the connection between childhood trauma (which occurs on a spectrum) and addiction. We can use reparenting today to be able to allow someone else to come into our lives and be in a relationship with us.

Tamar shared about recognizing patterns (in relationships) and what is familiar vs. what is healthy. Slowing down when starting new relationships, getting to know the other person first without being physical right away. Getting curious about ourselves and about potential partners. Learning what is going on in our bodies–tuning in to our bodies and recognizing what is happening when certain things come up in relationships.

She talks about tending to herself first and not ignoring any aspects of your life. She believes the fuller and more balanced the life, the better the romantic relationships.

She also shared about the repairing of her relationship with her daughter, and how she validated her daughter’s experiences when she was drinking and taking responsibility for the things that happened during that time.

You can connect with Tamara through her website https://www.tamarakirby.com

Did you know my book Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety is available wherever you buy books? This memoir is vulnerable and raw and tells the truth about living sober, parenting, marriage and building a business.

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Tawny is an award-winning podcast host, and the author of The Addiction Diaries and Sex And The Single Woman. She has positioned herself as The Sober Sexpert through her own learning and story to empower and provide hope for women in recovery.

You don't have to loose everything to reevaluation your relationship with alcohol.

Tawny made the connection between sexual trauma and the need to have alcohol to have sex. She leaned on her liquid courage to do things she might not normally have done.

We spoke about the importance of communicating or saying no if sex in sobriety is uncomfortable or triggering for you. It is important to take it slow and not jump into dating/sex right away.

In early sobriety, you’re meeting and learning about yourself for the first time. This includes taking the time to get to know our bodies, not just sexually but in all ways. There are a lot of ways to get better at communicating our wants and needs.

You can connect with Tawny through her podcast Recovery Rocks, on Instagram @TawnyMLara, website www.tawnylara.com.

Would you please take one minute to leave a review of this podcast? It really helps other sober women find us so we can spread the message of hope.

My memoir Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety has been published. You can get the ebook or paperback wherever you buy your books!

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Sarah is the best selling author of Blackout, a memoir. She is also the host of the podcast Texas Monthly about the Dallas, Cowboys cheerleadrs. She is also an expert on gender roles and sexual relationships.

Sarah learned after getting sober that sex with one person over a longer period of time is much more enjoyable and meaningful than sex with multiple people. Also, that what we enjoy or are comfortable with in sex can change so much after getting sober, and there are challenges of working through that with a partner.

We as humans are constantly evolving and never know what “our truth” might be down the road. Learning how to speak up for ourselves and what we like or are comfortable with is part of the journey. Gender roles and roles in sexual relationships have changed in the past few decades and now we are able to negotiate them–something we were never taught how to do.

Sarah has become comfortable with taking it slow when dating, learning to enjoy her own company but not isolate herself.

You can find Sarah on her website,https://sarahhepola.com/ and Instagram @thesarahhepolaexperience

My new book, Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety is now out in stores. You can pick it up on Amazon or wherever you get your books.

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Ann is the best-selling author of the book Drink, that anonymously interviewed alcoholic women and told their stories. Some AA members were unhappy with her writing it. Ann discusses all the different paths, programs, etc. to recovery as well as the stigma and shame with alcoholic women.

Ann and I discuss her thoughts on burnout in women and how it can lead to alcoholism, as well as other contributing factors to the rising number of women who are alcoholics. She describes how society asks the question “What happened to that woman?” instead of “What’s wrong with that woman?” (looking at the trauma behind the addiction).

Our discussions leads to all the propaganda and sensationalizing of alcohol/alcoholism with our youth. Normalizing overwhelm and talking about different ways to cope with it. Ann shared how writing is her therapy and keeping gratitude journals–being grateful for all the good and the bad.

You can find Ann on her website https://www.anndowsettjohnston.com and her book Drink wherever you buy your books!

Other resources mentioned: One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp

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Clare Pooley realized in 2015 she had to quit drinking, and started a blog by way of therapy. That blog went viral and was published as a memoir - The Sober Diaries. Clare now writes fiction. Her debut novel - The Authenticity Project is a New York Times bestseller and Clare’s second novel is out in June.

This conversation is all about the power of connecting with others. After all the opposite of addiction is connection. We talked about her blog-turned-book and how it covers what things look like after you get sober, which is funny because that's exactly what my book, Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety is all about. There is tremendous progress made when we commit to emotional sobriety and personal growth.

Clare was very nervous about her friendships when she quit drinking because most of her friends drank the same way she did. Some friends drifted away but eventually came back and the friendships had to be redefined–were more meaningful and less toxic. For her, relationships become deeper when she found new/varied ways to socialize. She rediscovered things about herself in sobriety.

The main reason she quit drinking was for her kids–felt like she missed out on a lot because of alcohol and she was a better, more present mom when she quit.

You can find Clare on her website www.clarepooley.com or Instagram @clare_pooley , Twitter, or Facebook page (SoberMummy).

If you aren't a member of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group come on over and join us.

Would you please leave a review of this podcast below? It only takes 2 minutes and would mean the world to me. Thank you.

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Brianne Davis is a powerhouse female in the entertainment industry in both film and television. She has over 12 years of recovery as a Sex and Love Addict, and hosts the popular personal journal podcast “Secret Life.” Her debut novel, “Secret Life of a Hollywood Sex & Love Addict,” hit the best-sellers list on Amazon earlier this year.

Brianne and I talk about emotional addiction–getting drunk on the chemical reactions that happen in your brain in certain situations/with people. We know that childhood trauma contributes to these triggers and addictions and you can be addicted to a person/people.

Brianna talks about her experience with emotional incest: when a parent rapes a child of their energy. We discuss setting and sticking to healthy boundaries in relationships and other areas of our lives. She would drain people of all their energy trying to get her needs met. If you want to dive more into boundaries check out my course Creating Healthy Boundaries! Click the link for more information.

When you’re in recovery of any kind, you have to wake up every day and recommit. This requires doing the inner work to figure out how you want people to show up for you. You can connect with Brianne on Instagram (@thebriannedavis @secretlifenovel @secretlifepodcast), website, podcast, TikTok @the.briannedavis

If you aren't in the Confident Sober Women Facebook group that is the best place for you to grow confidence and emotional sobriety! Come on over.

And could you take a minute to leave a rating and a review of this podcast? It helps so much to get the word out to other women who want to grow their lives beyond recovery.

Resources mentioned:
40 SLAA Self Diagnose Questionnaire
The You You’ve Never Met by Dr. Andrea Vitz
Brianne’s book Secret Life of a Hollywood Sex and Love Addict

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Tara talks about the challenges of going back to reality after being in a program where someone else cares for you/dictates everything you do. There were difficulties in relationships sometimes her demanding too much or not pulling her own weight. Her primary relationship was with alcohol.

Alcoholism is a love affair with alcohol. Tara sought out relationships with people with similar wounds (trauma bonding) to try and heal them together. Her desire was to be in an enmeshed romantic relationship while at the same time she struggled with fear of rejection and being controlled. Alcohol became an alibi for poor behavior in relationships.

Relationships were hard to navigate in recovery because she was always looking for someone to fix her. She tried to be someone she wasn’t when she was drinking–realized that that person wasn’t really who she was. Had to relearn skills in relationships.

We talk about healthy relationships consisting of two people being individuals as opposed to being completely enmeshed and co-dependent. There is a lot of learning to regulate and express emotions in relationships as well as recognize anxious thoughts about the other person that may not be facts.

You can listen to Tara's interactive memoir via the podcast Addicted To Recovery here addictedtorecovery.ca. Or on Facebook https:// www.facebook.com/tara.nicole.boyce

If you aren't a member of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, come on over and join us. It is a FREE private group for sober women looking to grow their emotional sobriety and build the confidence they need to love their lives beyond recovery.

And would you please take 2 minutes to leave a rating and review? It really does mean the world to me plus it helps to get this podcast out to even more sober women. Thank you so much.

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When Laura got sober she had to change the way she socialized and her circle of friends. She realized who were drinking buddies and who were true friends. It took her about a year to start socializing alcohol free.

She was in a season where she was going to lots of weddings, many of which didn’t have beverage options for non-drinkers. She started to ask ahead of time if there would be options and people were always willing to accommodate–don’t be afraid to ask! For smaller social gatherings bring your own beverage.

Things like “Dry January” give people a socially acceptable reason to take a break from drinking. There are many reasons for people not to want to drink, hopefully, there continues to be an increase in non-alcoholic options at events.

First-year of Covid gave people the opportunity to explore sober curiosity since they weren’t going out. There are so many options today for people who want to get sober or quit drinking. Alcohol-free drinks can be triggering for those in recovery, but a great option for sober curious people.

Laura created Zero Proof Nation–a resource hub/directory of anything non-alcoholic, zero-proof, low ABV (alcohol by volume).

You can find Laura on Instagram @Wearesober.

Show mentioned: Single Drunk Female on Hulu

Come join me and a bunch of other sober women in the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, that's where all the good stuff happens. And If you can take 2 minutes to leave a rating and review for this podcast it would mean a lot!!

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Faye didn’t realize that there were people who just don’t drink because they don’t want/like to (not because they’re in recovery). But it's true.

On thing we know for sure is alcohol stunts emotional maturity at age you start drinking. Once you’re out of early sobriety (around a year) you start doing more work in growing and making changes–in thinking patterns, socializing, recognizing who are supportive vs. toxic people in our lives, developing strategies for day to day living.

It takes work to relearn and reparent ourselves, this is a huge part of emotional sobriety. Friendships change and some are not able to transition. Very often we find there is a grieving period for many people, grieving their old lives.

We discussed alcohol-free products and how they can be triggering for people in recovery but great for grey area drinkers/sober curious people, especially for social situations. We are hardwired to be social and connect with other people and social anxiety also plays a role. It’s important to be able to socialize without alcohol.

Faye created Untoxicated a group for anyone who wants to socialize without alcohol. You can learn more about it on their website, https://untoxicated.com.au/ or https://www.facebook.com/untoxicatedaus, on on Instagram @untoxicated_aus.

If you aren't in the Confident Sober Women Facebook group come on over and join us. We are a group of like minded women doing the work to grow. Oh and if you like this podcast can you please leave a rating and review, it really helps us spread the word.

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Courtney is a woman in recovery, a Sober Coach, podcast host and super fun. She is also a wife and cat mom to Fiona.

Courtney believes in keeping many different tools in our toolbox for when life gets hard/uncomfortable. She worked in the restaurant industry before getting sober and would have anxiety and panic attacks when going out with her husband on weekend nights.

Until she came up with “60 minute rule” for going out for social events. A lot of anxiety rises to the surface when you get sober, but you don’t get sober to completely stop participating in social events.

We shared about how friendships change/evolve. You lose some friends and gain others. Friends are not being offensive when they ask if it’s okay to drink in front of you–they are respecting you.

Their social life is one of the main reasons people don’t quit drinking , “What will my friends say?” But what if your friend(s) has a problem, too and needs that encouragement? You might be their introduction to recovery.

When you’re drinking, your world is limited–when you become sober, your world grows. You can have fun without alcohol, alcohol is just a crutch for many people.

Courtney is a member of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group so you can connect with her there. You can also find her at http://courtneyrecovered.com and on Instagram @sober.vibes.

If you enjoyed this conversation do me a favor and leave a rating and review! It really helps other sober women find us.

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Tammi is a sober, dignified, creative woman whose journey in sobriety began in 2015. Tammi started exploring creativity the year before she got sober, but it was after she got sober that she really dived into the creative world and even went back to college to major in Art. 

She shares how she incorporated her story of recovery into many parts of her schooling, and we discuss how creativity such as writing or creating art can help aid recovery. 

Tammi talks about her struggle to continue with the same kind of active social life she had before she got sober, and we discuss the beauty of forming friendships and building connections with other people in recovery. 

We also talk about preparing and setting boundaries for ourselves at social events, and how vital it is for our comfort and enjoyment when we choose to participate in those activities. 

You can find Tammi on Instagram @tammisalas or on her website https://www.tammisalas.com/.

Tammi is a member of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group so you can certainly connect with her there as well.  If you aren't in the group come on over.

Are you enjoying this podcast? Please leave a review it helps other women find us and connect!!

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Claudia is an actress, speaker, author and Sinclair Method advocate. She is also a woman in long term sobriety who found freedom through the use of harm reduction.

Claudia started out as a normal social drinker but turned into a binge drinker and realized she had a problem. She went through many different programs and tried all different kinds of therapies and treatments, but her cravings remained debilitating.

In 2009 went through medical detox that used the Sinclair Method–taking the opiate blocker Naltrexone before drinking alcohol to block reinforcement in the brain and decrease desire to drink alcohol. Three months into the Sinclair Method she completely forgot about alcohol. Used it for “harm reduction” and continued to drink occasionally for the first nine years before she decided to use it to get sober.

We discuss the monetization of addiction in America (the revolving door model–people perpetually going through expensive treatment programs and then relapsing), and how the low cost of the generic drug Naltrexone is not lucrative for Big Pharma.

We share how having a sense of “emotional sobriety”--keeping the joy within us even when things in life get hard is critical. Being sober means being present with our emotions and being able to better heal from loss.

You can find Claudia at C 3 Foundation or email her at claudia.christian@cthreefoundation.org.

Claudia made a documentary: One Little Pill on Amazon- website: onelittlepillmovie.com

If you aren't in the Confident Sober Women Facebook group come on over and join us its free and a great place to learn about emotional sobriety and building confidence beyond recovery.

Will you do me a favor and leave a rating and review for the podcast. It really does help other women find us!! Thank you so much.

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Well hey there ladies!! Today it's just me!! I am sharing with you what it really means to be responsibility for your life. The emotional accountability we need to have true joy.

I mentioned in the episode a Special Event I am hosting right in the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, Healing Your Shame Through Reparenting. An interactive workshop to discuss how to recognize your shame and begin moving past it. Join me live!

It’s time to stop blaming others for your bad experiences, for your failures and sufferings. You become truly free when you learn to take personal responsibility for all of your choices.

Today I am sharing with you my 5 ways to take responsibility for your life that you can implement today. You are the only one who can take care of it!

And the Sober Freedom Transformation was mentioned in the episode and it is a great next step for taking control of your life. Click the link to get more details. And reach out if you have questions.

Hey if you are enjoying the podcast can you please leave a rating and review. It really helps others to find us!

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, come on over. Its a great private group of women who are growing in their emotional sobriety.

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Jo Harvey Weatherford is a speaker, educator, and advocate for all things sobriety.

Jo grew up in a family of alcoholics, was an alcoholic by age 12. Was in and out of jail, multiple suicide attempts, went to many treatment centers and did AA but never felt like she could trust anyone in the programs she was in.

We talk about the difference between knowledge vs. action. Being “in denial” is really knowing something is going on but not wanting/being able to make changes. This is where our personal responsibility and ownership come in.

There is a difference between fault and responsibility. It is critical to find the balance between recognizing that what happened to you is not our fault and being responsible for healing from it. Healing cannot take place when you are stuck in victim consciousness. You must allow yourself to mourn and grieve, then start the process of acceptance and healing. Finding the beauty in everything (tragedies, addiction, etc.).

You can learn more about Jo at https://www.joweatherford.com or on Instagram @jo.weatherford or Facebook @joweatherfordcommunity

If you are enjoying this podcast will you please leave a rating and review, it really helps other women find us!!

The Confident Sober Women Facebook group is a free and private group to support sober women who want to build emotional sobriety! Come join us.

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Amy Louise Cash suffered a very traumatic experience as a teenager that eventually led her to turn to alcohol and drugs. She used drugs and alcohol to gain confidence to talk to men, yet struggled in relationships with men and fear. 

Amy struggled with self-worth. Realized she was using alcohol as coping mechanism, gave up alcohol and realized she wanted a relationship. 

Any found there is a healthy masculine energy within us as women that we need to connect with and rely on to make us feel safe as opposed to seeking that solely from relationships with men.

Communication is key in relationships- discussing with our partners whether we still hold the same values/are still in alignment. 

You can find Amy on her website www.withamylouisecash.com or on Instagram @Amylouisecash. 

If you like what you hear on this show please rate and leave a review it helps to let others know we are here.

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Karla McLaren is an author and social science researcher who developed an approach to emotional health called Dynamic Emotional Integration.

Karla endured trauma in her childhood and, while drowning in an ocean of emotion, began to inquire more about her emotions and the emotions of others. There are 17 emotions, each emotion brings healing in its own way.

She shares how empathy is an emotional skill. Shame can be a used for good when it comes from within as it helps us to understand who was hurt and how to make it right.  We also highlight the importance of learning how to set boundaries in order to build self-confidence.

You can find Karla at https://karlamclaren.com/ and on social media @KarlaMcLarenAuthor.

If you aren't a member of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, come on over and join us. Its a FREE group for sober women who want to build confidence through emotional sobriety.

If you liked what we shared here please leave a rating and review so other sober women can find us!

Resources mentioned: 
Book: Why Won’t You Apologize by Harriet Lerner
Book: The Power Of Emotions by Karla McLaren

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Deb Masner was a grey area drinker with two young kids and working as a nurse. Alcohol became the thing she couldn’t manage. She turned her drinking and recovery experience into a group program called The Alcohol Tipping Point. She now helps people practice not drinking.

Deb shared how alcohol and herself were the problem. She had to go through the process of marrying the two. She believes we have to keep practicing with our drinking and using that as your guidance in an effort to reduce the shame that can come around drinking.

We talked about the challenges of the medical professionals around problem drinking making it more of a moderation situation. As well as our negative thinking patterns and how to inventory them in an effort to make changes. She specifically likes to focus on the positive parts of not drinking.

You can connect with Deb on her website https://www.alcoholtippingpoint.com as well as on Instagram @alocholtippingpoint.

Deb is also a member of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group so you can connect with her there as well.

If you like what you are hearing please leave a rating and a review so other sober women can find us, we really appreciate it.

Resources mentioned:
Book, Quit Like A Woman, by Holly Whitaker
Podcast, The Huberman Lab, https://hubermanlab.com/

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**Sarah is a Certified Health Coach, author, and talk show host. She got sober nearly 20 years ago at the age of 29, and early on in her sobriety journey she found herself replacing an alcohol addiction with a sugar addiction.

Sarah discusses the importance of maintaining our holistic health in sobriety—something she feels is not talked about enough. Sarah cultivated a concept around the “human animal”—seeing ourselves as physiological beings with five simple needs that, if met, will allow us all to thrive in our own lives.**

We discuss identities and labels, and she shares why she no longer identifies herself as “an alcoholic” but rather as a “dignified sober woman.” We also talk about trusting ourselves and aligning who we are with who we want to be with the actions that we take.

Sarah is a member of the Confident Sober Women Facebook Group **so you can connect with her there.

You can also find Sarah on Instagram @sarahtalksfood, read her blog at www.sarahtalksfood.com*, or visit her coaching website at* www.obaatcoaching.com**.

If you’re interested in purchasing a copy of Mel Robbins’ book The 5 Second Rule that was referenced in this episode, you can find it here.

If you enjoyed this episode please leave us a review so others can find the support we offer.

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Katie Henson is a woman in long term sobriety, a mental health therapist and an expert on sleep. She did a guest expert training for the women in my Sober Freedom Inner Circle so I thought I would share it with you here during our physical health month.

She shares her experience working with young people as well as veterans around problems with sleep. Katie also uses the power of humor and sarcasm to lighten the mood to help relax and prepare for a restful night.

Katie is a member of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group so you can connect with her there as well as on her website https://www.backstorycounseling.com/.

If you like what you are hearing on the Confident Sober Women podcast please leave us a rating and review it really helps other sober women to find us and the hope in building emotional sobriety.

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Terri got sober and found herself with a lot more time and energy. She found her passion in nutrition, went back to school and was surprised how little alcohol was being discussed in her profession. She became a This Naked Mind Support Coach to support sober women in the nutrition realm.

Terri shared about the physical symptoms she had when she was drinking because she didn’t realize how much of an impact alcohol was having on her. She shared the steps she took to improve her health by learning what healthy meant to her.

Terri shared the meaning of nutrient dense whole foods and using that as a guide to understand what eating healthy looks like for each individual. And she gives you three practical tools you can start using right now to check in with where your health is now and align it with where you want to go.

You can connect with Terri in the Confident Sober Women Facebook group or at Thesobernutritionist.com or on Instagram @terri.thesobernutritionist and she also has a podcast call The Sober Edge.

If you aren't in the Confident Sober Women Facebook group come on over and join us, that is where all the golden nuggets are shared. And if you are loving this podcast, do us a favor and leave a review. It helps to let other sober women know what we are doing!

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Sugar often becomes the new addiction for women who stop drinking alcohol. It is socially acceptable, addictive and in almost all processed foods in some form.

Today's episode was a workshop I did live on Facebook a few months back and was very informative. Colleen is a  woman in long term recovery as well as an expert in nutrition. She has a blog and podcast as well. You can find lots of information including recipes on her website https://www.colleenkachmann.com/

Grab a big glass of water and listen in on the truth about sugar and how it is holding you back not only in health but all areas of life!

Hey, if you aren't a member of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group come on over and join us!  Its free and a great next step for making connections with other women who are building confidence and emotional sobriety beyond recovery.

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Amanda is a woman in long term recovery and an advocate for quality self care in recovery. She uses her story and platform to support other women in finding their true joy beyond recovery.

Amanda shares how she uses journaling, goal setting and a super fun and unique form of exercise that she has grown to love.

Learning to take care of ourselves in recovery is critical to feeling joy and serenity every day. And self care can be simple and on a budget. 

You can connect with Amanda in the Confident Sober Women Facebook group or on her Instagram page Amanda_savedbygrace

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Dana is a woman in long term sobriety, a wife, mother, writer and also hilarious. Listening to her story was so relatable to the challenges of life in recovery trying to do all the things. She discusses her experience with anxiety and overwhelm through her sober years.

Dana shared some of her unique overwhelm triggers and how COVID ramped up her anxiety. This conversation was so fun, and helpful to all of us out there doing our thing. No one's life is perfect sober or not, but so often we believe there are some.

Dana's book is called How To Be Perfect Like Me is available now. You can also find her on her website Momsieblog and on Instagram.

If you are enjoying the Confident Sober Women podcast please leave a rating and review so other sober women can find us.

The Confident Sober Women Facebook group is a free and awesome place to connect with like minded women who are building emotional sobriety to love their lives beyond recovery.

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Early childhood trauma taught Jewels to run from danger and the tornados of life. She dropped out of high school with childlike coping skills, found alcohol, drugs and people to survive. She never quit though. 

Jewels talks about the delusions of her perceptions in early sobriety being the pivotal point in her spiritual journey with “source”. She got sober using the twelve steps, sponsorship and a higher power. We dive deep into spirituality what it means to each of us and how do we manage that when bad things happen. 

Jewels is honest, funny and a vulnerable story teller. And she is a body builder. Her story is compelling and the life she has created in recovery inspiring for all.

Jewels is a woman in long term sobriety, the author of the autobiography, The Making Of A Woman, and her blog Empower. You can find both on her website www.themakingofawoman.com and social media. She loves connecting with other sober women.

Jewels is also a member of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group so you can reach out to her there as well. If you aren't a member come on over and join other sober women striving to build confidence and emotional sobriety beyond recovery.

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Just like the ending of a vacation or a super exciting event, the holidays can produce a kind of let down effect for many of us. And you might be experiencing those post holiday blues right now.

I will share with you some of the reasons why this happens here. Then on Wednesday, January 5th at 12pm Eastern I will be LIVE in the Confident Sober Women Facebook group to share with you my top 5 Ways To Life Your Spirits In January. So join me for that.

If you aren't a member of the Confident Sober Women Facebook Group, come on over its a great place to connect with like minded women and learn the tools and skills for building confidence beyond recovery.

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This was a free workshop I held in the Confident Sober Women Facebook Group. So often I hear women with all sobriety length share about the struggles they have about having fun or knowing who they are after they get sober. 

I share with you 5 tools and strategies you can use right now to help you work through the holiday season, protect your sobriety and have peace. 

Oh and by the way in case you missed it I did another workshop on Creating Healthy Boundaries For The Holidays that is also in the Facebook group and here on the podcast. Check it out.

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The trauma some of us experience in our early lives if horrific. Chassidy tells all today and despite all of it she was able to get and stay sober. 

From state’s custody, to jail to marrying her drug dealer Chassidy has lived the insanity of addiction.  But we do recover when we make the decision to change everything. 

Chassidy shares how she uses affirmations in her daily life to improve her thinking patterns. She is a member of the Confident Sober Women Facebook Group so you can definitely connect with her there.

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The relationship between addiction and eating disorders is well documented. Isabel Foxen Duke is a sober woman with expertise on disordered eating. She has been through her own journey of undoing the thinking patterns that came from diet culture from a very young age and now she shares her experience with so many others.

Asking yourself good questions leads to HUGE changes! Isabel talks about intuitive eating and the relationship we have with our bodies. Asking yourself “what’s more important to me, sanity or thinness”. Starting this journey is a Step 1 for developing a healthy, calm, peaceful relationship with food and yourself.

Isabel has a great e-book and a three part video series to help explain further the causes of binge eating and how to take control of that. You can learn more about her on her website https://isabelfoxenduke.com.

Isabel is also a member of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group where you can reach out for more information or ask questions.

Grab a copy of the book Isabel referenced f you want to learn more about Intuitive Eating.

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Happy Holidays my friends. I don't think there is another time of year that points out where we need healthy boundaries in our lives more than this one.  Many sober women are stressed out, overwhelmed, anxiety, worried about finances and wishing they could do holidays they way they wanted to. Sound familiar?

This workshop was done live in the Confident Sober Facebook Group and you can check it out here if you like video.

I share with you more about what exactly healthy boundaries are, why we need them and a few practical ways of putting them in place starting right now to help you reduce your overwhelm this holiday season. Grab your pen and paper and be prepared to jot down a few notes!!

Oh and if you want to get into more work on boundaries check out the Creating Healthy Boundaries Course where I share with you the 5 main areas where we need boundaries in our lives and how to do it!  Jump in now.

And if you aren't a member of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group its a great place to connect with other sober women and begin building confidence and emotional sobriety. 

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Today we have a special guest expert training with Chantell Buggins, Mindset Reset: Healthy Minds Anxiety, Addictions Trauma.

Each month I bring in a different guest expert to share a training on a certain topic that supports the work we are doing in the Sober Freedom Inner Circle and then I share a bit of it on the podcast.

This training does not disappoint as she covers one of my favorite topics, personal responsibility.

If you want to connect with Chantell you can find her in the Confident Sober Women Facebook group or on her Facebook page, Zest 4 Life Solutions.

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Heidi never felt like she fit in with all that was going on. She says she had an Instagram filter of fear. The only thing that changed it was alcohol, drugs, men and recovery. Alcohol was her drug of no choice. She is the author of Relationship Ready: How I Stopped Fucking Randos And Started Cupcaking My Soul Mate.

Heidi lays out some practical how to’s for living well in relationships after sobriety. She even has a special “prayer” she uses quite regularly as a valuable tool that helped her learn how to actually turn things over.

Heidi is a girl who likes to keep it simple in relationships and she shares how she does that with us in this episode.

Heidi is a member of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group where you can reach out to her anytime. She is also in Instagram @Heidibcoaching or her website www.heidibcoaching.com.

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Learning how to manage relationships in sobriety takes a lot of TLC. At the advice of her sponsor Danielle learned to love her husband over and over again to accept him for who he was and his role in their marriage. 

One tool she used to help her communication was putting things in writing so she could look at what she was saying and also get consultation before she shared it with her husband.

Danielle shared some specific things she needed in her marriage after she had stable recovery to have a fulfilling and supportive marriage.

Danielle is a member of the Confident Sober Women Facebook Group where you can reach out to her anytime. She is also on Instagram @oneandonlydg or oneandonlydg.com

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Sicily shares how creating wholeness and peace in her life through reparenting and creating a sustainable system gave her the toolbox she needed to overcome whatever was thrown at her.

So often women don’t feel they have a right to their own needs. So for Sicily the power of using journaling, music and meditation is a gateway to the subconscious. She is studying to be a social worker and looks forward to serving women as a therapist when she is done.

Sicily is a member of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group and is happy to talk with any of you if you would like.  

If you like what you heard please leave a review below to help other sober women find us.

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Naomi has a unique story about being raised as a Jehovah Witness and how the prescription of her life was one of her biggest downfalls.  

She shares how she found wisdom in some incredible places to develop a deep understanding of connection and the ability to live with emotional sobriety.  You can find her at mysobergirlfriends.com as well as in the Confident Sober Women Facebook group. 

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Karen Brogdon is a woman with long term sobriety and a member of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group. She shares her story so beautifully about her recovery journey and how she's "learned how to replace substances with things of substance".

She has developed an incredible connection with her spiritual program, rebuilt her family and has good relationships with her children and herself.  Karen offers a beautiful perspective on the amazing life beyond recovery.

You can connect with Karen  in the Confident Sober Women Facebook group.

If you like what you hear on this show please leave a review, it really helps others to find us. I would appreciate it.

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Hey there sober ladies!

It's just me today in a fairly non traditional episode. I did a live in my Confident Sober Women Facebook group the other day after a conversation I had with a friend, about my personal rules in sobriety. It is an interesting and personal topic but I thought it would be great to share.

If you aren't in the group had over and join us now!

Upcoming Events: I am hosting a 5-Day LIVE interactive Building Unshakeable Confidence Through Self-Awareness workshop October 18-22. It is very content rich and has a workbook to guide you through the experience. I come live everyday to talk about that day's lesson, go over your work and questions and provide support. The feedback this spring was AWESOME.  Get more information and Register Here.

Also, last week in the Confident Sober Women Facebook group we did a 5 day Falling Back Into Healthy Habits And Routines Challenge and it was awesome.  It is all in the GUIDES section of the group and you can access it anytime.

If you like what you are hearing on this podcast would you please take the time to leave a review. It helps other sober women find us. I really appreciate it.

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Tiffany has an incredible story of hope and recovery. She shares how she left her kids to live on the street and continue to use drugs.

But her life now because she has worked so hard on building confidence and emotional sobriety is beyond her wildest dreams. She shares about negative thinking patterns, using service to advance her recovery and self harm.

Tiffany is a member of the Confident Sober Women group if you want to reach out to her there or you can email her at Tiffany.naccarato@myusara.com.

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Laura has a beautiful sobriety story and today she shares how she has used her recovery program to change everything.  Laura talked about being a chronic complainer and how that kept her down and perpetuated negative thought patters.

She shared how her own negative thinking patterns affected her confidence and friendships. Sobriety has give her the ability to make new friend and feel comfortable in her own skin. Today she accepts herself just as she is.

You can find Laura in the Confident Sober Women Facebook group or email her at lauramrobinson32@gmail.com

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Todays episode is the first part of a guest expert training with Bridget from Today's Sober Women.  She shares the details of her own story growing up as the child of alcoholic then discovering her own problematic drinking.

Bridget is a therapist in the addiction field so she brings a unique experience to podcast from all sides of the table. The rest of the training can be found in Sober Freedom Inner Circle, as well as all of our guest expert trainings.  Click here to get more information.

I you liked this episode please consider leaving a 5 star review so other sober women can find us.  See you next week.

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This episode is on point when it comes to simplifying all things health. It is so easy to get caught up in the google trap when trying to figure out what the best things are for us.

Holly Lynn shares so beautifully about her story and how early trauma informed her addiction and her recovery. She can be found on Instagram @BackToTheBasicsWithHolly and on YouTube Recovery Girl Cooking.

If you aren't in the Confident Sober Women Facebook group come on over. It is filled with like minded sober women doing the work to build emotional sobriety so they can love their lives beyond recovery.

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The podcast is taking the month of August off to rest and regroup for everything coming next year. I will be returning after Labor Day.

In the meantime check out all the episodes here and come join us at the Confident Sober Women Facebook group.

If you have topics you really want me to share about please let me know I welcome the feedback wholisticliving@shelbyjohn.com.  And if you like this podcast please consider leaving a 5 star rating and a review so other women can find us.  

See you in September!

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Sarah is a mental health profession and she is also a sober woman. She was great at pretending she had it all together. 

The internal consequences were for real though and through recovery she was able to relate began to understand that addiction was only a symptom of what was really going on with her.

Sarah shares how she stopped comparing out and started listening for the feelings a phenomenon she calls Intuitive Living. She learned healthy habits and then began to embrace a sort of “unroutine” lifestyle. Yes we coined this phrase today.

Life is often quite hard but it is easier with predictable routines that help you build trust and confidence.

You can find Sarah on Facebook here or smoore.hec@gmail.com

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Hi there  friend. It's me in the raw today just riffing about all things transforming daily habits and routines. AND sharing how I will be revealing to you my most vulnerable shares ever as I embark on a health and wellness journey like no other. Click here to read more.

You can follow along as I share every Monday and Wednesday the excited, learning and obstacles I face on this trip.  And hey if you enjoy it share with your other sober friends.

If you like this podcast please consider leaving a review it really does help let others know we are here spreading the message of hope and building confidence in recovery.

Check out the blog posts at www.shelbyjohncoaching.com/blog.  Also if you aren't in the Confident Sober Women Facebook group come on over. We have so much fun, learn a lot and support each other.

See you next week.

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Amy Guerrero is a sober woman and coach who helps people to live life with freedom, fun, and clarity in all areas of their life in recovery. She is a dynamic woman with extensive knowledge about the central nervous system and listening to our bodies.

Our central nervous system is made of part that have more power over us than we know. And Amy does a beautiful job of describing them and how discover this changed her life into sobriety.

You can learn more and connect with Amy through her website, https://www.thriveinrecoverywithamy.com/about-amy as well as on Instagram and Facebook @thriveinrecoverywithamy

Our bodies tell us so much information on a regular basis but most of us don’t understand how to listen to it. Or we aren’t open to receiving the truth about the what our bodies are telling us.

When we do the work of understanding ourselves on this level we do build trust in ourselves and our bodies. And this done consistently over time builds the type of sober confidence that will catapult you into the next dimension.

When you are ready to dig into this emotional sobriety work the Sober Freedom Inner Circle is where it happens. I share all my best content and the strategies I used and still do today to build confidence in recovery and a life I love.

The Confident Sober Women Facebook group is the place to connect with other sober women who are curious about growing in recovery. Who want more than just sobriety. Come join us. AND if you like this podcast leave a review so other sober ladies can find us.

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When you are on the cusp of change you are sitting with raw emotion, feeling all the things. Your mind races, your heart pounds, you can’t sleep, healthy food is unappealing, it can be so uncomfortable that you might even wonder “why, am I in recovery anyway”?

These are the warning signs that times are a changing. Even the most positive and exciting change still brings about a lot of emotion. And it is happening all the time.

Often it's boundaries that we need in order to protect ourselves and our sobriety from being overextended or trampled on like a welcome mat. I know that's what really helped me take control of my life and learn to love myself. If you are like "Yes I need that", check out the Creating Healthy Boundaries course, it has just the tools you need.

If you want to live emotionally well and FREE in sobriety you have to become willing to make changes in a bunch of areas. This is super simple stuff but not always easy and or me I didn't do any of it until I learned to listen to those who had gone before me. And I want every sober woman to have the opportunity as well.

To LOVE their lives in recovery and pursue the desires of their heart. If you feel the tug on your heart, this is exactly what we do in the Sober Freedom Inner Circle. Just send me a message on the Shelby John Coaching Facebook page and say FREEDOM and I will tell you more about it.

And if you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, come join us! There's great content and training materials for building a life you don't want to escape from. Because connection is the opposite of addiction.

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I love talking to other sober women. The hope and opportunity that gets shared right through the microphone is so powerful.  And Jennifer is no different.

Her story is filled with childhood trauma, addiction, motherhood and freedom.  We met on a Facebook live together and her story was so good I wanted to share it here as well.

We discussed quite a bit about negative thinking patterns and the tools she used to squash them. Oh and don’t’ forget to check out the Understanding Negative Thoughts Challenge in the Guides section of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group. It is a free 5 day challenge that will bring so much to light for you in changing your mindset and building confidence beyond recovery.

Jennifer Borden is also a member of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group so if you have any questions for her or want to connect you can find her in there. Thanks for being with us.

If you like what you are hearing can you please let a review so that other sober women can find us! It really does help. 

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When we do the work of emotional sobriety we get the freedom we have always been looking for.  If we want to be well and living a life with realistic stories about ourselves and with integrity we have to dig into the work.

Jackie shares her practical steps for dealing with her negative thinking patterns in sobriety. Getting herself unstuck from those beliefs and building a life she loves. 

Looking for a great place to share your life with other sober women doing the work of emotional sobriety, join the Confident Sober Women Facebook group.

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Today I came to you live and unscripted to share a story I discovered about the batter we all face inside between good and evil.

But when you really dig into it we can see that some of the seemingly negative qualities of the bad side actually come in handy quite a bit to keep us moving forward, to give us courage and persistence.

Join me for story time.

I you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group come on over. Its a free group of sober women doing the work of building confidence and emotional sobriety beyond recovery.  

If you like what you hear on this podcast leave a review. It really does help to let  others know we are here and to spread the message of hope. 

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Personal core values are such a big part of building strong confident sobriety. Its not something many of us are familiar with  but it does put our lives in alignment.

Leslie Center shares her personal core values and why she chose them. She shares intimately about her struggles with a chronic illness and how that contributed to addiction and affected her recovery and her relationships.  

If you don’t know what your values are, or perhaps they are changing now, check out the Sober Freedom Inner Circle!

You can find Leslie on Facebook Leslie Ann Center or email LeslieCenterSoberCoach@gmail.com with subject line: Consultation.

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This week I had the pleasure of talking with with Teresa another sober women in the Confident Sober Women Facebook group. 

She share her story of hope and recovery and also the importance of having guides in your life to come along side you.  Living well in recovery requires support. 

Service to others is another form of spirituality. Using gratitude as an action leads to deeper connection with others, our energy source and ourselves. We all have choices we can choose to stay in the pain or get into the solution and do the work. 

The reminder that small daily doses of change is how we get the big changes in our lives.

If you enjoyed this please leave a review so that others can find us and hear the journey to emotional sobriety each week. 

If you aren't a member of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group come on over.

And if you are a woman that's ready for more, the Sober Freedom Inner Circle is your next step. Check out the link for more information. 

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Connecting with your spiritual side is a personal journey that requires deep introspection and consideration. Often we take what we learned growing up and then mesh it with things we learn in adulthood to land in a place of connection and peace that feels right for us.

Nicole is a friend to Confident Sober Women and has a beautiful story of how she grew from what she learned in the Catholic Church and became more tolerant and humble. She shares openly about her experience and how she practices spirituality now.

We talk about sobriety and how its possible to not believe in God and still work a strong recovery program even in AA. Taking the expectations out of others and accepting that we are all human doing the best we can.

If you liked what you heard please leave a review, it really does help other sober women find us.

The Confident Sober Women Facebook group is open for you. Come on over and join us. Or if you are ready to dig deeper into building confidence beyond sobriety the Sober Freedom Inner Circle is your next choice.

See you next week.

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What do you believe in? Where do you get your strength and purpose from? Is it from God, the Universe, Nature, yoga or something else?

We are chatting about the difference between spirituality and religion and the ability for all of us to find connection outside ourselves in some way.

For you spirituality might be having a zest for life. Maybe you enjoy being outside in  the yard tending to the grass and flowers. Being in beautiful places like the beach, on a trail or even fishing could feel deeply spiritual.

This is an entire section of the Sober Freedom Inner Circle Membership if you want discover more about yourself in this way and move your sobriety from good to AMAZING!. Come on over!

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, that's a great place to connect with me and a bunch of other like-minded women on the journey of emotional sobriety.  

Do you like this podcast? If so please leave a review so other sober women can find us, it truly does help spread the message of hope.

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Today I had a very special guest on the podcast Jen Kautsch from Sober Sis.  She is a ray of sunshine in the recovery community with a fairly unique story.

Listen in while we talk about making the decision to go alcohol free, how she helps women in the very beginning of their journey and doing things afraid!  You can learn more about Jen at her website https://www.sobersis.com/ss-home.

If you enjoyed it please leave a review! It really does help to let other sober women know we are here! I appreciate it!

Next week is the 5-Day Live Self-Awareness Mini Course where I will come together with you live each day to bring you all the best material for building UNSHAKEABLE confidence beyond recovery.   Register today and get ready to move your sobriety from good to AMAZING!

If you aren't in my Confident Sober Women Facebook group come on over and join us!

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Building Unshakeable confidence is the task of living well beyond recovery. That skill you need to pursue your desires with ease.

One of the questions I hear most from women in my community is Who Am I? What do I like to do? Who do I want to do my life with.    It's time to find out by learning more about yourself, your strengths, beliefs, weaknesses and values. And get some healthy assessment from others about how they perceive you.

Join me for the 5-Day LIVE Self-Awareness Mini Course happening May 10-14 with two bonus days on the 9th and 15th.  Click the link above for more information and join  other sober ladies in the Confident Sober Women community in the mini course.

And hey if you aren't in the Confident Sober Women Facebook group come on over. Its a great place to connect and learn more about building emotional sobriety.

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Connection is the opposite of addiction. And one of my favorite things to do is talk to women in my community. So that's what I did today with Sara.

Sara talked about her experience with therapy, her view on self-care and how her values have come to light and changed since she became a sober woman. She works in the recovery field and is starting her MSW program to become a clinician.  If you want to connect with Sara she's in the Confident Sober Women Facebook group or you can find her at https://www.instagram.com/progressnotperfection__/

We discussed the importance of self-awareness when it comes to building confidence beyond recovery. If you want to build unshakeable confidence join me for the 5-Day LIVE Self-Awareness Mini Course.  It is packed with valuable content plus three exclusive bonuses.

If you aren't in the Confident Sober Women Facebook group come join us today and learn the tools you need for emotional sobriety beyond recovery.  

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Have you ever been in a funk? A rut? A downhill slide? Perhaps there are parts of your life you used to feel pretty confident about. And then for some reason or another the situation changed. 

Today I want to share with you 5 simple ways to get yourself out of that space and back into alignment with who you really want to be.

Most of the time after carful consideration we can see that the "off" feeling comes when we are living out of alignment with our core values. Our brains know what the most important things are to us and we go against it creates anxiety and confusion.

Discovering your core values is a critical part of building confidence and emotional sobriety. IF you want to learn more the Sober Freedom Inner Circle is your next step.  

Also if you would like to build more connections with other sober women walking this journey join the free Confident Sober Women Facebook group.  

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Core values provide direction and internal dialogue that influence ALL of our other decisions.

Your values inform your choices and decisions and your choices lead to opportunities, behaviors, thoughts and feelings. 

In fact you gain a sense of purpose and fulfillment when you are living/choosing in alignment with our personal core values, BECAUSE you are aligned!

Today I share a practical exercise you can do right now to assess whether or not you are living in alignment with your core values.

If you are ready to do a personal core values exercise to discover what yours are, the Sober Freedom Inner Circle if your next step!  Check out he link here for more information.

Also, if you aren't a member of my free Confident Sober Women Facebook, group come join us!

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Understanding our personal core values is a key component for building emotional sobriety and living well beyond recovery. My friend Casey Davidson from the Hello Someday Podcast joined me for a dynamic conversation about this very topic.

We talked about what personal core values are and why its important to know them. And we shared the ways we help sober women go through the process of discovering them. If you want to get more information about Casey you can visit her site at www.hellosomedaycoaching.com. And give her podcast a listen. 

If you are ready for this process on a much more personal and deeper level, the Sober Freedom Inner Circle is your next step. You can learn more about it by clicking the link and feel free to send me a message with any questions.

And if you aren’t in the Confident Sober Women Facebook Group come on over and join the now one thousand sober women there who are learning how to build confidence beyond recovery!!

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We have been talking about transforming daily habits and routines for several weeks. The episodes have been jam packed with loads of practical wisdom you can put in place today!!

If you are ready for more of the work on emotional sobriety, to move your recovery from fear to confidence the Sober Freedom Inner Circle is your next step. Come join us so you can have the unshakeable confidence to get out of your own way and pursue the life you desire!

Do you need a place to land with other sober women doing this work? The Confident Sober Women Facebook group is just the one for you. It is filled with women learning how to live their best lives in recovery.

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Most of us know that physical activity is super important for maintaining good health.  But many woman HATE exercise. The word itself just brings up images of sweating men in gyms and skinny girls in sports bras!

But movement means so much more than that. And there are many ways to incorporate it into your life on a regular basis.  Chris and I get into into more ways during this episode.  Chris is a yoga teacher in Maryland and is YogiBodyBuilder on Instagram.

Join us as we chat about getting moving in sobriety!  If you want to learn more about building confidence beyond recovery join the Sober Freedom Inner Circle today!

And bring your questions and ideas to the Confident Sober Women Facebook group for even more discussion.

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Transforming our daily habits and routines is a huge part of doing the work of emotional sobriety and building confidence beyond recovery.

Today we are jumping head first into another area of this important but often one of the most challenging for so many American women. Let’s talk about food! If you are anything like me I am in LOVE with food. I like most foods including most healthy foods especially fruits and vegetables.

If you have listened to the other podcast episodes over the past month or so you know the importance of having strong routines when you are building confidence beyond recovery. It is a guiding principle on the journey towards discipline, self awareness and ultimately freedom.

And we all have to start somewhere. From wherever we are. And take certain steps consistently over time to create habits. This is no different when it comes to taking care of your physical body.

If you are ready for more of this work, join the Sober Freedom Inner Circle today!! You will get a ton of valuable content, monthly coaching from me plus guest experts once a month training on topics relevant to this work!

Abstinence is just the beginning. Building emotional sobriety takes more work. Join the Sober Freedom Inner Circle.

If you aren't yet a member of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, come on over. It is filled with sober women doing this work with each other!!

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You have heard me talk and share in the Confident Sober Women Facebook group quite a bit about to how you start your day.  But how you end your day is just as important!

Building emotional sobriety means you must radically transform your daily routines in order to get healthier sleep, have more energy and a clearer mind.  This means establishing a sustainable evening routine you can count on or what I call sleep hygiene.

In this episode I share 4 practical steps you can put in place starting tonight to set the tone for your evening and prepare you for sleep.

Creating a comprehensive evening routine takes more time,practice and guidance. But when you break it down into tiny pieces, that are very manageable and easy to commit to starting today, then slowly but surely over time you get big change.

Of course if you are a real go getter and you want to jump head first into it that’s what the members in the Sober Freedom Inner Circle do. And they get the benefit of coaching from me once a month plus support from each other. 

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Shauna Cummins is a hypnotherapist, published author and a sober woman. She has a unique way of sharing how to release the shame we carry to make changes and support ourselves.

In our conversation she shares a concept called self-collaboration and couples it with a simple practice you can start doing tonight and every day to support yourself.

We dig up some real golden nuggets together and I can't wait to get her book Wish Craft.

You can find her on Instagram @TheWishCraft or at wishcraft.shaunacummins.com.

Are you part of the Confident Sober Woman Facebook group? It is a wonderful place to meet other sober women walking the path and building emotional sobriety. I share a ton of information re how to do that and support each of you along the way.

And if you are ready for more, ready to take your recovery from good to AMAZING, the Sober Freedom Inner Circle is your next step. In here were spend more time on how to build sustainable habits and routines as well as eliminating negative thought patters, discovering personal core values and connecting with a higher purpose.

AND every month I do group coaching with the members to answer questions and support you in the journey AND I host a guest expert, another sober therapist to do monthly trainings on topics that support "the work".

This week I am hosting Mandy Friedman,LPCC-S CCDVC, called Identifying Healthy Relationships and Healthy People. Mandy specializes in helping people recover and strive for healing and healthier relationships. She teaches a series called SNAP Survivors of Narcissistic & Abusive Personalities, an educational recovery program for survivors of physical and psychological abuse. The program is used as a basis for treatment, education, risk assessment and structured recovery.

In March I invited Rose King, called All Things Self: Going From Surviving To Thriving Through Building A Relationship To Yourself. Rose calls herself an Integrative Holistic Life Coach because her methods involve treating all components of the self - mental, emotional, physical and spiritual. Using my comprehensive diverse background, she integrates techniques based on the needs of each individual including multiple psychology modalities, coaching, mindfulness, mind-body awareness, energy work, philosophy, and more.

There is incredible opportunity in the Sober Freedom Inner Circle to meet other hard working sober women and dive into the practical tools we can use to heal our past, feel content in our present and build a future we don't want to escape from!

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If you have been sober for a little while or are curiously exploring your options, The Bubble Hour Podcast is a place you need to be! Jean McCarthy brings the heat with people walking the walk every sing week!

Today we share stories of our own sober journeys with a special focus daily habits and routines we use to support and care for ourselves. Jean calls them comforts. AND she offers some ideas I had never thought of before.

Sit back and enjoy, this episode is longer than our usual recordings but very worth it! If you want to learn more about Jean you can find her at https://jeanmccarthy.ca/

Transforming daily habits and routines so that you can build a better relationship with yourself, have healthy boundaries and have the confidence to let go of anything that no longer serves you is HUGE recovery work. And exactly what we do in the Sober Freedom Inner Circle.

When you join you will have access to the most amazing content but better than that the support of me, the other women in there and the guest experts that come in every month. All for less than a dinner out of a new pair of shoes. Still unsure? Give it a try of 1/2 off the first month. Use the code HALFOFF2021 at checkout.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group come on over and join us.

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Do you struggle to even get up in time to get where you need to be let alone budget in extra time to do things like have quiet time, journal, meditate, pray or exercise. 

Today we are talking about mastering your morning routine, one tiny thing at at time. Sustainable change only happens when we do the same things every day consistently over time.

Productivity experts agree that how we begin our day has a HUGE impact on how the rest of our day goes. Maybe you have a good morning routine, maybe you roll your eyes when people talk about it. Either way today I give you 4 super simple practical ways to make a difference and al you have to do is choose one!

Transforming daily habits and routines is a big part of building confidence, improving relationships, learning to love yourself and feeling good about your physical health. If you are ready for more, join the Sober Freedom Inner Circle today. 

This is where the magic happens of building a life you don't want to escape from beyond just staying sober! And hey if you want to hang out with some pretty awesome sober women and learn more from me, the Confident Sober Women Facebook group is a great place to be.

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Perhaps there are things you are still doing or saying that just don’t feel right for you. They aren’t aligned with who you are or want to be.

Maybe your family raised you in a certain beliefs and they were ALL in, but even looking back as a child you never really identified with it or fit in and now you are struggling to figure out what your beliefs are or how to practice them.

The developmental task of growing up is to figure out who you are separate from your parents, what you believe in, what are your core values, where do you get your purpose from on separate from how you were raised.

This is kind of Like our tastes in foods we all have different views on life. We see things through the lens of our own experiences. Whether that means you want to break away and run or take some and leave the rest, its important to figure out who you are, what your beliefs are and begin to align your decision making with them. One way of exploring this is through habits.

In this episode we begin to explore our daily routines and habits by taking an inventory of a typical day looking for those things we do regularly or things we don’t do.

If you are ready to really do the work of transforming your daily habits and routines, join the Sober Freedom Inner Circle Membership today!

If you could use a community of other sober women join the Confident Sober Women Facebook group!

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This is a special episode from one of my Sober Freedom Inner Circle Guest Expert Trainers, Michelle Taylor at Perfectly Imperfect Counseling. Michelle uses Gottman techniques with couples, learning the tools to have effective communication and repair. And with individuals, she focuses on Brene Brown techniques of vulnerability, compassion, and shame stopping.

Michelle is a direct, goal-oriented therapist and an avid traveler, She loves golfing, sports, mowing the lawn, and staying active. Now-a-days, Michelle runs Perfectly Imperfectly Counseling, Co. from her She Shed at home in Los Angeles or from her RV, travelling across the country with her two dogs and partner. Online counseling is flexible for her and also for all of her clients!

She has an inspirational story of getting and staying sober as well as learning to trust herself. You can reach her on her website Perfectly Imperfect Counseling. And hear the rest of her training in the Sober Freedom Inner Circle.

I was recently interviewed by Jean at The Bubble Hour podcast, a refreshing resource for those of us living a sober lifestyle. If you want to hear that episode you can click here or find The Bubble Hour wherever you listen to podcasts.

If you aren't a member of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, come on over. Its a great community of sober women doing the work of building confidence beyond recovery.

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The FREE 5-Day Understanding Your Negative Thoughts Challenge is happening January 25-29! Click here to register today!

The last few weeks of the year I spent time with myself considering what I wanted for this upcoming year, what needed to change what would stay the same and I decided to finally give in to the urge I have had for a long time to take an adult hip hop class.  It was so fun.

The thing I have been focused on is the girl rappers messaging.  It’s the distorted notion that as a woman you can trade sex for money and get power, this is how you get respect, how you have a relationship. Really? 

The message from the girl rappers is you want me, you pay me. Literally.

Today we are taking a look at this and talking about how we actually get our power.

Last week I had the privilege of joining jean at The Bubble Hour podcast for a lovely conversation about recovery and healing and the response has been overwhelming.  You can check it out to hear more of my story.

If you are a member of my Confident Sober Women Facebook group come on over. It's a great opportunity to learn more about emotional sobriety and building confidence beyond recovery.

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We are what we think! And our thoughts generate energy and can move us forward or keep us in the darkest places of our live! Go with me while I geek out a little on some brain chemistry and share with you my what's coming up in a couple weeks.

The FREE 5-Day Understanding Your Negative Thoughts challenge, doing the work so you can love your life beyond recovery. You can register for that challenge right now! And grab a sober friend to join you. All the information you need is right on this link!

And if you could use some support in the way of getting your shopping done for you, then literally you need what's been saving my life since even before the pandemic...INSTACART! Seriously guys, if you are a busy family like me or heck if you you are a single woman who just doesn't want to spend your time commuting back and forth to the store and grocery shopping, then Instacart is for you!

And now you can enjoy FREE Delivery on your first order. Just use this Instacart link to get started today!

If you are a lover of Walmart and you live in select areas of the country Instacart is doing a very special promo with Walmart. You will get $20 off your Walmart order w/Instacart when you use the code NEWYEAR2021 and this link.

Don't forget to subscribe to this podcast and hey if you like it leave a review! That way more sober women will be able to hear it as well!

If you aren't a member of the Confident Sober Women fee and private Facebook group, come on over. We are a group of sober women doing this thing called life!

**This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

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With the turn of the calendar its easy to be delusioned by thoughts that things will be very different. But sometimes it feels like the hits just keep on coming right. That’s kind of how things went for us the last few weeks of 2020 with my oldest daughter’s driving. If you got my email today you heard this story but I’ll share it here anyway.

My oldest daughter, Grace got her license about a month ago. And let me just tell you this is #WorryAtAWholeNewLevel. I am going to share with you the stories of what has gone, how easily it is to get sucked up in the negative thoughts that come during these experiences and then what we can do about it!

If you want to do some more work on your negative thinking patterns join me and a bunch of other sober women for the FREE 5-Day Understanding Negative Thoughts Challenge January 25-29. And in just 15 minutes a day of private work plus daily LIVE's with me for questions and support you will begin to see how these thought patterns are limiting your life in sobriety and preventing you from having the confidence and JOY you need to love your life beyond recovery.

If you are longing for deeper connections with like minded women and want to learn more about building emotional sobriety join my Facebook Group Confident Sober Women.

In case you didn't know the Sober Freedom Inner Circle Membership is open for members. Get all the information you need about what we do, how we support and how your life will change through membership.

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2020 is what's on everyone's minds lately and the idea of kicking it to the curb and starting fresh with 2021. Of course a new year does mean a great opportunity to reflect on the year that just passed ask yourself what went well and what didn't, choose a word and consider new habits or way of living to test out in the next 12 months.

However, in reality we know that nothing much dramatic will change this month.

If you didn't get my email today sharing my thoughts about the year, this episode and my word for 2021 head over to join my e-mail list and don't miss another thing. You can do that with this link and also learn the Top 3 Things Sober Women Need To Build Confidence Beyond Recovery.

Today I am sharing with you a few of the things I learned this year and what's been saving my life since even before the pandemic...INSTACART! Seriously guys, if you are a busy family like me or heck if you you are a single woman who just doesn't want to spend your time commuting back and forth to the store and grocery shopping, then Instacart is for you!

And now you can enjoy FREE Delivery on your first order. Just use this Instacart link to get started today!

If you are a lover of Walmart and you live in select areas of the country Instacart is doing a very special promo with Walmart. You will get $20 off your Walmart order w/Instacart when you use the code NEWYEAR2021 and this link.

Don't forget to subscribe to this podcast and hey if you like it leave a review! That way more sober women will be able to hear it as well!

If you are ready to dive feet first into the business of gaining confidence beyond recovery with a community of sober women doing the same thing? The Sober Freedom Inner Circle Membership is ready to meet you right where you are. Check it out www.shelbyjohncoaching.com/innercircle!

**This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

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With this week being a strange time between the holidays, people are off work, kids are off school I wanted to do something a little different.

So what could be better than having a chat with another sober woman!  Shannon is a member of my Confident Sober Women Facebook Group, and has been sober over 18 months.  She shares how she knew it was her time and the support she has gotten from her kids and community.

We also talked about amazing mocktails you can learn to make using The Mindful Mocktail.  

We talked about the struggle of negative thoughts after we have gotten sober and being gentle with yourself.  Be on the lookout for a 5-day challenge in January - Understanding Your Negative Thinking Patterns. 

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Did you know identifying your values increases your confidence?  Wait what? Haven’t you seen the poster saying something like this in your office.  Oh or did your HR department mention it in your orientation.

Probably yes to both as this is heavily used in the business world to create mission, vision and take a stand on what is important to the company.

But you have never heard it talked about on a personal level.

In this episode we identify what personal core values are, why they are important and how to discovery them.

If you aren't part of my private Facebook Group, come on over and join us: www.facebook.com/group/confidentsoberwomen

If you are ready to discovery how to discover your personal core values and become the stronger, more confident version of yourself beyond recovery, the Sober Freedom Inner Circle membership is the place for you. 

And right now I am running a Black Friday/Cyber Monday Promotion with 4 extra bonuses!!!: www.shelbyjohncoaching.com/blackfriday

Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast so you won't miss one episode and leave a review. I really appreciate it.

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Today I am telling you, just say NO! It’s time to make yourself and your needs a priority! Why is this even something I have to say, and in fact I say it so often it makes me wonder all the time how did we get off the track so much in this society.

Who told us we have to do it all, be it all, cook it all, buy it all, meet all the demands of work, family, etc.  For what price? 

What benefit is worth stringing yourself out so much that you are sleep deprived, your bank account is empty and you have resentments piled as high as your vaulted ceilings.

Learning how to build healthy boundaries and most especially during this potentially most busy time of the year will bring you inner peace and build confidence. Stop explaining yourself.

If you aren't paris is a great first step in learning how to build healthy boundaries and most especially dut of my private Facebook Group, come on over and join us: www.facebook.com/group/confidentsoberwomen

If you are ready to discovery how to discover your personal core values and become the stronger, more confident version of yourself beyond recovery, the Sober Freedom Inner Circle membership is the place for you.

Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast so you won't miss one episode and leave a review. I really appreciate it.

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So it’s a timely discussion for sure as we are deep into the holiday season that means many things to many people.  So I want you to just open your ears and your heart and go with me while we break down the three letter G word.

Let me ask you, Do you hate religion? Have you struggled with recovery because of the G word? 

You aren’t alone.  Tons of recovering women have struggled with concepts around the spiritual program since the creation of AA in 1935.

I would even take a chance and say as many women have gotten sober as those who have gotten drunk, because of a higher power. Am I right?

And if you don't get anything else from this episode I want you to walk away with the fact that religion is not the same thing as spirituality.

We go into much greater detail about harnessing the energy from  source outside yourself in the Sober Freedom Inner Circle membership.  I share with you different spiritual philosophies and some ideas about how to come to your own understanding.  If you would like to learn more about the Sober Freedom Inner Circle membership click here!

Hey come on over to the Confident Sober Women Facebook group! It's a great group of like minded women discovering how to build confidence beyond recovery! Join us.

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This off the cuff episode was unexpected and raw. I share how one by one the traditions of this season have been take away.  Last week I was filled with profound sadness but the lightbulb went off and I was able to find peace in new traditions.

In life it's not the challenges that shape us its how we pivot every time they come. What traditions have you lost this season that are brining you down?  How can you pivot from here and find joy in the change.

We go into much greater detail about reversing the negative thought patterns that hold you back in the Sober Freedom Inner Circle membership.  If you would like to learn more about the Sober Freedom Inner Circle membership click here!

Hey come on over to the Confident Sober Women Facebook group! It's a great group of like minded women discovering how to build confidence beyond recovery! Join us.

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The holiday season is a time of joy, peace, spirituality and generosity.  For family and friends to come together and share meals, gifts and laughs together.  #ILoveChristmas and Blowing kiss emoji. (Sarcasm much)

But often there are a ton of FEELINGS at this time of year.

Grief is a delicate topic and today I have a very special episode for you.  It’s a little bit longer than our normal episodes because I am sharing the training.  And for some reason the audio was cutting in and out at some places because her wifi was glitchy so please bear with us . 

This is a training done by colleague Staci Minz for my Sober Freedom Inner Circle members.  Every month I bring in a special guest to train my members on a specific topic.  I share the first part of the training here on the podcast and save the juicy stuff for the members.

If you would like to learn more about the Sober Freedom Inner Circle membership click here!

Hey come on over to the Confident Sober Women Facebook group! It's a great group of like minded women discovering how to build confidence beyond recovery! Join us.

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Today I want to share a bit about what recovery programs have to say about gratitude, share an inspiring spiritual message with you and offer up some super practical things you can do TODAY to express your gratitude.  

I have been taught and truly believe We are called to be Thankful in all things no matter our circumstances. 

You may be saying, Really in ALL circumstances.  But what about sickness, pain, loss, disappointment, failure.  How can we be grateful in those times.

And Nothing is faster at changing negative thoughts, reducing anxiety and building self confidence then gratitude and service.  

That’s what I want to talk about today.

If you aren't part of my private Facebook Group, come on over and join us: www.facebook.com/group/confidentsoberwomen

BLACK FRIDAY/CYBER MONDAY BONUSES!!!  If you are ready to discovery how how healthy sleep will help you become the stronger, more confident version of yourself beyond recovery, the Sober Freedom Inner Circle membership is the place for you!  And now more than ever because you get FOUR extra bonuses with the Black Friday Promo: www.shelbyjohncoaching.com/blackfriday

Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast so you won't miss one episode and leave a review. I really appreciate it.

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With 72% of people in recovery saying that struggle with sleep even well beyond getting sober, this is a pretty important topic.

So if you are one of these statistics you aren’t alone, but have no fear! there are natural solutions related to emotional sobriety but also the reduction of anxiety and stress that deeply affects sleep. 

One thing for sure is you must radically transform your daily routines in order to get healthier sleep, have more energy and a clearer mind.

Because insomnia in recovery can lead to a series of negative side effects

In this episode I share the 5 ways to create healthy sleep that I teach women in recovery but we will focus on the first one Creating A Sleep Sanctuary!
If you aren't part of my private Facebook Group, come on over and join us: www.facebook.com/group/confidentsoberwomen

If you are ready to discovery how how healthy sleep will help you become the stronger, more confident version of yourself beyond recovery, the Sober Freedom Inner Circle membership is the place for you: www.shelbyjohncoaching.com/innercircle

Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast so you won't miss one episode and leave a review. I really appreciate it.

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When you hear the word meditation what do you think? Did you just roll your eyes? Are you like really, another person talking about meditation? Ugh.

I totally get it and I was there to for most of my life and frankly still can be when I am not spiritually and physically fit!  But go with me!

Today I am so excited to talk to you about meditation, but not the kind you are thinking of. A more active form of meditation for all of us ADD sober people out there who think its impossible to sit quietly for more than 10 seconds!

To learn more about meditation, spirituality and harnessing the energy from a source outside yourself join the Sober Freedom Inner Circle membership.

Need more sober women in your life to support your journey? Come join our free Facebook Group Confident Sober Women.

Don't forget to hit subscribe above and leave a review it really does help.

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Whether you realize it or not, your thoughts have energy. So if you are only having negative thoughts, chances are everything in your life is going to seem...well...negative.

And ladies, that’s no way to live! You want you to be happy, healthy, less afraid and confident.

Before you are able to change those negative thoughts, you first have to be able to recognize them.

How do you do that you ask??! Listen up….that’s what I am sharing today.

When you are going about you day and something happens, you most likely almost always have the same response.

You might say things like…

…..“Why does this always happen?”

…..”I am always making mistakes”

…..”I won’t be successful, I never have been”

…..”I can’t possibly go to that event my anxiety would kill me”

Eliminating negative thinking patterns is a huge part of developing emotional sobriety and confidence beyond recovery. It is so important it is the entire first section of the Sober Freedom Inner Circle membership program.

If you want to learn more click here. And if you aren't part of my free Facebook Group, Confident Sober Women, come on over and join us.

If you like what you are hearing, be sure to subscribe above so you don't miss an episode. And leave a review, it will help other sober women find us!

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Last week I shared with you my story and also what it means to be emotionally sober, if you missed it I would highly suggest you go back and check it out.

Today I am going to give you a bit more about what I am like today! Why should you listen to me anyway!! And Talk a bit more about what confidence means and give you 5 ways to gain it!

When you tackle the limiting beliefs we have about ourselves, you know the ones….

…..I can’t do that I’m not smart enough

…..I will never be enough

…..No one cares about what I have to say

…..I don’t deserve it

You begin to develop confidence, acceptance of self and ultimately a deep love and connection with yourself.

Whoa, can you even imagine what that will feel like?

You need action steps to take at any time no matter how old you are or what is happening in your life!

Listen up for the 5 simple and practical steps you can add in TODAY!

If you aren't a member of my Free Private Facebook group Confident Sober Women, come on over and join us: www.facebook.com/groups/confidentsoberwomen

Ready to learn more about emotional sobriety and how to gain confidence and love your life beyond recovery, check out the Sober Freedom Inner Circle here: www.shelbyjohncoaching.com/innercirlce

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My name is Shelby and I am an alcoholic. 

I said that for the first time on July 1, 2002 actually when I think about it I highly doubt I said it that day!  But ladies sobriety is only the beginning.  Once we are cleaned up and living right, "the work" continues to build emotional sobriety.

In this episode I share more about what I was like, my story and talk about what emotional sobriety is and how to work towards it.

If you aren't part of my private Facebook Group, come on over and join us: www.facebook.com/group/confidentsoberwomen

If you are ready to discovery how to be the stronger, more confident version of yourself beyond recovery, the Sober Freedom Inner Circle membership is the place for you: www.shelbyjohncoaching.com/innercircle

Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast so you won't miss one episode and leave a review. I really appreciate it.

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Do you have trouble following directions?  No I’m serious is this something that even in sobriety you occasionally think doesn’t apply to you? Go with me on this concept for a second.  
Today I am going to be sharing with you about transforming your habits and daily routines, which is one of my 4 how to’s for building confidence beyond recovery. 

A huge part of that process is creating and following through with daily habits and routines to not only support your sobriety but also your life. 

If you aren't a member of my Free Private Facebook group Confident Sober Women, come on over and join us: www.facebook.com/groups/confidentsoberwomen

Ready to learn more about emotional sobriety and how to gain confidence and love your life beyond recovery, check out the Sober Freedom Inner Circle here: www.shelbyjohncoaching.com/innercirlce 

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Welcome to my new podcast Confident Sober Women all set to launch on November 11, 2020! Couldn't be more excited to share with you my own sober life but more importantly how you can become the stronger, more confident version of yourself beyond recovery.

No matter where you are on your sober journey it's likely that myself and many other women in our community have been there too!  The work continues after we clean up, to build that emotional sobriety so we can love our lives beyond recovery.

We will discuss the tools and practical wisdom you need to build confidence and have healthy relationships, manage difficult emotions, have a healthy body, create healthy boundaries and connect not only with others but also your spiritual energy in a new way.

If you want to get to know some of us more, come on over to my free Facebook group, www.facebook.com/groups/confidentsoberwomen

Go ahead and subscribe now so you won't miss a thing!

See you next week!