Meg and Bella discuss the ups and downs of navigating an alcohol free life in Australia's alcohol centric culture. This highly rated podcast, featuring in Australia's top 100 self improvement podcasts, is a must for those that are trying to drink less alcohol but need some motivation, are curious about sober life or who are sober but are looking for some extra reinforcement. The Not Drinking Alcohol Today pod provides an invaluable resource to keep you motivated and on track today and beyond ...
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Sober Legend, Jen Hirst, Shares How She Rebuilt Her Life from the Ground Up
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44:17Today we talk to Jen Hirst! Jen is an open book when it comes to her experience with alcohol addiction. She says it like it is and discusses how she recovered with transparency. This is what drew me to Jen. Her honesty about how dark it got has been such an inspiration for many who can relate and say 'yep me too!". Jen now dedicates her time to hel…
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Talking alcohol and relationships with Lauren O'Hanlon
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38:32
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38:32Lauren O'Hanlon shares her powerful journey from teen blackouts to a turning point that reshaped her life. Navigating the pressures of motherhood, “mommy wine culture,” and a near-divorce, she realised something had to change. Now two and a half years alcohol free, Lauren opens up about transforming her relationship, healing her identity, and findi…
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Your Body Isn't Broken: Weight Loss, Hormones, and Cortisol with Dr Shami
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40:29
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40:29Dr. Shamistra Barathan breaks down the science of midlife weight gain and reveals the three missing pieces of the puzzle for women struggling despite diet and exercise changes. Some key points: Weight loss struggles are often tied to hidden hormonal imbalances Calories-in/calories-out model outdated – it's about hormones telling your body to store …
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Julie Lively taking the edge off without alcohol
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30:57
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30:57What happens when the wine you use to take the edge off becomes the very thing keeping you on edge? Julie Lively, alcohol freedom coach and This Naked Mind coach, shares her powerful journey from being caught in mummy wine culture to discovering true freedom beyond the bottle. With four children in six years and a frequently-traveling husband, Juli…
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Maz Compton - How Your Last Drink Could Be Your First Step Toward a Better You
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32:31Maz Compton just makes the alcohol-free decision feel like a no brainer! Today Maz talks to Bella's Alcohol Freedom Group about her powerful journey from being a successful radio host secretly struggling with alcohol dependence to living ten years alcohol-free and discovering her authentic self along the way. Maz covered many wonderful topics in th…
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Why Moderating Alcohol is so Incredibly Hard to Achieve!
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30:18In this episode, Meg & Bella address the pros and pitfalls of moderating alcohol. Everybody who drinks or has drunk has practiced it but not many succeed at it! We talk about alcohol moderation in the context of Dry July, this being the second day of it, when thousands of Australians dip their toe into the alcohol-free water and try their hand at g…
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In this episode, we talk about the term “alcoholic”. The phrase “am I an alcoholic?” is frequently googled and many use this as the starting point for exploring whether alcohol has become a problem for them. We explore the derivation of this term, why some people with alcohol use disorders do not relate to or identify with this term and what are so…
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Darcy shares her powerful journey from teenage drinking to finding freedom from alcohol without traditional recovery programs or labels. Her story weaves through decades of substance use, career changes, grief after losing her brother to suicide, and ultimately discovering a path to sobriety that works for her unique needs. In this episode, Darcy a…
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A Masterclass in Hormones, Gut Health and Alcohol With Trish Tucker May
36:24
36:24
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36:24Do you know how much alcohol impacts our gut health, hormones, peri and menopause symptoms, contributes to increased inflammation levels, stress management and drastically reduces our energy levels? Do you want to know what steps you can take to heal your body after drinking? Trish Tucker May joins Bella's Alcohol Revolution 6 Week Program as a gue…
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Dr Libby and the effects of alcohol on our bodies!
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40:25Join us for an eye-opening conversation with Dr. Libby Weaver as we explore the hidden impact of alcohol on nutrition and overall well-being. From the crucial role of zinc in immune health to alcohol’s effects on hydration, minerals, and cravings, Dr. Libby breaks down the science in a way that’s easy to understand. Plus, discover practical strateg…
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Diving Deep with Seana Smith: The Story Behind Going Under
39:15
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39:15On the eve of celebrating five years of sobriety, Seana Smith joins Bella for a powerful and deeply personal conversation about recovery, resilience, and rewriting her story. In this riveting episode, Seana opens up about the profound impact of her father’s alcoholism on her childhood and how it shaped her journey toward healing. She shares how emb…
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What if breaking free from alcohol could lead to a deeper connection with yourself and others? Join us for a powerful conversation with Rina, a fellow Naked Mind coach, who shares her inspiring journey of quitting alcohol independently before discovering the transformative power of community support. We explore how she initially struggled with emot…
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Tara Hurster on Resilience, Addiction Recovery, and Finding Purpose
43:11
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43:11Meet Tara Hurster, a remarkable voice in addiction treatment, as she shares her empowering journey and insights from The Tara Clinic in Sydney. From grappling with insecurities about her height in school—turning to smoking as a coping mechanism—to discovering her passion for helping others as a mediator between students and teachers, Tara's path wa…
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Eliza Parkinson taking fear out of Triggers
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28:29What if the secret to overcoming addiction lies not in avoiding triggers, but in facing them head-on? Join us for an insightful conversation with the ever-inspiring Eliza Parkinson as we challenge the conventional approach to recovery from alcohol. Eliza shares her unique perspective on managing triggers with intention and care, drawing parallels t…
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Alcohol and Love Addiction With Mel Watkins
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42:59*PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS EPISODE CONTAINS REFERENCES TO SUICIDE. PLEASE SKIP THIS EPISODE IF YOU FIND THIS TOPIC TRIGGERING OR UPSETTING* Mel Watkins, a psychotherapist and founder of Mel Watkins Therapy, shares her deeply personal journey to sobriety, elucidating the powerful links between alcohol, love addiction, and emotional health. Through candi…
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Mike Shennan; finding Power and Strength in Sobriety.
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39:08Mike Shennan joins us to share his remarkable journey to sobriety and how it has laid the foundation for his fulfilling career in coaching. From growing up in a family culture where drinking was routine to facing the challenges of social drinking during his university years in Canada, Mike offers a raw and insightful look into his personal transfor…
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Redefining Rituals: Natalie Battaglia on Mocktails, Motherhood & Mindful Living
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40:25Get ready to be inspired by Natalie Battaglia, the creative mind behind The Mindful Mocktail! In this episode, Natalie opens up about her transformative journey from struggling with alcohol dependence to crafting elegant, delicious non-alcoholic beverages that elevate any occasion. We dive deep into her personal story, exploring the power of mindfu…
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In this episode, Meg reflects on three years of living alcohol-free and the transformative impact it's had on her life and relationships. From rebuilding trust with herself and her children to discovering the joy of self-validation, every step has been a revelation. With the support of a vibrant community and the power of coaching, Meg has turned d…
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On our Christmas Eve One-Year Anniversary, we welcome Annie Grace, the trailblazing founder of This Naked Mind! Annie talks about her transformation to an alcohol-free author of This Naked Mind, creator of The Alcohol Experiment and a coach of alcohol coaches spreading her This Naked Mind methodology across the globe. We talk about how she wrote Th…
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Cindy Johnston: Harnessing Emotional Freedom Techniques to Beat Cravings and Boost Emotional Wellbeing
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37:15
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37:15Have you heard of people raving about the benefits of EFT to help process uncomfortable emotions, but are unsure about what it actually is or how to do it? If so, listen on. Cindy Johnston, founder of Soul Sobriety Coaching and Retreats and an Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) practitioner, shares her personal journey to emotional resilience and so…
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Mindfully Non Drinking With Psychologist Simonette Vaja
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39:11In this episode, we explore the transformative power of mindfulness and meditation to support drinking less alcohol with Simonette Vaja, a trauma-informed psychologist and mindfulness teacher. Simonette introduces her ABCD model—Attention, Breathing, Compassion, and Detox—a practical framework for fostering emotional resilience and supporting an al…
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Meg and Bella wish all of our dear listeners and podcast guests a huge Merry Christmas! Are you celebrating your Christmas at a Bowling Club? Probably not! We are! Meg and Bell discover they are each heading off to Manly and Balmain Bowling Club for a family game of bare foot bowls for Christmas. It's cheap, it's outdoors, it's fun and what's more,…
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Ange Chappel on How to Mind Your Sip and Feel Fabulous This Festive Season
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40:41Ange Chappel, the inspiring founder of Mind The Sip, returns to the Not Drinking Alcohol Today podcast to celebrate her incredible milestone of nearly a year alcohol-free. She shares her top tips for enjoying a fabulous festive season without alcohol holding you back. Ange also contributed invaluable insights to Bella’s November Alcohol Freedom Cha…
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Ever wondered why the notion of being a "normal drinker" weighs heavily on so many of us? Join me, Meg, as I share my personal journey through the maze of societal expectations and personal realisations around alcohol consumption. From questioning my own drinking habits to the pivotal moment of embracing a sober lifestyle, this episode unpacks the …
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Mastering Habit Change: Dr. Gina Cleo on Dopamine, Neuroplasticity, and Reducing Alcohol Dependency
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37:16Dr. Gina Cleo, one of Australia's leading habit change experts, shares her expertise on creating healthier, alcohol-free habit loops. In this recording of Dr Cleo's talk to my (Bella) November Alcohol Freedom Challenge, Dr Cleo discusses the science behind dopamine, a neurotransmitter that drives our reward and pleasure systems. On this note, alcoh…
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In this episode we interview one of Australia's leading lights in managing anxiety. An educational leader, Dr Jodi Richardson supports parents and teachers to change their relationship with anxiety, dial it right down and light the way for their children and students to do the same. Jodi is professional speaker supporting whole school communities a…
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Breaking Free With Natalie West: Reclaiming Your Self-Worth Without Alcohol
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54:16In this transformative episode, I’m thrilled to share insights from Natalie E. West, high-performance integrative psychotherapist and guest speaker during Week 2 of my (Bella's) November Alcohol Freedom Challenge. Natalie captivated our group with her profound understanding of how attachments—to substances like alcohol, food, and drugs—are often ro…
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Mrs D is Going without - Lotta Dann interview
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46:53
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46:53Meet Lotta Dann, also known as Mrs D, the anonymous blogger who discovered the tremendous power of online support for those seeking sobriety. From sharing her personal journey on her long-running blog, Mrs D Is Going Without, Lotta has become an inspiring figure for people quitting drinking. Join us on the podcast as we delve into her fascinating s…
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Lisa Greenberg's Perfectly Imperfect Sobriety Story
49:02
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49:02(*An oldie but a goodie with the awesome Lisa Greenberg back in the day when our pod was called She's Sober Sydney*) Join us as we talk with the glorious perfectly imperfect Lisa Greenberg about her alcohol addiction and her path to sobriety and beyond. As a highly sought-after speaker, fitness consultant, columnist and founder of SOBEROBICS, Lisa’…
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Have you ever wondered what lies beneath the surface of your habits, driving them to become part of your daily life? Join me, Meg, as I unravel the complexities of my alcohol dependency, fueled by deep-seated feelings of unworthiness and anxiety. It's a candid reflection on how social drinking transformed into a solitary escape, rooted in childhood…
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Chris Gimpel: Cheers to a Hangover-Free Aussie Festive Season
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46:41Chris Gimpel, Head of Client Engagement at the Clean Slate Clinic and a Smart Recovery Facilitator, chats to us about navigating the Aussie festive season without alcohol. Chris was formerly engaged in the banking sector and gave up alcohol a few years back in December right in the midst of the festive season, so he has a few tips or two to share o…
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Have you ever considered how deeply alcohol is woven into our society's fabric, and what might happen if you step away from it? Join us on the Not Drinking Today podcast as we explore this profound transformation with Tabbin Almond, a coach with This Naked Mind and an author, who overcame her own struggles with alcohol. Growing up amidst a culture …
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100th Episode Milestone Celebration with Meg and Bella
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23:57Celebrating our 102nd episode, we (that's Meg and Bella!) reflect on our favourite podcast episodes and the conversations that we have had the honour of recording of the last two years. Join us as we share stories from our favourite episodes featuring inspiring guests like William Porter, Professor Selena Bartlett, Annie Grace, Emma Bardwell, Sophi…
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The Critical Role Anti-Craving Medications Can Play in Alcohol Recovery: All Your Questions Answered By Dr Chris Davis, Clean Slate Clinic
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43:08Today we talk to Dr. Chris Davis, co-founder and Chief Medical Officer of the Clean Slate Clinic about the critical role anti-craving medications, such as Naltrexone and Campral, can play in alcohol recovery. Dr Davis answers all of your questions about these medications, including how they work to reduce cravings, how long you need to be on them, …
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Maggie Klaassens: On her journey to the (Sober) Summit!
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34:07Ever wondered how the "mummy wine culture" might be impacting your journey to health and fitness? Join us for an eye-opening conversation with Maggie Clausens, the host of the Sober Summit, as she candidly shares her battle with habitual wine drinking—from her first drink in high school to the sophisticated wine culture she became immersed in as an…
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Sober Yoga Girl: Alex McRobert's Inspiring Memoir
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35:02Today, we welcome back Alex McRobert, known to many as the Sober Yoga Girl, who shares her inspiring journey in the recent release of her memoir, Sober Yoga Girl, from a school teacher in the Middle East to becoming a yoga teacher and sober coach in Bali. Alex candidly discusses how a transformative experience led her to a life centered around heal…
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Maryanne Petkac: A Path to Wellness and Alcohol Freedom
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37:36Can the loss of a loved one catalyse a journey of profound personal transformation? Mayianne Petkac, a dedicated alcohol freedom coach and yoga instructor, opens up about her powerful journey to sobriety following the loss of her mother in 2020. Maryanne shares how her casual drinking habit escalated during her first marriage, becoming a nightly ri…
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Voice of Change, Foundation for Alcohol Education & Research CEO, Caterina Giorgi
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41:41Today we talk to Caterina Giorgi, the CEO of the Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education (FARE) about the crucial role FARE plays in Australia in commissioning research on alcohol harm and advocating for essential changes to Australia’s alcohol laws and policies. We cover a lot in this episode, including the alarming ways alcohol advertising …
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Exploring ADHD and Neurodiversity with Faye Lawrence
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45:46Ever wondered how ADHD manifests differently in children and adults, or between males and females? In our latest episode, we promise to provide those answers and more with the help of our returning guest, Faye Lawrence. Now a specialized coaching therapist, Faye shares her journey of being diagnosed with ADHD in 2022 and offers a unique perspective…
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Breaking Barriers with SMART Recovery CEO, April Long
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40:01If you are sober curious or are on a mission to drink less, you will likely have heard about SMART Recovery, an evidenced based recovery method that is as an alternative to other recovery programs, including 12 step programs. Or perhaps you've attended a SMART Recovery meeting or two? Today we are joined by April Long, the CEO of SMART Recovery and…
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Danielle Fleming: Navigating pregnancy and alcohol.
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36:23What experiences led Danielle Fleming, a former heavy drinker in the hospitality industry, to transform her life and become a pregnancy sobriety coach? Discover Danielle's powerful story of resilience and change as she opens up about the grip alcohol had on her and the life-altering moment of realizing she was pregnant in January 2020. Hear how she…
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The Nude Nutritionist, Lyndi Cohen, on How to Farewell Binging Food & Booze
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34:13Today we talk to Lyndi Cohen, AKA The Nude Nutritionist, about making peace with food and booze. Lyndi helps people to farewell binge and emotional eating and to find a healthier and more balanced way to think about and approach food, based on self-compassion, acceptance and kindness. Lyndi also happens to be an alcohol-free woman. Lyndi opens up a…
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Sober Socialising and Building a Strong Community
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41:32Ever wondered how embracing patience, persistence, and resilience can transform your life? Join us as we speak with Mags Sheridan, an embodiment coach whose journey of quitting alcohol and embracing sobriety since 2016 has profoundly reshaped her world. Mags delves into her extensive involvement with SMART Recovery, a program that employs cognitive…
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Hello Sunday Morning With CEO, Dr Nicole lee
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34:28Hello Sunday Morning's (HSM) CEO, Dr Nicole Lee, joins Not Drinking Today to talk about the remarkable work HSM does to support individuals to drink less. HSM's mission is to aim to change the world's relationship with alcohol one Sunday at a time! This is exactly what HSM does via its incredible Daybreak App, research, weekly blogs and social medi…
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Can a passion for local flavors and a desire for inclusivity redefine an entire industry? Join us as we sit down with Carolyn Whiteley, the visionary co-founder of Seadrift Distillery, to explore her transformative journey from a career in global spirits marketing to pioneering the non-alcoholic beverage movement in Australia. Carolyn opens up abou…
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Transforming his life in January 2019, David Wilson, Certified Grey Area Drinking Coach and Public Speaker, is dedicated to motivating others to transform their lives, overcome personal challenges and embrace life with a renewed mindset. His Top 10 Apple Podcast 'One For The Road' reaches a global audience with over 300K downloads in the first year…
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Kate Nichols: From Hidden Drinking to Empowered Sobriety
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37:09What if your dependence on alcohol not only jeopardised your health but also strained your most treasured relationships? This week, we have the privilege of speaking with Kate Nichols, an inspiring alcohol recovery coach who shares her heartfelt journey from university drinking habits to a life of sobriety. Kate's candidness about hiding her drinki…
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SOBER SEX! Let's Talk About It Right Now ....
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30:29* This is not the best topic to listen to on speaker with your kids in the background! ** If the topic of sex is triggering for you, then perhaps hit pause and move to another episode OK, SOBER SEX… Let’s talk about it. Why?! Because it comes up a lot. Discreetly and tentatively at first but it presents as a major issue often when alcohol is remove…
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Getting present and sober with Ellie Crowe
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53:00Have you ever wondered how societal norms around drinking are subtly shaping your habits? This week, we're thrilled to welcome Ellie Crow from the Present and Sober Podcast. Ellie, a This Naked Mind senior certified coach, bravely opens up about her gradual shift from casual social drinking to using alcohol as a coping mechanism after becoming a mo…
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Girl Walks Out of A Bar: Recovered Lawyer & Trailblazing Author Lisa Smith
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44:08What drives a successful lawyer to reveal a hidden struggle with addiction? In this compelling episode, we sit down with Lisa Smith, author of the acclaimed memoir "A Girl Walks Out of a Bar," who bravely shares her journey from the high-stakes world of law to battling alcohol and cocaine addiction. The book recounts her descent into and recovery f…
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