The Hello Someday Podcast For Sober Curious Women

Did you know that you can live alcohol-free and still enjoy your life?You can still be social, still hang out with your friends who drink and also transform internally. You can let go of the things in your life that aren’t serving you, but also keep the people and activities that bring you joy. You can have everything you’ve always wanted. That’s what we’re talking about today, embracing an alcohol-free lifestyle without assuming a label. My guest today is Kayla Lyons. Kayla is the founder of 1,000 Hours Dry, an alcohol-free community and host of The Dry Life Podcast. In this episode, Kayla and I discuss her sobriety journey, our drinking culture, how big alcohol markets to consumers, and all the benefits of not drinking. For the full episode show notes and all links and resources mentioned in the podcast visit hellosomedaycoaching.com/52 Want more support, resources and tools to help you go alcohol-free?You can Drink Less + Live More today with The Sobriety Starter Kit. It's the private, on-demand coaching course you need to break out of the drinking cycle - without white-knuckling it or hating the process.Grab the  Free Sober Girls Guide To Quitting Drinking, 30 Tips For Your First 30 DaysFind out more about Casey and her coaching programs, head over to her website, www.hellosomedaycoaching.comTake a screenshot of your favorite episode, post it on your Instagram and tag me @caseymdavidson and tell me your biggest takeaway! 

Let’s talk about the fact that most women who realize that they have a problematic relationship with alcohol don’t actually ‘want’ to stop drinking. Most of us had a lot of good times drinking over the years. At one point drinking was a lot of fun, and sometimes it still is. We had amazing vacations, girl’s nights and romantic date nights with alcohol. And even though you might be worried about your drinking, and are tired of headaches and hangovers, you likely don’t actually want to stop completely. You probably can’t imagine your life without happy hours and wine tastings. And here’s the good news: you don’t have to ‘want’ to stop drinking to take an extended break from it and discover that life without alcohol is actually happier, healthier, more satisfying and more fun than it was when you were drinking. My guest today is Camille Kinzler. Camille is an alcohol-free lifestyle/habits expert who is passionate about helping women who wake up at 3 am saying “I wish I didn’t have that last glass of wine...again” (re)learn how to destress, unwind, and connect instead of instinctively reaching for their go-to cocktail. Camille and I are going to talk about all the strategies that can help you stop drinking (even though you still want to). In this episode, Camille and I discuss: Why deciding to take a break from alcohol for 100 days is more useful than a ‘one day at a time’ approach or telling yourself that you’re stopping drinking ‘forever’ How to switch up your evening routine and interrupt the patterns you’ve built around drinking Why it’s OK to mourn the loss of alcohol. You don’t actually need to kill the ‘want’ of drinking, you just have to kill the ‘yes’ Why this process is less about removing the alcohol and more about wanting more for your life and getting over the fear of change. Focusing on the vision of the person you want to be and the life you want to live is a powerful motivator The Cozy Method of creating sustainable habit and lifestyle change Consistency - Creating new habits and rituals Ownership - Taking accountability for where you are, the habits you’ve created, recognizing what you need and asking for it Zooming In & Out - Asking yourself who you want to be in this world and looking at the habits and behaviors that you’re practicing to get you to that goal Yes - Evaluating the commitments that you’re taking on and realizing that if it isn’t a ‘Hell Yes’ then its a No. Learn to set healthy boundaries  About Camille Kinzler Camille is an alcohol-free lifestyle/habits expert with a Master’s in Science and Physician Assistant (PA) Studies. She is passionate about helping women who wake up at 3 am saying “I wish I didn’t have that last glass of wine...again” (re)learn how to destress, unwind, and connect instead of instinctively reaching for their go-to cocktail. She loves working with professional women, busy moms, and healers/healthcare professionals, as she is all of the above, too. Connect with CamilleLearn more about Camille and how she can support you in quitting drinking www.thinkbeyondthedrink.comOn Instagram @thinkbeyondthedrinkDownload your Love Your Liver Guide: Integrative Approach To Cleansing Your Liver Support, resources and tools to help you go alcohol-freeGet the 5 step formula for saying no: https://hellosomedaycoaching.com/how-to-say-no/Drink Less + Live More today with The Sobriety Starter Kit. The private, on-demand coaching course you need to break out of the drinking cycle - without white-knuckling it or hating the process.Grab your  Free Sober Girls Guide To Quitting Drinking, 30 Tips For Your First 30 DaysFind My Favorite Sober Facebook Groups, The BFB “Booze Free Brigade” and She Recovers Together Connect with CaseyFind out more about Casey and her coaching programs, head over to her website, www.hellosomedaycoaching.comTake a screenshot of your favorite episode, post it on your Instagram and tag me @caseymdavidson and tell me your biggest takeaway!

Let’s talk about perfectionism - what it is, why it happens and how it might be holding you back from doing the things you are meant to do and what you want to do in life.My guest today is Sara Dean. She’s a mindset, business and leadership coach who helps women own their space, stop shrinking and start shining. I absolutely love Sara - her perspective, her energy and the way she inspires women (including me) to do more and be more. Today we’re talking about how to overcome perfectionism and get out of your own way. We dive deep into the connection between perfectionism and procrastination and how staying in your comfort zone can keep you stuck. This episode is jam packed with encouragement and inspiration, and it all starts with believing in yourself.In this episode, Casey and Sara discuss: Why a lifetime of social conditioning can keep women playing small How we’ve been taught to prioritize things others expect from us in order to get approval and acceptance The connection between perfectionism and procrastination 7 ways you’re probably getting in your own way 5 ways to get unstuck How to stop asking permission to play a bigger game in life How to thrive in the face of anxiety Strategies to turn your struggles into strengths How to move from a fixed mindset and a growth mindset Secrets of cultivating courage, confidence and abundance #everydamnday 7 Ways You Might Be Getting in Your Own Way Staying quiet and not speaking up when you have an opinion. Being the person other people want you to be instead of being who you truly are Playing small Analysis paralysis You’re stuck in a fixed mindset vs growth mindset  You are stuck in the dreaming and planning phase without taking any action Being the gatekeeper of all tasks and roles.  5 Ways To Get Unstuck Take small steps Take imperfect action Get curious Drop the ball or the bomb. Either make it a priority or let it go. Dream in strategy  More about Sara DeanSara’s is a Mindset, Business and Leadership Coach. She is also the creator and host of the Shameless Mom Academy Podcast, a top rated podcast with over 3 million downloads. Sara’s biggest passion is helping women own their space. After enduring her own identity crisis following the birth of her son, Sara took her background in psychology/health/ wellness and rebuilt her identity, one step at a time. Sara motivates and inspires women to stop shrinking and start shining. She is on a mission to inspire women and moms, in particular, to live bigger, bolder, braver #everydamnday.Sara serves women through her podcast, her thriving Momentum Mamas membership community, her Tenacious Mamas business & leadership mastermind and her annual event, Shameless Mom Con (coming this spring!) When she’s not supporting Shameless Moms, you’ll find Sara with her husband and 8 year old son - building Legos and pretending to understand Minecraft.Connect with Sara: www.shamelessmom.comShameless Mom Academy Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-shameless-mom-academy/id1092674204Join Sara’s free Facebook Group: www.shamelessmom.com/facebookInstagram: www.instagram.com/shamelessmomacademy Support, resources and tools to help you go alcohol-freeDrink Less + Live More today with The Sobriety Starter Kit. The private, on-demand coaching course you need to break out of the drinking cycle - without white-knuckling it or hating the process.Grab your  Free Sober Girls Guide To Quitting Drinking, 30 Tips For Your First 30 DaysFind My Favorite Sober Facebook Groups, The BFB “Booze Free Brigade” and She Recovers Together Connect with CaseyFind out more about Casey and her coaching programs, head over to her website, www.hellosomedaycoaching.comTake a screenshot of your favorite episode, post it on your Instagram and tag me @caseymdavidson and tell me your biggest takeaway!

Can the principles of spiritual psychology help you heal from past traumas? We’re going to unpack the tools, techniques and practical application of a spiritual psychology approach on the podcast today. Spiritual Psychology is a blend of spirituality and science. It uses elements of both traditional psychology and spirituality in order to help individuals feel better and more content with their lives. My guest is Beverly Sartain. Beverly is the author of the book Transcending Trauma: How I used Spiritual Psychology to Heal My Life and the creator of The Spiritual Psychology Healing Workbook. After multiple hardships in her life, Beverly experienced a spiritual awakening and discovered ways to turn those hardships into assets of her future through the practical application of spiritual psychology.  By resolving her feelings of unworthiness and not being good enough, she reconnected with her inner being and her true essence — love. Beverly will encourage you to find your own path to healing and becoming the co-creator of your life. In this episode, Beverly and I dig into: Specific Spiritual Psychology tools and techniques that can be practically applied in your life today The difference between Victim Consciousness and Creator Consciousness, two states of mind that can rule your awareness 4 levels of a holistic approach to coaching - mental, emotional, physical and spiritual How to avoid self-sabotage and reframe negative thought patterns Why judgement is self condemnation and self-forgiveness is restoration How to cultivate self-compassion, acceptance, peace, and joy    Download 33 principles of Spiritual Psychology About Beverly Sartain Beverly is a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor. In her career before coaching, Beverly managed and developed domestic violence and co-occurring residential programs.  Beverly is also the creator of the Holistic Coach Certification Program and the Spiritual Psychology Coaching Method. The Holistic Coach Certification Program is an ICF ACSTH accredited program that focuses on a holistic approach to coaching. They see Clients as whole, complete and resourceful to create creative solutions to their challenges and issues. Additionally, Beverly provides individual and group coaching through her brand, Recovery Life Management.  Resources and links mentioned in the podcast  Connect with Beverly on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/beverly.sartain.1/Purchase Beverly’s book, head over to transcendingtraumaBeverly’s favorite affirmations cards mentioned in the episode Power Thought Cards Keepers of the Light Oracle Cards Beverly has created the Spiritual Phycology Healing Workbook to help you be a healthy human by continuing to resolve your unresolved issues so that you can serve from your wholeness versus your wound.  Beverly has laid out 52 soul-packed lessons to help you increase your awareness, relate to yourself in a better way, learn new skills to keep on keepin' on with your personal and professional advancement and be the demonstration of the work you do with others, first and foremost. Support, resources and tools to help you go alcohol-free Drink Less + Live More today with The Sobriety Starter Kit. The private, on-demand coaching course you need to break out of the drinking cycle - without white-knuckling it or hating the process. Grab your  Free Sober Girls Guide To Quitting Drinking, 30 Tips For Your First 30 Days Find My Favorite Sober Facebook Groups, The BFB “Booze Free Brigade” and She Recovers Together Connect with CaseyFind out more about Casey and her coaching programs, head over to her website, www.hellosomedaycoaching.comTake a screenshot of your favorite episode, post it on your Instagram and tag me @caseymdavidson and tell me your biggest takeaway!

Rebecca (Bex) Weller is one of my favorite people to talk with about why life without alcohol is awesome. Bex is a Health & Life Coach from Perth, Australia. She’s the founder of Sexy Sobriety and the author of two books, A Happier Hour and Up All Day. The work Bex does is centered around helping women discover how much they gain once they put down the wine glass. She works with women to get their sparkle back after it's been dulled by drinking and hangovers.In our conversation today Bex and I talk about how life without alcohol can be fun and sexy, adventurous, joyful and (most of all) carefree.Bex says the biggest benefit she’s found in sobriety is the feeling of freedom.  Bex discovered that after (finally) saying “I’m not drinking at all anymore” she suddenly had the headspace, heart space, courage and energy to reach her potential and build the life she really wanted. She felt free for the first time. So if you’re holding on to drinking because you’re afraid that life without alcohol will be boring or dull, this is the episode for you! In this episode, Bex and I dive into: Why to make a list of “10 Things Better Than Booze” (and then all the other lists!) Tips on how to make alcohol-free life more exciting and fun Why to focus on everything you’re gaining by not drinking, not what you’re giving up How to coach yourself through triggers and cravings and nurture yourself from the inside out Why sobriety is better than moderation (spoiler: it’s the freedom) Why to not focus on the concept of ‘forever’ “You know what’s a hell of a lot more glamorous than champagne and cocktails? ⁠Self-worth, empowerment, creativity, connection, and SOUL.”⁠ - Bex WellerAbout Rebecca WellerRebecca is the Creator of SexySobriety.com, she leads one-on-one and group coaching programs, hosts live events, and is the author of the best-selling memoir, A Happier Hour, and the long-awaited follow-up, Up All Day.Rebecca writes about love, life, and the strength and potential of the human spirit. Her work has been featured by The Telstra Business Awards, The Australian, Fast Company, Sydney Morning Herald, The Huffington Post, MindBodyGreen, Better Homes & Gardens USA, SBS Food, Good Health Magazine, Marie Claire Australia, and Elle Quebec. Learn more at BexWeller.com.Follow Rebecca on Instagram @BexWellerConnect on Facebook at Bex Weller, SS - HomeFind out more about Rebecca and Sexy Sobriety, head over to www.SexySobriety.com.au/Support, resources and tools to help you go alcohol-free Drink Less + Live More today with The Sobriety Starter Kit. The private, on-demand coaching course you need to break out of the drinking cycle - without white-knuckling it or hating the process. Grab your  Free Sober Girls Guide To Quitting Drinking, 30 Tips For Your First 30 Days Find My Favorite Sober Facebook Groups, The BFB “Booze Free Brigade” and She Recovers Together Connect with CaseyFind out more about Casey and her coaching programs, head over to her website, www.hellosomedaycoaching.comTake a screenshot of your favorite episode, post it on your Instagram and tag me @caseymdavidson and tell me your biggest takeaway! 

Are you a busy mom who has been using alcohol as a coping mechanism?You’re not alone.My guests today are Kate Baily and Mandy Manners, the authors of the new book, Love Yourself Sober - A Self Care Guide For Busy Moms Going Alcohol-Free, and we’re talking about what to do if you’re questioning your drinking habits and how to create a live you love without alcohol. Kate and Mandy are certified coaches and sober besties who met online. They are writers, community builders and podcast hosts. They work with women who are questioning their drinking and want to create a life they love sober. In this episode, we dive deep into: Why moms often use alcohol to cope and create space in motherhood What to do if you feel sad and disconnected from your life How to recognize if your relationship with alcohol has become problematic Why exploring grey area drinking and sober curiosity can be positive and joyous Practical tools that will help if you realize that alcohol isn’t serving you anymore The importance of self care in your sobriety tool kit and why we love sober treats Why to ditch the shame if you’ve stopped drinking and gone back to alcohol again Mental health, positive psychology, how to ‘sense your no’ and all the tools to live a sober life you love  More about Kate BailyKate stopped drinking in her early 40s after she had her youngest child. Stopping was not easy; there was a lot of fear. How would she cope without my helper? She was having to rethink everything, she was fighting the brainwashing and marketing, facing the fears about relationships and friendships changing, not knowing how to switch off, trying to stay calm as really primal fears raged. She worked hard at keeping busy till wine o'clock was past, she ate chocolate, she watched boxsets compulsively. But slowly the days clocked up. She immersed herself in quit lit and reading blogs on the site, made online friends and weeks turned into months. A new habit was forming and gradually felt less like pushing a boulder up a hill.  More about Mandy MannersMandy started drinking recreationally when she was 14. She was a curious kid with a nose for adventure and a bit of mischief. In Feb 2014, she stopped and didn’t drink for a year, again it was fantastic; she went through a rebirth of strength, positivity and possibility. She lost weight, quit her job, and decided to move away from the city and start a new life in a smaller town by the sea. She was so positive that after a year she deemed herself fixed and convinced herself that she could drink moderately. From 2015-2017 she drank on and off, she knew she was better without booze, but she wanted to be “normal”. In August 2018 she made a commitment to life-long sobriety.She realized that if she shared her story, it could help, so she engaged with the sober community on Instagram and Facebook and listened to podcasts and started going to events and realized that there is a really wonderful community of sober people. Resources & Links MentionedLearn more about Kate & Mandy and how they can support you in quitting drinking, lovesober.comListen to their podcast, Love SoberPurchase their book Love Yourself Sober: A Self Care Guide to Alcohol-Free Living for Busy Mothers Support, resources and tools to help you go alcohol-freeDrink Less + Live More today with The Sobriety Starter Kit. The private, on-demand coaching course you need to break out of the drinking cycle - without white-knuckling it or hating the process.Grab your  Free Sober Girls Guide To Quitting Drinking, 30 Tips For Your First 30 DaysFind My Favorite Sober Facebook Groups, The BFB “Booze Free Brigade” and She Recovers Together Connect with CaseyFind out more about Casey and her coaching programs, head over to her website, www.hellosomedaycoaching.comTake a screenshot of your favorite episode, post it on your Instagram and tag me @caseymdavidson and tell me your biggest takeaway!

In Laura McKowen’s memoir, We Are The Luckiest, she writes, “There is a life that is calling you forward, begging you to meet its eye, to glimpse its vision for you. You can get only so far by running away from what you do not want. Eventually you will have to turn toward what you do. You will have to run toward a bigger yes.” I invited Laura to join me on the podcast to talk about how to say yes to a bigger life and how to be more intentional about how they’re living.  Laura McCowen is the author of the book, We Are the Luckiest - The Surprising Magic of a Sober Life. Laura also writes an award winning blog and has hosted two incredible podcasts, Home and Spiritualish. She has been featured in The New York Times, The Guardian, Web MD Psychology Today, The Today Show and more.  Laura leads workshops with women and men to go deeper into learning about what is meaningful in their lives.  This work is valuable for anyone at any time, but is especially transformative for women who have stopped drinking or are re-evaluating their relationship with alcohol. When you’re giving up drinking - and the space it occupies in your days, life, social circle and identity - it’s important to reflect on what else is meaningful to you and deeper callings you have.   This podcast and Laura’s work will speak to you if  you desire a deeper sense of purpose in your life you dream about spending your days in a more connected, meaningful way you need clarity around a big life decision or relationship you know you're not living into your potential, but don't know how to get from "here" to "there" you're tired of feeling depleted, disconnected, and alone you need to stoke your creativity and belief in possibility you want to create or deepen your spiritual practice In this episode, Laura and I discuss: How to say YES to a better life without alcohol Why to ask yourself big questions so that you’re not living an unconscious life How to listen to your inner voice and stop letting fear hold you back Why you often don’t need to do a big thing or make huge changes in your job or relationships to find more happiness in your life  Practices to gain more clarity around what you want and intentional about how you’re living  How to find meaning and appreciation in what you already have Why drinking keeps you stuck How to live in alignment with your core values  About Laura McKowenLaura had a long successful career in public relations, and the madman esque drinking culture of advertising. After getting sober she became recognized as a fresh voice and recovery. Beloved, for her soulful and irreverent writing, online and in print. Laura is the founder of several online programs for sobriety and personal development, teaching people how to say yes to a bigger life, and founded the luckiest club, a sobriety support community. Resources & Links MentionedLearn more about Laura McKowen and how she supports women who want to quit drinking, head over to lauramckowen.comFollow Laura on her journey living alcohol free, to subscribe to her blogPurchase her book, We Are The Luckiest: The Surprising Magic of a Sober Life Support, resources and tools to help you go alcohol-freeDrink Less + Live More today with The Sobriety Starter Kit. The private, on-demand coaching course you need to break out of the drinking cycle - without white-knuckling it or hating the process.Grab your  Free Sober Girls Guide To Quitting Drinking, 30 Tips For Your First 30 Days Connect with CaseyFind out more about Casey and her coaching programs, head over to her website, www.hellosomedaycoaching.comTake a screenshot of your favorite episode, post it on your Instagram and tag me @caseymdavidson and tell me your biggest takeaway!

I spent years trying to make rules about my drinking because I was terrified that sober life would be boring, lonely and difficult. I was wrong. I want to share with you the 25 things I learned after I quit drinking.   As I record this podcast today it is my five year soberversay. 5 years ago I stopped drinking and when I look at the number five, it seems impossibly large.  I remember when it was so hard for me to get past day five. 30 days alcohol-free seemed so big. 100 days sober was an accomplishment that I was bursting with pride and over a year of sobriety was more than I thought I would ever achieve.  If you’re just starting out, are sober curious or have five months alcohol-free or two years on this path, here’s a look ahead to my experience and takeaways from the decision to quit drinking and live a life without alcohol. Here are the 25 things that helped me and surprised me. The things I didn’t know when I started out and the lessons I’m continuing to learn now. If you're just starting out, are sober curious or have five months alcohol-free or two years on this path, here's a look ahead to my experience and takeaways from the decision to quit drinking and live a life without alcohol.  Resources & Links Mentioned Episode 34: Quit Drinking With Identity Based Habits, Because Willpower Doesn’t WorkEpisode 35: Break Your Habit of Drinking in Four Steps - Change Your Cue, Craving, Response + Reward CycleEpisode 36: The Habits Tipping Point - When Choosing Not To Drink Becomes Easy and Simply Part Of Who You AreEpisode 37: How To Manifest The Shit Out Of Life Support, Resources and Tools To Help You Go Alcohol-FreeDrink Less + Live More today with The Sobriety Starter Kit. The private, on-demand coaching course you need to break out of the drinking cycle - without white-knuckling it or hating the process.Grab your  Free Sober Girls Guide To Quitting Drinking, 30 Tips For Your First 30 DaysFind out more about Casey and her coaching programs, head over to her website, www.hellosomedaycoaching.comTake a screenshot of your favorite episode, post it on your Instagram and tag me @caseymdavidson and tell me your biggest takeaway!

I was drawn to my guest today immediately because of a powerful post, she wrote about why she doesn't identify with the label of being an alcoholic. I don't identify as an alcoholic either. I don’t feel like that label serves me or explains my personal experience and unless they prefer it I don’t use that label to describe the women I work with. Here’s what Beth wrote that spoke to me. ✨WORDS MATTER✨The other day, someone called me an “alcoholic.” They were just making conversation, talking about things I’m interested in (which I super appreciate!)…⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀... but I don’t identify as an alcoholic—it’s a label that doesn’t explain my personal experience with leaving behind the booze.I don’t struggle with not-drinking anymore.I don’t feel like I’m powerless over alcohol.I don’t align with the 12-steps.I don’t personally identify with the disease model of addiction.⠀⠀⠀Even when I was still drinking, the black and white dichotomy of either being someone who drank or being an “alcoholic” kept me drinking longer than I should have. I thought those were my only choicesAnd then I discovered this beautiful corner of the internet full of people who don’t drink alcohol, who call themselves all sorts of things:✨Teetotaler✨Sober✨Alcohol-free/AF✨Non-drinker✨Sober-curious⠀⠀⠀Or… nothing at all.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀I’ve learned a few things from my experience:1️⃣ Words matter, and labels can be a significant barrier for folks removing harmful habits from their lives. (And the mental health field needs an update on this. ☝🏻)⠀⠀⠀⠀2️⃣ You are the author of your own story, and only YOU get to define yourself.3️⃣ Figuring out what you align with, where your AF identity lives? It’s magic. ✨ It’s freedom, fulfillment, and all the good squishy feelings. The beauty of deciding that alcohol is no longer working in your life is that YOU get to decide how to think about your decision to stop drinking and how you tell your story - with a label or without one.  In this episode, Beth and I discuss how women can smash shame in sobriety.And we dive into:  Why you don’t need to ask yourself ‘Am I an alcoholic?’ How labels can stigmatize and shame people who have decided to live a healthy, happy, alcohol-free life instead of celebrating their decision to make a healthy life choice How to find a beautiful supportive online community of people living life without alcohol on Instagram Why old shame experiences might be keeping you stuck and how shame resilience work can help you heal The 4 steps to working through shame  Identifying shame Contextualize it Connection Sharing the shame out loud The freedom we’ve found since giving up alcohol  About Beth BowenBeth is a licensed social worker with three years of sobriety, who helps alcohol free women reclaim their power and build kick ass lives in sobriety. Beth is a mom of two, a wife and a sober women's coach who lives outside of Austin, Texas. Connect with Beth BowenTo find out more information about Beth and read about her sobriety journey, check out her blog www.bethbowenblog.comFollow Beth on Instagram @bethbowen_Do you have old shame stories holding you back from the kickass life you know you're meant for? Check out Beth’s free workshop about Shame Resilience in SobrietyConnect with Casey McGuire DavidsonDrink Less + Live More today with The Sobriety Starter Kit. The private, on-demand coaching course you need to break out of the drinking cycle - without white-knuckling it or hating the process.Grab your  Free Sober Girls Guide To Quitting Drinking, 30 Tips For Your First 30 DaysFind out more about Casey and her coaching programs, head over to her website, www.hellosomedaycoaching.comTake a screenshot of your favorite episode, post it on your Instagram and tag me @caseymdavidson and tell me your biggest takeaway!

My guest today is Annika O'Melia- a psychotherapist who specializes in the treatment of anxiety, trauma, and perinatal mental health with adult women.  Annika quit drinking over 9 years and has four kids under 10, including a set of twin four year olds.  She hosts the podcast Mother Recovering, originally started to talk about the stigma of being a new mom with addiction issues, which she found even greater than the stigma of new mothers struggling with other mental health issues such as postpartum depression and anxiety.  In this podcast episode Annika is going to introduce us to a type of therapy known as Internal Family Systems Therapy, which can help you resolve internal conflict and restore harmony.  Annika’s work is based on the idea that we all have a self that is whole, complete and healthy. And that over the course of our lives as we experience different life situations or traumas, which could be that our parents divorced, childhood abuse, being bullied at school, issues with body image, anxiety, or mental health issues within our family or within ourselves that lead us to experience painful emotions such as anger or shame.  Annika describes how often we try to protect ourselves from these painful emotions and experiences by using unhelpful coping mechanisms called (in IFS) ‘managers’ and ‘firefighters’.These coping mechanisms can suppress negative emotions but also can stop us from healing.  IFS focuses on healing the wounded parts and restoring mental balance and harmony by changing the dynamics that create discord among the sub-personalities and the Self. In this episode, you’ll learn: How drinking is often used as a coping mechanism to manage anxiety or suppress painful emotions What is internal family systems therapy and how it can help you feel more compassion for yourself and live a more peaceful life How to experience negative emotions without being overwhelmed or wanting to numb out How to resolve internal conflicts within ourselves What it means to restore harmony within yourself What is EMDR and how can it help you in recovery  About Annika O’MeliaAnnika is a psychotherapist and owns her own private practice, Quad City Psychotherapy. She is a graduate of Northwestern University in Evanston and earned her Masters of Social Work from Washington University in St. Louis. Annika specializes in the treatment of anxiety, trauma, and perinatal mental health and works primarily with adult women. Annika has been sober for over 9 years and has four kids under 10, including a set of twin four year olds. She’s the host of the Mother Recovering podcast.  Connect with Annika O’MeliaTo find out more information about Annika, visit www.annikaomelia.comHead over to Instagram to follow Annika at @annikaomeliaSubscribe and listen to her podcast Mother Recovering Connect with Casey McGuire DavidsonCheck out  The Sobriety Starter Kit. The private, on-demand coaching course you need to break out of the drinking cycle - without white-knuckling it or hating the process.Grab your  Free Sober Girls Guide To Quitting Drinking, 30 Tips For Your First 30 DaysWebsite: www.hellosomedaycoaching.comTake a screenshot of your favorite episode, post it on your Instagram and tag me @caseymdavidson and tell me your biggest takeaway!