The Sober Mom Life

In this flashback from May 2023, I’ll share my approach to sobriety, and how I found myself at the place I am now with alcohol. When I began my sober journey, I only knew what I didn’t want: I didn’t want alcohol to take one more day away from me. Now I know what I do want: a full, expansive and beautiful sober life. Your sober journey gets to look the way YOU want it to. It doesn’t have to follow anyone else’s guidelines. If you’re looking for a community of wonderful sober moms to support you while you build your own sober life, join us inside The Sober Mom Life Cafe! For just $25/month, you get access to 8 weekly peer support meetings, the exclusive Cafe social feed (like Facebook, but better!), our monthly book club, the monthly Q+A, the ability to join the retreat, and the chance to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, and merch discounts! We also have The Sober Mom Life Community for just $5.95/month - In the Community, you’ll receive access to the exclusive Community social feed (like Facebook, but better!), the exclusive community chat, our monthly book club, and one free weekly meeting. My mocktail recipe book, ‘No Ethanol Needed’ is finally here! Grab your copy here:  https://mykindofsweet.com/2024/01/the-no-ethanol-needed-mocktail-ebook-is-here/Click here to follow The Sober Mom Life on Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today, Audrey and I are tackling a big topic: Why we believe pregnancy is different and doesn't completely count as a sober experience. We know that might sound harsh, but stick with us! Because our goal in today’s episode is to empower you to see all that sobriety has to offer you that you didn’t experience during pregnancy.We lay out how sobriety differs from pregnancy, the ways in which pregnancy makes it easy to abstain, how society pressures us to pick a drink back up immediately after giving birth, and so much more. If you’re a mom who quit during pregnancy and is wondering if alcohol might be making motherhood harder - this episode is for you. Join us in the The Sober Mom Life Cafe! For just $25/month, you get access to 8 weekly peer support meetings, the exclusive Cafe social feed (like Facebook, but better!), our monthly book club, the monthly Q+A, the ability to join the retreat, and the chance to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, and merch discounts! We also have The Sober Mom Life Community for just $5.95/month - In the Community, you’ll receive access to the exclusive Community social feed (like Facebook, but better!), the exclusive community chat, our monthly book club, and one free weekly meeting. My mocktail recipe book, ‘No Ethanol Needed’ is finally here! Grab your copy here: https://mykindofsweet.com/2024/01/the-no-ethanol-needed-mocktail-ebook-is-here/Click here to follow The Sober Mom Life on Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Kelly is a mid-40’s mom of three, on again/off again stay at home mom who is working on figuring how to navigate a new ADHD diagnosis and sobriety. She began her drinking career in high school like many of us. It wasn’t her favorite, due to the lack of control she felt when drunk. Between joining the military at 20 and then being a mom not wanting to find a new pot dealer in her 30’s, she shifted to alcohol. First it was for fun partying, then it became a helpful way to shut down her brain to sleep, and finally a way to wash away the overwhelm of parenthood. A few decades later, she recognized it had become problematic and had no idea how to manage life without it. While she is less then thrilled about all the work a sober life entails, she absolutely knows that it is worth it. She just reserves the right to grumble about it. Alcohol Explained by William Porter and Quit Like a Woman by Holly Whitaker were instrumental in opening Kelly’s eyes to realize the truth: She wasn’t the problem. Alcohol was the problem. After a few stops and starts, in March of 2023 she quit for good! She has found the community she craved in The Sober Mom Life Cafe and she leans on podcasts and self care in order to stay sober. It has felt like a hard road, and she is so proud of herself for what she has accomplished! Join us in the The Sober Mom Life Cafe! For just $25/month, you get access to 8 weekly peer support meetings, the exclusive Cafe social feed (like Facebook, but better!), our monthly book club, the monthly Q+A, the ability to join the retreat, and the chance to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, and merch discounts! We also have The Sober Mom Life Community for just $5.95/month - In the Community, you’ll receive access to the exclusive Community social feed (like Facebook, but better!), the exclusive community chat, our monthly book club, and one free weekly meeting. My mocktail recipe book, ‘No Ethanol Needed’ is finally here! Grab your copy here: https://mykindofsweet.com/2024/01/the-no-ethanol-needed-mocktail-ebook-is-here/Click here to follow The Sober Mom Life on Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

If anyone can make sobriety look glamorous, it’s Morgan Matkovic. Morgan is a lifestyle blogger, special needs advocate, mother, and author. On top of all that, she is almost three months sober! Morgan and I have been blogging buddies for nine years, and I am so happy that our paths have crossed in this wonderful way! Today Morgan talks about the role alcohol played on her social feed when she was drinking, why she felt so ready to try Dry January this year, how her daughter’s ASD diagnosis made her realize that alcohol was not making motherhood easier, and so much more! Morgan’s lifestyle blog is so beautiful and aspirational. Check her out on Instagram at @morganmatkovic or at www.morganmatkovic.com. Would you like to join us for the next Sober Mom Life retreat on Oct 10-13 in Asheville, NC? Step one is to join The Sober Mom Life Cafe! For just $25/month, you get access to 8 weekly peer support meetings, the exclusive Cafe social feed (like Facebook, but better!), our monthly book club, the monthly Q+A, the ability to join the retreat, and the chance to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, and merch discounts! We also have The Sober Mom Life Community for just $5.95/month - In the Community, you’ll receive access to the exclusive Community social feed (like Facebook, but better!), the exclusive community chat, our monthly book club, and one free weekly meeting. My mocktail recipe book, ‘No Ethanol Needed’ is finally here! Grab your copy here:  https://mykindofsweet.com/2024/01/the-no-ethanol-needed-mocktail-ebook-is-here/Click here to follow The Sober Mom Life on Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Katie joins me today for the first episode in a new series: SobrieTEA! Like so many sober moms in our community, Katie and I are both obsessed with Bravo. Plus, Katie is plugged into the reality world professionally! So today we're here to spill all the tea from the Bravo world, with a special lens on how alcohol plays a role.In this episode we tackle the latest seasons of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, Summer House and Vanderpump Rules, sharing our thoughts on the drama, the relationships, and (especially) the sobriety and drinking.If you haven’t checked out Katie’s episode of The Real Sober Moms, check it out here! Would you like to join us for the next Sober Mom Life retreat on Oct 10-13 in Asheville, NC? Step one is to join The Sober Mom Life Cafe! For just $25/month, you get access to 8 weekly peer support meetings, the exclusive Cafe social feed (like Facebook, but better!), our monthly book club, the monthly Q+A, the ability to join the retreat, and the chance to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, and merch discounts! We also have The Sober Mom Life Community for just $5.95/month - In the Community, you’ll receive access to the exclusive Community social feed (like Facebook, but better!), the exclusive community chat, our monthly book club, and one free weekly meeting. My mocktail recipe book, ‘No Ethanol Needed’ is finally here! Grab your copy here:  https://mykindofsweet.com/2024/01/the-no-ethanol-needed-mocktail-ebook-is-here/Click here to follow The Sober Mom Life on Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Erinn O’Neill of the 2 Sober Girls Podcast joins me today! Erinn is a big proponent of AA, and she should absolutely be in charge of the organization's rebrand. She was so kind to answer all of my burning questions about AA, and her approach to sobriety is so soulful, light and non-judgmental! In this episode Erinn shares her sobriety journey, how reconnecting with her faith led her to sobriety, why she finds power in the term ‘alcoholic’ and why she believes so deeply in the mission of AA. Learn more about Erinn’s coaching at @recoverwitherinnCheck out the 2 Sober Girls Podcast! Announcing the all new Sober Mom Life Community! Starting February 1st, we’re launching a brand new community option for just $5.95/month! In this Community, you’ll receive access to the exclusive Community feed (like Facebook, but better!) the exclusive community chat, and one free weekly meeting. If you’d like to go deeper, join us in The Sober Mom Life Cafe! For just $25/month, you get access to 6 weekly peer support meetings, the exclusive Cafe feed (like Facebook, but better!), our monthly book club, the monthly Q+A, the chance to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, and merch discounts! My mocktail recipe book, ‘No Ethanol Needed’ is finally here! Grab your copy here: https://mykindofsweet.com/2024/01/the-no-ethanol-needed-mocktail-ebook-is-here/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Growing up, Kara felt like her father had chosen alcohol over his family. He was in and out of rehab for alcohol addiction when she was young, which ultimately led to her parents divorce. Kara’s mom remarried when she was four and Kara grew up in a blended family of six kids. Though it was a great family life, with so many kids in the house there was no space for her parents to support her emotional needs. Kara had social anxiety, and she began to lean on alcohol to support her in social situations. Then, as she became an adult, alcohol became the go to coping mechanism she reached for at the end of a long day. Once Kara became a mom, though, the shame began to mount. It didn’t matter how much she drank… the simple act of drinking made her feel like she was choosing alcohol over her kids. This was not a cycle that she was willing to repeat. Yet, no one seemed to understand the reasons why she wanted to quit. She didn’t have a physical addiction… Why did she need to quit drinking? It took some time for her to push the opinions of others out of her mind, but as she neared 40 she realized that giving up alcohol could help her reach everything she hoped to achieve. She was going to quit for herself. Other people’s opinions did not matter. Kara is now one year sober and she is not looking back! She wants you to know: It’s okay to quit drinking, even if you don’t have a ‘problem’. Would you like to join us for the next Sober Mom Life retreat on Oct 10-13 in Asheville, NC? Step one is to join The Sober Mom Life Cafe! For just $25/month, you get access to 8 weekly peer support meetings, the exclusive Cafe social feed (like Facebook, but better!), our monthly book club, the monthly Q+A, the ability to join the retreat, and the chance to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, and merch discounts! We also have The Sober Mom Life Community for just $5.95/month - In the Community, you’ll receive access to the exclusive Community social feed (like Facebook, but better!), the exclusive community chat, our monthly book club, and one free weekly meeting. My mocktail recipe book, ‘No Ethanol Needed’ is finally here! Grab your copy here: https://mykindofsweet.com/2024/01/the-no-ethanol-needed-mocktail-ebook-is-here/Click here to follow The Sober Mom Life on Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Lifestyle reporter Rachel Paula Abrahamson recently penned the article Sober Moms are challenging wine mom culture one playdate at a time for Today.com, and I am honored to welcome her to the show for her first podcast conversation about her own sobriety.We’ll talk about how drinking became central to her life, the reasons she ultimately chose to quit, how we talk to our kids about alcohol, and the need for society to abandon the idea that a ‘rock bottom’ is required for sobriety. Follow Rachel on Instagram @rachelpaulaWould you like to join us for the next Sober Mom Life retreat on Oct 10-13 in Asheville, NC? Step one is to join The Sober Mom Life Cafe! For just $25/month, you get access to 8 weekly peer support meetings, the exclusive Cafe social feed (like Facebook, but better!), our monthly book club, the monthly Q+A, the ability to join the retreat, and the chance to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, and merch discounts! We also have The Sober Mom Life Community for just $5.95/month - In the Community, you’ll receive access to the exclusive Community social feed (like Facebook, but better!), the exclusive community chat, our monthly book club, and one free weekly meeting. My mocktail recipe book, ‘No Ethanol Needed’ is finally here! Grab your copy here: https://mykindofsweet.com/2024/01/the-no-ethanol-needed-mocktail-ebook-is-here/Follow The Sober Mom Life on Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today’s real sober mom, Aimee, is a dietician who spent years educating others on the dangers of alcohol… all while struggling to find her own way to sobriety. Alcohol became Aimee’s primary way to cope after she became a mom. She leaned on it to get her through sleepless nights, a job she despised, and the fear and stress of working in healthcare during Covid. Due to her expertise as a dietician, Aimee knew that her relationship with alcohol was problematic, but she couldn’t envision what a path to sobriety could look like for her. In the summer of 2023, Aimee decided to give it a try. Between a vacation, fitness goals, and a surgery, she quit for months. Yet, when she let alcohol back into her life… she went right back to drinking a bottle of wine a night. She knew then that what she needed was support. Aimee joined the Sober Mom Life Cafe and began coming to peer support meetings while she was still drinking. She saw through the stories of other women that sobriety could actually stick! With the support of a community, Aimee tried again. She has been sober since last fall, and she feels like she has so much more time in life! Her trust in herself has also skyrocketed to the point that she left her job and began her own business. Aimee wants you to know that sobriety has so many benefits - Give yourself a chance to experience them! Connect with Aimee here - www.aimeedempsey.comAnd on IG @aimeedempsey.rdWould you like to join us for the next Sober Mom Life retreat on Oct 10-13 in Asheville, NC? Step one is to join The Sober Mom Life Cafe! For just $25/month, you get access to 8 weekly peer support meetings, the exclusive Cafe social feed (like Facebook, but better!), our monthly book club, the monthly Q+A, the ability to join the retreat, and the chance to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, and merch discounts! We also have The Sober Mom Life Community for just $5.95/month - In the Community, you’ll receive access to the exclusive Community social feed (like Facebook, but better!), the exclusive community chat, our monthly book club, and one free weekly meeting. My mocktail recipe book, ‘No Ethanol Needed’ is finally here! Grab your copy here: https://mykindofsweet.com/2024/01/the-no-ethanol-needed-mocktail-ebook-is-here/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We just returned from the AMAZING Sober Mom Life retreat! The laughter, the tears, the hugs (!!!) and the connection with other IRL sober moms in our community was so much more meaningful than we could have ever imagined. We left elated, renewed, exhausted, and full of stories. Join me, Audrey and my mom Susan as we recap our personal highlights from this incredible weekend! This whole experience truly made us realize: alcohol was never the magic… We are the magic. Would you like to join us for the next Sober Mom Life retreat on Oct 10-13 in Asheville, NC? Step one is to join The Sober Mom Life Cafe! For just $25/month, you get access to 8 weekly peer support meetings, the exclusive Cafe social feed (like Facebook, but better!), our monthly book club, the monthly Q+A, the ability to join the retreat, and the chance to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, and merch discounts! We also have The Sober Mom Life Community for just $5.95/month - In the Community, you’ll receive access to the exclusive Community social feed (like Facebook, but better!), the exclusive community chat, our monthly book club, and one free weekly meeting. My mocktail recipe book, ‘No Ethanol Needed’ is finally here! Grab your copy here: https://mykindofsweet.com/2024/01/the-no-ethanol-needed-mocktail-ebook-is-here/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.