This Naked Mind Podcast

What if the glass of wine you reach for every evening is actually treating something deeper than just stress? Amy takes us through her journey from teenage experimentation to mommy wine culture, revealing how alcohol became her trusted companion through life's challenges. As a high-functioning professional juggling parenting, caregiving responsibilities, and undiagnosed issues, she found herself using alcohol to treat adult ADHD without even realizing it. It wasn't until her son developed addiction issues that Amy began questioning her own relationship with alcohol. Through family therapy, reading This Naked Mind, and completing The Alcohol Experiment, Amy discovered how alcohol was masking her authentic needs while creating more anxiety and depression. Now alcohol-free for four years, she shares how breaking this cycle led to profound personal growth and genuine joy.In this episode, Annie and Amy discuss:Growing up in a conservative "Leave It to Beaver" householdTeenage experimentation with alcohol as rebellionTransitioning from weekend binge drinking to daily wine cultureHow mommy wine culture normalized problematic drinkingUsing alcohol to treat adult ADHD without realizing itThe connection between disordered eating and alcohol consumptionParenting adopted children with unique challengesHow family therapy led to self-discoveryBreaking free from alcohol at age 51Finding authentic joy and peace in midlifeAnd other topics…Episode links:Start reading This Naked Mind - https://thisnakedmind.com/bookJoin The Alcohol Experiment - www.alcoholexperiment.comRelated Episodes:EP 719: Naked Life Story – Katie W. - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-719-naked-life-story-katie-w/EP 110: Reader Question – I stopped drinking alcohol but now I binge on Netflix and ice cream. What’s the deal? - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-110-reader-question-stopped-drinking-alcohol-now-binge-netflix-ice-cream-whats-deal/EP 678: Reader’s Question – How to Stop Restricting Food while Drinking? - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-678-readers-question-how-to-stop-restricting-food-while-drinking/Ready to take the next step on your journey? Visit https://learn.thisnakedmind.com/podcast-resources for free resources, programs, and more. Until next week, stay curious!

What happens when you finally feel your emotions instead of trying to numb them with alcohol? In this episode, we hear two powerful coaching conversations. Coach Zoe talks with Jill, who is finding her way back to her spiritual side after years of working in a high-stress job where drinking was common. Coach Ruby works with Ambur, a former college athlete and mom of two young kids, who is now 120 days alcohol-free. Both women are learning how to feel their emotions instead of escaping them. They’re on the road to understanding the urge to drink as a sign that they were feeling disconnected from who they really are. These sessions show how self-kindness and body awareness can take the place of alcohol when it comes to handling tough emotions. In Jill’s session with Coach Zoe: Returning to neglected areas of life, like spirituality, after quitting. Recognizing how career focus can inadvertently support drinking habits. Learning to connect with and process bodily sensations and emotions. Exploring meditation and somatic work as tools for emotional regulation. Utilizing anchoring techniques to stay present during discomfort. Understanding self-compassion as a key to emotional processing. The significance of acknowledging and learning from past drinking experiences and more… In Ambur’s session with Coach Ruby: Navigating early motherhood and perfectionism without alcohol Celebrating 120 days alcohol-free and learning to feel again Understanding the urge to drink as a desire to escape loneliness Using meditation, exercise, and truth-telling as new tools Processing emotions instead of labeling them as “bad” Letting go of judgment and learning to sit with discomfort Replacing sneaky drinking with honest communication Exploring what a sustainable alcohol-free life looks like and more… Zoe Ewart is a Certified Naked Mind Senior Coach who brings her experience and understanding to help with the tricky parts of life’s big changes. Her coaching gives you an enjoyable, light-hearted, and safe environment to effortlessly take back control of alcohol so you can feel better physically, mentally, and spiritually. Zoe taught Pilates for 15 years. She has four adult children and more animals than the Ark ever had. Learn more about Coach Zoe: https://thisnakedmind.com/coach/zoe-ewart/  Ruby Williams is a certified Naked Mind Senior Coach dedicated to helping people rethink their relationship with alcohol. With 19 years of experience in the wine industry, Ruby understands how alcohol can become a regular part of life, especially in social or stressful situations. After finding freedom in 2019, she was empowered to improve her health, lose weight, and achieve lifelong goals. Ruby uses thoughtful questioning to help clients shift their mindset and build a more balanced, fulfilling, and healthier relationship with alcohol. Learn more about Coach Ruby: https://thisnakedmind.com/coach/ruby-williams/

What if the anxiety you've lived with for years could disappear by changing just one habit? Lauren never questioned the drinking culture she grew up with in the UK, where pubs were central to every social occasion. When the pandemic hit shortly after her move to Canada, she began noticing how alcohol had shifted from enjoyment to an unsatisfying habit. Through research and repeatedly listening to This Naked Mind, Lauren began building an alcohol-free lifestyle that lasts, taking extended breaks from drinking that revealed surprising benefits—including the complete disappearance of her anxiety. In this episode, she shares her journey of ups and downs, the importance of self-compassion after slip-ups, and how she's found more genuine joy and connection without alcohol at the center of her life.In this episode, Annie and Lauren discuss:From British pub culture to questioning alcohol's roleHow the pandemic revealed problematic drinking patternsThe process of building an alcohol-free lifestyle that lastsWhy tracking "failures" can be counterproductiveThe complete disappearance of anxiety after reducing alcoholDiscovering genuine joy without drinkingThe surprising impact on hormone health and overall wellnessFinding alternatives to "chasing the high" after activitiesRecognizing the link between alcohol and emotional stabilityCreating new traditions beyond drinking cultureAnd other topics…Episode links:Related Episodes:EP 445: Finding Joy with Catherine Gray - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-445-finding-joy-with-catherine-gray/EP 448: What I Wish I Knew Before My First Drink – The Thief of Joy - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-448-what-i-wish-i-knew-before-my-first-drink-the-thief-of-joy/EP 20: Reader Question – What do You do about Missing the “High” from Drinking? - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-20-reader-question-what-do-you-do-about-missing-the-high-from-drinking/Ready to take the next step on your journey? Visit https://learn.thisnakedmind.com/podcast-resources for free resources, programs, and more. Until next week, stay curious!

How do our thoughts influence our ability to create lasting change? Overcoming automatic negative thoughts begins with understanding how they shape our behaviors and emotions. In this episode, Coach Sam helps Marion navigate triggers around holiday memories and past trauma, while Coach Mike guides Maria through breaking free from her lifelong pattern of negative self-talk. Both guests struggle with how their thoughts fuel their drinking behaviors—Marion with holiday-related trauma that previously led to heavy drinking, and Maria with the "failure" narrative that pulls her back into old patterns. Through these powerful coaching conversations, we witness how identifying and questioning habitual negative thinking creates the foundation for sustainable change.In Marion's Session:Processing trauma around Christmas and her father's deathLearning to feel proud of caring for her father during difficult timesMoving beyond the memory of a traumatic assaultUnderstanding how trauma memories can trigger drinking behaviorsDiscovering that self-worth is inherent, not earnedThe difference between intellectual understanding and embodied knowingOvercoming automatic negative thoughts by seeing them as memories, not realityFinding presence and contentment by not numbing emotionsApproaching painful memories with self-compassionRecognizing that healing comes from wisdom, not just intellectual effortand other topics…In Maria's Session:Identifying habitual negative thoughts like "I'm a failure" and "I'm not good enough"Understanding how negative thinking fuels drinking behaviorsLearning the ACT technique for overcoming automatic negative thoughtsQuestioning whether negative beliefs are actually trueSeeing how thoughts exist to protect us, not punish usBreaking the cycle of negative thoughts → difficult emotions → unwanted behaviorsMoving from black-and-white thinking to nuanced perspectivesRecognizing that thoughts are "just strings of words" with meaning we assignThe power of neutralizing thoughts rather than forcing positivityDeveloping mental resilience by questioning habitual thought patternsand more…Sam Goldfinch is a certified Naked Mind Senior Coach, and the founder of Rebel Spirituality and the Rebel Spirituality podcast. He also co-hosts the Present & Sober podcast with Ellie Crowe. Having lived nine years alcohol-free, Sam will show you how to live your best life and uncover the truth of YOU before and beyond your conditioning.Learn more about Coach Sam: https://thisnakedmind.com/coach/sam-goldfinch/Mike Shennan is a certified Naked Mind Senior Coach. He was a long-time social drinker, and his drinking habits increased in his forties due to various life events. However, he has been alcohol-free since February 23, 2018. By sharing his personal experiences and using techniques from This Naked Mind, Mike supports clients who feel their drinking habits have grown as they age, helping them regain control and create a healthier relationship with alcohol.Learn more about Coach Mike: https://thisnakedmind.com/coach/mike-shennan/Related Episodes:EP 512: Reader Question - How do you get comfortable with your own mind? - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-512-reader-question-how-do-you-get-comfortable-with-your-own-mind/EP 438: Reader Question – How do you survive the holidays without alcohol? - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-512-reader-question-how-do-you-get-comfortable-with-your-own-mind/EP 616: Reader’s Question – Getting Past Emotional Drinking Triggers - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-616-readers-question-getting-past-emotional-drinking-triggers/Ready to take the next step on your journey? Visit https://learn.thisnakedmind.com/podcast-resources for free resources, programs, and more. Until next week, stay curious!

How do you process emotions after years of drinking when you've spent a lifetime disconnected from your feelings? In this powerful episode, Coach Ellie works with Gayle and Christie, who both struggle with alcohol fixation but from different angles. Gayle feels constantly consumed by thoughts about drinking or not drinking, finding that fixation creates anxiety, overwhelm, and triggers deep stories of not being good enough. Christie has spent decades suppressing emotions and using wine as a "talking stick" to allow herself to feel things, rather than numbing. Through gentle exploration, Coach Ellie helps both women understand the path from fixation to liberation - recognizing that spiritual awakening often begins with alcohol freedom but leads to something much deeper: recovering our true nature and learning to be present with all our emotions.In Gayle's Session:Defining fixationHow fixation creates physical symptoms of anxiety and overwhelmThe path from cognitive understanding to embodied knowledgeExperiencing "the magic trick": seeing alcohol's truth changes everythingThe role of data points in building new beliefs about alcoholHow to process emotions after years of drinking through presenceRecovery of self: discovering who you are without alcoholWhy alcohol freedom is just the doorway to deeper transformationThe concepts of true nature and soul edification And moreIn Christie's Session:Moving from fear-based motivation to emotion-based goalsFinding joy after years of emotional disconnectionThe connection between creativity and emotional healingRecognizing permission to feel all emotions, not just "acceptable" onesHow to process emotions after years of drinking through bodily awarenessRestorative yoga as a bridge to feeling into the bodyCues of safety that help regulate the nervous systemThe concept of "unf*withable" emotional resilienceMoving beyond perfectionismThe role of curiosity in spiritual liberationAnd other topicsRelated Episodes:Reader’s Question - Episode 634: How do you get rid of the punishing voice inside your head?  - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-634-readers-question-how-do-you-get-rid-of-the-punishing-voice-inside-your-head/Episode 69: Allowing Feeling with Scott Stabile - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-69-allowing-feeling-scott-stabile/Reader’s Question - Episode 604: Embracing Your Authentic Self - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-604-reader-question-embracing-your-authentic-self-overcoming-self-judgment-and-insecurities/Ready to take the next step on your journey? Visit https://learn.thisnakedmind.com/podcast-resources for free resources, programs, and more. Until next week, stay curious!

How do you rebuild your identity when alcohol has been woven into every aspect of your personal and professional life? Growing up in a rural fishing community where “drinking was a pastime, to put it mildly,” Peggy couldn’t even remember her first drink. Her 28-year military career reinforced these patterns in predominantly male trades where working hard and playing hard revolved around alcohol. Finding the courage to stop drinking as a female veteran wasn’t straightforward, especially when seeking help could jeopardize her security clearance and career. In this heartfelt conversation with Annie Grace, Peggy shares her journey to freedom from alcohol after retirement, how she navigated the transition, and why she’s now training to become a coach to help others find the answers that are already inside themselves.In this episode, Annie and Peggy will discuss:The normalization of alcohol in rural communities and the military.The challenges of questioning ingrained drinking habits.The moment Peggy realized her drinking was no longer serving her.The fear of seeking help for alcohol issues within the military context.The support and understanding found within the This Naked Mind community.The concept of “duck mode” as a powerful tool for maintaining sobriety.Changing social dynamics and navigating friendships without alcohol.The realization of internal strength and wisdom.Peggy’s motivation to become a certified coach and guide others, particularly female veterans, on their journey to stop drinking as a female veteran.The transformative power of self-acceptance and kindness.And other topics…Episode links:Email Peggy - info@neaptidecoaching.comConnect with Peggy - neaptidecoaching.com Related Episodes:EP 745: How To Quit Drinking in Your 50s – https://thisnakedmind.com/breaking-through-alcohols-false-relief-joys-naked-life-e745/EP 561: Naked Life Story – Ben – https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-561-naked-life-story-ben/EP 292: Duck Mode Explained – https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-292-reader-question-how-do-i-stay-alcohol-free-at-a-bachelor-bachelorette-party-weekend/Ready to take the next step on your journey? Visit https://learn.thisnakedmind.com/podcast-resources for free resources, programs, and more. Until next week, stay curious!

What if the biggest obstacle in your alcohol journey isn’t the alcohol itself, but what you believe about yourself? In this Alcohol Freedom Coaching session, Coach Ruby Williams guides Anna Maree and Marci through their unique challenges with drinking. Anna Maree reveals how despite reaching elite athletic status and building a thriving business, she’s haunted by the feeling that her accomplishments are never enough—a belief stemming from childhood experiences. Working with Coach Ruby, she explores techniques to let go of negative beliefs that have driven her to seek escape through alcohol. Marci shares her struggle with loneliness and planning for success after experiencing the departure of loved ones. Both women discover practical tools for moving forward rather than reverting back to harmful patterns..In Anne Maree’s session:Identifying the belief that “nothing I ever do is good enough”Understanding how childhood experiences shape current beliefsHow high achievement can mask deeper emotional strugglesTechniques to let go of negative beliefs through questioningUsing the ACT method to challenge unhelpful thoughtsDrinking to numb feelings versus facing emotionsLearning to celebrate progress rather than seeking perfectionCreating smaller, achievable targets for successThe importance of self-compassionand other topicsIn Marci’s session:Recognizing patterns of drinking when alone versus with othersCreating a plan for after social events to prevent relapses or data pointsHow retirement changes drinking triggersThe four-list tool for managing boredom and lonelinessMoving forward versus “not reverting back” mindset shiftUsing post-it note affirmations as remindersUnderstanding why social connection reduces drinking urgesPlanning ahead for high-risk situationsCelebrating small winsand moreRuby Williams is a certified Naked Mind Senior Coach dedicated to helping people rethink their relationship with alcohol. With 19 years of experience in the wine industry, Ruby understands how alcohol can become a regular part of life, especially in social or stressful situations. After finding freedom in 2019, she was empowered to improve her health, lose weight, and achieve lifelong goals. Ruby uses thoughtful questioning to help clients shift their mindset and build a more balanced, fulfilling, and healthier relationship with alcohol.Learn more about Coach Ruby: https://thisnakedmind.com/coach/ruby-williams/ Related Episodes:EP 494: How To Stop Drinking at Home Alone https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-494-reader-question-how-to-stop-drinking-at-home-alone/EP 532: Coaching Questions with Scott Pinyard & Rina Bowring https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-532-coaching-questions-with-scott-pinyard-rina-bowring/EP 706: Reader’s Question – Healing Emotional Pain Without Alcohol https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-706-readers-question-healing-emotional-pain-without-alcohol/Ready to take the next step on your journey? Visit https://learn.thisnakedmind.com/podcast-resources for free resources, programs, and more. Until next week, stay curious!

Is traditional AA the only way to find lasting change? Jenny experienced bullying, sexual abuse, and emotional neglect that left her seeking comfort in alcohol from an early age. Despite trying traditional treatment methods for decades and being told repeatedly that learning how to recover without 12-step programs was impossible, Jenny continued to struggle until discovering This Naked Mind and The Path. After 15 failed treatment attempts and countless hours of therapy, she finally found peace through its science-based approach that addressed the root causes of her drinking. In this moving conversation, Jenny opens up about loss, grief, and ultimately finding joy in sobriety.Trigger Warning: This episode contains sensitive content related to sexual abuse and suicide. Listener discretion is advised.In this episode, Annie and Jenny will discuss: Surviving childhood trauma, bullying, and sexual abuse How emotional neglect can lead to seeking comfort in alcohol The devastating cycle of relapse despite multiple treatment attempts Why traditional AA meetings caused additional trauma How to recover without 12-step programs using science-based approaches Rebuilding life after experiencing devastating loss The power of connection in The Path program Finding self-forgiveness for decades of drinking Why cognitive dissonance makes early sobriety challenging Making a “burn the boats” decision for lasting change Creating boundaries with difficult family members How joy and peace replace anxiety after quitting alcohol And other topics… Related Episodes:EP 550: Reader’s Question – Is there hope for long-time drinkers who keep relapsing? https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-550-reader-question-is-there-hope-for-long-time-drinkers-who-keep-relapsing/EP 324: Reader Question – Is AA Wrong? https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-324-reader-question-does-annie-grace-think-aa-is-wrong/EP 485: Happy Days with Gabby Bernstein – https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-485-happy-days-with-gabby-bernstein/Ready to take the next step on your journey? Visit https://learn.thisnakedmind.com/podcast-resources for free resources, programs, and more. Until next week, stay curious!

Is organic wine better for you, or is this just another marketing tactic keeping you tied to alcohol? Lois finds herself caught between wanting to make healthier choices and falling for the "better for you" wine aisle marketing. In this coaching session with Coach Cole, she explores the cognitive dissonance between knowing alcohol is harmful regardless of its organic status, while still being drawn to the perceived benefits of "healthier" wine options. Through mindful observation and intentional choice-making, Lois discovers how to navigate her evening rituals, experiment with non-alcoholic alternatives, and approach her relationship with alcohol from a place of curiosity rather than judgment.In this episode, Coach Cole and Lois discuss: Navigating the path toward a different relationship with alcohol Exploring the question is organic wine better for you or just clever marketing The cognitive dissonance between knowing alcohol’s effects and believing in “healthier” options Using non-alcoholic wines to maintain rituals while changing behavior How our beliefs about alcohol’s benefits (creativity, ease, fun) may not match reality The costs of drinking: memory gaps, health impacts, and lost vitality Approaching drinking like a science experiment with intentional awareness Creating a menu of evening ritual choices beyond wine The importance of self-compassion and non-judgment during behavior change Aligning choices with core values of health and vitality Cole Harvey is a certified Naked Mind Senior Coach. For years, he felt lost and used alcohol as a way to cope, until he decided to go alcohol-free and focus on finding his purpose. Through curiosity, self-compassion, and adventure, he transformed his life. As a habit change and mindset coach, Cole helps young men understand themselves, build better habits, and find meaning.Learn more about Coach Cole: https://thisnakedmind.com/coach/cole-harvey/  Related Episodes:EP 709: Dealing with the Effects of Red Wine on Health- Maryanne’s Naked Life - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-709-naked-life-story-maryanne-p/EP 584: Reader Question – Is red wine good for your heart? - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-584-reader-question-is-red-wine-good-for-your-heart/EP 612: Reader Question – How To Avoid Drinking Alcohol in Social Situations - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-612-reader-question-how-to-avoid-drinking-alcohol-in-social-situations/EP 274: Reader Question – My biggest obstacle is that I love the taste of wine, I understand I acquired the taste but I still love it!? https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-274-reader-question-my-biggest-obstacle-is-that-i-love-the-taste-of-wine-i-understand-i-acquired-the-taste-but-i-still-love-it/Ready to take the next step on your journey? Visit https://learn.thisnakedmind.com/podcast-resources for free resources, programs, and more. Until next week, stay curious!