This Naked Mind Podcast

What if reprogramming your brain after quitting drinking could transform your entire emotional experience?  That’s what Fran and Carol are discovering in this powerful episode with Coach Lisa. Fran, the youngest of eight, grew up associating alcohol with love, celebration, and anxiety. Her emotional wiring around alcohol began in early childhood and has run the show for decades—until now. Carol, a longtime health coach, used alcohol to unwind and cope with anxiety and depression. After 13 weeks alcohol-free, she’s realizing the emptiness she once filled with wine is now an invitation to feel deeply and live authentically. Through coaching, reflection, and resilience, both women are proof that our emotional landscape isn’t fixed—it can be rewired. In Fran’s session: How childhood experiences with alcohol shaped Fran’s identity Unpacking the dual associations of celebration and fear tied to drinking How early panic sensations created a pattern alcohol numbed out Reprogramming your brain after quitting drinking through micro-disruptions Fran’s experiment with being sober around family and staying present How the narrative of alcohol as “connection” can be replaced with real joy The role of curiosity, compassion, and repetition in lasting change and other topics… In Carol’s session: Navigating major life events like surgery without reaching for alcohol Feeling “empty” in early sobriety and learning to sit with discomfort Finding joy through nature, faith, and relationship with her husband Why being alcohol-free opened the door to emotional clarity How Carol is learning to design joy without relying on external substances Realizing that joy is a choice, not just a feeling and more… Lisa Kwiatkowski is a Certified Senior This Naked Mind Coach and Designing Your Life Coach. After breaking free from daily drinking in 2018, she now helps high-achieving women overcome anxiety and disconnection through intentional, alcohol-free living. Lisa’s coaching blends science-backed mindset work with practical life design strategies, guiding women to create lasting change and authentic joy. With over two decades of leadership in international sport, she brings a grounded, compassionate presence to clients navigating burnout, reinvention, and self-discovery.Learn more about Coach Lisa: https://thisnakedmind.com/coach/lisa-kwiatkowski/ Related Episodes: 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 578: Reader’s Question – Why is it hard to imagine being happy after going alcohol-free? - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-578-readers-question-why-is-it-hard-to-imagine-being-happy-going-alcohol-free/ EP 669: Naked Life Story – Megan W. - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-669-naked-life-story-megan-w/ 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! BetterHelp: Get 10% off your first month at http://BetterHelp.com/NAKEDMIND|BetterHelp.com/NAKEDMIND Quince: For your next trip, treat yourself to the luxe upgrades you deserve from Quince. Go to http://Quince.com/naked|Quince.com/naked for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns Hungryroot: Get 40% off your first box + a free item for life at http://Hungryroot.com/mind|Hungryroot.com/mind with code mind Shopify: Start your $1/month trial at http://Shopify.com/mind|Shopify.com/mind

What would you do if your child told you that you loved alcohol more than them?  For Kate, this devastating moment was just one of many wake-up calls in her journey with alcohol. Growing up in a home where emotions weren't openly expressed, Kate developed patterns of using alcohol to navigate social situations and ultimately to escape feeling uncomfortable emotions. As her tolerance increased, her drinking became more secretive, hidden from her family in elaborate ways that mirrored behaviors she had observed in her own mother. Her story is a vulnerable, honest look at how alcohol keeps you from feeling emotions—grief, guilt, shame, and even love—and what it took to stop hiding and start healing.  In this eye-opening conversation, Kate shares with Annie how finding This Naked Mind helped her understand the science behind her drinking, empowering her to not just change her behavior but transform her entire relationship with alcohol and emotions. In this episode, Annie and Kate discuss: Kate's childhood experiences with alcohol and her mother's secret drinking The progression from social drinking to daily consumption and hiding Creative methods for obtaining alcohol during COVID restrictions The growing disconnect with her daughter due to prioritizing drinking How alcohol keeps you from feeling emotions while hijacking brain chemistry The final day of drinking and the 3 AM moment of decision to change Discovering This Naked Mind and the failed attempt at moderation The transformative experience of The Path program and health improvements Rebuilding trust with family and becoming a certified coach to help others And other topics… Episode links: Connect with Kate - https://freedomaffect.com/ Start reading This Naked Mind - https://thisnakedmind.com/bookJoin The Path - https://go.tnmprograms.com/the-path-from-this-naked-mind Related Episodes: EP 616: Reader’s Question – Getting Past Emotional Drinking Triggers – https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-616-readers-question-getting-past-emotional-drinking-triggers/ EP 632: Reader’s Question – How To Stop Running Away from Life and Emotions – https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-630-readers-question-how-to-stop-running-away-from-life-and-emotions/ Dare to Feel: Agnes’s Naked Life | E771 - https://thisnakedmind.com/dare-to-feel-agness-naked-life-e771/ 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!

Join Lily Weis, a certified coach helping clients find joy beyond alcohol, and Pam McRae, a master life coach with a focus on gray area drinking. They dive into how shifting the focus from sobriety goals to emotional ones can inspire real change. Sara learns joy is a skill to cultivate, while Barb discovers that relapses don't erase progress. The conversation uncovers the importance of inner peace, self-compassion, and reframing setbacks as growth opportunities. This insightful discussion empowers listeners to prioritize emotional fulfillment on their journeys.

Learning how to turn your brain off without drinking can feel impossible when your mind is constantly racing. Jennifer, a self-described control freak, discovered this firsthand as she navigated years of using alcohol to quiet the mental chatter. What happens when that coping mechanism is removed? Join us as Jennifer shares her powerful journey of realizing alcohol wasn't her friend and how she ultimately found a more fulfilling and peaceful existence without it. In this episode, Cole and Jennifer discuss: Drinking as a way to manage stress, loneliness, and the loss of control Using alcohol to feel connected and to quiet a constantly running mind How early sobriety revealed emotional triggers Jennifer didn’t expect Navigating the fear of change and giving up the one “friend” that always showed up Her experience with the Alcohol Experiment Facebook group How she discovered how to turn your brain off without drinking New coping tools for stress, overthinking, and emotional discomfort Why ditching alcohol helped her show up more fully for her family Embracing self-trust, not self-judgment and more topics…

Have you ever wondered if your attempts to unwind with alcohol are actually adding to your burdens?  Coach Ruby Williams offers a powerful glimpse into the realities of seeking alcohol freedom through two personal coaching sessions. First, we meet Anne, a mom and professional learning to navigate stress and cravings using the tools provided by The Path. Then, we listen in as Ruby coaches Travis, who candidly discusses the pattern of drinking because of work stress in his high-pressure career and begins to explore alternative ways to manage exhaustion and find genuine relaxation. Ruby and Anne discuss: Balancing motherhood, work, and emotions How stress and subconscious beliefs drove her cravings What made her pause instead of buying wine Using practical tools like candlelight, journaling, and stargazing to replace wine Why wine as a reward is a cultural myth Celebrating small wins and staying grounded in her "alive goal" The concept of an "urge jar" and other topics Ruby and Travis dive into: Growing up with generational addictionHow high achievement and people-pleasing masked deeper burnoutWhy alcohol became a mental shut-off switch Realizing work had consumed joy, friendships, and connection The high cost of success and redefining his evening routine Drinking because of work stress Coaching insight: maybe it’s as simple as going to bed and more 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/  Related Episodes: EP 158: Reader Question – How do you deal with stress without alcohol? - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-158-how-do-you-deal-with-stress-without-alcohol/ EP 517: The Upside of Stress with Dr. McGonigal - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-517-the-upside-of-stress-with-dr-mcgonigal/ EP 29: Naked Life Story: Meredith - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-29-naked-life-story-meredith/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!

Why do we keep drinking even when we know it’s hurting us? For Sammie, the answer lay beneath the surface—in the pain she hadn’t faced. Her story shows how unresolved trauma leads to drinking and how ignoring what hurts often feels safer than healing. Until it doesn’t. In this episode, she opens up about what it took to stop numbing and start living fully. In this raw and real conversation, Annie and Sammie unpack how unresolved trauma leads to drinking and what it means to finally feel your feelings without fear. From parenting through grief to starting over at 49, Sammie’s story is a powerful reminder that it’s never too late to break old cycles. In this episode, Annie and Sammie discuss: Early alcohol exposure and teen drinking Losing both parents in 19 days Why drinking became her emotional escape What grief looked like in real life What made her stop for good The power of The PATH and the community Experiencing her first alcohol-free festivals Using nursing experience to help others detox safely Finding meaning in coaching and service How unresolved trauma shows up in everyday choices Why it’s never too late to change And other topics… Episode links: Sammie’s Sober Heroes - https://www.sammiessoberheroes.com/Start reading This Naked Mind - https://thisnakedmind.com/bookJoin The Path - https://go.tnmprograms.com/the-path-from-this-naked-mind

Can you still feel powerful, connected, and sophisticated without alcohol? Haley sat down with Coach Pam to explore what creating a new identity after quitting drinking really looks like. In this candid conversation, they dive deep into the myths around wine and womanhood, the fears about fitting in, and the incredible strength that comes from choosing authenticity over alcohol. Listen as Haley and Coach Pam work to redefine Haley’s values of intelligence, nurturing, and power, independent of alcohol. Coach Pam and Haley discuss: How alcohol gets tied to sophistication and success The role of media and TV in normalizing drinking culture Creating a new identity after quitting drinking Dealing with feelings of rejection and fear of standing out Redefining self-care and genuine downtime How wine culture influences professional women Setting goals based on emotional empowerment Why real confidence comes from authentic connection The hidden cost of trying to “fit in” with drinking culture Small mindset shifts that protect long-term goals How Haley can reclaim her sense of self without wine and more... Pam McRae is a Certified TNM Coach, Master Life Coach, and Gray Area Drinking Coach. Since rethinking her relationship with alcohol in 2017, she considers herself a non-drinker. Pam empowers others through her Freedom Connection group coaching, where people support each other in their alcohol journeys. She also uses her experience and knowledge to guide you through tough times such as grief. Learn more about Coach Pam: https://thisnakedmind.com/coach/pam-mcrae/

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!