"But Jesus Drank Wine" & Other Stories That Kept Us Stuck

It's Christmas season, babe! 🎁✨ And if this time of year has ever felt like a lot , the hustle, the planning, the pressure, the trying-to-do-all-the-things, we get it. And we've been there. But what if Christmas didn't have to feel that way anymore? In this week's episode, we're sharing The 10 Best Things About an Alcohol-Free Christmas , the gifts of peace, presence, and actual JOY that come wh...

Have you ever looked in the mirror and felt stuck with your own body—in a similar way you've felt stuck with alcohol? That exhausting push-pull. The promises. The shame. The "why do I keep doing this?" on repeat. If that sounds familiar, this conversation is for you. For the woman who's tried willpower, plans, promises, and prayers—yet still feels stuck in the cycle of body image battles, emotiona...

​​This week, we're leaning into the season of Thanksgiving , and talking about how gratitude really does change everything . 🦃✨ We all know we "should" be grateful, but when life feels heavy, the kids are loud, or your to-do list is a mile long… does gratitude actually help? (Spoiler: yes! And science agrees with what Scripture said all along!) In this conversation, we unpack how gratitude is no...

This week's episode is a little different. We're pulling back the curtain on one of our BJDW Community Masterclasses , the kind of deep, beautiful, heart-level conversations we host each month with special guests to encourage our community gals on the journey to freedom. We're joined by Sharon Hodde Miller , author of Free of Me and Gazing at God , to unpack the root of insecurity, and why we ofte...

Have you ever wondered why traditional recovery works for some people—but didn't quite fit for you? This week, we're pulling back the curtain with our friend and BJDW team member Heather whose journey to freedom started inside a rehab program that followed a 12-step model…and ended in a deeper, Jesus-led transformation. Heather opens up about what she learned, what didn't resonate, and how she fou...

Today we're joined by one of the world's leading experts on teen drinking and prevention— Professor Rob Turrisi , a Penn State researcher whose 35+ years of work have shaped national programs through MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) and schools across the U.S. In this important and hope-filled conversation, Professor Turrisi unpacks why teens start drinking, what actually works when it comes t...

Today's episode is one of those that reminds us why we do this !  We're joined by our beloved community member Margie , who shares her breathtaking story of redemption — a story marked by God's fingerprints in every moment, from early struggles with alcohol to the steady unfolding of peace, purpose, and true freedom in Christ. What began decades ago as a quiet search for belonging became a story o...

We're celebrating something special today,  Amber's one-year alcohol-free anniversary! 🩷 Amber is not only a beloved member of our But Jesus Drank Wine community, she's also part of our leadership team, guiding women toward freedom with compassion, wisdom, and grace. In this heartfelt and hope-filled conversation, Amber shares her powerful story, from binge drinking and endless moderation "rules"...

What if God already knows your every thought—and still loves you?   In this Scripture meditation on Psalm 139:1–4, we begin our Fully Known, Fully Loved series with a reflection on God's deep, intimate knowledge of us. Using the Lectio Divina method, we'll gently meditate on the reality that God knows every word before we speak it, every move before we make it—and none of that scares Him away.   I...

We're thrilled to welcome our new friend Jodie Niznik to the studio today! Jodie is the host of So Much More , a Scripture meditation podcast that helps women slow down, create space to listen to God, and move biblical truth from head knowledge to heart transformation. In this conversation, Jodie shares how Scripture meditation has become a lifeline for women who feel stuck in doing all the things...

Whether you're asking "Do I drink to slow down?" or "How do I build healthier rhythms without adding more to-do lists," this episode is practical, encouraging, and full of real-life examples that'll give you ideas you can try this week. We're back with Lauren , this time digging into pace, rhythms, and how busyness intertwined with drinking and why alcohol felt like the only "off" switch 📘 What y...

If you've ever wondered why certain patterns keep repeating, or how to stop passing pain down the line, this conversation is for you. This week we're joined by Gina Birkemeier, LPC —licensed professional counselor, international speaker, and award-winning author of Generations Deep: Unmasking Inherited Dysfunction and Trauma to Rewrite Our Stories Through Faith and Therapy .  Gina specializes in g...

Will people still like me? Will I be boring? Will I be left out? We've been there, and today our team joins us to share the real story of how friendships shift… and why the changes are ultimately a beautiful blessing. You'll hear honest fears, surprising blessings, and practical ways to navigate social life alcohol-free, without losing yourself (or your true people).📘 What you'll learn in this ep...

For the first time ever, we recorded with the team in person —from our Leadership Retreat in Colorado Springs! Join us (plus Sam, Amber, Jill, Tracy, Kelsey, and Lauren) for a cozy, honest roundtable.  We talk about the moment each of us got brave, how community breaks shame, and the surprising ways love, joy, and peace grow when alcohol isn't running the show. Whether you're just getting curious...

We did it! This episode was recorded in person at our first Leadership Retreat in Colorado Springs, CO. We share the heart behind the weekend, how this ministry began, and what God is building through community.  You'll also get a sneak peek at the next two episodes featuring stories from our leadership team, on life after alcohol and the "friendship shuffle." Whether you've been with us since Epi...

Sign up for the September 40 Day Fast here: https://butjesusdrankwine.myflodesk.com/septemberfast In Week 6—the final week—of our 6-part Monday series walking through Love Life Sober: A 40 Day Alcohol Fast , we're covering Days 35–40. These last chapters are all about navigating real-life situations, confronting shame, and stepping fully into lasting freedom. From the workplace happy hour to vacat...

Sign up for the September 40 Day Fast HERE! In Week 5 of our 6-part Monday series walking through Love Life Sober: A 40 Day Alcohol Fast , we're diving into Days 28–34—and this episode is full of aha moments, empowering truths, and vulnerable conversations to support your sober journey. Whether you're navigating emotional ups and downs, feeling disconnected from your values, or questioning what fu...

📣 Sign up for the September 40 Day Fast Here! In Week 4 of our 6-part series walking through Love Life Sober: A 40 Day Alcohol Fast , we're diving into Days 22–27—a powerful stretch of the fast that explores identity, grief, breaking generational cycles, and some surprising truths about alcohol, anxiety, and even biblical wine. Whether you're navigating this fast in real time or simply curious ab...

Sign up for the September 40 Day Fast here: https://butjesusdrankwine.myflodesk.com/septemberfast In Week 3 of our 6-part Monday series walking through Love Life Sober: A 40 Day Alcohol Fast , we're diving into Days 14–21—and this episode is rich with practical tools, mindset shifts, and grace-filled encouragement to support your alcohol-free journey. Whether you're mid-fast, gearing up for Septem...

Sign up for the September 40 Day Fast here: https://butjesusdrankwine.myflodesk.com/septemberfast In Week 2 of our 6-part Monday series walking through Love Life Sober: A 40 Day Alcohol Fast , we're diving into Days 8–13—a powerful stretch focused on mindset, identity, and learning to renew your mind in Christ. If you've ever felt stuck in your thoughts, trapped by unhelpful labels, or frustrated...

Sign up for the September 40 Day Fast here: https://butjesusdrankwine.myflodesk.com/septemberfast In this powerful opening to our six-part Monday series, we're diving into Love Life Sober: A 40 Day Alcohol Fast to Rediscover Your Joy, Improve Your Health, and Renew Your Mind —starting with Days 1 through 7. Whether you're reading along, curious about taking a break, or preparing to join the Septem...

What if the darkest chapters of your life became the very place where God's love met you most powerfully?  In today's raw and redemptive episode, Cristina Baker shares her jaw-dropping testimony of addiction, trauma, homelessness, and the overwhelming grace of God that broke through it all.  From growing up in chaos to nearly overdosing, Cristina recounts the moment she cried out to a God she didn...

You don't need a rock bottom to change. Today we explore a powerful reframe: what if rock bottom isn't a place of shame or destruction, but a moment of surrender? A moment when you realize that Jesus is the Rock at the bottom, and that He's been there all along. This conversation dismantles the common story that things need to get "bad enough" before you're allowed to change your relationship with...

This week, we're tackling one of the most important identity questions in the Christian sobriety space: Do we really need to call ourselves "alcoholics"?  In this heartfelt and truth-packed episode, we dive into why we believe that label doesn't line up with our identity in Christ. We reflect on our own stories of what happened when we stopped letting shame define us. We explore what Scripture say...

Moderating alcohol is exhausting. Let's talk about what's possible when you stop playing the game. In this listener-favorite list-style episode, we share the 10 best things about never having to moderate alcohol again, and trust us, it's more freeing than you think. From the relentless mental gymnastics ( "Should I? Shouldn't I?" ) to the emotional fallout of breaking yet another promise to yourse...