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

  Hadley Sorensen, a mother of three, lifelong runner, and writer, shares her journey from social drinking to sobriety. Her book, The Dirty Truth on Social Drinking: "Everything in Moderation" and Other BS, debunks common myths about alcohol consumption and explores the concept of 'gray area drinking.' Hadley discusses the societal pressures that fueled her drinking habits, the challenges of quitt...

In this heartfelt and inspiring episode, Wendy Speake ministers to women's hearts through her unique blend of storytelling and biblical life application. Wendy, author of multiple books including "The 40-Day Sugar Fast" and "The 40-Day Social Media Fast," shares her journey from hearing God's call at 18 to becoming a creative storyteller and Bible teacher. We chat about turning to God in times of...

After a year of podcasting, we kept receiving requests for more ways to connect with our "readers." We felt the Lord leading us to create a community where our listeners could engage with each other on a deeper level. Through our research, we realized there wasn't a dedicated community for Christian or Jesus-curious women on an alcohol-free journey. While there were many support groups for women q...

JOIN THE BJDW COMMUNITY HERE !   Heather Creekmore joins us to delve into the intricate topic of body image and its profound impact on women, heightened by the pervasive influence of diet culture. Drawing from her personal journey, Heather shares her struggles with body image and how she found liberation from disordered eating patterns. She challenges the notion of exercise solely as a means for w...

JOIN THE BJDW COMMUNITY HERE ! Learn More about Coaching with Christy  Learn More about Coaching with Meade Order Christy's New Book, Love Life Sober, here. In this insightful episode, Michelle Myers, co-founder of She Works His Way, delves into the significance of community and finding contentment in Christ. Michelle emphasizes that work is not confined to a job title; rather, it encompasses anyt...

In today's episode, we're honored to host Christopher Cook, an author, coach, and pastor, who courageously shares his path of profound healing and transformation. His journey, shaped by the trauma of his mother's battle with cancer, her passing, and his own health diagnosis that deeply rattled him, offers profound insights into our capacity, through Christ, for resilience and renewal. Christopher...

Today, we welcome the beautiful (inside and out) Brittany Estes, a renowned life coach, speaker, and author, to the podcast. In this captivating episode, Brittany shares her poignant journey of overcoming false narratives about worth and embracing a life of freedom and authenticity. Brittany delves into the transformative power of identifying and challenging the lies we often internalize about our...

Allison Barber shares her profound journey to sobriety, shedding light on the complex evolution of her relationship with alcohol. Growing up as a rule follower, Allison felt the societal pressure to conform and fit in, leading her to question why she couldn't simply be a "normal drinker." However, amidst this struggle, she discovered the empowering truth that she had the freedom to choose – not on...

JOIN THE BJDW COMMUNITY HERE   Join us for a deeply moving episode as we welcome our dear friend Rina Bowring to the podcast. As a fellow alcohol-freedom coach, Rina brings a wealth of wisdom and vulnerability to our conversation, sharing her unique journey of overcoming alcohol addiction and postpartum rage. Rina recounts her early struggles with alcohol, using it to feel liberated and accepted....

JOIN THE BJDW COMMUNITY HERE   In this episode, we are honored and humbled to present our conversation with psychiatrist, speaker and author Dr. Curt Thompson. Known around BJDW as, "the teacher Meade is most-likely to reference on the podcast for the depth and breadth of the impact his work has had on her life," Curt, connects our intrinsic desire to be known with the need to tell truer stories a...

We hear you, our dear readers, that our list episodes are among your favorites and they happen to be favorites of ours too. For today's insightful conversation, we are diving deep into the transformative journey of living alcohol-free, sharing our lists of the ten invaluable lessons we wish we'd known in our first year of "sobriety."   1. Friendship Shuffle: We candidly explore the challenges and...

JOIN THE BJDW COMMUNITY HERE   We are thrilled to announce our very first BJDW Community book,  "The Gospel of John: Savoring the Peace of Jesus in a Chaotic World." To kick off this exciting venture, we've invited the brilliant author Melissa Spoelstra to join us on the podcast, where she shares her wisdom on how we can learn more about anchoring ourselves in peace amidst life's chaos.   Together...

JOIN THE BJDW COMMUNITY HERE   This week's episode is a heart-to-heart with the inspiring Toni Collier, founder of Broken Crayons Still Color, a global women's organization dedicated to guiding individuals through brokenness toward healing and hope. Toni is a seasoned speaker, podcast host, and author who shares her profound insights on navigating life's challenges with grace and resilience. In ou...

JOIN THE BJDW COMMUNITY HERE     In this episode we dive into the realm of alcohol-free experiences, sharing personal anecdotes and insights into navigating various social situations sans alcohol. We talk about the many milestone alcohol-free firsts, such as date nights, weddings, birthdays, sporting events, vacations, concerts, and theater/ballet performances.   We discuss the joys and benefits o...

JOIN THE BJDW COMMUNITY HERE From the moment we cracked open the pages of her book, "Free Of Me, Why Life Is Better When It's Not About You," we knew we needed Sharon Hodde Miller's wisdom on this pod, and we're incredibly grateful she accepted our invitation. In a world saturated with the "me" mentality, Sharon shines a light on the pervasive impact of self-centeredness across every facet of our...

JOIN THE BJDW COMMUNITY HERE   Today, we delve into the complex dynamics of secret drinking, shedding light on the underlying desires for relief and connection in the face of life's demands. Together we share our experiences of feeling constantly needed by others yet yearning for moments of solace and self-reconnection. Through our reflections, we highlight the transformative power of curiosity an...

  JOIN THE BJDW COMMUNITY HERE     Get ready for an incredible episode as we sit down with the one and only Bob Goff, a true inspiration in living life to the fullest. Bob, the adventurous soul behind "Love Does," "Everybody Always," and "Undistracted," joins us to share his wisdom on embracing the journey, dreaming big, and showing yourself some grace along the way. Get ready to be uplifted, insp...

JOIN THE BJDW COMMUNITY HERE Fresh off of Meade's in-person Atlanta AF (alcohol-free) gals meet-up, we are talking all about the transformative power of meaningful connections. Providing avenues for support and camaraderie, both in-person meetups and online communities can foster meaningful connections. We discuss how prayer serves as a valuable tool in both finding and nurturing friendships, guid...

  JOIN THE BJDW COMMUNITY HERE   Today's episode is an inspiring and powerful story from Kristen McAvoy, sobriety influencer and founder of Sober Girl Tribe. From party girl days in college to Covid isolation struggles, Kristen opens up about her decade-long struggle with addiction to alcohol, later compounded by Xanax use. Her journey began in college, where she sought freedom and rebellion, slow...

Join Meade and Christy as they delve into the second part of their conversation centered on the importance of community with the launch of the But Jesus Drink Wine Community, exploring the intersection of faith, personal growth, and community support. From the challenges of outgrowing friendships to the impact of FOMO on social media, they offer insights on living intentionally and embracing chang...

JOIN THE BJDW COMMUNITY HERE Today we're excited to announce the launch of the But Jesus Drink Wine Community, born from the heartfelt requests of our valued listeners highlighting the need for connection with those who are following Jesus/those who are curious about Jesus and those on an alcohol-free journey. This conversation centers around some of the hardest, yet most rewarding growth "we get...

In today's episode, we dive headfirst into a fiery discussion surrounding conventional beliefs about alcoholism. We boldly reject the notion that it's a disease, championing instead personal responsibility and an exploratory mindset as the keys to freedom from alcohol. We challenge the widely-held belief that people genuinely enjoy the taste of alcohol, attributing it to nothing more than conditio...

Recently, we were both blessed with opps to attend two different retreats. Meade was a participant in a retreat with her coach, Bob Goff, at The Oaks Center. Christy hosted a retreat for alcohol-free ladies in the Cotswolds. Today's convo has us reflecting and sharing all the details of both retreat experiences, each with its unique charm and kicks off with us highlighting the beauty of our locati...

In this heartfelt conversation, Susan Larkin, fellow alcohol and life transformation coach, shares her journey of grappling with alcohol as a Christian woman. The discussion unfolds within the context of her Christian faith, shedding light on the complexities and challenges faced by individuals navigating the freedom from alcohol journey in Christian community.   As a Christian, Susan initially ad...

Today's episode has us saying no more pussy-footing around a chat about self-care, and has us diving into the common misconceptions of self-care, especially as it relates to the largely secular sober-verse. While the world, online influencers and brilliant marketers have us believing self-care is solely about indulging in luxurious activities and pampering ourselves, we are challenging this narrat...