Good Words with Brandi Kelly

It's Thanksgiving week and I'm thankful I got to sit down with the lovely and insightful food and health coach Christiane Schroeter to discuss ways to savor and enjoy the season. She offers us a variety of tools and tips to stress less and slow down. Do you cringe at the thought of taking the easy-done for you route with certain food items? Do you allow yourself to utilize convenience food...

We're a week away from Thanksgiving and it's a wonderful time to be thankful, grateful and surrounded by the people we love...right? In theory, yes, but that's not always how coming together for the holidays FEELS. Ram Dass (one of my favorite spiritual teachers) said "If you think you're enlightened, try spending a week with your family". While in our own day to day live...

This week we're talking to Randee Prince-Admissions Manager and Alumni at Ripple Ranch Recovery Center. Just a few years ago Randee was on the other side of the desk, checking into the treatment that would change the trajectory of her life. She found herself being treated not only for substance abuse, but mental health as well, something often unaddressed in rehab. Focusing on individualized t...

Research says that although we are all authentic human beings, we are very much impacted, motivated, and driven by our environment. The 5 people you spend the most time with shape who you are. Your conversations dominate your attention. Take a look at what the topic of conversation is in your close friend group. Are you guys discussing what you're working on, the goals you're setting, the...

This week's guest is no stranger to suffering. Derek Januszweski didn't get sober the easy way. Not many of us do. He shares insight into the boy who suffered from neglect and unimaginable abuse from his own family's addiction. He then tells us what happened when that abused and traumatized boy got married and had a family of his own. Genetics, trauma, abuse cycles, and addiction all g...

Have you ever heard the expression It's okay to not be okay? I think we all have, I know I've said it...ALOT. I'm pretty sure that's something I've said to reassure someone when I'm okay and they're not. While very true, it's also really hard to fathom when you're the one who's not okay! I've gotta tell you-I'm not okay. There, I said it. I'm str...

Calling all my current and former people-pleasers!!! How do you feel at the thought of being the "bad guy" in other people's eyes? Do you recoil and cringe at the thought? I did. I sometimes still do. The thought of my side of the story not being heard before an opinion is formed about me is uncomfortable. Speaking the unwelcome or inconvenient truth makes me squirm. My fight or flig...

When I first got sober I had no clue how I was going to get through a day without drinking after detox. I didn't know how I was going to get through a bartending shift either. I was TERRIFIED. One thing I did know was that I wasn't going to be ashamed or embarrassed of my decision to stop drinking-just like I had no shame in my drinking/shit-show game. I told everyone I quit. Not to brag....

I wanted to call this episode I'm not an asshole-I'm just overwhelmed but....ya know-the algorithm...Are you overwhelmed? Stressed? Doing too much? I know I am, and I know I'm not the only one. Between work, relationships/friendships, schedules, money, health, the news-the list could go on forever! It's been years since I've regularly watched the news, but even 10 minutes of it...

Why write my own eulogy? I have no plans to leave this planet anytime soon, but I am keenly aware that it IS inevitable. There will come a day I will no longer be here, so I wonder...What will I be remembered for? What will be my life's legacy? Matthew McConaughey said we're writing our resume for our eulogy right now with our present words and actions and it got me thinking...What would m...

Do you struggle with self doubt? I think it's safe to say we all have from time to time. But what about that big quiet self-doubt that lives in your head and plays the same old story on repeat day after day, year after year??? I think you know what I'm talking about. It tells you "you can't start the business", "you're too old to go back to school", "other...

I've learned a whole lot in the last 1000 days without a drink or drug!! I wanted to list 1000 things but...that would take awhile. Here I share the main points that come to mind. I made a decision. I stuck to it. I made it the most important thing in my whole world. It led me to a relationship with God. Contact with a higher power changed the game. I went from believing to KNOWING that the Un...

This is the final episode of our Sober Summer Series!! What's the difference between sobriety and recovery? Aren't they the same thing? I used to think so...but they are very different indeed. Sobriety is only the beginning-abstinence from a harmful or addictive substance or behavior. Living a life free of alcohol or substance abuse. That's a great start, but what is recovery? For me,...

Are you anxious? Ever had an anxiety attack? What about a panic attack? What's the difference? This week I'm addressing a listener question based on my own personal experience. I was hospitalized for severe depression and anxiety as a teen. I experienced crippling panic attacks in my early 30's. I still experience anxiety but today it doesn't consume me. In this episode I give my o...

I did a home workout today! Why does that matter? Because I've been wanting to start for quite awhile. I've been saving workouts. I've cleared my space. I have delicious healthy food ready to be prepped. But I haven't taken any actual action. This can be similar to entering recovery. You think about it, read about, but you just don't find a good time to get going. It's simi...

Are you holding out on your happiness? What are you waiting for? Is your happiness somewhere in the future rooted in some other place, time or event? Mine was. I moved to Texas 1 year ago and while I enjoy it and love my life with my husband, I held out on settling in. My mind told me-we could move at any moment, no need to get a bunch of furniture you'll have to move again. I said Texas is ok...

Have you ever wished that you could wave a magic wand and make a situation turn out exactly how you want it? Are you always in search of a quick fix to feel better or improve your life? Good news-I've got it!! Even better news-You've already got it too!! It's your outlook. It's your perspective. It's your willingness to look at things through the lens of optimism. Stop worrying...

This week I met with my beautiful friend to talk about recovery. As expected, we talked about so much more. Because recovery is so much more than quitting drugs and or alcohol. For many of us that is only a starting point, the jumping off place, propelling us into who we will become. That was the case for Elly. She shares her story of entering rehab while facing felony charges and possible incarce...

What does Unshakeable mean? Lacking the ability to be shook-of course! (Of belief, feeling or opinion) strongly felt and unable to be changed. Unable to be disputed or questioned. That's more like it. In this episode I share where I am firmly grounded in my foundation, Unshakeable, and ask you to reflect and ask yourself the same. My recovery, sobriety, marriage and faith are unshakeable. They...

It is what it is, is a harsh sounding statement in my opinion. Enter EQUANIMITY. It means mental calmness, composure and evenness of temper, especially in a difficult situation. It means giving in to what is-instead of giving up. It's the result of compassion, generosity, lovingkindness and forgiveness. It means radical acceptance. It means I can be present for this. It's not indifference....

What do you do when you feel off center? Off the beam? Out of sort? In the dark? I've been experiencing some of these feelings lately and I can tell you it isn't pleasant. I can also share that getting back to the basics of what led me out of the dark in the beginning of my recovery journey absolutely helps!! Join me as I open up about where I'm at, what I'm experiencing and what e...

What does it mean to "clean up your side of the street"? This talk is a big part of it for me. Taking right action regardless of what others do or say. Forgiving without an apology because I'm not benefiting from carrying the burden of anger or resentment. I discuss the difference between an apology and an amends. One is a regretful acknowledgment while another is changed behavior. F...

Are you stuck in the story you tell about who you are?  Do you want to tell a different story, not only to other people, but to yourself? In this mini episode we touch on recognizing self-limiting thoughts, stories and beliefs that hold us back from living the life of our dreams.  We CAN change our thoughts and how we see ourselves!!  Enjoy!!

In this episode we briefly discuss the trip that is aging and realizing I don't have anything figured out. I encourage you to look at yourself as someone you love and discuss the practice of self love. Let's talk about feelings. Feelings are valid. Everyone has them. But feelings aren't facts. They're more of a compass than anything. Feeling is healing. I encourage you to allow you...

Sober Summer Series-Travel Edition: How to Travel Sober This Summer with Brandi Kelly In this episode I offer tips, tools, ideas and resources to travel sober. When am I ready to travel? How will I know I'm ready? We cover this topic here. How to navigate the airport and airplane when you've always defaulted to the bar. Where to travel to, what to do while your there is covered as well. I...