It's Not About the Alcohol

In today's episode, Colleen shares a personal reflection she recorded nearly a year ago—but it's just as relevant now, especially if you're feeling stuck, off-balance, or like a hot mess who should be further along by now.  This episode isn't about getting it all together—it's about what to do when you don't. You'll hear how she used the exact tools from the program to navigate the emotional chaos...

"Stop saying that you want to stay sober or drink in moderation. Because what you really want is to feel calm, capable, and in control." Colleen Freeland Kachmann   There are 3 invisible, unmet needs that keep high-achieving women from easily changing their drinking habits: a lack of connection, direction and feedback.   If you've ever wondered "Why am I doing this to myself?"—this episode will ch...

In today's episode, we're flipping the script on what it means to "manifest change" when it comes to your relationship with alcohol. Every habit you have was built through attention, repetition, and belief. You already know how to manifest. You've done it before. The question is: can you do it on purpose? If you've ever told yourself "I know better and won't do that again", but you keep doing it a...

In today's episode, we explore a powerful lightbulb moment from inside the Next Chapter program—one that's helping women actually enjoy the mindful drinking experiment and finally feel real momentum. This is for you if you've meant to try mindful drinking but skipped it, overdid it, or didn't enjoy the process. That's not a failure—it's a sign you were missing one critical piece: community support...

On December 6th, 2023, I made the scariest—and most transformative—decision of my life. I chose to believe in myself. Not in a "feel-good" kind of way, but in a way that demanded action before certainty and courage before confidence. This episode is a personal snapshot from that turning point—a moment when I faced fear, financial dependence, and self-doubt… and decided to move forward anyway.   To...

In today's episode, you'll explore one of the most common patterns that keeps high-achieving women stuck: worrying about what other people might think.  Colleen breaks down how the fear of being misunderstood, judged, or perceived a certain way can quietly derail your growth, your boundaries, and your goals. You'll learn why managing other people's emotions never works—and what to do instead when...

In this reflective episode, Colleen shares a personal moment from a particularly full chapter in her life—a season of growth, transition, and pushing hard to bring her program to life. What began as a weekend packed with work turned into a deeper realization about brain fog, creative blocks, and the quiet wisdom of the body. If you've ever tried to think your way through exhaustion or override you...

Scroll down to find the supplement protocols and link to my curated list on Amazon for easy shopping.   If you're a daily drinker and want a highly effective tool that can quickly and easily help you break the habit, this episode is for you.    Most people don't understand that the urge to eat, drink or use a drug to help you function or feel better is biological. Your brain is not producing adequ...

In this episode, Colleen reflects on a quote that's been echoing in her mind for weeks:  "Yes, I'm full of myself. Who else am I supposed to be full of?" — a line from none other than Matthew McConaughey. It's not just cheeky—it's powerful. Because for so many women, being "full of yourself" has been cast as a flaw, a risk, or something to avoid. Colleen shares how a recent, painful experience of...

In today's episode, Colleen shares a powerful fable that illustrates what it really means to rise in the face of difficulty—and why your response to a moment matters more than the moment itself. Whether it's a tech failure, a relapse, a hard conversation, or a sudden life disruption, what defines your trajectory isn't the challenge—it's how you choose to relate to it. Through personal stories of r...

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to feel truly relaxed and content in the evenings–without needing a drink to get there?   If you rely on a glass (or a bottle) of wine to relax after work, you're not alone. Using alcohol to cope with stress is a habit that many women fall into–especially those who feel like they never get a break.   But too much alcohol leaves you feeling overwhelmed a...

In today's episode, Colleen dives into the balancing act of self-awareness and how it shapes not just our choices, but our fulfillment. She shares her raw personal journey of realizing that she had built a life that  looked great on the outside—checking all the right boxes—but left her feeling empty. Instead of blaming external circumstances, she started asking better questions: Am I actually inte...

In today's episode, Colleen shares a powerful perspective shift that can change everything about how you experience drinking—without focusing on drinking at all. Instead of obsessing over how much you drink, the real work is learning how to respond to yourself after you drink. She walks through a personal experience of having a hangover without guilt, shame, or frustration—just curiosity, self-car...

How many times have you woken up with a nasty hangover and sworn that you'll never make that mistake again?   But as soon as the pain goes away, so does the motivation to keep your promise.    In this episode, I teach you how to create an emergency hangover kit. So you are prepared to see your inevitable setbacks as opportunities for growth instead of shameful failures.   Hangovers serve an essent...

In today's episode, Colleen unpacks a common fear for those trying to reduce their drinking: What if I want more? If you've ever found yourself preoccupied with making sure you have enough alcohol to get through an event—or worrying that you shouldn't want more—this episode will shift your perspective. Instead of battling with your brain over how much you'll drink, Colleen introduces a powerful mi...

In today's episode, Colleen breaks down why willpower is an exhausting and unsustainable way to change your behavior. If you've ever tried to "power through" not drinking or force yourself into good habits, only to fall back into old patterns, this episode will shift the way you think about change. Instead of relying on willpower to control your drinking, your eating, your productivity, or anythin...

Have you experienced lingering pain after an injury that doesn't go away even though you've done everything you can to heal?   Most of us assume that physical pain is a physical issue and seek medical diagnoses from expensive specialists who promise to fix the problem or at least manage the symptoms.    But what do you do when treatment doesn't work and chronic pain becomes demoralizing?    Today...

In today's episode, Colleen dives into the power of setting a central guiding intention—one that helps rewire limiting beliefs, quiet overthinking, and keep you moving forward even when things feel uncomfortable. She explains how to create a personal mantra that serves as both a compass and a reset button, giving you the emotional resilience to take action in spite of fear, doubt, or past conditio...

In today's episode, Colleen unpacks the hidden ways we keep ourselves stuck—whether it's staying in a comfort zone that no longer serves us, running on autopilot, or avoiding the call to expand into something greater. She explores the four zones we operate from (incompetence, competence, excellence, and genius) and how staying in the wrong one can quietly drain your energy and fulfillment. Plus, s...

Are you capable of earning more than you do?   A lot of brilliant women fall into the trap of doing their best work for someone else. Because the idea of going out on our own or trying something new is just too risky.   But if you're listening to this show because you're in the habit of using alcohol to cope with your stress, you already know that you've got some untapped potential.    What if the...

In today's episode, Colleen breaks down the difference between your comfort zone and your window of tolerance. She explains that while your comfort zone feels safe and familiar, real growth happens on the other side—when you're willing to feel a little uncomfortable and take small actions. Colleen shows how moving your body, even in tiny ways, can shift your mindset and help you manage stress more...

In this episode, Colleen shares her thoughts on the common fear of reverting to old habits—even when you're making positive changes. Instead of fighting those nagging thoughts, she explains how to step back, notice them for what they are, and gently shift your response. It's all about staying present, being kind to yourself, and gradually creating new, healthier patterns. Key Takeaways: Understand...

Are you tired of trying so hard because the changes you make never seem to last?   Most people invest their energy in external problems. They focus on fixing their drinking, eating, relationship, finances or physical health under the false belief that their circumstances and/or habits are holding them back.    But "stuck" is a feeling, not a fact. And your troubles are not the cause of this feelin...

In today's episode, Colleen shares a real-life moment of emotional sobriety in action—how a simple email first thing in the morning nearly hijacked her day and how she stopped the stress spiral before it took over. She explains the power of noticing sensations in your body before they trigger habitual reactions and how shifting your focus can change how you experience stress, time, and even your r...

In today's episode, Colleen reveals a surprising connection between your perception of time and your drinking habits. If you constantly feel rushed, overwhelmed, or like there's never enough time, your brain is likely using alcohol as an off-switch. But here's the real shift—your relationship with time, not alcohol, is the problem. Discover how changing the way you think about time can reduce your...