Midlife AF Podcast

In this episode, I invite you into Day 1 of my three-day end-of-January Alcohol Reset, where I share the “third way” of being around alcohol—beyond the old binary of either “miserably sober” or “happily drinking with constant regret.” Speaking from both my professional training and my lived experience, I talk about how I went from a chaotic, booze-fuelled life to a genuinely take-it-or-leave-it re...

In this final session of my three-day Festive Alcohol Reset, I walk you through exactly how to move into a “third way” relationship with alcohol - one that isn’t miserable, all‑or‑nothing, or based on shame and willpower. I share how we can step into the New Year feeling refreshed, resourced, and connected to our original, unhurt selves, instead of chasing a “new me” from a place of self‑blame. I...

In this special episode of Midlife AF, I guide you through the first part of my three-day Festive alcohol reset designed especially for the wild, wobbly space between Christmas and New Year. I share how I went from looking “fine” on the outside - successful career, running half marathons, oysters and champagne - to feeling utterly broken inside, waking at 3am gripped by shame, anxiety, and promise...

Quick links (no scrolling required) Join the 3-Day Festive Alcohol Reset (Dec 27–29) Repair · Reconnect · Refresh Free https://www.hoperisingcoaching.com/3-day-reset  Join the January 2026 Great Aussie Alcohol Experiment (Early Bird) Starts January 1 Early Bird available until 26 December https://www.hoperisingcoaching.com/the_great_aussie_alcohol_experiment Episode overview What if the reaso...

In this session, I guide you through grounding practices, explore why so much of what we believe about alcohol (and ourselves) simply isn’t true, and share how shifting your beliefs can change your relationship with drinking without willpower, shame, or self‑punishment. I talk about the myths around alcohol “relaxing” us, why we reach for the buzz when life feels overwhelming, and how dopamine and...

Let’s get real about boredom, especially when you’re taking a break from alcohol. In this week’s episode, I’m unpacking why “I’m bored” can feel shamey, why stillness can spike dread for trauma survivors and neurodivergent brains, and how comparison pours petrol on the fire. We talk Peter Levine, Internal Family Systems, Kristin Neff, Tara Brach, and Brene Brown, but keep it super practical for re...

In this episode, I dive deep into the question I hear most often: “Can I just drink like a normal person?” I share my own journey with alcohol, the challenges of moderation, and why so many of us are drawn to the idea of having “just two glasses of wine.” We’ll explore the powerful influence of the alcohol industry, the real risks of drinking, and why the desire to moderate is often rooted in deep...

In this episode, I share my personal journey as a late-diagnosed autistic ADHD counselor, psychotherapist, and alcohol coach. I open up about my struggles with busy brain, masking, and the coping mechanisms I used - including alcohol - to manage overwhelming thoughts and emotions. I discuss how societal expectations, trauma, and neurodivergence shaped my identity, and how self-compassion became th...

In this episode, I share my personal journey with alcohol: how I navigated the confusing space between “not that bad” and “bad enough.” I open up about the subtle red flags that accumulated over time, the impact my drinking had on my family, and the pivotal moments that led me to question my relationship with alcohol. I talk about the challenges of letting go of an identity built around drinking,...

In this intimate episode, I sit down with Tanya Valentin, a parenting coach specialising in supporting parents of neurodivergent children through burnout. We dive deep into the unspoken challenges of parenting neurodivergent kids, the impact of masking, and the emotional journey of finding safety and authenticity. Key Takeaways: Parenting neurodivergent children can be an incredibly isolating expe...

This week I dive deep into the concept of "flow over force" when it comes to changing habits, particularly around alcohol use. I share my approach that moves away from shame-based, punitive methods and instead focuses on understanding our triggers, building self-compassion, and creating safety within ourselves. Drawing from my experience as a neurodivergent mum, I explore how traditional reco...

In this episode, I discuss the importance of fierce self-compassion and being fiercely alcohol-free, especially in the current challenging times we're facing. I share my thoughts on how self-compassion is a key pillar for living an alcohol-free life and not wanting to escape from our experiences. I also talk about the societal stigma around alcohol use and how it prevents many people from addressi...

In this episode, I discuss the important concept of not being "broken" and the harmful societal narratives that tell us we need to fix or control ourselves, especially when it comes to our relationship with alcohol. I share my personal journey of overcoming these beliefs and how my programs are designed to help people build emotional safety, self-compassion, and an authentic connection with themse...

In this episode, I discuss the powerful insights I gained from a recent talk by author Liz Gilbert. I explore Liz's message about the importance of being the "calmest person in the room" and how this can be a source of true power, especially for women navigating the challenges of midlife. I delve into the pressure many of us feel to be constantly reactive, and how learning to pause, ground ourselv...

In this episode, I sit down to have a conversation about the importance of developing a loving, compassionate relationship with ourselves. As someone who has navigated her own challenges with alcohol, I share how cultivating self-kindness was pivotal to creating lasting change. We explore how our childhood attachment styles can shape our adult lives and the practical steps we can take to beco...

In this episode, I sit down to have an open and honest conversation about the powerful role that emotions play in our lives, especially when it comes to our relationship with alcohol and other coping mechanisms. I share my own personal experiences with getting triggered, experiencing "backdraft" when opening up to my emotions, and the societal pressures that can make it so difficult to be authenti...

In this episode, I share my journey of learning to let go of resistance and embrace self-compassion on the path to becoming alcohol-free. I discuss how our inability to feel and process pain is often at the root of unhealthy coping mechanisms like drinking, and share the importance of developing mindfulness to observe our thoughts and feelings, rather than getting caught up in them. I also emphasi...

In this episode, I share my thoughts on the importance of emotional safety and awareness when it comes to reducing or stopping alcohol consumption. I chat about how awareness allows us to see the reasons behind our drinking, rather than just relying on willpower. I also ponder on the role of self-compassion in this process, and how being kind to ourselves is crucial for making lasting change. This...

In this episode, I share my personal journey with alcohol and the freedom I found in making the decision to stop drinking for a year. I talk about the neuroscience behind alcohol addiction and how it acts as a survival mechanism in the brain. I discuss the importance of making a clear decision, rather than trying to moderate, and how that decision-making process can be freeing. I also to...

In this episode, I discuss the profound concept of "returning to source" - the idea that at our core, we are inherently good and have the capacity to nurture and heal ourselves.  I delve into the societal conditioning that often leads us to believe we are broken or unworthy, and how this mindset can fuel our reliance on external crutches like alcohol. I share the importance of cultivatin...

In this episode of Midlife AF, I dive deep into the topic of servitude - the conditioning many of us, especially women, experience to put the needs of others before our own. I share how this belief system can lead to burnout, resentment, and the need to numb out with alcohol. I challenge the notion that we must always be selfless, and emphasize the importance of putting our own needs first in orde...

In this episode of Midlife AF, I explore the concept of alchemy - the process of transforming something ordinary into something extraordinary. I discuss how we all have the power within ourselves to be our own alchemists, to take our struggles and wounds and transmute them into self-love and self-compassion. I delve into the roots of emotional hyper-arousal, busy brains, and compulsive behaviors,...

In this episode of Midlife AF, I have an insightful conversation about the importance of self-love and compassion when addressing alcohol use. I explain how our inner critic and tendency to self-flagellate often stems from childhood experiences where our emotions were not fully validated. I talk about how our drinking behaviours are not character flaws, but rather coping mechanisms our s...

In this episode of Midlife AF, I discuss the stigma and misconceptions around giving up alcohol. I share my personal journey of stopping drinking at age 46 and the profound awakening and self-discovery that followed. I challenge the notion that only "problem drinkers" or "alcoholics" should stop drinking and argue that alcohol is harmful for everyone. Giving up alcohol is not a punishment, but an...

In this episode, I discuss the concept of "rebirthing" and how we go through many different "skins" or versions of ourselves throughout our lives. I talk about the shame and stigma often associated with struggling with alcohol, and how my approach to helping people change their relationship with alcohol is focused on understanding the reasons behind our drinking, rather than just trying to abstain...