Sober Edge

What if trusting your gut started with feeding it better? In this episode of The Sober Edge , host Teri Patterson takes listeners on a journey from the microbiome to mindfulness. Y ou'll discover how gut health directly impacts your ability to think clearly, regulate emotions, and even access intuition. Teri shares simple strategies for feeding your gut with food variety and fiber, and she connect...

In this special solo episode, I share a behind-the-scenes update from my own alcohol-free journey and entrepreneurial life. I reflect on my word of the year— flow —and how it continues to guide me through the messy middle of seeking balance, recalibrating priorities, and tuning in to what really matters. Join me for a heart-to-heart check-in on rest, resistance, and finding a new rhythm that suppo...

In this episode of The Sober Edge , host Teri Patterson explores the often-overlooked journey of rebuilding trust—starting with ourselves. With insights from Dr. Nicole LePera's How To Meet Yourself , Teri explains how nervous system states influence our ability to feel safe and connected, and how learning to interpret bodily cues is the first step toward healing trust—both inward and outward. If...

In this episode, I'm sharing my experience attending Sober in the City , a vibrant alcohol-free weekend in Scottsdale, packed with friendship, fun, and deeply healing conversations. From nervous system regulation to trauma recovery, the event spotlighted powerful topics while offering the gift of true connection. Join me as I reflect on how these moments reinforce the joy and richness of living al...

In this episode of The Sober Edge , Teri explores a powerful truth about the alcohol-free journey: after the chaos and drama of drinking, peace can feel... flat. Many people in early sobriety wonder if they've lost their spark or if boredom is the new normal. But what if this stillness is actually the foundation for something deeper — clarity, calm, and true contentment? You'll hear about: Why dri...

What happens after you remove alcohol — but you're still left wondering, Now what? In this solo episode, Teri opens up about the unexpected truth of alcohol-free living: that quitting drinking doesn't instantly solve everything... in fact, it often stirs up new (and better) questions. From navigating discomfort to stepping outside your old comfort zone, Teri explores what it means to live into the...

What if the sober social group you're looking for doesn't exist yet? Then it might be time to create it! In this episode, Teri chats with Sarah Showard, founder of the thriving Tucson Sober Girlfriends community. Together, they explore how Sarah went from craving connection to hosting alcohol-free events each month—and why IRL (in real life) meetups are a key part of long-term alcohol-free living....

In this episode, we dive into the sneaky patterns that keep us stuck. What if it's not self-sabotage? From  resistance , which tells us we don't need to change, to the pull of our comfort zone , where familiar patterns feel safer than growth, we uncover why breaking free can feel so hard.  We'll also explore how fear of failure (or even success!) creates doubt, and why perfectionism convinces us t...

I n this episode of The Sober Edge Podcast , we explore how alcohol dulls our five senses—sight, sound, taste, touch, and smell—and what happens when we remove it from our lives.  From the rich flavors of food to the warmth of human connection, breaking free from alcohol allows us to experience the world in full color again. Join host Teri Patterson as she delves into the science behind sensory im...

Emotions can feel overwhelming, especially when we're no longer numbing them with alcohol. In this episode, we'll explore together how we can better understand and manage our emotions in this alcohol-free life. From self-awareness to self-regulation, we'll discuss practical ways to move beyond reaction and into intentional response. Whether you're facing frustration, anxiety, or even joy, learning...

The future of non-alcoholic beverages is bold, innovative, and—thanks to Focus by Be Honest Bev. Co. —packed with an extra boost. In this episode, I dive into the evolving world of NA drinks and where hemp-infused drinks fit into the mix. My guest, Michelle Houston, shares the surprising twists and challenges of creating a better, cleaner, and more intentional beverage. Could this be the new go-to...

Emotions, motivation and alcohol. When it comes to emotions, we need to understand a few things about alcohol and the connection between our feelings and our motivations.    There are four pillars of human motivation that overlap with emotions.     Avoid pain : our natural inclination is to avoid pain. When it comes to being motivated to change our relationship with alcohol, avoiding pain can be a...

Back again for an encore is my very special conversation with Amanda E. White. This is the most popular episode of The Sober Edge Podcast and I invite you to listen in to this important conversation about: Women's health Boundaries around drinking Making an empowered choice Since our conversation in 2021, Amanda had continued to be a powerful voice and advocate for 'not drinking tonight'.   Full S...

Getting a 'fresh start' or 'a new lease on life' might seem the perfect way to begin your alcohol-free journey.  But, what if we have some time away from alcohol, and then we go back to drinking, first just the occasional glass of wine, or beer on a hot summer's day. Gradually, (or maybe rapidly), we find ourselves drinking again every day. Now it's time to start again.  In this episode of The Sob...

Breaking news: Surgeon general calls for cancer warnings on alcohol. This headline generated a lot of messages and conversations with my family, clients and colleagues.  I t's happening! Maybe...  It's been nearly four decades since Congress approved the first government warning label on alcohol,  the one that says pregnant women shouldn't drink and warns about the dangers of driving while drinkin...

Happy 2025!  I love the energy of intention that comes with a new year. I no longer set resolutions, but I believe it is important to explore where we have been and what is ahead. I  have been enjoying hearing from other thought leaders and some of my mentors about how they embrace the new year.  In this episode of The Sober Edge Podcast,  I share my own fondness for selecting a word of the year ....

  My life changed profoundly in 2015 when I decided I would give up alcohol. I knew I wanted something different, but I had no idea that this life would be better than my wildest dreams! I was simply ditching booze because I needed to change something.  I had a sense it was alcohol that might be standing in the way of a more fulfilling life, but I didn't know for sure. Now I do. My Christmas wish...

Zen, Coffee and Alcohol-free living I recently sat down with Billy Wynne, co-founder of Awake, one of the first sober bars in the U.S , and author of the upcoming book, The Empty Path. Billy shares his personal journey of how he gave up alcohol and how all roads started with his Zen Buddhist practice . Billy recalls that initially, like many of us, he made up rules about his drinking, one of which...

Compassion and Self-Compassion is critical for your AF journey. One of the most important steps in our AF journey is learning how to move through life with more compassion and self-compassion. This one key shift can help us to broaden our perspective, let go of expectations and forgive ourselves. In this episode of The Sober Edge podcast,  I focus on three key areas: Compassion for Others Compassi...

Language + Breath + Movement = Clarity   I love words - I believe they hold great power. I also have come to respect the role that story plays in our lives, both the stories we tell ourselves and the stories we carry from others.  My post-alcohol life has also led me to realize that I am not just a thinking being but also a feeling and moving being.  My guest on the podcast this week is the develo...

Many of us struggle with the shame we feel about becoming addicted to alcohol. We can intellectually understand that alcohol is addictive, but we often feel that we should 'know better' or "it could never happen to me". In my recent studies at Stanford University, where I completed a certificate in the Psychology of Addiction, Dr. Anna Lempke shared the reasons behind why people become addicted to...

Do you recall what you loved to do when drinking was not part of the 'all-inclusive' package?  My guest on Episode 165 of the podcast is Darci Murray, who believes wholeheartedly in "Sensory Heightened Travel" . Darci has been 'hooked' on travel since childhood, having grown up with a mom who was a travel agent and learning early on to love new adventures.  Darci is one of several travel agents wh...

What if you had a road map to a sober life you love?  What if it came in four simple steps? Does that sound easier than a lifetime of 'working on yourself'?  I know that life is not simple; humans are complex . We have emotions, backgrounds, circumstances, and it would be foolish to think that we could expect everyone's sober journey to look the same. But,  after 5+ years of working with hundreds...

  Today, I share two areas that I am focused on and that I help clients explore when we ask, 'what now, what next?' on this alcohol-free journey.   The first place to start is to KNOW yourself. So many of us go through life without asking 'who are we?'. I love self-reflection and I love a good quiz, but trust me, finding out which Disney Princess you are is  not the same as knowing yourself:)   It...

Are you ready for a Good Mood Revolution?  I know I am!  I think we can all use a bit more joy and happiness in our daily lives.   I sat down with Matt O'Neill, author and podcast host of The Good Mood Revolution. We had an enlightening conversation about the 8 Negative Moods and the 8 Positive Moods. Matt is an expert at breaking down big concepts into bite-sized, actionable steps.    Here are so...