Sober Vibes: Alcohol free lifestyle tips for long-term sobriety, whether you're sober curious or ready to quit drinking for good

If you’re searching for how to quit drinking alcohol in 2026, you’re not alone, and you’re not behind. In this Season 8 kickoff episode of the Sober Vibes Podcast , I break down why the old way of quitting alcohol no longer works for so many women, especially high-functioning, successful women stuck in the moderation cycle. White-knuckling, willpower, and “just drinking less” may have worked for s...

White-knuckling through detox and hoping for the best isn’t a strategy, and for many people, it’s the reason they keep ending up back in crisis. In this episode of the Sober Vibes Podcast , I chat with addiction recovery specialist and nurse practitioner Trent Carter to unpack a smarter, more sustainable approach to recovery, one that treats addiction like the chronic condition it is and builds a...

What if the bravest thing you do is stop negotiating with alcohol? In this episode of the Sober Vibes Podcast, I chat with women’s mentor and certified EFT tapping practitioner Sophia Grinjella to explore what really happens after you decide to quit drinking and how to actually stay alcohol-free without white-knuckling. Sophia shares how quitting alcohol at 29 reshaped her identity, friendships, t...

If you’ve ever told yourself…   “I just need to try harder.” “I should be able to control this.” “Tomorrow will be different.” …but nothing actually changes, this episode is for you. Today, I break down the REAL reason quitting feels impossible when you're relying on willpower alone and why this doesn’t mean you’re weak. It means you're using the wrong tool for the job. If you’re trying...

If you keep telling yourself you’re going to “cut back,” drink less, or stop pouring that next glass… yet somehow end up in the same cycle, this episode is for you. In today’s conversation, I break down the real reason it’s so hard to change your drinking, the hidden excuses and internal stories that subtly keep you stuck. Whether you're trying to figure out how to stop drinking wine, struggl...

When you stop drinking, it doesn’t just change your habits; it changes your relationships. And that shift can feel uncomfortable, exciting, confusing, and empowering all at once. In this episode of the Sober Vibes Podcast , I break down how quitting alcohol impacts friendships, dating, marriage, and family dynamics, and how to navigate those changes with confidence and clarity. From handling awkwa...

If parties, weddings, and work events feel stressful now that you’re not drinking, you’re not alone. Social pressure is one of the biggest obstacles people face when trying to quit drinking, and today’s episode gives you real support, real scripts, and real confidence to walk into any event alcohol-free. In this episode of the Sober Vibes Podcast, I delve into how to navigate the awkward moments,...

Still feeling drained even after quitting drinking? You’re not imagining it. Alcohol quietly disrupts your hormones, and that imbalance steals your energy, focus, and calm. In this week’s episode of the Sober Vibes Podcast , I break down how alcohol affects cortisol, estrogen, insulin, and sleep, and what happens when you finally let your body reset. Whether you’re in your first 30 days without al...

If you’ve ever told yourself, “A glass of wine helps me sleep,” this episode is going to change the way you think about rest forever. In this week’s episode of the Sober Vibes Podcast , I unpack the truth about alcohol’s effect on your sleep cycle and why even small amounts of alcohol can destroy the rest your body needs to recover truly. I dive into how alcohol disrupts REM sleep, spikes stress h...

What really happens after you quit drinking, and how do you rebuild your identity once alcohol is out of the picture? In episode 248 of the Sober Vibes Podcast , I sit down with Sarah Treacy , founder of The Sober Adventure Collective and creator of Sobriety Is the New Epic , a virtual speaker series redefining what recovery can look like. After quitting alcohol in 2020 and leaving her 20-year cor...

In episode 247 of the Sober Vibes Podcast, Courtney Andersen sits down with Heather Lowe —sober coach, podcast host, and founder of Ditch The Drink —for a powerful, real-world conversation about recovery, grief, and the truth about support. Heather shares how leaving a half-full glass of wine behind became the catalyst for transformation, and why free support options aren’t always enough to create...

What keeps sobriety strong long after you quit drinking?  In episode 246 of the Sober Vibes Podcast , I sit down with Melissa McKinney , licensed addictions counselor, artist, and author, to talk about what truly keeps recovery steady over time—and the four most important areas to focus on as your alcohol-free life evolves. Melissa shares what’s shifted between year seven and year thirteen of sobr...

Feeling anxious after a drink or even the next morning? You’re not imagining it. Alcohol might feel calming in the moment, but it actually triggers your body’s stress response and keeps you stuck in an anxiety loop. In episode 245 of the Sober Vibes Podcast , I break down the science behind alcohol-induced anxiety and share practical ways to soothe your nervous system without reaching for a drink....

Have you ever tried to quit drinking and thought, “Why is this so hard? Shouldn’t it be easier?” You’re not alone. Quitting alcohol often feels harder than it should not because you’re weak, but because alcohol changes your brain chemistry, your coping patterns, and the way you deal with stress. In episode 244 of the Sober Vibes Podcast , I’m breaking down the real reasons quitting feels so challe...

Have you ever told yourself, “It’s just one glass, it can’t hurt”? The truth is, even small amounts of alcohol come with hidden health risks, especially for women. From cancer risk to anxiety, poor sleep, and faster aging, that nightly glass of wine costs more than you think. In episode 243 of the Sober Vibes Podcast , I’m pulling back the curtain on the silent costs of “just one glass” and why be...

Have you ever wondered what happens after you quit drinking ? The first 30 days alcohol-free can feel like a rollercoaster, but your body starts healing almost immediately. From your skin to your sleep, incredible changes happen when you stop pouring that nightly glass of wine. In episode 242 of the Sober Vibes Podcast , I’m walking you through the most significant body and mind shifts you can exp...

Do you reach for a drink at the end of a stressful day, thinking it will help you relax? You’re not alone. Stress is one of the biggest triggers for drinking but alcohol and stress are more connected than most people realize. In episode 241 of the Sober Vibes Podcast , I’m breaking down the hidden link between alcohol and burnout, why that “relief” you feel is temporary, and how alcohol quietly fu...

Are you stuck in the “I’ll quit someday” cycle? Maybe you’ve promised yourself you’ll stop drinking after the holidays, once work slows down, or when life feels less stressful. But here’s the truth: waiting for someday only keeps you trapped. In this episode of the Sober Vibes Podcast , I’m sharing six practical tips to quit drinking that will help you finally take action. Whether you want to comm...

Did your summer sobriety not go as planned? Maybe you set out for a sober summer, tried Dry July, or gave Alcohol-Free August a shot, but somewhere along the way, things slipped. If that happened to you, I want you to know you’re not alone. In episode 239 of the Sober Vibes podcast , I’m sharing how you can personally reset after this season if it didn’t go the way you wanted. My goal is to provid...

Have you ever hidden behind someone else’s chaos to avoid facing your struggles? When one person in a family becomes labeled as "the problem," does it make it easier for everyone else’s issues to fly under the radar? In episode 238 of Sober Vibes , I welcome  Tom Farley to the show, and we talk about family addiction, grief, and Tom's recovery. Tom knows these family dynamics firsth...

In episode 237 of the Sober Vibes podcast, I welcome  Michael E. Long , coauthor of the international bestseller The Molecule of More and author of the new follow-up, Taming the Molecule of More . Michael explains how alcohol hijacks our brain’s reward system and shares practical, science-backed strategies to rewire it for a more balanced, fulfilling life. Dopamine doesn’t create happiness—it driv...

Episode 236:  13 Lessons in 13 Years of Sobriety: Hard Truths, Healing, and Hope for Your Alcohol-Free Journey  In episode 236 of the Sober Vibes podcast, Courtney Andersen talks about the 13 years of living alcohol-free. She has learned some powerful lessons about what it takes to get sober, stay sober, and thrive in your sober life. Courtney is sharing her 13 biggest takeaways from her journey,...

In episode 235 of the Sober Vibes podcast, I share practical, compassionate advice for family and friends supporting a loved one in early sobriety and how to help loved ones with addiction to alcohol.  Learn what to expect as your person navigates recovery, how to set healthy boundaries, and five powerful tips to protect your well-being along the way. Whether you're a partner, sibling, friend...

Episode 234:Your Top Sobriety Questions Answered: Willpower, Dating, Sugar Cravings & More  In episode 234 of the Sober Vibes podcast, Courtney Andersen answers your most pressing sobriety questions with honesty, heart, and 12 years of lived experience. Whether you’re just starting or have been alcohol-free for a while, this episode is full of relatable, real-life advice to help you stay stron...

Episode 233: The 12-Step Guide for Skeptics w/ Arlina Allen  In episode 233 of the Sober Vibes podcast, Courtney welcomes back Arlina Allen to the show, and they discuss her new book, The 12-Step Guide for Skeptics.  The 12-Step Guide for Skeptics breaks down the most common myths and misconceptions that cause people to resist 12-step programs, offering a compassionate, clear-eyed reframe of terms...