The Alcohol-Free Rebellion

When you stop drinking, something unexpected happens. Space. Space in your calendar. Space in your mornings. Space in your brain. Space in your relationships. Space in your home. And at first… it can feel really uncomfortable. In this episode of The Alcohol-Free Rebellion , I sit down with alcohol-free mentor Mel Burbank of Alcohol Free Females to talk about the part of sobriety that almost no one...

When Mary Alice Stephens took her last drink, it wasn’t in a jail cell or rehab. It was at a sunny pool party with a giant glass of rosé in hand. In this episode, Mary, author of Uncorked —shares the story of the blackout that became her emotional bottom. No DUI. No dramatic intervention. Just a quiet, devastating realization: “I don’t want to parent like this.” Abby and Mary dive into: The “in-be...

Alcohol is one of the only substances that we’re expected to consume and judged when we don’t. But why? In this episode, Abby sits down with Mike Marshall, CEO of the U.S. Alcohol Policy Alliance and a longtime advocate in the public health and recovery space, to unpack how alcohol became so deeply embedded in our culture and who benefits from that. Mike shares his personal sobriety journey, his b...

What was supposed to feel like a once-in-a-lifetime adventure turned into one of the most physically and emotionally challenging experiences of our lives. In this episode, I’m joined by my friend Rachel ( @soberincentralpark ) as we finally unpack our trek to Machu Picchu — the altitude sickness, panic attacks, injuries, tears, fear, rage, and moments where we truly didn’t know if we could keep go...

What if you didn’t need a rock bottom to question your relationship with alcohol — or your life? In this episode, I’m joined by Renée Adams and Mara DeMauro , co-founders of Nosedive , a platform and podcast dedicated to numbing less and living more . Together, we talk about growing up around alcohol, high-achieving culture, wellness contradictions, and the quiet dissatisfaction that can exist eve...

In this deeply honest episode, Abby sits down with Kathryn Sauser — creator of Sober Fit Girl , coach, podcaster, and almost six years sober — to talk about the parts of drinking we don’t usually say out loud. Kathryn shares her full story, including pieces she’s never publicly told: growing up in a chaotic alcoholic home, losing her father to addiction, becoming the “ultimate party girl,” chasing...

In this episode, we sit down with Ashley Elizabeth, sober companion, integration guide, and founder of Beyond Sobriety, to explore how sobriety can be a launchpad for radical transformation. Ashley shares her journey from a high-powered six-figure career to facing her struggles with alcohol and substance use, getting sober, and completely reinventing her life—including a bold move to Costa Rica. W...

Trigger Warning: This episode discusses substance use, psychosis, hospitalizations, and intense mental health struggles. Please take care while listening. Brou’s story is one of the wildest, rawest, and most inspiring journeys you’ll hear. From high-pressure kitchens in NYC, Philly, and San Francisco to a full mental health collapse, psychosis, and finally a long climb back into recovery — she’s l...

What happens when a sommelier trades wine pairings for wellness elixirs? In this episode, Abby sits down with Jillian Fontana , the founder of Mod Elixirs , to talk about her transition from the world of fine wine to crafting sophisticated, alcohol-free beverages that celebrate connection, creativity, and intention. Jill shares how her background in hospitality shaped her approach to mindful drink...

In this inspiring episode, Abby sits down with Ash Butterss, host of the Behind the Smile podcast, to explore the transformative journey of sobriety. Ash shares her personal story of addiction, the identity shifts she experienced after getting sober, and the tools that helped her navigate life alcohol-free. Together, they discuss the power of mindfulness, meditation, community support, and spiritu...

After retiring from her law career, Lucie Frost found herself stuck on the couch, drinking too much and binge-watching 90 Day Fiancé. She knew there had to be more — so she got curious. That curiosity led her to unexpected passions, deep self-discovery, and ultimately to writing her book, How the Hell Did I Not Know That? My Midlife Year from Couch to Curiosity. In this conversation, Lucie shares...

Ryan Lee’s story is one of extremes. After years of chasing thrills through drugs and alcohol, a multi-day bender in New Orleans ended with an ambulance call that became his wake-up moment: no one was coming to save him — he had to save himself. Through his recovery, Ryan became a digital nomad, traveling the world and rediscovering his true passion for adventure and connection. Instead of going b...

At just 18 years old, Corey Warren was sentenced to jail for armed robbery. Years later, his battle with alcohol addiction nearly cost him his life after a withdrawal-induced seizure. But Corey’s story didn’t end there—it was only beginning. Today, he’s a husband, father, and one of the most inspiring voices in the sobriety community. With over 228K followers on Instagram ( @icorreywarren ), Corey...

In this special episode, I sit down with my husband, Mike, to get his honest perspective on what it’s been like to walk alongside me on my almost two-year alcohol-free journey. We talk about what’s been hard, what he’s learned, and his best advice for couples navigating this kind of big life change together. We also laugh about a few of our wild drinking days, share how we’re approaching our upcom...

In this episode, I sit down with Adrienne van der Valk, author of Big Sober Energy — a book that’s part memoir, part resource manual, and completely affirming. My copy is covered in notes, highlighted passages, and dog-eared pages because it’s just that good. Adrienne shares her story, the mindset shifts that helped her transform her relationship with alcohol, and the incredible practical tools sh...

Author and musician Joshua Deen joins me to talk about his book Last Call, Stupid: An Exit from Toxic Drinking Culture — and how sobriety doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s. We talk about forging your own path, the emotional thread connecting wildly different drinking stories, and why just one new perspective can change everything. Plus, I share how jail and pregnancy oddly overlap in sobriet...

You quit drinking—but things still feel hard. Why? Because it was never just about the alcohol. In this solo episode, Abby gets honest about how alcohol was her coping tool—helping her feel fun, accepted, and quiet inside—but underneath was disconnection from her truth, her dreams, and herself. She shares the deeper healing work that’s made sobriety sustainable and soulful, not just a willpower ba...

In this solo episode, I’m catching you up on what’s been going on behind the scenes — the inner shifts, the outer milestones, and the unexpected softness in between. I talk about my recent trip to New Mexico to visit Jess and Ale from Mocksicated , and how slowing down in that space opened me up to something I didn’t even know I needed — a kind of spiritual awakening that’s been guiding me into de...

In this powerful and honest conversation, I sit down with Kendall B from Kendall B Therapy—a licensed therapist who specializes in anxiety, body image, and addiction. Kendall opens up about her own story: the personal challenges that inspired her to pursue therapy and how those experiences shape the way she helps women today. We talk about the roots of self-doubt, the connection between addiction...

In this episode of The Alcohol-Free Rebellion , we’re getting real about something that doesn’t get talked about enough—loneliness. I’m sharing how it started for me in childhood, how it shaped my need to fit in, and how that longing for connection kept me drinking longer than I wanted to. From early years to motherhood, loneliness shows up in sneaky ways—but here's the twist: sobriety didn’t...

This week, I’m joined by Robin, the founder of Wallace Dry Goods , an alcohol-free bottle shop in Ardmore, PA that's making sobriety stylish, intentional, and full of flavor. We chat about: What inspired her to open Wallace Dry Goods How she curates her shelf lineup with both heart and integrity Why providing alcohol-free options is about so much more than just drinks The joy of creating a spa...

What if no one’s telling you to stop drinking—but deep down, you know something’s off? In this episode, I sit down with Todd Kinney—lawyer, dad, and author of I Didn’t Believe It Either —to talk about the quiet, subtle ways alcohol can interfere with our lives… even when everything looks fine from the outside. Todd didn’t hit rock bottom. No ultimatums, no interventions. He just started questionin...

In this episode, I’m joined by the amazing Hollie Nickolson—a fitness and fat loss coach for women over 40, a mom, and now officially one year sober! Hollie shares her deeply personal journey with alcohol, including the years spent trying to moderate, what finally led her to quit for good, and how everything shifted once she made that decision. We also dive into her business and her mission to hel...

Why does “just one glass” so often turn into something that keeps us playing small? In this candid conversation, Michelle Smith—therapist, author, and creator of Recovery Is the New Black —shares how a seemingly “normal” wine-mom routine escalated, the moment she knew change was non-negotiable, and the surprising freedom (and fun) she discovered on the sober side of life. We unpack: the cultural s...

In this deeply moving episode, I sit down with Melissa from The Sober New Yorker to talk about her winding path to sobriety — the struggles, the relapses, and the moment it all finally clicked. At the heart of her story is a powerful relationship that helped guide her toward healing — and the tragic loss of that person to alcohol addiction. Melissa shares how that grief became her turning point, a...