This Naked Mind Podcast

What if you could manage tough emotions without a drink? When Swarna’s daughter turned four, memories of her own trauma at the same age came flooding back. Although remembering was painful, it helped her realize she had been drinking because she felt unsafe in her own body. Meanwhile, Sarah often woke up with regret after drinking, saying "never again," but found herself reaching for a drink again...

Have you ever felt torn between the life you show and the life you hide? Megan, a devoted nurse and mom, lived a double life that tore her apart. She was at the top of her game during the week, but on her days off, she would binge drink. After a three-day binge during the holidays, Megan hit rock bottom. Ashamed that she couldn't be present for her kids, she knew something had to change. She found...

Are you struggling to trust yourself after years of drinking? When Jenna noticed that she wasn’t just drinking in the evenings anymore, but also in the mornings and afternoons, she became scared and overwhelmed. Having struggled with alcohol for over 40 years, she also felt guilty and unworthy, believing she was powerless to make the changes she really wanted. But it wasn’t her fault. Alcohol had...

Do you find yourself giving alcohol various 'jobs' depending on what you're facing?  While Joy counseled young people about the dangers of alcohol, she secretly beat herself up for drinking more than she wanted to. Feeling torn, she quit her job as a counselor. She had always given alcohol different jobs in her life. First, it helped her fit in with her peers. Then, she used it to manage her grief...

Could alcohol be stopping you from finding real peace? No matter how many alcohol-free programs Annette tries, she can’t seem to get past the sixth day without reaching for her favorite Twisted Tea. Meanwhile, Jane drinks to get some relief from the worry and stress of managing her challenging relationship with her aging parents. While Annette's roadblock is her belief that alcohol helps her relax...

Have you ever thought, "I can handle this on my own," only to realize you couldn't? Shelley struggled with her husband’s harmful behavior and drinking habit, which left her at the end of her rope. On top of that, her own unhealthy relationship with alcohol weighed her down. Thinking she could solve the problem on her own, she refused to accept help. But one day, she finally joined Al-Anon and got...

Have you ever sabotaged your progress because it felt easier than standing out? As seven-year-old Helga raced toward the finish line, it was clear she would win. But suddenly, she turned around and let everyone pass her. Why? Because she felt uncomfortable being in the lead. This moment captures a lifelong pattern of holding back when she’s about to succeed. Helga even found herself doing the same...

Is the fear of drinking again keeping you from fully enjoying your life? After going through detox three times, Erin was afraid to drink again. She didn’t want to go on vacations or to bars because she was scared. Even though she stayed away from alcohol for years, she still felt stuck because she was often thinking about not drinking. She was eager to step into the next chapter of her life but co...

Do you feel awkward drinking less than everyone else around you?  Christine lives in wine country, where almost every social event is at a winery or involves wine. But now that she no longer drinks as much as she used to, she feels like she has to drink just to fit in. In this coaching session, Coach Cole helps Christine talk through her feelings of awkwardness about drinking less and how it affec...

Are you wondering how to build meaningful connections without drinking? Gregory once turned to substances to win fast friends. But that didn’t bring the deep, meaningful connections he really wanted. What he needed to realize, however, was that he had to connect with himself first, and reading This Naked Mind was the first step in the right direction. He took a leap of faith into a new way of life...

Does alcohol really lead to the good life, or is it taking more than it gives? For a long time, Rajinder believed alcohol was necessary to have fun at celebrations and on vacations. From the glass of mimosa on the plane to the pretty cocktail at resort check-in, Rajinder’s holidays were always wrapped up in alcohol. But the hangovers were awful, and the plane rides home left her feeling like she n...

Have you ever felt like different parts of you are at war?  Cole thought alcohol would always dominate his life. Drinking helped him cope with the grief of losing his father, and before he knew it, he couldn’t separate it from his identity. He endured many years of darkness and self-blame, feeling trapped in a war with himself. But one day, he decided it was time for a change. He committed to lear...

What if you could find better coping mechanisms than alcohol? During Bek’s difficult marriage breakup, she used alcohol to comfort herself and numb painful emotions. Meanwhile, overachiever Emily drank to reward herself, even though she would end up feeling worse. For both women, alcohol was a way to cope with life’s challenges. In this episode, Coach Zoe helps Bek and Emily look back at their pas...

Do you ever feel like you’re going along with the crowd just to fit in? Patrick C. liked drinking because it made him more social. Instead of being the shy, quiet kid he used to be, alcohol made him feel more fun and confident. But when he started feeling worse every time he drank, Patrick realized he wasn’t drinking because he wanted to. Rather, he was drinking to please people and not let them d...

If you are truly yourself, will you still belong in your community? Deborah has always been a likable person who fits in effortlessly. But as she steps into her alcohol-free identity, she worries she will lose her connection with her community. In this coaching session, Coach Lance helps her break down her fears around rejection and judgment, showing her that real belonging comes from being unapol...

What if the first step to freedom is realizing that you are not the problem? Kayla’s journey with alcohol started long before her first sip. With a father who became unpredictable when he drank and a mother with unresolved trauma, she grew up hating alcohol. When she started drinking to fit in with the college crowd, she justified it by telling herself she wasn’t like her dad. But each time she dr...

Can alcohol really take away the pain—or is it secretly adding to it?  Sarah, a mother burdened by chronic pain and daily pressures, turned to alcohol just to get through the day. But as she depended more on drinking, the impact on her health and happiness grew worse. The pain radiated through her body and she felt increasingly weighed down by feelings of unworthiness. In this coaching session, Sa...

Are you really in control of your relationship with alcohol or is it just an illusion? From crushing it in the corporate world to managing life as a working mom, drinking helped Jenn M. wind down, meet new people, and belong in social circles. Alcohol helped her be the best version of herself, and she had it under control. Or so she thought. Over time, as she noticed the effects of alcohol on her...

Why do people go back to drinking? Our first episode of the Alcohol Freedom Coaching series offers some insight into what triggers people to drink again, even after experiencing success with quitting. Listen in as This Naked Mind Certified Coach Ellie Crowe gives you an inside look at two intimate alcohol coaching sessions. First, Ellie helps Laurie explore her fears about cravings returning and h...

What’s the secret to thriving without alcohol when life gets hectic? When Kim first appeared on the podcast, she spoke to Annie about her journey from closet binge drinking to finding freedom. Despite a chaotic childhood that fueled her relationship with alcohol and eating disorders, she finally found compassion for herself. In this “Where Are They Now” episode, Kim catches up with Hayley to discu...

In a world where alcohol often holds the reins, it's easy to feel trapped, alone, and unsure of where to turn when you find yourself drinking more than you want to. But what if breaking free didn't have to be about willpower or pain? What if you could make alcohol small and irrelevant in your life without labeling yourself, feeling deprived, or white-knuckling your way through “sobriety”? Freedom...

Do you ever find yourself asking, "Why do I keep sabotaging my sobriety?" If so, you're in the right place. Many people struggle with this pattern of self-sabotage. On today's episode, we're talking about why this happens and what you can do about it. We'll explore the science behind cravings and triggers, and we'll share practical tips for overcoming them. Annie Grace will share her insights on h...

Are you a high-performing professional feeling the pressure to drink at work? Steve Wilt, a leader in the financial services industry, was right there with you. He'll share how alcohol became deeply ingrained in his career, from casual drinks with coworkers to lavish corporate events. Discover how reading Annie Grace's book and joining a 90-day challenge sparked him to take an extended break from...

How long does it take for alcohol to leave your system? And when will you start feeling normal again? In this episode of the podcast, Annie Grace uncovers the science behind alcohol's effects and shares her own personal experiences. Learn how long it takes for ethanol, the chemical in alcohol, to leave your system and why it might take even longer for your brain to fully rebalance. Annie also expl...

What if you could find a way to cope with life's stresses without relying on alcohol? In this episode, Sally, a woman working in the male-dominated construction industry, shares her journey of overcoming stress drinking and finding freedom from alcohol. Hear about her experiences with embarrassing incidents, the challenges of moderation, and how the Alcohol Experiment helped her see a different pa...