To 50 and Beyond | Midlife and Alcohol-Free Lifestyle

Episode 261 Hello friend! When I was 45 and thinking about quitting alcohol, I wished I could hear from women my age who could share their experiences and insights about living without alcohol. In today's episode, I'm your virtual friend, here to share some positive insights of life without drinking. The purpose of this episode is to bring you hope and encouragement, and help you find your "bright...

Episode 260 Are you thinking about taking a break from drinking?  I remember my first break from drinking, which I talk about in this episode. I had the mindset going into it that I would save money and lose weight, but with that first break, I realized how different I felt without drinking.  That break was the "kickstart" to me going "all-in" on an alcohol-free lifestyle a year and half later.  I...

Bonus In this episode, I wrap up  The Essential Series  with words of encouragement and hope and a breakdown of how to keep your alcohol-free lifestyle top of mind daily which simply means:  I will make myself and my alcohol-free lifestyle a priority because I care about myself and what I want more out of life than drinking alcohol .  I'll be sharing five practical strategies to help remind you of...

Episode 259 Hello friend! I'm happy you're here.  Today, we are talking about how to manage relationships without drinking.  One of the biggest fears most women face when deciding to choose an alcohol-free lifestyle is how their choice will impact their relationships.  Our choice to live free from alcohol should not be anything less than celebrated, especially by the people we love, but that is no...

Episode #258    Hello, friend! Today is an episode about stepping into your identity as someone who lives an alcohol-free lifestyle.  When I stopped drinking, I realized quickly that so much of who I thought I was was tied to alcohol. At 14, I stepped into my "party girl" image. I believed alcohol was the answer to my social anxiety and lack of confidence in who I was.  At 45, when I quit drinking...

Bonus In the last five years, I've received many questions from women who are thinking about giving up alcohol later in life. In this episode, I'll answer your most common questions and worries. This episode aims to help you find the information you need and let you know that other women have similar concerns. To find the resources mentioned in this episode, head to the show notes page.    Get cau...

Episode 257 When I first quit drinking, I had no plan. After committing to an alcohol-free lifestyle, I woke up the next day feeling lost and uncertain. The day seemed long and daunting, and with no one else aware of my decision yet, fear crept in. Looking back, I realize how much I held myself accountable for that commitment. However, for the first two years of sobriety, I lacked a clear daily fo...

Hello, friend!  I'm so glad you're here.  In this bonus episode, we talk about the concept of your alcohol-free muscle and how it empowers you to live alcohol-free. Just like our muscles in our bodies, your alcohol-free muscle takes time to build.  Let this episode remind you that your challenges are your greatest "alcohol-free muscle builders."  I'm with you. You will find the show notes  here. ...

Episode 256  When you stop drinking, it is normal to crave a drink and feel the urge to drink. You are never alone in fighting the good fight to stay alcohol-free during these tempting moments.  In this episode, I will guide you through 5 essential solutions that can help you effectively manage the urge to drink and empower yourself to step into the leading role you were meant to play in your life...

Bonus episode  Hello friend! I'm glad you're here!  Today, we are coming together to talk about our inner dialogue that comes up after we quit drinking, what I like to call, our "drinking stories." We all have them, and being aware of what they are will help you challenge them to find a fresh perspective that will help support your alcohol-free lifestyle.  Are you up for the challenge?  If you are...

Episode 255      Finding practicality and simplicity in early sobriety is essential to prevent overwhelm and stress, which can motivate you to drink.  I chose a practical approach to sobriety, because that is all I knew then. With so many different tips available today to help you stop drinking, it can get confusing how to start and keep it going. In this episode, I'll guide you through five pract...

Bonus episode  If you're unsure about drinking or taking a break, you're not alone. Many women in midlife are choosing the road less traveled and exploring the benefits of abstaining from alcohol. In this bonus episode, I'll guide you through 5 Essential Questions to Help You Take a Break from Drinking.  What you'll hear:   Questions to help you:  Identify experiences that matter more to you than...

Episode 254  Hello friend!  We all reach a point where we start considering an alcohol-free lifestyle as an alternative. It sounds appealing, but the uncertainty of what it truly takes to start and maintain an alcohol-free life can be overwhelming. In this episode, I'll guide you in reflecting on your thoughts about the requirements and misconceptions surrounding transitioning to an alcohol-free l...

Hello, friend!  If you are curious about going alcohol-free or are already living that lifestyle but find it less than fulfilling, I have a special 6-week podcast series, The Essential Series: Your Guide to Living Alcohol-Free in Midlife and Beyond, coming your way July 12th - August 18th.  Today, I will introduce you to the series and let you know what to expect.    The episodes you will hear in...

Episode 253    If you feel like you aren't moving in the direction of where you want to be in 2023, (join the club and) listen to this episode today!   We all feel off track sometimes, and taking time to reflect helps us find more peace and clarity and get focused on what matters most in our lives.    There is no better time than mid-year to reflect!   In this episode, I share my five favorite pro...

Episode 250  Hello, friend!   If you are like my wonderful guest, Lisa May Bennett, and me in episode 250 - a woman who grew up with insecurities and self-doubt and found relief from anxiety and those insecurities by drinking, you will appreciate this episode today. Lisa is a repeat late bloomer who writes about personal growth and trying new things on her blog, Bittersweet Nugget. She first decid...

Episode 249    Hello, friend! I'm honored to share my guest with you today.  Donna is a fellow listener of To 50 and Beyond who reached out to me to share her story with you to let you know you are not alone and give you a boost of "alcohol-free" inspiration and encouragement.  Donna is a wonderful woman, who I now consider a friend, and I think you will too.  Today, you will hear Donna's Story fr...

Episode 248  Depression affects everyone, regardless of gender or age. By hiding our depression, we make it harder to accept and express ourselves and increase the struggle to live as our authentic selves. We adopt destructive perfectionism behaviors that make it more difficult to show vulnerability in an attempt to present a flawless image to the world. Dr. Margaret Rutherford is here to talk abo...

Hello, friend!  I'm glad you are here.  Episode 247, is an episode about aging, courage, and living the life you want in your second half.  You have the courage to change your life today, and my fantastic guest, Sheree Clark is here to help give you a pep talk and a boost in the direction you want to go.  Sheree is a Midlife Courage Coach, television show host, inspiring speaker, and accomplished...

Episode 246  Are you a spiritual person looking for a new way to quit drinking?  If so, this is the episode for you.   Erin Jean Warde, the author of "Sober Spirituality", is an Episcopal priest who unites Spiritual and Sobriety coaching.  She became a priest at 25, the youngest possible age, and has since built her own spiritual community.   In this episode, we discuss Erin's journey to becoming...

Episode 245 Hello there!  Today, I'm sharing my story of how the change of life led to changing my drinking and getting sober.  I was honored to be interviewed on my friend, Noelle Van Vlierbergen's new podcast, Go Go Bistro which launched on April 18th.  Go Go Bistro inspires women to step into change with each and grace.  Noelle is a natural at podcasting. She has the voice, the smarts, and the...

Episode 244    Have you wanted to start a walking or running program but aren't sure where to start?  If you are someone who is working on sobriety and recovering from alcohol use, exercise is one of the most beneficial tools to add to your toolbox.  My guest, Amber Graziano is a passionate expert in not only running but in building a running community and events for folks in recovery.  Amber Graz...

Episode 243  It's not easy to face our compulsive shopping behaviors, and it's definitely not easy to change them. I'm proud of you for even considering this episode, and I know how you feel.  I've worked on changing my compulsive shopping habits for the past few years. It takes time and support to help understand what is happening in our lives that contribute to how and why we spend compulsively,...

Episode 242 So many women realize that their drinking is not "normal."  Women have a vision of what a normal drinker looks like, and a lot of women, including myself, wish to be one.  So, what happens when you realize you're not?  My guest today is a listener of To 50 and Beyond who volunteered courageously to share her journey to sobriety with us.  I'm honored to share the incredible Maria with y...

Episode 241    Thank you for listening today! This is a short episode from my heart about why I think exploring your relationship matters later in life.  I talk about my relationship with alcohol and how it changed over three decades, and what to highlight when exploring the role that alcohol plays in your life.  Wherever you are on your a/f journey, I'm with you!  Disclaimer:  I'm talking about m...