Breaking the Evening Wine Habit | Kay's Naked Life | E816
What if you feel sad about giving up wine, even when you know it’s time?
That’s exactly how Kay felt when she realized that alcohol had taken over her life. After years of struggling with guilt, social pressure, and a growing dependence on wine to cope, Kay’s turning point came when she found the courage to confront her relationship with alcohol. In this episode, Kay shares her powerful journey of grief, self-doubt, and eventual healing. Through The Path and Annie's guidance, Kay discovered that while the road to quitting drinking was tough, the freedom on the other side was worth it.
In this episode, Annie and Kay discuss:
Kay's early memories of sherry with her parents and feeling included
Alcohol becoming a coping mechanism during marriage struggles and divorce
Moving to a remote village and the challenge of hiding her drinking
Her partner's concerns and Kay's feeling of being stuck
Discovering This Naked Mind's 5-day course and the initial reluctance to quit
Feeling sad about giving up wine and the internal "temper tantrum"
Understanding cognitive dissonance as a key to her breakthrough
The relief of waking up without the mental "noise" and guilt
Navigating social situations and big events alcohol-free with ease
And other topics…
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You're Enough Without the Drink | Alcohol Freedom Coaching | E815
What happens when your biggest insecurities surface every time you enter a social situation? Rachel relies on drinking to overcome anxiety at networking events, transforming into her "bubbly self." Chris battles a cycle of progress and setbacks, especially when family visits trigger old patterns. Coach Bill helps them learn how to set healthy boundaries with alcohol while building authentic confidence that doesn't depend on liquid courage.
In Rachel’s session:
Addressing imposter syndrome and social anxiety at networking events
Reframing feelings of inferiority into curiosity about potential mentors
Recognizing "not belonging" thoughts as internal stories, not reality
Planning alcohol-free alternatives like dinners with comfortable colleagues
Maintaining social connections while learning how to set healthy boundaries with alcohol
Practicing presence without staying too long at after-work events
And more topics…
In Chris’ session:
Breaking cycles of progress and setbacks in alcohol-free journeys
Navigating family disappointment and social pressure around drinking
Identifying relationships overly dependent on alcohol consumption
Preparing non-alcoholic drink alternatives for social situations
Challenging beliefs about needing alcohol to be interesting
Developing exit strategies for overwhelming social gatherings
And more…
Coach Bill is a certified Naked Mind Senior Coach who turned his personal struggle into his life's mission. Starting his relationship with alcohol at 16 to cope with trauma and lack of community support, Bill spent 40 years trapped in cycles of negativity and dependency before finding freedom through This Naked Mind on December 27, 2021. He believes there's a better way than traditional recovery methods and specializes in helping LGBTQAI+ individuals explore their unique path to alcohol freedom through honest self-exploration in a completely safe, judgment-free environment.
Learn more about Coach Bill: https://thisnakedmind.com/coach/bill-masters/
Related Episodes:
EP 622: Reader’s Question – Effective Strategies for Setting Boundaries with Family |https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-620-readers-question-effective-strategies-for-setting-boundaries-with-family/
EP 439: Naked Life Story – Nat X | https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-439-naked-life-story-nat-x/
EP 670: Reader’s Question – How do you stay motivated to be alcohol-free? | https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-670-readers-question-how-do-you-stay-motivated-to-be-alcohol-free/
Ready to take the next step on your journey?
Visit https://learn.thisnakedmind.com/podcast-resources for free resources, programs, and more. Until next week, stay curious!
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Learning How To Enjoy Socializing Without Alcohol | Regina’s Naked Life | E814
What if you could enjoy socializing without alcohol and actually feel more connected?
Regina’s story is a powerful reminder that alcohol doesn’t have to be part of the equation. From her early days of using alcohol to fit in, to the realization that alcohol was no longer serving her, Regina shares how her relationship with alcohol shifted. Through challenges and growth, she learned how to enjoy socializing without alcohol and found deeper, more authentic connections. Join Regina and Coach Cole as they dive into her journey and explore how breaking free from alcohol can unlock real social joy.
In this episode, Cole and Regina discuss:
Growing up with family mental health and addiction challenges
First drinking experience at 12 and using alcohol for emotional release
How to enjoy socializing without alcohol when it's been your connection tool
Understanding the difference between social drinking and problem drinking
Family patterns of addiction and mental health struggles
Using alcohol as a coping mechanism for anxiety and trauma
Postpartum psychosis and the wake-up call to change
The power of "This Naked Mind" and cognitive dissonance concepts
Finding empowerment through alcohol-free experiences
Learning how to enjoy socializing without alcohol at concerts and events
Practical strategies for maintaining alcohol freedom
and other topics…
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How To Explore Drinking Without Judgment | Alcohol Freedom Coaching | E813
Why do some people thrive in AA while others feel like they're speaking a different language entirely?
Phil's story illustrates the profound difference between shame-based recovery and compassionate inquiry. After cycling through AA for 15 years without lasting success, he found a new path when he learned how to explore drinking without judgment, treating each drinking episode as valuable data rather than personal failure. Coach Onowa guides Phil through his transformation from weekend binge drinking to understanding the deeper connections between childhood trauma, work anxiety, and his relationship with alcohol, showing how self-compassion became his gateway to freedom.
In this episode, Phil and Onowa discuss:
Shifting your mindset from judgment to compassion in alcohol recoveryThe emotional impact of alcohol use on mental healthHow to explore drinking without judgment to foster self-compassion
The importance of compassionate inquiry in understanding addiction
Learning to let go of guilt and shame around past drinking behavior
The relationship between alcohol, anxiety, and depression
Overcoming the stigma of relapse and embracing data points
Practical strategies for building resilience in alcohol-free living
How to navigate difficult social situations without alcohol
and more…
Onowa Bjella is a certified TNM Senior Coach with over 20 years of experience in teaching and coaching. She believes that self-compassion is key to creating a balanced relationship with alcohol. As a mom, Onowa is dedicated to healthy eating and living, and she helps other health-conscious moms take control of their relationship with alcohol and become their best selves.
Learn more about Coach Onowa: https://thisnakedmind.com/coach/onowa-bjella/
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Beyond the Bottle: Finding a Fulfilling Life Using The Alcohol Experiment | Lisa’s Naked Life | E812
Can losing everything actually help you come back to yourself?
For Lisa, it did. In the middle of pandemic chaos, she realized that using The Alcohol Experiment to quit drinking wasn’t just about removing alcohol—it was about reclaiming her life. As she began to unearth long-buried truths and emotional wounds, she found clarity, courage, and a new path forward. In this episode, she shares how releasing alcohol helped her find the tools to rebuild from the inside out.
In this episode Annie and Lisa discuss:
Why social drinking felt harmless until it wasn’t
The moment pandemic lockdowns forced her to confront reality
How cognitive dissonance revealed the truth about alcohol
What changed when she stopped trying to please everyone
Letting go of a marriage, career, and identity that no longer fit
How using The Alcohol Experiment to quit drinking sparked a personal awakening
Tools she leaned on, including somatic healing and journaling
Exploring plant medicine and how microdosing helped her rewire patterns
Losing over 50 pounds by applying the same awareness to food
How creativity, nature, and solo adventures became her new way to connect
Finding freedom in choosing emotional wellness over temporary relief
and other topics
Episode Links:
Lisa’s Book - A New Way Back - https://amzn.to/436eFze
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Bestselling author Annie Grace invites you to explore the role of alcohol in our lives and culture without rules, pain, or judgement. Ready to make a change? Join The Alcohol Experiment - a FREE 30-day challenge designed to deliver happiness, wellbeing and self-respect. Check out The Alcohol Experiment at alcoholexperiment.com
Ireland