Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions of stroke, death of a spouse, and grief.

What happens when you stop trying to think your way through living alcohol-free and start feeling your way forward? Ann felt trapped by an endless to-do list and the fear that alcohol would "attack" when her defenses were down. Jamie clung to her nightly glass of wine as the last piece of normalcy after losing her husband and surviving a stroke. Both women were stuck in their heads, analyzing and overthinking instead of experiencing their journey. In this episode, you'll witness the moment everything shifts. Coach Hayley guides Ann through reframing her entire approach to recovery, helping her discover how to move from thinking to feeling through powerful language shifts and self-compassion. Coach Cole helps Jamie see that prioritizing her health isn't about deprivation—it's about opening new doors.

In Ann’s Session:

Transforming fear of alcohol lurking around the corner into confidenceReframing "to-do lists" as "adventures that await"Understanding liberation versus fixation with alcoholConnecting with your body instead of living in your headShifting language from "I need to" to "I get to"Recognizing personal gains instead of focusing on gapsHolding goals loosely to reduce overwhelm and fearAnd more topics…

In Jamie's Session:

Navigating life after stroke and loss of spouse without alcoholBreaking free when alcohol feels like your last piece of normalcyPrioritizing health as the foundation of recoveryUnderstanding choice versus deprivationDiscovering how to move from thinking to feeling during griefManaging stress and mental health alongside physical wellnessVisualizing the doors that open when one closesApproaching doubt and fear with curiosity instead of judgmentAnd more topics…

Hayley Scherders is a certified TNM Coach with training from the Canadian Addiction and Mental Health Association. Drawing from personal experiences, Hayley understands how tough change can be and provides a safe, compassionate, and judgment-free space where her clients can feel supported. She believes that with the right mindset, anyone can change their life at any time.

Learn more about Coach Hayley: https://thisnakedmind.com/coach/hayley-scherders/

Cole Harvey is a certified Naked Mind Senior Coach. For years, he felt lost and used alcohol as a way to cope, until he decided to go alcohol-free and focus on finding his purpose. Through curiosity, self-compassion, and adventure, he transformed his life. As a habit change and mindset coach, Cole helps young men understand themselves, build better habits, and find meaning.

Learn more about Coach Cole: https://thisnakedmind.com/coach/cole-harvey/

Episode links:

nakedmindpath.com

Related Episodes:

How do I deal with death and grief without alcohol? - Reader Question - E262 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-262-reader-question-grief-without-alcohol/

What Rewiring the Brain Really Looks Like - Alcohol Freedom Coaching - E807 - https://thisnakedmind.com/reprogramming-your-brain-after-quitting-drinking-e807/

What To Do When The Emotions Hit After You Quit Drinking – Alcohol Freedom Coaching – E845 – https://thisnakedmind.com/drinking-to-avoid-emotions-afc-e845/

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!

Hungryroot: Get 40% off your first box + a free item for life at ⁠⁠https://www.hungryroot.com/mind

Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at ⁠⁠Shopify.com/mind⁠⁠ 

Quince:Go to ⁠⁠Quince.com/naked⁠⁠ for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns 

BetterHelp:BetterHelp makes it easy to get matched online with a qualified therapist. Sign up and get 10% off at BetterHelp.com/nakedmind

TRIGGER WARNING: This episode discusses childhood trauma, parental abandonment, domestic abuse, substance use, and mental health topics.

Have you ever realized you're doing to someone you love exactly what hurt you most as a child? That gut-wrenching moment hit Heather hard when she recognized she was neglecting her son the same way her alcohol dependent father neglected her. Growing up, she watched her dad drink every night, becoming hostile and unavailable while she desperately needed connection. Her mother had already left, and the bullying at school made her feel even more alone. By her twenties, Heather was chasing belonging through party drugs and alcohol, convinced that being the life of the party meant she'd finally be accepted. Fast forward to her divorce, and she was drinking two bottles of wine alone every night, passing out in front of Netflix, unable to be present for her son. But the real wake-up call came when her child witnessed her having a trauma response while intoxicated. That's when Heather joined The Path and discovered what finding connection without alcohol actually means. Through coaching calls, self-compassion, and community support, she learned that genuine connection starts with being safe within yourself—not performing for others or numbing your pain.

Heather and Coach Cole discuss:

Heather’s early memories of an unpredictable, drinking parent and the “Sunday blues” that still linger

How childhood bullying and self-sabotage formed a template for chasing approval and bracing for criticism

Becoming the designated driver, then later stepping into party culture, drugs, and chasing acceptance at any cost

Motherhood, isolation, and week-on/week-off parenting that turned wine into a nightly coping strategy

The breaking point meltdown that led Heather to seek real help instead of trying to “just stop” on her own

How The Path showed her that finding connection without alcohol is possible through safety, shared stories, and unconditional support

Rewriting generational patterns by parenting her son with emotional language, nervous-system tools, and open conversations about alcohol

Feeling “me is okay, me is cool” and stepping into a new season of confidence, self-trust, and genuine belonging

How Heather now seeks out like-minded people, creates connections from the inside out, and has more insights, reflections, and ah-ha moments

Episode links:
nakedmindpath.com

Related Episodes:

One Year No Beer – Andy’s Naked Life – E57 – https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-57-naked-life-story-andy-ramage/

Can I Just Take a Break From Alcohol? – Reader Question – E378 – https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-378-reader-question-can-i-just-take-a-break-from-alcohol/

Finding Your True Self and Building Genuine Connections Without Alcohol – Alcohol Freedom Coaching – E821 – https://thisnakedmind.com/building-genuine-connections-without-alcohol-e821/

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!

Hungryroot: Get 40% off your first box + a free item for life at https://www.hungryroot.com/mind

Shopify:Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at ⁠⁠Shopify.com/mind⁠⁠ 

Quince:Go to ⁠⁠Quince.com/naked⁠⁠ for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns 

BetterHelp:BetterHelp makes it easy to get matched online with a qualified therapist. Sign up and get 10% off at BetterHelp.com/nakedmind

Is your struggle with alcohol secretly a struggle for your true self? This powerful dual-coaching session with Coaches Zoe and Cole brings you inside The Path to witness the transformation of Jason and Jim. Jason is 50 days alcohol-free but still tormented by the idea that he’s lost his place in his social circle, grappling with the fear of sacrificing his identity as he removes the "existential glue" of drinking. Jim reveals the intense, internal conflict of the "punching bag" who is desperately trying to manage stress and avoid the "embarrassment" of an emotional breakdown. Both coaches showcase the fact that alcohol created an artificially high reference point for pleasure. They discuss the vital work of understanding how to reset dopamine after quitting alcohol, which is key to restoring the capacity for simple, natural joy. Listen in as Jason and Jim discover the freedom that comes from embracing vulnerability and choosing self-compassion over a constant battle.

In Jason’s session:

Spotting reward cues that masquerade as “treats.”

Two-minute resets that interrupt autopilot.

Habit friction: move it, hide it, swap it.

“Next right thing” planning for 5–9 p.m.

Data-not-drama journaling you’ll actually use.

How to reset dopamine after quitting alcohol with tiny pleasures.

And more ideas, scripts, and adjustments.

In Jim’s Session:

Why joy dips: the brain’s recalibration window.

Sensation anchors: seat, breath, jaw, hands.

Pairing movement + music for fast reward.

Social micro-rituals that feel safe and real.

Reframing slips as information, not identity.

Weekend templates that lower craving noise.

Plus more experiments, reflections, and tools.

Zoe Ewart is a Certified Naked Mind Senior Coach who brings her experience and understanding to help with the tricky parts of life’s big changes. Her coaching gives you an enjoyable, light-hearted, and safe environment to effortlessly take back control of alcohol so you can feel better physically, mentally, and spiritually. Zoe taught Pilates for 15 years. She has four adult children and more animals than the Ark ever had.

Learn more about Coach Zoe: https://thisnakedmind.com/coach/zoe-ewart/ 

Cole Harvey is a certified Naked Mind Senior Coach. For years, he felt lost and used alcohol as a way to cope, until he decided to go alcohol-free and focus on finding his purpose. Through curiosity, self-compassion, and adventure, he transformed his life. As a habit change and mindset coach, Cole helps young men understand themselves, build better habits, and find meaning.

Learn more about Coach Cole: https://thisnakedmind.com/coach/cole-harvey/

Episode links:

nakedmindpath.com

Related Episodes:

How do I stay alcohol free at a bachelor/bachelorette party weekend? - Reader Question - E292 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-292-reader-question-how-do-i-stay-alcohol-free-at-a-bachelor-bachelorette-party-weekend/

What I Wish I Knew Before My First Drink – Bison Hunting and Raspberries - E444 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-444-what-i-wish-i-knew-before-my-first-drink-bison-hunting-and-raspberries/

Embracing Joy in the Moment – Alcohol Freedom Coaching – E754 – https://thisnakedmind.com/embracing-joy-in-the-moment-alcohol-freedom-coaching-e754/

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!

Hungryroot: Get 40% off your first box + a free item for life at https://www.hungryroot.com/mind

Shopify:Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at ⁠⁠Shopify.com/mind⁠⁠ 

Quince:Go to ⁠⁠Quince.com/naked⁠⁠ for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns 

BetterHelp:BetterHelp makes it easy to get matched online with a qualified therapist. Sign up and get 10% off at BetterHelp.com/nakedmind

Losing the fear of not drinking can feel impossible, can’t it? For Lindsey, alcohol was woven into every milestone: sixth-grade sleepovers, college weekends, early marriage, and long workweeks that ended with “just one more” drink on the couch. Drinking wasn’t just a habit; it was how she fit in, turned off the noise, and chased that first rush of feeling totally okay for a moment. Over time, the hangovers became brutal, and the mental fallout was even worse—fights with her husband, Sunday dread, and memories she didn’t always want to remember. One morning, after a night that ended with a chipped tooth and dry heaving on the kitchen floor while her daughter watched, something inside her shifted. Lindsey found This Naked Mind and, for the first time, felt like someone was telling her she wasn’t broken—this is simply what alcohol does. The book became a permission slip to step off the hamster wheel and experiment with not drinking at all. In this episode, Lindsey joins Coach Cole to talk about rebuilding self-trust, reshaping a marriage that was once built on drinks, and becoming the kind of mom whose daughters see her saying “no” with confidence instead of needing a glass to cope.

Lindsey and Coach Cole discuss:

Lindsey describes the first drink in middle school and how quickly alcohol became tied to identity, popularity, and feeling “okay” for a moment.

The progression from curiosity to dependence: chasing euphoria, ignoring red flags, and waking up in emotional and physical pain.

How “I’ll just drink less” experiments and endless rules kept her stuck in the same cycle of regret, self-doubt, and harsh inner dialogue.

The breaking point: a trip that ended with a chipped tooth, a morning spent on the bathroom floor, and her daughter seeing a version of mom Lindsey never wanted to be.

Finding This Naked Mind and reframing her story—from “I’m the problem” to “this is what alcohol does,” opening space to question everything.

What changed when she began losing the fear of not drinking: more stable moods, clearer health goals as a trainer, and deeper presence with her family.

The new foundation of her marriage and parenting—less reactivity, more responsibility for her own choices, and a commitment not to be someone else’s story of what they had to overcome.

How losing the fear of not drinking allowed Lindsey to feel “light as a feather” and more.

Episode links:

nakedmindpath.com

Related Episodes:

How To Stop Using Alcohol As A Crutch - Alcohol Freedom Coaching - E811 - https://thisnakedmind.com/how-to-stop-using-alcohol-as-a-crutch-e811/

What Is the Pink Cloud? - Reader’s Question - E320 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-320-reader-question-what-is-the-pink-cloud/

How To Feel Good Without Alcohol - Reader’s Question - E702 - https://thisnakedmind.com/podcast/ep-702-readers-question-how-to-feel-good-without-alcohol/

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!

Hungryroot: Get 40% off your first box + a free item for life at https://www.hungryroot.com/mind

Shopify:Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at ⁠⁠Shopify.com/mind⁠⁠ 

Quince:Go to ⁠⁠Quince.com/naked⁠⁠ for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns 

BetterHelp:BetterHelp makes it easy to get matched online with a qualified therapist. Sign up and get 10% off at BetterHelp.com/nakedmind

Why is it so hard to close the gap between knowing you should stop drinking and actually stopping? In this episode, we feature powerful sessions with Coach Cole and Sabine, and Coach Zoe and Mary. Coach Cole validates Sabine’s frustration, helping her realize that her goal isn't to get rid of the inner critic, but to listen to and validate all her internal "parts" so they can work together. These sessions reveal that lasting change comes not from fighting ourselves, but from deep self-understanding and compassion. Mary understands the content intellectually, but her body keeps pulling her back to the bottle. Coach Zoe explains that the common denominator in all her drinking—celebration, sadness, or boredom—is emotion. She provides Mary key tips to stop using alcohol to avoid feelings by building a "safety container" in the body, starting with simple sensations. In her session, Sabine opens up about her struggle with a critical "people-pleaser" voice that emerged during her move to a new country and a dysfunctional marriage.

In Sabine’s Session:

Parts work 101: letting people-pleaser and protector both be heard

How curiosity softens rumination after awkward interactions

Scripts to be factual and direct without labeling yourself “rude”

Re-building self-trust and everyday autonomy

Pause → notice → name the need before you reply

Reflection prompts—and tips to stop using alcohol to avoid feelings—and more

In Mary’s Session:

Why intellect can’t carry the whole day

“Sensations before emotions” (seat, breath, throat, stomach)

Micro-check-ins tied to routines (sitting, doorways, kettle)

Working gently with perfectionism and shame

Body-led evening plans that lower craving noise

Kind, doable next steps you can practice tonight—and more

Cole Harvey is a certified Naked Mind Senior Coach. For years, he felt lost and used alcohol as a way to cope, until he decided to go alcohol-free and focus on finding his purpose. Through curiosity, self-compassion, and adventure, he transformed his life. As a habit change and mindset coach, Cole helps young men understand themselves, build better habits, and find meaning.

Learn more about Coach Cole: https://thisnakedmind.com/coach/cole-harvey/

Zoe Ewart is a Certified Naked Mind Senior Coach who brings her experience and understanding to help with the tricky parts of life’s big changes. Her coaching gives you an enjoyable, light-hearted, and safe environment to effortlessly take back control of alcohol so you can feel better physically, mentally, and spiritually. Zoe taught Pilates for 15 years. She has four adult children and more animals than the Ark ever had.

Learn more about Coach Zoe: https://thisnakedmind.com/coach/zoe-ewart/ 

Episode links:
nakedmindpath.com

Related Episodes:

How do I handle cravings and people pleasing?-Reader Question-E272- https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-272-reader-question-how-do-i-handle-cravings-and-people-pleasing/

Why Do I Drink When I Know It’s Bad For Me?-Reader Question-E660- https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-660-readers-question-why-do-i-drink-when-i-know-its-bad-for-me/

The Path to Inner Clarity-Alcohol Freedom Coaching-E748- https://thisnakedmind.com/the-path-to-inner-clarity-alcohol-freedom-coaching-e748/

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!

Hungryroot: Get 40% off your first box + a free item for life at https://www.hungryroot.com/mind

Shopify:Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at ⁠⁠Shopify.com/mind⁠⁠ 

Quince:Go to ⁠⁠Quince.com/naked⁠⁠ for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns 

BetterHelp:BetterHelp makes it easy to get matched online with a qualified therapist. Sign up and get 10% off at BetterHelp.com/nakedmind

Have you ever caught yourself thinking, “If you felt what I feel, you’d drink too”? Chuck gets that.

For years, a combination of work stress, long commutes, and intense back pain had him pouring more than he ever planned. Drinks became his “off switch” at the end of the day and then his go-to whenever his body flared. Eventually, the pain calmed down and the stressful job shifted, but the habit of drinking stuck around—which was the wake-up call he couldn’t ignore. In this episode, Chuck and Coach Cole talk through the messy, human side of quitting alcohol when you have chronic pain, including what happened when his back suddenly “went out” again after months alcohol-free. Chuck shares how appropriate medical care, a short course of prescribed meds, and a strong internal “I am not starting over” helped him stay off the bottle. You’ll hear how he rebuilt his routine around daily stretching, core strength, and even a zero-gravity nap, plus why music and creative hobbies feel better than any buzz. They also dig into boundaries—leaving family gatherings early, pushing back (diplomatically) at work, and deciding he no longer has to sit and absorb other people’s behavior to be polite. If you’ve ever wondered whether you can rebuild your life around what you love instead of avoiding what hurts, this conversation is for you.

Coach Cole and Chuck discuss:

Slipping from teenage partying into midlife self-medication with alcohol

Realizing the job and pain changed, but the drinking stayed

Navigating quitting alcohol when you have chronic pain

Facing a second major back episode alcohol-free and nearly getting derailed

Why alcohol never truly solves stress, family conflict, or health issues

Using “walk away” as a valid backup plan at triggering gatherings

And more…

Episode links:

www.alcoholexperiment.com

Related Episodes:

I’ve Used Wine to Numb Physical Pain | Reader Question | E196 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-196-i-used-wine-to-numb-physical-pain-now-without-it-my-quality-of-life-is-way-down-what-can-i-do/

 Overcoming Using Alcohol as a Pain Reliever | Reader Question | E656 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-656-readers-question-overcoming-using-alcohol-as-a-pain-reliever/

Alcohol Doesn’t Relieve My Pain, It Steals My Joy | Alcohol Freedom Coaching | E732 - https://thisnakedmind.com/alcohol-freedom-coaching-alcohol-doesnt-relieve-my-pain-it-steals-my-joy-ep-732/

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!

Hungryroot: Get 40% off your first box + a free item for life at ⁠⁠https://www.hungryroot.com/mind

Shopify:Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at ⁠⁠Shopify.com/mind⁠⁠ 

Quince:Go to ⁠⁠Quince.com/naked⁠⁠ for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns 

BetterHelp:BetterHelp makes it easy to get matched online with a qualified therapist. Sign up and get 10% off at BetterHelp.com/nakedmind

Ever catch yourself thinking, “Why does this feel so weird without a drink?” You’re not alone. In this episode, Coach Cole walks with Sally through the swirl of social pressure at kids’ sporting events and helps her spot the doors that open when the “alcohol door” closes. Coach Soraya sits with Ava, who’s noticing a growing gap between her knowledge and her actions. Together they explore sensitivity, fear, and the habits that keep us looping. We also name the common pain point—why quitting alcohol makes you feel alone—and show you how to replace isolation with honest connection. These Alcohol Freedom Coaching conversations are a sneak peek at life inside The Path.

In Sally’s Session:

Feeling "stuck and lost" when navigating an alcohol-free life

Challenged by feeling "different and stuck, separated from people" in social situations

The pervasiveness of alcohol in healthy activities.

Reframing being lost as an opportunity for self-discovery

How curiosity acts as an antidote to shame about past drinking

Using core personal values as guideposts when the path is unknown

And more

In Ava’s Session:

When insight doesn’t equal action—what’s actually missing

Sensitivity as a superpower (not a liability)

Habit loops vs. cravings: noticing “action → reaction” patterns

Creating safety so change feels possible

Trying tiny experiments that respect your nervous system

Gentle supports: IFS, EMDR, and compassionate self-talk

And more…

Cole Harvey is a certified Naked Mind Senior Coach. For years, he felt lost and used alcohol as a way to cope, until he decided to go alcohol-free and focus on finding his purpose. Through curiosity, self-compassion, and adventure, he transformed his life. As a habit change and mindset coach, Cole helps young men understand themselves, build better habits, and find meaning.

Learn more about Coach Cole: https://thisnakedmind.com/coach/cole-harvey/

Soraya Odishoo is a compassionate Certified This Naked Mind Coach who blends somatic healing with therapeutic models to support recovery. She serves people who feel disconnected from their true selves and want freedom from substances or behaviors that no longer serve them. She takes a trauma-informed, heart-centered approach with a strong focus on accessibility for BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities.

Learn more about Coach Soraya: https://thisnakedmind.com/coach/soraya-arjan-odishoo-alpc/

Episode links:

nakedmindpath.com

Related Episodes:

Why do I feel detached when I’m not drinking?-Reader Question- E122- https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-122-reader-question-feel-detached-im-not-drinking/

Finding Yourself Without Alcohol-Nisha’s Naked Life-E836- https://thisnakedmind.com/how-do-you-socialize-without-alcohol-nishas-naked-life-e836/

Who Am I Without Wine?-Alcohol Freedom Coaching-E801- https://thisnakedmind.com/creating-a-new-identity-after-quitting-drinking-alcohol-freedom-freedom-coaching-e801/

Ready to take the next step on your journey?

Visit https://learn.thisnakedmind.com/podcast-resources for free resources, programs, & more. Until next week, stay curious!

Are you ready to step into the new year feeling empowered instead of empty? The Joy Edit's final episode brings Coaches Pam, Zoe, and Haley together to reflect on what makes an alcohol-free New Year's Eve not just survivable, but genuinely joyful. Coach Zoe remembers her first sober midnight with burnt homemade pizza, fancy fizzy drinks, and the startling realization: "Oh, there you are"—that moment when the fog lifted and she could finally see herself clearly. These reflections become practical tips for staying alcohol-free in the new year as you learn why your brain sends alarm signals when you remove alcohol (it's unfamiliarity, not danger), how visualization trains your nervous system before the real moment arrives, and what it means to stay in your "green zone" where choices feel clear and peace feels possible. Coach Haley shares her journey from people-pleasing chameleon to someone who can finally show up as herself, revealing that the very connection she thought alcohol provided was actually stronger without it. You'll discover the upward spiral of grace leading to curiosity, practice writing an encouraging letter to future you, and learn why you don't have to hold the whole season together—just yourself, with grace.

This episode covers:

Brain science revealing why firsts feel intimidating (your mind defines safe as familiar) and practical tips for staying alcohol-free in the new year

Coach Zoe's first alcohol-free New Year's memory: waking up clear on January 1st, watching frost melt, hearing that tiny voice say "This is what peace feels like"

How visualization fires the same neurons as actually doing something, preparing your nervous system so the real celebration feels calm and confident

The power of "tonight I choose..." commitments instead of overwhelming forever promises

Why preparation isn't control—it's kindness, whether that means planning your favorite alcohol-free drinks, choosing your outfit, or texting a supportive friend

Coach Haley's revelation that fitting in was never the goal; feeling at home within herself was what she'd been craving all along

The upward spiral: grace leads to curiosity, curiosity creates positive emotion, & positive emotion makes lasting change possible

Creating your "letter to future you" to honor what you did (not list what you didn't), celebrating growth that comes from presence, not perfection, & more..

Episode links:

livealcoholexperiment.com

Related Episodes:

Social Drinking: How Do I Muster The Willpower Not To Drink? - Reader Question - E88 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-88-reader-question-social-drinking-how-do-i-muster-the-willpower-not-to-drink/

Do you serve wine when you host parties? - Reader Question - E542 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-542-reader-question-do-you-serve-when-you-host-parties/

Why do we desire alcohol for celebration? - Reader Question - E266 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-266-reader-question-why-do-we-desire-alcohol-for-celebration/

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!

Quince: Find gifts so good you'll want to keep them with Quince. Go to ⁠⁠Quince.com/naked⁠⁠ for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns 

Hungryroot: Get 40% off your first box + a free item for life at ⁠⁠Hungryroot.com/nakedmind⁠⁠ with code nakedmind

Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at ⁠⁠Shopify.com/mind⁠⁠ 

Aura Frame: Get $35 off Aura’s Carver Mat frame at ⁠⁠AuraFrames.com⁠⁠ with promo code NAKEDMIND

Masterclass: Get 15% off any annual membership at ⁠⁠MasterClass.com/NAKEDMIND⁠

What if the very events that bring you the most joy are also your biggest source of fear when it comes to staying alcohol-free? Chris struggles with drinking at family celebrations and sports games, while T returns to The Path after two years alcohol-free that felt emotionally flat, wondering how to enjoy life without alcohol and still feel excitement and relaxation. Coach Cole helps Chris use visualization and an experiment mentality for upcoming social events, while Coach Soraya supports T in seeing how childhood invisibility shaped her relationship with herself and alcohol. 

Chris’s session:

“First freaking times” at pool parties & games—turning triggers into experiments

Visualization: practice the event ahead of time

BYO plan: NA drinks & a Yeti cup—have something in your hand

Confident energy: own your choice & invite others to try NA options

Post-event “data”: what felt better, what needs tweaking, what you learned

Creativity over consumption: swapping late-night drinks for art, Legos, & family time

How to enjoy life without alcohol by focusing on presence, play, & connection

T’s session:

Why two alcohol-free years felt “flat” & what “flat” was protecting

Relational safety: being validated & verbally known as a path to joy

Feeling your way (not thinking) into wants, rituals, & evening routines

Naming numbing: alcohol as anesthetic & what it tries to solve

Gentle self-worth rebuild through safe, supportive people

Micro-experiments: sunset walks, movement, tiny creative reps

How to enjoy life without alcohol by restoring self-connection & belonging

Cole Harvey is a certified Naked Mind Senior Coach. For years, he felt lost and used alcohol as a way to cope, until he decided to go alcohol-free and focus on finding his purpose. Through curiosity, self-compassion, and adventure, he transformed his life. As a habit change and mindset coach, Cole helps young men understand themselves, build better habits, and find meaning.

More on Coach Cole: https://thisnakedmind.com/coach/cole-harvey/

Soraya Odishoo is a Certified This Naked Mind Coach and certified Kula Yoga instructor. With a deep commitment to working with individuals who feel disconnected from their true selves, Soraya specializes in helping people break free from addictions to substances or behaviors that no longer serve them. Her heart-centered, trauma-informed approach focuses on accessibility for BIPOC and LGBTQIA++ communities. Soraya’s passion lies in guiding others back to their personal power, allowing them to find peace, purpose, and lasting healing.

More on Coach Soraya: https://thisnakedmind.com/coach/soraya-arjan-odishoo-alpc/

Episode links:

nakedmindpath.com

Related Episodes:

What’s the Secret To Finding Purpose After Stopping Drinking? – Reader’s Questions – E640 – https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-640-readers-question-whats-the-secret-to-finding-purpose-after-stopping-drinking/

Alcohol Free Firsts - Coaching Questions - E265 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-265-coaching-questions-with-scott-pinyard

Finding Your True Self and Building Genuine Connections Without Alcohol - Alcohol Freedom Coaching - E821 - https://thisnakedmind.com/building-genuine-connections-without-alcohol-e821/

Ready to take the next step on your journey? 
Visit https://learn.thisnakedmind.com/podcast-resources for free resources, programs, and more.

Quince: Find gifts so good you'll want to keep them with Quince. Go to ⁠⁠Quince.com/naked⁠⁠ for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns 

Hungryroot: Get 40% off your first box + a free item for life at ⁠⁠Hungryroot.com/nakedmind⁠⁠ with code nakedmind

Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at ⁠⁠Shopify.com/mind⁠⁠ 

Aura Frame: Get $35 off Aura’s Carver Mat frame at ⁠⁠AuraFrames.com⁠⁠ with promo code NAKEDMIND

Masterclass: Get 15% off any annual membership at ⁠⁠MasterClass.com/NAKEDMIND⁠

Will the holidays be the same without drinking, or can they become more magical than you ever imagined? Coach Zoe explores that idea this week on The Joy Edit. We’re unwrapping what the holidays truly feel like when you remove alcohol and find something extraordinary waiting underneath. Your first alcohol-free holiday season might feel uncomfortable at first—like being the new kid in school—but you’ll feel like you’re at the head of the class with your clear head, inner peace, and memory-making. We’re introducing you to the five foundational pillars that make an alcohol-free holiday not just doable but fulfilling: positive peer pressure, the 24-hour rule, dropping negative expectations, curiosity without judgment, and self-compassion. Coach Zoe shares her personal journey decorating the Christmas tree without her usual bottle of champagne and reveals how that vulnerability opened the door to real magic. Learn how to protect your emotional energy, create response scripts for social situations, and build a joy list that transforms you. And bonus(!!), Coach Pam joins the conversation to reframe joy not as something you chase but as an energy that rises naturally when you stop numbing. The holidays become more magical, not less, when you're finally engaged enough to feel them.

Coach Zoe shares:

What holidays actually feel like when you stop numbing and start noticing

Coach Zoe’s first alcohol-free Christmas and what surprised her most

Why wondering will the holidays be the same without drinking is completely normal

The difference between planning from perfection and preparing with compassion

How cravings fade when your nervous system feels supported

Why joy isn’t something you chase—it’s something you uncover

Tools for handling social pressure without over-explaining yourself

How small moments of aliveness rebuild trust and peace

And more insights on creating holidays you don’t want to escape…

Episode links:

livealcoholexperiment.com

Related Episodes:

Cravings & Triggers: What Exactly Are They And How Do You Deal With Them? - Reader Question - E36 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-36-reader-question-cravings-triggers-what-exactly-are-they-and-how-do-you-deal-with-them/

 Navigating the Holidays Without Alcohol | The Joy Edit - E857 - https://thisnakedmind.com/navigating-the-holidays-without-alcohol-the-joy-edit-e857/

Finding Your True Self and Building Genuine Connections Without Alcohol - Alcohol Freedom Coaching - E821 - https://thisnakedmind.com/building-genuine-connections-without-alcohol-e821/

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!

Quince: Find gifts so good you'll want to keep them with Quince. Go to ⁠⁠Quince.com/naked⁠⁠ for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns 

Hungryroot: Get 40% off your first box + a free item for life at ⁠⁠Hungryroot.com/nakedmind⁠⁠ with code nakedmind

Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at ⁠⁠Shopify.com/mind⁠⁠ 

Aura Frame: Get $35 off Aura’s Carver Mat frame at ⁠⁠AuraFrames.com⁠⁠ with promo code NAKEDMIND

Masterclass: Get 15% off any annual membership at ⁠⁠MasterClass.com/NAKEDMIND⁠

This episode contains a discussion of childhood trauma, abuse, & emotional neglect.

What if the key to your alcohol freedom lies in a past you've been trying to outrun? In this powerful episode, Path members Sian and Darci face the past. Darci shares her journey of drinking to escape memories of abuse while Coach Soraya helps unburden her inner child. Coach Zoe guides Sian through emotional suppression and self-judgment from a perfectionistic childhood. Both coaches help these members find healing and freedom from alcohol, exploring how childhood wounds create coping mechanisms and how you can feel and move through emotions instead of numbing them.

Sian's Session:

How a perfectionistic childhood created inadequacy beliefs

Using alcohol to quiet self-judgment & numb emotions

Being a "silent child" & emotionally suppressed

The connection between suppressed emotions & adult rage

Understanding the inner critic as an adaptive child needing compassion

Learning to set boundaries after people-pleasing

And more…

Darci's Session:

Connecting with her inner child through trauma work

The feeling of being "blocked" from her true self

Finding safe space to release painful memories

Using IFS therapy to heal parts of the self

Visualizing & burning painful memories

Letting go of needing all the answers about trauma

And more…

Zoe Ewart is a Certified Naked Mind Senior Coach who brings her experience and understanding to help with the tricky parts of life’s big changes. Her coaching gives you an enjoyable, light-hearted, and safe environment to effortlessly take back control of alcohol so you can feel better physically, mentally, and spiritually.

More on Coach Zoe: https://thisnakedmind.com/coach/zoe-ewart/ 

Soraya Odishoo is a Certified This Naked Mind Coach and certified Kula Yoga instructor. With a deep commitment to working with individuals who feel disconnected from their true selves, Soraya specializes in helping people break free from addictions to substances or behaviors that no longer serve them. Her heart-centered, trauma-informed approach focuses on accessibility for BIPOC and LGBTQIA++ communities. Soraya’s passion lies in guiding others back to their personal power, allowing them to find peace, purpose, and lasting healing.

More on Coach Soraya: https://thisnakedmind.com/coach/soraya-arjan-odishoo-alpc/

Episode links:

nakedmindpath.com

Related Episodes:

Using Alcohol To Numb Pain - Naked Life Story – Simone - E207 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-207-naked-life-story-simone/

How to start healing from numbing? - Coaching Questions - E564 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-564-coaching-questions-how-to-start-healing-from-numbing/

How To Show Up For Yourself and Stop Drinking – Meet Our Coaches – E831 – https://thisnakedmind.com/how-to-show-up-for-yourself-and-stop-drinking-e831/

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!

Quince:Find gifts so good you'll want to keep them with Quince. Go to ⁠⁠Quince.com/naked⁠⁠ for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns 

Hungryroot: Get 40% off your first box + a free item for life at ⁠⁠Hungryroot.com/nakedmind⁠⁠ with code nakedmind

Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at ⁠⁠Shopify.com/mind⁠⁠ 

Aura Frame: Get $35 off Aura’s Carver Mat frame at ⁠⁠AuraFrames.com⁠⁠ with promo code NAKEDMIND

Masterclass: Get 15% off any annual membership at ⁠⁠MasterClass.com/NAKEDMIND⁠