What if the connection you think you're creating while drinking together is actually pulling you apart? Sheela spent decades as a heavy drinker, immersed in Australian culture where alcohol was everywhere—from Schoolies Week celebrations to working as a musician in bars. Wine o'clock became her daily escape, a numbing ritual she believed helped her relax, until health problems and 3am anxiety wake-ups forced her to pay attention. After 75 days without alcohol, she expected to feel free but instead felt deprived and jealous of others drinking. Through The Path and her own solo Alcohol Experiment—drinking alone to assess what it actually did for her—Sheela began unpacking the truth. She discovered that relationships changing after quitting drinking meant recognizing that wine and movies with her partner wasn't creating intimacy. It was creating a haze that prevented real connection. Now in her second year alcohol-free, she's rebuilding her life around genuine common ground, quality sleep, and the kind of freedom that doesn't require willpower—just honest self-reflection and community support.

Coach Cole and Sheela discuss:

Sheela’s journey from decades of heavy drinking to a new sense of freedom

How relationships changing after quitting drinking surfaced unexpected challenges and opportunities

The difference between willpower and genuine internal transformation

Navigating social situations and connection without alcohol

Redefining intimacy, community, and identity after alcohol

Sheela’s experience with The Path and emotional self-reflection

And more topics including purpose, self-compassion, and real connection

Episode links:

nakedmindpath.com

Related Episodes:

What if my marriage is dependent on alcohol? - Reader Question - E222 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-222-reader-question-what-if-my-marriage-is-dependent-on-alcohol/

Can Your Marriage Survive Change? - Alcohol Freedom Coaching - E758 - https://thisnakedmind.com/can-your-marriage-survive-change-alcohol-freedom-coaching-e758/

Exploring Willpower with Dr. Amy Johnson - Expert Interview - E05 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-05-exploring-willpower-dr-amy-johnson/

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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Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions of suicide, mental health crises, domestic violence, & family trauma.

How do you build the desire to stop drinking when alcohol feels like your only escape from an overwhelming life? Richard shares his struggle with using alcohol to cope with family challenges, including his son's mental health crisis and decades of marital strife, while Stephanie uncovers a deep-rooted fear that she must be "everything her husband needs" or risk losing him. Both face the uncomfortable truth that alcohol has become essential to their coping and connection. Coach Soraya helps Richard explore activities that bring him joy outside his difficult home environment, while Coach Hayley guides Stephanie through layers of guilt and self-blame to discover an empowered path forward.

In Richard’s Session:

Naming the “pit in my stomach” & why alcohol feels like quick relief

Caregiver stress, court dates, & how trauma at home boosts cravings

Swimming, hot–cold routines, & finding joy outside the house

Mapping resentment in a long marriage without shaming himself

Health signals that matter: rising blood pressure & honest tracking

Practical ways to build the desire to stop drinking when life is chaotic

…and more topics on coping, boundaries, & self-compassion

In Stephanie’s Session:

“We connected over wine”—grieving old rituals without glamorizing them

The “chameleon” habit & learning to be herself in her marriage

Reframing guilt into an empowered decision to grow

Talking intimacy without alcohol

Expecting discomfort, choosing compassion, building new cues for connection

Tiny experiments that strengthen how to build the desire to stop drinking at home

…and more insights on mindset, identity, & shared change

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. Her collaborative heart-centered, trust-based trauma-informed approach has a strong focus on accessibility for BIPOC & LGBTQIA+ communities. Soraya’s passion is guiding clients back to their personal power so they can find peace, purpose, & lasting healing.

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

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 & provides a safe, compassionate, & 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/

Episode links:

nakedmindpath.com

Related Episodes:

Getting Past Emotional Drinking Triggers | Reader’s Question | E616 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-616-readers-question-getting-past-emotional-drinking-triggers/

Is Motivation Alone Enough? Alcohol Freedom Coaching | E774 - https://thisnakedmind.com/is-motivation-alone-enough-alcohol-freedom-coaching-e774/

Finding Hope for Long-time Drinkers | Reader’s Question | E600 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-600-reader-question-finding-hope-for-long-time-drinkers/

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!

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Trigger Warning: This episode discusses pregnancy and fertility loss, breast and brain cancer, caregiving stress, grief, blackout drinking, relapse, and substance use.What if relief isn’t in the glass but in the space you reclaim? Mary maps the messy middle—moderation rules, peer pressure, the “pitcher plant,” and the night she couldn’t care for her sister because she was too sick to stand. Revisiting her 2017 episode with Annie, she joins Coach Hayley to redefine success: presence over performance, rituals without alcohol, and permission to say “I don’t drink today.” Along this long road to quitting drinking, Mary learns that forgiveness ends the shame spiral—and that peace shows up when she stops chasing the first sip.

In this episode, Coach Hayley and Mary catch up on:

Revisiting Mary’s first TNM episode (2017) and what changed

Miscarriages, breast cancer, and pandemic drift—why moderation unraveled

The “pitcher plant,” blackout shame, and the caregiving wake-up call

Surrogacy, motherhood, and choosing presence at bedtime

Keeping the ritual without the alcohol: mocktails, adaptogens, THC microdosing

Self-forgiveness > perfection; “not today” over “never again”

Why relief feels like mental space, not a glass

Walking the long road to quitting drinking without perfectionism

…and more topics

Episode links:

nakedmindpath.com

Related Episodes:

EP 35: Naked Life Story: Mary - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-35-naked-life-story-mary/

Making the Breast Cancer and Alcohol Connection - Tabbin’s Naked Life - E713 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-713-naked-life-story-tabbin-a/

Brian Accidentally Stopped Drinking - Brian’s Naked Life (Part 2) - E639 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-639-naked-life-story-annie-graces-husband-part-2/Does this mean I can never drink alcohol again? - Reader’s Question - E576 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-576-readers-question-does-this-mean-i-can-never-drink-alcohol-again/

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: 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/mind⁠⁠⁠ with code mind

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What if “I deserve a drink” is just an old script you can rewrite? In today’s episode, Coach Cole helps Matt notice how removing alcohol lowered his baseline stress at a new job—turning frantic mornings into steady ones and replacing dread with data. Coach Zoe supports Constance, a second-grade teacher whose activated nervous system kept her in fight-or-flight; together they connect the dots from childhood patterns to present-day overwhelm and practice coming back to the body for safety. You’ll hear the role of community, self-trust, and daily practices to stay alcohol-free—from 6 a.m. calls to simple breathwork—to make change sustainable. Powerful, shame-free coaching like this happens every day inside The Path, where small experiments add up to big shifts—at work, at home, and in who you believe you can be.

In Matt’s Session:

Managing work-related stress and anxiety without resorting to self-medication

Alcohol-free benefits: showing up clearheaded and reducing work stress

Building self-trust by seeing the evidence of a better life

Overcoming the "I deserve a drink" mentality after a stressful day

Differences between AA and The Path

Recognizing the ingrained, Pavlovian nature of drinking urges and how to decondition them

Daily practices to stay alcohol-free and more

In Constance’s Session:

Coping with a constantly activated nervous system

Using alcohol as a "safety valve" to "emotionally shut down" and stop playing a role

Connecting current emotional regulation issues to childhood experiences

Moving from external focus (saving others) to internal focus (regulating her own body)

Learning tools for nervous system regulation and grounding

Understanding the importance of finding a "safety container" within herself to process emotions

The value of incorporating daily practices to stay alcohol-free 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:

Escaping The Hamster Wheel of Drinking – Alcohol Freedom Coaching – E847 – https://thisnakedmind.com/why-cant-i-quit-drinking-after-so-many-tries-afc-e847/

Will I ever stop craving alcohol? – Reader Questions – E676 – https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-676-readers-question-will-i-ever-stop-craving-alcohol/

Trusting Yourself Again – Alcohol Freedom Coaching – E760 – https://thisnakedmind.com/trusting-yourself-again-alcohol-freedom-coaching-e760/

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: 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/mind⁠⁠⁠ with code mind

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

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Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions of alcohol dependence, addiction, suicidal thoughts, mental health struggles, and relapse.

Why we drink too much isn't always obvious—what if the answer lies deeper than willpower or self-control? Dr. Charles Knowles, a world-renowned surgeon and author, spent decades trapped in a cycle he couldn't explain: 10 years of fun, 10 years of fun with consequences, and 10 years struggling to stop. As a high-achieving professional, he looked nothing like the stereotype of someone with alcohol dependence, yet he faced the same battle millions experience in silence. Through his journey to find freedom from alcohol and extensive research, Dr. Knowles discovered that understanding how we learn to drink, and why some people can't unlearn it, is the key to breaking free. In this episode, Dr. Knowles joins Coach Cole Harvey to explore the science behind gray area drinking, the difference between positive and negative reinforcement, and why shame is the biggest barrier to change.

Dr. Charles Knowles and Coach Cole discuss :

"Light turning on" moments: when alcohol feels like instant peace for the first time

Why being sober means having peace of mind, not just being alcohol-free

The powerful analogy: trying not to drink is like being deprived of water in the desert

How the "memory super league" in your brain makes drinking patterns nearly impossible to break

Gray area drinking and the role of worry, cognitive dissonance, and control

Alcohol reliance as a missing piece in how we talk about modern drinking habits

Why dry challenges work best when they become a learning process (not just "white-knuckling")

Finding out who you are without alcohol after years of drinking shaped your identity

And other topics…

Episode links:

https://amzn.to/4r9eP3b

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Related Episodes:

Gray Area Drinking with Jolene Park | Naked Life Story | EP 47 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-47-naked-life-story-jolene-park/

Are there normal drinkers? | Reader Question | EP 400 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-400-reader-question-are-there-normal-drinkers/

Why do I keep going back to drinking? | Reader Question | EP 570 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-570-readers-questions-why-do-i-keep-going-back-to-drinking/

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 contains mentions of chronic illness, disordered eating, self-harm, and the death of a loved one.

Can learning to love yourself unconditionally be the missing piece in your alcohol-free journey? Jean, 65 days alcohol-free, worries about her sister's upcoming visit and how to maintain their bond without wine. Coach Cole helps her realize their connection runs deeper than shared beverages and guides her to communicate authentically before the visit. Meanwhile, Megan struggles with relapse, rebellion against authority, and decades of self-judgment stemming from her childhood diabetes diagnosis. Coach Zoe helps Megan understand how her adaptive child's protective rebellion has morphed into adult self-sabotage, including using her mother's care as a hiding place to avoid addressing her drinking. Through powerful coaching, Megan discovers that giving herself unconditional love and attention is the key to releasing her need for alcohol. 

In Jean’s Session: 

“What’s different is just the liquid” reframe

Calling ahead: why honesty beats hiding

Staying warm and welcoming without self-betrayal

Connection activities to replace happy hour

Scripts that say “no pressure, no judgment”

Learning to love yourself unconditionally while holding true to your values

…and more

In Megan’s Session: From authority-resistance to authentic choice

A daily 20-minute anchor for energy and clarity

Naming grief and care-giving as hiding places

The “I’m choosing to drink over you” pause tool

Resetting after slips with compassion, not shame

Learning to love yourself unconditionally through every season

…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 To Show Up For Yourself and Stop Drinking - Alcohol Freedom Coaching - E831 - https://thisnakedmind.com/how-to-show-up-for-yourself-and-stop-drinking-e831/

 Sharing the Truth About Alcohol (How To Talk With Family) – Reader Question - E396 – https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-396-reader-question-how-can-i-tell-my-family-the-truth-about-alcohol/

Learning To Trust Yourself Again – Alcohol Freedom Coaching – E746 – https://thisnakedmind.com/learning-to-trust-yourself-again-alcohol-freedom-coaching-e746/

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 

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

Do you find yourself wondering how to shut your brain off without alcohol when social situations feel overwhelming? Glenn spent decades believing alcohol was essential—from watching his parents' basement bar parties to using beer as a social crutch in college. By COVID, weekend-only drinking had become daily drinking, and he was hiding bottles from his wife. Traditional counseling focused on willpower and substitution didn't work. The therapists hadn't experienced what he was going through, and Glenn felt like they were silently judging him: "Why can't you just stop?" When he discovered The Path, everything shifted. Instead of demanding he quit immediately, the program invited him to experiment, gather feedback instead of facing failure, and explore his emotional relationship with alcohol. It took a full year, but three weeks before his membership ended, Glenn had his aha moment. Glenn joins Coach Cole to share his journey from childhood exposure to genuine freedom, proving that awareness and curiosity can accomplish what willpower never could.

In this episode, Glenn and Cole discuss:

Learning that alcohol equals fun from parents who met working at a brewery

Being the shy introvert who always held a beer to avoid conversation

Boundaries that worked until COVID turned the house into a bar

Why therapists who never drank couldn't relate to the struggle

Skipping the book and joining The Path for coaching and community support

Reframing drinking as data points and feedback instead of failures

Discovering how to shut your brain off without alcohol through journaling and awareness

The aha moment that came three weeks before his year-long Path ended

Building real social confidence without pre-drinking or hiding bottles

And more breakthroughs on the journey to freedom...

Episode links:

nakedmindpath.com

Related Episodes:

Calming the Type A Mind Without Alcohol - Jennifer’s Naked Life - E804 - https://thisnakedmind.com/how-to-turn-your-brain-off-without-drinking-e804/

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

Why Willpower Fails: Cracking the Code to Emotion-Driven Behavior Change - Reader Question - E668 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-668-readers-question-why-willpower-fails-cracking-the-code-to-emotion-driven-behavior-change/

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 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!

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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!

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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