In this episode, Chip and Veronica discuss the tricky but important process of making amends. How to approach people, why it's important to think it through and why it matters so much to your sobriety. To learn more, visit the show notes.

Veronica interviews THE sober sexpert about women, sexuality and sobriety. What are the 'hot topics' for women when they get sober? Cindi Roberts, M.Ed., Certified Professional Coach (CPC), Certified Professional Recovery Coach (CPRC). Cindi is a professional recovery coach that supports women who want to focus on finding and recovering intimate connections to self and others. Often referred to as the SoberSexpert™, Cindi holds a Master’s degree in Sexual Health Education and is currently studying to be a Clinical Sexologist. She has over 25 years of professional experience as a sexual health and wellness educator. Being in recovery from alcohol use disorder for over 7 years, she knows first-hand the intimacy issues that can arise for women in recovery. Cindi is passionate about helping women discover tools and develop inner strength and confidence to navigate intimate relationships. She is known for her compassion, candidness and authenticity when holding space for an honest dialogue about a variety of sensitive subjects. Cindi lives in Colorado, where she focuses on coaching, teaching and speaking about topics including recovery, sobriety, sexual wellness and intimacy. To learn more, visit the show notes.

Shelby John is a sobriety coach who shares her wisdom about parenting teens whilst dealing with your own negative thinking. To learn more, visit the show notes.

Rory brown is a behaviour change coach who helps people find freedom from food. Rory experienced an eating disorder and body dysmorphia as a young man; convinced that he would be happy if he achieved the perfect body, he eventually became suicidal. He shares his story of recovery and how he helps his clients overcome their issues with food. To learn more, visit the show notes.

Chip and Veronica discuss workaholism and how we can use work to hide from our feelings. Workaholism can affect our health and wellbeing. To learn more, visit the show notes.

How do you go public with your sobriety? What if everyone warns you it will be the end of your career if you do? Ann and Veronica discuss how they went public with their sobriety and the confusion between anonymity and secrecy. To learn more, visit the show notes.

Ann joins Veronica to explore how trauma can be the root of an alcohol problem and how we need to heal this trauma in order to stay sober. To learn more, visit the show notes.

Mom juice, mom wine, mom water. Veronica is joined by guest co-host Ann Dowsett Johnston to discuss how the alcohol market is deliberately targeting mothers. By emphasizing how hard motherhood is, the loneliness, depression and exhaustion, they are positioning alcohol as the answer. Veronica and Ann have a few things to say about this! To learn more, visit the show notes.

In our traditional episode of the year, Chip and Veronica share the things that changed their lives this year. Events, movies, films and books. To learn more, visit the show notes.

Veronica joins forces with three other sober podcasters to discuss getting through the holidays sober.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Chip and Veronica discuss the culture of alcohol, hospitality and binge drinking as it relates to work. Nearly all industries have ways of promoting excessive drinking. They give tips on being sober in these environments and navigating them while also keeping and excelling at your career.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Benoit Kim describes himself as a 'third culture kid'. He was the child of Korean parents raised in Paris and America. Alcohol took hold of him when he was young, and he experienced two hospitalizations when he was in college. Benoit talks about his time in the US military and how he came to get sober and become a psychotherapist.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

In the follow-up to a popular episode on hyper-independence. Chip and Veronica discuss how hyper-independence is a perfect storm that leads us to be lonely, and loneliness leads us to drink. They give suggestions on how to break out of that cycle.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Lucy Rocca from Soberistas joins Veronica to discuss how she got through the fear of her breast cancer diagnosis. She shares how exercise, mindfullness and meditation helped her keep the fear at bay and how she made a choice to respond to cancer from a place of empowerment. To learn more, visit the show notes.

Chip and Veronica discuss how 'drinking alone' has changed over the years, why more women drink alone and how dangerous it can be when we age. When we drink alone we are drinking for the wrong reasons and it's a clear sign that we have a problem.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Allegra Huston was born into Hollywood royalty, the sister of Anjelica Huston and the daughter of famed director John Huston. Allegra discusses her fractured childhood and how she had no sense of self. And how writing saved her, restored her mental health and gave her purpose beyond her famous family.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Veronica and Chip discuss the relationship between eating disorders and alcohol abuse. They explore how eating disorders can exist before and after an alcohol problem. They also look at the relationship between eating disorders and sexual trauma.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Veronica and Chip explore how 'high end' drinkers mask their alcohol problem. When you tell yourself that you only drink fine wine or 100 year old whiskey are you masking the fact that really you just want to get a buzz?   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Jenn Nelson is a breast cancer survivor and sober women. She joins Veronica where they discuss her denial around her alcohol use, finding out about her breast cancer at age 33 and what made the difference to her sobriety. To learn more, visit the show notes.

Episcopalian minister Erin Jean Warde joins Veronica to discuss her new book 'Sober Spirituality.' They discuss the role of alcohol in religion and how it has been misrepresented, what spirituality means and faith-based recovery. To learn more, visit the show notes.

Celeste Yvonne is the author of 'It's not about the wine' - the loaded truth behind mommy wine culture. Celeste explains what this culture is and how detrimental it is to mothers. To learn more, visit the show notes.

Veronica explains why sobriety is a shift in perception. When we take things personally, it makes us very sensitive and can often lead to resentment. Resentments are the free drunk, and unless we find a way to shift our perception of what is happening we will always use alcohol to manage them. To learn more, visit the show notes.

Back from their break Veronica and Chip discuss why we take things so personally. Why in early sobriety we are hyper sensitive and can find offence where none was meant. They discuss how we can begin to not take things personally and this is an easier way to live and stay sober. To learn more, visit the show notes.

One of the most common reasons people drink is to manage their social anxiety. Chip and Veronica discuss how alcohol makes anxiety worse and what they can do to change it.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Kate Baily joins Veronica to talk about Hot Sobriety. Which means we are talking about mid-life women, hormones and menopause. Kate and Veronica talk about how many women are struggling with sobriety and hormonal changes and how devastating alcohol is for menopausal women. They give tips and advice for getting through this time of life. They also discuss their new program. Hot Sobriety.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Dawn Eden Goldstein is the author of the new biography Father Ed: The Story of Bill W.'s Spiritual Sponsor as well as several other books. Born in New York City, she began her writing career as a rock and roll historian. She went on to work for the New York Post and the New York Daily News before she turned her interest to spiritual matters. In 2016 she became the first woman to earn a doctorate in sacred theology from the University of St. Mary of the Lake. She has taught at universities and seminaries in the United States, England, and India, and she now lives in Washington, DC. veronica and Dawn have a fascinating conversation about how pivotal Father Ed's sponsorship of Bill W. was.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Hyperindependence is a trauma and stress response. If we didn't experience safety as children we often become hyperindepent as adults. Chip and Veronica break down what this means, how it affects sobriety and what to do about it.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Sam Delaney was a British jack-th-lad, drinking, partying, not taking anything seriously. Then his mental health caught up with him it all came crashing down. Sam talks to Veronica about how hard it is for men to be vulnerable talk about their feelings and how he hopes his new book will change that.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Chip and Veronica answer tough questions like; How do we handle watching our own children start using drugs and alcohol while we are in long term sobriety? And how do we have boundaries we family members who drink?   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Simon Mason shouldn't be alive. Drop out, drug dealer, addict. He thought he was living the life as a drug dealer to the biggest bands in Britpop (Oasis) it took him ten years and multiple treatment and detox stays to get sober. Simon shares his tales and how music saved his life.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Chip and Veronica break down what binge pattern drinking is. They discuss that it's not how much we drink or how often its the pattern that matters. We can delude ourselves for a long time that our drinking isn't problematic if we don't drink every day, which is how Veronica's drinking was.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Lori Windfeldt, the founder of Dry Society Social Club, joins Veronica to discuss why having fun and socialising in sobriety is so important. And how we can normalise not drinking in our communities.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Laura McKowen's second book is called 'Push Off From Here' a guide to sobriety and life. Veronica and Laura discuss the nine essential truths in the book and how to apply them to sobriety.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Chip and Veronica are celebrating their fifth podcast anniversary. They answer questions from listeners. Including: how do we know our choices are authentic, how can we be of service to sober people, and what grey-area drinking is. And is sex better sober?   To learn more, visit the show notes.

​RUBY WARRINGTON is a British-born author, editor, podcaster, and the founder of Numinous Books. Recognized as a true thought leader, Ruby has the unique ability to identify issues that are destined to become part of the cultural narrative. Her previous books include Material Girl, Mystical World; Sober Curious; and The Sober Curious Reset, and her work has been featured by countless media outlets globally, including the New York Times, The Guardian, and Good Morning America. She lives in Miami. To learn more, visit rubywarrington.com. She joins Veronica for a conversation about sobriety, motherhood, the role of women and making choices. They explore what it means to be a mother, why women feel this is their primary role and why more and more women are opting out.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Veronica is joined by her best friend, Sarah Gillespie. Sarah wrote and recorded the title track to the podcast and discusses the similarities between getting sober and producing art.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Veronica meets with philosopher Dr. Peg O' Conner author of 'Higher and Friendly Powers: Transforming Addiction and Suffering'. They discuss what spirituality is, how they interpret the 12-steps. What spirituality is essential to sobriety and how it can also block people in sobriety.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Dr. De Jesus is today's guest. She discusses the need for collegiate recovery across all higher education campuses. Why our students need these resources, and why so many young people are turning to drugs and alcohol.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Chip and Veronica answer your questions about dealing with the past and finding peace. Letting go of shame and regret and keeping our side of the street clean.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

One of the defining characteristics of addiction is 'the obsession of self.' Chip and Veronica talk about their own experiences and how to overcome self-obsession.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Veronica explains that a sobriety practice is really just personal development that maintains our emotional and mental health. She goes into depth as to what that would look like and how it is essential for all human beings not just those suffering from an alcohol problem.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Veronica is joined by former news anchor Laurie Dhue. After getting sober on the nightly news (although no one knew that at the time) Laurie is now a recovery advocate. She is the brand ambassador for recoverydecuation.com a much-needed online platform that supports and helps parents (and affected others) who have kids affected by addiction.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

All things love. Chip and Veronica answer questions about self-love, parental love and is falling in love different when you are sober?   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Dr. Jamie Marich returns to discuss Prince Harry's book in relation to trauma, mental health, addiction and what happens when someone is brave enough to speak up about institutional abuse.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Carrie Carlisle is tv and events presenter, author, and newspaper columnist from Newcastle-Upon-Tyne. She is an Ambassador for MIND Charity and also works alongside her husband, former professional footballer, Clarke Carlisle, delivering Mental Health talks and workshops. In 2018 they won the Speaking Out MIND Media Award for raising awareness throughout the U.K. for suicide prevention. Carrie is passionate about using her own lived experiences, to help others empower themselves, to create great mental health on their own terms. Carrie stopped drinking in 2006, without which none of the above could ever have been possible. She joins veronica to discuss her recovery from drinking and how when she got sober she developed orthorexia.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Chip and Veronica answer questions about negative self talk.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Veronica has a fascinating conversation with Dr, Jamie Marich about how we dissociate and that we shouldn't always view this is a bad thing. They also discuss alternative healing practices and what is reality anyway?   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Chip and Veronica dive into the subject of birth order, how it affects us, how it impacts us as adults and why it matters to our sobriety.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

In this solo episode, Veronica explains why she dislikes the term 'sobriety toolbox' and why we need a sobriety habit instead. She explains the mindset and system that we need to build a life-long sobriety habit.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

In our tradtional end of year episode Chip and Veronica share the things that changed thier lives this year. Veronica had a big realization about her mother that changed her life. Chip won a photography competition and they also discus, books, TV and movies that they loved. Chip also reveals what he will be eating for his non-Christmas dinner this year.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Veronica is joined by She Recovers co-founder Dawn Nickel. They discuss how She Recovers started and grew into the movement it is today. Dawn also speaks frankly about her workaholism and how it forced her to change and take care of her recovery. Lastly, Dawn talks about her new book.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Alysse Bryson is started the sober curator during lockdown. She wanted to create a fun uplifting space for people in long-term recovery. In this conversation, she candidly discusses becoming a single mom and twenty.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Veronica wanted to hand over this topic to Chip as he is the 'old one.' But then realised she qualifies as 'getting old' too! Chip and Veronica discuss all this related to ageing and sobriety. Including the risks of drinking as we age. Health issues and medication.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Mandy Manners and Kate Baily have a new book out 'Love your sober year,where they guide women through the rythms of life. We discuss how we have different needs at different times and we need to honor what the seasons tell us. We can then become more reflective, intuitive and support our sobriety as we allow ourselves to flow into, not resist changes.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

In their 200th episode, Chip and Veronica celebrate the podcast by answering questions on any subject. What do they like about the other person the most? What changed when they were 10 or 20 years sober? Why they celebrate birthdays is among the many questions that got answered.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Dr. Robb Kelly is one of the leading voices in the addiction recovery movement. In this episode, he tells his miraculous story of recovery from homelessness to a Ph.D. He explains the significance of neuroplasticity combined with spiritual awakening is the key to recovering from alcoholism.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Is anger justifiable? Why is my anger out of control? When I get angry I drink to calm myself down. Chip and Veronica answer all these questions and more.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Veronica is joined by Arlina Allen from the One day at a Time podcast. Arlina shares how she has been sober for 28 years, her experience of the 12-steps and why working on self-esteem is so important.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Dave Yates is a sober comedian. He discusses his relationship between comedy and sobriety and how the highs and lows of performing.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Michelle Farris is a psychotherapist who specializes in helping people with codependency. In this honest conversation, she explains how codependency affected her, its origins in childhood and how we can begin to forge healthy relationships.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Chip and Veronica answer your questions on how to deal with alcohol and drinking triggers.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Sarah Brassard has been helping women recover from trauma for decades; in this episode, she breaks down what trauma really is and how we can recover.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

In this not to be missed episode, Veronica Interviews Jessica Lahey author of The Addiction Inoculation about what to tell our kids about alcohol and drugs.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Can we sometimes be drama addicts? Chip and Veronica explore how they have created drama in their own lives and how creating drama is a way of meeting needs.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Chip and Veronica are back from their summer break and kick off this season by discussing how our childhoods affect us and how our relationship with our parents plays out in our romantic relationships. They discuss how we can't change the past but we can change the meaning we give it and how it affects us in the present.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

In this special bonus episode, Veronica joins forces with long-time colleague Joe Schrank. They discuss how we need to change the alcohol culture by producing a TV show called 'Are you sober curious.' To do this, they need your help. We are asking our sober community to help crowdfund the pilot episode. Find out more info here: https://seedandspark.com/fund/are-you-sober-curious

In their last episode before their summer break Chip and Veronica discuss dealing with disappointment, how it feels when others are disappointed in you and how expectations and grace are the two things that help us navigate things that disappoint us.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Lenore Skenazy believes our children are in crisis. That we are over-parenting them and stealing vital growth opportunities from them. If kids don't build resilience and have confidence in their abilities then they pay a price in adulthood.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

**Trigger warning*** Kelly Wallace shares her moving story of childhood sexual trauma, alcoholism and recovery.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

In our monthly question we look at fear. Our listeners are particularly concerned with fear of relapse, of what others think of them and fear of leaving a relationship in order to stay sober.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Laura Willoughby has gone from drinking all the beer to being one of the leading voices of the alcohol-free movement in the UK. In this episode she discusses the extraordinary success of her alcohol-free off license.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Karolina Rzadkowolska the author of Euphoric talks to Veronica about how there is so much more to sobriety than we think.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

How to navigate your first normal summer in two years. Have you been sober a while but haven't actually told anyone? Do you find summer and drinking outside triggering? Chip and Veronica discuss how to navigate a new normal in sobriety.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Chip is back and we are answering questions on how to deal with family members. From family members who don't support your sobriety to partners who still drink we cover it all.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Celeste Yvonne is a writer and sober mother who used to write cute 'mommy needs wine' memes and blogs. One day she realized she couldn't parent and drink alcohol so reluctantly she quit. Now she is taking on the 'mommy needs wine' trend.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Sam Delaney is a journalist and broadcaster. Entrenched in the British binge drinking culture, he felt like he was living the life until he wasn't. In today's episode, he discusses the 'toxic' and 'dysfunctional' British drinking culture and how he left it behind.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

What is codependency is it a good thing or a bad thing? How do I know I am codependent? Veronica answers questions on this subject.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Charlie LeVoir is the host of The Way Out Podcast. He describes himself as an alcoholic from the first drink. We discuss his addiction and recovery and why he had to do whatever it took to get sober.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Brian Cuban is the younger brother of Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban. He talks candidly about his battle with alcohol and cocaine addiction and how he overcame an eating disorder. His latest book, 'The Ambulance Chaser' is out now.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Casey Davidson was fully signed up to the mommy needs wine culture, here she tells her story of leaving it behind and finding freedom.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Getting sober in rural environments presents its own unique challenges. In this episode, Veronica interviews Shanna Whan founder of Sober in the Country a charity that helps people in rural places to stop drinking. Driven by desperation Shanna saw there was simply no support for people in rural Australia so she set about creating her own. Australian woman Shanna Whan is the pioneer of change in the bush when it comes to our love affair with booze. The founder and CEO behind national bush charity Sober in the Country spent 15,000 hours going against the grain to ''be the change'' and now her advocacy, raw and often irreverently funny conversations have seen the life-saving message that it's ''OK2SAYNO'' (to beers in the bush) go national and international. Shanna was recognised formally in 2021 by her peers and the public as a ProBono Australia winner in the ''Impact 25'' awards. Shanna Whan is a rural woman and in her own words a ''very unlikely'' national spokesperson for change when it comes to the complex subject of our great love affair with booze in the bush. The founder behind now nationally recognised brand and not-for-profit Sober in the Country Ltd (SITC) created the 'OK2SAYNO' campaign to ensure we are putting our mates and their health first. Far from being an anti-alcohol message; SITC is simply focused on advocacy, awareness, and ensuring those who choose to say 'no thanks' or 'not today' (no matter their reason) are supported fully. After almost losing her own life to alcohol addiction in 2015 and spending seven years of working tirelessly to support others she is now regularly referred to as a pioneer who cracked the lid on this yarn in the remote sector of Australia. Shan is not someone you'll ever find accepting labels like 'influencer,' or 'guru' spoken over her, though. She stands extremely firm on insisting she's just one of (too) many in the bush fighting a battle - sometimes for survival - without help, education, information, or even any appropriate support. So she said she simply decided to make it her life's work to change that. These days she is using her national media profile to boldly fight for us on a national level and to challenge our leaders to open their eyes, look west, and to see that for remote Australians, ''ISO'' is our reality.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Veronica is joined by Eric Zimmer host of the popular podcast 'The One you feed.' In telling his story they explore what spirituality is and why it is so essential to sobriety.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Chip and Veronica answer questions from the Soberful Life Community on resentments.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

In his book 'The Righteous Rage of a ten-year-old boy' Justin explores his traumatic childhood and adult addiction. Justin grew up with a step-father who constantly criticised and punished him and a mother who escaped into religion. He never felt good enough and spent a lot of his life trying to fix that with his behaviour and alcohol. Now committed to self-awareness, he is 14 years sober and sharing his story to help others. Justin B. Long is an author, business owner, and the host of the podcast, Straight from the Horse Doctor’s Mouth which he produces with his wife, Dr. Erica Lacher. His bestselling book series, The Adventures of the Horse Doctor’s Husband, has been enjoyed by readers all over the world. While his wife’s mission is to make the world a better place for horses, Justin’s mission is to make the world a better place for people by combatting toxically masculine ideas surrounding men and their emotions. His current book, The Righteous Rage of a Ten-Year-Old Boy, is a raw, intense examination of his childhood, the traumatic events bottle, I can promise you that formed his negative self-image, and his journey through therapy to overcome it all.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Chip and Veronica explore the different ways we rationalise our drinking, particularly the emergence of clean wine as a wellness product.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Let me ask you a question: What is it that you're looking for every time you drink? Is it connection? Fun? Relaxation? A way to escape your own thoughts and feelings? Whatever it is that you're looking for at the bottom of the bottle, I can promise you that alcohol will never deliver.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Alyssa and Mercy are millennials who are defining sobriety in their own way. During the pandemic, they created 'Sober Voices' a platform that represents sobriety in all its forms.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

A new monthly feature where we will answer your questions. This week we are answering questions on sex and relationships in sobriety.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Dopamine Nation is a fascinating book by Dr Anna Lembke. She addresses how living in a dopamine saturated world affects us and our relationship with addiction. We discuss topics such as how dopamine affects us, the relationship between pleasure and pain, radical self-honesty, 'club goods' and the importance of community in recovery and parenting kids.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Finally, the Soberful book is released into the wild! Chip turns the tables on Veronica and interviews her on why she wrote the book and what she wants people to get out of it.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Chris Marshall is starting a revolution. The founder of Sansbar in Austin, he passionately believes we need to create more opportunities for people to have fun and socialize without alcohol. He would like to see an alcohol-free bar in every town and as part of a rehab's treatment plan. Veronica chats to Chris about his work and upcoming tour that she will be joining him on.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Chip and Veronica explain how to live in a wet world when it seems like everyone drinks.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Chip and Veronica answer your questions on subjects about sponsorship, epigenetic, financial sobriety and more.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

In their traditional end of year episode Chip and Veronica discuss the things that changed thier lives this year. The events, movies, books, TV shows that made a mark on them.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

You may have noticed that when you stop drinking your friendships change in this episode Chip and Veronica talk about how and why friendships change and how to navigate those changes.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Ann Dowsett Johnston's book 'Drink' is the best 'quit-lit' book out there. Ann talks candidly about her personal struggle with alcoholism, how she dealt with her shame and found her true self in sobriety.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Tamara and Veronica discuss how to get through the holiday season sober. How to deal with the pressures of drinking and dealing with family members.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Many parents in recovery worry about their children abusing drugs and alcohol. In this episode, Veronica interviews Richard Capriola about his book 'The Addicted Child'. Richard lays out an accessible and comprehensive method to help parents dealing with adolescent drug and alcohol abuse. Richard Capriola has been a mental health and addictions counselor for over two decades. He has treated both adults and adolescents diagnosed with mental health and substance abuse issues. He recently retired from Menninger Clinic in Houston where he worked as an addictions counselor for over a decade. He is the author of The Addicted Child: A Parent's Guide to Adolescent Substance Abuse.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Veronica interviews British radio legend Janey Lee Grace who was a holistic health guru who drank. Janey knew something was wrong with her and tried everything to fix it until she finally realised she needed to stop drinking. her book Healthy Happy sobriety documents her journey into holistic sobriety.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

We get asked all the time what we do to be okay. In this episode, Chip and Veronica discuss their empowering habits that support their sobriety, mental and emotional health.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

In this frank and open interview, Brianne Davis discusses her recovery from sex and love addiction. The 'secret addiction that often gets dismissed or laughed at. Brianne explains how she felt and what her recovery looks like and how she now helps other people recover.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

In this continuing series on the relationship between religious abuse and addiction. Veronica talks to Dr. Jamie Marich about how the LGBTQ+ community has been affected by religious abuse.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

What do we need to look out for when we first get sober. Chip and Veronica go through H.A.L.T (Hungry Angry Lonely Tired) as well as Stress, Boredom, and Hormones as triggers that lead to a drink.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Veronica interviews Mary Gauthier, a grammy nominated sing songwriter and author of the book 'Saved by a song.' Mary's book is about the songwriting process and her recovery from addiction. At its core, she explores her return to authenticity.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Chip and Veronica explore the relationship between addiction and mental health.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Veronica speaks to Anna David a long time recovery advocate and author about the re-release of her book 'Party Girl.' Party Girls is a semi-autobiographical novel set in L.A. in the 90's. Credited with kicking off the whole 'quit lit genre' Anna discusses why she wanted to publish the book and what she hopes people get out of it.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Everyone comes into sobriety with secrets. Secrets are like a cancer that grow and weigh us down. Chip and Veronica explore the nature of secrets, confessing to some secrets and how secrets effect our relationships.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Chip and Veronica are back from their summer break! They answer listener questions such as: do they ever miss drinking? Can you drink on special occasions? Do you need to spend money to get sober? And, how do you get over the shame in early sobriety?   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Lockdown restrictions have given you an opportunity to be away from everyday drinking and social pressures that would normally present themselves in social situations.⁣ ⁣ Having that time has allowed you to build a really good foundation for your recovery so that you’re coming out of lockdown with a substantial amount of time and strength in recovery under your belt.⁣ ⁣ On the flip side, after being isolated you haven’t had the opportunity to build up your defences against everyday distractions and triggers.⁣ ⁣ In this episode, we’re talking about how to create a plan for strengthening your sobriety so you’re ready to maintain your sobriety as we come out of lockdown and enter the new normal.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Julia wants everyone to recognize their emotions for what they are - data.⁣ ⁣ Emotions are the information your brain is trying to tell you about how you feel about what's going on at that moment. You are not your emotions or your thoughts.⁣ ⁣ When you do the work to develop your EQ, you'll find yourself in a much better place to take control of the experiences and interactions you have every day, rather than reacting from your conditioning.⁣   To learn more, visit the show notes.

How does a mother overcome shame and guilt?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Laura McKowen shares how she finally came to sobriety, how her drinking affected her daughter, what she sees as the missing piece of the puzzle when it comes to therapy and self-healing.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ She believes that WE are the lucky ones because “regular” folks will never understand the depths of pain we had to fight through and will never have the motivation we have built to see us through. We’re unstoppable.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Whatever the question is, balance is always the answer. Balance is key to sobriety because if we become unbalanced; it can lead to relapse. In this episode Chip and Veronica discuss the mistakes they have made and how to achieve balance using some simple suggestions.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Stephanie Gaudreau mission is to help women create bigger, bolder, fiercer lives - by building health from the inside out. In this episode, we discuss body image, health, nutrition. Step advises us how we can get started with exercise how we can deal with cravings in early sobriety as well as discussing her own reason for ditching the booze.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

**Trigger warning** How do you learn boundaries when they were violated as a child? We discuss why healthy boundaries are crucial to recovery and how you can begin to learn how to develop them.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

The Five Pillars of Sustainable Sobriety are essential for anyone wishing to live a happy and sober life. In this episode, Veronica's takes a deep dive into the five pillars of Movement, Connection, Balance, Process, and Growth. She explains how they work, how you can apply them to your life, and why you can't get sober without them.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

In our final episode before the summer break. Veronica and Chip discuss staying sober in the summer and how to deal with triggers and patterns related to drinking.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Why are endings so hard? In this episode, Chip and Veronica explore how we struggle when things end. They look at how people can sabotage endings, avoid dealing with them or cut people off. Transitioning to different life chapters requires us to be honest about our feelings and communicate our struggle with things ending.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

In all our episodes we encourage you to 'get help' for an alcohol problem. Today we want to clarify what kinds of help to look for. What questions to ask a therapist, how to find a rehab and what to beware of when you join online programs.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

When we live in a family where there is addiction, dysfunction or mental health issues, there are hidden 'rules' we have to follow. In this episode, Veronica and Tamara discuss the three main addiction family rules; don't talk, don't feel, don't trust.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Being a parent is hard. Being a step-parent is even harder. When relationships break down because of an alcohol problem, many people go on to be a step-parent. In this episode, Chip and Veronica discuss the challenges and pitfalls.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Veronica speaks to Soberful Life coach Tamara Kirby about the links between adoption and addiction. As an adopted child, Tamara explains how her 'original trauma' laid the groundwork for her addiction.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Veronica introduces new Soberful Life coach Yulonda Ross. Yulonda discusses self-love and healthy relationships and how she overcame abuse and trauma to rebuild herself and learn to love herself.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

In this explosive episode, Veronica interviews Kelly Ruta about the unethical standards in the coaching industry. Prompted by an exchange with unqualified influencer coach Dave Hollis they dig deep into how consumers are being misled by influencers and unqualified coaches and the harm and damage caused. They outline what you should look for in professional services.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

**Trigger warning** Chip and Veronica discuss a very sensitive topic. Many clients who suffer from an alcohol use disorder have also experienced some kind of sexual abuse or sexual assault. In this episode, Chip and Veronica explore how that affects people and how telling our stories can help us heal and overcome this devastating trauma.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

What is a soberful life? In today's episode, Veronica interviews Soberful Life team member Louise O'Brien. Louise is a single mother who was struggling desperately with an alcohol problem. Unable to carry on, she took the leap into her sobriety, and everything changed.......   To learn more, visit the show notes.

We are celebrating our third podcasting anniversary. In this episode, Chip and Veronica answer a variety of questions from their Soberful Life members.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

When we commit to sobriety what does that mean? Why does it feel so scary? Why do we want a 'side-door' in case we don't like it? In this episode Veronica chats to Soberful coach Tamara about what commitment really means.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Chip and Veronica explore why we celebrate sober birthdays, why we count the days of our sobriety.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Veronica interviews world-renowned expert Dr. Claudia Black on the impact addiction has on children. Dr. Black outlines how adverse childhood experiences can manifest themselves in adulthood, how to recognise if this is your experience and how to change it. She also outlines what a functioning family looks like.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

'I stopped drinking three days ago - why isn't everything better?' Chip and Veronica explain the process of sobriety when you can start to expect to feel better, sleep better and enjoy sobriety.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Chip and Veronica discuss how romantic relationships in sobriety can often capsize us. They share how insecure and needy they were in early sobriety and how they navigated romantic relationships. They also offer tips on how to balance your sobriety with falling in love.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Many of our Soberful Life members have reached out to us asking for advice on staying sober after lockdown. In this episode, Chip and Veronica discuss why preparation is everything. Do the work now to make sure your sobriety is solid and make sure you have fun and socialise, as we are all going to need to do that when the pandemic finally ends.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Soberful diversity and inclusion consultant Grachelle Sherburne joins the podcast this week to discuss how addiction and sobriety differ for people of colour. She shares her wisdom and insight into improving outcomes for minorities and why her equine assisted therapy is an essential part of her practice.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Chip and Veronica get to the root of addiction and explain the different types of trauma that people experience, leading them to abuse alcohol.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Men and women get sober differently. The same methods won't work for women that work for men because women also have to battle hormonal changes that can dramatically affect their sobriety. In this episode Veronica discusses women's issues and sobriety with new Soberful Life practitioner and nurse practitioner Mimi Devine-Touhey.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

In this passionate discussion Chip and Veronica discuss the impact of social media and sobriety. They look at how the internet and social media has helped so many people get sober but also the negative impact it has had on people.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

About Coach Tiffany - As an RN, Intuitive Eating Coach, and person in long term recovery, Tiffany has helped hundreds of women to achieve their goals. She works with high achieving women who can do anything they set their mind to but still struggle with food. Having experienced food obsession herself, she committed to finding a kinder solution that didn't involve depriving herself. She was able to heal her relationship with food, it was so powerful that she has dedicated herself to supporting high- achievers like her to do the same. Her clients are able to find peace with food and get back to doing what they really want to do in the world!   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Kristen Casey is a true survivor. In this honest and frank conversation, Kristin discusses her relationship with Eagles Legend Joe Walsh and how their love was destroyed by their addiction. Kristen saved her own life by getting sober and now helps others.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Why do we procrastinate, why do we avoid doing things we need to do. In this episode Veronica and Chip explore how fear of failure and fear of change lead us to distracting ourselves. They also make a commitment to do things they have been procrastinating on!   To learn more, visit the show notes.

People often use alcohol to help them sleep. When we get sober, sleep (or lack of) can sometimes be a real challenge. In this episode, Veronica interviews sleep expert, Christine Hansen. There is much more to sleep than we think. Christine talks about stress and diet and sleep hygiene as all being factors of not getting enough sleep.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

In the first episode of the new year, Chip and Veronica outline how important it is to detox from alcohol safely.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

In their last episode of the year, Chip and Veronica discuss the things that changed their lives this year. Obviously, COVID and lockdown were a big part of the discussion as well as books, TV shows, and events that made an impact on them.     To learn more, visit the show notes.

Is an alcohol problem genetic or a learned behaviour? In this episode, Chip and Veronica discuss how drinking is modeled in families and how kids develop a relationship with alcohol, based on their parenting.     To learn more, visit the show notes.

Veronica interviews the founder of the Sober Black Girls Club Khadi Olagoke. Khadi talks frankly about her struggle with alcohol and why she was often the only Black girl in the room.       To learn more, visit the show notes.

How do you go from believing nothing is ever going to work out for you to feeling anything is possible. In this episode, Veronica and Chip discuss their shifts in mindset and how they viewed everything negatively, and how they discovered hope.       To learn more, visit the show notes.

Chip and Veronica explain what the 'pink cloud' is when people first get sober and how to navigate it in a healthy way. As with every new relationship and experience, there's a honeymoon period where everything feels perfect but which inevitably doesn't last forever. Recognizing the phase that you're in and how it fits into the whole process of sobriety makes your journey much easier.     To learn more, visit the show notes.

In this episode, Veronica interviews parenting expert Dr Laura Markham. Dr Laura explains what peaceful parenting is and why connection is the most essential part of parenting. We also discuss how kids trigger your unresolved childhood issues and how, as a parent developing your own emotional regulation will role model to your kids how they can manage their feelings.       To learn more, visit the show notes.

Kate and Mand got sober when their children were young, finally fed up with the messaging that alcohol was a good way to reward or de-stress from parenthood. They have created the platform Love Sober where they help other women realize what a sober life can be like. Their book Love Yourself Sober, A Self-Care Guide to Alcohol-Free Living for Busy Mothers is out now.         To learn more, visit the show notes.

In this powerful story of sobriety. Soberful Coach Tamara Kirby finally discusses her traumatic childhood and descent into addiction. Sober for over eleven years, she is a powerful example of doing the work of sobriety.       To learn more, visit the show notes.

Shame and guilt are big emotions that we have to deal with when we get sober. Veronica and Chip discuss how these emotions can fuel a lot of our drinking and what happens when we get sober and we have to face them.     To learn more, visit the show notes.

Jardine Libaire and Amanda Eyre Ward join Veronica to discuss their book, The Sober Lush. When they got sober, they discovered that everything about sobriety was the opposite of what they believed. It was fun, expansive and exciting. So they wrote a book to tell the world about what they had discovered.     To learn more, visit the show notes.

We hear this all the time 'but getting sober is so hard!' Chip and Veronica explain that it feels hard because of our perception about drinking and sobriety and it's actually having an alcohol problem that is hard.         To learn more, visit the show notes.

Our childhood sets us up for our adulthood. In this episode, Chip and Veronica explore how our childhood relationships with food, time and feelings then play out in adulthood.       To learn more, visit the show notes.

We all have 'elephants in the room.' A difficult and uncomfortable conversation that we avoid at all costs. In this episode Chip and Veronica explore the different 'elephant's and how we can deal with them.     To learn more, visit the show notes.

Emotions are just data. In this mind-blowing interview EQ expert, Julia Ford-Carther explains how emotions are communicating with us so we can grow and change into the people we are meant to be.     To learn more, visit the show notes.

Marie Murphy is a relationship coach who helps people untangle what makes a relationship work. We discuss how we can use relationships to 'fix' ourselves and why beliving that it's another person's job to make you happy will make you miserable.     To learn more, visit the show notes.

Religious abuse, as one of the roots of addictive behaviour, is explored in this episode. Chip and Veronica discuss how religious language and indoctrination sow the seeds for alcohol abuse; they read out stories from people who have grown up experiencing some kind of spiritual abuse.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

What is love addiction? In this episode, Veronica interviews Sherry Gaba psychotherapist and relationship expert. We explore why relationships in sobriety are so hard, why we can become addicted to a relationship and how to create a healthy, authentic partnership.     To learn more, visit the show notes.

We have been asked many times 'how do you work the 12-steps?' In this episode, Chip and Veronica explain how they apply the 12-steps to their own lives.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Resistance is going to show up any time we do something new. Veronica and Chip discuss how the ego sabotages us when we get sober.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Is there a right age to get sober? Whatever age we decide to stop drinking, we will face challenges and limiting beliefs. In this episode, Chip and Veronica discuss the challenges of getting sober at a young age and getting sober when you are older.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Veronica and Chip have both experienced burn out in sobriety. Stress and burnout are danger zones for someone recovering from an alcohol problem. In this episode, we discuss the tools we have used to cope with stress.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

It's our 100th episode! To celebrate Chip and Veronica answer questions from the Soberful Life community. We answer questions about our sobriety and personal lives!   To learn more, visit the show notes.

In this episode, Veronica interviews Dr Jamie Marich about her new book, Trauma and the 12 Steps. We take a deep dive into working with people who have experienced trauma and how the 12-step programs can help and harm them.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Self-esteem is what we think about ourselves. Most people, when they get sober, have low self-esteem. In this episode, Chip and Veronica discuss how to rebuild self-esteem and what it feels like to like yourself.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

How to you get sober when your partner drinks? This is a common challenge for many of our clients who really want to stop drinking but have an unsupportive partner. Chip and Veronica offer suggestions and advice. If you are single how do you start dating when you are sober? Having been there themselves Chip and Veronica help you navigate the sober dating world.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

AJ Daulerio was only four months sober when the worst thing in the world happened to him. You may remember it; Hulk Hogan sued him (and won) for $115 million. AJ was the editor of Gawker magazine where he ran a story about Hulk Hogan's sex life. That story destroyed a lot of lives, including AJ's. In this honest and searching interview, Veronica asks him how he got through such a public shaming sober and what happened next.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

How do you rebuild trust in your relationships after years of drinking? In this episode, Chip and Veronica lay out the steps to take to start rebuilding trust with your loved ones when you get sober.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Today we discuss how to deal with triggers. Triggers are a response to an outside stimulus that results in an automatic action. We have trained our brains to drink, and we have to untrain them. We look at how H.A.L.T.S (Hungry. Angry. Lonely. Tired. Stressed) can affect our sobriety.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

How do we change? Chip and Veronica talk about the cycle of change and the 'dance' we go through when we need to change something. We discuss the three phases of change, and how we sabotage ourselves and stay in this cycle until we get to the 'maintenance' phase and the 'change' becomes our normal life.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Veronica is celebrating twenty years of sobriety on May 2nd. In this special episode, Chip and Veronica discuss the twenty things she has learned during that time. She is also hosting a party (online) to celebrate (and you are invited).   To learn more, visit the show notes.

An engaging and enlightening conversation with Suzanne Najarian Goodson, who is a sacred and sober sexuality teacher and coach. We discussed the challenges of engaging with our sexuality once we are sober, how to talk to kids about sex and sexuality, and how authenticity in our sexual relationships will transform them.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Veronica interviews Elissa Altman the author of best-selling memoir Motherland - a memoir of love, loathing and longing'. They discuss what it's like growing up with a difficult parent, how that affected them and led to their drinking. They also talk about that due to the current uncertainty, many people are having to share spaces with family members that can be triggering and difficult. To learn more, visit the show notes.

Chip and Veronica take a deep dive into the true cost of drinking. They deconstruct how we lie to ourselves about alcohol so we can carry on drinking. They go through one of the first exercises they give to clients that helps them get free of FOMO and start living an alcohol-free life.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Chip and Veronica interview Melia Clapton, the wife of guitar legend Eric Clapton. She discusses 'Turn up for Recovery,' her charity that helps use music to raise money for addiction treatment. She also discusses her own journey with 12-step programs and how she 'lost herself' in relationships.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Veronica and Laura take a deep dive into what it means to be a drunk mother, how to deal with the shame and what 'the work' of sobriety really is.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

In this bonus episode Chip and Veronica go through the tools you need to stay sober during the unfolding crisis. We help listeners prioritise their mental health and sobriety so they can stay sober no matter what happens.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Former K-pop star Kiki Wong comes on the podcast to discuss her career in Nylon Pink, a successful girl band. Kiki could only get on stage if she had been drinking, which matched with the rock-star lifestyle she was living at the time. Now she is two years sober she has had some of the best creative experiences of her life and never wants to go back.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Our past shows up in our present every day. If we don't look at our past then we can't get the lessons we need to grow. Chip and Veronica look at childhood patterns and how they shape our present circumstances.   ***Please note that we recorded this episode back in January 2020, before we truly understood the impact of Covid-19, please forgive us for making light of this at the start of the episode. ***   To learn more, visit the show notes.

****Warning**** graphic language and discussions of an adult nature. Amy Dresner is indestructible and probably the most cross-addicted person I have ever met. She is is also whip-smart, funny, kind and sensitive. She is a sober warrior. In this episode, we discuss her book 'My fair junkie.' The recent criticism of AA and the misunderstandings around the program and a whole bunch of other sobriety related stuff. Buckle up, this episode is turbocharged.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Codependency is an unbalanced relationship with other people. When we "people please" to the detriment of our own needs, we become reliant on other people for how we feel. We take too much responsibility for fixing their feelings above our own. Chip and Veronica discuss their challenges with codependency and how they have learned to manage their emotions.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

"Resentments are the number one offender." In this episode, Chip and Veronica discuss the nature of resentments, how they are like drinking poison and wanting the other person to die. How they seduce us into staying stuck and block us from growing. They confess their own resentments and the methods they use to get free of them. To learn more, visit the show notes.

Did you know that your mindset affects everything you do? From getting sober to how much money you make? In this episode, Chip and Veronica explore why mindset work is the most critical work you can ever do. They explain how your limiting beliefs in our subconscious mind were formed in childhood and shape your experience as an adult. Most importantly, they explain how to start changing them.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Lynn Matti, psychotherapist and author of 5 Weeks to Self Confidence: A Guide to Confronting Your Inner Critic and Controlling Your Relationship with Your Thoughts joins Veronica to talk about how we can dismantle the inner critic to build our self-confidence and self-esteem.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

***Trigger warning****Joshua Shea is a recovering alcoholic and pornography addict and the author of The Addiction Nobody Will Talk About: How I Let My Pornography Addiction Hurt People and Destroy Relationships, released in January 2018 and co-author of He’s a Porn Addict…Now What? In this episode, we discuss how porn and sex addiction start, the depths they can take you, and how to safeguard our kids against the pornification of our culture.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

In this episode, Chip and Veronica discuss Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACOA). ACOA's have particular characteristics that they carry into adulthood, particularly in their intimate relationships. To learn more, visit the show notes.

Intuitive eating with Coach Tiffany Thoen RN. In this episode, we look at the dysfunctional relationship, so many of us have with eating and how when we get sober, we often use food as a substitute for alcohol.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Everything changes, even when we don't want it to. In this episode, we discuss what it's like to start over. How even when we thought everything was terrible we rebuilt our lives into something better than we could have imagined. To learn more, visit the show notes.

In the final episode of the year Chip and Veronica discuss all the things that changed their lives this year.  **Trigger warning*** the Michael Jackson documentary and child sexual abuse is briefly discussed.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

How does a mother overcome her shame and guilt? In this week's episode, Veronica interviews Laura McKowen about her new book 'We are the luckiest.' Laura talks frankly about how her drinking affected her daughter, the shocking incident that left her crushed with shame and how she overcame her guilt to finally get sober. To learn more, visit the show notes.

Chip and Veronica discuss the phenomenon of 'drinking on success.' It's when things are going well that we forget quickly where alcohol takes us and what happens when we drink. Opportunities to be successful come because we are sober but because we don't know how to handle success we sabotage ourselves.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

In this enlightening and educational episode, Veronica talks to Linda Carter, an acupuncturist and fertility coach. We discuss how menstruation and menopause affect women and the impact this can have on getting sober. Linda talks us through the different stages of menstruation how hormones affect our feelings and moods and what women can do to support themselves at each life stage when they want to stop drinking.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Building resilience is essential to sobriety. We have often had these opportunities stolen from us as children or were just never taught them in the first place. In this episode, Chip and Veronica discuss what resilience is and how it's never too late to build it.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Brook Morton is the founder of 'Sober Outside' she creates travel experiences for sober women. In this episode, we discuss the benefits of being outside and how this can regulate our emotions. We also discuss how getting sober gives you 20% of your bandwidth back so you can experience life in an extraordinary way.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Movement is one of the five pillars of sustainable sobriety. In this episode, Chip and Veronica take a more in-depth look at what that means. Movement is about using physical exercise to help manage your mental health as well as being purposeful about the direction of your life.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

What is harm minimization? Does it work? Is it enabling or life-saving? In this episode, clinical social worker, co-founder of 'The Fix' and addiction expert Joe Schrank and Veronica discuss the differences in harm minimization between the UK and USA.  Joe also discusses his radical and cutting edge response to the opioid crisis.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

When we get sober, the world takes it personally. There are four types of characters you may meet when you stop drinking: 'The overnight addiction expert, 'the drunk persuader, the 'moving the goalposts friend,' and the 'fun police.' Chip and Veronica talk you through how each one will approach you, what they will say, and how you can deal with them.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Adrienne Miller, the President of the Women for Sobriety program joins the Soberful Podcast to delve into the 13 acceptance statements that are the foundation of the recovery program. Adrienne shares how Women for Sobriety offers unique support for women to stop drinking and how the 13 statements can be applied to our personal lives.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Fear is a universal feeling, we all feel it, but not many of us talk about it. Managing fear is a skill we have to learn so we can grow. When fear takes over our lives, it keeps us small, and we make choices based on our perception of safety -- this keeps us stuck. In this episode, Chip and Veronica discuss ways they have broken through fear and how they manage it in their daily lives.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Fear, insecurity, and loneliness often leads us to feeling disconnected from ourselves, our loved ones, and the world -- and alcohol gave us that false feeling of connection we craved. In this episode, Veronica and Chip talk about authentic connection as the solution to addiction, how to achieve a sense of connection during sobriety, and the joys that come with the experience.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Joanne Bradford is an author, certified healing practitioner, and life consultant. She got sober at the tender age of 24 and has been inspiring young women ever since by presenting  'not-drinking' as a valid life option. In this interview, Joanne tells her story, how she was inspired to get sober, and how this has developed into her healing practice with Motherheart. She believes that we can learn to parent ourselves in the way we need to heal our past.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Getting sober feels like hard work, and we get asked if we have to do this work for the rest of our lives. The answer is yes, and it's fantastic. What we are actually talking about is maintaining our emotional and mental health for the rest of our lives. Chip and Veronica discuss the rewards of doing just that.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

The Holy Grail of anyone with an alcohol use disorder is moderation. In this episode, Chip and Veronica look at why moderation (or social drinking) is very rarely achievable. We discuss the energy and effort that people put into trying to achieve it. The reason that we struggle with moderation is because of the perception that alcohol can benefit us when the reality is very different.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Whatever the question is, balance is always the answer. Balance is key to sobriety because if we become unbalanced; it can lead to relapse. In this episode Chip and Veronica discuss the mistakes they have made and how to achieve balance using some simple suggestions.    To learn more, visit the show notes.

We all have difficult people in our lives. Often it's family members, or colleagues they trigger us, and we find ourselves flooded with feelings of anger, frustration, and fear. Because we can't change these people, we have to learn to deal with them in different ways. In this episode, Chip and Veronica discuss how they have dealt with difficult people, what they have learned, how they remain calm and unaffected despite what other people do. This is the last episode before our summer break, Chip and Veronica will be back in September.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Step Gaudreau mission is to help women create bigger, bolder, fiercer lives - by building health from the inside out. In this episode, we discuss body image, health, nutrition. Step advises us how we can get started with exercise how we can deal with cravings in early sobriety as well as discussing her own reason for ditching the booze.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Emotional Sobriety is about learning to deal with your feelings and emotions. Stopping drinking just isn't enough. We have to learn to tolerate and experience emotions instead of running, and numbing Sobriety can give us the ability to experience our full spectrum of emotions, and then we can have appropriate emotional responses to events. Chip and Veronica talk through how this happens.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

We go on vacation to relax and have fun. But what do you do if you are sober? Surely you need alcohol to do both those things? In this weeks episode Chip and Veronica look at the 'vacation mindset' and how to not just stay sober on holiday but have an awesome time too.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Have you fever felt anxious? Have you ever used alcohol to deal with social anxiety? You are not alone. Anxiety and problems with alcohol go hand in hand. We drink to take the 'edge' off and get through social situations, but the booze just makes everything worse. You may have even experienced a full-blown panic attack. Veronica suffered from extreme anxiety and regular panic attacks throughout her drinking. In this episode, Chip and Veronica look at the relationship between alcohol and anxiety, how getting sober will change it and give you their strategies for dealing with anxiety when it strikes.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

The Five Pillars of Sustainable Sobriety are essential for anyone wishing to live a happy and sober life. In this episode, Veronica takes a deep dive into the five pillars of Movement, Connection, Balance, Process, and Growth. She explains how they work, how you can apply them to your life, and why you can't get sober without them.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

This is probably the question we get asked the most. Am I an alcoholic? How do I know if I have a drinking problem? We explore the spectrum of Alcohol Use Disorder's and look at how an alcohol problem can progress. We give our response (and analogy's!) to clients when they first come to us and ask if they have a problem or not.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

***Trigger warning*** This episode discusses adult content about sex and sexuality as well as discussion of childhood sexual trauma. Jennifer Matesa is the author of 'Sex in Recovery: A Meeting between the Covers.' Jennifer and I discuss the discoveries she made interviewing subjects for her book. Many people suffering from addiction have experienced childhood sexual trauma, we look at the impact of this on their recovery. We also discuss what the word virginity means, how not talking to teens can lead them to have dysfunctional sexual relationships. We also consider how people can get back in touch with their bodies when they get sober and have sex again.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Relapse is a process, not an event. It can build up over days, weeks and month. In this episode Chip and Veronica talk through the emotional, mental and physical stages of relapse. What you can do at each stage to prevent relapse and tools you can use to change the outcome.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

On May 2nd Veronica celebrated 19 years of sobriety. In this solo episode, Veronica explores the 19 most important lessons she has learned in those 19 years. She teaches you a few rules that have transformed her life, mistakes to avoid and the lessons that have had the biggest effects.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Why is asking for help so hard? How do you ask for help? In this episode, we explore this question, give you are insights in taking the first steps to reach out and discuss Russell Brand's book 'Mentors: How to Help and Be Helped' where he explains how Chip helped him. We then consider how to get over the fear of asking for help, and it will ultimately change your life.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

****Trigger warning**** We have long since known that trauma is at the root of all addiction. In today's episode, Veronica interviews Alina Frank and Craig Weiner leading experts in the field of Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT). We discuss why EFT is such a powerful tool to heal and resolve trauma. Alina and Craig explain the science behind EFT and why it heals the body and the mind from traumatic experiences.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

J.F. Benoist is the author of 'Addicted to the Monkey Mind.' In this revolutionary new book, J.F. lays out how our negative self-talk and limiting beliefs shape our experience. We discuss precisely how our past shows up in our present and how to change this by using the Observing Mind. We also talk about the false sense of belonging that is created in our culture that blocks us from having a real and authentic connection.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

In this episode, we look at cross addiction in its many forms. Including work addiction which we have both suffered from, smartphone addiction, gambling, and substance addiction. We look at what behaviors can be obsessive how addiction triggers a dopamine response and why we have to pay attention to these red flags in recovery.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

We get asked all the time what the secret to staying sober is. We wanted to share with you the most significant factors for not just staying sober but for having a fantastic life. 'Chip and Veronica's Five Secrets to Amazing Sobriety' is the stuff that we have learned makes all the difference. In this episode, we go over what those five things are and how they will transform your life.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Lucy Rocca is the founder of Soberistas website in the UK. Eight years ago Lucy woke up from a terrifying blackout in hospital where she swore she was never going to drink again. Lucy discusses her relationship with alcohol, how she got sober and started the website Soberistas. We also discuss how she has stayed sober for eight years, the British relationship with alcohol and how to parent kids in sobriety.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

To be truly alive we must experience meaningful connection. And we can only have this connection if we are prepared to be vulnerable. We discuss how vulnerability is a strength and is the only path to everything we want.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Consistency is one of the most essential ingredients of sustainable sobriety. Because alcohol is not the main problem, just a symptom of the problem Chip and Veronica discuss why you have to keep working a program to deal with your feelings and emotions. We also cover why we need a program that enables self-reflection so we can deal with other people. The biggest red-flag that we are not ok is when we start making other people the problem. It is this consistent work we do on ourselves that enables us to grow and stay sober.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Kelly Ruta is a psychotherapist turned mindset expert for women who have the audacity to change the world. She has also recovered from a devastating eating disorder. Here she discusses the trauma and dysfunction that led to her attempts at suicide and rock bottom. Kelly lays out precisely what she did to recover, the mindset she needed to overcome anorexia and bulimia and how she transformed into the badass Mindset Coach she is today.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Despite much success in her life Laura Willoughby MBE had reached a point when she realized her drinking was a problem. Rejecting traditional methods of getting sober, she forged her own path and created Club Soda, a UK based organization dedicated to changing our cultural relationship with alcohol. She challenges the media, hospitality industry and broader culture to see sobriety differently. As a member of the LGBTQ community, she also wanted to offer a service that was inclusive and addressed the unique challenges this community had when they tried to stop drinking.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

All things love. We discuss the subject of love in all its forms. Chip talks frankly about his loveless childhood and how this affected his relationships. We look at how parents love children and how we learn to love in our families. We discuss love languages in all relationships and how much we need love but can often push it away.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

***Warning*** contains adult conversation points. Building on last weeks podcast, Chip and Veronica discuss the devastation of porn and sex addiction. How does it manifest itself, what are the consequences and how do you overcome it.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

***Warning*** contains adult conversations of an explicit nature (over 18's only). In this episode Chip and Veronica talk frankly about sex. They discuss sex in recovery but also the broader context of how our view of sex is shaped. We look at the fear and anxiety that we can have in sexual relationships and how porn affects our view of what a sexual relationship can be. Lastly, we also talk about developing healthy sexual relationships in sobriety.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Veronica welcomes special guest author Kristi Coulter to discuss her first book, Nothing Good Can Come From This, a memoir in essay form about her experiences with alcohol and sobriety. Topics include feminism, relationships and what it's like being a sober woman.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

When you stop drinking life happens. And living life means ups and downs. These experiences are opportunities to grow and change. Chip and Veronica discuss their ups and downs, what they learned and how it changed them.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

We discuss Dry January - is it a good thing, does it actually help? Or is it part of a process people have to go through to realize they have to change. We look at setting goals, the cycle of change and how we self-sabotage and can set ourselves up to fail. Chip also talks about tolerance and how crucial it is to understand how our tolerance for substances changes. We end the show discussing Intuitive Eating and how it can break the shame of dieting and abusing your body.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

In our last show of 2018, we wanted to bring you meaningful insight into how we 'change our attitudes' when we stop drinking. However, despite being 'proper grown-ups' and qualified therapists, everything got very silly, and things just fell apart. We discuss change, ageing, being stuck in our ways while telling silly stories. Also featuring a special guest appearance by Veronica's landscaper ;)   To learn more, visit the show notes.

We all have a 'role' in our families. In this episode, we look at family dynamics. For many of us, when we are drinking that role is 'black sheep' of the family. Other family members may be 'rescuer,' or, 'scapegoat.' Every family has some dysfunction and unhealthy dynamics. Being conscious of our 'role' and how this impacts others when we get sober will help us manage the change that will occur in our family dynamics.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Lynn Matti is a psychotherapist the founder of Sobersoul recovery a platform dedicated to helping women recover. In this interview, Lynn shares her story of destructive drinking, infertility, divorce, and rebirth into the vibrant, healthy woman she is today.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Veronica interviews fellow psychotherapist and coach Sherry Gaba. Sherry is an expert in relationships ad the Law of Attraction in recovery. Sherry tells her own extraordinary story of co-dependency and healing.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

The holiday season provides a unique opportunity to abuse alcohol in a way that is socially acceptable. 'Legitimate Christmas drinking' is where standard rules no longer apply and it can be hard in early recovery to even consider not drinking alcohol in December. This season not only provides lots of triggers to drink it can also trigger to feel loneliness and feelings of isolation. Plus there is having to spend time with family members who compromise our mental health. The marketing we are bombarded with can make us feel like our lives just don't measure up. We discuss how you can get through the season by changing your thinking and mindset.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

In this episode we answer questions about sugar and food cravings in recovery, detoxing safely from alcohol, overcoming regret about the past and abandonment issues.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Being a parent can be one of the hardest jobs we do. We discuss the guilt and shame that comes with having children when you are still drinking and how you can begin to heal this. We also talk about raising children in recovery, how not to overcompensate and how to talk about alcohol and drugs.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Why do people find it so hard to stop drinking? What leads to a release. Veronica and Chip answer all these questions and give their opinion on what risky situations to avoid in early recovery.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

***Trigger warning*** In this podcast we discuss the loss of a child.  In our first interview, we listen to Trishna Odedra's compelling story of staying sober through the loss of her 13-month son. We hear her incredible story of recovery, how she grieved and why she remained committed to her sobriety. Tragic and inspiring you won't want to miss this.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

We noticed a lot of people ask this question in the Soberful Facebook group and decided to address it in the podcast. Because there is such an expectation to drink alcohol (and others are so used to you drinking) it can often feel difficult the first to say 'No thanks, I don't drink anymore.' Chip and Veronica walk you through how to deal with this.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Recorded the day after the Senate hearings on Brett Kavanaugh, we discuss the role of alcohol in sexual assault. We also discuss feminism and the role patriarchy has in preventing women from coming forward.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

We discuss how the alcohol industry has tricked us into believing alcohol is harmless and beneficial to us. And how they have convinced us that without alcohol we are missing out on something. We challenge the myths and assumptions that have lead to the normalization of abnormal drinking.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

When we lose something that matters we grieve. We discuss the grief process as it applies to giving up alcohol and drugs as well as losing someone you love.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

**Trigger warning** How do you learn boundaries when they were violated as a child? We discuss why healthy boundaries are crucial to recovery and how you can begin to learn how to develop them.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

The biggest challenge Veronica faced was dealing with romantic relationships. At 3 years sober she was suicidal again. With nothing left to lose she had to find a way to deal with old demons and stay sober.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

In this episode, we cover Veronica's story. How she became an alcoholic, what happened, and what led her into sobriety.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Denial is how we lie to ourselves. It is a psychological defense mechanism that prevents the alcoholic from seeing the truth of what they are doing to themselves. In this episode, we break down the different ways denial manifests itself and offer suggestions on how to deal with it.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

How do you help someone who drinks? We consider how dealing with kids and teenagers needs a different approach than adults. We discuss how to have boundaries and what to say. How to deal with someone who keeps relapsing.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

In this episode, Chip deconstructs the 12-steps into simple, applicable everyday language. If you have read Russell Brand's book 'Recovery' and were looking for further insight into how the 12-steps work then this episode is for you.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Recovery has its own language but what does all of it mean? We deconstruct different recovery terms like 'alcoholic,' 'problem drinker,' 'alcohol use disorder.' We also look at what it the difference is between being 'recovered' and 'recovering.' We also look at what it means to be a 'dry drunk' and how stopping drinking is only a small part of the challenge. The main problem is dealing with our feelings and emotions, particularly resentment and fear.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

If you want to stop drinking should you join a recovery group? What kinds of groups are there? Chip and Veronica discuss the pros and cons of recovery support groups. Do you have to believe in God? What if I'm an atheist? What alternatives are there to AA? All these questions answered and more.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

*Trigger warning* Discussion of child sexual abuse. In this episode, we answer questions from 'Sarah' in Australia who asks how she can forgive her alcoholic mother. We also answer 'Jasmine's' question on how to overcome the suicide of the family member who sexually abused her. We discuss the process of forgiveness, dealing with resentment and accepting the relationship you have with your parents instead of the one you feel you 'should' have.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

One of the biggest fears about quitting alcohol is that we will no longer have fun. In this episode we discuss how having fun in recovery is entirely different from having fun drunk. Sober fun is unplanned it happens naturally and usually has no price tag to it. We also talk about how scary it can be in early recovery just trying to do new things and how you can overcome these feelings so it becomes your new normal.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Chip and Veronica answer questions from listeners on the subjects of going to 12-step recovery meetings, living with someone who drinks and still having cravings at 2-years sober.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

*Trigger warning* Discussion of overcoming childhood sexual abuse. How do you heal from abuse and trauma? Can you overcome childhood abuse and go on to have a happy life and fulfilling relationships? Chip explains exactly how he did that.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

*Trigger warning* Discussion of childhood sexual abuse. In this episode, Chip tells his incredible story of recovery. He grew up in an upper-class British family with no love or warmth, was abandoned to a boarding school at age seven where he was bullied. By 18 he was sticking needles in his arms. He spent time in prison and five days on life support. Listen to his amazing story of transformation. In next week's episode, we will discuss how he healed and overcame all of this adversity.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

More than anything else loneliness is one of the biggest challenges for people who want to stop drinking. Both hosts describe their loneliest moments and how they overcame them.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

*Trigger warning* We will be discussing the relationship between trauma and addiction. The reality of Adverse Childhood Experiences and how Connection is the answer to all trauma.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

There are so many 'firsts' in the first year of recovery. your first sober Christmas, birthday, summer etc. How do you get through them? What are the highs and lows to prepare for?   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Dealing with momentous change and keeping your sobriety can be a real challenge. In this episode, Chip and Veronica discuss how to keep your resolve, stay calm, and remember why you became sober in the first place.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Relationships in recovery can be challenging! Chip and Veronica discuss their own dating disasters, how vulnerable we are in early recovery, and how we all just want to be loved...but go about the wrong way of getting it.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Chip is a life-long committed atheist. Veronica is 'spiritual but not religious.' In this episode, they discuss whether or not you need 'god' to get and stay sober and what spirituality actually means.   To learn more, visit the show notes.