Welcome to our latest episode where we delve into societal pressures and the internal struggles many women face while maintaining appearances. Our guest today is Stephanie Mattrey, a Catholic wife and mother who has bravely battled anorexia and bulimia. Stephanie shares her inspiring journey toward recovery, shedding light on the often-unspoken struggles women undergo in their quest to fit societal molds. If you've ever felt trapped by your thoughts or societal expectations, this episode will re...
Nov 21, 2023•46 min•Ep. 43
Ever thought about the deceptive similarities between alcohol and Snake Oil? Today, we're going to take you on a fascinating journey, uncovering the shocking truth that they're not as different as you might think. We'll expose five common lies about alcohol, revealing their striking similarity to the false promises of Snake Oil. You'll learn that alcohol isn't a solution; it just distracts us and stops us from finding healthier ways to cope with stress. The truth is, you don't need alcohol. This...
Nov 18, 2023•11 min•Ep. 42
Are you a mom striving for health and holiness? Today, we're joined by the incredible Sarah Lawless, a life coach dedicated to helping mothers reclaim their health. As a woman who has trod the path of healing and self-care, Sarah guides us through the fascinating world of liver health. How is your liver like a confessional? Listen to hear Sarah make the helpful connection! We dive into the intriguing world of alcohol and its effects on the liver. Sarah expertly explains how the liver processes a...
Nov 14, 2023•39 min•Ep. 41
Are you ready to examine your relationship with alcohol? Together, let's explore the 'sober curious' movement and its implications for Catholic women living in an alcohol-saturated culture. As your sobriety coach, I'll guide you through understanding why many women are choosing to "get curious" about their drinking habits, all while seeking a life of intention and temperance. Embark on this journey with me as we explore how self-observation can alter our relationship with alcohol. Learn how mome...
Nov 10, 2023•14 min•Ep. 40
As we move towards the holiday season, the pressure to juggle everything can often feel overwhelming. But what if I told you there was a way to navigate through this busy period without compromising your sanity? This week, I sit down with Amber Curtis, a productivity coach, who has made it her mission to help overwhelmed moms reclaim their time and energy. Amber's journey from despair to determination inspired her to use her academic research skills to discover scientifically proven ways to boos...
Nov 07, 2023•46 min•Ep. 39
Are you ready to savor the holiday season without succumbing to stress or overindulgence? Denise Jelinek, a friend of our program, joins us to reveal her process that helps you celebrate without sabotaging your peace of mind. We traverse the terrain of holiday planning and control, discussing strategies to manage social events, setting personal boundaries, and dealing with inner conflicts in healthy ways. The holiday season is a time of celebration but also comes with mental and emotional challe...
Nov 03, 2023•39 min•Ep. 38
Ever been caught in the whirlpool of procrastination, only to seek solace in a glass of wine? Today, we're shedding light on how we, as women, often delay addressing our desire to limit or quit alcohol, and the connection between this procrastination and stress. With a confession about my own struggle with procrastination, we'll unravel how it's not only a symptom of laziness, but a stress response. Let's break down the nine common reasons that lead us to postpone positive changes in our drinkin...
Oct 31, 2023•17 min•Ep. 37
Have you ever considered that your identity is not based on your actions or experiences but on who you are in God's eyes? This is a reflection that I gave at a Catholic Women's retreat, and I wanted to share it with my podcast audience as well. Let's explore the beautiful truth of not only who we are but WHOSE we are. This episode is a gentle beacon, reminding you you're not alone on this journey. Join me as we shift our mindset to think in heavenly ways rather than worldly ones. It's a crucial ...
Oct 27, 2023•10 min•Ep. 36
Welcome to a powerful and inspiring episode of the Catholic Sobriety podcast. Join me as I sit down with Nicole Haugen, a life coach for Catholic women in health care. Nichole's journey is a testament to resilience and faith, as she bravely shares the trials she's faced - from the immense grief of losing both parents to the marital challenges she and her husband experienced and worked through. She shares how these hardships led her to create a support group and become a life coach for other Cath...
Oct 24, 2023•33 min•Ep. 35
Imagine if the trials and tribulations of life, those irritating irritants, could be transformed into something of value, like pearls. That's exactly what we're discussing in today's episode, as we uncover the biblical symbolism of pearls and unveil a systematic and faith-based approach to addressing life's problems, which we call the pearl technique. Now, let's take this concept of pearls a step further as we continue to delve into personal growth through discomfort using the pearl technique, e...
Oct 20, 2023•9 min•Ep. 34
What if you could experience the profound transformation of a life without the cloud of alcohol? Imagine a life where distractions are no longer obstacles to hearing God's voice. Join us as we welcome Maria Riley, a devoted Catholic, loving mother, and author of the Catholic chapter book series, Adventures with the Saints. Maria shares her personal journey from battling alcohol addiction to finding strength and sobriety. Maria’s recovery story is one of inspiration and courage. She opens up abou...
Oct 17, 2023•47 min•Ep. 33
I welcome you to this bonus episode. I was interviewed many months ago by my friend, Steve O'Connor, for his podcast Catholics Fight Porn. Steve's coaching program for married men battling porn addiction is an inspiring testament to the power of shared experiences, strength, and hope. In this episode, you can listen in as Steve helps to guide me through the murky depths of my past, providing a candid view of my challenges. The journey wasn't easy, but with the help of God's grace, friends, and t...
Oct 15, 2023•57 min•Ep. 32
What if you could break free from the shame cycle that keeps you stuck in alcohol addiction? Join me as we peel back the layers of this often overlooked topic and equip you with actionable steps to disrupt this negative loop. The cycle typically begins with feelings of guilt and shame and can escalate into anger, depression, anxiety, and increased alcohol consumption. I dissect this painful process, while also explaining the short-lived relief alcohol provides and its consequential negative impa...
Oct 13, 2023•9 min•Ep. 31
Are you ready to ignite your inner desire to transform your life? We're venturing on a profound journey towards wellness, inspired by Jesus' encounter with the man who had been ill for thirty-eight years in John 5:2-9. Together, let's reflect on the real meaning of being 'well' and the significance of willingness and desire over willpower. If you're a woman wrestling with your relationship with alcohol and contemplating a change, join us as we tackle this complex journey. By delving into scriptu...
Oct 10, 2023•14 min•Ep. 30
Are you letting alcohol steal joy from your life? I want you to know that you're not alone in this struggle, and together we can reclaim your life. This episode is an enlightening exploration into the often overlooked, extensive effects of alcohol. We dive into a candid, faith-based discussion about the physical, mental, emotional, financial, and spiritual implications of alcohol on our lives. Our conversation goes beyond the standard health effects, addressing how alcohol can strain relationshi...
Oct 06, 2023•10 min•Ep. 29
Have you ever longed for a deeper, more personal connection with God? Picture yourself sitting down, pen in hand, guided by the insightful Amy Brooks, founder of Catholics Online, as we delve into the transformative power of prayer journaling. Discover how Amy's prayer journaling helped her hear God's voice more clearly and seek his guidance during tumultuous times. Learn how to pour your heart's deepest desires, fears, and gratitude into a prayer journal, turning it into a sanctuary for your th...
Oct 03, 2023•38 min•Ep. 28
In this heartfelt episode, host Christie Walker explores the "5 Things I Would Never Do If I Wanted To Get Sober," sharing personal insights from her own journey towards sobriety. Drawing from her Catholic faith and recovery experience, Christie emphasizes the importance of community, spiritual health, self-care, positive self-talk, and maintaining hope in overcoming addiction. Beyond practical advice, this episode serves as a gentle reminder that you are a beloved daughter of God. He loves you ...
Sep 29, 2023•7 min•Ep. 27
Feeling engulfed by the whirlwind of motherhood? On the brink of giving in to the temptation of unhealthy coping mechanisms? I promise there's a calmer way to navigate this chaos and my enlightening chat with Sterling Jaquith, author of Catholic Mom Calm – Six Steps to Calm the Chaos in Everyday Life, reveals it. In a world where we're incessantly bombarded with noise and unrealistic expectations amplified by social media, feelings of isolation can easily creep in. Sterling highlights this conce...
Sep 26, 2023•46 min•Ep. 26
In this Minisode of The Catholic Sobriety Podcast, host Christie Walker challenges listeners to shift their perspective on their alcohol consumption. Instead of asking this common question she hears, she proposes three introspective questions to consider. These questions delve into the fears associated with quitting, the perceived benefits of drinking, and how alcohol may be hindering one's spiritual journey. This episode encourages listeners to reflect deeply on the role alcohol plays in their ...
Sep 22, 2023•5 min•Ep. 25
Ready for a spiritual journey towards positive change? I invite you to journey through the Transtheoretical Method - or the Six Stages of Change Model - as roadmap that takes us from aching doubt to blissful action. We start with the pre-contemplation stage when you are unaware that you may have a problem, and travel through contemplation and preparation to the action stage. We also share how sacraments can help you shed your burdens and receive the grace to propel forward. But that's not all. W...
Sep 19, 2023•22 min•Ep. 24
This is the first of MANY "Minisodes." These quick episodes provide valuable information and insights in 10 minutes or less to help achieve or maintain sobriety. In this episode, you'll learn how to ride out cravings as we explore techniques to examine the promises your cravings make, empowering you to face them with unwavering confidence. Once you discover how to do this, you’ll indulge in the glory of the Lord, embracing the feelings of achievement when you resist cravings. Discover how prayer...
Sep 15, 2023•9 min•Ep. 23
Ever grappled with feelings of overwhelm as your head swirls in a tornado of thoughts, emotions, and circumstances that keep you feeling stuck? Denise Jelinek, Catholic health and wellness coach, returns to the podcast to unpack the "missing piece" concept and offer some insights on connecting with God to maintain peace and have clarity amidst of turmoil. Being stuck in an emotional storm often leads to feelings of frustration, anxiety, and helplessness. But what if there was a way to recognize ...
Aug 26, 2023•42 min•Ep. 22
What are some of the common signs of alcohol addiction? How do you know if or when you cross the line from overdrinking to addiction? When and how should someone seek professional help? Prepare to be enlightened as we sit down with Belinda Terro Mooney, a seasoned professional in addiction recovery. She addresses these questions and more in this podcast episode. With her depth of knowledge from nearly three decades in the field, Belinda offers a well-rounded perspective on the addiction continuu...
Aug 18, 2023•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 21
Ready to unravel the mystery around your drinking habits and discover a sense of peace you never imagined possible? As your Catholic Sobriety Coach, I’m your guide to this transformational journey. This episode isn't limited to those with an alcohol use disorder; I’m talking to all women who desire to gain control over their drinking habits. With my coaching, you’ll gain clarity, make informed decisions, and begin a transformation around your drinking habits. We'll explore the dual nature of alc...
Jul 27, 2023•22 min•Ep. 20
We all have moments when we feel lost or overwhelmed - times when we desperately need hope and healing. Today's guest, Lisa Martinez, knows these moments all too well. Join us as we sit down with her and explore how her journey of trauma, a loved one's addiction, and infertility led her to lean in hard to the transformative power of God's love and prayer, and how it inspired her to start the restoration ministry Little with Great Love and the nonprofit iAmplify. Have you ever found yourself ques...
Jul 19, 2023•59 min•Ep. 19
Imagine sitting in a crowded restaurant, choking on a piece of food, but too mortified to ask for help. Sounds absurd, doesn't it? Yet, we often find ourselves in a similar choke-hold of shame and fear when it comes to confronting our unhealthy habits, particularly around drinking. We wrap ourselves in a shroud of perceived societal expectations, terrified of judgment while simultaneously yearning for help. Join me as we unravel this complex web of emotions and discover how to counteract these r...
Jul 14, 2023•29 min•Ep. 18
Welcome to a transformative new chapter of our podcast journey, aptly rebranded as "The Catholic Sobriety Podcast." It's more than a name change; it's widening the net. We are broadening our conversations to include not just women in recovery, but also those who wish to reevaluate their relationship with alcohol and moderate or even cease their drinking habits. In this context, sobriety is not merely about abstinence; it's about moderation and temperance. No matter your faith, no matter your str...
Jul 13, 2023•10 min•Ep. 17
Are you feeling stuck in your relationship with alcohol and wondering how to take the first step toward freedom? Join me as I chat with Food Freedom and Weight Loss Coach Denise Jelinek, who shares her incredible insights on "step zero" and practical tools to help you discern alcohol's role in your life. Together, we navigate the six stages of change, from pre-contemplation to action, as Denise offers invaluable guidance on using the Holy Spirit, a pen, and willingness to create awareness and un...
Jun 23, 2023•29 min•Ep. 16
In this episode, we delve into a topic that affects many women: using alcohol to cope with anxiety. Our guest today is certified Catholic Life Coach Christina Brown In this interview, we focus on recognizing, managing, and alleviating anxiety without resorting to alcohol. Christina brings her expertise as a certified Catholic Life Coach and Catholic speaker to shed light on this important topic – and I share a little bit about my past struggles with anxiety. Christina and I discuss how women can...
Jun 06, 2023•49 min•Ep. 15
Are you bothered by or worried about your drinking habits? Have you been wondering if it really is a problem - and how you would know if it were? Join us as we welcome back Coach Denise Jelinek from Turn to God, Not Food . Denise is a Catholic health and weight loss coach who has conquered binge eating, overdrinking, and chronic people-pleasing. Denise and I discuss the three stages of dependency regarding alcohol and emotional eating. She outlines how to recognize which stage you are in - and s...
Jun 02, 2023•39 min•Ep. 14
