Have you ever wondered if addiction is truly genetic in nature? If it is, are we doomed to become an alcoholic if there is alcoholism in our family history? Annie discusses genetic influence, susceptibility, and long term exposure. Annie use research from a variety of sources to answer this age-old question of ‘is addiction genetic’? Links: The Addicted Brain by Professor Thad A. Polk
Ready to meet someone super cool? Annie Grace chats it up with Taryn Strong – one of the founders of She Recovers – an organization aimed at connecting, supporting, and empowering women. Taryn takes us back to her first drink at 12 years old and walks us through her hard-partying past of alcohol and cocaine. Find out how Taryn took her recovery experience and used it to help others through a variety of resources, including yoga, women’s retreats, and coaching. Links: She Recovers Website
Annie recently answered a question regarding alcohol and stress. But today, she addresses what exactly she does to relax after a long, stressful day. When reaching for a drink is no longer an option, then what could possibly be as effective? Annie gives us some ideas and pointers on what works for her! Episode Links: 10% Happier by Dan Harris
Today, Annie welcomes Karolina, who was a gray area drinker for many years. Karolina went from being a college party girl to a weekend binge drinker to now being alcohol free. But when work, marriage, and weight gain forced her to use boundaries with her drinking, she began to cram all of her drinking into the weekends. Eventually she got tired of the ‘detox to retox’ lifestyle and gave up drinking. Now Karolina is loving her alcohol free life so much that she even started her own blog and podca...
What defines binge drinking? If we drink heavily on the weekends and then take a few days off only to repeat the cycle, does that make me a binge drinker? Find out what Annie says about the difference between being a daily drinker and a binge drinker and where to find support for each.
This Naked Mind and Annie Grace welcome Tricia, the host of Recovery Happy Hour podcast. Tricia was a self-proclaimed, overachieving, co-dependent alcoholic until she finally decided that her luck was bound to run out. Tricia shares what was the hardest part of the process for her – deciding that her problem was big enough to address. After all, it’s difficult to admit you have a problem if you don’t see yourself as the “typical alcoholic”. Find out what Tricia has done to use her journey for th...
Is it odd to miss something we never really had? When sugar isn’t something that we really had a lot of BEFORE quitting alcohol, then why the insane craving AFTER quitting? Annie leads us to an understanding of the physiological reason we actually do experience that need for something sweet.
Most of us have some sort of drinking history from college, but not Kerry – today’s guest. Annie highlights Kerry’s naked life story today. Kerry is a hard-working, southern gentleman who found himself using alcohol to numb the pain of losing a close loved one. He shares how he came to decide that enough was enough and now leads a happy, alcohol-free, healthy life!
We’ve heard that drinking is becoming a problem for an unsuspecting age group – those over 50. Is this true? And if it IS true, what explains it? Annie answers this inquiry by confirming that yes – the demographic statistics of problematic drinking is not limited to those in college or their 20’s or 30’s, etc. Annie shares a few of the theories surrounding this and sheds light on the physiology related to the effects of alcohol as our bodies age.
Scott Pinyard – head coach at This Naked Mind – comes on podcast with us today to answer frequently asked questions. Scott fields a question about how to handle the temptations during an important business meeting and gives us tips on how to successfully remain alcohol free despite the pressure. He also digs into how to deal with a spouse who doesn’t want to quit drinking and the difficulties surrounding this common issue. Last, Scott hands out advice on another common question – how to get thro...
This Naked Mind is such an interesting name. What exactly does it mean? Find out what inspired Annie to use this unique name for her book and what exactly it means to have a ‘naked mind’.
Today, Annie introduces Rachel from Rachel Hart Coaching. Annie and Rachel share the same passion, which is helping people find freedom from alcohol. In college, Rachel used alcohol to access the fun, confident version of herself. But it wasn’t a permanent solution - her love/hate relationship with alcohol finally had to change. Find out how she gave it up and how she is now using her experience to help others escape the grip of drinking. Episode Links: Smart Recovery Rachelhart.com
I fear that my break from alcohol won’t be a realistic, permanent option. What about my family, who are big drinkers, and my friends who depend on me to have a drink with them? Maybe I should drink socially so that I can maintain my relationships? Annie gives us great insight and answers that will help propel us forward with confidence to continue living a naked life.
An absent mother, a violent father, life as a single mom, and a brother who was murdered created the perfect storm for today’s podcast guest. Annie meets up with Angela, who shares her painful (yet amazing) naked life story of recovery. Angela shares her pain and heartache with us and explains how she found healing through forgiveness; freedom from alcohol; and how her gray world now has color once again. Episode Links: Drink - Ann Dowsett Johnson Seed of the Soul – Gary Zuvak
There seems to be a correlation between binging food and binging alcohol. If there is a link, what is it? Annie Grace answers this question, giving us three theories that might help explain this. She discusses the ‘forbidden fruit’ syndrome, self-medicating with food/alcohol, and filling the void in our lives with food and drinking.
WOW! In today’s podcast, Annie introduces Isabel Foxen Duke, the founder of www.stopfightingfood.com and you will be amazed by this information-packed interview. From a young child, Isabel began a relationship with food that trapped her in an unhealthy, vicious cycle of binging and dieting and the feeling of her body not being good enough. Isabel shares a perspective that could be a game changer in the way you see food. Find out how alcohol addiction and food addiction differ and also what trait...
My conscious mind has agreed with my subconscious mind and I no longer want to drink! So, let’s talk withdrawal. I haven’t had any withdrawal symptoms the past three nights, but should I be prepared for some to come? And what can I expect? Does everyone get withdrawal symptoms? Annie answers this question for us, educating us on the stages of withdrawal and explains emotional withdrawal.
Today, Annie introduces This Naked Mind’s head coach, Scott Pinyard. Scott will be hosting a monthly podcast called ‘Coaching Questions’, where he will answer some of the difficult, intense questions surrounding quitting drinking. Get to know Scott and his story – how he got started drinking and how he finally got free. Welcome Scott Pinyard!
Most people feel miserable and hungover the day after drinking. Why do some people have the opposite effect? I feel full of energy and great! Annie explains why this does happen and why alcohol is sometimes referred to as the ‘dirty drug’.
Being alcohol free is all sunshine and roses, right? Annie visits with Jamie, who decided to give up drinking in September of 2017. Although Jamie has no regrets about quitting, she gets real about the struggles that can arise after quitting - including learning how to ‘feel feelings’ after 20 years of using alcohol to deal with them. This interview is a refreshing reality check, dealing with what it’s like when our expectations simply don’t become our reality after we’ve accomplished the first ...
I don’t drink nearly the amount I used to, but when I do – I now get the worst hangovers. Is this normal? Annie explains that YES, this is normal and tells us why. She educates us on the chemicals involved in this and why even a couple of drinks can leave us with a hangover from hell.
Growth happens outside of our comfort zone – Annie Grace meets up with Mike, who attended the Naked Mind Live Event in October – and for Mike, this is absolutely true. He stepped out of his comfort zone nearly a year ago and took back control of his life. The changes and opportunities that have come as a result of his decision to stop drinking have proven one thing….he should’ve done it sooner.
I fear that I won’t be able to have the same type of connection and fun if I’m not drinking. Can you reassure me that socializing will still be fun even if I’m the only one not drinking? This is a question that we have all had when considering quitting drinking. Annie puts this in perspective for us and gives us comforting reassurance that yes! Conversation, connection, and fun can still be had and WILL be had sober….and it those things can be better than ever!
Our country is in the midst of a crisis – an opioid crisis. When we have pain – we immediately want it taken away and when that pain is relieved – we form an attachment to the source of rescue (in many cases, this is pain pills). Annie welcomes Dr. Leslie Cole, MD to the show today to discuss the dangerously addictive nature of opioids and narcotics. Dr. Cole has an impressive, diverse background and she shares extensive knowledge and information that you won’t want to miss! Episode Links: Dr. C...
Do I need to go back and relive what caused me to start drinking in the first place in order to fully heal? Annie Grace answers this question using research and study findings to help answer this question. She shares the importance of taking care of our bodies both physically and mentally, including getting enough sleep, eating right, and exercise as a big part of healing from the inside out.
Annie Grace sits down with Scott Pinyard, This Naked Mind’s head coach, to discuss tips and topics that will help you be successful with a 30-day break from alcohol – The Alcohol Experiment! Annie and Scott will walk us through six things that we can do to help us enjoy our vacation from alcohol and avoid the pitfalls that threaten to sabotage our efforts. Some of these topics include changing our mindset, having the right tools, and finding a buddy – to name just a few. Today’s episode is packe...
I thought when I quit drinking, I’d lose a bunch of weight. It’s been a while now, so why am I not losing like I wanted to and thought I would? Annie shares her personal experience of the ups and downs of losing and maintaining weight after quitting drinking. Listen and share your own advice and experience on this topic! It’s a hot one as we head into the New Year!
In today’s episode, Annie welcomes Nate, who at one time was a happy-go-lucky, athletic college student who could enjoy life without even the thought of a drink. Find out how alcohol quickly wove a messy web that trapped him into a world of depression. Nate shares how he found his way out of the dark world of addiction and realized that drinking was robbing him of the quality of life he once knew. He now lives a ‘naked’ life – FREE from the lies of alcohol. Episode Links: Brave New World – Aldou...
Sometimes I have close to two bottles of wine at night, but don’t really get a hangover the next day. Why is this? Annie Grace answers this question with science, personal experience, and reasons why hangovers do and don’t happen. Find out why it’s actually not such a good thing when we aren’t experiencing hangovers. Links: Mayo Clinic
Diet tonic water, seltzer with a twist of lime, diet cola, ginger ale.….to name just a few. If you’re living a sober life, these drinks might sound familiar (and honestly, kind of boring). Annie’s guest, Laura from Mingle Sparkling Mocktails is on a mission to change your drink options from boring and tasteless to exciting and delicious! Thanks to Laura and Mingle Mocktails, you can feel like you’re part of the party again! With Christmas right around the corner, the timing is perfect to discove...
