To 50 and Beyond podcast

My First Year of Sobriety: What I Did to Stay Alcohol-Free

Episode 325 Hello, friend! Thank you for being here. If you're in your first year of sobriety, congratulations! I'm very proud of you wherever you are on this road to alcohol freedom in midlife. During this episode, I'm sharing the things that helped me stay alcohol-free during my first year. I stopped drinking in 2013, choosing to go it alone. I stuck to simplicity because that is all I knew. I wasn't sure if I was doing things "right," but here we are today, almost 12 years later. I've been ab...

Life After Alcohol: Learning to Love Yourself More with Paula Muller

Episode 325 Hello! I'm so happy you're here! This podcast is all about living alcohol-free later in life, and my guest today, Paula Muller, is living proof of living alcohol-free later in life. Paula is an incredibly supportive member of my online community, who brought this wonderful topic of learning to love yourself more to me as a topic. When I heard it, I was "all in!" Paula shares her story of starting to drink at 13, how alcohol became part of her identity, and what led to her decision to...

Staying Alcohol-Free on the "Patio" This Summer

Episode 323 Welcome back to the To 50 and Beyond Podcast! I've missed being here with you. Coming your way are brand new episodes for the summer, starting with today's episode, which is all about staying alcohol-free on the "patio" this summer. Your "patio" is any challenge, including a literal patio, that you are concerned may come between you and your alcohol-free lifestyle. What you’ll hear: I'll help you identify what your specific summer triggers are instead of feeling overwhelmed by "not d...

Listen When You Feel Left Out Because You're Not Drinking

Download the Daily Sobriety Toolkit to help you plan your day and stay connected to your choice to be alcohol-free. Episode 323 Hello, friend! This episode is one to come back to whenever you feel alone in choosing to live alcohol-free. Whether you’re at home watching your favorite show where drinking is everywhere (hello, Real Housewives!) or at a party surrounded by drinkers, your choice to be alcohol-free is a badass one. You’re never truly left out when you’re choosing what’s right for you, ...

Negotiate for Yourself Not Alcohol

Episode 322 Hey there! Thank you for being here. We are on a break after today. 💗 New podcast episodes will be coming your way in late spring. This episode is dedicated to the women worldwide who are doing the work to live an alcohol-free lifestyle and build a better, more trustworthy relationship with themselves. I see you and I stand with you. With summer approaching faster than we'd like and warm weather months ahead, I want to talk about shifting our focus from negotiating with alcohol to n...

What Are You Aware of About Your Relationship with Alcohol?

Episode 321 The purpose of this episode is to take a moment to check in with you and your relationship with alcohol in honor of April being Alcohol Awareness Month. Whether you're alcohol-free curious, navigating early sobriety, or embracing long-term sobriety, this episode serves as both a reminder and a reflection—a chance to reconnect with the truth about you and alcohol. As a recovering "avoider," I share my story and the level of acceptance I reached when I stopped drinking, along with what...

Never-Ending To-Do Lists and Playing Catch Up

Episode 320 Tired of long to-do lists and playing catch-up? Yeah, me too! If you feel like you're working hard at catching up and have to wait to relax until you do, this episode is for you! I've had an epiphany about the unrealistic expectations I put on myself. One day, a few weeks ago, I said ENOUGH! I'm working towards being more intentional with my time and energy to get done what is important and taking a break even with a long list of to-do's! In this episode, I share my truth and encoura...

The Next Chapter: Rediscovering Who You Are After Alcohol

Episode 319 Hello friend! I'm glad you're here. If you're working on living alcohol-free, yay, you! It is a bada** move. If you are or have experienced the big, confusing questions like "Who am I now? or What do I even like to do?" after alcohol, you are not alone. When I stopped drinking at 45 after starting at 14, that first year was a complete identity crisis. In this episode, I talk about the transition to the "next chapter" alcohol-free. The identity crisis after drinking, and why you are n...

The Midlife Sobriety Movement is Here

Episode 318 The Midlife Sobriety Movement is here and I’m here for it! I felt compelled to share this episode because of the incredibly strong women in my community, private coaching sessions, and email network. Over the past seven years, I’ve had the honor of connecting with midlife women from around the world who are choosing to give up alcohol as they embark on this next chapter of their lives. Their motivations are diverse—whether for health reasons, recognizing an unhealthy reliance on alco...

The Benefits of Going "All In" with Leigh and Anne Walkup

Reframing "Time Wasted" Drinking

Episode 316 Hey there! If you're working on living alcohol-free in midlife and beyond, I'm VERY proud of you! You are making a positive change in your life. I know what it's like to live with the regret of drinking. In midlife, it's an especially challenging time to face these feelings. If you're feeling like maybe it’s too late to change your drinking, it’s not! You're not alone if you get those “cringy” memories from your drinking or think, I should have done things differently. I'm with you o...

Honor Your Why

Episode 315 There will always be a reason to drink after quitting alcohol, but don't forget why you decided to stop in the first place. If you’re a midlife woman working on living an alcohol-free lifestyle - I’m so proud of you! Even when you dedicate yourself to sobriety, you may find yourself questioning whether or not, it’s worth it to keep going. I questioned my sobriety and tried to talk myself out of it multiple times during my first year, but my “why” (aka why-power) kept me going. During...

The Meaning of Going "All In" On Living Alcohol-Free

Episode 314 Hey there! Thank you for checking out this episode. When I first considered living alcohol-free, like many women, I tried the moderation game. I attempted to control my drinking, set strict rules, and negotiate with myself about when and how much I could drink. It was exhausting and unfulfilling! The night I quit drinking, I made the tough decision to go "all in" on what I wanted more than alcohol. At the time, I was 45 and I desperately wanted to feel better. I had an inkling that m...

The Compound Effect: Trust Your Process

Thoughts on Alcohol and Leaving it in 2024

Episode 312 I got behind the mic this week to reflect openly on alcohol to encourage you to leave it in 2024 if you're tired of what alcohol brings into your life. As we wrap up 2024, I want you to know that if you're living alcohol-free, I'm celebrating with you. If you're working on freeing yourself from alcohol, I'm inspired by your perseverance. And if you're at that crossroads wondering which way to turn, just know that questioning your relationship with alcohol is the first step to change....

Hypnotherapy as a Tool During Dry January

When you are ready to take a drink break, you should explore different tools to see what works for you. I appreciate innovative approaches to lifestyle changes, which is why I invited Silvia Subirana, today's guest, to share her expertise. As a clinical psychologist and Head of Content Development at MyDry30, Silvia brings a unique perspective to transforming our relationship with alcohol. During her university years in Spain, unlike many of her peers who were embracing the typical college party...

What Are You Waiting For? A Compassionate Approach

Episode 310 What Are You Waiting For? A question and episode that comes with a compassionate approach and encouragement to help you get a clear understanding of what is holding you back from going alcohol-free. Asking this question isn’t about the urgency to hurry things up and stop drinking. It’s about being honest with yourself and easing your mind if you’re worried about your drinking and pressuring yourself to quit. I share what I was waiting for: a “normal” relationship with alcohol. When I...

The Alcohol-Free Lifestyle with Lindsay Sutherland Boal

Episode 309 Is living alcohol-free for you? My guest in episode 309 is Lindsay Sutherland Boal, a trailblazer in the sobriety community who shares insights into the meaning of an alcohol-free lifestyle and what it takes and doesn’t take to create a lifestyle that alcohol can’t touch. You will love this episode if you are on the fence about going alcohol-free. Lindsay Sutherland Boal is the visionary founder of The Uncovery App, a groundbreaking platform that redefines how women approach changing...

You Deserve to Stay Alcohol-Free This Holiday

In this episode, I share a heartfelt message on staying alcohol-free during the holidays. I know it's not an easy thing to do, which makes you a bada** in my eyes. From my personal experience of quitting drinking in 2013, I discuss how to handle holiday triggers, create new associations, and honor your choice to stay alcohol-free. Whether this is your first sober holiday or you're beyond that, you'll learn practical strategies to navigate celebrations while staying true to yourself. Key topics c...

Break Free From People Pleasing with Karen Ehman

Episode 307 As a lifelong people pleaser who frequently works with many women—many of whom also tend to please others and drink as a way to cope with their feelings—I reached out to Karen after discovering her insightful book, When Making Others Happy Is Making You Miserable: How to Break the Pattern of People Pleasing and Confidently Live Your Life . Karen Ehman is a New York Times bestselling author, a Proverbs 31 Ministries speaker, a contributing writer for Encouragement for Today online dev...

Navigating Why Aren't You Drinking?

Episode 306 Hello there. I'm happy you're here. I'm cheering for you always. In this episode, I help you navigate the often dreaded question: Why aren't you drinking? Here are some key points to help you handle this situation with confidence: Recognize and validate your fear or discomfort about being asked this question. Stay focused on your reasons for not drinking. Your why-power is stronger than any awkwardness you might feel. Before attending an event, consider if it aligns with your values ...

Escaping Without Drinking Alcohol

Episode 305 Hello friend! I'm so happy you're here. Thank you for listening to To 50 and Beyond. Do you remember the Calgon commercial from the 1970s? In it, the gal was stressed at the end of her day and said, "Calgon, take me away!" This episode is about our desire to escape from daily life stressors. It's a natural human experience. If we don't practice escaping, we let our stressors fester, which can lead to drinking alcohol. In this episode, I share my thoughts on "creating a life you don't...

Realizations From Midlife Women After They Stopped Drinking

Episode 304 Hello! I'm glad you're here. Today, we're diving into a topic that's been on my mind for a while - the realizations women have after they stop drinking. This isn't just about the good stuff, though. We're going to talk about the hard parts too. I want to give you a peek inside what it's really like to go alcohol-free later in life. It's not always easy, and it's not always fun. But it's real, and it's important. Whether you're struggling to stay alcohol-free or finding life without a...

A Reset For Midway Through a 30 Day Break From Alcohol

Episode 303 Hello there! Are you halfway through a 30-day break from alcohol and feeling like you need a reset? You're not alone! In this episode, I'll share encouragement and practical tips to help you refocus and make the most of the remaining 15 days. We'll explore the importance of self-compassion, reconnecting with your 'why', and strategies to overcome common challenges. Plus, I'll guide you through a heart-storming exercise to reignite your motivation and clarify your goals. Whether you'r...

Own Your Process and Celebrate Your Progress

https://www.lorimassicot.com/to-50-and-beyond-podcast/302Episode 302 The purpose of this short and sweet episode is to remind you to be patient and celebrate your progress in your journey towards alcohol freedom. Your “process” is unique, and it's not just about consecutive alcohol-free days. It's about what you learn and discover along the way. I’ll give you ideas to help you celebrate your growth beyond just counting days without drinking. It's time to acknowledge your efforts and build yourse...

Outgrowing Yourself in Midlife

Episode 301 If you're feeling like something is off and you're not sure what it is, it could be that you're outgrowing a past version of yourself. A version that may not be aligned to who you want to be today and tomorrow, and is not giving you positive vibes. 😅 This episode was inspired by the idea of outgrowing alcohol, and a quote that hit me right in the ol' thinking cap. We shrink ourselves to fit into places we’ve outgrown. Then we find ways to anesthetize the pain and discomfort. Stop sp...

Reclaim Self-Comfort From Alcohol

Episode #300 Hello! I'm glad you're here. If you're a midlife woman who is tired of turning to alcohol as a source of comfort and want to turn to yourself instead, this episode is for you! Alcohol is often perceived as a source of comfort, especially for women in midlife facing next-level challenges and stressors. Chardonnay was my friend and it wrapped me in comfort like a warm cozy blanket for years. However, this comfort was deceiving and over time, I realized that it was very temporary. In t...

Daily Habits to Support Long-Lasting Sobriety with Jen Hirst

Hello there! I'm glad you're here! My guest in episode 299 is Jen Hirst, Sober Coach, and founder of Lighthouse Sobriety, who is here to help you create more structure in your day by adding habits that will help you maintain sobriety. One of the things I appreciate about Jen is her practical approach to getting and staying sober. And, her support that she shares on Instagram! I reached out to Jen to ask her to share her story and talk about how habits you can start today will help you stay alcoh...

Figuring Things Out As You Go: A Reintroduction to To 50 and Beyond

Hey there! I'm happy to be back with you after a summer hiatus. I started To 50 and Beyond when I was 50 way back in 2018, so it would be a great time for a reintroduction. Things have changed since then and I have figured some things out that I want to share with you. The episode starts with a flashback from my very first introduction in February of 2018. I talk about the evolution of the podcast, and why I still believe midlife is the best time to remove anything from your life that you don't ...

When You Change Your Mind - I'm on a Podcast Break Until September 11, 2024

Hey there, friend! This quickie episode is all about changing your mind to honor yourself and not overextend yourself, which can lead to burnout. I've decided to take an extended podcast break to avoid burning out and enjoy my Sober Gal Summer. Inside this episode, I share my thoughts on why it's hard to change your mind, and why you should, and what to expect in the Fall from To 50 and Beyond. Want to stay in touch weekly? Join my email community to learn more details about the podcast and get ...