Episode 268 Hey friend! Do you have a plan for your holiday that will help support your alcohol-free lifestyle? If you said no, then this episode is for you! If you do have a plan, that's great! Stick around as I walk you through how I plan each month and talk about swapping out activities that may trigger you to drink this holiday. Click here to read the full show notes and get details and resources shared inside. Email me here. Join Team Alcohol-Free before enrollment ends 11/11 here. Rate, Re...
Oct 25, 2023•44 min•Season 10Ep. 268
Hey there! I'm glad you’re here. In episode 266, I asked my friend, Amy Connell, to join me as my cohost to discuss practical ways to manage stress during the holiday season. Let’s face it: we face stress daily, and it’s always a good idea to check in with yourself to learn more about what is happening in your life and what you need to do to manage your stress. Amy and I talk about: What stress is and ways it shows up during the holiday season How to plan for the holidays without adding more to ...
Oct 18, 2023•49 min•Season 10Ep. 268
Episode 266 Hey there! I'm happy you're here! I asked my friend, Sondra Primeaux, Founder of The Unruffled to join me as my cohost for this episode to share her experience after she quit drinking and beyond a year of sobriety. Sondra is a writer, podcaster, photographer, and reuse designer whose passion shines through in everything she creates. Much like me, Sondra quit drinking during perimenopause (at 45). In this episode, we talk about what happened after we chose to stop drinking, how our re...
Oct 11, 2023•1 hr 6 min•Season 10Ep. 266
Episode 265 Hello, friend. I'm glad you're here! Sobriety is a personal journey and not an easy one to come to terms with at any level of drinking. I had to decide who to share this precious information with when I stopped drinking. I didn't want others to know of my decision before I understood it more. Inside this episode, I share my insights into when it's a good idea to share your sobriety and when it's a good idea to protect your choice and not share. Thank you for listening. I appreciate y...
Oct 04, 2023•20 min•Season 10Ep. 265
Episode 264 Hey there, friend! If you are curious about living alcohol-free or already living that lifestyle but struggle with what to focus on daily to help you stay alcohol-free, you will appreciate today's episode. I asked my friend, Michelle Smith, the Founder of Recovery is the New Black to come on the podcast and talk about the importance of creating a daily self-check-in plan to manage your emotions, focus, and well-being. Michelle will guide you through simple daily activities to help yo...
Sep 27, 2023•43 min•Season 10Ep. 264
Episode 263 Hello, friend! I'm glad you're here. I invited my friend, Casey McGuire Davidson to the podcast to join me in a conversation about the first year of living alcohol-free. When we make a choice to stop drinking, we all start off unsure of what to expect. Casey and I break down what we experienced from week one to the one-year mark in our first year of alcohol freedom. It's an insightful conversation that will give you an insider's peek into the two different paths Casey and I took to s...
Sep 20, 2023•1 hr 4 min•Season 10Ep. 263
Episode 262 Hello friend! I'm glad you're here! Today, we come together to talk about one of the biggest challenges most of us face when standing at the crossroads of "Do I continue to drink?" or "Do I go alcohol-free?" is the fear of never drinking again if you choose to take a break or go all into an alcohol-free lifestyle. "Forever sober" thinking is real, but it doesn't have to hold you back from being alcohol-free today. In this episode, we talk about “going all in” on an alcohol-free lifes...
Sep 13, 2023•52 min•Season 10Ep. 262
Episode 261 Hello friend! When I was 45 and thinking about quitting alcohol, I wished I could hear from women my age who could share their experiences and insights about living without alcohol. In today's episode, I'm your virtual friend, here to share some positive insights of life without drinking. The purpose of this episode is to bring you hope and encouragement, and help you find your "bright side" to going alcohol-free. What you'll hear: Why going alcohol-free in midlife matters What I dis...
Sep 06, 2023•19 min•Season 10Ep. 261
Episode 260 Are you thinking about taking a break from drinking? I remember my first break from drinking, which I talk about in this episode. I had the mindset going into it that I would save money and lose weight, but with that first break, I realized how different I felt without drinking. That break was the "kickstart" to me going "all-in" on an alcohol-free lifestyle a year and half later. In this episode, I talk about five compelling reasons to embrace an alcohol-free lifestyle in September....
Aug 23, 2023•19 min•Season 10Ep. 260
Bonus In this episode, I wrap up The Essential Series with words of encouragement and hope and a breakdown of how to keep your alcohol-free lifestyle top of mind daily which simply means: I will make myself and my alcohol-free lifestyle a priority because I care about myself and what I want more out of life than drinking alcohol . I'll be sharing five practical strategies to help remind you of why you're choosing an alcohol-free lifestyle, show up for yourself daily, and enjoy the freedom that c...
Aug 18, 2023•25 min
Episode 259 Hello friend! I'm happy you're here. Today, we are talking about how to manage relationships without drinking. One of the biggest fears most women face when deciding to choose an alcohol-free lifestyle is how their choice will impact their relationships. Our choice to live free from alcohol should not be anything less than celebrated, especially by the people we love, but that is not always the case. In this episode, I talk about how to set and uphold personal boundaries around three...
Aug 16, 2023•23 min•Season 10Ep. 259
Episode #258 Hello, friend! Today is an episode about stepping into your identity as someone who lives an alcohol-free lifestyle. When I stopped drinking, I realized quickly that so much of who I thought I was was tied to alcohol. At 14, I stepped into my “party girl” image. I believed alcohol was the answer to my social anxiety and lack of confidence in who I was. At 45, when I quit drinking, I had the same beliefs about alcohol, and I had a belief that I couldn’t “do life” without drinking. I ...
Aug 09, 2023•16 min•Season 10Ep. 258
Bonus In the last five years, I've received many questions from women who are thinking about giving up alcohol later in life. In this episode, I'll answer your most common questions and worries. This episode aims to help you find the information you need and let you know that other women have similar concerns. To find the resources mentioned in this episode, head to the show notes page. Get caught up on past episodes: The Essential Series: Your Guide to Living Alcohol-Free Ready for something di...
Aug 04, 2023•38 min
Episode 257 When I first quit drinking, I had no plan. After committing to an alcohol-free lifestyle, I woke up the next day feeling lost and uncertain. The day seemed long and daunting, and with no one else aware of my decision yet, fear crept in. Looking back, I realize how much I held myself accountable for that commitment. However, for the first two years of sobriety, I lacked a clear daily focus beyond my basic responsibilities of taking care of my son and going to work. In this episode, I ...
Aug 02, 2023•28 min•Season 10Ep. 257
Hello, friend! I'm so glad you're here. In this bonus episode, we talk about the concept of your alcohol-free muscle and how it empowers you to live alcohol-free. Just like our muscles in our bodies, your alcohol-free muscle takes time to build. Let this episode remind you that your challenges are your greatest "alcohol-free muscle builders." I'm with you. You will find the show notes here. Mentioned in this episode: The Essential Series Join the To 50 and Beyond email community. Ready for somet...
Jul 28, 2023•20 min
Episode 256 When you stop drinking, it is normal to crave a drink and feel the urge to drink. You are never alone in fighting the good fight to stay alcohol-free during these tempting moments. In this episode, I will guide you through 5 essential solutions that can help you effectively manage the urge to drink and empower yourself to step into the leading role you were meant to play in your life. These solutions have worked for women just like you who have found different ways to respond to crav...
Jul 26, 2023•29 min•Season 10Ep. 256
Bonus episode Hello friend! I'm glad you're here! Today, we are coming together to talk about our inner dialogue that comes up after we quit drinking, what I like to call, our "drinking stories." We all have them, and being aware of what they are will help you challenge them to find a fresh perspective that will help support your alcohol-free lifestyle. Are you up for the challenge? If you are, push play, and let's go! You can find the show notes here. Mentioned in this episode: The Essential Se...
Jul 21, 2023•20 min
Episode 255 Finding practicality and simplicity in early sobriety is essential to prevent overwhelm and stress, which can motivate you to drink. I chose a practical approach to sobriety, because that is all I knew then. With so many different tips available today to help you stop drinking, it can get confusing how to start and keep it going. In this episode, I'll guide you through five practical tips that you can get started on today. This episode is for you if you are curious about an alcohol-f...
Jul 19, 2023•20 min•Season 10Ep. 255
Bonus episode If you're unsure about drinking or taking a break, you're not alone. Many women in midlife are choosing the road less traveled and exploring the benefits of abstaining from alcohol. In this bonus episode, I'll guide you through 5 Essential Questions to Help You Take a Break from Drinking. What you'll hear: Questions to help you: Identify experiences that matter more to you than daily drinking. Understand why those experiences hold importance for you. Explore your motivations for dr...
Jul 14, 2023•23 min
Episode 254 Hello friend! We all reach a point where we start considering an alcohol-free lifestyle as an alternative. It sounds appealing, but the uncertainty of what it truly takes to start and maintain an alcohol-free life can be overwhelming. In this episode, I'll guide you in reflecting on your thoughts about the requirements and misconceptions surrounding transitioning to an alcohol-free lifestyle in midlife and beyond. This episode is for you if you are curious about an alcohol-free lifes...
Jul 12, 2023•28 min•Season 10Ep. 254
Hello, friend! If you are curious about going alcohol-free or are already living that lifestyle but find it less than fulfilling, I have a special 6-week podcast series, The Essential Series: Your Guide to Living Alcohol-Free in Midlife and Beyond, coming your way July 12th - August 18th. Today, I will introduce you to the series and let you know what to expect. The episodes you will hear in the series (as of today) are as follows: Episode 254 7/12: Transitioning to an Alcohol-Free Lifestyle: Wh...
Jul 05, 2023•10 min
Episode 253 If you feel like you aren’t moving in the direction of where you want to be in 2023, (join the club and) listen to this episode today! We all feel off track sometimes, and taking time to reflect helps us find more peace and clarity and get focused on what matters most in our lives. There is no better time than mid-year to reflect! In this episode, I share my five favorite prompts that help me reflect on my progress in life. These prompts are: No. 1 In the past six months, what are yo...
Jun 21, 2023•27 min•Season 10Ep. 253
Episode 252 Hello, friend! I'm happy you are here. Today, I'm talking with Pam Sherman of The Perfect Balance Guru about finding that sweet spot with our nutrition and exercise in midlife and beyond. Pam is a certified trainer and instructor since 1997, author, media contributor, and motivational speaker. In this episode, you will hear why Pam chose to go alcohol-free and her holistic approach to wellness, highlighting sleep, nutrition, physical activity, and emotional health. We have a great co...
Jun 14, 2023•43 min•Season 10Ep. 252
Episode 251 Hello, friend. Thank you for being here today. In this episode of To 50 and Beyond, I’m honored to share my guest, Dr. Constance Scharff. Today, Dr. Scharff shares her personal story of recovering from the trauma of being sexually abused by her father and her addiction to alcohol. Dr. Scharff breaks down the meaning of trauma, addiction, and recovery, how trauma affects our body, and the importance of feeling our feelings in recovery. Dr. Scharff has a Ph.D. in Transformative Studies...
Jun 07, 2023•47 min•Season 10Ep. 251
Episode 250 Hello, friend! If you are like my wonderful guest, Lisa May Bennett, and me in episode 250 - a woman who grew up with insecurities and self-doubt and found relief from anxiety and those insecurities by drinking, you will appreciate this episode today. Lisa is a repeat late bloomer who writes about personal growth and trying new things on her blog, Bittersweet Nugget. She first decided she wanted to be a writer at eleven years old but struggled for years with self-doubt and anxiety. N...
May 31, 2023•47 min•Season 10Ep. 250
Episode 249 Hello, friend! I'm honored to share my guest with you today. Donna is a fellow listener of To 50 and Beyond who reached out to me to share her story with you to let you know you are not alone and give you a boost of "alcohol-free" inspiration and encouragement. Donna is a wonderful woman, who I now consider a friend, and I think you will too. Today, you will hear Donna’s Story from the beginning of her drinking and how her drinking escalated in her 30s and 40s, and the signs she rece...
May 24, 2023•44 min•Season 10Ep. 249
Episode 248 Depression affects everyone, regardless of gender or age. By hiding our depression, we make it harder to accept and express ourselves and increase the struggle to live as our authentic selves. We adopt destructive perfectionism behaviors that make it more difficult to show vulnerability in an attempt to present a flawless image to the world. Dr. Margaret Rutherford is here to talk about her book, Perfectly Hidden Depression: How to Break Free From the Perfectionism That Masks Your De...
May 17, 2023•56 min•Season 10Ep. 248
Hello, friend! I'm glad you are here. Episode 247, is an episode about aging, courage, and living the life you want in your second half. You have the courage to change your life today, and my fantastic guest, Sheree Clark is here to help give you a pep talk and a boost in the direction you want to go. Sheree is a Midlife Courage Coach, television show host, inspiring speaker, and accomplished author. In this episode, you will hear: How Sheree used her courage to make a career change The things t...
May 10, 2023•46 min•Season 10Ep. 247
Episode 246 Are you a spiritual person looking for a new way to quit drinking? If so, this is the episode for you. Erin Jean Warde, the author of “Sober Spirituality”, is an Episcopal priest who unites Spiritual and Sobriety coaching. She became a priest at 25, the youngest possible age, and has since built her own spiritual community. In this episode, we discuss Erin’s journey to becoming a priest, as well as her experience with alcohol and quitting drinking. From her experience with relapse to...
May 03, 2023•50 min•Season 10Ep. 246
Episode 245 Hello there! Today, I'm sharing my story of how the change of life led to changing my drinking and getting sober. I was honored to be interviewed on my friend, Noelle Van Vlierbergen's new podcast, Go Go Bistro which launched on April 18th. Go Go Bistro inspires women to step into change with each and grace. Noelle is a natural at podcasting. She has the voice, the smarts, and the honesty to show up as herself to help you make the changes you desire in your life. It's important for m...
Apr 19, 2023•36 min•Season 10Ep. 245
