This Naked Mind Podcast

Rebuilding Identity and Relationships After Alcohol | Sheela’s Naked Life | EP 880

What if the connection you think you're creating while drinking together is actually pulling you apart? Sheela spent decades as a heavy drinker, immersed in Australian culture where alcohol was everywhere—from Schoolies Week celebrations to working as a musician in bars. Wine o'clock became her daily escape, a numbing ritual she believed helped her relax, until health problems and 3am anxiety wake-ups forced her to pay attention. After 75 days without alcohol, she expected to feel free but instead felt deprived and jealous of others drinking. Through The Path and her own solo Alcohol Experiment—drinking alone to assess what it actually did for her—Sheela began unpacking the truth. She discovered that relationships changing after quitting drinking meant recognizing that wine and movies with her partner wasn't creating intimacy. It was creating a haze that prevented real connection. Now in her second year alcohol-free, she's rebuilding her life around genuine common ground, quality sleep, and the kind of freedom that doesn't require willpower—just honest self-reflection and community support. Coach Cole and Sheela discuss: Sheela’s journey from decades of heavy drinking to a new sense of freedom How relationships changing after quitting drinking surfaced unexpected challenges and opportunities The difference between willpower and genuine internal transformation Navigating social situations and connection without alcohol Redefining intimacy, community, and identity after alcohol Sheela’s experience with The Path and emotional self-reflection And more topics including purpose, self-compassion, and real connection Episode links: nakedmindpath.com Related Episodes: What if my marriage is dependent on alcohol? - Reader Question - E222 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-222-reader-question-what-if-my-marriage-is-dependent-on-alcohol/ Can Your Marriage Survive Change? - Alcohol Freedom Coaching - E758 - https://thisnakedmind.com/can-your-marriage-survive-change-alcohol-freedom-coaching-e758/ Exploring Willpower with Dr. Amy Johnson - Expert Interview - E05 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-05-exploring-willpower-dr-amy-johnson/ Ready to take the next step on your journey? Visit https://learn.thisnakedmind.com/podcast-resources for free resources, programs, and more. Until next week, stay curious! Quince: Go to ⁠⁠Quince.com/naked⁠⁠ for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns  Hungryroot: Get 40% off your first box + a free item for life at ⁠⁠Hungryroot.com/mind⁠⁠ with code mind BetterHelp: BetterHelp makes it easy to get matched online with a qualified therapist. Sign up and get 10% off at BetterHelp.com/nakedmind Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at ⁠⁠Shopify.com/mind

From Numbing to Nurturing: Desire vs. Resistance | Alcohol Freedom Coaching | EP 879

Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions of suicide, mental health crises, domestic violence, & family trauma. How do you build the desire to stop drinking when alcohol feels like your only escape from an overwhelming life? Richard shares his struggle with using alcohol to cope with family challenges, including his son's mental health crisis and decades of marital strife, while Stephanie uncovers a deep-rooted fear that she must be "everything her husband needs" or risk losing him. Both face the uncomfortable truth that alcohol has become essential to their coping and connection. Coach Soraya helps Richard explore activities that bring him joy outside his difficult home environment, while Coach Hayley guides Stephanie through layers of guilt and self-blame to discover an empowered path forward. In Richard’s Session: Naming the “pit in my stomach” & why alcohol feels like quick relief Caregiver stress, court dates, & how trauma at home boosts cravings Swimming, hot–cold routines, & finding joy outside the house Mapping resentment in a long marriage without shaming himself Health signals that matter: rising blood pressure & honest tracking Practical ways to build the desire to stop drinking when life is chaotic …and more topics on coping, boundaries, & self-compassion In Stephanie’s Session: “We connected over wine”—grieving old rituals without glamorizing them The “chameleon” habit & learning to be herself in her marriage Reframing guilt into an empowered decision to grow Talking intimacy without alcohol Expecting discomfort, choosing compassion, building new cues for connection Tiny experiments that strengthen how to build the desire to stop drinking at home …and more insights on mindset, identity, & shared change Soraya Odishoo is a compassionate Certified This Naked Mind Coach who blends somatic healing with therapeutic models to support recovery. She serves people who feel disconnected from their true selves and want freedom from substances or behaviors that no longer serve them. Her collaborative heart-centered, trust-based trauma-informed approach has a strong focus on accessibility for BIPOC & LGBTQIA+ communities. Soraya’s passion is guiding clients back to their personal power so they can find peace, purpose, & lasting healing. Learn more about Coach Soraya: https://thisnakedmind.com/coach/soraya-arjan-odishoo-alpc/ Hayley Scherders is a certified TNM Coach with training from the Canadian Addiction and Mental Health Association. Drawing from personal experiences, Hayley understands how tough change can be & provides a safe, compassionate, & judgment-free space where her clients can feel supported. She believes that with the right mindset, anyone can change their life at any time. Learn more about Coach Hayley: https://thisnakedmind.com/coach/hayley-scherders/ Episode links: nakedmindpath.com Related Episodes: Getting Past Emotional Drinking Triggers | Reader’s Question | E616 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-616-readers-question-getting-past-emotional-drinking-triggers/ Is Motivation Alone Enough? Alcohol Freedom Coaching | E774 - https://thisnakedmind.com/is-motivation-alone-enough-alcohol-freedom-coaching-e774/ Finding Hope for Long-time Drinkers | Reader’s Question | E600 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-600-reader-question-finding-hope-for-long-time-drinkers/ Ready to take the next step on your journey?  Visit https://learn.thisnakedmind.com/podcast-resources for free resources, programs, & more. Until next week, stay curious!

From Blackouts to Boundaries: A Year That Changed Everything | Where Are They Now? – Mary | EP 878

Trigger Warning: This episode discusses pregnancy and fertility loss, breast and brain cancer, caregiving stress, grief, blackout drinking, relapse, and substance use.What if relief isn’t in the glass but in the space you reclaim? Mary maps the messy middle—moderation rules, peer pressure, the “pitcher plant,” and the night she couldn’t care for her sister because she was too sick to stand. Revisiting her 2017 episode with Annie, she joins Coach Hayley to redefine success: presence over performance, rituals without alcohol, and permission to say “I don’t drink today.” Along this long road to quitting drinking, Mary learns that forgiveness ends the shame spiral—and that peace shows up when she stops chasing the first sip. In this episode, Coach Hayley and Mary catch up on: Revisiting Mary’s first TNM episode (2017) and what changed Miscarriages, breast cancer, and pandemic drift—why moderation unraveled The “pitcher plant,” blackout shame, and the caregiving wake-up call Surrogacy, motherhood, and choosing presence at bedtime Keeping the ritual without the alcohol: mocktails, adaptogens, THC microdosing Self-forgiveness > perfection; “not today” over “never again” Why relief feels like mental space, not a glass Walking the long road to quitting drinking without perfectionism …and more topics Episode links: nakedmindpath.com Related Episodes: EP 35: Naked Life Story: Mary - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-35-naked-life-story-mary/ Making the Breast Cancer and Alcohol Connection - Tabbin’s Naked Life - E713 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-713-naked-life-story-tabbin-a/ Brian Accidentally Stopped Drinking - Brian’s Naked Life (Part 2) - E639 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-639-naked-life-story-annie-graces-husband-part-2/Does this mean I can never drink alcohol again? - Reader’s Question - E576 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-576-readers-question-does-this-mean-i-can-never-drink-alcohol-again/ Ready to take the next step on your journey?  Visit https://learn.thisnakedmind.com/podcast-resources for free resources, programs, and more. Until next week, stay curious!

Anxiety, Overwhelm, and Alcohol: Tools to Find Calm and Confidence | Alcohol Freedom Coaching | EP 877

What if “I deserve a drink” is just an old script you can rewrite? In today’s episode, Coach Cole helps Matt notice how removing alcohol lowered his baseline stress at a new job—turning frantic mornings into steady ones and replacing dread with data. Coach Zoe supports Constance, a second-grade teacher whose activated nervous system kept her in fight-or-flight; together they connect the dots from childhood patterns to present-day overwhelm and practice coming back to the body for safety. You’ll hear the role of community, self-trust, and daily practices to stay alcohol-free—from 6 a.m. calls to simple breathwork—to make change sustainable. Powerful, shame-free coaching like this happens every day inside The Path, where small experiments add up to big shifts—at work, at home, and in who you believe you can be. In Matt’s Session: Managing work-related stress and anxiety without resorting to self-medication Alcohol-free benefits: showing up clearheaded and reducing work stress Building self-trust by seeing the evidence of a better life Overcoming the "I deserve a drink" mentality after a stressful day Differences between AA and The Path Recognizing the ingrained, Pavlovian nature of drinking urges and how to decondition them Daily practices to stay alcohol-free and more In Constance’s Session: Coping with a constantly activated nervous system Using alcohol as a "safety valve" to "emotionally shut down" and stop playing a role Connecting current emotional regulation issues to childhood experiences Moving from external focus (saving others) to internal focus (regulating her own body) Learning tools for nervous system regulation and grounding Understanding the importance of finding a "safety container" within herself to process emotions The value of incorporating daily practices to stay alcohol-free and more Cole Harvey is a certified Naked Mind Senior Coach. For years, he felt lost and used alcohol as a way to cope, until he decided to go alcohol-free and focus on finding his purpose. Through curiosity, self-compassion, and adventure, he transformed his life. As a habit change and mindset coach, Cole helps young men understand themselves, build better habits, and find meaning. Learn more about Coach Cole: https://thisnakedmind.com/coach/cole-harvey/ Zoe Ewart is a Certified Naked Mind Senior Coach who brings her experience and understanding to help with the tricky parts of life’s big changes. Her coaching gives you an enjoyable, light-hearted, and safe environment to effortlessly take back control of alcohol so you can feel better physically, mentally, and spiritually. Zoe taught Pilates for 15 years. She has four adult children and more animals than the Ark ever had. Learn more about Coach Zoe: https://thisnakedmind.com/coach/zoe-ewart/ Episode links: nakedmindpath.com Related Episodes: Escaping The Hamster Wheel of Drinking – Alcohol Freedom Coaching – E847 – https://thisnakedmind.com/why-cant-i-quit-drinking-after-so-many-tries-afc-e847/ Will I ever stop craving alcohol? – Reader Questions – E676 – https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-676-readers-question-will-i-ever-stop-craving-alcohol/ Trusting Yourself Again – Alcohol Freedom Coaching – E760 – https://thisnakedmind.com/trusting-yourself-again-alcohol-freedom-coaching-e760/ Ready to take the next step on your journey?  Visit https://learn.thisnakedmind.com/podcast-resources for free resources, programs, and more. Until next week, stay curious! Hungryroot: Get 40% off your first box + a free item for life at ⁠⁠Hungryroot.com/nakedmind⁠⁠ with code nakedmind Shopify:Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at ⁠⁠Shopify.com/mind⁠⁠  Quince:Go to ⁠⁠Quince.com/naked⁠⁠ for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns  BetterHelp:BetterHelp makes it easy to get matched online with a qualified therapist. Sign up and get 10% off at BetterHelp.com/nakedmind

Why We Drink Too Much: Breaking Free from Alcohol Dependence | Interview with Dr. Charles Knowles | EP 876

Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions of alcohol dependence, addiction, suicidal thoughts, mental health struggles, and relapse. Why we drink too much isn't always obvious—what if the answer lies deeper than willpower or self-control? Dr. Charles Knowles, a world-renowned surgeon and author, spent decades trapped in a cycle he couldn't explain: 10 years of fun, 10 years of fun with consequences, and 10 years struggling to stop. As a high-achieving professional, he looked nothing like the stereotype of someone with alcohol dependence, yet he faced the same battle millions experience in silence. Through his journey to find freedom from alcohol and extensive research, Dr. Knowles discovered that understanding how we learn to drink, and why some people can't unlearn it, is the key to breaking free. In this episode, Dr. Knowles joins Coach Cole Harvey to explore the science behind gray area drinking, the difference between positive and negative reinforcement, and why shame is the biggest barrier to change. Dr. Charles Knowles and Coach Cole discuss : "Light turning on" moments: when alcohol feels like instant peace for the first time Why being sober means having peace of mind, not just being alcohol-free The powerful analogy: trying not to drink is like being deprived of water in the desert How the "memory super league" in your brain makes drinking patterns nearly impossible to break Gray area drinking and the role of worry, cognitive dissonance, and control Alcohol reliance as a missing piece in how we talk about modern drinking habits Why dry challenges work best when they become a learning process (not just "white-knuckling") Finding out who you are without alcohol after years of drinking shaped your identity And other topics… Episode links: https://amzn.to/4r9eP3b When you buy something we recommend, we may get an affiliate commission — but it never affects your price or what we pick. Related Episodes: Gray Area Drinking with Jolene Park | Naked Life Story | EP 47 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-47-naked-life-story-jolene-park/ Are there normal drinkers? | Reader Question | EP 400 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-400-reader-question-are-there-normal-drinkers/ Why do I keep going back to drinking? | Reader Question | EP 570 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-570-readers-questions-why-do-i-keep-going-back-to-drinking/ Ready to take the next step on your journey?  Visit https://learn.thisnakedmind.com/podcast-resources for free resources, programs, and more. Until next week, stay curious! Hungryroot: Get 40% off your first box + a free item for life at ⁠https://www.hungryroot.com/mind⁠ Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at⁠ ⁠⁠Shopify.com/mind⁠⁠⁠  Quince: Go to⁠ ⁠⁠Quince.com/naked⁠⁠⁠ for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns  BetterHelp: BetterHelp makes it easy to get matched online with a qualified therapist. Sign up and get 10% off at ⁠BetterHelp.com/nakedmind