It's Not About the Alcohol

How do you make sense of the fact that, even though you really do want to drink less, you keep making the same mistakes?

You know what you should do. But your brain is blocking your motivation with three sneaky obstacles:

• Using your past to predict your future, thinking ‘I’ve failed before, so why should this time be any different.'
• Believing you don’t have enough time, energy, or motivation to make a change right now--even though you have the time and energy to manage a drinking problem.
• You focus so much on the problem—feeling bad about how much you drink—that you can't see the solution.

In this episode, I’ll show you exactly how to get around the three mental obstacles keeping you stuck.

Come find me on TikTok @hangoverwhisperer and IG @thehangoverwhisperer 

If you’re ready to get emotionally sober (side effects include an 80 percent reduction in alcohol consumption),  click here to BOOK A DISCOVERY CALL WITH COLLEEN. You'll walk away from our conversation with a clear understanding of how to get the skills you need to transform your life.

In this special bonus episode, Colleen interviews Susan Keller, author of the new book Mostly Sober: A Love Story and a Road Trip. Susan shares her personal journey of rethinking her relationship with alcohol, how she found her way into the mindful drinking movement, and why she wrote Mostly Sober, a groundbreaking novel for those who want to cut back on drinking without quitting entirely.

In this conversation, Colleen and Susan discuss:

• Susan's background in healthcare education and how it influenced her interest in alcohol moderation.

• The appeal of mindful drinking and how Susan’s approach differs from traditional "Quit Lit" stories of sobriety.

• The process of writing Mostly Sober, a blend of fiction, autobiography, and self-help for women who want to minimize their drinking but don't see complete sobriety as the answer.

• Why Susan believes in celebrating the small wins and how using simple tools like marking days without drinking helped her feel empowered.

• The emotional connection between childhood trauma, people-pleasing, and drinking habits, as explored through Susan’s protagonist, Annie Marks.

• How Susan found support and community through podcasts, online groups, and conversations with like-minded women, and why having a support system is so important for mindful drinkers.

• The importance of understanding that mindful drinking is about rethinking your relationship with alcohol, not just counting drinks or adhering to rigid rules.

Where to Buy Mostly Sober

You can find Mostly Sober: A Love Story and a Road Trip in various formats:

• BookBaby Store

• Susan’s website: SusanKeller.com

• Major retailers like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Books-A-Million (coming soon).

Connect with Colleen: Come find me on TikTok @hangoverwhisperer and Instagram @thehangoverwhisperer.

If you're ready to get Mostly Sober and want support, guidance and accountability, click here to BOOK A DISCOVERY CALL WITH COLLEEN. You'll walk away from our call with a clear understanding of how to get the skills you need to transform your life.

Are you tired of feeling trapped in a cycle of emotional eating and self-criticism?

Many high-achieving women believe that if they just had more willpower or stuck to stricter diets, they'd finally overcome their struggles with food and body image.

But this relentless pursuit of perfection leaves you exhausted, overwhelmed, and disconnected from your own needs—leading to stress, burnout, and an even stronger reliance on food to cope.

The real issue isn't lack of discipline; it's the deep-rooted belief that your worth is tied to your productivity and appearance.

In today's episode, I'm joined by Amber Romaniuk, host of the No Sugarcoating Podcast, a digestive and hormone health expert. We’re talking about how to heal your mind so you can live in a body that thrives. 

Here’s what you’ll learn:

• Is perfectionism secretly fueling your emotional eating?

• The unexpected reason diets fail—and what to do instead.

• Discover the hidden link between imposter syndrome and your cravings.

• Stop wasting willpower: Discover the surprising path to food freedom.

Connect with Amber on YouTube and Instagram

Come find me on TikTok @hangoverwhisperer and IG @thehangoverwhisperer 

If you’re ready to reduce your drinking by 80 percent (as a side effect of getting emotionally sober), Click here to BOOK A DISCOVERY CALL WITH COLLEEN You'll walk away from our call with a clear understanding of how to get the skills you need to transform your life.

What happens when you’re trying to “not drink” but your brain keeps pestering you to “just have one?”

Most of us put up a fight, trying to override intrusive thoughts with willpower and distractions. 

But even if we’re successful, it’s exhausting. Which is why staying sober feels so hard and drinking feels like a relief. 

You have to learn how to respond differently to intrusive thoughts if you ever want to enjoy yourself without alcohol. 

In this episode, I’ll teach you how to disconnect the musings of your mind from the intense feelings in your body so you can process your urges instead of surrendering to them.

Come find me on TikTok @hangoverwhisperer and IG @thehangoverwhisperer 

Click here to BOOK A DISCOVERY CALL WITH COLLEEN I can help you reduce your drinking by 80 percent. You don't have to quit. You just need to reclaim your mental health. You'll walk away from our call with a clear understanding of how to get the skills you need to transform your life.

Has your relationship with your partner become a significant source of stress?

When you’re unable to connect with the person who is supposed to be your safe place, the fight or flight response in your nervous system hijacks your brain.

Which causes you to exhaust your mental and emotional resources trying to figure out how to fix the problem. Because the alternative is terrifying…divorce would mean the end of life as you know it. 

But your mental health is not dependent on the status of your marriage. And the sooner you take full responsibility for your own happiness, the more capable you will be to navigate whatever changes you need to make. 

This week’s podcast episode is with expert Karen McMahon, a high conflict divorce coach, author of “Stepping out of Chaos: Turning Pain to Possibility” and host of the Journey Beyond Divorce podcast.

• How to access your financial information without the help of your spouse

• Neurosomatic exercises that restore rational thinking when you’re triggered

• How divorce can break cycles of generational trauma

• The benefits of following a temporary parenting plan before making final decisions

You’ll walk away with a clear understanding of how to heal your relationship with yourself so that you can decide whether to mend or end your marriage.

Find Karen on IG @journey_beyond_divorce and FB @journeybeyonddivorce and find more about her rapid relief call at https://www.jbddivorcesupport.com/

Come find me on TikTok @hangoverwhisperer and IG @thehangoverwhisperer 

Click here to BOOK A DISCOVERY CALL WITH COLLEEN I can help you reduce your drinking by 80 percent. You don't have to quit. You just need to reclaim your mental health. You'll walk away from our call with a clear understanding of how to get the skills you need to transform your life.

Is anxiety one of the main reasons why you crave alcohol? Because drinking is the simplest way to shut down your mind?

The problem for most high achieving women is they assume anxiety and productivity go hand in hand. So even after alcohol becomes an official problem, the idea of giving it up feels impossible. 

But before you beat yourself up for not having an off-switch when you drink, you might notice that you probably don’t have an off-switch for anything. 

Running at full speed chasing an out-of-control brain is exhausting. And treating the symptoms of anxiety might keep you going longer, but eventually leads to burnout.

In this episode, I’ll explain how the cure for anxiety begins with understanding the cause. And despite all the worry and concern and rumination…it’s not what you think.

Come find me on TikTok @hangoverwhisperer and IG @thehangoverwhisperer 

Click here to BOOK A DISCOVERY CALL WITH COLLEEN I can help you reduce your drinking by 80 percent. You don't have to quit. You just need to learn how to manage your anxiety. You'll walk away from our call with a clear understanding of how to get the skills you need to transform your life.

How do you respond when you hear yourself say, “I can’t keep doing this?”

Most of us crack the whip and keep doing it. We beat ourselves up for being weak or undisciplined. And suppress the growing anxiety and overwhelm that’s telling us something is wrong. 

The harder we try, the more exhausted we get. The excitement and motivation that gave us the energy to keep going mutates into cynicism and hopelessness. 

But those negative emotions are your superpowers. Everything you want is on the other side of the feelings you don’t want to feel. The breakthrough you need can’t happen until you surrender to the breakdown.

Come find me on TikTok @hangoverwhisperer and IG @thehangoverwhisperer 

Click here to BOOK A DISCOVERY CALL WITH COLLEEN Are you looking for a mindful drinking coach instead of a sobriety program? I can help you reduce your drinking by 80 percent so you don't have to quit. You'll walk away from our call with a clear understanding of why you're struggling and what tools you need to achieve your goals.

Does your brain call bullshit on positive affirmations?

Today’s topic was inspired by a client who is struggling with negative self-talk. Whenever she tries to tell herself, “I love you, I trust you, and I believe in you,” the voice in her head screams, “No you don’t!”

As a hard working mother and full time professional, she runs her ass off seven days a week trying to prove that she is capable, competent and worthy of respect. But when she fails to satisfy her nasty inner critic, drinking numbs the noise. 

There may be hell to pay, but there usually is anyway. So why does it even matter?

The battle for control of your mind is exhausting and demoralizing. And also ground zero for alcohol use disorder. In this episode, I’ll guide you through real life scenarios with step by step instructions for how to banish the bully in your brain once and for all. 

Come find me on TikTok @hangoverwhisperer and IG @thehangoverwhisperer 

Click here to BOOK A DISCOVERY CALL WITH COLLEEN Are you looking for a mindful drinking coach instead of a sobriety program? I can help you reduce your drinking by 80 percent so you don't have to quit. You'll walk away from our call with a clear understanding of why you're struggling and what tools you need to achieve your goals.

How do you respond when you’re feeling overwhelmed and worried about everything happening in your life?

Most high-achievers think that success comes from the ability to perform under pressure. And while that’s true, the mistake that leads to burnout is thinking you can’t feel better until you get everything done (well), and everyone around you agrees with your decisions.

But that is literally never going to happen. And the harder you push yourself and the more stress you feel,  the more your cravings for alcohol (and other forms of escape) will continue to overpower you.

Anxiety is the thinking problem that causes the drinking problem. But it’s self-induced. You need to learn new thinking skills to control the bully in your brain so that you can feel safe, calm and present in your body. 

In this episode, I’ll give you the 3 strategies I use everyday that will allow you to feel like you’re on your own team and become your own best friend so you can live in peace…no matter what’s happening around you.

Come find me on TikTok @hangoverwhisperer and IG @thehangoverwhisperer 

Click here to BOOK A DISCOVERY CALL WITH COLLEEN Are you looking for a mindful drinking coach instead of a sobriety program? I can help you reduce your drinking by 80 percent so you don't have to quit. You'll walk away from our call with a clear understanding of why you're struggling and what tools you need to achieve your goals.

If you’re wondering whether or not it’s really possible to become someone who has no desire to overdrink and therefore trusts herself completely with alcohol, I can tell you that it is. I have gone from being trapped in a cycle of heavy daily drinking for over 15 years to being able to enjoy drinking in moderation without worrying, counting or pacing myself. 

But it’s one thing to accomplish such a radical personal transformation. And quite another to be able to communicate and guide others through the process. 

As my clients inside The Next Chapter know, my strategies are always evolving in response to their experiences and needs. And after 6000 hours of coaching experience, I have cracked the code on alcohol use disorder.  

In this special episode, you’ll get to hear a broad overview of the seven core skills of emotional sobriety that have allowed me and hundreds of my clients to permanently reduce their alcohol consumption by 80 percent. 

You’ll walk away with a clear understanding of what is required to retrain your brain to think and feel differently about alcohol so you can build a life you no longer want or need to escape.

Come find me on TikTok @hangoverwhisperer and IG @thehangoverwhisperer 

Click here to BOOK A DISCOVERY CALL WITH COLLEEN Are you looking for a mindful drinking coach instead of a sobriety program? I can help you reduce your drinking by 80 percent so you don't have to quit. You'll walk away from our call with a clear understanding of why you're struggling and what tools you need to achieve your goals.