If you look like you have it all together but secretly feel overwhelmed, exhausted, and way too reliant on that end-of-day drink… this episode is for you.

Today I’m joined by Amanda Brown, a Denver-based mental health counselor who specializes in working with women who seem “fine” on the outside but are struggling in their relationships, self-worth, and with coping tools like alcohol, social media, and overdoing all the things.

We dig into mindful drinking, harm reduction, and why alcohol is often a coping tool—not a character flaw. We also talk about what’s really going on in your brain (hello, dopamine!), why instant gratification is so addictive, and how practices like mindfulness and journaling can actually help you feel better long-term… even if they don’t give that same “ahhh” hit as the first sip of wine.

You’ll hear us get real about:

• Why alcohol “works” in the moment — and how it slowly wrecks your mood, self-esteem, sleep, and relationships
• The difference between sobriety and moderation and why there is no one-size-fits-all path
• How to start harm reduction and drink less without all-or-nothing rules
• Simple ways to practice mindfulness in real life (brushing your teeth, standing in line at Target, etc.)
• How journaling supports mental health, immunity, and self-awareness (and why it feels so hard to start)
• The truth about phone and social media use, nervous system overload, and bedtime scrolling
• Building self-compassion and changing your inner dialogue so you’re not bullying yourself into “being better”

This conversation is packed with practical tools for women who are ready to drink more mindfully, calm their nervous system, and heal their relationship with themselves—without shame.

🔔 Listen now if you’ve ever thought:
“Why can’t I just drink less?”

“Why is it so hard to journal or meditate?”

“Why does my phone run my life?”

If you want to connect with Amanda for counseling, go to: www.amandabrowncounseling.com or email

[email protected] 

To connect with Erica + ShameOver go to https://shameover.me/ to get started today.

*Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and reflects personal opinions and lived experience. It is not medical, mental health, or addiction treatment advice and should not be used to diagnose or treat any condition. Always consult with a qualified healthcare or mental health professional about your specific situation before making changes to your drinking, medications, or treatment.