Sober Edge

What if you didn't have to climb your way to alcohol freedom — what if you were already there?

In this episode of The Sober Edge, Teri talks with Nigel Jones about the identity shift that makes alcohol-free living feel natural, expansive, and deeply aligned. Drawing on NLP, hypnotherapy, and lived experience, Nigel explains why changing how you see yourself changes everything — and why the mental battle disappears when identity leads the way.

This is a conversation about becoming, not depriving. About clarity, not control. And about what's possible when you stop negotiating and start living.

Show Notes HERE

What if you didn't have to climb your way to alcohol freedom — what if you were already there?

In this episode of The Sober Edge, Teri talks with Nigel Bruce about the identity shift that makes alcohol-free living feel natural, expansive, and deeply aligned. Drawing on NLP, hypnotherapy, and lived experience, Nigel explains why changing how you see yourself changes everything — and why the mental battle disappears when identity leads the way.

This is a conversation about becoming, not depriving. About clarity, not control. And about what's possible when you stop negotiating and start living.

Show Notes HERE

How to Calm the F Down (Fight, Flight, Freeze & Fawn)

In this candid and neuroscience-backed episode, Teri breaks down how to "Calm the F Down" by understanding the four core nervous system states—fight, flight, freeze, and fawn—and how they influence behavior, urges, and emotional patterns in alcohol-free living. Drawing on her recent trauma-informed nervous system certification, she reveals how alcohol numbs dysregulation, why early AF life can feel overwhelming, and how simple body-based tools help restore safety, self-trust, and emotional clarity.

Listeners will walk away with a deeper understanding of their own patterns, why their nervous system reacts the way it does, and how to begin regulating from the inside out. This is essential listening for anyone wanting to move from hypervigilance, shutdown, or people-pleasing into grounded, confident alcohol-free living.

If you've ever said, "I don't know what happened—I just found myself drinking," this episode is for you! Shownotes HERE

In today's episode, Teri welcomes author Ian Fee to discuss his book Wild Ride to Sobriety—a raw, honest, and hopeful look at what it really means to take responsibility for your healing.

Together, they dive into:

• Ian's "wild ride" years and the moment he knew something needed to change

• The turning point where responsibility stopped feeling like blame and started feeling like liberation

• Why recovery isn't linear and the stages Ian now recognizes in hindsight

• How identity shifts happen over time (and why early sobriety often feels like a personality remodel)

• The brain science of change, including prediction error, rewards pathways, and rebuilding self-trust

• Why loving your sober life is not an accident—and the habits, community, and mindset that help

Show Notes Here

In this milestone episode of The Sober Edge Podcast, Teri Patterson, The Sober Nutritionist, celebrates her 10-year alcohol-free anniversary with a heartfelt reflection on the journey that changed everything.

She shares 3 promises she's made to herself, 2 changes that surprised her, and 5 lessons that continue to guide her life — blending personal story with practical wisdom.

From the way our brains learn safety and joy, to how community becomes the real secret ingredient, this episode is a love letter to growth, grace, and staying the course.

🎧 Listen to learn why healing is seasonal, how clarity becomes addictive in the best way, and why time — not alcohol — is the real luxury.

Full Show Notes HERE

In this episode of The Sober Edge, Teri sits down with Nancy McKay — certified Equus Coach, author, and creator of the BRAVE framework. Nancy shares how horses help us reconnect to truth and emotional honesty, guiding people in recovery to rediscover self-trust and empowerment.

Together, Teri and Nancy explore the five pillars of BRAVE— Belief, Resilience, Authenticity, Voice, and Empowerment — and how these qualities transform the way we live, lead, and love in sobriety.

Whether you're early in your alcohol-free journey or walking confidently in recovery, this conversation invites you to step into your authentic power — one brave choice at a time.

FULL SHOW NOTES HERE

We've all heard it: "If you're drinking five nights a week, cut back to three." It sounds like a reasonable step, but here's the truth—your brain doesn't heal from "just less." In fact, even small amounts of alcohol keep your reward circuitry, stress hormones, and sleep disrupted.

In this episode, I dive into:

• How alcohol hijacks dopamine and why cutting back doesn't restore balance

• The pain-pleasure seesaw (Dr. Anna Lembke's research) and why even one drink tips it

• Why your stress, sleep, and mental clarity don't truly improve until abstinence

• The powerful stats that prove there's no safe level of drinking

• A reframe: how choosing alcohol-free is not deprivation but the gateway to freedom

I also talk about the word abstinence—why it can feel heavy, clinical, or judgment-laden, and how we might meet it with curiosity instead of resistance.

Whether you're exploring your own alcohol-free path or supporting others, this episode gives you the science and the inspiration to see why "just one less" keeps us stuck.

Show Notes

In this episode of The Sober Edge, Adriana Marchione joins me to explore how art in all its forms can be a powerful tool for healing and recovery. Adriana shares her journey from movement and dance into formal training in Expressive Arts Therapy, and how creativity helps us reconnect with ourselves, regulate our nervous systems, and discover unexpected insights. We talk about the accessibility of creativity—even for those who don't see themselves as "artists"—and how it can open a pathway to deeper healing in an alcohol-free life. Full Show Notes Here

On this episode of The Sober Edge, I'm joined by Amber Hollingsworth, a family recovery expert who has spent nearly 20 years helping loved ones find a path through the chaos of addiction. Amber is known for her refreshingly direct and practical approach—what she jokingly calls being "a little bossy."

Instead of leaving families guessing at what to do or say, Amber offers clear, actionable guidance that can ease tension, reduce resentment, and create real change. We talk about how families can support their loved ones without losing themselves, why trying to "always say the right thing" can backfire, and what to do instead.

Amber also introduces her exciting new tool, Amber AI—a way for families to get her wisdom on demand, right when they need it most.

This is a conversation full of hope, honesty, and the kind of advice that meets families where they really are.

SHOW NOTES HERE

In this episode of The Sober Edge, Teri explores Mel Robbins' viral Let Them Theory—a simple yet powerful mindset shift that can transform the way you navigate relationships, boundaries, and joy in your alcohol-free life.

Learn how letting go of control and other people's opinions can bring more ease, excitement, and emotional freedom to your AF journey.

Show Notes Here