I'll love myself when...

...I lose the weight.

...I stop drinking.

...I get my shit together.

...I finally become the woman I think I should be.

Sound familiar?

Here's the problem:

What if you don't have to change first... to deserve your own love?

This month on Sober & Lit, we're talking dating, sex, intimacy and relationships.

But we're starting with the relationship underneath ALL of them:

The one you have with yourself.

In this episode we're getting curious about:

• Why we give everyone else compassion... except ourselves
• How alcohol can quietly break self-trust
• Why alcohol doesn't actually “fix” what you're feeling
• How boundaries can be an act of self-love
  
  

💕 If you want to explore self-love in your sobriety journey, book a free discovery call with Coach Ruby.
🧡 Here's the link to schedule a call with Coach Ruby:
https://coachingwithruby.com/Chat

We Love Hearing From You

Don't forget to follow and subscribe and leave a review! It helps to get the word out that living sober is lit! 

Listeners have said that our podcast has helped them get alcohol free!
Join our private community! 

Connect with the Podcast Hosts:
Susan Larkin Coaching https://www.susanlarkincoaching.com
Ruby Williams at Freedom Renegade Coaching https://www.freedomrenegadecoaching.com/

Follow Susan: @drinklesswithsusan
Follow Ruby: @rubywilliamscoaching

It is strongly recommended that you seek professional advice regarding your health before attempting to take a break from alcohol. The creators, hosts, and producers of the The Feel Lit Alcohol Free podcast are not healthcare practitioners and therefore do not give medical, or psychological advice nor do they intend for the podcast, any resource or communication on behalf of the podcast or otherwise to be a substitute for such.

The Messy Middle

Nobody tells you sobriety has a tough middle season. In this episode, Susan Larkin and Ruby Williams talk about what happens after the initial excitement fades and the real work begins. They normalize the awkward, discouraging stretch where progress is still happening even when it does not feel glamorous. They discuss why the messy middle is a normal part of alcohol-free life, how self-compassion helps more than shame, and why coaching can keep you moving when your brain wants to quit. 

Key Topics Discussed:

• Messy middle - The middle phase of alcohol-free life where progress is real but rarely glamorous.
• Window of tolerance - The growing capacity to feel stress and discomfort without drinking.
• Data points - Reframing slips or urges as information instead of failure.
• Co-regulation - The stabilizing effect of support, accountability, and being witnessed by a coach or community.

Susan shares this is her favorite part to coach women through! 

If you are struggling in the messy middle or you went back to drinking and want help getting AF again, book a clarity call to chat with Susan: here: https://calendly.com/susanlarkincoaching/30min 

We Love Hearing From You

Don't forget to follow and subscribe and leave a review! It helps to get the word out that living sober is lit! 

Listeners have said that our podcast has helped them get alcohol free!
Join our private community! 

Connect with the Podcast Hosts:
Susan Larkin Coaching https://www.susanlarkincoaching.com
Ruby Williams at Freedom Renegade Coaching https://www.freedomrenegadecoaching.com/

Follow Susan: @drinklesswithsusan
Follow Ruby: @rubywilliamscoaching

It is strongly recommended that you seek professional advice regarding your health before attempting to take a break from alcohol. The creators, hosts, and producers of the The Feel Lit Alcohol Free podcast are not healthcare practitioners and therefore do not give medical, or psychological advice nor do they intend for the podcast, any resource or communication on behalf of the podcast or otherwise to be a substitute for such.

What if you're never going to feel completely ready to quit drinking?

You keep waiting...

After vacation.
After the wedding.
When work calms down.
Next Monday.

But here's the twist:

Motivation doesn't create action. Action creates motivation.

In this episode, we're sharing 3 ways to finally get fired up without rock bottom, more willpower, or beating yourself up:

• Make one decision from self-love.
• Borrow hope until you have your own.
• Replace pressure with curiosity.

And Ruby shares the fascinating bamboo story that may completely change how you see all those times you thought you “failed.”

Because maybe you haven't been failing at all... maybe you've been growing roots.

If you've been waiting for some magical moment when you'll finally feel ready to change your drinking... this is your "get lit" episode.

🧡 Here's the link to schedule a call with Coach Ruby:
https://coachingwithruby.com/Chat

We Love Hearing From You

Don't forget to follow and subscribe and leave a review! It helps to get the word out that living sober is lit! 

Listeners have said that our podcast has helped them get alcohol free!
Join our private community! 

Connect with the Podcast Hosts:
Susan Larkin Coaching https://www.susanlarkincoaching.com
Ruby Williams at Freedom Renegade Coaching https://www.freedomrenegadecoaching.com/

Follow Susan: @drinklesswithsusan
Follow Ruby: @rubywilliamscoaching

It is strongly recommended that you seek professional advice regarding your health before attempting to take a break from alcohol. The creators, hosts, and producers of the The Feel Lit Alcohol Free podcast are not healthcare practitioners and therefore do not give medical, or psychological advice nor do they intend for the podcast, any resource or communication on behalf of the podcast or otherwise to be a substitute for such.

Could the best years of your life still be ahead of you?

Most women think going alcohol-free means giving something up...

What if it's actually the beginning of becoming someone you've never met before?

✨ In this episode we sit down with Lorna Wilson, a life and alcohol-free coach from Canada whose journey into sobriety began in midlife.

You'll discover:

• Why alcohol often keeps women playing smaller than they're meant to.

• How midlife can become the doorway to purpose, reinvention, and possibility.

• Why your inner critic may be the only thing standing between you and your future self.

• The powerful coaching questions that help women dream again... at any age.

If you've ever wondered...

✨ "Is it too late for me?"

✨ "Have I missed my chance?"

✨ "What if there's still something more?"

This conversation may be exactly what your future self has been waiting for. 

______

Guest Resources for Lorna Wilson-
Website: http://lornawilsoncoaching.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LornaWilsonCoaching

We Love Hearing From You

Don't forget to follow and subscribe and leave a review! It helps to get the word out that living sober is lit! 

Listeners have said that our podcast has helped them get alcohol free!
Join our private community! 

Connect with the Podcast Hosts:
Susan Larkin Coaching https://www.susanlarkincoaching.com
Ruby Williams at Freedom Renegade Coaching https://www.freedomrenegadecoaching.com/

Follow Susan: @drinklesswithsusan
Follow Ruby: @rubywilliamscoaching

It is strongly recommended that you seek professional advice regarding your health before attempting to take a break from alcohol. The creators, hosts, and producers of the The Feel Lit Alcohol Free podcast are not healthcare practitioners and therefore do not give medical, or psychological advice nor do they intend for the podcast, any resource or communication on behalf of the podcast or otherwise to be a substitute for such.

Ever notice how boredom seems to whisper... "Have a drink?"

What if that urge has less to do with boredom... and more to do with how alcohol has trained your brain?

In this episode of Sober & Lit, Ruby and Susan unpack why everyday life can feel dull after years of drinking... and why that's not your fault.

Inside this conversation:

• Why alcohol rewires your brain's reward system
• The surprising upside of boredom
• Coach Ruby's powerful 4 Boredom Buckets coaching tool
• Simple ways to create new habits that actually stick

If weekends, quiet afternoons, or "nothing to do" moments are your biggest drinking triggers, this episode could completely change how you see boredom... and yourself.
______

Do you find yourself reaching for a drink simply because you're bored? Download my FREE Alcohol & Boredom Worksheet to discover what's really driving the urge... and explore simple, meaningful ways to create a life that feels more fulfilling than a glass of wine.

🧡 Get your free worksheet now: https://coachingwithruby.com/AlcoholBoredom

We Love Hearing From You

Don't forget to follow and subscribe and leave a review! It helps to get the word out that living sober is lit! 

Listeners have said that our podcast has helped them get alcohol free!
Join our private community! 

Connect with the Podcast Hosts:
Susan Larkin Coaching https://www.susanlarkincoaching.com
Ruby Williams at Freedom Renegade Coaching https://www.freedomrenegadecoaching.com/

Follow Susan: @drinklesswithsusan
Follow Ruby: @rubywilliamscoaching

It is strongly recommended that you seek professional advice regarding your health before attempting to take a break from alcohol. The creators, hosts, and producers of the The Feel Lit Alcohol Free podcast are not healthcare practitioners and therefore do not give medical, or psychological advice nor do they intend for the podcast, any resource or communication on behalf of the podcast or otherwise to be a substitute for such.

What happens when the person everyone turns to for help is quietly falling apart?

Doctors spend their lives caring for others... but who cares for them?

In this powerful episode of Sober & Lit, we sit down with Dr. Valerie Brooke, who bravely shares the story she kept hidden for years.

Together we explore:

• The silent relationship between alcohol and depression
• Why high achievers often struggle in secret
• The fear of asking for help when your career is on the line
• How honesty became the first step toward healing

She was the doctor... but no one saw her pain. From the outside, Dr. Valerie Brooke had a successful medical career. Behind the scenes, she was battling depression, alcohol, and the overwhelming pressure to appear strong.

You won't want to miss this conversation!

______

Guest Resources for Valerie Brooke-
Substack: https://substack.com/@drvaleriebrooke
Instagram: @drvjbrooke
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drvjbrooke/

We Love Hearing From You

Don't forget to follow and subscribe and leave a review! It helps to get the word out that living sober is lit! 

Listeners have said that our podcast has helped them get alcohol free!
Join our private community! 

Connect with the Podcast Hosts:
Susan Larkin Coaching https://www.susanlarkincoaching.com
Ruby Williams at Freedom Renegade Coaching https://www.freedomrenegadecoaching.com/

Follow Susan: @drinklesswithsusan
Follow Ruby: @rubywilliamscoaching

It is strongly recommended that you seek professional advice regarding your health before attempting to take a break from alcohol. The creators, hosts, and producers of the The Feel Lit Alcohol Free podcast are not healthcare practitioners and therefore do not give medical, or psychological advice nor do they intend for the podcast, any resource or communication on behalf of the podcast or otherwise to be a substitute for such.

What if you're not stuck... just unheard?

You know alcohol isn't helping.

You've read the books. You've learned the science. You've tried to change.

So why do the same patterns keep coming back?

In this episode of Sober & Lit, Susan and Ruby explore the missing piece that many alcohol-free journeys overlook:

• Why knowing isn't always enough
• The hidden beliefs that quietly fuel drinking
• How self-compassion creates lasting change
• A simple practice to soothe your inner critic instead of fighting it

If you're ready to stop battling yourself and start healing from the inside out, this episode will meet you with hope, compassion, and a new perspective on what true alcohol freedom looks like. 

We Love Hearing From You

Don't forget to follow and subscribe and leave a review! It helps to get the word out that living sober is lit! 

Listeners have said that our podcast has helped them get alcohol free!
Join our private community! 

Connect with the Podcast Hosts:
Susan Larkin Coaching https://www.susanlarkincoaching.com
Ruby Williams at Freedom Renegade Coaching https://www.freedomrenegadecoaching.com/

Follow Susan: @drinklesswithsusan
Follow Ruby: @rubywilliamscoaching

It is strongly recommended that you seek professional advice regarding your health before attempting to take a break from alcohol. The creators, hosts, and producers of the The Feel Lit Alcohol Free podcast are not healthcare practitioners and therefore do not give medical, or psychological advice nor do they intend for the podcast, any resource or communication on behalf of the podcast or otherwise to be a substitute for such.

What if your best vacation didn't include alcohol?

If the thought of traveling without wine, cocktails, or all-inclusive drinks sounds impossible... this episode might surprise you.

Join Susan and Ruby as they chat with Darci Murray, founder of Hooked Travel, about how going alcohol-free transformed the way she experiences the world. 

Together they explore:

• Why alcohol-free travel is more fun than you think
• How to enjoy vacations without feeling like you're missing out
• Finding deeper connection, adventure, and presence on every trip
• Practical tips for creating unforgettable alcohol-free experiences

Could giving up alcohol actually make your vacations better? Tune in to discover why more women are choosing to travel alcohol-free... and coming home with memories they never want to forget. 
______

Guest Resources for Darci Murray of Hooked Travel-
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://hooked-on-travel.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hookedalcoholfreetravel/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hookedalcoholfreetravel

We Love Hearing From You

Don't forget to follow and subscribe and leave a review! It helps to get the word out that living sober is lit! 

Listeners have said that our podcast has helped them get alcohol free!
Join our private community! 

Connect with the Podcast Hosts:
Susan Larkin Coaching https://www.susanlarkincoaching.com
Ruby Williams at Freedom Renegade Coaching https://www.freedomrenegadecoaching.com/

Follow Susan: @drinklesswithsusan
Follow Ruby: @rubywilliamscoaching

It is strongly recommended that you seek professional advice regarding your health before attempting to take a break from alcohol. The creators, hosts, and producers of the The Feel Lit Alcohol Free podcast are not healthcare practitioners and therefore do not give medical, or psychological advice nor do they intend for the podcast, any resource or communication on behalf of the podcast or otherwise to be a substitute for such.

You're eating better. Exercising more. Maybe you've even had bariatric surgery... so why is the scale still moving in the wrong direction?

In this episode of Sober & Lit, Ruby and Susan uncover one of the most overlooked contributors to midlife weight gain... alcohol. Together, they explore how alcohol affects your metabolism, hormones, sleep, cravings, and recovery, and why it can quietly sabotage your health goals... even when you're doing everything else "right."

You'll discover:

• Why alcohol impacts weight differently after 40
• The surprising connection between alcohol and bariatric surgery
• How hormones, sleep, and cravings work together
• Why this isn't about willpower... and what you can do instead

If you've ever wondered...

"Why can't I lose weight anymore?"

"Is it menopause... or is it alcohol?"

"Could alcohol be the missing piece?"

This conversation will leave you with a new perspective, practical insights, and hope that feeling healthier, lighter, and more energized may be closer than you think. Listen in!
_____

Wondering if alcohol could be affecting your weight, hormones, or energy more than you realized?

Download my FREE Alcohol & Weight Gain Worksheet to uncover the hidden ways alcohol may be impacting your body... and start making choices from clarity instead of frustration.

🧡 Get your free worksheet now: https://coachingwithruby.com/AlcoholWeightGain

We Love Hearing From You

Don't forget to follow and subscribe and leave a review! It helps to get the word out that living sober is lit! 

Listeners have said that our podcast has helped them get alcohol free!
Join our private community! 

Connect with the Podcast Hosts:
Susan Larkin Coaching https://www.susanlarkincoaching.com
Ruby Williams at Freedom Renegade Coaching https://www.freedomrenegadecoaching.com/

Follow Susan: @drinklesswithsusan
Follow Ruby: @rubywilliamscoaching

It is strongly recommended that you seek professional advice regarding your health before attempting to take a break from alcohol. The creators, hosts, and producers of the The Feel Lit Alcohol Free podcast are not healthcare practitioners and therefore do not give medical, or psychological advice nor do they intend for the podcast, any resource or communication on behalf of the podcast or otherwise to be a substitute for such.

What if the hardest part about becoming alcohol-free isn't giving up alcohol...
...it's letting go of the identity that came with it?

In this episode of Sober & Lit, Susan and Ruby answer a listener question that so many women quietly struggle with:

"Why do I feel embarrassed to call myself alcohol-free?"

Together they explore why our brains worry so much about fitting in, how limiting beliefs shape our identity, and why becoming alcohol-free is less about losing something... and more about rediscovering who you've been all along.

You'll learn:

• Why fear of judgment keeps us stuck

• How to stop mind-reading other people's opinions

• A simple mindset shift that builds lasting confidence

• Practical coaching tools to help you feel proud, authentic, and free

If you've ever wondered...

"Will people think I'm boring?"

"Who am I without alcohol?"

"How do I stop caring what everyone else thinks?"

This conversation may completely change the way you think about your alcohol-free journey. 

We Love Hearing From You

Don't forget to follow and subscribe and leave a review! It helps to get the word out that living sober is lit! 

Listeners have said that our podcast has helped them get alcohol free!
Join our private community! 

Connect with the Podcast Hosts:
Susan Larkin Coaching https://www.susanlarkincoaching.com
Ruby Williams at Freedom Renegade Coaching https://www.freedomrenegadecoaching.com/

Follow Susan: @drinklesswithsusan
Follow Ruby: @rubywilliamscoaching

It is strongly recommended that you seek professional advice regarding your health before attempting to take a break from alcohol. The creators, hosts, and producers of the The Feel Lit Alcohol Free podcast are not healthcare practitioners and therefore do not give medical, or psychological advice nor do they intend for the podcast, any resource or communication on behalf of the podcast or otherwise to be a substitute for such.