What if going alcohol-free wasn’t just about you… but about everyone who comes after you?

In this New Year kickoff episode of Sober & Lit, co-hosts Susan and Ruby step into their third year of the podcast with a raw, heart-opening conversation about legacy, healing, and the quiet ripple effect of choosing sobriety.

They reflect on the moments that changed everything—conversations with their kids, patterns they didn’t realize they were modeling, and the powerful shift that happens when someone finally goes first. What does it really mean to break generational drinking cycles? How do our everyday choices teach emotional regulation, self-worth, and resilience—without saying a word?

This episode isn’t about perfection or parenting advice. It’s about rewriting the story, healing what came before, and consciously shaping what comes next—especially in midlife, when clarity hits differently.

Whether you’re raising kids, launching them, or simply wondering “What legacy am I leaving behind?”—this conversation will invite reflection, compassion, and a whole new way of seeing your alcohol-free journey.

Because sobriety doesn’t just change your life.
It changes the future for your family. 🧡

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! Get started by taking a break that feels lit with a Feel Lit 21 Day Break. Click here to find out more: https://www.freedomrenegadecoaching.com/buy-feel-lit-21-sg

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 New Year’s Eve didn’t end with a hangover… but with pride, clarity, and real connection?
In this episode of Sober & Lit, Susan and Ruby flip the script on New Year’s Eve and Dry January, inviting you to question everything you’ve been taught about celebration, alcohol, and “starting fresh.”

5 ideas to help you ring in the New Year—feeling clear, connected, and truly "lit" alcohol-free:

1. Question the champagne myth
   Who decided alcohol = celebration anyway? We unpack how culture, advertising, and tradition quietly shaped that belief—and how to loosen its grip.
2. Design your night on purpose
   From festive alcohol-free drinks to setting a simple intention, learn how to plan a New Year’s Eve you’ll actually feel proud of the next morning.
3. Try one night alcohol-free
   Not ready for “forever”? Perfect. Even one alcohol-free night can shift how you see yourself—and what’s possible.
4. NYE intention setting
   Visualize a night you actually want to remember.
5. Keep the fun (ditch the hangover)
   Games, laughter, real connection—yes, it’s all possible without booze. We share our favorite ways to keep the energy high.

Whether it’s your friggin’ first time or you’re already living alcohol-free, this episode will have you rethinking how you celebrate—and how you step into the new year.

Dry January isn’t about white-knuckling. Support, shared stories, and being witnessed change everything.

Break free from the Groundhog Day drinking cycle. Coach Ruby's 30-Day Dry January Challenge starts January 1st. It's not about quitting forever. It's about choosing YOU.
Sign up today: https://www.freedomrenegadecoaching.com/buy-dry-jan-2026

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! Get started by taking a break that feels lit with a Feel Lit 21 Day Break. Click here to find out more: https://www.freedomrenegadecoaching.com/buy-feel-lit-21-sg

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.

When the wine is flowing, the pressure is on, and you’re wondering—can I really do this alcohol-free and still feel joy?

In this festive but very real episode, Susan and Ruby open up about the awkward moments, the grounding tools that saved them, and how their sober holidays have actually become the most meaningful ones yet.

When you’re the only one at the Holiday table not drinking… Listen in for Real-Life Tips to stay sober this Christmas or Hanukkah:

You’ll walk away with powerful strategies to protect your peace, stay rooted in your “why,” and enjoy the holidays on your terms. Whether it’s your first alcohol-free Christmas or Holiday, you’re feeling wobbly with family around, or you just want a dose of inspiration, this episode is your toolkit.

Want to feel confident, connected, and actually present this season? 🔥 Let’s get lit—without the booze.

Dry January isn’t about white-knuckling. Support, shared stories, and being witnessed change everything.

Break free from the Groundhog Day drinking cycle. Coach Ruby's 30-Day Dry January Challenge starts January 1st. It's not about quitting forever. It's about choosing YOU.
Sign up today: https://www.freedomrenegadecoaching.com/buy-dry-jan-2026

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! Get started by taking a break that feels lit with a Feel Lit 21 Day Break. Click here to find out more: https://www.freedomrenegadecoaching.com/buy-feel-lit-21-sg

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.

Is it even really the holidays without the clink of champagne or spiked eggnog? Or… could this be the year you discover a deeper kind of joy—one that doesn’t come in a glass? 

In this feel-it-to-heal-it episode, Susan and Ruby dive into the messy, magical middle of the holiday season—where cravings collide with traditions, and the pressure to be “merry” can trigger the urge to drink.

They ask the big question: What actually makes the holidays feel good… and what are we ready to leave behind?

You’ll get real talk on:

• How to Marie Kondo your holiday rituals
• What to say when the family asks why you’re not drinking
• How to trade FOMO for joy with mocktails that sparkle
• Why intentional celebrations hit different without alcohol
• And how to stay grounded through solo time, family drama, or just plain stress

Whether this is your first sober December or your fifth, you’ll walk away with permission to rewrite the rules, embrace what lights you up, and celebrate on your terms.

Tune in and let’s reimagine what a truly lit holiday season looks like—alcohol-free, full of meaning, and unapologetically you.

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! Get started by taking a break that feels lit with a Feel Lit 21 Day Break. Click here to find out more: https://www.freedomrenegadecoaching.com/buy-feel-lit-21-sg

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.

It’s our 100th episode — and we’re celebrating with a powerful dose of alcohol-free vitality! In this milestone conversation, Ruby and Susan welcome the radiant Patricia Becker: a sober yoga teacher, plant-based nutrition coach, and wellness guide helping women 50+ feel strong, flexible, and lit from within.

If you’ve ever wondered how to age gracefully without alcohol… or how breathwork, chair yoga, and gut-healing foods can reignite your energy and self-love, this one’s for you. Patricia shares her story of ditching alcohol, overcoming burnout, and building daily practices that support sober living, vibrant health, and joy at any age.

✨ What if getting older was the best time to get lit — alcohol free?

 Whether you're curious about quitting alcohol, healing your nervous system, or simply want to feel good in your body again — this episode is full of inspiration, practical tips, and mindset shifts to help you glow without the glass.

________

Guest Resources for Patricia Becker:
Website- https://yourhealthandjoy.com/
YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/@patriciabeckeryoga
Stay In Touch and Get 3 Everyday Happiness Tips video- https://conta.cc/3IjN7LX
Aging with Grace Retreat Sonoma County-  https://yourhealthandjoy.com/retreatmay2026/

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! Get started by taking a break that feels lit with a Feel Lit 21 Day Break. Click here to find out more: https://www.freedomrenegadecoaching.com/buy-feel-lit-21-sg

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.

How do you show up at a holiday party without showing up with a drink?

That’s the big question—and in this episode of Sober & Lit, your hosts Ruby and Susan are unpacking the real talk behind office mixers, family dinners, and every bubbly-filled soirée in between. If you’ve ever clutched a club soda while dodging awkward small talk or wished for an invisibility cloak after the third “Why aren’t you drinking?”—this one’s for you.

We’re swapping out shame for sparkle and pressure for presence. Ruby shares how she went from wine industry insider to empowered partygoer, while Susan spills her best “nope, not today” exit strategies. You’ll walk away with mindset shifts, conversation scripts, and boundary-setting tools that’ll make you feel more confident, connected, and in control this holiday season.

Ready to redefine what it means to be the life of the party—alcohol-free?

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! Get started by taking a break that feels lit with a Feel Lit 21 Day Break. Click here to find out more: https://www.freedomrenegadecoaching.com/buy-feel-lit-21-sg

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.

Is wine culture keeping you stuck—and lying to you?

In this episode of the Sober & Lit podcast, Ruby and Susan sit down with Meg Geisewite, author of Intoxicating Lies, to unpack the myths women are sold about drinking. From “mommy needs wine” memes to emotional manipulation masked as self-care, we explore the dangerous messages keeping women locked in gray area drinking—and how to break free.

Meg shares her raw story of alcohol dependence, recovery, and empowerment, while diving deep into the science, shame, and social pressures surrounding female drinking culture.

Why do so many smart, capable women feel broken without wine?
How do we shift from numbing to truly living lit?

If you're ready to challenge alcohol's grip on your identity and discover the freedom of emotional sobriety, this is the episode you don’t want to miss.
________

Guest Resources for Meg Geisewite:
Book: Intoxicating Lies: One Woman's Journey to Freedom from Gray Area Drinking
Website: https://www.intoxicatinglies.com/
IG: @intoxicatingliesbook

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! Get started by taking a break that feels lit with a Feel Lit 21 Day Break. Click here to find out more: https://www.freedomrenegadecoaching.com/buy-feel-lit-21-sg

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.

How do you handle a holiday centered on gratitude… when everyone around you is sipping wine?

In this powerful Thanksgiving episode of the Sober & Lit Podcast, your hosts Ruby and Susan crack open the truth about navigating one of the most triggering holidays on the alcohol-free journey. Is it your first sober Thanksgiving? Or maybe you're feeling the tug of tradition, social pressure, or the emotional weight of family dynamics? You’re not alone—and you don’t have to white-knuckle it.

Together, we explore real stories and raw moments—like Ruby’s decision to pass the hosting torch and BYO-AF drinks, and Susan’s powerful mindset shifts after early AA meetings. We share our favorite go-to mocktail rituals, confidence-building scripts for when someone asks “Why aren’t you drinking?”, and grounding strategies to keep you feeling safe, strong, and seen at the holiday table.

What would it feel like to actually enjoy Thanksgiving—present, peaceful, and proud of your choice? Tune in for inspiration, practical tools, and cozy encouragement to help you celebrate with clarity, connection, and joy (yes, even if your uncle is pouring pinot at 2pm).

You’re invited to walk into this holiday with your head high and your heart full. Let’s make gratitude the main course—not the wine.

**********
Recipes

🍏 Coach Susan's Mocktail: equal parts apple cider and a sparkling AF wine, garnish with an apple slice and or cinnamon stick.

🍎 Coach Ruby's Fruit Salad: 3 pomegranates (seeds only), 8 Fuyu persimmons (remove skin and slice), and 2 limes (juiced) - combine in a bowl and refrigerate. Best if made a couple of hours before the party and it’s delicious as leftovers (over yogurt or ice cream). 

**********

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! Get started by taking a break that feels lit with a Feel Lit 21 Day Break. Click here to find out more: https://www.freedomrenegadecoaching.com/buy-feel-lit-21-sg

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 best parts of you were just waiting on the other side of your last drink?

In this episode of Sober & Lit, your hosts Susan and Ruby—alcohol freedom coaches with two very different journeys—reveal the surprising, unfiltered reasons why they chose to ditch alcohol for good. From Ruby’s past life in the wine industry to Susan’s search for deeper spiritual connection, this isn’t just another “why I quit drinking” story—it’s a powerful reframe of what you gain when you go alcohol-free.

What if giving up drinking didn’t mean missing out—but waking up?

Join us as we unpack the mental, emotional, and physical shifts we never expected: clearer mornings, real confidence, deep joy, and the sparkle we thought alcohol was supposed to give us (but never quite did). You’ll hear personal truths, real-talk about old habits, and inspiration to build your own “why” for an alcohol-free life.

Whether you're just beginning to question your drinking or fully in the sober curious lane, this episode will remind you what’s possible when you choose to feel lit—no booze required.

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! Get started by taking a break that feels lit with a Feel Lit 21 Day Break. Click here to find out more: https://www.freedomrenegadecoaching.com/buy-feel-lit-21-sg

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 wonder what happens when you stop running from your truth—and start creating something powerful with it?

In this episode of Sober & Lit, your hosts Coach Susan and Coach Ruby sit down with Tamar Routly—podcast producer, recovery advocate, and co-author of Sober for Dummies—for a candid and deeply inspiring conversation about what it really takes to go from high-functioning drinking to full-blown transformation.

Tamar shares how she went from secretly struggling in a corporate career to building a bold, purpose-driven life in long-term sobriety. From the raw moments of early recovery to reclaiming creativity, confidence, and connection, she walks us through the turning points that changed everything.

✨ What if the thing you thought was holding you together... was actually holding you back?
✨ What becomes possible when you stop numbing and start listening?

This episode is for anyone craving real talk, fresh perspective, and the courage to rewrite your story—on your terms. Tune in to hear how Tamar uses her voice to amplify recovery, spark hope, and help others feel lit in their alcohol-free journey.

________

Guest Resources for Tamar Routly:
http://www.podcastimpactstudio.com
https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/youre-sober-now-what/id1766001157
https://youresobernowwhat.com/

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! Get started by taking a break that feels lit with a Feel Lit 21 Day Break. Click here to find out more: https://www.freedomrenegadecoaching.com/buy-feel-lit-21-sg

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.