Sober Stories

Content warning: In this episode, Tawny briefly discusses the statistical prevalence of alcohol in cases of date rape.

Tawny Lara joins Sober Stories host Beth Bowen to discuss sex, sexuality, and relationships, without alcohol. Tawny talks about how her upbringing as the child of a rock star impacted her view of alcohol — her father was in the metal hair band Vicious Rumors, and she spent much of her youth in the music scene. Beth and Tawny talk about how alcohol is portrayed in movies and television, especially in relation to sex and relationships, and Tawny shares her thoughts on the societal impact of the HBO show, Sex and the City. Tawny explains how she came to embrace her identity as a bisexual woman in sobriety, and Beth and Tawny discuss relearning how to identify desires, pleasure, and more, without alcohol. Tawny shares what her story would be called: "Dry Humping."

Tawny Lara is an NYC-based millennial also known as The Sober Sexpert. She's writing a book called Dry Humping: a Guide to Booze-Free Sex, Dating, and Relationships (Quirk, Summer 2023). Her work is featured in Playboy, Men's Health, Huffington Post, and two essay collections: Sex and the Single Woman (Harper Perennial 2022) and The Addiction Diaries (LaunchPad 2020). She is the co-host of Recovery Rocks podcast and story developer for the Webby-award-winning podcast, F*cking Sober.

Key Takeaways:

• The portrayal of alcohol in Hollywood.
• The evolution of Tawny's bisexual identity since becoming sober.
• Tawny's upbringing and how it impacted her view of alcohol.

Resources mentioned:

• Episode 17 - "Woman, Adapting" with Victoria Towery
• Check out the book - Ace by Angela Chen

Connect with Tawny:

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/tawnymlara/

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@tawnymlara

Blog - http://www.sobrieteaparty.com/

Website - https://www.tawnylara.com/

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From our sponsors:

Use code SOBERSTORIES10TEN to save 10% off your next Lyre's Non-Alcoholic Spirits order.

Use code SOBERSTORIES for 15% off your next De Soi order.

Victoria Towery joins Sober Stories host Beth Bowen to discuss how sobriety allowed her to put the pieces together and embrace her queer identity as a bisexual woman. Victoria shares the story of the first time she tried to come out to a trusted teacher in 6th grade, and the trauma that kept her closeted for years to come. Beth and Victoria talk about how we can perform one identity while hiding another, and what happens when we are put on pedestals (or knocked off) and live in "perfectionism." Victoria explains what "love addiction" is, and how codependency has changed for her through therapy. Beth and Victoria discuss how we begin tapping into intuition through meditation and quiet, and the joy of living authentically. Victoria shares what her story would be called: "Woman, Adapting"

Key Takeaways:

• How Victoria rooted into her identity as a queer woman.
• The inner dialogue when in destructive drinking patterns.
• How meditation changed Victoria's life.
• Allowing her queer identity to be apart of her heterosexual marriage.

Connect with Victoria:

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/victoria_towery/, https://www.instagram.com/victoriatowery_/

Website - https://victoriatowery.com/

Support Sober Stories:

Follow us on Instagram - @wearesoberstories

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From our sponsors:

Use code SOBERSTORIES10TEN to save 10% off your next Lyre's Non-Alcoholic Spirits order.

Use code SOBERSTORIES for $50 off The Booze Breakup program.

Edward Popil, a.k.a. Mrs. Kasha Davis, joins Sober Stories host Beth Bowen to discuss how alcohol and sobriety have impacted his career as a performer and Drag Queen. Ed shares how alcohol became a coping mechanism early in life, as he experienced the rejection of his family after coming out as gay. Beth and Ed talk about the joy of performing and creating, sober, and what his life has been like since his stint on RuPaul's Drag Race, Season 7. Ed explains the evolution of Mrs. Kasha Davis, his 60's housewife, Cul-de-sac Queen drag persona whose tagline was "there's always time for a cocktail." Beth and Ed discuss the impact he hopes he and MKD leave on the world: kindness, positivity, and gratitude. Ed shares what his (and Mrs. Kasha Davis') story would be called: "There's Always Time for a Cocktail… Until There Isn't."

Edward Popil, a.k.a. Mrs. Kasha Davis, is a Drag Queen, an international celebrity housewife, a storyteller, a husband, and parent. He competed as Mrs. Kasha Davis on RuPaul's Drag Race, season 7, and now performs all over the world, intertwining themes of forgiveness, determination, motivation, and self-acceptance for audiences of all ages. You can catch Mrs. Kasha Davis in her new documentary, WORKHORSE QUEEN, and her story hour for children entitled IMAGINATION STATION, coming to television soon. Today, Ed shares a happy home with his husband of 16 years, their dog Max, and their two daughters.

Key Takeaways:

• The power of gratitude and the impact it had on becoming alcohol-free.
• The evolution of Mrs. Kasha Davis's identity in Edward's personal journey of sobriety.
• Life after RuPaul's Drag Race, Season 7.
• How alcohol is impacting the LGBTQ+ community at large.

Resources Mentioned:

• Workhorse Queen - https://www.amazon.com/Workhorse-Queen-Angela-Washko/dp/B09YQ11NFL
• Books by Mrs. Kasha Davis - https://mrskashadavis.bigcartel.com/product/children-book-little-eddie-p-wants-to-be-a-star , https://mrskashadavis.bigcartel.com/product/has-anyone-said-i-love-you

Connect with Mrs. Kasha Davis:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrskashadavis/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mrskashadavis

Twitter: https://twitter.com/kashadavis

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCK-EHH1QnOCHRW_tnk2TrNQ

Website: www.mrskashadavis.com

Support Sober Stories:

Follow us on Instagram - @wearesoberstories

Follow us on TikTok - @wearesoberstories

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From our sponsors:

Use code SOBERSTORIES10TEN to save 10% off your next Lyre's Non-Alcoholic Spirits order.

Use code SOBERSTORIES for $50 off The Booze Breakup program.

Cait Madry joins Sober Stories host Beth Bowen to discuss her experience getting sober in the middle of the Coronavirus pandemic. Cait shares what it was like falling in love with a woman for the first time, and how her relationship with her partner evolved as they both decided to go alcohol-free, together. Beth and Cait talk about the facade of alcohol in Hollywood, and how her sobriety has impacted her career. (Hint: her creativity and success are off the charts, now!) Cait explains "the shattering" — the moment where everything breaks and you can no longer go back. Beth and Cait discuss how sobriety has been an invitation to turn to curiosity over judgment, and the privilege of reconnecting to her feelings on a deeper level. Cait shares what her story would be called: "I'm Just Here to Help."

Cait Madry is the host of the C L E A R H E A D E D podcast, an actress, and a comedian. She's been sober since November 28th, 2020, and has evolved so much since she's set down tequila.

Sober Stories is Proud to share Cait's story as part of our PRIDE 2022 series: celebrating the diversity of stories in the LGBTQIA+ community.

Key Takeaways:

• Cait's experience of getting sober in the middle of a pandemic.
• Her relationship with her partner and how it evolved after going alcohol-free.
• What it's like to be sober in Hollywood.
• The impact of sobriety on her career.

Resources Mentioned:

The CHANI App: https://chaninicholas.com/chani-app/

Check out Allen Carr's books here: https://www.amazon.com/Allen-Carr/e/B001XSUEK4%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share

Connect with Cait:

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/caitmadry/ , https://www.instagram.com/clearheadedpodcast/

Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/c-l-e-a-r-h-e-a-d-e-d/id1598676050

Support Sober Stories:

Follow us on Instagram - @wearesoberstories

Follow us on TikTok - @wearesoberstories

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From our sponsors:

Use code SOBERSTORIES10TEN to save 10% off your next Lyre's Non-Alcoholic Spirits order.

Use code SOBERSTORIES for $50 off The Booze Breakup program.

CONTENT WARNING: In this episode of Sober Stories, our guest shares her experience of having suicidal thoughts while drinking or recovering from drinking.

Jordan Grainger joins Sober Stories host Beth Bowen to discuss her experience as a sober curious 23-year-old. Jordan shares why she decided to do a 100-day No Alcohol challenge, what she learned in that time, and how she looks at alcohol now that her challenge has come to an end. Beth and Jordan talk about how young people and Gen Z are thinking about alcohol, while they also struggle with the rise in nicotine addiction due to vaping. Jordan explains how her view of drinking was impacted by her upbringing (her parents didn't drink — one was sober through AA) and her time in Greek life at USC, and how that expanded when she discovered the term "sober curious." Beth and Jordan discuss the new term describing very minimal alcohol intake: "a damp lifestyle," and Jordan shares where she sees the narrative heading. Jordan shares what her story would be called: "Against the Grain."

Jordan Grainger is a sober curious content creator trying to explore the space between "drinker" and "non-drinker". She is a dog mom to Cleo the Great Dane and is based out of Seattle, WA. Jordan is the cohost of the Still No Plan podcast, a podcast about the evolution of navigating your 20s.

Connect with Jordan:

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jordangrainger/, https://www.instagram.com/stillnoplanpod/

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@jordan_grainger?lang=en

Podcast - Still No Plans https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/still-no-plan/id1618019073

Support Sober Stories:

Follow us on Instagram - @wearesoberstories

Follow us on TikTok - @wearesoberstories

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From our sponsors:

Use code SOBERSTORIES10TEN to save 10% off your next Lyre's Non-Alcoholic Spirits order.

Use code SOBERSTORIES for $50 off The Booze Breakup program.

Blair Sharp joins Sober Stories host Beth Bowen to discuss her journey to becoming a non-drinker after a long history of sporadic binge drinking. Blair shares the story of her DUI (that wasn't yet the push to quit drinking), how alcohol impacted her relationship with someone who doesn't drink much, and eventually, the conversation with her partner that led her to quit drinking. Beth and Blair talk about how they each used alcohol to cure social anxiety, and how finding a blog post on Scary Mommy was her introduction to the idea of sobriety. Blair explains how "managing" alcohol is often harder than removing it entirely, and Beth and Blair discuss the pervasive of "Mommy Wine Culture." Blair shares what her story would be called: "The Secret to Life."

Blair Sharp is a wife and mom from Minnesota. After sixteen years of drinking, she quit when her son was 18-months old. Since going alcohol-free in February of 2018, Blair has been pursuing her passion for writing and exploring the creativity she regained after removing alcohol from her life. She creates content on Instagram to support others who are questioning their relationships with alcohol and is a regular contributor to several online publications. She loves to write about parenting, sobriety, and mental health. Blair also works full-time as a Psychometrist (she tests people's thinking). Blair loves to laugh and has a sarcastic and blunt personality. She's a tall, introverted homebody who loves a good charcuterie board, reality television, and canceled plans. Blair doesn't take life too seriously. She says that if she can help one person by telling her story, that's enough for her.

Connect with Blair:

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sobrietyactivist/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/blairsharpwriter

Website - https://www.blairsharp.com/

Support Sober Stories:

Follow us on Instagram - @wearesoberstories

Follow us on TikTok - @wearesoberstories

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Subscribe to our YouTube Chanel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3Fu_bBGVNAetvGYqL6OFvQ

From our sponsors:

Use code SOBERSTORIES10TEN to save 10% off your next Lyre's Non-Alcoholic Spirits order.

Use code SOBERSTORIES for $50 off The Booze Breakup program.

Content warning: in this episode, we discuss suicidal ideation and the stories we've uncovered in recent years about the abuses of children by priests in the Catholic church. We also talk about psychedelics, which may not always be supportive for everyone's version of sobriety. As always, take what works and leave the rest.

Mike Govoni joins Sober Stories host Beth Bowen to discuss the four chapters of his life that led him to the person he is today: Mike talks about how the trauma of his childhood predisposed him to challenges with substances, and the story of how he recovered from opioid, alcohol, and marijuana addiction. Beth and Mike talk about what it was like to experience the hardship of chronic illness after he removed substances from his life, and how he adopted his belief of healing beyond recovery. Mike explains how a spiritual awakening put him on the path he leads today, and Beth and Mike talk about the usefulness of the mind/body/spirit connection in living a life without substances. Mike shares what his story would be called: "One Breath at a Time."

Mike Govoni an integrative holistic recovery coach out of Sedona Arizona, with a focus on trauma, mindfulness, and whole person healing. As a person in recovery from opiates, alcohol, and marijuana for 16 years, Mike understands firsthand the impact of a dysregulated nervous system, and now helps other people find healing through somatic practices.

Connect with Mike:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikegovoni/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEsUQ1sCrhMA2413ZspP-7A

Website: https://www.mikegovoni.com/

Support Sober Stories:

Follow us on Instagram - @wearesoberstories

Follow us on TikTok - @wearesoberstories

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From Our Sponsors:

Use code SOBERSTORIES10TEN to save 10% off your next Lyre's Non-Alcoholic Spirits order.

Use code SOBERSTORIES for $50 off The Booze Breakup program.

Jenna Dillulio joins Sober Stories host Beth Bowen to discuss her experience as a child of an alcoholic, and the evolution of her relationship with her dad's drinking. Jenna talks about how the word "alcoholic" feels good and supportive for her, and the story of the rock bottom that led her to go to therapy and quit drinking. Beth and Jenna talk about what it was like to be high performing, working in corporate America and running half marathons, all while struggling with Alcohol Use Disorder. Jenna explains how honesty and accountability with her family kept her sober, and Beth and Jenna talk about an alcohol-free peak: getting married sober. Jenna shares what her story would be called: "Generational Curse Breakers."

Jenna Dillulio, aka Your Sober Bestie, is a first time mom-to-be, a speaker, and a fashion and beauty blogger who shares an intimate look at her life in recovery from alcohol use disorder.

Connect with Jenna:

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jennadillulio/

Website - https://www.jennadillulio.com/

Resources Mentioned:

• Save 10% off your next Lyre's NA Spirits order with code SOBERSTORIES10TEN
• Enroll in The Booze Breakup today! Use code "soberstories" for $50 off.
• Check out Raising the Bar subscription box with alcohol-free drinks and use code "soberstories15" for $15 off 3-months or longer.

Support Sober Stories:

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CONTENT WARNING: In this episode, Gill shares her experience with suicidal thoughts before she got sober. She also notes challenges with weight.

Gill Tietz joins Sober Stories host Beth Bowen to discuss her path to sobriety after becoming a daily drinker in a short amount of time. Gill shares her experiences with negative self-talk and shame, and how her fear of potentially taking action on her suicidal ideation led her to quit drinking. Beth and Gill talk about her experimentation with moderation, and Gill shares how she approached all of her drinking as the scientist she is. Gill talks about the cruise vacation that made it apparent that she cannot "drink normally," and shares the experience that still sometimes triggers her to think about drinking. Gill shares what her story would be called: "Sober Powered."

Gillian Tietz is the host of the Sober Powered podcast and works as a biochemist in the Boston area. When she quit drinking in 2019, she dedicated herself to learning about alcohol's influence on the brain and how it can cause addiction. She used that knowledge to free herself from the shame she had about being unable to control her drinking. Today, she educates and empowers others to assess their relationship with alcohol. You can find Gill creating content on Instagram, YouTube, and wherever you listen to podcasts.

Connect with Gill:

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sober.powered/

Podcast - https://www.soberpowered.com/listen

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@sober.powered?

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeSyBTEFmsP49h2q_mxqMOw

Resources Mentioned:

• Episode 5 - "Open Up, Don't Just 'Man Up'" with Kevin Bellack of @thesoberginger

• Save 10% off your next Lyre's NA Spirits order with code SOBERSTORIES10TEN

Support Sober Stories:

Follow us on Instagram - @wearesoberstories

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Payal Desai joins Sober Stories host Beth Bowen to discuss the therapy appointment that changed her life, how sobriety has changed her experience in motherhood, and what it has been like navigating chapters of growth in marriage. Beth and Payal talk about the challenges of balancing parenthood + partying, and what it looks like now that she doesn't drink. Payal explains how she found confidence through sobriety, instead of alcohol, and Beth and Payal discuss how pervasive "mommy wine culture" is in the world. Payal shares what her story would be called: "Finding Freedom."

Payal Desai is a public school teacher, a wife, and a mom of 2 boys. She is also a social media content creator working on building a brand. Though life is busy and full, she is much better at managing it since becoming sober 1.5 years ago.

Connect with Payal:

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/payalforstyle/

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@payalforstyle

Website - https://www.payalforstyle.com/

Save 10% off your next Lyre's NA Spirits order with code SOBERSTORIES10TEN

Support Sober Stories:

Follow us on Instagram - @wearesoberstories

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