Sober Vibes: Alcohol free lifestyle tips for long-term sobriety, whether you're sober curious or ready to quit drinking for good

In episode 235 of the Sober Vibes podcast, I share practical, compassionate advice for family and friends supporting a loved one in early sobriety and how to help loved ones with addiction to alcohol. 

Learn what to expect as your person navigates recovery, how to set healthy boundaries, and five powerful tips to protect your well-being along the way.

Whether you're a partner, sibling, friend, or parent, this episode will help you feel less alone and more empowered in your support role.

What you will learn in this episode:

• What it means when someone quits drinking
• 5 everyday things to expect in early sobriety
• How to avoid taking their behavior personally
• Tips to support them without enabling
• Why your healing is just as important

5 Key Takeaways for Loved Ones:

1. Educate yourself about alcohol use disorder
2. Set clear, guilt-free boundaries
3. Prioritize your emotional and mental well-being
4. Let go of control support, don’t fix
5. Celebrate progress, not perfection

Resources Mentioned: 

Codependent No More 

Set Boundaries Find Peace

You Can Heal Your Life

PODCAST SPONSOR:

This episode is sponsored by Soberlink, a trusted accountability tool for anyone navigating early recovery. Whether you're rebuilding trust with loved ones or simply want more structure in your sobriety, Soberlink offers a discreet and empowering way to stay on track.

Sober Vibes listeners get $50 off their device!
Grab your discount here!

Hope this episode helps you today!

Thank you for listening! Help the show by Rating, Reviewing, and/or Subscribing to the Sober Vibes Podcast.

Connect w/ Courtney:
Instagram
Join the Sobriety Circle

Apply for 1:1 Coaching
Order the Sober Vibes Book

Thank you for listening! Help the show by Rating, reviewing, and/or subscribing to the Sober Vibes Podcast.

Connect w/ Courtney:
Instagram
Join the Sobriety Circle

Apply for 1:1 Coaching
Order the Sober Vibes Book

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Episode 234:Your Top Sobriety Questions Answered: Willpower, Dating, Sugar Cravings & More 

In episode 234 of the Sober Vibes podcast, Courtney Andersen answers your most pressing sobriety questions with honesty, heart, and 12 years of lived experience. Whether you’re just starting or have been alcohol-free for a while, this episode is full of relatable, real-life advice to help you stay strong, feel supported, and thrive in your recovery journey.

From breaking the myth that sobriety is all about willpower to navigating sober dating and setting boundaries with a partner who still drinks, Courtney offers insight and encouragement to meet you exactly where you are.

If you've ever wondered how to get through the evening witching hour, manage post-acute withdrawal fatigue, or stop sugar cravings from taking over, this episode is for you.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE:

• Why white-knuckling through sobriety doesn’t work—and what to focus on instead
• How movement and physical activity reduce anxiety in early recovery
• What to do when low energy lingers after quitting alcohol
• Where to find women-specific recovery support and safe spaces
• Tips for dating while sober and avoiding the "overshare hangover"
• How to set boundaries if your partner still drinks
• Simple ways to break your nightly drinking routine
• What sugar cravings are really telling you and how to handle them
• Why you’re allowed to focus on sobriety first, before changing everything else

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

1:1 Sober Coaching 

The Sobriety Circle 

Instagram 

My Book 

The After 

Codependent No More

PODCAST SPONSOR:

Get $ 50 off your Soberlink device today! 

Hope this episode helps you today!

Thank you for listening! Help the show by Rating, Reviewing, and/or Subscribing to the Sober Vibes Podcast.

Connect w/ Courtney:
Instagram
Join the Sobriety Circle

Apply for 1:1 Coaching
Order the Sober Vibes Book

Thank you for listening! Help the show by Rating, reviewing, and/or subscribing to the Sober Vibes Podcast.

Connect w/ Courtney:
Instagram
Join the Sobriety Circle

Apply for 1:1 Coaching
Order the Sober Vibes Book

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Episode 233: The 12-Step Guide for Skeptics w/ Arlina Allen 

In episode 233 of the Sober Vibes podcast, Courtney welcomes back Arlina Allen to the show, and they discuss her new book, The 12-Step Guide for Skeptics. 

The 12-Step Guide for Skeptics breaks down the most common myths and misconceptions that cause people to resist 12-step programs, offering a compassionate, clear-eyed reframe of terms like “powerless,” “God,” and “alcoholic.”

You’ll hear how she redefines these concepts to support recovery instead of scaring people away, and why just attending meetings isn’t the same as actually doing the steps. With her trademark honesty and no-BS approach, Arlina also opens up about the shame she felt at 20 years sober and how recovery continues to evolve long after quitting drinking.

Whether you’re sober-curious, stuck in the moderation cycle, or frustrated with traditional recovery language, this episode will give you permission to take what works, leave what doesn’t, and reclaim your sobriety your way.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE:

• How Arlena’s 31 years of sobriety shaped her unique view on recovery
• Why she calls herself “recovery promiscuous” and encourages trying every tool
• The real meaning of “powerless over alcohol” and why it’s not a weakness
• How to navigate the "God" and "higher power" concept if you’re skeptical
• The danger of dismissing 12-step programs based on people, not principles

RESOURCES MENTIONED:
Grab The 12-Step Guide for Skeptics

Episode 183 with Arlina Allen 

Courtney's Website

CONNECT WITH ARLINA:

Arlina's Website 

Podcast Sponsor-

Get $ 50 off your Soberlink device today! 

Hope this episode helps you today!

Thank you for listening! Help the show by Rating, Reviewing, and/or Subscribing to the Sober Vibes Podcast.

Connect w/ Courtney:
Instagram
Join the Sobriety Circle

Apply for 1:1 Coaching
Order the Sober Vibes Book

Thank you for listening! Help the show by Rating, reviewing, and/or subscribing to the Sober Vibes Podcast.

Connect w/ Courtney:
Instagram
Join the Sobriety Circle

Apply for 1:1 Coaching
Order the Sober Vibes Book

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In episode 232 of the Sober Vibes podcast, I welcome Jeremy Lipkowitz to the show, and we discuss porn addiction, overcoming shame, and what to do if your husband has a porn addiction. 

Jeremy opens up about his 15-year journey with porn addiction, beginning at age seven with a lingerie catalog and escalating to hours of daily online consumption by college. They unpack how porn rewires the brain, disrupts relationships, and becomes a hidden coping mechanism for emotional pain. Through his personal story and coaching expertise, Jeremy offers genuine, compassionate insight into how individuals can initiate the process of healing, recovery, and reconnection with themselves and others.

Whether you're personally affected, love someone who struggles, or are raising kids in this digital world, this conversation is a must-listen.

What you will learn:

• The three “A’s” that make porn addiction uniquely powerful: affordable, accessible, and anonymous
• How pornography addiction affects the brain, emotional health, and relationships
• What is betrayal trauma, and how does it affect the partners of porn addicts
• Why recovery is about mindfulness, connection, and healing, not willpower alone
• How to raise kids in a world where explicit content is just a swipe away
• Practical steps to start recovering from porn addiction or support a loved one who is

 Key Takeaways:

• Addiction often begins with early exposure and escalates over time with tech access
• Porn hijacks the brain’s dopamine system and creates a craving for novelty over intimacy
• Most porn addicts live a double life rooted in shame, secrecy, and emotional numbing
• Social media can act as a slippery slope toward pornography and compulsive behavior
• Healing involves community, mindfulness, nervous system regulation, and inner child work

Connect with Jeremy Lipkowitz:

• Website & Coaching
• Podcast
• YouTube
• Instagram

Resources Mentioned:

Courtney's Website

Anxious Generation 

Podcast Sponsor-

Get $ 50 off your Soberlink device today! 

Hope this helps you today!

Thank you for listening! Help the show by Rating, Reviewing, and/or Subscribing to the Sober Vibes Podcast.

Connect w/ Courtney:
Instagram
Join the Sobriety Circle

Apply for 1:1 Coaching
Order the Sober Vibes Book

Thank you for listening! Help the show by Rating, reviewing, and/or subscribing to the Sober Vibes Podcast.

Connect w/ Courtney:
Instagram
Join the Sobriety Circle

Apply for 1:1 Coaching
Order the Sober Vibes Book

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Episode 231: Emotional Sobriety: Why You Still Feel Off After Quitting Alcohol

In episode 231 of the Sober Vibes podcast, Courtney Andersen discusses emotional sobriety. She is digging deep into emotional sobriety, the unspoken part of recovery that no one really prepares you for. You’ll learn what emotional sobriety is, why it matters, and how to tell if you're in that “messy middle” where you’ve removed the alcohol… but your nervous system still doesn’t feel safe.

Courtney Andersen, sober coach and emotional sobriety mentor with 12 years of lived experience, shares her personal story of what came after sobriety, the panic attacks, the shame spirals, and the emotional unraveling that no one warned her about.

If you’re wondering why you don’t feel better yet, why your triggers are louder now, or how to stop spiraling without going back to numbing… this episode will feel like a breath of fresh air.

What's Discussed:

• What emotional sobriety means (and how it’s different from just “not drinking”)
• 5 signs you may be emotionally dysregulated in sobriety
• Why emotional healing gets harder before it gets better
• What to do when shame, anxiety, and shutdown still show up
• The exact tools Courtney used to stay emotionally grounded through 12 years of sobriety

Resources Mentioned:

The After — A No-BS Guide to Emotional Sobriety
*Short video coaching lessons
*Deep-dive journal workbook
*Emotional regulation + nervous system tools

Grab it now for $15 OFF with code AFTER
🖤 → THE AFTER

Podcast Sponsor-

Get $ 50 off your Soberlink device today! 

Hope this helps you today! 

Thank you for listening! Help the show by Rating, Reviewing, and/or Subscribing to the Sober Vibes Podcast.

Connect w/ Courtney:
Instagram
Join the Sobriety Circle

Apply for 1:1 Coaching
Order the Sober Vibes Book

Thank you for listening! Help the show by Rating, reviewing, and/or subscribing to the Sober Vibes Podcast.

Connect w/ Courtney:
Instagram
Join the Sobriety Circle

Apply for 1:1 Coaching
Order the Sober Vibes Book

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In this episode of Sober Vibes, I break down what slips and relapses mean and how to prevent it in real life, not just in theory. Whether you're newly sober or several years alcohol-free, this honest and empowering conversation gives you practical tools to protect your peace, stay grounded, and ride out the challenging moments without going back to booze.

From emotional triggers to burnout and self-isolation, I dive into the sneaky ways relapse can creep in and how to create a sustainable support system that works. Additionally, she shares her strategies, journal prompts, and mantras to help you stay centered.

What’s the difference between a lapse and a relapse

• 5 sneaky relapse triggers (and how to spot them early)
• Daily habits that strengthen your emotional sobriety
• How to build a relapse prevention plan that works
• What to do if you do slip—and why you don’t have to start over
• A powerful journal prompt + affirmation to stay grounded

Mentioned in This Episode:

• 1:1 Sober Coaching 
• Join the Sobriety Circle 
• Follow Courtney on Instagram

Thank you for listening, and I hope this episode helps you in your journey.

Thank you for listening! Help the show by Rating, Reviewing, and/or Subscribing to the Sober Vibes Podcast.

Connect w/ Courtney:
Instagram
Join the Sobriety Circle

Apply for 1:1 Coaching
Order the Sober Vibes Book

Thank you for listening! Help the show by Rating, reviewing, and/or subscribing to the Sober Vibes Podcast.

Connect w/ Courtney:
Instagram
Join the Sobriety Circle

Apply for 1:1 Coaching
Order the Sober Vibes Book

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In episode 229 of the Sober Vibes podcast, I welcome Raechelle Embrey to the show, and we chat about how to heal from Perfectionism and People Pleasing, why so many women turn to alcohol, and how energy work, inner child healing, and setting boundaries can break the cycle.

Perfectionism, high achievement, and alcohol often go hand in hand, especially for high-functioning women who appear to have it all together on the outside but feel overwhelmed and disconnected on the inside. 

Raechelle shares her personal story of growing up with a mother who had borderline personality disorder and how that experience shaped her perfectionism, people-pleasing, and eventual reliance on alcohol as a way to soften the pressure. 

Raechelle Embry is a Business & Wealth Astrologer and Energetic Alchemist for audacious, highly sensitive high-achievers. She is a podcast host and energy coach.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why perfectionists often use alcohol to “soften” and feel less rigid
• How unhealed childhood trauma manifests as people-pleasing and self-abandonment
• The connection between borderline mothers and high-achieving daughters
• What “energetic boundaries” are and why they’re essential for recovery
• Inner child work as a tool for healing energy stored in the body
• How astrology can help identify patterns of self-abandonment
• Why it’s hard for high-achieving women to trust their own perception
• How codependency and control can show up even after quitting alcohol

If you’ve been doing all the work but still feel like something’s missing, this episode offers a new lens on emotional sobriety and healing at the energetic level.

Thank you for listening, and I hope it helps you today!

Resources Mentioned:

Courtney's Website 

Connect with Raechelle:

Website 

Podcast 

Instagram

Thank you for listening! Help the show by Rating, Reviewing, and/or Subscribing to the Sober Vibes Podcast.

Connect w/ Courtney:
Instagram
Join the Sobriety Circle

Apply for 1:1 Coaching
Order the Sober Vibes Book

Thank you for listening! Help the show by Rating, reviewing, and/or subscribing to the Sober Vibes Podcast.

Connect w/ Courtney:
Instagram
Join the Sobriety Circle

Apply for 1:1 Coaching
Order the Sober Vibes Book

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In episode 228 of the Sober Vibes podcast, I welcome Helen Bennett to the show, and we talk about eating disorders, food noise, and how to start your food freedom journey.  

Helen shares her raw and personal journey from restrictive dieting at age 14, to a 20-year battle with bulimia, and ultimately to recovery and helping others heal their relationship with food. Helen Bennett specialises in helping women heal the root cause of overeating and feel real power & freedom around food again.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The shocking similarities between food issues and alcohol addiction
• Why “food noise” is so draining and how to quiet it
• How high-achievers and people-pleasers are especially vulnerable to disordered patterns
• The truth about restriction, moderation, and real food freedom
• Three practical tips to start your food freedom journey

Whether you're stuck in the binge-restrict cycle or just tired of thinking about food all day, this conversation offers hope, healing, and a new way forward.

Hope this episode helps you today. 

Resources Mentioned:

Intuitive Eating

In the Flow 

Courtney's Website 

To Connect with Helen:

Helen's Website

Thank you for listening! Help the show by Rating, Reviewing, and/or Subscribing to the Sober Vibes Podcast.

Connect w/ Courtney:
Instagram
Join the Sobriety Circle

Apply for 1:1 Coaching
Order the Sober Vibes Book

Thank you for listening! Help the show by Rating, reviewing, and/or subscribing to the Sober Vibes Podcast.

Connect w/ Courtney:
Instagram
Join the Sobriety Circle

Apply for 1:1 Coaching
Order the Sober Vibes Book

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Episode 227:  What It’s Really Like to Be Sober in a Family of Drinkers 

In episode 227 of the Sober Vibes podcast, Courtney Anderesn shares in this powerful and vulnerable episode. She is talking about what it really feels like to get sober in a family where alcohol is the norm. From emotional triggers to unspoken resentment, this episode validates the often-invisible experience of being the first one to break the cycle.

Whether you’ve been labeled “too sensitive,” felt like the family scapegoat, or noticed your healing making others uncomfortable, this episode is for you.

What you will learn in this episode:

• Why sobriety can feel lonelier in your own family than anywhere else
• How and why sober people become the emotional mirror (and often, the scapegoat)
• The grief and strength that come with breaking generational patterns
• 5 grounding truths and boundaries you can hold as you stay sober around drinkers
• Family members may accuse you of being judgmental or "thinking you're better than them" before you've even said anything

This is not an episode about tips and tricks.
It’s about validation, resilience, and reclaiming your peace even when no one claps for it.

Thank you for listening, and hope it helps you today!

Listen now and come back to this one anytime you need to feel less alone.

Resources Mentioned:

Courtney's Website 

Codependent No More 

Thank you for listening! Help the show by Rating, Reviewing, and/or Subscribing to the Sober Vibes Podcast.

Connect w/ Courtney:
Instagram
Join the Sobriety Circle

Apply for 1:1 Coaching
Order the Sober Vibes Book

Thank you for listening! Help the show by Rating, reviewing, and/or subscribing to the Sober Vibes Podcast.

Connect w/ Courtney:
Instagram
Join the Sobriety Circle

Apply for 1:1 Coaching
Order the Sober Vibes Book

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Episode 226:  3 Triggers to Watch Out for in a Sober Summer (and How to Handle Them with Confidence) 

In episode 226, Courtney Andersen chats about typical Summer triggers for sober and sober-curious folks to be prepared for in your journey.  If you're navigating an alcohol-free lifestyle, summer can come with some sneaky emotional triggers.

From patio season to beach days and late-night hangs, it’s not always easy to hold your ground, especially when everything around you says “just one drink won’t hurt.”

What you'll learn:

• How to handle “vacation mode” brain when your routines go out the window
• What to say when you're the only one not drinking at a BBQ
• How to stop romanticizing alcohol in those dreamy, golden-hour moments
• Your first sober summer is the hardest - it does get easier with each passing year
• You're modeling clarity for yourself and possibly inspiring others around you

Whether you’re on day 1 or year 5 of living alcohol-free, this episode will help you move through summer with more confidence, clarity, and self-trust.

No tips that make you feel like you’re “missing out.” Just real talk, mindset shifts, and grounded support.

🎧 Tune in and share with a friend who’s walking the same path.

Thank you for listening, and I hope this episode helps you today! 

Resources Mentioned:

Courtney's Website 

The Sobriety Circle

Thank you for listening! Help the show by Rating, Reviewing, and/or Subscribing to the Sober Vibes Podcast.

Connect w/ Courtney:
Instagram
Join the Sobriety Circle

Apply for 1:1 Coaching
Order the Sober Vibes Book

Thank you for listening! Help the show by Rating, reviewing, and/or subscribing to the Sober Vibes Podcast.

Connect w/ Courtney:
Instagram
Join the Sobriety Circle

Apply for 1:1 Coaching
Order the Sober Vibes Book

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.