The Alcohol-Free Rebellion

This week, I’m joined by Robin, the founder of Wallace Dry Goods, an alcohol-free bottle shop in Ardmore, PA that's making sobriety stylish, intentional, and full of flavor.

We chat about:

• What inspired her to open Wallace Dry Goods

• How she curates her shelf lineup with both heart and integrity

• Why providing alcohol-free options is about so much more than just drinks

• The joy of creating a space where everyone feels seen, supported, and celebrated

Whether you're local to the Philly area or just love discovering passionate AF creators and business owners, this convo will leave you feeling inspired—and probably craving a really good mocktail.

Plus, I share one of my favorite AF sips this summer from Cycling Frog—don’t miss it.

What if no one’s telling you to stop drinking—but deep down, you know something’s off?

In this episode, I sit down with Todd Kinney—lawyer, dad, and author of I Didn’t Believe It Either—to talk about the quiet, subtle ways alcohol can interfere with our lives… even when everything looks fine from the outside. Todd didn’t hit rock bottom. No ultimatums, no interventions. He just started questioning how alcohol made him feel—and what life might look like without it.

We talk about what inspired him to take that first break, the unexpected benefits he’s discovered since, and how men and women often experience drinking—and sobriety—very differently. This is a must-listen if you're navigating a relationship where one person drinks and the other doesn't, or if you're just starting to wonder what life might look like with less (or no) alcohol.

If you're looking for an alcohol-free swap that still brings the chill, check out Cycling Frog— drinks that actually help you unwind without the hangover. I share more in the episode!

Connect with Todd!

Website

Instagram

In this episode, I’m joined by the amazing Hollie Nickolson—a fitness and fat loss coach for women over 40, a mom, and now officially one year sober! Hollie shares her deeply personal journey with alcohol, including the years spent trying to moderate, what finally led her to quit for good, and how everything shifted once she made that decision.

We also dive into her business and her mission to help women build strength and confidence without obsession or restriction. Hollie keeps it real about the challenges and the freedom that come with living alcohol-free—and how it’s made her a better coach, mom, and human.

If you’re curious about what changes when you give up drinking—or if you just love stories of transformation and badass women showing up fully—this one’s for you.

Big thanks to our episode sponsor, Cycling Frog — our favorite alcohol-free THC and CBD beverages that bring the chill without the booze. Because who says you can’t feel good and have fun—without alcohol?

How to find Hollie!!!

Website

Instagram

Why does “just one glass” so often turn into something that keeps us playing small? In this candid conversation, Michelle Smith—therapist, author, and creator of Recovery Is the New Black—shares how a seemingly “normal” wine-mom routine escalated, the moment she knew change was non-negotiable, and the surprising freedom (and fun) she discovered on the sober side of life. We unpack:

• the cultural script that tells women alcohol is self-care
• the identity shift—and relief—that comes with ditching the bottle
• teaching kids honest, healthy messages about drinking
• the boom in NA options and why inclusion matters

Whether you’re sober, sober-curious, or supporting someone who is, Michelle’s story proves there’s a bigger, brighter life waiting beyond the pour.

Sponsor: This episode is brought to you by Cycling Frog—THC + CBD seltzers and gummies that deliver chill without the booze. Grab your favorite flavor at this link.

Connect with Michelle!!

Website

Instagram

FREE Sober Guide

In this deeply moving episode, I sit down with Melissa from The Sober New Yorker to talk about her winding path to sobriety — the struggles, the relapses, and the moment it all finally clicked. At the heart of her story is a powerful relationship that helped guide her toward healing — and the tragic loss of that person to alcohol addiction. Melissa shares how that grief became her turning point, and how she now honors their memory by living fully and alcohol-free. This is an emotional and inspiring conversation about love, loss, and the strength it takes to keep choosing yourself.

This episode is sponsored by Cycling Frog — my favorite low-dose, alcohol-free seltzers and gummies. Try them for yourself here: https://cycling-frog.sjv.io/7aDnoV

Follow Melissa on Instagram: @thesobernewyorker

Visit her website: The Sober New Yorker

Listen to her podcast: The Sober New Yorker

Joe Sheehey went from NASA engineer to wellness entrepreneur after a wild wake-up call forced him to rethink everything. We talk partying, mental health, sobriety, and how plant wellness helped him build a new path—and a new purpose—with CURED Nutrition.

This episode contains discussions about suicide. If you are feeling suicidal or if this topic is particularly sensitive for you, please proceed with caution.

🧠 Suicide Prevention Resources

If you or someone you know is struggling, please know you're not alone. Help is available:

📞 U.S. National Suicide & Crisis LifelineCall or Text: 988Available 24/7 for free and confidential support.More info: ⁠988lifeline.org⁠

🌐 International Resources:

• International Association for Suicide Prevention: ⁠iasp.info/resources/Crisis_Centres⁠

• Befrienders Worldwide: ⁠befrienders.org⁠

Shop CURED: Click Here

Use code ABBY for 15% OFF

CURED Nutrition: @curednutrition

Joe Sheehey - @josephsheehey

Get ready for a very special episode! I’m joined by my sober besties, Jess and Ale — the brilliant minds behind Mocksicated — who I had the absolute joy of meeting at a sober retreat. In this conversation, we dive into their incredible journeys: the highs, the lows, the lessons, and the major wins along the way.

One of the most powerful parts of hearing someone else's story is realizing how much of your own story is reflected back to you — and trust me, Jess and Ale bring it all with heart, humor, and pure badass energy. Whether you’re sober, sober-curious, or just love a good comeback story, this episode will leave you feeling inspired, empowered, and a little less alone.

Tune in — you’re going to love them as much as I do!

In this episode of The Alcohol-Free Rebellion, host Abby Calabrese sits down with Jess Smith—a former school principal turned life coach—for a powerful conversation about redefining success, sobriety, and self-worth.

Jess shares her personal journey from "responsible drinking" to realizing alcohol was masking deeper struggles, and how stepping away from it became a gateway to radical self-awareness and growth. Abby and Jess reflect on their experience at the Sober Mom Life Retreat, the unique challenges high-achieving women face in sobriety, and how to navigate relationships, careers, and identity without alcohol.

They explore the intersection of fitness, mindset, and sobriety; the emotional rollercoaster of early alcohol-free living; and why letting go of guilt and shame is essential for true freedom. This episode is packed with insights, laughs, and real talk about the messy, magical process of getting to know yourself again.

Whether you're sober, sober curious, or just craving a deeper connection to yourself—this one’s for you.

In this episode of The Alcohol-Free Rebellion, I’m joined by the fabulous Rachel — better known as Sober in Central Park. Rachel shares her powerful and refreshingly honest journey to sobriety, what it’s like navigating alcohol-free life in New York City, and how going sober led her to a whole new world — including working with Bravo's, Carl Radke.

We also get into her time on Summer House, how she’s now helping create truly fun and elevated alcohol-free events through SoftBar, and what it means to live fully present in a city that’s always tempting you to check out.

This episode is full of real talk, honest revelations, and a whole lot of inspiration — whether you’re sober, sober curious, or just here for the Bravo tea. You’re gonna love this one.

In this episode, I sit down with Kezia to unpack her deeply personal and inspiring alcohol-free journey. From drinking and dating while living abroad to navigating the emotional rollercoaster of relationships, Kezia opens up about the patterns she had to break, the lessons she learned along the way, and the moment she finally chose peace over chaos.

We talk about the emotional toll of seeking validation through drinking, how sobriety shifted her sense of self, and what it really looks like to reclaim your power. Whether you're sober curious or knee-deep in your own transformation, this episode is a reminder that freedom is possible—and it might be waiting on the other side of discomfort.

Kezia's IG: @thesoberelephantchronicles

The Sober Mom Life Cafe: https://thesobermomlife.com/

Abby's IG: @alcoholfreeabby