The Alcohol Myth Podcast

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Looking for community?  Support?  Reach out!  We want to connect with you and support your journey to alcohol freedom.

Send us an email at [email protected]

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https://alcoholmyth.com/home

Find Jonathan at https://livecreativeaf.com/

Find Ellen at https://ellenbiggscoaching.com/

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If you have ever felt like a failure because you had to reset your "sober counter" to zero, this episode is for you.

We have all been there. You get a few days or weeks under your belt, things feel good, and then a "slip" happens. Suddenly, all that progress feels like it was deleted. But what if we stopped looking at those moments as failures and started looking at them as data?

In this episode of The Alcohol Myth, Ellen and I pull back the curtain on how we actually track progress. We talk about the "lengthening" strategy that helps you build momentum without the soul-crushing pressure of "forever." We also dive into the science of dopamine: why things feel "meh" in the beginning and how your brain eventually turns the joy receptors back on.

You do not need more willpower. You just need a better way to understand what you are feeling and why you are reaching for that next drink.

Inside this episode:
The Dopamine Rush: Why doing "impossible" things (like hosting a dinner party without wine) is the ultimate motivator.
To Count or Not to Count: When tracking every day is helpful and when it is time to stop.
The Data Point Secret: How to use a drinking episode to get the "unlock" you need for long term freedom.
Accountability: Why some people need to share their goals and why others should keep them quiet.

Chapters: 
0:00 The dopamine rush of doing the "impossible" 
1:10 Do you actually know your day count? 
3:22 The strategy of "lengthening" your goals 
7:15 What alcohol does to your brain's joy receptors 
12:05 To tell or not to tell? The accountability debate 
22:41 What is a "data point" and why does it matter? 
29:01 Better ways to track progress than just a number 
35:24 A practical challenge for your next five days

Ready to take back control? If you are tired of the moderation loop and want to see what the work is actually like, we would love to help. 👉 https://alcoholmyth.com/contact

Looking for community?  Support?  Reach out!  We want to connect with you and support your journey to alcohol freedom.  Hit subscribe to keep up with new episodes. 

Send us an email at [email protected]

Or check out our websites 

Find Jonathan at https://livecreativeaf.com/

Find Ellen at https://ellenbiggscoaching.com/

Send us Fan Mail

Do you feel like you’re drinking more than you want to, but don’t feel like you’ve hit a "rock bottom"?

In this episode of the Alcohol Myth Podcast, coaches Ellen Biggs and Jonathan pull back the curtain on the dominant narrative that you have to lose everything before you can choose a different path. We explore the concept of the "Unwelcome Invitation"—those uncomfortable moments, health scares, or quiet realizations that act as a catalyst for change long before a crisis occurs.

Whether you identify as "sober curious" or are looking for a new way to understand your relationship with alcohol without labels like "alcoholic" or the traditional 12-step approach, this conversation is for you. We discuss the power of self-compassion, the science of effective liminal psychology, and why alcohol is often just a "shitty consolation prize" keeping you from a bigger life.

In this episode, we cover:

Why the "Rock Bottom" myth is damaging and keeps people trapped.

How to recognize and accept an "Unwelcome Invitation" to change.

The role of self-compassion in building a life you don't want to escape from.

Personal stories of recovery, resilience, and finding freedom through This Naked Mind methodology.

Connect with us: Have questions or a story to share? Email us at [email protected]. We read every message!

Chapters
0:00 - The Importance of the Sober Curious Conversation 
1:26 - Defining the "Unwelcome Invitation" 
2:42 - Breaking the Rock Bottom Myth: Do You Have to Lose it All? 
4:53 - Ellen’s Story: The Quiet Realization Before the Change 
7:23 - You Don't Have to Call Yourself an Alcoholic 
8:33 - Trying "All the Things" vs. Doing the Internal Work 
10:55 - Jonathan’s Experience: DUI Near-Misses and Health Warnings 
14:13 - The Turning Point: How Drinking Impacts Those We Love 18:23 - Finding This Naked Mind and the Path to Freedom 
21:57 - The Power of Mindfulness and Compassion in Recovery 
24:44 - The Journey is the Point: Life on the Other Side 
27:40 - How to Accept the Invitation When You’re in Pain 
33:02 - Is Alcohol Your "Shitty Consolation Prize"? 
35:46 - Why Self-Compassion is a Prerequisite for Change 
38:14 - A Message of Hope: It’s Always Darkest Before the Dawn

#SoberCurious #AlcoholFree #ThisNaked Mind #TheAlcoholMyth #Sobriety #SelfCompassion #MindfulDrinking

Looking for community?  Support?  Reach out!  We want to connect with you and support your journey to alcohol freedom.

Send us an email at [email protected]

Or check out our websites 

Find Jonathan at https://livecreativeaf.com/

Find Ellen at https://ellenbiggscoaching.com/

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Certified Coaches Jonathan Ball and Ellen Biggs of The Alcohol Myth dive deep into Alcohol and Society, the second of the "Three S's" of alcohol (Substance, Society, and Self).

Discover how pervasive drinking culture, societal pressure, and media romanticization influence our choices and make questioning your relationship with alcohol feel isolating.

In this episode, you'll learn about:
Societal Pressure: How the universal need for acceptance and belonging often drives the first drink and continued use.

Media Glorification: The impact of drinking culture and the romanticization of alcohol in media and TV shows (like Scandal and How I Met Your Mother).

The Disconnect: Why the media's failure to show negative consequences (like hangovers, anxiety, or guilt) creates a massive disconnect for those struggling with drinking.

AF Strategies: Practical ways to navigate social scenes on your alcohol-free journey, including going incognito, using AF drinks, and communicating with friends.

Finding Your Tribe: The power of connecting with an alcohol-free community and "Quit Lit" to counter cultural messaging.

Quick Takeaways for Your AF Journey:
Practice Compassion: Understand that the fear about changing your relationships is natural and universal.

Counter the Messages: Actively incorporate stories and communities of people who love sobriety.

It's Your Business: You don't owe anyone an explanation about how to stop drinking; your decision is your own.

Watch the Media: Pay attention to how alcohol is depicted in your favorite TV shows and movies to recognize the pervasive cultural messages.

Timestamps for Navigation: 
0:27 - Introducing the hosts and the Three S's (Substance, Society, Self) 
1:33 - Societal pressure and the first drink 
8:19 - Alcohol is romanticized in media 
11:37 - Why the media portrayal is a facade 
14:05 - Finding your alcohol-free tribe 
19:48 - Fear of change and maintaining belonging 
22:28 - Strategies for going "incognito" (AF drinks, texts) 
34:39 - Quick tips for starting your alcohol-free journey

If this conversation resonated with you, please like, share, and subscribe!

The Alcohol Myth podcast helps you question your relationship with alcohol and navigate your journey without so much pain and anxiety.

#alcoholandsociety #drinkingculture #alcoholfreejourney #sobriety #quittingalcohol #QuitLit #alcoholinmedia #societalpressure #thealcoholmyth

Looking for community?  Support?  Reach out!  We want to connect with you and support your journey to alcohol freedom.

Send us an email at [email protected]

Or check out our websites 

Find Jonathan at https://livecreativeaf.com/

Find Ellen at https://ellenbiggscoaching.com/

Send us Fan Mail

Have you ever wondered why a few drinks to "relax" often leads to a racing heart and anxiety at 3:00 AM? In this episode of The Alcohol Myth, Jonathan and Ellen break down the actual biology of what alcohol does to the human body.

We often blame ourselves for not having enough willpower, but the truth is often just simple chemistry. We explain the science behind the "stimulant-depressant" cycle, why you can never quite chase down that initial buzz, and the role of chemicals like dynorphin, cortisol, and adrenaline in creating "hangxiety."

If you’ve ever felt shame about your drinking habits, this episode is a must-watch. Learn why your body reacts the way it does, why withdrawal isn't just something that happens to extreme cases, and how to use curiosity and compassion to change your relationship with alcohol.

In this video, we cover:

The Science of "Hangxiety": Why alcohol spikes your stress hormones hours after you stop drinking.

The Dynorphin Effect: Why the "high" from alcohol only lasts 20 minutes and why you feel lower afterwards.

The 3 AM Wake-Up Call: The biological reason you wake up sweaty and anxious in the middle of the night.

The 10-12 Day Reset: How long it actually takes for alcohol to fully leave your system.

Practical Tips: How to use the "Wait" experiment to understand your body's signals.

Timestamps:

0:00 - Intro: The myth of the "alcoholic" vs. normal drinker

1:07 - Ellen’s Win: Navigating "Firsts" (FFTs) with friends alcohol-free

2:51 - Jonathan’s Win: The power of vulnerability

5:50 - The 3:00 AM Panic: Personal stories of sleeplessness and shame

11:00 - The Science: Stimulant vs. Depressant & The Dynorphin Drop

16:00 - Why you feel anxious: Cortisol, Adrenaline, and the body's fight for homeostasis

22:30 - Practical Tools: Using curiosity and the "Wait" technique

26:40 - The 10-12 Day Rule: Understanding how long alcohol stays in your system

#AlcoholFree #Sobriety #ScienceOfAlcohol #Hangxiety #MentalHealth #TheAlcoholMyth #Wellness #QuitDrinking #biology 

Looking for community?  Support?  Reach out!  We want to connect with you and support your journey to alcohol freedom.

Send us an email at [email protected]

Or check out our websites 

Find Jonathan at https://livecreativeaf.com/

Find Ellen at https://ellenbiggscoaching.com/

Send us Fan Mail

Deciding to take a break from alcohol is a massive first step—but how do you actually get through those critical first few days? Whether you are starting Dry January, a 30-day challenge, or just a personal pause, stringing together those early alcohol-free (AF) days can feel overwhelming.

In this episode of The Alcohol Myth Podcast, coaches Jonathan and Ellen dive deep into the tactical and emotional tools you need to navigate the early stages of sobriety. We share our personal stories—from Ellen’s "driver’s ed" guardrails to Jonathan’s "magic trick" mindset shift—and discuss why community and planning are more important than willpower.

What we cover in this episode:
The Power of Planning: Why you need to plan your evenings down to the minute (including snacks and treats!).

Building Community: Why finding a "shared space" makes the hard days easier.

The Curiosity Mindset: Shifting from "I can't drink" to "What if I don't?"

Self-Compassion: Why beating yourself up is the fastest way to fail.

The Live Alcohol Experiment: How to get daily coaching and support for your alcohol-free journey.

🔗 RESOURCES MENTIONED
Live Alcohol Experiment (January): Join Jonathan and other coaches for 31 days of live support https://go.livealcoholexperiment.com/join-today

Live Naked AF by Annie Grace: Pre-order the new book for special access to the experiment https://thisnakedmind.com/live-naked-af/  

📬 CONNECT WITH US: Have a question or a story to share? We read every message! Email us: [email protected]

Find Jonathan at https://livecreativeaf.com/

Find Ellen at https://ellenbiggscoaching.com/

CHAPTERS
00:00 Intro: Life on the other side of alcohol 
00:53 Why the first few days are critical 
01:58 Ellen’s Story: Using "Guardrails" to get through week one 
04:38 The 2 pillars: Community and Planning 
07:23 Breaking the isolation: Finding your people 
10:34 Moving from 4 days to a 21-day challenge 
13:03 Self-Discovery: Redefining your relationship with alcohol 
17:41 Advice: Don't make it about "Forever" 
19:45 Jonathan’s Story: The "Magic Trick" of mindset shifts 
24:20 Dealing with setbacks and grief 
32:30 How to join the Live Alcohol Experiment in January 
37:02 3 Quick Tips for your first AF days 
41:34 Final thoughts: Be kind to yourself

#DryJanuary #AlcoholFree #SobrietyTips #ThisNaked Mind #TheAlcoholMyth #SobrietyPodcast #AlcoholExperiment #MindfulDrinking

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Are you planning for Dry January but dreading the feeling of deprivation? You don’t need more willpower, but a new perspective.

In this episode of The Alcohol Myth Podcast, hosts Jonathan and Ellen break down how to approach Dry January 2026 with lightness, curiosity, and self-compassion. Instead of white-knuckling through 31 days, learn how to use this month as a powerful experiment to re-examine your relationship with alcohol and uncover what you’re really feeling.

Whether you're aiming for a full dry month or a "damp January," we share practical tips to make this season a success without the pressure of perfection. Discover the difference between behavior-based goals and emotion-based goals, and find out why "failing" might actually teach you more than a perfect track record.

In this video, we cover:

0:00 - Intro: Why curiosity is better than willpower

1:00 - The opportunity of a January reset

2:26 - Why Dry January doesn't have to be "All or Nothing"

6:33 - Treating sobriety as an experiment

9:05 - Emotion-Based Goals vs. Behavior-Based Goals

13:25 - Uncovering the "Why" behind your drinking

18:10 - The mental clarity of an alcohol-free life

20:35 - Practical Tip 1: Writing down your emotional "Why"

22:45 - Practical Tip 2: Mindful drinking & curiosity practice

24:37 - Practical Tip 3: Making it fun (Mocktails, treats & rewards)

28:46 - Finding accountability and support

About The Alcohol Myth Podcast: We are coaches trained in This Naked Mind and affective liminal psychology who spent decades falling for the alcohol myth. Now, we help you take back control by changing your relationship with alcohol from the inside out. You don't need to hit rock bottom to make a change.

Connect with us: Have questions, stories, or need an accountability buddy? We’d love to hear from you! 📧 Email us: [email protected]. 

Find Jonathan at https://livecreativeaf.com/

Find Ellen at https://ellenbiggscoaching.com/

🔔 Subscribe for more insights on navigating life alcohol-free!

#DryJanuary #SoberCurious #AlcoholFree #ThisNakedMind #QuitDrinking #DryJanuaryTips #AlcoholFree2026 #MindfulDrinking #TheAlcoholMyth

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Why do we drink, and why is it so hard to stop even when we know we should? In this episode, Jonathan and Ellen dive deep into the layers of belief that shape our relationship with alcohol.

We move beyond the surface-level advice and explore the "Three S's" framework—Substance, Society, and Self. Whether you are sober curious, struggling to quit, or looking for deeper freedom in your alcohol-free journey, this conversation reveals why willpower isn't enough and what is actually required for lasting transformation.

Join us as we share personal stories about navigating anxiety without booze, the trap of "all-or-nothing" thinking (even with sugar!), and practical tools to help you pause and find the root cause of your cravings.

In this video, we cover:

The 3 S's Framework: A powerful tool to organize and understand your beliefs about alcohol.

The Truth About "Relief": Why alcohol often causes the very anxiety we try to cure with it.

Navigating Social Pressure: How to handle the fear of not belonging or losing friends.

The "Self" Layer: Digging into the deep-seated feelings of worthiness and trauma that drive addiction.

The W.A.I.T. Method: A simple, actionable tactic to use when a craving strikes.

Timestamps:

0:00 - Intro: Consistency over perfection (The Shower Analogy)

0:48 - Ellen’s Week: Confusing the need for rest with a craving for a drink

3:25 - Jonathan’s Story: Sugar binges and "All-or-Nothing" thinking

6:30 - The 3 Layers of Belief: Substance, Society, and Self

12:00 - Deconstructing Substance: Does wine actually make food taste better?

16:20 - Deconstructing Society: The fear of losing friends and belonging

21:15 - Deconstructing Self: The deep work of worthiness and self-compassion

30:25 - Where to start? Practical tips for beginners

32:12 - The W.A.I.T. Acronym: A tool to stop cravings in their tracks

#QuitDrinking #Sobriety #AlcoholFree #MentalHealth #AddictionRecovery #TheAlcoholMyth #SoberCurious #PersonalGrowth

Looking for community?  Support?  Reach out!  We want to connect with you and support your journey to alcohol freedom.

Send us an email at [email protected]

Or check out our websites 

Find Jonathan at https://livecreativeaf.com/

Find Ellen at https://ellenbiggscoaching.com/