Have you ever felt like the odd one out… and wondered if that’s a problem to fix or a gift to embrace?

In this episode, we explore what happens when you stop trying to fit in and start living from the truth of who God created you to be. If alcohol ever felt like a shortcut to belonging, you’re not alone—and you're not stuck. This conversation will challenge cultural expectations, reframe your sobriety journey, and invite you to rediscover the fun and freedom of standing out.

You’ll walk away with a fresh (and surprisingly joyful) perspective on being different, plus some practical ways to lighten the load and make this journey your own.

Whether you’re sober-curious or already walking the path, this episode will remind you: you were never made to blend in.

Ready to stop trying to just fit in and start embracing the woman you were truly made to be? Join us in the Sacred Sobriety Lab, where being different is totally normal.

Through August 31st, 2025, use code SUMMER25 for 25% off. Give yourself the reset you've been longing for because fitting in is completely overrated—being free is where the fun is.

Drop us a Question or Comment

I'm here for you. I'm praying for you. You are NOT alone!

Please subscribe to this podcast so you won't miss a thing!

👉🏻 JOIN THE FREE 5-DAY KICK START
https://the-catholic-sobriety-coach.myflodesk.com/5-day-sobriety-kick-start

Visit my Website: https://thecatholicsobrietycoach.com

What if the pain you’ve carried could become the path to someone else’s healing?

In this powerful episode, I sit down with Cathy Jo Lang—life coach, speaker, and host of The Unplanned Joyful Life podcast—who shares how her unplanned pregnancy, postpartum depression, and family history of alcoholism led her to a miraculous encounter with Jesus.

After being hospitalized just weeks after giving birth, Cathy Jo met a compassionate priest who helped her surrender the burden of shame. What happened next was nothing short of a miracle—one that sparked 36 years of freedom from depression and a life dedicated to helping young mothers find hope.

We talk about:

• The difference between trauma healing and future-focused coaching
• The scriptures that became her anchors (Philippians 4:13, Psalm 118:24, 2 Cor. 12:9)
• Why surrendering your weakness is the key to unlocking God’s power

This story will speak to anyone navigating recovery, shame, or the question: “Can God really use this?”

Spoiler alert: Yes. And it might just become your greatest ministry.

👉 Listen to Cathy’s podcast here: Unplanned Joyful Life Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-unplanned-joyful-life-catholic-church-ignite-your/id1764716429

👉 Learn more about her coaching: https://cathyjolangllc.com/

Drop us a Question or Comment

If you have ever...

• Struggled with the social pressures associated with alcohol use.
• Felt isolated, alone, and unsure of how to break the cycle.
• Experienced shame and frustration after drinking.
• Told yourself, “I’ll never get this. It’s no use.”

Then this 5-Day Sacred Sobriety Kick Start is for you! 

Each day, you’ll receive a short video with simple tasks to help you analyze your drinking habits with clarity.

I'm here for you. I'm praying for you. You are NOT alone!

Please subscribe to this podcast so you won't miss a thing!

👉🏻 JOIN THE FREE 5-DAY KICK START
https://the-catholic-sobriety-coach.myflodesk.com/5-day-sobriety-kick-start

Visit my Website: https://thecatholicsobrietycoach.com

What happens when the voice in your head saying "don't drink" keeps getting louder? In this vulnerable conversation, grandmother and retired occupational therapist Cindy Strachan shares her journey to almost 1,000 days of alcohol freedom after decades as a weekend drinker.

Unlike many sobriety stories, Cindy's doesn't involve hitting rock bottom or daily drinking. As a high-functioning perfectionist who reserved alcohol for weekends, she maintained a successful career and family life while battling with moderation. The breaking point? A simple family trip to the aquarium where, despite a mild hangover, she found herself too exhausted to fully engage with her grandson. "This isn't living," she realized.

What follows is a powerful story of faith and transformation. Now approaching three years sober, she's found freedom in being "sober loud" and breaking the stigma around choosing not to drink.

Cindy's message resonates deeply for women questioning their relationship with alcohol: "Stop asking yourself if you have a problem and start asking if you can do better." Her story demonstrates how neural pathways can be rewired, new habits can replace old ones, and authentic joy doesn't require alcohol. Whether you're sober curious or supporting someone who is, this conversation offers wisdom, hope, and practical advice for embracing a life of greater freedom and presence.

Mentioned in this video: What Alcohol Does to Your Body, Brain & Health | Dr. Andrew Huberman https://youtu.be/DkS1pkKpILY?si=XrfmneIiDcjGYqkZ

Find Cindy on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/otfingerfidgetsandfun/ and https://www.instagram.com/renewal.of.the.mind/

Drop us a Question or Comment

If you have ever...

• Struggled with the social pressures associated with alcohol use.
• Felt isolated, alone, and unsure of how to break the cycle.
• Experienced shame and frustration after drinking.
• Told yourself, “I’ll never get this. It’s no use.”

Then this 5-Day Sacred Sobriety Kick Start is for you! 

Each day, you’ll receive a short video with simple tasks to help you analyze your drinking habits with clarity.

I'm here for you. I'm praying for you. You are NOT alone!

Please subscribe to this podcast so you won't miss a thing!

👉🏻 JOIN THE FREE 5-DAY KICK START
https://the-catholic-sobriety-coach.myflodesk.com/5-day-sobriety-kick-start

Visit my Website: https://thecatholicsobrietycoach.com

Is moderation possible for you — or is it just another version of control?
In this episode, we explore what moderation really looks like for Catholic women who want peace with alcohol but feel stuck in cycles of "rules and regrets." You'll learn why willpower alone isn't the answer, how your habits and healing are connected, and what to watch for when discernment gets cloudy.

Through a blend of Catholic faith, neuroscience, and coaching, you’ll uncover new insight into your drinking patterns — and what they may be pointing to beneath the surface. Whether you're considering sobriety, questioning moderation, or craving clarity, this episode offers the mindset shifts and spiritual support you need.

✨ Plus, discover how real transformation happens in community — and how to take the next step with us inside the Sacred Sobriety Lab.

👉🏻 Join The Sacred Sobriety Lab
https://sacredsobrietylab.com Use code: SUMMER25 to get 25% off through August 31st, 2025

Book a FREE Clarity Call: https://app.paperbell.com/checkout/packages/38683

Drop us a Question or Comment

I'm here for you. I'm praying for you. You are NOT alone!

Please subscribe to this podcast so you won't miss a thing!

👉🏻 JOIN THE FREE 5-DAY KICK START
https://the-catholic-sobriety-coach.myflodesk.com/5-day-sobriety-kick-start

Visit my Website: https://thecatholicsobrietycoach.com

Ever notice how your hand automatically reaches for a drink after a long day? That's not weakness—it's your brain's efficient autopilot system at work. But what happens when you decide to drink less or take a break from alcohol altogether?

When reducing alcohol, feeling a bit off isn't a sign something's wrong—it's evidence of transformation. Your body isn't just missing alcohol; it's rebuilding neural pathways, rebalancing brain chemistry, and healing from nutrient depletion. The discomfort is temporary and purposeful.


Ready to build something new? Download the dopamine menu guide mentioned in this episode and take that first small, nourishing step today. One grace-filled moment at a time, you're laying down new neural pathways and strengthening trust in yourself.

Dopamine Menu Download: https://the-catholic-sobriety-coach.myflodesk.com/dopaminemenu

Drop us a Question or Comment

I'm here for you. I'm praying for you. You are NOT alone!

Please subscribe to this podcast so you won't miss a thing!

👉🏻 JOIN THE FREE 5-DAY KICK START
https://the-catholic-sobriety-coach.myflodesk.com/5-day-sobriety-kick-start

Visit my Website: https://thecatholicsobrietycoach.com

Ever wondered why wine is suddenly pink, skinny, and organic—or why every momfluencer has a glass in hand with hashtags like #WineOClock or #MommysLittleHelper? The answer lies in a carefully orchestrated shift in alcohol marketing that has fundamentally changed women's relationship with drinking.

The billion-dollar alcohol industry recognized a golden opportunity when their traditional male market began declining in the early 2000s. Their solution? Target stressed, exhausted women—especially moms—with a completely reimagined marketing approach. What followed was nothing short of an identity assault, where alcohol wasn't just a beverage but positioned as self-care, freedom, and the well-deserved reward for every overwhelmed woman.

This episode pulls back the curtain on these strategic tactics and their devastating impact. But this isn't a message of despair—it's an invitation to reclaim your power.

I share practical steps to begin questioning your relationship with alcohol, reframing your thoughts around drinking less, and finding the spiritual clarity that may have been muted by that evening glass of wine. Because you were never meant to be a statistic in someone else's marketing campaign—you were created for authentic joy, presence, and peace.

Download my free guide "50 Creative Ways to Say No to a Drink" to start your journey to freedom today: https://the-catholic-sobriety-coach.myflodesk.com/50-ways-to-decline-a-drink

Just a few resources to check out:

Alcohol & Spirits Influencer Marketing | Open Influence (this details why influencer marketing is a MUST for alcohol and Spirits Brands)
https://openinfluence.com/alcohol-spirits-influencer-marketing/

Alcohol and breast Cancer | NY Post https://nypost.com/2025/06/06/health/14-out-of-100-women-who-do-this-every-week-will-get-breast-cancer/

Binge Drinking in Midlife is Accelerating | NewsWise
https://www.newswise.com/articles/women-are-drinking-more-during-midlife-and-older-ages-binge-drinking-during-midlife-is-accelerating

Number of alcohol-related Deaths Among Women Skyrockets in US as "wine culture" is blamed for dramatic Increase | The Sun
https://www.the-sun.com/health/13007757/alcohol-related-deaths-united-states-health-warning-study

One Drink a Day Associated with Brain Shrinkage | Alzheimer's Disease Research Center: https://www.adrc.wisc.edu/dementia-matters/alcohol-and-brain-one-drink-day-associated-brain-shrinkage

Drop us a Question or Comment

I'm here for you. I'm praying for you. You are NOT alone!

Please subscribe to this podcast so you won't miss a thing!

👉🏻 JOIN THE FREE 5-DAY KICK START
https://the-catholic-sobriety-coach.myflodesk.com/5-day-sobriety-kick-start

Visit my Website: https://thecatholicsobrietycoach.com

Freedom isn't just a concept we celebrate on July 4th—it's something we can experience in our relationship with alcohol too. If you've found yourself drinking more than intended at social gatherings or automatically reaching for that glass of wine after a long day, this episode offers a practical pathway to greater independence.

What if this Independence Day became your personal liberation celebration? I'm sharing a complete freedom plan that helps you approach holiday gatherings with intention instead of anxiety. This isn't about deprivation—it's about choosing peace, presence, and clarity on your own terms.

We walk through seven practical steps that make all the difference. Each step builds your confidence and reconnects you with your authentic self.

The most transformative insight? You're not missing out by drinking less—you're gaining something profoundly more valuable.

Whether you're curious about moderation, taking a break from alcohol, or seeking resources for a sober-curious friend, this episode provides gentle, practical guidance rooted in faith and neurological understanding. Every small step you take is building new patterns that lead to greater freedom. We're walking this journey together, one joyful, sometimes awkward, totally Holy Spirit-led step at a time.

Check out my latest YouTube video: Quit Explaining Your No" - 5 Secrets High-Achieving Midlife Catholic Women Use to Refuse Drinks https://youtu.be/LcTuAupJup0?si=Bvvogl3WzspVUjXu

Also,  Here's the freebie I mentioned in this episode!

 50 Ways to Creatively Decline a Drink: https://the-catholic-sobriety-coach.myflodesk.com/50-ways-to-decline-a-drink

Save it, print it, keep it in your back pocket for any social situation. You've got this! 

Drop us a Question or Comment

If you have ever...

• Struggled with the social pressures associated with alcohol use.
• Felt isolated, alone, and unsure of how to break the cycle.
• Experienced shame and frustration after drinking.
• Told yourself, “I’ll never get this. It’s no use.”

Then this 5-Day Sacred Sobriety Kick Start is for you! 

Each day, you’ll receive a short video with simple tasks to help you analyze your drinking habits with clarity.

I'm here for you. I'm praying for you. You are NOT alone!

Please subscribe to this podcast so you won't miss a thing!

👉🏻 JOIN THE FREE 5-DAY KICK START
https://the-catholic-sobriety-coach.myflodesk.com/5-day-sobriety-kick-start

Visit my Website: https://thecatholicsobrietycoach.com

After nearly 28 years of sobriety and countless inquiries, I'm finally sharing my honest thoughts about Alcoholics Anonymous. This deeply personal episode explores why, as a Catholic woman, I ultimately needed something beyond what AA could provide.

AA gave me structure, language, and community when I desperately needed it. God used it to guide me toward sobriety when I had nowhere else to turn, and for that, I'll always be profoundly grateful. Yet as my faith deepened, I began noticing disconnects that I couldn't ignore – the vague "higher power" language, the continuous self-identification as "an alcoholic," and the repetition of powerlessness that eventually wore on my spirit.

This isn't about choosing sides or claiming one path is universally better than another. There are thousands of ways to recover from addiction - and the best one, is the one that works for YOU! 

AA serves vital purposes for countless people. But if you've felt uncomfortable or questioned whether there's room for your Catholic faith in your recovery journey, you're not alone. Asking these questions isn't a betrayal – it might be the Holy Spirit inviting you into something deeper, more aligned with who God created you to be.

Visit thecatholicsobrietycoach.com to learn more about faith-centered approaches to sobriety or connect on Instagram @thecatholicsobrietycoach to continue this important conversation.

Resources:

Sister Ignatia: The Nun behind Alcoholics Anonymous:
https://aleteia.org/2017/09/22/sister-ignatia-the-catholic-nun-behind-alcoholics-anonymous/

Deliriants and Spirituality: AA Founder Bill Wilson’s Path to Sobriety
https://www.samwoolfe.com/2024/03/aa-founder-bill-wilson-psychedelic-sober.html

Alcoholics Anonymous has it origins in the occult
https://carm.org/alcoholics-anonymous/alcoholics-anonymous-and-the-occult/

Drop us a Question or Comment

If you have ever...

• Struggled with the social pressures associated with alcohol use.
• Felt isolated, alone, and unsure of how to break the cycle.
• Experienced shame and frustration after drinking.
• Told yourself, “I’ll never get this. It’s no use.”

Then this 5-Day Sacred Sobriety Kick Start is for you! 

Each day, you’ll receive a short video with simple tasks to help you analyze your drinking habits with clarity.

I'm here for you. I'm praying for you. You are NOT alone!

Please subscribe to this podcast so you won't miss a thing!

👉🏻 JOIN THE FREE 5-DAY KICK START
https://the-catholic-sobriety-coach.myflodesk.com/5-day-sobriety-kick-start

Visit my Website: https://thecatholicsobrietycoach.com

Ever found yourself anxious about how you'll handle summer gatherings without overdoing it on alcohol? You're not alone. That mental game of "How will I manage vacation drinking?" or "What will people think if I skip the wine?" plagues many Catholic women who are trying to be more mindful about their relationship with alcohol.

In this honest conversation, I share why summer can feel particularly challenging for those working to drink less. Drawing from both personal experience and client stories, I explore how those seemingly reasonable plans to "just enjoy a few drinks" can quickly spiral into broken promises, guilt, and missed moments with loved ones. One client powerfully described her vacation experience: "I thought I was supposed to be relaxing, but instead I felt completely out of control."

The good news? Having thoughts about drinking doesn't mean you must act on them. Through building awareness and resilience, it's possible to notice those urges without spiraling or panicking. This discovery led me to create a new (SUPER affordable!) Summer Challenge for Catholic Women—a structured yet grace-filled approach to drinking less without sacrificing joy or connection. 

Summer truly can be both sacred and fun—and you absolutely can drink less while being more present more. Visit thecatholicsobrietycoach.com to secure your spot today - or click on the link below.

Join the Sober-ish Summer Challenge for Catholic women!
https://courses.drinklessornotatall.com/courses/soberishsummer62

Drop us a Question or Comment

I'm here for you. I'm praying for you. You are NOT alone!

Please subscribe to this podcast so you won't miss a thing!

👉🏻 JOIN THE FREE 5-DAY KICK START
https://the-catholic-sobriety-coach.myflodesk.com/5-day-sobriety-kick-start

Visit my Website: https://thecatholicsobrietycoach.com

Have you ever battled that sinking feeling of discouragement while trying to change your relationship with alcohol? That overwhelming sense that maybe your efforts don't matter, that progress seems impossible, or that your excuses are simply too powerful to overcome?

In this deeply vulnerable episode, I share my recent struggle with discouragement in my own ministry. Despite years of helping women find freedom from alcohol dependence, I found myself questioning if my work was making any difference—if anyone even cared about the message of alcohol freedom. This raw conversation reveals how discouragement functions not just as an emotion, but as one of the enemy's most powerful weapons against our growth and freedom.

Discouragement thrives on fear, doubt, and obstacles. It zeroes in on our vulnerabilities and tries to blind us to the truth of who we are and whose we are. The enemy wants us to fixate on our failures, forget God's goodness, and believe we're incapable of meaningful change. But there's profound hope in recognizing this spiritual attack for what it is.

Whether you're just beginning to question your relationship with alcohol or you're well along your sobriety journey, this episode offers comfort, solidarity, and practical wisdom for those moments when discouragement threatens to derail your progress. Remember: God's grace is sufficient, His power is made perfect in weakness, and with His help, you can push through even the toughest days.

Walking with Purpose Catholic Women’s Bible Study: https://walkingwithpurpose.com/bible-study/

Drop us a Question or Comment

If you have ever...

• Struggled with the social pressures associated with alcohol use.
• Felt isolated, alone, and unsure of how to break the cycle.
• Experienced shame and frustration after drinking.
• Told yourself, “I’ll never get this. It’s no use.”

Then this 5-Day Sacred Sobriety Kick Start is for you! 

Each day, you’ll receive a short video with simple tasks to help you analyze your drinking habits with clarity.

I'm here for you. I'm praying for you. You are NOT alone!

Please subscribe to this podcast so you won't miss a thing!

👉🏻 JOIN THE FREE 5-DAY KICK START
https://the-catholic-sobriety-coach.myflodesk.com/5-day-sobriety-kick-start

Visit my Website: https://thecatholicsobrietycoach.com