The Fizzy and Free Show: How to Quit Drinking as a Mom

In this episode of the Fizzy and Free Podcast, host Ashley discusses the challenges of summer vacation for moms, especially those who are sober. She openly shares her complicated feelings about summer, which she once loved, but now finds stressful with kids at home. Ashley provides practical tips to survive and even enjoy the summer without relying on alcohol. These include establishing a light routine, creating snack bins, scheduling joy, finding budget-friendly camps, and ensuring personal self-care moments. By focusing on what can be added to improve daily life rather than what needs to be taken away, Ashley encourages listeners to fill their cups in healthier ways. She concludes with a weekly reset challenge to help moms structure their days and find some personal joy amidst the summer chaos.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐- please rate and review this podcast, thanks!

00:00 Introduction to the Fizzy and Free Podcast

00:29 Why Summer Vacation Sucks

02:08 Old Habits and New Realizations

04:45 Challenges of Summer Break

10:52 Creating a New Summer Routine

12:52 Adding Joy and Structure

17:21 Final Tips and Encouragement

20:52 Conclusion and Next Week's Preview

In this episode of the Fizzy and Free Podcast, host Ashley shares her top eight tips for navigating summer events without alcohol. The episode is packed with practical advice, from knowing when to skip events that may trigger drinking, to having an exit plan, bringing your own non-alcoholic beverages, and even keeping your hands busy with games. Ashley emphasizes the importance of protecting your peace and establishing boundaries, and she offers strategies for reconditioning your brain to enjoy events without alcohol. Tune in for valuable insights and encouragement for moms seeking to raise kids, not glasses.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐: If you like this episode, please rate this podcast!

00:00 Introduction to the Fizzy and Free Podcast

00:33 Top Tips for Navigating Summer Events Alcohol-Free

01:29 Tip 1: Don't Go

02:32 Tip 2: Have an Exit Plan

04:12 Tip 3: Bring Your Own Drinks

05:56 Tip 4: Have Your Why Ready

07:23 Tip 5: Stay Busy

08:42 Tip 6: Bring a Fun Cup

09:34 Tip 7: Bring a Dish to Pass

10:26 Tip 8: Have Something Fun to Look Forward To

11:28 Bonus Tips and Conclusion

12:57 Closing Remarks and Disclaimer

Feeling stuck in the same old patterns — even when you know you want better for yourself and your family?
In this episode of the Fizzy and Free podcast, we’re talking all about mom brain, self-sabotage, and how to reprogram your subconscious mind to finally break free from survival mode.

You’ll learn:
✨ Why “mom brain” isn’t just funny — it’s biological (and reversible!)
✨ How your brain clings to old coping habits when you’re overwhelmed (hint: it’s not your fault)
✨ Simple ways to reset your mindset and build new, healthier pathways
✨ Why celebrating tiny wins matters more than getting it "perfect"
✨ How to choose real progress over numbing and start living aligned with your true priorities

If you’re tired of wash-rinse-repeat survival mode and ready to create a life you don’t feel the need to numb out from — this episode is for you.

Resources Mentioned:
🧠 Study on Pregnancy-Induced Brain Changes — Nature Neuroscience
🧠 Understanding the Stress Response — Harvard Health
🧠 How Habits Rewire Your Brain — Healthline

Ready for more support? 🎉
Flourish, my new membership for moms ready to trade survival mode for real, sustainable change, is opening soon!
🌟 Join the waitlist today and be the first to know when doors open: Grab Your Spot!

Feeling like you’re failing as a mom? You’re not alone—and you’re definitely not broken. In this episode of the Fizzy and Free Podcast, Ashley gets real about the myth of the "perfect mom" and why being hard on yourself has nothing to do with your worthiness. Discover how embracing real mom characteristics like emotional honesty and resilience—not perfection—will help you raise emotionally strong, deeply connected kids. Plus, learn why ditching the comparison trap can change everything for your motherhood journey. 🌟

👉 Ready to ditch shame and find real support? Join the waitlist for Flourish

Topics covered in this episode:

• Why moms are so hard on themselves

• How social media and perfection myths fuel burnout

• The power of emotional honesty over "perfect" parenting

• How to offer yourself the same compassion you give your kids

• Why real mom characteristics are what kids actually need

🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review if this episode resonated with you!

✨ Keep raising kids, not glasses.

Ever wonder if you're falling short because you don't fit the mold of a "good mom"? In this episode of the Fizzy and Free Podcast, Ashley uncovers the truth about mom characteristics that actually matter. Spoiler: it’s not about being perfect, patient, or Pinterest-worthy.

Ashley shares her personal journey from chasing the good mom myth (and using alcohol to cope) to embracing the real characteristics that make motherhood meaningful—like emotional honesty, resilience, and presence. 💛

If you're tired of perfectionism, exhausted by impossible standards, and ready to discover the mom characteristics that truly raise thriving kids, this conversation will feel like a deep exhale.

➡️ Want to embrace real motherhood with support?
Join the waitlist for Flourish, Ashley’s private community for moms who are ditching pressure, perfection, and maybe even the wine.
👉 Join the Waitlist Here

Topics Covered:

• Why the "perfect mom" is a myth (and harmful to real moms)

• Redefining good mom characteristics for today’s motherhood

• How emotional honesty strengthens your connection with your kids

• Why alcohol made Ashley’s motherhood harder, not easier

• How to cultivate resilience and presence without numbing out

• Simple ways to honor your real mom traits without shame

Mentioned in This Episode:

• How to Reset Your Nervous System

• How to Stop Alcohol Drinking When You're a Burned-Out Mom

• Flourish Membership Waitlist

Ever found yourself yelling over spilled milk and then immediately spiraling into guilt mode? You’re not alone—and you’re definitely not a bad mom.

In this episode of the Fizzy and Free Podcast, we’re getting real about mom rage: what it is, where it comes from, and how to actually manage it (without wine, sugar, or scrolling until your thumb goes numb). I’m sharing why those explosive moments have less to do with Cheerios on the floor and more to do with an overworked, under-supported nervous system that’s begging for a reset.

We’ll talk about the sneaky build-up that leads to those boiling-point moments, and I’ll walk you through some simple, doable tools—like box breathing, grounding, and the art of shaking it off (literally)—that you can use anywhere. You’ll also hear why repairing with your kids after a blow-up matters just as much as trying not to have one in the first place.

So if your nervous system is hanging by a thread, this episode is your permission slip to pause, reset, and try again—no shame required.

Episode Breakdown:

• 00:00 – Welcome to the Fizzy and Free Podcast

• 00:31 – What is mom rage really about?

• 01:32 – Emotional overload and invisible triggers

• 03:31 – Your nervous system, explained simply

• 04:41 – Quick and simple tools to calm the chaos

• 07:24 – How to repair after a ragey moment (and why it matters)

• 09:28 – Gentle encouragement + free resources

📥 Links & Resources:

In this episode of the Fizzy and Free Podcast, host Ashley, a sober mom, discusses the challenges of summer vacation for parents and offers tips for managing the chaos without relying on alcohol. Ashley shares personal anecdotes about her struggle with summer breaks and her transition to a more structured, alcohol-free routine. Key points include the importance of maintaining a light routine, creating small joys, and finding ways to fill your cup amidst the summer frenzy. Ashley encourages listeners to add positive elements to their lives and avoid feeling like victims of summer stress. She also provides practical advice on managing kids' activities, snack requests, and financial concerns while ensuring personal well-being.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - If you have found this episode helpful, please rate and review! Thanks

00:00 Introduction to the Fizzy and Free Podcast

00:29 Why Summer Vacation Sucks

02:08 Old Habits and New Realizations

04:45 Challenges of Summer Break

10:52 Creating a New Summer Routine

12:11 Adding Joy and Structure

15:15 Reclaiming Yourself During Summer

19:05 Final Tips and Encouragement

Finding Peace Through a Brain Dump: Easing the Mental Load

In this episode of 'Fizzy and Free,' host Ashley addresses the chaotic mental load that many moms experience. She discusses the overwhelming nature of juggling numerous responsibilities and offers a solution: the brain dump. Ashley explains how to effectively perform a brain dump to relieve mental clutter and gain clarity. She also emphasizes the importance of letting go of unnecessary burdens and seeking support. The episode encourages moms to take five minutes for themselves to declutter their minds and find a sense of peace.

00:00 Welcome and Introduction

01:38 The Mental Load: Understanding the Chaos

02:45 The Weight of Invisible Checklists

03:16 The Unsustainable Burden of People Pleasing

04:31 The Reality of Mental Overload

06:14 Escaping vs. Releasing the Chaos

07:21 The Brain Dump: A Powerful Tool

08:01 How to Perform a Brain Dump

09:51 Reflecting and Seeking Support

10:32 Final Encouragement and Call to Action

If you loved this episode, take a second to follow the show, leave a rating, and write a quick review—it helps other moms find this space and know they're not alone.

You can find Fizzy and Free on Instagram and Facebook @fizzyandfree, where you can enjoy daily encouragement, behind-the-scenes, and all the sober mom real talk.

And if you’re ready for even more support, tools, and connection, hop on the waitlist for Flourish, the private community for moms who are ready to raise kids, not glasses. Just head to fizzyandfree.com/flourish to save your spot.

Hey mama—feeling stuck in the cycle of wine o’clock, regret, repeat? If you’re wondering how to stop alcohol drinking but the idea of never drinking again feels overwhelming (or downright impossible), you are so not alone. In this episode, I’m walking you through my brand new Flourish Journal—a free resource packed with gentle, shame-free prompts to help you explore your relationship with alcohol.

I’m also sharing my own personal answers to some of the journal’s toughest questions—like what I thought I’d miss, what I was actually afraid of, and how motherhood monotony played a huge role in my drinking habits. It’s honest, it’s personal, and it’s exactly the kind of heart-to-heart I wish I’d had when I was starting out.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

• My go-to excuse for drinking after work—and what I’ve learned since quitting

• The emotional (and hilarious) truth behind my mom moment of the week

• How I romanticized alcohol and what I was really trying to escape

• What I thought I’d lose—and what I’ve actually gained—by cutting out alcohol

• How societal messages around drinking and motherhood keep us stuck

• A sneak peek at the Flourish Journal prompts and my personal reflections

• Why stopping drinking is about more than just willpower—it’s about support, too

Resources + Links Mentioned:

📘 Download the ⁠Flourish Journal⁠ – 7 powerful prompts to help you explore your drinking habits without guilt, shame, or pressure to quit cold turkey.

📝 Read the blog: ⁠How to Stop Alcohol Drinking When You're a Burned-Out Mom (Without Losing Your Mind or Your Social Life)⁠ – This post goes hand-in-hand with today’s episode and gives you a written version of everything we talked about (plus more insights you don’t want to miss).

👯‍♀️ Hop on the waitlist for ⁠Flourish with Fizzy and Free⁠ – A cozy, supportive membership for moms who are done white-knuckling it alone and ready to build a sober life that actually feels good.

💌

If you’ve ever whispered “I think I need to stop drinking” but didn’t know where to start, this is your sign. Hit play, grab the journal, and take one small (but powerful) step toward a life that feels lighter, calmer, and way more you.

🎙️ PS: Don’t forget to leave a quick review if this episode helped you—it helps more moms like us find their way to freedom.

Let’s be real—if you’ve ever rage-folded laundry or cried over spilled yogurt, this episode is for you. 😅 We’re digging deep into what’s really going on beneath the wine o’clock routine and unpacking a powerful (and slightly uncomfortable) truth: sobriety doesn’t just take away the booze—it brings back all the feelings.

In this episode, I’m talking about emotional sobriety—what it is, why it’s so hard, and how it’s actually one of the greatest gifts we can give ourselves and our kids.

What You’ll Hear:Why alcohol feels like it’s helping… until it’s not

• The truth behind the quote “a drunk mind speaks a sober heart”

• Why sobriety can feel like an emotional tsunami (spoiler: it’s normal)

• The difference between numbing and processing feelings

• How emotional sobriety helps us show up better for our kids

• Simple tools to regulate emotions without reaching for a drink

• Why learning to feel is messy—but also freaking powerful

If you’re early on in your alcohol-free journey or just curious about what life could look like without the nightly glass (or three), this episode will meet you right where you are—sweatpants, mom brain, and all.

Links + Resources:

✨ Grab my FREE 3-Day Video Series: Break the Day 1 Cycle – your kickstart to ditching the wine and finding freedom. Grab it here!

📬 Join the waitlist for Flourish – my cozy, supportive membership for moms ditching alcohol and building emotional strength → Hop on the waitlist

👯‍♀️ Connect with other sober moms inside my free Facebook group → Join here

📚 Book Mentioned: The Period Book: A Girl’s Guide to Growing Up by Karen Gravelle

If this episode made you laugh, cry, or just feel seen, share it with another mom who might need it. And don’t forget to tag me on Instagram—I’d love to cheer you on! 💕

Until next time, stay fizzy, stay free, and keep raising kids—not glasses. 🥂