The Sober Butterfly Podcast

Send us Fan Mail

Return of the Sober Butterfly- Nadine's Life Updates, Summer Adventures, and Starting 75 Hard

Watch the full episode on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/aoJZ0Igm08o

In this episode, Nadine returns after a two-month hiatus to provide life updates and catch listeners up on her summer experiences. She discusses her high-functioning depression, a challenging summer job, and a rigorous but ultimately unsuccessful attempt to become a Pilates instructor. Nadine also shares details about her adventurous trek in the Andes Mountains of Peru, the challenges she faced, and how it provided her with clarity. She concludes the episode by announcing her plan to finish the year strong by undertaking the 75 Hard challenge. Listeners are invited to join her journey and follow her updates on Instagram.

00:00 Introduction and Catching Up
00:38 Life Updates and Sobriety Journey
03:04 Dealing with Depression and Burnout
06:49 Summer Job and Overcommitment
09:11 Pilates Training Struggles
16:57 Vacation in Peru
20:02 Altitude Sickness and Rainbow Mountain
30:21 Struggles of the First Night
31:29 Meeting the Group and Guide
32:10 Facing Physical Challenges
33:56 Bathroom Woes and Remedies
35:49 Unexpected Companions
37:47 Reaching the Mountain Peak
42:44 The Journey Continues
49:18 Reflecting on the Trek
51:12 Post-Trek Adventures
54:45 Planning for the Future

🦋 Let’s Stay Connected:

• Subscribe to The Sober Butterfly podcast
• Leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review if this episode resonated
• Follow Nadine on Instagram: @thesoberbutterfly

Sponsor:
Classpass
https://classpass.com/refer/MQ30HIPH11
exclusive free trial (with 20 bonus credits!)

Support the show

Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services refereed to in this episode.

Send us Fan Mail

In this powerful and deeply personal episode of The Sober Butterfly Podcast, host Nadine sits down with journalism professor and author Mallary Tenore Tarpley to discuss the nuanced realities of eating disorder recovery—and its often-overlooked intersection with sobriety.

Mallary’s forthcoming book, Slip: Life in the Middle of Eating Disorder Recovery, explores the idea of the “middle place”—that in-between space where you’re no longer in crisis, but not yet fully healed. Together, Nadine and Mallary unpack their personal struggles with body dysmorphia, disordered eating, drunkorexia, and the pressure to appear “recovered.”

🔔 Trigger Warning: This episode includes discussion of eating disorders, body image, and co-occurring substance use. Please listen with care.

🔍 In This Episode:

• What it means to live in the “middle place” of recovery
• The overlap between eating disorders and substance abuse (aka “drunkorexia”)
• Social media’s impact on body image and recovery
• The difference between disordered eating and a clinical eating disorder
• How to practice self-compassion in non-linear healing journeys
• Nadine’s personal reflections on sobriety, mental health, and her recent sobriety anniversary
• Why recovery is ongoing—and that “slipping” doesn’t mean failing

📚 Pre-Order Mallary’s Book:

➡️ Slip: Life in the Middle of Eating Disorder Recovery
Pre-order here: https://amzn.to/40caUI6

Follow Mallary on Instagram

@mallarytenoretarpley

🦋 Let’s Stay Connected:

• Subscribe to The Sober Butterfly podcast
• Leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review if this episode resonated
• Follow Nadine on Instagram: @thesoberbutterfly

Support the show

Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services refereed to in this episode.

Send us Fan Mail

Welcome to summer, Butterflies! ☀️ In this solo episode of The Sober Butterfly Podcast, host Nadine kicks off the season with a fun and empowering guide to having your best summer yet—without alcohol. From movement routines to mocktail orders, Nadine shares her Hot Girl Sober Summer Essentials List—10 intentional, joy-filled tools to help you feel confident, grounded, and free all summer long.

You’ll hear:
 ✨ The 10 Essentials for a Hot Girl Sober Summer
 🥂 How to craft your go-to non-alcoholic drink order
 🎶 Why every sober girl needs a mood-boosting playlist
 🧘🏾‍♀️ The power of routines, movement, and mindful spending
 🧡 A reminder that you don’t need alcohol to have a beautiful summer
👯‍♀️ Details on the upcoming Hot Girl Sober Summer in Central Park event happening July 20th!

🎵 Hot Girl Sober Summer Playlist → Listen on Spotify 

🗓️ Join us IRL!
Save your spot for the Hot Girl Sober Summer event in Central Park with Nadine, Kat (@soberfitgirl), and Rachel (@soberincentralpark) – tickets available here!

🔗 Resources & Links:

• 🎶 Playlist: Hot Girl Sober Summer – Spotify
• 🎟️ Event Tickets: Hot Girl Sober Summer in Central Park
• 💌 Connect: Follow Nadine on Instagram @the.soberbutterfly

💬 If you enjoyed this episode:

✔️ Rate & review the show
 ✔️ Share it with a sober bestie
 ✔️ Tag @the.soberbutterfly in your Hot Girl Sober Summer moments!

Support the show

Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services refereed to in this episode.

Send us Fan Mail

In this raw and powerful episode of The Sober Butterfly Podcast, host Nadine sits down with Sarah from She Stays Sober for a deeply personal conversation about what sobriety really looks like behind the highlight reels.

Sarah shares her journey to sobriety—getting sober in March 2020 at the height of the pandemic, a time when many people’s drinking escalated. We explore what life looked like in her drinking days, what triggered her decision to stop, and how her recovery has evolved.

This episode also gets honest about mental health in sobriety. Both Nadine and Sarah open up about living with depression—even while sober—and the hard truth that recovery doesn't magically erase mental illness. They also dive into the stigma around taking prescribed medications or controlled substances for mental health, especially within the sober community.

If you’ve ever wondered, “Am I doing recovery wrong because I’m still struggling?”—this conversation is for you.

✨ In this episode, we discuss:

• Sarah’s unique journey to sobriety during the pandemic
• What life looked like before sobriety
• Living with depression in sobriety
• The stigma around taking medication for mental health
• The importance of nuance, compassion, and staying open
• Reframing what “being sober” really means
• Finding community and sharing the messy middle of healing

🎧 Tune in now on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Don’t forget to rate, review, and share the episode to help others discover the show.

Follow the guests & resources mentioned:
@shesstayssober
@the.soberbutterfly @soberbutterflypodcast

Resources Mentioned in the Episode 📘

• Alan Carr's Easy Way To Quit Smoking

Partners

🌿  Sakara –Use Code TSBHEALTHSAKARA for a 20% off your first order Check it out  

Support the show

Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services refereed to in this episode.

Send us Fan Mail

Nadine drops three confessions that prove sobriety is not a linear path, it’s a lifelong journey of self-awareness, accountability, and grace.

📢 Trigger warning: This episode discusses mental health, relapse, and addiction in a raw, unfiltered way.

This episode is an invitation to get real about the messy, nonlinear truth of recovery. Sobriety doesn’t make you perfect, but it gives you the clarity and courage to own your sh*t, forgive yourself, and start again.

What You’ll Hear:

• How addictive thoughts can sneak in quietly...even in the most random places
• Why therapy plateaus can signal deeper shifts in your healing journey
• The complicated feelings around relapse, shame, and recommitting to change
• A reminder that progress, not perfection is the real goal

🎧 Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube!

Connect with TSB 🦋

• Follow Nadine on Instagram @the.soberbutterfly @soberbutterflypodcast

Resources Mentioned in the Episode 📘

• Alan Carr's Easy Way To Quit Smoking

✨ If it resonates, share with a friend, and don’t forget to rate and review to help us grow the sober community.

Support the show

Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services refereed to in this episode.

Send us Fan Mail

In this solo episode of The Sober Butterfly Podcast, host Nadine gets brutally honest about what happens after the drinking stops.

Titled “Sober, But Still Toxic? A Journey in Progress,” this episode unpacks the not-so-glamorous truth that sobriety alone doesn’t automatically make you emotionally healthy. Nadine reflects on how, even after years alcohol-free, she still caught herself being petty, judgmental, controlling, and stuck in people-pleasing patterns.

Nadine dives deep into:

• Why recovery is not a personality makeover
• How therapy and inner child work exposed the roots of her behavior
• The myth of perfection in sobriety
• Setting real boundaries (without needing a drink to enforce them)
• How “petty” can still show up—and how to lovingly call yourself out

Nadine shares personal stories, moments of growth, and reminders that healing isn’t linear.

Whether you're sober, sober-curious, or somewhere in between, this episode will speak to the part of you doing the work while still figuring it all out.

📚 Resources Mentioned:

• Atlas of the Heart by Brené Brown
• Embracing All Parts of You ft. Kezia from The Sober Elephant Chronicle

💬 Join the Conversation:
Have you noticed your own toxic traits post-sobriety? Share your story or tag @the.soberbutterfly on Instagram!

🎧 Listen + Subscribe:
Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and wherever you get your podcasts.

📢 Don’t forget to rate + review the show if it resonates with you! Your support helps the sober community grow. 🦋

Support the show

Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services refereed to in this episode.

Send us Fan Mail

In this solo episode, Nadine explores the hidden cost of “free” drinks and how pretty privilege shaped her drinking experiences. From VIP invites to ER visits, she unpacks the illusion of power tied to beauty and booze, and what sobriety has taught her about self-worth. 

Tune in for a raw, reflective, and empowering take on how we trade our peace for acceptance.

✨ If you’ve ever mistaken attention for value, this one’s for you.
 🎧 Listen now, and don’t forget to subscribe, share, and leave a review!

Help Rebrand The Sober Butterfly

Complete this 2 min survey and be entered to win a $25 Amazon Gift Card. Your feedback is so appreciated!

Connect with TSB 🦋

• Follow Nadine on Instagram @the.soberbutterfly @soberbutterflypodcast
• Leave a rating or review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
• Join our newsletter 💌  for sober travel, tips, and updates

Support the show

Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services refereed to in this episode.

Send us Fan Mail

This week on The Sober Butterfly, Nadine interviews Ian Fee, author of Wild Ride to Sobriety. From his first sip of alcohol at just one year old to an intense 10-day rehab that involved ipecac (yep, you read that right), Ian shares the highs, lows, and hard truths of his path to sobriety. He opens up about fatherhood, addiction transference, the power of The Four Agreements, and how his life transformed once he got clear.

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to leave a review on Apple or Spotify—it helps The Sober Butterfly reach more sober and sober-curious listeners like you!

 💕 Think of it as your version of tipping your favorite bartender... except it's free and way more empowering 😉

📘 Grab Ian’s book on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3SQO6Jy

👤 Follow Ian on Instagram: @ian.fee

Help Rebrand The Sober Butterfly

Complete this 2 min survey and be entered to win a $25 Amazon Gift Card. Your feedback is so appreciated!

Connect with TSB 🦋

• Follow Nadine on Instagram @the.soberbutterfly @soberbutterflypodcast
• Leave a rating or review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
• Join our newsletter 💌  for sober travel, tips, and updates

Support the show

Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services refereed to in this episode.

Send us Fan Mail

In this honest solo episode, host Nadine Mulvina shares an exciting update—The Sober Butterfly is evolving. After nearly four years of documenting her alcohol-free journey, Nadine opens up about feeling pulled toward a new chapter, one that still honors her sobriety but expands into the full richness of her identity.

She reflects on the inspiration behind The Sober Butterfly (metamorphosis and transformation), what sobriety has given her, and why it's time to shed her old skin. From feeling constrained by the label 'sober' to expressing a desire to expand the scope of her content to include topics beyond just sobriety, such as travel, creativity, spirituality, personal growth, and dreaming about new creative directions (hello, Silent Summer 👀), Nadine invites listeners behind the scenes of her rebrand process.

This episode explores the tension between outgrowing an identity and honoring the journey that got you here. If you’ve ever felt the desire to evolve but were afraid to let go of who you once were, this one’s for you.

Help Rebrand The Sober Butterfly

Complete this 2 min survey and be entered to win a $25 Amazon Gift Card. Your feedback is so appreciated!

Connect with TSB 🦋

• Follow Nadine on Instagram @the.soberbutterfly @soberbutterflypodcast
• Leave a rating or review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
• Join our newsletter 💌  for sober travel, tips, and updates

Support the show

Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services refereed to in this episode.

Send us Fan Mail

In this compelling episode of The Sober Butterfly, host Nadine sits down with Nick Jonsson—a TEDx speaker, bestselling author, Ironman athlete, and sobriety coach—to explore the journey from addiction and executive burnout to purpose-driven recovery.

Nick opens up about his experience with executive loneliness, the hidden struggles behind high-performing professionals, and how hitting rock bottom ultimately became the launchpad for a radically transformed life. 

Together, Nadine and Nick dive into topics like the power of community support, gray area drinking, and the importance of holistic wellness in sobriety. Nick also shares how sobriety improved his athletic performance and led him to create a coaching practice to help others reclaim their lives.

🎙️ Highlights from this episode:

• 00:39 – Rapid Fire with Nick Jonsson
• 02:54 – Nick’s story: Success, silence, and addiction
• 06:27 – His breaking point and beginning the path to recovery
• 09:55 – Why making amends is a crucial part of healing
• 16:03 – What it means to live a life beyond your wildest dreams
• 21:45 – Wellness strategies that actually work in sobriety
• 27:42 – What data can teach us about alcohol’s impact
• 33:49 – Why coaching and community are recovery game-changers
• 38:23 – Sneak peek of Nick’s upcoming book

Whether you're sober-curious, in recovery, or supporting someone on their journey, Nick’s wisdom will leave you feeling inspired and empowered.

📘 Resources Mentioned:

• Nick’s LinkedIn
• Nick Jonsson’s Website
• Book: Executive Loneliness by Nick Jonsson

 Connect with TSB 🦋

• Follow Nadine on Instagram @the.soberbutterfly @soberbutterflypodcast
• Leave a rating or review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
• Join our newsletter 💌  for sober travel, tips, and updates

Sponsors

🌿  Sakara –Use Code TSBHEALTHSAKARA for a 20% off your first order Check it out   https://sakara.sjv.io/zx4MB0

🍹 Drink Moment –  Get 18% off your order with code TSB23 at checkout. Shop now 

📚 Try Audible FREE for 30 days + get a free book

🎧 Subscribe & Follow The Sober Butterfly for more honest conversations about sobriety, mental health, and building your dream life.

Support the show

Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services refereed to in this episode.