Rewired Sober

What happens when your public self looks polished and high-functioning, but your private life is quietly unraveling?In this vulnerable and insight-packed guest episode, Kate sits down with Jennifer Mathieu, award-winning author of Moxie and The Faculty Lounge, longtime educator, and sober mom. Jennifer opens up about her ten-year spiral into “problematic drinking,” how alcohol became her nightly form of fake self-care, and the moment she became more curious than afraid about getting sober.Drawing parallels between teaching and nursing, Kate and Jennifer explore the emotional weight of public-facing professions, the pressure to perform, and the resentment cycle that leads so many women to drink in secret. Jennifer shares how sobriety reshaped her identity as a teacher, a writer, a mom, and a woman who finally learned to stop setting herself on fire to keep everyone else warm.In this episode, Kate and Jennifer talk about:What it feels like to live a double life in a public-facing careerThe ten-year buildup to Jennifer’s sobrietyWhy breaking a promise to her husband was the turning pointThe sneaky ways alcohol hides inside burnout, resentment, and people pleasingHow alcohol became her nightly coping tool after motherhoodThe power of seeing sober women thriving on social mediaLearning to set real boundaries at work and at homeReclaiming identity outside of teaching, writing, and caregivingSobriety as a “power boost” to years of therapy and personal workWhy midlife is often the breaking point and the breakthroughReferenced in this episode:Jennifer’s novels including Moxie (now a Netflix film) and The Faculty LoungeSober Mom Collective meetings, where Jennifer is a weekly group leaderMentioned in this episode:Rewired Sober Group Coaching Programhttps://kate-vitela.mykajabi.com/rewired-sober-coaching-program

In this powerful Veterans Day episode, Kate sits down with her husband, Phillip, a 20-year Army veteran and nearly four years sober, for an unfiltered conversation about PTSD, moral injury, institutional betrayal, and healing through recovery.Together, they unpack what really happens inside the brain and body after trauma, how hypervigilance, anxiety, and moral conflict can take root long after the uniform or scrubs come off, and why alcohol often becomes the coping tool of choice for soldiers, nurses, and first responders alike.Blending lived experience with neuroscience, Kate and Phillip explore what healing looks like for both veterans and civilians: self-compassion, connection, movement, and sobriety. This episode is both a love letter to those who serve and a reminder that trauma recovery isn’t about being broken, it’s about learning to rewire your nervous system and reclaim your life.In this episode, they talk about:What PTSD really is (and what it isn’t)The concept of moral injury and why it hits soldiers, nurses, and first responders so deeplyHow trauma rewires the brain and how sobriety helps rewire it backThe reality of institutional betrayal in military and healthcare systemsThe connection between trauma, alcohol, and survival mechanismsHow they each healed through therapy, connection, and movementWhy sobriety is the foundation of their recovery and marriageReferenced in this episode:The Mankind Project (for men’s emotional healing and connection): mankindproject.orgWhether you’ve served, supported someone who has, or just know what it’s like to live with unhealed trauma, this episode offers compassion, education, and hope.Connect with Phillip:https://www.instagram.com/a13photography/SMART Recovery Meeting Finderhttps://smartrecovery.org/meetingAccess the AB Process CourseYou can find Kate on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/rewiredsober/Work with Kate: https://linktr.ee/KateVitelaEmail Podcast: team@katevitelacoaching.com Mentioned in this episode:Rewired Sober Group Coaching Programhttps://kate-vitela.mykajabi.com/rewired-sober-coaching-program

Ever find yourself sober and wondering, is this it?In this refreshingly honest solo episode, Kate dives into one of recovery’s least talked about stages: boredom. Through personal stories, neuroscience, and real talk, she explores why life can feel flat in early sobriety and how that “blah” feeling isn’t failure—it’s your brain and nervous system recalibrating after years of artificial stimulation.Kate shares what happens when dopamine levels drop, why we confuse stillness for boredom, and how to rebuild a sense of excitement, identity, and curiosity without reaching for the old quick hits. With humor and heart, she reminds us that sometimes healing looks like sitting in your messy diaper—the unglamorous, in-between stage where growth quietly begins.In this episode, Kate dives into:Why boredom in sobriety is actually your brain healingDopamine depletion and the science of “recalibration”The identity gap between who you were and who you’re becomingHow to rediscover curiosity and joy in everyday lifeBuilding real friendships and connection in recoveryWhy stillness isn’t punishmentKate closes the episode by reminding listeners that sobriety doesn’t take away your joy—it just gives you access to the real kind. And sometimes, the most powerful transformation starts in the stillness.Access the AB Process CourseYou can find Kate on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/rewiredsober/Work with Kate: https://linktr.ee/KateVitelaEmail Podcast: team@katevitelacoaching.com Mentioned in this episode:Rewired Sober Group Coaching Programhttps://kate-vitela.mykajabi.com/rewired-sober-coaching-program

What happens when a word that once saved you stops fitting?In this raw and deeply personal solo episode, Kate opens up about one of the most controversial topics in recovery: why she no longer calls herself an alcoholic. After years in 12-step rooms and studying addiction as a psychiatric nurse, she’s unpacked what this label means medically, psychologically, and spiritually, and why it no longer reflects who she is today.Kate explores the evolution of her own recovery, the science behind addiction and neuroplasticity, and how healing changes not just your habits but your identity. This episode challenges old narratives while holding space for every path that keeps people sober, reminding listeners that recovery is personal and growth means you get to change your mind.In this episode, Kate talks about:Why she no longer identifies with the word alcoholicWhat neuroscience reveals about addiction and recoveryHow sobriety evolves from survival to self-trustThe role of language and identity in long-term healingWhy we must respect all recovery paths, even when they differ from our ownKate reminds us that sobriety isn’t about the label you wear. It’s about the life you build beyond it.Access the AB Process CourseYou can find Kate on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/rewiredsober/Work with Kate: https://linktr.ee/KateVitelaEmail Podcast: team@katevitelacoaching.com Mentioned in this episode:Rewired Sober Group Coaching Programhttps://kate-vitela.mykajabi.com/rewired-sober-coaching-program

Can being too high-functioning actually keep you stuck in your drinking?In this episode, Kate sits down with Rachel Mack Martin, author of Functional: A High Performer’s Guide to Freedom from Alcohol, to talk about what it really means to look like you “have it all together” while quietly struggling with alcohol.Rachel, a director in financial services with an MBA and a life that appeared picture-perfect from the outside, opens up about how intelligence, success, and achievement can become tools of denial. Together, she and Kate unpack the hidden costs of being “functional,” why rock bottoms are overrated, and how letting go of perfection makes room for healing.In this episode, Kate and Rachel talk about:What it means to be a “functional drinker”Why intelligence can keep us stuck in denialThe myth of moderation and why it’s so seductiveHow Rachel’s 30-day break turned into 7 years of freedomNavigating relationships and social circles after quittingFinding support outside of traditional recovery pathsThe unexpected gifts of living alcohol-freeRachel’s story is proof that you don’t need to lose everything to change everything — and that being smart isn’t what saves you from addiction, it’s what helps you rewrite your story once you’re ready to see it clearly.Rachel Mack Martin is a director in financial services and holds an MBA, bringing an inquisitive mind to everything she does, including writing. Rachel lives in Minnesota with her husband and their three unpredictable cats. When not working or writing, you can find her drinking a strong cup of black coffee with at least one feline on her lap. Functional is her first book.Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachel_mack_martin/Link to Amazon for my book: https://a.co/d/5EUckcAMentioned in this episode:Rewired Sober Group Coaching Programhttps://kate-vitela.mykajabi.com/rewired-sober-coaching-program

What happens when one person in the family gets sober? The whole system shifts.In this solo episode, Kate unpacks what really goes down when you walk into family gatherings clear-headed for the first time. From side-eyes at the dinner table to Aunt Linda clutching her Riesling like an emotional support animal, Kate blends humor, compassion, and psychology to help you understand why your family reacts the way they do, and how to stay grounded through it.She explores family systems theory, the emotional minefield of the holidays, and how to set boundaries without losing your sense of self. Whether you’re one month or eight years sober, this conversation will help you find peace (and maybe a laugh) in the chaos.In this episode, Kate dives into:Why your sobriety “threatens” the family systemHow to handle guilt trips, silence, and side commentsWhy anger is information, not failureThe power of self-compassion in healing family woundsHow to create your own grounded rituals during the holidaysWhy your sobriety will always ripple farther than you realizeSobriety doesn’t just change you. It changes the whole dance. And even if your family never claps for you, you’re already rewriting the story.Access the AB Process CourseYou can find Kate on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/rewiredsober/Work with Kate: https://linktr.ee/KateVitelaEmail Podcast: team@katevitelacoaching.com Mentioned in this episode:Rewired Sober Group Coaching Programhttps://kate-vitela.mykajabi.com/rewired-sober-coaching-program

What if getting sober didn’t just change your habits, but changed the entire life you thought you wanted?In this episode, Kate sits down with Kathryn Sabella, a divorced mom of two, recovery leader, and co-facilitator of The Sober Mom Collective. Kathryn shares how removing alcohol brought not only clarity but the courage to face the truth about her marriage and herself. Together, they unpack what it means to trust your intuition, navigate change, and choose self-love even when it disrupts everything around you.In this episode, you’ll hear:How sobriety gave Kathryn the clarity to confront hard truths about her marriageWhy intuition and self-trust become louder when alcohol is goneHow motherhood and people-pleasing can keep women stuck in “good enough” relationshipsThe difference between doing the next right thing and the next loving thingWhat it means to make peace with divorce and create two happy homesWhy giving up alcohol might be the first true act of self-loveKathryn’s story is a reminder that sobriety doesn’t cause change, it reveals what’s been waiting for you all along. When the numbing stops, your truth has space to rise.Kathryn is a divorced mother of two girls and has been living an alcohol-free life since September 26, 2019. Kathryn works a 12 step recovery program but also frequents several online sober communities and is one of the leaders of the Sober Mom Collective, an online space designed by moms for moms navigating sobriety. Based on her lived experience, she is most passionate about helping women navigate relationship changes in sobriety, including divorce.  Connect with Kathryn Sabella:Instagram: @kathryn.authenticafCommunity: The Sober Mom CollectiveAccess the AB Process CourseYou can find Kate on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/rewiredsober/Work with Kate: https://linktr.ee/KateVitelaEmail Podcast: team@katevitelacoaching.com 

What if sobriety wasn’t about recovery, but about reclaiming your whole self?From fashion blogger to sobriety advocate, Suzanne Warye is challenging mommy wine culture, dismantling the myth of moderation, and showing women that sobriety is not deprivation but transformation. In this conversation, she and Kate dive into motherhood, identity, personal style, and what it really means to create The Sober Shift.In this episode, you’ll hear:Why Suzanne doesn’t use labels like “alcoholic” or “in recovery”How she built The Sober Mom Life podcast and communityThe subtle ways alcohol steals from women’s livesHow fashion and self-expression became part of her sober rediscoveryWhat to expect from her new book The Sober ShiftSuzanne’s story is proof that sobriety is about shifting perspective, owning your truth, and building a life that feels like home.Connect with Suzanne Warye:Instagram: @suzannewaryePodcast: The Sober Mom LifeWebsite & book tour: www.suzannewarye.comBook: The Sober Shift (available now)Access the AB Process CourseYou can find Kate on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/rewiredsober/Work with Kate: https://linktr.ee/KateVitelaEmail Podcast: team@katevitelacoaching.com Mentioned in this episode:Rewired Sober Group Coaching Programhttps://kate-vitela.mykajabi.com/rewired-sober-coaching-program

In this episode, Kate sits down with Melissa McGovern, better known as The Sober New Yorker. After decades of drinking, woven into everything from Wisconsin’s drinking culture to New York’s nightlife, Melissa hit a turning point when her best friend died from alcohol-related illness. A devastating loss, paired with a harsh wake-up call from her doctor, pushed her to stop negotiating with moderation and start living fully alcohol-free.Now two years sober, Melissa is a coach, podcaster, and speaker helping women “try sobriety on for size” because sometimes what doesn’t fit at first becomes the thing you never want to take off.In this episode, you’ll hear:How Melissa went from sober curious to fully committedThe moment her lab results forced her to get honest about her drinkingWhy community was the missing piece that kept her sober this timeHow New York City became brand new again through sober eyesThe power of retreats, groups, and podcasts in building lasting recoveryWhy “trying sobriety on for size” can transform your entire lifeMelissa’s story is a reminder that sobriety is not deprivation. It is expansion. When alcohol goes, everything else you have been longing for finally has space to move in.Melissa McGovern | The Sober New YorkerCoach. Speaker. Storyteller. No-BS Guide to Alcohol-Free Living.Melissa McGovern, known as The Sober New Yorker, is a speaker, podcast host, and alcohol-free coach who helps professional women change their relationship with alcohol so they can live longer, healthier, more present lives. With humor, heart, and zero shame, Melissa invites women to try sobriety on for size — not because they hit rock bottom, but because they’re ready for more.After taking her own 90-day break that turned into a permanent, powerful lifestyle change, Melissa now leads group coaching programs, hosts raw and real conversations on The Sober New Yorker podcast, and speaks at women's retreats about reinvention, presence, and pushing past limiting beliefs. Her work is rooted in truth-telling, compassion, and a fierce belief that you don’t have to settle for a life half-lived.When she’s not coaching or behind the mic, Melissa is often off exploring the world — one sober adventure at a time. Sober travel is one of her greatest joys, and she’s on a mission to show women that life without alcohol is anything but boring.She’s here to help women live big, bold, beautiful, badass lives — fully awake, fully present, and completely free.Connect with Melissa McGovern:Instagram: @thesobernewyorkerPodcast: The Sober New YorkerWebsite: www.thesobernewyorker.comAccess the AB Process CourseYou can find Kate on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/rewiredsober/Work with Kate: https://linktr.ee/KateVitelaEmail Podcast: team@katevitelacoaching.com Mentioned in this episode:Rewired Sober Group Coaching...

What if one promise to your child completely rewired your life?In this episode, Kate sits down with Kim Bellas, founder of Sober Is the New Cool and the White Heart Initiative, to explore how motherhood, resilience, and a little white heart turned into a global recovery movement. Inspired by her son’s epilepsy diagnosis, Kim ditched alcohol “for three months”, and never went back. Now 12 years sober, she’s built a worldwide community dedicated to smashing stigma, creating connection, and showing that sobriety isn’t boring—it’s powerful.Kim shares how she reinvented herself in midlife, used hypnotherapy as a surprising tool to quit drinking, and why she believes we’re all recovering from something. From New York’s annual White Party to International Recovery Walks spanning 30 countries, her mission is clear: no one should feel alone.In this conversation, you’ll hear:How her son’s epilepsy diagnosis became the catalyst for her sobrietyWhy hypnotherapy helped her rewire habits and cravingsThe birth of Sober Is the New CoolWhat the White Heart Initiative means and the powerful stories behind itHow the sober community is rewriting stigma through fashion, events, and laughterThe gift of never missing another memoryKim’s story is proof that sobriety isn’t just about quitting alcohol, it’s about choosing a bigger, brighter, more connected life.Access the AB Process CourseYou can find Kate on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/rewiredsober/Work with Kate: https://linktr.ee/KateVitelaEmail Podcast: team@katevitelacoaching.com Mentioned in this episode:Rewired Sober Group Coaching Programhttps://kate-vitela.mykajabi.com/rewired-sober-coaching-program

In this episode, Kate sits down with Jessica Guerrieri, author of Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea—a novel that has taken sober and sober-curious communities by storm. Jessica blends raw honesty, lived addiction, and the messy truths of motherhood into a work of “book club fiction” that’s reaching women where memoirs sometimes can’t.With over 12 years of sobriety, Jessica opens up about why she chose fiction over memoir, how writing became both a refuge and a mirror, and what happens when you say the scary things out loud. Together, Kate and Jessica dive into the intersections of motherhood, identity, secrecy and the profound relief that comes when you finally stop hiding.In this episode, you’ll hear:Why fiction can feel safer—and more powerful—than memoir for exploring addictionThe “phantom life” so many women carry alongside motherhood and marriageJessica’s near-fatal return to substances during the pandemic and how she found her way backThe role of family systems, comparison, and people-pleasing in fueling addictionThe healing power of telling the truth on the page, and in real lifeA sneak peek into Jessica’s next book Both Can Be True (coming 2026!)Whether you’re sober, sober-curious, or simply human, Jessica’s story is a reminder that addiction isn’t about weakness—it’s about suffering in silence. And recovery? It’s about finding your voice, telling your truth, and living unapologetically as yourself.About Jessica:Originally from the Bay Area, Jessica lives in Davis, California with her husband and three daughters. She has a background in special education but left the field to pursue her passion for writing and to raise her girls. Jessica Guerrieri is a vocal advocate for recovery with over 12 years of sobriety. Her debut literary book club fiction novel, Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea, won the Maurice Prize for Fiction from her alma mater, UC Davis.Follow and connect with Jessica:Website: www.jessicaguerrieri.netInstagram: @jessicaguerrieriauthorTikTok: @jessstayssoberAccess the AB Process CourseYou can find Kate on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/rewiredsober/Work with Kate: https://linktr.ee/KateVitelaEmail Podcast: team@katevitelacoaching.com Mentioned in this episode:Rewired Sober Group Coaching Programhttps://kate-vitela.mykajabi.com/rewired-sober-coaching-program

In this episode of Rewired Sober, I continue breaking down Kate’s 8—the eight core practices that help us rewire our brains in recovery. Last time, we covered the first four, and today I walk you through the final four practices that create lasting change. Sobriety isn’t just about not drinking; it’s about building a new identity, new thought patterns, and a life that feels like your own.In this episode, I cover:Confidence + Compassion — Why practicing self-compassion (instead of shame) is essential for resilience, and how confidence grows when we let ourselves be human.Journal Prompt: Where in my recovery can I replace shame with compassion? How would I speak to myself if I were encouraging a friend?Humor as a tool — How laughter literally rewires the brain, releases dopamine, and helps us loosen the grip of shame and rigidity.Journal Prompt: When was the last time I laughed in sobriety? How can I intentionally add more humor into my daily life?Creativity in recovery — Why engaging your creative side (writing, painting, music, even fashion) builds identity, provides healthy dopamine, and becomes a powerful tool for self-regulation.Journal Prompt: What creative outlet feels exciting or nourishing to me right now? How can I make space for it this week?Emotional literacy + triggers — Learning to name and understand our emotions so they stop hijacking behavior, and how building emotional granularity keeps us from reaching for alcohol.Journal Prompt: What emotion do I tend to avoid the most? How does it show up in my body, and what can I do to sit with it rather than numb it?Rewriting your story — The most powerful part of neuroplasticity: our identity is malleable. Every sober choice is a micro-edit to the story we tell ourselves, and we get to choose the ending.Journal Prompt: If I were writing the next chapter of my story, what do I want it to sound like? What identity am I choosing today with my actions?When you take these tools into real life, you don’t just stay sober—you rewire your brain for long-term freedom.Access the AB Process CourseYou can find Kate on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/rewiredsober/Work with Kate: https://linktr.ee/KateVitelaEmail Podcast: team@katevitelacoaching.com Mentioned in this episode:Rewired Sober Group Coaching Programhttps://kate-vitela.mykajabi.com/rewired-sober-coaching-program

Sobriety isn’t just about putting down the drink; it’s about retraining the thoughts, loops, and behaviors that kept us stuck in the first place. In this solo episode of Rewired Sober, I’m walking you through the first four practices in what I call Kate’s 8—the eight core ways we actually rewire our brains in recovery. Thanks to the science of neuroplasticity, we know that real change is possible—and I’ll show you how it happens.In this episode, I cover:Interrupting old loops — How to identify the destructive thought-behavior cycles that used to end in drinking, and replace them with more empowering choices.Verbal processing — Why saying things out loud in a safe space helps build metacognition (the ability to think about your thinking) and shift from autopilot to conscious choice.Moving from reaction to reflection — Learning to create space between emotion and response so you can choose your actions instead of being ruled by impulsivity.Relational safety — How healing, trust, and new neural pathways are built through safe, compassionate connections with others (and why your brain can’t rewire in isolation).Each practice comes with a simple journal prompt you can use to dig deeper and apply these tools in real time.This is part one of a two-part series, so stay tuned for the next episode where I’ll unpack the second half of Kate’s 8.Access the AB Process CourseYou can find Kate on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/rewiredsober/Work with Kate: https://linktr.ee/KateVitelaEmail Podcast: team@katevitelacoaching.com Mentioned in this episode:Rewired Sober Group Coaching Programhttps://kate-vitela.mykajabi.com/rewired-sober-coaching-program

In this episode of Rewired Sober, I sit down with Michelle Folan, certified health and nutrition coach and host of the globally ranked podcast Asking for a Friend. Known for her no-BS, sassy approach to midlife wellness, Michelle helps women over 50 lose fat, build strength, and reclaim their vitality using evidence-based fitness, nutrition, and lifestyle strategies.Michelle shares her personal journey with alcohol, from corporate entertaining and pandemic drinking to her realization that moderation wasn’t serving her anymore. Together, we dive into the intersection of sobriety, menopause, and midlife health—and the empowering freedom that comes when women take the reins on their wellbeing.In this conversation, we explore:Michelle’s honest story of how her relationship with alcohol shifted during the pandemic.Why midlife is often the breaking point where women realize alcohol is not their friend.The science behind how alcohol impacts hormones, sleep, mood, and weight gain in perimenopause and menopause.The myth of moderation and why it doesn’t work for everyone.The often-ignored role of sleep, hydration, protein, and strength training in women’s midlife health.How conversations around alcohol and menopause are finally becoming less taboo—and why that matters.Michelle’s work is all about helping women stop settling and start showing up for themselves. This episode is packed with real talk, science, and encouragement for anyone navigating sobriety and the massive physical changes of midlife.Connect with Michelle:Instagram: @askingforafriend_podMentioned in this episode:Rewired Sober Group Coaching Programhttps://kate-vitela.mykajabi.com/rewired-sober-coaching-program

Why do we procrastinate so much in recovery?In this episode, I unpack the six key reasons why procrastination shows up during sobriety and how we can gently work through it:Six Reasons We Procrastinate in Recovery:1) Low Dopamine ToleranceOur brains are used to quick dopamine hits from alcohol. Without that, even basic tasks feel boring and unrewarding. I share ways to build motivation through small wins and habit stacking.2) Nervous System DysregulationSobriety means feeling everything again. Overwhelm can trigger a freeze response, making even simple tasks feel impossible. I talk about how to regulate your body and borrow safety from others.3) Learned HelplessnessAfter repeated failures, we start believing we can’t succeed. I dive into how this mindset forms and how to break the cycle with messy action and micro wins.4) Fear of FailureTrying and failing feels unbearable, so we avoid trying at all. I share how to reframe failure as data and growth, not proof that we’re broken.5) Fear of SuccessSuccess means change, and change can feel threatening. I explore how fear of growth can lead to self-sabotage and how to embrace expansion safely.6) Inner Critic ParalysisThat voice in your head telling you you’re not good enough? It’s trying to protect you—but it’s keeping you stuck. I offer ways to quiet the critic and take imperfect action.Access the AB Process CourseYou can find Kate on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/rewiredsober/Work with Kate: https://linktr.ee/KateVitelaEmail Podcast: team@katevitelacoaching.com Mentioned in this episode:Rewired Sober Group Coaching Programhttps://kate-vitela.mykajabi.com/rewired-sober-coaching-program

In this episode, I sit down with Andrea Kaplan, founder of Rewriting Sober, midlife mom of two, writer, and walking proof that it’s never “too late” to rewrite your story. At 48, Andrea hit one year sober, not from a dramatic rock bottom—but from the quiet, heavy hell of anxiety, shame, and soul-numbing routine.We unpack the real transformation: moving from people-pleasing and control to clarity and confidence. Andrea shares how she survived early sobriety while parenting teens, traveling to Italy, going to Vegas (yeah, Vegas), and hosting milestone family events—all without pouring a drink.In this episode, we talk about:Why you don’t need a rock bottom to choose sobrietyHow people pleasing and control masked her internal chaosLetting go of the fantasy of “drinking like a normal person”The mental torture of moderation attemptsRewiring her relationship with fear, self-trust, and perfectionismWhat Italy, Vegas, and gelato taught her about sober joyThe subtle but life-altering moment when she finally felt hope againAndrea proves you can look like you’ve got it all together and still feel lost—and that healing is possible without hitting the floor. This one’s for the high-functioning women who are done trying to function their way through despair.Connect with Andrea: https://www.instagram.com/rewritingsober/Links: Access the AB Process CourseYou can find Kate on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/rewiredsober/Explore Kate’s blog: https://thesobercurator.com/category/sober-lifestyle/youve-been-selected/Work with Kate: https://linktr.ee/KateVitelaEmail Podcast: team@katevitelacoaching.com Mentioned in this episode:Rewired Sober Group Coaching Programhttps://kate-vitela.mykajabi.com/rewired-sober-coaching-program

Ever wonder why you want alcohol so badly—only to feel like absolute garbage afterward? You’re not broken. Your brain is just doing its job. In this episode, I want to share more about the neuroscience of addiction, diving deep into the opponent process theory, neurotransmitter chaos, and the real reason that 5 p.m. craving feels like a freight train.In this episode I cover:The brain’s “AB Process” and how it wires us to crave booze and crash afterWhy the wine witch hour isn’t about willpower—it’s about biologyGABA, glutamate, dopamine & cortisol: what’s really going on in your brainHow tolerance and withdrawal escalate over time (and why)Why early sobriety feels like a hormonal rollercoaster—and how long it really lastsWhy understanding brain science is the ultimate tool to ditch shame and build lasting sobrietyI share the moment when everything clicked (in a Safeway parking lot, of all places), and how learning the science behind addiction finally made me feel empowered—not broken.Links: Access the AB Process CourseYou can find Kate on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/rewiredsober/Explore Kate’s blog: https://thesobercurator.com/category/sober-lifestyle/youve-been-selected/Work with Kate: https://linktr.ee/KateVitelaEmail Podcast: team@katevitelacoaching.com Mentioned in this episode:Rewired Sober Group Coaching Programhttps://kate-vitela.mykajabi.com/rewired-sober-coaching-program

Ever wonder why telling your story in recovery feels so powerful? It’s not just emotional—it's biological. In this solo episode, I talk about how storytelling activates empathy, builds emotional safety, and rewires your brain for change.From mirror neurons to narrative psychology, learn why your messy truth is the medicine—and how sharing it might be the most powerful recovery tool you have.Today I cover:Why “stories go where science can’t” (but neuroscience is catching up!)The magic and messiness of early AA storytelling circlesHow mirror neurons and narrative psychology help us changeThe link between relational safety, vulnerability, and brain rewiringWhy your recovery story evolves—and why that mattersHow storytelling softens self-judgment and builds compassionThe science behind why hearing one powerful story can change everythingWhy women especially thrive through shared emotional narrativesResources Mentioned:Burnout by Emily & Amelia NagoskiWe Are the Luckiest by Laura McKowenResearch by Dan McAdamsLinks: You can find Kate on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/katevitela/Explore Kate’s blog: https://thesobercurator.com/category/sober-lifestyle/youve-been-selected/Work with Kate: https://linktr.ee/KateVitelaEmail Podcast: team@katevitelacoaching.com Mentioned in this episode:Rewired Sober Group Coaching Programhttps://kate-vitela.mykajabi.com/rewired-sober-coaching-program

In this episode of Rewired Sober, I sit down with Leah Fulton Eng, a nurse, and the heart behind the Sober Mom Collective. Leah shares the truth about what it really looks like to get sober while parenting—and why community may be the most important part of recovery.Together, we unpack how the illusion of “mommy wine culture” keeps so many women stuck, and how the simple act of showing up—being seen—can be the first step toward lasting change.In this episode we talk about:Leah’s story of addiction, denial, and finally surrendering to recoveryWhy she didn’t think traditional 12-step recovery was for herThe surprising power of a phone call from another sober momWhat it's like to recover in the middle of motherhoodThe deep shame around secrecy, lying, and trying to do it all aloneHow visibility in community changed everything for herWhy it took 4 months to tell her husband the truth—and how he respondedThe inspiration behind creating the Sober Mom CollectiveLeah is the founder and CEO of the Sober Mom Collective, a certified holistic coach specializing in recovery, a postpartum doula, and a registered nurse. She is in recovery from alcohol use, cannabis use, depression, and anxiety, and is passionate about creating safe, inclusive spaces for moms navigating both sobriety and parenting.Links + Resources:Learn more about The Sober Mom CollectiveConnect with Leah on Instagram: @sobermomcollectiveConnect with Kate: https://www.instagram.com/rewiredsober/Mentioned in this episode:Rewired Sober Group Coaching Programhttps://kate-vitela.mykajabi.com/rewired-sober-coaching-program

In this episode, I take you on a raw and unfiltered ride through New York City—from gritty Canal Street lofts to unexpected moments of insecurity on the Upper East Side. I recorded this on the fly during a spring trip, reflecting on identity, recovery, and the unexpected ways old wounds still show up—seven years sober. What begins as a rant about bad hotel decor becomes a powerful story of self-awareness, self-talk, and rediscovering joy (and a little magic) on the sidewalks of Manhattan. Key Takeaways:Even years into sobriety, old insecurities can resurface—and that’s normal.Comparison is sneaky and shows up when you least expect it.Sobriety isn’t just about not drinking—it’s about learning who you are and what still needs healing.You don’t have to have it all together to have a good time or be proud of your progress.A gritty hotel and a fashion icon can remind you how far you’ve come.Connect with Kate on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rewiredsober/Mentioned in this episode:Rewired Sober Group Coaching Programhttps://kate-vitela.mykajabi.com/rewired-sober-coaching-program