It's Not About the Alcohol

How do you feel about yourself when you wake up and realize you did it again?   If you get hangxiety and shameovers after drinking, it’s not your relationship with alcohol that needs to change. It’s your relationship with yourself.    The performance-based, perfectionistic mindset that fuels your success in other areas of your life also drives you into a cycle of self-sabotage.   Because when you beat yourself up for making a mistake, you shut off access to the part of the brain that learns from mistakes.    The solution to alcohol use disorder is a feeling…a feeling of confidence in your ability to learn. On today’s episode, you’ll learn: The exact mechanism that causes you to overdrink A step-by-step process to break the cycle of shame next time you wake up hungover Why the road to recovery must be paved with love, self-compassion and curiosity   What daily updates from me? Find me on TikTok @hangoverwhisperer and IG @thehangoverwhisperer   If you’re ready to fully commit to your personal growth and do the work to get emotionally sober (side effects include an 80 percent reduction in drinking), click here to BOOK A DISCOVERY CALL WITH COLLEEN. You'll walk away from our call with a clear understanding of how to get the skills you need to transform your life.  

Have you considered that the inability to self-correct your drinking habits could be a sign of trauma?   Most high achieving professional women associate the word "trauma" with violence, sexual assault or emotional abuse and neglect, and assume they don’t qualify because nothing “that bad” has ever happened to them.   Instead, they attribute their bad habits to a lack of discipline or motivation and try to shame themselves into “snapping out of it.”   But you can’t snap out of trauma–and shaming yourself causes more trauma. You must work with your nervous system to restore a sense of safety in your body– going slow and being patient with yourself. Because the root cause of alcohol use disorder is shame. Which means the solution is learning how to feel confident in your resilience.   In this episode, you’ll learn: What trauma is (and what it isn’t) How to recognize the symptoms of trauma in your own life The difference between a stress response and trauma response A simple technique to stimulate your vagus nerve and reset your nervous system to a parasympathetic state so that you can re-engage with your life feeling powerful and in control.   Come find me on TikTok @hangoverwhisperer and IG @thehangoverwhisperer     If you’re ready to get emotionally sober (side effects include an 80 percent reduction in drinking,  click here to BOOK A DISCOVERY CALL WITH COLLEEN. You'll walk away from our call with a clear understanding of how to get the skills you need to transform your life.

Are you stuck in a job that doesn’t fulfill you–but the thought of making a big career change feels impossible?   When your career isn’t meeting your needs, it’s easier to blame dissatisfaction and burnout on your own mental health issues.  Because you’ve invested so much time and energy to get where you are. Why can’t you just be happy with what you have?   But feeling trapped and uninspired blocks the energy you need to make a meaningful career shift without losing everything you’ve worked for.    I’m talking to Brooke Schnittman, host of SuccessFULL with ADHD podcast about our parallel decisions to exchange traditional teaching jobs for the scary and unknown world of coaching. We talk about how we broke free from the golden handcuffs, leveraged our unique strengths and built careers that truly light us up.    You’ll walk away with a clear understanding of how to respond to your own ever-evolving needs with an open-mind so that you have the courage (and cojones) to invest in your own dreams.   Come find me on TikTok @hangoverwhisperer and IG @thehangoverwhisperer   If you’re ready to get emotionally sober (side effects include an 80 percent reduction in drinking,  click here to BOOK A DISCOVERY CALL WITH COLLEEN. You'll walk away from our call with a clear understanding of how to get the skills you need to transform your life. Find Brooke on social media @coachingwithBrooke and her 3C Activation for Coaches at https://www.coachingwithbrooke.com/3c-for-coaches   Brooke Schnittman, MA, PCC, BCC, is a dedicated ADHD and executive coach for neurodivergent individuals of all ages. Diagnosed with ADHD as an adult and part of an ADHD family of 5, Brooke deeply understands the struggles of frustration and overwhelm. After a 15-year career in special education in the #1 school district in the US, she founded Coaching With Brooke (CWB) in 2018, helping over a million people daily through her 3C Activation™ program. An award-winning coach and best-selling author, Brooke hosts the SuccessFULL With ADHD podcast, which won the #1 2023 Listener’s Choice Award. She has spoken alongside top health and wellness experts and has been featured in major publications like Forbes and Entrepreneur to help ADHDers "Activate Their ADHD Potential."  

How do your beliefs about money impact your sense of personal power?   When your life appears to be limited by finances, it’s easy to blame your discomfort on your partner or chosen career instead of taking full responsibility for the choices you’ve made.   Even “successful” women are often victims of the patriarchal mindset that tells us we aren’t capable of financial independence. We exchange our time and energy for low wages in careers with no potential for wealth. And stay in marriages we no longer want to be in because we can’t afford to leave.    And then wonder why we drink too much, spend money on stuff we don’t need and eat until we’re bloated. While searching the Internet for reasons to explain why we have no mojo.     Liberation requires you to admit you’ve made your own bed and give yourself permission to get out of it. The hardest thing I’ve ever done was to make the decision to trade an unfulfilling sense of security for the life I really wanted.    My guest today is Julie Danielson,  a life coach, wife for the second time, and mom who empowers women to grow self-awareness, build their confidence, live authentically and unapologetically true to themselves. She is the creator of the The Get Over Divorce Collective, a healing program for women to get healed and whole after divorce, and host of the Get Over Divorce podcast. She is passionate about helping women create a life they love after divorce.   You’ll walk away from this episode with a clear understanding of where you lost your power and how to get it back.    Come find me on TikTok @hangoverwhisperer and IG @thehangoverwhisperer   If you’re ready to get emotionally sober (side effects include an 80 percent reduction in drinking,  click here to BOOK A DISCOVERY CALL WITH COLLEEN. You'll walk away from our call with a clear understanding of how to get the skills you need to transform your life. Connect with Julie at https://www.getoverdivorce.com/breakthrough  

Does the number on your scale have the power to make or break your day?   Most people think weighing themselves on a daily basis is the best way to hold themselves accountable and achieve their weight loss goals.    But checking your weight everyday is akin to holding yourself hostage. When the number doesn’t match your expectations, disappointment and self-criticism lead to all types of self-sabotage. Because what’s the point of trying so hard if nothing works?   The first thing you need to lose is the belief that you can’t feel confident until or unless your body fits the mold.    My guest today is Max Lowery, a behavioral change expert and host of the Never Diet Again podcast. He’s here to dispel the myth that weight loss is a physical challenge and explain how emotional and psychological factors manifest externally. Because it’s feeling good that causes you to look good…not vice versa.   Come find me on TikTok @hangoverwhisperer and IG @thehangoverwhisperer    If you’re ready to get emotionally sober (side effects include an 80 percent reduction in drinking,  click here to BOOK A DISCOVERY CALL WITH COLLEEN. You'll walk away from our call with a clear understanding of how to get the skills you need to transform your life.   Max Lowery is a Weight Loss Coach and Behavioral Change Expert, dedicated to helping busy women over 40 achieve sustainable weight loss without extreme diets or punishing exercise routines. As the creator of the LIVE 360 program and the Never Diet Again Method, Max focuses on uncovering the root causes behind weight struggles, including emotional eating, negative self-talk, identity, and limiting beliefs. With 10 years of experience and a deep understanding of the psychological aspects of weight loss, Max provides a clear, step-by-step approach that helps clients shift their mindset, rebuild self-worth, and develop lasting habits. His philosophy rejects conventional diet culture, emphasizing moderation, mindfulness, and balance. Max’s work empowers clients to lose weight while enjoying the foods they love and creating a lifestyle they can sustain for the long term.   Find Max on social media @max.lowery and listen to his podcast Never Diet Again.

How often do you decide to have a single drink to take the edge off and end up getting completely wasted?   It sounds like a good idea because you’re craving an escape and feel like you deserve to cut yourself some slack! But then you wake up to reality…feeling anxious, foggy, behind the ball and wondering why you can’t stop once you start.   Today I’m sharing my personal experience with a recent urge to over-do it that felt overwhelming and seductive. I used a simple mindset shift to reconnect with the felt-sensations of relaxation and control. It only took a few minutes and it wasn’t even hard.   You’ll walk away from this episode with a step-by-step process for how to manage the impulse to keep drinking (while you’re drinking) without feeling like you’re missing out on fun.   If you’re ready to get emotionally sober (side effects include an 80 percent reduction in drinking),  click here to BOOK A DISCOVERY CALL WITH COLLEEN. You'll walk away from our call with a clear understanding of how to get the skills you need to transform your life.   Come find me on TikTok @hangoverwhisperer and IG @thehangoverwhisperer   

Why is it that sometimes we can be hyper-focused and productive, yet at other times, the simplest tasks feel impossible?    High-achievers tend to fall into the trap of believing that pushing beyond our limits is the shortcut to getting what we want. And then beat ourselves up for being lazy or weak when we’re actually just tired…because we’re human.   Lynne Edris is host of the ADHD Support Talk podcast. You’ll walk away from this episode with a clear understanding of how cycles of overworking and “tapping out” are caused by the ADHD brain’s need for constant stimulation.    We’ll give you practical tools and strategies to recognize dysfunctional patterns and change your relationship with your brain so that you can build systems that help you thrive without all the chaos.    Come find me on TikTok @hangoverwhisperer and IG @thehangoverwhisperer  And If you’re ready to get emotionally sober (side effects include an 80 percent reduction in drinking), click here to BOOK A DISCOVERY CALL WITH COLLEEN. You'll walk away from our call with a clear understanding of how to get the skills you need to transform your life.   Connect with Lynne Edris: Website: www.coachingadvantages.com Podcast: ADHD Support Talk  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lynne_edris  

Do you put on a brave face when you’re struggling– conducting business as usual while juggling a million things even though you know something is deeply wrong? You may feel isolated, overwhelmed, nauseated, or even have panic attacks in the middle of the night.  But pushing through the symptoms of mental and emotional distress leads to breakdown. When you hear yourself say “I can’t keep doing this,” you need to believe it. My guest today is Andrea Rappaport, a stand up comedian and co-host of the “How Not to Suck at Divorce” podcast. She shares how ignoring the red flags in her relationship led to disabling anxiety and physical illness. You’re going to be so inspired by her story of transformation and how she discovered that everything you want is on the other side of everything you’re afraid to face.   Find Andrea on social media @theandrearappaport and @hownottosuckatdivorce Come find me on TikTok @hangoverwhisperer and IG @thehangoverwhisperer  If you’re ready to get emotionally sober (side effects include an 80 percent reduction in drinking,  click here to BOOK A DISCOVERY CALL WITH COLLEEN. You'll walk away from our call with a clear understanding of how to get the skills you need to transform your life.

How do you make sense of the fact that, even though you really do want to drink less, you keep making the same mistakes?   You know what you should do. But your brain is blocking your motivation with three sneaky obstacles: Using your past to predict your future, thinking ‘I’ve failed before, so why should this time be any different.' Believing you don’t have enough time, energy, or motivation to make a change right now--even though you have the time and energy to manage a drinking problem. You focus so much on the problem—feeling bad about how much you drink—that you can't see the solution. In this episode, I’ll show you exactly how to get around the three mental obstacles keeping you stuck.   Come find me on TikTok @hangoverwhisperer and IG @thehangoverwhisperer    If you’re ready to get emotionally sober (side effects include an 80 percent reduction in alcohol consumption),  click here to BOOK A DISCOVERY CALL WITH COLLEEN. You'll walk away from our conversation with a clear understanding of how to get the skills you need to transform your life.

In this special bonus episode, Colleen interviews Susan Keller, author of the new book Mostly Sober: A Love Story and a Road Trip. Susan shares her personal journey of rethinking her relationship with alcohol, how she found her way into the mindful drinking movement, and why she wrote Mostly Sober, a groundbreaking novel for those who want to cut back on drinking without quitting entirely. In this conversation, Colleen and Susan discuss: Susan's background in healthcare education and how it influenced her interest in alcohol moderation. The appeal of mindful drinking and how Susan’s approach differs from traditional "Quit Lit" stories of sobriety. The process of writing Mostly Sober, a blend of fiction, autobiography, and self-help for women who want to minimize their drinking but don't see complete sobriety as the answer. Why Susan believes in celebrating the small wins and how using simple tools like marking days without drinking helped her feel empowered. The emotional connection between childhood trauma, people-pleasing, and drinking habits, as explored through Susan’s protagonist, Annie Marks. How Susan found support and community through podcasts, online groups, and conversations with like-minded women, and why having a support system is so important for mindful drinkers. The importance of understanding that mindful drinking is about rethinking your relationship with alcohol, not just counting drinks or adhering to rigid rules. Where to Buy Mostly Sober You can find Mostly Sober: A Love Story and a Road Trip in various formats: BookBaby Store Susan’s website: SusanKeller.com Major retailers like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Books-A-Million (coming soon). Connect with Colleen: Come find me on TikTok @hangoverwhisperer and Instagram @thehangoverwhisperer. If you're ready to get Mostly Sober and want support, guidance and accountability, click here to BOOK A DISCOVERY CALL WITH COLLEEN. You'll walk away from our call with a clear understanding of how to get the skills you need to transform your life.  

Are you tired of feeling trapped in a cycle of emotional eating and self-criticism? Many high-achieving women believe that if they just had more willpower or stuck to stricter diets, they'd finally overcome their struggles with food and body image. But this relentless pursuit of perfection leaves you exhausted, overwhelmed, and disconnected from your own needs—leading to stress, burnout, and an even stronger reliance on food to cope. The real issue isn't lack of discipline; it's the deep-rooted belief that your worth is tied to your productivity and appearance. In today's episode, I'm joined by Amber Romaniuk, host of the No Sugarcoating Podcast, a digestive and hormone health expert. We’re talking about how to heal your mind so you can live in a body that thrives.  Here’s what you’ll learn: Is perfectionism secretly fueling your emotional eating? The unexpected reason diets fail—and what to do instead. Discover the hidden link between imposter syndrome and your cravings. Stop wasting willpower: Discover the surprising path to food freedom. Connect with Amber on YouTube and Instagram Come find me on TikTok @hangoverwhisperer and IG @thehangoverwhisperer  If you’re ready to reduce your drinking by 80 percent (as a side effect of getting emotionally sober), Click here to BOOK A DISCOVERY CALL WITH COLLEEN You'll walk away from our call with a clear understanding of how to get the skills you need to transform your life.  

What happens when you’re trying to “not drink” but your brain keeps pestering you to “just have one?”   Most of us put up a fight, trying to override intrusive thoughts with willpower and distractions.    But even if we’re successful, it’s exhausting. Which is why staying sober feels so hard and drinking feels like a relief.    You have to learn how to respond differently to intrusive thoughts if you ever want to enjoy yourself without alcohol.    In this episode, I’ll teach you how to disconnect the musings of your mind from the intense feelings in your body so you can process your urges instead of surrendering to them.   Come find me on TikTok @hangoverwhisperer and IG @thehangoverwhisperer    Click here to BOOK A DISCOVERY CALL WITH COLLEEN I can help you reduce your drinking by 80 percent. You don't have to quit. You just need to reclaim your mental health. You'll walk away from our call with a clear understanding of how to get the skills you need to transform your life.  

Has your relationship with your partner become a significant source of stress?   When you’re unable to connect with the person who is supposed to be your safe place, the fight or flight response in your nervous system hijacks your brain.   Which causes you to exhaust your mental and emotional resources trying to figure out how to fix the problem. Because the alternative is terrifying…divorce would mean the end of life as you know it.    But your mental health is not dependent on the status of your marriage. And the sooner you take full responsibility for your own happiness, the more capable you will be to navigate whatever changes you need to make.    This week’s podcast episode is with expert Karen McMahon, a high conflict divorce coach, author of “Stepping out of Chaos: Turning Pain to Possibility” and host of the Journey Beyond Divorce podcast. How to access your financial information without the help of your spouse Neurosomatic exercises that restore rational thinking when you’re triggered How divorce can break cycles of generational trauma The benefits of following a temporary parenting plan before making final decisions   You’ll walk away with a clear understanding of how to heal your relationship with yourself so that you can decide whether to mend or end your marriage.   Find Karen on IG @journey_beyond_divorce and FB @journeybeyonddivorce and find more about her rapid relief call at https://www.jbddivorcesupport.com/   Come find me on TikTok @hangoverwhisperer and IG @thehangoverwhisperer    Click here to BOOK A DISCOVERY CALL WITH COLLEEN I can help you reduce your drinking by 80 percent. You don't have to quit. You just need to reclaim your mental health. You'll walk away from our call with a clear understanding of how to get the skills you need to transform your life.  

Is anxiety one of the main reasons why you crave alcohol? Because drinking is the simplest way to shut down your mind?   The problem for most high achieving women is they assume anxiety and productivity go hand in hand. So even after alcohol becomes an official problem, the idea of giving it up feels impossible.    But before you beat yourself up for not having an off-switch when you drink, you might notice that you probably don’t have an off-switch for anything.    Running at full speed chasing an out-of-control brain is exhausting. And treating the symptoms of anxiety might keep you going longer, but eventually leads to burnout.   In this episode, I’ll explain how the cure for anxiety begins with understanding the cause. And despite all the worry and concern and rumination…it’s not what you think.   Come find me on TikTok @hangoverwhisperer and IG @thehangoverwhisperer    Click here to BOOK A DISCOVERY CALL WITH COLLEEN I can help you reduce your drinking by 80 percent. You don't have to quit. You just need to learn how to manage your anxiety. You'll walk away from our call with a clear understanding of how to get the skills you need to transform your life.

How do you respond when you hear yourself say, “I can’t keep doing this?”   Most of us crack the whip and keep doing it. We beat ourselves up for being weak or undisciplined. And suppress the growing anxiety and overwhelm that’s telling us something is wrong.    The harder we try, the more exhausted we get. The excitement and motivation that gave us the energy to keep going mutates into cynicism and hopelessness.    But those negative emotions are your superpowers. Everything you want is on the other side of the feelings you don’t want to feel. The breakthrough you need can’t happen until you surrender to the breakdown.   Come find me on TikTok @hangoverwhisperer and IG @thehangoverwhisperer    Click here to BOOK A DISCOVERY CALL WITH COLLEEN Are you looking for a mindful drinking coach instead of a sobriety program? I can help you reduce your drinking by 80 percent so you don't have to quit. You'll walk away from our call with a clear understanding of why you're struggling and what tools you need to achieve your goals.

Does your brain call bullshit on positive affirmations?   Today’s topic was inspired by a client who is struggling with negative self-talk. Whenever she tries to tell herself, “I love you, I trust you, and I believe in you,” the voice in her head screams, “No you don’t!”   As a hard working mother and full time professional, she runs her ass off seven days a week trying to prove that she is capable, competent and worthy of respect. But when she fails to satisfy her nasty inner critic, drinking numbs the noise.    There may be hell to pay, but there usually is anyway. So why does it even matter?   The battle for control of your mind is exhausting and demoralizing. And also ground zero for alcohol use disorder. In this episode, I’ll guide you through real life scenarios with step by step instructions for how to banish the bully in your brain once and for all.    Come find me on TikTok @hangoverwhisperer and IG @thehangoverwhisperer    Click here to BOOK A DISCOVERY CALL WITH COLLEEN Are you looking for a mindful drinking coach instead of a sobriety program? I can help you reduce your drinking by 80 percent so you don't have to quit. You'll walk away from our call with a clear understanding of why you're struggling and what tools you need to achieve your goals.

How do you respond when you’re feeling overwhelmed and worried about everything happening in your life?   Most high-achievers think that success comes from the ability to perform under pressure. And while that’s true, the mistake that leads to burnout is thinking you can’t feel better until you get everything done (well), and everyone around you agrees with your decisions.   But that is literally never going to happen. And the harder you push yourself and the more stress you feel,  the more your cravings for alcohol (and other forms of escape) will continue to overpower you.   Anxiety is the thinking problem that causes the drinking problem. But it’s self-induced. You need to learn new thinking skills to control the bully in your brain so that you can feel safe, calm and present in your body.    In this episode, I’ll give you the 3 strategies I use everyday that will allow you to feel like you’re on your own team and become your own best friend so you can live in peace…no matter what’s happening around you.   Come find me on TikTok @hangoverwhisperer and IG @thehangoverwhisperer  Click here to BOOK A DISCOVERY CALL WITH COLLEEN Are you looking for a mindful drinking coach instead of a sobriety program? I can help you reduce your drinking by 80 percent so you don't have to quit. You'll walk away from our call with a clear understanding of why you're struggling and what tools you need to achieve your goals.  

If you’re wondering whether or not it’s really possible to become someone who has no desire to overdrink and therefore trusts herself completely with alcohol, I can tell you that it is. I have gone from being trapped in a cycle of heavy daily drinking for over 15 years to being able to enjoy drinking in moderation without worrying, counting or pacing myself.    But it’s one thing to accomplish such a radical personal transformation. And quite another to be able to communicate and guide others through the process.    As my clients inside The Next Chapter know, my strategies are always evolving in response to their experiences and needs. And after 6000 hours of coaching experience, I have cracked the code on alcohol use disorder.     In this special episode, you’ll get to hear a broad overview of the seven core skills of emotional sobriety that have allowed me and hundreds of my clients to permanently reduce their alcohol consumption by 80 percent.    You’ll walk away with a clear understanding of what is required to retrain your brain to think and feel differently about alcohol so you can build a life you no longer want or need to escape.   Come find me on TikTok @hangoverwhisperer and IG @thehangoverwhisperer    Click here to BOOK A DISCOVERY CALL WITH COLLEEN Are you looking for a mindful drinking coach instead of a sobriety program? I can help you reduce your drinking by 80 percent so you don't have to quit. You'll walk away from our call with a clear understanding of why you're struggling and what tools you need to achieve your goals.

How often do you pour a drink that you wish you had the willpower to resist?   There’s a big difference between knowing what you should do and having the motivation to follow through.    The mistake most people make when they want to cut back on their drinking is to use an all or nothing approach. Because it seems easier to avoid alcohol than to worry about that slippery slope of temptation.    But if you’re in the habit of overdrinking, you’ve come to see yourself as someone who likes to drink more than you should. Which means that no matter how good it feels to wake up without a hangover, you’ll eventually feel deprived or get tired of making the effort.   In contrast, people in the habit of stopping when they’ve had enough see themselves as moderate drinkers. Turning down another drink doesn’t feel hard for them. Because they really don’t want it.   Everything you think, feel and do is a reflection of your self-image. Trying to change how you drink before changing how you see yourself forces you to swim against a riptide of subconscious programming.   In this episode, you’ll learn: Why setting behavior-based goals such as limiting yourself to two drinks is a fast-pass to failure  How to improve your self-image without denying you want to change The four phases of neuroplasticity that explain why it’s not possible to change all at once Practical strategies for how to use willpower to design processes  that make it easier to drink in moderation   Come find me on TikTok @hangoverwhisperer and IG @thehangoverwhisperer    Click here to BOOK A DISCOVERY CALL WITH COLLEEN Are you looking for a mindful drinking coach instead of a sobriety program? I can help you reduce your drinking by 80 percent so you don't have to quit. You'll walk away from our call with a clear understanding of why you're struggling and what tools you need to achieve your goals.

Are you a positive person feeling defeated by your drinking habit?   It’s hard to feel optimistic when you’re struggling with intrusive thoughts and anxiety due to overdrinking. Worrying feels like the responsible thing to do.    But if beating yourself up was an effective strategy against alcohol use disorder, your cravings for alcohol would disappear.    It’s counterintuitive to let go of the shame and guilt before you have proof that you’re cured. But you can’t solve the problem using the mindset that is creating the problem. Your negative thoughts and feelings are just making it worse.   You already know that feeling better allows you to do better. When you manage to get it right…whatever that means to you , you feel inspired and optimistic. Which means you’re going to have to learn how to cultivate those emotions even when you’re hungover.   Michael Hunter is an acupuncturist with a master’s degree in Taoism, and the founder of UpSpiral Life, a program for people who want to learn how to use the Law of Attraction and manifestation practices to change their lives. In this episode, you’ll hear: How the Law of Attraction works to expand your capacity for positive emotions (and naturally reduce your desire to use alcohol as a crutch) Daily practices to decondition your brain from negative thinking habits How prioritizing a sense of optimism and peace will uplevel your life in ways you can’t even imagine Whether or not it’s actually possible to manifest a million bucks while you sit on the couch   Find Michael’s website at www.UpSpiral.Life, and join him on social media @sleepfix on TikTok and @UpSpiral.Life on Instagram   Come find me on TikTok @hangoverwhisperer and IG @thehangoverwhisperer   Click here to BOOK A DISCOVERY CALL WITH COLLEEN Are you looking for a mindful drinking coach instead of a sobriety program? I can help you reduce your drinking by 80 percent so you don't have to quit. You'll walk away from our call with a clear understanding of why you're struggling and what tools you need to achieve your goals.