In this episode of The Sober Edge, Adriana Marchione joins me to explore how art in all its forms can be a powerful tool for healing and recovery. Adriana shares her journey from movement and dance into formal training in Expressive Arts Therapy, and how creativity helps us reconnect with ourselves, regulate our nervous systems, and discover unexpected insights. We talk about the accessibility of creativity—even for those who don’t see themselves as “artists”—and how it can open a pathway to deeper healing in an alcohol-free life. Full Show Notes Here
On this episode of The Sober Edge, I’m joined by Amber Hollingsworth, a family recovery expert who has spent nearly 20 years helping loved ones find a path through the chaos of addiction. Amber is known for her refreshingly direct and practical approach—what she jokingly calls being “a little bossy.” Instead of leaving families guessing at what to do or say, Amber offers clear, actionable guidance that can ease tension, reduce resentment, and create real change. We talk about how families can support their loved ones without losing themselves, why trying to “always say the right thing” can backfire, and what to do instead. Amber also introduces her exciting new tool, Amber AI—a way for families to get her wisdom on demand, right when they need it most. This is a conversation full of hope, honesty, and the kind of advice that meets families where they really are. SHOW NOTES HERE
In this episode of The Sober Edge, Teri explores Mel Robbins’ viral Let Them Theory—a simple yet powerful mindset shift that can transform the way you navigate relationships, boundaries, and joy in your alcohol-free life. Learn how letting go of control and other people’s opinions can bring more ease, excitement, and emotional freedom to your AF journey. Show Notes Here
In this inspiring episode of The Sober Edge, I sit down with Sophia Graniela, founder of Her Journey Home, to explore two powerful pathways to self-reconnection: sober travel and EFT tapping. Sophia shares how her alcohol-free journey opened the door to deeper emotional healing and authentic exploration—both on the road and within. We discuss how travel becomes a mirror when done with intention, and how Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) helps regulate the nervous system, clear emotional blocks, and support us in returning to our true selves. Whether you're curious about tapping or dreaming of your next soul-nourishing adventure, this episode is your invitation to come home to who you really are. Show Notes Here
In this episode of The Sober Edge, we dive into the nervous system's survival responses—Fight, Flight, Freeze, and Fawn—and explore how each one can unconsciously drive our alcohol use. Teri breaks down what each state looks and feels like in everyday life, and how recognizing our default response can be the first step toward healing and true emotional regulation without reaching for a drink. Tune in for the key to your own patterns, and, explore your healing journey. Show Notes HERE
What if trusting your gut started with feeding it better? In this episode of The Sober Edge, host Teri Patterson takes listeners on a journey from the microbiome to mindfulness. You'll discover how gut health directly impacts your ability to think clearly, regulate emotions, and even access intuition. Teri shares simple strategies for feeding your gut with food variety and fiber, and she connects the dots between physical nourishment and emotional insight—offering a whole-body perspective on self-trust and sobriety. This episode is both science-based and soul-filled, perfect for anyone on the alcohol-free path ready to feel more grounded, clear, and connected. Full Show Notes HERE
In this special solo episode, I share a behind-the-scenes update from my own alcohol-free journey and entrepreneurial life. I reflect on my word of the year—flow—and how it continues to guide me through the messy middle of seeking balance, recalibrating priorities, and tuning in to what really matters. Join me for a heart-to-heart check-in on rest, resistance, and finding a new rhythm that supports soul care, not just self-care. Whether you're in a season of full steam ahead or slow integration, this episode is your gentle reminder: you’re not behind, you’re exactly where you need to be. Full Show Notes Here
In this episode of The Sober Edge, host Teri Patterson explores the often-overlooked journey of rebuilding trust—starting with ourselves. With insights from Dr. Nicole LePera’s How To Meet Yourself, Teri explains how nervous system states influence our ability to feel safe and connected, and how learning to interpret bodily cues is the first step toward healing trust—both inward and outward. If you’ve ever struggled to know what’s “safe” in recovery, this episode is for you. Show Notes HERE
In this episode, I’m sharing my experience attending Sober in the City, a vibrant alcohol-free weekend in Scottsdale, packed with friendship, fun, and deeply healing conversations. From nervous system regulation to trauma recovery, the event spotlighted powerful topics while offering the gift of true connection. Join me as I reflect on how these moments reinforce the joy and richness of living alcohol-free. My personal reflections from attending Sober in the City in Scottsdale The magic of meeting alcohol-free women in person Conversations on nervous system regulation, trauma, and community healing How events like this support us in rewiring our relationship to socializing The joy of experiencing laughter, dancing, and connection—without alcohol Why these gatherings matter for long-term alcohol-free living Full Show Notes HERE
In this episode of The Sober Edge, Teri explores a powerful truth about the alcohol-free journey: after the chaos and drama of drinking, peace can feel... flat. Many people in early sobriety wonder if they’ve lost their spark or if boredom is the new normal. But what if this stillness is actually the foundation for something deeper — clarity, calm, and true contentment? You’ll hear about: Why drinking creates a false sense of excitement How the nervous system reacts to calm after chronic overstimulation Why “boredom” might actually mean “discomfort with stillness” The mindset shift that reframes peace as powerful Tools for finding joy and purpose in a slower, steadier life Whether you're just starting your alcohol-free path or supporting others on theirs, this conversation will help you embrace the quiet victories and reimagine what it means to feel alive — without chaos. FULL SHOW NOTES
What happens after you remove alcohol — but you're still left wondering, Now what? In this solo episode, Teri opens up about the unexpected truth of alcohol-free living: that quitting drinking doesn’t instantly solve everything... in fact, it often stirs up new (and better) questions. From navigating discomfort to stepping outside your old comfort zone, Teri explores what it means to live into the questions — and why that’s actually where transformation begins. If you’ve ever thought, “I don’t miss alcohol, but I’m still figuring me out,” this episode is for you. Tune in for a powerful, honest look at curiosity, growth, and asking the right questions on the other side of alcohol. Topics covered: Why life after alcohol feels both clearer and more complicated The shift from numbing to noticing Getting outside your comfort zone (without white-knuckling) How to ask better questions for real growth Show Notes Here Interested in The Sober Summit All-Access-Pass? Click Here
What if the sober social group you're looking for doesn’t exist yet? Then it might be time to create it! In this episode, Teri chats with Sarah Showard, founder of the thriving Tucson Sober Girlfriends community. Together, they explore how Sarah went from craving connection to hosting alcohol-free events each month—and why IRL (in real life) meetups are a key part of long-term alcohol-free living. Whether you're newly alcohol-free or just wishing you had a stronger support network in your city, this episode is packed with practical encouragement to help you take the first step. Teri and Sarah talk tools, mindset, and what happens when we stop waiting for the invitation and start creating community on our own terms. Full Show Notes Here
In this episode, we dive into the sneaky patterns that keep us stuck. What if it's not self-sabotage? From resistance, which tells us we don’t need to change, to the pull of our comfort zone, where familiar patterns feel safer than growth, we uncover why breaking free can feel so hard. We’ll also explore how fear of failure (or even success!) creates doubt, and why perfectionism convinces us that if we can’t do it perfectly, we shouldn’t do it at all. Letting go, moving on and getting unstuck is possible when we rewrite the stories from our past. Full Show Notes Here
In this episode of The Sober Edge Podcast, we explore how alcohol dulls our five senses—sight, sound, taste, touch, and smell—and what happens when we remove it from our lives. From the rich flavors of food to the warmth of human connection, breaking free from alcohol allows us to experience the world in full color again. Join host Teri Patterson as she delves into the science behind sensory impairment and shares inspiring insights on how we can rediscover joy, presence, and beauty in the everyday moments that make life extraordinary. Full Show Notes Here
Emotions can feel overwhelming, especially when we’re no longer numbing them with alcohol. In this episode, we'll explore together how we can better understand and manage our emotions in this alcohol-free life. From self-awareness to self-regulation, we’ll discuss practical ways to move beyond reaction and into intentional response. Whether you’re facing frustration, anxiety, or even joy, learning to process emotions in a healthy way is key to loving your AF life. Join me as I share insights and tools to help you experience emotional freedom and navigate life’s ups and downs while feeling all those 'big sober feelings'! Full Show Notes Here
The future of non-alcoholic beverages is bold, innovative, and—thanks to Focus by Be Honest Bev. Co.—packed with an extra boost. In this episode, I dive into the evolving world of NA drinks and where hemp-infused drinks fit into the mix. My guest, Michelle Houston, shares the surprising twists and challenges of creating a better, cleaner, and more intentional beverage. Could this be the new go-to for mindful drinkers? Tune in to find out! Full Show Notes Here
Emotions, motivation and alcohol. When it comes to emotions, we need to understand a few things about alcohol and the connection between our feelings and our motivations. There are four pillars of human motivation that overlap with emotions. Avoid pain: our natural inclination is to avoid pain. When it comes to being motivated to change our relationship with alcohol, avoiding pain can be a help or a barrier... Seek Pleasure: just as we want to avoid pain, we are also wired to seek pleasure. This is partly due to our old friend, dopamine, which is responsible for focus and motivation. Once again, we need to understand that 'seeking pleasure' can move us toward our goal or get in the way of us making sustained changes... Conserve Energy: how many of us use alcohol as a way to manage our energy? Knowing that our brain is focused on conserving energy can be helpful when we consider the 'energy drain' that comes with drinking and overdrinking... Prove itself right: our brains are prediction machines. We love to know the answer; we love to be right! When it comes to motivation for a sober-curious life, this default mode can get in the way... Using this new awareness takes time and practice. See if you can catch yourself in one of these dynamics this week. Notice where you want to be right, or are focused on avoiding pain. Use the opportunity to explore how this new sense of understanding can keep you motivated to change! Full Show Notes Here Check out my new affiliation with Alcohol-Free Lifestyle; a place for high achievers to take a 90 day break from alcohol and discover more purpose, productivity and satisfaction!
Back again for an encore is my very special conversation with Amanda E. White. This is the most popular episode of The Sober Edge Podcast and I invite you to listen in to this important conversation about: Women's health Boundaries around drinking Making an empowered choice Since our conversation in 2021, Amanda had continued to be a powerful voice and advocate for 'not drinking tonight'. Full Show Notes Here
Getting a 'fresh start' or 'a new lease on life' might seem the perfect way to begin your alcohol-free journey. But, what if we have some time away from alcohol, and then we go back to drinking, first just the occasional glass of wine, or beer on a hot summer's day. Gradually, (or maybe rapidly), we find ourselves drinking again every day. Now it's time to start again. In this episode of The Sober Edge, I introduce you to a concept that sounds just slightly different from starting over but, in practice, is actually very different. Starting from where you are allows one to take the learning, the practice and wisdom that comes from taking a break from drinking and use it to create a vastly different experience. One that just might lead to permanent change. Listen in to discover: The power of counting days What happens to our brains when we stay stuck in the cycle of stopping and starting? Why is it so difficult to get past Day 3? The hidden beauty of this journey to freedom from alcohol is wrapped up in the lessons we learn from the path we take. Here's to making the path easier by shifting our minds.
Breaking news: Surgeon general calls for cancer warnings on alcohol. This headline generated a lot of messages and conversations with my family, clients and colleagues. It's happening! Maybe... It’s been nearly four decades since Congress approved the first government warning label on alcohol, the one that says pregnant women shouldn’t drink and warns about the dangers of driving while drinking. No updates have been made since then. Any effort to add a cancer warning label to alcohol would face significant push-back from a well-funded and powerful beverage industry, which spends nearly $30 million every year lobbying Congress. In this episode of The Sober Edge Podcast, I share more about the New York Times article. It will most likely take a long time for the outcry to result in changes in the labeling legislation. For cigarettes, it was 20 years after the first alarm bells were sounded before full labels warning of cancer were mandated. The good news is that this push may impact the guidelines about 'safe' drinking amounts, which are due to be reevaluated this year. Full Show Notes Here