151: Sobriety and Mental Health

Chip and Veronica discuss how imposter syndrome can manifest and sabotage our lives and sobriety. It creates fear and anxiety that have to be managed as we judge our insides by other peoples outsides. To learn more, visit the show notes.

Veronica talks to Dr. Schneider about the human experience of anxiety. How can we deal with anxiety and understand it as part of our human functioning? Dr. Schneider is past editor of the Journal of Humanistic Psychology, adjunct faculty at Saybrook University and Teachers College, Columbia University, and president of the Existential-Humanistic Institute (EHI). He is also a Fellow of five divisions of the American Psychological Association (Humanistic, Psychotherapy, Clinical, Theoretical and Philosophical, and Independent Practice) as well as a frequent speaker at conferences and in the media. Dr. Schneider is also the recipient of Honorary Diplomas and Memberships from The Society for Existential Analysis, UK; The East European Association for Existential Therapy; and the Living Institute, Toronto, Canada, whose diploma in “Existential-Integrative” Therapy is based on Dr. Schneider’s original model of this approach. He has authored or coauthored twelve books, including The Paradoxical Self, Horror and the Holy, Existential-Integrative Psychotherapy, Awakening to Awe and the forthcoming Wiley World Handbook of Existential Therapy. Several of these works have been translated into Chinese, German, Russian, Greek, Turkish, Portuguese, Slovakian, and Korean languages.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Veronica and Chip celebrate 6-years with the Soberful podcast. Questions answered: what was your first impression of each other? How have you changed over 20 years? Should you leave your partner if they don't support your sobriety? How to deal with stress and crabings? And can you get sober without God? To learn more, visit the show notes.

Veronica meets Dr. Emily Nicholls to discuss the No and Low alcohol market. The deliberate blurring of marketing by alcohol companies and whether the alcohol-free market is a good or bad thing. Dr Emily Nicholls is a Lecturer in Sociology at the University of York, UK. Her research interests include gender, identity and alcohol consumption. Emily’s research has spanned different areas of drinking and non-drinking over the last ten years, from the ‘girls’ night out’ to drinking patterns and practices during the COVID-19 pandemic. She has also undertaken research into women’s experiences of early sobriety and, more recently, the ways in which ‘No and Low’ alcohol drinks are marketed and used by both drinkers and non-drinkers.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

As part of our parenting as Prevention series, Dr. Ortiz joins Veronica to discuss the four D's: Discomfort, distress, disappointment, and (mild) danger and how our kids need to manage these feelings in order to learn vital life skills as adults. Director of clinical training and associate professor of psychology, Dr. Ortiz conducts research on parenting, disruptive behavior problems in children, and child anxiety. Dr. Ortiz received a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, before joining the faculty at Long Island University-Post. Dr. Ortiz is a licensed psychologist in and runs a private psychology practice in NY. He has made a number of media appearances to bring evidence-based clinical psychology to a broader audience. His latest work, Independence Therapy for child anxiety was recently described in an op-ed piece he wrote for the NY Times. You can follow him on X @DrCamiloOrtiz.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Chip and Veronica believe if sobriety wasn't joyful, fun and interesting, we wouldn't want to do it. Finding joy in sobriety is what underpins long-term sobriety. They discuss how to find your joy in sobriety. To learn more, visit the show notes.

In the second part, Veronica and Chip take you through the four tasks of mourning and how these actions can help us move through this important process of letting go. To learn more, visit the show notes.

In this two-part episode, Chip and Veronica talk about the very necessary process of going through the grief cycle whenever we lose something. To learn more, visit the show notes.

In this episode, Chip and Veronica discuss the tricky but important process of making amends. How to approach people, why it's important to think it through and why it matters so much to your sobriety. To learn more, visit the show notes.

Veronica interviews THE sober sexpert about women, sexuality and sobriety. What are the 'hot topics' for women when they get sober? Cindi Roberts, M.Ed., Certified Professional Coach (CPC), Certified Professional Recovery Coach (CPRC). Cindi is a professional recovery coach that supports women who want to focus on finding and recovering intimate connections to self and others. Often referred to as the SoberSexpert™, Cindi holds a Master’s degree in Sexual Health Education and is currently studying to be a Clinical Sexologist. She has over 25 years of professional experience as a sexual health and wellness educator. Being in recovery from alcohol use disorder for over 7 years, she knows first-hand the intimacy issues that can arise for women in recovery. Cindi is passionate about helping women discover tools and develop inner strength and confidence to navigate intimate relationships. She is known for her compassion, candidness and authenticity when holding space for an honest dialogue about a variety of sensitive subjects. Cindi lives in Colorado, where she focuses on coaching, teaching and speaking about topics including recovery, sobriety, sexual wellness and intimacy. To learn more, visit the show notes.