Expectations and Empowering the Word "Still"

Episode #341 Hello there! I'm glad you're here.  Today, I want to have a conversation about the word "still" — how it can either make us feel stuck, like we're not doing enough, or trapped in frustration and confusion. But it can also be a word we use to empower ourselves. This year especially, I've had heartfelt conversations with women who feel like they're in a transition, still figuring things out. Whether it's about their relationship with alcohol or their life in general. There's a lot of outgrowing happening, a lot of evolving, and I want to talk about what it really means to be "still" in the middle of all that. If you're feeling stuck, unsure, or frustrated, know you are not alone. Build yourself up today and reframe how you're using still.  You'll hear: How "still" can feel limiting or powerful depending on how you use it. My honest experience with quitting alcohol and the unexpected challenges. Common struggles women face midlife when changing their relationship with alcohol. I'm with you 100%.  Take care of yourself this week. Peace. ✌🏻Before you go...   Could You Do Me a Favor? A Quick Apple Podcast Review Hearing from you is SO helpful as I sit down behind the mic each week.   If this or any other episode helped you, please consider taking a few minutes to help me reach more women in midlife who need to know that living alcohol-free is possible.   Here's how to leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts:  p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Open the Apple Podcasts app on your phone. p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Search for "To 50 and Beyond" and open the show page. p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Scroll down to the Ratings & Reviews section. p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Tap "Write a Review," choose your star rating, and share whatever feels right. p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Tap "Send" to submit your review. I read all of my reviews and will send you a virtual hug after reading yours.  Thank you for your support!    Mentioned in this episode:  Join my newsletter, The Moment Join Team Alcohol-Free  Email me 

Episode #340  Have you ever found yourself saying you want to try something new or stop doing something? If you said, Yes! This episode is for you!  "Broken-record-idis" is a thing, and I share my recent experience declaring an "opposite day"—a simple practice of intentionally doing something opposite of your usual routine, especially in midlife. Whether it's skipping the grocery store to avoid wine, taking a different walk route, or wearing something unexpected, small shifts can spark joy and motivation. Planning a day to do the "opposite" is about breaking monotony, releasing natural dopamine, and inviting a fresh perspective without pressure or big commitments.  If you try it and want to share with me, I would love to hear from you!  If you are interested in private coaching or have questions about Team Alcohol-Free, you can send me an email here.  Thank you for listening! See you soon:)    Mentioned in this episode:  Frieda McFadden books - I talk about The Perfect Son  The movie I saw over the weekend.  I forgot to mention that I enjoyed both the book and the movie!    NEW Inside Team Alcohol-Free  Team Alcohol Free's new three-month subscription option gives you the opportunity to try out our community during the holidays and into 2026.  We are a community of midlife and beyond women working together to create and live an alcohol-free style that feels good to us.  You can find enrollment details here.       

Episode #339 This episode is inspired by a few of my listeners who reached out to me via my email. I've heard from so many women over the past seven-plus years who have said, I'm on day one, and I've heard from a couple of listeners recently who have shared their experiences and their challenges with staying alcohol free on vacation and in restaurants. In this episode, you will hear more about my first vacation sober, my experiences in a restaurant in the early days, and honest reminders to help you stay alcohol-free on vacation and in restaurants. You will also hear a straightforward reminder and message to help you redefine "another day one" if you have gone back to drinking and are starting fresh. I'm with you!  Thank you for listening.  Find things here... To read this episode's full show notes, click here.  Write to me here.  Download The Daily Sobriety Toolkit here.  Join my email newsletter, The Moment, here.   

Episode #338 Hello there! I'm happy you're here.  Today's episode is a conversation among midlife friends. Our guest today is Noelle Van. Noelle has been on the podcast twice before, starting with episode 24 (see below).  She is someone I appreciate having conversations with because she is authentically herself.  During this episode, Noelle and I talk about where Noelle is with getting older - the joys and challenges. Noelle talks about how being in recovery has helped in other areas of her life and where she is now in long-term recovery.  Noelle talks about her life in Corporate and how to identify burnout, and take the first steps towards transitioning out of the Corporate world, and more good stuff about change in midlife.  Thank you for listening. I appreciate you.  To read this episode's full show notes, head on over here.    Check out Noelle's past episodes:  Episode #24: High Functioning Alcoholism and Hiding Your Drinking  Episode 230: How to Start a Journal Practice Contact Noelle here.  Noelle's website  Noelle's podcast: The Change Effect The Sober Leap book   Contact Lori here Lori's website  Free resource: The Daily Sobriety Toolkit Join the newsletter here    Team Alcohol-Free enrollment (closes October 31st)    

Episode 337 Picture us sitting down with our favorite beverage and notebooks, and I ask you: What do you want to focus on and not focus on before the clock strikes midnight on 1/1/2026? It's a question I asked myself before I recorded this episode, and this is what we're talking about today! I share a letter I wrote to myself on 12/31/24 with my goals and dreams for 2025. I talk about what is working in my life that I want to continue to focus on in 2025, a few things I want to start, and something I want to let go of and not focus on.  Throughout the episode, I check in with you to help you get clear on the progress you've made, the things you are doing that are working in your life, and what you want to spend your time focusing on and not focus on for the remainder of the year.  I have a correction:  I mentioned SMART goals and incorrectly used the acronym. The correct meaning is: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound. Thank you for allowing me to be human and make mistakes 😊. I would LOVE to hear from you! Send me an email to share what you're focusing on and not focusing on for the rest of 2025.  Thank you for listening!    You can read the transcript of this episode here.    Mentioned in this episode:  Join The Moment (bi-weekly newsletter)    Lift With Cee YouTube Channel Cheryl Coulombe's challenges I've done this year (and am doing) Weight Watchers App THE Notebook I use and love    Work With Me  Download the free Daily Sobriety Toolkit here.  Private Coaching + Community Community only: Team Alcohol-Free   

Episode 336  Hello! I'm glad you're here.  In this episode, I talk with Stephanie Valentine, a holistic nutritionist and mental health coach, about loving what's really on your plate—both with food and in life. Stephanie shares her journey and her cookbook Love What's On Your Plate, focusing on mindful eating, nourishing rituals, and true self-care. We explore how wellness isn't about being perfect, but about finding joy and balance as life changes, especially in midlife. Stephanie encourages easing up on the strict rules around food, exercise, and rest, and embracing kindness to ourselves. She also shares tips for mindful eating to help your body truly absorb nourishment. We discuss her personal experience with alcohol and her free mocktail guide for creative, enjoyable alternatives. This episode offers practical, heartfelt advice for nurturing yourself, embracing balance, and living joyfully—no perfection needed. This is a truly refreshing episode!  Thank you for listening!    Find Stephanie here:  Her website:  SK Living  Instagram  Purchase her cookbook: Love What's On Your Plate Download her free Mocktail Guide   Find Lori here:  Website Download my free Daily Sobreity Toolkit here    Join Team Alcohol-Free: the best online alcohol-free community only for midlife women (that's what makes it the best) Gain access to weekly meetings, daily inspiration, and lots of connections with midlife women who are living alcohol-free.  Plus, you will receive long-term support for a one-time investment, + additional resources added monthly. Team Alcohol-Free was established in 2023, and we are growing stronger together! If you feel like you've been missing out on alcohol-free girlfriends and coaching, join us today!  Go here to enroll        

Episode #335  Drinking thoughts can be frustrating after you stop drinking. I have had many conversations with women recently that prompted this episode.  If you're in "them", you're going to get through them. Drinking to quiet the thoughts only makes them stick around.  In this episode, I talk about the most common thoughts many midlife women experience, like "I could have just one," "I deserve a drink," and "Why can't I drink like others?"  I share a walk-through of what my day looked like after I stopped drinking—from waking up proud of not drinking, through the growing anticipation and stronger thoughts by afternoon and evening, to making it through despite the discomfort. I talk about some of the reasons why these thoughts come up and why they did for me personally. And, I share ideas to help you navigate these thoughts without drinking and remind you that, in time, they won't be as consistent.  If you're in "the thoughts", you're going to get through them. Drinking to quiet the thoughts only makes them stick around.  I'm with you!    Download the free Daily Sobriety Toolkit here.    Mentioned in this episode:  Article: Imagining Future Events Changes the Brain to Improve Healthy Decision Making Send me an email ✉️ [email protected]   Private Coaching for Midlife Women  You and me = a Team to help you create and live an alcohol-free lifestyle.  I'm so passionate about the work that I do. I would love to help you if you are looking for guidance in either getting started or maintaining your sobriety.  You are not alone in this. If you would like to learn more about private coaching, please schedule a complimentary discovery session here.  Join my Community   Gain access to weekly meetings, daily inspiration, and lots of connections with midlife women who are living alcohol-free.  Plus, you will receive long-term support for a one-time investment, + additional resources added monthly. TAF was established in 2023, and we are growing stronger together! If you feel like you've been missing out on alcohol-free girlfriends and coaching, join us today!  Go here to enroll

Episode 334  Hello! Thank you for being here today.  This episode offers hope to anyone seeking to change their drinking, as well as to family members who wish to support their loved ones through the process with compassion and understanding. I'm honored to welcome our guest, Amber Hollingsworth, to the podcast.  Amber is a master addiction counselor, founder of Hope For Families Recovery Center, and creator of the YouTube channel Put The Shovel Down. With over two decades of experience, she's helped thousands of families navigate addiction recovery using innovative, relationship-focused strategies like the Invisible Intervention. Known for her relatable, no-nonsense approach, Amber's philosophy is centered on empowerment and compassion, believing that people don't need to hit rock bottom to recover and that recovery is about redirecting addictive energy toward positive, fulfilling life goals. She emphasizes that individuals and families have the influence and strength to create lasting change through trust, safety, and a strengths-based approach, rather than relying on shame or control. You will hear Amber talk about: p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> The true process of changing your drinking—and where to begin by taking intentional breaks from alcohol p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> The early signs it may be time to rethink your drinking, and what Amber calls "stage three" p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Why is moderation so challenging, given how alcohol impacts brain chemistry and self-control p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> How to navigate what Amber describes as "the bargaining stage" to stay alcohol-free p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> What to expect in early sobriety and how to approach a break from drinking p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> The instincts family members have that can unintentionally hinder progress—and what they can do to truly support a loved one Amber offers hope, insight, and actionable tools for anyone facing change or supporting someone they love. Click here for Amber's YouTube playlist.  Connect with Amber  Hope For Families Recovery Center    Connect with Lori  Private Coaching complimentary discovery session  Join my community Team Alcohol-Free  Download The Daily Sobriety Toolkit     

Episode #333 Hey there! I'm so happy you're here.  Today, I'm talking to two of my favorite people, Leigh and Anne Walkup. The sisters are back on the podcast to share their thoughts on aging (the joys and the challenges), perimenopause, and we talk about the different seasons of life.  We also talk about recovery and sobriety in the news - it's good news and it's here to stay, as you will hear. The sisters share their thoughts about what recovery is like and why it's beneficial to embrace. They also share their favorite beauty product at the moment, what they're reading and watching, and the latest from their Fall issue of Front Porch Life Magazine.  It's a fun episode! Thank you for listening!    Mentioned in this episode:  Front Porch Life Magazine The Southern Lady Cooks Wow hair product  The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah Winter Rose by Jennifer Donnelly    Leigh and Anne's past episodes: Build More Discipline When Alcohol is the Reward Forgiveness, Messing Up, and Moving On The Benefits of Going All In    Enroll in Team Alcohol-Free  Gain access to weekly meetings, daily inspiration, and lots of connections with midlife women who are living alcohol-free.  Plus, you will receive long-term support for a one-time investment, + additional resources added monthly. TAF was established in 2023, and we are growing stronger together! If you feel like you've been missing out on alcohol-free girlfriends and coaching, join us today!  Go here to enroll  

Episode #332  Hello, friend! Welcome to To 50 and Beyond, where we talk about living alcohol-free later in life. I'm glad you're here! Have you ever wondered whether you should celebrate your sober anniversaries—or those of loved ones? I sure did!  I wasn't sure if my first year was worth celebrating or how to celebrate it, but over time, I figured it out.  I just celebrated 12 years on August 11, 2025, and in this episode, I talk about my favorite ways to celebrate.  I also talk about:  p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Why celebrating every sober milestone, big or small, makes a difference in staying motivated p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Creative and simple ways to honor your journey and anniversaries p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Practical ideas for supporting loved ones who are working on sobriety with authenticity and care To read this episode's full show notes, go here.  Download my free Daily Sobriety Toolkit  Thank you for listening! I appreciate you. If you want to share the ways you celebrate, please email me at [email protected]. Mentioned in this episode: p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Counting Crows "Mr. Jones" video p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Life After Alcohol: Learning to Love Yourself More with Paula Muller     Private Sobriety Coaching for Midlife Women Six sessions over six weeks from the comfort of your home to help you remove alcohol, start living alcohol-free, and create a plan that helps you stay alcohol-free beyond our time together. Learn more and schedule a complimentary discovery session here.    Join my online community - the best online alcohol-free community only for midlife women (that's what makes it the best) Gain access to weekly meetings, daily inspiration, and lots of connections with midlife women who are living alcohol-free.  Plus, you will receive long-term support for a one-time investment, + additional resources added monthly. TAF was established in 2023, and we are growing stronger together! If you feel like you've been missing out on alcohol-free girlfriends and coaching, join us today!  Go here to enroll