Escaping the Mind Game of Moderation with Kristen Beckett of @mocktailsandmarathons

Karen grew up in a home without alcohol, but that didn’t stop it from finding her in high school. Binge drinking quickly became a part of her life, and she chose not to go to college because she knew she would party it away. After making her way through beauty school, Karen became a mom, and drinking ended up slipping pretty easily into the backseat of her life. She was able to moderate her drinking for years.  Then, Karen’s children got older, and more space appeared in her days. She consistently began to fill that new free time with alcohol. Like so many moms, the pandemic pushed alcohol to the center stage of her life, and in a full resurgence of her drinking, Karen struggled to show up for her family and experienced her first blackout - at age 53. It seemed like something was wrong, and Karen committed to Dry January to see if alcohol was the problem. On Day 18 something incredible happened. She ‘woke up’. The lights were brighter, the colors were more vivid, and Karen started to wonder - what had she been missing while numbing out with alcohol? That experience led Karen to dive deep into quit lit, podcasts and meetings in the Sober Mom Life Cafe. All the while, though, she kept drinking. But over the months she found courage to ask herself a big question: What was she getting from alcohol? And, was it making her experience better in any way?  Karen committed to 90 days of sobriety to find out. By Day 40 it was clear to her - alcohol was making her life harder and was robbing her of experiences. She was not going back.  Join us in the The Sober Mom Life Cafe! For just $25/month, you get access to 8 weekly peer support meetings, the exclusive Cafe social feed (like Facebook, but better!), our monthly book club, the monthly Q+A, the ability to join the retreat, and the chance to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, and merch discounts! For a limited time, get one week free!  We also have The Sober Mom Life Community for just $5.95/month - In the Community, you’ll receive access to the exclusive Community social feed (like Facebook, but better!), the exclusive community chat, our monthly book club, and one free weekly meeting.  My mocktail recipe book, ‘No Ethanol Needed’ is finally here! Grab your copy here: https://mykindofsweet.com/2024/01/the-no-ethanol-needed-mocktail-ebook-is-here/ Click here to follow The Sober Mom Life on Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Summer has arrived! The days are long, the weather is gorgeous, and the pool party invites are starting to arrive. If the idea of not drinking this summer is causing you anxiety, this episode is for you.  Today we’re going to prepare you for your first sober summer, so you can experience the magic that can be found in these long, beautiful, alcohol-free days. We’ll talk about making the decision to stay sober, reconnecting with your younger self who loved summer before alcohol, and how to manage the social challenges that might arise in a sober summer.  If you’re looking for more resources for your sober summer, check out my latest blog post: How to Navigate Your First Sober Summer with Ease!  My mocktail recipe e-book, ‘No Ethanol Needed’ is here to help you through the summer! Grab your $7 copy here.   How to Socialize Sober  Join us in The Sober Mom Life Cafe! For just $25/month, you get access to 8 weekly peer support meetings, the exclusive Cafe social feed (like Facebook, but better!), our monthly book club, the monthly Q+A, the ability to join the retreat, and the chance to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, and merch discounts! Your First week is free!  We also have The Sober Mom Life Community for just $5.95/month - In the Community, you’ll receive access to the exclusive Community social feed (like Facebook, but better!), the exclusive community chat, our monthly book club, and one free weekly meeting.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Katie and I are here for another installment of SobrieTEA, where we spill the tea about our favorite escape: Bravo TV! This week we’re talking about the season finale of Vanderpump Rules, Brittany’s frustration at Jax’s drinking, the problematic drinking culture on Summer House, and Carl and Lindsay’s fight.  Plus - PK and Dorit, Why budgets are being slashed in reality TV, and the bizarre behavior of the guests on Below Deck Down Under.  Do you have topics you’d like us to cover on the next SobrieTEA? Send Katie a note at @soberlivingct on Instagram!  Join us in the The Sober Mom Life Cafe! For just $25/month, you get access to 8 weekly peer support meetings, the exclusive Cafe social feed (like Facebook, but better!), our monthly book club, the monthly Q+A, the ability to join the retreat, and the chance to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, and merch discounts! For a limited time, get one week free!  We also have The Sober Mom Life Community for just $5.95/month - In the Community, you’ll receive access to the exclusive Community social feed (like Facebook, but better!), the exclusive community chat, our monthly book club, and one free weekly meeting.  My mocktail recipe book, ‘No Ethanol Needed’ is finally here! Grab your copy here: https://mykindofsweet.com/2024/01/the-no-ethanol-needed-mocktail-ebook-is-here/ Click here to follow The Sober Mom Life on Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, Kristen Beckett of @mocktailsandmarathons joins me for a great conversation about the false promise of moderation, the challenges of navigating drinking and sobriety with a partner, and the beauty of the online sober community.  A fellow Wisconsite, Kristen grew up in a home where drinking was seen as a normal part of everyday life. After the traumatic birth of her daughter, however, she began to lean on alcohol for more than just a way to unwind. The progressive nature of the substance then took hold, and during Covid she began drinking in the mornings to stave off the hangover from the night before. What followed were multiple rock bottoms, a trip to the ER, many Day 1’s, and ultimately the moment when it just clicked… and she was done.  Kristen began @mocktailsandmarathons as a way to unpack her experiences during early sobriety, and she found so much healing and growth in the community she has built there!  Kristen wants to encourage you to stick with it! You will find your groove.  Are you new to sobriety? Read How to Navigate Your First Sober Summer with Ease!  My mocktail recipe e-book, ‘No Ethanol Needed’ here to help you through the summer! Grab your copy here.   Join us in The Sober Mom Life Cafe! For just $25/month, you get access to 8 weekly peer support meetings, the exclusive Cafe social feed (like Facebook, but better!), our monthly book club, the monthly Q+A, the ability to join the retreat, and the chance to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, and merch discounts! Your First week is free!  We also have The Sober Mom Life Community for just $5.95/month - In the Community, you’ll receive access to the exclusive Community social feed (like Facebook, but better!), the exclusive community chat, our monthly book club, and one free weekly meeting.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As a younger child in her family, Kelsi always looked forward to having her first drink. Her older siblings made alcohol seem like the centerpiece of belonging, connection and fun. This perspective stayed with Kelsi throughout high school and college, and since she was still able to stay on top of life while rocking a hangover, she never saw it as a problem.  As Kelsi moved into adulthood, fitness goals and parenthood made her feel ready to slow down. Yet, alcohol stayed present in her life. Ready for a change, Kelsi began the moderation game. Though she could successfully moderate most of the time, every once in a while a slip would occur, and a sense of failure would erupt within her, chipping away at her self esteem. Two such slips resulted in actions that put her children in danger - and at that point Kelsi had a major wakeup call: She really didn’t like who she was when she was drinking. The only way for her to change was to stop drinking entirely.  Kelsi feels so much freedom in her sobriety, and she credits her sober community for helping her thrive!  Are you new to sobriety? Grab our 5 Tips to Help you Through your First 30 Days of Sobriety!  My mocktail recipe e-book, ‘No Ethanol Needed’ here to help you through the summer! Grab your copy here.   Join us in the The Sober Mom Life Cafe! For just $25/month, you get access to 8 weekly peer support meetings, the exclusive Cafe social feed (like Facebook, but better!), our monthly book club, the monthly Q+A, the ability to join the retreat, and the chance to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, and merch discounts!  We also have The Sober Mom Life Community for just $5.95/month - In the Community, you’ll receive access to the exclusive Community social feed (like Facebook, but better!), the exclusive community chat, our monthly book club, and one free weekly meeting.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thank you to everyone who submitted questions through @thesobermomlife on Instagram!  Today, Audrey and I are delving into the most popular topics that you asked.   We’ll share our thoughts on non-alcoholic drinks, the challenges that arise in maintaining sobriety, how to handle it when your friends don’t handle your sobriety well, why we think that day drinking is hell, and much more! Would you like to submit a question for a future AMA? Leave a 5-star review on The Sober Mom Life Podcast on Apple Podcasts and leave your question in the review! Are you new to sobriety? Grab our 5 Tips to Help you Through your First 30 Days of Sobriety!  My mocktail recipe e-book, ‘No Ethanol Needed’ here to help you through the summer! Grab your copy here.   Join us in the The Sober Mom Life Cafe! For just $25/month, you get access to 8 weekly peer support meetings, the exclusive Cafe social feed (like Facebook, but better!), our monthly book club, the monthly Q+A, the ability to join the retreat, and the chance to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, and merch discounts!  We also have The Sober Mom Life Community for just $5.95/month - In the Community, you’ll receive access to the exclusive Community social feed (like Facebook, but better!), the exclusive community chat, our monthly book club, and one free weekly meeting.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today’s real sober mom, Sara, is back on the pod after first appearing in November of 2022! If you haven’t listened to her first episode, be sure to check it out here. Today, Sara catches us up on how she’s been doing now that she is almost 2 ½ years sober - with sobriety, her family, and her personal life.  We’ll talk about how dabbling in moderation back in the day has helped Sara stay sober now, her new perspective on free time now that she’s sober, the importance of letting our kids have the center stage on their memorable milestone moments, and all the ways in which Sara can now show up for her family that weren’t possible when she was drinking.  Join us in the The Sober Mom Life Cafe! For just $25/month, you get access to 8 weekly peer support meetings, the exclusive Cafe social feed (like Facebook, but better!), our monthly book club, the monthly Q+A, the ability to join the retreat, and the chance to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, and merch discounts!  We also have The Sober Mom Life Community for just $5.95/month - In the Community, you’ll receive access to the exclusive Community social feed (like Facebook, but better!), the exclusive community chat, our monthly book club, and one free weekly meeting.  My mocktail recipe book, ‘No Ethanol Needed’ is finally here! Grab your copy here:  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Madeline Campbell from Happiest Sober is on the pod today to share her unique sobriety journey. You guys, Madeline quit drinking in her 20s. Can you imagine?! One of the biggest reasons why Madeline began to question her drinking so early in life is because she had a great role model growing up: a sober mom.  Today, we talk about Madeline’s childhood experience with a sober mom, how her drinking progressed through her late teens and 20s, the ways in which her mom helped her navigate sobriety when she was ready to quit, the importance of speaking to your kids about alcohol, and embracing the discomfort that can arise in early sobriety.  Check out Madeline’s wonderful sobriety Instagram @happiestsober, and check out The Happiest Sober Podcast!  Want to support the show? Click here to Buy Me A Coffee ☕️ We appreciate your support! Try The Sober Mom Life Cafe FREE for one week! You get access to 9 weekly peer support meetings, the exclusive Cafe social feed (like Facebook, but better!), our monthly book club, the monthly Q+A, the ability to join the retreat, and the chance to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, and merch discounts!  We also have The Sober Mom Life Community for just $5.95/month - In the Community, you’ll receive access to the exclusive Community social feed (like Facebook, but better!), the exclusive community chat, our monthly book club, and one free weekly meeting.  My mocktail recipe book, ‘No Ethanol Needed’ is finally here! Grab your copy here: https://mykindofsweet.com/2024/01/the-no-ethanol-needed-mocktail-ebook-is-here/ Click here to follow The Sober Mom Life on Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Like so many small town girls, Abby’s first drink was a wine cooler in the middle of a field. Though she hated the taste, she learned that alcohol could be a tool to rely on: for an escape from her painful home life, as a way to fit in, and to help her ignore the nagging feeling that she didn’t belong. Throughout college and young adulthood, she leaned on it, throwing herself into a heavy drinking social life until she realized… She didn’t like herself.  Even as Abby began to work on herself, alcohol remained in her life, and it stayed present as she fell in love, got married and had two kids. In the pandemic though, stuck at home with a baby and a toddler, her drinking began to spiral in a new way.  When Abby began to question her drinking, she reached for podcasts like this one, and she was so comforted by the women who sounded so much like her. Alcohol felt like a part of her identity, though, and she had no idea if she could give it up. However, the questions started to get louder. Could she get off this train before she hit rock bottom? Did she want her children to know her as a party girl?  She knew she had to try. Hand in hand with her sister, she decided to attempt 100 days of sobriety. After she successfully reached 100 days it became clear to her: she didn’t want to go back!  Abby recommends that you just start, even if you don’t feel ready. It can be messy and imperfect at the beginning, and that’s okay!  Join us in the The Sober Mom Life Cafe! For just $25/month, you get access to 8 weekly peer support meetings, the exclusive Cafe social feed (like Facebook, but better!), our monthly book club, the monthly Q+A, the ability to join the retreat, and the chance to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, and merch discounts!  We also have The Sober Mom Life Community for just $5.95/month - In the Community, you’ll receive access to the exclusive Community social feed (like Facebook, but better!), the exclusive community chat, our monthly book club, and one free weekly meeting.  My mocktail recipe book, ‘No Ethanol Needed’ is finally here! Grab your copy here: https://mykindofsweet.com/2024/01/the-no-ethanol-needed-mocktail-ebook-is-here/ Click here to follow The Sober Mom Life on Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is such a pinch me moment! The incredible Annie Grace is on the podcast. Annie’s first book, This Naked Mind, changed my life. And I’m not alone! So many women in the Sober Mom Life Cafe have had the same experience. In addition to being the bestselling author of multiple books, Annie Grace is the founder of This Naked Mind, where millions of people have found freedom from alcohol through her groundbreaking emotion-based change framework.  In today’s episode, we’ll talk about how a drinking heavy workplace culture brought alcohol into Annie’s life, the importance of removing shame from the conversation when speaking about alcohol, Annie’s thoughts on moderation, how sobriety affected her relationships, and even how to talk to your kids about alcohol. This Naked Mind is a must read. I recommend buying both the audiobook and book copies to get the most out of the experience!  Join us in the The Sober Mom Life Cafe! For just $25/month, you get access to 8 weekly peer support meetings, the exclusive Cafe social feed (like Facebook, but better!), our monthly book club, the monthly Q+A, the ability to join the retreat, and the chance to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, and merch discounts!  We also have The Sober Mom Life Community for just $5.95/month - In the Community, you’ll receive access to the exclusive Community social feed (like Facebook, but better!), the exclusive community chat, our monthly book club, and one free weekly meeting.  My mocktail recipe book, ‘No Ethanol Needed’ is finally here! Grab your copy here:  https://mykindofsweet.com/2024/01/the-no-ethanol-needed-mocktail-ebook-is-here/ Click here to follow The Sober Mom Life on Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices