99. Sober Girls Trips

Kim and Jen debrief on their Sober in the Suburbs Retreat to Playa del Carmen, Mexico. These ladies have had their fair share of wild girls trips in the past, back when they used to drink, resulting in literal black eyes and endless blackouts. Those trips used to require a vacation from the vacation. We have all been there, right? The retreat these ladies hosted at the Blue Diamond Luxury Boutique Hotel & Spa was anything but stressful. They hosted 11 women for a weekend of total rejuvenation, relaxation and personal exploration. They discovered new friendships as well as complete inner joy and peace. https://en.bluediamondluxuryboutiquehotel.com/

Kezia welcomes back Katherine Rhadans again to chat all about the Super Bowl and what it's like in Kansas City this weekend.

Kim & Kezia talk with Kate Bee from The Sober School about what to do once Dry January ends. Growing up in the era of Sex and the City and Bridget Jones, Kate Bee believed her drinking was simply what successful, independent women did. After all, she was a journalist and TV producer for the BBC - drinking after work was how people socialized. Except she was tired of feeling hungover and ashamed about what felt like more drinking than was healthy. When Kate decided to get sober, she was disappointed to find the only real support was through AA. She attended a few meetings, but left feeling like she didn’t fit in because she was getting sober before her drinking had negatively impacted her work or relationships. But, there was no middle ground - it seemed like you either didn’t have a real problem or you had to be a full-blown alcoholic to get help. That’s why Kate founded The Sober School, a coaching program that helps women feel inspired and empowered by their decision to quit drinking. She helps women who are ready to start living their best life learn how to do it without a glass of wine in hand. Kate’s course helps women understand why they really drink, so they can change their relationship with alcohol for good. Kate lives near Manchester in the UK. Instagram: @thesoberschool https://thesoberschool.com/

Jen Eastwood's story continues. She decides to send herself to rehab, but she isn't fully committed to going the distance once she returns home. Then things completely unravel even more.

Matt Scoletti joins us to tell his story of sobriety. From 21 marathons in 21 days & Navy Seals training camp, he shares his incredible journey. https://www.mattscoletti.com/

Jen Eastwood's story is one of strength, resilience and inner knowing. It is unique yet you will find yourself nodding along in understanding. A recovered people pleaser, she continues to work on being a master of imperfection and no longer a perfectionist. Listen to her honest account from childhood to adulthood of how she realized she was struggling and learned to ask for help.

Kim and Kezia chat with Vanessa McDonald, creator of The Best Decision We Ever Made. A former "Mommy Wine Club" president and neighborhood party co-CEO, Vanessa has been alcohol-free since March 16, 2020. Her inspiration for this book simply came from recognizing a need for a similar resource back when she was wrestling her own relationship with alcohol. After joining a non-traditional online recovery support group, Vanessa heard others share their relatable experiences and profound wisdom, and she knew that she too had to make a change. In this judgement-free recovery space, she discovered she wasn't alone and that connection with like-minded individuals was necessary to staying on her alcohol-free path. Vanessa is a busy, adventure-loving mom of four: Landon (13), Layla (12), Parker (10), and Paxton (9). She's an enneagram 7, an Aries, and a loyal Kansas Jayhawks fan. She was born on Good Friday AND Friday the 13th. With a passion for growth and development, Vanessa has over 20 years of change management experience, partnering with senior executives to assist them in the simplification and implementation of complex strategic initiatives. She is recognized for her contagious energy and ability to connect people and ideas. Today Vanessa enjoys her simple, rewarding life in lowa as a full-time consultant, sports mom (now without alcoholic beverages in her Yeti), and a friend to many. Book link: https://www.amazon.com/Best-Decision-We-Ever-Made/dp/B0CN1SQR8Q/ref=sr_1_1?crid=LU6KBLYXL000&keywords=the+best+decision+we+ever+made+book&qid=1704738695&sprefix=the+best+dec%2Caps%2C161&sr=8-1 Website: www.vanessa-mcdonald.com

Kim and Kezia welcome Brian to the podcast. Brian has an eclectic and varied background, having grown up in Mississippi and lived in NYC and Los Angeles (his current home). Brian has worked off and on as an actor, director and writer for both film and television. Currently Brian provides Clinical Outreach for Breathe Life Healing Centers, a trauma, substance abuse and eating disorder facility focused on the LGBTQ community in Los Angeles and continues to write essays on film, television and life at brianwhisenant.com. Look for Brian’s film, Wrath Mercy at film festivals in 2024. Follow him on TikTok at brian.wiz and IG at brian.wizzz.

Sober in the Suburbs member Karen Dionne vulnerably shares her remarkable story of sobriety. It takes courage to let others in. As Brene Brown says, “You don’t measure vulnerability by the amount of disclosure. You measure it by the amount of courage to show up and be seen when you can’t control the outcome.” 

Kim and Kezia are joined by Katherine Rhadans, from @nowineinthecarpoolline on Instagram. The ladies break it down and have a real chat about all things motherhood. Tune in for a hilarious conversation with a seriously fun lady! Katherine Rhadans is a writer and mother of 5 from Kansas City Missouri. Having been alcohol free for almost a decade, Katherine’s goal is to spread a message of hope to those still suffering, as well as awareness and understanding to the issues associated with alcohol use disorder. She’s been there.