• What To Do When A Voice In Your Head Says You Can't Change | Alcohol Freedom Coaching | EP 891
    Mar 24 2026
    What if working through urges to drink didn't have to feel like fighting failure? In this episode, Coaches Cole and Hayley sit down with Kristen and Nicola — two Path members — for Alcohol Freedom Coaching sessions that shine a light on how our urges to drink can become our greatest teachers rather than our enemies. Kristen drinks to escape overwhelm, creating a self-perpetuating cycle, while Nicola has been battling self-doubt that sends her spiraling when an urge to drink hits. Both coaches show their guests how curiosity, compassion, and intentional choices can help with working through urges to drink and building real confidence in living alcohol-free. In Kristen’s session:Overwhelm and the urge to numb out after a hard dayThe real cost of “forgetting” and what true peace meansSpotting early cues in your body before cravings growA quick reset: breath, stretch, five minutes to yourselfAsking for a minute without guilt or people-pleasingWorking through urges to drink with a plan you can repeatAnd more In Nicola’s session:The doubt loop: “don’t hope or you’ll be disappointed”Fear of quitting alcohol and fear of the unknownMeeting thoughts with compassion instead of resistanceSelf-soothing tools that bring you back to the presentSocial moments without alcohol (tonic water, leaving when you choose)Keeping routines while changing what happens nextAnd more topics Cole Harvey is a certified Naked Mind Senior Coach. For years, he felt lost and used alcohol as a way to cope, until he decided to go alcohol-free and focus on finding his purpose. Through curiosity, self-compassion, and adventure, he transformed his life. As a habit change and mindset coach, Cole helps young men understand themselves, build better habits, and find meaning. Learn more about Coach Cole: https://thisnakedmind.com/coach/cole-harvey/ Hayley Scherders is a certified TNM Coach with training from the Canadian Addiction and Mental Health Association. Drawing from personal experiences, Hayley understands how tough change can be and provides a safe, compassionate, and judgment-free space where her clients can feel supported. She believes that with the right mindset, anyone can change their life at any time. Learn more about Coach Hayley: https://thisnakedmind.com/coach/hayley-scherders/ Episode links: nakedmindpath.com Related Episodes: Overcoming a Craving: My Best Advice - Reader Question - EP 10 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-10-reader-question-overcoming-a-craving-my-best-advice/ Anxiety, Overwhelm, and Alcohol: Tools to Find Calm and Confidence - Alcohol Freedom Coaching - EP 877 - https://thisnakedmind.com/daily-practices-to-stay-alcohol-free-afc-e877/ How Do I Muster the Willpower Not to Drink? - Reader Question - EP 88 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-88-reader-question-social-drinking-muster-willpower-not-drink/ Ready to take the next step on your journey? Visit https://learn.thisnakedmind.com/podcast-resources for free resources, programs, and more. Until next week, stay curious! This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp, Quince, and Shopify. BetterHelp: BetterHelp is offering our listeners 10% off at ⁠betterhelp.com/nakedmind⁠ . Quince: Get free shipping and 365-day returns at ⁠quince.com/naked⁠ . Shopify: Sign up for a $1 month trial at ⁠shopify.com/mind⁠
    Show more Show less
    56 mins
  • How Brain Rewiring Made Alcohol Small and Insignificant | Monica's Naked Life | EP 890
    Mar 21 2026
    Picking health over alcohol—what if that choice could feel less like deprivation and more like relief? Monica grew up in a culture where drinking wasn’t just normal, it was identity: being the fun one, staying late, shining at happy hour, making alcohol the “reward” for workdays, celebrations, stress, and everything in between. Even when the downsides started showing up (worse anxiety, feeling run-down, the exhausting mental math of “when’s my next drink?”), not drinking didn’t feel like a real option—just something you powered through until you “earned” going back. After reading This Naked Mind, Monica finally had language for what she’d been living: cognitive dissonance. She could see alcohol clearly…and still want it. She tried breaks, challenges, and milestones, but it kept feeling like white-knuckling. Then she joined The Path and something shifted. Instead of forcing a forever decision, she learned how to pause, observe, and stack up real-life evidence—what actually happened when she didn’t drink at a birthday, during the holidays, in hard relationship moments. In this episode, Coach Cole and Monica talk about how rewiring happens one data point at a time—and how choosing self-compassion over self-judgment helped alcohol become small and insignificant. Monica also shares a powerful realization from pregnancy, and a moment of fear that made her see just how badly she wanted freedom. Coach Cole and Monica discuss: Growing up with alcohol as identity: “life of the party” and the go-to reward Why “just drink less” kept feeling impossible (even with motivation) How The Path helped Monica start observing instead of battling herself Stacking evidence: first alcohol-free “firsts” that built confidence Anxiety dropping when alcohol left the equation—and what surprised her mostPregnancy, “it’s not an option,” and what that revealed about her true preferences A health scare thought that exposed the depth of the pattern—and the breakthrough it sparkedPicking health over alcohol through curiosity, compassion, and real-life proof And more topics… Episode links: nakedmindpath.com Related Episodes: I see no benefit to alcohol, why can't I just quit? – Reader Question – E60 – https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-60-reader-question-see-no-benefit-alcohol-cant-just-quit/ Why Do I Drink When I Know It’s Bad For Me? - Reader Question - E660 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-660-readers-question-why-do-i-drink-when-i-know-its-bad-for-me/ Learning to Trust Yourself Again – Alcohol Freedom Coaching – E746 – https://thisnakedmind.com/learning-to-trust-yourself-again-alcohol-freedom-coaching-e746/ Ready to take the next step on your journey? Visit https://learn.thisnakedmind.com/podcast-resources for free resources, programs, and more. Until next week, stay curious!
    Show more Show less
    39 mins
  • How to Break Routine Drinking Patterns When Alcohol Is Everywhere | Alcohol Freedom Coaching | EP 889
    Mar 17 2026
    Breaking routine drinking patterns can feel like the most difficult part of finding freedom in your relationship with alcohol. Our brain kicks into autopilot mode, and suddenly, it seems like a drink magically appears in our hands. Figuring out what feeds that pattern is key to breaking it. Today, Coach Soraya works with Cheryl, who's about to spend five months in Mexico, where daily drinking is the norm, and her husband leads the party every day. Then Coach Cole joins Jennifer, a single mom and nurse practitioner who traded wine for sugar and is carrying way too much alone. Both guests learn to embrace one truth: you don't have to drink to belong. In Cheryl’s Session: Mexico drinking culture: walk, lunch, games, drinks…repeat Breaking routine drinking patterns when “fun” has always meant alcohol Handling “How long are you doing this?” and “What about Christmas?” questions Redefining fun and honoring your limits without apologizing Exit plans and boundary-setting when parties run late Having an honest conversation when your partner drinks more than you do In Jennifer’s session: Sugar cravings and weight gain after going alcohol-free Spotting the shame voice and why it backfires Breaking routine drinking patterns when nights feel restless and overloaded Creating friction (less convenience) to interrupt autopilot choices Delegating the mental load: lunches, dishes, and daily responsibilities Practicing compassion so change feels lighter—and more sustainable Soraya Odishoo is a compassionate Certified This Naked Mind Coach who blends somatic healing with therapeutic models to support recovery. She serves people who feel disconnected from their true selves & want freedom from substances or behaviors that no longer serve them. She takes a trauma-informed, heart-centered approach with a strong focus on accessibility for BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities. Learn more about Coach Soraya: https://thisnakedmind.com/coach/soraya-arjan-odishoo-alpc/ Cole Harvey is a certified Naked Mind Senior Coach. For years, he felt lost & used alcohol as a way to cope, until he decided to go alcohol-free & focus on finding his purpose. Through curiosity, self-compassion, & adventure, he transformed his life. As a habit change & mindset coach, Cole helps young men understand themselves, build better habits, & find meaning. Learn more about Coach Cole: https://thisnakedmind.com/coach/cole-harvey/ Episode links: nakedmindpath.com Related Episodes: I Quit Drinking But My Spouse Has Not. Any Advice? - Reader Question - EP 48 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-48-reader-question-i-quit-drinking-but-my-spouse-has-not-any-advice/ Where do I start when I struggle with food and alcohol? - Reader Question - EP 398 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-398-reader-question-where-do-i-start-when-i-struggle-with-food-and-alcohol/ Thought, Craving, or Old Habit? Making Sense of the Urge to Drink - Alcohol Freedom Coaching - EP 881 - https://thisnakedmind.com/does-the-urge-to-drink-ever-go-away-alcohol-freedom-coaching-e881/ Ready to take the next step on your journey? Visit https://learn.thisnakedmind.com/podcast-resources for free resources, programs, & more. Until next week, stay curious! This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp, Quince, and Shopify. BetterHelp: BetterHelp is offering our listeners 10% off at betterhelp.com/nakedmind . Quince: get free shipping and 365-day returns at quince.com/naked . Shopify: Sign up for a $1 month trial at shopify.com/mind
    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 2 mins
  • Choosing Freedom Over Fitting In | Maxine’s Naked Life | EP 888
    Mar 14 2026
    Trigger Warning: This episode contains a reference to sexual assault. Choosing freedom over fitting in. What if that one decision changed everything? Maxine grew up in an Irish culture where drinking was considered a vital piece of celebration, identity, and belonging, and for years she rode the exhausting cycle of stopping, starting, and negotiating with alcohol. Then she took on 75 Hard for her health, realized people were waiting for her to “be a drinker” again, and found herself craving something deeper than social approval: stability, clarity, and real joy. A sunrise on New Year’s Day became the moment she knew she was done for good. In this episode, Maxine joins Coach Cole to share how she stepped off the rollercoaster, stopped explaining herself, and built a life she genuinely loves—without alcohol. In this episode, Coach Cole and Maxine discuss: The cultural messages about alcohol that shaped Maxine’s early relationship with drinking What it felt like to be able to “pause,” but not truly feel free Why the mental load of alcohol was the most exhausting part How 75 Hard became a socially acceptable “pass” to stop drinking Choosing freedom over fitting in when people push back on your decision The New Year’s Day sunrise moment that made her say, “I’m done” Why she identifies as a “zero consumption” person and doesn’t romanticize moderation How she handles parties now: honesty, boundaries, and bringing her own options Playing it forward to dissolve cravings and protect her peace And other topics… Episode links: nakedmindpath.com Related Episodes: Do other countries have as much of a problem with alcohol as we do in the U.S.? - Reader Question - EP 244 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-244-reader-question-do-other-countries-have-as-much-of-a-problem-with-alcohol-as-we-do-in-the-u-s/ The Cost of Fitting In - Alcohol Freedom Coaching - EP 785 - https://thisnakedmind.com/the-cost-of-fitting-in-alcohol-freedom-coaching-e785/ Is it better to drink in moderation or not at all? - Reader Question - EP 574 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-574-readers-questions-is-it-better-to-drink-in-moderation-or-not-at-all/ Ready to take the next step on your journey? Visit https://learn.thisnakedmind.com/podcast-resources for free resources, programs, and more. Until next week, stay curious! This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp, Quince, and Shopify. BetterHelp: BetterHelp is offering our listeners 10% off at ⁠betterhelp.com/nakedmind⁠ . Quince: Get free shipping and 365-day returns at ⁠quince.com/naked⁠ . Shopify: Sign up for a $1 month trial at ⁠shopify.com/mind⁠
    Show more Show less
    46 mins
  • Breaking Through Boredom and Building Lasting Change | Alcohol Freedom Coaching | EP 887
    Mar 10 2026
    What happens when you're doing all the "right things" but still feel stuck? Coaches Cole and Soraya guide Audra and Scott through the messy middle of changing their relationship with alcohol. Audra's wrestling with pressure to be perfect while learning how to stop drinking when you're bored, and she’s seeing wins even when her brain tries to minimize them. Scott just moved, lost people he loved, and retired all at once, and he's realizing that what he called "boredom" was actually disconnection in disguise. Through heartfelt coaching, both discover that taking tiny steps and trusting the process is enough. Audra’s Session: Learning to view data points without harsh self-judgment Shifting from drinking at home when bored to having occasional wine with dinner Using exercise as a powerful tool to interrupt negative thought spirals Why self-doubt is actually trying to protect you, not sabotage your progress Learning how to stop drinking when you're bored by redirecting to healthier activities Building trust in herself by stacking evidence of progress And more... Scott’s Session: Changes in his first 10 days—better sleep, improved digestion, more patience How retirement, relocation, & loss led to increased drinking Recognizing that boredom often disguises deeper feelings of defeat and disconnection Journaling to release heavy thoughts instead of carrying them around Learning how to stop drinking when you're bored with genuine rewards Navigating social situations like Oktoberfest with a club soda and lime Plus more... Cole Harvey is a certified Naked Mind Senior Coach. For years, he felt lost and used alcohol as a way to cope, until he decided to go alcohol-free and focus on finding his purpose. Through curiosity, self-compassion, and adventure, he transformed his life. As a habit change and mindset coach, Cole helps young men understand themselves, build better habits, and find meaning. Learn more about Coach Cole: https://thisnakedmind.com/coach/cole-harvey/ Soraya Odishoo is a compassionate Certified This Naked Mind Coach who blends somatic healing with therapeutic models to support recovery. She serves people who feel disconnected from their true selves and want freedom from substances or behaviors that no longer serve them. She takes a trauma-informed, heart-centered approach with a strong focus on accessibility for BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities. Learn more about Coach Soraya: https://thisnakedmind.com/coach/soraya-arjan-odishoo-alpc/ Episode links: nakedmindpath.com Related Episodes: How Do I Overcome the Trigger of Boredom? - Reader Question - EP 32 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-32-reader-question-how-do-i-overcome-the-trigger-of-boredom/ How Do I Stop Sabotaging My Attempts to Quit Drinking? - Alcohol Freedom Coaching - EP 829 - https://thisnakedmind.com/how-do-i-stop-sabotaging-my-attempts-to-quit-drinking-e829/ How Can I Gain Momentum In Becoming Alcohol Free? - Reader Question - EP 518 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-518-reader-question-how-can-i-gain-momentum-in-becoming-alcohol-free/ Ready to take the next step on your journey? Visit https://learn.thisnakedmind.com/podcast-resources for free resources, programs, and more. Until next week, stay curious! This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp, Quince, and Shopify. BetterHelp: BetterHelp is offering our listeners 10% off at ⁠betterhelp.com/nakedmind⁠ . Quince: Get free shipping and 365-day returns at ⁠quince.com/naked⁠ . Shopify: Sign up for a $1 month trial at ⁠shopify.com/mind⁠
    Show more Show less
    59 mins
  • Why I Don't Miss Alcohol Anymore | Elise's Naked Life | EP 886
    Mar 7 2026
    Can you really have more fun, deeper connections, and better adventures without alcohol? Elise wasn't sure. She'd spent her whole life watching alcohol take center stage at every party, every milestone, every celebration. Her mom always said it helped her relax. Her dad marked achievements with champagne. As a kid, Elise mixed the perfect gin and tonic every night. Fast forward to her high-powered corporate career, and alcohol had become her coping mechanism for the pressure, the travel, the constant performance in male-dominated spaces. The problem? She'd lost that magical off button other people seemed to have. Approaching 50, she felt anxious about where this was all heading. Would her dependency just keep growing? After joining The Path at 54, she stopped drinking within weeks and hasn't looked back. Over a year later, Elise realizes she's not missing out; she's gaining a life that feels fuller, brighter, and more peaceful. She even finds herself saying, with genuine surprise, why I don't miss alcohol anymore. She's got more energy, sleeps better, shows up fully in her relationships, and is genuinely excited about turning 60. Life isn't just manageable without alcohol. It's actually more joyful. Coach Cole and Elise discuss: Growing up as the family peacekeeper in a chaotic, alcohol-centered household Learning that being the "good girl" brought rewards but losing yourself in the process How alcohol became the crutch for surviving high-pressure corporate life Losing the ability to find your "off button" with drinking as you get older Understanding why I don't miss alcohol anymore after breaking the dependency cycle Discovering that the science behind alcohol's effects changes everything Navigating a five-week adventure with a drinking friend while staying joyfully alcohol free Why taking back your power from alcohol opens up possibilities you never imagined Finding genuine relaxation and stress relief without needing a drink Approaching 60 with excitement instead of anxiety about the future And more topics… Episode links: nakedmindpath.com Related Episodes: Why can some people stop at 1 or 2 drinks and others can’t? Reader Question - EP 538 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-538-reader-question-why-can-some-people-stop-at-1-or-2-drinks-and-others-cant/ How to avoid drinking at a boozy sales meeting? - Reader Question - EP 200 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-200-reader-question-how-to-avoid-drinking-at-a-boozy-sales-meeting/ Happy Days with Gabby Bernstein - Interview - EP 485 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-485-happy-days-with-gabby-bernstein/ Ready to take the next step on your journey? Visit https://learn.thisnakedmind.com/podcast-resources for free resources, programs, and more. Until next week, stay curious! This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp, Quince, and Shopify. BetterHelp: BetterHelp is offering our listeners 10% off at betterhelp.com/nakedmind . Quince: Get free shipping and 365-day returns at quince.com/naked . Shopify: Sign up for a $1 month trial at shopify.com/mind
    Show more Show less
    44 mins
  • What If Staying On Track Didn’t Require Willpower? | Alcohol Freedom Coaching | EP 885
    Mar 3 2026
    What happens when you're crushing your break, feeling better than you have in years, but that little voice starts whispering, "Okay, but what about day 31?" In this episode, Coaches Soraya and Hayley help two Path members figure out exactly that. Christine opens up about her "Hellcat" pattern of achievement and escape, learning how to stay on track after a 30-day alcohol break by understanding the anxiety underneath it all. Alex discovers he doesn't need a task to check off—he can follow how good he feels as his GPS. These conversations get real about navigating life beyond the break, being with uncomfortable feelings, and building momentum that lasts. In Christine's session: Understanding binge drinking cycles as responses to anxiety and perfectionism Learning how to stay on track after a 30 day alcohol break by addressing underlying emotions Why seeking worthiness through external validation fuels the urge to escape The "Hellcat" pattern of going full speed then crashing with alcohol to decompress Discovering anxiety isn't the enemy—it's a signal asking for attention and care Tools for being with uncomfortable emotions instead of numbing or escaping them How transforming your relationship with anxiety breaks the drinking cycle And more breakthroughs about worthiness, self-compassion, and finding calm... In Alex’s Session: Why day 31 feels more uncertain than day 30 when the break structure ends Practical strategies for how to stay on track after a 30 day alcohol break using emotion-based goals The difference between completing tasks versus building a life you don't want to escape from How lengthening your break can provide vital feedback and create new goals Reframing potential setbacks from disappointment to curiosity and valuable data points Choosing "renewed" over "horrible" and why emotional shifts drive lasting change And more insights... Soraya Odishoo is a compassionate Certified This Naked Mind Coach who blends somatic healing with therapeutic models to support recovery. She serves people who feel disconnected from their true selves and want freedom from substances or behaviors that no longer serve them. She takes a trauma-informed, heart-centered approach with a strong focus on accessibility for BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities. Learn more about Coach Soraya: https://thisnakedmind.com/coach/soraya-arjan-odishoo-alpc/ Hayley Scherders is a Senior Coach with This Naked Mind with training from the Canadian Addiction and Mental Health Association. Drawing from personal experience, Hayley provides a safe, compassionate, judgment-free space where clients feel supported. She believes that with the right mindset, anyone can change at any time. Learn more about Coach Hayley:⁠ http://thisnakedmind.com/coach/hayley-scherders/⁠ Episode links: nakedmindpath.com Related Episodes: How do I go back to normal life after The Alcohol Experiment? - Reader Question - E508 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-508-reader-question-how-do-i-go-back-to-normal-life-after-the-alcohol-experiment/ What is a data point? - Reader Question - E520 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-520-reader-question-what-is-a-data-point/ How To Stop Numbing Your Feelings and Start Living - Alcohol Freedom Coaching - E859 - https://thisnakedmind.com/using-alcohol-to-numb-emotions-afc-e859/ Ready to take the next step on your journey? Visit https://learn.thisnakedmind.com/podcast-resources for free resources, programs, and more. Until next week, stay curious! This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp, Quince, and Shopify. BetterHelp: BetterHelp is offering our listeners 10% off at betterhelp.com/nakedmind . Quince: get free shipping and 365-day returns at quince.com/naked . Shopify: Sign up for a $1 month trial at shopify.com/mind
    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 4 mins
  • Starting Over at 70: Finding Clarity and Peace Without Alcohol After Retirement | Jan's Naked Life | EP 884
    Feb 28 2026
    Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions of divorce and loss of a loved one to cancer. Have you ever wondered why life changes can make old habits suddenly feel louder? Jan never imagined retirement would lead her here. She had done everything “right”—worked hard, raised her kids, showed up for everyone else. Alcohol had always felt manageable. Until it didn’t. When retirement, relocation, and COVID collided, Jan found herself drinking more to fill the long afternoons and quiet evenings. Drinking more after retirement felt normal at first, even expected. What she didn’t expect was how disconnected, anxious, and unlike herself she began to feel. In this warm, honest conversation with Coach Cole, Jan shares how she began questioning not just her drinking, but the lifelong pattern of putting herself last. Through This Naked Mind and The Path, she learned that nothing was wrong with her—and that alcohol had simply become a stand-in for rest, relief, and emotional safety. Coach Cole and Jan discuss: Growing up in a dysfunctional home with two alcohol dependent parents and learning to shut down emotionally Moving to Colorado during COVID and experiencing the perfect storm of retirement, isolation, and empty nest syndrome Drinking more after retirement and how it escalated from afternoon drinking to morning drinking The terrifying fall down the stairs that led to hospitalization and overwhelming shame Why AA meetings didn't feel like the right fit and how finding Annie's book changed everything Joining The Path in April 2024 and celebrating 20 months alcohol-free Navigating divorce after 35 years of marriage and her sister's death from cancer—all without alcohol Learning to put herself first after a lifetime of taking care of everyone else Starting over at nearly 70 and believing the best is yet to come And more topics… Episode links: nakedmindpath.com Related Episodes: Alcohol & Older Adults, What We Need To Know - Reader Question - E152 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-152-reader-question-alcohol-and-older-adults-2/ Alcohol Over 60 - Coaching Questions - E418 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-418-coaching-questions-with-scott-pinyard/ Alcohol Free at 83 - Barbara’s Naked Life - E307 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-307-naked-life-story-barbara/ Ready to take the next step on your journey? Visit https://learn.thisnakedmind.com/podcast-resources for free resources, programs, and more. Until next week, stay curious! Quince: Go to⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Quince.com/naked⁠⁠⁠⁠ for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns Hungryroot: Get 40% off your first box + a free item for life at ⁠⁠⁠⁠Hungryroot.com/mind⁠⁠⁠⁠ with code mind BetterHelp: BetterHelp makes it easy to get matched online with a qualified therapist. Sign up and get 10% off at ⁠⁠BetterHelp.com/nakedmind⁠⁠ Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Shopify.com/mind⁠⁠
    Show more Show less
    39 mins