This Naked Mind Podcast

This engaging discussion dives deep into healing from trauma and the impact of alcohol on relationships. Sherri opens up about escaping a verbally abusive marriage and the revelation that drinking masked her pain rather than providing true happiness. Kevin shares his journey to sobriety, confronting childhood emotions and how alcohol numbed his feelings. Both address how newfound clarity and compassionate self-reflection can break damaging patterns and rekindle self-trust, suggesting practical steps to embrace an alcohol-free life.

Tiffany shares her wild journey from being the ultimate party animal to embracing sobriety. Struggling with heavy drinking and losing a job, she reflects on the wake-up calls that changed her life. Discovering a new perspective on alcohol allowed her to redefine fun without ethanol. Support from her boyfriend and practical strategies helped shift her rituals from bars to cozy coffee shops. Tiffany emphasizes the importance of community and deeper relationships, revealing that the best gatherings don't require alcohol.

What if cravings and emotions weren’t problems to fight but signals to listen to? That’s exactly what Jody and Lauren explore in their coaching sessions with Coach Cole. Jody asks the honest question so many of us do: “Why can’t I get rid of alcohol cravings?” Lauren opens up about how uncomfortable it feels to face her emotions instead of numbing with wine. With Coach Cole’s guidance, they begin to reframe cravings and feelings as opportunities for growth — and you’ll get a peek at the kind of transformation that happens inside The Path. In Jody’s Session: Asking the big question: why can’t I get rid of alcohol cravings? Struggling with the 3:30 PM urge to run to the store for beer Why distraction and breathing exercises don’t always work Discovering the power of delay and small non-negotiables Learning to talk to cravings with curiosity instead of fighting them Finding new outlets like walking dogs or moving physically Understanding cravings as part of the subconscious trying to help Building compassion for the part of herself that still wants to drink And more… In Lauren’s Session: Feeling a “blank” when trying to sit with emotions Struggling with overwhelm from parenting, work, and daily stress Using wine as a quick fix to avoid exploring feelings Physical signs of discomfort: sweaty palms, tight shoulders Learning to name emotions instead of trying to “fix” them Experiencing relief when realizing emotions pass quickly Reframing inner work as gentle acknowledgement instead of “hard work” How small moments of compassion build strength for lasting change And 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/ Episode links: Start Your Path - nakedmindpath.com Related Episodes: Will I ever stop craving alcohol? - Reader Question - E676 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-676-readers-question-will-i-ever-stop-craving-alcohol/  How do you deal with stress without alcohol? - Reader Question - E158 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-158-how-do-you-deal-with-stress-without-alcohol/ Shifting Beliefs, Changing Habits - Alcohol Freedom Coaching - E783 - https://thisnakedmind.com/shifting-beliefs-changing-habits-alcohol-freedom-coaching-e783/ 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 For your next trip, treat yourself to the luxe upgrades you deserve from 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/nakedmind with code nakedmind Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at Shopify.com/mind Cozy Earth Black Friday came early at Cozy Earth! Stack my code NAKEDMIND with their sitewide sale for up to 40% off.

Discover how Amy transformed her parenting journey by quitting alcohol during a 30-day experiment. She realized her relationship with drinking was tied to deeper coping mechanisms, not just parenting stress. Amy discusses shifting from anxiety-driven micromanagement to a more mindful approach and how she learned to process emotions rather than suppress them. The conversation also touches on confronting habits around sugar and social media, emphasizing the importance of inquiry in breaking old patterns. Tune in for inspiring insights on personal growth and authentic parenting!

Are you struggling to silence the inner voice that gives you a "permission slip" to drink? In this episode, Coaches Haley and Soraya offer an inside look at the breakthroughs, support, and compassion available inside The Path every day. Cara feels like she's treading water, while Michelle grapples with feeling like a failure, but they both learn valuable lessons about how to stop giving yourself permission to drink and the importance of self-compassion. In Cara’s Session: Why she feels like a better, more patient caregiver when she’s alcohol-free Seeing “slip ups” as data points instead of proof she’s failed The sneaky moments she catches herself giving permission to drink How journaling and the ACT technique help her stay grounded Realizing two weeks alcohol-free was just the start of the journey Swapping the “I deserve it” drink for self-care that actually works Learning how to stop giving yourself permission to drink when alcohol is in the house Shifting her focus from self-doubt to hope on her second round of The Path And more… In Michelle’s Session: What’s changed since she committed to being alcohol-free on April 30 Breaking old associations between alcohol, travel, and celebration Managing “joy cravings” without reigniting the desire to drink Finding confidence and feeling “safe inside herself” without alcohol Turning shame and secrecy into pride and self-trust The mantra she uses to quiet anxiety and future fears How community support inside The Path keeps her motivated Learning how to stop giving yourself permission to drink on special occasions And more topics… 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/ Soraya Arjan Odishoo is a compassionate Certified This Naked Mind Coach and certified Kula Yoga instructor, combining somatic healing and therapeutic models to support her clients’ journeys to recovery. With a deep commitment to working with individuals who feel disconnected from their true selves, Soraya specializes in helping people break free from addictions to substances or behaviors that no longer serve them. Her heart-centered, trauma-informed approach is rooted in collaboration and trust, with a focus on accessibility for BIPOC and LGBTQIA++ communities. Soraya’s passion lies in guiding others back to their personal power, allowing them to find peace, purpose, and lasting healing. Learn more about Coach Soraya: https://thisnakedmind.com/coach/soraya-arjan-odishoo-alpc/ Episode links: nakedmindpath.com Related Episodes: Overcoming the Fear of Drinking Again - Erin’s Naked Life - E741- https://thisnakedmind.com/overcoming-the-fear-of-drinking-again-erins-naked-life-e741/How do I break the cycle of recurring data points?- Reader Question - E588 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-588-reader-question-how-do-i-break-the-cycle-of-recurring-data-points/ What Voices Guide Your Choices - Alcohol Freedom Coaching - E768 - https://thisnakedmind.com/what-voices-guide-your-choices-alcohol-freedom-coaching-e768/ 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- Find your fall staples at Quince. Go to Quince.com/naked for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too. Hungryroot- Get 40% off your first box + a free item for life at Hungryroot.com/ nakedmind with code nakedmind Shopify- Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at Shopify.com/mind BetterHelp- Get 10% off your first month at BetterHelp.com/nakedmind

Michael shares his journey from a casual weekend drinker to an alcohol-free life. A single moment—pouring vodka down the drain—sparked a profound transformation. He discovered hidden binge drinking patterns and the shocking calorie counts that came with them. Support from a community and a powerful book changed everything for him. Michael explores the immediate benefits of quitting, including improved relationships and mental clarity, as well as embracing new habits like meditation and early mornings that deepened his self-discovery.

Candid coaching sessions reveal repeated stops and starts with drinking and the mantra that helped break self-sabotage. Conversations explore evening triggers, hand-to-mouth habits, and surprise supermarket urges. Practical tools like breathwork, alarms, journaling, and tiny rituals are offered to rebuild body awareness and replace automatic drinking with curiosity, compassion, and new routines.

What happens when quitting drinking saves your life but ruins your marriage? Samuel thought stopping drinking would fix everything, but it actually revealed that his relationship couldn't survive the person he was becoming. His drinking story is terrifying—regular blackouts, waking up in strangers' beds, traumatic incidents that destroyed his wife's trust. But when he finally found freedom using This Naked Mind, he made an unexpected discovery: quitting alcohol unlocks creativity and triggers a cascade of positive changes. Now he meditates daily, journals constantly, and uses writing as his primary coping mechanism. In this episode, Samuel joins Cole to explore how the most painful decisions can lead to the most profound personal growth. TRIGGER WARNING: This episode contains discussions of alcohol blackouts, relationship trauma, and divorce that some listeners may find triggering. In this episode, Samuel and Coach Cole discuss: Growing up in a family and culture where drinking was the norm. The scary reality of blacking out and the fear of a "demon inside." Ditching alcohol for the first time out of shame, and then falling back into the pattern of drinking The surprise of how quitting drinking unlocked creativity and a love for writing. How This Naked Mind's teachings on the subconscious mind sparked a cascade of habit changes. The unexpected challenge of a marriage ending after stopping drinking The power of journaling and the written word as a coping mechanism and a tool for self-discovery. Finding new passions like writing short stories, reading philosophy, and meditating. Using James Clear's Atomic Habits to create lasting change. How not drinking allowed Samuel to confront his inner world and grow as a person. And more… Episode links:Related Episodes: Does alcohol really make you more creative?- Reader Question - E310 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-310-reader-question-does-alcohol-really-make-you-more-creative/  What is the deal with blackouts? - Reader Question - E304 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-304-what-is-the-deal-with-blackouts/ What If Your Biggest Regrets Are Actually Your Greatest Teachers? - Alcohol Freedom Coaching - E817 - https://thisnakedmind.com/finding-purpose-and-direction-after-quitting-alcohol-e817/ 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- Find your fall staples at Quince. Go to Quince.com/naked for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too. Hungryroot- Get 40% off your first box + a free item for life at Hungryroot.com/ nakedmind with code nakedmind Shopify- Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at Shopify.com/mind BetterHelp- Get 10% off your first month at BetterHelp.com/nakedmind

What To Do When The Emotions Hit After You Quit Drinking | Alcohol Freedom Coaching | E845 Trigger Warning: The topics discussed in this episode, particularly in the second half, involve sensitive subjects such as family trauma, abuse, and addiction. Listener discretion is advised. Are you drinking to avoid emotions and finding yourself trapped in endless mental loops about whether to have that drink? Mimi struggles with cognitive dissonance - the uncomfortable tension between wanting to be healthy and fearing social rejection when she doesn't drink. Meanwhile, Heather discovers that childhood trauma is driving her unconscious reach for alcohol whenever difficult emotions surface. In this powerful episode, Coach Cole and Coach Hayley demonstrate what coaching inside The Path looks like, guiding both women through breakthrough moments using This Naked Mind methodology. Watch as they help Mimi find peace with her decision not to drink and support Heather in witnessing emotions she's been pushing down for years, showing how compassionate coaching can bring deep healing and lasting freedom. In Mimi’s session: Exploring cognitive dissonance and why it creates inner conflictFear of judgment when choosing not to drink at social and family eventsAnxiety about losing connection when alcohol isn’t part of the pictureRecognizing the cost of drinking for belonging vs peace of mindNaming cravings and the fear of giving in during family visitsDiscovering the freedom that comes from releasing old storiesSeeing how coaching inside The Path untangles fear, belonging, and valuesAnd so much more In Heather’s session: Facing the flood of emotions that surface after removing alcoholExploring the connection between childhood trauma and drinking to avoid emotionsWhy unresolved experiences from the past can resurface during alcohol-free livingLearning to witness emotions instead of pushing them downRecognizing how alcohol gave the illusion of relief but delayed healingProcessing sadness, fear, and discomfort with compassion instead of avoidanceExperiencing how The Path’s coaching helps create safety and lasting growthAnd 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/  Hayley Scherders is a Senior Coach with This Naked Mind and 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: Using Alcohol To Numb Pain - Simone’s Naked Life - E207 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-207-naked-life-story-simone/  Why is it so hard to become alcohol free? - Reader Question - E646 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-646-readers-question-why-is-it-so-hard-to-become-alcohol-free/ Ready to take the next step on your journey?  Visit https://learn.thisnakedmind.com/podcast-resources for free resources, programs, and more. Quince- Find your fall staples at Quince. Go to Quince.com/naked for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too. Hungryroot- Get 40% off your first box + a free item for life at Hungryroot.com/nakedmind with code nakedmind Shopify- Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at Shopify.com/mind BetterHelp- Get 10% off your first month at BetterHelp.com/nakedmind

Have you ever felt guilty about missing precious memories because of alcohol? Amy's journey began in sixth grade in a family where alcohol was simply part of every gathering. Years later, when her kids confronted her about her drinking, she realized she was missing out on being truly present for the moments that mattered most. After reading This Naked Mind and experiencing one terrifying night where she got so sick she thought she might die, Amy finally quit drinking for good. Now she describes feeling like she's not the same person without alcohol—and she's learned to see this complete transformation as a beautiful thing, even though it can feel a little scary discovering who she truly is. Trigger Warning: This episode contains a mention of suicide. Listener discretion is advised. In this episode, Amy and Coach Cole discuss : Growing up in a family culture centered around drinking Beginning her drinking journey in sixth grade Years of questioning whether she had a drinking problem The confrontation when her children called out her drinking Failed attempts at moderation and temporary sobriety Why she got sick every single time she drank The final terrifying night that changed everything How This Naked Mind helped her find lasting change Embracing the reality that she is not the same person without alcohol Wanting to be fully present for precious family moments Rediscovering her authentic self and core values Moving forward without regret but with intention And other topics… Episode links: Related Episodes: Are vacations and holidays more fun without drinking?- Reader Question - EP 164 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-164-are-vacations-and-holidays-more-fun-without-drinking/  Who Am I Without Wine? - Identity & Sophistication - Alcohol Freedom Coaching - E801 - https://thisnakedmind.com/creating-a-new-identity-after-quitting-drinking-alcohol-freedom-freedom-coaching-e801/ Uncoupling Alcohol and Identity - Andrew’s Naked Life - E549 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-549-naked-life-story-andrew/ 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- Find your fall staples at Quince. Go to Quince.com/naked for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too. Hungryroot- Get 40% off your first box + a free item for life at Hungryroot.com/ nakedmind with code nakedmind Shopify- Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at Shopify.com/mind BetterHelp- Get 10% off your first month at BetterHelp.com/nakedmind