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How do you show up at a holiday party without showing up with a drink?

That’s the big question—and in this episode of Sober & Lit, your hosts Ruby and Susan are unpacking the real talk behind office mixers, family dinners, and every bubbly-filled soirée in between. If you’ve ever clutched a club soda while dodging awkward small talk or wished for an invisibility cloak after the third “Why aren’t you drinking?”—this one’s for you.

We’re swapping out shame for sparkle and pressure for presence. Ruby shares how she went from wine industry insider to empowered partygoer, while Susan spills her best “nope, not today” exit strategies. You’ll walk away with mindset shifts, conversation scripts, and boundary-setting tools that’ll make you feel more confident, connected, and in control this holiday season.

Ready to redefine what it means to be the life of the party—alcohol-free?

Don't forget to follow and subscribe and leave a review! It helps to get the word out that living sober is lit!

Listeners have said that our podcast has helped them get alcohol free! Get started by taking a break that feels lit with a Feel Lit 21 Day Break. Click here to find out more: https://www.freedomrenegadecoaching.com/buy-feel-lit-21-sg

Join our private community!

Connect with the Podcast Hosts:
Susan Larkin Coaching https://www.susanlarkincoaching.com/
Ruby Williams at Freedom Renegade Coaching https://www.freedomrenegadecoaching.com/

Follow Susan: @drinklesswithsusan
Follow Ruby: @rubywilliamscoaching

It is strongly recommended that you seek professional advice regarding your health before attempting to take a break from alcohol. The creators, hosts, and producers of the The Feel Lit Alcohol Free podcast are not healthcare practitioners and therefore do not give medical, or psychological advice nor do they intend for the podcast, any resource or communication on behalf of the podcast or otherwise to be a substitute for such.

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Is wine culture keeping you stuck—and lying to you?

In this episode of the Sober & Lit podcast, Ruby and Susan sit down with Meg Geisewite, author of Intoxicating Lies, to unpack the myths women are sold about drinking. From “mommy needs wine” memes to emotional manipulation masked as self-care, we explore the dangerous messages keeping women locked in gray area drinking—and how to break free.

Meg shares her raw story of alcohol dependence, recovery, and empowerment, while diving deep into the science, shame, and social pressures surrounding female drinking culture.

Why do so many smart, capable women feel broken without wine?
How do we shift from numbing to truly living lit?

If you're ready to challenge alcohol's grip on your identity and discover the freedom of emotional sobriety, this is the episode you don’t want to miss.

Don't forget to follow and subscribe and leave a review! It helps to get the word out that living sober is lit!

Listeners have said that our podcast has helped them get alcohol free! Get started by taking a break that feels lit with a Feel Lit 21 Day Break. Click here to find out more: https://www.freedomrenegadecoaching.com/buy-feel-lit-21-sg

Join our private community!

Connect with the Podcast Hosts:
Susan Larkin Coaching https://www.susanlarkincoaching.com/
Ruby Williams at Freedom Renegade Coaching https://www.freedomrenegadecoaching.com/

Follow Susan: @drinklesswithsusan
Follow Ruby: @rubywilliamscoaching

It is strongly recommended that you seek professional advice regarding your health before attempting to take a break from alcohol. The creators, hosts, and producers of the The Feel Lit Alcohol Free podcast are not healthcare practitioners and therefore do not give medical, or psychological advice nor do they intend for the podcast, any resource or communication on behalf of the podcast or otherwise to be a substitute for such.

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What if giving up alcohol wasn’t the end of fun—but the beginning of a rebellion?

In this facinating episode of Sober & Lit, Susan and Ruby sit down with the vibrant and unfiltered Abby Calabrese—creator of the Alcohol Free Rebellion podcast and Instagram community.

From late nights in New York’s “work hard, play hard” scene to building an empowered, sober-curious life, Abby shares the real story behind her decision to ditch drinking—and what happened next. Think: awkward social events, the surprising role of THC mocktails, and the messy, magical freedom of her first 100 days alcohol free.

✨ Is it possible to feel "lit" without alcohol?
✨ Can controversial tools support your sober journey?
✨ What does it look like to dance through discomfort instead of drink through it?

We go there. And then some.

Expect bold honesty, pop culture references, practical tools—and plenty of laughs—as we explore what it really means to redefine fun, reclaim your energy, and rewire your joy without numbing out.

If you're sober curious, stuck in the “just on weekends” trap, or wondering if life without alcohol could actually be… better—this episode is your sign to press play.
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Here's how to reach Abby:
Website: www.abbycalabrese.com
Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/1qNUSaFZnmMEm0NNImFgQp
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alcoholfreeabby/

Don't forget to follow and subscribe and leave a review! It helps to get the word out that living sober is lit!

Listeners have said that our podcast has helped them get alcohol free! Get started by taking a break that feels lit with a Feel Lit 21 Day Break. Click here to find out more: https://www.freedomrenegadecoaching.com/buy-feel-lit-21-sg

Join our private community!

Connect with the Podcast Hosts:
Susan Larkin Coaching https://www.susanlarkincoaching.com/
Ruby Williams at Freedom Renegade Coaching https://www.freedomrenegadecoaching.com/

Follow Susan: @drinklesswithsusan
Follow Ruby: @rubywilliamscoaching

It is strongly recommended that you seek professional advice regarding your health before attempting to take a break from alcohol. The creators, hosts, and producers of the The Feel Lit Alcohol Free podcast are not healthcare practitioners and therefore do not give medical, or psychological advice nor do they intend for the podcast, any resource or communication on behalf of the podcast or otherwise to be a substitute for such.

Send us a text

How do you handle a holiday centered on gratitude… when everyone around you is sipping wine?

In this powerful Thanksgiving episode of the Sober & Lit Podcast, your hosts Ruby and Susan crack open the truth about navigating one of the most triggering holidays on the alcohol-free journey. Is it your first sober Thanksgiving? Or maybe you're feeling the tug of tradition, social pressure, or the emotional weight of family dynamics? You’re not alone—and you don’t have to white-knuckle it.

Together, we explore real stories and raw moments—like Ruby’s decision to pass the hosting torch and BYO-AF drinks, and Susan’s powerful mindset shifts after early AA meetings. We share our favorite go-to mocktail rituals, confidence-building scripts for when someone asks “Why aren’t you drinking?”, and grounding strategies to keep you feeling safe, strong, and seen at the holiday table.

What would it feel like to actually enjoy Thanksgiving—present, peaceful, and proud of your choice? Tune in for inspiration, practical tools, and cozy encouragement to help you celebrate with clarity, connection, and joy (yes, even if your uncle is pouring pinot at 2pm).

You’re invited to walk into this holiday with your head high and your heart full. Let’s make gratitude the main course—not the wine.

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Recipes

🍏 Coach Susan's Mocktail: equal parts apple cider and a sparkling AF wine, garnish with an apple slice and or cinnamon stick.

🍎 Coach Ruby's Fruit Salad: 3 pomegranates (seeds only), 8 Fuyu persimmons (remove skin and slice), and 2 limes (juiced) - combine in a bowl and refrigerate. Best if made a couple of hours before the party and it’s delicious as leftovers (over yogurt or ice cream).

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Don't forget to follow and subscribe and leave a review! It helps to get the word out that living sober is lit!

Listeners have said that our podcast has helped them get alcohol free! Get started by taking a break that feels lit with a Feel Lit 21 Day Break. Click here to find out more: https://www.freedomrenegadecoaching.com/buy-feel-lit-21-sg

Join our private community!

Connect with the Podcast Hosts:
Susan Larkin Coaching https://www.susanlarkincoaching.com/
Ruby Williams at Freedom Renegade Coaching https://www.freedomrenegadecoaching.com/

Follow Susan: @drinklesswithsusan
Follow Ruby: @rubywilliamscoaching

It is strongly recommended that you seek professional advice regarding your health before attempting to take a break from alcohol. The creators, hosts, and producers of the The Feel Lit Alcohol Free podcast are not healthcare practitioners and therefore do not give medical, or psychological advice nor do they intend for the podcast, any resource or communication on behalf of the podcast or otherwise to be a substitute for such.

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What if the best parts of you were just waiting on the other side of your last drink?

In this episode of Sober & Lit, your hosts Susan and Ruby—alcohol freedom coaches with two very different journeys—reveal the surprising, unfiltered reasons why they chose to ditch alcohol for good. From Ruby’s past life in the wine industry to Susan’s search for deeper spiritual connection, this isn’t just another “why I quit drinking” story—it’s a powerful reframe of what you gain when you go alcohol-free.

What if giving up drinking didn’t mean missing out—but waking up?

Join us as we unpack the mental, emotional, and physical shifts we never expected: clearer mornings, real confidence, deep joy, and the sparkle we thought alcohol was supposed to give us (but never quite did). You’ll hear personal truths, real-talk about old habits, and inspiration to build your own “why” for an alcohol-free life.

Whether you're just beginning to question your drinking or fully in the sober curious lane, this episode will remind you what’s possible when you choose to feel lit—no booze required.

Don't forget to follow and subscribe and leave a review! It helps to get the word out that living sober is lit!

Listeners have said that our podcast has helped them get alcohol free! Get started by taking a break that feels lit with a Feel Lit 21 Day Break. Click here to find out more: https://www.freedomrenegadecoaching.com/buy-feel-lit-21-sg

Join our private community!

Connect with the Podcast Hosts:
Susan Larkin Coaching https://www.susanlarkincoaching.com/
Ruby Williams at Freedom Renegade Coaching https://www.freedomrenegadecoaching.com/

Follow Susan: @drinklesswithsusan
Follow Ruby: @rubywilliamscoaching

It is strongly recommended that you seek professional advice regarding your health before attempting to take a break from alcohol. The creators, hosts, and producers of the The Feel Lit Alcohol Free podcast are not healthcare practitioners and therefore do not give medical, or psychological advice nor do they intend for the podcast, any resource or communication on behalf of the podcast or otherwise to be a substitute for such.

Send us a text

Ever wonder what happens when you stop running from your truth—and start creating something powerful with it?

In this episode of Sober & Lit, your hosts Coach Susan and Coach Ruby sit down with Tamar Routly—podcast producer, recovery advocate, and co-author of Sober for Dummies—for a candid and deeply inspiring conversation about what it really takes to go from high-functioning drinking to full-blown transformation.

Tamar shares how she went from secretly struggling in a corporate career to building a bold, purpose-driven life in long-term sobriety. From the raw moments of early recovery to reclaiming creativity, confidence, and connection, she walks us through the turning points that changed everything.

✨ What if the thing you thought was holding you together... was actually holding you back?
✨ What becomes possible when you stop numbing and start listening?

This episode is for anyone craving real talk, fresh perspective, and the courage to rewrite your story—on your terms. Tune in to hear how Tamar uses her voice to amplify recovery, spark hope, and help others feel lit in their alcohol-free journey.

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Guest Resources for Tamar Routly:
http://www.podcastimpactstudio.com
https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/youre-sober-now-what/id1766001157
https://youresobernowwhat.com/

Don't forget to follow and subscribe and leave a review! It helps to get the word out that living sober is lit!

Listeners have said that our podcast has helped them get alcohol free! Get started by taking a break that feels lit with a Feel Lit 21 Day Break. Click here to find out more: https://www.freedomrenegadecoaching.com/buy-feel-lit-21-sg

Join our private community!

Connect with the Podcast Hosts:
Susan Larkin Coaching https://www.susanlarkincoaching.com/
Ruby Williams at Freedom Renegade Coaching https://www.freedomrenegadecoaching.com/

Follow Susan: @drinklesswithsusan
Follow Ruby: @rubywilliamscoaching

It is strongly recommended that you seek professional advice regarding your health before attempting to take a break from alcohol. The creators, hosts, and producers of the The Feel Lit Alcohol Free podcast are not healthcare practitioners and therefore do not give medical, or psychological advice nor do they intend for the podcast, any resource or communication on behalf of the podcast or otherwise to be a substitute for such.

Send us a text

Ever lost time after a night out and thought, “Wait… what did I say?”

You’re not alone—and it’s not just “part of drinking.” In this episode of Sober & Lit, Ruby and Susan pull back the curtain on a topic many avoid: alcohol-induced blackouts. From stories of forgotten conversations and tricky gray areas to the terrifying reality of memory loss after just a few drinks, we shed light on the neurological impact of alcohol and why some people are more susceptible to blackouts than others.

✨ What actually happens in your brain when memories disappear?
✨ Why do some people black out from just a few drinks—while others don't?
✨ And what are the long-term risks no one talks about?

This isn't about shame—it's about science. We share our personal blackout, brownout and pass-out stories, explore the brain-based reasons behind them, and debunk the myth that forgetting your night means you just had “too much fun.”

Whether you’ve experienced fuzzy nights, want to understand how alcohol hijacks memory, or you’re sober curious and ready to learn, this episode is for you. Stay with us 'til the end—we’ll leave you with ways to feel lit without wiping out your memories.

Tune in now and get real about alcohol, blackouts, and reclaiming your presence.

Resources mentioned in this episode:
👉 The most important lesson from 83,000 brain scans | Daniel Amen | TEDxOrangeCoast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esPRsT-lmw8
👉 Blackout: Remembering the Things I Drank to Forget is a memoir by Sarah Hepola
👉 Movie: The Girl On The Train starring Emily Blunt; based on the bestselling novel The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins (2015)

Don't forget to follow and subscribe and leave a review! It helps to get the word out that living sober is lit!

Listeners have said that our podcast has helped them get alcohol free! Get started by taking a break that feels lit with a Feel Lit 21 Day Break. Click here to find out more: https://www.freedomrenegadecoaching.com/buy-feel-lit-21-sg

Join our private community!

Connect with the Podcast Hosts:
Susan Larkin Coaching https://www.susanlarkincoaching.com/
Ruby Williams at Freedom Renegade Coaching https://www.freedomrenegadecoaching.com/

Follow Susan: @drinklesswithsusan
Follow Ruby: @rubywilliamscoaching

It is strongly recommended that you seek professional advice regarding your health before attempting to take a break from alcohol. The creators, hosts, and producers of the The Feel Lit Alcohol Free podcast are not healthcare practitioners and therefore do not give medical, or psychological advice nor do they intend for the podcast, any resource or communication on behalf of the podcast or otherwise to be a substitute for such.

Send us a text

“Is weekend drinking really harmless—or is it quietly stealing your energy, health, and joy?”

In this episode of the Sober & Lit Podcast, Ruby and Susan dive straight into the truth about binge drinking, especially the kind so many of us laugh off as “just weekend fun.” What actually counts as binge drinking? Why do oversized wine glasses, happy hour specials, and “work hard, play hard” culture trick us into thinking it’s normal? And what are the real costs—even if you only drink on Fridays and Saturdays?

With candid stories from their own pasts, Ruby and Susan unpack how quickly “reward drinks” can spiral into exhaustion, poor sleep, anxiety, and a cycle of feeling less present in your own life. They break down myths around moderation, share eye-opening health stats, and explore why so many women underestimate just how much alcohol they’re consuming.

If you’ve ever told yourself, “It’s fine because I don’t drink during the week,” this conversation is for you. Tune in for a reality check full of compassion, practical tools, and an empowering invitation to try an alcohol-free weekend, and discover how good it feels to wake up clear, confident, and lit from within.

Grab our free alcohol free weekend guide and give it a try!

Don't forget to follow and subscribe and leave a review! It helps to get the word out that living sober is lit!

Listeners have said that our podcast has helped them get alcohol free! Get started by taking a break that feels lit with a Feel Lit 21 Day Break. Click here to find out more: https://www.freedomrenegadecoaching.com/buy-feel-lit-21-sg

Join our private community!

Connect with the Podcast Hosts:
Susan Larkin Coaching https://www.susanlarkincoaching.com/
Ruby Williams at Freedom Renegade Coaching https://www.freedomrenegadecoaching.com/

Follow Susan: @drinklesswithsusan
Follow Ruby: @rubywilliamscoaching

It is strongly recommended that you seek professional advice regarding your health before attempting to take a break from alcohol. The creators, hosts, and producers of the The Feel Lit Alcohol Free podcast are not healthcare practitioners and therefore do not give medical, or psychological advice nor do they intend for the podcast, any resource or communication on behalf of the podcast or otherwise to be a substitute for such.