What happens when a driven business owner finally confronts the question: "Why am I drinking a fifth of vodka every day when I have a great business, a great wife, and a great kid?" In this candid conversation, third-generation business owner Kori Winegar takes us through his remarkable journey from dairy farm to coffee shop empire to sobriety.

Kori shares the fascinating evolution of his family business, which began in 1956 as one of Ellensburg's 100 dairy farms. Working alongside his grandfather from age eight, he learned the relentless work ethic of 365-day-a-year farming before the family pivoted to coffee shops and ice cream production. The transition wasn't just business—it was personal too, as Corey eventually had to confront his growing dependence on alcohol.

The heart of this episode explores Kori's unconventional path to quitting alcohol. For four months, he secretly participated in a program before telling his wife, battling shame and questioning his identity. Rather than adopting traditional recovery language or frameworks, Kori forged his own understanding—rejecting labels like "alcoholic" and embracing personal accountability. "I'm not afraid of alcohol," he explains. "I just don't need it anymore."

Six and a half years later, Kori reflects on the profound changes in his life—greater patience, deeper presence with his family, and a newfound confidence. His advice to listeners questioning their own relationship with substances is powerfully simple: "If you're questioning it, stop questioning and start answering." His story reminds us that freedom comes not from fighting constant battles against our demons, but from understanding why we needed those substances in the first place.

Ready to explore your own relationship with alcohol or other substances? This episode offers wisdom without judgment, hope without platitudes, and practical insights from someone who's walked the path. Subscribe now and join the conversation about authentic living, personal growth, and finding freedom from what no longer serves you.

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