In this episode of No Alcohol Needed, Julie Miller and Steve Knapp are joined by Christen Miller and Sean Rollinson for a candid, emotionally honest conversation about overcoming victim mentality and what it really means to take responsibility for your thoughts, emotions, and reactions - without blaming yourself or denying real pain.

This is not a surface-level discussion. The group digs into why victim mentality can feel protective, how blame and shame quietly keep people stuck, and why taking responsibility often feels unfair at first - especially if you’ve actually been hurt.

This episode will challenge the way you think about control, self-worth, and emotional freedom, and it will show you how to take your power back.

• What overcoming victim mentality really looks like in daily life
• Why radical responsibility can feel confronting — and why it matters
• The difference between being harmed and staying stuck
• How blame and shame fuel emotional distress and addiction
• Why anger often hurts us more than the person we’re angry at
• How thoughts shape emotions and drive behavior
• The connection between responsibility, confidence, and self-esteem
• What emotional regulation actually looks like without numbing
• Small, practical ways to start taking responsibility this week

https://noalcoholneeded.net/meet-the-voices/

–SOBRIETY SUPPORT & RESOURCES–

WORK WITH US - Personalized private coaching

Redesign a life without alcohol - with support.

https://noalcoholneeded.net/recovery-coaching/

FREE SUPPORT GROUP ON ZOOM

Real conversations. No judgment.

https://noalcoholneeded.net/meeting-faqs/

JULIE’S SOBER LIVING BLOG

Stories and reflections on rebuilding life after alcohol.

https://createalifesofull.com

FULL LIBRARY OF PODCAST EPISODES

Explore every No Alcohol Needed conversation.

https://noalcoholneeded.net/category/blog/

Most of us have parts of ourselves we don’t like to look at.

The reactions we regret. The thoughts we don’t say out loud. The behaviors driven by shame, fear, or old coping patterns.

In this episode of No Alcohol Needed, Julie Miller and Steve Knapp are joined by Robbie Pike and Matt Shambo for an honest conversation about what it really means to face the “dark side” or shadow self, and why learning to integrate those parts of ourselves is essential for emotional growth.

They’re not trying to make the shadow disappear. They’re talking about understanding where these behaviors came from, recognizing how they once protected you, and learning how compassion makes real change possible.

Together, they explore:

• What people mean when they talk about shadow work
• How shame quietly drives many unhealthy reactions
• Why awareness without compassion can lead to self-punishment
• How to recognize shadow behaviors in real time
• The connection between recovery work and emotional healing
• Why integration leads to freedom, not self-rejection

If you’ve ever felt stuck repeating patterns you don’t fully understand, or ashamed of parts of yourself you wish you could change, this conversation offers perspective, reassurance, and a path forward.

—

https://noalcoholneeded.net/meet-the-voices/

–SOBRIETY SUPPORT & RESOURCES–

WORK WITH US - Personalized private coaching

Redesign a life without alcohol - with support.

https://noalcoholneeded.net/recovery-coaching/

FREE SUPPORT GROUP ON ZOOM

Real conversations. No judgment.

https://noalcoholneeded.net/meeting-faqs/

JULIE’S SOBER LIVING BLOG

Stories and reflections on rebuilding life after alcohol.

https://createalifesofull.com

FULL LIBRARY OF PODCAST EPISODES

Explore every No Alcohol Needed conversation.

https://noalcoholneeded.net/category/blog/

Why routines matter more than motivation in January

January is often when motivation fades and real life settles back in.

In this episode of No Alcohol Needed, Julie Miller and Steve Knapp are joined by Janice Dowd and Kristyna Holler for a grounded, honest conversation about healthy habits for mental health, consistency, and routines that actually support emotional wellness.

This episode is not about perfection, productivity, or rigid morning routines. It’s about the small, repeatable habits that help regulate the nervous system, protect mental health, and create stability during difficult seasons of life.

While alcohol isn’t the focus of the conversation, the episode reflects an alcohol-free lens, exploring how routines become especially important when alcohol is no longer used to cope, unwind, or transition through the day.

• Why disrupted routines are strongly linked to increased anxiety and depression
• How habits support emotional regulation when motivation is low
• Morning routines that help calm the nervous system rather than overwhelm it
• Why consistency matters more than willpower
• How to use “half habits” and micro-steps when time or energy is limited
• The role of self-compassion in building sustainable habits
• How boundaries and saying no protect your routines
• How habits and routines can carry you through grief, stress, and dark seasons
• Practical ways to interrupt negative self-talk and build emotional resilience

This episode is for anyone who:

• struggles to stay consistent with healthy habits
• feels overwhelmed by traditional self-improvement advice
• is focused on mental health and emotional wellness
• is living alcohol-free or beginning to question their relationship with alcohol
• wants routines that support real life, not ideal life

Whether you’re sober, sober-curious, or simply looking for habits that help you feel more grounded, this conversation offers perspective, reassurance, and practical tools you can use right away.

• Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before? by Dr. Julie Smith

https://noalcoholneeded.net/meet-the-voices/

–SOBRIETY SUPPORT & RESOURCES–

WORK WITH US - Personalized private coaching

Redesign a life without alcohol - with support.

https://noalcoholneeded.net/recovery-coaching/

FREE SUPPORT GROUP ON ZOOM

Real conversations. No judgment.

https://noalcoholneeded.net/meeting-faqs/

JULIE’S SOBER LIVING BLOG

Stories and reflections on rebuilding life after alcohol.

https://createalifesofull.com

FULL LIBRARY OF PODCAST EPISODES

Explore every No Alcohol Needed conversation.

https://noalcoholneeded.net/category/blog/