Today’s episode of Sisters in Sobriety is all about navigating the ups, downs, and surprising discoveries of early sobriety! Sonia is joined by Courtney Andersen, the founder of Sober Vibes and a seasoned sober life coach who’s been alcohol-free for over a decade. Courtney’s also the author of Sober Vibes: A Guide to Thriving in Your First 90 Days Without Alcohol, a no-nonsense roadmap for getting through those crucial early months. She’s here to share real-life tips and laughs, making the road to sobriety feel a little less intimidating.

In this episode, they dive into questions like: What can you do when the “witching hour” hits and cravings come knocking? How can you tell if moderation isn’t cutting it? And what are the realistic expectations for those tough first 90 days?

Courtney offers her refreshingly honest take on some key concepts of early sobriety: managing withdrawal, building a support network, and learning to talk to yourself kindly (yep, that’s a big one!). She’ll break down how to replace old habits with new, feel-good routines that keep you steady—and maybe even make you excited about a new way of life.

Things get personal as Courtney opens up about her rock-bottom moment, her “aha” pact with the universe, and her journey from feeling lost to finding purpose. If you’re looking for motivation to start or stick with sobriety, Courtney’s story is full of the grit, humor, and hope that will keep you moving forward.

This is Sisters in Sobriety, the support community that helps women change their relationship with alcohol. Check out our Substack for extra tips, tricks, and resources.

Highlights

00:01:15 - A quick look at Courtney’s new book, Sober Vibes, and how it guides readers through the first 90 days.
00:02:34 - Courtney shares her “I have to quit” moment and what drove her to finally make the change.
00:03:00 - Falling in love with the bar scene and the “fun” side of drinking.
00:04:50 - Panic attacks and anxiety kick in as the fun fades.
00:06:50 - Courtney’s funny (and frustrating!) attempts at “moderation rules” for drinking.
00:09:13 - The sneaky ways emotional dependency shows up when trying to quit.
00:10:58 - The endless cycle of bargaining and why it’s exhausting.
00:12:40 - Courtney’s rock-bottom night (and a lost cat!) that finally pushed her to quit for good.
00:15:35 - Sonia and Courtney chat about how rock-bottom looks different for everyone.
00:16:30 - What those first 90 days really feel like and why they’re so tough.
00:17:45 - Withdrawal symptoms and the importance of checking in with a doctor.
00:20:15 - How having a support network can help you feel less alone.
00:21:45 - Redefining routines and how small changes can make a big difference.
00:24:00 - Courtney’s “Friday night lights” TV binge for those hard weekend nights.
00:26:22 - Easy tips for handling cravings and setting boundaries with friends.
00:29:00 - Courtney’s “60-minute rule” for social events and getting home before triggers hit.
00:31:50 - How journaling and reflection can help keep your sober mindset strong.
00:33:00 - Simple, do-anywhere tools for getting through intense cravings.
00:36:30 - How exercise and fresh air can be secret weapons for staying sober.
00:37:04 - The underrated power of a good night’s sleep.
00:40:00 - What to expect as cravings start to fade and you build a new normal.
00:45:00 - Why staying present is the best way to approach your sobriety journey.

Links

• Connect With Courtney Here!

Website- https://www.courtneyrecovered.com

IG- https://www.instagram.com/sober.vibes

Book- https://www.courtneyrecovered.com/sober-vibes-pre-order

• Sisters In Sobriety Substack - find more tips, tricks, resources, and community
• Sisters In Sobriety Email
• Sisters In Sobriety Instagram
• Kathleen’s Website Kathleen does not endorse any products mentioned in this podcast
• Kathleen’s Instagram

Today, Kathleen and Sonia bring you a fascinating chat with Ali Shapiro – health coach, speaker, and creator of Truce with Food. Together, they dig into the highs, lows, and everything in between when it comes to cravings, food, and the ways alcohol plays into it all.

In this episode, they tackle questions we all ask ourselves: Why do I crave sugar after a long day? What’s really behind that urge to snack? and How can I start eating in a way that feels right for me? Ali shares practical insights on how to understand cravings, balance blood sugar, and build a healthier relationship with food that doesn’t feel like a battle.

Listeners will get practical tips about blood sugar balance, ways to know the difference between “I need this” and “I want this,” and how to make food choices that feel natural. Ali also talks about her own journey with food, revealing how a health challenge as a kid shaped her approach to nutrition today. Whether you're struggling with cravings or just looking to feel more in tune with your body, there’s something here for you.

This is Sisters in Sobriety, the support community that helps women change their relationship with alcohol. Check out our Substack for extra tips, tricks, and resources.

Time-Stamped Highlights

[00:01:00] Meet Ali Shapiro and her unique take on food and cravings
[00:01:10] How blood sugar and alcohol mess with our cravings
[00:02:00] Why emotional cravings happen and how to spot them
[00:03:12] The never-ending cycle of caffeine and exhaustion
[00:04:15] What’s the difference between wanting a snack and needing one?
[00:05:23] Ali’s thoughts on why “intuitive eating” isn’t always so intuitive
[00:06:54] Getting real about our emotional ties to food
[00:07:52] Food as a way to connect with others – why it matters
[00:08:10] Kathleen shares how food helped her through a hard time
[00:09:19] How meals can help us slow down and feel more grounded
[00:10:12] Finding balance when it comes to emotional eating
[00:11:23] Ali’s “three types of hunger” approach – it’s not just about food!
[00:12:42] How blood sugar balance can reduce cravings
[00:13:56] Ali’s breakfast experiment – try it for yourself!
[00:15:27] Peptides and insulin – breaking down what it all means
[00:17:04] Why strength training is a midlife game-changer
[00:18:29] Understanding how hormones impact our cravings
[00:20:15] Building muscle to support a healthy weight
[00:21:59] Busting the myth of calorie-counting diets
[00:24:48] Separating health and weight without judgment
[00:28:55] Ali’s Truce with Food program – what it’s all about
[00:34:43] A sneak peek at Ali’s thoughts on gut health

Links

Get In Touch With Ali -

• Free breakfast experiment
• Truce with Food group program

• Sisters In Sobriety Substack - find more tips, tricks, resources, and community
• Sisters In Sobriety Email
• Sisters In Sobriety Instagram
• Kathleen’s Website Kathleen does not endorse any products mentioned in this podcast
• Kathleen’s Instagram

In this episode of Sisters in Sobriety, Sonia and Kathleen explore the nuanced connections between food, emotional well-being, and self-worth with special guest Ali Shapiro, a health coach, speaker, and creator of the Truce with Food program. Ali brings a unique perspective to our understanding of food and body image, diving deep into how they shape—and often complicate—our personal stories

Ali breaks down big questions: How does food influence our sense of safety and belonging? What role does diet culture play in our self-worth? And how can we begin to reclaim our autonomy over our eating choices? Listeners will find Ali’s candid discussion on media messaging and societal expectations especially valuable, with practical advice on setting personal standards that nurture self-respect and belonging.

Throughout the episode, Ali addresses key concepts like body image, emotional eating, and the hidden impact of attachment chemicals on our relationship with food. Listeners will also hear about “self-authoring” our values—moving away from discipline and control and toward devotion to personal well-being. This episode covers functional medicine insights and tangible tools for aligning with our internal sense of self-worth.

Ali also opens up about her own personal story, reflecting on her early experiences with body image struggles and loneliness that many can relate to. Through her honesty, she shares how those moments shaped her journey to find true belonging, and how each of us can start unearthing our food and body stories to reclaim joy and freedom in our lives.

This is Sisters in Sobriety, the support community that helps women change their relationship with alcohol. Check out our Substack for extra tips, tricks, and resources.

Episode Highlights

[00:00:00] Introduction to Ali Shapiro and her background
[00:01:13] Functional medicine and cognitive behavioral approach
[00:02:00] The intersection of food and sobriety
[00:04:45] Unearthing the stories we tell ourselves about food and body
[00:06:35] The willpower and discipline myth in dieting
[00:07:57] The concept of food as safety and belonging
[00:10:04] Kathleen shares her earliest food memory
[00:12:45] Food as a source of comfort for loneliness
[00:13:39] Attachment chemicals released by food
[00:17:14] Media’s impact on body image and self-worth
[00:21:40] Transitioning to self-authority in adulthood
[00:23:14] Self-worth and evolving the sense of belonging
[00:26:32] Kathleen discusses finding a supportive partner
[00:28:20] Building a community that aligns with self-worth
[00:30:53] The lasting impact of family messages on body image
[00:31:42] Moving from discipline to devotion in self-care
[00:33:32] Foods and drinks that impact blood sugar levels
[00:34:00] Outro and preview of part two with Ali Shapiro

Links

Get In Touch With Ali -

• Free breakfast experiment
• Truce with Food group program

• Sisters In Sobriety Substack - find more tips, tricks, resources, and community
• Sisters In Sobriety Email
• Sisters In Sobriety Instagram
• Kathleen’s Website Kathleen does not endorse any products mentioned in this podcast
• Kathleen’s Instagram