What kind of Woman do you want to be? The answer holds the key to releasing alcohol and reclaiming what you’ve lost on the road to empowerment. Stop Drinking and Start Living – The Feminine Way helps women effortlessly release alcohol by reconnecting with their feminine energy and stepping fully into leadership. Hosted by Mary Wagstaff, holistic alcohol coach and embodiment facilitator, this show goes beyond sobriety to explore how feminine wisdom and embodied practices make you a more intui ...
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The Thing You’re Avoiding About Alcohol Is the Way Through
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17:02Freedom from alcohol isn't found in white-knuckling or temporary breaks — it emerges when you stay engaged with the process of transformation. In this episode, I share a powerful moment from a recent family reunion where, for the first time, everyone had shifted their relationship with alcohol. What came from that wasn't awkwardness — it was deeper…
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"Can't you just have one?" And Other People's Advice You Should Avoid
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17:37Ever wonder why “just have one” never actually works? In this no-fluff episode, we unpack the deeper truth behind that tiny phrase—and why your body already knows alcohol doesn’t feel good anymore. If you're tired of the start-stop cycle and craving a way of living that actually supports your goals, your energy, and your feminine power… this one’s …
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Ever wonder who you’d be without the wine? In this personal and powerful episode, I reflect on how creating a sacred space for women—where we gather weekly over iced tea and flowers—revealed the essence of my own transformation. What started as a dream of women’s retreats manifested in a flower farm. And what I thought would be found through achiev…
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Beyond Boredom: Rediscovering Your Creative Essence
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16:19
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16:19Have you ever caught yourself pouring a glass of wine just because you were “bored”? Let’s talk about what’s really going on underneath that go-to excuse — and why it matters so much to your feminine wellbeing. In this episode, we get real about how our culture conditions women to fear stillness and how alcohol has become a sneaky permission slip t…
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The Mental Load: Why You're Overwhelmed and How to Let Go
17:23
17:23
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17:23Women are wired to handle a lot. It’s our superpower—but it can also be our kryptonite. The mental load we carry—anticipating needs, managing tasks, and caring for everyone around us—can easily become overwhelming, especially during perimenopause and beyond. Takeaways: The mental load is both a gift and a curse for high-achieving women Overwhelm of…
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Sobriety in Perimenopause: Your Unbothered, Unapologetic Era
17:59
17:59
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17:59Are you wondering why alcohol doesn't work for you the way it used to? Your body might be signaling a profound transformation – perimenopause. As a holistic alcohol coach working with women for over five years, I’ve discovered that this transitional phase requires a sacred pause from alcohol to truly understand what’s happening within. Perimenopaus…
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Why Avoidance Doesn’t Work (And What Does)
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17:39✨ Are you avoiding life just to avoid alcohol? In this episode, I share why that strategy will never work—and how to start optimizing the energy you’re already spending so your efforts don’t go to waste. We talk about how to: Stop avoiding people and places just because alcohol might be present Use discernment to practice your sacred yes and no Shi…
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Alcohol Isn't The Cause Of Your Hangover & The Cure You Didn't Know You Needed
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15:02Hey beautiful listener 💋 This week’s challenge? Throw a better party. Not for your friends—for your life. We’re not talking balloons and cake (unless you want that)—we’re talking energy. Mood. Vibe. Frequency. Whether you’re waking up hungover or just heavy with life, this episode is a big warm hug and a nudge to try one thingthat shifts you back i…
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Why It’s Already Working Out in Your Favor
26:11
26:11
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26:11You don’t have to quit drinking to start changing your relationship with alcohol. In this episode, I share why the process might already be working in your favor—even if it doesn’t look like it yet. I talk about what’s been helping me lately: from gut health and hormone shifts to the supplement that’s actually making a difference. Plus, the one min…
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Why It Was Never About The Wine-Attachment vs. Desire
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16:17Your craving for alcohol isn’t about the drink — it’s about what you think the drink will give you. Connection. Joy. Freedom. Over time, your brain has fused alcohol with emotional relief, narrowing your perspective. You believe drinking is the only way to get what you want — but it's actually blocking you from it. The key is knowing the difference…
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What If Your Rock Bottom Is Just a Whisper...
25:32
25:32
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25:32If you’ve ever thought, “Is this as good as it gets?” or “I don’t want to keep doing this,” this episode is for you. I invite you to consider a radical new idea: What if your rock bottom doesn’t have to be dramatic, destructive, or public? What if it’s just a quiet whisper—telling you that you’re meant for more? This episode explores the hidden bel…
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One of the most surprising and empowering truths in the alcohol-free journey: The best time to change your relationship with alcohol is when you’re already feeling good. If that sounds counterintuitive, you’re not alone. Most of us only commit to change when we’ve hit a low—after a fight, a blackout, a painful moment of regret. But what if that’s w…
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I’m sharing about what it actually takes to make a lasting shift in your relationship with alcohol—and why “feeling good” can often be the very thing that triggers a return to old habits. We explore: Why you break your promises to yourself (and how to rebuild trust) What really needs to change to create a new self-concept How intention, not willpow…
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Six Years of Alcohol-Freedom—And How You Can Do It Better
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20:21It’s been six years since I took my last sip of alcohol—and not only do I not miss it, I truly don’t want it. In this soul-deep episode, I’m reflecting on what made lasting change possible for me (spoiler: it wasn’t willpower) and sharing the feminine path that helped me create a life so rich and connected, alcohol couldn’t compete. Whether you’re …
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Client Spotlight: 2 Years of Sustainable Sobriety with Bonnie
59:03
59:03
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59:03There is no greater honor than reconnecting with a client years after we’ve worked together and seeing her thriving—more empowered, more present, and more alive than ever before. In this episode, I sit down with Bonnie, a mother of four, a generational cycle-breaker, and a woman who has redefined what’s possible when you choose yourself. Two years …
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Let’s talk about something so many high-achieving women struggle with: relaxation resistance. That underlying belief that if you relax, everything will fall apart. That if you slow down, you're lazy. That your worth is tied to your productivity. This week, we’re unraveling the deep-seated patterns that keep you stuck in fight-or-flight mode, consta…
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The Truth About Mental Health, Sobriety & Embracing The Feminine Way with Andrea Clark
1:09:01
1:09:01
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1:09:01This episode is a special one—I’m sharing an incredible conversation I had on The Truth About Mental Health podcast with host Andrea Clark. Andrea is a former family psychologist who’s pulling back the curtain on the limitations of the mental health industry and advocating for a more holistic, empowering approach to healing. We had so many synchron…
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Exquisite Care – The Feminine Way to Sobriety, Deep Nourishment & Expansion Part 3
17:25
17:25
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17:25This week, we’re diving into Exquisite Care, the third principle of The Feminine Way. And no, I’m not just talking about bubble baths and spa days—this is about deep, soul-level nourishment that actually supports your body, your nervous system, and your expansion. We’re still in the vibe of finding out instead of figuring it out, and sometimes, tha…
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There’s No Rush – The Feminine Way to Sobriety, Slowing Down & Softening Part 2
14:48
14:48
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14:48Let’s start with this: you don’t need me. You don’t need another book, another podcast, another guru telling you what to do. You already have everything you need inside of you. The problem? We’ve been conditioned to search outside of ourselves instead of trusting what’s already there. In today’s episode, we’re continuing our conversation about The …
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Feminine Sobriety Part 1 Finding Safety Within
19:35
19:35
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19:35🔗 Try Magic Mind with 20% off: magicmind.com/maryW20 Last week, we talked about silent sobriety—not as a way to hide, but as a practice of deepening your relationship with yourself. This week, we’re taking that a step further and exploring how to create safety from within—because the first principle of the feminine way is knowing that true safety i…
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Crush Brain Fog! Grab your 20% discount on your first order of Magic Mind use the link here for discount code MaryW20 at check out! Do you ever feel the pressure to announce your big life changes? In today’s episode, I’m diving into silent sobriety and silent activism—why sometimes the most powerful transformation happens when we keep it just for o…
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Loosen Your Grip On Trying To Figure Out Alcohol
17:51
17:51
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17:51🔗 Try Magic Mind with 20% off: magicmind.com/maryW20 Today, we’re diving into what it really means to surrender and trust your next evolution. Whether it's shifting your relationship with alcohol, your career, or any part of your life, the key isn’t figuring it out—it’s finding out by loosening your grip and stepping into curiosity. I share persona…
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Is Not Drinking a Form of Punishment? The Feminine Way to True Freedom
15:36
15:36
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15:36You get to decide what sobriety means for you. Today’s episode is inspired by a listener question: “How do we ensure we're not using not drinking alcohol as a form of punishment or deprivation?” This question is huge, because how you think about alcohol—and about quitting it—determines your experience of sobriety. The feminine way to releasing alco…
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We've all been there. Totally sick or disappointed from doing the thing you said you wouldn't do, DRINK. This ONE simple thing will not only change how you feel after a night of drinking, but it will interrupt the cycle from happening again later, because you will be feeling better. It's also a trick you can use when you don't show up with integrit…
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Digging Deep, Taking The Descent, Living In Breakthrough
15:39
15:39
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15:39The question isn't will I drink or not. The question is will I FEEL ALIVE? In this episode, I share my personal breakthrough and how we live in cycles of transformation. I give you the exact thought you need to dig deep and emerge brighter than ever. What I Dive Into: My Breakthrough: How I discovered that true change wasn’t about quitting drinking…
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Marianne’s Final Breakthrough: How She Stopped Disappearing & Stepped Fully Into Her Life (3 of 3)
45:25
45:25
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45:25“If I don’t stop disappearing from my higher self, I’ll never live the life I want.” This is it—the final part of the most transformational story shared on this podcast. If you haven’t listened to Part 1 and Part 2, go back and commit to hearing the full journey. This is the most valuable case study in not just quitting drinking, but in stepping in…
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Why "Self-Help" Wasn’t Enough: The Missing Piece in Alcohol Freedom Marianne's Story (2 of 3)
36:38
36:38
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36:38This is not just about quitting drinking. It’s about claiming your sovereignty. We are back with Part 2 of this powerful three-part series featuring my incredible client, Marianne, who shares her raw and transformational journey of stepping fully into her power. This isn’t just another conversation about sobriety. This is about self-mastery, peace,…
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From Emotional Fire to Feminine Power: Marianne’s Sobriety Breakthrough (1 of 3 )
28:23
28:23
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28:23The Best Case Study You’ll Ever Hear: Reclaiming Your Power and Inner Peace This is not like any other sobriety show. In this episode, you’ll hear one of the most transformational case studies ever shared on the show. I sit down with my incredible client, Marianne, a high-achieving woman who knew that if she wanted to live the life she truly desire…
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Every choice you make shapes your reality, yet most of us are stuck in cycles of indecision or overwhelm, which drains our energy and leaves us disconnected from our power. Decision fatigue impacts every area of your life—especially your relationship with alcohol. Here’s why this matters: when you’re exhausted from constant decision-making or stuck…
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NEW EPISODE! The Evolution Of Awakened Empowerment
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26:10AND WE ARE BACK! Welcome back, my beautiful listeners—it's Mary Wagstaff, and I am beyond thrilled to be here with you today. I can hardly contain my excitement as we relaunch Stop Drinking and Start Living - The Feminine Way. This is more than just a podcast; it’s a safe space for exploring sobriety, feminine empowerment, and reclaiming the authen…
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Welcome to Stop Drinking and Start Living - The Feminine Way
6:43
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6:43Welcome to Stop Drinking and Start Living - The Feminine Way What kind of woman do you want to be? The answer to this question holds the key to releasing alcohol, breaking free from numbing cycles, and reclaiming your power, pleasure, and purpose. In this trailer episode, I’m sharing the vision for this new season of the podcast: a space for transf…
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In this episode of Stop Drinking and Start Living, I'm excited to share my 100-day urge tracking protocol to help you gain awareness and control over alcohol cravings. Through tracking circumstances, emotions, thoughts and sensations around urges, you can shift your perspective on alcohol and create more freedom and relaxation in their lives. Key t…
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Master Your Health Through Metabolic Flexability with Susannah LaPoint Part 2 of 2
45:10
45:10
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45:10Ready to reclaim your health and vitality? Susannah is back and we go even deeper into how to support your health holistically with insulin support and diet. Discover a holistic approach to wellness, alcohol freedom and transforming your lifestyle by stabilizing blood sugar levels. Key Takeaways: Blood Sugar Balance: Understand how balanced blood s…
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Master Your Health Through Metabolic Flexability with Susannah LaPoint Part 1 of 2
45:56
45:56
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45:56Join wellness coach Susannah LaPoint as we explore a revolutionary approach to vibrant health beyond alcohol, focusing on nutrition, insulin control, breathwork, fasting, and mindful living. Key Takeaways: Achieve Vibrant Health: Discover Susannah's approach to Mastering your wellness through nutrition, breathwork, and fasting. Blood Sugar & Hormon…
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Why It's Important To Put Yourself In A New Room
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37:42Today I share the profound transformations I observed on our Women's retreat and why it is so important to put yourself in new intentional environments, to make big change. I offer insight into how you can apply these to your life now and transform your relationship to self and to alcohol. Key Takeaways: -People are ready for more meaning and conne…
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Are N/A Beverages Right For Your Awakened Sober Life?
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25:19Today I share my personal journey and insights into the world of non-alcoholic beverages, and learn how to forge a path to intentional living that transcends the need for alcohol or pretending. Take aways: The potential impact of drinks that mimic the taste of alcohol Understanding the pivotal role embodiment and conscious movement play in fosterin…
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How Much Bigger Can You Be ? : The Power Of Sisterhood with The Retreat Queens! Part 2 of 2
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41:56
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41:56Have you ever considered the profound changes that take root when you put down the Have you ever considered the profound changes that occur when you put down the wine glass and join hands with a community of women on a journey of awakened, sensual living? In today's episode, we explore part 2 of the transformative power of sisterhood and sobriety, …
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Playing A Bigger Game : The Power Of Sisterhood with The Retreat Queens! Part 1 of 2
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41:01What would it take to believe, as long as you were being yourself, you couldn't do it wrong and that you belonged? This was the transformative power of our Woman's Retreat in Mexico. In today's episode, we weave tales of feminine healing and the power of women's retreat and sacred sisterhood. Our sanctuary of conversation opens its arms to the stor…
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Client Spotlight : An Unrecognizable Life With Janet
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54:49
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54:49If you have ever felt like you've tried everything when it comes to quitting drinking, this episode is for you. My client Janet finally flipped the script in her mind when she discovered the holistic approach of the five shifts process. She had countless attempts at other programs that just didn't get to the root of the problem. She could only get …
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Today's epidote is crucial for your success in sobriety and beyond. It is the starting point you must establish for all new endeavors: establishing a sense safety and authenticity. Safety in the Known: Despite knowing alcohol isn't serving us, we often return to it because of the safety and familiarity it provides. Establishing New Safety: To move …
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How To Respond To Others About Your Drinking
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26:29
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26:29If you have ever thought, " I don't want to make anyone feel bad because I'm not drinking." You are in the right place. You don't want your drinking to impact other people in a negative way, so when you are asked about it, you freeze. You don't know how to respond and end up defending, explaining yourself or pointing the blame at you. This is not t…
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How alive are you willing to feel, is really the question I am asking today? Can you show up even bigger for life than you thought possible? Sobriety does stop giving after you get it out of your way. It's a mindset of removing the veil of illusions that have kept you stick in fear. In today's episode you will take away: the questions you need to k…
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Your Desires Are The Key To Your Sober Success
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20:04You might know what you don't want, but knowing what your deepest desires are and tapping into them, mind, body heart and soul, will create your inevitable success in sobriety. Today we dive into the depths of our desires, showing that sobriety empowers us to manifest a life beyond imagination. Let's uncover your truest yearnings, fostering a lifes…
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Today we are having an eye-opening conversation about alcohols so-called benefits. We're breaking down the myth that alcohol affects us all differently, revealing the universal chemical impact it has on our bodies—whether it's wreaking havoc on our nervous systems, disrupting our gut biomes, or throwing our endocrine systems out of balance. My five…
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Rethinking the Romance of Alcohol and Authentic Joy
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20:49Have you ever found yourself caught up in the enchanting haze of alcohol's promise, believing it holds the key to life's most thrilling chapters? Unpacking the cultural narrative that paints alcohol as the hero of our stories, the liberator of our inhibitions, and the spark in the romance of life. Explore how these potent tales influence our percep…
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Self-acceptance is crucial if you've ever questioned your relationship with alcohol. This episode is a heartfelt invitation to peel back the layers of self-doubt and limiting beliefs, revealing the bright essence of who you truly are. Learn how to rekindle trust in your instincts, and together, we'll confront the stories we've constructed about our…
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Your truest self is buried beneath layers shaped by alcohol. I'll take you through my personal transformation and reveal how my five shifts process could be the key to unlocking your most authentic life. This isn't about abstaining for the sake of it; it's about questioning deeply held beliefs and reconstructing a life where alcohol loses its grip,…
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Navigating sober sex and rediscovering sexual pleasure without alcohol is a whole new area for most people. Pleasure is a huge part of reclaiming your wholeness beyond alcohol. Explore the challenges and triumphs of sober intimacy, with personal stories and insights. Discover how sobriety can enhance sensuality, define boundaries, and indulge in sp…
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Challenge the notion that rebellion and self-governance are tied to alcohol consumption. As women navigating motherhood, care taking and challenging ourselves in new ways. Explore strategies for reclaiming personal power, including setting boundaries and embracing solitude. Learn about self-soothing techniques and letting go of limiting beliefs. DI…
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What Happens In Vegas...The Short Cut To Sobriety
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22:43Today I share with you a personal experience of spending three days in a Las Vegas night club dancing with strangers. It was an integrative journey that anchored my knowing in the ONLY SHORT CUT to sobriety. Today I share with you my take aways. Takeaways: Sobriety is more than just abstaining from alcohol; it's a journey of self-discovery and auth…
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