Real freedom doesn’t come from willpower, labels, or trying harder—it starts with Jesus. In this episode of Love Life Sober, Christy Osborne is joined by pastor and author John Elmore to talk about addiction, confession, and what it actually looks like to walk in freedom through the Spirit.

John shares his powerful story of addiction, the moment everything came crashing down, and why confession and community are essential—not optional—when it comes to healing. Together, they explore what it means to walk by the Spirit in everyday life, how to respond when it feels like God isn’t answering your prayers, and why locking the doors on temptation matters if you want lasting change.

If you’ve been trying to “white knuckle” your way to freedom or feel stuck in cycles you can’t break, this conversation will remind you that freedom is available—and it starts today.

If You’ve Ever Thought…

“I’ve asked God to take this away, but I’m still struggling.”
“I’m too ashamed to talk about this in church.”

Babe, this episode is for you.

What You’ll Learn In This Episode

• Why alcohol often becomes a false solution to pain and stress—and how Jesus offers something far better
• What Galatians 5:16 really means and how walking by the Spirit works in everyday life
• Why confession is essential for healing and how shame keeps women trapped in secrecy
• How your identity shapes your behavior and why you are a saint who sins, not a sinner trying to become holy
• Why willpower isn’t enough and how daily dependence on God creates lasting freedom
• How “one day at a time” mirrors God’s design for daily bread and sustainable change
• What idols actually are, how alcohol quietly becomes one, and why surrender leads to real joy and peace

💌 Links & Resources

📖 John’s book: Freedom Starts Today
https://amzn.to/3Z50d9f

🌿 Join the Love Life Sober Community
https://lovelifesober.co.uk/community

📖 Order Christy’s book, Love Life Sober: A 40 Day Alcohol Fast to Rediscover Your Joy, Improve Your Health, and Renew Your Mind
https://lovelifesober.co.uk/book

📖 Learn more about the Tyndale Life Recovery Bible
https://hubs.la/Q041HjWm0

Connect on Instagram: @lovelifesoberwithchristy

Subscribe on YouTube — Come hang with us!

Please note: This episode includes a brief mention of suicidal thoughts. 

Disclaimer

The creators, hosts, and producers of the Love Life Sober podcast are not healthcare practitioners and therefore do not give medical, psychological, or professional advice nor intend for the podcast or any Love Life Sober communication to substitute for such. Views and opinions expressed in any referenced or linked resources do not necessarily reflect those of the Love Life Sober team or guests.

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

In this episode of Love Life Sober, Christy shares a powerful testimony about stopping drinking and finding freedom from alcohol through faith. Shantel Chandler shares her journey from struggling with alcohol to living alcohol-free, and how God used conviction, community, and surrender to break a drinking stronghold.

Just 15 months ago, Shantel was at the very beginning of her journey—listening to the podcast, reading Christy’s book, and wondering if freedom could actually be real for her. Today, she’s living alcohol-free and sharing what changed as a Fast Captain, apart of the Love Life Sober community.

Shantel opens up about how alcohol first entered her life as a confidence boost in high school, how it became a coping mechanism through heartbreak and loneliness, and how it eventually turned into a stronghold during some of the hardest seasons of her life—including motherhood, moving, stress, and navigating her child’s Type 1 diabetes diagnosis.

But this story is also about the slow and steady way God pursued her—through a sister’s gentle comment, through sermons she couldn’t forget, through discipleship that felt like grace instead of condemnation, and finally through the moment she woke up and prayed, “Okay God, I’m done… but I don’t know how.”

If you’ve ever felt the Holy Spirit tugging at your heart and you’re not quite sure what to do with it, this conversation will feel incredibly familiar.

If you’ve ever thought…

“I don’t know where I fit.”
“I’m keeping this secret.”
“I love Jesus… but I can’t stop.”
“This has a grip on me.”

This episode is for you.

What You’ll Learn

• How Shantel’s drinking began as a way to feel confident and fit in
• How heartbreak and divorce shifted alcohol from “fun” to coping
• What it was like becoming a single mom, rediscovering faith, and still living in a drinking cycle
• Why major stress can deepen alcohol’s grip—including moving, isolation, and parenting through medical challenges like Type 1 Diabetes
• The tension of wanting Christian community while still hiding struggles
• What conviction felt like for Shantel and how God used sermons and conversations to pierce her heart
• The difference between white-knuckling a fast and surrendering a stronghold
• How community support helped her stop hiding and begin healing

Links & Resources

Join the Love Life Sober Community
https://lovelifesober.co.uk/community

Join the Lent 40-Day Alcohol Fast
https://lovelifesober.co.uk/the-fast

Order Christy’s Book
Love Life Sober: A 40 Day Alcohol Fast to Rediscover Your Joy, Improve Your Health, and Renew Your Mind
https://lovelifesober.co.uk/book

Connect on Instagram
@lovelifesoberwithchristy

Subscribe on YouTube — Come hang with us!

Disclaimer

The creators, hosts, and producers of the Love Life Sober podcast are not healthcare practitioners and therefore do not give medical, psychological, or professional advice nor intend for the podcast or any Love Life Sober communication to substitute for such. Views and opinions expressed in any referenced or linked resources do not necessarily reflect those of the Love Life Sober team or guests.

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Should Christians drink alcohol? In this episode of Love Life Sober, author Ericka Andersen explores faith-based sobriety, the gray-area drinking struggle, and what freedom from alcohol can look like for Christian women who love Jesus but feel stuck.

Christy Osborne is joined by Ericka Andersen, author of Freely Sober, for an honest, hope-filled conversation about freedom from alcohol for Christian women seeking support that is both practical and rooted in Christ.

Together, they discuss the “gray area” a space many women live in, the long internal struggle that often comes before real change, and why a slow or nonlinear timeline does not mean failure. Ericka brings compassion, biblical context, and practical wisdom to the question many Christian women quietly ask: Should Christians even drink alcohol?

This conversation offers clarity, permission, and hope for women who aren’t “rock bottom,” but know alcohol is taking up more space than they want it to.

If You’ve Ever Thought…

• “I love Jesus, but I keep going back to wine.”
• “I’m not falling apart… but I’m stuck.”
• “I wish there was something for women like me.”

Babe, this episode is for you!

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• What it looks like when alcohol becomes not an addiction, but a distraction
• Why the journey toward freedom can take years—and how that time isn’t wasted in God’s hands
• How to hold the process lighter after a “failed” Dry January and keep moving forward
• Why cravings feel like they’ll last forever—and simple tools to ride them out
• Why “buzzed” matters more than we want to admit, especially around our kids
• The big question: should Christians even drink alcohol, and what Scripture actually shows
• Why modern alcohol is not the same as biblical wine—and why context matters

Links & Resources

Order Ericka’s book, Freely Sober: 

https://amzn.to/49l5mQm

Join the Lent 40-Day Alcohol Fast

https://lovelifesober.co.uk/the-fast

Join the Love Life Sober Community

https://lovelifesober.co.uk/community

Order Christy’s book, Love Life Sober: A 40 Day Alcohol Fast to Rediscover Your Joy, Improve Your Health, and Renew Your Mind

Connect on Instagram: @lovelifesoberwithchristy

You can find more resources at Lovelifesober.com

Disclaimer:
The creators, hosts, and producers of the Love Life Sober podcast are not healthcare practitioners and therefore do not give medical, psychological, or professional advice nor intend for the podcast or any Love Life Sober communication to substitute for such. Views and opinions expressed in any referenced or linked resources do not necessarily reflect those of the Love Life Sober team or guests.

Love Life Sober is part of the Lifeaudio Podcast Network: A Christian network where every podcast is rooted in biblical truth, offering guidance, encouragement and inspiration for everyday life. You can find more faith centered podcasts at Lifeaudio.com | Faith On Demand

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Love Life Sober is a Christian podcast for women questioning their relationship with alcohol and sensing God might have more for them beyond the wine glass.

Have you felt that nudge from God to put down the wine glass, but the thought of relaxing, having fun, or even coping with life feels impossible without it? Are you waking up each morning vowing not to drink tonight, only to find that by five p.m., all bets are off?

Hosted by Christian sobriety coach and author Christy Osborne, author of Love Life Sober: A 40 Day Alcohol Fast to Rediscover Your Joy, Improve Your Health, and Renew Your Mind, this podcast blends Scripture, neuroscience, and practical coaching to help you understand what’s happening in your brain, your nervous system, and your heart, and how lasting freedom from alcohol is actually possible.

You’ll hear expert conversations and powerful testimonies for women exploring Christian sobriety, faith-based recovery, mindful drinking, and alcohol-free living. Each episode gently invites you to step away from wine and toward deeper connection with God, without shame, pressure, or the need to decide forever.

At the heart of Love Life Sober is a simple truth. Love, joy, peace, and connection were never meant to be found in a wine bottle. They are found in Jesus.

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Christy is joined by Dr. Lee Warren, neurosurgeon, author, and one of the most grounded voices on faith, suffering, and the way God designed our brains to heal. They discuss his powerful book The Life-Changing Art of Self-Brain Surgery and how his “Ten Commandments” for mental and emotional health can help people break free from alcohol, stop believing every thought they think, and rebuild a life they actually want to live.

Dr. Lee also shares the tender story of how grief reshaped his purpose after losing his son Mitch, and why your pain matters—even if someone else’s pain looks “worse.”

If you’ve ever thought…

“My trauma is too big… nothing can help me.”
“My feelings feel true, so they must be true.”
“One drink means I’ve ruined everything.”

This conversation offers hope, practical tools, and a reminder that changing your thinking can truly change your life.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why your pain is valid and why comparing trauma keeps you stuck
• How your brain can heal through Neuroplasticity (and why you’re not “stuck” with the brain you have)
• Why feelings aren’t facts and how to practice curiosity instead of reacting
• What Dr. Lee calls the “tomorrow tax” and why “no anesthesia allowed” changes everything
• Whether the effects of alcohol on the brain can improve over time in recovery
• What happens when you slip—and how to learn instead of spiral when building new pathways

💌 Links & Resources

Dr. Lee’s Book:
The Life-Changing Art of Self-Brain Surgery
Connecting Neuroscience and Faith to Radically Transform Your Life
https://amzn.to/40EZs7i

Join the Love Life Sober Community
https://lovelifesober.co.uk/community

Order Christy’s Book
Love Life Sober: A 40 Day Alcohol Fast to Rediscover Your Joy, Improve Your Health, and Renew Your Mind
https://lovelifesober.co.uk/book

Connect on Instagram:
@lovelifesoberwithchristy

Subscribe on YouTube — Come hang with us!

Disclaimer

The creators, hosts, and producers of the Love Life Sober podcast are not healthcare practitioners and therefore do not give medical, psychological, or professional advice, nor intend for the podcast or any Love Life Sober communication to substitute for such. Views and opinions expressed in any referenced or linked resources do not necessarily reflect those of the Love Life Sober team or guests.

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

During "International Women’s Day" week, this is a powerful reminder that God has always been in the business of empowering women, redeeming messy stories, and calling ordinary people into extraordinary courage. Christy is joined by her dear friend Laura L. Smith, author of Brave Woman, Mighty God, for a conversation that feels like a deep exhale and a holy pep talk all at once.

Laura shares why Mary Magdalene is her favorite woman in the Bible right now, how God consistently chooses the overlooked, and why your past doesn’t disqualify you from purpose.

If you’ve been feeling, “Not me… I’m too far gone,” Laura brings it home with the story of Gomer in the book of Book of Hosea and the relentless love of God that keeps coming back for us again and again.

And if you’re exhausted from waiting, she offers the most grounding encouragement: God gives us daily bread, not next year’s feast… and He will meet you today, right where you are.

You’ll also hear a powerful moment unpacking “Talitha Koum” (little girl, get up) from the Gospel of Mark — and the truth that Jesus is not too busy, you’re not a waste of His time, and your story isn’t over.

If you’ve ever thought…

• “I’m too far gone for God to use me.”
• “I’ve tried a million times… I’ll probably just fail again.”
• “Why does it feel like everyone else is ahead of me?”

You’re going to feel seen in this one, babe 🩷

What You’ll Learn In This Episode

• Why Mary Magdalene is proof that Jesus doesn’t choose the “qualified,” He qualifies the chosen

• The story of Gomer and what it reveals about God’s relentless, pursuing love

• How to keep going when you’re tired of waiting and God feels quiet

• Why comparison is a trap, and how the story of Mary and Martha sets you free

• A truth to anchor you when you’re afraid the past will repeat itself

Links & Resources

Get Laura’s book, Brave Woman, Mighty God (limited-time Kindle offer)

Join the Love Life Sober Community
https://lovelifesober.co.uk/community

Order Christy’s book, Love Life Sober: A 40 Day Alcohol Fast to Rediscover Your Joy, Improve Your Health, and Renew Your Mind
https://lovelifesober.co.uk/book

Connect on Instagram: @lovelifesoberwithchristy
Subscribe on YouTube — Come hang with us!

Disclaimer

The creators, hosts, and producers of the Love Life Sober podcast are not healthcare practitioners and therefore do not give medical, psychological, or professional advice nor intend for the podcast or any Love Life Sober communication to substitute for such. Views and opinions expressed in any referenced or linked resources do not necessarily reflect those of the Love Life Sober team or guests.

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Childless not by choice carries a grief many women silently numb with alcohol. In this episode of Love Life Sober, Maureen Benkovich shares how infertility, miscarriage, and a failed adoption fueled years of binge drinking—and how surrendering to God led to lasting freedom.

Christy sits down with Maureen Benkovich, Alcohol Freedom Coach, author, speaker, and host of the Sober Fit Life podcast, for a powerful conversation about infertility grief, childlessness not by choice, and the hidden pain only God could heal.

A former fitness professional who outwardly embodied discipline and success, Maureen shares how miscarriage, infertility, and a failed adoption quietly shaped her identity and fueled years of binge drinking, depression, and the exhausting detox-to-retox cycle. She opens up about the “untangible” grief of not becoming a mother, the party-girl persona she used to survive, and the moment she stopped asking God for moderation and instead surrendered completely.

This episode is for the woman who feels stuck, unseen, and tired of numbing her sorrow with wine. There is a way out—and it begins with laying it down.

If You’ve Ever Thought…

• “Why would God let this happen to me?”

• “I don’t know who I am if I’m not a mom.”

• “Alcohol is the only thing that helps me get through the sadness.”

This episode is for you.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• How infertility grief and a failed adoption quietly escalated Maureen’s drinking over time

• Why alcohol can trap you in rumination, depression, and emotional stuckness

• The detox-to-retox cycle and how it keeps you feeling “fine”… until you’re not

• What it looks like to rebuild identity when motherhood doesn’t happen

• Why moderation wasn’t the answer—and what finally changed everything

• How faith, community, and renewing your mind create new pathways forward

• Practical encouragement for women who are childless not by choice and feeling alone

Links & Resources

Maureen’s website:
soberfitchick.com

🌟 Join the Love Life Sober Community
https://lovelifesober.co.uk/community

🌿 Join the Lent 40-Day Alcohol Fast
https://lovelifesober.co.uk/the-fast

📖 Order Love Life Sober: A 40 Day Alcohol Fast to Rediscover Your Joy, Improve Your Health, and Renew Your Mind
https://lovelifesober.co.uk/book

Learn more about the Tyndale Life Recovery Bible:
https://hubs.la/Q041HjWm0

Connect on Instagram: @lovelifesoberwithchristy
Subscribe on YouTube — Come hang with us! 

Disclaimer

The creators, hosts, and producers of the Love Life Sober podcast are not healthcare practitioners and do not provide medical, psychological, or professional advice. Content is not intended to substitute professional care. Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect those of the Love Life Sober team. Content Note: This episode includes discussion of suicide. Listener discretion is advised.

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

In this special episode of Love Life Sober, Christy is joined by the incredible women who help lead the Love Life Sober community—our Fast Captains and coaches. These are the women cheering you on, praying for you by name, and walking alongside you as you take courageous steps toward alcohol-free freedom.

As we prepare for the upcoming Lent 40-Day Alcohol Fast, this conversation gives you a behind-the-scenes look at the heart of the community and the women who make it such a safe, faith-filled place to land. You’ll hear their stories, their why, and the powerful ways they’ve seen God move when women choose to lay alcohol down and draw closer to Him.

If you’ve ever wondered what makes this Christian alcohol-free community different—or you’ve been hovering over the “join” button feeling equal parts curious and terrified—this episode is your invitation.

If You’ve Ever Thought…

“I don’t know if I’m ready for something like this.”
“What if I fail again?”
“Do I really belong in a community like that?”

Babe, this episode is for you.

What You’ll Learn In This Episode

• Why a Christ-centered community creates lasting freedom
• What makes the Love Life Sober fasts different from other alcohol-free spaces
• Why fear is often the very thing keeping you from the freedom you want
• The truth about “starting again” and why nothing is ever wasted in God’s hands
• The beauty and power of joining a fast during the Lent season
• Why taking a break from alcohol is less about restriction and more about discovering who God created you to be

Links & Resources

🌿 Join the Lent 40-Day Alcohol Fast
https://lovelifesober.co.uk/the-fast

📖 Order Christy’s book, Love Life Sober: A 40 Day Alcohol Fast to Rediscover Your Joy, Improve Your Health, and Renew Your Mind
https://lovelifesober.co.uk/book

Connect on Instagram: @lovelifesoberwithchristy

Subscribe on YouTube — Come hang with us!

Disclaimer

The creators, hosts, and producers of the Love Life Sober podcast are not healthcare practitioners and therefore do not give medical, psychological, or professional advice nor intend for the podcast or any Love Life Sober communication to substitute for such. Views and opinions expressed in any referenced or linked resources do not necessarily reflect those of the Love Life Sober team or guests.

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Feeling spiritually behind, overwhelmed, or exhausted in your faith journey? In this episode of Love Life Sober, Christy Osborne is joined by her friend, author, coach, and faith leader Em Tyler to explore why “beginning again” isn’t failure — it’s the rhythm of real discipleship.

If you’re feeling behind (in your Bible reading, your habits, your healing, your sobriety journey, your life)… Em gives you permission to breathe. Together, they talk about why beginning again isn’t embarrassing, why feeling “behind” doesn’t disqualify you, and how God meets us with grace, not urgency. :There’s no rush.

Em Tyler, a twice-certified coach, international speaker, author, podcaster, and all-round faith cheerleader. She is the Founder of the Established Conference and encourages over 7,000 believers each week through her Substack, Grow + Go Believers — a space for faith and growth without burnout or striving. 

If You’ve Ever Thought…

“I’m trying, but I can’t keep up.”
“I love Jesus, but I feel overwhelmed.”

Babe, this one is for you. 🩷

📘 What You’ll Learn In This Episode

• Why “beginning again” is not embarrassing — it’s biblical discipleship

• The difference between rushing through Scripture and actually meeting with Jesus

• The Holy Spirit’s gentle invitation to slow down and savor

• Why you’re not “behind” when your rhythm shifts — and how God still meets you there

• How to protect your peace in busy seasons by returning to Jesus again and again

Connect With Em Tyler:

Em Tyler’s Grow + Go Cohorts (waitlist + info): http://emtyler.com/cohorts

31 Days of Beginning Again: https://amzn.to/49XNcDu

Em’s Substack: Grow + Go Believers: emtyler.substack.com

Connect with Em on Instagram: @hellomtyler

Learn more about the Tyndale Life Recovery Bible by visiting: https://hubs.la/Q041HjWm0

Love Life Sober Resources:

🌟 Join the Love Life Sober Community
https://lovelifesober.co.uk/community

🌿 Join the Lent 40-Day Alcohol Fast
https://lovelifesober.co.uk/the-fast

📖 Order Christy’s book, Love Life Sober: A 40 Day Alcohol Fast to Rediscover Your Joy, Improve Your Health, and Renew Your Mind
https://lovelifesober.co.uk/book

Connect on Instagram: @lovelifesoberwithchristy

Subscribe on YouTube — Come hang with us!

Disclaimer
The creators, hosts, and producers of the Love Life Sober podcast are not healthcare practitioners and therefore do not give medical, psychological, or professional advice nor intend for the podcast or any Love Life Sober communication to substitute for such. Views and opinions expressed in any referenced or linked resources do not necessarily reflect those of the Love Life Sober team or guests.

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Shame can quietly attach itself to your identity and keep you hiding from freedom, connection, and God. In this episode of Love Life Sober, Christy Osborne is joined by licensed psychotherapist Dr. Zoe Shaw, who unpacks complex shame, explains how it forms, and why it doesn’t simply disappear with understanding or good intentions.

Christy and Dr. Zoe explore the difference between guilt, simple shame, and complex shame, why many women internalize blame—even for things that happened to them—and how shame often shows up in faith and church spaces. They also discuss why shaming behavior never leads to heart change and what Scripture shows us instead.

If you’ve ever felt broken, disqualified, or afraid to be fully known, this conversation offers a compassionate, faith-centered path toward truth, healing, and freedom—without shame.

 IF YOU’VE EVER THOUGHT…

• “I’m not just struggling… I’m broken.”
• “If people really knew me, they wouldn’t love me.”
• “My story disqualifies me from being close to God.”

Babe, this episode is for you 

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE

• The difference between guilt and shame—and why guilt can be healthy but shame never is
• What simple shame looks like and why it often dissolves with compassion and “me too” community
• What complex shame is and why it doesn’t disappear even when others understand your story
• Why many women blame themselves for things that happened to them—and how that keeps shame tangled
• How shame shows up in church spaces and why shaming behavior never leads to heart change
• What Scripture reveals about how Jesus brings healing without shame
• A gentle, practical first step for the woman who longs for freedom but feels afraid to be vulnerable

LINKS & RESOURCES

Dr. Zoe’s Book
Stronger in the Difficult Places: Heal Your Relationship with Yourself by Untangling Complex Shame

Follow Dr. Zoe on Instagram
@drzoeshaw

Join the Love Life Sober Community

Join the Lent 40-Day Alcohol Fast

Order Christy’s Book
Love Life Sober: A 40 Day Alcohol Fast to Rediscover Your Joy, Improve Your Health, and Renew Your Mind

Connect with Christy on Instagram
@lovelifesoberwithchristy

⚠️ DISCLAIMER

The creators, hosts, and producers of the Love Life Sober podcast are not healthcare practitioners and therefore do not give medical, psychological, or professional advice nor intend for the podcast or any Love Life Sober communication to substitute for such. Views and opinions expressed in any referenced or linked resources do not necessarily reflect those of the Love Life Sober team or guests.

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Why is alcohol so normalized in church spaces? In this episode of Love Life Sober, Lauren Windle shares her alcohol-free journey, faith-based sobriety, and why alcohol can become a stumbling block to real connection, healing, and belonging in Christian communities.

Christy Osborne is joined by Lauren Windle, writer, speaker, and long-time alcohol-free woman who loves Jesus deeply, for a vulnerable and soul-stirring conversation about faith, sobriety, and belonging.

Lauren shares her honest alcohol-free testimony—from social anxiety and drinking from her early teens, to hiding in plain sight as the “fun party girl,” to finally laying it all down and finding freedom through sobriety, faith, and community. Together, they explore why alcohol often feels like the solution for anxiety and connection, how it slowly shrinks our world instead of expanding it, and what it looks like to sit with pain without numbing.

They also courageously asks why alcohol is being served in church spaces, how sobriety environments often feel more like church than church itself, and how God meets us powerfully in discomfort, honesty, and renewal of the mind.

If You’ve Ever Thought… 

• “I drink to feel less anxious and more myself.”
• “I’m scared of who I’ll be without alcohol.”
• “I want real connection, not small talk.”

Babe, this episode will meet you right where you are

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• How social anxiety and the desire to belong fueled Lauren’s drinking from a young age
• Why alcohol felt essential to her identity—and how that belief slowly unraveled
• Why learning to sit with pain is one of the greatest gifts of sobriety
• How cravings and “escape thoughts” still show up years later—and how to respond
• Why alcohol in church can be a stumbling block and distraction from Jesus
• How neuroscience, Scripture, and renewing the mind beautifully overlap
• Why deep, honest relationships form faster in sobriety spaces

Links & Resources

Connect with Lauren:
Website: https://laurenwindle.com
Instagram: @laurenwindle_

Join the Love Life Sober Community
https://lovelifesober.co.uk/community

Join the Lent 40-Day Fast
https://lovelifesober.co.uk/the-fast

Order Christy’s book, Love Life Sober: A 40 Day Alcohol Fast to Rediscover Your Joy, Improve Your Health, and Renew Your Mind
https://lovelifesober.co.uk/book

Connect with Christy on Instagram: @lovelifesoberwithchristy

Disclaimer
The creators, hosts, and producers of the Love Life Sober podcast are not healthcare practitioners and therefore do not give medical, psychological, or professional advice nor intend for the podcast or any Love Life Sober communication to substitute for such. Views and opinions expressed in any referenced or linked resources do not necessarily reflect those of the Love Life Sober team or guests.

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Surrender in Christian recovery isn’t passive—it’s active obedience. In this faith-filled episode of Love Life Sober, Sherry Beth Hoppen shares how true freedom from alcohol comes when surrender meets action, faith, and daily obedience to God.

Host Christy Osborne welcomes Sherry Hoppen, founder of She Surrenders and Executive Director of Selah House Recovery, for a deeply honest conversation about surrender, faith, and lasting freedom from alcohol.

Sherry shares her personal journey with alcohol addiction, the God-led calling that birthed Selah House, and the beauty—and weight—of building a Christ-centered recovery space for women seeking healing, safety, and spiritual renewal. Together, they explore why surrender is not passive, how conditional surrender keeps women stuck, and why real transformation in Christian sobriety requires both faith and action.

If You’ve Ever Thought

• “I’ve said I surrender, but nothing seems to change.”
• “I want freedom, but I don’t know how to let go.”
• “I need support that understands both addiction and faith.”

Babe, this episode is for you.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• What surrender truly means in Christian recovery—and why it’s more than words
• Why conditional surrender prevents healing and keeps women stuck
• How obedience plays a critical role in sobriety and spiritual growth
• The role of the Holy Spirit in filling the space alcohol once occupied
• Why faith-based recovery requires action, not just intention
• How daily surrender leads to long-term transformation and freedom
• How Christ-centered recovery spaces support women holistically

💌 Links & Resources

📖 Sherry’s memoir: Sober Cycle: Peddling Through Recovery One Day at A Time

https://amzn.to/49nJSCn

🌟 Join the Love Life Sober Community
https://lovelifesober.co.uk/community

🌿 Join the next 40-Day Alcohol Fast
https://lovelifesober.co.uk/the-fast

📖 Order Christy’s book, Love Life Sober: A 40 Day Alcohol Fast to Rediscover Your Joy, Improve Your Health, and Renew Your Mind
https://lovelifesober.co.uk/book

📲 Connect on Instagram: @lovelifesoberwithchristy

Disclaimer
The creators, hosts, and producers of the Love Life Sober podcast are not healthcare practitioners and therefore do not give medical, psychological, or professional advice nor intend for the podcast or any Love Life Sober communication to substitute for such. Views and opinions expressed in any referenced or linked resources do not necessarily reflect those of the Love Life Sober team or guests.

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

What happens when you stop drinking, but your spouse doesn't?

One of the biggest fears women face when considering an alcohol-free life is this:

"What will happen to my marriage if I stop drinking and my husband keeps going?"

In this honest and hope-filled conversation, Christy is joined by bestselling author Jon Seidl, his wife Brett, and members of the Love Life Sober leadership team to discuss marriage, sobriety, intimacy, communication, faith, and navigating relationships when alcohol is no longer at the center.

Together, they explore the questions so many women are afraid to ask:

• Will my husband still want to be with me if I stop drinking?

• What if he keeps drinking?

• Will we still have fun together?

• What happens to our intimacy?

• Can our marriage survive if alcohol is no longer part of our relationship?

Through personal stories, practical wisdom, and honest reflections, you'll discover that removing alcohol often reveals deeper opportunities for connection, communication, healing, and growth.

If you've ever worried that sobriety could cost you your marriage, this episode will encourage you to see what might actually be possible on the other side.

In This Episode You'll Learn:

✓ Why many women fear sobriety will hurt their marriage

✓ How to navigate a relationship when your spouse still drinks

✓ Practical ways to stay connected without alcohol

✓ How healthy communication strengthens recovery

✓ The role faith plays in lasting transformation

✓ Why the real challenge is often deeper than alcohol itself

✓ The unexpected gifts couples experience when alcohol is removed from the relationship

Resources Mentioned

Join the Love Life Sober Community
https://lovelifesober.co.uk/community

Learn More About The Aligned Conference
https://www.alignedconference.org/

Order Christy's Book: Love Life Sober: A 40 Day Alcohol Fast to Rediscover Your Joy, Improve Your Health, and Renew Your Mind
https://lovelifesober.co.uk/book

Connect with Christy on Instagram
@lovelifesoberwithchristy

Follow for weekly conversations, testimonies, and practical Christian sobriety support.

Disclaimer

The creators, hosts, and producers of the Love Life Sober podcast are not healthcare practitioners and therefore do not give medical, psychological, or professional advice nor intend for the podcast or any Love Life Sober communication to substitute for such. Views and opinions expressed in any referenced or linked resources do not necessarily reflect those of the Love Life Sober team or guests.

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

What if the glass of wine you've been reaching for to relax is actually making your anxiety, hormones, sleep, and health worse?

In this episode of the Love Life Sober Podcast, Christy sits down with Dr. Tabatha Barber (aka @GutsyDrTabatha) for a powerful conversation about alcohol, women's hormones, gut health, fasting, and faith. Together they explore why alcohol often becomes a counterfeit comfort for overwhelmed women and how true healing begins when we stop numbing and start listening to what our bodies are trying to tell us.

Dr. Tabatha shares her remarkable journey from teenage mother and high school dropout to triple board-certified physician, along with the season God used to completely redirect her life and calling.

If you've ever wondered whether alcohol could be impacting your hormones, sleep, anxiety, energy, or relationship with God, this conversation will give you both hope and practical tools.

If You've Ever Thought...

“I deserve this drink.”

“I can't sleep without wine.”

“I feel too far gone to fix my health.”

“Maybe this is just part of getting older.”

Babe, this episode is for you. 🩷

What You’ll Learn In This Episode

• The difference between “band-aid medicine” and listening to what symptoms are trying to tell you

• Why your body is designed to heal and how you can partner with God in that process

• How fasting impacts the body and spirit, and why it can quiet distractions so you can hear God more clearly

• How alcohol impacts women’s hormones, especially estrogen balance in perimenopause and menopause

• Why your liver prioritizes alcohol over metabolizing hormones, and how that contributes to hormone chaos

• The gut health connection: how alcohol kills good bacteria and affects mood, anxiety, and neurotransmitters

• Why 3am wakeups often point to blood sugar and liver stress, not “just perimenopause”

• Hope for the woman who feels too far gone: how the gut, liver, and brain can heal with the right support

• Why this is not about religion, but relationship with your Father and your Creator

Links & Resources

🌿 Learn more about Dr. Tabatha's programs
https://FastToFaith.com

📲 Follow Dr. Tabatha on Instagram: @GutsyDrTabatha

📖 Fast to Faith, The Book
https://amzn.to/3Zjr6Gn

🌟 Join the Love Life Sober Community
https://lovelifesober.co.uk/community

Join us at The Aligned Conference https://www.alignedconference.org/

📖 Order Christy's book, Love Life Sober: A 40 Day Alcohol Fast to Rediscover Your Joy, Improve Your Health, and Renew Your Mind
https://lovelifesober.co.uk/book

Connect on Instagram: @lovelifesoberwithchristy

Subscribe on YouTube 

Disclaimer

The creators, hosts, and producers of the Love Life Sober podcast are not healthcare practitioners and therefore do not give medical, psychological, or professional advice nor intend for the podcast or any Love Life Sober communication to substitute for such. Views and opinions expressed in any referenced or linked resources do not necessarily reflect those of the Love Life Sober team or guests.

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

If you love someone struggling with addiction or alcohol use, and feel unsure how to help without making things worse, this conversation offers practical guidance, encouragement, and hope. Christy is joined by Caroline Beidler to explore what it looks like to support someone in recovery while also caring for yourself.

Caroline shares her perspective as a recovery advocate and author, breaking down the difference between “tough love” and healthy boundaries, why families need support too, and how recovery is about more than sobriety—it’s about healing, connection, and renewed thinking.

This episode speaks directly to those who feel alone, overwhelmed, or unsure how to navigate loving someone in recovery.

💭 If you’ve ever thought…

“I don’t know how to help without making it worse.”
“I feel alone in this, and I’m scared to tell anyone.”
“I want to have hope, but I’m exhausted and heartbroken.”

What You’ll Learn In This Episode

• Why recovery impacts the entire family system

• The truth about “tough love” and how to set healthy boundaries

• How stigma and silence keep families stuck

• What brain healing looks like in the recovery journey

• Why hope, prayer, and support are essential for both individuals and families

Loving someone in recovery is complex—but you don’t have to navigate it alone.

Support, boundaries, and community make healing possible for everyone involved.

For more of the resources mentioned go to https://recovery.com/

Links & Resources

Caroline’s Book: When You Love Someone in Recovery: A Hopeful Guide to Understanding Addiction
https://amzn.to/45oVcMe

Join the Love Life Sober Community
https://lovelifesober.co.uk/community

Order Christy’s book, Love Life Sober: A 40 Day Alcohol Fast to Rediscover Your Joy, Improve Your Health, and Renew Your Mind
https://lovelifesober.co.uk/book

Connect on Instagram: @lovelifesoberwithchristy

Subscribe on Youtube: @LoveLifeSober

⚠️ Disclaimer

The creators, hosts, and producers of the Love Life Sober podcast are not healthcare practitioners and do not provide medical, psychological, or professional advice. Content is not a substitute for professional care. Views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the Love Life Sober team or guests.

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

If you’ve been trying to quit drinking, hide your struggles, or heal on your own, this conversation will meet you right where you are. In this episode, Christy sits down with Toni Collier to talk about shame, vulnerability, and why true healing happens in safe, honest community—not isolation.

In this deeply honest and Spirit-led conversation, Toni shares her story of betrayal, trauma, and rebuilding her life through radical honesty and connection. From being the “strong one” to finally admitting she couldn’t do it alone, this episode is a powerful reminder that freedom isn’t found in hiding—it’s found in being seen.

Together, they unpack why so many women stay stuck in cycles of shame (including alcohol use), how the enemy uses isolation to keep us trapped, and what it actually looks like to step into healing with God and other people.

If you’ve ever felt like you should be able to “fix this on your own”… babe, this episode will shift something deep.

💭 If you’ve ever thought…

“I should be able to handle this myself.”
“I don’t want anyone to know how bad it really is.”
“I feel ashamed of my drinking (or coping habits).”
“I’ve been hurt by people… I don’t trust community.”

Babe, this episode is for you 🩷

• What You’ll Learn In This Episode

• Why shame thrives in isolation and loses power when it’s brought into the light

• The difference between trying to heal alone vs. healing in safe, trusted community

• How Toni’s story of betrayal and trauma revealed her need for people—not just strength

• Why being the “strong one” can actually keep you stuck longer

• How alcohol and other coping mechanisms can quietly become a response to pain and stress

• Why moderation can become a trap and what real freedom can look like instead

• The importance of confessional community and being known without judgment

• How to find safe people and build community—even if you’ve been hurt before

• Why healing happens in circles, not rows (and how to stop just consuming and start connecting)

• A practical, honest look at what it takes to stop hiding and start healing

Links & Resources

Toni’s Book: Don’t Try This Alone

Toni's Website

Follow Toni:

Instagram

YouTube

Join the Love Life Sober Community
https://lovelifesober.co.uk/community

Join the 40-Day Alcohol Fast
https://lovelifesober.co.uk/the-fast

Order Christy’s book, Love Life Sober: A 40 Day Alcohol Fast to Rediscover Your Joy, Improve Your Health, and Renew Your Mind
https://lovelifesober.co.uk/book

Connect on Instagram: @lovelifesoberwithchristy
Subscribe on YouTube — Come hang with us!

⚠️ Disclaimer

The creators, hosts, and producers of the Love Life Sober podcast are not healthcare practitioners and therefore do not give medical, psychological, or professional advice nor intend for the podcast or any Love Life Sober communication to substitute for such. Views and opinions expressed in any referenced or linked resources do not necessarily reflect those of the Love Life Sober team or guests.

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

The 12 Steps didn't begin as a recovery program. They began as a path of Christian discipleship.

In this episode of the Love Life Sober Podcast, Christy sits down with bestselling author and pastor John Ortberg for a powerful conversation about the biblical foundations of the 12 Steps, the role of surrender in spiritual transformation, and why willpower alone is never enough to create lasting change.

John shares how practices like confession, self-examination, renewing your mind, habit change, and surrender are woven throughout Scripture and why the church may have more to learn from the recovery community than it realizes.

If you've ever struggled to change through sheer determination, felt unsure about the 12 Steps as a Christian, or wondered why God hasn't simply removed the desire to drink, this conversation will give you hope.

If You've Ever Thought...

"What does surrender actually mean?"

"I've asked God to take this desire away, so why hasn't He?"

"How do I practice the 12 Steps as a Christian?"

"Why do I keep falling back into the same habits?"

This episode is for you 🩷

In This Episode, We Discuss:

• The Christian origins of the 12 Steps

• How the recovery movement emerged from Christian discipleship

• Why surrender is the doorway to freedom

• The difference between trying harder and training wisely

• Why confession and self-examination matter

• Renewing your mind and changing your habits

• Progress over perfection

• How God works through imperfect people and why growth is often slower than we expect.

Links & Resources

Join the June 40-Day Alcohol Fast
https://lovelifesober.co.uk/june-fast

Get John's book, Steps: A Guide to Transforming Your Life When Willpower Isn't Enough
https://amzn.to/43fFyS1

The Aligned Conference
https://www.alignedconference.org/

📖 Order Christy's book, Love Life Sober: A 40 Day Alcohol Fast to Rediscover Your Joy, Improve Your Health, and Renew Your Mind
https://lovelifesober.co.uk/book

Connect on Instagram: @lovelifesoberwithchristy

Subscribe on YouTube

Disclaimer
The creators, hosts, and producers of the Love Life Sober podcast are not healthcare practitioners and therefore do not give medical, psychological, or professional advice nor intend for the podcast or any Love Life Sober communication to substitute for such. Views and opinions expressed in any referenced or linked resources do not necessarily reflect those of the Love Life Sober team or guests.

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Can you actually enjoy vacation without alcohol… or does wine still feel like part of the experience?

In this episode of Love Life Sober, Christy sits down with Susan Larkin, alcohol freedom coach, podcast host, and one of our Love Life Sober coaches and Fast Captains, for a practical, honest, and hope-filled conversation about alcohol-free vacations.

Susan shares how vacations once became a trigger for drinking, from beach trips to wine country and how learning to plan ahead, stay connected to her why, and practice vacationing differently changed everything.

If you’ve ever thought…
“I can’t start now because I have a holiday coming up.”
“Vacation won’t feel fun without wine.”

Babe, this episode is for you 🩷

What You’ll Learn In This Episode

• Why vacations can feel so triggering when you’re changing your relationship with alcohol

• How Susan’s first alcohol-free vacation helped her build confidence

• Why fixation on “when and where will I get my drinks?” is a sign to pay attention to

• How to plan for alcohol-free travel before you go

• Why mocktails, morning routines, and visualizing ahead can make a huge difference

• How to stop romanticizing holiday drinking and play the tape forward

• Why being alcohol-free is a lifestyle, not a life sentence

• How community, prayer, and support help you stop shrinking back

Links & Resources

Join the June 40-Day Alcohol Fast
https://lovelifesober.co.uk/june-fast

Susan’s Website:
https://susanlarkincoaching.com

Susan's AF Vacation Workshop:

https://www.susanlarkincoaching.com/vacation-workshop

The Aligned Conference
https://www.alignedconference.org/

📖 Order Christy’s book, Love Life Sober: A 40 Day Alcohol Fast to Rediscover Your Joy, Improve Your Health, and Renew Your Mind
https://lovelifesober.co.uk/book

Connect on Instagram: @lovelifesoberwithchristy

Subscribe on YouTube — Come hang with us!

Disclaimer
The creators, hosts, and producers of the Love Life Sober podcast are not healthcare practitioners and therefore do not give medical, psychological, or professional advice nor intend for the podcast or any Love Life Sober communication to substitute for such. Views and opinions expressed in any referenced or linked resources do not necessarily reflect those of the Love Life Sober team or guests.

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

What happens when life completely falls apart… and you can no longer numb the pain?

From early struggles with alcohol  to finding freedom through faith, this episode explores Christian sobriety, alcohol and anxiety, emotional healing, grief, surrender, and how to trust God during life’s hardest seasons without numbing out.

In this episode of Love Life Sober, Christy sits down with Rina Bowring for one of the most raw, emotional, and faith-filled conversations ever shared on the show. 

Rina opens up about the seasons that tested her most: motherhood overwhelm, grief after losing her father, and eventually walking through a cancer diagnosis without returning to alcohol to cope.

If you’ve ever thought…
“I just want to escape this feeling.”
“Wine feels like the only thing helping me cope.”
“I’m scared to face my emotions without alcohol.”
“I don’t know how to sit with hard emotions.”

This episode is for you 🩷

In This Episode, We Discuss

• How alcohol quietly became emotional coping 

• The connection between anxiety, belonging, and drinking 

• What surrendering alcohol actually looked like 

• Walking through grief and loss without numbing out 

• Facing a cancer diagnosis sober 

• Practical encouragement for women navigating grief, anxiety, overwhelm, or emotional drinking.

💌 Links & Resources
Join the June 40-Day Alcohol Fast https://lovelifesober.co.uk/june-fast

Rina’s Website: https://alcoholfreedom.com.au

The Aligned Conference https://www.alignedconference.org/

📖 Order Christy’s book, Love Life Sober: A 40 Day Alcohol Fast to Rediscover Your Joy, Improve Your Health, and Renew Your Mind
https://lovelifesober.co.uk/book

Connect on Instagram: @lovelifesoberwithchristy

Watch on YouTube — Come hang with us!

Sign up for the newsletter on Substack

Disclaimer
The creators, hosts, and producers of the Love Life Sober podcast are not healthcare practitioners and therefore do not give medical, psychological, or professional advice nor intend for the podcast or any Love Life Sober communication to substitute for such. Views and opinions expressed in any referenced or linked resources do not necessarily reflect those of the Love Life Sober team or guests.

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

What happens when the woman leading Bible study is secretly struggling with alcohol?

In this powerful episode of Love Life Sober, Christy sits down with Carol McCracken—Bible teacher, author, and podcast host—to share the honest story of how alcohol slowly became a coping mechanism during one of the hardest seasons of her life. Carol is living proof that God can meet you in the mess, redeem what feels beyond repair, and turn shame into a testimony that sets other women free.

While serving in church and trying to hold everything together, Carol found herself overwhelmed by stress, parenting challenges, marriage strain, and shame. Then came the moment she could no longer hide it: flashing blue lights, a DUI arrest, and a surrender that changed everything.

But this testimony is not about condemnation. It’s about grace, redemption, healing, and the God who still pursues us in the middle of our mess.

If you’ve ever felt too ashamed to admit you’re struggling—or too “Christian” to have a problem with alcohol—this episode is for you 🩷

💭 If you’ve ever thought…

“I’m supposed to have it together.”
“I don’t drink every day, so maybe I’m fine.”
“I’m terrified of what will happen if I stop drinking.”

Then babe.. this episode is for you. 🩷

What You’ll Learn

• How alcohol quietly becomes emotional coping

• Why shame and secrecy keep women stuck

• What happened the night Carol hit rock bottom

• How community responded when she told the truth

• What healing and restoration looked like afterward

Resources & Links

🌿 Join the June 40-Day Alcohol Fast
https://lovelifesober.co.uk/june-fast

🌐 Carol’s Website
https://www.carolmccracken.com

📖 Christy’s Book
https://lovelifesober.co.uk/book

Instagram: @lovelifesoberwithchristy
Youtube: @LoveLifeSober

Disclaimer

The creators, hosts, and producers of the Love Life Sober podcast are not healthcare practitioners and therefore do not give medical, psychological, or professional advice nor intend for the podcast or any Love Life Sober communication to substitute for such. Views and opinions expressed in any referenced or linked resources do not necessarily reflect those of the Love Life Sober team or guests.

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Alcohol-free living, and doing whatever it takes to break the cycle of moderation are at the heart of this powerful Love Life Sober testimony. In this episode, Christy sits down with Heather Dillion—lawyer, mom of two, and Fast Captain inside the Love Life Sober community—to share what it really looks like to stop drinking one day at a time and find lasting freedom.

This is what happens when you stop trying to figure out forever… and just choose today.

Heather’s story is honest, relatable, and full of hope. She opens up about years of trying to manage her drinking, experimenting with breaks, and attempting moderation—only to find herself stuck in the same cycle. What followed was a journey through treatment, surrender, and ultimately, a deeper kind of freedom than she expected.

This episode gently meets the woman who feels overwhelmed by the future, stuck in the cycle, and unsure if change is actually possible.

If you’ve ever thought…
“I’m the only one.”
“I should know better by now.”
“I can’t imagine life—or celebrations—without alcohol.”

Babe, this episode will meet you right where you are 🩷

What You’ll Learn In This Episode

• Why so many women feel alone in their drinking—and why you’re not

• What it looked like for Heather to try 30 days, then 100 days, then moderation

• The moment she knew she was done with alcohol for good

• How alcohol impacts the brain and why healing takes time

• Why guilt and shame keep women silent (especially in church spaces)

• Encouragement for early sobriety—including navigating sugar cravings

• What it’s like to celebrate milestones alcohol-free and actually enjoy it

• “Future-tripping” and how it keeps you stuck

• Practical tools that help in the early days of living alcohol-free

• Why faith-based community makes all the difference

Links & Resources

Join the June 40-Day Alcohol Fast
https://lovelifesober.co.uk/june-fast

📖 Order Christy’s book, Love Life Sober
https://lovelifesober.co.uk/book

Connect on Instagram: @lovelifesoberwithchristy
Subscribe on YouTube — Come hang with us!

Disclaimer

The creators, hosts, and producers of the Love Life Sober podcast are not healthcare practitioners and therefore do not give medical, psychological, or professional advice nor intend for the podcast or any Love Life Sober communication to substitute for such. Views and opinions expressed in any referenced or linked resources do not necessarily reflect those of the Love Life Sober team or guests.

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Labels like “alcoholic,” “sober,” and “recovery” can feel loaded. Defining the real goal could be the missing piece for so many Christian men and women who feel stuck in the alcohol loop… This is not ultimately about sobriety. It’s about Jesus.

In this episode, Christy sits down with Jon Seidl, author of Confessions of a Christian Alcoholic, to unpack why breaking free from alcohol isn’t ultimately about sobriety, it’s about Jesus, identity, and true transformation.

This is what happens when the focus shifts from behavior to belief… from white-knuckling to abiding.

Jon shares his honest story, including the moment that exposed what was really going on beneath the surface, and the words from his wife that changed everything. Together, he and Christy challenge the language, labels, and assumptions many Christians carry around drinking, recovery, and what it actually means to live free.

This episode is honest, stretching, and deeply freeing for the woman who feels stuck trying to “fix” herself instead of surrendering.

If you’ve ever thought…
“I’m trying so hard, why won’t God just take this away?”
“I don’t want to admit I’m struggling… I’m a Christian.”
“I feel stuck between faith and my habits.”

Babe, this episode will meet you right there 🩷

What You’ll Learn In This Episode

• Why Jon uses the word “alcoholic” as a descriptor—not an identity

• The difference between focusing on sobriety vs focusing on Jesus

• How Scripture models honesty about the past without shame-based identity

• Why ignoring conviction keeps you stuck (and what to do instead)

• Why life without alcohol can feel harder—but still be better

• What’s actually on the other side of obedience: peace, joy, and freedom

Links & Resources

Get your tickets to hear Jon and Christy speak at Aligned:
https://www.alignedconference.org/

Jon’s Book: Confessions of a Christian Alcoholic
https://amzn.to/4blxaFy

Veritas Recovery:
https://veritasrecovery.org

🌿 Join the Love Life Sober Community
https://lovelifesober.co.uk/community

📖 Order Christy’s book, Love Life Sober
https://lovelifesober.co.uk/book

Connect on Instagram: @lovelifesoberwithchristy
Subscribe on YouTube — Come hang with us!

Disclaimer

The creators, hosts, and producers of the Love Life Sober podcast are not healthcare practitioners and therefore do not give medical, psychological, or professional advice nor intend for the podcast or any Love Life Sober communication to substitute for such. Views and opinions expressed in any referenced or linked resources do not necessarily reflect those of the Love Life Sober team or guests.

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Looking for a Christian sobriety conference for women seeking Jesus over alcohol? The Aligned Conference 2026 is a faith-based gathering designed to help women break free from alcohol, grow closer to Jesus, and experience real, in-person community.

The Aligned Conference
https://www.alignedconference.org/

This is what happens when two women, passionate about Jesus and freedom from alcohol, stop waiting… and start gathering.

In this special episode of Love Life Sober, Christy is joined by Sherry Hoppen of She Surrenders to officially announce the Aligned Conference, happening September 22–24, 2026 in Holland, Michigan.

This episode is an invitation.

For the woman who loves Jesus but still feels stuck in the cycle with alcohol.
For the woman who has been craving deeper connection—not just online, but in real life.
For the woman who knows she’s called to more, but isn’t quite sure what that looks like yet.

Aligned was created for exactly this.

A space to step away from alcohol.
A space to step closer to Jesus.
A space to be known, supported, and reminded that you are not alone in this journey.

Whether you’re brand new, years alcohol-free, or somewhere in the middle… you belong in this room.

If you’ve ever thought…

“I love Jesus, but I still feel stuck in this cycle with alcohol.”
“I wish I could find women who actually get this.”
“I feel called to something more… but I don’t know what that looks like yet.”

This episode is for you.

What You’ll Learn In This Episode

• What the Aligned Conference is and why it was created

• Who this event is for (and why you don’t need to have it all figured out)

• Why in-person, faith-based community can accelerate healing and freedom

• What to expect: speakers, worship, testimonies, connection, and fun

• Why stepping outside your comfort zone could be the breakthrough you’ve been praying for

• All the practical details you need to attend

🎟 Conference Details

🗓 September 22–24, 2026
📍 Holland, Michigan (near Lake Michigan, Hope College campus)
🎟 Limited to 250 women

Expect powerful speakers, honest testimonies, worship, mocktails, deep connection, and a whole lot of Jesus.

You can come alone. You will not feel alone.

Links & Resources

The Aligned Conference
https://www.alignedconference.org/

🌟 Join the Love Life Sober Community
https://lovelifesober.co.uk/community

📖 Order Christy’s book, Love Life Sober: A 40 Day Alcohol Fast to Rediscover Your Joy, Improve Your Health, and Renew Your Mind
https://lovelifesober.co.uk/book

Connect on Instagram: @lovelifesoberwithchristy
Subscribe on YouTube — Come hang with us! (Link)

Disclaimer

The creators, hosts, and producers of the Love Life Sober podcast are not healthcare practitioners and therefore do not give medical, psychological, or professional advice nor intend for the podcast or any Love Life Sober communication to substitute for such. Views and opinions expressed in any referenced or linked resources do not necessarily reflect those of the Love Life Sober team or guests.

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

If you feel stuck in the cycle of trying to quit drinking, starting over, and wondering if freedom is possible, this episode offers real hope. Christy is joined by Kelly Harper to celebrate one year alcohol free and share her honest journey through setbacks, surrender, and lasting transformation.

Kelly shares the full story—not the polished version—including restarts, exhaustion, single motherhood, and the steady way God pursued her through it all. This conversation explores what it looks like to keep going when you feel stuck, and why starting over doesn’t mean you’re back at zero.

If you’ve ever thought…

“I can barely get a few days alcohol free.”
“I keep trying and failing.”
“I love Jesus but I feel so far from Him.”

What You’ll Learn In This Episode

• When Kelly first recognized her drinking needed to change

• Why the process of change often takes longer than expected

• Encouragement for breaking the cycle of repeated restarts

• Kelly’s experience with Alcoholics Anonymous and finding the right support

• What recovery looked like emotionally, physically, and spiritually over time

• The unexpected growth and freedom that sobriety creates space for

• How faith played a central role in her journey

Episode Takeaway

You are not back at zero just because you started over.

Every step matters—and freedom is built by continuing, even when it’s hard.

Links & Resources

Connect with Kelly: @kellyharperministry

🩷 Join the Love Life Sober Community
https://lovelifesober.co.uk/community

🌟 Join the 40-Day Alcohol Fast
https://lovelifesober.co.uk/the-fast

📖 Order Christy’s book, Love Life Sober: A 40 Day Alcohol Fast to Rediscover Your Joy, Improve Your Health, and Renew Your Mind
https://lovelifesober.co.uk/book

Connect on Instagram: @lovelifesoberwithchristy

See more content on Youtube:

https://www.youtube.com/@LoveLifeSober

⚠️ Disclaimer

The creators, hosts, and producers of the Love Life Sober podcast are not healthcare practitioners and do not provide medical, psychological, or professional advice. Content is not a substitute for professional care. Views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the Love Life Sober team or guests.

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.