Well hello my sweet listeners and welcome to Decidedly Dry! This is your pal Jess and with ALL the feels - this is the last episode of the show.

Today, I’ll walk ya through why I made this tough decision, all the things I’m incredibly grateful for and celebrating, and what’s next.

First, in true Decidedly Dry fashion - let’s focus on the good. This podcast was created months after my very favorite podcast, Recovery Happy Hour shared her final episode. I remember heading out for a run one day, I was about a year and half into my sobriety at the time, I put my headphones in, pushed play, and started pounding away on the pavement. This was a ritual of mine. Plugging in and listening to others share their sober stories was extremely helpful for me. I was about a minute into the episode and I heard the words, “This will be the final episode of Recovery Happy Hour”. I’m not kidding you guys… tears began streaming down my cheeks! How could my favorite show be ending?! How could this be?! Now being in a similar place as a podcast host, I completely get it, but at the time I was heartbroken. Towards the end of the episode, Tricia said something on the lines of, “We need more recovery podcasts. If you’ve been thinking about starting one - do it!”

And that my friend, is where the seed was planted.

I quickly researched what it took to start a podcast, reached out to some resources, and the show was published in January of 2022. Yes, that means we celebrated our 2 year milestone this month. Since hitting that record button for the first time, we’ve published 85 episodes, became a top 1.5% globally ranked show, and most importantly, brought incredible individuals behind the microphone to share their sober stories. We ranked every single week on Apple Podcast’s charts and were downloaded not only in the US, but in Canada, the UK, Australia, Ireland, and more. I dabbled in coaching, met amazing individuals, and if I’m being completely honest, hosting this here show has played a pivotal role in my own sober journey. It kept me alcohol-free and motivated me to continue serving YOU.

Last December I celebrated 4 years of living alcohol-free. Was it a cake walk? Absolutely not. Has it be worth it? Absolutely yes. And if I’m being real with you, which is exactly what I’ve always promised to do, I’m getting to a point where I’m not feeling like I need to talk about sobriety as much. My friend Michelle, you know here as Recovery is the New Black, reassured me that this is so common and something she see’s all the time in the sober space. Individuals catch their stride, sobriety becomes part of who they are, and they get to the point where they not only want to talk about other things, but are ready to begin new exciting chapters.

And friend, that’s exactly where I’m at. I’ve spent the past four years serving the sober community and I’ll tell you what - I don’t regret it for a single moment. But the time has come for me to pass the mic and hopefully inspire someone else to start recording and serving this space, just as I did.

It’s funny, I was talking with my sister yesterday and told her I was going to be recording my last episode this week and she laughed. A very supportive laugh I might add, but she said to me, “Jess, you are so funny. You have this tendency of always trying new things, doing really, really, REALLY well. Then it’s like you’re at the top and you’re like, whelp - think I’m done here.” I laughed out loud and agreed with here 1000% percent. She completely gets me.

After thinking about what she said, I laughed again and thought to myself maybe that’s why I like hiking so much?! Hear me out. I study what I need before I go, check out what hikers have said about the trail conditions recently, I arrive, typically work really hard on the way up, pausing from time to time to enjoy my surroundings, and then I hit the top. I come to a full stop and take in the beautiful view, am grateful for all the work I put in, and soak up all that I can see from the peak. Then I cruise down and start planning my next adventure.

Speaking of my next adventure, you might be wondering what’s next for me? Friend, I’m not sure. And that’s a really exciting feeling.

For as long as I can remember, I’ve been the girl whose friends consistently say, “I don’t know how you do it all, Jess!” I’ve spent a very long time taking on all the things and lately, I’ve had this beautiful shift in my mind (and life) to do less. To say “no” more, seek balance, rest, take care of myself even more, and  prioritize family over everything. In fact, those are words I say to my family often: “Family comes first always.” And while deciding to be alcohol-free definitely makes me present, it also frequently encourages me to always level up and find other areas in my life where I can do better and BE better. So it’s time to unplug the mic, close the laptop, and savor these moments with my family.

I think it’s also important to mention that the episodes will live on! So if you’re new around here, I definitely encourage you to go back and listen to the library of episodes that are available. If you’ve been tuning in for a while, perhaps consider revisiting past episodes. Sometimes depending on your mood, where you’re at in your sobriety, or even where you’re at in life - things might sound or hit differently the second time you hear it. Just sayin’.

Before I sign off, I just want to say thank you again. You all mean the world to me and I wouldn’t be where I am today without your support.

Alright loves - this is it. Thank you for pushing play, for focusing on the good with me, and lastly, if you are working on your own sober journey and struggling - just focus on today, talk to a friend, and jump into the sober community with both feet. Today is a perfect day to start your alcohol-free journey.

Love to you all. Good night!

Hiya friends and welcome to Episode #87! This 2-part episode not only marks the last episode of 2023, but also wraps up our current season. Decidedly Dry will be taking a break as we line up our amazing content for the New Year.

As we sign off for the year, I want to make sure that I just take a moment to say THANK YOU. Thank you for being here, for listening, and supporting me. It warms my heart to know these conversations are reaching people and just so you know, every time you push play - well my friend, that motivates me to keep hitting record. So thank you.

Before I get to today’s amazing conversation, I’d like to remind you that while we may be taking a break here on the show, I’ll be present and active over on Substack. What is Substack? Great question! Substack is a website/platform where I publish my newsletters, my journal prompts, podcasts, and writing. It’s where you can find a library of past episodes, posts and more tools. Most importantly, it’s where I’ll be running my Digging Deeper with Decidedly Dry January Challenge! We’ll be focusing on staying alcohol-free all of January and (for those interested) adding in a movement and faith piece as well. All is completely optional. You can find all the info at decidedlydry.substack.com and linked in the show notes below. Okay loves, lets get to todays episode! Today I am chatting with my new BFF, Rebecca Dollard.

Rebecca Dollard is the momma, CEO, and coach behind The Motherhood Mentor and The Nourished CEO. She lives in Colorado with her hubs of 13yrs and their 2 kiddos. Becca is a somatic mind-body coach who works with leaders in healing spaces to lead and heal themselves. She specializes in somatic healing, somatic parts work, enneagram, emotional leadership and boundaries.

I hope this episode blesses you!

Ways to Connect with Becca:

Website: https://www.the-motherhood-mentor.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themotherhoodmentor/

Masterclass: https://themotherhoodmentor.myflodesk.com/boundariesmasterclass

Recommended Enneagram Quiz: https://assessment.yourenneagramcoach.com/

Recommended Enneagram Book for Beginners: The Road Back to You by Ian Crohn 

Recommended Enneagram Book for those wanting to getting into the deep spiritual medicine of enneagram: From Fixation to Freedom The Enneagram of Liberation 

Book a FREE Enneagram Exploration Call w/Becca: https://themotherhoodmentor.hbportal.co/schedule/658063d4a32a0800324d52ba

Interested in spending January growing in your alcohol-free journey, in movement, and in your faith? Join me! More details will be shared soon with those who are Decidedly Dry Substack Paid Subscribers. Click this link below to make sure you’re on my list and have upgraded to the paid subscription:

https://decidedlydry.substack.com

If you enjoy the show, please subscribe, leave a 5-star review, and tell your friends about Decidedly Dry. Thanks so much in advance!!

Don't forget: if the only thing you did today was stay sober, you are winning!

Episode #79: Welcome back to the show my sweet friends, the show where I hopefully encourage you to take a look at your relationship with alcohol, stop drinking so much, or even explore going alcohol-free as a busy mom. Just as a reminder- I know how hard the struggle is, I too have walked this out, I too thought that I couldn’t have fun without alcohol, that I needed it to lessen my anxiety, that everyone else was drinking, so why shouldn’t I? But you guys, I discovered that my life without it is actually SO much more fruitful and so much more freeing. Speaking of being on a transformative journey, today I would love to dive into where I’m at on another journey; exploring my faith in sobriety.

For those of you listening that are asking, “Jess… what the heck does sobriety have to do with you exploring your faith?” Friend, it has everything to do with my faith journey. Everything. If I had not retired that wine glass, I would not be the person I am today. I wouldn’t be as brave as I am now, as clear-minded or as empowered. I wouldn’t have the guts to even say the word ‘God’, let alone have a conversation about Him, especially here on this podcast. I wouldn’t have the time or dedication to sit in my feelings, ask hard questions, and have the awareness that maybe, just maybe, it hasn’t been the “universe” all along. Nope, it’s been God. In fact, if you would’ve told me five years ago I would be alcohol-free, be reading the Bible for the first time, and actively learning how to strengthen my relationship with God and develop deep roots of faith?! I would have called you CRAZY and poured another glass of wine.

The point here is I am a different person than I was back then. I’m becoming a version of myself that quite frankly I don’t always recognize, but happens to be the best version I’ve ever met. You’ve heard me say it before and I’ll say it again, it feels good to feel good. And I don’t know about you, but when I feel good, I want others to feel good too.

So for today, I’d love to share 5 practical tips that will help sober women like yourself actively grow in your faith.

Before I share them with you I want to make sure I say how cool it is that you’re listening to this today and are curious about God. Just like with sobriety, this curiosity about faith can be intimidating, overwhelming, and it can feel like you’re doing it wrong. I may not have even close to some of the right answers or words to share with you today, but I believe the one thing to remember is that your faith is yours. It can be whatever you want it to be. Just like with sobriety, it’s not a one-size-fits all. Keep that in mind. Enjoy this episode!

As always, if you’d like to stay in contact with Decidedly Dry head to my Substack here:

https://decidedlydry.substack.com

If you enjoy the show, please consider subscribing, leaving a 5-star review, and/or perhaps telling your friends about Decidedly Dry. Thanks so much in advance!!

Don't forget: if the only thing you did today was stay sober, you are winning!

Episode #78: Hiya sweet friends and welcome back to the show. Today’s episode is a big ‘ol recap of my trip to Texas. This past weekend, my siblings and I had the absolute privilege of attending the Austin City Limits Music Festival with my Dad. I’ve been to many, many concerts sober before, but friends, this was a big one. 3 full days of live music, in Texas, drinks available at your fingertips the entire time, and the weather was simply perfecto. So today, I thought I’d share with you some of the tips and tools I utilized over the weekend and also a list of the incredible benefits I experienced because of my tremendous decision to stay completely alcohol-free throughout the whole trip. Enjoy!

As always, if you’d like to stay in contact with Decidedly Dry head to my Substack here:

https://decidedlydry.substack.com

If you enjoy the show, please consider subscribing, leaving a 5-star review, and/or perhaps telling your friends about Decidedly Dry. Thanks so much in advance!!

Don't forget: if the only thing you did today was stay sober, you are winning!

Episode #77: Hello my dear sweet listener and welcome back to the show! If I haven’t mentioned it lately, I sure do appreciate you pushing play and I’m so happy you’re here. Today’s episode is not a guest episode, therefore you’re so incredibly lucky - you’re stuck with silly ‘ol me! But have no fear, we’re still digging deep on a topic that has been on my mind all week and I’d love to bring here to the show. Today we’re going to chat about dealing with cravings after long-term sobriety and I’m going to walk us, that’s right I said us, through a 1-minute trick to stop that alcohol craving and be the boss of our own bodies. Sound good? Good.

As always, if you’d like to stay in contact with Decidedly Dry head to my Substack here:

https://decidedlydry.substack.com

If you enjoy the show, please consider subscribing, leaving a 5-star review, and/or perhaps telling your friends about Decidedly Dry. Thanks so much in advance!!

Don't forget: if the only thing you did today was stay sober, you are winning!

Episode #76: Well HIYA! In this week’s episode, I’m interviewing another new friend and we’ll be chatting all about ditching the overwhelm. Before we head into that great conversation, I wanted to remind you all about where I’ve been hanging out lately - this wonderful world called Substack. As most of you know, I’ve been sending out a weekly email packed with updates, my writing, recipes, and a link to the most recently released episode here on the show. I also have a wellness challenge for subscribers and will soon be sharing journal and doodle prompts. Now is the time to subscribe - it is either totally free or has an option to support me as a creative as well. Head on over to check it out after you listen to this great convo that I had with Jessa.

So who is Jessa? Jessa Raye is a wife, mom of three, coffee lover, and avid book reader! Jessa helps moms show up for themselves without sacrificing motherhood and without guilt. Jessa hosts Caught up in Motherhood, a podcast where she helps mamas ditch the overwhelm and find themselves again in between all that they do. 

I hope this episode blesses you. 💙

Ways to Connect with Jessa

Website: https://www.jessaraye.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejessaraye

Listen to the Caught up in Motherhood Podcast: www.jessaraye.com/podcast

Freebie: Reclaiming Your Identity: A Mom's Guide to Self-Discovery in 7 Days - Download Freebie Here

If you’d like to stay in contact with Decidedly Dry, head over to our new Substack page:

https://decidedlydry.substack.com

If you enjoy the show, please subscribe, leave a 5-star review, and tell your friends about Decidedly Dry. Thanks so much in advance!!

Don't forget: if the only thing you did today was stay sober, you are winning!

Episode #75: Holy Toledo my friends, we have reached the 75th episode of Decidedly Dry! Can you believe it?! What a fun milestone I have the pleasure of celebrating with YOU!

Today I am chatting with Emily McDermott. Emily is a wife, mother of two energetic boys, and a simplicity seeker. She is also the host of the top 1.5% globally ranked podcast, Moms Overcoming Overwhelm, where she helps moms declutter their homes, heads, and hearts. Emily enjoys writing poetry, dancing, and eating peanut butter out of the jar.

I hope this episode blesses you. 💙

Ways to Connect with Emily:

Website: Simple by Emmy

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simplebyemmy/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/simplebyemmy/

Facebook Group - Decluttering Tips and Support for Overwhelmed Moms: tinyurl.com/momsovercomingoverwhelm

Email: info@simplebyemmy.com

Listen to the Moms Overcoming Overwhelm Podcast.

Freebie: 5 Mindset Shifts To Help you Let Go of Clutter: https://simplebyemmy.com/mindset/

If you’d like to stay in contact with Decidedly Dry, head over to our new Substack page:

If you enjoy the show, please subscribe, leave a 5-star review, and tell your friends about Decidedly Dry. Thanks so much in advance!!

Don't forget: if the only thing you did today was stay sober, you are winning!

Episode #74: Friends, this episode is an absolute home run. I’m chatting with my new BFF, Jen Rogers. Jen is an inspirational speaker, the host of the #1 Christian Stepmoms Podcast, The Empowered Stepmom, has a best-selling book, and is a remarkable Certified Professional Life Coach. Jen inspires stepmoms throughout the world to remove the shackles of “should” and “shame” to experience the strength, confidence, and boldness that comes from embracing the empowerment of the Holy Spirit.

In our chat, Jen and I talk about the benefits of setting healthy boundaries in early sobriety. She’ll break down 4 of possible scenarios with her 4-C’s approach; Calm, Clear, Consistent, and Christ. You’re not gonna want to miss this powerful and educational episode. Grab a paper and pen and get ready to add another tool to your toolbox.

I hope this episode blesses you. 💙

Ways to Connect with Jen:

Website: https://www.stepfamilypodcast.com/home

Email: friends@stepfamilypodcast.com

Listen to The Empowered Stepmom Podcast

If you’d like to stay in contact with Decidedly Dry, head over to our new Substack page: https://decidedlydry.substack.com

If you enjoy the show, please subscribe, leave a 5-star review, and tell your friends about Decidedly Dry. Thanks so much in advance!!

Don't forget: if the only thing you did today was stay sober, you are winning!

Episode #73: Hiya Friends and Welcome Back! In this week’s episode, I have my very first ever repeat guest! Heather Lowe is the Founder of Ditched the Drink, a wellness company dedicated to helping professionals move away from alcohol and towards their highest selves. Heather is a Certified Professional Life and Recovery Coach, Certified Addiction Awareness Facilitator, and the Director of Marketing Consumer Products for the International Center of Addiction Recovery Education (ICARE).

She’s an amazing, inspiring individual and I asked her to come on back to the show to talk about PURPOSE.

I hope this episode blesses you. 💙

Ways to Connect with Heather:

Website: https://www.ditchedthedrink.com

Listen to Heather’s Sober Story on Decidedly Dry here: Episode 16: Ditched the Drink | Heather Lowe (Released May 3, 2022)

If you’d like to stay in contact with Decidedly Dry, head over to our new Substack page: https://decidedlydry.substack.com

If you enjoy the show, please subscribe, leave a 5-star review, and tell your friends about Decidedly Dry. Thanks so much in advance!!

Don't forget: if the only thing you did today was stay sober, you are winning!

Episode #72: In today’s episode, I’m chatting with my sweet friend, Jen McGraw. Jen is Mom to 5 kids, a wife, and Jesus lover. She’s the founder of a nonprofit for equine therapy to help heal and restore those who have gone through trauma in their life. Jen also is the host of a wonderful podcast called Restored Mama, which we’ll chat about during our interview. She’s a firm believer that life is meant to truly be lived and enjoyed!

You guys are going to absolutely love her, oh and did I even mention?! Jen is a sober mama! True story folks, you’ll get to hear all about her sober story and the absolutely incredible things she’s doing in life because of it.

I hope this episode blesses you. 💙

Ways to Connect with Jen:

Website: https://restoredmama.com

Facebook Community: Join Here!

Restored Mama Podcast: Listen

If you’d like to stay in contact with Decidedly Dry, head over to our new Substack page: https://decidedlydry.substack.com

If you enjoy the show, please subscribe, leave a 5-star review, and tell your friends about Decidedly Dry. Thanks so much in advance!!

Don't forget: if the only thing you did today was stay sober, you are winning!

Episode #71: In today’s episode, we’ll be chatting about that dirty, dirty dog - SUGAR. I get a ton of questions about sugar. Many women write in asking, “Oh my gosh, Jess! You gotta tell me, do the sugar cravings ever stop?!” And man, I feel that to my core, pal. I’ve been there and I’d love to share what I’ve learned over the years.

Truth is, alcohol has tons of sugar in it and when we take it away from our body, our bodies really miss it. So today we’re gonna touch on this hot topic, come up with some ways to battle this craving, and set ourself up for success, especially as we quickly approach Fall and our tendency to over-indulge over the holidays.

I hope this episode blesses you. 💙

If you’d like to stay in contact with Decidedly Dry, head over to our new Substack page: https://decidedlydry.substack.com

If you enjoy the show, please subscribe, leave a 5-star review, and tell your friends about Decidedly Dry. Thanks so much in advance!!

Don't forget: if the only thing you did today was stay sober, you are winning!

Episode #70: Today we’ll be touching on the juicy topic of how to stay sober while your spouse still drinks. This is a question I get a lot and while there’s not just one correct answer, I do believe there are some ways and things you can do to ensure you stay sober, sane, and happily married during this new sober journey of yours.

If you’d like to stay in contact with Decidedly Dry, head over to our new Substack page: https://decidedlydry.substack.com

If you enjoy the show, please subscribe, leave a 5-star review, and tell your friends about Decidedly Dry. Thanks so much in advance!!

Don't forget: if the only thing you did today was stay sober, you are winning!

Hiya friends and welcome to Episode #87! This 2-part episode not only marks the last episode of 2023, but also wraps up our current season. Decidedly Dry will be taking a break as we line up our amazing content for the New Year.

As we sign off for the year, I want to make sure that I just take a moment to say THANK YOU. Thank you for being here, for listening, and supporting me. It warms my heart to know these conversations are reaching people and just so you know, every time you push play - well my friend, that motivates me to keep hitting record. So thank you.

Before I get to today’s amazing conversation, I’d like to remind you that while we may be taking a break here on the show, I’ll be present and active over on Substack. What is Substack? Great question! Substack is a website/platform where I publish my newsletters, my journal prompts, podcasts, and writing. It’s where you can find a library of past episodes, posts and more tools. Most importantly, it’s where I’ll be running my Digging Deeper with Decidedly Dry January Challenge! We’ll be focusing on staying alcohol-free all of January and (for those interested) adding in a movement and faith piece as well. All is completely optional. You can find all the info at decidedlydry.substack.com and linked in the show notes below. Okay loves, lets get to todays episode! Today I am chatting with my new BFF, Rebecca Dollard.

Rebecca Dollard is the momma, CEO, and coach behind The Motherhood Mentor and The Nourished CEO. She lives in Colorado with her hubs of 13yrs and their 2 kiddos. Becca is a somatic mind-body coach who works with leaders in healing spaces to lead and heal themselves. She specializes in somatic healing, somatic parts work, enneagram, emotional leadership and boundaries.

I hope this episode blesses you!

Ways to Connect with Becca:

Website: https://www.the-motherhood-mentor.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themotherhoodmentor/

Masterclass: https://themotherhoodmentor.myflodesk.com/boundariesmasterclass

Recommended Enneagram Quiz: https://assessment.yourenneagramcoach.com/

Recommended Enneagram Book for Beginners: The Road Back to You by Ian Crohn 

Recommended Enneagram Book for those wanting to getting into the deep spiritual medicine of enneagram: From Fixation to Freedom The Enneagram of Liberation 

Book a FREE Enneagram Exploration Call w/Becca: https://themotherhoodmentor.hbportal.co/schedule/658063d4a32a0800324d52ba

Interested in spending January growing in your alcohol-free journey, in movement, and in your faith? Join me! More details will be shared soon with those who are Decidedly Dry Substack Paid Subscribers. Click this link below to make sure you’re on my list and have upgraded to the paid subscription:

https://decidedlydry.substack.com

If you enjoy the show, please subscribe, leave a 5-star review, and tell your friends about Decidedly Dry. Thanks so much in advance!!

Don't forget: if the only thing you did today was stay sober, you are winning!

Episode #69: Today I’m chatting with fellow sober podcaster, Courtney Andersen. Courtney is a sober life coach, podcast host, and author. She is the founder of Sober Vibes and National Sober Day. She helps high-achieving women quit drinking alcohol and thrive in sobriety.

Ways to connect with Courtney:

Website: https://www.courtneyrecovered.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sober.vibes

TickTock: https://www.tiktok.com/@sobervibesofficial

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sobervibes

Podcast: https://www.courtneyrecovered.com/podcast

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

Free 30-day sober, not boring calendar: https://www.courtneyrecovered.com/opt-in

To stay connected with Decidedly Dry: https://decidedlydry.substack.com

If you enjoy the show, please subscribe, leave a 5-star review, and tell your friends about Decidedly Dry. Thanks so much in advance!!

Don't forget: if the only thing you did today was stay sober, you are winning!

Episode #68: Welcome back to Decidedly Dry, where we talk about all things sobriety, with a little dash of motherhood, wellness, and so much more! If you're looking for a recovery podcast that focuses on the GOOD, shares inspiring stories from real women, and leaves you feeling excited about embracing a sober lifestyle, well then… you are absolutely in the right place. I’m your host Jess and thank you for pushing play today. In this episode, I’m going to try my very best to provide you with some effective journal prompts and/or questions that you can ask yourself and hopefully gain clarity on your relationship with alcohol. Make sure to grab a pen and paper, answer these prompts/questions honestly, and you might discover the answers you’ve been looking for. Good luck and I hope this episode blesses you! 

Well hiya friends! Welcome back to Decidedly Dry, where we talk about all things sobriety, with a little dash of motherhood, wellness, and so much more! If you're looking for a recovery podcast that focuses on the GOOD, shares inspiring stories from real women, and leaves you feeling excited about embracing a sober lifestyle, well then… you are absolutely in the right place. I’m your host Jess and thank you for pushing play today. 

In today's episode, I'm going to give you 5 tips on how and when to talk to your kids about alcohol. Remember, I'm not a doctor, I'm not a professional, but I am a mom who has had some great chats with her children about this topic and I thought it might be a great one to bring here on the show. Along with my personal experience, I've done a little bit of research for this episode and I'm thrilled to share it with you! So listen with an open mind, take what ya want, leave what you don't. Sound fair? Great! Feel free to jot down the tips I share or you can always visit the blog and view them there. 

Don't forget: if the only thing you did today was stay sober, you are winning!

Next Steps:
Visit the Blog: www.decidedlydry.com
Support the Show: Donate
Contact: decidedlydry@gmail.com

Welcome back to Decidedly Dry, where we talk about all things sobriety, with a little dash of motherhood, wellness, and so much more! If you're looking for a recovery podcast that focuses on the GOOD, shares inspiring stories from real women, and leaves you feeling excited about embracing a sober lifestyle, well then… you are absolutely in the right place. I’m your host Jess and thank you for pushing play today.

In today's episode, we're gonna talk about why the word 'sober' gets a bad rap. Together, we'll break down the word sober, explore the real meaning, go over a few reasons why it shouldn’t be so scary, and maybe, just maybe, help you leave here feeling a little more confident when it comes to using the old “s” word. I'll also make sure to briefly explain why positive affirmations (aka positive words) can be an excellent addition to your sober toolbox.

I hope this episode blesses you!

Read about this topic over on the blog.

Want me to give you a shout out on the show? Send a small donation here and I'll be sure to mention you on an upcoming episode. 

Don't forget: if the only thing you did today was stay sober, you are winning!

Next Steps:
Visit the Blog: www.decidedlydry.com
Support the Show: Donate
Contact: decidedlydry@gmail.com

Hi guys and welcome back to Decidedly Dry, where we talk about all things sobriety, with a little dash of motherhood, wellness, and so much more! If you're looking for a recovery podcast that focuses on the GOOD, shares inspiring stories from real women, and leaves you feeling excited about embracing a sober lifestyle, well then… you are absolutely in the right place. I’m your host Jess and thank you for pushing play today.

In today's episode, I'm going to give you 5 tips on how to not only survive a summer sober, but also how to actually have a good time while doing it! Feel free to jot down the tips I share or you can always visit the blog and view them there.

I know that summer can bombard us sober-minded people with countless events centered around alcohol, but trust me sweet friend, we CAN stay strong in our alcohol-free journey and will most definitely never regret a day of NOT drinking. I hope this episode blesses you!

Links to other episodes mentioned in today's chat:
Episode #43 3 Tips on How to Have Fun and Stay Sober over the Holidays
Episode #59 Worried You Won't Find a Sober Community?

Don't forget: if the only thing you did today was stay sober, you are winning!

Next Steps:
Visit the Blog: www.decidedlydry.com
Support the Show: Donate
Contact: decidedlydry@gmail.com

Hiya sweet friends and welcome back to Decidedly Dry!

Today it’s just me and YOU. When I contemplated what topic I wanted to chat with you about this week, it only seemed fitting to talk about my departure from social media and my big decision simplify my life. My hope is that by listening to this episode you may not only relate to some of what I’m going through, but relate to my thoughts and feelings regarding social media, and also might be inspired to make healthy changes in your own life as well.

I'll touch on how I felt when I took my break from social media earlier this year, how social media impacts my mental health, and also how similar my feelings towards social media are to my feelings about alcohol in the beginning of my journey.

Episode I reference: Ep. 50 Is Your Constant Social Media Scrolling Turning into Your New Addictive Habit? 3 Tips on How to Reduce Your Scrolling in Sobriety.

This will be our last episode of Season 3 and we'll be taking a brief break as we prepare for a rocking Season 4!!! It's gonna come in hot and continue to inspire YOU!

Here’s to LIVING. 

Don't forget: if the only thing you did today was stay sober, you are winning!

Next Steps:
Visit the Blog: www.decidedlydry.com
Support the Show: Donate
Contact: decidedlydry@gmail.com

Hiya Loves! Welcome back to the show. Today I'm interviewing a fabulous new friend of mine, Krysty Krywko.

Krysty is the founder of Purple Dog Sober. She founded the company during the pandemic when it became obvious how women were struggling with trying to balance home, work, and the schooling of their children. Along with this pressurized role women were expected to fill, came a rise in using alcohol as a coping mechanism, simply because that is what we’re taught to do. The mission of her work is to provide women with a safe space where they can begin to explore their relationship with alcohol. She does this using the framework of anchor pages, and the process of sketchbooking, which becomes an alternative coping mechanism that women can adapt to their daily lives and routines.

Her newest venture is Sober Wild, which is an outdoor adventure recovery space, based in NY.

Krysty is a self-described book nerd (keeping a list of every book she’s read since the 7th grade); the proud momma two amazing teenagers; and is still searching for the perfect shade of red lipstick.

Ways to connect with Krysty:
Website - https://purpledogsober.com
Email - krysty@purpledogsober.com
Instagram -@purpledogsober
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/purpledogsober

Mentioned on today's episode:
Jess's FREE Summer Mocktail Menu Download.  

Don't forget: if the only thing you did today was stay sober, you are winning!

Next Steps:
Visit the Blog: www.decidedlydry.com
Support the Show: Donate
Contact: decidedlydry@gmail.com

Today I'm interviewing another amazing sober sister of mine, Desiree Hull. Desiree is a stay-at-home mom of 5 kiddos in Rhode Island. She kicked booze to the curb on January 27, 2021. Three short months into her sobriety, she decided to go after her Masters for Pastoral Counseling and while attaining this, she also got Certified as a Recovery Coach! Her dream is to incorporate the counseling with the forward focus thinking of coaching. In her spare time, she’s also a host on Sober Mom Squad.

This is yet another example of a fierce, empowering mama doing good things in her sobriety and achieving more than she ever dreamed of! These chats should remind you of all the incredible things that is possible for YOU if you embrace a sober lifestyle. Enjoy our chat!

Ways to connect with Desiree:
Website - myrecoveryrevival.com
Email - recoveryrevival22@gmail.com
Coaching Site - https://www.recoveredlife.us/desireehull
Instagram -https://www.instagram.com/recovery_revival/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/recoveryrevival22

Don't forget: if the only thing you did today was stay sober, you are winning!

Next Steps:
Visit the Blog: www.decidedlydry.com
Support the Show: Donate
Contact: decidedlydry@gmail.com

Hi Friends!
How in the world are you?! I’m absolutely, positively, so excited to share this week's episode with you! I won’t tell you the entire story of how I know my guest, because we chat about it in the beginning of the episode. But today I have the absolute pleasure of bringing to you Miss Monica Swanson!!
Monica is a popular blogger, host of the Monica Swanson Podcast (previously: The Boy Mom Podcast), and she's the author of Boy Mom, and recently released, Raising Amazing. She was born and raised in the Pacific NW (whoop whoop), is a mom, wife, and just an unbelievable human.
Why did I ask Monica to come on the Decidedly Dry show? Well first off, I’m a total super fan of her work and I selfishly wanted to spend time with her. Duh! But also, she’s one of those moms who encourages and inspires through her words and writing. She motivates me to be the best mom I can be. Her parenting advice? Valuable and applicable. Her words? Beautiful. Her commitment to wanting to get this parenting thing right? Relatable.
While we may not talk about sobriety throughout this entire episode, we hit on so many good topics. One of my favorites: how crucial it is to set a good example for our children.
Y’all are going to love this episode! Enjoy!

Books by Monica Swanson:
Raising Amazing
Boy Mom

Monica’s Website: https://monicaswanson.com/ 

Monica’s Social Media Links:  
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/monicaswanson_/?hl=en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheGrommom/

The podcast episode I reference about screens: Raising Relational Kids in a Screen-Driven World with guest, Arlene Pellicane.

Curious about Jess's Healthy Habit & Sober Coaching? Head to the Decidedly Dry website ASAP for more info and to snag your spot before she's all booked. 

Don't forget: if the only thing you did today was stay sober, you are winning!

Next Steps:
Visit the Blog: www.decidedlydry.com
Support the Show: Donate
Contact: decidedlydry@gmail.com

Hey Friends! This week, for the first time ever, I have TWO guests on the show. I know, your girl Jess is turning into a big time famous multi-guest podcaster. Crazy, right?! In this episode I’ll be chatting with Katie Mack (who goes by Mack) and Kimberly Kearns. These ladies are two of the creatives behind the podcast "F*cking Sober, The First 90 days." Mack is the producer of the show and Kim is the writer for season two. These ladies are absolutely fantastic and I can't wait to hear what your takeaways are.

Now, before we get started, I think a lot of you tune into this show to hear peoples stories and as we know, people’s journeys are so different and yet so the same. That being said, I feel like there are some heavier subjects and/or heavier things that get mentioned in this weeks episode, so I just wanted to give you a little heads up that perhaps this is one of those episodes you listen to through headphones... AKA don’t blast it on the way home from school pickup. Sound good? Perfect! You guys are in for a treat! These two have such great energy, their friendship is beautiful, and I’m just so glad they came on the show.

Enjoy!

The Links:
F*cking Sober Podcast: https://fckingsoberpodcast.com
Instagram: @fckingsober90_podcast

Katie Mack's Website: Mackstage.com
Instagram: @mackersnyc

Kimberly's Book: On the Edge of Shattered
Instagram: @asoberandstrongmom @kbkearns
Website: www.kimberlykearns.com

Don't forget: if the only thing you did today was stay sober, you are winning!

Next Steps:
Visit the Blog: www.decidedlydry.com
Support the Show: Donate
Contact: decidedlydry@gmail.com

Hello my dear sweet listeners and welcome to Episode #86! At the time this is being recording, we’re just 4 short days away from Christmas. While I have absolutely no clue where this year has gone, I am so looking forward to slowing down with the family this weekend and experiencing the magic of the season with my kiddos.

If this is your first sober holiday, you’re amazing!! I’ll make sure to link some of my past episodes below for tips for staying alcohol-free over the holidays. If you’ve been alcohol free for a while now and are feeling strong in sobriety, my advice is to still plan ahead. Pack a non-alcoholic drink, exercise that day, eat plenty of healthy snacks, and if necessary - have a friend or family member you can reach out to if you find yourself tempted. And just as a reminder, let me just say - you will never, ever, ever, ever, ever regret waking up Christmas Day rested, present, and WITHOUT a hangover. Trust me.

Today I have a new friend on the show, Shelby John. Shelby is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in private practice where she specializes in trauma, addiction, and anxiety. With years of experience in the field, she founded Shelby John Coaching and is the happy host of the Confident Sober Women podcast. After getting sober she became a fresh, authentic voice in the sobriety space, showing women how to build confidence and love their lives beyond recovery. Shelby is the mother to three, the wife to her high school sweetheart, and has been sober since July 1, 2002.

*Please note this episode does have a trigger warning: Shelby talks briefly about suicide in this episode. If you need resources and/or support, go to 988lifeline.org. You can also call, text, or chat by dialing the number 988, please look after yourself.

Okay my friends, honored to be able to bring you another inspiring and wonderful story. Enjoy my chat with Shelby!

Ways to Connect with Shelby:

Website: www.shelbyjohncoaching.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/confidentsoberwomen

Instagram: www.instagram.com/shelbyjjohn

Binge these holiday-related past Decidedly Dry episodes for some motivation:

3 Tips on How to Have Fun and Stay Sober over the Holidays:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/decidedly-dry-sobriety-alcohol-free-living-quit-drinking/id1601554317?i=1000590838016

Newly Sober and Not Sure What to Say When People Ask You Why You're Not Drinking? Check Out These Easy, Amazing Responses:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/decidedly-dry-sobriety-alcohol-free-living-quit-drinking/id1601554317?i=1000591081719

Interested in spending January growing in your alcohol-free journey, in movement, and in your faith? Join me! More details will be shared soon with those who are Decidedly Dry Substack Subscribers. Click this link below to make sure you’re on my list:

https://decidedlydry.substack.com

If you enjoy the show, please subscribe, leave a 5-star review, and tell your friends about Decidedly Dry. Thanks so much in advance!!

Don't forget: if the only thing you did today was stay sober, you are winning!

Hiya friend and welcome back to the show! Today we are going to hit on how the heck can we meet sober buddies and/or a sober tribe when A.A.  just isn’t for you. Please note, that this is me not bashing on A.A. I truly believe that there is no wrong or right way to recover. If A.A. is helping you, keep going to A.A.! If A.A. is not for you, find something that does work.
Alright, so as I preach on this show, removing alcohol has improved literally every single area of my life. Not joking one bit. It has brought me an overwhelming amount of confidence, empowerment, joy, freedom, and much much more. I’m obsessed with waking up feeling good, being an amazing role model for my children, and helping my friends, family, and listeners like YOU discover a beautiful sober lifestyle.
Now all that sounds quite beautiful and wonderful, doesn’t it? However, if you haven’t worked your tail off to find supportive, sober friends and communities,  it can feel kind of lonely. If you're someone who's committed to living alcohol-free, but you’re constantly the only one in the room NOT drinking and you don’t have anyone to talk to about that - it can feel isolating. You can experience FOMO (fear of missing out) and while we know in our hearts that living alcohol-free is so gosh darn good for us and is definitely the lifestyle upgrade we desire, it’s still hard.
So today, I want to share with you some tips on how to find that support, those friendships, maybe even that community that you could benefit from. Ready? Let's do it!

Did you know I offer Sobriety Coaching?  I'd be honored to be YOUR accountability partner, your cheerleader, and your positive sobriety coach. For more deets, email me or head to the website.

Groups (and other resources) I reference in today's episode: https://www.decidedlydry.com/resources

xo, Jess

Don't forget: if the only thing you did today was stay sober, you are winning!

Next Steps:
Visit the Blog: www.decidedlydry.com
Support the Show: Donate
Contact: decidedlydry@gmail.com

Hiya Sweet Friends! In today's episode I'm chatting with the unbelievably inspiring, incredible mentor of mine, Stefanie Gass. If you have yet to have the opportunity to get to know this woman, boy oh boy are you in for a treat.
Stefanie Gass is a CEO, wife, boy mom, coffee lover, and #pjsallday enthusiast! Stef helps women get clear on their niche, start a podcast, and grow a successful online business, God's way. She is the host of a top .5% globally ranked podcast for Christian Entrepreneurs, The Stefanie Gass Show. Stef believes it's possible to partner with  God to create impact and income without sacrificing or buying into social media hustle. And if we couldn't love her more, she's doing all of this 100% alcohol-FREE.

I can't wait to hear about all the takeaways you're going to have from this chat. 

Ways to Connect with Stef:
Website: https://stefaniegass.com
Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/successwithstefanie
Stef's Podcast: https://stefaniegass.com/thepodcast
Email: support@stefaniegass.com

Did that intro speak to you today and you're curious about Jess's Healthy Habit & Sober Coaching? Head to the Decidedly Dry website ASAP for more info and to snag your spot before she's all booked. 

Don't forget: if the only thing you did today was stay sober, you are winning!

Next Steps:
Visit the Blog: www.decidedlydry.com
Support the Show: Donate
Contact: decidedlydry@gmail.com

Hi Friend! In today's episode, I want to chat about how my sober journey has led me to becoming more God-Curious. Lately, and especially here on the pod if you've been listening, I’ve been having some amazing conversations with some sober women in my life. We typically hit on all things sobriety, but recently we really started digging into religion.
One of my amazing mentors and friends (you know who you are), and I have been getting really deep. We’ve noticed this growing similarity we’re seeing in the sober curious movement and this new (for some of us) God curious movement. In this episode, I try my best to break it down a bit and give you some examples of what I mean. I list 5 ways I believe that our sober journey is similar to our new, God curious journey and use my experiences as an example.
Before you push play, I want to encourage you to listen with an open mind and an open heart. This is me just sharing my observations, my thoughts, and kinda where I’m at in my journey. It’s never my intention to preach or persuade, just hopefully connect, inspire and relate. Sound good? Good!
I firmly believe that just like we had this wave of people jumping on the sober train, we’ve got another train coming up the track. It’s the God train and people are buying their tickets to hop on. I mean can you blame them? We’re living in a CRAZY world where a lot of us are simply searching for more peace, more love, and more purpose. So many similarities in these journeys and I'm excited to not only see them unravel, but to also hear YOUR thoughts.

Read about this episode/topic on the Blog.
The Bible Recap Podcast

Don't forget: if the only thing you did today was stay sober, you are winning!

Next Steps:
Visit the Blog: www.decidedlydry.com
Support the Show: Donate
Contact: decidedlydry@gmail.com

Hiya Sweet Friend! So glad you're here. Today's episode is all about the three things I've learned (so far) about friendships in sobriety. As most of us know, healthy relationships typically involve trust, honesty, commitment, and a lot of times, patience. That all being said, when alcohol plays a big role in our lives it's common for us to not receive the "gold star" in all of those categories. So sometimes our relationships struggle a bit when we're drinking too much. 
In this episode, I'll not only share what I've learned, but I'll also touch on why it's actually not a bad thing if we lose some friends in sobriety. Can't wait to hear your thoughts! 

Don't forget: if the only thing you did today was stay sober, you are winning!

Next Steps:
Visit the Blog: www.decidedlydry.com
Support the Show: Donate
Contact: decidedlydry@gmail.com

Well hello friends!! In today's episode I'm chatting with another amazing sober mama,  Adrienne McDougal. Adrienne lives here in Oregon with her husband, two kiddos and a giant 120 pound dog. She's originally from New Mexico and has been a nurse for 14 years. She's very passionate about influencing rapid change in our healthcare system by developing and growing this generation of leaders. She loves spending time with her family, especially when it's in the  outdoors anywhere near the water or the mountains! 
Adrienne is another amazing example of a mom who knew alcohol wasn't serving her, put in the hard work, and is thriving in sobriety. Can't wait to hear what you think of this great episode!

Connect with Adrienne:
Instagram: @amcdougal84
LinkedIn: adrienne-mcdougal
Listen to her show: Between the Bedside and the Boardroom

Don't forget: if the only thing you did today was stay sober, you are winning!

Next Steps:
Visit the Blog: www.decidedlydry.com
Support the Show: Donate
Contact: decidedlydry@gmail.com

Hi friend and welcome back to the show! Today we're going to talk about what to do if you have a slip in your sober journey. A slip, a sip, a relapse, a setback, whatever you want to call it, is one of the most frustrating experiences when you’re trying to live alcohol-free. It can leave you feeling humiliated, ashamed, angry, and almost cause you to feel like you should just give up. I've been there and it's not a great place to be. So today, I'm going to give you 4 effective, practical ways to bounce back from a slip.

You can read more over on the blog by clicking here.

Did you know I offer Healthy Habits and Sobriety Coaching? Together, we can work through all the barriers you're experiencing in growing in your sober journey. If you’ve been looking for an upbeat, positive person who can guide you to more dry days, I’d love to get on a 15 minute completely free call with you to see if we’d be a good fit to work together. If so, we can work through and identify what some of the road blocks are that you’re facing and come up with a game plan. These calls are a great way to see if we’re a good fit together, there’s no strings attached, and I have 3 calls available this month - so email me at decidedlydry@gmail.com to book your call today!

Books I reference in today's episode:
This Naked Mind by Annie Grace
We are the Luckiest by Laura McKowen

Don't forget: if the only thing you did today was stay sober, you are winning!

Next Steps:
Visit the Blog: www.decidedlydry.com
Support the Show: Donate
Contact: decidedlydry@gmail.com

Hiya Sweet Friends! In today's episode I'm chatting with the beautiful and inspiring Juliana Page. You guys, this girl is incredible. She is going to bring so much light and positivity to your sober journey and I can't wait for you to hear this entire episode.

Juliana is a bestselling author, master certified life coach and minister of God's vibes. Juliana has researched and immersed herself in the professional life coaching, ministry, leadership, success conditioning and personal development fields. From her obsession to determine what makes the difference in people's quality of life, she helps people understand their model of the world, how to change their story to change their lives, how to steward their impact and how to discover lasting fulfillment through contributing to the world in ways far beyond themselves. Page serves as a leadership and self-mastery strategist for organizations, companies, entrepreneurs, and individuals. Through her proven Spirit-Driven Success Method and The God's Vibes Mastermind program, Page delivers practical wisdom and tools that empower purpose, spiritual wholeness, sustainable health, financial freedom, and relational fulfillment.

Connect with Juliana:
Website: http://www.julianapage.com/
Community: http://www.courageco.org/
Listen to her show God's Vibes Here
Celebrate Recovery: https://www.celebraterecovery.com

Don't forget: if the only thing you did today was stay sober, you are winning!

Next Steps:
Visit the Blog: www.decidedlydry.com
Support the Show: Donate
Contact: decidedlydry@gmail.com

Hiya Friends! This week I’m talking with my new sober friend, Erika Diaz-Castro. Erika is a Christ-follower, wife, mama & life coach for Christian women who struggle with anxiety, burnout or overwhelm. Our conversation today is about her amazing sober journey. We touch on many aspects of her story, but my favorite was hearing her talk about all the magical hidden signs that were put in her path when it was time for her to stop drinking for good. You're going to be moved and inspired by this one. Enjoy!
Find her at:
www.herrenewedstrength.com/podcast
www.herrenewedstrength.com/community 
Rooting for YOU,
Jess

Don't forget: if the only thing you did today was stay sober, you are winning!

Next Steps:
Visit the Blog: www.decidedlydry.com
Support the Show: Donate
Contact: decidedlydry@gmail.com

Hiya Friend! In today's episode, I'm literally going to read you a classic story you might remember from your childhood: The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper. Now I know you might be asking yourself, "Why in the world are you reading us a story for children on a sobriety podcast Jess?" Don't fret, there's a purpose!
Okay... so you remember the story, yes? It was that fun, sweet tale where a train carrying toys and treats for good boys and girls breaks down. Three train engines decide to not help, each for their own reasons. Finally, a little blue engine comes along and helps. Well, friends, I re-read this story as an adult the other day and HOLY TOLEDO. The amazing themes and symbolism that you can pull from this story are worth talking about. So if it's alright with you, I'm going to read you the story on this episode! That way you can not only hear it, but you'll have the opportunity to  also see how  much of it can resemble our sober journeys. I hope you enjoy it!

One last thing...
Friend, do you feel like you’ve kicked the booze but are still experiencing that dreaded urge to pour a drink during that witching hour? I think we all can agree that we never regret NOT drinking, that we’re so RELIEVED to be off that gray-area-drinking merry go round… but man, how in the world are we going to move through the stressors and big emotions naturally?! 

I want to invite you to consider doing a 60-minute Healthy Habit & Sobriety coaching session with me. Together we'll identify your stressors, the causes of your big emotions, and most importantly, we’ll customize an effective, practical, NEW self-care plan that helps you turn to healthy habits instead of drinking. If this sounds like something that could help you, please, please consider emailing me at: decidedlydry@gmail.com . I’d love to get to know you, get you on my calendar, and help you experience more JOY in sobriety. I'm only taking on a few clients at this time, so if this sounds like something that would benefit you, don't delay, sister!

xo, 
Jess

Don't forget: if the only thing you did today was stay sober, you are winning!

Next Steps:
Visit the Blog: www.decidedlydry.com
Support the Show: Donate
Contact: decidedlydry@gmail.com

Today I'm chatting with my new friend, Allison Jordan. Allison is the owner and founder of Better Belly Therapies, a successful gut health clinic based in Ann Arbor, MI. Allison exceeds the highest levels of training as a Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner (FDN-P) and a certified Craniosacral Therapist (CST-T) and combines functional lab testing with craniosacral therapy and visceral manipulation to help men and women with digestive dysfunction decrease food restrictions and increase their energy and quality of life.

Why am I bringing someone on the show that specializes in gut health?! Glad you asked, sister! Because when we decide that alcohol just isn't serving us anymore, it's super helpful to learn about the impact that alcohol has on our body. Allison explains why we have those 3am wake up calls, why our face looks puffy, why we feel just utterly drained and foggy, and much, much, more. This episode is such a good one and I can't wait to hear what you think!

How to Connect with Allison:
FREE Heal Your Liver - Detox for Life Program : TOTAL Liver Support Protocol
Listen to her podcast: The Better Belly Podcast
Check out her website: BetterBellyTherapies.com
Take her free quiz: What's Holding Up Your Gut Health?
Podcast Testimonial Episodes from my client Abby on Alcohol:
Ep. 13// Drop Sugar Cravings, Lose Weight, and Get Glowing Skin [Client Testimonial - Abby Herman]
Apple Podcast
Spotify
Better Belly Website
Ep. 96// How to Permanently Heal Your Gut [Client Testimonial - Abby Herman - One Year Later]
Apple Podcast
Spotify
Better Belly Website 

Don't forget: if the only thing you did today was stay sober, you are winning!

Next Steps:
Visit the Blog: www.decidedlydry.com
Support the Show: Donate
Contact: decidedlydry@gmail.com

Welcome to Episode #85 my dear friends! Today I’m chatting with Paige Zapata. Paige has been alcohol-free since September of 2021. She was born and raised in Texas, is the mother of two young-adult daughters, has had a career in banking for nearly 28 years and her hobbies include reading, watching movies, and honestly, she just loves being a homebody. Today she’s sharing her sober story and explains how there’s kind of 2 parts to her story: the attempts at cutting back; and then actually quitting for good. Oof, man do I feel that! I totally remember thinking I could simply moderate instead of quitting all together. I could totally be a “normal drinker”. Turns out it was more exhausting and utterly impossible to moderate. It’s like that saying, “If you can’t just have one, have none.” Alright everyone, enjoy another sober story here on Decidedly Dry. I give you… Paige.

Ways to Connect with Paige and Links Mentioned During our Chat:

Email Paige: allisonpaige76@att.net

Sober Powered Podcast with Gillian Tietz

The Sober Diaries by Claire Pooley

Sober Squeeze Community

Interested in spending January growing in your alcohol-free journey, in movement, and in your faith? Join me! More details will be shared soon with those who are Decidedly Dry Substack Subscribers. Click this link below to make sure you’re on my list:

https://decidedlydry.substack.com

If you enjoy the show, please subscribe, leave a 5-star review, and tell your friends about Decidedly Dry. Thanks so much in advance!!

Don't forget: if the only thing you did today was stay sober, you are winning!

Hey Friends! Today I want to chat about something that has been brewing inside me for a while now. Something that has been on my heart and heck, maybe YOURS too!

For the past few months or so, I’ve felt this pull to distance myself from social media. Now, don't get me wrong, social media has been an amazing tool for me throughout my sober journey. I've met countless remarkable women, been inspired, motivated, and owe a ton of my success to the sober Instagram community. However, just like how I felt when I started to get a little sober curious, I've been getting a little more and more curious about just how similar our phone addiction and chronic social media scrolling is to our sobriety journey. 

I don't have all the answers for you, but I do have 3 tips on how I'm actively listening to my gut and exploring why I don't think social media or all the screens are serving me in healthy way anymore. I hope that this episode has some good takeaways for you and I'd love for you to email me your thoughts. While I am drastically cutting back on my presence in the social media world, the one place you CAN find me is on our private Decidedly Dry Community Facebook page. You can find that link below and join today. 

Don't forget: if the only thing you did today was stay sober, you are winning!

Next Steps:
Visit the Blog: www.decidedlydry.com
Support the Show: Donate
Contact: decidedlydry@gmail.com

Hiya Friends! In today's episode, I'm chatting with Victoria Plummer. Victoria is a wife, boy mom, wellness coach, and the host of a Christian sobriety podcast called Beyond The Booze. She is passionate about helping others quit drinking  and start creating a life they love. I had a blast hearing her story and know that you too, will have many takeaways!

Ways to Connect with Victoria:
Podcast: Beyond The Booze
Connect: ariseandaspireco@gmail.com
Community: Beyond the Booze: Christian Sobriety Community on FACEBOOK
Instagram: @Victoriaaplummer

Don't forget: if the only thing you did today was stay sober, you are winning!

Next Steps:
Visit the Blog: www.decidedlydry.com
Support the Show: Donate
Contact: decidedlydry@gmail.com

Do you ever wonder if the fun stops once you remove alcohol? Think that travel will be a bore? That there can't possibly be other women out there that would consider adventuring with one another completely alcohol-free? Think again, sister! Today's guest is my new, amazing, beautiful friend, Margaret Ward. Margaret is here to share her story and talk about her incredible business that was born out of her sobriety, A.F.A.R., which stands for Alcohol Free Adventure Retreats. Not only are you going to love our chat, but you're gonna want to locate your suitcase and passport stat. Margaret is an amazing example of someone who is thriving in sobriety and can absolutely, positively confirm, that life gets even better and more adventurous after you kick alcohol to the curb. 

Connect with Margaret: https://afadventureretreats.com

Don't forget: if the only thing you did today was stay sober, you are winning!

Next Steps:
Visit the Blog: www.decidedlydry.com
Support the Show: Donate
Contact: decidedlydry@gmail.com

Heyo! Welcome back to the show, babes! In today's episode, I'm blending two big passions in my life: Running and Sobriety. You are about to hear just how crazy similar these two journeys are and who knows, maybe you'll even leave here feeling inspired to go put in a few miles yourself. Walkers, Joggers, Woggers (yes, I believe there is such thing as a Wogger), Runners, and the Holy Sprinters, this one's for you. 

Wishing you Peace, Love, and Runners High - 
Jess

Don't forget: if the only thing you did today was stay sober, you are winning!

Next Steps:
Visit the Blog: www.decidedlydry.com
Support the Show: Donate
Contact: decidedlydry@gmail.com

Welcome Back Friend! 
In last week's episode we learned how to set SMART goals and today I'm going to give you some tips on how to prioritize your goals! By implementing the following 4 tips and/or strategies, you will increase your chances of you successfully achieving your goals. 
I hope this episode gets you motivated and gives you a sense of empowerment because sister, you are going to crush this year! 
If you'd like to stay in contact while I take my 90 day social media fast, check out the links below. 

Rooting for you, 
Jess

Don't forget: if the only thing you did today was stay sober, you are winning!

Next Steps:
Visit the Blog: www.decidedlydry.com
Support the Show: Donate
Contact: decidedlydry@gmail.com

Hiya Friend!

It's that time of year again when we start setting our goals and intentions for the New Year. Unfortunately, a lot of times we set our goals and they aren't SMART goals, meaning we start out strong, only to fail and give up a few weeks in. Why does this happen? Why can't we stick to our plan? Because we aren't setting SMART goals.

In today's episode, I'm going to break down the acronym 'SMART' and teach you how to set effective goals for the New Year. If your goal is to complete Dry January or even stay alcohol-free for longer, this episode will be incredibly helpful.

Interested in signing up for the Dry January Wellness Challenge? We've got limited spots left, but would love for YOU to join us! Click here to sign up. 

App I reference in today's episode that I used for counting days in the beginning: HabitBull. 

Don't forget: if the only thing you did today was stay sober, you are winning!

Next Steps:
Visit the Blog: www.decidedlydry.com
Support the Show: Donate
Contact: decidedlydry@gmail.com

Hiya Friend! So, you quit drinking and you're nervous about what to say when people start asking questions or offer you a drink. First off, know that it is completely 1,000% normal to feel nervous about this. Second, know that simply saying "No." is a complete answer and you don't owe anyone an explanation.
Now, if you're a people pleaser like me, it's kind of hard to build up that confidence in the beginning and simply say the almighty word "no". Sometimes having a rehearsed, go-to answer can be super beneficial and put your nerves at ease. Please remember that you need to do whatever it is to stay sober. If that means rehearsing an answer a bazillion times, DO IT. Just don't give in and drink. 
In today's episode, I'm going to give you over 15 different responses that you can use when you start getting "the questions". Hopefully you can grab a pencil and paper to jot a few down on or revisit this episode when you need it. 
xo, Jess

Don't forget: if the only thing you did today was stay sober, you are winning!

Next Steps:
Visit the Blog: www.decidedlydry.com
Support the Show: Donate
Contact: decidedlydry@gmail.com

Hello friends! So you're sober curious, newly sober, or maybe you've promised yourself that this year you're spending the holidays alcohol-free and let me start by saying, GO YOU! What an amazing, healthy, beautiful decision. Second, I know this can be a stressful time of year to commit to such a big decision, but friend... it is TOTALLY doable.
In today's episode, I'm going to give you 3 tips on how to not only stay sober over the holidays, but to have FUN. Choosing to be alcohol-free isn't boring, in fact, I think it's way more fun.
So grab a paper and pen, fill up that coffee cup, and get ready to jot down some helpful tips that will set you up for a glorious holiday free of alcohol.

INTERESTED IN THE DECIDEDLY DRY WELLNESS CHALLENGE? There's still time to slay some goals with us! Join the private Facebook Community HERE.

Don't forget: if the only thing you did today was stay sober, you are winning!

Next Steps:
Visit the Blog: www.decidedlydry.com
Support the Show: Donate
Contact: decidedlydry@gmail.com

Hiya Friends,

Today's episode is such a great one. I'm interviewing Meg Geisewite and you're gonna love her! Meg is an ordinary mom who found herself trapped in the mommy wine culture. She began her sober curious journey in November of 2019 where her love of science led her to discover the real truth about alcohol and its seductive lies.

As a truth-teller, Meg is changing the narrative on the mommy wine culture, the hustle culture, and our pro-drinking culture. In Meg’s debut book, Intoxicating Lies: One Woman's Journey to Freedom from Gray Area Drinking, Meg flips the script on the five most intoxicating lies we tell ourselves about alcohol. 

Meg resides in Delaware with her husband and two teenage children. Her family has been her rock throughout her alcohol-free journey. You can often find Meg enjoying nature on the beautiful trails of Delaware.
How to Connect with Meg:

Facebook:  Intoxicating Lies: One Woman's Journey to Freedom from Gray Area Drinking | Facebook
Instagram: Meg Geisewite (@intoxicatingliesbook) • Instagram photos and videos
Website: Home | Meg Geisewite | Intoxicating Lies
Free Downloadable PDF for the audience: 5 Common Lies | Meggeisewite (intoxicatinglies.com)
*Pre-order Meg's book HERE.

INTERESTED IN THE DECIDEDLY DRY WELLNESS CHALLENGE?
JOIN THE PRIVATE FACEBOOK GROUP HERE.

See More from Jess Steitzer

Don't forget: if the only thing you did today was stay sober, you are winning!

Next Steps:
Visit the Blog: www.decidedlydry.com
Support the Show: Donate
Contact: decidedlydry@gmail.com

For a Limited Time: Join Decidedly Dry's 12 Days of Wellness Challenge Here!

Today's guest is Melissa Kelly, PhD. She's a psychologist and a coach for sober women who want to make meaningful changes to their careers. Melissa is passionate about helping women define and design their own version of a meaningful life in sobriety. She is also the founder of Sober Girls Ireland - a community that hosts online and in person events for sober and sober curious women in Ireland.

Ways to connect with Melissa:
IG: @melissakelly.phd
TikTok: @melissakellyphd
Website: www.melissakellyphd.com

Sober Girls Ireland
IG: @sobergirlsireland

Books mentioned during this interview:
Unexpected Joy of Being Sober by Catherine Gray
Blackout by Sarah Hepola
Glorious Rock Bottom by Bryony Gordon

To donate and/or learn more about the show head to: www.decidedlydry.com 
If you enjoy the show, please subscribe, leave a 5-star review, and tell your friends about Decidedly Dry. Thank you so much in advance!

Don't forget: if the only thing you did today was stay sober, you are winning!

Next Steps:
Visit the Blog: www.decidedlydry.com
Support the Show: Donate
Contact: decidedlydry@gmail.com

Well hello my sweet friends and welcome to episode #84!

Today is a very special episode to me for many reasons and you'll soon find out why! Recently I had this lightbulb moment when I realized I was doing a little bit of a disservice, with this ever-growing show, by not including the “dudes” in the conversation. So, I reached out to my very dear friend Greyson Pihas to start us off.

Greyson is a 4th year Psychology student at Arizona State, who will soon be attending George Fox University (here in Oregon) to get his master's in counseling. In his free time, Grey loves exploring things like music, creativity, athletics and health, while maintaining relationships with those around him.

Greyson and I hit on some pretty big topics such as; what it’s like to be living as someone who has never had a sip of alcohol; how habits, goals and other healthy hobbies can be life-giving substitutions for alcohol; and how to continue to stay alcohol-free while coping with enormous grief.

I truly loved our chat and was so impressed with his vulnerability and openness. I know his Mom, Heidi, was looking down on us while we spoke and must have had her big, beautiful smile spread across her face as Greyson shared his story. We miss and love you dearly, Heidi.

Ways to Connect with Greyson:

Email: gpihas3@gmail.com

Interested in spending January growing in your alcohol-free journey, in movement, and in your faith? Join me! More details will be shared soon with those who are Decidedly Dry Substack Subscribers. Click this link below to make sure you’re on my list:

https://decidedlydry.substack.com

If you enjoy the show, please subscribe, leave a 5-star review, and tell your friends about Decidedly Dry. Thanks so much in advance!!

Don't forget: if the only thing you did today was stay sober, you are winning!

Buckle up, friend! I have big news...

As I approach my THREE YEAR sober-versary, I’ve been feeling this calling, this push, to  grow our Decidedly Dry community and spread my message far and wide. This show has primarily been a place for guests to share their story, and while I think that's such a powerful, inspiring thing, I want to add more variety when it comes to what we chat about here. Which if you ask me, is a win-win for you, my sweet listeners.  

Why the shift? Well, as I grow in my sobriety, Decidedly Dry should grow as well. Now for the record, we'll always, ALWAYS, talk about sobriety. That's what brought us together and is our foundation. However, I'd like to start talking about things that I'm incredibly passionate about and are things that make me who I am. Such as wellness, motherhood, hacks/tips, fitness and more. Quite frankly friend, I think it'd be a disservice if I didn't share about those other important, healthy habits and topics.

So there ya have it! Decidedly Dry ain't going anywhere, we're just evolving in hopes to help more women discover how amazing it is to be their beautiful, healthy, authentic self. Stick around to see what's ahead, you're not gonna want to miss it!

FREE FACEBOOK COMMUNITY
Join our free (private) community today! This is a place where we make health and happiness a priority, so we can be present with our families and live a life we truly love.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/454015430211746/

DECIDEDLY DRY JOURNAL
https://www.amazon.com/Decidedly-Dry-Loving-Sober-Life/dp/B0B4SJ8XRL

FREE WORKSHEET TO HELP YOU STAY ALCOHOL-FREE
Enter your email in the pop-up window when you visit our website and enjoy a free worksheet to help you make a plan on how to stay alcohol-free.
https://www.decidedlydry.com

Don't forget: if the only thing you did today was stay sober, you are winning!

Next Steps:
Visit the Blog: www.decidedlydry.com
Support the Show: Donate
Contact: decidedlydry@gmail.com

In this episode, I'm chatting with the one and only, Jenn Kautsch. Jenn is the founder and creator of the SoberSis community and leader in the "Sober Curious" movement. She lives in Fort Worth, Texas with her hubby of 27 years and has 2 adult children in their young 20's.

It's her passion and life's calling to create a space where women can renegotiate their relationship with alcohol without labels, judgment or shame. She coaches women who feel stuck in the "gray area" on the drinking spectrum and helps women get off of "auto -pilot" and mindless sipping through the habit of wine o'clock. She is all about holistic health and promotes freedom from the "detox-to-retox" cycle. Sharing through her personal faith, understanding of science and ability to facilitate connection, lives are being changed. Everyday women are becoming more fully alive through soberminded living and more present in their own amazing lives.

Jen changed my life and I'm not exaggerating a bit. Her program, support, mentorship and friendship has had a ginormous impact on my life and I don’t take it for granted. If you feel like you’re in that sober-curious phase, not sure about your relationship with alcohol, and feeling a little lost… I would highly recommend her reset as a way to test the sober-minded waters, find a like-minded community, and who knows, it just might change your life like it did mine.  Hope you enjoy our chat!

Ways to connect with Jenn:
Sober Sis Home Page - www.sobersis.com/home
Free Guide - www.sobersis.com
Free Video Series - https://www.sobersis.com/new-videos
21 Day Reset Challenge - www.sobersis.com/21daychallenge
Follow On Facebook   ~   Follow On IG @sobersis

To donate and/or learn more about the show head to: www.decidedlydry.com 
If you enjoy the show, please subscribe, leave a 5-star review, and tell your friends about Decidedly Dry. Thank you so much in advance!

Don't forget: if the only thing you did today was stay sober, you are winning!

Next Steps:
Visit the Blog: www.decidedlydry.com
Support the Show: Donate
Contact: decidedlydry@gmail.com

In today's episode, I'm chatting with Lily Shanks. Lily is a self-described Recovering Attorney. She was someone who abused alcohol for many years, since she was a teenager. Lily comes from a family of alcoholics and was taught from a young age that alcohol is the #1 way to cope. Since removing alcohol, one of her biggest passions is helping people through their recovery journey to learn how to live a life of fulfillment without drugs and alcohol. Lily celebrated her four-year Sobriety Birthday on September 4, 2022. Hope you enjoy our chat!

Ways to connect with Lily:
Website: https://www.myinternalweather.com/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/my_internal_weather/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/myinternalweather
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lilyshanks/
The Holiday Wellness Challenge: https://www.myinternalweather.com/holidaywellnesschallenge

To donate and/or learn more about the show head to: www.decidedlydry.com

If you enjoy the show, please subscribe, leave a 5-star review, and tell your friends about Decidedly Dry. Thank you so much in advance!

Don't forget: if the only thing you did today was stay sober, you are winning!

Next Steps:
Visit the Blog: www.decidedlydry.com
Support the Show: Donate
Contact: decidedlydry@gmail.com

In today's episode, I'm chatting with Maggie Jenson. Maggie Jenson is an Alternative Recovery Coach and the creator of The Magnify Method, an up-to-date, science-backed recovery program that's helping her clients learn to Think Different to Drink Different, or Never Again. She is an Adult Child of an Alcoholic and also considers herself an "Ex-Alcoholic", which she knows can be controversial, but she's here to tell her story and allow you to be the judge.

I had a blast getting to know Maggie and hearing her story. What I really love about her? She practically radiates positivity and is committed to helping people feel as good as she does. And I mean c'mon, who doesn't love that?? Hope you enjoy our chat!

Ways to Connect with Maggie:

Website: https://www.magnifypw.com/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/magnifymaggie/
TT: https://www.tiktok.com/@magnifymaggiej
YT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vr1znOf1rpU&list=PLActzHvpKmmhQIr4pGgZWfVzTj_3oXyyZ&index=13?sub_confirmation=1
FB: https://www.facebook.com/maggie.pilcher/

To donate and/or learn more about the show head to: www.decidedlydry.com 

If you enjoy the show, please subscribe, leave a 5-star review, and tell your friends about Decidedly Dry. Thank you so much in advance! 

Don't forget: if the only thing you did today was stay sober, you are winning!

Next Steps:
Visit the Blog: www.decidedlydry.com
Support the Show: Donate
Contact: decidedlydry@gmail.com