Love Life Sober

Can alcohol affect your hormones, worsen PMS, or make symptoms of PMDD and perimenopause harder to manage? In this episode of Love Life Sober, Christy talks with Kim Gargano, author of Holy and Hormonal, holistic hormone health coach, about alcohol, women's hormone health, and learning to care for your body as a temple. What if the struggle you're most ashamed of is the one God wants to use? Kim Gargano's ministry took off after she shared an impassioned rant on TikTok from her car. But Kim's story began long before that moment. She grew up afraid of God, spent two years in and out of hospital as a teenager, partied hard in college, and searched for love and identity through tarot cards, astrology, and relationships. Then, just four days after her baptism, a breakup phone call became her first real encounter with Jesus. Kim and Christy talk about how God takes our hardest struggles, whether that's hormones or alcohol, and turns them into ministry. Kim explains what alcohol does to women's hormones, why women have been taught to stay quiet about their periods, and why slowing down is still holy. What You'll Learn: • Kim's story, from fearing God to meeting Jesus on her bedroom floor. • How Kim discovered she had PMDD and the TikTok video that reached two million women. • The pain in the pit: Paul's thorn, endurance, and the process of sanctification. • Encouragement for the woman who's in the pit right now and can't see a way out. • How alcohol affects estrogen and puts additional strain on the liver, and why that matters for PMS, endometriosis, PCOS, and perimenopause. • What it means to reclaim the truth that your body is a temple, caring for your body as an act of worship rather than a source of shame. • Why slow is still holy, and what Jesus' hidden life teaches us about rhythms of rest. If You've Ever Thought... "Why do I feel like a completely different person the week before my period?" "I quit drinking, so why am I suddenly not sleeping and full of rage?" "God, if you're using this struggle, I can't see how." "I don't have time to slow down." ...this episode is for you. RESOURCES: Connect with Kim Get Holy and Hormonal: https://link.amazon/B0alHoqtW Instagram: @holyandhormonal 🩷 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 📲 Follow Love Life Sober on Instagram @lovelifesoberwithchristy 🎥 Subscribe on YouTube — Come hang out with us! Content Note: This episode briefly mentions childhood trauma and suicidal thoughts linked to PMDD. If you're struggling, please reach out to someone you trust or a local support line. 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. The content of this podcast and all Love Life Sober communications is intended for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Views and opinions expressed by guests, or in any resources referenced, do not necessarily reflect those of the Love Life Sober team. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Why does alcohol make anxiety worse, disrupt sleep, and leave you craving more? Christy Osborne is joined by William Porter, bestselling author of Alcohol Explained and Alcohol Explained 2, to explore the science of drinking and why it can keep us stuck in the very problems we're trying to escape. What if the very thing you're reaching for to relax is actually creating the anxiety you're trying to escape? For so many of us, alcohol has been the answer to everything. Feeling stressed? Have a glass of wine. Can't sleep? Pour another. Want to relax, socialize, or celebrate? Surely a drink will make it better. But what if everything we've been taught to believe about alcohol is actually keeping us stuck? In This Episode, You'll Learn: • Why alcohol initially makes you feel relaxed but actually increases anxiety as it wears off. • What's really happening in your brain when you drink, and why even moderate drinking can create a cycle of withdrawal and discomfort. • Why you keep waking up at 3 a.m. after drinking and what alcohol is doing to your sleep cycles. • The difference between alcohol-induced unconsciousness and genuinely restorative sleep, and why this matters so much for your energy and emotional well-being. • Why developing a higher alcohol tolerance isn't something to celebrate, and how it can make moderation increasingly difficult. • What William calls the craving spiral, and how your thoughts about drinking can steal the enjoyment from experiences you believe alcohol makes better. • Why the pleasure you associate with drinking and socializing may have far less to do with alcohol than you think. • How fading effect bias causes us to romanticize drinking, forget the consequences, and convince ourselves that we're missing out. If You've Ever Thought... "I need a glass of wine to relax after a stressful day." "I know alcohol affects my sleep, but I just can't seem to fall asleep without it." "I've been doing so well without drinking, but sometimes I really miss it." ...this is the episode for you. Get William's Books Alcohol Explained: https://link.amazon/B07UrodQc Alcohol Explained 2: https://link.amazon/B0cwq1x0m 🩷 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 📲 Follow Love Life Sober on Instagram @lovelifesoberwithchristy 🎥 Subscribe on YouTube — Come hang out 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. The content of this podcast and all Love Life Sober communications is intended for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Views and opinions expressed by guests, or in any resources referenced, do not necessarily reflect those of the Love Life Sober team. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

What if the anxiety, shame, cravings, and negative thought loops that keep you stuck don't have to be your story forever? In this episode of the Love Life Sober. I'm joined by my beautiful friend Jo Hargreaves, The Faith-Filled Therapist, speaker, and neuroscience expert, for a fascinating conversation about the intersection of brain science, biblical truth, and the transforming power of Jesus. We dive into neuroplasticity (your brain's God-given ability to change), why you can't simply think your way out of an overwhelmed nervous system, and how to interrupt the thought patterns that keep sending you back to old habits and counterfeit comforts like alcohol. Jo walks us through her practical Notice, Name, Regulate, Reframe framework, explains why what you feed your mind first thing in the morning and before bed matters, and reminds us of one beautiful truth: God isn't waiting for you to get yourself together before coming close. He's already there, even in the messiest moments. What You'll Learn • Why the comforts we turn to for relief, including alcohol, can become counterfeits of the freedom Jesus offers. • What neuroplasticity teaches us about breaking old habits, rewiring negative thought patterns, and renewing our minds through God's Word. • Why it's so difficult to resist an alcohol craving when your nervous system is dysregulated, and practical ways to calm your body before trying to change your thoughts. • How shame and self-criticism can actually keep us stuck, and why compassion is so important for lasting change. • What your brain's default mode network has to do with overthinking, rumination, catastrophizing, and those exhausting mental loops. • Why worship, gratitude, prayer, and meditating on Scripture can help us feel grounded and connected to God. • How to be more intentional about what you allow into your mind in the morning and before falling asleep. • The beautiful promise of Psalm 139: even when you're anxious, overwhelmed, or feeling far from God, He has not moved away from you. If You've Ever Thought... "Why do I keep going back to alcohol when I know it's not helping me?" "I've been thinking these negative thoughts for so long. Can I actually change?" "I know what God's Word says, but when I'm anxious or overwhelmed, I just can't seem to believe it." "Surely God must be getting tired of me making the same mistakes over and over again." This episode is for you! My beautiful friend, your past does not have to determine your future, and the thoughts you've rehearsed for years do not have to be the ones you carry into tomorrow. God has given us an incredible capacity for change, and through His Word, His grace, and the renewing of our minds, we can begin to experience the freedom Jesus has already made possible. This conversation is packed with practical wisdom, biblical encouragement, and so much hope for the woman who is ready to stop living stuck and start living free. 🩷 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 📲 Follow Love Life Sober on Instagram @lovelifesoberwithchristy 🎥 Subscribe on YouTube — Come hang out with us! The creators, hosts, and producers of the Love Life Sober Podcast are not healthcare practitioners and do not provide medical, psychological, or professional advice. The content of this podcast and all Love Life Sober communications is intended for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Views and opinions expressed by guests, or in any resources referenced, do not necessarily reflect those of the Love Life Sober team. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

What if the very parts of your story you're most afraid to share are the parts God wants to use to set someone else free? Recorded live at the ALIGNED Conference in Holland, Michigan, this special episode of the Love Life Sober brings together Christy Osborne, Sherry Hoppen, Caroline Beidler, Jon Seidl, Ericka Andersen and more voices for an honest, vulnerable conversation about Christian sobriety, shame, faith, and the healing power of being truly known. Together, the panel explores the fear of rejection, the loneliness so many women experience, and the ways our culture has moved away from authentic connection. They also tackle questions many Christian women wrestle with: Should I tell my church about my drinking? What if my family doesn't understand? What if I share my story and then struggle again? How do I know when God is calling me to speak up? Through powerful personal stories and honest conversation, you'll hear how sharing the very things we once felt most ashamed of can become the beginning of connection, hope, and someone else's freedom. When we bring our stories into the light, shame begins to lose its power. And when we allow ourselves to be fully known, we make room for the connection and healing God designed us to experience. In This Episode • Why we long to be fully known but fear being truly seen • How shame and fear of rejection keep women hiding their struggles with alcohol • Why authentic female friendships and Christian community matter in sobriety • The difference between surface-level vulnerability and the radical honesty that helps us connect • How to talk with family, friends, and church about your relationship with alcohol • Why sharing your story doesn't mean you have to have everything figured out • How God can use the hardest parts of our stories to encourage someone else • Recognizing the Holy Spirit's prompting when it's time to speak up • Why our testimonies are ultimately about God's faithfulness, not our own strength A Reminder to Take With You Your story doesn't have to be finished for God to use it. There is a woman somewhere who thinks she's the only one. The only Christian woman who struggles with alcohol. The only mother who has hidden how much she drinks. The only person who loves Jesus but keeps returning to something she knows isn't bringing her life. Maybe what she needs most is to hear your story. Not because you've figured it all out, but because you're willing to say, “Me too. I've been there. And there is hope.” We were never meant to heal alone. And we were never meant to keep the freedom God has given us all to ourselves. Connect and Find Your Community If you're a Christian woman questioning your relationship with alcohol, you don't have to figure it out on your own. Love Life Sober is a community of women who love Jesus and are learning to live in freedom from alcohol together. 🩷 Join the Love Life Sober Community https://lovelifesober.co.uk/community 📖 Get 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 📲 Follow Love Life Sober on Instagram @lovelifesoberwithchristy 🎥 Subscribe to Love Life Sober on YouTube Come hang out 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. The content of this podcast and all Love Life Sober communications is intended for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Views and opinions expressed by guests, or in any resources referenced, do not necessarily reflect those of the Love Life Sober team. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

What happens when you’re several days or weeks into an alcohol fast, have a drink, and suddenly feel like you’ve failed? Today's conversation discusses the fear of starting over, redefining success, and discovering the deeper freedom God offers on your alcohol-free journey. Christy answers the questions she’s asked most often before starting a fast. Interviewed by her good friend Lauren, they talk about Lauren’s own imperfect journey, the difference between counting days and actually experiencing freedom, and how “growth points” can become some of our greatest teachers when we approach them with curiosity instead of shame. Most importantly, they explore what happens when we stop making alcohol the ultimate measure of success and begin asking a different question: What is God doing in me through this process? Because the goal isn't perfection. it's learning to keep going, drawing closer to Jesus, and becoming more peaceful, joyful, and free along the way. In this episode, you'll discover: • Why fear of failure can keep you from taking the first step • Why one drink doesn't erase the lessons you've learned • The difference between counting alcohol-free days and experiencing freedom • How to set goals that go beyond simply not drinking • How to approach setbacks with curiosity instead of shame • How God can use your experiences, even the difficult ones, to teach you and grow your faith If You’ve Ever Thought… “I’m scared to start because I’ve tried before and failed." “What if I join a 40-day fast and I drink?” “If I have one drink, do I have to start all over again?” “Everyone else seems to be getting this. Why can’t I?” “I made it several days without drinking and then blew it. What’s the point?” “I’m so focused on my day count that sobriety itself is starting to make me anxious." Then this episode is for you. 🩷 Join the October 40-Day Fast https://lovelifesober.co.uk/october-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 📲 Follow Love Life Sober on Instagram @lovelifesoberwithchristy 🎥 Subscribe on YouTube — Come hang out with us! https://lovelifesober.co.uk/book 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. The content of this podcast and all Love Life Sober communications is intended for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Views and opinions expressed by guests, or in any resources referenced, do not necessarily reflect those of the Love Life Sober team. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Katherine Rhadans was a mom of three young children when drinking slowly became part of how she coped with motherhood. Her story begins with something that can feel incredibly normal for many mothers: wine at the end of a long day, a drink to take the edge off, or alcohol as a reward for making it through another day of motherhood. Christy and Katherine unpack Mommy Wine Culture and the messages that can make drinking feel like self-care, connection, empowerment, or even part of being a good mom. When alcohol becomes the way you cope with exhaustion, stress, or difficult emotions, how do you know when you've crossed a line? What started as “mommy wine culture” and a way to unwind eventually became alcohol dependence. Kat shares how she got sober, what helped her quit drinking, and how God helped her find a way forward. Today, Kat is using the story she once felt ashamed of to help other women know they aren't alone. Through her writing and forthcoming book, No Wine in the Carpool Line, she is reminding mothers that alcohol doesn't have to be part of how they cope with motherhood—and that sobriety can open the door to something different. What You’ll Learn • How Kat’s drinking progressed while raising three children under six—and the early warning signs she wishes she hadn't ignored. • Why getting sober required more than willpower or simply trying harder. • How Mommy Wine Culture can make alcohol feel like self-care, connection, empowerment, and reward. • How drinking can become a coping mechanism for stress, exhaustion, and the demands of motherhood. • Why honesty with yourself—and finding at least one safe person to tell—can be an important first step toward sobriety. • How shame can keep women stuck in unhealthy patterns around alcohol. • How Kat’s faith in God carried her through one of the darkest seasons of her life. • Why accepting support can be part of recovery rather than a sign of failure. • How sharing a story you once felt ashamed of can become a source of purpose and hope for • another woman. If You’ve Ever Thought… “Wine is the one thing I have at the end of a long day with my kids.” “I know my drinking isn’t making me feel good anymore, but I don’t know if it’s bad enough to do something about.” “I’ve made mistakes because of alcohol that I’m deeply ashamed of—how could God possibly use this part of my story?” …this conversation is for you. 🩷 Resources 📖 Pre-order Katherine’s book: No Wine in the Carpool Line https://amzn.to/4gN6fVB Join the October 40-Day Fast: https://lovelifesober.co.uk/october-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 📲 Follow Love Life Sober on Instagram: @lovelifesoberwithchristy 🎥 Subscribe on YouTube: 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. The content of this podcast and all Love Life Sober communications is intended for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Views and opinions expressed by guests, or in any resources referenced, do not necessarily reflect those of the Love Life Sober team. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

If you’ve ever promised yourself you wouldn’t drink and then found yourself reaching for alcohol anyway, there may be more happening beneath the behavior than willpower. Christy Osborne and neuroscience expert Leanne Ellington explore drinking, the nervous system, brain patterns, neuroplasticity, faith, and lasting behavior change. Leanne shares her own journey from decades of struggling with food and body image to discovering the nervous system, neuroplasticity, and eventually a relationship with God. Her story helps explain why knowing what you should do doesn’t always translate into being able to do it—and why lasting change requires more than simply trying harder. Christy and Leanne unpack what happens in the brain when behaviors are repeated and why the patterns we practice can become automatic. They explore the connection between nervous system regulation, subconscious beliefs, self-image, identity, and drinking, along with what “renewing your mind” can look like through the lens of neuroplasticity. They also talk about faith and behavior change, including why prayer and action were designed to work together. And when you drink after deciding you wouldn't? Instead of turning that moment into more shame, Leanne encourages a different approach: separate the data from the drama, learn from what happened, and use the experience as information for what comes next. If You’ve Ever Thought… “I know I don’t want to drink, so why do I keep doing it?” “I know what God says about me, but I don’t actually feel like I believe it.” “Why can’t I just pray harder and make this desire go away?” “I’ve broken so many promises to myself that I don’t trust myself anymore.” Then this episode is for you. 🩷 What You’ll Learn • Why reaching for alcohol automatically can be a brain pattern, not a character flaw • How repeated behaviors create and strengthen neural pathways • How your nervous system, subconscious beliefs, self-image, and drinking can be connected • Why knowing what God says about you isn't always the same as believing it • What “renewing your mind” can look like through the lens of neuroplasticity • Why prayer and practicing new patterns can work together in behavior change • How to separate the data from the drama after drinking when you hadn't planned to • How a drinking moment can become a growth point instead of evidence that you've failed • Why lasting change involves asking not only “What should I do differently?” but also “Who am I becoming?” Connect with Leanne leanneellington.com Instagram @leanneellington Join the October 40-Day Fast https://lovelifesober.co.uk/october-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 📲 Follow Love Life Sober on Instagram @lovelifesoberwithchristy 🎥 Subscribe on YouTube — Come hang out with us! https://lovelifesober.co.uk/book 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. The content of this podcast and all Love Life Sober communications is intended for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Views and opinions expressed by guests, or in any resources referenced, do not necessarily reflect those of the Love Life Sober team. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Fasting isn't simply about giving something up. Sometimes, it reveals what we've been reaching for when life gets hard—the alcohol, sugar, scrolling, shopping, or whatever else promises a little relief when we're overwhelmed, anxious, lonely, exhausted, or hurting. When we set that thing down, we're often left face-to-face with the discomfort we were trying to escape. Wendy Speake, bestselling author of The 40-Day Sugar Fast, The 40-Day Social Media Fast, and The 40-Day Feast, shares why fasting is about more than giving something up. It can redirect our attention and affection toward God and create space for deeper intimacy with Jesus. Christy and Wendy talk about what happens when the discomfort becomes overwhelming, why lasting transformation isn't about willpower, and how to keep moving forward when you stumble. They unpack why a slip doesn't erase the growth you've already experienced—and why God's grace means you don't have to return to the starting line every time you fall. Wendy also shares the story behind her newest book, A Sacrifice of Praise and Thanksgiving: 30 Days of Rejoicing in God's Goodness, and what it means to praise God without pretending that pain doesn't hurt. If You’ve Ever Thought… “I know I should turn to God, but I just want something to make me feel better right now.” “If I stop drinking, scrolling, eating, or whatever else I use to cope, what am I supposed to do with the discomfort?” “I made it several days and then slipped. Does that mean I've failed?” “Can I be hurting and still trust God?” The this conversation is for you. 🩷 What You’ll Learn • Why fasting is about more than simply giving something up • What our coping mechanisms can reveal about where we turn for comfort • How fasting can deepen our attention, affection, and intimacy with God • How to sit with discomfort without immediately trying to escape it • Why transformation requires more than willpower • How to respond when you stumble without starting over • Why God's grace is bigger than our failures • How to praise God while honestly acknowledging pain Check Out Wendy’s Books 📖 The 40-Day Sugar Fast https://amzn.to/4h6qDQB 📖 The 40-Day Social Media Fast https://amzn.to/3SYhWQ0 📖 The 40-Day Feast https://amzn.to/4yAhMh6 📖 A Sacrifice of Praise and Thanksgiving: 30 Days of Rejoicing in God's Goodness https://amzn.to/4r6iQGI Join the October 40-Day Fast The Love Life Sober 40-Day Alcohol Fast begins October 5th. https://lovelifesober.co.uk/october-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 📲 Follow Love Life Sober on Instagram @lovelifesoberwithchristy 🎥 Subscribe on YouTube — Come hang out 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. The content of this podcast and all Love Life Sober communications is intended for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Views and opinions expressed by guests, or in any resources referenced, do not necessarily reflect those of the Love Life Sober team. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

You begin to understand the neuroscience behind drinking. You become curious about your patterns instead of judging yourself for them. You build new tools for dealing with stress, anxiety, grief, and big emotions. And you find people you can be completely honest with. For me, that’s part of what changed as I learned to live alcohol-free. After six years without alcohol, my friend Lauren—one of my earliest coaching clients and a professional journalist—turns the mic around and asks me what sobriety has actually been like, when it started to feel easier, and whether the desire to escape ever really goes away. Our conversation became an honest look at what happens after the early days of sobriety are over. Because eventually, something changes. You realize that even when you no longer want alcohol, the desire to check out, escape, or change how you feel can still show up. The difference is learning how to respond when it does. For me, the journey has never been only about alcohol. It has been about understanding why I was reaching for it in the first place and learning what real freedom actually looks like. If You’ve Ever Thought… “Why is this still hard when I know so much?” “When will not drinking finally feel normal?” “What if I’m not ready to quit forever?” “Why do I keep reaching for alcohol when I know it isn’t helping me?” This episode is for you. 🩷 What You’ll Learn • When sobriety starts to feel easier • Why the desire to “check out” can still show up years later • How to recognize what you’re really reaching for when you want a drink • Why curiosity is more helpful than shame • How understanding your brain can change your relationship with alcohol • How to build healthier tools for stress, anxiety, grief, and big emotions • Why you don’t have to know whether you’ll quit forever to get curious about your drinking • Why community matters so much in sobriety I hope this conversation reminds you that sobriety isn’t about getting everything right. It’s about becoming curious, learning new ways to cope, and giving yourself the space to discover what is underneath the drinking. Join the October 40-Day Fast https://lovelifesober.co.uk/october-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 📲 Follow Love Life Sober on Instagram @lovelifesoberwithchristy 🎥 Subscribe on YouTube — Come hang out 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. The content of this podcast and all Love Life Sober communications is intended for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Views and opinions expressed by guests, or in any resources referenced, do not necessarily reflect those of the Love Life Sober team. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

For women navigating ADHD, alcohol, and the mental patterns that can keep them reaching for a drink, understanding your brain can change the way you understand your drinking. In this conversation, Christy Osborne and Love Life Sober leader Brittany Tonkavich explore ADHD, dopamine, boredom, focus, motivation, and why alcohol can feel like the fastest way to make your brain feel better. Christy sits down with Brittany Tonkavich, a former coaching client turned Love Life Sober leader, for a fascinating conversation about ADHD, dopamine, and alcohol. Diagnosed with ADHD as a child, Brittany looks back at the different “jobs” she gave alcohol throughout her life—from excitement and risk-taking to focus, motivation, relieving boredom, and quieting a busy brain. She shares how understanding the connection between ADHD and dopamine helped her make sense of her drinking patterns and find healthier ways to give her brain what it was actually looking for. If You've Ever Thought... “Why do I feel like I need a glass of wine just to get things done, focus, or quiet my brain?” “Why does alcohol seem to make boring things easier or life feel a little more interesting?” Babe, this episode is for you. 🩷 What You'll Learn in This Episode • Why alcohol can become appealing when your brain is searching for quick dopamine • How ADHD can affect motivation, focus, boredom, impulsivity, and risk-taking • Why you might reach for a drink to start a task or make something boring feel interesting • How Brittany replaced alcohol with healthier, effort-based sources of dopamine • Why understanding your brain can lead to curiosity instead of shame • How awareness can become the beginning of lasting change Brittany also leaves us with this beautiful reminder: “God made you. He didn't get it wrong. He got you right.” If something in this conversation makes you wonder whether ADHD could be part of your story, your Tiny New Action is simple: get curious about the patterns you're noticing and talk to a qualified professional. Awareness is the first step toward transformation. Links & Resources Join the October 40-Day Fast https://lovelifesober.co.uk/october-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 https://lovelifesober.co.uk/book 📲 Follow Love Life Sober on Instagram @lovelifesoberwithchristy 🎥 Subscribe on YouTube — Come hang out 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. The content of this podcast and all Love Life Sober communications is intended for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Views and opinions expressed by guests, or in any resources referenced, do not necessarily reflect those of the Love Life Sober team. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

You can love Jesus deeply and still struggle with alcohol, control, anxiety, or other coping mechanisms. You may have prayed for God to take the desire away, promised yourself you would do better, and wondered why you still feel stuck. But sometimes the thing you want God to remove is pointing to a deeper wound He wants to heal. Christy sits down with pastor and The Divine Counselor author Alex Seeley to explore surrender, obedience, identity, triggers, and what it means to trust the voice of the Holy Spirit. Alex shares openly about her own 20-year struggle with an eating disorder and control, and how the Holy Spirit helped her recognize the deeper wounds underneath her coping mechanisms. Together, Christy and Alex unpack why God may not simply take away a desire, how fear and control can keep you from trusting Him, and why freedom often begins with one small act of obedience. They also explore how to recognize the Holy Spirit's voice, why Scripture helps you know what His voice sounds like, and how to distinguish conviction from shame and condemnation. Alex shares what she learned after praying for seven years for God to change a situation—and the powerful message she heard when she finally surrendered her fear. If you've ever thought... “Why won't God just take away my desire to drink?” “I love Jesus, so why am I still struggling?” “Why hasn't God changed this yet?” “How do I know if I'm really hearing the Holy Spirit?” “What if I surrender this and nothing gets better?” “I know God is asking me to let this go, but I'm not ready.” Babe, this episode is for you. 🩷 • Why loving Jesus doesn’t mean you’ll never struggle • How alcohol and other coping mechanisms can mask deeper pain • Why your struggle is not your identity • What it means to take responsibility for your triggers • Why God may not simply take the desire away • How fear and control can keep us from fully trusting God • How to recognize the Holy Spirit’s voice • Why consistent obedience over time can lead to freedom You are not defined by the thing you struggle with. You are a daughter of the King—and God may be inviting you to trust Him with the very place you’ve been trying so hard to control. Get Alex’s book The Divine Counselor: Renew Your Mind, Heal Your Soul, and Discover Your Purpose Through the Guidance of the Holy Spirit https://amzn.to/4wJLfnk 🩷 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 📲 Follow Love Life Sober on Instagram @lovelifesoberwithchristy 🎥 Subscribe on YouTube — Come hang out 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. The content of this podcast and all Love Life Sober communications is intended for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Views and opinions expressed by guests, or in any resources referenced, do not necessarily reflect those of the Love Life Sober team. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

For Christian women who are sober, sober-curious, or questioning their relationship with alcohol, the Aligned Conference is creating a space to connect faith, sobriety, recovery, and community. In this special roundtable, Christy Osborne, Sherry Hoppen and Aligned speakers share why gathering together matters. You'll hear honest conversations about Christian sobriety, sober curiosity, faith, recovery, shame, freedom, and what it looks like to build a life centered on Jesus. We'll worship. We'll pray. We'll learn. But we're also going to have FUN. 🩷 If you've been sitting on the fence about Aligned, we hope this episode gives you the nudge you've been waiting for. You'll hear from: Caroline Beidler — previewing her message From Numb to Known and what it means to move out of hiding and into being fully known by God and others. Ericka Andersen — author of Freely Sober, sharing about the lie that struggling with alcohol means something is wrong with your faith. Jon Seidl — sharing about gospel-centered recovery and why Christians don't need to be afraid to put Jesus at the center of the conversation. Susan, Heather, and Cindy — Love Life Sober leaders sharing why something powerful happens when Christian women gather in person, pray together, worship together, and realize they aren't alone. Highlights: • What Aligned is and who it's for • Why you don't have to struggle with alcohol alone • What it means to move from hiding to being fully known • Why faith and recovery belong in the same conversation • How gospel-centered recovery puts Jesus at the center • Why sober Christian community matters • What happens when women gather to pray, worship, and tell the truth • Why you don't need years of sobriety to belong at Aligned Join Us at Aligned September 22–24, 2026 Holland, Michigan https://www.alignedconference.org Want to meet other women who are coming, ask questions, talk logistics, or simply start connecting before September? We've created a free online Aligned space that is open to everyone, you do not need to be a Love Life Sober Community member to join this space. JOIN THE FREE ALIGNED SPACE We cannot wait to hug you, worship with you, laugh with you, and see what God does when we all get in the room together. 🩷 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. The content of this podcast and all Love Life Sober communications is intended for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Views and opinions expressed by guests, or in any resources referenced, do not necessarily reflect those of the Love Life Sober team. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Jennifer studied more than 200 mornings in the Bible to discover how Scripture talks about the beginning of our days—and what those patterns can teach us about prayer, quiet time, rest, and building a life of joy and purpose. Christy sits down with bestselling author Jennifer Dukes Lee to talk about her new book, How to Love Your Mornings, and the simple, faith-filled practices that can transform your mornings. An honest conversation about: alcohol-free mornings, quiet time with God, morning routines, sleep, healthy habits, and creating rhythms that actually fit your personality and season of life. One of the greatest gifts of an alcohol-free life is waking up clear-headed and fully present. But how do we move beyond simply enjoying our mornings to intentionally using them to deepen our relationship with God? If you've ever thought... • "I know I should spend time with God in the morning, but I can't stay consistent." • "I've fallen out of my quiet time, and I don't know how to get back." • "Everyone else's morning routine seems better than mine." • "I'm too busy to create healthy morning habits." • "I want more peace, purpose, and joy in my alcohol-free life." Babe, this episode is for you. 🩷 What You'll Learn • What Jennifer discovered after studying more than 200 mornings in the Bible • Why morning rituals can be more life-giving than rigid morning routines • What Jesus' morning rhythms can teach us about starting the day with God • The four Morning Archetypes and how to discover which one fits you • Why sleep is one of God's greatest gifts • How "revenge bedtime procrastination" can steal your mornings • How to rebuild healthy morning habits when life gets busy • Why your morning rhythm should fit your personality and current season • Two simple practices you can start tomorrow morning with Jesus Resources Mentioned 📖 How to Love Your Morning: Faith-Filled Habits to Build a Life of Joy and Purpose One Day at a Time by Jennifer Dukes Lee https://link.amazon/B06M8XW5o 🎟️ 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 📲 Follow Love Life Sober on Instagram @lovelifesoberwithchristy 🎥 Subscribe on YouTube — Come hang out 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. The content of this podcast and all Love Life Sober communications is intended for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Views and opinions expressed by guests, or in any resources referenced, do not necessarily reflect those of the Love Life Sober team. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Most of us aren't looking for another drink—we're looking for relief. Relief from the shame, the striving, the pressure, and the exhaustion of holding everything together. If you've been trying to stop drinking, break free from emotional numbing, or find real rest in Jesus, this conversation with author, speaker, and Pray Every Day host Mary DeMuth explores why surrender isn't losing control—it's where healing finally begins. Christy and Mary discuss surrender, shame, control, emotional numbing, alcohol, and why God always pursues the root before He changes the behavior. Together they unpack why numbing—whether through alcohol, scrolling, binge-watching, overworking, or endless striving—never gives the peace we're searching for, and how daily surrender opens the door to lasting healing, freedom, and genuine rest. If you've ever thought... • "Why do I keep reaching for numbing instead of real rest?" • "I want to stop drinking, but I'm scared of what will come up if I do." • "I can't let go of the shame and regret from my past." • "Why does surrender to God feel so difficult?" • "Will I ever find peace without alcohol?" Babe, this episode is for you. 🩷 Whether alcohol has become your coping mechanism or you're simply tired of carrying the weight of shame, control, and emotional exhaustion, this conversation offers a hopeful invitation into the kind of surrender that doesn't leave you empty—it leads you into the freedom, healing, and rest Jesus has been offering all along. What You'll Learn • Why emotional numbing never produces the rest your soul is searching for. • The difference between numbing and true soul renewal through Christ. • Why surrender is a daily practice—not a one-time decision. • How control can quietly become its own addiction. • Why God always heals the root before changing the behavior. • How shame and regret keep women stuck—and how grace breaks the cycle. • Why healing often happens in layers, not all at once. • The role of safe community in lasting freedom from alcohol. Resources Mentioned 📖 The Freedom of Surrender by Mary DeMuth https://amzn.to/4sRvZnL 🎨 Download Mary's free Scripture artwork https://marydemuth.com/surrender ✍️ Learn more about Mary's writer's intensive https://marydemuth.com/intensive Love Life Sober 🩷 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 Follow Love Life Sober on Instagram @lovelifesoberwithchristy Find Love Life Sober on Youtube @LoveLifeSober Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

From the outside, Heather had a successful career, served faithfully in church, loved Jesus, and cared deeply for her family. But privately, she found herself stuck in the exhausting cycle of questioning her drinking, trying moderation, and wondering why alcohol still had such a hold on her heart. Christy and Heather talk honestly about grief, childhood trauma, emotional drinking, surrender, and how freedom begins when we stop negotiating with God and trust Him fully. For years, Heather believed alcohol wasn't a problem because her life looked "normal." But every time God invited her closer, she felt Him gently asking her to surrender the one thing she wasn't ready to let go of... alcohol. If You've Ever Thought... • "Why can't I stop when I know God is asking me to?" • "I love Jesus... so why do I keep reaching for alcohol?" • "I don't have a drinking problem... so why is it so hard to stop?" • "If my life isn't falling apart, do I really need to quit drinking?" Babe, this episode is for you. 🩷 What You'll Learn • Why you don't need a rock bottom to question your drinking. • The subtle ways alcohol can become an idol—even for faithful Christians. • How grief and childhood trauma can fuel alcohol use. • Why moderation feels so exhausting. • What "growth points" taught Heather instead of starting over. • How loneliness became one of Heather's biggest drinking triggers. • How closing the door on alcohol opened the door to genuine peace. • What it really means to surrender alcohol to Jesus. This is a Love Life Sober testimony episode! Heather is a part of the Love Life Sober community. What she discovered wasn't simply freedom from alcohol. She discovered the peace she'd been searching for all along. Now as a leader in the community, she has helped other Christian women grow in Jesus and their sobriety journey to find that peace as well. 🩷 Resources Mentioned 🎟️ 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 📲 Follow Love Life Sober on Instagram @lovelifesoberwithchristy 🎥 Subscribe on YouTube Content Note This episode includes a brief discussion of suicide, grief, and emotional struggles. If these topics are difficult for you, please listen with care. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger or needs support: United States & Canada: Call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) United Kingdom & Ireland: Call 116 123 | You Are Not Alone | Help is available. 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. The content of this podcast and all Love Life Sober communications is intended for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Views and opinions expressed by guests, or in any resources referenced, do not necessarily reflect those of the Love Life Sober team. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

What if the real problem isn't how much you drink—but the way you think about drinking? Are you sober curious, emotionally drinking, or fighting the mental battle with alcohol? Jenn Kautsch of Sober Sis shares why so many women stay stuck in the cycle of moderation, emotional drinking, and starting over—and how sober-minded living leads to lasting freedom with Jesus. In this powerful episode of the Love Life Sober Podcast, Christy sits down with Jenn Kautsch, founder of Sober Sis and one of the original voices in the sober curious movement, for a conversation about gray area drinking, sober-minded living, and what happens when we stop numbing and start getting honest with God. This conversation explores Christian sobriety, emotional drinking, sober curiosity, moderation, and the mental battle many women face when they know alcohol is no longer serving them. Jenn shares why alcohol can quietly become a socially acceptable way to cope, how the pressure to keep performing can keep women stuck, and why Jesus invites us into a life of presence, clarity, freedom, and connection. If you’ve ever thought… “I can stop for a bit… I just can’t seem to stay stopped.” “Wine o’clock is the only thing getting me through this season.” “Maybe I don’t have a drinking problem… but I know something needs to change.” Babe, this episode is for you. 🩷 In This Episode, We Discuss • Sober-minded living • Gray area drinking and moderation • Emotional drinking and coping • Why alcohol becomes a numbing tool • Abstinence vs. true freedom • The mental battle with alcohol • Why you don’t need a rock bottom • Comparison, shame, and starting over • Progress over perfection • Finding freedom through Jesus Links & Resources 🌿 Sober Sis Website https://sobersis.com Follow Jenn on Instagram: @sobersis 📖 Jenn’s Book: Look Alive, Sis https://amzn.to/4rnACEw 🌿 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 by visiting: 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 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 alcohol isn't the real problem—but the solution you've been using for something deeper? In this episode of Love Life Sober, Christy Osborne is joined by alcohol mindset coach, podcast host, and author Anna Donaghey to explore the emotional needs that often sit beneath drinking. Anna shares her personal journey from decades of alcohol dependence to lasting freedom while explaining why so many women don't identify with traditional recovery labels yet still feel trapped in an exhausting cycle of drinking, moderating, and starting over. Together, Christy and Anna discuss why lasting change begins with awareness instead of shame, how curiosity helps uncover the real reasons we drink, and why creating a life you genuinely love naturally weakens alcohol's grip. If you've ever wondered: • Why can't I stop drinking? • Am I a grey area drinker? • Why does moderation feel so exhausting? • What am I actually looking for when I pour a drink? • Can I change my relationship with alcohol without shame? This episode is for you 🩷 In This Episode: • What "grey area drinking" really means • Why awareness is the first step toward freedom • How alcohol becomes an emotional management system • Why moderation often feels harder than expected • The question that changes everything: Is my life good enough? • How to identify what you're truly thirsty for • Why lasting change isn't linear • Practical ways to build a life that naturally replaces alcohol 💌 Links & Resources Get Anna’s new book, “What Are You Thirsty For? ReThinking Alcohol and the Life You Want. https://amzn.to/49JaSer Anna's Podcast: The Big Drink Rethink podcast, 🌿 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 Follow Love Life Sober for weekly conversations combining faith, neuroscience, coaching, and practical encouragement to help women find lasting freedom from alcohol. 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 generational trauma cause addiction? Why does addiction seem to run in families? And is it really possible to break the cycle? If you've ever wondered whether your relationship with alcohol is connected to childhood trauma, family dysfunction, anxiety, people-pleasing, or inherited patterns, this episode is for you. This week, Christy sits down with licensed professional counselor, trauma expert, and author Gina Birkemeier to explore how generational trauma, addiction, the nervous system, and faith intersect—and why your family history doesn't have to determine your future. Growing up surrounded by addiction, abuse, neglect, and dysfunction, Gina shares how God led her through healing and restoration, changing not only her own life but the legacy of future generations. Together, Christy and Gina discuss the science of epigenetics, how unresolved trauma shapes our behaviors, why shame keeps so many women trapped in addiction, and how Jesus offers a new story rooted in hope, healing, and freedom. If you've ever thought... • "Addiction runs in my family. Maybe this is just who I am." • "I'm afraid I've damaged my children because of my drinking." • "Why do I keep repeating the same unhealthy patterns?" • "I know I want to stop drinking, but I don't know why it's so hard." • "Can generational trauma really be healed?" • "Is it too late to change my family's story?" this conversation will encourage you. In This Episode You'll Learn • Why addiction often runs in families—and what actually gets passed down • The difference between genetics and epigenetics • How childhood trauma affects the nervous system and alcohol use • Why shame fuels addiction and how healing begins • Practical steps to break generational cycles • How to rebuild relationships with your children without living in guilt • Why healing isn't linear—and why that's normal • How faith, community, and God's truth create lasting transformation Resources Mentioned 📖 Generations Deep: Unmasking Inherited Dysfunction and Trauma to Rewrite Our Stories Through Faith and Therapy by Gina Birkemeier 🌐 Gina's Website: ginabirkemeier.com 📷 Instagram: @myoutloudvoice Love Life Sober Community Gina will be joining the Love Life Sober Community this August for an exclusive live masterclass on breaking generational patterns, healing inherited dysfunction, and becoming the cycle breaker in your family. 🌿 Join the Community: https://lovelifesober.co.uk/community Resources 📖 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 🌿 Love Life Sober Community https://lovelifesober.co.uk/community 🎟️ The Aligned Conference https://www.alignedconference.org/ 📲 Instagram @lovelifesoberwithchristy 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. This podcast is intended for educational and inspirational purposes only and should not replace advice from a qualified healthcare professional. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

If you're struggling with alcohol, wondering why surrender feels so hard, or searching for Christian recovery that goes beyond willpower, this conversation is for you. What if the goal isn't just to stop drinking—but to become more like Jesus? Christy sits down with author, speaker, and podcast host Christopher Cook to explore what true transformation looks like through the lens of Scripture. Together they discuss Christian sobriety, surrender, sanctification, identity in Christ, healing, and why lasting freedom from alcohol is about so much more than simply quitting drinking. Christopher reminds us that Jesus doesn't simply ask us to lay down our burdens. He invites us to exchange them for His light yoke, trust His character, and discover the unforced rhythms of grace. • If you've ever thought: • Why does this journey feel so hard? • Have I really surrendered this to God? • Why do I keep ending up in the same cycle? • Can God really be trusted with this part of my life? Then this episode will encourage you to stop striving and start allowing God to transform you from the inside out. What You'll Learn • What sanctification actually means and why it matters in recovery • Why surrender isn't giving up—it's trusting God • How to identify the "backpack of bricks" you've been carrying • Why knowing God's character changes everything • The difference between striving and cooperating with the Holy Spirit • Christopher's practical framework: Come. Take. Learn. Find. Links & Resources Christopher's Book Healing What You Can't Erase: Transform Your Mental, Emotional, and Spiritual Health from the Inside Out https://amzn.to/4emON9g Recommended Reading Let Go by François Fénelon https://amzn.to/44maKiL Connect with Christopher Instagram: @wintodaychris Podcast: Win Today Substack: Win Today with Christopher Cook 🌿 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 for more conversations about Christian sobriety, faith, recovery, and lasting freedom from alcohol. 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.

Could alcohol already be affecting your health—even if you think you don't have a drinking problem? Many Christian women quietly ask: • Am I drinking too much? • Is alcohol making my anxiety worse? • Could my body already be paying the price? • How would I even know if alcohol was hurting my health? The truth is, you don't have to hit rock bottom before alcohol begins affecting your body. In this episode of Love Life Sober, Christy sits down with Karla Adkins, co-founder of The Zero Proof Life and author of And She Came Tumbling Down. Like many women, Karla believed her drinking wasn't "that bad"—until she was diagnosed with cirrhosis at just 36 years old. Karla's powerful testimony, a hope-filled, truth-telling conversation about what happens when drinking goes from “normal” to medically dangerous, and how God can still write a miracle story on the other side. You'll discover why comparing your drinking to someone else's can be dangerous, how alcohol quietly impacts your body, anxiety, and nervous system, and why lasting freedom isn't found through willpower alone. Most importantly, you'll hear a story of redemption. God met Karla in one of the darkest moments of her life and transformed what could have been the end of her story into the beginning of lasting healing and freedom. If you've been wondering whether it's time to rethink your relationship with alcohol, this conversation is a loving wake up call, a reminder that your body is speaking to you earlier than you think. If You've Been Wondering... • Is alcohol quietly affecting my liver or long-term health? • Why does alcohol seem to make my anxiety worse? • How much drinking is "too much" for women? • Why do some women develop alcohol-related health problems sooner than others? • I just need to get through this season, then I’ll stop. • Can God really help me break free from alcohol? This episode is for you. 🩷 Highlights You'll Discover: • Karla's shocking diagnosis of cirrhosis at just 36 years old • The early warning signs her body was sending before she realized something was wrong • Why women can experience alcohol-related liver damage faster than expected • The connection between alcohol, anxiety, hormones, and the nervous system • Why comparing your drinking to others can keep you stuck • What helped Karla find lasting freedom beyond simply quitting alcohol • The hope, healing, and restoration God offers on the other side of surrender Resources Mentioned 📘 And She Came Tumbling Down: Breaking the Bonds of Alcohol and Creating a Life of Freedom https://amzn.to/4vpiGff 💛 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 with Christy on Instagram @lovelifesoberwithchristy Follow for more conversations about Christian sobriety, alcohol-free living, faith, healing, and finding lasting freedom in Jesus. 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.