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Ever lost time after a night out and thought, “Wait… what did I say?”

You’re not alone—and it’s not just “part of drinking.” In this episode of Sober & Lit, Ruby and Susan pull back the curtain on a topic many avoid: alcohol-induced blackouts. From stories of forgotten conversations and tricky gray areas to the terrifying reality of memory loss after just a few drinks, we shed light on the neurological impact of alcohol and why some people are more susceptible to blackouts than others.

✨ What actually happens in your brain when memories disappear?
✨ Why do some people black out from just a few drinks—while others don't?
✨ And what are the long-term risks no one talks about?

This isn't about shame—it's about science. We share our personal blackout, brownout and pass-out stories, explore the brain-based reasons behind them, and debunk the myth that forgetting your night means you just had “too much fun.”

Whether you’ve experienced fuzzy nights, want to understand how alcohol hijacks memory, or you’re sober curious and ready to learn, this episode is for you. Stay with us 'til the end—we’ll leave you with ways to feel lit without wiping out your memories.

Tune in now and get real about alcohol, blackouts, and reclaiming your presence.

Resources mentioned in this episode:
👉 The most important lesson from 83,000 brain scans | Daniel Amen | TEDxOrangeCoast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esPRsT-lmw8
👉 Blackout: Remembering the Things I Drank to Forget is a memoir by Sarah Hepola
👉 Movie: The Girl On The Train starring Emily Blunt; based on the bestselling novel The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins (2015)

Don't forget to follow and subscribe and leave a review! It helps to get the word out that living sober is lit!

Listeners have said that our podcast has helped them get alcohol free! Get started by taking a break that feels lit with a Feel Lit 21 Day Break. Click here to find out more: https://www.freedomrenegadecoaching.com/buy-feel-lit-21-sg

Join our private community!

Connect with the Podcast Hosts:
Susan Larkin Coaching https://www.susanlarkincoaching.com/
Ruby Williams at Freedom Renegade Coaching https://www.freedomrenegadecoaching.com/

Follow Susan: @drinklesswithsusan
Follow Ruby: @rubywilliamscoaching

It is strongly recommended that you seek professional advice regarding your health before attempting to take a break from alcohol. The creators, hosts, and producers of the The Feel Lit Alcohol Free podcast are not healthcare practitioners and therefore do not give medical, or psychological advice nor do they intend for the podcast, any resource or communication on behalf of the podcast or otherwise to be a substitute for such.

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“Is weekend drinking really harmless—or is it quietly stealing your energy, health, and joy?”

In this episode of the Sober & Lit Podcast, Ruby and Susan dive straight into the truth about binge drinking, especially the kind so many of us laugh off as “just weekend fun.” What actually counts as binge drinking? Why do oversized wine glasses, happy hour specials, and “work hard, play hard” culture trick us into thinking it’s normal? And what are the real costs—even if you only drink on Fridays and Saturdays?

With candid stories from their own pasts, Ruby and Susan unpack how quickly “reward drinks” can spiral into exhaustion, poor sleep, anxiety, and a cycle of feeling less present in your own life. They break down myths around moderation, share eye-opening health stats, and explore why so many women underestimate just how much alcohol they’re consuming.

If you’ve ever told yourself, “It’s fine because I don’t drink during the week,” this conversation is for you. Tune in for a reality check full of compassion, practical tools, and an empowering invitation to try an alcohol-free weekend, and discover how good it feels to wake up clear, confident, and lit from within.

Grab our free alcohol free weekend guide and give it a try!

Don't forget to follow and subscribe and leave a review! It helps to get the word out that living sober is lit!

Listeners have said that our podcast has helped them get alcohol free! Get started by taking a break that feels lit with a Feel Lit 21 Day Break. Click here to find out more: https://www.freedomrenegadecoaching.com/buy-feel-lit-21-sg

Join our private community!

Connect with the Podcast Hosts:
Susan Larkin Coaching https://www.susanlarkincoaching.com/
Ruby Williams at Freedom Renegade Coaching https://www.freedomrenegadecoaching.com/

Follow Susan: @drinklesswithsusan
Follow Ruby: @rubywilliamscoaching

It is strongly recommended that you seek professional advice regarding your health before attempting to take a break from alcohol. The creators, hosts, and producers of the The Feel Lit Alcohol Free podcast are not healthcare practitioners and therefore do not give medical, or psychological advice nor do they intend for the podcast, any resource or communication on behalf of the podcast or otherwise to be a substitute for such.

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How do I help someone I love who’s struggling with addiction—without ultimatums, power struggles, or losing myself in the process?

We’re joined by the incredible Amber Hollingsworth—licensed professional counselor, master addiction counselor, and creator of the viral YouTube channel “Put the Shovel Down.” Drawing from her 20+ years of experience and her own journey growing up in an addicted family, Amber reveals how families can outsmart addiction with empathy, boundaries, and strategy—not “tough love.”

Together, we’ll dive into:

• Why the classic “let them hit rock bottom” approach often backfires
• How to shift from the “bad guy” role to being a powerful, positive influence
• Amber’s Invisible Intervention method that empowers families while preserving connection

If you’ve been searching for a way to support a loved one through addiction—and take care of yourself at the same time—this conversation is full of practical tools, hope, and a completely new perspective on recovery.
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For more insights, check out Amber’s free resource-rich YouTube channel "Put The Shovel Down" at https://www.youtube.com/@PutTheShovelDown

Amber's Website: familyrecoveryacademy.online

Don't forget to follow and subscribe and leave a review! It helps to get the word out that living sober is lit!

Listeners have said that our podcast has helped them get alcohol free! Get started by taking a break that feels lit with a Feel Lit 21 Day Break. Click here to find out more: https://www.freedomrenegadecoaching.com/buy-feel-lit-21-sg

Join our private community!

Connect with the Podcast Hosts:
Susan Larkin Coaching https://www.susanlarkincoaching.com/
Ruby Williams at Freedom Renegade Coaching https://www.freedomrenegadecoaching.com/

Follow Susan: @drinklesswithsusan
Follow Ruby: @rubywilliamscoaching

It is strongly recommended that you seek professional advice regarding your health before attempting to take a break from alcohol. The creators, hosts, and producers of the The Feel Lit Alcohol Free podcast are not healthcare practitioners and therefore do not give medical, or psychological advice nor do they intend for the podcast, any resource or communication on behalf of the podcast or otherwise to be a substitute for such.

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You quit drinking, you’re feeling lit, and suddenly… real life crashes back in. Now what?

In this milestone 90th episode of Sober & Lit, Coaches Susan Larkin and Ruby Williams get radically honest about the messy, beautiful, non-linear reality of life after alcohol. Because yes—sobriety brings clarity, joy, and deep transformation… but it doesn’t come with a magic wand. What happens when the unicorns disappear and you’re still dealing with family tension, career pivots, sleep struggles, or your own inner critic?

Have you ever asked yourself, “Shouldn’t I be happier by now?”

Ruby and Susan pull back the curtain on their own post-alcohol journeys—sharing the tools, mindset shifts, and community support that helped them navigate everything from financial fear to burnout to unrealistic expectations of ‘wellness perfection.’ They explore emotional sobriety, building new emotional coping muscles, and the freedom that comes from being imperfect and empowered.

Whether you’re newly alcohol-free, sober-curious, or deep in your journey, this episode is a warm reminder: you’re not doing it wrong if life still feels hard sometimes. You’re just doing it human.

🧡 Tune in now to feel less alone, more resourced, and truly seen—and if this sounds like you... join and connect with our Feel Lit 4 Life community for the next chapter of your alcohol-free growth.
Find out more: https://feellitpodcast.com/Feel-Lit-For-Life

Don't forget to follow and subscribe and leave a review! It helps to get the word out that living sober is lit!

Listeners have said that our podcast has helped them get alcohol free! Get started by taking a break that feels lit with a Feel Lit 21 Day Break. Click here to find out more: https://www.freedomrenegadecoaching.com/buy-feel-lit-21-sg

Join our private community!

Connect with the Podcast Hosts:
Susan Larkin Coaching https://www.susanlarkincoaching.com/
Ruby Williams at Freedom Renegade Coaching https://www.freedomrenegadecoaching.com/

Follow Susan: @drinklesswithsusan
Follow Ruby: @rubywilliamscoaching

It is strongly recommended that you seek professional advice regarding your health before attempting to take a break from alcohol. The creators, hosts, and producers of the The Feel Lit Alcohol Free podcast are not healthcare practitioners and therefore do not give medical, or psychological advice nor do they intend for the podcast, any resource or communication on behalf of the podcast or otherwise to be a substitute for such.

Send us a text

What if ditching alcohol is the exact thing that sets your creative fire ablaze?

In this electrifying episode of Sober & Lit, Coaches Ruby and Susan sit down with actor, writer, and founder of Creative Sobriety, Kristen Baer—a powerhouse voice redefining what it means to be an alcohol-free woman in a world soaked in wine culture. From stage lights to mom life, Kristen shares how choosing sobriety in February 2020 became the radical act that set her free—from self-doubt, perfectionism, and societal expectations.

What happens when you stop numbing and start expressing?

This episode dives deep into how alcohol subtly silences women’s power—and how sobriety becomes the amplifier. Kristen opens up about how creativity, authenticity, and connection exploded once she put down the glass and picked up her voice. You’ll hear about her journey navigating the entertainment industry, parenting pressures, and the toxic normalization of drinking to cope.

We’re talking:

• Creative confidence in sobriety
• Busting the “mommy wine” myth
• Why Gen Z is ditching booze (and leading a sober revolution)
• How women in midlife are reclaiming joy and voice
• And why being alcohol-free is anything but boring

Whether you’re sober-curious or alcohol-free and fired up, this episode will inspire you to show up louder, bolder, and more lit than ever—without a single drop.

👉 Tune in now and find out what’s waiting for you on the other side of drinking. Spoiler: it’s not deprivation—it’s creative liberation.

To reach Kristen:
www.creativesobriety.co
Instagram
Creative Sobriety Podcast
Substack

Don't forget to follow and subscribe and leave a review! It helps to get the word out that living sober is lit!

Listeners have said that our podcast has helped them get alcohol free! Get started by taking a break that feels lit with a Feel Lit 21 Day Break. Click here to find out more: https://www.freedomrenegadecoaching.com/buy-feel-lit-21-sg

Join our private community!

Connect with the Podcast Hosts:
Susan Larkin Coaching https://www.susanlarkincoaching.com/
Ruby Williams at Freedom Renegade Coaching https://www.freedomrenegadecoaching.com/

Follow Susan: @drinklesswithsusan
Follow Ruby: @rubywilliamscoaching

It is strongly recommended that you seek professional advice regarding your health before attempting to take a break from alcohol. The creators, hosts, and producers of the The Feel Lit Alcohol Free podcast are not healthcare practitioners and therefore do not give medical, or psychological advice nor do they intend for the podcast, any resource or communication on behalf of the podcast or otherwise to be a substitute for such.

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Are Sober People Missing Out… or Finally Tapping In?

Welcome to Sober & Lit! In this episode, Ruby and Susan bust one of the biggest lies about sobriety: that going alcohol-free means missing out on fun, freedom, and connection. Is it true—or have we just been sold a clever illusion?

What if the real fear isn’t missing out—but never fully showing up?
What if quitting drinking is the invitation to finally feel lit from within?

We unpack the FOMO myth, spill honest stories about navigating social events sober, and share how ditching the drink actually amplified joy, confidence, and community. We also explore how social media and drinking culture fuel comparison, and what happens when you flip FOMO into JOMO—the Joy of Missing Out.

Expect resources, real talk, and personal practices that light you up.

If you’ve ever wondered, “Will I lose my social life if I quit drinking?”—this episode is your empowering reframe. Spoiler: what you gain might just blow your mind.

🔥 Tune in and let’s get Sober & Lit!

Don't forget to follow and subscribe and leave a review! It helps to get the word out that living sober is lit!

Listeners have said that our podcast has helped them get alcohol free! Get started by taking a break that feels lit with a Feel Lit 21 Day Break. Click here to find out more: https://www.freedomrenegadecoaching.com/buy-feel-lit-21-sg

Join our private community!

Connect with the Podcast Hosts:
Susan Larkin Coaching https://www.susanlarkincoaching.com/
Ruby Williams at Freedom Renegade Coaching https://www.freedomrenegadecoaching.com/

Follow Susan: @drinklesswithsusan
Follow Ruby: @rubywilliamscoaching

It is strongly recommended that you seek professional advice regarding your health before attempting to take a break from alcohol. The creators, hosts, and producers of the The Feel Lit Alcohol Free podcast are not healthcare practitioners and therefore do not give medical, or psychological advice nor do they intend for the podcast, any resource or communication on behalf of the podcast or otherwise to be a substitute for such.

Send us a text

What if eating more could actually help you feel better, weigh less, and ditch the drink for good?

In this powerful episode of Sober & Lit, Susan and Ruby sit down with Dr. Ginny Trieweiler—a psychologist, certified health coach, and author of Slender for Good After 50—to unpack the radical idea that you don’t need restriction, calorie counting, or alcohol to feel lit, vibrant, and free.

Ginny gets real about her own midlife transformation: facing down chronic pain, prediabetes, emotional eating, and nightly drinking—and the four mindset and nutrition shifts that helped her reclaim her health without ever going on another diet. Together, we dive into how alcohol and food often share the same emotional roots, why “less is more” is a myth, and how to break the cycle of overdrinking and undereating once and for all.

If you’ve ever said “I’ll start Monday,” wrestled with weight or wine, or felt like you were too old to change, this episode is your permission slip to nourish, rebel, and rise.

Tune in and discover how food freedom and alcohol freedom go hand-in-hand—especially after 50.
_______

Ginny's website: https://slenderforgood.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@slenderforgood/
Get the book for only $4.99: slenderforgood.com/slender-book
_______

Don't forget to follow and subscribe and leave a review! It helps to get the word out that living sober is lit!

Listeners have said that our podcast has helped them get alcohol free! Get started by taking a break that feels lit with a Feel Lit 21 Day Break. Click here to find out more: https://www.freedomrenegadecoaching.com/buy-feel-lit-21-sg

Join our private community!

Connect with the Podcast Hosts:
Susan Larkin Coaching https://www.susanlarkincoaching.com/
Ruby Williams at Freedom Renegade Coaching https://www.freedomrenegadecoaching.com/

Follow Susan: @drinklesswithsusan
Follow Ruby: @rubywilliamscoaching

It is strongly recommended that you seek professional advice regarding your health before attempting to take a break from alcohol. The creators, hosts, and producers of the The Feel Lit Alcohol Free podcast are not healthcare practitioners and therefore do not give medical, or psychological advice nor do they intend for the podcast, any resource or communication on behalf of the podcast or otherwise to be a substitute for such.

Send us a text

What if your story—the one you’re scared to tell—is the very thing that could set you free?

In this powerful episode of Sober & Lit, Ruby and Susan sit down with Ann Dowsett Johnston, bestselling author of Drink: The Intimate Relationship Between Women and Alcohol, whose work cracked open the cultural myths around "mommy wine culture," female high-functioning drinking, and the billion-dollar marketing machine targeting women. With raw honesty and journalistic fire, Ann shares her personal unraveling—and what it took to rebuild a life rooted in purpose, recovery, and reinvention.

We ask her the big questions:
👉 Why are women drinking more than ever before—and why aren’t we talking about it?
👉 What happens when you finally tell the truth about your relationship with alcohol?
👉 How does writing your recovery help rewrite your life?

From grief and burnout to creativity and long-term sobriety, this episode is a masterclass in vulnerability, wisdom, and hope. Whether you’re sober curious, navigating gray area drinking, or a seasoned quit lit lover—this conversation will stay with you.

“It wasn’t rock bottom—it was realizing I was slowly losing myself. Alcohol was the velvet hammer. And I finally said… enough.” -Ann Dowsett Johnston

🎧 Hit play and discover why your story matters—and why it's never too late to change the ending.
________

Ann's Website:
https://www.anndowsettjohnston.com/

Ann's Writing Your Recovery Course (The Fall cohort starts Sept. 17, 2025)
https://www.anndowsettjohnston.com/workshops

Don't forget to follow and subscribe and leave a review! It helps to get the word out that living sober is lit!

Listeners have said that our podcast has helped them get alcohol free! Get started by taking a break that feels lit with a Feel Lit 21 Day Break. Click here to find out more: https://www.freedomrenegadecoaching.com/buy-feel-lit-21-sg

Join our private community!

Connect with the Podcast Hosts:
Susan Larkin Coaching https://www.susanlarkincoaching.com/
Ruby Williams at Freedom Renegade Coaching https://www.freedomrenegadecoaching.com/

Follow Susan: @drinklesswithsusan
Follow Ruby: @rubywilliamscoaching

It is strongly recommended that you seek professional advice regarding your health before attempting to take a break from alcohol. The creators, hosts, and producers of the The Feel Lit Alcohol Free podcast are not healthcare practitioners and therefore do not give medical, or psychological advice nor do they intend for the podcast, any resource or communication on behalf of the podcast or otherwise to be a substitute for such.