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

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

If you’ve ever thought…

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

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

What You’ll Learn:

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

💌 Links & Resources

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

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

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

Learn more about the 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.

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

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

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

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

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

If you’ve ever thought…

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

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

What You’ll Learn In This Episode

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

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

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

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

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

Links & Resources

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

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

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

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

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

Disclaimer

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

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

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

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

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

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

If You’ve Ever Thought…

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

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

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

This episode is for you.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

💌 Links & Resources

Maureen’s website:
soberfitchick.com

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

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

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

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

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

Disclaimer

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

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