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.

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

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

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

If You’ve Ever Thought…

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

Babe, this episode is for you.

What You’ll Learn In This Episode

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

Links & Resources

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

If You’ve Ever Thought…

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

Babe, this one is for you. 🩷

📘 What You’ll Learn In This Episode

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

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

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

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

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

Connect With Em Tyler:

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

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

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

Connect with Em on Instagram: @hellomtyler

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

Love Life Sober Resources:

🌟 Join the Love Life Sober Community
https://lovelifesober.co.uk/communk˚ity

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

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

Connect on Instagram: @lovelifesoberwithchristy

Subscribe on YouTube — Come hang with us!

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

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

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

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

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

IF YOU’VE EVER THOUGHT…

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

Babe, this episode is for you

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE

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

LINKS & RESOURCES

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

Follow Dr. Zoe on Instagram
@drzoeshaw

Join the Love Life Sober Community

Join the Lent 40-Day Alcohol Fast

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

Connect with Christy on Instagram
@lovelifesoberwithchristy

⚠️ DISCLAIMER

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

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

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

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

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

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

If You’ve Ever Thought…

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

Babe, this episode will meet you right where you are

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

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

Links & Resources

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

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

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

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

Connect with Christy on Instagram: @lovelifesoberwithchristy

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

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

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

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

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

If You’ve Ever Thought

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

Babe, this episode is for you.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

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

💌 Links & Resources

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

https://amzn.to/49nJSCn

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

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

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

📲 Connect on Instagram: @lovelifesoberwithchristy

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

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