Episodios

  • The Truth About Sober Dating, Sex, and Love with Whitney Combs

    The Truth About Sober Dating, Sex, and Love with Whitney Combs
    May 21 2025

    In this special mini-episode of our spicy new series: The Truth About Sober Dating, Sex, and Love, we have Whitney Combs. A nationally board-certified health and wellness coach, wife, and mom of three. Whitney opens up about rediscovering intimacy without alcohol, why honesty became her ultimate non-negotiable, and how she chooses restaurants based solely on dessert and mocktails (relatable). Oh—and she’s got a concert horror story you won’t forget.

    If you’ve ever wondered how to navigate sober sex, sober dating apps, or what to say when someone asks, “Why don’t you drink?”—this episode is for you.

    Whitney’s Links

    • 🌐 Whitney’s Website

    • 📲 Whitney on Instagram

    • 🎵 “If We Were Vampires” – Jason Isbell

    Sisters in Sobriety Links

    💌 Sisters In Sobriety Substack – where the magic (and the mocktail recipes) happen

    📬 Sisters In Sobriety Email

    📸 Sisters In Sobriety Instagram

    🌐 Kathleen’s Website – Kathleen does not endorse any products mentioned in this podcast

    📲 Kathleen’s Instagram



    Our Sponsors:
    * Check out TruDiagnostic and use my code SIS2025 for a great deal: https://www.trudiagnostic.com


    Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sisters-in-sobriety/donations

    Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

    Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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    16 m
  • When Family Hurts: The Truth About Estrangement With Dr. Sharon

    When Family Hurts: The Truth About Estrangement With Dr. Sharon
    May 19 2025
    Navigating family dynamics can be one of the hardest parts of recovery—especially when the relationships we’re told are “unbreakable” feel anything but safe. In this episode of Sisters in Sobriety, Sonia and Kathleen are joined by Dr. Sharon Martin, psychotherapist and author of Cutting Ties with Your Parents and The Better Boundaries Workbook. With over 25 years of experience, Dr. Martin helps us unpack what it really means to set boundaries with family, the complexities of estrangement, and how these issues often resurface in sobriety.Together, we explore some big questions: How do you know when it’s time to go no-contact with a parent or family member? What’s the difference between estrangement and avoidance? How do you deal with the guilt, grief, and judgment that come up when you make that choice? And how do old family wounds start to resurface once we get sober? From emotional manipulation to the pressure to reconcile, we talk through the many layers that come with stepping away from dysfunction.Dr. Martin offers practical tools and insights for healing—whether you’ve already gone no-contact or are just beginning to question what’s healthy for you. We talk about building self-trust through small, everyday actions, reparenting yourself when you never got what you needed growing up, and what it looks like to maintain sobriety while navigating painful family dynamics. You'll also learn why grief can show up even when you never had the kind of relationship you're mourning.This episode is also deeply personal. Sonia opens up about grieving the mother-daughter connection she never experienced, and Kathleen shares what it feels like to question whether estrangement is truly healing or just a form of self-protection. It’s a thoughtful, honest, and empowering conversation—especially for anyone trying to make peace with their past while protecting their present.20 TIME-STAMPED HIGHLIGHTS[00:01:00] Meet Dr. Sharon Martin and how she found this work [00:03:00] Growing up with alcoholism and how it shaped her path [00:05:00] Why trauma always finds its way into therapy [00:06:30] When a family relationship stops feeling emotionally safe [00:08:45] Estrangement isn’t a rash decision—it’s the last resort [00:10:30] Facing guilt, judgment, and societal pressure [00:12:00] Why other people’s opinions don’t always reflect reality [00:14:30] How emotional manipulation becomes normalized [00:17:30] What healthy estrangement can actually look like [00:20:00] When reconciliation is worth considering—and when it’s not [00:22:00] Why false hope and outside pressure often backfire [00:23:30] Navigating milestone events like weddings and funerals [00:25:30] Estrangement vs. avoidance—how to tell the difference [00:29:00] Grieving the family fantasy you never had [00:31:00] Why complicated grief around family is valid [00:34:00] The importance of processing feelings through movement and expression [00:35:30] Keeping your sobriety solid while navigating emotional landmines [00:37:00] Emotional wounds adult children of dysfunction carry [00:40:00] Rebuilding self-worth through small, doable commitments [00:44:00] Why early sobriety can bring childhood trauma to the surfaceThis is Sisters in Sobriety, the support community that helps women change their relationship with alcohol. Head to our Substack for extra tools, reflections, and mocktail recipes to support your journey.Links💌 Sisters In Sobriety Substack – where the magic (and the mocktail recipes) happen📬 Sisters In Sobriety Email 📸 Sisters In Sobriety Instagram 🌐 Kathleen’s Website – Kathleen does not endorse products mentioned 📸 Kathleen’s InstagramConnect with Dr. Sharon Martin 📘 Cutting Ties with Your Parents – Amazon 📘 The Better Boundaries Guided Journal – Amazon 🌐 LiveWellWithSharonMartin.com 📸 Instagram 📘 Facebook 📺 YouTubeOur Sponsors:* Check out TruDiagnostic and use my code SIS2025 for a great deal: https://www.trudiagnostic.comSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sisters-in-sobriety/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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    50 m
  • Are You Co-Dependent? A 10 Question Quiz

    Are You Co-Dependent? A 10 Question Quiz
    May 14 2025

    In this special mini-episode of Sisters in Sobriety, Sonia and Kathleen invite you to slow down for a few minutes and take an honest look at how codependency may be showing up in your life. This isn’t a diagnosis or a formal assessment—just a chance to reflect with a simple, 10-question quiz that’s designed to spark insight and self-awareness.

    ☁️ In this candid conversation, we ask:

    • Do you often feel responsible for others’ emotions?
    • Are you suppressing your needs to avoid conflict?
    • Is it easier to give care than receive it?


    💬 After the quiz, Sonia and Kathleen open up about how codependency has impacted their own relationships—from family dynamics to marriage—and how awareness has helped them move toward healthier boundaries and interdependence.

    🎓 You’ll learn:

    • What codependent patterns can look like in everyday life
    • Why "fixing" others often leads to self-neglect
    • How childhood dynamics can shape adult relationships
    • Tools for recognizing when you're stepping into over-functioning mode


    👀 If you’ve ever found yourself walking on eggshells, ignoring your own needs, or feeling responsible for someone else’s emotional state, this episode is for you.

    📝 Want to revisit the quiz later or share it with a friend? It’s available on our Substack—along with tons of supportive content, reflections, and resources to help you change your relationship with alcohol and deepen your self-awareness.

    If you’ve ever felt like you’re losing yourself in relationships—always giving, fixing, or putting others first, Kathleen has created The Path Back to You is a free guide with a self-reflection quiz, five simple practices, and journaling prompts to help you reconnect with your voice, your needs, and your boundaries.✨

    Links

    Links

    💌 Sisters In Sobriety Substack – where the magic (and the mocktail recipes) happen

    📬 Sisters In Sobriety Email

    📸 Sisters In Sobriety Instagram

    🌐 Kathleen’s Website Kathleen does not endorse any products mentioned in this podcast

    📸 Kathleen’s Instagram



    Our Sponsors:
    * Check out TruDiagnostic and use my code SIS2025 for a great deal: https://www.trudiagnostic.com


    Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sisters-in-sobriety/donations

    Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

    Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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    12 m
  • Let’s Talk Codependency: And What to Do About It

    Let’s Talk Codependency: And What to Do About It
    May 12 2025
    Today on Sisters in Sobriety, Sonia and Kathleen are diving into a topic that often comes up after we quit drinking: codependency. With Kathleen’s clinical expertise as a couples therapist and Sonia’s real-life experiences, they’re unpacking what codependency really means—and how to spot it in yourself.What exactly is codependency—and how is it different from being loving, loyal, or just... a decent human? Is it mutual? Does it show up only in romantic relationships? Can you be codependent with your dog? In this episode, Sonia and Kathleen explore these questions and more, including the red flags, psychological roots, and surprising ways codependency might still be running the show in your sober life.Listeners will come away with a deeper understanding of the difference between support and self-sacrifice, healthy interdependence versus emotional enmeshment, and how sobriety can reveal codependent tendencies that were previously hidden behind a wine glass. The episode also explores hyper-independence as the flip side of codependency—and why swinging between extremes isn’t the goal either.As always, the episode gets personal. Sonia opens up about how she once believed caretaking was the hallmark of a good marriage, how she walked on eggshells to avoid the "Kraken" (her ex’s moods), and what changed after getting sober. Kathleen shares insights from her own marriage, her childhood patterns, and how even therapists have to work on their stuff. It’s honest, raw, and full of lightbulb moments.If you’ve ever felt like you’re losing yourself in relationships—always giving, fixing, or putting others first, Kathleen has created The Path Back to You is a free guide with a self-reflection quiz, five simple practices, and journaling prompts to help you reconnect with your voice, your needs, and your boundaries.✨ This is Sisters in Sobriety, the support community that helps women change their relationship with alcohol. Check out our Substack for extra tips, tricks, and resources.Time-stamped Highlights[00:01:00] Sonia introduces the episode and shares a recent therapy revelation. [00:02:30] Kathleen defines codependency in practical terms. [00:04:00] Why codependency isn’t just about romantic relationships. [00:06:10] The difference between caring and being codependent. [00:07:30] Sonia shares a story about her ex’s “Kraken” moods. [00:09:00] Emotional reliance and attachment patterns. [00:10:30] Codependent parenting and walking on eggshells. [00:11:30] Red flags for identifying codependency. [00:13:30] Examples of codependency outside of romance. [00:15:00] How codependency forms in childhood. [00:21:00] Why sobriety often reveals codependent patterns. [00:23:00] What happens to relationships after sobriety and boundary-setting. [00:24:00] Healthy interdependence vs. hyper-independence. [00:26:00] Are women more likely to struggle with codependency? [00:27:30] First steps for healing and reclaiming your identity. [00:28:30] Book recs: Codependent No More and Facing Codependence. [00:29:30] Reconnecting with your needs—starting with Friday night plans. [00:30:30] What changes when you stop playing the people-pleasing role. [00:32:00] Guilt, grief, and growing into a new version of yourself. [00:34:00] Do you need to explain your boundaries to others? [00:35:00] How to handle guilt when you stop overfunctioning. [00:36:00] Final thoughts and encouragement to keep doing the work.Links💌 Sisters In Sobriety Substack – where the magic (and the mocktail recipes) happen📬 Sisters In Sobriety Email📸 Sisters In Sobriety Instagram🌐 Kathleen’s Website Kathleen does not endorse any products mentioned in this podcast📸 Kathleen’s InstagramOur Sponsors:* Check out TruDiagnostic and use my code SIS2025 for a great deal: https://www.trudiagnostic.comSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sisters-in-sobriety/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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    37 m
  • The Truth About Sober Dating, Sex, and Love with Sam Barnes

    The Truth About Sober Dating, Sex, and Love with Sam Barnes
    May 7 2025

    In this mini-episode of Sisters in Sobriety, we’re diving into sober dating with psychotherapist Samantha Barnes.Sam has over two decades of experience working with children, youth, and families on their wellness journeys. and she’s currently embracing the single life with clarity, confidence, and no time for BS. We asked her 10 honest questions about dating, sex, and relationships—and she brought the wisdom.

    Sam talks about being blindsided by how big of a deal not drinking was to a date, why she now leads with her sobriety on the apps, and the kinds of questions that feel supportive (versus just plain judgmental). She shares the red flags she used to ignore, the green ones she seeks out, and why walking dates are where it's at. Plus: her new philosophy on love (spoiler: it’s not about giving 150%).

    💬 Get ready for practical advice, honest reflection, and a reminder that your boundaries are valid—even on a first date.

    👇Links

    To learn more about Sam's work, visit her website or follow her on social media at @sweetspotcounselling.

    💌 Sisters In Sobriety Substack – where the magic (and the mocktail recipes) happen

    📬 Sisters In Sobriety Email

    📸 Sisters In Sobriety Instagram

    🌐 Kathleen’s Website Kathleen does not endorse any products mentioned in this podcast

    📸 Kathleen’s Instagram





    Our Sponsors:
    * Check out TruDiagnostic and use my code SIS2025 for a great deal: https://www.trudiagnostic.com


    Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sisters-in-sobriety/donations

    Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

    Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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    25 m
  • Motherhood Without Chardonnay with Sarah Benton

    Motherhood Without Chardonnay with Sarah Benton
    May 5 2025
    Parenting while staying sober isn’t for the faint of heart—but you don’t have to do it alone. On this week’s episode of Sisters in Sobriety, Sonia and Kathleen are diving into the layered, often unspoken, realities of recovery and motherhood with the brilliant Sarah Allen Benton. Sarah is a licensed mental health counselor, addiction specialist, and the author of Understanding the High-Functioning Alcoholic and Parents in Recovery. She brings nearly two decades of personal sobriety and professional experience to this candid and compassionate conversation.From blackout drinking in her early 20s to running a mental health practice and parenting a teen in sobriety, Sarah shares her remarkable journey and hard-won wisdom. Sonia and Kathleen explore questions like: What does it really mean to be a “high-functioning alcoholic”? Why is parenting in recovery so uniquely challenging? How can we teach our kids about addiction and emotional health? Sarah breaks down the importance of talking openly about addiction with children, how to handle digital addiction in the age of iPads and TikTokSarah opens up about her early drinking days, her moment of reckoning at age 27, and the slow, gray, sometimes thankless beginning of recovery. She also shares what it’s been like to raise a daughter in a sober household, how her marriage has been shaped by recovery, and why self-care is not optional—it's essential.This is Sisters in Sobriety, the support community that helps women change their relationship with alcohol. Check out our Substack for extra tips, tricks, and resources.Episode Highlights:00:01 Welcome Sarah Allen Benton and intro00:58 Sarah’s first experience with alcohol and her early patterns02:45 Blacking out from the beginning—what Sarah misunderstood about “normal” drinking05:12 Being a high-functioning alcoholic in college06:35 The illusion of control and trying to outthink addiction09:12 The moment Sarah knew she had to stop11:00 Building her own outpatient sobriety plan12:30 What early sobriety felt like (hint: not pink clouds)14:40 Writing as a tool for processing recovery15:35 Becoming a parent in recovery and writing Parents in Recovery17:05 Talking to kids about addiction and recovery18:45 The stigma of being a parent in recovery20:10 Raising toddlers vs. teens—sobriety challenges by age22:00 Hypervigilance and screen time addiction24:55 The science of digital hygiene and dopamine overload26:50 Creative ways to talk to kids about brain health and family history29:15 “The Telling”—navigating when and how to tell your kids you’re in recovery32:00 Kids noticing changes in drunk adults—and the emotional fallout35:30 The challenge of giving your kids real-world exposure without trauma38:00 Why this generation is more risk-averse but more anxious40:10 Self-care vs. soul care—and why it’s not optional for parents in recovery42:50 Recovery as a long-term investment, not a short-term reward44:00 Wisdom from single parents in recovery46:30 The myth of doing it all: learning to say no without guilt49:00 How sobriety changes marriage and dating dynamics51:00 Love without martinis: codependency, relapse fears, and boundaries54:00 The importance of having a recovery-affirming partner56:00 The parallel recovery journey for spouses and family membersLinksLearn more about Sarah!Parents in Recovery: Navigating a Sober Family LifestyleParents in Recovery Facebook Group💌 Sisters In Sobriety Substack – where the magic (and the mocktail recipes) happen📬 Sisters In Sobriety Email📸 Sisters In Sobriety Instagram🌐 Kathleen’s Website Kathleen does not endorse any products mentioned in this podcast📸 Kathleen’s InstagramOur Sponsors:* Check out TruDiagnostic and use my code SIS2025 for a great deal: https://www.trudiagnostic.comSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sisters-in-sobriety/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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    58 m
  • The Truth About Sober Dating, Sex, and Love with Ali Shapiro

    The Truth About Sober Dating, Sex, and Love with Ali Shapiro
    Apr 30 2025

    Welcome to Sisters in Sobriety and our mini-series The Truth About Sober Dating, Sex & Relationships—where we get personal with our favorite guests in 10 spicy questions.

    Today, we're joined by the brilliant and refreshingly honest Ali Shapiro, creator of Truce with Food, health rebel, and emotional detective. You may remember Ali from our previous episode, where we talked about creating meaning beyond food. This time, we’re diving into what it's like to date with food stuff, relationship green and red flags, and how emotional safety is the real aphrodisiac.

    💡 From bracing for rejection to learning what she actually wants in a partner, Ali keeps it real about the awkwardness of first dates, being the “healthy one” in a relationship, and why her go-to sober date still involves fresh air and muddy boots.

    Plus: how Jason Mraz made it to her wedding playlist, and what she learned when marriage 2.0 arrived (aka, post-kids chaos). You’ll laugh, nod, and possibly reevaluate your own date night dinner order.


    🔗 Links – Get in Touch with Ali Shapiro:

    • Free breakfast experiment
    • Truce with Food group program


    📬 Stay Connected with Sisters in Sobriety:

    • Sisters In Sobriety Substack - find more tips, tricks, resources, and community

    • Sisters In Sobriety Email

    • Sisters In Sobriety Instagram

    • Kathleen’s Website Kathleen does not endorse any products mentioned in this podcast

    • Kathleen’s Instagram



    Our Sponsors:
    * Check out TruDiagnostic and use my code SIS2025 for a great deal: https://www.trudiagnostic.com


    Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sisters-in-sobriety/donations

    Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

    Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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    23 m
  • Craving Love, Not Wine: Reframing Addiction With Dr. Donna Marks

    Craving Love, Not Wine: Reframing Addiction With Dr. Donna Marks
    Apr 28 2025
    What if every addiction—whether it’s alcohol, sugar, or even your phone—is actually a substitute for love?In this episode of Sisters in Sobriety, Sonia and Kathleen sit down with the wise and wonderfully candid Dr. Donna Marks. She’s a psychotherapist, addictions counselor, educator, and author with 30+ years of experience helping people find freedom from addiction by turning inward—not outward—for healing. She’s written Exit the Maze and The Healing Moment, and has created an award-winning addiction training program in Florida. Today, she joins us to unpack what addiction really is… and how self-love is the way through.We cover a lot in this episode—everything from the impact of childhood trauma to the sugar-cocaine connection (seriously, it’s wild), to whether things like medical marijuana or Ozempic are helping people heal… or just creating new problems. You’ll hear about the sneaky ways addiction hides in everyday habits, why medication isn't always the magic answer, and how to truly support your brain and body on the road to recovery.Expect real talk, powerful insights, and a whole lot of “ohhh that makes so much sense” moments. We also get personal—Dr. Marks shares her own story of relapse, healing, and radical transformation. Plus, Kathleen opens up about her sugar detox journey and navigating ADHD medication in recovery.Don’t miss Dr. Marks talking about growing up in an addicted household, what led to her own relapse, and how she reclaimed her life through love, not punishment. Her transformation is seriously inspiring.This is Sisters in Sobriety, the support space helping women change their relationship with alcohol. Want more tools, prompts, and inspiration? Head over to our Substack for all the extra goodness.Highlights from the Episode:00:02 – How Dr. Marks turned a painful upbringing into her purpose00:06 – What caused her relapse after 23 years sober00:08 – The problem with how doctors still treat pain—especially for people in recovery00:10 – Why she built an addiction training program (spoiler: no one knew what to look for)00:13 – Big Pharma, overprescribing, and how therapy sometimes misses the mark00:17 – Kathleen’s personal update on tapering ADHD meds and cutting sugar00:20 – That time sugar in salad dressing brought back all the cravings00:23 – Why addiction is never really about the substance00:25 – How childhood gaps in care create emotional holes we try to fill00:28 – What true self-love looks like (and how to build it daily)00:33 – Dr. Marks' take on how addiction drives most physical and mental illness00:35 – Screen addiction, food noise, and feeling stuck in a loop00:37 – Are drugs like Ozempic a shortcut—or just another trap?00:39 – How trauma can actually become a doorway to growth00:42 – What forgiveness actually looks like in healing00:44 – The telltale sign you’ve swapped one addiction for another00:46 – “Progress, not perfection”—why this mindset is everything00:47 – Final takeaways on sacred self-care, flexibility, and finding peaceLinks to Connect with Dr. Donna Marks:🌐 Website: drdonnamarks.com📸 Instagram: @drdonnamarksMore from Sisters in Sobriety:💌 Sisters In Sobriety Substack – where the magic (and the mocktail recipes) happen📬 Sisters In Sobriety Email📸 Sisters In Sobriety Instagram🌐 Kathleen’s Website Kathleen does not endorse any products mentioned in this podcast📸 Kathleen’s InstagramOur Sponsors:* Check out TruDiagnostic and use my code SIS2025 for a great deal: https://www.trudiagnostic.comSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sisters-in-sobriety/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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    48 m
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