The Catholic Sobriety Podcast

In this episode, I’m sharing something that came up in a recent coaching call inside the Sacred Sobriety Lab—because I know it’s not just one woman’s struggle. When family dynamics and stress collide, alcohol can start to feel like the fastest “off switch.” Not because we love alcohol for alcohol’s sake, but because it offers relief. It works in the moment. And that’s why our brains keep going back to it. We talk about: What am I feeling? What do I need?This episode is especially for you if you’ve ever thought: “I don’t even want to drink this much anymore… but it’s taking up too much space in my head.” Drop us a Question or Comment If you have ever... Then this 5-Day Sacred Sobriety Kick Start is for you! Each day, you’ll receive a short video with simple tasks to help you analyze your drinking habits with clarity. 👉🏻 Get started with my FREE 5-Day Sacred Sobriety Kick Start https://the-catholic-sobriety-coach.myflodesk.com/5-day-sobriety-kick-start 👉🏻 Book a Clarity Call https://app.paperbell.com/checkout/packages/38683 Visit my Website: https://thecatholicsobrietycoach.com

Alcohol impacts women differently in midlife—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. In this episode, we explore why drinking feels harder now, what it quietly takes from your energy and peace, and how midlife can be a threshold into a clearer, more awake way of living. If you’ve been wondering why your habits feel heavier in this season, this conversation is for you. What if this Lent could be the season that changes everything? The Freedom 46 Lenten Challenge isn’t just about giving up alcohol; it’s about stepping into a deeper connection with your faith, your purpose, and the freedom Christ desires for you. This challenge is your opportunity to break free from old patterns and rediscover the woman God created you to be. Join today! Drop us a Question or Comment 👉🏻 Get started with my FREE 5-Day Sacred Sobriety Kick Start https://the-catholic-sobriety-coach.myflodesk.com/5-day-sobriety-kick-start 👉🏻 Book a Clarity Call https://app.paperbell.com/checkout/packages/38683 Visit my Website: https://thecatholicsobrietycoach.com

If you’ve ever tried to step away from wine, food, or any habit that helps you cope — and suddenly everything feels harder — you’re not imagining it. Cravings get louder. Emotions rise. Resistance shows up in your thoughts, your body, and even your prayer life. And most women assume that means something has gone wrong. In this episode, I’m joined again by Denise Jelinek to talk about why resistance often appears right when healing is beginning — and how to respond with awareness and surrender instead of shame or control. This conversation is for women who are trying to change their relationship with alcohol, food, or any comfort habit and find themselves discouraged when the struggle intensifies. We talk about what’s actually happening when comfort is removed, how to recognize spiritual resistance and stay with the work when it gets hard (because it will!) About my guest: Denise Jelinek is a Catholic food freedom coach who helps women stop managing themselves and start paying attention. Her work is centered on awareness, surrender, and learning how to respond to cravings, emotions, and resistance without restriction or shame. She’s been on the podcast many times, and every conversation takes us deeper into what real freedom actually looks like. You can find out more about Denise and her programs but visiting her website https://weightlosswiththeholyspirit.com Drop us a Question or Comment If you have ever... Then this 5-Day Sacred Sobriety Kick Start is for you! Each day, you’ll receive a short video with simple tasks to help you analyze your drinking habits with clarity. 👉🏻 Get started with my FREE 5-Day Sacred Sobriety Kick Start https://the-catholic-sobriety-coach.myflodesk.com/5-day-sobriety-kick-start 👉🏻 Book a Clarity Call https://app.paperbell.com/checkout/packages/38683 Visit my Website: https://thecatholicsobrietycoach.com

Fasting from alcohol for Lent is becoming a powerful spiritual practice for many Catholic women. In this episode, Christie explains why this fast is biblical, how it affects the body, and how to approach it gently as an offering to the Lord. If you feel drawn to try this fast, I created a simple Lenten devotional called Into the Desert. It’s a daily companion for women fasting from alcohol, with Scripture, reflection, and guided journaling to help you stay attentive to what God is doing as you set wine down. The devotional opens on February 15th, three days before Ash Wednesday, with a gentle preparation period to help you ease into the fast. From there, each day opens one at a time, right when you need it—like a Lenten calendar—so you’re not getting ahead or overwhelmed, just showing up for today. You can find the link below: https://courses.drinklessornotatall.com/courses/into-the-desert Drop us a Question or Comment If you have ever... Then this 5-Day Sacred Sobriety Kick Start is for you! Each day, you’ll receive a short video with simple tasks to help you analyze your drinking habits with clarity. 👉🏻 Get started with my FREE 5-Day Sacred Sobriety Kick Start https://the-catholic-sobriety-coach.myflodesk.com/5-day-sobriety-kick-start 👉🏻 Book a Clarity Call https://app.paperbell.com/checkout/packages/38683 Visit my Website: https://thecatholicsobrietycoach.com

If you’re stuck in the cycle of quitting alcohol and starting again, you’re not alone. In this episode, I share what actually worked to help me stop drinking and stay sober for 28 years—without willpower, shame, or doing it alone. Drop us a Question or Comment 👉🏻 Get started with my FREE 5-Day Sacred Sobriety Kick Start https://the-catholic-sobriety-coach.myflodesk.com/5-day-sobriety-kick-start 👉🏻 Book a Clarity Call https://app.paperbell.com/checkout/packages/38683 Visit my Website: https://thecatholicsobrietycoach.com

In this episode of The Catholic Sobriety Podcast, I’m joined by Christian life coach and longtime Al-Anon member Sallee New. Sallee shares her story of growing up in a home shaped by alcoholism and how faith, healing, and community helped her move from chaos to peace. Together, we explore what it means to love someone struggling with addiction without losing yourself, how to set calm, faith-based boundaries, and the difference between compassion and enabling. We also talk about forgiveness as an ongoing practice, breaking generational patterns, and how prayer and the sacraments play a powerful role in healing families touched by addiction. 📺 Learn more from Sallee and Faith Forward Coaching on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@SalleeNew Drop us a Question or Comment Break free from alcohol with Christ-centered guidance, community support, and powerful tools. Transform your life with the Sacred Sobriety Lab. Join today at SacredSobrietyLab.com. Use Code NEWYEAR20 for 20% off Break free from alcohol with Christ-centered guidance, community support, and powerful tools. Transform your life with the Sacred Sobriety Lab. Join today at https://SacredSobrietyLab.com. Use Code NEWYEAR20 for 20% off 👉🏻 Book a Clarity Call https://app.paperbell.com/checkout/packages/38683 👉🏻 Get started with my FREE 5-Day Sacred Sobriety Kick Start https://the-catholic-sobriety-coach.myflodesk.com/5-day-sobriety-kick-start Visit my Website: https://thecatholicsobrietycoach.com

If cutting back on drinking hasn’t brought the relief you hoped for, you’re not alone. In this episode, I talk about why moderation works for some women—and quietly exhausts others—and how to discern what’s actually right for you. This is a practical, faith-grounded conversation for the woman who’s tired of guessing, resetting, and negotiating with herself. 👉🏻 Book a Clarity Call https://app.paperbell.com/checkout/packages/38683 Drop us a Question or Comment Break free from alcohol with Christ-centered guidance, community support, and powerful tools. Transform your life with the Sacred Sobriety Lab. Join today at SacredSobrietyLab.com. Use Code NEWYEAR20 for 20% off Break free from alcohol with Christ-centered guidance, community support, and powerful tools. Transform your life with the Sacred Sobriety Lab. Join today at https://SacredSobrietyLab.com. Use Code NEWYEAR20 for 20% off 👉🏻 Book a Clarity Call https://app.paperbell.com/checkout/packages/38683 👉🏻 Get started with my FREE 5-Day Sacred Sobriety Kick Start https://the-catholic-sobriety-coach.myflodesk.com/5-day-sobriety-kick-start Visit my Website: https://thecatholicsobrietycoach.com

There was a time in my life when I didn’t think I deserved better than what alcohol was doing to me. I knew — intellectually — that God loved me. But I didn’t love myself. And somewhere along the way, I started believing the lie that this mess was mine to clean up alone. In this episode, I’m speaking to you the way I speak to a woman sitting across from me in coaching — honestly, gently, and without pressure. We talk about the real battle beneath drinking: the voices in your head, the shame that fuels the urge to numb, and how the enemy works through lies when we’re at our weakest. You’ll hear parts of my own story of breaking free from alcohol, how I learned to discern God’s voice from the voice of accusation, and why alcohol often shows up as a “cheap substitute” right when healing is about to happen. We talk about: This is a conversation about healing, identity, and freedom — not perfection. If this episode resonates with you, this is the kind of work we practice together inside the Sacred Sobriety Lab. You’ll find more details in the show notes, along with a special listener discount available through January. Drop us a Question or Comment Break free from alcohol with Christ-centered guidance, community support, and powerful tools. Transform your life with the Sacred Sobriety Lab. Join today at https://SacredSobrietyLab.com. Use Code NEWYEAR20 for 20% off 👉🏻 Book a Clarity Call https://app.paperbell.com/checkout/packages/38683 Visit my Website: https://thecatholicsobrietycoach.com

What if one simple change could reduce your drinking by 80–90%… without willpower, shame, or complicated rules? In today’s episode, I’m sharing the surprisingly powerful shift most women avoid — and why making this one decision can transform your entire relationship with alcohol. You’ll walk away with clarity, confidence, and a plan that finally feels doable. Drop us a Question or Comment 👉🏻 Book a Clarity Call https://app.paperbell.com/checkout/packages/38683 Visit my Website: https://thecatholicsobrietycoach.com

The holidays bring joy… but they also bring stress, pressure, old patterns, and sneaky cravings that seem to appear out of nowhere. If you’re trying to drink less (or stay alcohol-free) during Advent and Christmas, you are not alone — and you are not doing anything wrong. In this episode, I’m sharing five powerful faith + neuroscience tools to help you stay grounded and intentional this season… even when the emotions, triggers, and holiday chaos hit hard. You’ll learn: reallyIf you want to move through Advent with more calm, more presence, and more confidence in your alcohol-free (or sober-ish) journey, this episode will give you exactly what you need. ✨ If this episode blesses you: Share it with a friend and leave a quick review on Apple or Spotify to help other women find this life-giving content. Drop us a Question or Comment 👉🏻 Book a Clarity Call https://app.paperbell.com/checkout/packages/38683 Visit my Website: https://thecatholicsobrietycoach.com

Ready to start January feeling clear, steady, and actually supported? In this episode, Christie shares how to prepare for January before you get there—so you don’t hit January 1st exhausted, overwhelmed, or starting from zero. We’ll talk about: withoutYou’ll walk away with practical tools to enter January feeling clear, peaceful, and confident—not burnt out. Drop us a Question or Comment The Sober-ish Advent & New Year Reset blends faith, neuroscience, and identity work to help Catholic women drink less, interrupt cravings, and be present through Advent, Christmas, and into the New Year. If you’re craving a season of peace and presence, join us before Nov 30th → https://courses.drinklessornotatall.com/courses/soberish-advent-new-year-reset 👉🏻 GRAB the Catholic Mom Bundle: 33 faith-filled resources for $25, only from November 17–21 (ends 11:59 PM EST) https://catholic-mom-bundle.myshopify.com/?ref=CHRISTIEWALKER 👉🏻 JOIN THE Sober-ish Advent & New Year Reset https://courses.drinklessornotatall.com/courses/soberish-advent-new-year-reset 👉🏻 Book a Clarity Call https://app.paperbell.com/checkout/packages/38683 Visit my Website: https://thecatholicsobrietycoach.com

Why do so many moms feel overwhelmed, burnt out, lonely… and reaching for wine? Today, we’re breaking down wine mom culture, social media influence, emotional overload, and how alcohol has become the default “fix” for modern motherhood. In this episode, we look at the rise of wine mom culture, why it feels relatable, and why it fails to deliver real peace. A faith-forward, science-backed conversation for any mom who’s wondering if there’s a better way to unwind. If you’ve ever wondered, “Is this normal?” or “Why do I rely on wine to unwind?” — this episode will speak straight to your heart. Scoping review mentioned: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34286652/ Drop us a Question or Comment The Catholic Mom Bundle is available for one week only, and it’s packed with beautiful, faith-filled resources to help you prepare for Advent with more peace and less overwhelm. It’s an incredible value, and my Reclaiming Peace Gentle Alcohol Reset is included as a bonus. If this is something your heart needs right now, the link is in my show notes. It’s only here for a few days, so don’t wait! 👉🏻 GRAB the Catholic Mom Bundle: 33 faith-filled resources for $25, only from November 17–21 (ends 11:59 PM EST) https://catholic-mom-bundle.myshopify.com/?ref=CHRISTIEWALKER 👉🏻 JOIN THE Sober-ish Advent & New Year Reset https://courses.drinklessornotatall.com/courses/soberish-advent-new-year-reset 👉🏻 Book a Clarity Call https://app.paperbell.com/checkout/packages/38683 Visit my Website: https://thecatholicsobrietycoach.com

When you start drinking less, it’s tempting to swap your wine for a mocktail — but does that actually help? In this episode, Christie unpacks the truth about replacements: what works, what doesn’t, and how to tell the difference. You’ll learn how to identify the need beneath the craving, use neuroscience and faith to retrain your reward system, and build new evening rituals that bring real peace — not just another substitute. You’ll hear about: Replacing alcohol isn’t about deprivation — it’s about redirection. Learn how to meet your real needs with rest, prayer, and presence instead of pouring another glass. Drop us a Question or Comment The Catholic Mom Bundle is available for one week only, and it’s packed with beautiful, faith-filled resources to help you prepare for Advent with more peace and less overwhelm. It’s an incredible value, and my Reclaiming Peace Gentle Alcohol Reset is included as a bonus. If this is something your heart needs right now, the link is in my show notes. It’s only here for a few days, so don’t wait! 👉🏻 GRAB the Catholic Mom Bundle: 33 faith-filled resources for $25, only from November 17–21 (ends 11:59 PM EST) https://catholic-mom-bundle.myshopify.com/?ref=CHRISTIEWALKER 👉🏻 JOIN THE Sober-ish Advent & New Year Reset https://courses.drinklessornotatall.com/courses/soberish-advent-new-year-reset 👉🏻 Book a Clarity Call https://app.paperbell.com/checkout/packages/38683 Visit my Website: https://thecatholicsobrietycoach.com

When your mind is racing and cravings rise, peace can feel far away — but what if peace could meet you right there in the craving? In this episode, Catholic sobriety coach Christie Walker unpacks what’s really happening in your brain and body during moments of restlessness and temptation — and how to plan for peace instead of panic using her P.R.A.Y.S. Method. You’ll learn how to invite Christ into the craving, regulate your nervous system with grace, and prepare your heart before the hard moment ever arrives. In this episode: P.R.A.Y.S. Method Peace isn’t something you earn after the craving passes — it’s something you can create with Christ, right in the middle of it. Drop us a Question or Comment I'm here for you. I'm praying for you. You are NOT alone! Please subscribe to this podcast so you won't miss a thing! 👉🏻 JOIN THE FREE 5-DAY KICK START https://the-catholic-sobriety-coach.myflodesk.com/5-day-sobriety-kick-start 👉🏻 JOIN THE Sacred Sobriety Lab https://sacredsobrietylab.com 👉🏻 Book a Clarity Call https://app.paperbell.com/checkout/packages/38683 Visit my Website: https://thecatholicsobrietycoach.com

It’s 5 p.m. — dinner’s not ready, your brain’s fried, and that little voice whispers, “You deserve a glass of wine.” Sound familiar? You’re not alone, and you’re not broken. In this episode, Catholic sobriety coach Christie Walker explains what’s really happening inside your brain during the evening “danger zone.” Discover how dopamine dips trigger cravings, why your body craves relief more than alcohol, and how faith and neuroscience work beautifully together to bring peace instead of pressure. Christie shares five practical ways to turn “wine hour” into “peace hour,” plus the hope, humor, and holy perspective you need to stay steady when the urge hits. ✨ What You’ll Learn: Drop us a Question or Comment I'm here for you. I'm praying for you. You are NOT alone! Please subscribe to this podcast so you won't miss a thing! 👉🏻 JOIN THE FREE 5-DAY KICK START https://the-catholic-sobriety-coach.myflodesk.com/5-day-sobriety-kick-start 👉🏻 JOIN THE Sacred Sobriety Lab https://sacredsobrietylab.com 👉🏻 Book a Clarity Call https://app.paperbell.com/checkout/packages/38683 Visit my Website: https://thecatholicsobrietycoach.com

What if alcohol isn’t actually the issue—but a symptom of something deeper? In this episode, we dive into the spiritual and emotional roots behind drinking through the powerful lens of inner healing, identity restoration, and freedom ministry. Drawing from Encounter School of Ministry, Be Healed (Dr. Bob Schuchts), and Unbound (Neal Lozano), we walk through a transformative healing arc: Identity → Wounds → Lies → Renunciation → Forgiveness → Authority → Blessing → Lasting Freedom This episode is for the woman who is tired of just trying to stop drinking and is ready to understand why she reached for it in the first place—and how to finally walk in freedom that lasts. 💛 Want to heal, not just cope? Inside The Sacred Sobriety Lab, we unpack these healing frameworks through a faith-and-neuroscience approach, helping Catholic women reduce or eliminate alcohol from a place of peace, not pressure. If you’re ready for deeper, personalized healing support, explore my 1:1 Catholic sobriety coaching, where we walk through identity healing, emotional regulation, and spiritual freedom step-by-step. Not sure where to start? Book a free clarity call—no pressure, just peace and direction. Drop us a Question or Comment If you have ever... Then this 5-Day Sacred Sobriety Kick Start is for you! Each day, you’ll receive a short video with simple tasks to help you analyze your drinking habits with clarity. I'm here for you. I'm praying for you. You are NOT alone! Please subscribe to this podcast so you won't miss a thing! 👉🏻 JOIN THE FREE 5-DAY KICK START https://the-catholic-sobriety-coach.myflodesk.com/5-day-sobriety-kick-start 👉🏻 JOIN THE Sacred Sobriety Lab https://sacredsobrietylab.com 👉🏻 Book a Clarity Call https://app.paperbell.com/checkout/packages/38683 Visit my Website: https://thecatholicsobrietycoach.com

If you're scared to quit drinking because you’re not sure who you’d be without alcohol, this episode is for you. I’m taking you back to my first day of sobriety—not the polished version, but the shaky, uncertain moment when I wasn’t sure I could do it, or if I even wanted to, because alcohol still felt like comfort, connection, and relief. In this episode, I share: • What I believed alcohol was doing for me • Why quitting felt terrifying and the moment staying the same became even scarier • How understanding the brain changed how I viewed cravings and shame • Why AA helped me get sober but didn’t fully restore my identity • The shift that happened when faith became the source of healing, not just part of my life • How removing alcohol often uncovers deeper wounds that need care, not condemnation • Why freedom isn’t just “not drinking”—it’s no longer needing alcohol to feel okay I also share why I now coach Catholic women through this process—not by pushing willpower, but by helping them build awareness, rewire their identity, and heal through faith and neuroscience. If you are sober-curious, newly alcohol-free, or simply wondering whether your relationship with alcohol is costing you peace, you are not alone. Ready for support? You can: • Join the Sacred Sobriety Lab community • Apply for 1:1 Catholic life and sobriety coaching • Book a free clarity call to explore what path fits you best Healing isn’t instant—but it is possible. And it doesn’t require perfection. It just requires a beginning. Drop us a Question or Comment If you have ever... Then this 5-Day Sacred Sobriety Kick Start is for you! Each day, you’ll receive a short video with simple tasks to help you analyze your drinking habits with clarity. I'm here for you. I'm praying for you. You are NOT alone! Please subscribe to this podcast so you won't miss a thing! 👉🏻 JOIN THE FREE 5-DAY KICK START https://the-catholic-sobriety-coach.myflodesk.com/5-day-sobriety-kick-start 👉🏻 JOIN THE Sacred Sobriety Lab https://sacredsobrietylab.com 👉🏻 Book a Clarity Call https://app.paperbell.com/checkout/packages/38683 Visit my Website: https://thecatholicsobrietycoach.com

When the sun sets early and my energy dips before dinner, I know how tempting it can feel to reach for something — a drink, a snack, or just a little escape. In this episode, I’m sharing what’s really going on in your brain and body during those darker months, and five simple, faith-based ways to keep your peace when it’s dark by 5 p.m. We’ll talk about comfort, cravings, and creating cozy, alcohol-free rhythms that help you end your day calm instead of craving. ✨ Come join me inside the Sacred Sobriety Lab to build your own evening peace plan: SacredSobrietyLab.com Drop us a Question or Comment I'm here for you. I'm praying for you. You are NOT alone! Please subscribe to this podcast so you won't miss a thing! 👉🏻 JOIN THE FREE 5-DAY KICK START https://the-catholic-sobriety-coach.myflodesk.com/5-day-sobriety-kick-start 👉🏻 JOIN THE Sacred Sobriety Lab https://sacredsobrietylab.com 👉🏻 Book a Clarity Call https://app.paperbell.com/checkout/packages/38683 Visit my Website: https://thecatholicsobrietycoach.com

Struggling with both overeating and overdrinking and not sure where to start? This episode explains how alcohol rapidly enters the brain, lowers executive control, spikes dopamine, and disrupts sleep and blood sugar, which can make food choices harder. You’ll learn why sweets often surge for a couple of weeks after removing alcohol (totally normal), how to run a simple 72-hour alcohol-free test, and a gentle 7-day plan to build momentum (protein + fiber early, a short-term after-dinner sweet swap, a quick “dopamine menu,” sleep guardrails, and Scripture + accountability). We also point you to my conversation with Denise Jelinek on Weight Loss with the Holy Spirit for a faith-first, practical companion to this topic: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/alcohol/id1708433539?i=1000722465416 Note: if you may be physically dependent on alcohol, please consult a medical professional before changing your intake. Drop us a Question or Comment If you have ever... Then this 5-Day Sacred Sobriety Kick Start is for you! Each day, you’ll receive a short video with simple tasks to help you analyze your drinking habits with clarity. I'm here for you. I'm praying for you. You are NOT alone! Please subscribe to this podcast so you won't miss a thing! 👉🏻 JOIN THE FREE 5-DAY KICK START https://the-catholic-sobriety-coach.myflodesk.com/5-day-sobriety-kick-start 👉🏻 JOIN THE Sacred Sobriety Lab https://sacredsobrietylab.com 👉🏻 Book a Clarity Call https://app.paperbell.com/checkout/packages/38683 Visit my Website: https://thecatholicsobrietycoach.com

Steven M. Bell is a Catholic convert, musician, husband, and father of two. After years of hidden alcoholism—even while serving as a church music leader—Steven hit a breaking point in rehab and encountered the peace of Christ that changed everything. Now over three years sober, he shares his journey in his memoir Uncomfortable Truth: Faith, Failure, Redemption to remind us that real hope and lasting freedom are possible. In this episode, Steven and I talk about: Connect with Steven M. Bell 📖 Uncomfortable Truth: Faith, Failure, Redemption: Amazon Link 🎵 Music & story: stevenmbellmusic.com Facebook (music, reels, and digital content) https://www.facebook.com/steven.b12/reels/ Drop us a Question or Comment If you have ever... Then this 5-Day Sacred Sobriety Kick Start is for you! Each day, you’ll receive a short video with simple tasks to help you analyze your drinking habits with clarity. I'm here for you. I'm praying for you. You are NOT alone! Please subscribe to this podcast so you won't miss a thing! 👉🏻 JOIN THE FREE 5-DAY KICK START https://the-catholic-sobriety-coach.myflodesk.com/5-day-sobriety-kick-start 👉🏻 JOIN THE Sacred Sobriety Lab https://sacredsobrietylab.com 👉🏻 Book a Clarity Call https://app.paperbell.com/checkout/packages/38683 Visit my Website: https://thecatholicsobrietycoach.com