This Naked Mind Podcast

This episode contains a discussion of childhood trauma, abuse, & emotional neglect. What if the key to your alcohol freedom lies in a past you've been trying to outrun? In this powerful episode, Path members Sian and Darci face the past. Darci shares her journey of drinking to escape memories of abuse while Coach Soraya helps unburden her inner child. Coach Zoe guides Sian through emotional suppression and self-judgment from a perfectionistic childhood. Both coaches help these members find healing and freedom from alcohol, exploring how childhood wounds create coping mechanisms and how you can feel and move through emotions instead of numbing them. Sian's Session: How a perfectionistic childhood created inadequacy beliefs Using alcohol to quiet self-judgment & numb emotions Being a "silent child" & emotionally suppressed The connection between suppressed emotions & adult rage Understanding the inner critic as an adaptive child needing compassion Learning to set boundaries after people-pleasing And more… Darci's Session: Connecting with her inner child through trauma work The feeling of being "blocked" from her true self Finding safe space to release painful memories Using IFS therapy to heal parts of the self Visualizing & burning painful memories Letting go of needing all the answers about trauma And more… Zoe Ewart is a Certified Naked Mind Senior Coach who brings her experience and understanding to help with the tricky parts of life’s big changes. Her coaching gives you an enjoyable, light-hearted, and safe environment to effortlessly take back control of alcohol so you can feel better physically, mentally, and spiritually. More on Coach Zoe: https://thisnakedmind.com/coach/zoe-ewart/  Soraya Odishoo is a Certified This Naked Mind Coach and certified Kula Yoga instructor. With a deep commitment to working with individuals who feel disconnected from their true selves, Soraya specializes in helping people break free from addictions to substances or behaviors that no longer serve them. Her heart-centered, trauma-informed approach focuses on accessibility for BIPOC and LGBTQIA++ communities. Soraya’s passion lies in guiding others back to their personal power, allowing them to find peace, purpose, and lasting healing. More on Coach Soraya: https://thisnakedmind.com/coach/soraya-arjan-odishoo-alpc/ Episode links: nakedmindpath.com Related Episodes: Using Alcohol To Numb Pain - Naked Life Story – Simone - E207 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-207-naked-life-story-simone/ How to start healing from numbing? - Coaching Questions - E564 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-564-coaching-questions-how-to-start-healing-from-numbing/ How To Show Up For Yourself and Stop Drinking – Meet Our Coaches – E831 – https://thisnakedmind.com/how-to-show-up-for-yourself-and-stop-drinking-e831/ Ready to take the next step on your journey?  Visit https://learn.thisnakedmind.com/podcast-resources for free resources, programs, and more. Until next week, stay curious! Quince:Find gifts so good you'll want to keep them with Quince. Go to ⁠⁠Quince.com/naked⁠⁠ for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns  Hungryroot: Get 40% off your first box + a free item for life at ⁠⁠Hungryroot.com/nakedmind⁠⁠ with code nakedmind Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at ⁠⁠Shopify.com/mind⁠⁠  Aura Frame: Get $35 off Aura’s Carver Mat frame at ⁠⁠AuraFrames.com⁠⁠ with promo code NAKEDMIND Masterclass: Get 15% off any annual membership at ⁠⁠MasterClass.com/NAKEDMIND⁠

Ever walk into a holiday party and immediately feel like you need to explain yourself before anyone even asks? Reality check: you don't. Not even a little bit.  In this episode, Coach Hayley shares her own messy, beautiful journey through her first alcohol-free holidays. She talks about feeling like she was under a microscope (spoiler: she wasn't), worrying everyone was judging her (they were mostly thinking about their own to-do lists), and that game-changing moment when someone said, "Hayley seems so happy." That's when she realized—this whole creating healthy holiday boundaries thing isn't about losing yourself. It's about coming home to yourself. Coach Hayley breaks down why defensiveness shows up (hint: it's your nervous system protecting you from shame), how to handle "just have one" comments without a ten-minute explanation, and why most people actually don't care what's in your glass. She introduces the Connection Compass, a super simple tool to ground yourself before any gathering by checking in on calm, clear, kind, and connected. Walk away with tips on navigating social pressure, keeping your favorite traditions while swapping ingredients, and showing up unapologetically as you. Whether you're worried about being boring, anxious about family questions, or just tired of feeling like you owe everyone a dissertation on your choices, this episode's got you covered with compassion, practical tools, and zero judgment. Coach Hayley is sharing more on: Why you never have to justify your choice not to drink, and how creating healthy holiday boundaries means honoring yourself  What defensiveness really is (a protective response, not a character flaw) and why your only job is to be kind and honest Easy-to-use responses for handling "Why aren't you drinking?" questions, and how to gracefully change the subject without feeling awkward The Connection Compass: a four-direction check-in tool (calm, clear, kind, connected) that helps you prepare emotionally before holiday gatherings How boundaries protect and empower you rather than push people away Ways to handle cravings when they show up at parties, festive drink options that still feel special, and the freedom of leaving when you're ready Transforming FOMO into JOMO—the joy of missing out on hangovers, regret, and anxiety in exchange for presence, peace, and real connection And more… Episode links: Related Episodes: Why do we desire alcohol for celebration? - Reader Question - E266 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-266-reader-question-why-do-we-desire-alcohol-for-celebration/ Will I Ever Have Fun Without Drinking Alcohol? - Reader Question - E362 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-362-reader-question-will-i-ever-have-fun-without-drinking-alcohol/ The Cost of Fitting In - Alcohol Freedom Coaching - E785 - https://thisnakedmind.com/the-cost-of-fitting-in-alcohol-freedom-coaching-e785/ Ready to take the next step on your journey? Visit https://learn.thisnakedmind.com/podcast-resources for free resources, programs, and more. Until next week, stay curious! Quince: Find gifts so good you'll want to keep them with Quince. Go to ⁠⁠Quince.com/naked⁠⁠ for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns  Hungryroot: Get 40% off your first box + a free item for life at ⁠⁠Hungryroot.com/nakedmind⁠⁠ with code nakedmind Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at ⁠⁠Shopify.com/mind⁠⁠  Aura Frame: Get $35 off Aura’s Carver Mat frame at ⁠⁠AuraFrames.com⁠⁠ with promo code NAKEDMIND Masterclass: Get 15% off any annual membership at ⁠⁠MasterClass.com/NAKEDMIND⁠

Have you ever felt like your reactions are out of your control? Today, Rosie and Tamara explore the roots of self-judgment and shame with Coaches Cole and Hayley, Alcohol Freedom Guides for The Path. Rosie is working to reframe her reactive responses to stress and anxiety, which she realizes are tied to a childhood feeling of being "shut down." Tamara uncovers her core belief that she isn’t "good enough," a pattern reinforced by past relationships and growing up with a parent who struggled with alcohol use. These conversations show how identifying deeply rooted beliefs can be the first step in breaking the cycle of self-criticism and building a new way forward. Rosie's Session: Understanding her "knee-jerk reactions" to stress & anxiety Linking current reactivity to past experiences of feeling shut down or unheard Reframing shame & self-judgmentUsing curiosity and awareness with emotional responses Creating a "pause" between an external trigger & her reaction Practicing new skills for changing long-standing patterns Seeing her anger as a "guard dog" trying to protect her Tamara's Session: Facing fear of rejection & feeling "not good enough" Naming the origin of her core beliefs in childhood experiences of feeling a lack of attention & love Seeing how her beliefs were reinforced by a parent's alcohol use & pressure to "over-excel" Noticing how anxiety & panic led her to drink to cope Finding other tools for self-regulation like journaling & yoga Embracing glimmers of joy & self-worth Listing positive qualities to build self-validation & quiet her inner critic Using self-reflection as a catalyst for growth Cole Harvey is a certified Naked Mind Senior Coach. For years, he felt lost and used alcohol as a way to cope, until he decided to go alcohol-free and focus on finding his purpose. Through curiosity, self-compassion, and adventure, he transformed his life. As a habit change and mindset coach, Cole helps young men understand themselves, build better habits, and find meaning. More on Cole: https://thisnakedmind.com/coach/cole-harvey/ Hayley Scherders is a certified TNM Coach with training from the Canadian Addiction and Mental Health Association. Drawing from personal experiences, Hayley understands how tough change can be and provides a safe, compassionate, and judgment-free space where her clients can feel supported. She believes that with the right mindset, anyone can change their life at any time. More on Hayley: https://thisnakedmind.com/coach/hayley-scherders/ Episode links: nakedmindpath.com Related Episodes: Why Does It Take So Long To Feel Confident After Quitting Alcohol? - Alcohol Freedom Coaching - E833 - https://thisnakedmind.com/why-does-it-take-so-long-to-feel-confident-after-quitting-alcohol/ How do you get rid of the punishing voice inside your head? - Reader Question - E634 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-634-readers-question-how-do-you-get-rid-of-the-punishing-voice-inside-your-head/ You’re Enough Without the Drink - Alcohol Freedom Coaching - E815 - https://thisnakedmind.com/how-to-set-healthy-boundaries-with-alcohol-e815/ Ready to take the next step on your journey?  Visit https://learn.thisnakedmind.com/podcast-resources for free resources, programs, & more. Quince: Find gifts so good you'll want to keep them with Quince. Go to ⁠⁠Quince.com/naked⁠⁠ for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns  Hungryroot: Get 40% off your first box + a free item for life at ⁠⁠Hungryroot.com/nakedmind⁠⁠ with code nakedmind Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at ⁠⁠Shopify.com/mind⁠⁠  Aura Frame: Get $35 off Aura’s Carver Mat frame at ⁠⁠AuraFrames.com⁠⁠ with promo code NAKEDMIND Masterclass: Get 15% off any annual membership at ⁠⁠MasterClass.com/NAKEDMIND⁠

How do you handle holiday triggers without alcohol when every gathering feels like a test? The clinking glasses, "just one won't hurt" comments, and family dynamics can overwhelm anyone navigating an alcohol-free holiday season. Coach Zoe has a game-changing perspective: triggers aren't your enemy—they're messengers pointing to what you actually need. In this powerful Joy Edit episode, you'll discover the brain science behind holiday triggers and learn Annie Grace's visualization technique for preparing your nervous system before challenging situations. Instead of white-knuckling through parties, you'll explore practical tools like "curiosity goggles," the ACT method (Awareness, Clarity, Turnaround), and trigger mapping. Coach Zoe breaks down the most common holiday triggers—from party pressure to family flashbacks—and reveals the unmet needs hiding beneath each one. You'll learn why willpower crashes, but awareness builds lasting change, how to make "tonight commitments" instead of overwhelming forever promises, and simple regulation techniques like HALT checks (Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired) and anchor gestures. Transform your holiday one breath at a time, and create the life you don't want to escape. Coach Zoe is sharing: How to handle holiday triggers without alcohol by treating them as information, not evidence that you’re failing Why “curiosity goggles” can shift you from reactive to responsive at parties and family events The difference between willpower and awareness, and why collecting evidence you can trust yourself matters How visualization, “tonight I choose…” commitments, and experimentation reduce pressure and increase freedom A science-backed look at stress, alcohol’s brain chemistry, and mindful ways to soothe your nervous system The ACT tool (Awareness, Clarity, Turnaround) and how to build a personalized holiday trigger map Practicing response instead of reaction so your wise inner adult—not old patterns—leads the way How these grace-first tools help you stay present, protect your peace, and more topics… Episode links: nakedmindpath.com Related Episodes: Cravings & Triggers: What Exactly Are They And How Do You Deal With Them? - Reader Question - E36 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-36-reader-question-cravings-triggers-what-exactly-are-they-and-how-do-you-deal-with-them/ Effective Strategies for Setting Boundaries with Family - Reader Question - E622 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-620-readers-question-effective-strategies-for-setting-boundaries-with-family/ Getting Past Emotional Drinking Triggers - Reader Question - E616 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-616-readers-question-getting-past-emotional-drinking-triggers/ Ready to take the next step on your journey?  Visit https://learn.thisnakedmind.com/podcast-resources for free resources, programs, and more. Until next week, stay curious! Quince: Find gifts so good you'll want to keep them with Quince. Go to ⁠⁠Quince.com/naked⁠⁠ for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns  Hungryroot: Get 40% off your first box + a free item for life at ⁠⁠Hungryroot.com/nakedmind⁠⁠ with code nakedmind Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at ⁠⁠Shopify.com/mind⁠⁠  Aura Frame: Get $35 off Aura’s Carver Mat frame at ⁠⁠AuraFrames.com⁠⁠ with promo code NAKEDMIND Masterclass: Get 15% off any annual membership at ⁠⁠MasterClass.com/NAKEDMIND⁠

Using alcohol to numb emotions—does it really keep you safe, or just keep you stuck in old patterns? For Ann, alcohol became the shortcut to avoid conflict and silence emotions she’d been told to keep hidden since childhood. For Mandy, the urge to drink after work felt like the only way to shut off stress and self-criticism. In this powerful coaching session, Coach Zoe invites both women to explore what’s really underneath the desire to drink when feelings become overwhelming. Together, they uncover the links between shame, perfectionism, anxiety, and cravings—and learn practical ways to process emotions without running from them. Their stories show how self-compassion, body awareness, and simple grounding tools can open the door to healing. This conversation is both raw and hopeful, reminding us that the urge to numb is really an invitation to feel, heal, and choose differently. In Ann’s session: The lifelong habit of emotional suppression The neuroscience behind drinking to numb feelings Learning to identify and name emotions for the first time Recognizing that needing is not a threat to survival Starting to care for yourself and your body as a path to healing The power of holding space for yourself and your emotions Acknowledging the journey of emotional recovery And more topics… In Mandy’s session: The emotional weight of unprocessed past experiences How a lifetime of hypervigilance creates the need to escape Realizing that self-sabotage is a coping mechanism Finding new, creative hobbies to replace drinking The wisdom of the body and the courage to feel Gaining confidence in your own perspective and voice Acknowledging that the journey to healing is not always linear And more… Zoe Ewart is a Certified Naked Mind Senior Coach who brings her experience and understanding to help with the tricky parts of life’s big changes. Her coaching gives you an enjoyable, light-hearted, and safe environment to effortlessly take back control of alcohol so you can feel better physically, mentally, and spiritually. Zoe taught Pilates for 15 years. She has four adult children and more animals than the Ark ever had. Learn more about Coach Zoe: https://thisnakedmind.com/coach/zoe-ewart/ Episode links: nakedmindpath.com Related Episodes: How To Rewire Your Brain To Stop Drinking - Meet Our Coaches -  E827 - https://thisnakedmind.com/how-to-rewire-your-brain-to-stop-drinking-e827/  Feeling Your Emotions Without Alcohol - Understanding the Urge to Drink - Alcohol Freedom Coaching - E799 - https://thisnakedmind.com/understanding-the-urge-to-drink-e799/ Healing From Using Alcohol to Numb Emotional Pain - Reader’s Question - E564 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-564-coaching-questions-how-to-start-healing-from-numbing/ Ready to take the next step on your journey?  Visit https://learn.thisnakedmind.com/podcast-resources for free resources, programs, and more. Until next week, stay curious! Quince: Find gifts so good you'll want to keep them with Quince. Go to Quince.com/naked for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns Hungryroot: Get 40% off your first box + a free item for life at Hungryroot.com/nakedmind with code nakedmind Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at Shopify.com/mind Aura Frame: Get $35 off Aura’s Carver Mat frame at AuraFrames.com with promo code NAKEDMIND Masterclass: Get 15% off any annual membership at MasterClass.com/NAKEDMIND