Ep180: The Twenty-Minute Craving (And How to Outlast It)

Ep180: The Twenty-Minute Craving (And How to Outlast It)

Why does the craving hit out of nowhere? Why does wine feel like it helps with overwhelm? And why does cutting back feel so hard even when you really want to? In this episode Christie breaks down exactly what your brain is doing when you crave a drink — the dopamine loop, the habit trail, the borrowed relief — and gives you real tools to get through the next twenty minutes. Plus: the science behind vacuuming and your high school playlist. Yes, really. Topics covered: Why alcohol feels like it helps with overwhelm — and what it's actually doing | The dopamine anticipation loop that starts at 3pm | Borrowing relief from tomorrow — and what you're paying back | The habit loop: cue, routine, reward — in plain language | Why cravings are still strong after two weeks (and what the 90-day reset actually means) | The July Fourth craving that passed in twenty minutes | Playing it forward | Nervous system regulation tools that actually work — including vacuuming and your high school playlist | The two questions to ask when a craving hits The two questions: What am I feeling right now? What do I need? Drop us a Question or Comment [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2087354/fan_mail/new] 👉🏻 Get started with my FREE 5-Day Sacred Sobriety Kick Start https://thecatholicsobrietycoach.mykajabi.com/5-day-sacred-sobriety-kick-start [https://the-catholic-sobriety-coach.myflodesk.com/5-day-sobriety-kick-start] 👉🏻 Book a Clarity Call https://thecatholicsobrietycoach.mykajabi.com/clarity-call [https://thecatholicsobrietycoach.mykajabi.com/clarity-call] Visit my Website: https://thecatholicsobrietycoach.com [https://thecatholicsobrietycoach.com]

Ep 179: Can I even do this?

Can I even do this? Am I too far gone? Am I the one this doesn't work for? If you're asking any version of that question right now — this episode is for you. Christie answers it directly, talks about why the shame voice isn't God's voice, walks through the stages of change so you know exactly where you are, and shares the story of standing outside the window wondering if she was allowed in. Spoiler: she was. And so are you. Topics covered: The shame loop and who actually put you there | The Screwtape Letters and the enemy's oldest strategy | Christie's Scrooge moment — standing outside the window of God's love | The stages of change and why looping back isn't failure | The woman who thought she was the one it wouldn't work for | What willingness actually means — and how it grows | Isaiah 43 and the waters that won't overwhelm you | The difference between group and one on one coaching Scripture referenced: Isaiah 43:1–3 — "Fear not, for I have redeemed you. I have called you by name. You are mine. When you pass through the waters I will be with you..." Drop us a Question or Comment [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2087354/fan_mail/new] 👉🏻 Get started with my FREE 5-Day Sacred Sobriety Kick Start https://thecatholicsobrietycoach.mykajabi.com/5-day-sacred-sobriety-kick-start [https://the-catholic-sobriety-coach.myflodesk.com/5-day-sobriety-kick-start] 👉🏻 Book a Clarity Call https://thecatholicsobrietycoach.mykajabi.com/clarity-call [https://thecatholicsobrietycoach.mykajabi.com/clarity-call] Visit my Website: https://thecatholicsobrietycoach.com [https://thecatholicsobrietycoach.com]

Ep 178: You're Not Weak. Your Foundation Is Compromised.

Anyone can stop drinking for a while. Willpower works — temporarily. But if the foundation underneath the habit is compromised, the craving comes back. In this episode Christie shares what happened over 50 days of working with a functional health practitioner — what shifted physically, what opened spiritually, and why she finally stopped relying on willpower. Plus: the neuroscience of why lasting change takes longer than 30 days, two practical recommendations that reduce alcohol intake by 75–80%, and what became possible when the fog finally lifted. Topics covered: Why willpower isn't the problem — the foundation is | The searching phase: doing everything right and still feeling terrible | What full commitment actually looks like — and why the first two weeks don't count | The gut-brain-hormone connection and alcohol as lighter fluid | The HRT conversation — every woman's path is different | The strawberry moment and what healing actually feels like | Why Dry January can be a tool — if you're building, not just surviving | The 90-day neuroscience of habit rewiring | Two practical recommendations that actually move the needle | What became possible when the fog lifted Scripture referenced: Romans 15:13 — "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Drop us a Question or Comment [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2087354/fan_mail/new] 👉🏻 Get started with my FREE 5-Day Sacred Sobriety Kick Start https://thecatholicsobrietycoach.mykajabi.com/5-day-sacred-sobriety-kick-start [https://the-catholic-sobriety-coach.myflodesk.com/5-day-sobriety-kick-start] 👉🏻 Book a Clarity Call https://thecatholicsobrietycoach.mykajabi.com/clarity-call [https://thecatholicsobrietycoach.mykajabi.com/clarity-call] Visit my Website: https://thecatholicsobrietycoach.com [https://thecatholicsobrietycoach.com]

Ep 177: Who Are You Without a Drink in Your Hand?

Who are you without a drink in your hand? Not what do you do without it — who are you? In this episode Christie shares the surprising truth she discovered about herself when she got sober at 23, why it took years to actually figure things out, and the moment she finally believed she was a beloved daughter of God. Plus: what her clients think they're going to lose when they stop drinking, what they actually find, and one simple practice to start answering the most important question in this work. Topics covered: The party girl who turned out to be a homebody | Why figuring out your identity after alcohol takes longer than you think | The journal prayer that proved God was listening all along | Walking with Purpose and a decade of slowly receiving God's love | What women think they lose when they stop drinking — and what they actually find | The neuroscience of self-stories and why yours isn't true | Isaiah 43:1 and your actual identity | One journaling practice to start meeting the real you Scripture referenced: Isaiah 43:1 — "Fear not, for I have redeemed you. I have called you by name. You are mine." Drop us a Question or Comment [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2087354/fan_mail/new] 👉🏻 Get started with my FREE 5-Day Sacred Sobriety Kick Start https://thecatholicsobrietycoach.mykajabi.com/5-day-sacred-sobriety-kick-start [https://the-catholic-sobriety-coach.myflodesk.com/5-day-sobriety-kick-start] 👉🏻 Book a Clarity Call https://thecatholicsobrietycoach.mykajabi.com/clarity-call [https://thecatholicsobrietycoach.mykajabi.com/clarity-call] Visit my Website: https://thecatholicsobrietycoach.com [https://thecatholicsobrietycoach.com]

Ep 176: The Evening Trigger Nobody Talks About

The hardest trigger isn't at the party. It's on your own couch, at the end of a regular Tuesday, next to your husband. In this episode, Christie gets personal — sharing what happened in her own marriage when she decided to invest in her health, what she learned about habit loops and evening triggers, and why one person changing is often enough to shift everything. Plus: three husband scenarios, the conversation you need to have, and how to rewire your evening routine so the habit loses its grip. Topics covered: Christie's personal story: investing in her health at 52 | Why the evening is the hardest trigger — and the neuroscience behind it | Three husband scenarios and how to navigate each one | The conversation you need to have with your spouse | How Christie's 5:30am walks changed everything (and what that has to do with your sobriety) | Practical ways to change your evening routine | Why your growth is good for your marriage even when it's uncomfortable | Keeping your eyes on your own journey The Sober(ish) Summer 2026 is officially open! We kick off July 1st and doors stay open all summer — jump in whenever you're ready. → Grab your spot here: https://www.thecatholicsobrietycoach.com/sober-ish-summer [https://www.thecatholicsobrietycoach.com/sober-ish-summer] Drop us a Question or Comment [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2087354/fan_mail/new] 👉🏻 Get started with my FREE 5-Day Sacred Sobriety Kick Start https://thecatholicsobrietycoach.mykajabi.com/5-day-sacred-sobriety-kick-start [https://the-catholic-sobriety-coach.myflodesk.com/5-day-sobriety-kick-start] 👉🏻 Book a Clarity Call https://thecatholicsobrietycoach.mykajabi.com/clarity-call [https://thecatholicsobrietycoach.mykajabi.com/clarity-call] Visit my Website: https://thecatholicsobrietycoach.com [https://thecatholicsobrietycoach.com]