Your Sober Big Sister

7. New Year's Eve While Sober, Kid-Free Celebrations & Dry January

Summary In this episode of 'Your Sober Big Sister,' Erika discusses the challenges and reflections surrounding New Year's Eve, particularly for those navigating sobriety. She shares personal experiences of gratitude during the holiday season, addresses family dynamics, and provides tips for enjoying a sober New Year's Eve. The conversation also includes various 'Am I the Asshole?' scenarios related to family gatherings and setting boundaries regarding alcohol and children. Erika emphasizes the importance of self-awareness, personal growth, and the significance of creating a supportive environment for sobriety. Chapters 00:00 New Year's Eve Reflections and Gratitude 03:06 Question 1: Am I the Asshole for Canceling New Year’s Eve After the Christmas we Just Had? 06:19 Question 2: Advice for my first sober New Year’s Eve? 13:58 Question 3: Am I the Asshole for skipping New Year’s Eve at my sister’s house?  17:13 Question 4: Considering Sobriety: A Personal Journey 22:08 Question 5: Am I the asshole for telling my sober friend it isn’t my responsibility to have her exact non-alcoholic beverage at my party? 28:07 Outro If you want to ask your own question for Your Sober Big Sister, submit it here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScsucVur02XXlASDTKxV6N0FgZSpKTx-8KdJoM8Yp_XRNkuOw/viewform?usp=sf_link [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScsucVur02XXlASDTKxV6N0FgZSpKTx-8KdJoM8Yp_XRNkuOw/viewform?usp=sf_link ]

6. Navigating Holiday Challenges: A Sober Perspective

In this episode, Erika discusses the complexities of navigating holidays, especially for those in recovery or dealing with family dynamics. She addresses questions about setting boundaries around alcohol, the emotional challenges of family gatherings, and the importance of creating new traditions. Erika emphasizes the need to protect one's mental health and the right to feel disappointed when family expectations clash with personal well-being. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:51 Question 1: AITA for refusing to have alcohol in my home while hosting Christmas? 10:41 Question 2: AITA for being hurt that my mother -in-law wanted to exclude my daughter from Thanksgiving and Christmas to protect my sister-in-law? 19:26 Question 3: How do you celebrate the holidays when you are no contact with your family? 24:52 Question 4: How do I choose between my mental health and spending time with my family who struggles with addiction? 30:12: Outro If you want to ask your own question for Your Sober Big Sister, submit it here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScsucVur02XXlASDTKxV6N0FgZSpKTx-8KdJoM8Yp_XRNkuOw/viewform?usp=sf_link [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScsucVur02XXlASDTKxV6N0FgZSpKTx-8KdJoM8Yp_XRNkuOw/viewform?usp=sf_link ]

5. Family traditions, sibling dynamics & setting boundaries

In this episode of 'Your Sober Big Sister', host Erika dives into various family dynamics. She addresses questions about setting boundaries with parents, the impact of family traditions on personal identity, the struggle of allowing oneself to have fun, navigating sibling relationships, and the challenges of caring for a parent with addiction issues. Erika emphasizes the importance of self-care, setting boundaries, and understanding the complexities of family relationships. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 02:20 Question 1: AITA for not wanting to be my mom’s personal problem solver? 08:32 Question 2: AITA for not wanting to name my baby following my partner’s family tradition? 15:42 Question 3: Why does it feel so wrong to have fun? 23:20 Question 4: AITA for asking my parents to stop playing favorites with my siblings? 33:50 Question 5: How to navigate complex family dynamics? 42:06 Outro If you want to ask your own question for Your Sober Big Sister, submit it here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScsucVur02XXlASDTKxV6N0FgZSpKTx-8KdJoM8Yp_XRNkuOw/viewform?usp=sf_link [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScsucVur02XXlASDTKxV6N0FgZSpKTx-8KdJoM8Yp_XRNkuOw/viewform?usp=sf_link ]

4. Ending engagements, ultimatums & all things relationships

In this episode of the Sober Big Sister podcast, Erika discusses various topics related to relationships and sobriety. She answers questions ranging from not wanting to be sober for a partner to are drunk words sober thoughts? Erika provides advice and insights on each topic, emphasizing the importance of communication, setting boundaries, taking responsibility for one's actions, and supporting a partner's recovery journey. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 02:05 Weekly Gratitude 03:40 Question 1: AITA for having a drink when my partner is sober? 09:07 Question 2: AITA for not wanting to be sober for my wife? 18:02  Question 3: AITA for ending my engagement over a beer? 23:46 Question 4: AITA for missing my boyfriend now that he is sober?  29:18 Question 5: AITA for saying mean things to my boyfriend while drunk and then telling him to brush it off? 34:39: Outro If you want to ask your own question for Your Sober Big Sister, submit it here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScsucVur02XXlASDTKxV6N0FgZSpKTx-8KdJoM8Yp_XRNkuOw/viewform?usp=sf_link

3. Wedding planning, dysfunctional parents & dry weddings

This episode of Your Sober Big Sister focuses on all things weddings! Erika shares her own experience planning a wedding while being sober and provides advice to listeners who have questions in similar situations. She discusses dealing with unsupportive friends, navigating relationships with alcoholic parents, and planning a dry wedding. Your sober big sister also addresses feelings of sadness and insecurity as the wedding approaches and provides tips for managing expectations. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 02:49 Question 1: My friend is not respecting my sobriety for my wedding events. What should I do? 10:07 Question 2: AITA for asking my mom to be sober on my wedding day? 19:22 Question 3: Is it weird to have a dry wedding if the bride and groom are sober? 27:25 Question 4: I do not want my alcoholic parent making a speech at my wedding. How do I handle this? 35:27 Question 5: I am feeling sad and insecure while my wedding approaches 46:46 Outro If you want to ask your own question for Your Sober Big Sister, submit it here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScsucVur02XXlASDTKxV6N0FgZSpKTx-8KdJoM8Yp_XRNkuOw/viewform?usp=sf_link