Things They Don’t Tell You About Early Sobriety (And How to Handle Them)

My SHINE Process: Your Crash Course to Living Alcohol-Free with Clarity, Energy & Self-Love

What if the path to healing, clarity, and true empowerment wasn’t out there somewhere—but already within you, just waiting to be awakened? In this masterclass-style episode, Gina Kunadian opens her heart and toolbox to teach the foundational method behind her coaching and sobriety journey: The SHINE Process. Whether you’re newly sober, sober curious, or simply craving more alignment in your life, this episode offers a powerful roadmap to come home to yourself. SHINE stands for Sobriety, Healing, Inspiration, Nurturing, and Empowerment—and each step is designed to guide you through the messy middle and into a life of wholeness. Gina shares personal stories, coaching wisdom, practical tools, and journaling prompts, and even leads a short grounding meditation to help you anchor back into your truth. As she prepares to take a short break for the birth of her baby, she leaves listeners with this gift—a transformative process that has helped so many women move from surviving to thriving. Tune in, take notes, and most of all—give yourself permission to SHINE. CONNECT WITH GINA:  Book a Free Call: https://calendly.com/ginakunadian/connect-call-15-min [https://calendly.com/ginakunadian/connect-call-15-min] Visit my Website: http://www.ginakunadian.com/ [http://www.ginakunadian.com/] Follow Gina: https://linktr.ee/Ginakunadian [https://linktr.ee/Ginakunadian]  RESOURCES:  My TEDx Talk Sobriety: Unlocking Freedom | Gina Kunadian | TEDxPort Saint Lucie https://youtu.be/73OvW8T2VkM?si=tynb80rJPtCidORr [https://youtu.be/73OvW8T2VkM?si=tynb80rJPtCidORr] Listeners Gift’s:  6-Step Blueprint To An Alcohol-Free Life and navigate the action steps I took to stay sober. Text the word GIFT to 18556496196 or click this link:  https://6stepblueprint.ginakunadian.com/98hsk2 [https://6stepblueprint.ginakunadian.com/98hsk2] Are you sober curious? Ready to explore the empowering path to an alcohol-free life? Click this link: https://7daychallenge.ginakunadian.com/U9dVkx [https://7daychallenge.ginakunadian.com/U9dVkx] and Jumpstart Your Sober Journey with this 7-Day Challenge Join Awakened Souls: Women Embracing Sobriety & Spiritual Wholeness on FB.  This space was created with a singular purpose: to support and uplift women like you on your journey towards sobriety, spiritual awakening, and wholeness. https://www.facebook.com/groups/3159601327635825/  [https://www.facebook.com/groups/3159601327635825/] Check out my NOW FREE Mini Course Overcoming Challenges: https://subscribepage.io/AtnZlc [https://subscribepage.io/AtnZlc] Check out FeedSpots Best 40 Women’s Sobriety Podcasts https://podcasts.feedspot.com/womens_sobriety_podcasts/ [https://podcasts.feedspot.com/womens_sobriety_podcasts/]

Things They Don’t Tell You About Early Sobriety (And How to Handle Them)

Have you ever made the bold decision to stop drinking—only to wonder, Why doesn’t anyone talk about this part? In this heartfelt solo episode, I’m diving deep into the raw, unspoken truths about early sobriety. Because while making the choice to go alcohol-free is incredibly powerful, the early days can feel confusing, emotional, and even a little lonely. No one really prepares you for the identity shifts, the emotional waves, or the awkward social invites where you’re not sure if you’ll fit in without a drink in your hand. But you’re not alone, and you’re definitely not doing it wrong. Together, we’ll walk through the common (but rarely discussed) experiences of those first few weeks and months—including the emotional intensity that surfaces once we’re no longer numbing, the unexpected boredom or restlessness, the FOMO during parties and events, and the quiet moments where self-doubt creeps in. More importantly, I’ll offer you practical tools and mindset shifts to help you move through it all with clarity and self-compassion—so you can stay grounded in your “why” and begin to build a sober life that actually feels good. I’ll also guide you through a short, gentle meditation to support you in those moments when everything feels overwhelming—so you can come back to your breath, your truth, and your inner light. Whether you’re sober curious, newly alcohol-free, or simply looking for more support, this episode is a loving reminder that healing isn’t always pretty, but it is always worth it. CONNECT WITH GINA:  Book a Free Call: https://calendly.com/ginakunadian/connect-call-15-min [https://calendly.com/ginakunadian/connect-call-15-min] Visit my Website: http://www.ginakunadian.com/ [http://www.ginakunadian.com/] Follow Gina: https://linktr.ee/Ginakunadian [https://linktr.ee/Ginakunadian]  RESOURCES:  My TEDx Talk Sobriety: Unlocking Freedom | Gina Kunadian | TEDxPort Saint Lucie https://youtu.be/73OvW8T2VkM?si=tynb80rJPtCidORr [https://youtu.be/73OvW8T2VkM?si=tynb80rJPtCidORr] Listeners Gift’s:  6-Step Blueprint To An Alcohol-Free Life and navigate the action steps I took to stay sober. Text the word GIFT to 18556496196 or click this link:  https://6stepblueprint.ginakunadian.com/98hsk2 [https://6stepblueprint.ginakunadian.com/98hsk2] Are you sober curious? Ready to explore the empowering path to an alcohol-free life? Click this link: https://7daychallenge.ginakunadian.com/U9dVkx [https://7daychallenge.ginakunadian.com/U9dVkx] and Jumpstart Your Sober Journey with this 7-Day Challenge Join Awakened Souls: Women Embracing Sobriety & Spiritual Wholeness on FB.  This space was created with a singular purpose: to support and uplift women like you on your journey towards sobriety, spiritual awakening, and wholeness. https://www.facebook.com/groups/3159601327635825/  [https://www.facebook.com/groups/3159601327635825/] Check out my NOW FREE Mini Course Overcoming Challenges: https://subscribepage.io/AtnZlc [https://subscribepage.io/AtnZlc] Check out FeedSpots Best 40 Women’s Sobriety Podcasts https://podcasts.feedspot.com/womens_sobriety_podcasts/ [https://podcasts.feedspot.com/womens_sobriety_podcasts/]

Staying Sober During the Holidays: Your Soulful Survival Guide

What if this holiday season wasn’t about dodging triggers or white-knuckling through parties… but about protecting your peace, reclaiming your joy, and choosing yourself over and over again? In this empowering solo episode, I’m sharing my personal Holiday Sobriety Survival Guide — packed with soulful strategies and mindset shifts to help you shine through December without sacrificing your sobriety. From office parties and family dinners to surprise social invites and late-night cravings, the holidays can test even the strongest of us. But you don’t have to just survive them… you can thrive. We’ll dive into real, practical steps like how to plan ahead, what to say when someone offers you a drink, how to create alcohol-free traditions you’ll actually love, and how to handle those emotional landmines that can sneak up during this season. I also guide you through a gentle, grounding mini-meditation to reconnect with your “why” — because this journey is not about perfection, it’s about power, presence, and self-honoring choices. Whether this is your first sober December or your tenth, this episode is your invitation to slow down, breathe, and remember: you are worthy of a season filled with clarity, connection, and joy — no spirits required. CONNECT WITH GINA:  Book a Free Call: https://calendly.com/ginakunadian/connect-call-15-min [https://calendly.com/ginakunadian/connect-call-15-min] Visit my Website: http://www.ginakunadian.com/ [http://www.ginakunadian.com/] Follow Gina: https://linktr.ee/Ginakunadian [https://linktr.ee/Ginakunadian]  RESOURCES:  My TEDx Talk Sobriety: Unlocking Freedom | Gina Kunadian | TEDxPort Saint Lucie https://youtu.be/73OvW8T2VkM?si=tynb80rJPtCidORr [https://youtu.be/73OvW8T2VkM?si=tynb80rJPtCidORr] Listeners Gift’s:  6-Step Blueprint To An Alcohol-Free Life and navigate the action steps I took to stay sober. Text the word GIFT to 18556496196 or click this link:  https://6stepblueprint.ginakunadian.com/98hsk2 [https://6stepblueprint.ginakunadian.com/98hsk2] Are you sober curious? Ready to explore the empowering path to an alcohol-free life? Click this link: https://7daychallenge.ginakunadian.com/U9dVkx [https://7daychallenge.ginakunadian.com/U9dVkx] and Jumpstart Your Sober Journey with this 7-Day Challenge Join Awakened Souls: Women Embracing Sobriety & Spiritual Wholeness on FB.  This space was created with a singular purpose: to support and uplift women like you on your journey towards sobriety, spiritual awakening, and wholeness. https://www.facebook.com/groups/3159601327635825/  [https://www.facebook.com/groups/3159601327635825/] Check out my NOW FREE Mini Course Overcoming Challenges: https://subscribepage.io/AtnZlc [https://subscribepage.io/AtnZlc] Check out FeedSpots Best 40 Women’s Sobriety Podcasts https://podcasts.feedspot.com/womens_sobriety_podcasts/ [https://podcasts.feedspot.com/womens_sobriety_podcasts/]

From Talk Stoop to Soberness: Cat Greenleaf on Addiction, Identity & Starting Over

Have you ever found yourself stuck in the “messy middle”—not quite at rock bottom, but not fully healed either? You’re not alone. In this episode of the Shine Within podcast, I sit down with the radiant and real Cat Greenleaf, the creator and former host of NBC’s Talk Stoop. For years, Cat graced our screens interviewing A-list celebrities—from musicians and actors to politicians and thought leaders. But her newest chapter? Even more powerful. Now the host of Soberness, Cat is still interviewing big names—but this time, the conversation is about addiction, recovery, identity, and what it truly means to start over. She shares how her own journey pulled her out of the entertainment spotlight and into the heart of what really matters: truth, healing, and connection. We dive into why she believes “whatever works” is the most honest recovery philosophy, how she’s reframed sobriety without shame or perfection, and why rage, reinvention, and radical self-acceptance are crucial parts of the process. This conversation is for anyone navigating a transformation, questioning their path, or just craving permission to be human. You’ll walk away feeling seen, supported, and inspired to trust your own timing. ✨ Listen now—and remember: there’s no perfect way to heal, only your way. 🐍Connect with Cat Greenleaf: 🌐 Website: https://soberness.com Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/soberness-podcast/id1768121457 YouTube: https://youtube.com/@sobernesspodcast?si=wAPMRps6p0rEYpyG Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566575304950 IG: https://www.instagram.com/sobernesspodcast?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ== CONNECT WITH GINA:  Book a Free Call: https://calendly.com/ginakunadian/connect-call-15-min [https://calendly.com/ginakunadian/connect-call-15-min] Visit my Website: http://www.ginakunadian.com/ [http://www.ginakunadian.com/] Follow Gina: https://linktr.ee/Ginakunadian [https://linktr.ee/Ginakunadian]  RESOURCES:  My TEDx Talk Sobriety: Unlocking Freedom | Gina Kunadian | TEDxPort Saint Lucie https://youtu.be/73OvW8T2VkM?si=tynb80rJPtCidORr [https://youtu.be/73OvW8T2VkM?si=tynb80rJPtCidORr] Listeners Gift’s:  6-Step Blueprint To An Alcohol-Free Life and navigate the action steps I took to stay sober. Text the word GIFT to 18556496196 or click this link:  https://6stepblueprint.ginakunadian.com/98hsk2 [https://6stepblueprint.ginakunadian.com/98hsk2] Are you sober curious? Ready to explore the empowering path to an alcohol-free life? Click this link: https://7daychallenge.ginakunadian.com/U9dVkx [https://7daychallenge.ginakunadian.com/U9dVkx] and Jumpstart Your Sober Journey with this 7-Day Challenge Join Awakened Souls: Women Embracing Sobriety & Spiritual Wholeness on FB.  This space was created with a singular purpose: to support and uplift women like you on your journey towards sobriety, spiritual awakening, and wholeness. https://www.facebook.com/groups/3159601327635825/  [https://www.facebook.com/groups/3159601327635825/] Check out my NOW FREE Mini Course Overcoming Challenges: https://subscribepage.io/AtnZlc [https://subscribepage.io/AtnZlc] Check out FeedSpots Best 40 Women’s Sobriety Podcasts https://podcasts.feedspot.com/womens_sobriety_podcasts/ [https://podcasts.feedspot.com/womens_sobriety_podcasts/]

Relapse Isn’t Failure: Give Yourself Grace on the Journey

Have you ever felt like a relapse erased all your progress? You’re not alone, and I’m here to tell you: it didn’t. In this deeply heartfelt solo episode of Shine Within, I open up about one of the most misunderstood and shame-filled parts of the sobriety journey—relapse. We talk about the real, raw truth: that relapse is not failure, it’s feedback. It’s a chapter in the story, not the final sentence. I share encouragement, insight, and powerful reminders that your worth isn’t defined by one moment, but by your continued choice to rise. You’ll hear statistics around relapse and recovery that may surprise you, and a story of a woman who stumbled more than once—but got back up and is now living fully free. Whether you’re in the midst of a slip or supporting someone who is, this episode is here to remind you to give yourself grace, keep your eyes on the vision, and remember that healing is never linear. 💛 You are not broken—you are becoming. Press play and let’s talk about it, sister. CONNECT WITH GINA:  Book a Free Call: https://calendly.com/ginakunadian/connect-call-15-min [https://calendly.com/ginakunadian/connect-call-15-min] Visit my Website: http://www.ginakunadian.com/ [http://www.ginakunadian.com/] Follow Gina: https://linktr.ee/Ginakunadian [https://linktr.ee/Ginakunadian]  RESOURCES:  My TEDx Talk Sobriety: Unlocking Freedom | Gina Kunadian | TEDxPort Saint Lucie https://youtu.be/73OvW8T2VkM?si=tynb80rJPtCidORr [https://youtu.be/73OvW8T2VkM?si=tynb80rJPtCidORr] Listeners Gift’s:  6-Step Blueprint To An Alcohol-Free Life and navigate the action steps I took to stay sober. Text the word GIFT to 18556496196 or click this link:  https://6stepblueprint.ginakunadian.com/98hsk2 [https://6stepblueprint.ginakunadian.com/98hsk2] Are you sober curious? Ready to explore the empowering path to an alcohol-free life? Click this link: https://7daychallenge.ginakunadian.com/U9dVkx [https://7daychallenge.ginakunadian.com/U9dVkx] and Jumpstart Your Sober Journey with this 7-Day Challenge Join Awakened Souls: Women Embracing Sobriety & Spiritual Wholeness on FB.  This space was created with a singular purpose: to support and uplift women like you on your journey towards sobriety, spiritual awakening, and wholeness. https://www.facebook.com/groups/3159601327635825/  [https://www.facebook.com/groups/3159601327635825/] Check out my NEW Mini Course Overcoming Challenges: https://minicourse.ginakunadian.com/i6Y3eb [https://minicourse.ginakunadian.com/i6Y3eb] Check out FeedSpots Best 40 Women’s Sobriety Podcasts https://podcasts.feedspot.com/womens_sobriety_podcasts/ [https://podcasts.feedspot.com/womens_sobriety_podcasts/]