Expectation vs. Reality: Our Trek to Machu Picchu

The Space Sobriety Creates (And Why It Feels So Weird At First) — with Mel Burbank

When you stop drinking, something unexpected happens. Space. Space in your calendar. Space in your mornings. Space in your brain. Space in your relationships. Space in your home. And at first… it can feel really uncomfortable. In this episode of The Alcohol-Free Rebellion, I sit down with alcohol-free mentor Mel Burbank of Alcohol Free Females to talk about the part of sobriety that almost no one prepares you for. That quiet. The slowing down. The invitations that stop coming. The grief for the life you used to live. And the moment when you realize… that space is actually where your new life begins. We also talk about: • Why the early months of sobriety can feel lonely • The “middle 50%” of drinkers who don’t fit the typical recovery narrative • Why many women think they’re doing sobriety “wrong” at first • How alcohol quietly takes up way more space in your life than you realize If you’re newly alcohol-fre

The Last Glass of Rosé: Mary Alice Stephens on Emotional Bottoms & 14 Years Sober

When Mary Alice Stephens took her last drink, it wasn’t in a jail cell or rehab. It was at a sunny pool party with a giant glass of rosé in hand. In this episode, Mary, author of Uncorked—shares the story of the blackout that became her emotional bottom. No DUI. No dramatic intervention. Just a quiet, devastating realization: “I don’t want to parent like this.” Abby and Mary dive into: * The “in-between” bottom so many high-functioning women experience * Wine culture, sophistication myths, and sober avoidance * The witching hour and why alcohol feels like emotional latex * People-pleasing, mom friendships, and navigating social life sober * Physical withdrawal, raw nerves, and early sobriety loneliness * What “emotional sobriety” actually means * Losing friends, evolving identity, and becoming safe & predictable * What changes after 1 year… 5 years… 14 years alcohol-free This is an honest, nuanced conversation about motherhood, identity shifts, and the long game of personal growth without alcohol. If you’ve ever thought, “Nothing tragic has happened… so am I really that bad?” — this episode is for you. Grab your copy of Uncorked here [https://amzn.to/403H9IH] Follow Mary on IG here [https://www.instagram.com/maryalicestephenswrites/] Visit Mary's website here [https://www.maryalicestephens.com/]

Alcohol Isn’t Just a Personal Choice, It’s a Public Health Issue

Alcohol is one of the only substances that we’re expected to consume and judged when we don’t. But why? In this episode, Abby sits down with Mike Marshall, CEO of the U.S. Alcohol Policy Alliance and a longtime advocate in the public health and recovery space, to unpack how alcohol became so deeply embedded in our culture and who benefits from that. Mike shares his personal sobriety journey, his background in politics and advocacy, and why alcohol should be treated as a public health issue not just a matter of “personal responsibility.” Together, they explore the links between alcohol and cancer, mental health, violence, and motherhood, as well as why most people don’t actually have access to this information. This conversation is eye-opening, validating, and empowering, especially if you’ve ever felt like opting out of drinking made you the “weird one.” In this episode, we cover: * Why alcohol is regulated differently than tobacco * The connection between alcohol and breast cancer * How the alcohol industry shapes social norms * Why sobriety and moderation aren’t just personal, they’re political * What real change could look like at a policy level To learn more or get involved, visit alcoholpolicy.org [alcoholpolicy.org].

Expectation vs. Reality: Our Trek to Machu Picchu

What was supposed to feel like a once-in-a-lifetime adventure turned into one of the most physically and emotionally challenging experiences of our lives. In this episode, I’m joined by my friend Rachel (@soberincentralpark [https://www.instagram.com/soberincentralpark/?hl=en]) as we finally unpack our trek to Machu Picchu — the altitude sickness, panic attacks, injuries, tears, fear, rage, and moments where we truly didn’t know if we could keep going. This isn’t a highlight reel. It’s an honest conversation about: * What happens when expectations don’t match reality * Navigating fear and overwhelm in the middle of nowhere * The emotional side of endurance challenges no one prepares you for * How resilience is built when you don’t have an exit plan We also talk about why experiences like this stay with you — not because they were perfect, but because they show you what you’re capable of. If you’ve ever felt unprepared, pushed past your limits, or proud of yourself after something broke you open...this episode is for you.

Numbing Less, Living More with Mara and Renée from Nosedive

What if you didn’t need a rock bottom to question your relationship with alcohol — or your life? In this episode, I’m joined by Renée Adams and Mara DeMauro, co-founders of Nosedive [https://www.nosedive-co.com/], a platform and podcast [https://rss.buzzsprout.com/2440352.rss] dedicated to numbing less and living more. Together, we talk about growing up around alcohol, high-achieving culture, wellness contradictions, and the quiet dissatisfaction that can exist even when life looks “successful” on paper. Mara shares her sober-curious journey, including how psychedelics helped her step outside herself and see how numbing was showing up in subtle ways. Renée opens up about habitual drinking, identity loss, and the realization that productivity and alcohol were keeping her disconnected from herself. We also dive into: * Why sober curiosity isn’t all-or-nothing * Letting yourself feel emotions instead of numbing them * Going alcohol-free without a dramatic breaking point * Identity, creativity, and rebuilding confidence * Entrepreneurship, balance, and giving yourself permission to evolve This conversation is for anyone who’s felt stuck in a cycle of work hard, drink harder and is quietly wondering if there’s another way. You don’t have to burn your life down to build something better. Sometimes, it starts with curiosity. Mara on IG [https://www.instagram.com/marademauro] Renée on IG [https://www.instagram.com/coach_radams/] Nosedive on IG [https://www.instagram.com/nosediveco/] Nosedive on TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@nosediveco]