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In episode 237 of the Sober Vibes podcast, I welcome Michael E. Long, coauthor of the international bestseller The Molecule of More and author of the new follow-up, Taming the Molecule of More. Michael explains how alcohol hijacks our brain’s reward system and shares practical, science-backed strategies to rewire it for a more balanced, fulfilling life.

Dopamine doesn’t create happiness—it drives anticipation and desire. That’s why understanding it is central to breaking free from alcohol and building lasting sobriety.

What you will learn in this episode:

• Why dopamine is the neurotransmitter that makes us want more rather than enjoy what we have
• How alcohol and other addictive substances flood the brain with artificial dopamine, rewiring your reward system
• The surprising ways modern technology triggers similar dopamine-driven anticipation patterns
• Why recovery requires replacing dopamine-seeking behaviors with “here-and-now” experiences
• How finding deeper meaning is essential for long-term sobriety and satisfaction
• Simple daily practices like listing victories and practicing presence can rewire your reward pathways
• Why rebalancing dopamine starts within days but continues as a lifelong process

If you’ve ever felt restless, joyless, or like something is “missing” in early sobriety, this episode will help you understand why and give you a clear path toward lasting fulfillment.

Connect with Michael E. Long:

Website

Molecule of More

Taming the Molecule of More

Resources Mentioned:

Sober 1:1 Coaching

The Sobriety Circle

The After-Emotional Sobriety Guide

PODCAST SPONSOR:

This episode is sponsored by Soberlink, a trusted accountability tool for anyone navigating early recovery. Whether you're rebuilding trust with loved ones or want more structure in your sobriety, Soberlink offers a discreet and empowering way to stay on track.

Sober Vibes listeners get $50 off their device!
Grab your discount here!

Hope this episode helps you today!

Ready to thrive in your alcohol-free life? Sober Vibes: A Guide to Thriving in Your First Three Months Without Alcohol is your step-by-step guide to navigating early sobriety with confidence.

Grab your copy today!

Thank you for listening! Help the show by Rating, Reviewing, and/or Subscribing to the Sober Vibes Podcast.

Connect w/ Courtney:
Instagram
Join the Sobriety Circle

Apply for 1:1 Coaching
Order the Sober Vibes Book

Text Me!

Episode 236: 13 Lessons in 13 Years of Sobriety: Hard Truths, Healing, and Hope for Your Alcohol-Free Journey

In episode 236 of the Sober Vibes podcast, Courtney Andersen talks about the 13 years of living alcohol-free. She has learned some powerful lessons about what it takes to get sober, stay sober, and thrive in your sober life.

Courtney is sharing her 13 biggest takeaways from her journey, truths she wishes she had known when she was starting out. Whether you’re sober curious, in your first year, or navigating the tricky space between year one and year two, these lessons will give you hope, direction, and practical strategies to keep moving forward.

What you will learn in this episode:

• Why you don’t need to hit “rock bottom” to change your life
• The messy truth about slips and how to recover from them without shame
• How to rebuild trust with yourself after years of drinking
• Why the first year is so different from every year after
• The role of rest, forgiveness, and boundaries in lasting sobriety
• How to create a sober life you love (and don’t want to escape from)

Sobriety isn’t just about removing alcohol; it’s about building a life that feels full, free, and authentically yours. Courtney's hope is that these lessons give you the tools and inspiration to do just that.

Resources Mentioned:

Sobriety Circle

Breakthrough

Sober Vibes Book

The After

PODCAST SPONSOR:

This episode is sponsored by Soberlink, a trusted accountability tool for anyone navigating early recovery. Whether you're rebuilding trust with loved ones or want more structure in your sobriety, Soberlink offers a discreet and empowering way to stay on track.

Sober Vibes listeners get $50 off their device!
Grab your discount here!

Hope this episode helps you today!

Ready to thrive in your alcohol-free life? Sober Vibes: A Guide to Thriving in Your First Three Months Without Alcohol is your step-by-step guide to navigating early sobriety with confidence.

Grab your copy today!

Thank you for listening! Help the show by Rating, Reviewing, and/or Subscribing to the Sober Vibes Podcast.

Connect w/ Courtney:
Instagram
Join the Sobriety Circle

Apply for 1:1 Coaching
Order the Sober Vibes Book

Text Me!

In episode 235 of the Sober Vibes podcast, I share practical, compassionate advice for family and friends supporting a loved one in early sobriety and how to help loved ones with addiction to alcohol.

Learn what to expect as your person navigates recovery, how to set healthy boundaries, and five powerful tips to protect your well-being along the way.

Whether you're a partner, sibling, friend, or parent, this episode will help you feel less alone and more empowered in your support role.

What you will learn in this episode:

• What it means when someone quits drinking
• 5 everyday things to expect in early sobriety
• How to avoid taking their behavior personally
• Tips to support them without enabling
• Why your healing is just as important

5 Key Takeaways for Loved Ones:

1. Educate yourself about alcohol use disorder
2. Set clear, guilt-free boundaries
3. Prioritize your emotional and mental well-being
4. Let go of control support, don’t fix
5. Celebrate progress, not perfection

Resources Mentioned:

Codependent No More

Set Boundaries Find Peace

You Can Heal Your Life

PODCAST SPONSOR:

This episode is sponsored by Soberlink, a trusted accountability tool for anyone navigating early recovery. Whether you're rebuilding trust with loved ones or simply want more structure in your sobriety, Soberlink offers a discreet and empowering way to stay on track.

Sober Vibes listeners get $50 off their device!
Grab your discount here!

Hope this episode helps you today!

Ready to thrive in your alcohol-free life? Sober Vibes: A Guide to Thriving in Your First Three Months Without Alcohol is your step-by-step guide to navigating early sobriety with confidence.

Grab your copy today!

Thank you for listening! Help the show by Rating, Reviewing, and/or Subscribing to the Sober Vibes Podcast.

Connect w/ Courtney:
Instagram
Join the Sobriety Circle

Apply for 1:1 Coaching
Order the Sober Vibes Book

Text Me!

Episode 234:Your Top Sobriety Questions Answered: Willpower, Dating, Sugar Cravings & More

In episode 234 of the Sober Vibes podcast, Courtney Andersen answers your most pressing sobriety questions with honesty, heart, and 12 years of lived experience. Whether you’re just starting or have been alcohol-free for a while, this episode is full of relatable, real-life advice to help you stay strong, feel supported, and thrive in your recovery journey.

From breaking the myth that sobriety is all about willpower to navigating sober dating and setting boundaries with a partner who still drinks, Courtney offers insight and encouragement to meet you exactly where you are.

If you've ever wondered how to get through the evening witching hour, manage post-acute withdrawal fatigue, or stop sugar cravings from taking over, this episode is for you.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE:

• Why white-knuckling through sobriety doesn’t work—and what to focus on instead
• How movement and physical activity reduce anxiety in early recovery
• What to do when low energy lingers after quitting alcohol
• Where to find women-specific recovery support and safe spaces
• Tips for dating while sober and avoiding the "overshare hangover"
• How to set boundaries if your partner still drinks
• Simple ways to break your nightly drinking routine
• What sugar cravings are really telling you and how to handle them
• Why you’re allowed to focus on sobriety first, before changing everything else

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

1:1 Sober Coaching

The Sobriety Circle

Instagram

My Book

The After

Codependent No More

PODCAST SPONSOR:

Get $ 50 off your Soberlink device today!

Hope this episode helps you today!

Ready to thrive in your alcohol-free life? Sober Vibes: A Guide to Thriving in Your First Three Months Without Alcohol is your step-by-step guide to navigating early sobriety with confidence.

Grab your copy today!

Thank you for listening! Help the show by Rating, Reviewing, and/or Subscribing to the Sober Vibes Podcast.

Connect w/ Courtney:
Instagram
Join the Sobriety Circle

Apply for 1:1 Coaching
Order the Sober Vibes Book

Text Me!

Episode 233: The 12-Step Guide for Skeptics w/ Arlina Allen

In episode 233 of the Sober Vibes podcast, Courtney welcomes back Arlina Allen to the show, and they discuss her new book, The 12-Step Guide for Skeptics.

The 12-Step Guide for Skeptics breaks down the most common myths and misconceptions that cause people to resist 12-step programs, offering a compassionate, clear-eyed reframe of terms like “powerless,” “God,” and “alcoholic.”

You’ll hear how she redefines these concepts to support recovery instead of scaring people away, and why just attending meetings isn’t the same as actually doing the steps. With her trademark honesty and no-BS approach, Arlina also opens up about the shame she felt at 20 years sober and how recovery continues to evolve long after quitting drinking.

Whether you’re sober-curious, stuck in the moderation cycle, or frustrated with traditional recovery language, this episode will give you permission to take what works, leave what doesn’t, and reclaim your sobriety your way.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE:

• How Arlena’s 31 years of sobriety shaped her unique view on recovery
• Why she calls herself “recovery promiscuous” and encourages trying every tool
• The real meaning of “powerless over alcohol” and why it’s not a weakness
• How to navigate the "God" and "higher power" concept if you’re skeptical
• The danger of dismissing 12-step programs based on people, not principles

RESOURCES MENTIONED:
Grab The 12-Step Guide for Skeptics

Episode 183 with Arlina Allen

Courtney's Website

CONNECT WITH ARLINA:

Arlina's Website

Podcast Sponsor-

Get $ 50 off your Soberlink device today!

Hope this episode helps you today!

Ready to thrive in your alcohol-free life? Sober Vibes: A Guide to Thriving in Your First Three Months Without Alcohol is your step-by-step guide to navigating early sobriety with confidence.

Grab your copy today!

Thank you for listening! Help the show by Rating, Reviewing, and/or Subscribing to the Sober Vibes Podcast.

Connect w/ Courtney:
Instagram
Join the Sobriety Circle

Apply for 1:1 Coaching
Order the Sober Vibes Book

Text Me!

In episode 232 of the Sober Vibes podcast, I welcome Jeremy Lipkowitz to the show, and we discuss porn addiction, overcoming shame, and what to do if your husband has a porn addiction.

Jeremy opens up about his 15-year journey with porn addiction, beginning at age seven with a lingerie catalog and escalating to hours of daily online consumption by college. They unpack how porn rewires the brain, disrupts relationships, and becomes a hidden coping mechanism for emotional pain. Through his personal story and coaching expertise, Jeremy offers genuine, compassionate insight into how individuals can initiate the process of healing, recovery, and reconnection with themselves and others.

Whether you're personally affected, love someone who struggles, or are raising kids in this digital world, this conversation is a must-listen.

What you will learn:

• The three “A’s” that make porn addiction uniquely powerful: affordable, accessible, and anonymous
• How pornography addiction affects the brain, emotional health, and relationships
• What is betrayal trauma, and how does it affect the partners of porn addicts
• Why recovery is about mindfulness, connection, and healing, not willpower alone
• How to raise kids in a world where explicit content is just a swipe away
• Practical steps to start recovering from porn addiction or support a loved one who is

Key Takeaways:

• Addiction often begins with early exposure and escalates over time with tech access
• Porn hijacks the brain’s dopamine system and creates a craving for novelty over intimacy
• Most porn addicts live a double life rooted in shame, secrecy, and emotional numbing
• Social media can act as a slippery slope toward pornography and compulsive behavior
• Healing involves community, mindfulness, nervous system regulation, and inner child work

Connect with Jeremy Lipkowitz:

• Website & Coaching
• Podcast
• YouTube
• Instagram

Resources Mentioned:

Courtney's Website

Anxious Generation

Podcast Sponsor-

Get $ 50 off your Soberlink device today!

Hope this helps you today!

Ready to thrive in your alcohol-free life? Sober Vibes: A Guide to Thriving in Your First Three Months Without Alcohol is your step-by-step guide to navigating early sobriety with confidence.

Grab your copy today!

Thank you for listening! Help the show by Rating, Reviewing, and/or Subscribing to the Sober Vibes Podcast.

Connect w/ Courtney:
Instagram
Join the Sobriety Circle

Apply for 1:1 Coaching
Order the Sober Vibes Book

Text Me!

Episode 231: Emotional Sobriety: Why You Still Feel Off After Quitting Alcohol

In episode 231 of the Sober Vibes podcast, Courtney Andersen discusses emotional sobriety. She is digging deep into emotional sobriety, the unspoken part of recovery that no one really prepares you for. You’ll learn what emotional sobriety is, why it matters, and how to tell if you're in that “messy middle” where you’ve removed the alcohol… but your nervous system still doesn’t feel safe.

Courtney Andersen, sober coach and emotional sobriety mentor with 12 years of lived experience, shares her personal story of what came after sobriety, the panic attacks, the shame spirals, and the emotional unraveling that no one warned her about.

If you’re wondering why you don’t feel better yet, why your triggers are louder now, or how to stop spiraling without going back to numbing… this episode will feel like a breath of fresh air.

What's Discussed:

• What emotional sobriety means (and how it’s different from just “not drinking”)
• 5 signs you may be emotionally dysregulated in sobriety
• Why emotional healing gets harder before it gets better
• What to do when shame, anxiety, and shutdown still show up
• The exact tools Courtney used to stay emotionally grounded through 12 years of sobriety

Resources Mentioned:

The After — A No-BS Guide to Emotional Sobriety
*Short video coaching lessons
*Deep-dive journal workbook
*Emotional regulation + nervous system tools

Grab it now for $15 OFF with code AFTER
🖤 → THE AFTER

Podcast Sponsor-

Get $ 50 off your Soberlink device today!

Hope this helps you today!

Thank you for listening! Help the show by Rating, Reviewing, and/or Subscribing to the Sober Vibes Podcast.

Connect w/ Courtney:
Instagram
Join the Sobriety Circle

Apply for 1:1 Coaching
Order the Sober Vibes Book

Text Me!

In this episode of Sober Vibes, I break down what slips and relapses mean and how to prevent it in real life, not just in theory. Whether you're newly sober or several years alcohol-free, this honest and empowering conversation gives you practical tools to protect your peace, stay grounded, and ride out the challenging moments without going back to booze.

From emotional triggers to burnout and self-isolation, I dive into the sneaky ways relapse can creep in and how to create a sustainable support system that works. Additionally, she shares her strategies, journal prompts, and mantras to help you stay centered.

What’s the difference between a lapse and a relapse

• 5 sneaky relapse triggers (and how to spot them early)
• Daily habits that strengthen your emotional sobriety
• How to build a relapse prevention plan that works
• What to do if you do slip—and why you don’t have to start over
• A powerful journal prompt + affirmation to stay grounded

Mentioned in This Episode:

• 1:1 Sober Coaching
• Join the Sobriety Circle
• Follow Courtney on Instagram

Thank you for listening, and I hope this episode helps you in your journey.

Ready to thrive in your alcohol-free life? Sober Vibes: A Guide to Thriving in Your First Three Months Without Alcohol is your step-by-step guide to navigating early sobriety with confidence.

Grab your copy today!

Thank you for listening! Help the show by Rating, Reviewing, and/or Subscribing to the Sober Vibes Podcast.

Connect w/ Courtney:
Instagram
Join the Sobriety Circle

Apply for 1:1 Coaching
Order the Sober Vibes Book