Sober & Lit Podcast

Susan Larkin & Ruby Williams
  • 4.9 (38)
  • Self-Improvement
  • Updated Weekly

Are you worried you might be drinking too much?  If you’ve tried cutting back your drinking, but can’t imagine your life without wine? This podcast is for you.  Sober & Lit is the podcast for women in midlife who want encouragement, support, and real strategies to live their best life without alcohol. Whether you identify as a gray area drinker, a daily drinker, are exploring how to stop drinking, or are wondering how to know if you even have a drinking problem, this show offers practical tools and honest conversations. In each episode we answer real listeners’ questions about how to stop drinking and how to stay stopped. With sober stories, empowering insights, and practical tips and tactics for living sober with mindfulness, confidence, and joy. If you're ready to explore an alcohol-free lifestyle and step into your most vibrant, “lit” life you're in the right place.   This podcast is for you if you’ve ever asked: Why can’t I drink like everyone else?  Why do I drink more than I want to?  I had weight loss surgery and why am I drinking every day now?  What is a gray area drinker?  Why can’t I stop drinking once I start?  How can I drink less during stressful times (holidays, divorce, empty nest, grief) Is it possible to enjoy life without alcohol?  How do I cut back without quitting completely?  What’s the first step to changing my drinking?  How much alcohol is too much for a woman my age?  Every episode ends with how we and our guests feel lit with practices that support your mental health, optimizes your fitness goals and enhances personal growth. If you’re sober-curious, or alcohol-free and ready for your next amazing chapter in life, this podcast is your weekly dose of inspiration, tools, real talk, and some laughs!

  1. 22h ago

    Embarrassed to Be Alcohol-Free? Here's How to Own It / EP 129

    What if the hardest part about becoming alcohol-free isn't giving up alcohol... ...it's letting go of the identity that came with it? In this episode of Sober & Lit, Susan and Ruby answer a listener question that so many women quietly struggle with: "Why do I feel embarrassed to call myself alcohol-free?" Together they explore why our brains worry so much about fitting in, how limiting beliefs shape our identity, and why becoming alcohol-free is less about losing something... and more about rediscovering who you've been all along. You'll learn: • Why fear of judgment keeps us stuck • How to stop mind-reading other people's opinions • A simple mindset shift that builds lasting confidence • Practical coaching tools to help you feel proud, authentic, and free If you've ever wondered... "Will people think I'm boring?" "Who am I without alcohol?" "How do I stop caring what everyone else thinks?" This conversation may completely change the way you think about your alcohol-free journey.  We Love Hearing From You Don't forget to follow and subscribe and leave a review! It helps to get the word out that living sober is lit!  Listeners have said that our podcast has helped them get alcohol free! Join our private community!  Connect with the Podcast Hosts: Susan Larkin Coaching https://www.susanlarkincoaching.com Ruby Williams at Freedom Renegade Coaching https://www.freedomrenegadecoaching.com/ Follow Susan: @drinklesswithsusan Follow Ruby: @rubywilliamscoaching It is strongly recommended that you seek professional advice regarding your health before attempting to take a break from alcohol. The creators, hosts, and producers of the The Feel Lit Alcohol Free podcast are not healthcare practitioners and therefore do not give medical, or psychological advice nor do they intend for the podcast, any resource or communication on behalf of the podcast or otherwise to be a substitute for such.

    26 min

  2. Jun 23

    How Anxiety Accelerates Alcohol Use Disorder / EP 128

    You have the career. The family. The responsibilities. So why does that glass of wine feel harder to say no to? In this episode of Sober & Lit, we're exploring the hidden connection between alcohol, anxiety, and women. You'll discover: Why anxiety can quietly increase drinkingHow alcohol becomes a coping habitThe surprising science behind "telescoping"Why this isn't a willpower problemSimple tools to calm anxiety without alcoholIf you've ever thought: "Why am I drinking more than I want to?""Why does alcohol help... and then make everything worse?""Why can't I seem to break the cycle?"This episode offers hope, science, and practical strategies to help you understand what's really happening beneath the habit and how to find relief without relying on alcohol. You don't have to worry about forever just today. Try the Skip the Sip Guide to take tonight off!  We Love Hearing From You Don't forget to follow and subscribe and leave a review! It helps to get the word out that living sober is lit!  Listeners have said that our podcast has helped them get alcohol free! Join our private community!  Connect with the Podcast Hosts: Susan Larkin Coaching https://www.susanlarkincoaching.com Ruby Williams at Freedom Renegade Coaching https://www.freedomrenegadecoaching.com/ Follow Susan: @drinklesswithsusan Follow Ruby: @rubywilliamscoaching It is strongly recommended that you seek professional advice regarding your health before attempting to take a break from alcohol. The creators, hosts, and producers of the The Feel Lit Alcohol Free podcast are not healthcare practitioners and therefore do not give medical, or psychological advice nor do they intend for the podcast, any resource or communication on behalf of the podcast or otherwise to be a substitute for such.

    34 min

  3. Jun 16

    Alcohol, Menopause & Midlife Truths with Kathleen McDermott / EP 127

    Midlife. Menopause. Alcohol cravings. Coincidence... or connected? In this episode of Sober & Lit, Susan and Ruby welcome Kathleen McDermott, registered nurse and menopause coach, for a conversation every woman deserves to hear. You'll discover: Why hormones can amplify alcohol cravingsHow menopause impacts your brain and nervous systemWhy willpower isn't the answerThe role of self-compassion in lasting changeSimple ways to feel more balanced and in controlIf you've ever thought: "Why is drinking harder to manage now?""Are my hormones affecting my cravings?""Can I get through menopause alcohol-free?"This episode offers practical tools, compassionate guidance, and a refreshing reminder that you don't have to navigate midlife…or an alcohol-free journey…alone. Guest Resources for Kathleen McDermott and Women & Balance- Website: http://womenandbalance.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558627978641 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/womenandbalance/ We Love Hearing From You Don't forget to follow and subscribe and leave a review! It helps to get the word out that living sober is lit!  Listeners have said that our podcast has helped them get alcohol free! Join our private community!  Connect with the Podcast Hosts: Susan Larkin Coaching https://www.susanlarkincoaching.com Ruby Williams at Freedom Renegade Coaching https://www.freedomrenegadecoaching.com/ Follow Susan: @drinklesswithsusan Follow Ruby: @rubywilliamscoaching It is strongly recommended that you seek professional advice regarding your health before attempting to take a break from alcohol. The creators, hosts, and producers of the The Feel Lit Alcohol Free podcast are not healthcare practitioners and therefore do not give medical, or psychological advice nor do they intend for the podcast, any resource or communication on behalf of the podcast or otherwise to be a substitute for such.

    44 min

  4. Jun 9

    Why Don't I Feel Better Sober? EP 126

    You quit drinking expecting to feel amazing... but what if you're feeling worse before you feel better? So now you're wondering: "Shouldn't I feel better by now?" In this episode of Sober & Lit, Ruby and Susan unpack a little-known part of the alcohol-free journey: PAWS (Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome). You'll discover: • Why recovery can feel harder than expected • Common symptoms of PAWS • How long healing may take • Signs your brain is actually recovering • Tools to stay encouraged and keep going If you've ever thought: • "What's wrong with me?" • "Why am I still struggling?" • "Will I ever feel normal again?" This conversation is your reminder that healing isn't always linear...and sometimes the symptoms you're worried about are actually signs of progress. Nobody talks enough about what can happen in the first 90 days after quitting alcohol. That's exactly why I created The First 90 Days Reset Guide. Because if you're exhausted, anxious, emotional, or dealing with brain fog, you might think something is wrong with you. ✔️ Get your Free Guide: https://coachingwithruby.com/PAWS We Love Hearing From You Don't forget to follow and subscribe and leave a review! It helps to get the word out that living sober is lit!  Listeners have said that our podcast has helped them get alcohol free! Join our private community!  Connect with the Podcast Hosts: Susan Larkin Coaching https://www.susanlarkincoaching.com Ruby Williams at Freedom Renegade Coaching https://www.freedomrenegadecoaching.com/ Follow Susan: @drinklesswithsusan Follow Ruby: @rubywilliamscoaching It is strongly recommended that you seek professional advice regarding your health before attempting to take a break from alcohol. The creators, hosts, and producers of the The Feel Lit Alcohol Free podcast are not healthcare practitioners and therefore do not give medical, or psychological advice nor do they intend for the podcast, any resource or communication on behalf of the podcast or otherwise to be a substitute for such.

    22 min

  5. Jun 2

    How Sobriety Fueled Success for Entrepreneur Deborah C. Smith / EP 125

    What if sobriety gave you MORE... not less? In this episode of Sober & Lit, Susan and Ruby sit down with Deborah C. Smith... business coach, entrepreneur, and powerful example of what can happen when you stop using alcohol to cope and start reconnecting with yourself. Inside this conversation: • Deborah’s story • Alcohol, ambition + high stress entrepreneurship • The wake-up call that changed everything • Finding joy, creativity + relief without wine • Why sobriety became her superpower • Building a life and business that actually feels good If you’ve ever wondered...  • Can I really feel lit without alcohol?  • What happens when I stop drinking to manage stress?  • Could sobriety open doors I never imagined? This one is inspiring, real, and full of hope for your own alcohol-free journey. ________ Guest Resources for Deborah Smith- Website: Http://www.deborahcsmith.com Podcast - Mindset to Market:  https://mindset-to-market.buzzsprout.com/ Instagram: Http://www.instagram.com/deborah_smith_coaching Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1B3UWMF2ax/?mibextid=wwXIfr We Love Hearing From You Don't forget to follow and subscribe and leave a review! It helps to get the word out that living sober is lit!  Listeners have said that our podcast has helped them get alcohol free! Join our private community!  Connect with the Podcast Hosts: Susan Larkin Coaching https://www.susanlarkincoaching.com Ruby Williams at Freedom Renegade Coaching https://www.freedomrenegadecoaching.com/ Follow Susan: @drinklesswithsusan Follow Ruby: @rubywilliamscoaching It is strongly recommended that you seek professional advice regarding your health before attempting to take a break from alcohol. The creators, hosts, and producers of the The Feel Lit Alcohol Free podcast are not healthcare practitioners and therefore do not give medical, or psychological advice nor do they intend for the podcast, any resource or communication on behalf of the podcast or otherwise to be a substitute for such.

    39 min

  6. May 26

    Building Sober Confidence: Why Summer Is Your Ideal Training Ground / EP 124

    What if summer isn’t the problem... but actually the BEST time to explore alcohol free living? In this episode of Sober & Lit, Coach Susan and Coach Ruby unpack: Why summer drinking feels so automaticHow concerts, patios, vacations, and BBQs retrain your brainBuilding your alcohol-free “muscles” one event at a timeWhy nature can calm your nervous system naturallyThe mindset shift that changes everythingHow to stop “starting over” every fallPlus: Mocktail ideasReal client storiesNervous system toolsConfidence-building experimentsLearning to lead with loveWhether you’re sober curious, a gray area drinker, or well along your alcohol-free journey, this episode will help you rethink summer, embrace new ways to have fun, and lead with love in every experience. ⭐ Join Coach Susan's Free Alcohol-Free Vacation Workshop: https://www.susanlarkincoaching.com/vacation-workshop We Love Hearing From You Don't forget to follow and subscribe and leave a review! It helps to get the word out that living sober is lit!  Listeners have said that our podcast has helped them get alcohol free! Join our private community!  Connect with the Podcast Hosts: Susan Larkin Coaching https://www.susanlarkincoaching.com Ruby Williams at Freedom Renegade Coaching https://www.freedomrenegadecoaching.com/ Follow Susan: @drinklesswithsusan Follow Ruby: @rubywilliamscoaching It is strongly recommended that you seek professional advice regarding your health before attempting to take a break from alcohol. The creators, hosts, and producers of the The Feel Lit Alcohol Free podcast are not healthcare practitioners and therefore do not give medical, or psychological advice nor do they intend for the podcast, any resource or communication on behalf of the podcast or otherwise to be a substitute for such.

    24 min

  7. May 19

    Alcohol-Free Wine Revolution with Tracy Sweeney / EP 123

    What if you didn’t have to give up the wine ritual... to change your relationship with alcohol? In this episode of Sober & Lit, we sit down with Tracy Sweeney... longtime wine industry insider and co-founder of Tomorrow Cellars... to talk about the rise of sophisticated alcohol-free wine and why so many women are rethinking what’s in their glass. We talk about: • Can alcohol-free wine actually taste good? • Why are so many midlife women becoming sober curious? • Is it possible to keep the ritual... without the alcohol? • What’s REALLY changing inside wine culture right now? If you’ve ever thought: “Can I still love wine... without alcohol?” ...this conversation is going to open your mind in a whole new way.  ________ Guest Resources for Tomorrow Cellars- Website to buy Tomorrow Cellars Wines: http://tomorrowcellars.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tomorrowcellars/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tomorrowcellars/ ⭐ Find Tomorrow Cellers 'Alcohol Removed' Wines at select retailers and on Amazon We Love Hearing From You Don't forget to follow and subscribe and leave a review! It helps to get the word out that living sober is lit!  Listeners have said that our podcast has helped them get alcohol free! Join our private community!  Connect with the Podcast Hosts: Susan Larkin Coaching https://www.susanlarkincoaching.com Ruby Williams at Freedom Renegade Coaching https://www.freedomrenegadecoaching.com/ Follow Susan: @drinklesswithsusan Follow Ruby: @rubywilliamscoaching It is strongly recommended that you seek professional advice regarding your health before attempting to take a break from alcohol. The creators, hosts, and producers of the The Feel Lit Alcohol Free podcast are not healthcare practitioners and therefore do not give medical, or psychological advice nor do they intend for the podcast, any resource or communication on behalf of the podcast or otherwise to be a substitute for such.

    37 min

  8. May 12

    Sober Summer Experiment: Curious About Firsts? EP 122

    What if this summer didn’t have to end the same way it always does? You start June saying, “I’m going to cut back.” Then come the vacations… the patio drinks… the girls trips… the BBQs… and suddenly it’s September and you’re exhausted, anxious, inflamed, and promising yourself you’ll “start again Monday.” But what if this summer became the one where you finally tried something different? In this episode of the Sober & Lit podcast, we’re talking about The Sober Summer Experiment... and why your first alcohol-free “firsts” might completely change the way you think about fun, confidence, vacations, and even yourself. We’re diving into the real reason summer feels so triggering, why social pressure can feel so intense, and how to stop white-knuckling your way through the season. ✨ This isn’t about perfection. ✨ It’s about curiosity. ✨ It’s about experimenting. And it’s about discovering what’s possible when you stop starting over… and start showing up for yourself in a whole new way. ⭐ Join Coach Ruby inside The Sober Summer Experiment and get support for every alcohol-free “first”... vacations, barbecues, concerts, cravings, and more. 🧡 Join the Sober Summer Crew now and spend the summer with women who truly get it.  We Love Hearing From You Don't forget to follow and subscribe and leave a review! It helps to get the word out that living sober is lit!  Listeners have said that our podcast has helped them get alcohol free! Join our private community!  Connect with the Podcast Hosts: Susan Larkin Coaching https://www.susanlarkincoaching.com Ruby Williams at Freedom Renegade Coaching https://www.freedomrenegadecoaching.com/ Follow Susan: @drinklesswithsusan Follow Ruby: @rubywilliamscoaching It is strongly recommended that you seek professional advice regarding your health before attempting to take a break from alcohol. The creators, hosts, and producers of the The Feel Lit Alcohol Free podcast are not healthcare practitioners and therefore do not give medical, or psychological advice nor do they intend for the podcast, any resource or communication on behalf of the podcast or otherwise to be a substitute for such.

    21 min
See All (130)

Trailer

4.9
out of 5
38 Ratings

About

Are you worried you might be drinking too much?  If you’ve tried cutting back your drinking, but can’t imagine your life without wine? This podcast is for you.  Sober & Lit is the podcast for women in midlife who want encouragement, support, and real strategies to live their best life without alcohol. Whether you identify as a gray area drinker, a daily drinker, are exploring how to stop drinking, or are wondering how to know if you even have a drinking problem, this show offers practical tools and honest conversations. In each episode we answer real listeners’ questions about how to stop drinking and how to stay stopped. With sober stories, empowering insights, and practical tips and tactics for living sober with mindfulness, confidence, and joy. If you're ready to explore an alcohol-free lifestyle and step into your most vibrant, “lit” life you're in the right place.   This podcast is for you if you’ve ever asked: Why can’t I drink like everyone else?  Why do I drink more than I want to?  I had weight loss surgery and why am I drinking every day now?  What is a gray area drinker?  Why can’t I stop drinking once I start?  How can I drink less during stressful times (holidays, divorce, empty nest, grief) Is it possible to enjoy life without alcohol?  How do I cut back without quitting completely?  What’s the first step to changing my drinking?  How much alcohol is too much for a woman my age?  Every episode ends with how we and our guests feel lit with practices that support your mental health, optimizes your fitness goals and enhances personal growth. If you’re sober-curious, or alcohol-free and ready for your next amazing chapter in life, this podcast is your weekly dose of inspiration, tools, real talk, and some laughs!

Information

  • Creator
    Susan Larkin & Ruby Williams
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    130
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Sober & Lit Podcast
  • Show Website
    Sober & Lit Podcast

You Might Also Like