The Alcohol-Free Rebellion

Abby Calabrese
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The Alcohol-Free Rebellion is a podcast for anyone rethinking their relationship with alcohol and craving something deeper. Host Abby Calabrese explores sobriety, mental health, identity, and purpose through real, unfiltered conversations. Whether you're sober, sober-curious, or just looking for more authenticity—this is your place to rebel against the norm and rediscover who you really are.

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

    FEB 12

    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 Follow Mary on IG here Visit Mary's website here

    45 min

  2. JAN 15

    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.

    42 min

  3. JAN 8

    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) 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.

    55 min

  4. 12/18/2025

    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, a platform and podcast 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 Renée on IG Nosedive on IG Nosedive on TikTok

    46 min
  5. From Party Girl to Powerhouse: Kathryn Sauser’s Untold Sobriety Story

    12/11/2025

    From Party Girl to Powerhouse: Kathryn Sauser’s Untold Sobriety Story

    In this deeply honest episode, Abby sits down with Kathryn Sauser — creator of Sober Fit Girl, coach, podcaster, and almost six years sober — to talk about the parts of drinking we don’t usually say out loud. Kathryn shares her full story, including pieces she’s never publicly told: growing up in a chaotic alcoholic home, losing her father to addiction, becoming the “ultimate party girl,” chasing escape across multiple cities, mixing drinking with party drugs, getting stuck in toxic relationships, and realizing that moderation was keeping her trapped. Together, Abby and Kathryn break down: why trauma shapes the way we drink how grief fuels the party-girl persona the truth about moderation and why it feels harder than sobriety what it’s like to rebuild your identity after drinking how Gen Z is changing drinking culture navigating mommy wine culture, suburb life, and the loneliness of early sobriety why community is the key to staying alcohol-free the exact moment Kathryn knew she was done This conversation is raw, vulnerable, hilarious in spots, and full of relatable moments that help so many women feel less alone. Follow Kathryn at @kathrynsauser and @soberfitgirl, and check out the Sober Fit Girl Podcast.

    54 min
  6. From Sobriety to Transformation: Ashley Elizabeth on Reinventing Life, Psychedelics, and Purpose

    12/04/2025

    From Sobriety to Transformation: Ashley Elizabeth on Reinventing Life, Psychedelics, and Purpose

    In this episode, we sit down with Ashley Elizabeth, sober companion, integration guide, and founder of Beyond Sobriety, to explore how sobriety can be a launchpad for radical transformation. Ashley shares her journey from a high-powered six-figure career to facing her struggles with alcohol and substance use, getting sober, and completely reinventing her life—including a bold move to Costa Rica. We dive into the role psychedelics have played in her healing, how she blends behavioral psychology, trauma-informed care, and somatic practices to support others, and why sobriety can unlock not just freedom from substances, but clarity, purpose, and empowerment. Whether you’re early in your journey or looking to step into next-level personal growth, Ashley’s story offers insight, inspiration, and practical guidance for reclaiming your life. Find Ashley on IG Check out her website https://www.beyond-integration.co/ Book a FREE discovery call with Ashley

    47 min
  7. Brou Quinn: Chef, Creator, and Recovery Warrior

    11/20/2025

    Brou Quinn: Chef, Creator, and Recovery Warrior

    Trigger Warning: This episode discusses substance use, psychosis, hospitalizations, and intense mental health struggles. Please take care while listening. Brou’s story is one of the wildest, rawest, and most inspiring journeys you’ll hear. From high-pressure kitchens in NYC, Philly, and San Francisco to a full mental health collapse, psychosis, and finally a long climb back into recovery — she’s lived through what most people don’t talk about. Her clean date is February 19, 2020, forged in the stillness of lockdown, service work feeding 500 people a day, and finally learning who she was without substances. Today she’s a thriving digital creator and restaurant storyteller in Philly, living a life she once never thought she’d reach. This episode is for anyone who’s ever wondered if they could come back from rock bottom. You can. Brou did — and she’s telling the truth about how. Brou on IG Brou on YouTube Brou's Website

    49 min

  8. 11/13/2025

    Redefining Rituals with Jillian Fontana of Mod Elixirs

    What happens when a sommelier trades wine pairings for wellness elixirs? In this episode, Abby sits down with Jillian Fontana, the founder of Mod Elixirs, to talk about her transition from the world of fine wine to crafting sophisticated, alcohol-free beverages that celebrate connection, creativity, and intention. Jill shares how her background in hospitality shaped her approach to mindful drinking, the art of building rituals that actually fill your cup, and what it means to bring a sommelier’s palate to the alcohol-free space. This conversation is equal parts inspiring and practical — proof that sophistication and self-awareness can absolutely coexist in your glass. Mod Elixirs Website Mod Elixirs IG

    28 min
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About

The Alcohol-Free Rebellion is a podcast for anyone rethinking their relationship with alcohol and craving something deeper. Host Abby Calabrese explores sobriety, mental health, identity, and purpose through real, unfiltered conversations. Whether you're sober, sober-curious, or just looking for more authenticity—this is your place to rebel against the norm and rediscover who you really are.

Information

  • Creator
    Abby Calabrese
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    37
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Abby Calabrese
  • Show Website
    The Alcohol-Free Rebellion