The Alcohol Myth Podcast

Ellen and Jonathan
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  • SELF-IMPROVEMENT

The Alcohol Myth Podcast features certified coaches Ellen and Jonathan having real conversations about alcohol, sobriety, and reclaiming a life that feels exciting to wake up to. 

  1. 2D AGO

    Alcohol Was My Coping Strategy. Here’s What Replaced It

    If you’ve been using alcohol to cope… you’re not broken. You’re human. In this episode of The Alcohol Myth Podcast, coaches Jonathan Ball and Ellen Biggs talk about alcohol as a coping strategy: why it feels like a multi-purpose tool for stress, boredom, anxiety, celebration, and hard emotions, and why it eventually starts to create the very problems it promised to solve. We unpack the “handyman” trap (alcohol as the always-available fix), why quitting can feel raw at first (because life is still lifey), and how real confidence is built: curiosity first, then competence, then confidence. In this video, you’ll learn: - Why alcohol works as a coping strategy at first (and why that matters) - The “handyman” effect: one tool for everything, even when it fits nothing well - Why alcohol crowds out other coping options and becomes “indispensable” - What happens when you stop drinking and the problems are still there - The biology behind the pull: seek pleasure, avoid pain, conserve energy - The key skill: asking “What do I really need right now?” without judgment - How clarity and presence return, and why that changes everything Quick takeaway: Alcohol can give temporary relief. Real coping gives you your life back. Tiny FAQ: Q: Why does it feel harder when I stop drinking? A: Because you’re confronting the same life stressors without the quick numbing tool. That’s not failure. That’s the start of building real skills. Q: What do I do instead of drinking? A: Pause, get curious, and identify the real need: rest, food, water, connection, movement, solitude, or honest conversation. Connect with us: Email: thealcoholmyth@gmail.com Jonathan: https://livecreativeaf.com/ Ellen: https://ellenbiggscoaching.com/ Subscribe for more episodes on pulling back the curtain on the alcohol myth. Chapters 0:00 Alcohol as your hobby and personality 1:12 Today’s topic: alcohol as a coping strategy 2:07 The “big stuff” and the “small stuff” alcohol covered over 3:06 Ellen’s “handyman” metaphor (and why it clicked) 4:20 Alcohol as the multi-tool that starts ruining your life 5:07 How alcohol crowds out other coping options 5:55 Why we used it: it worked… until it didn’t 8:39 When you stop drinking and life is still lifey 9:55 Confidence comes last (curiosity → competence → confidence) 11:00 The mindset shift: burden vs opportunity 12:22 The biology: pleasure, pain avoidance, energy conservation 13:16 “Why is this so hard?” It’s brain wiring 14:13 Neural pathways: “problem → drink” 15:39 Time slows down when you get present again 16:27 The 7–10 day physical shift and what changes after 17:14 The upward spiral: handling hard things builds belief 19:25 Giving alcohol credit for what was in you 21:32 Real example: anxiety, busyness, and the cortisol loop 24:05 The practice: ask what you really need (and don’t judge it) 27:22 Reintroducing yourself to yourself 28:12 Ellen’s example: finishing what alcohol kept stalling 30:55 High achiever energy: hustle vs ease and purpose 32:01 Practical advice: curiosity, compassion, and staying on the path 34:10 Closing and invitation to share #AlcoholMythPodcast #QuitDrinking #SoberCurious #AlcoholFree #Anxiety #Stress #HabitChange #SelfCompassion #ThisNakedMind

    35 min

  2. MAY 18

    The Vacation Trap: Hungover in Paradise

    Ever notice how alcohol can make even the most beautiful place feel weirdly… the same? In this episode of The Alcohol Myth Podcast, coaches Jonathan Ball and Ellen Biggs talk about alcohol and travel, and the big lie most of us believed: that drinking makes trips more fun, more romantic, and more special. In reality, alcohol has a superpower, it turns your vacation into the same loop you run at home, just with different scenery. We unpack free wine on flights, the 5 PM countdown, drinking-focused itineraries, the sneaky “me time” pattern, resentment on family trips, and why alcohol-free travel can feel like a total upgrade once you actually try it. In this video, you’ll learn: - Why alcohol makes every place feel the same - The “free wine on the flight” trap and what it costs you - How travel can expose the hidden routines of overdrinking - Why alcohol-free travel often feels calmer, clearer, and more joyful - How to spend the alcohol budget on experiences you actually remember - A simple plan for your first alcohol-free trip (without white knuckling) - Why treats matter: do not remove alcohol and go treatless Quick takeaway: If you want travel to feel new again, remove the thing that makes every day predictable. Tiny FAQ: Q: What if I’m scared my trip will be less fun without alcohol? A: Run a smaller experiment. Pick the first 1–3 days alcohol-free, plan one fun activity, and collect real evidence. Q: What should I drink instead? A: Anything that feels like a treat. Mocktails, alcohol-free beer, sparkling drinks, special coffee, dessert. Build it in on purpose. Connect with us: Email: thealcoholmyth@gmail.com Jonathan: https://livecreativeaf.com/ Ellen: https://ellenbiggscoaching.com/ Subscribe for more episodes on pulling back the curtain on the alcohol myth. Chapters 0:00 The travel lie: “it makes it special” 1:22 What we’re talking about today: alcohol + travel 2:04 Free wine on flights and the fear of sober travel 3:31 “Best kept secret”: what changes when you travel alcohol-free 4:20 A ticking clock to 5 PM: planning your day around drinking 6:23 Work travel as “me time” and drinking alone 8:33 Disney, Epcot, and making alcohol the mission 9:11 Alcohol’s superpower: making everywhere feel the same 10:22 The patio fantasy, and why it’s not different than home 11:36 Spend the alcohol money on real experiences (Cape Cod) 12:57 Ads sell the highlight reel, not the 3 AM wakeups 15:22 The mind noise disappears: travel gets easier 16:26 Resentment on family trips and hiding behavior 19:45 Travel disrupts your routine, and shame shows up 22:19 The “two glasses of water” moment that busted the pattern 25:00 Alcohol isolates you, even in a crowd 26:34 The mask: “fun party person” vs how you actually feel 28:41 Safe spaces: practice taking the mask off in community 32:39 Practical plan: pick a target, plan fun, stay curious 35:01 Travel tip: do not start your trip in withdrawal 37:19 Future casting for success (airport treats, museums, plans) 38:42 Build treats on purpose and explore alcohol-free options 40:13 Closing and invitation to share the episode #AlcoholFreeTravel #SoberTravel #QuitDrinking #SoberCurious #AlcoholMythPodcast #ThisNakedMind #Mocktails #HabitChange

    41 min

  3. MAY 11

    Why Quitting Feels Like Losing a Friend

    Have you ever thought of alcohol as your “most reliable friend”? In this episode of The Alcohol Myth Podcast, coaches Jonathan Ball and Ellen Biggs unpack a surprisingly common belief: alcohol as the dependable, always-there friend. We talk about why that story feels true, what it is masking underneath (needs, loneliness, celebration, comfort), and how alcohol becomes a predictable substitute for real connection. This is an episode about self-trust, self-compassion, and learning how to be there for yourself, especially when life gets hard. In this video, you’ll learn: - Why quitting can feel like leaving a friend behind - “Reliable” vs “predictable”: what alcohol actually does every time - How alcohol becomes the Swiss Army knife solution for emotions and events - Why celebration gets hijacked by alcohol and what you actually want instead - The control trap: why alcohol feels safer than real relationships - How distraction keeps you from knowing what you need - A practical exercise: define “best friend,” then compare it to alcohol Quick takeaway: Alcohol can be predictable, but it cannot be a friend. If you want real support, you build it through self-knowledge, quiet, and connection with people who can meet you there. Tiny FAQ: Q: What if alcohol really is the only thing that helps me relax? A: That is a common belief. This episode is about running a new experiment and building other sources of relief and connection. Q: What do I do when I feel a blank space without it? A: Start small. Replace the ritual with podcasts, quit lit, and community while you build real support. Connect with us: Email: thealcoholmyth@gmail.com Jonathan: https://livecreativeaf.com/ Ellen: https://ellenbiggscoaching.com/ Subscribe for more episodes on pulling back the curtain on the alcohol myth. Chapters 0:00 When the noise of alcohol goes quiet 1:12 Why quitting feels like leaving a friend behind 2:01 “How do I be my own best friend?” 3:39 Alcohol as the always-there “friend” 5:05 The Swiss Army knife myth: drink for everything 6:24 “Reliable” vs “predictable” 7:30 Celebration without alcohol: what do you actually want? 10:39 Outsourcing connection to a substance 12:22 Vulnerability and the “safer” option 14:23 Stop letting yourself down: learning self-support 17:44 The Stoic takeaway: what is truly yours to steward? 23:47 Distraction and avoiding being with yourself 25:35 Discernment: turning inward and learning to love what’s there 35:31 Going against the grain in a culture that sells numbness 38:10 The influence of your environment and the people closest to you 39:48 Finding replacements: quit lit, podcasts, and community 41:58 The Best Friend Test: write it down and compare it to alcohol 43:23 Practical close: try quiet, then get curious #AlcoholFree #SoberCurious #QuitDrinking #AlcoholMythPodcast #ThisNakedMind #SelfCompassion #HabitChange #PersonalGrowth

    46 min

  4. MAY 4

    Mommy Wine Culture Almost Broke Me: Ellen's Story

    What if the hardest part is not quitting alcohol… it’s telling the truth about how much you’re struggling? In this episode of The Alcohol Myth Podcast, Jonathan interviews co-host Ellen Biggs and she shares her full story: the “good girl” beginnings, the slow escalation, the secret rules and hiding, the loneliness of feeling like the only one, and the moment she finally found a path that worked. If you’ve been functioning on the outside but quietly unraveling on the inside, this episode will feel painfully familiar, and genuinely hopeful. In this video, you’ll learn: - How drinking can start as belonging and slowly become secrecy - Why “looking responsible” can keep you stuck for years - The rule making cycle: weekends only, switching drinks, bargaining, and backsliding - Why the idea of quitting can feel terrifying when your whole social world drinks - How community and coaching helped Ellen build real momentum - A practical mindset shift: experiment, gather data, and keep going Quick takeaway: You do not need a rock bottom. You need support, new tools, and honest evidence that life can feel better without alcohol. Tiny FAQ: Q: What if I want to drink less, not quit? A: That is where many people start. The key is experimenting long enough to get honest data about how alcohol is actually affecting your life. Q: What if I’m scared people will judge me? A: That fear makes sense. This episode is a reminder that secrecy is heavy, and community is often the first real antidote. Connect with us: Email: thealcoholmyth@gmail.com Jonathan: https://livecreativeaf.com/ Ellen: https://ellenbiggscoaching.com/ Subscribe for more episodes on pulling back the curtain on the alcohol myth. Chapters 0:07 The secret: “I didn’t tell anyone” 1:09 Today’s episode: Ellen shares her story 2:09 High school: drinking as belonging 5:12 Spain: daily drinking becomes normal 7:40 Early 20s: drinking at anger, boredom, fear 8:34 Grad school: “work hard, play hard” and control as identity 11:06 Motherhood and the stay-at-home pivot 12:45 Expat life in Seoul: loneliness, community, and escalation 14:40 The first midnight wake-up: “this is out of control” 16:32 The hidden years: rules, shame, and isolation 20:36 “I just want to drink less” and why AA felt like the only option 22:05 Mommy wine culture and confirmation bias 23:00 Hiding books and searching in secret 24:06 The turning point: seeing Sober Sis on Instagram 25:14 The first real streak: 21 days alcohol-free 26:27 Annie Grace and the 90-day Path program 26:36 First alcohol-free Thanksgiving and Christmas 28:45 Year-long Path: the last drink and staying alcohol-free 31:05 The last drink that wasn’t meant to be the last 33:49 The belief shift: what alcohol was getting credit for 39:21 Did family notice? How Ellen navigated it quietly 41:28 The 100-day truth: telling her husband the real amount 43:37 Masks off: how honesty changed relationships 48:11 Coaching: purpose, training, and the fear of telling the story 53:26 Who Ellen coaches and what it’s like to work with her 56:50 Message to past Ellen: there is hope, and it’s worth it 59:42 Closing and how to reach out #AlcoholMythPodcast #QuitDrinking #SoberCurious #AlcoholFree #MommyWineCulture #ThisNakedMind #HabitChange #Recovery

    1h 1m

  5. APR 27

    Sober Summer: How To Have Fun Without Drinking

    Worried that summer will not feel “right” without an icy cold drink? In this episode of The Alcohol Myth Podcast, coaches Jonathan Ball and Ellen Biggs tackle one of the biggest seasonal fear stories: “My perfect summer won’t be perfect if I don’t drink.” From grilling and lake days to golf, weddings, vacations, and patio happy hours, we break down why it feels so daunting, and how to build real confidence through first times, simple planning, and self-compassion. If you keep telling yourself, “I’ll do it after this event,” this conversation is for you. In this video, you’ll learn: - Why there will always be a reason to drink if you wait for the “perfect time” - How to handle summer rituals: grilling, beach days, golf rounds, weddings - Why first times feel weird, and how new neural pathways form fast - How to reframe the experience: what you are allowing, not what you are losing - A practical experiment: try one event alcohol-free and record what you learn - How mocktails and alcohol-free options can keep the ritual without the aftermath Connect with us: Email: thealcoholmyth@gmail.com Jonathan: https://livecreativeaf.com/ Ellen: https://ellenbiggscoaching.com/ Subscribe for more episodes on pulling back the curtain on the alcohol myth. Chapters 0:00 Stop waiting for a “quiet season” 1:36 The summer myth: “I need a drink for this” 2:46 Why summer feels like a boogeyman 6:15 The key realization: there will always be events 8:13 Busy seasons can build your sober muscles faster 9:52 First times and new neural pathways 13:27 The golf example: disentangling the fun from the beer 19:20 Glamour vs reality: alcohol math, dehydration, distraction 22:13 Try it without booze: camping and beach trips 29:37 Plan ahead: fun summer drinks without alcohol 35:16 Practical takeaway: pick one challenge, bring an alternative, journal the results 38:08 Compassion, curiosity, and email us your “summer fear list” #SoberSummer #QuitDrinking #AlcoholFree #SoberCurious #AlcoholMythPodcast #ThisNakedMind #Mocktails #HabitChange

    41 min

  6. APR 20

    The Near Miss Years: Jonathan's Journey to Freedom

    How many times did you think, “This isn’t great for me”… and then decide it was “not a big deal”? In this episode of The Alcohol Myth Podcast, Ellen interviews Jonathan to unpack his full story: the early moments where alcohol became tied to belonging and vulnerability, the decade of warning signs and near misses, the exhausting “alcohol math,” and what finally helped him change without needing a rock bottom. If you’ve ever felt stuck in that gray space where life looks fine on paper but alcohol is quietly running the show, this conversation will land. In this video, you’ll learn: - Why alcohol can feel like the key to connection, especially for men - What “near misses” look like and why they keep people drinking for years - Why “rock bottom” is a myth you do not need - Why moderation rules and “red lines” often collapse - What alcohol math is and how it steals your presence - How grief can reopen the door and why relapse can feel automatic - What changed when Jonathan got the right tools, not just willpower Connect with us: Email: thealcoholmyth@gmail.com Jonathan: https://livecreativeaf.com/ Ellen: https://ellenbiggscoaching.com/ Subscribe for more episodes on pulling back the curtain on the alcohol myth. Chapters 0:00 The near misses and the quiet fear 1:39 Why this episode exists: who we are and why we’re here 3:02 First drink and the belief: “this is how we connect” 8:02 College and the service industry: alcohol as belonging 11:06 Japan and drinking through loneliness 16:49 A decade of “I’m fine” and dangerous close calls 23:54 Why you do not need rock bottom to change 25:50 Moderation rules, red lines, and why they fail 29:14 Alcohol math at the Renaissance Festival 32:24 The breakdown that led to This Naked Mind 42:09 Grief, relapse, and how alcohol takes over again 51:49 The second turning point and why coaching tools matter #AlcoholMythPodcast #QuitDrinking #SoberCurious #AlcoholFree #ThisNakedMind #AlcoholRecovery #MensMentalHealth

    1h 10m

  7. APR 13

    Are They Your Friends… Or Your Drinking Buddies?

    Have you ever realized you were using alcohol to make parts of your life more tolerable? In this episode of The Alcohol Myth Podcast, coaches Jonathan Ball and Ellen Biggs unpack one of alcohol’s most insidious lies: “This will make it easier.” Not tolerance as in how much you can drink, but tolerance as in using alcohol to endure people, events, relationships, your own resentment, and even your own vulnerability. If you have ever thought, “I need a drink to get through this,” this conversation will help you see what is really going on, and what becomes possible when alcohol is no longer your default tool. In this video, you’ll learn: - How alcohol quietly becomes a tool for tolerating people, events, and conflict - Why “making it tolerable” often keeps you stuck in what is not working - How shame, secrecy, and resentment build when alcohol is your coping strategy - The difference between real connection and drinking-buddy connection - Why the “fun party identity” can be a mask (and what is under it) - Practical tools to navigate the transition without blowing your life up overnight Quick takeaway: Alcohol can make the moment feel easier, but it often makes the underlying problem last longer. Tiny FAQ: Q: What if quitting alcohol makes me realize I hate my job, relationship, or social life? A: Treat those realizations like indicator lights. You do not have to fix everything at once. Take one small step at a time. Q: What if my friends say they prefer me when I’m drinking? A: That is painful, and it is data. The goal is to find people who want the real you, not the mask. Connect with us: Email: thealcoholmyth@gmail.com Jonathan: https://livecreativeaf.com/ Ellen: https://ellenbiggscoaching.com/ Subscribe for more episodes on pulling back the curtain on the alcohol myth. Chapters 0:00 A painful truth: “I didn’t feel like I had a right to complain” 0:43 Podcast intro: why alcohol is not the answer 1:21 Welcome: alcohol and “tolerating” your life 1:28 The tolerance lie: not drink quantity, but tolerating life 2:24 Using alcohol to tolerate people and events 2:48 The “mom happy hour” example 3:29 The realization: maybe you don’t want this life pattern 3:50 Marriage patterns and drinking through resentment 4:44 What changes when alcohol is gone? 5:16 Conflict avoidance and stuffing feelings 6:23 The conversation you can finally have 7:52 What this unlocks across relationships 8:15 Jonathan’s double shift: no coping tool and more clarity 9:38 Alcohol keeps you small and palatable 10:34 The resentment loop in relationships 11:47 Alcohol makes it tolerable, then makes you stuck 12:01 Shame, hiding, and the image you protect 13:44 Shame vs blame and the real culprit 14:35 Alcohol as the problem and the “solution” 15:30 The dinner party trap (and drinking through it) 16:32 Drinking buddies vs real friends 18:10 Expat culture and identity built around drinking 20:38 “Who do I belong with now?” 22:12 Better socializing through discernment 24:18 The awkward transition stage after quitting 26:08 Upskilling without the bottle 26:51 Losing the “fun party person” identity 28:42 The mask and the fear of rejection 30:47 Do it safely: support, trust, and community 31:40 Vulnerability and the role alcohol plays 33:58 Anything alcohol “gives” you is already in you 34:45 Practical tools and safety steps 35:11 Indicator lights, not “blow up your whole life” 38:17 The all or nothing trap (and titration) 40:55 A journaling prompt: the role you play socially 42:25 Is the mask heavy, and where is it safe to set down? 43:49 Closing and invitation to email us #AlcoholMythPodcast #QuitDrinking #SoberCurious #AlcoholFree #Relationships #PeoplePleasing #SelfWorth #HabitCha

    45 min

  8. APR 6

    Sober Weddings and Birthdays? The Cheat Code to Awesome AF Celebrations

    "Is it even a celebration if there’s no alcohol?" 🥂 In this episode of The Alcohol Myth Podcast, hosts Jonathan and Ellen tackle one of the most deep-seated beliefs in our culture: that alcohol is a requirement for joy, weddings, birthdays, and milestones. We explore the "subconscious programming" that makes us feel like we’re ruining the party if we aren't drinking—and why that belief is actually absurd when you shine a light on it. From "bad luck" wedding toasts to the pressure of a St. Patrick’s Day birthday, we discuss how to navigate social expectations while staying true to yourself. What we cover in this episode: The "Bad Luck" Myth: Why we feel like we’re "spreading negative energy" if we don't toast with champagne. Rewiring Your Beliefs: Practical steps to challenge the "need" for alcohol using curiosity and awareness. The Cheat Code for Life: Discover the magic of having a "good night" AND a "good morning." The Job of Alcohol: Learning to identify what you're really looking for (connection, relaxation, celebration) and getting those needs met for real. Connect with us: 📧 Email: thealcoholmyth@gmail.com ✨ Hosted by Coaches trained in This Naked Mind & Affective Liminal Psychology. Jonathan: https://livecreativeaf.com/ Ellen: https://ellenbiggscoaching.com/ Subscribe for more episodes on pulling back the curtain on the alcohol myth. #Sobriety #AlcoholFree #TheAlcoholMyth #SoberCurious #PersonalGrowth #ThisNakedMind #CelebrateSober Chapter Timestamps 00:00 The "Bad Luck" Myth of not toasting 01:08 Introduction to The Alcohol Myth Podcast 02:17 Today’s Myth: "It’s not a celebration without alcohol" 03:50 Does removing alcohol remove the joy? 05:44 Why the celebration myth is so deeply ingrained 07:15 The insanity of the "Wedding Toast" pressure 08:45 Taking responsibility for your own beliefs 10:03 Where do our drinking beliefs come from? 11:36 The fear of changing your social role 13:45 Prioritizing your clarity over others' comfort 15:47 The reality of "boozy" birthdays (sickness vs. fun) 19:02 The "Cake Incident": Celebratory beliefs beyond alcohol 23:20 Step 1 to rewiring: Asking "Is it true?" 25:06 Practical Tip: Pausing to identify triggers 26:17 The "30-Day Break" hurdle (Waiting for the "right" time) 28:18 You are not alone in this struggle 31:14 Can you still have "antics" and fun while sober? 33:43 The Cheat Code: A great night AND a great morning 35:21 Practical Exercise: Putting on the "Non-Drinker" hat 37:40 Alcohol as a "leveler" vs. finding true joy 40:16 Getting back in touch with your true self 42:04 What "job" are you giving alcohol? 44:38 Conclusion & How to get in touch

    46 min
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About

The Alcohol Myth Podcast features certified coaches Ellen and Jonathan having real conversations about alcohol, sobriety, and reclaiming a life that feels exciting to wake up to. 

Information

  • Creator
    Ellen and Jonathan
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    25
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Alcohol Myth Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Alcohol Myth Podcast

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