Sober Powered

696
Health & Fitness #188, Mental Health #70

Being sober isn't a punishment. Sober life is not a last resort for weak-willed losers who aren't strong enough to figure it out. You can be sober without feeling deprived or left out.Millions of people wake up with another hangover and Google, "how do I know if I'm an alcoholic?". We get stuck on the label and the stigma, when instead we should be asking ourselves, "is alcohol making me miserable?" and "would I be happier if I quit drinking?" In the Sober Powered Podcast, Gill, a former biochemist turned sober coach, walks you through the latest research on alcohol use disorder using her own sober story as a case study along the way. The science of how alcohol affects the brain can help you depersonalize your drinking experience so you can finally say goodbye to your hopes and dreams of moderating someday (because you clearly can't moderate!). Getting sober doesn't mean you are a weak-willed loser with no self-control, it simply means you are a person who can't drink. Your brain loves it too much and you are too hardcore.Each episode features in depth explanations of what is going on in the brain along with the tools and mindset shifts that Gill works on with her clients to help them accept being sober, let go of shame, and learn the coping skills required to manage stress and emotions sober -in the hopes of helping you do the same.Website: www.soberpowered.com

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Recent Episodes
  • Making Friends After Getting Sober (Mini Coaching Call)
    Feb 21, 2025 – 33:33
  • E268: Is Moderate Drinking Healthier? Here’s Why So Many Studies Say Yes
    Feb 14, 2025 – 26:57
  • E267: Resources vs Support: Are You Setting Yourself Up for Success?
    Feb 7, 2025 – 26:53
  • E266: What Happens After Dry January?
    Jan 31, 2025 – 35:38
  • E265: Rewiring Your Reward System After Getting Sober
    Jan 24, 2025 – 28:10
  • E264: Here’s Why You Have Mood Swings After Quitting Drinking
    Jan 17, 2025 – 28:32
  • E263: Sugar Cravings After Quitting Drinking
    Jan 10, 2025 – 22:27
  • Alcohol and Cancer Risk (Surgeon General Warning Explained)
    Jan 4, 2025 – 14:55
  • E262: 31 Tips to Quit Drinking in Dry January
    Jan 3, 2025 – 37:09
  • E261: The Psychology of New Year's Resolutions (Willpower and Goal Setting)
    Dec 27, 2024 – 22:46
  • E260: 5 Holiday Mental Health Challenges
    Dec 20, 2024 – 23:17
  • E259: 10 Things You Might Be Doing to Sabotage Your Sobriety During the Holidays
    Dec 13, 2024 – 19:56
  • E258: The Science of Peer Pressure to Drink and 7 Strategies to Resist
    Dec 6, 2024 – 27:47
  • E257: Sober Socializing: Why Alcohol Doesn’t Help
    Nov 29, 2024 – 25:51
  • E256: Dealing With Your Dysfunctional Family Without Drinking
    Nov 22, 2024 – 27:55
  • E255: 6 Strategies For Staying Sober Through the Holidays (and Some Holidays Drinking Statistics)
    Nov 15, 2024 – 27:07
  • I'm 5 Years Sober: Here's How I Reached Acceptance
    Nov 9, 2024 – 14:15
  • E254: Why You Can’t Make Good Decisions About Your Drinking (or Anything Else)
    Nov 8, 2024 – 26:45
  • E253: 5 Common Mistakes in Early Sobriety and How to Avoid Them
    Nov 1, 2024 – 23:04
  • E252: How Many Attempts Does it Take to Quit Drinking for Good
    Oct 25, 2024 – 29:40
  • E251: Here’s Why You’re Emotions Are So Intense
    Oct 18, 2024 – 25:23
  • E250: What Does it Mean to “Be Ready” to Get Sober
    Oct 11, 2024 – 22:35
  • E249: Alcohol and Cortisol: Extra Stress and Extra Cravings
    Oct 4, 2024 – 24:06
  • E248: You Can’t Be Comfortable AND Stay Sober
    Sep 27, 2024 – 23:22
  • E247: Sober Sleep is the Best Sleep, But Not Right Away
    Sep 20, 2024 – 21:20
  • E246: Alcohol and Dementia
    Sep 13, 2024 – 28:45
  • E245: Want to Stay Sober? You Need to Be Consistent
    Sep 6, 2024 – 25:26
  • E244: Boredom in Sobriety
    Aug 30, 2024 – 21:44
  • E243: Emotional Eating After Getting Sober
    Aug 23, 2024 – 29:59
  • E242: The Science of Making Good Habits in Long Term Sobriety
    Aug 16, 2024 – 23:07
  • E241: 6 Theories of Alcohol Cravings
    Aug 9, 2024 – 25:25
  • E240: Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS) After Quitting Drinking: 8 Tips to Cope
    Aug 2, 2024 – 25:33
  • E0: How Alcohol Affects Your Body: Here's What the Science Says
    Aug 1, 2024 – 01:21:57
  • E239: How the Brain Heals After Quitting Drinking
    Jul 30, 2024 – 22:03
  • E238: Why Moderation Doesn’t Work
    Jul 26, 2024 – 20:25
  • E237: Why We Forget How Bad It Was
    Jul 23, 2024 – 19:51
  • E236: Why Alcohol Feels Good and Then Feels Really Bad
    Jul 19, 2024 – 16:51
  • E235: Dopamine and Loss of Control
    Jul 16, 2024 – 22:47
  • E234: The Scary Side of How Alcohol Affects the Body
    Jul 12, 2024 – 41:23
  • E233: How Alcohol Affects the Body: A Deep Dive
    Jul 9, 2024 – 42:46
  • E232: The 3am Wake Up of Shame: Alcohol and Anxiety
    Jul 5, 2024 – 16:27
  • E231: Everything You Need to Know About Alcohol Withdrawal
    Jul 1, 2024 – 21:43
  • E230: 11 Tips to Quit Drinking in Dry July
    Jun 28, 2024 – 17:40
  • E229: 5 Mindset Shifts to Help You Stay Sober (That Aren’t Stupid)
    Jun 25, 2024 – 13:26
  • E228: Why Alcohol Automatically Captures and Holds Your Attention
    Jun 21, 2024 – 23:26
  • E227: You Need a Goal (200 lb Deadlift Achieved!)
    Jun 18, 2024 – 15:17
  • E226: Using Alcohol to Escape Your Life
    Jun 14, 2024 – 22:27
  • E225: 5 Strategies for Dealing with Relapses and Getting Back on Track
    Jun 11, 2024 – 19:55
  • E224: Alcohol Makes Your Brain Stop Working
    Jun 7, 2024 – 22:20
  • E223: 6 Common Triggers for Drinking and How to Avoid Them
    Jun 4, 2024 – 20:39
Recent Reviews
  • Sq3211
    My Primary Tool
    Giilian’s podcast has been the most important companion to help me to understand the process of quitting drinking and to guide me along the journey. Very practical and motivational!!
  • Slc2309
    Love it
    I really love this podcast. Other sobriety podcasts are more story focused, which is great, but this one provides much needed information that is well informed and researched. It has really helped me on my sobriety journey.
  • Mpfaf543
    So much useful information!
    I’ve recommended this podcast to friends. When I finally admitted or knew I was in the midst of alcohol addiction I wanted to know everything about it. And this podcast was a big (the biggest!) part of my learning about what alcohol was doing to my brain. It helped me understand things from a physiological perspective. For me, this podcast has been the single most helpful resource to aid in my understanding of alcoholism and the brain. Thank you, Gill, for your service.
  • Zaza913
    Love it
    I have been searching for a science based podcast ( I am an engineer and a Virgo!😊) thanks so much for all the great info and well explained! My favorite
  • 3marlenas
    So helpful
    Science based. Compassionate and encouraging. An invaluable tool.
  • Mudita2000
    Inspirational, science-based info you can use
    I love this show so much! Gill explains the neuroscience of drinking and recovery. Alcohol damages the brain and rewires the reward system. That is why it is so hard to change. But by doing the work we can heal a lot. We can rewire the reward system back to a healthy wiring. This inspires me. I can literally change my thoughts and change my brain. This podcast gives me encouragement and hope. I have saved several episodes and have listened to them more than once.
  • caitbabo
    Succinctly summarizes science
    Succinctly summarizes science in an easy to Understand format.
  • Cara EB
    Gillian helps me stay the course
    I’m so grateful for your research-based approach to educating us about what to expect in sobriety. There are many times on this journey when I have experienced something I did not expect (for example, extreme fatigue months into sobriety) and I always know I can check in here for resources on what might be happening in my body, as well as get motivation to stay the course in the beauty of sober life. Thank you so much, Gillian, for putting yourself out there and sharing your experiences and your knowledge with us all!
  • TeacherRunner123
    The Best
    This is one of my favorite podcasts! I have learned so much by listening to you. Thank you!
  • jbsbshshahshse
    the best🩷
    i love the way you explain everything based on science and your sincere approach. please keep inform us with more science and facts💓💓💓
  • SoberDrummer
    Thank You
    I’m only 10 episodes in and I’m so impressed. Factual, realistic, and motivating! Gill, I really love your way of delivering this info. Although I’m really early in my sobriety I know this podcast will aid in keeping me on track.
  • Buckwheat1953
    5 year sober anniversary
    Congratulations on your 5 year birthday. Celebrated my 5 year on 10/30. Love your content, love you scientific approach. Keep doing what your doing. Always look forward to Friday’s to listen to your latest podcast ❤️😎
  • lexicon333
    Congrats!
    Congratulations on 5 years, Gill. Incredibly grateful for your journey and podcast 💕
  • perspective1
    Episode 254 - amazing!
    Thank you for this podcast! Episode 254 summarizes the Truth about addiction to alcohol. I identified with so much of the content. I saved this episode to listen to again whenever my mind starts to forget about the Truth about alcohol and its effects.
  • serious puppy
    Gill helped me get and stay sober!
    thank you Gill for your thoughtful honesty about your drinking history and the step by step work of climbing out of the darkness. your focus on the science is greatly appreciated! your approach to recovery has set a truthful and practical example that anyone can follow if they really want to! thank you thank you thank you!!!!!
  • Cappy902108383737
    THE BEST sobriety pod
    There are a lot of decent podcasts out there, but this one is truly awesome and only one I recommend because I wanna make sure people remember it and listen! Amazing stuff Gill, thank you.
  • jjazz
    Excellent
    This is an excellent podcast. Gill has a gift for explaining sometimes complicated information in a very easy to understand way. Even if you’re in another program to get clean/sober this is a great podcast to add to your learning and growth!!
  • Aud Ball Ham
    So Much Detail and Inspiration
    I’ve read and listened to so much from books, Ted Talks and Podcasts. This information is invaluable! It has helped me stay the course on days I thought I’d buckle. I love the soothing voice and simplicity of explanations. This podcast is not the same old rhetoric. Give this one some attention. You won’t be disappointed.
  • saguarocat
    Favorite sober podcast
    This former gray area drinker loves the science behind our sobriety. In all sobriety’s stages. I wondered why I was SO exhausted for weeks after stopping alcohol use, and why I was anxious and couldn’t sleep early on in sobriety. . Now I know! I’m not one for sobriety stories of others, which many sober podcasts seem to be. in small doses it is ok. This podcast gets right down into the meat of brains and body versus alcohol.
  • GoAheadLily01
    Great!
    Gill is absolutely fascinating. I love the scientific background as well as Gills insights into every topic. Her voice is also soothing and endearing. Love this podcast. :)
  • Grabbaggar
    Relatable for anyone on the AUD spectrum
    Thank you Gill for your hard work, honesty, and well researched podcast
  • Exit 32 93
    No Place To Hide
    In a quiet, sweet voice Gill makes irrefutable arguments that problem drinkers will never be able to moderate and how alcoholic damages their brains, their ability to reason, and their bodies. She makes it clear that there is no quick escape, no substitute for those who have given up drinking. They must face reality and learn to manage their emotions and behaviors. After 45 years of heavy drinking and irreversibly regrets, part of me wishes that I’d never learned this.
  • Robjohna
    Fantastic
    This is a fantastic podcast for anyone interested in quitting drinking or simply wanting to understand how alcohol effects the human body.
  • Baxterjl
    Amazing information
    I found this podcast on day 1 of sobriety and I’m glad I did. It helped me process why I was a problem drinker. I also loved that Gill used that term, because I wasn’t ready to tell everyone I was an alcoholic. The way Gill describes the information and correlates it with how our brain reacts is amazing! Thank you so much!
  • Jess3737373737
    Reliable, usable information
    I really enjoy this podcast and the information shared here. It clearly comes from a science. Thanks so much. It’s helped me a lot. :-)
  • Marianna0122
    Podcasts & Community
    I love the variety of topics covered in this podcast. I also like having the ability to pick a podcast that matches how much time I have. E0 is great - I always feel good knowing I am doing good for my body by not drinking! Thank you Gill!
  • Mdom22
    Fantastic
    Motivating me to carry on….best podcast on this topic 5*****
  • minlauz88
    Sober fuel!
    I have learned so much from Gillian and appreciate how honest and transparent she is about her own sober journey. She makes scientific jargon more easily understandable and lays down the facts in a way I didn’t realize I needed so much in my early days. This podcast has definitely served as fuel in keeping me happily sober. Thank you!
  • Jess.m.irwin
    Amazing
    Gill has been SO helpful to me in early sobriety. Helping me understand that there are actual reasons behind my experiences, and it’s not just me all alone in my head. So grateful for this!
  • TheGingerTre
    Really helps my sobriety
    Thank you for the simple, direct and honest way you check vey important I formation about addiction and sobriety. This podcast has been super helpful in my sobriety journey.
  • Nika47
    My go-to sober podcast!
    Really enjoy these relatively short episodes that dig into the science behind addiction. It’s helped me better understand how and why I started to abuse alcohol and has also encouraged and motivated me through the last 11 months without it.
  • Lilbarnes
    So helpful
    I’ve only listened to a handful but so far I’m really getting so much from your forecast. Thank you for all your hard work!
  • 67KM
    The Facts
    thank you so much,!! Your podcast just gets to the heart of the scientific information. And the 15 minute nuggets are so helpful! They are super smart and I try my best to follow along so I can repeat it! Thank you again
  • protopinky
    The science behind alcohol use
    Thank you, Gillian, for your wonderful show. I am just starting out on my sobriety journey and it is has been a HUGE help to learn about the science behind addiction and what booze does to your brain. More than anything else, having facts to back up my reasons for wanting (needing) to quit is helping me commit to my sobriety. Now instead of a nebulous, fuzzy, woo woo goal to just abstain, I have a doable and realistic goal backed my concrete science. Thank you!!!
  • MG3W
    Thank You
    Quitting alcohol is hard and confusing, and not so hard and crystal clear at the same time. There are so many layers to why and how to do it. I was missing the science part in a way that made sense to me, without being overwhelming or too much information at one time. You’re helping to change my life in a healthy beautiful way. Thank you for sharing your wisdom, experience, and vulnerability. It means so much to me and I’m incredibly grateful for you and your work.
  • LevaStyles
    Keeping it Real
    Thanks for keeping it real with this show. There have been several episodes where are you indicate how we will really feel on the sober journey. Too many times I’ve come across people indicating that their sober journey quickly resulted in them feeling better within a few days or couple of months. But you are quite frank in suggesting that the timelines very depending on how much we drink, our age, our ethnicity, our environment. This has actually encouraged me to stick with it because I am experiencing some of the side effects (fatigue) even after being sober for over 90 days.
  • Peterlb8
    Fantastic Podcast
    I had no idea what to expect from a podcast that promotes sobriety. I’ve been a drinker all my life and do enjoy my weekend beers. But after listening to this podcast I have learned quite a lot of what alcohol does to the brain and body. Because of this podcast I have chosen not to drink anymore and enjoy just living each day sober. Also, Gil is awesome to listen and I highly recommend this amazing podcast.
  • Teresa sus
    Education
    I love your podcast . I appreciate you sharing the science behind alcohol and how it affects the organs and body in general in a negative way, I also find it inspiring to help me stay away from alcohol. Thank you!
  • FORES-TGUMP
    Grateful for a sane life
    I just celebrated my 75th birthday of life on Earth. From my 3rd year of college through my mid-40’s, alcohol took a central place in my brain and approach to life. The stress of two heartbreaking divorces led me to daily self-medicating with wine and/or beer. AA meetings and that support system helped me build solid years of breaking the addiction. My faith in God,relationship with Jesus Christ, and reading the Bible have now been the best pillars of sobriety, joy, and an overcomer lifestyle. God has also given me a wonderful daughter, son-in-law, and three grandsons. I enjoy and learn much from your podcasts, Gill. Keep up the excellent work! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
  • Sports-nut
    Highly Recommend
    I found Gill’s podcast last year. Her ability to break down the science of what alcohol does to the brain in relatable anecdotes and with humor kept me curious about alcohol’s affect on me. Her gentle encouragement to listeners trying to quit eventually brought me to the community she hosts, and that has made all the difference in my life.
  • Crockey1007
    The hands down best sobriety podcast
    Gill is wicked smart, funny and sweet all at once in how she hosts this podcast. Perfectly balances science with sharing her personal experiences and best tips. Learn from the best if you’re serious about your sobriety!
  • K Wagzz
    Over 2 yrs. alcohol FREE!
    When I count my blessings, the Sober Powered podcast & community are at the top of my list! I don’t know that I would be sober, happy & THRIVING if it weren’t for this incredible podcast and our Sober Powered community! Forever grateful. Thank you Gill 🙏🏼 💜
  • Star-Keisha Jones
    A passionate teacher and researcher
    What a gift to the community. Many lives will be changed by the information and accessibility of Sober Powered, and Gillian’s passionate efforts to educate us on the sneakiest drug of all, alcohol.
  • Sober in Centralia
    200 lbs!
    Congratulations on 200 pounds and a big thank you for helping my sobriety journey.
  • ShayM17
    Great find!
    Gill is a brain and we listeners are blessed to learn the science behind drinking. Episodes are relatively short and easy to listen to and digest.
  • Grrrrrrrhh
    My favorite sober podcast
    Jill has a sweet voice that may fool you about how specific and research-based her podcast is, more than any of the other sober podcasts I listen to. Every episode I find something she says just makes a big bell go off for me. I’m now going back and listening to all the older episodes.
  • DWPaul60
    Powerful
    I love the combination of Gillian’s humility coupled with solid research and information
  • Plata poem
    Best of the best.
    Jill is spot on and does her research. I love her sense of humor. Laughing helps make not so scary. Thank you!
  • ARL-508
    ARL
    This is a fabulous podcast! I discovered it about a week ago and have listened to a lot of episodes already. Gill is so real about her own struggle and how she continues to successfully tackle problem drinking. I’m in healthcare, and really appreciate the scientific explanations, research evidence, and Gill’s amazing teaching. It really helps to understand the scientific “whys”, and this podcast has confirmed my growing sense that alcohol free is the wisest choice for me. Thank you, Gill, and keep up the great work!! 😊👍
  • Sdsu15
    Great Podcast for Research Nerds!
    Love this podcast. Super interesting and engaging. I love how everything she shares she’s able to back up with research and then also incorporates her personal experience.
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