LAF Life (Living Alcohol Free)

LAF Life Season 3 Finale

Sun, 16 Jun 2024 17:00:00 -0400

Season 3 Finale of the LAF Life Podcast is LIVE!
In this episode, we dive into the most surprising benefit of getting sober and explore alternative ways to find and experience relief without alcohol. It's been an incredible journey, and we’re excited to share these insights with you! We also take a walk down memory lane, recapping the amazing guests we've had this season. From inspiring stories to practical tips, each guest brought something unique to our LAF community.
Thank you all for your continued support and for being part of this incredible journey. Tune in now to catch the season finale, and let's keep living alcohol-free together!

**Please remember to: Like, Subscribe and leave us a 5-star rating or review. If you enjoyed this episode SHARE it with a friend.
Facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/groups/laflife
Instagram @ https://www.instagram.com/laflifepodcast
Website: https://www.laflifepodcast.com/
Be a guest on our show: https://forms.gle/GE9YJdq4J5Zb6NVC6
Email us: laflifepodcast@gmail.com

Connect with your podcasters. We'd love to hear from you!
Tracey: https://www.instagram.com/tnd1274/
Kelly: https://www.instagram.com/pamperedkel/
Lindsey: https://www.instagram.com/hariklindsey/

**Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this episode are not professional or medical opinions. If you are struggling with an addiction please contact a medical professional for help.

Music provided by Premium Beats: https://www.premiumbeat.com
Song: Rise and Thrive
Artist: Young Presidents

Resources:
Wellness Togeth...

Sobriety Unlocked: Getting HOL + WELL with Amy Willis Season 3 Ep. 28

Sun, 09 Jun 2024 18:00:00 -0400

Ready to discover the unexpected joys of a booze-free life? Meet Amy Willis, a powerhouse Holistic Sober Coach, alcohol culture consultant, and LGBTQ+ advocate, on the latest LAF Life Podcast! Amy reveals her biggest surprise benefit of sobriety, shares how she’s transforming beliefs about alcohol that could help you quit for good, and how she’s creating alcohol-free workplaces with her company HOL + WELL. Don’t miss this eye-opening convo!

To find out more about Amy and her coaching business HOL + WELL
Follow her on Instagram: @msamycwillis
JOIN her Facebook Group: HOL + WELL Sober Collective
Find her on LinkedIn: Amy C. Willis, MA, RHC, CLC
or Checkout Amy's Website: holandwell.com
Amy has been kind enough to offer our listeners a 10% discount on Coaching services by using discount code: LAF10

Article Reference in this episode:
Alcohol Raises Heart Disease Risk, Particularly Among Women
https://www.acc.org/About-ACC/Press-Releases/2024/03/28/11/58/alcohol-raises-heart-disease-risk-particularly-among-women#:~:text=Young%20to%20middle%2Daged%20women,of%20Cardiology's%20Annual%20Scientific%20Session.

Alcohol + Menopause: A Dangerous Cocktail! Season 3 Ep. 27

Sun, 02 Jun 2024 10:00:00 -0400

Ladies, did you know that alcohol can wreak havoc on your hormones during menopause and perimenopause? From night sweats to mood swings, that glass of wine might be making things worse! Hormone health is crucial during this stage of life. In this episode we dive into the surprising ways alcohol impacts menopause and why going alcohol-free could be a game-changer for your well-being.

Recommended Resources for this Episode:

Dr Mary Claire Haver MD, author The New Menopause
https://www.instagram.com/drmaryclaire/
Articles
Gill J. The effects of moderate alcohol consumption on female hormone levels and reproductive function. Alcohol Alcohol. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11022013/
Grodstein, F., Goldman, M. B. and Cramer, D. W. (1994) Infertility in women and moderate alcohol use. American Journal of Public Health https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8092366/
Girls Gone Strong Coaching
Girls Gone Strong Menopause Coaching
https://www.girlsgonestrong.com/academy/
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?extid=reels&v=1356618611691295
Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegirlsgonestrong/reel/CiaQOpoOBhK/
YouTube Videos
https://youtu.be/9cueLwtVQS0?si=69x14XB-Rob25f6C
https://youtu.be/ReFZ__ZeSEQ?si=nFPZgzacaQbFl9Vt
https://youtu.be/6tXoJN8-H6k?si=OnO2Hz35YvPArVqB
https://youtu.be/P3Bzp2BeXR4?si=Ey6Tp-qafgSG0_zU
https://youtu.be/MeD-XThlpXU?si=dPAvkTDt6gFv1oZm

DNA Testing in Canada
The Benefit Code https://core-health.ca/collections/all

Running Free: Samantha Powderhorn's Path from Addiction to Marathon Mastery Season 3 Ep. 26

Sun, 26 May 2024 17:00:00 -0400

This week we have an extraordinary guest, Samantha Powderhorn. From Tadoule Lake, a remote Indigenous community, Samantha's journey is one of resilience and transformation. As a full-time working mom of 6, Samantha has faced more challenges than most can imagine. She's a MMIW survivor, thyroid cancer warrior, and has overcome immense trauma and abuse. She once sought love and validation from a life marred by her parents' alcoholism and neglect. But Samantha found the love she truly needed in the most powerful place: within herself. Quitting alcohol and embracing running, Samantha has become an avid marathon runner, proving that strength and self-love can conquer all. Tune in to hear Samantha's inspiring story of perseverance, healing, and the incredible power of self-love.

Follow Sam on Insta: https://www.instagram.com/sayisitaurus/
or TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sdfn_sammi28

Recommended Reads:
Pretty Wrecked, Tracy Viola https://www.tracyviolaauthor.com/book
We Are The Luckiest: The Surprising Magic of a Sober Life, Laura McKowen
https://www.lauramckowen.com/books

Walking the Talk with Lindsay Sutherland Boal, She Walks Canada Season 3 Ep 25

Mon, 20 May 2024 11:00:00 -0400

We walk the talk with guest Lindsay Sutherland Boal founder of She Walks Canada and The Uncovery App. An incredibly insightful conversation where we explored how women are showing up in all areas of life, the definition of problematic drinking, the pitfalls of trying to moderate, and so much more. Determined to create solutions she struggled to find, in 2021 a year after giving up alcohol, Lindsay launched She Walks Canada. She Walks Canada is an online platform that offers connection and coaching to likeminded women on a path to alcohol free living. After overachieving her goal of women walking the globe together, Lindsay pondered what's next? Taking her mission to the next level she developed The Uncovery App. Just released in the spring, this is the first women centric empowerment app through the lens of alcohol free living.
We're so excited about the quest Lindsay's on to help woman discover the bright side of life. We can't wait to see what's to come next!

Follow Lindsay on Insta: https://www.instagram.com/shewalkscanada
or https://www.instagram.com/theuncoveryapp/
Find a walk in your city or become a walk ambassador :
www.shewalkscanada.com
To unlock a limited lifetime subscription offer to the Uncovery App visit:
www.theuncoveryapp.com

What's all the Buzz about? Season 3 Ep. 24

Mon, 13 May 2024 16:00:00 -0400

The topic for this episode was inspired by a recent burst of social media posts popping up in our feed for products claiming to be healthier "alternative to alcohol". Another scary new trend of substances declaring they give you "all the BUZZ" of alcohol with none of the negative side effects. We're curious to understand what's in these products and what are the long term effects of using them. As the saying goes if it sounds too good to be true it probably is! We ask the question "why do some many people have the constant desire to be "Buzzed"? Is it just a means of escape? It's become more and more common for people to look to a substance or the next "quick fix" to alter their current state. Why are we relying on these outside sources when we have so many free ones that naturally increase our brains feel good chemicals? This just proves that as a society we still have a lot more work to do on the inside before we stop seeking solutions from the outside.

Spirit-Led Sobriety Explored: Wisdom from Paulette Kengg Season 3 Ep. 23

Mon, 06 May 2024 15:00:00 -0400

Great conversation with author Paulette Kengg exploring her spirit led sobriety. Paulette came from a very tragic childhood growing up with 2 alcoholic parents. Surprisingly her own drinking was never problematic until she experienced an extreme bout of insomnia in her early 50's and an old friend recommended "just have a glass a wine" as a cure to help her sleep. Initially the wine worked but to Paulette's utter shock she quickly found her brains response changing as she rapidly became addicted and dependent on alcohol. After a life threatening accident and many attempts with different recovery programs, Paulette finally decided to turn back to her faith and found sobriety in her surrender to God. Paulette feels she was called by God to write and share her book Spirit-Led Sobriety. By openly sharing her story, she hopes to help release others from the overwhelming shame around alcohol abuse that continues to linger in the Christian Community.

Connect with Paulette on Insta: https://www.instagram.com/spiritledsobriety22/
To purchase your copy of her book Spirit-Led Sobriety go to Amazon: https://a.co/d/e0xiHaS
JOIN Paulette's private Facebook Group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/879472050408496/

RAISE THE BAR: On having meaningful conversations around Alcohol Season 3 Ep. 21

Sat, 20 Apr 2024 20:00:00 -0400

In this episode your hosts are having a meaningful conversation about Alcohol.
Since choosing an alcohol free lifestyle we are often approached by people with lots of questions. We believe these conversations are important to have as you never know who you may be helping. We also recognize that some of those conversations can feel awkward or challenging especially with our teenagers. It's imperative as parents to be curious, ask questions and stay We also touch on how to talk to anyone in your life that may be reaching out because they are questioning their relationship with alcohol. We ask the hard questions while empathizing the importance of taking a gentle and non judgmental approach. The key is to make people feel supported enough to know the door is always open for future conversations.

The Beauty in Broken: Tracy Viola's path beyond "Pretty Wrecked" Season 3 Ep. 20

Mon, 15 Apr 2024 19:00:00 -0400

Self published author of "Pretty Wrecked", Tracy Viola is letting the stink out of her trash can as she divulges the challenges she faced as a teenager that lead her to believe when she tried drugs & alcohol that she had found the answers to everything! Tracy was a teenage addict that was fortunate enough to find recovery at the young age of 20. Tracy wrote her story from a unique perspective after 28 yrs of sobriety she decided it was finally time to share her story of triumph and her strength in recovery. Tracy's self published novel "Pretty Wrecked" Confessions of a Teenage Addict and Her Road to Recovery is currently available on Amazon. Get it now!!

Pick up Tracy book on her website: https://www.tracyviolaauthor.com/
Follow Tracy on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tracyviolaauthor/

Zero Proof, Infinite Power: Embracing responsibility & resilence with Katey Armstrong Season 3 Ep. 19

Sun, 07 Apr 2024 17:00:00 -0400

Our guest Katey Armstrong comes to us with a unique perspective on living alcohol free. Unlike most of our guests Katey didn't grow up struggling with her relationship with alcohol. Katey was actually only an occasional drinker who never really enjoyed it. What Katey did always struggle with, were the objections she continually got every time she said "No" to drinking. 3 years ago Katey realized there was no real reason for her to continue to consume alcohol, she didn't enjoy it nor did it align with her lifestyle as a health & wellness coach, so she gave it up completely. Katey explains to us how she finally found her voice after years of continuing to say "No" to alcohol. It's no surprise that Katey has found many sober curious people gravitating towards her now, as she is a perfect example of what it looks like to be living an abundantly energetic alcohol free life!

Follow Katey in Instagram https://www.instagram.com/healthyevolutionbykatey/
Check out her website: https://healthyevolution.ca/

Bottoms Up, Spirits Down: Exploring the relationship between alcohol & self-esteem Season 3 Ep. 18

Mon, 01 Apr 2024 10:00:00 -0400

In this episode we discuss the possibility of a connection between alcohol use and our self-esteem. We question if the way we feel about ourselves is directly related to our alcohol consumption and why people start to use alcohol at a young age to fit into social situations. We also speak about the flip side that relying on alcohol for a false sense of self confidence can impact your self-esteem long term. How continued alcohol use leads to poor decision making which perpetuate the shame cycle, which results in an overall lower self-esteem. We believe the most empowering step to increasing self-esteem is making the choice to say "No" to alcohol!

Some of our Favorite Podcasts:
Rich Roll https://www.richroll.com/all-episodes
Mel Robbins https://www.melrobbins.com/podcast
Lewis Howes https://lewishowes.com/podcast

Bryan Wempen, Author Season 3 Ep. 17

Sun, 24 Mar 2024 17:00:00 -0400

What a great conversation we had with our guest, accomplished author Bryan Wempen. Bryan had an instant love affair with alcohol the first time he tried it at the young age of 14. That was followed with many years of battling his tempestuous relationship with substance abuse. Bryan has spent the last 14 years of sobriety being actively involved in the recovery community and telling his story through his writing. Bryan has written 3 books around addiction and his life experiences. Now he is embarking on a new journey releasing his 1st fictional novel and starting his own publishing company, Red Yarrow Books, where he hopes to help other aspiring writers. We love how Bryan has creatively expressed his recovery journey with the world by sharing his books . We are excited to see where this next chapter takes him!

Find out more about Bryan:
Website: https://bryanwempen.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryanwempen
Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/bryanwempen

The BUZZ on Alcohol Free Trends!!! Season 3 Ep. 16

Sun, 17 Mar 2024 16:00:00 -0400

In 2023 the world saw "Alcohol Free" trending everywhere, in 2024 those trends are forecasted to continue to grow. As 3 friends living beautiful alcohol free lives, we couldn't be happier to see this! This is why we have been doing what we do with LAF Life Podcast for the past 2 years, to help raise awareness and normalize living an Alcohol Free life!
From celebrities sharing why their removing alcohol, to a growing amount of recovery resources being share on social media; there are sober communities, recovery coaches, virtual meetings, sober podcasts, and lots of books focused on addiction & recovery. Getting the help and support we need has never been more accessible. There are a few trends we are seeing in the Alcohol space though that we are not big fans of.
Listen here to get the BUZZ on all things trending "AF" now!!

Shout Outs:
Couch Carrie Body Fit for Life https://www.bodyfit4life.ca/
Lindsay Sutherland Boal She Walks Canada https://www.shewalkscanada.com/
Recommended YouTube Videos to watch about what happens when you quit alcohol:
https://youtu.be/0E8mClIa_0I?si=XcynhHBNWEtfNb-R
https://youtu.be/tYWlDOSSbhM?si=sz0H6BeXcVzDvC4i

Samantha Lander, See Fit Living Season 3 Ep. 14

Sun, 10 Mar 2024 14:00:00 -0400

Meet Samantha Lander, See Fit Living. Samantha is a successful Health & Fitness entrepreneur who is recovering out loud from drug & alcohol abuse. Extremely resilient and persistent Samantha struggled with her addiction on and off for 15 yrs and after a 13 yr stint of sobriety she relapsed and began to abuse alcohol. Through many of life's ups and downs and her own personal health challenges, she never gave up on the idea of healing herself and her body. Tune in to learn more about Samantha's journey and what she is doing now to help other women to feel good in their bodies again!

Follow Samantha on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seefitliving/
or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/seefitpt
Book a FREE Clarity Call with Samantha on her website: https://seefitpt.com/services/

Spirituality & Sobriety, Finding purpose without alcohol Season 3 Ep. 14

Sun, 03 Mar 2024 19:00:00 -0500

What are we seeking when we are drinking? Are we searching for more meaning or lacking purpose in life and that's part of why we lose ourselves to alcohol. Is drinking part a ritual we practice? We explore these questions and many more in this episode. We reveal some of our favorite spiritual practices that have helped us find a deeper purpose in sobriety. Living alcohol free has allowed us to rediscover our child like curiosity and explore new rituals that have brought us closer to something bigger than ourselves!

Recommended Reads:
Eckhart Tolley https://eckharttolle.com/
Deepak Chopra https://www.deepakchopra.com/

How to build confidence without Alcohol, Season 3 Ep. 13

Sun, 25 Feb 2024 13:00:00 -0500

In this episode we question the idea that alcohol gives us confidence?? On the contrary, we believe using alcohol can be detrimental to our confidence by putting us in a poor decision making state that contributes to a lowered self-esteem. Making the decision to say "No” to alcohol can be the first step to re-building our confidence. Trusting ourselves and having the belief "we can do this" slowly builds the self evidence and as the evidence starts to stack up we finally establish the self awareness needed to truly feel confident. It's starts with one good decision, one day at a time.

Things we wish we knew or someone told us when we were drinking! Season 3 Ep.12

Mon, 19 Feb 2024 10:00:00 -0500

In this episode we discuss things we wish we knew or someone told us when we were drinking. As we dive into some of the things, like how drinking increases anxiety or how lonely drinking can be we also question whether if we knew any of these things would they have stopped us. The reality is probably not but is there one thing or a certain person in our lives that could have said something to us that would have helped change our relationship with alcohol sooner. This episode is NOT about regrets, we all appreciate that people get to where they need to be in their our own time and we are all happy with the paths we took to get us here. We hope this episode speaks to the people out there that may be where we were right now and need to hear this!!

Recalling some of our favorite LAF Life Episodes, Season 3 Ep. 11

Mon, 12 Feb 2024 19:00:00 -0500

Your hosts are excited to be back with you, after their long Winter break! We are starting off 2024 with reflecting back on some of our most memorable episodes. Come reminisce with us as we take a trip down memory lane. Although we found it hard to narrow down our favorites, we manage to come up with a list of 10 standouts with a few honorable mentions. Stay tuned until the end when we reveal what our most listen to episode has been. This is a perfect place for a new listeners to start or to share with your friends as we guide you through some great recommendations of what episodes to listen to next!

Holiday TIPS & How to Tackle 30 Days "AF" (alcohol free) Season 3, Ep. 10

Mon, 04 Dec 2023 21:00:00 -0500

It's been an incredible start to Season 3 so far with 10 great episodes released. Were going into the holiday season and it's time for LAF Life to take a little Winter break. We will be back with more great episodes in 2024! Join us here for this special Holiday Wrap-up episode, where we offer our listeners some tips for the Holidays as well as try to help them prepare for the aftermath of the holiday season. We are giving our top tips for tackling 30 days alcohol free. This episode is one of our personal best and a definite MUST listen especially if.......

you are hosting this holiday season
your considering trying 30 days alcohol free
you have just started your alcohol free journey
you are questioning your relationship with alcohol
you need motivation or inspiration

We got you! The best gift you can give yourself this holiday season is a break from alcohol.

The Sobr Market, Jessie Halliburton Season 3, Ep. 9

Mon, 27 Nov 2023 18:00:00 -0500

This episode is guaranteed to take your Holiday hosting ideas to the next level!
Our guest Jessie Halliburton, co-owner of The Sobr Market, just rocked the LAF Life podcast! Join us to hear about her amazing alcohol-free journey. Learn how Jessie and her husband Shane are transforming the non-alcohol beverage market . This dynamic duo are proudly creating a truly unique alcohol free customer experience. Passionate about educating people, be sure to check out the tasting bar for cocktail inspiration and product information. Discover why serving up The Sobr Market's festive beverages is a game-changer this holiday season!

For our listeners in Winnipeg or Toronto, visit The Sobr Market in person at one of these 2 locations.

For holiday inspiration follow The Sobr Market on Insta:
https://www.instagram.com/thesobrmarket/
or on FB @ https://www.facebook.com/thesobrmarket
Shop online The Sobr Market - Your New Marketplace for Everything Non-Alcoholic

Judgement vs. Support in the "AF"(Alcohol Free) Community, Season 3 Ep. 8

Mon, 20 Nov 2023 18:00:00 -0500

Living Alcohol Free like many things, is not a one size fits all approach. We started this podcast to show people that there are many ways to live a beautiful alcohol free life. We choose this somewhat controversial topic because we were disappointed with some of the judgment we'd seen recently in comments on Social Media regarding how people choose to live alcohol free. We wanted to address this for everyone starting out on this journey as we know there can be a lot of fear around the idea of giving up alcohol. We didn't want anyone considering an alcohol free lifestyle to be influenced by the opinion that it needs to be done a certain way to be the right way. What works for some does not work for all, so the best way is to find your own way! Find what works for you and what makes you feel good. From time to time we can all fall victim to making judgements, but next time you do, stop and remind yourself that judgement is our inner voice whispering "You still have work to do my child". We are all on the say team in this space....."Team No Alcohol" and that's why it's important we support ALL the ways.

Recommended Meetings & Groups:
S.O.S Secular Organizations for Sobriety
SOS (sossobriety.org)
Recovery & Beyond
https://recovery-beyond.com/
Smart Recovery
https://smartrecovery.org/
Life Ring
Front Page - LifeRing Secular Recovery
Women for Sobriety
Home - Women for Sobriety
Moderation Management
Moderation Management Non-Profit for Self-Managed Alcohol Moderation

Deborah Leblanc, Season 3 Ep. 7

Sun, 12 Nov 2023 13:00:00 -0500

Great guest episode chatting with successful Real Estate agent Deborah Leblanc. Deborah is a perfect example of someone who grew up in an environment where drinking alcohol was the norm. As she carried on to adulthood her drinking progressed into a daily habit. After an ongoing health issue that she was convinced was due to her drinking habit, she made the instant decision to stop. With clean test results back from the doctor Deborah took that as a new lease on life. We could feel the joy and vitality in Deborah's energy as she described how much better life is alcohol free!

Connect with Deborah on Instagram
Deborah LeBlanc (@deborahjleblanc) • Instagram photos and videos
Or if you're looking for Real Estate in the Winnipeg, MB area check out her website:
deborah.royallepage.ca

Drinking is not our Identity, Season 3 Ep. 6

Sun, 05 Nov 2023 15:00:00 -0500

Drinking is not our Identity! In this episode we explore what our identity is made up of and when we define ourselves we do not want societal labels to be part of self definition. We often allow societal labels to describe a part of who we are or mistake activities we participate in be associated with who we are, but we are human BEINGS not human DOINGS. This can be a slippery slope when it comes to drinking as we can attach our identity to labels like "the fun guy". These labels can keep us stuck in our fear, questioning "who am I going to be without alcohol"? The truth is when we are drinking we are not our authentic self we are an altered version of ourselves. In this discussion, we uncover so many things that make up our identity, which is way beyond the limiting labels society attaches to us. Don't limit yourself with labels we are so much more then the things we do. Who we are or want to be is limitless!

Recommended Reads:
The Power of Now, Eckhart Tolle

Episode honorable mention RIP Matthew Perry
Dr Daniel G. Amen on TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@docamen

CHANGE: How fear can keep us stuck & how when we change so can the people around us. Season 3 Ep.5

Mon, 30 Oct 2023 19:00:00 -0400

In episode 5 we discuss the impact changing our relationship with alcohol has on the people around us. When we make the decision to change we can't expect everyone to follow, as we were the ones who made the decision to change. Changing ourselves can be scary for the people closest to us as our new behavior's and habits are not what they are use to. We are creatures of habit so this can make people uncomfortable. Changing can inevitably affect the dynamics of our relationships, some relationships may even come to an end. On the other side change can also welcome new relationships that are more aligned with the version of ourself we are becoming. We can also influence people in a positive way by inspiring them to make changes themselves. Either way change is a necessary part of taking a path to self improvement.

Gary Menkes, The Begin Again Podcast, Season 3, Ep.4

Mon, 23 Oct 2023 17:00:00 -0400

It's always a pleasure when we invite our fellow Podcasters to share their story with us. In episode 4, Gary Menkes, host of The Begin Again Podcast, had the ability to convey his 17 years of sobriety in such a unique and impactful way. Gary took us on a transformational journey as he recalled his very dark relationship with alcohol and the unexpected shift that brought him into the light of Sobriety. Gary was aligned with our mission when he started The Begin Again Podcast. He believed by sharing his story and showcasing the recovery success stories of others, he could be of service to those seeking inspiration. During our conversation with Gary it was very apparent to us that he had followed his purpose when he decided to launch The Begin Again Podcast!

Check out Gary Menkes and The Begin Again Podcast at the following links:
Website: https://thebeginagainpodcast.com/
Follow on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thebeginagainpodcast/
or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheBeginAgainPodcast/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/thebeginagainpodcast

Living at a Higher Vibration, Season 3 Ep. 3

Mon, 16 Oct 2023 19:00:00 -0400

We definitely brought a higher vibration to this episode with lots of laughs and additional insights from our guest co-host Jamie Swaile. We all know alcohol works to lower inhabitations, but what you may not realize is that it comes at the cost of lowering your vibration. In this episode we define what living at a higher vibration means to us and how the decision to ditch alcohol naturally increased our vibration over time.
We also provide some tips on the small things you can start today to help increase your vibration. Experiment with a few of these ideas and see what you're naturally drawn to. Those are the things that always work best for us.

Catch our guest co-host Jamie's full story in Season 2, Ep. 4
https://laflife.buzzsprout.com/1903203/11509851
Follow Jamie on Insta @j_swaile

Helpful Resources:
19 Ways to Raise Your Vibration — Sustainable Bliss | Self-Care and Intentional Living (sustainableblissco.com)
How to Raise Your Vibration | Emotional & Spiritual (chopra.com)

Season 3, Ep. 2 Eva Angvert, BEAMLiFE International

Mon, 09 Oct 2023 15:00:00 -0400

In this episode we had a truly enlightening conversation with Eva Angvert from BEAMLiFE International. After a very traumatic childhood, Eva had her own struggles with addition, In support of her husbands sobriety, she gave up alcohol over 30 years ago and has been sober ever since. In 1995 she started her own coaching business to help other with unresolved trauma and addiction. Eva is trained as a Somatic Experiencing® Practitioner, (SEP) as well as a Certified Emotional Resolution practitioner (EmRes) . Through individual coaching sessions she helps people identify their triggers and recognize the sensations in their body as a way of resolving emotional triggers from old trauma. We found Eva's personal story and coaching practices fascinating!

To find out more about Eva and the services she offers visit her website at
https://www.evaangvert.com/
Follow Eva on Instagram @somaticangvert

CHECK OUT this episodes Resources:
The Body Keeps The Score, Bessel van der Kolk
Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma by Peter A Levine, PhD
In an Unspoken Voice: How the Body Releases Trauma and Restores Goodness
Peter A Levine, PhD — Ergos Institute, inc™ (somaticexperiencing.com)
Emotional Resolution is developed by Cedric Bertolli
What is Emotional Resolution? — Emotional Resolution with Cedric Bertelli

Season 3 Opener, Dating Sober

Mon, 02 Oct 2023 17:00:00 -0400

We are opening Season 3 with an always HOT topic, dating sober. We talk about how to have what may be difficult conversations about alcohol with kids as well as your potential love match. As your hosts catch up on what they have been up to over the summer, our 2 single ladies share some big news about how they found their great new dating partners. If your newly single and trying an alcohol free lifestyle, this episode is definitely for you! Tune in to hear the ladies best practices for dating sober!

Season 2 Finale, The LAF Life 12

Mon, 03 Jul 2023 14:00:00 -0400

In our Season 2 Finale we celebrate 50 published episodes by taking a moment to reflect on our own personal "AF" journey's including what we have taken away from all our amazing guests this season. We have compiled our own lists of the things we know to be true in our healing journey that we coined "The LAF Life 12". These are things we believe could be helpful to others considering the path to an alcohol free life. Please tune in to this insightful closing episode! We look forward to celebrating another 25 episodes with our listeners next Season!

Deb Masner, Alcohol Tipping Point Season 2 Ep. 25

Fri, 23 Jun 2023 19:00:00 -0400

In our last Guest episode of Season 2, it was such a pleasure to sit down with fellow podcaster Deb Masner from Alcohol Tipping Point. After many failed attempts at moderation and taking a few short breaks from alcohol, Deb finally reached her tipping point and gave up alcohol for good in January 2020. Shortly after she decided to create Alcohol Tipping Point as a place to provide resources and educate people on the many health risks associated with drinking alcohol. As a Registered Nurse and Health & Wellness Coach Deb made it her mission to help anyone looking to reduce their alcohol consumption by providing multiple resources. Through her online platform she offers support by facilitating "alcoholidays" for those looking to take a break from alcohol. She also offers 1 on 1 coaching sessions as well as she has her podcast Alcohol Tipping Point. Learn more about Deb's personal journey and what Alcohol Tipping Point is offering this community by tuning in to this episode.

To connect with Deb follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alcoholtippingpoint/
or check out her Website: https://www.alcoholtippingpoint.com/

High Functioning Alcoholism, Season 2 Ep.24

Mon, 19 Jun 2023 20:00:00 -0400

This topic sparked an interesting discussion about how we define what it means to be a High Functioning Alcoholic. Is this term contributing to the stigmas society has about what it looks like to have an unhealthy relationship with alcohol? High functioning perpetuates the idea that its ok to reward ourselves for our accomplishments at the end of the day with alcohol. Are we using the fact that we are high functioning as an excuse to continue to drink? This term can actually be the thing holding you back from reaching your true potential. We shouldn't see this term as a positive when in reality were just getting by trying to accomplish the things society pressures us to. We are challenging the notion that you can be high functioning when you are drinking, as we believe these 2 ideas are a complete contradiction.
What do you think? Turn in to hear more!

Warning Labels, Are we reading them? Season 2 Ep.23

Mon, 12 Jun 2023 19:00:00 -0400

In this weeks episode we touch on all things with a WARNING label. A somewhat controversial topic but one we believe is extremely important to bring awareness to. There can be many dangers when mixing alcohol with medication, even simple over the counter medications can effect you differently when mixed with alcohol. We are by no means experts on this subject but we are asking the questions, are people paying attention to warning labels on prescription medications? Are they reading the pamphlet of information that comes with their medication? Is your doctor asking questions about your alcohol consumption when prescribing you medication? And in future will we see warning labels on alcohol bottles like we have on cigarette packages? We are having a sensitive and serious conversation about of these things and more.

Notable mention:
Follow James Swanwick on Instagram @ https://www.instagram.com/jamesswanwick/
Recommended Articles: https://www.goodrx.com/drugs/side-effects/10-medications-you-shouldnt-mix-with-alcohol?
https://www.goodrx.com/well-being/substance-use/how-does-alcohol-affect-the-body?

Summer Scattergories, Season 2 Ep. 22

Sun, 04 Jun 2023 18:00:00 -0400

It's that time of year that everyone looks forward to....Summer! Are you looking to cut back or go alcohol free but find the thought of summer socializing without alcohol daunting? We have some tips for you in this Summer Scattegories episode. Summer time is the perfect opportunity to find so many things to do without alcohol. It's a time when we get a natural dopamine boost from all the sunshine, fresh air and extended daylight. Conquering alcohol free during the Summer can set you up for success on your alcohol free journey all year round. Summer is a great time to get outdoors and have fun exploring something new that connects you to yourself, nature or others. Dare to be different and don't let fear of the unknown hold you back!

Caroline Barrett, Soberme Season 2 Ep. 21

Mon, 29 May 2023 20:00:00 -0400

In this episode meet Caroline Barrett, Recovery Sober Coach. Caroline has been sober 7 yrs and shares her struggles with alcohol abuse and how subconsciously she always knew one day she would never drink again. After attending an enlightening AA meeting with her brother and then losing her close friend to addiction, Caroline promised to create a life committed to helping others get on their path to sobriety. Caroline now has a business as a certified Sober Coach offering a variety of services through Sober Me, some of the services she provides include recovery assistance, counselling and companionship services.

Find out more at: https://www.soberme.ca/
Or follow Caroline on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soberme.ca/?next=%2F

Jamie Wild Feragaia, Season 2 Ep. 20

Mon, 22 May 2023 15:00:00 -0400

Guest Jamie Wild bring us his original free spirit, Feragaia! After years of working in the alcohol industry Jamie found his daily norm quickly became a life that revolved around drinking alcohol. As he found himself searching for more meaning, Jamie and his friend Bill started on their journey to cultivate a more inclusive alcohol free drinking experience. Both from the UK, they decided to utilize the beautiful land around them to produce a very unique distilled 0% alcohol beverage called Feragia. The name derived from ancient Latin and Greek meaning Wild Earth, Feragaia is crafted from 14 land & sea botanicals that were carefully identified for their flavour profiles and natural properties. Jamie and Bill are carving out a category of their own as Feragaia is the moment you step off the path. It has a complexity that invites you to pause, to reconnect with yourself. To appreciate the people around you and the ground beneath your feet. Distilled to be different. Here’s to your original free spirit!

For more info check out their website: https://feragaia.com/
Or follow Feragaia on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/feragaia/?next=%2F
To purchase Feragaia and have it delivered anywhere go to: https://proofnomore.com/

Hayley Scherders, Living over the influence Season 2, Ep. 19

Sun, 09 Apr 2023 20:00:00 -0400

In episode 19 we had the pleasure of speaking with another fellow Canadian, Hayley Scherders. Hayley broke free from her addiction to alcohol and cocaine almost 3yrs ago. By doing so she has discovered her own passion for helping others break through the cycle of addiction. Inspired by Anne Grace and certified through This Naked Mind, Hayley has created her own Recovery Coaching program called Living over the influence. Combining her unique approach with some This Naked Mind influence, Hayley is creating her own path in the online recovery community.

To find out more about the services Hayley offers through Living over the influence connect with her on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/livingovertheinfluence/

Notable Mentions:
Annie Grace, This Naked Mind
https://thisnakedmind.com/
Joe Dispenza
https://drjoedispenza.com/
The Perfection Detox, Petra Kolber
https://petrakolber.com/book-the-perfection-detox/
The Mountain is you, Brianna Wiest
https://www.amazon.ca/Mountain-You-Transforming-Self-Sabotage-Self-Mastery/dp/1949759229

Ben "Swim Tuff": How I swam my way out of the bottle. Season 2 Ep. 18

Sun, 02 Apr 2023 09:00:00 -0400

Our guest in episode 18 Ben Tuff, is a life long educator who has set out to inspire not only his students but now others in the recovery space. Ben is a record holding ultramarathon swimmer who only learned how to swim in his thirties as part of his recovery from alcohol addiction. In his upcoming documentary "Swim Tuff: How I swam my way out of the bottle" Ben has taken an unconventional approach to sharing his recovery journey in a way that has never been done before. With the goal of destigmatizing addiction, Ben is encouraging others to pursue their passion one stroke at a time. We can't wait to check out this amazing documentary when it is released later this spring!

to find out more about Ben connect with him on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/ben.tuff/?next=%2F
or you can send him an email at bentuff@gmail.com
Check out the trailer for Ben's documentary "Swim Tuff": How I swam my way out of the bottle on YouTube: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ieaYrqYuIFc

What our drunk "Alter Ego" says about our true selves? Season 2 Ep. 17

Mon, 27 Mar 2023 17:00:00 -0400

Do you have an "Alter Ego" when you're drinking? What character do you become? In Episode 17 we question all things as our drunk selves. Is alcohol really a truth serum or is it bringing out buried trauma when were drinking? How did our journey through our drunk "Alter Egos' help us identify our true selves and form who we have become today. Tune in to this episode to find out!

Ringing out the sponge on childhood trauma, Season 2 Ep.16

Mon, 20 Mar 2023 19:00:00 -0400

The topic of trauma has been brought up in many of our previous episodes but we decided to fully dive into it in Episode 16. Exploring how childhood trauma shows up in all areas of our lives. We are ringing out the sponge on our own personal trauma and how it is uniquely defined to all of us. We are sharing the ways we have work through it and continue to heal from it. Although this was a heavy topic we managed to squeeze in a few great laughs along the way! This was an insightful episode we believe will be truly relatable to all our listeners.

Carter Evans, Abstinence makes the young wiser! Season 2 Ep. 15

Sun, 12 Mar 2023 19:00:00 -0400

We are shakin' things up in Episode 15! Our youngest guest yet and the son of our co-host Kelly, Carter Evans joins us. Carter wanted to tell us why unlike most young people that have turned the legal drinking age, he has made the decision to abstain from drinking alcohol. After experimenting with drinking in his younger teens and realizing it wasn't something that agreed with him, Carter decided drinking didn't align with the life he wanted to live. Carter was such a pleasure, very self-aware and wise beyond his years. Hearing this perspective from the younger generation was extremely refreshing!

Sonia Kahlon @joineverblume, Season 2 Ep.14

Mon, 06 Mar 2023 20:00:00 -0500

Special Guest Sonia Kahlon joins us for episode 14. After 5yrs of sobriety Sonia was tested when her husband unexpectedly ended their marriage. She didn't feel she had the tools to handle that kind of major life change without alcohol. Find out how she slowly built her toolkit to hang onto her sobriety for one more day. Learn how building on those tools lead her to create a business that is now helping others facing different major life changes while navigating sobriety.

Connect with Sonia on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/joineverblume/?next=%2F
Or visit her website to try out a free meeting: https://www.joineverblume.com/

I saw the signs, it opened up my eyes I saw the Signs! Season 2, Ep. 13

Mon, 27 Feb 2023 16:00:00 -0500

This is an important episode! Here your hosts discuss some of the warning signs they experienced when they were consuming alcohol. From this discussion we came up with our own list of 17 Signs that we believe were strong indicators that our relationship with alcohol was becoming unhealthy. If you or someone you know are contemplating their relationship with alcohol, they need to listen to this episode!

LAF Life's 17 Signs:

An ALL or NOTHING attitude; you can't stop at just 1 drink.
Using drinking as an excuse for everything; stress relief, celebrating or rewarding yourself.
Blacking out or not remembering what happened when drinking.
Unable to socialize without alcohol.
Missing important commitments or events.
When having a drink at the end of the day starts to consume your thoughts.
If lack of alcohol starts effecting your moods; irritability or increased anxiety.
HAIR OF THE DOG; having to have a drink to make a hangover feel better.
Physical changes; weight gain, puffiness, glossy or empty eyes.
Losing yourself and lacking motivation or drive to do the things you use to enjoy.
Hiding or lying about the amount of alcohol you are consuming.
Unexplained injuries or bruises.
Googling do I have a problem or how much alcohol is too much.
Having a family history of alcohol abuse.
Breaking promises to yourself, saying "I'm going to cut down or stop tomorrow, tomorrow".
Increased tolerance or cravings; you need to drink more to get your desired results.
FEAR; you are scared to quit because you are not sure what your life will be without it.

Kelly's 5 Truths Season 2 Ep. 12

Mon, 20 Feb 2023 19:00:00 -0500

Celebrating our co-host Kelly's 5 years AF! Kelly dives into the 5 truths she has learned since becoming alcohol free. We openly discuss how Kelly came about these truths on her recovery journey and what each of them means to us.

✨️Being hangover-free never gets old.
✨️Healing is hard. Staying in denial of our own personal truth is harder.
✨️I’ve never met a single person who’s regretted giving up alcohol.
✨️Our power to heal and grow lies in our ability to continue to surrender into the unknown.
✨️Inner peace comes with having integrity with ourselves, forgiving ourselves and learning how to love and accept ourselves exactly as we are right now.

Deb McNairn, Season 2 Ep.11

Sun, 12 Feb 2023 16:00:00 -0500

In Ep. 11 we welcome special guest, Deborah McNairn. Deb is a Yoga and Barre instructor who joined us to share her journey to recovery. After a scary trip to the hospital due to severe alcohol withdrawal, Deb was finally faced with the decision to give up her daily alcohol habit. Deb's path to recovery lead her to discovering Yoga. After learning more about the connection between yoga and recovery she decided to turn her passion into a mission, by becoming a Y12sr Yoga Leader. Now with 11yrs sobriety, Deb has been actively helping others that struggle with addiction by offering Recovery Workshops and Community Meetings that incorporate gentle yoga techniques and open discussions about addiction recovery. To find out more about Deb and the programs she offers check out the links below.

Connect with Deb on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/shadowlandsyoga/
Learn more about Y12sr Yoga practice:
www.y12sr.com
Deb is currently teaching Barre Classes at Yogashala Wellness Centre: wwwyogashalawaterdown.com

Deb's Top 11 Recovery Movie Recommendations:
Postcards from the Edge
Flight
A Star is Born
Amy
Rocketman
Leaving Las Vegas
When a Man Loves a Woman
Crazy Heart
Walk the Line
Bohemian Rhapsody
The Fighter

Welcome Back Episode!!

Mon, 06 Feb 2023 21:00:00 -0500

Your Hosts are excited to be back! In this welcome back episode we catch up from the holidays and discuss many HOT topics, including the do's & don'ts of discussing our alcohol free journey at work. We deep dive into the World Health Organizations new guidelines for drinking alcohol, how we've seen people react and what we think is holding them back? That and much much more in this fully loaded episode!

World Health Organization
https://www.who.int/europe/news/item/04-01-2023-no-level-of-alcohol-consumption-is-safe-for-our-health

Holiday Wrap Up Episode! Season 2

Sun, 04 Dec 2022 20:00:00 -0500

This is our Holiday Wrap-Up Episode. We had fun with this episode playing some holiday Scattergories, reminiscing about the ghosts of drunken Christmas past and sharing our top holiday party tips for surviving holiday gatherings alcohol free!
LAF Life will be taking a break for the holidays to enjoy sometime with our families. Tune back in when we release more new episodes with great topics and amazing new guests this February. Catch up on current episodes over the holidays @laflifepodcast. We wish all our listeners a safe and happy holiday season and we look forward to seeing you back here in the new year!

**Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this episode are not professional or medical opinions.
If you are struggling with an addiction please contact a medical professional for help.

Kim Kearns, On the Edge of Shattered, Season 2 Ep.10

Sun, 27 Nov 2022 11:00:00 -0500

In episode 10 it was great to meet our guest Kim Kearns a fellow sober and strong Mom and Podcaster. Kim just released her 1st book "On the Edge of Shattered", a memoir of her experience discovering freedom through sobriety. Kim shares her personal struggle with ending her unhealthy relationship with alcohol which like many had started in her youth. We found Kim very relatable as she reveals how she fell victim to the "Mommy Wine Culture" and the belief her drinking was "normal" as she was surrounded by her drinking friends. With her supportive husband by her side, Kim was able to put together the shattered pieces to find her path to sobriety.

Connect with Kim on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/asoberandstrongmom
or https://www.instagram.com/kbkearns
Find out more about her and her book on Kim's website : https://www.kimberlykearns.com

**Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this episode are not professional or medical opinions.
If you are struggling with an addiction please contact a medical professional for help.

Enabling Season 2, Ep. 9

Mon, 21 Nov 2022 16:00:00 -0500

Enabling is something that occurs often in the relationship dynamic with an addict. It happened very unintentionally when we are trying to help our loved ones but we are actually supporting their negative behaviors. In Ep. 9 we explore some of our past actions when we were drinking that reinforced negative behavior. We identify what enabling is and how we can recognize when we may be doing it. We also pose the question "What can we do to help people struggling vs. enable them"?

**Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this episode are not professional or medical opinions. If you are struggling with an addiction please contact a medical professional for help.

Steve McDonald, Thanks for letting me share! Season 2, Ep. 8

Mon, 14 Nov 2022 17:00:00 -0500

In this episode we had a heartfelt conversation with special guest Steve McDonald. Steve is a recovered alcoholic and crack addict who went from living in his car at the peak of his addition to becoming a teacher and author. Through his years of experience in rehab and attending AA & NA meetings, he composed a collection of quotes he heard from others in recovery. He turned this collection into a book called "Thank you for letting me share"! Steve donates his book to rehab facilities across the USA in the hopes of helping other struggling with recovery. It took Steve many years and several attempts to finally get clean but his sobriety took priority when he met is wife in 2016 and as he says "finally found something he loved more than drinking & druggin." This is a remarkable story of how never giving up can completely turn your life around.

Purchase Steve's book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.ca/Thanks-Letting-Share-Steven-McDonald/dp/B086L5KZR7
All proceeds go to rehab facilities across the USA.

**Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this episode are not professional or medical opinions.
If you are struggling with an addiction please contact a medical professional for help.

Toxic Relationships: How to recognize when we are having them with something or someone. Season 2 Ep. 7

Mon, 07 Nov 2022 18:00:00 -0500

In episode 7 the girls talk all things toxic! How that can include our relationship with substances, romantic partners and even work environments. Popular buzz words around toxic behavior like gaslighting and narcissist. We share some of our own experiences with toxic relationships as well as discuss 14 signs you may be having a toxic relationship. The importance of recognizing these behaviors, acknowledging and then implementing some practices to help you deal with a toxic situation. This episode took some unexpected twists & turns but we found it very enlightening. We all felt some personal growth came out of this one!

Reference Article: Healthline, Is Your Relationship Toxic? What to Look For
https://www.healthline.com/health/toxic-relationship

**Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this episode are not professional or medical opinions.
If you are struggling with an addiction please contact a medical professional for help.

Martin Lockett, Prison to Purpose Season 2, Ep 6

Sun, 30 Oct 2022 15:00:00 -0400

Martin Lockett blew us away in Ep. 6 with his amazing journey from Prison to Purpose. Martin is a recovered alcoholic that spent 17.5 years incardinated for a DUI that tragically took the lives of 2 people and severely injured 1. This episode should make anyone question every bad decision they have ever made! It's a perfect example of how poor judgement and split second decisions can severely impact the rest of our lives. Martin embodies what it means for someone to take the worst possible outcome, going to Prison, and turn it into one of the best personal growth opportunities a person could have. In an attempt to honor his victims, Martin dedicated his time in prison to educating himself so he could live a life of service to others who may be impacted by substance abuse. Martin was released in June 2021 and is now actively working as a Substance Abuse Counselor. He is also a Public Speaker, Author and Podcaster.

Find Martin on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/martinllockett/
To purchase his books and learn more about his visit his website: https://www.martinlockett.com/

Be a guest on our show https://forms.gle/GE9YJdq4J5Zb6NVC6

Music provided by Premium Beats: https://www.premiumbeat.com
Song: Rise and Thrive
Artist: Young Presidents

**Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this episode are not professional or medical opinions. If you are struggling with an addiction please contact a medical professional for help.

The National Behavioral Crisis Line
Dial 988

Mindless Chatter: Thoughts that hinder or help us! Season 2 Ep. 5

Mon, 24 Oct 2022 16:00:00 -0400

Join your hosts in their own mindless chatter about how the little voice in our head, can either hinder or help us. The impact drinking had on our self worth and how once we all came to the bright side of life that our negative self-talk slowly turned positive. Our daily tip to help remind yourself how amazing you are, even when you don't believe it. You can trick use this trick to change your mind with daily practice.

Be a guest on our show https://forms.gle/GE9YJdq4J5Zb6NVC6

Music provided by Premium Beats: https://www.premiumbeat.com
Song: Rise and Thrive
Artist: Young Presidents

Recommended Reads:
The 5 Second Rule, Mel Robbins https://www.melrobbins.com/5secondrule
The Untethered Soul, Michael Singer https://untetheredsoul.com/

**Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this episode are not professional or medical opinions. If you are struggling with an addiction please contact a medical professional for help.

Let your star shine bright! Jamie Swaile, Season 2 Ep. 4

Sun, 16 Oct 2022 16:00:00 -0400

In Season 2, Ep. 4 Listen to how our guest Jamie Swaile's passionate spirit through has carried him through his 11 yrs of sobriety amid many struggles & challenges. How he has found his worth and continues to strive to be his most authentic self. The joy he’s found in nurturing and healing his inner child through raising his daughter Grace. Jamie reminds us that were all shining stars and that although we will always have cloudy days, that we need to push to shine through them. We think our listeners will find Jamie’s journey extremely insightful as he demonstrates the true power of raw emotional vulnerability.

Find Jamie on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/j_swaile/

Be a guest on our show https://forms.gle/GE9YJdq4J5Zb6NVC6

Music provided by Premium Beats: https://www.premiumbeat.com
Song: Rise and Thrive
Artist: Young Presidents

**Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this episode are not professional or medical opinions. If you are struggling with an addiction please contact a medical professional for help.

"Reel Tok" about how Social Media "Feeds" our addictions. Facebook Fake & Fuck'd! Season 2 Ep. 3

Mon, 10 Oct 2022 20:00:00 -0400

In this episode we explore the good, the bad & ugly sides of Social Media. How it has become the latest addiction that everyone needs to overcome. Ways to unplug and knowing when to put our phones away. Try some of our more nature suggestions for boosting your daily dopamine. Re-visit some of the old school practices we have lost touch with like a face to face meeting or a good old fashion phone call instead of text. We should all practice being a little more conscious of how the ever changing world of technology is creating the allusion of being connected when we are all more disconnected than ever!

Be a guest on our show https://forms.gle/GE9YJdq4J5Zb6NVC6

Music provided by Premium Beats: https://www.premiumbeat.com
Song: Rise and Thrive
Artist: Young Presidents

**Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this episode are not professional or medical opinions. If you are struggling with an addiction please contact a medical professional for help.

Matt Gardiner, Season 2 Guest Ep.2

Mon, 03 Oct 2022 20:00:00 -0400

We welcome our 1st Guest of Season 2, Matt Gardiner! What an amazing exchange of energy with this fellow Canadian Podcaster and Recovery Coach. Listen to Matt's struggle through his first attempt at living alcohol-free and what he did differently the 2nd time around to be successful in his "AF" journey. We loved hearing about Matt's dedication to helping others overcome their trauma and how he's sharing his Hero's Journey.

Find Matt on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/recoveryroadmap.me/
or check out his website at http://www.recoveryroadmap.me

Be a guest on our show https://forms.gle/GE9YJdq4J5Zb6NVC6

Music provided by Premium Beats: https://www.premiumbeat.com
Song: Rise and Thrive
Artist: Young Presidents

Honorable Mentions:
Finding Joehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8nFACrLxr0
Hamilton Pharmacopeiahttps://www.hulu.com/series/hamiltons-pharmacopeia-ba51f4e6-df48-4278-b75f-38f0d6ae6734
How to Change your Mindhttps://www.netflix.com/ca/title/80229847

**Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this episode are not professional or medical opinions. If you are struggling with an addiction please contact a medical professional for help.

Our Comeback Episode, Season 2 Ep.1

Mon, 26 Sep 2022 20:00:00 -0400

What an amazing kick off to Season 2!!
Catch up with us in Ep. 1 as we discuss the interesting alcohol related situations we ran into over the break and how we dealt with them. Through this conversation we discovered some very interesting facts through some new stats released about the harmful effects of alcohol consumption. We also highlight some of the amazing guests and topics we have to look forward to this season. We are so excited to be back and can’t wait to share an incredible Season 2 with our listeners!

Be a guest on our show https://forms.gle/GE9YJdq4J5Zb6NVC6

Music provided by Premium Beats: https://www.premiumbeat.com
Song: Rise and Thrive
Artist: Young Presidents

Book & Podcast Mentions:
Andrew Huberman Podcast https://hubermanlab.com
Quit Like a Women-Holly Whitaker https://www.hollywhitaker.com
How are you Really? Jenna Kutcherhttps://jennakutcher.com/book
Dopamine Nation-Anna Lembke https://www.annalembke.com/dopamine-nation
Pivot to Purpose-Kristen Boss https://kristenboss.com/pivot-to-purpose

**Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this episode are not professional or medical opinions. If you are struggling with an addiction please contact a medical professional for help.

Girl Talk BONUS Summer Episode

Tue, 09 Aug 2022 18:00:00 -0400

LAF Life has been enjoying a much needed summer break. At the end of Season 1 we promised our listeners a couple extras and we delivered in this BONUS "Girls Only" episode!! When a strange turn of events left us short our male co-host Mike, the ladies of LAF Life decided to turn this into a fun impromptu "Girls Only" episode! From sober sex to what we learned during the making of this podcast and how it has enhanced our recovery we touch on it all! #girlpower

Be a guest on our show https://forms.gle/GE9YJdq4J5Zb6NVC6

Music provided by Premium Beats: https://www.premiumbeat.com
Song: Rise and Thrive
Artist: Young Presidents

**Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this episode are not professional or medical opinions. If you are struggling with an addiction please contact a medical professional for help.

Season 1 Finale-It's a Wrap!!

Sun, 19 Jun 2022 20:00:00 -0400

It's a Wrap! Our Season 1 Finale is a fun recap between friends of what surprised us this season, including all our amazing guests and some of our favorite episodes. We are so excited to see what's in store for Season 2! Thank you so much to all of our listeners for your support this season! We hope you enjoy this one.
Until next time keep LAF'in!!

Be a guest on our show https://forms.gle/GE9YJdq4J5Zb6NVC6

Music provided by Premium Beats: https://www.premiumbeat.com
Song: Rise and Thrive
Artist: Young Presidents

**Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this episode are not professional or medical opinions. If you are struggling with an addiction please contact a medical professional for help.

Guest Story Gregg Champion, Start Up Recovery & The Recovery Playbook Ep. 20

Sun, 12 Jun 2022 21:00:00 -0400

Our last guest for Season 1 will be a memorable one! What an amazing conversation we had in episode 20 with Gregg Champion the founder of Start Up Recovery in Los Angeles, California and creator of The Recovery Playbook. Gregg has over 27 years of sobriety under his belt and has pursued his passion for helping people struggling with substance abuse and alcoholism. His Recovery Playbook program takes an entrepreneurial approach to recovery which is very unique. We could have talked to Gregg for hours. His motivational journey and infectious energy will have you hanging on every word!

For more info visit Start Up Recovery website:https://www.startuprecovery.com/
Find Gregg on Instagram @ https://www.instagram.com/greggchampion/
or @ https://www.instagram.com/startuprecovery/
and https://www.instagram.com/therecoveryplaybook/

Be a guest on our show https://forms.gle/GE9YJdq4J5Zb6NVC6

Music provided by Premium Beats: https://www.premiumbeat.com
Song: Rise and Thrive
Artist: Young Presidents

Notable Mentions:
The Mask we live in Documentary
Miss Representation Documentary
Oprah & Deepak Perfect Health 21 Day Meditation Challenge
The Power of Now
The Four Agreements
Man's Search for Meaning
Dr. Gabor Mate https://drgabormate.com/topics/addiction/

**Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this episode are not professional or medical opinions. If you are struggling with an addiction please contact a medical professional for help.

Guest Story Dan White, Exact Nature Ep. 19

Mon, 06 Jun 2022 08:00:00 -0400

In Episode 19 our youngest guest yet, Dan White blew us away with his story! At 23 yrs old Dan is wise beyond his years, this kid lit us up! After multiple stints in rehab, the loss of his best friend to an opioid overdose and a DUI, Dan is finally committed to breaking the cycle of his addiction. By partnering with his father Thomas, and creating their company Exact Nature Botanicals, Dan joined the fight against addiction and is dedicated to helping others. Dan is a resilient example of recovery to his generation.

Go to Exact Nature website https://exactnature.com/
and use LAF Life's exclusive 20% off discount code: LL20
Find Dan on Instagram @ https://www.instagram.com/dan_white_77/

Be a guest on our show https://forms.gle/GE9YJdq4J5Zb6NVC6

Music provided by Premium Beats: https://www.premiumbeat.com
Song: Rise and Thrive
Artist: Young Presidents

Notable Mentions: Refuge Recovery Book
https://www.refugerecovery.org/store/refuge-recovery-book

**Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this episode are not professional or medical opinions. If you are struggling with an addiction please contact a medical professional for help.

Guest Thomas White, Exact Nature Ep. 18

Fri, 27 May 2022 23:00:00 -0400

Episode 18 is part of a special 2 part series. Thomas White with his son Dan, is the founder of Exact Nature Botanicals. After facing their own battles with addiction, Thomas had a natural interest in finding solutions to help people during the recovery process. When Thomas was introduced to the many benefits of CBD through a neighbor he used that information to do extensive research and start his own CBD company Exact Nature. Thomas then enlisted his son Dan White to come along and be a part of this business venture. Focused on helping the recovery community, Exact Nature's line of products is specifically formulated to help ease common symptoms experienced during addiction withdrawal. This guest provided us with a real education in the many benefits CBD has to offer.

Go to Exact Nature website https://exactnature.com/
and use LAF Life's exclusive 20% off discount code: LL20
Find Thomas on Instagram @ https://www.instagram.com/exactnaturebotanicals/
and FB @ https://www.facebook.com/ExactNature

Be a guest on our show https://forms.gle/GE9YJdq4J5Zb6NVC6

Music provided by Premium Beats: https://www.premiumbeat.com
Song: Rise and Thrive
Artist: Young Presidents

**Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this episode are not professional or medical opinions. If you are struggling with an addiction please contact a medical professional for help.

Sobriety Struggle Bus Ep. 17

Mon, 23 May 2022 10:00:00 -0400

Everything is temporary and this too shall pass! Although we love the AF (alcohol free) lives we are building, naturally there have been moments when we have struggled with our sobriety. In this episode we explore the situations where this can be a challenge and the things we have done to overcome them.

Be a guest on our show https://forms.gle/GE9YJdq4J5Zb6NVC6

Music provided by Premium Beats: https://www.premiumbeat.com
Song: Rise and Thrive
Artist: Young Presidents

**Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this episode are not professional or medical opinions. If you are struggling with an addiction please contact a medical professional for help.

Guest Story Crissy Rodriguez Ep. 16

Sat, 14 May 2022 15:00:00 -0400

In Episode 16 we had an amazing conversation with TikTok content creator Crissy Rodriguez. After seeing Crissy across multiple Social Media platforms, we fell in love with her content and we're curious to hear her story. She has been openly sharing on TikTok & Instagram about her own experience and what she has discovered about the effects of alcohol. Crissy is a natural storyteller so it's no surprise that the online sober community is flocking to her content! With over 90,000 followers she has found an abundance of support through this online community. Crissy is the kind of guest that will show you it is in sobriety that we truly find ourselves. She is a real example of what living a beautiful AF (alcohol free) life can look like!

You can find Crissy on TikTok & Instagram @imcrissyrodriguez
https://www.tiktok.com/search?q=imcrissyrodriguez&t=1652735427550
https://www.instagram.com/imcrissyrodriguez/?hl=en

Be a guest on our show https://forms.gle/GE9YJdq4J5Zb6NVC6

Music provided by Premium Beats:https://www.premiumbeat.com
Song: Rise and Thrive
Artist: Young Presidents

Honorable Mentions:
LIVED- New Sobriety App
https://lived.app/
Brene Brown
https://brenebrown.com/
Talking to Strangers, Malcolm Gladwell
https://www.gladwellbooks.com/
Quit like a Woman, Holly Whitaker
https://www.quitlikeawoman.com/
Tempest
https://jointempest.com/resources/list-of-recovery-podcasts-2022/
Thank you Tawny Lara
https://www.instagram.com/tawnymlara/

**Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this episode are not professional or medical opinions. If you are struggling with an addiction please contact a medical professional for help.

Scattergories Ep. 15

Mon, 09 May 2022 22:00:00 -0400

This episode was all about fun! Have you ever played Scattergories?
Episode 15 we played our own version of Scattergories by throwing out some random topics and discussing how we felt about them. Starting with trigger words, then moving into embarrassing drunk moments and finishing off with what celebrating sobriety looks like for us. Next time you have a game night with your family or friends create your own round of Scattergories, you may be surprised what you learn about each other!

Be a guest on our show https://forms.gle/GE9YJdq4J5Zb6NVC6

Music provided by Premium Beats: https://www.premiumbeat.com
Song: Rise and Thrive
Artist: Young Presidents

**Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this episode are not professional or medical opinions. If you are struggling with an addiction please contact a medical professional for help.

Guest Story Nicole Ross Ep. 14

Sun, 01 May 2022 19:00:00 -0400

This is episode 14 and we have a special guest on today. **WARNING! ** the content in this episode is explicit. Our guest will be giving us details of her traumatic journey to sobriety and if you have the kiddos in the car you may want to save this episode for later but definitely tune back in as it's a very inspirational Episode. Nicole is a warrior! At a young age, Nicole endured a lot of trauma that lead her to a life of excessive drinking & substance abuse. With her family as motivation, listen to how she broke a vicious cycle of addiction to begin her journey to healing & sobriety.

Be a guest on our show https://forms.gle/GE9YJdq4J5Zb6NVC6

Music provided by Premium Beats: https://www.premiumbeat.com
Song: Rise and Thrive
Artist: Young Presidents

**Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this episode are not professional or medical opinions. If you are struggling with an addiction please contact a medical professional for help.

Guest Story Eleanor Kotelniski Ep. 13

Thu, 21 Apr 2022 13:00:00 -0400

This is Episode 13 with guest author Eleanor Kotelniski. "What do you get when you take an alcoholic woman - who just happens to be a control freak - and let her run her life on her own terms? Chaos with a capital C!" Listen to her share her struggles and fears as she learns to yield from her own way of doing life to discover the beautiful rewards that come when she begins to rely on her faith in God. Find out how a spiritual awakening has kept her sober for over 20 years.

For a copy of Ellen's book "My Purpose Written Life" you can reach out to us or Eleanor directly via email at ekotelniski@gmail.com

Be a guest on our show https://forms.gle/GE9YJdq4J5Zb6NVC6

Music provided by Premium Beats: https://www.premiumbeat.com
Song: Rise and Thrive
Artist: Young Presidents

**Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this episode are not professional or medical opinions. If you are struggling with an addiction please contact a medical professional for help.

Forgiveness Ep. 12

Sun, 17 Apr 2022 11:00:00 -0400

“In order to heal the first thing we must do is forgive.... and sometimes the person we must forgive is ourselves.”-Mila Bron-
In this episode we realize forgiving ourselves is a huge part of the healing process after giving up Alcohol. How do we forgive ourselves for things we said or did as a result of drinking? The shame and guilt associated with that can be debilitating in our ability to move forward. We explore different exercises to try that will help release us from these feeling and ultimately lead us to forgiving ourselves.

Be a guest on our show https://forms.gle/GE9YJdq4J5Zb6NVC6

Music provided by Premium Beats: https://www.premiumbeat.com
Song: Rise and Thrive
Artist: Young Presidents

**Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this episode are not professional or medical opinions. If you are struggling with an addiction please contact a medical professional for help.

Recommended Reading:
What Happened to You, Oprah
The High Five Habit, Mel Robins
The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma, Bessel van der Kolk M.D.

Anxiety & Drinking Ep. 11

Sun, 10 Apr 2022 13:00:00 -0400

In this episode we tackle a common issue in today's society that has plagued us all, Anxiety! We noticed the topic of anxiety became a common theme for the 4 of us in most our episodes. We have all had the unfortunate experience of suffering with bouts of anxiety and even panic attacks. We used alcohol as a way to try to control our feelings of anxiety, none of us realizing at the time that drinking was actually making the problem way worse. It is scientifically proven that alcohol increases all the chemicals in our brain that cause anxiety. If you are someone that thinks that glass of wine, bottle of beer or cocktail of choice is calming your mind this episode may make you think again!!

Be a guest on our show https://forms.gle/GE9YJdq4J5Zb6NVC6

Music provided by Premium Beats: https://www.premiumbeat.com
Song: Rise and Thrive
Artist: Young Presidents

**Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this episode are not professional or medical opinions. If you are struggling with an addiction please contact a medical professional for help.

Boundaries Ep.10

Mon, 04 Apr 2022 19:00:00 -0400

This episode will leave you with lots to think about! We dive into some of the most common types of boundaries like; Personal, Physical, Emotional, Financial and the Non Negotiable. When people are drinking they have zero boundaries which is scary because boundaries are detrimental to our mental health & well being as they help define who we are. They outline our limits and are built from the foundation of our core values. Boundaries are something we all find challenging to implementing into our own lives. Ask yourself, what boundaries do I have and which ones am I struggling to put in place for myself?

Be a guest on our show https://forms.gle/GE9YJdq4J5Zb6NVC6

Music provided by Premium Beats: https://www.premiumbeat.com
Song: Rise and Thrive
Artist: Young Presidents

**Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this episode are not professional or medical opinions. If you are struggling with an addiction please contact a medical professional for help.

Mommy Wine Culture Ep. 9

Sun, 27 Mar 2022 14:00:00 -0400

In this episode we discuss "Mommy Wine Culture". We ask questions like; why do women feel like they need to do it all, and how they work themselves to the point of burnout. What can women do to be more supportive of one another? We share our opinions on how social media, paid and unpaid alcohol marketing have influenced this behavior. We talk about about how encouraging this culture has kept women stuck and some tips on how they can break free from it.

Be a guest on our show https://forms.gle/GE9YJdq4J5Zb6NVC6

Music provided by Premium Beats: https://www.premiumbeat.com
Song: Rise and Thrive
Artist: Young Presidents

**Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this episode are not professional or medical opinions. If you are struggling with an addiction please contact a medical professional for help.

Guest Story Kelly Starkell-Fissel Ep. 8

Mon, 21 Mar 2022 08:00:00 -0400

We are so excited to welcome our first guest in this episode Kelly Starkell-Fissel. Kelly is a wife, mom, & entrepreneur who’s been living AF (alcohol-free) now for 2.5 years. Kelly talks openly about how her Father’s binge drinking lead to his sudden passing 26 years ago and the circumstances that lead up to the moment the she vowed to never be that drunk hungover Mom ever again!

Find Kelly on Instagram @ k.starkell_fissel and on FB @ Kelly Starkell-Fissel

Be a guest on our show https://forms.gle/GE9YJdq4J5Zb6NVC6

Music provided by Premium Beats: https://www.premiumbeat.com
Song: Rise and Thrive
Artist: Young Presidents

**Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this episode are not professional or medical opinions. If you are struggling with an addiction please contact a medical professional for help.

The Socials Ep. 7

Mon, 14 Mar 2022 10:00:00 -0400

There can be a lot of fear around navigating social situations and dealing with some of the social stigmas that come with living AF (alcohol free). In this episode we dive into how to combat these social stigmas and how we overcame our individual fears about socializing after giving up alcohol. We believe this episode will be very helpful to those of you who may be considering an alcohol free lifestyle or those that are new to it.

Be a guest on our show https://forms.gle/GE9YJdq4J5Zb6NVC6

Music provided by Premium Beats: https://www.premiumbeat.com
Song: Rise and Thrive
Artist: Young Presidents

**Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this episode are not professional or medical opinions. If you are struggling with an addiction please contact a medical professional for help.

Dating & Relationships Ep. 6

Sun, 06 Mar 2022 14:00:00 -0500

With terms like; ghosting, catfishing, roaching, bread crumbing, benching and cuffing just to name a few, how do we keep up? In a world that romanticizes alcohol how do we find alternative ways to date? In this episode we candidly explore the relationship challenges we've faced since becoming AF (Alcohol-free). We explore different ideas to help navigate this complicated modern day dating world.

Be a guest on our show https://forms.gle/GE9YJdq4J5Zb6NVC6

Music provided by Premium Beats: https://www.premiumbeat.com
Song: Rise and Thrive
Artist: Young Presidents

**Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this episode are not professional or medical opinions. If you are struggling with an addiction please contact a medical professional for help.

Notable Mentions:
Tinder
Bumble
Match
Hinge
Tim Hortons

Real Self Care Ep. 5

Mon, 28 Feb 2022 07:00:00 -0500

This episode explores how "Real Self Care" isn't selfish!!
We challenge the societal norms that self care is a glass of alcohol at the end of the day to reward our hard work. Real self care starts with the daily habits we create for ourselves that embrace a healthy lifestyle. We share our individual daily self care practices that help keep us stay aligned with living a beautiful AF (alcohol free) life.

Be a guest on our show https://forms.gle/GE9YJdq4J5Zb6NVC6

Music provided by Premium Beats: https://www.premiumbeat.com
Song: Rise and Thrive
Artist: Young Presidents

**Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this episode are not professional or medical opinions. If you are struggling with an addiction please contact a medical professional for help.

Recommended Listening:
The School of Greatness-Lewis Howes
The John Maxwell Leadership Podcast-John C. Maxwell
On Purpose-Jay Shetty
SmartLess-Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, Will Arnett
Super Soul -Oprah
Armchair Expert-Dax Shepard
The Joe Rogan Experience-Joe Rogan

Tracey's Story Ep. 4

Mon, 21 Feb 2022 21:00:00 -0500

Episode 4-Tracey's Story is the last of our co-host stories. Tracey opens up about how wine became her companion and a source of comfort as she faced all the struggles of becoming a single mother and having to start over again at 40. Learn how Tracey's determination to become a better role model for her daughter drove her to finally break her unhealthy relationship with alcohol.

Be a guest on our show https://forms.gle/GE9YJdq4J5Zb6NVC6

Music provided by Premium Beats: https://www.premiumbeat.com
Song: Rise and Thrive
Artist: Young Presidents

**Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this episode are not professional or medical opinions. If you are struggling with an addiction please contact a medical professional for help.

Mike's Story Ep. 3

Mon, 14 Feb 2022 20:00:00 -0500

This episode is a unique twist from our co-host Mike Sutton on a male perspective. Mike shares how finally listening to his strong inner voice lead him to the decision to live alcohol free. Listeners will find it refreshing to hear his open and honest candor, proving it is ok for men to show their vulnerability too.

Be a guest on our show https://forms.gle/GE9YJdq4J5Zb6NVC6

Music provided by Premium Beats: https://www.premiumbeat.com
Song: Rise and Thrive
Artist: Young Presidents

**Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this episode are not professional or medical opinions. If you are struggling with an addiction please contact a medical professional for help.

Recommended Movie:
The Mask we live in-Documentary

Lindsey's Story Ep. 2

Mon, 07 Feb 2022 19:00:00 -0500

Tune in to this episode to hear our amazing co-host Lindsey Harik reveals the moment that became her "wake up call" and how it helped her finally break free from her unhealthy relationship with alcohol. Lindsey has been AF (alcohol free) for just over 2yrs and takes an honest and genuine approach to sharing her journey. You can't help but fall in love with her extremely resilient and infectious energy!

Be a guest on our show https://forms.gle/GE9YJdq4J5Zb6NVC6

Music provided by Premium Beats: https://www.premiumbeat.com
Song: Rise and Thrive
Artist: Young Presidents

**Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this episode are not professional or medical opinions. If you are struggling with an addiction please contact a medical professional for help.

Kelly's Story Ep. 1

Sun, 30 Jan 2022 10:00:00 -0500

Welcome to Episode 1 of the LAF Life. Today our co-host Kelly Evans will be sharing her story. We thought it was important to dedicate our first four episodes to each of our individual stories. Hopefully this gives our listeners an opportunity to get to know us better, to understand how and when our relationship with alcohol began and the unique journey we all took in becoming alcohol-free. Kelly is our veteran here. She's been sober the longest and is coming up on her four year anniversary. So what better way to celebrate her than to start with her!

Be a guest on our show https://forms.gle/GE9YJdq4J5Zb6NVC6

Music provided by Premium Beats: https://www.premiumbeat.com
Song: Rise and Thrive
Artist: Young Presidents

**Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this episode are not professional or medical opinions. If you are struggling with an addiction please contact a medical professional for help.

Recommended Reading & Listening:
The Bubble Hour Podcast by Jean McCarthy
Untamed by Glennon Doyle

LAF Life Launch Episode

Mon, 17 Jan 2022 17:00:00 -0500

We're so excited to be launching our very first LAF life podcast episode.
In this episode, we're going to tell you what we're all about and hopefully it inspires you to keep listening!
We are 4 friends that came together to share our four different perspectives giving up alcohol. We hope to debunk some of the myths about what life is really like being alcohol-free. Our goal here is to build a judgment free, safe community to learn, share, grow and heal together. We share our real life experiences uncensored. Things you can expect from future episodes are, special guest appearances, topics like; "Mommy Wine Culture", finding new healthier outlets, Men and drinking, what it's like to be in social situations without alcohol, Social Stigmas and labels, building your support system, what self-care and self-love really look like, dating alcohol-free and so much more! Tune in weekly for new episodes.

Be a guest on our show https://forms.gle/GE9YJdq4J5Zb6NVC6

Music provided by Premium Beats: https://www.premiumbeat.com
Song: Rise and Thrive
Artist: Young Presidents

**Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this episode are not professional or medical opinions. If you are struggling with an addiction please contact a medical professional for help.