Sisters In Sobriety

• Menopause, Alcohol & Stigma with Sukhi Dhillon

  Let’s be honest—perimenopause isn’t exactly a hot topic at dinner, and alcohol’s role in our lives (and cultures) is often more complicated than we realize. In this episode of Sisters in Sobriety, Sonia is diving into both with the help of Sukhi Dhillon is a dental educator, mom of two, and the voice behind OneSikhMom on social media, where she uses humor, heart, and reels to talk about everything from Sikhi and parenting to cycle-breaking, menopause, and yes—booze. She is a go-to community voice for honest conversations and cultural connection.So what’s really going on when it comes to menopause in the South Asian community? Why do so many women feel blindsided by symptoms—and alone in dealing with them? Sukhi helps us unpack questions around health literacy, how culture shapes what’s considered “private,” and why it’s so hard to get support. We also dig into alcohol—how it’s celebrated and expected in many South Asian spaces, but stigmatized differently for women. And of course, we get into that tricky question: Why do we feel like fun has to come with a drink in hand?From early onset menopause in South Asian women to the double standards around alcohol use, Sukhi sheds light on topics most people are too shy—or too uncomfortable—to bring up. She talks about the importance of culturally specific care, the role of peer pressure in adult drinking (yes, it’s still a thing), and the value of being “that person” who starts the hard conversations. If you’re curious about cycle-breaking, mental health, or talking to your kids about alcohol in a more honest way than just yelling “don’t do it!”—this is the episode for you.Sukhi also shares her own journey—how years of confusing symptoms led her to research perimenopause herself, why she started speaking out online, and the powerful messages she receives from women every day who finally feel seen.This is Sisters in Sobriety, the support community that helps women change their relationship with alcohol. Check out our Substack for extra tips, tricks, and resources—and maybe pass this episode along to a friend who needs to hear it.Episode Highlights00:01 Meet Sukhi: mom, educator, community organizer, content creator01:50 Why she started speaking up about taboo topics in the South Asian community03:30 The perimenopause denial phase—what she wishes she’d known sooner04:30 Sharing symptoms publicly and the surprising response she got06:00 Her DMs are full of important conversations (and ideas for future content)07:00 Organizing mobile health clinics at the Gurdwara08:30 Why reproductive health is still so hush-hush in our families09:30 The impact of being told to “push through it” like our moms did10:30 How menopause symptoms differ for South Asian women11:00 The science behind early menopause—and why doctors often miss it12:00 Traditional remedies, soy, and navigating food myths14:00 Culture vs. religion when it comes to women's health15:30 Alcohol as status, celebration—and coping mechanism16:30 Aunties drinking publicly and the shift in expectations18:00 The peer pressure to drink, even as adults20:00 “You’re not drinking? What’s wrong with you?”21:00 Stigma around sobriety and how it impacts recovery22:00 The very real struggles South Asian women face in getting help23:00 Resources that are culturally appropriate and trauma-informed25:00 Intergenerational trauma, parenting styles, and how it all connects27:00 How to actually talk to your kids about alcohol (without freaking out)29:00 Why our parents didn’t prioritize self-care—and how we can31:00 Teaching kids that emotions are not a weakness32:00 The glamorization of drinking in pop culture and Punjabi music34:00 Where to go for reliable South Asian health info36:00 What Sukhi’s working on next—and how to follow alongGet in touch with SukhiYouTubeInstagramTikTokFacebookLinks• Sisters In Sobriety Substack – find more tips, tricks, resources, and community• Sisters In Sobriety Email• Sisters In Sobriety Instagram• Kathleen’s Website – Kathleen does not endorse any products mentioned in this podcast• Kathleen’s InstagramOur Sponsors:* Check out TruDiagnostic and use my code SIS2025 for a great deal: https://www.trudiagnostic.comSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sisters-in-sobriety/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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  37:58
• The Power of Chakras & Holistic Healing with Dr. Erica

  In this episode of Sisters in Sobriety, hosts Kathleen and Sonia sit down with Dr. Erica Matluck, a holistic doctor, mother, and the creator of Seven Senses, a holistic framework for healing and transformation. Trained as a naturopathic doctor, family nurse practitioner, Reiki Master, and multidisciplinary yoga instructor, Dr. Matluck brings over two decades of experience in both conventional and alternative medicine to her work. She integrates Eastern philosophy and ancient wisdom into her approach to wellbeing, focusing on the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects of health. Her work has been featured in Harper’s Bazaar, MindBodyGreen, Well+Good, Vogue, and Women’s Health.This episode dives into the mind-body connection, exploring how chakras can be a framework for healing. Dr. Matluck shares her personal journey from conventional medicine to holistic healing and explains why compartmentalization in healthcare limits our ability to thrive. How does alcohol fit into the equation? The discussion covers emotional bypassing, the root cause of disease, and how to decompartmentalize health for a more integrative approach.Listeners will learn about the chakras as bridges between the physical and metaphysical realms, the role of emotional bypassing in addiction and numbing behaviors, how to recognize energetic imbalances in the body and start self-healing practices, why conventional medicine focuses on survival but true healing goes beyond functionality, and how to reconnect with yourself after quitting alcohol.Dr. Matluck opens up about how losing her mother to cancer at a young age sparked her curiosity about alternative healing. She shares how witnessing both conventional and holistic treatments shaped her philosophy of care. From her early introduction to Reiki to working in mainstream medical institutions, she reveals how her approach evolved—ultimately leading her back to the wisdom she first discovered decades ago.This is Sisters in Sobriety, the support community that helps women change their relationship with alcohol. Check out our Substack for extra tips, tricks, and resources.Highlights:[00:00:00] Welcome to Sisters in Sobriety – introducing Dr. Erica Matluck [00:01:08] Erica’s background in naturopathy, nursing, Reiki, and yoga [00:01:39] Why she transitioned from conventional medicine to holistic healing [00:02:13] How losing her mother to cancer shaped her approach to healing [00:04:37] Discovering Reiki and energy work as a teenager [00:06:14] What are chakras? Erica’s unique perspective on this ancient framework [00:08:15] The chakras as bridges between the conscious and unconscious mind [00:10:41] Why compartmentalized healthcare leaves us feeling disconnected [00:14:50] How to identify energetic imbalances and blocked chakras [00:18:09] The power of breathwork in balancing your energy [00:20:00] Why modern medicine separates survival from true wellbeing [00:26:39] Alcohol and emotional bypassing: how numbing prevents true healing [00:28:49] The importance of intention in alcohol consumption [00:30:15] What happens when we remove numbing agents? Preparing for discomfort [00:32:16] Meditation and movement: tools for processing emotions without alcohol [00:34:34] Post-alcohol healing: daily strategies to reconnect with yourself [00:36:07] Common misconceptions about holistic medicine and integrative health [00:40:00] How defining “holistic” for yourself helps you find the right practitioner [00:41:15] Upcoming projects: Erica’s Substack, retreats, and courses on root cause healing [00:42:07] Closing thoughts and where to find Erica onlineLinks & Resources:How to Connect with Erica: Dr. Erica Matluck’s Substack - https://drericamatluck.substack.com/ Seven Senses Retreat: Gnosis Mallorca - https://www.experiencesevensenses.com/gnosis-mallorca Sisters In Sobriety Substack - find more tips, tricks, resources, and community Sisters In Sobriety Email Sisters In Sobriety Instagram Kathleen’s Website - Kathleen does not endorse any products mentioned in this podcast Kathleen’s InstagramOur Sponsors:* Check out TruDiagnostic and use my code SIS2025 for a great deal: https://www.trudiagnostic.comSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sisters-in-sobriety/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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  42:50
• Breaking the Rock Bottom Myth with Andrea Seydel

  Ever feel like you need to hit rock bottom before making a change? Think again! This week on Sisters in Sobriety, Sonia is joined by Andrea Seydel, a happiness and resilience expert who’s here to challenge the outdated recovery narrative. Andrea is the author of Recovery Without Rock Bottom and the creator of Ready for Recovery Magazine, a fresh take on healing that’s all about building yourself up—not tearing yourself down. With a background in happiness studies and positive psychology, she’s got the science-backed tools to help you rethink recovery and reclaim your life.So, what’s on the table today?Do you really need to hit rock bottom, or is that just a myth?What are some early signs that your relationship with alcohol (or other habits) might need a reset?Why do so many recovery programs focus on what you need to quit instead of what you need to build?How can we rewire our brains to make lasting, positive changes?What’s the best way to support someone struggling with addiction without losing yourself in the process?Takeaways from this episode:Recovery isn’t just about stopping something—it’s about rediscovering yourself.You don’t have to wait until things fall apart to make a change.Boundaries aren’t about controlling others—they’re about protecting your peace.Your brain is wired for change, and small shifts can make a huge difference.Community and support matter more than willpower alone.Andrea also shares her personal story—how loving someone with addiction led her to a breaking point, and how she turned that pain into a mission to help others. Whether you’re sober, sober-curious, or just looking for a little extra motivation, this episode is packed with wisdom, humor, and practical advice.This is Sisters in Sobriety—the community that helps women change their relationship with alcohol. Find extra tips, resources, and support on our Substack!Episode Highlights:[00:01:00] Meet Andrea Seydel and her take on recovery[00:02:09] When loving someone with addiction starts to break you[00:05:00] The myth of rock bottom (and why it’s holding people back)[00:08:10] “In-betweeners” who don’t fit the traditional recovery mold[00:12:48] Red flags: When to check in with yourself (or someone else)[00:14:42] Why values matter more than willpower[00:16:42] The science of addiction: Rewiring your brain for good[00:19:00] Tiny habits that make a huge impact[00:25:47] Playing the tape forward: Using fear vs. motivation[00:27:05] Sobriety changes everything—including what you value most[00:29:00] Setting boundaries vs. making “rules to live by”[00:35:34] Why support groups work (even if you’re not into group stuff)[00:38:40] Preventing relapse before it starts[00:41:19] Forgiveness: What it really means and who it’s for[00:44:41] Andrea’s new project, Ready for Recovery Magazine[00:46:00] Final thoughts: Recovery isn’t about being broken—it’s about taking your power backLinks & Resources:Connect with Andrea:Andrea's WebsiteReady for RecoverySaving You Is Killing MeSisters in Sobriety Substack – More tips, tricks, and supportSisters in Sobriety EmailSisters in Sobriety InstagramKathleen’s Website (Kathleen does not endorse any products mentioned in this podcast)Kathleen’s InstagramOur Sponsors:* Check out TruDiagnostic and use my code SIS2025 for a great deal: https://www.trudiagnostic.comSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sisters-in-sobriety/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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  46:57
• The New Sobriety With Hadley Sorensen

  Ever felt like drinking just wasn’t working for you anymore, even if nothing looked "wrong" from the outside? That’s exactly where Hadley Sorenson found herself. This week on Sisters in Sobriety, Sonia and Kathleen sit down with Hadley—writer, speaker, and sobriety advocate—who is on a mission to help women change their relationship with alcohol without shame, stigma, or outdated labels.Hadley gets real about her journey—how she ignored red flags for years, the pressure to keep drinking because “everyone else was,” and why she finally decided to call it quits. The conversation dives into all the big questions: How do you know when it’s time to stop? What if your drinking looks normal to everyone else? How do you navigate sobriety when your partner still drinks? And how do you shake off the idea that quitting means missing out?If you’ve ever questioned your drinking but felt like you weren’t “bad enough” to quit, this episode is for you. Hadley breaks down why “rock bottom” is a myth, shares how alcohol was messing with her mental health way more than she realized, and gives honest insight into what sobriety has actually done for her life, relationships, and running game. Spoiler alert: It’s all way better than she expected.She also talks about why she doesn’t use the label “alcoholic,” how marketing and pop culture keep women stuck in the drinking cycle, and how quitting drinking led her to write a novel (yep, it’s coming soon!).This is Sisters in Sobriety, the support community that helps women change their relationship with alcohol. Check out our Substack for extra tips, tricks, and resources.Episode Highlights• [00:01:00] Meet Hadley—writer, speaker, and a sobriety advocate with a fresh take.• [00:02:10] The slow realization that alcohol wasn’t adding anything good to her life.• [00:04:12] Ignoring red flags: blackouts, anxiety, and shame—but still drinking anyway.• [00:08:27] The myth of rock bottom—why you don’t have to wait until things fall apart.• [00:10:15] “If your pan caught fire, you wouldn’t wait for the whole house to burn down.”• [00:12:19] How alcohol becomes part of our identity (and why that’s so hard to untangle).• [00:16:03] Why Hadley doesn’t call herself an alcoholic—and why that’s totally okay.• [00:19:27] The role of alcohol marketing and why it's basically the new "big tobacco."• [00:22:16] How to stop seeing quitting as deprivation and start seeing it as freedom.• [00:27:07] Hadley’s thoughts on the “gray area” of drinking and why more voices matter.• [00:30:00] Why drinking is marketed differently to men and women—and why it matters.• [00:32:07] What happens when you quit, but your partner still drinks? (Hint: boundaries!)• [00:36:26] The surprising ways sobriety actually made Hadley’s marriage stronger.• [00:43:00] All the unexpected physical benefits of quitting alcohol.• [00:46:52] “Wait… was alcohol making my health issues worse all along?”• [00:50:06] The power of movement—why running and walking helped Hadley so much.• [00:54:08] Hadley’s next big project: a novel exploring different relationships with alcohol.LinksGet in touch with Hadley:• Hadley’s Instagram• Hadley’s Website• Sisters In Sobriety Substack – find more tips, tricks, resources, and community.• Sisters In Sobriety Email• Sisters In Sobriety Instagram• Kathleen’s Website – Kathleen does not endorse any products mentioned in this podcast.• Kathleen’s InstagramOur Sponsors:* Check out TruDiagnostic and use my code SIS2025 for a great deal: https://www.trudiagnostic.comSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sisters-in-sobriety/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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  55:53
• Food, Alcohol, Trauma & Recovery With Alle Hall

  On this episode of Sisters in Sobriety, Sonia and Kathleen sit down with Alle C. Hall, an author, speaker, and writing instructor with over 35 years in recovery from bulimia, compulsive overeating, alcoholism, and sexual anorexia. Her debut novel, As Far as You Can Go Before You Have to Come Back, has earned multiple awards and is even included in the staff libraries of major treatment centers. But beyond the accolades, Alle’s story is one of resilience, creativity, and finding joy after trauma.Alle opens up about her journey through addiction, the ways trauma shaped her relationship with food, alcohol, and intimacy, and how creativity became a key part of her healing. She shares how a "geographic cure" led her to Tokyo, where she unexpectedly found a recovery community, and how she later navigated motherhood, deep depression, and even a relapse after 27 years of sobriety. Through it all, she’s built a life rooted in hope, healing, and self-expression.This conversation covers so much—why addiction often shifts between different compulsive behaviors, the importance of spirituality in recovery (even if you don’t know what that looks like for you yet), and how to navigate the shame that so often lingers after trauma. Alle also gets real about what it means to heal from sexual anorexia, how she rebuilt trust and intimacy, and why she’s passionate about helping others use writing as a tool for self-discovery.From early struggles with food and body image to finding her voice through writing, Alle’s story is full of lessons on resilience and self-compassion. If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s possible to truly heal from trauma, this episode is proof that recovery is not just about survival—it’s about rediscovering joy, creativity, and a life that feels fully your own.Some of the highlights from this episode:How childhood trauma shaped her addictions and recovery journeyThe unexpected way she found a recovery community in TokyoWhy addiction is often just a symptom of deeper issuesHow Tai Chi, therapy, and DBT became crucial tools for healingThe unique challenges of food addiction and learning moderationWhat sexual anorexia is and how she worked through itThe role of spirituality in recovery—even when it feels complicatedHow creativity and storytelling can be powerful tools for healingThis is a deep, inspiring, and sometimes funny conversation that reminds us that healing isn’t linear—but it is possible.Connect with Alle C. Hall:InstagramWebsiteLinks:Sisters in Sobriety Substack – where we share more tips, resources, and communitySisters in Sobriety EmailSisters in Sobriety InstagramKathleen’s Website (Kathleen does not endorse any products mentioned in this podcast.)Kathleen’s InstagramOur Sponsors:* Check out TruDiagnostic and use my code SIS2025 for a great deal: https://www.trudiagnostic.comSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sisters-in-sobriety/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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  47:02

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