Sisters In Sobriety

In this episode of Sisters in Sobriety, Sonia sits down with veteran broadcaster, journalist, and advocate Catt Sadler for a deeply honest conversation about identity, ambition, and choosing an alcohol-free life without hitting rock bottom. Best known for her more than decade-long career at E! Entertainment—Catt has long been a familiar face on red carpets and awards-season coverage. Today, she is the host and executive producer of her weekly podcast CATT SADLER Now and a leading voice in conversations about women, power, and authenticity.

Throughout the conversation, Catt reflects on pivotal questions many women quietly ask themselves: What role has alcohol played in my stress, success, and social life? What happens when I stop numbing and start listening? Can I change my relationship with alcohol even if everything “looks fine” on the outside? Together, they unpack themes of high-functioning drinking, midlife reflection, identity shifts, nervous system regulation, and how wellness, meditation, and journaling can open the door to clarity and self-trust.

You'll walk away with practical and educational insights around mindful sobriety, habit change, and emotional regulation. Catt shares how meditation, breathwork, journaling, and intentional morning routines supported her decision to stop drinking—and why removing alcohol created more energy, better sleep, deeper presence, and emotional resilience. The episode also explores the role of shame in keeping women stuck, how cravings and discomfort actually pass, and why modeling alcohol-free coping skills matters—especially for our children and communities.

In a powerful personal segment, Catt opens up about the spiritual nudges that ultimately led her to quit drinking, the internal resistance she felt despite “not having a problem,” and the moment she realized that alcohol no longer aligned with the highest version of herself. She shares what it was like navigating social situations, holidays, college football weekends, and emotional lows without alcohol—and how staying with herself, rather than escaping, changed everything. Her story offers a compassionate roadmap for women who sense a quiet inner knowing that it might be time to turn the page.

Episode Highlights
00:00 – Welcome and introduction to Catt Sadler
01:15 – Growing up around alcohol and early beliefs about drinking
03:45 – College, ambition, and “normal” social drinking
05:30 – Life at E!, pressure, motherhood, and survival mode
07:10 – When healing began before alcohol changed
08:40 – Reading Quit Like a Woman and early nudges
09:55 – Dating someone who could take alcohol or leave it
11:20 – Spiritual moments that clarified her decision
13:10 – Choosing to stop drinking at 51
14:45 – Alcohol not being “the problem,” but no longer fitting
16:10 – Meditation as a gateway to self-trust
18:05 – How to start meditating without overwhelm
20:40 – Early benefits of going alcohol-free
22:30 – Handling cravings, discomfort, and emotional waves
24:50 – Ice cream, Netflix, and self-compassion
26:10 – Morning routines and sacred mornings
28:20 – Gratitude journaling and manifestation
30:40 – Different journaling styles and creative play
33:15 – Letter writing, boundaries, and emotional processing
36:00 – Writing a memoir and revisiting the past
38:40 – Holidays, NA drinks, and social pressure
41:00 – Being sober around kids and modeling behavior
43:30 – Navigating parties, work events, and college campuses
46:10 – Sharing her sobriety publicly and community response
48:20 – Advice for women who haven’t hit “rock bottom”
50:00 – Closing reflections on staying with yourself

Catt's Links
Catt's IG and Substack

SIS Links
💌 Sisters In Sobriety Substack – where the magic (and the mocktail recipes) happen
📬 Sisters In Sobriety Email
📸 Sisters In Sobriety Instagram
🌐 Kathleen’s Website Kathleen does not endorse any products mentioned in this podcast
📸 Kathleen’s Instagram
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sonia and Kathleen sit down with Oona Metz, a therapist with 30 years of clinical experience and a leading expert in helping women navigate divorce. For the past 15 years, Oona has specialized in supporting women through the realities of divorce. She is the author of Unhitched: The Essential Divorce Guide for Women.

Dr. Metz frames divorce not as a failure, but as a profound life transition—one that often reshapes identity, relationships, and sobriety. They'll explore questions many women quietly carry: What actually happens emotionally during divorce? Why does it feel so disorienting—even when you’re the one who initiated it? How do grief, anger, relief, fear, and hope coexist at the same time? And why can divorce feel so lonely even when you’re surrounded by support? They talk about the deeper layers of healing, touching on community, shame, self-trust, boundaries, and the ways alcohol can quietly become a coping mechanism during this chapter.

You'll will walk away with practical takeaways about the divorce process from a mental health perspective, including how divorce impacts the nervous system, why women often internalize blame, and how group support can accelerate healing. Dr. Metz explains the psychological stages of divorce, common emotional patterns women experience, and why validation, regulation, and connection are essential tools for recovery. The conversation also weaves in themes of sobriety, emotional regulation, self-worth, and rebuilding identity after major life upheaval.

Sonia and Kathleen reflect on how divorce can surface old coping strategies, challenge existing support systems, and force radical honesty with oneself.

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 – Why divorce is more than a legal process—it’s an identity shift
03:12 – Oona’s 30-year clinical journey and why she focused on divorce work
06:45 – The emotional stages women experience during divorce
09:30 – Why divorce grief is often misunderstood and minimized
12:18 – How shame and self-blame show up for women
15:02 – The role of community and group support in healing
18:40 – Why divorce can trigger or intensify unhealthy coping behaviors
21:55 – Divorce, loneliness, and the myth of “strong women should handle it alone”
25:10 – How alcohol can quietly become emotional anesthesia during transitions
28:34 – Nervous system regulation during high-conflict or prolonged divorce
31:50 – What healing actually looks like in the first year post-divorce
35:15 – Letting go of the story you thought your life would follow
38:42 – Rebuilding self-trust after major relational loss
41:20 – Why validation matters more than advice in early healing
44:05 – Dating, boundaries, and identity after divorce
47:30 – How group work accelerates recovery and reduces isolation
50:18 – What Oona wishes every woman knew before starting divorce
53:00 – Turning divorce into a catalyst for clarity and growth
56:10 – Choosing sobriety as an act of self-protection and self-respect
59:00 – Final reflections on grief, freedom, and rebuilding a life on your terms

Dr. Metz's Links
https://www.instagram.com/oonametz/
https://www.oonametz.com/book-unhitched

SIS Links
💌 Sisters In Sobriety Substack – where the magic (and the mocktail recipes) happen
📬 Sisters In Sobriety Email
📸 Sisters In Sobriety Instagram
🌐 Kathleen’s Website Kathleen does not endorse any products mentioned in this podcast
📸 Kathleen’s Instagram
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Manifestation doesn’t have to be woo-woo, unrealistic, or disconnected from real life. In this episode of Sisters in Sobriety, Sonia sits down with Yvonne Tchrakian — corporate lawyer turned entrepreneur, manifestation teacher, founder of Pause.Penny, and host of The Manifest Movement podcast — to explore how manifestation can become a grounded, practical tool for women in recovery. Sonia helps listeners understand how manifestation can support self-trust, accountability, and healing without bypassing emotions or responsibility.

Together, they unpack why manifestation can feel like it “isn’t working,” even when you’re doing all the right things. The conversation explores alignment versus hustle, fear-based desires versus intuitive ones, and how thoughts, beliefs, and actions must work together. Sonia and Yvonne touch on common blocks like scarcity thinking, misalignment, people-pleasing, and unrealistic timelines — and how those patterns quietly sabotage progress.

You'll will gain clear, actionable insights into how manifestation intersects with neuroscience, habit formation, intuition, and sobriety. Yvonne explains why gratitude, affirmations, aligned action, and accountability matter more than vision boards alone, and how substances can disconnect intuition and erode self-trust. The episode also addresses spiritual bypassing, emotional processing, and why manifestation works best when paired with honesty and responsibility.

In the personal story segment, Yvonne shares how grief, pregnancy loss, health challenges, and family addiction shaped her philosophy around manifestation and self-worth. Sonia reflects on sobriety, rebuilding intuition, and how letting go of old identities can unlock real change. The episode closes with a look inside Yvonne’s 21-Day Manifestation Challenge and why structure, community, and consistency help transformation stick.

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
[00:01:00] Yvonne’s transition from law to manifestation
[00:03:00] Grief as a turning point
[00:05:30] Gratitude as a grounding practice
[00:07:00] Belief vs. wishful thinking
[00:09:30] Why alignment matters
[00:12:00] Unrealistic manifestation goals
[00:14:00] Actions vs. intentions
[00:16:00] Scarcity thinking and money
[00:18:00] Receiving support and abundance
[00:20:30] Manifesting identity
[00:22:00] Boundaries and self-worth
[00:24:00] Family dynamics and triggers
[00:27:00] Letting go of resentment
[00:29:30] Fear-based desires
[00:32:00] Sobriety and intuition
[00:35:00] Self-trust and consistency
[00:37:00] Accountability in recovery
[00:39:00] Emotional processing vs. bypassing
[00:42:00] Shame and forgiveness
[00:47:00] Inside the 21-Day Manifestation Challenge

SIS Links
💌 Sisters In Sobriety Substack – where the magic (and the mocktail recipes) happen
📬 Sisters In Sobriety Email
📸 Sisters In Sobriety Instagram
🌐 Kathleen’s Website Kathleen does not endorse any products mentioned in this podcast
📸 Kathleen’s Instagram
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The new year is upon us, and it’s the perfect time to check in with yourself and your habits. Whether you’re feeling the post-holiday burnout or just curious about how alcohol impacts your life, Dry January offers a chance to hit pause and reset. In this episode of Sisters in Sobriety, Sonia and Kathleen are here to guide you through the highs, lows, and everything in between, offering tips and real talk to help you make the most of your Dry January journey—whether it's your first time or your fifth.

Ever wonder why Dry January seems to be everywhere? Sonia and Kathleen dive into questions like: What makes it so popular? What physical and mental benefits can you really expect? What if you slip up mid-month? With honest reflections and practical advice, this episode will leave you feeling ready to take it one day at a time.
You’ll come away with simple, effective ways to succeed—like setting realistic goals, building a support system, and swapping old habits for new ones that actually feel good. Sonia and Kathleen also dig into strategies for overcoming cravings, reframing challenges, and creating routines you’ll look forward to. Plus, ways to replace your go-to drink with something delicious, because it’s not just about taking something away—it’s about adding wellness, joy, and calm back into your life.

Sonia shares how her tea bar (complete with hot chocolate mix!) became her nighttime favorite, while Kathleen talks about how even the strongest cravings can be a chance to show yourself some love. It’s a reminder that small wins—like finding joy in a cozy drink or celebrating with a letter to yourself—can make a big difference.
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:
[00:00:00] Introduction to Dry January and its purpose
[00:01:16] Sonia and Kathleen discuss the origins and rise in popularity
[00:02:29] Research spotlight: the link between alcohol and health risks
[00:03:34] Health Canada’s new guidelines on alcohol consumption
[00:05:15] The role of the sober-curious movement and influencers
[00:07:26] Benefits of Dry January: improved sleep, clear skin, mental clarity
[00:10:29] How to set a personal “why” for motivation
[00:12:10] The importance of planning for social triggers
[00:13:36] Kathleen’s breakdown of SMART goals
[00:16:25] Strategies for those feeling overwhelmed by a 31-day challenge
[00:19:35] Managing cravings and identifying unexpected triggers
[00:22:31] Mocktail recommendations and the joy of experimenting with alternative drinks
[00:25:48] New evening rituals: small ways to relax and unwind
[00:27:04] Celebrating progress without alcohol: creative reward ideas
[00:29:59] Kathleen shares her “urge surfing” technique for dealing with cravings
[00:32:25] Explanation of the RAIN mindfulness method
[00:36:12] What to do if you slip up during Dry January
[00:39:00] How to reflect on your Dry January experience
[00:41:17] Deciding your next steps after January ends
[00:43:40] Sonia’s insights on using Dry January as a springboard for personal growth
[00:46:17] Final reflections and key takeaways from Sonia and Kathleen
Links:
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 Instagram

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode features Randy Hall on Buddhist-inspired recovery, mindfulness, and why healing addiction often starts with self-compassion—not judgment.
Randy Hall, is a Program Coordinator with the Addiction Prevention Coalition in Birmingham, Alabama, a person in long-term recovery, a Certified Peer Support Specialist, a SMART Recovery Facilitator, and the former President of the Recovery Dharma Global community. Randy is deeply committed to building peer support spaces and advocating for multiple pathways to recovery that meet people where they are.

Throughout the conversation, Sonia, Kathleen, and Randy explore what happens when someone wants recovery but doesn’t quite fit into a single prescribed model. They dig into questions around craving, identity, trauma, relapse, self-judgment, and why curiosity can be a powerful starting point for change. The episode touches on mindfulness, Buddhist-inspired recovery, peer-led support, and evidence-based tools — all through the lens of real life rather than theory.
Randy breaks down Buddhist principles in an accessible, grounded way, explaining how ideas like impermanence, compassion, and mindful awareness can be used day-to-day in recovery. He shares how practices like meditation, naming emotions, and interrupting judgment helped him learn to sit with discomfort instead of escaping it. Listeners will also hear how SMART Recovery’s rational, skills-based approach complemented these practices — showing how recovery doesn’t have to be either/or, but can be built from multiple supports working together.

At the heart of the episode is Randy’s story — one marked by achievement, addiction, and a dramatic turning point. He shares how years of high-functioning substance use eventually led to a life-altering diagnosis of Guillain-Barré Syndrome that left him temporarily paralyzed. What followed wasn’t a neat or linear recovery, but a painful, human process that included relapse, fear, and ultimately a deep internal shift. Randy reflects on how real change didn’t come from punishment or fear, but from learning self-compassion, finding community, and allowing himself to be honest about his suffering. His story underscores how transformation often comes not from avoiding pain, but from finally meeting it with care and support.

Episode Highlights
00:01 — Randy shares how alcohol first felt like social “magic” — and how quickly it turned into something darker
00:03 — What high-functioning addiction really looks like behind the scenes
00:05 — Using substances to cope with professional pressure and internal conflict
00:06 — The shocking moment Randy’s body shut down during a kids’ soccer game
00:08 — Being paralyzed, hospitalized, and forced to confront mortality
00:10 — Why detox and physical recovery weren’t enough
00:12 — Returning home and relapsing despite everything he’d been through
00:15 — The quiet role of shame and self-loathing in addiction
00:17 — Hitting a point where change was no longer optional
00:18 — Feeling disconnected from recovery spaces that didn’t resonate
00:19 — Discovering Recovery Dharma and Buddhist-inspired recovery
00:21 — How mindfulness and rational tools can work together
00:23 — The Four Noble Truths explained in plain language
00:26 — Understanding craving as part of the human condition
00:28 — How mindfulness helps interrupt urges in real time
00:34 — The difference between awareness and judgment
00:38 — “Having tea with your demons” and learning to work with urges
00:44 — Riding urges like waves instead of fighting them
00:48 — Why community matters more than willpower
00:51 — Practical advice for anyone who feels stuck right now

Randy's Links https://recoverydharma.org/

SIS Links
💌 Sisters In Sobriety Substack – where the magic (and the mocktail recipes) happen
📬 Sisters In Sobriety Email
📸 Sisters In Sobriety Instagram
🌐 Kathleen’s Website Kathleen does not endorse any products mentioned in this podcast
📸 Kathleen’s Instagram
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.