This Naked Mind Podcast

EP 292: Reader Question - How do I stay alcohol free at a bachelor/bachelorette party weekend?

27 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Today’s question comes from a reader who doesn’t want to drink but is worried about FOMO at an upcoming girls’ weekend. What do you do when you’...

EP 291: Coaching Questions with Scott Pinyard

26 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

It’s time for this month’s coaching questions with This Naked Mind head coach Scott Pinyard! In today’s episode, Scott talks about dealing with ...

EP 290: Reader Question - How can I deal with the trigger of warmer weather?

20 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

How do you deal with all the drinking that goes on when the weather gets nice and everyone’s enjoying the outdoors and drinking beer? What happens i...

EP 289: Naked Life Story - Leah

19 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Leah knew her life looked great on paper, but she just couldn’t understand why everything felt so awful. On today’s episode, she shares her story ...

EP 288: Reader Question - How can I turn down a drink, but avoid saying 'I'm sober' or 'I stopped drinking?'

13 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

What can we say when we just want our drinking to be a non-issue? How do we turn down alcohol without making it a big deal for everyone around us? Can...

EP 287: Brainspotting with Carolyn

12 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

A self-described “closet nondrinker,” Carolyn is a licensed professional counselor who specializes in working with people-pleasing perfectionists ...

EP 286: Reader Question - Are you sober?

06 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

“Annie, are you sober,” asked a journalist. It was the first time Annie had been asked the question. The assumption is that Annie Grace is sober. ...

EP 285: Naked Life Story - Melissa

05 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Growing up in Australia, Melissa had no idea how powerful alcohol was. Drinking first popped onto her radar screen around age 17 and she began partyin...

EP 284: Reader Question - How can I support a spouse who's trying to live alcohol free?

30 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

What can a wife to do support her husband who set a goal to stop drinking for a year, gave up alcohol for two months, and then she came home to find h...

EP 283: Coaching Questions with Scott Pinyard

29 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On today’s episode, This Naked Mind head coach Scott Pinyard dives into four terrific questions, some specific to not drinking during the COVID-19 p...

EP 282: Reader Question - Are you really having more fun in life without drinking alcohol?

23 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

We hear it all the time. It must suck not to drink. Life must be so boring. But, did you know there is definitive evidence that removing alcohol does ...

EP 281: Naked Life Story - Andrew S.

22 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Andrew had his first sip of sherry at the age of three. He loved it. It wasn’t until he was nearing his forties in a job with a strong drinking cult...

EP 280: Reader Question - Why Isn’t Everyone Addicted?

16 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

If alcohol is addictive, why doesn’t everyone become addicted to it? Who are these magical beings who can drink without becoming addicted? Or not dr...

EP 279: 'What is Enough' with Omar Pinto

15 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On today’s episode, coach, podcast host, and self-described life-long seeker Omar Pinto joins Annie Grace from Costa Rica. From his first drink at 1...

EP 278: Reader Question - How can friends and family support someone who is changing their relationship with alcohol?

09 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Can you easily refuse a drink or limit your alcohol consumption? Are you having a hard time understanding the way someone in your life is dealing with...

EP 277: Naked Life Story - Meagan

08 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

After being introduced to alcohol by a babysitter before she was even a teenager, Meagan drank for more than 20 years. In college, she took pride in h...

EP 276: Reader Question - Why do I crave a drink when I'm calm and relaxed?

02 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Why, when we feel calm and relaxed and comfortable and completely at ease, do we desire alcohol? We know we’re not stressed or anxious or upset, yet...

EP 275: Naked Life Story - Amy

01 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Growing up, Amy wasn’t sure where she belonged. She questioned her sexuality but also wanted to be faithful to God, to do and be all the things she ...

BONUS EP: It's OK To Not Be OK

29 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Where are you on Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs? And, have you filled your safety bucket? In today’s special bonus episode, Annie Grace shares her re...

EP 274: Reader Question - My biggest obstacle is that I love the taste of wine, I understand I acquired the taste but I still love it!?

25 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Can our brains really unlearn something we spent so long teaching them? Why, when we know something is harming us and we need to remove it from our li...

EP 273: Coaching Questions with Scott Pinyard

24 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On today’s episode, This Naked Mind head coach Scott Pinyard answers four great questions: I drink because I’m unhappy; how am I going to deal wit...

EP 272: Reader Question - How do I handle cravings and people pleasing?

18 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

As Kim approaches 100 days without alcohol, she’s noticing some strong cravings and is also curious about changing her people pleasing tendencies. W...

EP 271: Naked Life Story - Marc

17 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Marc spent decades in a career where he was told drinking was part of the process, that it was necessary for success. But when his alcohol consumption...

EP 270: Reader Question - How do I stay creative and finish my studies without drinking?

11 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

What is the scientific connection between drinking alcohol and creativity? Why do we believe alcohol fuels creativity? How does it impact the creative...

EP 269: Breaking Up with Sugar with Molly Carmel

10 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On today’s episode, Annie Grace talks with fellow brain science lover Molly Carmel, an eating disorders and addictions therapist and author of Break...

EP 268: Reader Question - Sneaking Drinking, Ways to Rebel Without Alcohol

04 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Chelsea asks, “I seem to have a deep seated need to have a private secret outlet or vice or I feel like something is missing from my life; what can ...

EP 267: Naked Life Story - Martha

03 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

From a teenager letting the good times roll in the Big Easy to the “cruise director” among her college drinking buddies to balancing life as a win...

EP 266: Reader Question - Why do we desire alcohol for celebration?

28 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On today’s episode, Joy asks, “When we’re celebrating and our brain is flooded with happy chemicals, why are we triggered to turn to alcohol, so...

EP 265: Coaching Questions with Scott Pinyard

27 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Three great questions in this episode. First, how can you stay alcohol free when the seasons change and it’s time for warm weather and outdoor drink...

EP 264: Reader Question - How do I date without alcohol?

21 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On today’s episode, Nancy writes that she has never dated anyone or started a relationship without the presence of alcohol. So, what is it like conn...

EP 263: Naked Life Story - Cheryl

20 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

As a young teenager, Cheryl swore off alcohol when she saw how alcoholism, OCD, and phobias shaped her father’s quality of life. But, by 18 she was ...

BONUS EPISODE: Help! Coronavirus is making me drink.

18 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Did you drink? Did you get too stressed? Did you panic that you might not make it through this unprecedented time in our history without alcohol? Do y...

EP 262: Reader Question - How do I deal with death and grief without alcohol?

14 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

"My husband passed away suddenly of a heart attack three weeks ago, and I started drinking again,” writes Jan. Is it really possible to get through ...

EP 261: Naked Life Story - Simon

13 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In today’s episode, Annie welcomes Simon, a man whose passion for alcohol free living is absolutely contagious and led him to create his 2020 catchp...

EP 260: Reader Question - Why does change feel impossible?

07 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On today’s episode, a reader says, “I can’t even imagine changing. It seems impossible. I’ve been drinking for decades.” When we think about...

EP 259: Naked Life Story - Alex & Lisa

06 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Best friends since they were 11 and 13 years old, Alex and Lisa spent almost 30 years drinking together. In fact, they did everything together -- from...

EP 258: Reader Question - If I don't drink daily will I still have positive effects of sobriety?

29 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

If you abstain from alcohol during the week and only drink on the weekends, can you still reap all the amazing benefits of sobriety? Great question! W...

EP 257: Coaching Questions with Scott Pinyard

28 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Relationships. We talk a ton about relationships in our programs and coaching and online communities. What if you stop drinking but your spouse doesn’...

EP 256: Reader Question - How to loosen up for sex without alcohol

22 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

When we’ve always perceived and used alcohol as an aphrodisiac, something we need to loosen up for sex, finding a way to relax with our partners wit...

EP 255: Naked Life Story - Peggy

21 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

After experiencing her first alcohol buzz at the age of seven, Peggy’s drinking career spanned more than 40 years and included failed marriages, hom...

EP 254: Reader Question - Is allowing my teenager to drink dangerous?

15 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

As parents, we’re constantly agonizing over decisions we make for our children. We want to keep them safe and healthy and set them up for success as...

EP 253: Sleep, with Michael Gradisar

14 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, sleep psychologist and researcher Michael Gradisar joins Annie Grace to talk about how the first stages of removing alcohol are li...

EP 252: Reader Question - How can I say no to a free drink in business class or at an all inclusive resort?

08 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Free stuff … things we don’t buy with money. But are they ever truly without some sort of cost? How do we say no to free alcohol? What can we do t...

EP 251: Sober Curious with Ruby Warrington

07 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

If you look up the definition of problem drinker, you won’t find a picture of Ruby Warrington. Yet, for as long as she can recall, she couldn’t ig...

EP 250: Reader Question - Do non drinkers experience the same optimism as someone who goes alcohol free?

01 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

People who’ve removed alcohol from their lives rave about the joy and happiness they feel, even those who’ve been alcohol-free for years and years...

EP 249: Coaching Questions with Scott Pinyard

31 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In today’s episode This Naked Mind head coach Scott Pinyard answers questions about sustaining change. What do you do when, after a long time and a ...

EP 248: Reader Question - Why can't I get unstuck?

25 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

“My subconscious does not want to change and it’s fighting my conscious desire to change … I feel like I need a brain transplant.” How do we m...

EP 247: Naked Life Story - Wyatt & Mary

24 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In today’s episode, Annie talks with college professor Wyatt (who has changed their name and pronouns since the podcast was recorded) and their part...

EP 246: Reader Question - How do you deal with anger or emotions when alcohol free?

18 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Alcohol free and still feeling angry, annoyed, emotional at times? Totally normal. While we tend to expect permanent sunshine and rainbows when we sto...

EP 245: Imperfectly Natural with Janey Lee Grace

17 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In today’s episode, Annie talks with Janey Lee Grace, mom, author, presenter, and holistic living expert who once toured the world as a rock and rol...

EP 244: Reader Question - Do other countries have as much of a problem with alcohol as we do in the U.S.?

11 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Do people in other countries where wine is a cultural thing have the problems with alcohol that we do here in the US? Is it just recently that our soc...

EP 243: Naked Life Story - Gayle

10 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Last summer, Gayle from Sober Bliss interviewed Annie (EP: 201 - Sober Bliss with Gayle). In today’s episode, Annie interviews Gayle. A married mom ...

EP 242: Reader Question - Why Am I Not Getting It?

04 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Unconsciously drifting back into drinking. It’s more common than you might think. What happens when we understand all the science and logic but cont...

EP 241: 'We Are the Luckiest' with Laura McKowen

03 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

It’s a reunion! Author, teacher, and speaker Laura McKowen returns to the podcast today to talk with Annie about her new book, We Are the Luckiest: ...

EP 240: Reader Question - How can I not feel guilty for all the time I've spent trying to fix myself?

28 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Guilt … it’s such a common feeling. What if we didn’t try to fix ourselves? What if we continued to let ourselves down and maintained a hold on ...

EP 239: Coaching Questions with Scott Pinyard

27 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In today’s episode, This Naked Mind head coach Scott Pinyard answers three questions about navigating the holidays while keeping alcohol small and i...

EP 238: Reader Question – I use alcohol to be a better wife and mother. What is your advice?

21 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

There are so many beliefs that keep us trapped in the pattern of drinking. What if we are stuck on the belief that being a wife and mother is just eas...

EP 237: Naked Life Story - Christine

20 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In today’s episode, Annie welcomes Christine. Despite having a family history of alcoholism, Christine took a “take-it-or-leave-it” attitude whe...

EP 236: Reader Question – How long does it really take to form a habit?

14 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Can a habit really be formed in 21 days? Or is that old, outdated research? In today’s podcast, Annie will shed some light on the topic of habits an...

EP 235: The Year of No Nonsense with Meredith Atwood

13 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

She’s BACK!! After two years, Annie welcomes back Meredith Atwood, a busy wife, mom, athlete….Meredith spent more than two decades using alcohol t...

EP 234: Reader Question – What Causes a Hangover?

07 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Hangovers – a badge of honor for some. But what really causes this unwanted response to a night of drinking? From your endocrine, immune, digestive,...

EP 233: Drink Like a Man with Johann Cabrera

06 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Partying, dancing and fun appears to be the way of life in the colorful Caribbean….the place where today’s guest grew up. Meet Johann Cabrera from...

EP 232: Reader Question - How can I stop compulsive lying about my drinking?

30 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Lying is an easy habit to fall into…but not such an easy one to break. If we’ve been open about the fact that we want to change our drinking habit...

EP 231: Gratitude with Scott Pinyard

29 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Here in the United States, we celebrated Thanksgiving yesterday! So, in the spirit of giving thanks, Scott Pinyard, This Naked Mind’s head coach, si...

EP 230: Reader Question – Reader Question - Why do people drink after a workout? When they are feeling great?

23 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Does it seem strange to you that there’s a cultural trend toward drinking alcohol after a great workout? Why would anyone do this when they’re fee...

EP 229: A Sober Girl's Guide with Jessica

22 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

She was “that girl”….that DJ / party girl.  Jessica, the founder of A Sober Girl's Guide, joins Annie today for a charismatic, funny, RAW inter...

EP 228: Reader Question – Does regular drinking dull your sense of smell and taste?

16 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

After a few drinks, I feel like I can’t taste or smell as well. Is this all in my head? Or does drinking alcohol affect our taste and smell? Annie d...

EP 227: Naked Life Story – Harvey

15 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Alcohol and nutrition – two topics with seemingly very little in common. When today’s guest started to improve his health and nutrition, he quickl...

EP 226: Reader Question – Does moderate drinking make you live longer than exercise?

09 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Once in a while we see a headline about how drinking is actually good for you. Is this legit? Annie blows up this misleading information and gets a li...

EP 225: Naked Life Story – Marietta

08 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Originally from Holland, today’s guest now resides amongst the rolling hills and endless vineyards in the south of France. Annie welcomes Marietta, ...

EP 224: Reader Question – How do you mend the relationships you hurt while you were drinking?

02 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

So many of us have hurt the ones we love because of drinking. What’s the best way to go about trying to restore those relationships now that we’ve...

EP 223: Naked Life Story – Shelley

01 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Stuck on repeat and sure that she would lose everything, today’s guest decided she needed to make a change. Annie welcomes Shelley, who has been alc...

EP 222: Reader Question – What if my marriage is dependent on alcohol?

26 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Unfortunately, drinking is often the one thing married couples do together. So, what happens when one or both of us quit? Will we even know each other...

EP 221: Coaching Questions with Scott Pinyard

25 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Here in the United States, we’re enjoying the fall season – the season of change! Leaves are changing, the weather is changing, and there’s a ch...

EP 220: Reader Question - Doesn't wine add to the 'foodie' experience?

19 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

What about us foodies? What if we no longer drink, but we have yet to convince our minds that wine doesn’t really enhance a nice meal. Annie goes ba...

EP 219: Naked Life Story – Calley

18 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Completely stuck and struggling to keep it together. Sound familiar? For today’s guest, that was her reality. Annie welcomes Calley to the podcast. ...

EP 218: Reader Question - I know I want to drink less but my husband NEVER comments on it - ever (despite my being obviously drunk multiple times!). Why is this!?

12 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

It’s not like we all need someone to tell us that we’re drinking too much – we already know! But when it’s so obvious that we should probably ...

EP 217: Naked Life Story - Laura

11 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Growing up in Wisconsin, where drinking was just a way of life, today’s guest describes her relationship with alcohol as “disgusting”. Meet Laur...

EP 216: Reader Question - How do I deal with people being uncomfortable with my not drinking?

05 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

There’s no denying that there’s an awkward tension in the room when we’re the only ones not drinking – especially when we’re newly alcohol f...

EP 215: Naked Life Story - Brandy

04 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Sheltered and naïve, today’s guest, Brandy, went wild once she was out on her own. A whole new world of drinking, smoking, drugs, and partying led ...

EP 214: Reader Question - Why is alcohol considered a depressant but it seems like drinking makes me happy?

28 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Got a question? Ask Scott, the head coach at This Naked Mind. Once a month, Scott tackles the top 3 most frequently asked questions and answers them u...

EP 213: Coaching Questions with Scott Pinyard

27 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Got a question? Ask Scott, the head coach at This Naked Mind. Once a month, Scott tackles the top 3 most frequently asked questions and answers them u...

EP 212: Reader Question – Why do I crave alcohol more when I have PMS?

21 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Why would us girls crave a drink more at “that time of the month” than at other times? Is there any kind of link or is it all in our heads? Annie ...

EP 210: Reader Question - Why hasn't my family noticed?

14 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Why do smokers get all the accolades when they decide to quit but when someone quits drinking, it’s a different story. And even worse yet, what if n...

EP 209: Naked Life Story: Ken

13 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Join us for today’s interview, where Annie sits down with Ken – who thought he had achieved spontaneous sobriety…until one relapse, which ultima...

EP 208: Reader Question - What about my coffee addiction?

07 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Is there such a thing as being addicted to coffee and is coffee something that we should be careful with?  Annie shares her view on the great coffee ...

EP 207: Naked Life Story: Simone

06 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

From an 8th grade dropout to a registered nurse, today’s guest packs a powerful podcast punch! Annie introduces Simone, who found herself trying to ...

EP 206: Reader Question - I'm entertaining and alcohol free. Do I need to provide booze for guests?

31 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

What’s the best way to be a good host if we are living alcohol free? Is it necessary to still provide alcoholic beverages to our guests? Or maybe it...

EP 205: Coaching Questions with Scott Pinyard

30 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Our favorite furry-faced friend, Scott Pinyard – the head coach at This Naked Mind – is BACK to answer some frequently asked coaching questions. T...

EP 204: Reader Question – Why doesn’t willpower always work?

24 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Sometimes when offered a drink, it’s an easy “no thank you”.  Other times, it’s almost impossible to say no.  Why is it that sometimes we’...

EP 203: Naked Life Story – Brittany

23 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Religion and alcohol can be an interesting topic of discussion, especially for those raised in the Mormon faith - where alcohol is strictly forbidden....

EP 202: Reader Question - How do I deal with anger?

17 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

What happens when we are able to change our relationship with alcohol – for the better – but some emotions emerge that we haven’t appropriately ...

EP 201: Sober Bliss with Gayle Macdonald

16 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In today’s podcast, Annie doesn’t get to do the interviewing! Nope – she’s the one being interviewed.  Listen in as Gayle from Sober Bliss pu...

EP 200: Reader Question - How to avoid drinking at a boozy sales meeting?

10 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The alcohol really flows at most annual sales meetings. But what if we don’t want to drink, yet we also aren’t ready to tell people we’ve given ...

EP 199: Naked Life Story – Lorraine

09 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In her group of friends, Lorraine was the one who liked to drink the most. But that all changed when she found This Naked Mind. Annie welcomes Lorrain...

EP 198: Reader Question - Alcohol free drinks? Are they OK?

03 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Sometimes it feels like an alcohol free beverage would take away the awkwardness of social situations. Other times, it feels like an AF beer would hel...

EP 197: Naked Life Story - Nicole

02 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Come down under with Annie as she interviews Nicole, a participant from the January Live Alcohol Experiment. Like many countries, Australia has a drin...

EP 196: Reader Question - I've used wine to numb physical pain - now without it my quality of life is way down. What can I do?

27 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Pain….whether it’s physical or emotional, many of us have used alcohol to cover up the pain. But what happens when we are able to kick our bad dri...

EP 195: Coaching Questions with Scott Pinyard

26 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome back to coaching questions with Scott, This Naked Mind’s head coach! If you’ve ever had a question that you just can’t bring yourself to...

EP 194: Reader Question - How do you define alcohol and alcoholism?

20 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This topic….’what makes someone an alcoholic’….is a hot spot for many. One person may label themselves an ‘alcoholic’ while another might ...