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In this powerful episode of the Sober Butterfly Podcast, host Nadine Mulvina sits down with Kristen, creator of The Alcohol Free Alchemist and founder of Queen City Sober, to share her deeply relatable sobriety journey.

Kristen opens up about how her drinking evolved from social partying to daily coping — influenced by anxiety, grief, motherhood, and the normalization of “mommy wine culture.” After experiencing profound life stressors, including the sudden loss of her grandmother and her husband’s lymphoma diagnosis, alcohol became her way to numb and manage overwhelm.

But her sobriety didn’t begin with a dramatic rock bottom. It started with an awakening — a Father’s Day morning realization that changed everything.

Now nearly 600 days alcohol-free, Kristen shares how sobriety transformed her relationship with herself, her marriage, her children, and her identity. She also discusses navigating social situations without alcohol, sober intimacy, non-alcoholic alternatives, and building real-life sober community through Queen City Sober in Buffalo, New York.

If you’re sober curious, questioning your relationship with alcohol, navigating motherhood, or looking for inspiration to start again, this conversation will resonate deeply.

You don’t need to hit rock bottom to choose something better.

🎧 In This Episode We Discuss

• Mommy wine culture and the normalization of daily drinking
• Using alcohol to cope with anxiety, grief, and stress
• The “awakening” moment that led to sobriety
• Early sobriety exhaustion and emotional healing
• Marriage and intimacy without alcohol
• Socializing sober and building confidence
• Non-alcoholic drinks and alternatives
• Sober parenting and being more present with kids
• Creating sober community through Queen City Sober
• Kristen’s platform: The Alcohol Free Alchemist

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👩‍🔬 Connect with Kristen

Follow Kristen and her work:

The Alcohol Free Alchemist (Instagram) https://www.instagram.com/thealcoholfreealchemist/
Queen City Sober Community — Buffalo & Niagara Falls, NY (Instagram) https://www.instagram.com/queencitysober/

🦋 Connect with The Sober Butterfly

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Follow Nadine for sober lifestyle, travel, and wellness inspiration:

Podcast Instagram: @soberbutterflypodcast

💬 If This Episode Helped You

Please share it with a friend — especially another mom or woman who might need to hear this message.

Sobriety doesn’t start with perfection.
It starts with awareness.

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Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services refereed to in this episode.

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What if you don’t actually need a drink to feel confident, sexy, or safe in love?

With Valentine’s Day approaching, this episode of The Sober Butterfly Podcast dives deep into the connection between alcohol, attachment styles, intimacy, and subconscious emotional patterns.

Host Nadine welcomes back world-renowned hypnotherapist Georgia Foster for a powerful Part 2 conversation about how drinking habits are often rooted in anxiety, the inner critic, and nervous system dysregulation — especially in dating and relationships.

If you’ve ever wondered:

• Why do I drink more when I’m dating?
• Why do I feel anxious without alcohol on a first date?
• Why do I attract the same type of partner?
• Can I drink less without quitting entirely?
• How do I build confidence without liquid courage?

This episode is for you.

Georgia shares how hypnotherapy works to reprogram the subconscious mind, calm anxiety triggers, and shift emotional habits around alcohol. Together, Nadine and Georgia explore:

• The psychology of drinking in relationships
• Anxious attachment and alcohol use
• The role of the inner critic in dating
• Sober intimacy and overcoming performance anxiety
• How to feel confident without alcohol
• Rewiring subconscious drinking patterns
• Choosing partners based on intuition instead of familiarity
• Nervous system regulation and manifestation
• Healing shame around past drinking behaviors

Georgia also leads listeners through a powerful guided visualization designed to calm the nervous system, strengthen intuition, and help you attract relationships that are aligned with your self-worth.

Whether you’re sober, sober-curious, moderating, dating, partnered, or opting out of Valentine’s Day entirely — this episode will help you examine your relationship with alcohol and how it impacts your romantic life.

About Georgia Foster

Georgia Foster is a clinical hypnotherapist with over 30 years of experience helping high-functioning adults transform their relationship with alcohol. She specializes in moderation, subconscious behavior change, and emotional habit rewiring. Her programs focus on reducing shame, quieting the inner critic, and creating intelligent, balanced change.

Learn more at:
https://georgiafoster.com

Connect with Nadine on Instagram @the.soberbutterfly https://www.instagram.com/the.soberbutterfly/?hl=en

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Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services refereed to in this episode.

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In this powerful Black History Month episode of The Sober Butterfly Podcast, Nadine explores a truth that isn’t talked about enough in recovery spaces:

Nadine weaves together moving throwback clips from past guests of the show to highlight what Black sobriety actually looks like in real life: community, identity, trauma healing, motherhood, grief, faith, entrepreneurship, and generational change.

You’ll hear voices from:

• Ashley Johnson — founder of Wine Not, on navigating social spaces and professional settings sober as a Black woman
• Yasmin — on nervous system healing, therapy, and boundaries
• Symone French— on identity, shame, and unmasking without alcohol
• Jasmine (Soulfully Sober) — on motherhood and stopping before rock bottom
• Jasmine Flowers — on trauma, abuse recovery, and rebuilding life through sobriety
• Faith Hill — on grief, honesty, and self-trust
• Tiana Heath — on refusing to numb grief with alcohol
• Tommie Runz — on purpose and generational healing

Together, these stories show that sobriety is not one narrative. It is many. And when Black people get sober, it doesn’t just change one life — it can change entire family trajectories.

This episode addresses:

• Cultural silence around addiction in Black families
• The connection between trauma, the nervous system, and alcohol use
• Why boundaries and therapy are often discovered after sobriety
• The lack of representation of Black women in the sober-curious and non-alcoholic space
• Why sobriety can be an act of resistance, awareness, and liberation

If you’ve ever felt alone in your alcohol-free journey, this episode is an invitation to see yourself in sobriety.

🎧 Full episodes from every guest featured are linked in the show notes.

Key Takeaway

Find someone who looks like you in sobriety. It changes everything.

Closing viral reflection from actor and podcaster Horace Gold, this episode examines why choosing sobriety as a Black person in America can feel not only personal — but revolutionary.

Support the show

Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services refereed to in this episode.

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What can Chrissy Teigen’s return to sobriety teach us about the moderation myth?

In this reflective episode of The Sober Butterfly Podcast, host Nadine Mulvina opens with a trending celebrity sobriety story and uses it to explore a truth many people discover privately: trying to “mindfully drink” after quitting often leads right back to why we stopped in the first place.

Nadine shares her perspective on relapse, moderation, and why sobriety ultimately feels better for mental clarity, emotional stability, and real joy.

Then, she takes listeners back to Season One (2022) for a special replay of an early Sober Butterfly episode with Keisha Scott from Done With Debauchery — one of the first sober creators Nadine connected with in real life and the woman who helped her host her very first sober girl meetup.

Together, Nadine and Keisha discuss well-known celebrities who have publicly shared their sobriety journeys, including:

• Samuel L. Jackson
• Jada Pinkett Smith
• Nicki Minaj
• Chrissy Teigen
• Naomi Campbell
• Bella Hadid

This episode is about more than celebrities — it’s about how seeing sober people can inspire you, but meeting sober people can change your life.

Whether you’re sober-curious, newly sober, or years into your alcohol-free journey, this conversation reminds you that sobriety is not about perfection — it’s about presence, honesty, and community.

🎧 In This Episode, You’ll Hear

• Why Chrissy Teigen’s relapse story is so relatable
• The truth about “mindful drinking” and moderation attempts
• How celebrity sobriety can inspire early recovery
• Nadine’s origin story of meeting her first sober internet friend
• The early days of The Sober Butterfly podcast
• Why sober community matters more than sober inspiration
• A replay of the 2022 “Sober Celebrities” episode with Keisha Scott

Watch This Episode on YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsGEzG_vmaM

🔗 Resources & Links

• Follow Nadine: @the.soberbutterfly
• Listen to more episodes of The Sober Butterfly Podcast
• Share this episode with someone exploring sobriety

💬 Call to Action

If this episode resonated with you, send it to a friend who is questioning their relationship with alcohol. Your conversation might be the one that helps them start theirs.

Support the show

Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services refereed to in this episode.

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What do you replace drinking with?

For Tommie Runz, the answer was miles, discipline, honesty, and community.

In this powerful episode of The Sober Butterfly Podcast, host Nadine Mulvina sits down with Tommie Runz — a sober endurance athlete, father, podcast host, and community builder — to talk about what nine years of sobriety has taught him about living with intention and pushing toward your next level.

Tommie shares the pivotal moments that led him to Alcoholics Anonymous, why truth-telling was the real beginning of his recovery, and how long-distance running became a tool for healing, clarity, and purpose. Together, Nadine and Tommie explore the deep parallels between endurance running and long-term sobriety, the role of community in recovery, and how sharing your story can help others feel less alone.

This episode is especially meaningful for anyone in early sobriety wondering “what now?” — and for those years into recovery who are still discovering who they’re becoming.

You’ll hear about:

• Tommie’s turning point and early days in AA
• Why honesty is foundational in sobriety
• The mental and emotional parallels between running and recovery
• How fatherhood shaped the way he shows up in sobriety
• The importance of community, service, and visibility as a Black sober athlete
• Using storytelling and social media to support others on their journey
• How to find your “thing” after quitting alcohol

Whether you’re sober, sober-curious, or years into your recovery journey, this conversation will inspire you to build a life you don’t want to escape from.

🎥 This episode is also available to watch on YouTube.

https://youtu.be/NRQRIMyHLC0

🔗 Connect with Tommie Runz

Instagram: @tommie_runz

🔗 Connect with Nadine & The Sober Butterfly

Instagram: @the.soberbutterfly

⭐ If this episode resonated with you:

Please share it with a friend, post it to your stories, and leave a rating and review. This is how we grow the sober community together.

Support the show

Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services refereed to in this episode.

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In this episode of The Sober Butterfly Podcast, host Nadine Mulvina sits down with writer and traveler Melissa Rodway, author of The People You Meet: Luxury, Leeches, Love, and Lao Lao with a Host of Interesting Characters in Southeast Asia, for a thoughtful, story-driven conversation about how travel shapes identity, purpose, and connection.

This episode goes far beyond bucket lists and destinations. Nadine and Melissa explore the deeper, often unspoken layers of travel—how movement through the world changes us emotionally and spiritually, the people who leave lasting imprints on our lives, and the difference between simply taking a vacation and truly traveling with intention.

Melissa opens up about the realities of travel burnout, travel ego, and knowing when it’s time to come home. She shares how her relationship with travel has evolved with age, why purpose matters more than pace, and how adventure doesn’t disappear as we grow—it simply changes form. The conversation also touches on routine versus freedom, rest versus movement, and how travel can act as both a mirror and a teacher.

Listeners will also hear about unforgettable people Melissa has met on the road, powerful moments from her global travels, and a memorable trip to Jordan that left a lasting impact. Throughout the episode, travel is framed not as an escape, but as a tool for self-discovery, discernment, and deeper connection.

This episode is perfect for anyone who has ever felt changed by a trip, struggled with the tension between adventure and stability, or wondered what they’re really searching for when they book the ticket.

✨ In This Episode, We Discuss:

• How travel reshapes identity over time
• The people we meet on the road who stay with us long after the trip ends
• Travel ego, comparison, and letting go of “travel hierarchy”
• Recognizing travel burnout and knowing when it’s time to come home
• The difference between vacations and meaningful travel
• How purpose and priorities shift as we age
• Why adventure still matters—even when life changes
• The inspiration behind The People You Meet

📖 Melissa’s Book

You can find Melissa’s book here:
👉 The People You Meet: Luxury, Leeches, Love, and Lao Lao with a Host of Interesting Characters in Southeast Asia
https://www.amazon.com/People-You-Meet-Interesting-Characters-ebook/dp/B0F3V7NPW3

🎧 About The Sober Butterfly Podcast

The Sober Butterfly Podcast explores identity, connection, and what it looks like to rebuild a meaningful life after big change. Through honest solo episodes and thoughtful conversations, Nadine Mulvina invites listeners into nuanced discussions about growth, relationships, purpose, and becoming aligned—without needing to burn everything down.

Support the show

Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services refereed to in this episode.

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In this honest and educational solo episode of The Sober Butterfly Podcast, host Nadine Mulvina explores why Dry January isn’t the same as sobriety—and why that distinction matters for anyone questioning their relationship with alcohol.

Drawing from personal experience and years of conversations within the sober and sober-curious community, Nadine breaks down the two biggest pitfalls of Dry January: the “fuck it” mindset when the challenge feels too hard, and the false reassurance that completing 30 days automatically means alcohol isn’t an issue. She explains how both can keep people stuck in the same drinking patterns long-term.

This episode reframes Dry January as a starting point—not a finish line—and offers practical, compassionate guidance for those attempting Dry January, as well as tools and reminders for people who are already sober and navigating January with clarity and intention.

Whether you’re sober, sober-curious, taking a break, or supporting someone who is, this episode invites you to prioritize honesty, self-trust, and sustainable change over perfection or willpower.

🦋 In This Episode, Nadine Discusses:

• Why Dry January is not the same as long-term sobriety
• The difference between a 30-day alcohol break and an identity shift
• How the “fuck it” mindset can sabotage Dry January attempts
• Why completing Dry January doesn’t automatically mean alcohol isn’t a problem
• White-knuckling Dry January vs. white-knuckling sobriety
• How sobriety removes distortion and builds clarity
• Practical tips for doing Dry January in a supportive, self-aware way
• Why willpower alone isn’t a plan
• How to create replacements instead of just restrictions
• The importance of having a post-January plan
• Guidance for sober listeners navigating January
• Why sobriety isn’t a trend—it’s a lifestyle

🧠 Key Takeaways:

• You don’t attract change by forcing it—you create it through honesty
• Dry January can reveal patterns, but reflection is what creates growth
• Sobriety is about alignment, not deprivation
• White-knuckling is a signal—not a failure
• Support, systems, and self-trust matter more than perfection

💛 Support & Resources

If this episode brings up questions or concerns about your relationship with alcohol, you are not alone, and support is available.

🇺🇸 United States

• SAMHSA National Helpline
  📞 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
  🌐 https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline
  
  Free, confidential support available 24/7 for individuals and families

🌍 International

• Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
  🌐 https://www.aa.org
  
  Meetings available worldwide (in-person & online)
• SMART Recovery (science-based, non-12-step)
  🌐 https://www.smartrecovery.org
  
  Tools and meetings for people seeking a balanced approach
• Women for Sobriety
  🌐 https://womenforsobriety.org
  
  Supportive community specifically for women
• Sober Curious / Moderation Support
  🌐 https://www.alcoholchange.org.uk
  
  Evidence-based resources around alcohol awareness and change

Support the show

Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services refereed to in this episode.

Send us a text

In this reflective, end-of-year solo episode of The Sober Butterfly Podcast, host Nadine Mulvina invites listeners into the quiet, liminal space between Christmas and New Year’s to explore quantum physics, manifestation, and intentional identity shifts for 2026.

Recorded the day after Christmas, this episode slows things down and reframes manifestation through a grounded, logical lens: connecting quantum physics, nervous system regulation, sobriety, visualization, and embodiment. Nadine explains why manifestation isn’t about asking or wishing, but about becoming the version of yourself who already lives the life you want.

Listeners will learn how sobriety sharpens your energetic signal, why most people are “manifesting wrong,” and how to align with the timeline where your dream life already exists. Nadine also shares a 6-step framework for creating a powerful 2026 vision board—one rooted in identity, habits, regulation, and daily embodiment rather than aesthetics or pressure.

This episode is perfect for anyone who is sober, sober-curious, or intentionally designing their next chapter with clarity, self-trust, and purpose.

🎧 Best enjoyed slowly—on a walk, while cleaning, or resting your nervous system.

🦋 In This Episode, Nadine Covers:

• Why the days between Christmas and New Year’s are a powerful quantum window
• How quantum physics explains manifestation and timeline shifts
• Why reality responds to what you embody, not what you want
• The role of the nervous system in shaping your lived experience
• How sobriety removes distortion and accelerates clarity
• Why “trying” to manifest creates resistance
• How visualization collapses timelines faster than intention
• Why identity shifts matter more than goals
• How to protect your quantum field and move in silence
• A step-by-step framework for creating a 2026 vision board that actually works
• How to design a “random Tuesday” in your dream 2026 life
• Why manifestation starts today, not January 1st

🧠 Key Takeaways:

• You don’t attract what you want—you attract who you are
• Manifestation is feedback, not magic
• Clarity collapses timelines faster than force
• Sobriety sharpens your energetic signal
• Identity + repetition = inevitability
• Small shifts, practiced daily, create quantum leaps

✨ Listener Reflection Prompt:

📅 Important Announcement:

New episodes of The Sober Butterfly Podcast will return on January 9th, 2026, after Nadine returns from a family cruise—rested, grounded, and ready to step into the next chapter with you.

💛 Gratitude:

Thank you for listening this year. Thank you for choosing clarity, self-trust, and an alcohol-free or alcohol-conscious life. This community is built together—one intentional step at a time.

Connect with Nadine on Instagram @the.soberbutterfly https://www.instagram.com/the.soberbutterfly/?hl=en

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Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services refereed to in this episode.