Have you ever battled that sinking feeling of discouragement while trying to change your relationship with alcohol? That overwhelming sense that maybe your efforts don't matter, that progress seems impossible, or that your excuses are simply too powerful to overcome?

In this deeply vulnerable episode, I share my recent struggle with discouragement in my own ministry. Despite years of helping women find freedom from alcohol dependence, I found myself questioning if my work was making any difference—if anyone even cared about the message of alcohol freedom. This raw conversation reveals how discouragement functions not just as an emotion, but as one of the enemy's most powerful weapons against our growth and freedom.

Discouragement thrives on fear, doubt, and obstacles. It zeroes in on our vulnerabilities and tries to blind us to the truth of who we are and whose we are. The enemy wants us to fixate on our failures, forget God's goodness, and believe we're incapable of meaningful change. But there's profound hope in recognizing this spiritual attack for what it is.

Whether you're just beginning to question your relationship with alcohol or you're well along your sobriety journey, this episode offers comfort, solidarity, and practical wisdom for those moments when discouragement threatens to derail your progress. Remember: God's grace is sufficient, His power is made perfect in weakness, and with His help, you can push through even the toughest days.

Drop us a Question or Comment

Break free from alcohol with Christ-centered guidance, community support, and powerful tools. Transform your life with the Sacred Sobriety Lab. Join today at SacredSobrietyLab.com.

I'm here for you. I'm praying for you. You are NOT alone!

Please subscribe to this podcast so you won't miss a thing!

👉🏻 JOIN THE FREE 5-DAY KICK START
https://the-catholic-sobriety-coach.myflodesk.com/5-day-sobriety-kick-start

👉🏻 Join The Sacred Sobriety Lab
https://sacredsobrietylab.com

Visit my Website: https://thecatholicsobrietycoach.com

Telos Art Get 10% off Using Coupon Code CHRISTIE10
https://telosartshop.com/?ref=christie

"How much can I drink before it becomes a mortal sin?" This provocative question, posed by a young man to his priest, opens a doorway to profound spiritual reflection about our relationship with alcohol. The priest's answer was transformative: drink as much as you want, provided it's compatible with loving God with your whole heart and loving your neighbor as yourself.

This question frames our thoughtful exploration of Catholic teaching on alcohol consumption. Drawing from the Catechism, we discover that while the Church doesn't condemn alcohol outright, it emphasizes temperance and warns against the dangers of drunkenness. We examine when drinking might cross the line into mortal sin, requiring grave matter, full knowledge, and deliberate consent.

Scripture offers us a balanced perspective, acknowledging both wine as a gift that "gladdens the heart of man" and the warnings against drunkenness that "leads to debauchery." Through the wisdom of saints like Augustine, Benedict, and Thomas Aquinas, we gain insights into how temperance isn't about restriction but about freedom—saying yes to the greater joy of union with God rather than temporary pleasures.

This isn't about judgment or shame but discernment and living in alignment with God's call. I invite you to reflect on how your drinking affects your relationships with God, others, and yourself. Are you making an idol of alcohol, or is it serving as a substitute for the peace only God can provide?

Whether you're questioning your relationship with alcohol or seeking deeper understanding, remember you're not alone on this journey. Visit thecatholicsobrietycoach.com to explore resources that can support your path toward spiritual freedom.

Article: How much can I drink before it becomes a mortal sin? by Dr. Christopher Kaczor - Word on Fire https://www.wordonfire.org/articles/how-much-can-i-drink-before-it-becomes-a-mortal-sin/

Video: Catholics, Alcohol, and Drinking with Fr. Mike Schmitz
https://youtu.be/5OMO0JDxuPU?si=IjnsKuxLgm1akIcB

Drop us a Question or Comment

Break free from alcohol with Christ-centered guidance, community support, and powerful tools. Transform your life with the Sacred Sobriety Lab. Join today at SacredSobrietyLab.com.

I'm here for you. I'm praying for you. You are NOT alone!

Please subscribe to this podcast so you won't miss a thing!

🔥 JOIN the FREE FIRE 50 Challenge - bit.ly/4jNqoJM

👉🏻 JOIN THE FREE 5-DAY KICK START
https://the-catholic-sobriety-coach.myflodesk.com/5-day-sobriety-kick-start

👉🏻 Join The Sacred Sobriety Lab
https://sacredsobrietylab.com

Visit my Website: https://thecatholicsobrietycoach.com

Telos Art Get 10% off Using Coupon Code CHRISTIE10
https://telosartshop.com/?ref=christie

Have you ever found yourself asking "Is my drinking really that bad?" You're not alone. That question haunted me for years before I finally found freedom from alcohol. But everything changed when I flipped the script and started asking different questions!

In this episode, I share the five transformative questions that helped me gain clarity about my relationship with alcohol. These aren't questions designed to label or judge you—they're invitations to honest self-reflection that can illuminate alcohol's true role in your life.

What makes these questions so powerful is that they work regardless of where you are on your journey. Whether you're simply curious about drinking less, struggling with moderation, or considering sobriety, these reflections will help you understand what level of alcohol involvement brings you peace. I share my own experiences throughout, including how I discovered my path and how freedom from alcohol transformed my life in ways I never imagined possible.

Ready to gain clarity about your relationship with alcohol? Grab your journal, find a quiet space, and join me for this conversation that could change everything. Whatever you discover through these questions, know that you're not alone—there's a community of Catholic women walking this path together, finding joy and freedom one day at a time.

Drop us a Question or Comment

I'm here for you. I'm praying for you. You are NOT alone!

Please subscribe to this podcast so you won't miss a thing!

🔥 JOIN the FREE FIRE 50 Challenge - bit.ly/4jNqoJM

👉🏻 JOIN THE FREE 5-DAY KICK START
https://the-catholic-sobriety-coach.myflodesk.com/5-day-sobriety-kick-start

👉🏻 Join The Sacred Sobriety Lab
https://sacredsobrietylab.com

Visit my Website: https://thecatholicsobrietycoach.com

Telos Art Get 10% off Using Coupon Code CHRISTIE10
https://telosartshop.com/?ref=christie

Far beyond mere willpower, true freedom comes through supernatural strength.

What if I told you that you already possess "supernatural superpowers" specifically designed to help you break free from alcohol's grip? This special episode takes you inside a transformative workshop from my Sacred Sobriety Lab, revealing how the Holy Spirit serves as your ultimate ally in the battle against cravings and temptation.

We explore the distinct roles the Holy Spirit plays in your life - as comforter when you're distressed, counselor when uncertain, helper providing support, intercessor bridging differences, and strengthener during temptation. I break down the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit and explain how each directly empowers your sobriety journey.

Perhaps most importantly, I share how to distinguish God's loving voice from the enemy's vicious cycle of temptation followed by shame. When you recognize whose voice you're hearing, everything changes. You'll learn practical ways to cultivate genuine intimacy with God through prayer, scripture, adoration, and spiritual practices that strengthen your connection to divine guidance.

This episode offers a powerful perspective on alcohol freedom that addresses the whole person - mind, body, and spirit. I invite you to commit to a nine-day novena to the Holy Spirit, opening yourself to the supernatural strength that transforms struggling into thriving.

Ready to discover how God's power dwelling within you can accomplish what willpower alone cannot? Listen now, and please share this episode with someone who might need these words of hope and practical spiritual guidance.

Drop us a Question or Comment

Break free from alcohol with Christ-centered guidance, community support, and powerful tools. Transform your life with the Sacred Sobriety Lab. Join today at SacredSobrietyLab.com.

I'm here for you. I'm praying for you. You are NOT alone!

Please subscribe to this podcast so you won't miss a thing!

🔥 JOIN the FREE FIRE 50 Challenge - bit.ly/4jNqoJM

👉🏻 JOIN THE FREE 5-DAY KICK START
https://the-catholic-sobriety-coach.myflodesk.com/5-day-sobriety-kick-start

👉🏻 Join The Sacred Sobriety Lab
https://sacredsobrietylab.com

Visit my Website: https://thecatholicsobrietycoach.com

Telos Art Get 10% off Using Coupon Code CHRISTIE10
https://telosartshop.com/?ref=christie

Freedom isn't just about willpower—it's about healing the deeper wounds that drive us to unhealthy attachments. In this illuminating conversation, certified spiritual director and Unbound prayer minister Deanna Bartalini reveals how spiritual healing can break the chains that keep us bound to alcohol and other dependencies.

"Jesus reveals to heal; the evil one brings shame," shares Deanna as she unpacks the powerful five-key approach of Unbound Prayer Ministry—a Catholic-approved method that addresses the root causes of our struggles rather than just the symptoms. Through repentance, forgiveness, renouncing lies, commanding evil influences to leave, and receiving the Father's blessing, countless people have found freedom from wounds they've carried for decades.

What makes this approach unique? It's not about digging painfully into your past or requiring endless sessions. Instead, trained prayer ministers create a safe space where Jesus himself can reveal what needs healing. Unlike conventional conversations where people minimize our pain or try to "fix" us with advice, Unbound Prayer emphasizes compassionate listening without judgment.

Ready to explore how Unbound Prayer might support your journey toward alcohol freedom? This episode is for you!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deannabartalini/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LiveNotLukewarm
Heart of the Father (Unbound Website): https://heartofthefather.com/
Unbound: A Practical Guide to Healing and Deliverance by Neal Lozano

Drop us a Question or Comment

Break free from alcohol with Christ-centered guidance, community support, and powerful tools. Transform your life with the Sacred Sobriety Lab. Join today at SacredSobrietyLab.com.

I'm here for you. I'm praying for you. You are NOT alone!

Please subscribe to this podcast so you won't miss a thing!

🔥 JOIN the FREE FIRE 50 Challenge - bit.ly/4jNqoJM

👉🏻 JOIN THE FREE 5-DAY KICK START
https://the-catholic-sobriety-coach.myflodesk.com/5-day-sobriety-kick-start

👉🏻 Join The Sacred Sobriety Lab
https://sacredsobrietylab.com

Visit my Website: https://thecatholicsobrietycoach.com

Telos Art Get 10% off Using Coupon Code CHRISTIE10
https://telosartshop.com/?ref=christie

What happens when a terrifying wake-up call becomes the first step in a 33-year journey of sobriety? Heather Gaffney joins us to share her remarkable story of transformation—from a young woman whose bartenders knew her by name to becoming a beacon of hope for others navigating recovery and trauma.

Heather's candid revelations about her drinking period resonate with raw honesty as she describes the moment everything changed: waking up in an unfamiliar place with no memory of how she got there. That April morning 33 years ago marked the beginning of a profound spiritual journey that has carried her through domestic abuse, breast cancer, and countless other challenges with an unshakable faith.

The conversation delves into the surprising ways God shows up in our darkest moments—like Heather finding a 10-year AA chip outside a bar long before she got sober—and how these divine breadcrumbs often only become visible in retrospect. We both share how sobriety doesn't just remove alcohol's negative effects but unveils an entirely new level of spiritual clarity and emotional authenticity.

As the creator of the "Warrior Words" podcast, Heather now provides a platform for others to share their stories of survival and hope. Her practical advice on writing without self-criticism offers listeners a tangible way to process their own experiences and discover the beauty hidden within their struggles.

Whether you're questioning your relationship with alcohol or facing seemingly insurmountable challenges, this episode reminds us that hope persists even in life's darkest corners. Listen now to discover how embracing vulnerability and faith can transform your story into one of purpose and unexpected joy.

Warrior Words Podcast:
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/warrior-words-stories-of-hope-finding-beauty-after/id1725674975

Warrior Words YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/@warriorwords

Heather's Warrior Words Facebook Group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/warriorwords

Drop us a Question or Comment

Break free from alcohol with Christ-centered guidance, community support, and powerful tools. Transform your life with the Sacred Sobriety Lab. Join today at SacredSobrietyLab.com.

I'm here for you. I'm praying for you. You are NOT alone!

Please subscribe to this podcast so you won't miss a thing!

🔥 JOIN the FREE FIRE 50 Challenge - bit.ly/4jNqoJM

👉🏻 JOIN THE FREE 5-DAY KICK START
https://the-catholic-sobriety-coach.myflodesk.com/5-day-sobriety-kick-start

👉🏻 Join The Sacred Sobriety Lab
https://sacredsobrietylab.com

Visit my Website: https://thecatholicsobrietycoach.com

Telos Art Get 10% off Using Coupon Code CHRISTIE10
https://telosartshop.com/?ref=christie

Ever notice how your resolve seems strongest in the morning, only to fade as the day progresses? By evening, that glass of wine beckons as the perfect solution to your exhaustion. But what if there's a better way to honor your nighttime needs?

This episode unpacks the truth that many women miss: your evening self isn't weak or working against you—she's simply carrying the accumulated weight of your day. Through a faith-centered approach to understanding these evening struggles, you'll discover that alcohol isn't the comfort you're truly seeking.

I share three transformative strategies that have helped countless Catholic women reclaim their evenings without wine. You'll learn how to create sacred evening rituals that invite both physical and spiritual peace, how to pause and pray when cravings arise, identify what your heart truly needs, and how to build joyful alternatives that you genuinely look forward to. These aren't just temporary fixes—they're pathways to profound changes in how you experience your evenings.

Each small choice you make creates momentum toward mornings without regret and evenings filled with true rest. Whether you're questioning your relationship with alcohol or simply seeking more intentional evenings, this episode offers both practical wisdom and spiritual encouragement for your journey. Join our community of women embracing holy self-care and discovering deeper joy beyond the wine glass.

Drop us a Question or Comment

I'm here for you. I'm praying for you. You are NOT alone!

Please subscribe to this podcast so you won't miss a thing!

🔥 JOIN the FREE FIRE 50 Challenge - bit.ly/4jNqoJM

👉🏻 JOIN THE FREE 5-DAY KICK START
https://the-catholic-sobriety-coach.myflodesk.com/5-day-sobriety-kick-start

👉🏻 Join The Sacred Sobriety Lab
https://sacredsobrietylab.com

Visit my Website: https://thecatholicsobrietycoach.com

Telos Art Get 10% off Using Coupon Code CHRISTIE10
https://telosartshop.com/?ref=christie

Ever caught yourself automatically reaching for that glass of wine after a stressful day? You're not alone. The desire to escape, unwind, and find relief is completely natural – but alcohol might not be the solution your body and soul truly need.

This episode dives deep into why we turn to alcohol as our default decompression tool and offers genuinely effective alternatives that leave you feeling better, not worse. I share the powerful concept of identifying the feeling behind the drink – whether it's stress, anxiety, celebration, or simply wanting to shut off your brain – and how this awareness creates space for healthier choices.

From creating meaningful rituals (like savoring herbal tea or taking aromatic baths) to movement practices that release tension (even just "wiggling it out"!), these practical strategies address the root needs that drinking temporarily numbs. We explore how prayer, creative expression, and authentic connection can fulfill our deepest desires for escape and relief while keeping us fully present in our one beautiful life.

The highlight of this episode is the Dopamine Menu – a game-changing tool that categorizes mood-boosting activities. This structured approach eliminates decision fatigue when cravings strike.

Ready to discover what's waiting on the other side of that drink?

Download the Dopamine Menu template and take one small step this week toward unwinding in ways that honor your mind, body, and soul. Remember – alcohol doesn't bring out your best self. It keeps you from discovering it.

Dopamine Menu: https://the-catholic-sobriety-coach.myflodesk.com/dopaminemenu

Drop us a Question or Comment

I'm here for you. I'm praying for you. You are NOT alone!

Please subscribe to this podcast so you won't miss a thing!

🔥 JOIN the FREE FIRE 50 Challenge - bit.ly/4jNqoJM

👉🏻 JOIN THE FREE 5-DAY KICK START
https://the-catholic-sobriety-coach.myflodesk.com/5-day-sobriety-kick-start

👉🏻 Join The Sacred Sobriety Lab
https://sacredsobrietylab.com

Visit my Website: https://thecatholicsobrietycoach.com

Telos Art Get 10% off Using Coupon Code CHRISTIE10
https://telosartshop.com/?ref=christie