Ep. 62 Retreat Recap: Nourishing Connections Beyond the Booze
"But Jesus Drank Wine" & Other Stories That Kept Us Stuck
Release Date: 02/05/2024
Ep. 75 Embracing Suffering, Building Hope: Where Neuroscience and the Bible Intersect with Special Guest, Dr. Curt Thompson
"But Jesus Drank Wine" & Other Stories That Kept Us Stuck
In this episode, we are honored and humbled to present our conversation with psychiatrist, speaker and author Dr. Curt Thompson. Known around BJDW as, “the teacher Meade is most-likely to reference on the podcast for the depth and breadth of the impact his work has had on her life,” Curt, connects our intrinsic desire to be known with the need to tell truer stories about ourselves — showing us how to form deep relationships, discover meaning and live integrated creative lives. Join us for a profound exploration of the intersection between neuroscience and the biblical...
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Ep. 74 Living Alcohol-Free: 10 Things We Wish Someone Had Told Us About The First Year
"But Jesus Drank Wine" & Other Stories That Kept Us Stuck
We hear you, our dear readers, that our list episodes are among your favorites and they happen to be favorites of ours too. For today’s insightful conversation, we are diving deep into the transformative journey of living alcohol-free, sharing our lists of the ten invaluable lessons we wish we’d known in our first year of “sobriety.” 1. Friendship Shuffle: We candidly explore the challenges and blessings of reshaping friendships and social circles after embracing sobriety, highlighting the importance of surrounding oneself with supportive individuals. 2. Temporary Nature...
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Ep. 73 Peace Amidst Chaos: Unpacking 'The Gospel of John' with Melissa Spoelstra
"But Jesus Drank Wine" & Other Stories That Kept Us Stuck
We are thrilled to announce our very first BJDW Community book, "The Gospel of John: Savoring the Peace of Jesus in a Chaotic World." To kick off this exciting venture, we've invited the brilliant author Melissa Spoelstra to join us on the podcast, where she shares her wisdom on how we can learn more about anchoring ourselves in peace amidst life's chaos. Together, we explore the rich tapestry of John's gospel, delving into its profound significance and uncovering hidden treasures within its pages. We look closer at the transformative narrative of the wedding at Cana,...
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Ep. 72 Broken Crayons Still Color with Toni Collier
"But Jesus Drank Wine" & Other Stories That Kept Us Stuck
This week’s episode is a heart-to-heart with the inspiring Toni Collier, founder of Broken Crayons Still Color, a global women's organization dedicated to guiding individuals through brokenness toward healing and hope. Toni is a seasoned speaker, podcast host, and author who shares her profound insights on navigating life's challenges with grace and resilience. In our chat, Toni gets real about the struggles we all face. She dives into the truth that hiding our pain only prolongs our healing journey, stressing the importance of opening up and finding support in our communities. Toni...
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Ep. 71 Celebrating Booze-Free Firsts: The Power of Presence & Connection
"But Jesus Drank Wine" & Other Stories That Kept Us Stuck
In this episode we dive into the realm of alcohol-free experiences, sharing personal anecdotes and insights into navigating various social situations sans alcohol. We talk about the many milestone alcohol-free firsts, such as date nights, weddings, birthdays, sporting events, vacations, concerts, and theater/ballet performances. We discuss the joys and benefits of alcohol-free date nights, highlighting enhanced connection and presence. We share our experiences attending weddings without alcohol, focusing on celebration and connection over intoxication. From intimate...
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Ep. 70 Free of Me: Discovering Liberation from Self-Preoccupation with Sharon Hodde Miller
"But Jesus Drank Wine" & Other Stories That Kept Us Stuck
From the moment we cracked open the pages of her book, “Free Of Me, Why Life Is Better When It's Not About You,” we knew we needed Sharon Hodde Miller's wisdom on this pod, and we're incredibly grateful she accepted our invitation. In a world saturated with the "me" mentality, Sharon shines a light on the pervasive impact of self-centeredness across every facet of our lives. It's a message that infiltrates our friendships, marriages, and even our faith, fracturing each in unique yet profound ways. Pursuing self-improvement often leaves us joyless, our souls diminished, trapped in the...
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Ep. 69 Drinking in Secret | Conversations on the Unseen Pour and Spiritual Growth
"But Jesus Drank Wine" & Other Stories That Kept Us Stuck
Today, we delve into the complex dynamics of secret drinking, shedding light on the underlying desires for relief and connection in the face of life’s demands. Together we share our experiences of feeling constantly needed by others yet yearning for moments of solace and self-reconnection. Through our reflections, we highlight the transformative power of curiosity and self-compassion in navigating the journey toward freedom from hidden struggles. Meade vulnerably shares her struggle with constantly feeling needed by others, highlighting the desire for moments of solace and...
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Ep. 68 The Bob Goff Effect: Tapping into a Spirit-Filled Life
"But Jesus Drank Wine" & Other Stories That Kept Us Stuck
Get ready for an incredible episode as we sit down with the one and only Bob Goff, a true inspiration in living life to the fullest. Bob, the adventurous soul behind “Love Does,” “Everybody Always,” and “Undistracted," joins us to share his wisdom on embracing the journey, dreaming big, and showing yourself some grace along the way. Get ready to be uplifted, inspired, and ready to tackle your dreams head-on! In this heartfelt conversation, Bob encourages us to take that first step, even if we're not fully equipped. With personal anecdotes from his adventures, he...
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Ep. 67 Connections Beyond Cocktails: Nurturing Meaningful Friendships in an Alcohol-Free World
"But Jesus Drank Wine" & Other Stories That Kept Us Stuck
Fresh off of Meade’s in-person Atlanta AF (alcohol-free) gals meet-up, we are talking all about the transformative power of meaningful connections. Providing avenues for support and camaraderie, both in-person meetups and online communities can foster meaningful connections. We discuss how prayer serves as a valuable tool in both finding and nurturing friendships, guiding individuals towards like-minded relationships and strengthening existing bonds. Being genuine and true to oneself is paramount in attracting compatible friends and cultivating deep, meaningful relationships. We expand on...
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Ep. 66 From Dual-Addiction to Sobriety: An Inspiring Freedom Journey With Sober Girl Tribe’s, Kristen McAvoy
"But Jesus Drank Wine" & Other Stories That Kept Us Stuck
Today’s episode is an inspiring and powerful story from Kristen McAvoy, sobriety influencer and founder of Sober Girl Tribe. From party girl days in college to Covid isolation struggles, Kristen opens up about her decade-long struggle with addiction to alcohol, later compounded by Xanax use. Her journey began in college, where she sought freedom and rebellion, slowly drifting away from her Christian faith, ultimately leading to excessive drinking to cope with social anxiety. Despite facing consequences, Kristen's addiction continued into the corporate world, with a...
info_outlineRecently, we were both blessed with opps to attend two different retreats. Meade was a participant in a retreat with her coach, Bob Goff, at The Oaks Center. Christy hosted a retreat for alcohol-free ladies in the Cotswolds. Today’s convo has us reflecting and sharing all the details of both retreat experiences, each with its unique charm and kicks off with us highlighting the beauty of our locations and the transformative power of being in like-minded communities.
Christy, recounting her retreat, emphasizes the magical atmosphere created by a group of women free from alcohol. She muses about the depth of connections formed in the absence of alcohol that leads to vulnerable and meaningful conversations. Christy, highlighting the emotional impact of bidding farewell to newfound friends, punctuates the importance of cultivating authentic connections. Other highlights include the gorgeous grounds and location; the activities – who knew pilates could create so much laughter; the delectable eats prepared by a private chef; and the overall value of being in-person, in community.
Meade shares her experience from her retreat led by Bob Goff, an influential Christian author, speaker and coach. She expresses the joy of attending a retreat without the responsibilities of hosting or leading, allowing her to be present and practice “following;” something that doesn't come easily to leaders yet is necessary, ultimately, to leading well. Further, she reflects on the value of surrounding oneself with like-minded individuals who share similar values and aspirations. Sharing other key takeaways from the retreat, Meade, highlights the value of:
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Being present and vulnerable
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Considering who and what we allow to influence us
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Dreaming big and setting intentions
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Curiosity
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Vulnerability
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Allowing others to love and care for you
Today’s convo centers on the experiences of two women on two different retreats with the common theme of connecting deeply when alcohol is not a part of the equation and it underscores the importance and transformative power of living aligned with how God created us to live – in community.
The book Meade mentioned:
The song Meade referenced:
Honey in the Rock by Brooke Ligertwood
The Psalm referenced: Psalm 81
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BJDW COMMUNITY HERE.
Learn More about Coaching with Christy
Learn More about Coaching with Meade
Connect with us on Instagram! @imnotsoberimfree @lovelifesoberwithchristy
You can find this episode on YouTube: HERE
00:01 Introduction to the Podcast
00:29 The Importance of Audio Quality in Podcasting
01:10 Podcast Goals and Aspirations
01:48 Recapping Recent Retreat Experiences
02:43 Christy's Retreat Experience
05:26 The Power of Connection in Alcohol-Free Environments
09:02 Mead's Retreat Experience
14:08 The Impact of Living Aligned with Your Values
15:21 The Power of Influence and Choosing Your Circle
18:09 Living Counter Culturally and Embracing Difference
19:48 The Shift in Perception and Living Authentically
20:11 The Power of Retreats and Community
20:43 The Joy of Shared Meals and New Friendships
21:15 The Struggles of Cooking and the Comfort of Familiarity
21:53 The Charm of Accents and the Beauty of Diversity
22:37 The Importance of Finding Your Tribe
25:57 The Value of Curiosity, Presence, and Vulnerability
28:19 The Power of Dreaming Big and Setting Intentions
30:19 The Importance of Allowing Others to Love and Care for You
33:18 The Joy of Music and the Power of Song
34:20 Closing Remarks and Final Thoughts
#getconnected #staycurious #changeyourthinkingchangeyourdrinking #sobriety #alcoholfree #soberliving #alcoholfreelife #thisnakedmind #lovelifesober #imnotsoberimfree #getconnected #grayareadrinking #grayareadrinking #butjesusdrankwine #staycurious #changeyourthinkingchangeyourdrinking #christianandsober #christianity #authenticliving #journeytosobriety #wineandotherstories #vulnerabilityinrecovery
The creators, hosts, and producers of the But Jesus Drank Wine podcast are not healthcare practitioners and therefore do not give medical, psychological or professional advice nor do they intend for the podcast, any communication on behalf of BJDW or otherwise to be a substitute for such. Additionally, the views and opinions expressed in any mention of and/or linked resources are those of the authors/owners of those resources and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the But Jesus Drank Wine podcast team or guests of the show.