From Wild Ride to Solid Ground: Living AF with Ian Fee
Sober Edge
In today’s episode, Teri welcomes author Ian Fee to discuss his book Wild Ride to Sobriety—a raw, honest, and hopeful look at what it really means to take responsibility for your healing. Together, they dive into: Ian’s “wild ride” years and the moment he knew something needed to change The turning point where responsibility stopped feeling like blame and started feeling like liberation Why recovery isn’t linear and the stages Ian now recognizes in hindsight How identity shifts happen over time (and why early sobriety often feels like a personality remodel) The brain...
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10 Things I Love About Sobriety (at 10 Years AF)
Sober Edge
In this milestone episode of The Sober Edge Podcast, Teri Patterson, The Sober Nutritionist, celebrates her 10-year alcohol-free anniversary with a heartfelt reflection on the journey that changed everything. She shares 3 promises she’s made to herself, 2 changes that surprised her, and 5 lessons that continue to guide her life — blending personal story with practical wisdom. From the way our brains learn safety and joy, to how community becomes the real secret ingredient, this episode is a love letter to growth, grace, and staying the course. 🎧 Listen to learn why healing is...
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A BRAVE Conversation with Nancy McKay
Sober Edge
In this episode of The Sober Edge, Teri sits down with Nancy McKay — certified Equus Coach, author, and creator of the BRAVE framework. Nancy shares how horses help us reconnect to truth and emotional honesty, guiding people in recovery to rediscover self-trust and empowerment. Together, Teri and Nancy explore the five pillars of BRAVE— Belief, Resilience, Authenticity, Voice, and Empowerment — and how these qualities transform the way we live, lead, and love in sobriety. Whether you’re early in your alcohol-free journey or walking confidently in recovery, this conversation invites you...
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The Hard Truth About “Just One Less”
Sober Edge
We’ve all heard it: “If you’re drinking five nights a week, cut back to three.” It sounds like a reasonable step, but here’s the truth—your brain doesn’t heal from “just less.” In fact, even small amounts of alcohol keep your reward circuitry, stress hormones, and sleep disrupted. In this episode, I dive into: How alcohol hijacks dopamine and why cutting back doesn’t restore balance The pain-pleasure seesaw (Dr. Anna Lembke’s research) and why even one drink tips it Why your stress, sleep, and mental clarity don’t truly improve until abstinence ...
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The Creative Side of Healing with Adriana Marchione
Sober Edge
In this episode of The Sober Edge, Adriana Marchione joins me to explore how art in all its forms can be a powerful tool for healing and recovery. Adriana shares her journey from movement and dance into formal training in Expressive Arts Therapy, and how creativity helps us reconnect with ourselves, regulate our nervous systems, and discover unexpected insights. We talk about the accessibility of creativity—even for those who don’t see themselves as “artists”—and how it can open a pathway to deeper healing in an alcohol-free life.
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Hope for Families - Real Talk with Amber Hollingsworth
Sober Edge
On this episode of The Sober Edge, I’m joined by Amber Hollingsworth, a family recovery expert who has spent nearly 20 years helping loved ones find a path through the chaos of addiction. Amber is known for her refreshingly direct and practical approach—what she jokingly calls being “a little bossy.” Instead of leaving families guessing at what to do or say, Amber offers clear, actionable guidance that can ease tension, reduce resentment, and create real change. We talk about how families can support their loved ones without losing themselves, why trying to “always say the right...
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Let Them - Own Your AF Life!
Sober Edge
In this episode of The Sober Edge, Teri explores Mel Robbins’ viral Let Them Theory—a simple yet powerful mindset shift that can transform the way you navigate relationships, boundaries, and joy in your alcohol-free life. Learn how letting go of control and other people’s opinions can bring more ease, excitement, and emotional freedom to your AF journey.
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Tapping Into Your Self with Sophia Graniela
Sober Edge
In this inspiring episode of The Sober Edge, I sit down with Sophia Graniela, founder of Her Journey Home, to explore two powerful pathways to self-reconnection: sober travel and EFT tapping. Sophia shares how her alcohol-free journey opened the door to deeper emotional healing and authentic exploration—both on the road and within. We discuss how travel becomes a mirror when done with intention, and how Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) helps regulate the nervous system, clear emotional blocks, and support us in returning to our true selves. Whether you're curious about tapping or dreaming...
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The Hidden Survival States That Drive Drinking
Sober Edge
In this episode of The Sober Edge, we dive into the nervous system's survival responses—Fight, Flight, Freeze, and Fawn—and explore how each one can unconsciously drive our alcohol use. Teri breaks down what each state looks and feels like in everyday life, and how recognizing our default response can be the first step toward healing and true emotional regulation without reaching for a drink. Tune in for the key to your own patterns, and, explore your healing journey.
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Feed Your Gut - Trust Your Gut
Sober Edge
What if trusting your gut started with feeding it better? In this episode of The Sober Edge, host Teri Patterson takes listeners on a journey from the microbiome to mindfulness. You'll discover how gut health directly impacts your ability to think clearly, regulate emotions, and even access intuition. Teri shares simple strategies for feeding your gut with food variety and fiber, and she connects the dots between physical nourishment and emotional insight—offering a whole-body perspective on self-trust and sobriety. This episode is both science-based and soul-filled, perfect for anyone...
info_outlineEmotions, motivation and alcohol. When it comes to emotions, we need to understand a few things about alcohol and the connection between our feelings and our motivations.
There are four pillars of human motivation that overlap with emotions.
- Avoid pain: our natural inclination is to avoid pain. When it comes to being motivated to change our relationship with alcohol, avoiding pain can be a help or a barrier...
- Seek Pleasure: just as we want to avoid pain, we are also wired to seek pleasure. This is partly due to our old friend, dopamine, which is responsible for focus and motivation. Once again, we need to understand that 'seeking pleasure' can move us toward our goal or get in the way of us making sustained changes...
- Conserve Energy: how many of us use alcohol as a way to manage our energy? Knowing that our brain is focused on conserving energy can be helpful when we consider the 'energy drain' that comes with drinking and overdrinking...
- Prove itself right: our brains are prediction machines. We love to know the answer; we love to be right! When it comes to motivation for a sober-curious life, this default mode can get in the way...
Using this new awareness takes time and practice. See if you can catch yourself in one of these dynamics this week. Notice where you want to be right, or are focused on avoiding pain. Use the opportunity to explore how this new sense of understanding can keep you motivated to change!
Check out my new affiliation with Alcohol-Free Lifestyle; a place for high achievers to take a 90 day break from alcohol and discover more purpose, productivity and satisfaction!