Crafting an Alcohol Free Life with Brigitta Dau
Sober Edge
In this episode of The Sober Edge, Teri Patterson welcomes coach and Reiki master Brigitta Dau for a soulful conversation about what healing truly looks like after alcohol. Rather than focusing only on behavior change, Brigitta invites us into a holistic model of recovery—one that integrates the mind, body, and soul. She explains how alcohol blocks intuition, disrupts nervous system safety, and disconnects us from our bodies, making it nearly impossible to trust ourselves. Together, Teri and Brigitta explore how creativity, play, Reiki, and community act as powerful regulators of the nervous...
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Alive Without Alcohol: Lessons from 200 Episodes of The Sober Edge
Sober Edge
Episode 200 is a celebration — and a reflection. In this milestone solo episode, Teri shares the distinction that has shaped her alcohol-free journey and her work with clients: the difference between becoming alcohol-free and living alcohol-free. Drawing on her own 10-year journey, coaching experience, and hundreds of podcast conversations, Teri explores how the early stages of stopping drinking focus on tools and support — while the later stages invite us into deeper self-trust, emotional regulation, values-based living, and purpose. This episode is for anyone who has ever wondered: “Is...
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What We Really Bring Into the New Year
Sober Edge
December 31 carries a lot of pressure — to reset, resolve, and reinvent. In this episode, Teri Patterson invites listeners to take a gentler, more grounded approach to the new year. Through the lens of nervous system science and identity-based change, she explores why real transformation doesn’t begin with a calendar date — and why becoming alcohol-free (and living alcohol-free) teaches us how to carry wisdom forward instead of starting over. This episode is a reflection on roots, identity, and the quiet power of honoring who you already are as you step into what’s next. SHOW NOTES...
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Walking Back to Happiness with Nigel Jones
Sober Edge
What if you didn’t have to climb your way to alcohol freedom — what if you were already there? In this episode of The Sober Edge, Teri talks with Nigel Jones about the identity shift that makes alcohol-free living feel natural, expansive, and deeply aligned. Drawing on NLP, hypnotherapy, and lived experience, Nigel explains why changing how you see yourself changes everything — and why the mental battle disappears when identity leads the way. This is a conversation about becoming, not depriving. About clarity, not control. And about what’s possible when you stop negotiating and start...
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Walking Back to Happiness with Nigel Bruce
Sober Edge
What if you didn’t have to climb your way to alcohol freedom — what if you were already there? In this episode of The Sober Edge, Teri talks with Nigel Bruce about the identity shift that makes alcohol-free living feel natural, expansive, and deeply aligned. Drawing on NLP, hypnotherapy, and lived experience, Nigel explains why changing how you see yourself changes everything — and why the mental battle disappears when identity leads the way. This is a conversation about becoming, not depriving. About clarity, not control. And about what’s possible when you stop negotiating and start...
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How to Calm the F Down
Sober Edge
How to Calm the F Down (Fight, Flight, Freeze & Fawn) In this candid and neuroscience-backed episode, Teri breaks down how to “Calm the F Down” by understanding the four core nervous system states—fight, flight, freeze, and fawn—and how they influence behavior, urges, and emotional patterns in alcohol-free living. Drawing on her recent trauma-informed nervous system certification, she reveals how alcohol numbs dysregulation, why early AF life can feel overwhelming, and how simple body-based tools help restore safety, self-trust, and emotional clarity. Listeners will walk away with...
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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 ...
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!