To 50 and Beyond - Sobriety for Midlife Women

Are you a woman in midlife and beyond who wants to live alcohol-free? Are you ready to focus on building a better relationship with yourself instead of with alcohol, and could you use some encouragement along the way? I’m Lori Massicot, The Midlife Sobriety Coach, and I’m here to support you every step of the way! I started drinking at 14 and made the tough decision to quit at 45. I understand the challenges you face in early sobriety and in maintaining an alcohol-free lifestyle. In 2018, I created the To 50 and Beyond podcast to raise awareness about the option of living alcohol-free later in life. My mission is to provide practical solutions, along with plenty of love and support, so you never feel alone. This podcast is the resource I wished I had when I decided to stop drinking on August 11, 2013. With over 300 episodes and half a million downloads, To 50 and Beyond has touched the hearts of women worldwide who are discovering that they don’t have to keep drinking. What a relief! In each episode, you’ll find practical solutions, inspiring stories, and insights from expert guests to help you navigate midlife and sobriety. To learn more about me and the podcast, please visit my website: https://www.lorimassicot.com/ Thank you for listening. Peace✌🏻 Disclaimer: The content of the To 50 and Beyond podcast is not intended as a substitute for medical advice or treatment. It is not suitable for anyone under 18. Guests featured on the podcast are available to answer questions and provide support through their respective channels, as mentioned in each episode.

Take a Walk With Wonder This Season 11/23/2025

Choosing Yourself in Midlife | My Interview on The Change Effect Podcast with Noelle Van 11/12/2025

Expectations and Empowering the Word "Still" 10/29/2025

Expectations and Empowering the Word "Still" Episode #341 Hello there! I'm glad you're here. Today, I want to have a conversation about the word “still” — how it can either make us feel stuck, like we’re not doing enough, or trapped in frustration and confusion. But it can also be a word we use to empower ourselves. This year especially, I’ve had heartfelt conversations with women who feel like they’re in a transition, still figuring things out. Whether it’s about their relationship with alcohol or their life in general. There’s a lot of outgrowing happening, a lot of evolving, and I want to talk about what it really means to be “still” in the middle of all that. If you’re feeling stuck, unsure, or frustrated, know you are not alone. Build yourself up today and reframe how you're using still. You’ll hear: How “still” can feel limiting or powerful depending on how you use it. My honest experience with quitting alcohol and the unexpected challenges. Common struggles women face midlife when changing their relationship with alcohol. I'm with you 100%. Take care of yourself this week. Peace. ✌🏻Before you go... Could You Do Me a Favor? A Quick Apple Podcast Review Hearing from you is SO helpful as I sit down behind the mic each week. If this or any other episode helped you, please consider taking a few minutes to help me reach more women in midlife who need to know that living alcohol-free is possible. Here’s how to leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: Open the Apple Podcasts app on your phone. Search for “To 50 and Beyond” and open the show page. Scroll down to the Ratings & Reviews section. Tap “Write a Review,” choose your star rating, and share whatever feels right. Tap “Send” to submit your review. I read all of my reviews and will send you a virtual hug after reading yours. Thank you for your support! Mentioned in this episode: /episode/index/show/lorimassicot/id/38807580

Tired of Sounding Like a Broken Record? Try an "Opposite Day!" 10/22/2025

Reminders to Help You Stay Alcohol-Free on Vacation and in Restaurants and Redefine "Day One" 10/15/2025

Noelle Van on Long-Term Recovery and How to Transition Out of Corporate 10/08/2025

End-of-Year Check-In: What Will You Focus on and Not Focus On? 10/01/2025

How to Love What’s On Your Plate: Finding Joy and Balance in Food and Life with Stephanie Valentine 09/24/2025

Life After Alcohol: Navigating Thoughts About Drinking Without Drinking 09/17/2025

Life After Alcohol: Navigating Thoughts About Drinking Without Drinking Episode #335 Drinking thoughts can be frustrating after you stop drinking. I have had many conversations with women recently that prompted this episode. If you're in "them", you're going to get through them. Drinking to quiet the thoughts only makes them stick around. In this episode, I talk about the most common thoughts many midlife women experience, like "I could have just one," "I deserve a drink," and "Why can’t I drink like others?" I share a walk-through of what my day looked like after I stopped drinking—from waking up proud of not drinking, through the growing anticipation and stronger thoughts by afternoon and evening, to making it through despite the discomfort. I talk about some of the reasons why these thoughts come up and why they did for me personally. And, I share ideas to help you navigate these thoughts without drinking and remind you that, in time, they won't be as consistent. If you're in "the thoughts", you're going to get through them. Drinking to quiet the thoughts only makes them stick around. I'm with you! Download the free Daily Sobriety Toolkit Mentioned in this episode: Hellolori@lorimassicot.com Private Coaching for Midlife Women You and me = a Team to help you create and live an alcohol-free lifestyle. I'm so passionate about the work that I do. I would love to help you if you are looking for guidance in either getting started or maintaining your sobriety. You are not alone in this. If you would like to learn more about private coaching, please schedule a complimentary discovery session Join my Community Gain access to weekly meetings, daily inspiration, and lots of connections with midlife women who are living alcohol-free. Plus, you will receive long-term support for a one-time investment, + additional resources added monthly. TAF was established in 2023, and we are growing stronger together! If you feel like you've been missing out on alcohol-free girlfriends and coaching, join us today! /episode/index/show/lorimassicot/id/38195570

Changing Your Drinking and Supporting Loved Ones Through the Process with Amber Hollingsworth 09/10/2025

Changing Your Drinking and Supporting Loved Ones Through the Process with Amber Hollingsworth Episode 334 Hello! Thank you for being here today. This episode offers hope to anyone seeking to change their drinking, as well as to family members who wish to support their loved ones through the process with compassion and understanding. I'm honored to welcome our guest, Amber Hollingsworth, to the podcast. Amber is a master addiction counselor, founder of Hope For Families Recovery Center, and creator of the YouTube channel Put The Shovel Down. With over two decades of experience, she’s helped thousands of families navigate addiction recovery using innovative, relationship-focused strategies like the Invisible Intervention. Known for her relatable, no-nonsense approach, Amber's philosophy is centered on empowerment and compassion, believing that people don’t need to hit rock bottom to recover and that recovery is about redirecting addictive energy toward positive, fulfilling life goals. She emphasizes that individuals and families have the influence and strength to create lasting change through trust, safety, and a strengths-based approach, rather than relying on shame or control. You will hear Amber talk about: The true process of changing your drinking—and where to begin by taking intentional breaks from alcohol The early signs it may be time to rethink your drinking, and what Amber calls “stage three” Why is moderation so challenging, given how alcohol impacts brain chemistry and self-control How to navigate what Amber describes as "the bargaining stage" to stay alcohol-free What to expect in early sobriety and how to approach a break from drinking The instincts family members have that can unintentionally hinder progress—and what they can do to truly support a loved one Amber offers hope, insight, and actionable tools for anyone facing change or supporting someone they love. Click here for Connect with Amber Connect with Lori /episode/index/show/lorimassicot/id/38089420

A Conversation About Seasons of Life, Aging, and Recovery with Leigh and Anne Walkup 09/03/2025

Ideas for Celebrating Sober Anniversaries for You and Loved Ones 08/27/2025

Listener Appreciation: I'm Proud of You Keep Going 08/06/2025

Make Your Morning Routine Work For You 07/30/2025

Listen to Help You Get Centered On Why You Don't Want to Drink 07/23/2025

Everyday Self-Care to Support Your Alcohol-Free Lifestyle 07/16/2025

Listen to Help You "Play the Tape Forward" 07/09/2025

My First Year of Sobriety: What I Did to Stay Alcohol-Free 07/02/2025

My First Year of Sobriety: What I Did to Stay Alcohol-Free Episode 325 Hello, friend! Thank you for being here. If you're in your first year of sobriety, congratulations! I'm very proud of you wherever you are on this road to alcohol freedom in midlife. During this episode, I'm sharing the things that helped me stay alcohol-free during my first year. I stopped drinking in 2013, choosing to go it alone. I stuck to simplicity because that is all I knew. I wasn't sure if I was doing things "right," but here we are today, almost 12 years later. I've been able to sustain sobriety because I've done what works for me. This is what I encourage you to do in this episode. Here is what I did during my first year: I committed fully to sobriety as my priority, despite not being naturally disciplined. I focused on my why - feeling better, aging better, and not continuing to repeat the same life year after year I celebrated my progress (eventually), saying yay, me! became a fun habit. I protected myself by avoiding situations that might tempt me to drink. I kept busy with my business and productive activities instead of drinking. I started "Project Me" by making exercise my focus and using my gym membership. I read quit-lit books that inspired and guided me through early sobriety. I learned to sit with discomfort instead of numbing out with alcohol. I talked about my feelings instead of bottling them up. I allowed myself sugar and other substitutes without guilt. Disclaimer: This episode is not intended to be a substitute for any medical advice. to read this episode's details and show notes. Thank you for listening! Yay, you!! Please to share what is working for you. Are you looking for a community? Join the Team! Team Alcohol-Free (TAF) is an online community created exclusively for midlife women who have chosen to live alcohol-free. Gain access to weekly meetings, daily inspiration, and lots of connections with midlife women who are living alcohol-free. Plus, you will receive long-term support for a one-time investment, + additional resources added monthly. TAF was established in 2023, and we are growing stronger together! If you feel like you've been missing out on alcohol-free girlfriends and coaching, join us today! /episode/index/show/lorimassicot/id/37236665

Life After Alcohol: Learning to Love Yourself More with Paula Muller 06/25/2025

Life After Alcohol: Learning to Love Yourself More with Paula Muller Episode 325 Hello! I'm so happy you're here! This podcast is all about living alcohol-free later in life, and my guest today, Paula Muller, is living proof of living alcohol-free later in life. Paula is an incredibly supportive member of my online community, who brought this wonderful topic of learning to love yourself more to me as a topic. When I heard it, I was "all in!" Paula shares her story of starting to drink at 13, how alcohol became part of her identity, and what led to her decision to stop drinking for good on April 8, 2024—a night in a hotel room that changed everything. We discuss how Paula navigated her stepdaughter’s wedding alcohol-free, the mindset shift that’s come with celebrating her first year sober, and how self-love has become possible for her only after letting go of alcohol. Paula discusses the ups and downs of early sobriety, the importance of trusting the process, and the resources and practices that have helped her along the way. You can go to read the full show notes. Thank you for listening! Mentioned in This Episode Here is her favorite Team Alcohol-Free (TAF) is an online community created exclusively for midlife women who have chosen to live alcohol-free. Gain access to weekly meetings, daily inspiration, and lots of connections with midlife women who are living alcohol-free. Plus, you will receive long-term support for a one-time investment, + additional resources added monthly. TAF was established in 2023, and we are growing stronger together! If you feel like you've been missing out on alcohol-free girlfriends and coaching, join us today! Check out these episodes next: Help me spread the word! There is another option besides drinking in midlife. If you liked this episode and want to take a few minutes to support the podcast, I want to encourage you to leave a positive rating and review on Apple Podcasts. So many women out there don’t know there is an “alcohol-free” option and are struggling with their drinking. Your support will help these women find the podcast this week and learn about an alcohol-free lifestyle later in life. ➡️Click , scroll to the bottom of the page, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” I read my reviews and will hug you when I see yours. Make sure to “follow” To 50 and Beyond to get all of the wonderful episodes coming your way. If you don’t click “follow," you will miss hearing what’s coming up. Thank you! /episode/index/show/lorimassicot/id/37104355

Staying Alcohol-Free on the "Patio" This Summer 06/18/2025

Staying Alcohol-Free on the "Patio" This Summer Episode 323 Welcome back to the To 50 and Beyond Podcast! I've missed being here with you. Coming your way are brand new episodes for the summer, starting with today's episode, which is all about staying alcohol-free on the "patio" this summer. Your "patio" is any challenge, including a literal patio, that you are concerned may come between you and your alcohol-free lifestyle. What you’ll hear: I'll help you identify what your specific summer triggers are instead of feeling overwhelmed by "not drinking all summer.” The reason why trying to live the same summer as when you were drinking can leave you feeling let down. I share my own experience with patios, summer wines, and how I had to change things up. Practical ways to transform your challenging spaces—whether that means skipping your Aunt Sally's barbecue or making your patio an alcohol-free friendly zone with new plants and glassware. I'll share how I went from avoiding my couch to creating new rituals, and how you can decide what works for you (and change your mind anytime). We get one summer of 2025 - let's make it the one you want, not the one you've lived in the past. I'm with you! Thank you for listening! Join the Team! Team Alcohol-Free (TAF) is an online community created exclusively for midlife women who have chosen to live alcohol-free. Gain access to weekly meetings, daily inspiration, and lots of connections with midlife women who are living alcohol-free. Plus, you will receive long-term support for a one-time investment, + additional resources added monthly. TAF was established in 2023, and we are growing stronger together! If you feel like you've been missing out on alcohol-free girlfriends and coaching, join us today! Check out these episodes next: Help me spread the word! There is another option besides drinking in midlife. If you liked this episode and want to take a few minutes to support the podcast, I want to encourage you to leave a positive rating and review on Apple Podcasts. So many women out there don’t know there is an “alcohol-free” option and are struggling with their drinking. Your support will help these women find the podcast this week and learn about an alcohol-free lifestyle later in life. ➡️Click, scroll to the bottom of the page, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” I read my reviews and will hug you when I see yours. Make sure to “follow” To 50 and Beyond to get all of the wonderful episodes coming your way. If you don’t click “follow," you will miss hearing what’s coming up. Thank you! /episode/index/show/lorimassicot/id/36973650