You know that sinking feeling when you wake up with a hangover and think: “I’m never doing this again”? We’ve all been there. But what happens when you follow t...
The Power of Chakras & Holistic Healing with Dr. Erica
In this episode of Sisters in Sobriety, hosts Kathleen and Sonia sit down with Dr. Erica Matluck, a holistic doctor, mother, and the creator of Seven Senses, a holistic framework for healing and transformation. Trained as a naturopathic doctor, family nurse practitioner, Reiki Master, and multidisciplinary yoga instructor, Dr. Matluck brings over two decades of experience in both conventional and alternative medicine to her work. She integrates Eastern philosophy and ancient wisdom into her approach to wellbeing, focusing on the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects of health. Her work has been featured in Harper’s Bazaar, MindBodyGreen, Well+Good, Vogue, and Women’s Health.This episode dives into the mind-body connection, exploring how chakras can be a framework for healing. Dr. Matluck shares her personal journey from conventional medicine to holistic healing and explains why compartmentalization in healthcare limits our ability to thrive. How does alcohol fit into the equation? The discussion covers emotional bypassing, the root cause of disease, and how to decompartmentalize health for a more integrative approach.Listeners will learn about the chakras as bridges between the physical and metaphysical realms, the role of emotional bypassing in addiction and numbing behaviors, how to recognize energetic imbalances in the body and start self-healing practices, why conventional medicine focuses on survival but true healing goes beyond functionality, and how to reconnect with yourself after quitting alcohol.Dr. Matluck opens up about how losing her mother to cancer at a young age sparked her curiosity about alternative healing. She shares how witnessing both conventional and holistic treatments shaped her philosophy of care. From her early introduction to Reiki to working in mainstream medical institutions, she reveals how her approach evolved—ultimately leading her back to the wisdom she first discovered decades ago.This is Sisters in Sobriety, the support community that helps women change their relationship with alcohol. Check out our Substack for extra tips, tricks, and resources.Highlights:[00:00:00] Welcome to Sisters in Sobriety – introducing Dr. Erica Matluck [00:01:08] Erica’s background in naturopathy, nursing, Reiki, and yoga [00:01:39] Why she transitioned from conventional medicine to holistic healing [00:02:13] How losing her mother to cancer shaped her approach to healing [00:04:37] Discovering Reiki and energy work as a teenager [00:06:14] What are chakras? Erica’s unique perspective on this ancient framework [00:08:15] The chakras as bridges between the conscious and unconscious mind [00:10:41] Why compartmentalized healthcare leaves us feeling disconnected [00:14:50] How to identify energetic imbalances and blocked chakras [00:18:09] The power of breathwork in balancing your energy [00:20:00] Why modern medicine separates survival from true wellbeing [00:26:39] Alcohol and emotional bypassing: how numbing prevents true healing [00:28:49] The importance of intention in alcohol consumption [00:30:15] What happens when we remove numbing agents? Preparing for discomfort [00:32:16] Meditation and movement: tools for processing emotions without alcohol [00:34:34] Post-alcohol healing: daily strategies to reconnect with yourself [00:36:07] Common misconceptions about holistic medicine and integrative health [00:40:00] How defining “holistic” for yourself helps you find the right practitioner [00:41:15] Upcoming projects: Erica’s Substack, retreats, and courses on root cause healing [00:42:07] Closing thoughts and where to find Erica onlineLinks & Resources:How to Connect with Erica: Dr. Erica Matluck’s Substack - https://drericamatluck.substack.com/ Seven Senses Retreat: Gnosis Mallorca - https://www.experiencesevensenses.com/gnosis-mallorca Sisters In Sobriety Substack - find more tips, tricks, resources, and community Sisters In Sobriety Email Sisters In Sobriety Instagram Kathleen’s Website - Kathleen does not endorse any products mentioned in this podcast Kathleen’s InstagramOur Sponsors:* Check out TruDiagnostic and use my code SIS2025 for a great deal: https://www.trudiagnostic.comSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sisters-in-sobriety/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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42:50
Breaking the Rock Bottom Myth with Andrea Seydel
Ever feel like you need to hit rock bottom before making a change? Think again! This week on Sisters in Sobriety, Sonia is joined by Andrea Seydel, a happiness and resilience expert who’s here to challenge the outdated recovery narrative. Andrea is the author of Recovery Without Rock Bottom and the creator of Ready for Recovery Magazine, a fresh take on healing that’s all about building yourself up—not tearing yourself down. With a background in happiness studies and positive psychology, she’s got the science-backed tools to help you rethink recovery and reclaim your life.So, what’s on the table today?Do you really need to hit rock bottom, or is that just a myth?What are some early signs that your relationship with alcohol (or other habits) might need a reset?Why do so many recovery programs focus on what you need to quit instead of what you need to build?How can we rewire our brains to make lasting, positive changes?What’s the best way to support someone struggling with addiction without losing yourself in the process?Takeaways from this episode:Recovery isn’t just about stopping something—it’s about rediscovering yourself.You don’t have to wait until things fall apart to make a change.Boundaries aren’t about controlling others—they’re about protecting your peace.Your brain is wired for change, and small shifts can make a huge difference.Community and support matter more than willpower alone.Andrea also shares her personal story—how loving someone with addiction led her to a breaking point, and how she turned that pain into a mission to help others. Whether you’re sober, sober-curious, or just looking for a little extra motivation, this episode is packed with wisdom, humor, and practical advice.This is Sisters in Sobriety—the community that helps women change their relationship with alcohol. Find extra tips, resources, and support on our Substack!Episode Highlights:[00:01:00] Meet Andrea Seydel and her take on recovery[00:02:09] When loving someone with addiction starts to break you[00:05:00] The myth of rock bottom (and why it’s holding people back)[00:08:10] “In-betweeners” who don’t fit the traditional recovery mold[00:12:48] Red flags: When to check in with yourself (or someone else)[00:14:42] Why values matter more than willpower[00:16:42] The science of addiction: Rewiring your brain for good[00:19:00] Tiny habits that make a huge impact[00:25:47] Playing the tape forward: Using fear vs. motivation[00:27:05] Sobriety changes everything—including what you value most[00:29:00] Setting boundaries vs. making “rules to live by”[00:35:34] Why support groups work (even if you’re not into group stuff)[00:38:40] Preventing relapse before it starts[00:41:19] Forgiveness: What it really means and who it’s for[00:44:41] Andrea’s new project, Ready for Recovery Magazine[00:46:00] Final thoughts: Recovery isn’t about being broken—it’s about taking your power backLinks & Resources:Connect with Andrea:Andrea's WebsiteReady for RecoverySaving You Is Killing MeSisters in Sobriety Substack – More tips, tricks, and supportSisters in Sobriety EmailSisters in Sobriety InstagramKathleen’s Website (Kathleen does not endorse any products mentioned in this podcast)Kathleen’s InstagramOur Sponsors:* Check out TruDiagnostic and use my code SIS2025 for a great deal: https://www.trudiagnostic.comSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sisters-in-sobriety/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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46:57
The New Sobriety With Hadley Sorensen
Ever felt like drinking just wasn’t working for you anymore, even if nothing looked "wrong" from the outside? That’s exactly where Hadley Sorenson found herself. This week on Sisters in Sobriety, Sonia and Kathleen sit down with Hadley—writer, speaker, and sobriety advocate—who is on a mission to help women change their relationship with alcohol without shame, stigma, or outdated labels.Hadley gets real about her journey—how she ignored red flags for years, the pressure to keep drinking because “everyone else was,” and why she finally decided to call it quits. The conversation dives into all the big questions: How do you know when it’s time to stop? What if your drinking looks normal to everyone else? How do you navigate sobriety when your partner still drinks? And how do you shake off the idea that quitting means missing out?If you’ve ever questioned your drinking but felt like you weren’t “bad enough” to quit, this episode is for you. Hadley breaks down why “rock bottom” is a myth, shares how alcohol was messing with her mental health way more than she realized, and gives honest insight into what sobriety has actually done for her life, relationships, and running game. Spoiler alert: It’s all way better than she expected.She also talks about why she doesn’t use the label “alcoholic,” how marketing and pop culture keep women stuck in the drinking cycle, and how quitting drinking led her to write a novel (yep, it’s coming soon!).This is Sisters in Sobriety, the support community that helps women change their relationship with alcohol. Check out our Substack for extra tips, tricks, and resources.Episode Highlights• [00:01:00] Meet Hadley—writer, speaker, and a sobriety advocate with a fresh take.• [00:02:10] The slow realization that alcohol wasn’t adding anything good to her life.• [00:04:12] Ignoring red flags: blackouts, anxiety, and shame—but still drinking anyway.• [00:08:27] The myth of rock bottom—why you don’t have to wait until things fall apart.• [00:10:15] “If your pan caught fire, you wouldn’t wait for the whole house to burn down.”• [00:12:19] How alcohol becomes part of our identity (and why that’s so hard to untangle).• [00:16:03] Why Hadley doesn’t call herself an alcoholic—and why that’s totally okay.• [00:19:27] The role of alcohol marketing and why it's basically the new "big tobacco."• [00:22:16] How to stop seeing quitting as deprivation and start seeing it as freedom.• [00:27:07] Hadley’s thoughts on the “gray area” of drinking and why more voices matter.• [00:30:00] Why drinking is marketed differently to men and women—and why it matters.• [00:32:07] What happens when you quit, but your partner still drinks? (Hint: boundaries!)• [00:36:26] The surprising ways sobriety actually made Hadley’s marriage stronger.• [00:43:00] All the unexpected physical benefits of quitting alcohol.• [00:46:52] “Wait… was alcohol making my health issues worse all along?”• [00:50:06] The power of movement—why running and walking helped Hadley so much.• [00:54:08] Hadley’s next big project: a novel exploring different relationships with alcohol.LinksGet in touch with Hadley:• Hadley’s Instagram• Hadley’s Website• Sisters In Sobriety Substack – find more tips, tricks, resources, and community.• Sisters In Sobriety Email• Sisters In Sobriety Instagram• Kathleen’s Website – Kathleen does not endorse any products mentioned in this podcast.• Kathleen’s InstagramOur Sponsors:* Check out TruDiagnostic and use my code SIS2025 for a great deal: https://www.trudiagnostic.comSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sisters-in-sobriety/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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55:53
Food, Alcohol, Trauma & Recovery With Alle Hall
On this episode of Sisters in Sobriety, Sonia and Kathleen sit down with Alle C. Hall, an author, speaker, and writing instructor with over 35 years in recovery from bulimia, compulsive overeating, alcoholism, and sexual anorexia. Her debut novel, As Far as You Can Go Before You Have to Come Back, has earned multiple awards and is even included in the staff libraries of major treatment centers. But beyond the accolades, Alle’s story is one of resilience, creativity, and finding joy after trauma.Alle opens up about her journey through addiction, the ways trauma shaped her relationship with food, alcohol, and intimacy, and how creativity became a key part of her healing. She shares how a "geographic cure" led her to Tokyo, where she unexpectedly found a recovery community, and how she later navigated motherhood, deep depression, and even a relapse after 27 years of sobriety. Through it all, she’s built a life rooted in hope, healing, and self-expression.This conversation covers so much—why addiction often shifts between different compulsive behaviors, the importance of spirituality in recovery (even if you don’t know what that looks like for you yet), and how to navigate the shame that so often lingers after trauma. Alle also gets real about what it means to heal from sexual anorexia, how she rebuilt trust and intimacy, and why she’s passionate about helping others use writing as a tool for self-discovery.From early struggles with food and body image to finding her voice through writing, Alle’s story is full of lessons on resilience and self-compassion. If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s possible to truly heal from trauma, this episode is proof that recovery is not just about survival—it’s about rediscovering joy, creativity, and a life that feels fully your own.Some of the highlights from this episode:How childhood trauma shaped her addictions and recovery journeyThe unexpected way she found a recovery community in TokyoWhy addiction is often just a symptom of deeper issuesHow Tai Chi, therapy, and DBT became crucial tools for healingThe unique challenges of food addiction and learning moderationWhat sexual anorexia is and how she worked through itThe role of spirituality in recovery—even when it feels complicatedHow creativity and storytelling can be powerful tools for healingThis is a deep, inspiring, and sometimes funny conversation that reminds us that healing isn’t linear—but it is possible.Connect with Alle C. Hall:InstagramWebsiteLinks:Sisters in Sobriety Substack – where we share more tips, resources, and communitySisters in Sobriety EmailSisters in Sobriety InstagramKathleen’s Website (Kathleen does not endorse any products mentioned in this podcast.)Kathleen’s InstagramOur Sponsors:* Check out TruDiagnostic and use my code SIS2025 for a great deal: https://www.trudiagnostic.comSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sisters-in-sobriety/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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47:02
How to Trust Yourself Again in Sobriety with Whitney Combs
Welcome back to Sisters in Sobriety! Today, Sonia and Kathleen are here to help you navigate the journey of changing your relationship with alcohol, and we’ve got an incredible guest to guide us. Whitney Combs is a nationally board-certified health and wellness coach specializing in addiction and recovery. She began her career as a Physician Assistant before shifting her focus to holistic recovery coaching after getting sober in 2017. Whitney has since helped countless women build fulfilling lives that don’t require escape. With her extensive training and experience—both personal and professional—she brings a wealth of knowledge to today’s conversation.In this episode, we explore what it truly takes to create lasting change. How do you transition from feeling stuck in a cycle of drinking to living a life that feels nourishing and whole? What role does coaching play in recovery, and how is it different from therapy? How can you begin to trust yourself again after years of self-doubt? Whitney shares insights from her work with women in recovery, breaking down the tools that empower real transformation.Listeners will walk away with a deeper understanding of self-accountability, personal agency in recovery, and how to cultivate habits that support sobriety. Whitney shares practical strategies for identifying and dismantling triggers, building sustainable routines, and using self-reflection as a tool for growth. We also discuss the importance of mindset shifts—moving from deprivation to abundance—and how to stay committed to long-term change.Whitney also shares her own personal story—how she made the difficult decision to quit drinking, the challenges she faced in early sobriety, and how her perspective on life has evolved since then. She opens up about what worked, what didn’t, and how she continues to stay grounded in her recovery today.This is Sisters in Sobriety, the support community that helps women change their relationship with alcohol. Check out our Substack for extra tips, tricks, and resources.Time-Stamped Highlights[00:03] Kicking off the episode and introducing today’s guest, Whitney Combs[05:12] How Whitney went from Physician Assistant to recovery coach[08:45] Why she stepped away from clinical medicine to take a holistic approach[12:30] Coaching vs. therapy—what’s the real difference in addiction recovery?[15:50] Why self-accountability is a game-changer in sobriety[18:20] Rebuilding self-trust after years of second-guessing yourself[21:45] Breaking free from shame and guilt—because we’ve all been there[25:10] The toughest struggles women face in early sobriety[28:05] How to create routines that support your long-term recovery[32:15] Why alcohol-free living is the ultimate act of self-care[35:40] The power of finding your community in sobriety[38:55] How Whitney helps women design lives they truly love[42:10] Spotting and managing triggers before they derail your progress[45:30] Using self-reflection to fuel growth and healing[48:05] Facing the fear of quitting drinking and embracing a new identity[51:20] Whitney’s personal experiences with socializing sober[54:40] From scarcity to abundance—rethinking what sobriety really means[57:15] How to handle setbacks with kindness (instead of self-criticism)[01:00:30] What Whitney wishes everyone understood about addiction recovery[01:03:50] Whitney’s final words of wisdom for those on the journeyLinksSisters In Sobriety Substack - find more tips, tricks, resources, and communitySisters In Sobriety EmailSisters In Sobriety InstagramKathleen’s Website Kathleen does not endorse any products mentioned in this podcastKathleen’s InstagramGet in Touch WIth Whitney Website: www.whitneycombs.com Instagram: @whitney.combsOur Sponsors:* Check out TruDiagnostic and use my code SIS2025 for a great deal: https://www.trudiagnostic.comSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sisters-in-sobriety/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
You know that sinking feeling when you wake up with a hangover and think: “I’m never doing this again”? We’ve all been there. But what happens when you follow through? Sonia Kahlon and Kathleen Killen can tell you, because they did it! They went from sisters-in-law, to Sisters in Sobriety. In this podcast, Sonia and Kathleen invite you into their world, as they navigate the ups and downs of sobriety, explore stories of personal growth and share their journey of wellness and recovery. Get ready for some real, honest conversations about sobriety, addiction, and everything in between. Episodes will cover topics such as: reaching emotional sobriety, how to make the decision to get sober, adopting a more mindful lifestyle, socializing without alcohol, and much more. Whether you’re sober-curious, seeking inspiration and self-care through sobriety, or embracing the alcohol-free lifestyle already… Tune in for a weekly dose of vulnerability, mutual support and much needed comic relief. Together, let’s celebrate the transformative power of sisterhood in substance recovery! Kathleen Killen is a registered psychotherapist and certified coach based in Ontario, Canada. Her practice is centered on relational therapy and she specializes in couples and working with individuals who are navigating their personal relationships. Having been through many life transitions herself, Kathleen has made it her mission to help others find the support and communication they need in their closest relationships. To find out more about Kathleen’s work, check out her website. Sonia Kahlon is a recovery coach and former addict. She grappled with high-functioning alcohol use disorder throughout her life, before getting sober in 2016. Over the last five years, she has appeared on successful sobriety platforms, such as the Story Exchange, the Sobriety Diaries podcast and the Sober Curator, to tell her story of empowerment and addiction recovery, discuss health and midlife sobriety, and share how she is thriving without alcohol. Your sobriety success story starts today, with Kathleen and Sonia. Just press play!
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