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Sisters In Sobriety

Sonia Kahlon and Kathleen Killen
Sisters In Sobriety
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  • 'The Stress Paradox' With Dr. Sharon Bergquist
    What if the key to resilience isn’t eliminating stress—but embracing the right kind of it? This week on Sisters in Sobriety, we take on the fascinating world of cellular health, good stress, and regenerative wellness with Dr. Sharon Bergquist—a Harvard-trained physician, Yale biophysics grad, and pioneering force behind Emory’s Lifestyle Medicine and Wellness program. Dr. Bergquist is the author of the upcoming book The Stress Paradox, which challenges everything you thought you knew about aging, health, and how to build a body that thrives.In this conversation, we'll explore essential questions: What makes some stress beneficial—and how can we harness it without burning out? Why does modern comfort leave us more fragile, and how does plant-powered eating reshape the trajectory of chronic disease? They also explore what lifestyle medicine actually is, and how behavior change works from the inside out—at the cellular level.You'll come away with actionable insight into how to reframe stress, build long-term resilience, and slow aging with everyday tools like circadian fasting, thermal therapy, interval training, and plant-based nutrition. Dr. Bergquist explains the science behind dopamine recovery in sobriety, the myth of needing to do it all at once, and why stacking "good stress" needs to be a gentle.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 Highlights00:01 – Why Dr. Bergquist fell in love with the human body03:20 – How seeing long-term patient outcomes changed her approach05:15 – Why standard medical care misses the root cause of disease07:10 – The five “good stressors” that help your cells regenerate09:50 – The difference between toxic stress and beneficial stress12:30 – Why numbing stress with alcohol creates a dopamine deficit14:40 – How good stress like cold exposure gives you dopamine without burnout17:20 – Over-optimizing for comfort—and how that backfires19:00 – Pick your discomfort: cold, heat, exercise, or emotional growth21:15 – What stress actually does to your brain and cells24:45 – What we’ve lost in the modern world (hint: it’s not just screen time)26:30 – Why we must reintroduce discomfort strategically28:00 – The link between resilience and meaning30:30 – Can you stack stress? Not in early sobriety33:20 – Why sobriety itself is already a stressor—and that’s OK35:10 – When and how to add other good habits without overwhelming yourself37:50 – The science behind a plant-powered diet40:15 – Why it's not “plants vs meat”—and the real stats on fiber and phytochemicals43:00 – How to start eating plant-forward without going broke or gourmet45:10 – The secret sauce (literally) that makes veggies taste good48:05 – Debunking the protein panic: what research really says52:00 – Why labels like “vegan” or “carnivore” miss the point54:30 – The real takeaway: 1 in 10 Americans get enough fruits and veggies56:00 – What Dr. Bergquist is building at Emory—and her vision for health systems59:00 – Making lifestyle medicine mainstream and accessibleLinks💌 Sisters In Sobriety Substack – where the magic (and the mocktail recipes) happen📬 Sisters In Sobriety Email📸 Sisters In Sobriety Instagram🌐 Kathleen’s Website Kathleen does not endorse any products mentioned in this podcast📸 Kathleen’s InstagramSupport 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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  • My Sober Dating Diary Pt2 - Bath Bombs To Boundaries
    We're diving into part two of my sober dating diary—a real-life story that involves a cute date, an unexpected trip to a cannabis shop, and a bath bomb that turned into a major wake-up call.Dating after divorce is awkward enough. But when you're sober—and your date casually suggests a relaxing soak in a "CBD" bath—you learn pretty quickly who respects your boundaries and who treats your sobriety like a buzzkill. I also share:The truth about "California sober" and why it doesn't work for meHow people-pleasing and old patterns can sneak back in, even after years of sobrietyWhy I walked away and what it taught me about owning my sobriety, unapologeticallyThis story is for anyone who's ever compromised a little too much to seem “chill,” or needed a reminder that you're allowed to have boundaries—and you're allowed to walk away when someone crosses them.✨ Your sobriety isn’t just “okay”—it’s powerful, it’s valid, and it deserves to be honored.🔔 Like, comment, and subscribe for more stories from the sober dating trenches, plus tips, real talk, and radical honesty every week.📬 Want more? Head to sistersinsobriety.substack.com for behind-the-scenes content, journal prompts, and community support.Highlights[00:00] First dates after divorce—applying mascara for the first time in years and meeting someone who doesn’t drink [01:10] When a park stroll turns into a casual detour to a cannabis shop (um, red flag?) [01:55] What “California sober” really means—and why it’s not part of my recovery [02:50] The power of “playing the tape forward” and how it helps me avoid old traps [04:00] He says it’s just a CBD bath bomb. I ask (repeatedly) if it has THC. He says no. [05:10] Ten minutes into the tub and I’m feeling like a human gummy bear [06:00] The bold print truth: Delta-8 THC. And a sinking feeling—literally. [06:45] Why I ignored my instincts to be the “cool girl”—and what it cost me [07:45] The moment I knew I’d never see him again (and why that mattered) [08:20] Sober dating isn’t just about tolerance—it’s about respect, celebration, and self-trustLinks💌 Sisters In Sobriety Substack – where the magic (and the mocktail recipes) happen📬 Sisters In Sobriety Email📸 Sisters In Sobriety Instagram🌐 Kathleen’s Website Kathleen does not endorse any products mentioned in this podcast📸 Kathleen’s InstagramSupport 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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  • The Truth About Sober Dating, Sex, and Love - WE TURN THE TABLES
    This week on Sisters in Sobriety, Sonia and Kathleen turn the tables on their popular mini-series about sober dating, sex, and relationships. After hearing from past guests on what dating without alcohol looks like, the sisters are sitting down to answer the same ten questions themselves. From green flags and red flags to playlist picks and sober date ideas, they’re bringing personal reflections, and honest takes.How do you navigate dating someone who drinks when you don’t? What’s the go-to answer when someone asks why you’re not drinking? And how do you build connection without the lubrication of alcohol? Sonia and Kathleen unpack the real-life challenges and unexpected joys of dating while sober.Find out why communication and emotional regulation are the new sexy, how to set boundaries around alcohol in relationships, and how to create connection without compromising sobriety. The episode also explores cultural norms around drinking, coping strategies for first sober dates, and what "choosing each other" really means in long-term partnerships.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[00:01:10] Sonia’s power washer as a symbol of freedom post-divorce[00:02:30] Setting the scene for the mini-series wrap-up: 10 questions revisited[00:04:00] Kathleen's first sober date: a nuanced look at alcohol vs. drug sobriety[00:05:45] Dating someone who drinks—how Kathleen navigated early discomfort[00:07:15] Caitlin’s story: being 90 days sober and her date ordering her favorite drink[00:08:45] NA beer and whether it fits into Sonia’s sober lifestyle[00:09:30] Food and body issues on early dates—what Ally Shapiro shared[00:10:25] What do you say when someone asks why you don’t drink?[00:11:15] The challenge of drinking cultures within a partner’s family[00:12:45] Green flags: emotional regulation, curiosity, and thoughtful check-ins[00:15:00] Red flags: love addiction, criticism, and white lies[00:17:50] Favorite sober date ideas: hiking, kayaking, concerts, and coffee[00:19:30] Advice for your first sober date: have a plan, tell someone, and stay present[00:21:00] How much drinking is too much in a partner? Setting comfort levels[00:22:15] Alcohol in the house—yes, no, or it depends?[00:23:15] Who do you call after a fight or a great first date? (Hint: it’s not always your sister)[00:24:30] The breakup playlist that kept them going—hello, Florence + the Machine[00:26:15] From "dicked down in Dallas" to Taylor Swift: the love life soundtrack[00:28:00] “I used to think love was a fairytale, now I know it’s a choice.”[00:30:15] Romantic love is conditional—and why that’s actually a good thingLinks💌 Sisters In Sobriety Substack – where the magic (and the mocktail recipes) happen📬 Sisters In Sobriety Email📸 Sisters In Sobriety Instagram🌐 Kathleen’s Website Kathleen does not endorse any products mentioned in this podcast📸 Kathleen’s InstagramSupport 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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  • When Sisters Heal Together With Karin and Patti Clark
    In this episode, Sonia and Kathleen are joined by sisters Patti and Karin Clark for a conversation about breaking the cycle of intergenerational addiction and reclaiming personal identity. Patti is an award-winning author whose books blend emotional sobriety and self-reflection, and Karin is a counselor and educator with decades of experience in trauma and addiction recovery. Together, the sisters reflect on how their upbringing shaped them—and how recovery allowed them to rewrite their own stories.We talk about the roles we unconsciously play in dysfunctional families—hero, rebel, mascot—and how these survival strategies can carry into adulthood, often laying the groundwork for addiction, codependency, and emotional suppression. And we tackle some big questions: How do family dynamics influence substance use? Can breaking generational trauma actually stop the cycle? What happens to sisterhood when sobriety enters the room?Patti and Karin share personal stories of relapse and reconciliation, how their relationship as sisters evolved through recovery, and the beautiful ways their sobriety has rippled through their families. You'll hear about the grief and rage they had to walk through in order to reach forgiveness—not just for others, but for themselves. Their shared journey highlights what happens when we name the truth, do the work, and choose connection over silence.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 (Timestamps)[00:02:00] Patti shares a tribute to Karin’s steady presence after their mother’s death[00:03:45] Karin explains family roles and the origin of the “hero” label[00:05:00] Patti opens up about being the mascot and diffusing family tension with humor[00:07:45] A painful memory of being compared at the dinner table[00:08:30] Food as a first addiction and internalized shame[00:10:15] Karin outlines the family role model (hero, scapegoat, lost child, mascot)[00:11:00] Both sisters share how their roles shifted over time[00:13:30] Roundtable discussion: Which family role is most prone to addiction?[00:15:00] The hidden addiction behaviors that often go overlooked[00:17:30] Patti and Karin reflect on their first experiences with substances[00:20:00] Karin recalls when drinking shifted from fun to fear[00:22:00] Patti describes the subtle but powerful interventions that helped her quit[00:26:00] Tracing addiction and denial through both sides of the family tree[00:29:00] The myth of the “poor Patty and Karen” narrative within the family[00:30:15] How their sisterhood changed through recovery and ACOA work[00:33:30] Relapsing, boundaries, codependency, and coming back together[00:36:30] Karin and Patti explain the emotional dynamics of their old arguments[00:39:00] The cultural addiction of capitalism and constant productivity[00:41:30] When relapse happens: fear, enabling, and permission[00:44:00] “Safe drinking” lies we tell ourselves in the gray area[00:46:00] Did we break the cycle? Parenting, legacy, and sober modeling[00:49:00] Creating a new lineage of openness, healing, and choice[00:51:30] What does forgiveness really look like in recovery?[00:53:00] Patti explains the danger of skipping grief and going straight to forgiveness[00:54:30] Karin shares how compassion helped her process resentment[00:56:00] Forgiveness doesn’t always mean reconciliation[00:57:30] Closing reflections on sisterhood, healing, and sharing the toolsConnect with Patti ClarkWebsite: www.patticlark.orgSubstack: https://patticlarkwriter.substack.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfahpJhfHNNHUqtIjR39OdQConnect with Karin ClarkFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/KarinClarkCommunicationsWebsite: www.karineclark.comEmail: [email protected] Links💌 Sisters In Sobriety Substack – where the magic (and the mocktail recipes) happen📬 Sisters In Sobriety Email📸 Sisters In Sobriety Instagram🌐 Kathleen’s Website Kathleen does not endorse any products mentioned in this podcast📸 Kathleen’s InstagramSupport 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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  • How to Trust Your Intuition With Julie Reisler
    What if the wisdom you’re searching for has been with you all along? In this episode of Sisters in Sobriety, Sonia and Kathleen are joined by master transformational coach Julie Reisler to explore the quiet, powerful force of intuition—and how it can guide your recovery, self-trust, and authentic living. Julie is a TEDx speaker, host of the You-est You® Podcast, and founder of the Life Designer® Coach Academy. Julie helps people around the world reconnect with their higher self.What does it really means to become the You-est You? Why do so many of us feel disconnected from our intuition—and how do we begin to rebuild that trust, especially after life changes like divorce, addiction recovery, or hitting emotional rock bottom?Julie walks listeners through the difference between fear and intuitive guidance, how we can all access our unique “intuition language,” and the power of two-way prayer, evidence tracking, and journaling as tools for emotional healing. With practical tools and real-life examples, this conversation unpacks how to integrate mind-body-spirit wisdom, how intuition supports recovery from addictive patterns (like emotional eating), and how to make decisions that align with your true self—especially when logic tells you otherwise.Julie opens up about her own story—from childhood sensitivity and food addiction to spiritual awakening and leaving a stable corporate job to follow her inner voice.This is Sisters in Sobriety, the support community that helps women change their relationship with alcohol. Check out our Substack for extra tips, tools, and resources to support your growth.Time-Stamped Highlights00:01 – Meet Julie Reisler and learn about the You-est You® philosophy00:02 – Julie’s childhood: sensitivity, imagination, and early intuition00:04 – Growing up with a father in addiction and how that shaped her energy awareness00:05 – The early signs of self-loathing and disconnect from intuition00:06 – Her recovery journey begins with sugar and food addiction00:08 – How food became a way to soothe emotions and hide shame00:10 – The pivotal moment that changed everything (and the bag of M&Ms)00:12 – Julie’s exposure to 12-step programs as a child00:14 – How Overeaters Anonymous and spiritual reading reshaped her path00:16 – Returning to school and integrating science and spirituality00:18 – Leaving corporate life and entering Panera Bread: a surprising intuitive detour00:21 – Following the nudges: voiceover classes and synchronicity00:23 – The cost of disconnecting from your voice in marriage and dating00:27 – Defining intuition: is it a voice, a knowing, or a feeling?00:30 – How to tell the difference between fear, anxiety, and real intuition00:33 – Building self-trust through two-way prayer and intuitive journaling00:36 – Evidence tracking: gathering proof that your intuition has been guiding you00:39 – When intuition contradicts logic (and why that’s OK)00:41 – Asking for signs and using muscle testing to check your inner YES00:44 – A real-time example of intuition: how Julie ended up at a film festival00:45 – What to do when your intuitive knowing disrupts your plans00:46 – Julie’s heartfelt advice for women in transition00:47 – The megaphone to your heart—why everything you’re looking for is already withinLinks:Website: juliereisler.comInstagram: @juliereislerMore from Sisters in Sobriety:💌 Sisters In Sobriety Substack – where the magic (and the mocktail recipes) happen📬 Sisters In Sobriety Email📸 Sisters In Sobriety Instagram🌐 Kathleen’s Website Kathleen does not endorse any products mentioned in this podcast📸 Kathleen’s InstagramSupport 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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About Sisters In Sobriety

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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