Powered by RND
PodcastsEducationSisters In Sobriety

Sisters In Sobriety

Sonia Kahlon and Kathleen Killen
Sisters In Sobriety
Latest episode

Available Episodes

5 of 117
  • Relearning Intimacy with Taylor McConnachie
    This episode of Sisters in Sobriety dives into sober sex, desire, and rebuilding intimacy without substances with guest Taylor McConnachie - Registered Psychotherapist, AASECT Certified Sex Therapist, and Certified Sexologist, founder of Embodied Sexual Wellness & Psychotherapy in Simcoe, Ontario. Taylor specializes in holistic sex therapy that blends science, somatics, and the sacred to help people heal shame, navigate desire discrepancies, and cultivate empowered sexuality. The answer questions that many sober (and sober-curious) listeners ask: What actually changes about desire and arousal in sobriety? How do somatic practices, mindful masturbation, and body scans help you get out of your head and into your body? What if there’s a desire discrepancy in a long-term relationship—or you’re dating for the first time sober and can’t tell whether you’re attracted? And how do we redefine intimacy when performance anxiety, shame, or old narratives show up? They'll talk about clear, trauma-informed steps to rebuild sexual wellbeing: using body scans to notice sensation without judgment; practicing mindful masturbation to shift from performance to presence; understanding spontaneous vs. responsive desire (and why sobriety often tilts toward responsive); approaching erectile concerns and arousal blocks through reconnection rather than quick fixes; and reframing “frequency goals” to reduce pressure and increase genuine sexual satisfaction. Expect grounded strategies that integrate attachment, somatics, and practical communication skills. Taylor also shares personal and clinical stories—from her own journey with pelvic pain and endometriosis in a rural community with few resources to real-world examples of couples rediscovering vulnerability as the engine of intimacy. Sonia opens up about her “sober sexual debut,” fumbling, and learning to feel desire without the shortcut of alcohol. They'll unpack the grief for what sex used to feel like and the hope of what it can become with curiosity and compassion. 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. 00:00:43 — Why sex therapy needs to be its own specialty (and why many therapists aren’t trained to talk about sex) 00:03:10 — Taylor’s path: pelvic pain, endometriosis, and building the practice she needed but couldn’t find 00:05:02 — When a couples therapist refers to a sex therapist (scope, overlap, and teamwork) 00:07:12 — Certification matters: what AASECT tells you about training and safety 00:09:18 — Only ~14 AASECT-certified sex therapists in Canada—why that scarcity matters for care access 00:10:20 — From CBT to somatics: helping clients get out of their heads and into their bodies 00:12:05 — “Science meets the sacred”: honoring evidence while rejecting rigid pathologizing 00:14:52 — Movement as medicine: reconnecting with arousal and erection through embodied practice 00:16:48 — Pleasure after shame: the first time a client truly feels what their body can do 00:18:07 — Sober sex 101: noticing more (and why that can feel overwhelming and beautiful) 00:20:02 — Mindful masturbation as foundational homework for sober intimacy 00:22:31 — Presence over performance: rewiring dopamine loops without substances 00:23:14 — Performance anxiety myths: why sobriety can improve erectile function 00:26:12 — Spontaneous vs. responsive desire—and why sobriety often shifts the balance 00:29:05 — Grieving the old high: processing disappointment when sober sex feels different 00:31:22 — Normalize the fumble: reducing shame to unlock curiosity and desire 00:34:18 — Emotional intimacy as the gateway to sexual intimacy (and how to build it) 00:37:05 — Practicing vulnerability in bite-size reps to increase safety and trust 00:40:02 — Desire discrepancy is common: moving from urgency to understanding 00:45:02 — Taking sex off the pedestal: experiments that reveal what’s really holding a relationship together 00:46:18 — First step if you feel disconnected: body scans, zero judgment, gentle repetition Taylor's Links 📸 Instagram: @embodiedsexualwellness 🌐 Website: embodiedsexualwellness.com SIS 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 Instagram
    --------  
    53:04
  • Breaking Negative Patterns With Cheryl Pasieka
    In this episode of Sisters in Sobriety, Sonia and Kathleen dig into what it really takes to move from white-knuckling it to building a life rooted in calm, purpose, and—yes—joy. They’re joined by Cheryl Pasieka, author of Climbing the Stairs: My Journey from Addiction to Pure Joy, who shares how rehab, mindfulness, and a fierce commitment to self-care helped her stop hiding behind alcohol and start living on her own terms. Cheryl brings hard-won wisdom and practical tools for women in recovery. Across the conversation, they explore the fears that surface in early sobriety (What if I fail? What will people think?), how to set boundaries with negative energy, and what it means to choose sustainable joy over short-term relief. They touch on midlife purpose, rebuilding self-esteem, creating accountability, and why sharing your story can become someone else’s survival guide. Expect talk of relapse risk, root causes, nervous-system regulation, and using community, routine, and self-inquiry as anchors. Listeners will learn about reflective journaling (and the game-changer of rereading old entries), building a sobriety plan you revisit every six months, using mindfulness, yoga, and meditation to regulate stress, and creating accountability check-ins with trusted friends. Cheryl explains how to identify triggers, let go of resentments, and replace people-pleasing with “put your own oxygen mask on first.” You’ll also hear a refreshing definition of joy—a daily practice of noticing, gratitude, and positive reframing—that helps prevent drift into rumination or “I’ll just have one” thinking. Cheryl opens up about losing her mother, the spiral that followed, and the decision to go to rehab on Vancouver Island—phone surrendered, excuses stripped away. 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. 00:00 – Toronto roots, quick hellos, and Cheryl’s book intro, Climbing the Stairs 02:05 – “I wanted sustainable joy”—why grief and stress made moderation impossible 03:10 – Vancouver Island rehab: no phone, no running, just the work 04:12 – The first two years: fear of failure, meetings, yoga, and perseverance 05:06 – “What if I fail publicly?”—accountability and shame in early sobriety 06:02 – Why “just cut back” advice from some doctors misses the disease entirely 07:20 – Oxygen mask first: releasing people-pleasing and caring less what others think 08:05 – The quote that sparked the memoir and a surprising push from a psychic 09:18 – From private journaling to “maybe this can help one person” publishing mindset 10:45 – Telling family and friends—acceptance, boundaries, and letting some people drift 12:02 – Owning the past: divorces, resentments, and the freedom of self-acceptance 15:04 – Root causes: self-esteem, secrets, and climbing into the hole when alone 16:10 – Defining joy: reframing the day, gratitude, and the Tim Hortons “rain vs spring” story 18:02 – Calm as part of joy: taking things as they come instead of spiraling 19:06 – Protecting energy: stepping back from chronic negativity without guilt 21:02 – The morning stack: journal, meditation, movement, and a girlfriends’ daily check-in 22:40 – Weekly accountability now, occasional counseling as needed—right-sizing support 23:36 – “Planting my own garden”: self-care as not waiting for permission (or flowers) 24:12 – Midlife meaning: six-month reviews, giving back, quilting for folks in need 27:02 – The power of rereading journals: past you showing present you the way through Cheryl's Links www.journeytopurejoy.ca SIS 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 Instagram Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sisters-in-sobriety/donations
    --------  
    31:50
  • Your Wellness Blueprint with Dr. Rao
    Sonia and her guest, Dr. Jyothi Rao, are diving into the kind of whole-body wellness that actually sticks. Dr. Rao is the Medical Director of Shakthi Health and Wellness Center in Maryland, blending science and compassion to help people get to the root of what’s going on in their bodies. She has over 25 years of experience helping patients turn their health around—plus she’s the author of Body on Fire and Body on Fire Cookbook. They’re talking about the big picture: why your energy might still be low even after ditching alcohol, how stress and sleep are secretly running the show, and what small daily shifts can make the biggest difference. Expect an easy-to-follow chat about inflammation, gut health, circadian rhythm, and what’s really going on with midlife hormones. Dr. Rao breaks down what actually works when it comes to lowering inflammation, balancing blood sugar, and building the kind of energy you can count on. You’ll learn how light exposure affects your sleep, why protein timing matters, and how things like strength training, hydration, and even acupuncture can help your body feel like yours again. This isn’t about overhauling your whole life—it’s about finding simple, doable steps that build on each other. 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 (time-stamped) 00:00 — Why integrative medicine matters in sobriety 02:18 — Dr. Rao’s journey from conventional to functional medicine 05:12 — What “root cause” care actually means 07:45 — The inflammation–fatigue connection after alcohol 10:03 — Balancing blood sugar without overcomplicating meals 12:26 — Mitochondria and how to get your energy back 14:58 — Light, timing, and your circadian rhythm 17:40 — How to set yourself up for better sleep 20:22 — The gut–brain link and how it impacts cravings 23:05 — Staying hydrated without overdoing water 25:41 — Navigating perimenopause symptoms with lifestyle tweaks 28:09 — How stress affects your body (and how to calm it) 30:52 — When acupuncture can help 33:17 — Why strength training is a game changer in midlife 36:01 — Functional lab tests: worth it or not? 38:34 — What “liver detox” really means 41:10 — A real-life patient success story 44:02 — Habit stacking to make changes stick 47:19 — Building your own healthcare dream team 50:11 — Using wellness habits to help prevent relapse 53:28 — Quick recap: small steps, big wins Dr. Rao Links https://www.sarahkleinerwellness.com/all-free-resources https://mycircadianapp.com/ SIS 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 Instagram Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sisters-in-sobriety/donations
    --------  
    55:11
  • How to Get Angry The Healthy Way With Michelle Farris
    If you’ve ever swallowed your anger to keep the peace, lost yourself in someone else’s needs, or swapped drinking for late-night snack binges, this episode is for you. On this week’s Sisters in Sobriety, Sonia is joined by Michelle Farris—psychotherapist, codependency expert, and anger management specialist—to talk about the deeper emotional work that comes with recovery. Michelle is known for her relatable approach and tools that help people stop people-pleasing, speak up for themselves, and finally build relationships that feel safe and real. What happens when we suppress anger in sobriety? How do we even recognize it if we were never taught what healthy anger looks like? Can we be codependent on someone who isn’t codependent on us? In this episode, Sonia and Michelle unpack what anger can teach us about ourselves, how codependency often hides behind “being nice,” and why food addiction recovery is often the next frontier in sobriety. Michelle shares practical strategies for identifying emotional triggers, creating healthy boundaries, and noticing the early signs of resentment before it explodes. You'll learn how to reframe your inner dialogue and develop self-talk that actually helps regulate intense emotions. Michelle also opens up about her own story—getting sober from food addiction at 20, what it was like dating someone in active addiction while working her own program, and the unexpected friendship breakup that made her realize she was still making other people her higher power, and how the desire to be loved can sometimes override our own sense of safety. 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) 00:00 – Meet Michelle Farris, psychotherapist and codependency expert 01:45 – Why she started teaching anger management (and how it cracked her open) 03:15 – What healthy anger actually looks like—and why it’s not yelling 04:40 – Stuffing your feelings vs. naming your hurt 06:00 – Why journaling is the safest place to let your rage out 07:30 – “Anger is rocket fuel”—how to recognize the heat before it explodes 08:45 – The connection between negative self-talk and emotional regulation 10:00 – What resentment really is (and why it’s sneaky) 11:20 – How suppressing anger can sabotage recovery 12:30 – Can you be angry and make amends? What recovery programs miss 14:15 – When anger turns inward—it often looks like guilt or shame 15:00 – Using mindfulness to stay present with your emotions 16:40 – Michelle’s story of getting sober through OA at age 20 18:00 – How food was her comfort and first addiction 19:30 – The sugar trap: what often happens in early sobriety 21:00 – Physical hunger vs. emotional hunger—how to tell the difference 22:15 – Why surrender, not control, is the key to food addiction recovery 23:30 – Trigger foods, writing a food history, and the power of structure 25:00 – Is it okay to wait before addressing food issues in recovery? 26:45 – Codependency 101: what it is, how it shows up, and why it’s a cycle 28:00 – Can you be codependent with a friend? (Michelle’s raw story says yes) 29:30 – Boundaries that work: why “I” statements are your best friend 31:00 – The people-pleasing trap: when kindness costs you your peace 32:15 – Flexible or codependent? The litmus test 34:00 – How to stop saying “yes” when your gut says “no” 35:30 – Michelle’s favorite recovery tools for emotional resilience 36:45 – The power of in-person meetings, especially post-COVID 38:00 – One last reminder: you’re allowed to take up space, feel your anger, and still be sober. Michelle Farris Links 🌐 Website: counselingrecovery.com 📺 YouTube: @MichelleFarrismft 📸 Instagram: @counseling_recovery SIS 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 Instagram Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sisters-in-sobriety/donations
    --------  
    45:54
  • ADHD in Women With Christina Crowe
    Ever feel like you're running on fumes, forgetting everything, and wondering if everyone else got the life manual you missed? In this episode of Sisters in Sobriety, Sonia and Kathleen sit down with Christina Crowe, a Registered Psychotherapist and founder of Dig a Little Deeper, to unpack how ADHD—especially when undiagnosed—can shape our mental health, relationships, and recovery. Christina brings her clinical expertise and lived experience with ADHD to this conversation. Together, they explore questions like: Could undiagnosed ADHD be fueling your anxiety or substance use? Why is it so commonly missed in women? They also talk about how impulsivity, self-medicating, and the pressure to hold it all together affect women differently—and how to spot the signs that something deeper might be going on. You’ll walk away with a better understanding of how ADHD can show up in everyday life, why it often gets mistaken for depression or anxiety, and what tools actually work. Christina gets personal, talking about her own late-in-life diagnosis, how her son’s journey opened the door to her own, and what it’s like to finally have words (and support) for what never quite made sense before. This is Sisters in Sobriety—the support system helping women change their relationship with alcohol and rediscover themselves in the process. For more resources, journal prompts, and mocktail magic, check out our Substack. Episode Highlights [00:01:00] Christina’s career pivot: from biotech to therapy [00:03:30] How her son’s ADHD diagnosis helped her see her own [00:05:10] The “invisible” nature of ADHD symptoms [00:06:45] Why so many people with ADHD turn to substances like cocaine, cannabis, or food [00:08:30] What makes ADHD-related substance use different [00:09:50] Why it’s not that hard to diagnose ADHD—if you know what you’re looking for [00:11:30] How substance use can mask ADHD (and delay treatment) [00:12:50] Christina breaks down the fear of taking stimulants in recovery [00:14:15] The difference between addiction and dependence (and why it matters) [00:16:00] The potato chip aisle: a metaphor for cravings and impulse control [00:17:45] Real talk about impulsivity and Amazon carts [00:20:30] Why women often get missed—or misdiagnosed—for years [00:23:00] SSRIs, dopamine, and feeling “stuck” [00:25:15] Hormones and ADHD: how estrogen impacts symptoms [00:27:10] Tips for navigating the health system when you have executive dysfunction [00:30:30] How to talk to your doctor about ADHD (and what might be getting lost in translation) [00:32:15] The three-legged stool: meds, therapy, and executive function support [00:34:25] How to find a therapist who truly gets it [00:36:00] The post-diagnosis “reckoning” (aka rethinking your entire life) [00:38:00] Mindfulness for ADHD brains—yes, it can actually work (with the right approach) Christina's Links 💡 Christina Crowe – Dig A Little Deeper, Psychotherapy & Counselling SIS 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 Instagram Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sisters-in-sobriety/donations
    --------  
    40:54

More Education podcasts

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...
Podcast website

Listen to Sisters In Sobriety, The Jordan B. Peterson Podcast and many other podcasts from around the world with the radio.net app

Get the free radio.net app

  • Stations and podcasts to bookmark
  • Stream via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth
  • Supports Carplay & Android Auto
  • Many other app features
Social
v7.23.3 | © 2007-2025 radio.de GmbH
Generated: 9/2/2025 - 7:04:00 PM