Episodes

The Sober Life Rocks podcast recently had the pleasure of hosting Dr. Tarryn MacCarthy, the Happiness and Transformational Mindset Coach to Dentists, about the power of sobriety and how to embrace dry January, create a space for self-love and how to overcome self-judgment. After 23 years in clinical Orthodontics, she is now the host of The Business of Happiness Podcast, an Author, Keynote Speaker, and Rapid Transformational Therapist. She guides her clients to a deeper sense of self-confidence ...

When you hear the word “alcoholic,” what comes to mind? For many, it conjures up extreme scenarios—blackouts, DUIs, or hitting a devastating rock bottom, but have you ever heard of gray area drinking? Sometimes your drinking doesn’t fit that mold, yet still feels like it’s holding you back. This in-between space, often called Gray Area Drinking (GAD), is where countless people find themselves, yet it’s rarely discussed. On this week’s episode of The Sober Life Rocks Podcast, Margy Schaller sit...

How to Be the Life of the Party Without Drinking: Tips for Having Fun and Connecting It’s a common misconception that you need alcohol to have a good time at social gatherings. The idea of being the “life of the party” is often tied to the image of someone who is lively, loud, and, of course, drinking. However, being a fun and engaging person doesn’t require a drink in your hand—it just takes a bit of creativity, confidence, and a willingness to engage with others in a meaningful way. Whether yo...

This Holiday Season The holiday season is upon us, and with it comes the annual tradition of gift-giving this year, we’re presenting you with a sober-friendly gift guide to make your holiday gift-giving a breeze! Whether you’re celebrating with family, friends, or coworkers, choosing the right gift can be both exciting and challenging. But for those of us living a sober lifestyle or working in environments that encourage sobriety, the thought of exchanging gifts with alcohol-based themes—such ...

The holiday season is a time of celebration, reflection, and togetherness, and today, we want to discuss how to plan a sober-inclusive business holiday event. For businesses, it’s an opportunity to connect with employees, celebrate achievements, and show appreciation for hard work throughout the year. Traditionally, holiday events often center around alcohol, with cocktail parties or lavish dinners being the go-to for company festivities. But as workplace dynamics evolve, and as more employees ...

In a must-listen episode of the Sober Life Rocks podcast, host Margy Schaller interviews Laura Nelson, co-founder of Sober Life Rocks and author of the newly released book, The Inclusive Event Planner. Together, they explore one of the most pressing topics for today’s event planners: creating alcohol-free, inclusive spaces that welcome everyone, regardless of drinking preferences. As more people embrace sobriety and mindful drinking, the demand for inclusive events—from weddings to corporate fu...

The Slippery Slope of the “In Crowd”: Breaking Free from the Pressure to Drink with Natalie Fannin In today’s world, the pressure to fit in while breaking free from the pressure to drink can feel overwhelming. Whether you’re a professional climbing the corporate ladder or a parent navigating social circles, the desire to belong often comes with unspoken expectations—one of the biggest being alcohol. But what happens when the desire to fit in turns into a slippery slope, leading to unhealthy dri...

In the fast-paced world of music, where parties and nightlife are often the norm, Madison Truscan shines as a symbol of strength and inspiration on how she is navigating sobriety in the music industry. A Dallas-based photographer and music journalist, Madison recently shared her journey on the *Sober Life Rocks* podcast. In her 20s, she transformed her struggles with anxiety and alcohol into a story of recovery and resilience. Here’s how her experience offers valuable lessons for anyone dealing...

Sobriety is a deeply personal journey. Every individual’s path to becoming alcohol-free is shaped by their unique circumstances, experiences, and motivations. For some, the decision to stop drinking comes from hitting rock bottom. For others, like Kim Bellas, founder of Sober Is The New Cool, her quest for finding clarity and gratitude through sobriety was made long before reaching any dark or dangerous moments. Her motivation was rooted in a desire to lead by example, particularly for her teen...

In the latest episode of the Sober Life Rocks podcast, Margy Schaller sits down with Brendan Mahoney, a seasoned attorney and advocate for equality, to discuss how sobriety has transformed his life both personally and professionally. Brendan’s story highlights an important message for professionals: choosing sobriety can lead to greater authenticity, purpose, and connection. Bringing Sobriety into the Professional World Brendan, like many professionals, spent years navigating work environments...

In a recent episode of the Sober Life Rocks podcast, host Margy Schaller welcomed Dr. Glenn Vo, a successful dentist, entrepreneur, and author, to share his unique journey of sobriety. Dr. Vo’s story is not about his personal battle with addiction, but rather his conscious choice to remain sober, shaped by watching a family member struggle with substance abuse. His open discussion highlighted how sobriety doesn’t always stem from a personal addiction, but can also be a thoughtful choice made for...

The journey of addiction and recovery is often fraught with challenges, not least of which is the stigma attached to admitting there’s a problem, especially for professionals in high-stakes careers like dentistry. Sober Life Rocks had the extraordinary honor of welcoming Dr. Brett Kessler, President-Elect of the American Dental Association, on the Sober Life Rocks podcast where he shared his powerful story of overcoming addiction, the role community played in his recovery, and his mission to sup...

Letting Go of Alcohol: In this candid episode of the Sober Life Rocks podcast, host Margy Schaller sits down with guest Cari Wolters to discuss Cari’s journey to an alcohol-free lifestyle and its transformative impact on her personal and professional life. Whether you choose to drink or not, Cari’s story highlights the significance of examining habits that may be holding you back and advocating for your own personal growth. Her liminal thinking workshops sound like a great tool for uncovering u...

Margy Schaller sat down with Sherrine Washington, a master sales trainer and inner peace consultant, to dive right into the deep work of self-awareness, sobriety, and spiritual connection. Sherrine, who runs Craving Zen, shares deeply personal experiences and professional insights on navigating through life’s intricate maze of challenges, emphasizing the unique nature of each labyrinth experience. Margy recounted her profound experience during a recent labyrinth walk, describing a significant s...

How to Stay Sober In Professional Environments Navigating the professional landscape as a salesperson on the road presents unique challenges, especially for those committed to a sober lifestyle. From high-pressure client meetings to alcohol-laden networking events, the world of sales is often intertwined with social drinking. But what if you choose a different path? What if you decide to stay sober on the road? Greg Essenmacher, a veteran sales professional in the dentistry field, shares his jo...

A Woman’s Journey Through Pregnancy and Social Drinking: When a woman who is known for her social drinking gets pregnant, the shift in her behavior can be both challenging and eye-opening. This was the case for Katrina Sanders, a dental hygienist and speaker, who faced the complex dynamics of social drinking while keeping her pregnancy under wraps. Pregnancy and Social Drinking: The Sudden Shift Imagine being at a lively gathering with friends, hearing the laughter and clinking glasses, but yo...

Journey to Authenticity. In the delicate interplay of personal and professional lives, the barriers we erect and the masks we don are often indistinguishable from our true selves. This blurring of lines is vividly captured in the story of Gary Kadi, founder of NextLevel Practice and expert practice coach in the dental community, who shared his profound journey towards sobriety and authenticity on the latest episode of the “Sober Life Rocks” podcast hosted by Margy Schaller. Gary’s narrative beg...

Living Alcohol Free. At Sober Life Rocks, we want to bring you voices from every industry to heighten awareness of some universal challenges as well as trailblazers leading the conversation around change.This week’s podcast was with a remarkable woman, Tony Will. Alcohol Free: Toni Will’s Professional Journey in Sports Leadership Toni Will’s story is nothing short of inspirational. Since 2015, Toni Will has served as the Kalamazoo Wings (men’s minor league) Hockey team as Governor & General Man...

Embracing Authenticity. Do you live in Fear of being found out as “less than”? Or do you scroll through social media experiencing FOMO? Deep down, many of us have had the feeling that we don’t belong and we go through some pretty drastic measures trying to fit in and avoid the “yucky” feelings. Surveys indicate that upwards of 80% of adults in the U.S have experienced imposter syndrome at some point in their lives. That is to say, almost everyone feels the same way at one point or another. The ...

In our latest podcast discussion, I had the privilege of sitting down with the ever-inspirational Neo Positivity, an advocate for the relentless pursuit of positive thinking. Our conversation explored the profound impact that a fortified mindset can have on overcoming life’s hurdles, achieving sobriety, and the monumental task of pioneering initiatives like Sober Life Rocks. When embarking on a new journey, building mental toughness, Neo talked about adopting a new frame of mind which often inv...

Sober-Inclusive Spaces and the traditional networking scene, with its implicit expectation of alcohol consumption, can be daunting. For individuals navigating the challenges of alcohol use, the omnipresence of alcoholic beverages at professional gatherings can turn these events from potential career milestones into arenas of anxiety and temptation. The significance of crafting sober-inclusive spaces transcends mere accommodation—it’s about changing the narrative around social and professional i...

In episode 7, featuring the candid experiences of Margy Schaller, and Allison Lacoursiere as they discuss the nuances of sober living. In a society where alcohol is often the centerpiece of social interaction, they share the undiluted truth about forging connections without the buzz. Allison not only replaces alcohol with yoga and breathwork but also realizes the importance of conscious decision-making in every sip, achieving greater clarity in life and networking events. Don’t miss this episode...

This episode of Morning Smiles Podcast, Margy sits down with Katherine Eitel Belt for an insightful conversation on embracing Alcohol-Free alternatives and the empowering choice they offer. Katherine shares her personal journey and experiences with choosing a lifestyle free from alcohol, exploring the diverse range of alternatives available. Join them as they discuss the positive impact this decision has had on Katherine’s life, and how it has become a catalyst for making mindful choices. Get r...

From discussing the negative impacts of alcohol on mental health to exploring alternative ways to connect and unwind after professional events, our guest, Jonathan Banono discusses a path of vulnerability, authenticity, and genuine camaraderie. Join us as we delve into the importance of being true to oneself and being mindful of not just what we consume but also how we interact. It’s about to get real, and we’re glad you’re here to share this space with us. So, sit back, grab a snack, as we join...