The Sober Powered Podcast
Hosted By: Gillian Tietz, MS, CAMS-I, CCIS-II
Do you ever say, "I'm never drinking again!", but then you drink again? There are many reasons why this happens, and none of them are that we're weak-willed losers. After years of rationalizing why her drinking wasn’t that bad, Gill reached her breaking point. With her background in biochemistry, she set out on a quest to understand why some of us struggle with addiction and others don’t. In the Sober Powered Podcast, Gill uses science, psychology, and compassion to help you understand why you struggle to moderate, why it's so hard to quit drinking, and how to develop the coping skills you need to stay sober.
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Sober Powered Episodes
The easiest way to find an episode is to search in Apple or Spotify. Search for “Sober Powered + Topic” and you’ll find any relevant episodes.
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Enhancement Drinking: Drinking to Feel More (E297)
Understand how and why alcohol enhances experiences and why sobriety can feel dull. Learn mindset shifts to navigate fun without drinking and how to tackle the “fun now” urge.
The Science of Why We Drink: An Overview of Drinking Motives (E296)
Are you drinking for fun or to escape? This episode will help you understand your drinking motives and teach you how to navigate your emotions without relying on alcohol.
The Feeling of Lost Time From All the Years We Spent Drinking (E295)
Feeling like you wasted years drinking? Understand why this hits hard in early sobriety and learn to transform regret into meaning and opportunity in your life.
Why Stress and Emotions Feel Intolerable Without Alcohol (E294)
Learn how emotional reactivity hinders sobriety. Understand the science behind stress, cravings, and coping skills to break the cycle of relapse for good.
Tolerance and the Disappearing Buzz (E293)
Ever wonder why your drinks don't hit the same anymore? Learn about the science of alcohol tolerance and how it changes your experience over time.
Tolerance and the Disappearing Buzz (E293)
Frustrated by your inability to stop at one drink? Learn about alcohol's impact on the brain and why moderation isn't just about willpower.
Why You May Still Crave Alcohol Long Term, and Why No Cravings Doesn’t Mean You’re “Cured” (E291)
Learn why alcohol cravings persist in sobriety and how they reflect your brain's state. Understand their persistence, brain activity, and how to maintain steady recovery despite ups and downs.
How to Quit Drinking Without Hitting Rock Bottom (E290)
Can you get sober without hitting rock bottom? Learn the three key habits that hold you back and actionable steps to find your "enough" moment.
Emotional Tunnel Vision: When Little Problems are a Big Deal (E289)
In sobriety, minor stressors can feel monumental. Learn more about where tunnel vision from and and strategies to regain focus and manage everyday stressors effectively.
How to “Sit With It” Without Avoiding, Suppressing, Ruminating, or Escaping (E288)
Sobriety can be tough, especially when managing emotions. This episode explores effective ways to cope and thrive without resorting to unhealthy habits.
Are You “Strong Enough” or Just Stubborn? (Self-Control & Willpower) (E287)
Discover why willpower alone won't keep you sober. Learn effective strategies to rewire your brain and break free from the cycle of alcohol dependency.
5 Year Podversary Q&A (E286 Part 2)
Join me for a special Q&A episode. We talk about my story, my work, my gaming history, book writing, what I've noticed in the sober community, and more! Thanks to everyone who submitted questions.
How This Podcast Changed My Life (Happy 5 Years to Sober Powered) (E286)
Explore how my podcast began and its role in my sobriety journey. Learn about overcoming work addiction and embracing change. Don't miss part 2 where I answer your questions!
How Exercise Helps Your Brain and Body Heal From Alcohol (and How to Get Started) (E285)
Explore the healing power of exercise in recovery. Find out how to build a routine, resist cravings, and avoid the weight loss obsession.
Reward Substitution: Healthy vs. Harmful Replacements for Alcohol (E284)
Have you replaced alcohol with other habits? Listen in as we explore the process of finding healthier coping mechanisms and emotional relief.
Alcohol Shortens Your Perception of Time (Instant Gratification) (E283)
Learn about alcohol myopia and how it impacts your future thinking. Learn to embrace patience over instant gratification.
Minimizing, Rationalizing, and the Myth of “I Wasn’t That Bad” (E282)
Face the reality of your drinking. Explore how cognitive dissonance and self-protection keep you stuck, and learn to break free for real change.
Why Your Brain Makes Drinking Look Better Than It Was (E281)
Are your drinking memories too good to be true? This episode explores how your brain edits the past and offers tips to manage cravings effectively. Join me as I reveal how dopamine and emotional memory shape your perceptions and share my personal story.
Romanticizing Alcohol: What’s Going on in Your Brain (E280)
Discover how romanticizing alcohol can challenge your sobriety. Learn brain insights and 3 effective strategies to break the cycle of believing you can moderate when you engage with romanticizing thoughts.
The Pendulum Effect of Healing (E279)
Struggling with intense emotions while quitting alcohol? This episode explains the pendulum effect and offers 3 practical ways to help you find your balance.