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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Why Your Commitment to Sobriety Keeps Disappearing (E318)
Confused about your commitment to quitting drinking? Learn what happens in your brain during those moments of doubt and how to reinforce your resolve effectively.
One Reason Some People Stay Sober and Others Don’t (E317)
Are you truly resilient or just surviving? Listen as Gill talks about the brain's coping mechanisms and how to escape the cycle of temporary relief so you can become truly resilient.
The Hidden Pattern Behind Productivity, Procrastination, and People Pleasing (E316)
Feeling stuck after getting sober? Explore how scrolling, productivity, and people-pleasing serve similar purposes and what they reveal about your brain.
The “I’ll Deal With It Later” Trap (E315)
Are you caught in the "I'll deal with it later" mindset about drinking? Learn how to recognize and overcome the patterns that keep you stuck.
Why Emotions Turn Into “I’m Stuck,” “This Will Never Change,” or “I Can’t Handle This” (E314)
Unpack the cycle of emotions turning into conclusions. Understand why stress feels insurmountable and learn to navigate your feelings with confidence.
The Nervous System in Sobriety: Why You Feel Wired, Exhausted, or Overwhelmed — and How Regulation Actually Returns (E313)
Understand why sobriety can initially heighten anxiety and stress before your nervous system starts to settle. Learn how your body adjusts and finds balance after years of alcohol use.
Ambivalence in Early and Long Term Sobriety (E312)
Learn why negative consequences of drinking don’t always lead to change and how decision-making can shift over time.
Sugar Cravings in Sobriety: When Comfort Becomes a Crutch (E311)
Learn why sugar cravings persist in early sobriety. Understand the deeper reasons behind these urges and what’s happening in your nervous system when sweets are on the brain.
Emotional Sobriety: Why Quitting Drinking Isn’t Enough (E310)
Learn about emotional sobriety and why facing feelings is crucial in order to maintain meaningful sobriety. Understand emotional maturity and the importance of learning to sit with discomfort.
Early Sobriety Fatigue: What’s Actually Happening in Your Brain (E309)
Early sobriety can be exhausting. Explore the research on brain healing and recovery to better understand why you feel so tired and how long you can expect this stage to last.
Does Dry January Actually Change People’s Drinking Habits? What the Research Says (E308)
Learn why Dry January may not reset your relationship with alcohol as you hoped. Understand what is actually needed to make lasting change in your relationship with alcohol.
4 Biggest Challenges People Struggle With During Dry January & How to Deal (E307)
Are you ready for Dry January? Listen in as we explore four common struggles and equip you with effective strategies to navigate your sobriety journey.
The Sobriety Audit: What Changed This Year (And What Didn’t)(E306)
Recognize how far you've come in your sobriety journey with my guided audit on emotional growth and identity shifts.
Learn to identify and interrupt the chain reactions before cravings take hold (E305)
Manage holiday stress while remaining sober. Learn to regulate emotions and strengthen your resilience for a more joyful, balanced season.
Family Dynamics, the Relapse Mindset, and 7 Drinking Permission Slips We Create to Ease the Tension (E304)
Discover how family dynamics can trigger a relapse mindset. Learn to identify and interrupt the chain reactions before cravings take hold.
I Should Be Further Along By Now (E303)
Understand why the 6–18 month sober mark can feel overwhelming. This episode dives into identity lag and perfectionism, helping you understand and navigate these common struggles.
The Self-Worth Ceiling: How Low Self-Esteem Fuels Self-Sabotage (E301)
Are you holding yourself back? Explore the self-worth ceiling and understand the motivations behind your behavior in order to make lasting change.
Feeling Like a Normal Person Again After 8-10 Months (E302)
Learn about the 4 brain changes that help you feel normal again during the healing process from alcohol use disorder.
How Problem Drinking Develops and Escalates (E300)
Are you questioning your drinking habits? Learn about the signs of problematic drinking, drinking motives, and the effects of cycles of withdrawal.
Social Drinking: Drinking to Fit In (E299)
Get clear on the motives behind social drinking and how they impact sobriety. Learn how to make socializing easier without relying on alcohol.