This is live from NYC Central Park
In this episode of 420 Reasons Why I Quit Drinking Alcohol, I tell the story of being set up with my friend’s brother—a guy who, on the surface, seemed like a good match. But what no one told me, what no one was honest about, was that he was a complete mess.
There were whispers of red flags, but no one waved them in front of me. Everyone stayed quiet. I was left to discover the truth on my own—slowly, painfully—as I tried to convince myself that this could be something real.
Looking back, I realize how often I ended up in situations like this—messy, unfiltered, avoidable—because I was so used to numbing out with alcohol. I didn’t trust my intuition. I ignored my gut. And I surrounded myself with people who didn’t want to rock the boat by being honest. I thought I was chasing love and connection, but I was actually attracting chaos because I hadn’t yet learned how to choose peace.
When we’re drinking, we tend to attract what we reflect—unresolved hurt, inner chaos, and confusion. And sometimes, the people around us enable it by staying silent. They mean well, but the silence is damaging.
Here’s the message: You deserve honesty. You deserve people who speak up when something’s off. And most importantly, you deserve to trust yourself enough to walk away when your gut says no—even if no one else will say it for you.
Alcohol muted my voice and dulled my instincts. Sobriety gave both back.
Ask yourself: Are you surrounding yourself with people who protect your peace—or just preserve your comfort?
✨ Reflection & Message:
In this episode of 420 Reasons Why I Quit Drinking Alcohol, I share a moment that started with the best of intentions—a weekend date out of town—and took a sharp left turn thanks to alcohol, impulse, and an old flame.
My date had to duck out for a bit to attend his kid’s soccer game, and instead of tagging along or giving him space respectfully, I took a detour—right into an unexpected reunion with an old friend I’d once crushed on. One drink turned into too many, and suddenly I wasn’t just catching up—I was deep in the party, ignoring the person I was actually there to see.
I never made it back to reconnect with my date that night.
The next morning? Embarrassed, hungover, and full of regret. I had to lie, grovel, and basically beg my way back to his house to retrieve my car—and my dignity.
This episode reminds me how often I let alcohol make the decisions for me—pulling me off track from what I said I wanted. It was like I was constantly chasing the next thrill, while quietly blowing up the bridges I was trying to build.
When you drink, priorities shift, boundaries blur, and before you know it, you're standing in the wreckage of yet another “almost” moment—apologizing for a version of yourself that doesn’t line up with who you really want to be.
So here’s the message:
Alcohol is a detour dressed as a good time. If you find yourself constantly veering off course, ask yourself: Is this really me—or just the version of me that shows up when I’m drinking?
You don’t have to keep eating crow. You can choose a path that aligns with your values—and that starts with clarity.
Reflection & Message:
For years, I felt anxious if I didn’t have weekend plans. The fear didn’t start on Friday — it started on Monday. I wasn’t just worried about being bored; I was afraid of being alone with myself.
Drinking became my escape from that discomfort — from the silence, the stillness, and the version of me I didn’t want to face. I filled my life with busyness and social events, not for joy, but to avoid the anxiety that came with being home, sober, and still.
Now, after quitting alcohol, I’ve learned to sit with myself. I’ve grown to enjoy solitude and no longer feel the panic of an empty calendar. In fact, sometimes I have to remind myself not to cancel plans — because peace no longer feels like loneliness. It feels like freedom.
If this hits home, take a moment to ask yourself: what are you really running from? You might find that what you fear in stillness is actually where your healing begins.
✨ Share this with someone who needs to hear it, or message me if you’re in that place — you’re not alone.
In this episode of 420 Reasons Why I Quit Drinking Alcohol, I take you back to a wild summer in Ludington—where our garage turned into the hottest underground party spot in town. What started as a simple three-stall garage at our grandma’s house quickly transformed into a nightly destination: music, darts, a pool table, and enough booze to keep the party going until dawn.
Every night, we swore we wouldn’t do it again. But like clockwork, we’d leave the bar and head right back home to keep the night alive. It felt like freedom—but in truth, we were robbing ourselves of rest, clarity, and connection to who we really were.
Now, with a clearer mind, I realize we weren’t just throwing parties—we were running from ourselves. We thought we were “living life to the fullest,” but really, we were stealing time and energy from our future selves.
Reflection & Message:
Sometimes the biggest lie we tell ourselves is, “Just one more night.” But every night spent escaping was one less night truly lived. The garage parties might have been full of people and noise, but I look back now and see how empty they really were.
Ask yourself: Are you chasing fun—or avoiding something deeper? True freedom doesn’t come from late nights and hangovers—it comes from facing your truth and finding peace with it.
Podcast Summary:
In this episode of 420 Reasons Why I Quit Drinking, I share a story from a road trip that should’ve been a celebration—my BFF’s graduation. But instead of feeling present and proud, alcohol took the front seat… and I found myself slipping into the back seat, both literally and emotionally.
It was one of those moments when you think you don’t have a care in the world—windows down, music up, drinks flowing—but really, you should care. You should care about where you're going, how you’re showing up, and who you’re becoming. But alcohol doesn’t want you to care—it wants control.
That road trip revealed more than just a few poor decisions. It exposed how easily I handed over the wheel—how alcohol took over my sense of judgment, direction, and even my understanding of right and wrong.
Reflection & Message:
So here’s the question I want you to sit with: Who or what is in the driver’s seat of your life?
Are you choosing the direction—or is alcohol steering you off course?
This episode is a wake-up call wrapped in a story—because sometimes, you don’t realize how far off track you’ve gotten until you finally stop and look around. It’s never too late to take back the wheel
In this episode of 420 Reasons Why I Quit Drinking, I share awild and unforgettable story from my Ludington days. Running my family’srestaurant meant I rarely got a break—but one weekend, I finally made it toChicago for a girls’ night out with my high school friends. And when wepartied, we really partied—like there was no tomorrow.
After shutting downtheir go-to bar, Four Farthings, we moved the party to an apartment on LakeShore Drive. The drinks kept flowing, the smoke was thick, and the night turnedinto a haze of chaos. I was the first to pass out on the living room floor—partystill raging around me.
But what happenednext shocked everyone. At sunrise, instead of being greeted with coffee, I wasmet with a giant pile of nose candy and a line ready to go. Groggy and feelinglike hell, I looked up and said, "You wantme to join you? Well, F**K YEAH—here goes it!" And I dove straightinto the pile.
The room wentsilent. The girls screamed in horror and disbelief. They were pissed—andrightfully so. That moment just added fuel to the fire of shame andself-loathing I already felt. My brain felt like a pile of mush, I felt like apile of shit, and eventually, we all ended up sprawled out in piles on a frontlawn in the suburbs.
This episode isabout more than just a wild night—it’s about waking up, literally andspiritually, to what my life had become… and finally deciding it was time tochange.
In this episode of 420 Reasons Why I Quit Drinking, I recount a Cinco de Mayo celebration that took a dark and unforgettable turn. What began as a joyful brunch with my best friends—who came to visit me and their daughter nearby—spiraled into a full-blown blackout.
From shots of Jägermeister (aka “liquid heroin”) to falling off barstools and waking up with no idea how we got home or where we even were, this wasn’t just a party gone wild—it was a moment that left me shaken and hollow.
This story isn't just about what happened—it's about the why behind it. Why did I think that level of chaos was fun? Why did I keep calling this connection and celebration when it was really disconnection and escape?
In this reflection, I share how moments like this helped wake me up to the truth: that blackouts weren’t funny, they were warnings. And healing began when I finally started listening.
In this episode of 420 Reasons Why I Quit Drinking, I explore the fear of not having enough—that anxious urge to over-prepare, especially when it comes to alcohol. I share a memory from a friend’s wedding, where we packed our own roadies and backup booze, just in case. And good thing (or so we thought), because there was only one bottle of wine per table of eight—barely enough for one of us, let alone the whole group.
That moment made me reflect on a deeper pattern. Even now, I catch myself doing the same thing—overpacking my car for work trips, bringing way more than I need, driven by that old fear of what if I don’t have enough?
This episode is about recognizing those lingering mindsets, how they show up in unexpected ways, and how choosing trust over fear has opened the door to true freedom and peace.
It’s truly remarkable to be here, celebrating the start of Season 4 of 420 Reasons Why I Quit Drinking. I’m filled with deep gratitude for all of you who continue to listen, support, and walk this journey with me.
In this season, I continue to share the raw truth—my stories of drinking, partying, and living a life I eventually realized I no longer wanted. By opening up about my past, my secrets, and the lessons I’ve learned, I’ve found healing, transformation, and a new way of living.
Through God's light and guidance, I’m now fully awake, choosing to live my best life for the rest of my life. I’ve come to truly understand the impact alcohol and weed had on my mind, my spirit, and my potential—and what freedom looks like on the other side.
Thank you for coming back week after week. Your support makes all of this possible. I love you all! Let’s keep growing, healing, and living vibrantly—together. 🌟
In this episode of 420 Reasons Why I Quit Drinking, I take a deep dive into the difference between resting and recovering. Back when I was drinking, I told myself I was taking a day to “rest” after a night out—but really, I was just trying to survive the hangover. As James Corden put it, “we’re borrowing from tomorrow,” and I was overdrawing the account.
Anxiety, nausea, and guilt would keep me glued to the couch, mindlessly scrolling and waiting to feel human again—wasting entire days I’d never get back.
Since quitting, I’ve discovered what true rest and real living feel like. Now I start my mornings with prayer, movement, nourishment, gratitude, and inspiration. I’m no longer running on empty—I’m building momentum.
So I’ll ask you: What percent of your potential are you living in today?
Podcast Summary: The Fake ID Fiasco
In this episode of 420 Reasons Why I Quit Drinking, I take you back to my college days—where my determination to buy alcohol led me down a risky path I barely even thought twice about.
Borrowing my sister’s Michigan driver’s license? No big deal… or so I thought. Turns out, that little stunt could’ve landed me up to 3 years in prison and some hefty fines. But back then, all I cared about was getting my hands on drinks—and I even roped my unsuspecting parents into my scheme.
So, how did I pull it off? And more importantly, what did I learn from it? Tune in for the full story, a few laughs, and a lesson in hindsight I’ll never forget.
In the sweltering summer of 1986, boredom and a thirst for booze led me to a ridiculous idea—pretending it was my birthday just so my friend would throw a party. And oh, what a party it was—flowers, decorations, endless shots… and everyone in on the joke. Well, almost everyone.
One person didn’t know the truth, and when he finally found out, let’s just say he wasn’t exactly celebrating. Looking back, it’s wild to think of the lengths we went to just to drink—never considering the consequences, only the next excuse to party.
Tune in for the full story, a few laughs, and another reason why I finally left drinking behind.
In this episode of 420 Reasons Why I Quit Drinking, I reflect on a time in my life when I felt completely broken—wondering if all my shattered pieces would ever come back together. But looking back now, I see that those broken pieces didn’t just heal; they transformed into something greater.
I’m not broken—I am a masterpiece. A radiant, vibrant disco ball of love and energy, spinning in the light of my faith and gratitude. I’ve learned to seek out glimmers—those small moments of joy, peace, and gratitude that remind me how far I’ve come. And the more I look for them, the more they appear.
Join me as I share this journey of healing, hope, and the beauty of embracing life’s glimmers. 💫✨
Welcome to another episode of 420 Reasons Why I Quit Drinking!
Back in my Ludington days, while running my family’s restaurant, I met a handsome, charming man whose family’s contracting business worked with mine. It felt like fate—two people with similar stories, both returning home to run the family business.
That night, we talked for hours, and for a moment, it felt real. Magical, even. I thought I had seen a ring, but when I asked, he denied it. I let myself believe in the possibility.
The next day, still buzzing with excitement, I shared the story with my best friend—only to have my bubble completely burst. Turns out, there was a whole truth I hadn't seen coming…
Tune in for the full story—because sometimes, the reality check is the real lesson.
In this episode, I reflect on how God has blessed my mess—turning life’s challenges into opportunities for growth and transformation. I share how this podcast has changed me, giving me a platform to transcribe my experiences and help others on their own journeys. I also open up about the struggle of wanting to cling to the life I once lived and grieving the friendships I’ve had, while knowing that what’s best for me is maintaining my peace and boundaries. While some may not be ready to receive this message, I put it out there for those who are—and for those who may be one day. Sending love to all my friends and listeners.
In this milestone episode, I reflect on a trip that should have been about adventure, culture, and connection—but instead, drinking took center stage. Back when I was between jobs, I traveled to visit friends in Granada, Spain. From drinking at the airport to getting drunk while waiting for a delayed train, and then keeping the party going once we arrived, alcohol became the main attraction rather than the stunning beauty of Granada itself.
Sure, we had fun—but how much of that fun was real, and how much was just numbing the experience? Looking back, I see how much of the trip was a blur and how I prioritized drinking over truly being present. In this episode, I break down what that trip meant to me then, what it means to me now, and how my perspective on travel (and life) has completely changed since quitting drinking.
Tune in for a deep dive into the contrast between travel fueled by alcohol and the joy of fully experiencing a place with clarity and presence.
In this episode, I dedicate time to honor a dear friend who lost his lifelong battle with alcohol. He was a creative, a father, a son, and a friend who fought hard against his demons, wanting more for his life. Despite his struggles, past trauma made the fight too heavy to bear. This is a heartfelt tribute to him and a reminder of why these conversations matter.
Stuck in Nice – Part 2"
In this follow-up episode of 420 Reasons Why I Quit Drinking Alcohol, we’re still in Nice, feeling like locals at our favorite bar and meeting new people every night. We kept saying we were leaving… but then my cousin sprained her ankle, the trains went on strike, and suddenly, getting out of there seemed impossible. Were we ever going to make it out alive? Tune in to hear how it all unfolded.
Episode Summary: "Backpacking & Booze – Nice, 1991"
In this episode of 420 Reasons Why I Quit Drinking Alcohol, I take a trip down memory lane to 1991, when my cousin and I spent three months traveling across Europe. One month in, we found ourselves on the French Riviera in Nice—soaking up the sun, meeting incredible people, and living on bread, crackers, and cheese just to stretch our budget… so we could drink every night. Join me as I share journal entries from the journey and reflect on how alcohol shaped the experience.
