The No More Wasted Days Podcast

Ep. 165: Why You Can’t Seem to Stay Alcohol-Free

If you’ve ever quit drinking… started again… and then wondered why it feels harder the next time, this episode is for you.
Because it’s not about willpower.It’s about what’s happening in your brain.
In this episode, I break down why the start-stop cycle makes cravings, anxiety, and day one feel heavier each time, and how you can finally break that loop.
What We Cover
Why quitting feels harder every time you restart
The dopamine loop that keeps pulling you back in
Why anxiety and poor sleep get worse
How the start-stop cycle impacts your nervous system
The kindling effect (and why it matters)
The Core Truth
You’re not failing.You’re reinforcing a loop your brain has learned:
Craving → Drink → Relief → Crash → Repeat
And each time it repeats, it gets stronger.
How to Break the Cycle
Consistency over intensityFocus on not drinking today, not forever.
Stop relying on willpowerUse tools, routines, and support.
Shift your identityStart telling yourself: I do not drink.
Learn what alcohol is actually doingKnowledge builds confidence and weakens the pull.
Links & Resources
Join Alcohol-Free April (starts April 1):https://www.nomorewasteddays.co/alcoholfreeapril
Athletic Brewing:https://www.nomorewasteddays.co/athleticbrewing
Upper Left Strength Co.:https://www.nomorewasteddays.co/upperleft
 
Final Thought
Instead of asking, “Why can’t I get this right?”
Ask:👉 “What if I’ve just been taught the wrong way?”
 
If this episode helped you, be sure to follow, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs it 💛
 
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Follow the podcast on Social Media:
IG: @nomorewasteddays.pod
 
Follow Sara on Social Media:
IG: @no_more_wasted_days
TikTok: @no_more_wasted_days
Facebook: www.facebook.com/NoMoreWastedDaysOfficial

Ep. 164: The Second Act: Reinventing Your Life After Alcohol w/ Melissa McGowan (The Sober New Yorker)

What if quitting drinking wasn’t the end of the fun… but the beginning of your second act?
In this episode of No More Wasted Days, Sara sits down with Melissa McGowan, also known as The Sober New Yorker. Melissa shares how she transformed her life after alcohol and created a vibrant, joyful lifestyle filled with creativity, travel, community, and confidence.
From Broadway dance classes to sober retreats in New York City, Melissa proves that an alcohol-free life can be anything but boring.
If you’ve ever wondered what’s possible on the other side of quitting drinking, this conversation will inspire you to think bigger about your own future.
 
Download Sara’s Free 10 Mantras
If you’re working on shifting your mindset around alcohol, Sara created 10 powerful mantras that helped her in early sobriety.
You can download them here:👉 https://nomorewasteddays.co/10-mantras
 
In This Episode
Melissa shares the story behind her decision to quit drinking after years of social drinking slowly became something that no longer felt good. A wake-up call from her doctor and the loss of a close friend helped her realize it was time to change her life.
*Transcript* Episode 164_ Inter…
Together, Sara and Melissa talk about:
The moment Melissa knew it was time to quit drinking
How alcohol quietly shrinks your world and keeps you “playing small”
Why confidence often increases after quitting alcohol
Letting go of shame and owning your alcohol-free identity
The surprising joy of rediscovering old passions
How Melissa found a new outlet through Broadway dance classes
Navigating alcohol-free game days as a diehard Green Bay Packers fan
Traveling the world sober (including trips to Bali, Italy, and London)
Why it’s never too late for a “second act” in life
Melissa’s story is proof that removing alcohol doesn’t take away your personality, it amplifies who you really are.
 
A Powerful Reminder from Melissa
When you’re drinking, you give up everything for one thing.
When you quit drinking, you give up one thing for everything.
 
About Melissa McGowan
Melissa McGowan is the creator behind The Sober New Yorker, where she shares her alcohol-free journey and inspires others to live fully without alcohol.
She is a:
Podcast host
Speaker and sobriety advocate
Coach for people exploring an alcohol-free life
Host of sober retreats in New York City
Melissa is known for her vibrant social media presence where she shares her love for Broadway dance, travel, and living life out loud without alcohol.
 
Connect with Melissa
Follow Melissa and learn more about her work:
Instagram: @thesobernewyorkerWebsite: https://thesobernewyorker.comPodcast: The Sober New Yorker
 
If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend who might need to hear that life after alcohol can be bigger, brighter, and more joyful than they ever imagined.
 
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Follow the podcast on Social Media:
IG: @nomorewasteddays.pod
 
Follow Sara on Social Media:
IG: @no_more_wasted_days
TikTok: @no_more_wasted_days
Facebook: www.facebook.com/NoMoreWastedDaysOfficial

Ep. 163: The Truth About Alcohol During Perimenopause (No One Told Us This)

Perimenopause can feel like a rollercoaster. Mood swings, anxiety, sleep disruptions, and night sweats can leave many women searching for relief. And because our culture constantly tells us that a glass of wine is the perfect way to relax, many women turn to alcohol to cope.
But what if that nightly drink is actually making perimenopause symptoms worse?
In this episode, Sara breaks down the science behind alcohol and perimenopause, explaining why drinking during this stage of life can intensify symptoms like anxiety, poor sleep, hot flashes, and mood swings. She also shares why midlife women are particularly vulnerable to alcohol’s effects and what actually helps support your body and nervous system during this transition.
If you’ve been feeling confused about what’s happening in your body during this stage of life, this episode will give you clarity, compassion, and practical steps you can take to feel better.
 
In This Episode
 
➡️ What perimenopause actually is (and why it can start earlier than many women realize)
➡️ Why alcohol hits women harder than men, especially in midlife
➡️ How drinking can worsen hot flashes, sleep issues, anxiety, and mood swings
➡️ Why many women start drinking more in their 40s
➡️ The connection between alcohol and breast cancer risk
➡️ How alcohol disrupts REM sleep and emotional processing
➡️ The role alcohol plays in bone density loss during midlife
➡️ Why nervous system regulation matters more than numbing out with alcohol
➡️ Simple strategies that support your body during perimenopause
 
What Actually Helps During Perimenopause
 
Instead of relying on alcohol to cope, research shows that these practices can support your body and hormones during this stage of life:
✨ Prioritizing quality sleep
✨ Regular movement and exercise
✨ Stress-reducing practices like breathwork, yoga, or meditation
✨ Finding connection and community
✨ Talking with a doctor about options like hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
🎯 Ready to Try Life Without Alcohol?
My ✨ Reboot & Refresh: Alcohol Free April ✨ is starting soon, and it’s designed to help you explore what an alcohol-free life could feel like with guidance, tools, and community support.
👉👉 Join the waiting list to get early enrollment and a special discount:https://nomorewasteddays.co/waitinglist
 
Resources Mentioned
🔹 Dr. Stacy Sims
🔹 Dr. Mary Claire Haver
🔹 The Flo App (cycle tracking)
🔹 The Unplug App
🔹 The Gabby App
 
Connect with Sara
If this episode resonated with you:
Share it with a friend who is also navigating perimenopause
Leave a review on Apple Podcasts
Comment on Spotify or YouTube
Subscribe to the No More Wasted Days YouTube channel
 
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Follow the podcast on Social Media:
IG: @nomorewasteddays.pod
 
Follow Sara on Social Media:
IG: @no_more_wasted_days
TikTok: @no_more_wasted_days
Facebook: www.facebook.com/NoMoreWastedDaysOfficial
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Research for this Episode
Female Biology & Alcohol Metabolism
Gender Differences in Alcohol Metabolism — Duke University
Gender Differences in Moderate Drinking Effects — PMC/NIH
Sex Differences in Alcohol Metabolism — Women's Health Research Institute
Drinking — It's Different for Women — Mayo Clinic Press
Alcohol & Perimenopause Symptoms
Why Alcohol and Menopause Can Be a Dangerous Mix — Mayo Clinic
Does Menopause Change the Way You Metabolize Alcohol? — University Hospitals
How Alcohol Consumption Can Impact Your Menopause Symptoms — Henry Ford Health
Alcohol Consumption Patterns and Risk of Vasomotor Symptoms — PMC/NIH
Perimenopause and Alcohol: A Balancing Act — Women of a Certain Stage
Alcohol and Menopause: A Balancing Act — Contemporary OB/GYN
Alcohol Use Trends in Midlife Women
Changes in Excessive Alcohol Use Across the Menopausal Transition — Biology of Sex Differences (SWAN study)
Women's Alcohol Use in Mid-Life: Menopause Symptoms, Drinking & Mental Health — SAGE Journals (2025)
Alcohol Use at Midlife and in Menopause: A Narrative Review — Mayo Clinic / Maturitas (2024)
Menopause, Ageing, and Alcohol Use Disorders in Women — ScienceDirect
Breast Cancer & Alcohol Risk
Alcohol and Breast Cancer Risk — Breast Cancer Research Foundation
Alcoholic Beverage Consumption and Female Breast Cancer Risk — PubMed Systematic Review (Sohi et al., 2024)
7 Facts About Alcohol and Breast Cancer Risk — MD Anderson Cancer Center
Alcohol and Cancer Risk — U.S. Surgeon General's Advisory (2024)
The Link Between Alcohol and Breast Cancer — WHO Europe

Ep. 162: When the Wine Mom Gets Sober w/ Stefanie Wilder-Taylor

Today, I’m sitting down with Stefanie Wilder-Taylor, author of the book Drunk-ish and host of the Drunk-ish Podcast. 
If you’ve ever tried to “moderate,” justified blackouts, or worried you wouldn’t be fun without alcohol, this conversation will hit home.
Stefanie shares how her drinking escalated after becoming a mom, the mental gymnastics of rule-making, and the moment she knew she couldn’t keep going. We talk openly about shame, driving drunk, mommy wine culture, and what it really looks like to quit with young kids.
In This Episode We Cover:
The classic “Are You an Alcoholic?” quiz and how easy it is to talk yourself out of the truth
Why moderation became more exhausting than quitting
The turning point that changed everything
Parenting sober and talking honestly with your kids about alcohol
Navigating sex, social life, and identity without drinking
The fear of losing your personality and why it doesn’t happen
Stefanie proves what so many of us eventually discover: alcohol was never the source of the personality. It was just a crutch.
Connect with Stefanie
➡️ Connect with Stefanie at https://stefaniewildertaylor.com/
🎙️ Listen to the Drunk-ish Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/drunk-ish-a-sobriety-podcast/
📚 Grab her latest book Drunk-ish - https://a.co/d/09o8C3Gg
 
Join the Day Makers Community
And if you’re craving deeper support, structure, and community in your alcohol-free life, come join us inside the Day Makers Community - https://nomorewasteddays.co/day-makers-community/. Try your first two weeks for just $1
 
If this episode resonated, leave a review or comment on Spotify and Youtube
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Follow the podcast on Social Media:
IG: @nomorewasteddays.pod
 
Follow Sara on Social Media:
IG: @no_more_wasted_days
TikTok: @no_more_wasted_days
Facebook: www.facebook.com/NoMoreWastedDaysOfficial

Ep. 161: Why I Quit Weed (from Cali Sober to Fully Sober)

I quit drinking in 2019.I kept smoking weed.Now I’m one year and five months fully sober.In this episode, I’m answering your real questions about ditching weed, using cannabis as harm reduction, brain fog after quitting, and how to know when it’s time to let it go
In This Episode:
🔹 Why I used weed after quitting alcohol
🔹 What changed when it became daily again
🔹 “Weed is medicine” – the nuance behind that statement
🔹 Cannabis use disorder and withdrawal symptoms
🔹 Brain fog, dopamine, and healing after THC
🔹 How harm reduction helped… and where it delayed growth
🔹 The signs it was time for me to quit
🔹 Exactly how I did it (practical tools that worked)
🔹 The identity shift from “stoner” to fully sober
One of the hardest parts was not the substance. It was letting go of who I thought I was.
If you’re alcohol-free but still leaning on weed, this episode is for you.If you’re just questioning your relationship with substances, this episode is for you.Join the Day Makers Community
And if you’re craving deeper support, structure, and community in your alcohol-free life, come join us inside the Day Makers Community - https://nomorewasteddays.co/day-makers-community/. Try your first two weeks for just $1
 
If this episode resonated, leave a review or comment and let me know if you want more conversations about ditching weed and full clarity living.
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Follow the podcast on Social Media:
IG: @nomorewasteddays.pod
 
Follow Sara on Social Media:
IG: @no_more_wasted_days
TikTok: @no_more_wasted_days
Facebook: www.facebook.com/NoMoreWastedDaysOfficial

Ep. 160: The Emotional Work Most Men Avoid in Sobriety w/ Matt Salis

In today’s episode, I sat down with Matt Salis, behavioral health researcher, writer, and co-host of the Untoxicated Podcast.
Matt brings a perspective we don’t talk about enough: what happens in a relationship when alcohol leaves the picture, especially around emotional safety, masculinity, intimacy, and long-term connection.
Unlike my story where Ryan and I quit drinking together, Matt’s journey unfolded differently. His wife, Sherri, was not the partner struggling with alcohol. When he quit, he quickly realized that sobriety was only the beginning. Rebuilding trust, repairing emotional damage, and creating safety in his marriage required years of intentional work.
And we go there in this conversation.
In This Episode, We Discuss:
🔹Matt’s drinking story and the mental gymnastics of “Am I an alcoholic?”
🔹The lightbulb moment when he realized alcohol was fueling his anxiety and depression
🔹His wife’s detachment and how it became a wake-up call
🔹What emotional abuse actually looks like, including the subtle behaviors we normalize
🔹How alcohol amplifies emotional instability in a household
🔹The concept of emotional safety as the foundation for intimacy
🔹Why recovery changes your identity and how that can disrupt a marriage
🔹The “sex sequence”: emotional safety → emotional intimacy → physical intimacy
🔹Why foreplay doesn’t start in the bedroom
🔹Emotional masculinity and what that means in modern sober relationships
🔹How to distinguish between growth discomfort and ongoing emotional unsafety
🔹When couples work… and when they don’t
Key Takeaways
1️⃣ Sobriety Does Not Automatically Repair a Relationship
Quitting drinking removes the toxin, but it does not automatically restore emotional safety. That work is deeper. It requires self-reflection, accountability, and consistency.
2️⃣ Emotional Safety Is Not Optional
Matt makes it clear: emotional safety has to be close to 100 percent. Tone matters. Teasing matters. Raised voices matter. Small behaviors add up over time.
3️⃣ Emotional Intimacy Precedes Physical Intimacy
For many women especially, emotional safety and emotional connection are prerequisites to meaningful physical intimacy. You cannot skip steps and expect closeness to feel secure.
4️⃣ Recovery Changes Who You Are
Sobriety is not just removing alcohol. It reshapes identity. And sometimes, couples must reevaluate compatibility after both people begin evolving.
5️⃣ Emotional Masculinity Is Adaptation
Matt shares his framework for “emotional masculinity,” redirecting traditional masculine values like protection and leadership toward emotional safety, service, resilience, and accountability.
Resources Mentioned
👉 Listen to the Untoxicated Podcast - https://un-toxicated.com/
👉 Take the emotional abuse survey at untoxicatedsurvey.org
👉 Learn more about Matt’s work at https://soberandunashamed.com/
👉 Follow on Instagram @untoxicatedpodcast
If this episode resonated with you, share it with someone who needs to hear it. These conversations matter. Emotional health in sobriety matters.
Join the Day Makers Community
And if you’re craving deeper support, structure, and community in your alcohol-free life, come join us inside the Day Makers Community - https://nomorewasteddays.co/day-makers-community/. Try your first two weeks for just $1
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Follow the podcast on Social Media:
IG: @nomorewasteddays.pod
 
Follow Sara on Social Media:
IG: @no_more_wasted_days
TikTok: @no_more_wasted_days
Facebook: www.facebook.com/NoMoreWastedDaysOfficial

Ep. 159: What Happens in the First 100 Days of Quitting Drinking

Enrollment for PUSH to 100, my 100-day alcohol-free challenge, is officially open, and today is the last day to join before we start together on February 10.
This challenge will give you enough time to actually experience what an alcohol-free life feels like.
👉 Learn more and join here: nomorewasteddays.co***********************************
January has a way of convincing us that if we didn’t hit the ground running, we’ve already failed. That mindset keeps so many people stuck, especially when it comes to quitting drinking.
In this episode, I’m breaking down why there is no magical start date for an alcohol-free journey, and why starting later might actually work in your favor.
I also share my own real-time goals for 2026, including what I’ve been consistent with, what I haven’t started yet, and why none of that means I’ve failed.
If you skipped Dry January, didn’t finish it, or never planned to do it at all, this episode is for you.
What You’ll Hear in This Episode
🔹 Why January is not the make-or-break month we’ve been taught to believe it is🔹 How all-or-nothing thinking keeps people stuck in drinking cycles🔹 Why February can be a quieter, more supportive time to start real change🔹 My personal story of quitting drinking in May, not January🔹 Why shorter alcohol breaks often feel harder than longer ones🔹 What actually happens in your body and brain during the first 100 days alcohol-free🔹 Physical changes you may notice in the first 6 weeks🔹 Emotional shifts that tend to show up between weeks 3–8🔹 Mental clarity and identity changes that often happen after week 6🔹 How to start now without overwhelming yourself🔹 Why support and community matter more than willpower
Why I Recommend 100 Days Alcohol-Free
Short breaks can be helpful, but they often don’t give your nervous system enough time to stabilize or your brain enough time to recalibrate.
With 100 days, you move through:➡️ withdrawal and adjustment➡️ emotional regulation➡️ habit change➡️ identity shift
You don’t just “stop drinking”, you actually get to try on an alcohol-free life and see how it feels when things settle.
It’s the phase of my journey where everything changed, and it’s why the PUSH to 100 exists.
About the PUSH to 100
The PUSH to 100 is a structured, supportive, 100-day alcohol-free challenge designed to help you stop starting over.
Inside the program, you’ll get:✨ Guided video support✨ 8 live group coaching calls with me✨ A private text-based community for daily support✨ Tools to navigate cravings, emotions, routines, and social pressure✨ A longer runway to actually feel the benefits of being alcohol-free
You do not need to be on Day 1 to join.
Many members continue into PUSH to 100 after Dry January or other breaks.
Final Reminder
If January didn’t look the way you hoped, that doesn’t mean the year is lost.
You are not late.You didn’t miss your chance.You can start now.
And if you want to do it with support, I’d love to walk with you through the next 100 days.
👉 Join the PUSH to 100 at nomorewasteddays.co
If you found this episode helpful, you can support the podcast by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts, commenting on Spotify, or watching the video version on YouTube or Spotify.
 
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Follow the podcast on Social Media:
IG: @nomorewasteddays.pod
 
Follow Sara on Social Media:
IG: @no_more_wasted_days
TikTok: @no_more_wasted_days
Facebook: www.facebook.com/NoMoreWastedDaysOfficial

Episode 158: Reinventing Yourself After Alcohol with Amy Mashburn

What happens when you quit drinking and realize the hardest part isn’t the alcohol, it’s letting go of who you used to be?
In this episode of The No More Wasted Days Podcast, I’m joined by Amy Mashburn, nearly 18 years alcohol-free and co-founder of Upper Left Strength. Amy got sober at just 23 years old, long before sobriety was trendy, and her story offers a powerful perspective on identity, mindset, and what it actually takes to build a life you don’t want to escape from.
This conversation goes far beyond health and fitness. We talk about the identity shift that comes with quitting drinking, why mindset has to change before your habits do, and how discomfort is often the doorway to real transformation.
If you’re tired of negotiating with alcohol, half-trying, or feeling stuck between who you were and who you want to become, this episode will land.
In this episode, we talk about:
⚡️ What it was like to get sober at 23 and rebuild life from the ground up
⚡️ Why drinking is often a symptom, not the root problem
⚡️ The identity grief that comes with quitting alcohol (and why it’s normal)
⚡️ Ego death, perfectionism, and self-sabotage in early sobriety
⚡️ Why women are so hard on themselves and how that fuels relapse and burnout
⚡️ The role of discomfort in lasting change
⚡️ How sobriety reshapes standards in relationships, work, and self-respect
⚡️ Why health and fitness can support sobriety without becoming another extreme
⚡️ What “no more wasted days” really means when time is your most valuable resource
A powerful reminder from this episode:
You don’t quit drinking just to stop drinking. You quit so you can reclaim your time, your energy, and your future. Alcohol takes far more than it gives, and once you see that clearly, it’s hard to unsee.
About Amy Mashburn:
Amy Mashburn is nearly 18 years alcohol-free and the co-founder of Upper Left Strength, a health and fitness company focused on sustainable nutrition, strength training, and mindset work. She works alongside her husband to help people step out of all-or-nothing thinking and build lives rooted in alignment, strength, and self-trust.
You can find Amy on Instagram @upperleftamy  and learn more about her work at Upper Left Strength at www.upperleftstrength.com
Work with Amy:
Upper Left Strength offers customized nutrition, strength training, and mindset support through their app-based coaching and Blueprint membership. This is not a quick fix or diet culture solution, it’s real work for people ready to stop starting over.
Find out more at www.upperleftstrength.com
Ready to go deeper in your alcohol-free journey?
Enrollment is open for the PUSH to 100 Alcohol-Free Challenge, starting February 10 and running through May 22. These 100 days are designed to help you walk into summer confident, grounded, and clear.
You can sign up at nomorewasteddays.co.
If this episode resonated with you, please leave a review or comment on Spotify or YouTube, and be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss what’s next.
Your time matters. Let’s stop wasting it.
 
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Follow the podcast on Social Media:
IG: @nomorewasteddays.pod
 
Follow Sara on Social Media:
IG: @no_more_wasted_days
TikTok: @no_more_wasted_days
Facebook: www.facebook.com/NoMoreWastedDaysOfficial
 

Ep. 157: Is It Time to Quit Drinking?

If you’ve ever found yourself quietly wondering, “Is my drinking a problem?” this episode is for you.
Before we dive in, I want you to know this:
👉 Early enrollment for the PUSH to 100 Alcohol-Free Challenge opens tomorrow. This 100-day guided experience begins February 10 and is designed to help you step away from alcohol with clarity, structure, and real support. You’ll receive daily guidance, workbooks, group coaching, and access to a private, off–social-media community where you won’t have to do this alone.
You can join the waiting list now at www.nomorewasteddays.co/100waitinglist, or click the link below. Everyone on the waitlist will be notified as soon as early enrollment opens.
About This Episode
“How do you know when it’s time to quit drinking?”
This is one of the hardest questions to answer, and it’s the exact question I asked myself for years before I finally stopped. I wasn’t waiting for a DUI, a job loss, or a dramatic rock-bottom moment. I was waiting for permission. For certainty. For a sign big enough to make the decision feel undeniable.
In this episode, I explain why that sign rarely comes, and why waiting for it often keeps people stuck longer than necessary.
Instead, I walk you through six clear areas to reflect on, not with judgment or shame, but with honesty and compassion. These are the same signs I ignored for years, and the ones I wish someone had laid out for me sooner.
In This Episode, We Talk About:
🫶 Why asking the question at all is often the first sign that something needs to change🫶 How to recognize when drinking takes more than it gives, emotionally, mentally, and physically🫶 The exhausting cycle of negotiating with yourself and making rules you keep breaking🫶  Using alcohol to numb, cope, escape, or quiet the noise, and why that’s not a personal failure🫶 The overlooked clue that matters most, how you feel on the days you don’t drink
We also talk about something that doesn’t get said enough:
You do not need a dramatic reason, a label, or a diagnosis to quit drinking. You’re allowed to stop simply because life feels harder with alcohol in it, and easier without it.
If You’re Nodding Along While Listening
If this episode feels uncomfortably familiar, that doesn’t mean something is wrong with you. It means your mind and body are trying to tell you something.
Alcohol is a highly addictive substance that has been normalized, encouraged, and marketed as self-care. Feeling stuck in a cycle with it is not a moral failing. It’s a predictable outcome.
And the good news is, you can choose something different.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
If you’re thinking, “I’m ready for a change, but I don’t know how to do this on my own,” I’d love to support you inside the PUSH to 100 Alcohol-Free Challenge.
This is not about perfection or forever decisions. It’s about creating momentum, rebuilding trust with yourself, and experiencing what life feels like without alcohol in the way.
📌 Join the waitlist here: www.nomorewasteddays.co/100waitinglist Early enrollment opens tomorrow, and the challenge begins February 10.
You don’t have to decide anything forever. You only have to listen to what your body and your intuition have already been telling you.
Thank you for being here, and thank you for listening. I’ll be in your ear again next week. 💛
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Follow the podcast on Social Media:
IG: @nomorewasteddays.pod
 
Follow Sara on Social Media:
IG: @no_more_wasted_days
TikTok: @no_more_wasted_days
Facebook: www.facebook.com/NoMoreWastedDaysOfficial

Ep. 156: A Healthier Alternative to Alcohol? Kava 101 w/ Morgan Smith

The next round of the PUSH to 100 (100-day alcohol free challenge), begins on February 10. This is for you if you’re ready to quit drinking with confidence.
👉 Join the waiting list for early access, priority enrollment, and an exclusive bonus at:
www.nomorewasteddays.co/100waitinglist
 
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In today’s episode of No More Wasted Days, I’m joined by Morgan Smith, founder of Kalm with Kava, for a grounded, honest conversation about kava, what it is, how it works, and why it’s becoming a popular alcohol-free ritual for people who still want to unwind without poisoning themselves.
 
If you’ve ever thought:
➡️ “I just want something to take the edge off”
➡️ “I miss the ritual of a drink, not the alcohol”
➡️ “I don’t want to be numb or impaired, just calmer”
This episode is for you.
 
Morgan is a self-described kava nerd, and his depth of knowledge shines through without making this conversation feel overly scientific or overwhelming. We talk about kava as a tool, not a cure-all, and where it fits realistically into an alcohol-free lifestyle.
In this episode, we cover:
✨ What kava actually is and how it’s been used for thousands of years
✨ How kava interacts with the nervous system and why it feels calming without intoxication
✨ The difference between kava and alcohol (and why comparing the two can be misleading)
✨ The truth about liver toxicity, outdated studies, and modern research
✨ Why quality, sourcing, and preparation matter when it comes to kava
✨ How kava can support evening rituals without impairing memory, judgment, or presence
✨ Why no substance, including kava, should be expected to “fix” your life
✨How to think about kava as part of a sober toolbox, not a replacement addiction
Resources & Links:
🌈 Kalm with Kava Website: www.kalmwithkava.com
🌈 Follow Morgan on Instagram @kalm_with_kava, TikTok @kalmwithkava, and YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@Drinkkalm for education and behind-the-scenes looks at how kava is grown and prepared
🌈 Morgan’s Hawaiian farm project: Puʻuhōnua Eva Hawaiian Farms (linked on his socials)
One Last Reminder
If you’re tired of trying to “moderate,” tired of starting over every Monday, and tired of needing something external to get through your evenings, the PUSH to 100 was built for you.
This round runs February 10 through mid-May, setting you up to enter summer and long weekends feeling confident, clear, and grounded in your alcohol-free identity.
👉 Get on the waiting list here: www.nomorewasteddays.co/100waitinglist
If this episode resonated, please subscribe to No More Wasted Days on your podcast app and leave a review. Reviews help this message reach people who need it, and they’re one of the most powerful ways to support the show.
 
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Follow the podcast on Social Media:
IG: @nomorewasteddays.pod
 
Follow Sara on Social Media:
IG: @no_more_wasted_days
TikTok: @no_more_wasted_days
Facebook: www.facebook.com/NoMoreWastedDaysOfficial