The No More Wasted Days Podcast
This is the No More Wasted Days Podcast. I'm your host - Sara Kaufman-Bradstreet.
Grab your favorite NA drink, and listen as we share vulnerable stories so you never feel alone on your alcohol free journey, and gain insights from us as we breakdown our most used tips and strategies that have kept us alcohol free. It’s time to break free from wasting any more of your days to the drinking/blackout/hangover cycle.
Listen on:
Episodes
Tuesday Apr 21, 2026
Tuesday Apr 21, 2026
What if being alcohol-free didn’t feel like a daily battle… but just who you are?
In this episode, Sara breaks down the shift from relying on exhausting willpower to stepping into true empowerment, where sobriety feels natural, aligned, and even effortless over time. If you’ve ever felt like you’re “white-knuckling” your way through this journey, this episode gives you practical ways to change that.
The 6 Strategies to Move from Willpower → Empowerment:
Reframe Your Mindset Shift from “I can’t drink” to “I don’t drink.” Start seeing your alcohol-free life as an upgrade, not a loss.
Strengthen Your Why Get clear on why this matters to you, and make it personal. Your why should feel powerful enough to guide your decisions.
Embrace a Growth Identity Focus on who you’re becoming. Start living like that version of you now through habits, routines, and hobbies.
Automate Your Habits Create routines that reduce decision fatigue. The less you have to decide, the easier it is to stay alcohol-free.
Surround Yourself with Empowering Influences Audit your environment, both online and in real life. Choose people, content, and communities that support your growth.
Celebrate Identity Shifts Acknowledge your wins, big and small. Reinforce the identity of someone who doesn’t drink.
Links, Resources, and Sponsors:Join the Day Makers:https://nomorewasteddays.co/day-makers-community
Athletic Brewing:https://www.nomorewasteddays.co/athleticbrewing
Upper Left Strength Co.:https://www.nomorewasteddays.co/upperleft
If this episode resonated with you, share it with someone who needs to hear it.
Remember, you only get one life. The question isn’t “why quit?” It’s “why stay disconnected from 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
Tuesday Apr 14, 2026
Tuesday Apr 14, 2026
In this episode, Sara sits down with Jessi Hartnett, host of the Honor Your Heart Podcast, to talk about breaking free from cigarettes, weed, and alcohol, and what it really takes to stay free.Jessi shares her journey from perfectionism and burnout to healing, revealing how substances were never the real problem – they were the solution she used to cope. Together, they unpack the emotional roots of addiction, the surprising challenges of quitting weed, and why true freedom comes from learning how to meet your needs in healthier ways.If you’ve ever felt stuck in a cycle of numbing out, this episode will help you understand what’s really going on and how to start reconnecting with your authentic self.
What You’ll Learn
Why perfectionism and workaholism often fuel substance use
The emotional rollercoaster behind drinking, smoking, and using weed
The truth about weed withdrawal that no one talks about
Why quitting all substances at once can sometimes be more effective
How anger can actually help you break free
The difference between external success and internal peace
Why lasting change requires inner work, not just willpower
Key Takeaway
You’re not just quitting a substance—you’re learning how to come back to yourself.
Connect with Jessi
Connect with Jessi Hartnett on social media (@honor_your_heart)
You Can Quit Smoking Podcast - https://www.honoryourheart.net/podcast
www.honoryourheart.net
Honor Your Heart: Your Path to Stop Smoking and Stay Stopped - https://a.co/d/0iIIsM2w
Links, Resources, and Sponsors:Join the Day Makers:https://nomorewasteddays.co/day-makers-community
Athletic Brewing:https://www.nomorewasteddays.co/athleticbrewing
Upper Left Strength Co.:https://www.nomorewasteddays.co/upperleft
If this episode resonated with you, share it with someone who needs to hear it.
Remember, you only get one life. The question isn’t “why quit?” It’s “why stay disconnected from it?”
***************************************
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
Tuesday Apr 07, 2026
Tuesday Apr 07, 2026
Quitting drinking when your partner doesn’t can feel isolating, but it’s more common than you think.This episode breaks down how to stay grounded in your alcohol-free journey without trying to control or change your partner. Learn how to set boundaries, communicate clearly, and create new ways to connect without alcohol.You’ll walk away with practical tools to protect your peace, strengthen your relationship, and build a life that actually feels better without drinking.Links, Resources, and Sponsors:Join the Day Makers:https://nomorewasteddays.co/day-makers-community
Athletic Brewing:https://www.nomorewasteddays.co/athleticbrewing
Upper Left Strength Co.:https://www.nomorewasteddays.co/upperleft
If this episode resonated with you, share it with someone who needs to hear it.
Remember, you’re not too much. You’re not broken. And you’re not imagining things.
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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
Tuesday Mar 31, 2026
Tuesday Mar 31, 2026
👉👉 Join the Alcohol Free April Challenge today and start your 30-day reset with daily support, tools, and community. www.nomorewasteddays.co/alcoholfreeapril
In this powerful conversation, Sara sits down with mindset coach and speaker Jill McKnight to explore the connection between alcohol, emotional manipulation, and learning to trust yourself again.
Jill shares her personal experience navigating a narcissistic relationship and how alcohol can both mask and intensify the confusion, self-doubt, and emotional exhaustion that often come with it.
Together, they unpack how to recognize red flags, rebuild self-trust, and begin reclaiming your identity, whether you're still in the relationship or starting your healing journey.
If you’ve ever felt like you were “too much,” questioned your reality, or used alcohol to cope with stress or anxiety, this episode will help you see things more clearly and remind you that you are allowed to want more.
In this episode, we cover:
How narcissistic traits and alcohol misuse feed off each other
Why you may feel like you’re the problem (and why you’re not)
The role alcohol plays in numbing and delaying clarity
Early warning signs of toxic or narcissistic dynamics
How to start rebuilding trust in yourself
Why leaving feels so scary, and how to move through that fear
Small, practical ways to reconnect with your identity
Connect with Jill McKnight
Connect with Jill on Instagram @locatecoaching
Jill’s Website - https://www.locatecoaching.com/
Jill’s Podcast: Life After: From Surviving to Thriving
Free resource: 5 Ways to Identify a Narcissistic Relationship - https://locatecoaching.activehosted.com/f/3
Links, Resources, and Sponsors: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
If this episode resonated with you, share it with someone who needs to hear it.
Remember, you’re not too much. You’re not broken. And you’re not imagining things.
***************************************
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
Tuesday Mar 24, 2026
Tuesday Mar 24, 2026
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
Tuesday Mar 17, 2026
Tuesday Mar 17, 2026
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
Tuesday Mar 10, 2026
Tuesday Mar 10, 2026
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
Tuesday Mar 03, 2026
Tuesday Mar 03, 2026
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
Tuesday Feb 24, 2026
Tuesday Feb 24, 2026
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
Tuesday Feb 17, 2026
Tuesday Feb 17, 2026
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