The Shannon McCabe Show | Sobriety & Healthy Living

24. Sober Vacation Tips: How to Prepare and Actually Have Fun Without Alcohol

If the thought of taking a vacation without alcohol makes you a little nervous—you’re not alone. I’ve been there.
In this episode of The Shannon McCabe Show, we’re talking all about how to plan, prepare for, and actually enjoy sober vacations—whether it’s a beach getaway, a family trip, or a weekend with friends. Because sober vacations aren’t just possible, they’re better.
I’m sharing: 🌴 The fears I had before my first alcohol-free vacation (and how I got past them) 💛 The difference between old trips that revolved around drinking… and the way vacations feel now 🛠 Practical prep tips—like packing non-alcoholic drinks you love and planning activities that fill your cup ✨ Why sober vacations leave you feeling rejuvenated instead of drained
If you’ve been worried that vacations won’t be fun without drinking, this episode is here to show you the opposite is true. You don’t need alcohol to have the time of your life—you just need the right tools, a supportive mindset, and a little faith in yourself.
✨ Ready to stop just “getting by” without alcohol—and start thriving?
📣 Join Elevate today 
This is for women who are ready to take their alcohol-free life to the next level—where you’re not just counting days, you’re building a life that feels peaceful, grounded, and fully your own.
You’ve done the hard part—you’ve started.Now let’s make sure you keep building a life you love living in.
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If this episode resonated with you, I’d love for you to share it with a friend who might need to hear it too. And if you’re enjoying The Shannon McCabe Show, it would mean the world if you could take a moment to rate and review the podcast—it helps more people find these conversations and start their own journey to living alcohol-free.
Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode! And if you share on social media, tag me—I’d love to hear your thoughts and connect with you. 💛
 

23. What Alcohol is Really Doing to Your Sleep (and Your Sanity)

If you’ve ever poured a glass of wine thinking it’ll help you relax and sleep better... this episode is your wake-up call (literally).
In this episode of The Shannon McCabe Show, I’m breaking down the real impact alcohol has on your sleep—and why it might be the reason you’re feeling anxious, foggy, and exhausted (even when you're "sleeping").
Inside this episode: 🧠 The truth about alcohol’s sedative effects vs. true restorative sleep 😴 Why so many women are waking up at 3am in full-blown anxiety 💭 How alcohol messes with your mood, memory, and mental clarity 🩺 The physical toll—think hormones, heart health, and beyond 📣 An invite to join me inside The Alcohol-Free Blueprint—your next step if you’re ready to feel actually rested and alive again while having support in every area of sobriety
If you’re constantly tired, irritable, wired-but-exhausted, or just not feeling like yourself… this episode will connect some major dots. Your body is trying to tell you something—and you deserve to feel better.
 
Alcohol-Free Blueprint 
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If this episode resonated with you, I’d love for you to share it with a friend who might need to hear it too. And if you’re enjoying The Shannon McCabe Show, it would mean the world if you could take a moment to rate and review the podcast—it helps more people find these conversations and start their own journey to living alcohol-free.
 
Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode! And if you share on social media, tag me—I’d love to hear your thoughts and connect with you. 💛
 

22. Real Talk: How Alcohol Alters Your Brain Chemistry & Keeps You Stuck in the Same Exhausting Cycle

If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Why can’t I just stop?” This episode is for you.
Spoiler alert: it’s not because you’re weak. It’s because alcohol literally rewires your brain—and understanding that can change everything.
In this episode of The Shannon McCabe Show, I’m breaking down how alcohol affects your brain chemistry—especially dopamine and serotonin—and why so many of us get stuck in the cycle even when we desperately want out.
Here’s what we cover: 🧠 What alcohol actually does to your brain (and why it feels so hard to quit) ⚡️ Why your emotional highs and lows aren’t just in your head—they’re biological 💥 How understanding brain chemistry helps you break the cycle of dependence 🌱 An invitation to join Elevate—my newest program to help you not just quit, but thrive in your alcohol-free life
You’re not alone. You’re not broken. And when you understand what’s really happening beneath the surface, you can stop blaming yourself—and start taking your power back.
Alcohol-Free Blueprint 
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If this episode resonated with you, I’d love for you to share it with a friend who might need to hear it too. And if you’re enjoying The Shannon McCabe Show, it would mean the world if you could take a moment to rate and review the podcast—it helps more people find these conversations and start their own journey to living alcohol-free.
 
Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode! And if you share on social media, tag me—I’d love to hear your thoughts and connect with you. 💛
 

21. How to Quit When Your Husband Still Drinks Without Feeling Resentful, Alone, or Stuck

Let’s talk about one of the most common questions I get: “How do I quit drinking… if my husband still drinks?”
If you’ve ever felt alone in your sobriety journey because your partner isn’t on the same path—you’re not crazy, and you’re definitely not the only one.
In this episode, I’m sharing my own experience navigating this dynamic and offering real-life advice for how to stay committed to your alcohol-free life even when your spouse still drinks.
Inside this episode, we cover: 🧠 Why owning your sobriety is the most powerful thing you can do 🚩 The difference between a “take it or leave it” drinker and a partner who may have their own struggles 💬 Tips for communicating without creating conflict 🛑 Setting boundaries with love (and without guilt) 💛 The importance of support systems—especially when your home environment feels tricky 📣 And how The Alcohol-Free Blueprint can help guide you through this chapter
You don’t have to wait for your partner to get on board in order to choose a better life for you.
You’re allowed to do this your way. You’re allowed to feel all the feelings. And I promise—you’re not doing it alone.
Alcohol-Free Blueprint 
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If this episode resonated with you, I’d love for you to share it with a friend who might need to hear it too. And if you’re enjoying The Shannon McCabe Show, it would mean the world if you could take a moment to rate and review the podcast—it helps more people find these conversations and start their own journey to living alcohol-free.
 
Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode! And if you share on social media, tag me—I’d love to hear your thoughts and connect with you. 💛

20. The Power of Acceptance in Sobriety When You Realize Moderation Isn’t An Option

Let’s talk about something a lot of us secretly struggle with… ⚡️ That nagging belief that maybe you can still learn to drink “normally.” Spoiler alert: for many of us, that idea is keeping us stuck.
In this episode, I’m responding to a message I received from someone who said, “I just can’t seem to moderate, and I hate that about myself.” Whew—if that hit you in the gut, this episode is for you.
Here’s what we dive into: 💭 Why the desire to moderate is often a sign of something deeper 🧠 How to reframe “acceptance” as a strength—not a failure 🌿 Why letting go of moderation might be the thing that actually sets you free 🖤 The grief that can come with this shift—and how to move through it 📝 Reflection questions to help you process and grow
If you’re still clinging to the fantasy of being able to “figure it out,” I want you to know this: You’re not broken. You’re just ready to be free.
 
Alcohol-Free Blueprint 
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If this episode resonated with you, I’d love for you to share it with a friend who might need to hear it too. And if you’re enjoying The Shannon McCabe Show, it would mean the world if you could take a moment to rate and review the podcast—it helps more people find these conversations and start their own journey to living alcohol-free.
 
Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode! And if you share on social media, tag me—I’d love to hear your thoughts and connect with you. 💛
 

19. Reimagining the Rest of 2025 Without Alcohol -- A Mid-Year Friend to Friend Check In

Let’s have a heart-to-heart, friend. 💛 We’re halfway through the year—and if you're feeling like things haven’t gone the way you hoped, you're not alone.
In this episode, I’m inviting you to pause and get honest with yourself. ✨ How’s your relationship with alcohol really going? ✨ How do you want to feel by the end of this year?
I’m sharing my own journey—from trying to moderate for years to finally embracing what it looked like to live alcohol-free—and why moderation isn’t the easy out we wish it was.
Here’s what we dive into: 🔄 The exhausting cycle of trying to control drinking 🧠 Why honesty (not shame) is the first step to real change 🗓️ How to use this mid-year moment to shift your mindset and reset your path 🌟 An invitation to join me inside The Alcohol-Free Blueprint—a space for women who are ready to take that next brave step
This isn’t about pressure or perfection. It’s about choosing peace, clarity, and freedom—one decision at a time.
🎧 Hit play when you're ready to reimagine what's possible for the rest of your year. You don’t have to keep living this way. And you don’t have to figure it out alone.
Episode 3 About Moderation
Alcohol-Free Blueprint 
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If this episode resonated with you, I’d love for you to share it with a friend who might need to hear it too. And if you’re enjoying The Shannon McCabe Show, it would mean the world if you could take a moment to rate and review the podcast—it helps more people find these conversations and start their own journey to living alcohol-free.
 
Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode! And if you share on social media, tag me—I’d love to hear your thoughts and connect with you. 💛
 

18. The Best is Yet to Come—And It Doesn’t Involve Alcohol

I’ve been feeling so grateful lately—for every message, every DM, and every one of you who’s taken the time to share how this podcast is landing in your life. 💛 It means the world.
In this episode, I’m reflecting on what life looked like three years ago—when I was still in the thick of my struggle with alcohol—and how different things feel now. Not because everything magically got easier, but because I finally stopped clinging to what used to work and started opening up to what’s possible now.
Here’s what we dive into: 🌿 The natural rhythm of change—and why it’s okay to outgrow old habits 🥂 The truth about alcohol’s current role in your life (not just what it used to be) 💫 How letting go of drinking can create space for deeper joy, connection, and peace 💭 Why loosening your grip isn’t failure—it’s growth
This episode is your reminder that you’re allowed to evolve. You’re allowed to want different things now. And letting go of alcohol? It might just be the doorway to a life that feels even better than the one you’re trying to hang onto.
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If this episode resonated with you, I’d love for you to share it with a friend who might need to hear it too. And if you’re enjoying The Shannon McCabe Show, it would mean the world if you could take a moment to rate and review the podcast—it helps more people find these conversations and start their own journey to living alcohol-free.
 
Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode! And if you share on social media, tag me—I’d love to hear your thoughts and connect with you. 💛
 

17. Still Trying to Control Your Drinking? Start Here.

There’s a weird thing that happens the longer we’re alcohol-free—we start to forget just how exhausting it was before we quit. All the starts and stops. All the “this is the last one” moments. All the shame spirals that came with trying to quit... over and over again.
In this episode, I’m going back to that space—because if you’re there right now, I see you. And I want to give you a little permission slip: ✨ You can quit trying to quit. Just for a moment.
Instead, let’s get curious. Let’s explore what alcohol is really doing in your life—and what you’re hoping it gives you.
Inside this episode: 🌀 Why it’s okay to pause and reflect instead of pushing yourself to “just quit already” 💭 Reflective questions to help you understand your relationship with alcohol—without judgment 🫶 The power of honesty, even when the answers aren’t pretty 📣 An invitation to join Dry-ish July — a space to explore, reflect, and take gentle steps with support
This isn’t about perfection. It’s about awareness, truth, and the freedom that comes when you stop fighting yourself and start listening instead.
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If this episode resonated with you, I’d love for you to share it with a friend who might need to hear it too. And if you’re enjoying The Shannon McCabe Show, it would mean the world if you could take a moment to rate and review the podcast—it helps more people find these conversations and start their own journey to living alcohol-free.
 
Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode! And if you share on social media, tag me—I’d love to hear your thoughts and connect with you. 💛

16. Shifting the Narrative Right Now: Using Confirmation Bias to Support Your Alcohol-Free Life

Our brains are wild, aren’t they? 🧠
In this episode, I’m digging into a little something called confirmation bias—how our minds are constantly searching for evidence to support what we already believe. And yep, that sneaky habit can either help your sobriety… or seriously hold you back.
Here’s what we unpack together:
🔍 What confirmation bias is and why it matters 🥴 How it can quietly sabotage your alcohol-free journey 🌀 How to reframe your thoughts so quitting drinking feels empowering—not like a punishment 💭 Real-life examples from my own experience, including my journey as a mom to a daughter with special needs 🗣️ How to change the story you’re telling yourself (because your words matter more than you think)
If you’ve ever thought, “I can’t do this” or “This is too hard,” this episode is for you. Let’s start choosing thoughts that support the future you actually want to create.
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Tools for Cravings Resource
 
If this episode resonated with you, I’d love for you to share it with a friend who might need to hear it too. And if you’re enjoying The Shannon McCabe Show, it would mean the world if you could take a moment to rate and review the podcast—it helps more people find these conversations and start their own journey to living alcohol-free.
 
Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode! And if you share on social media, tag me—I’d love to hear your thoughts and connect with you. 💛

15. Mastering Cravings — Tools You Actually Need on Your Sober Journey

Let’s be honest—cravings can feel so overwhelming in the moment. But the good news? You’re not powerless. In this episode of the Shannon McCabe Show, I’m walking you through the exact tools I’ve used (and still use) to ride out cravings and stay connected to the version of me I’m becoming.
Here’s what we cover:
✨ Why hitting pause is your superpower ✨ How to actually use the HALT method (Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired) ✨ Tips for staying nourished and hydrated (seriously—this matters more than you think) ✨ Tools like box breathing, EFT tapping, and “playing the tape forward” ✨ Why movement shifts your energy fast ✨ The role of accountability and why you don’t have to do this alone
This is one of those episodes you’ll want to come back to anytime you feel a craving coming on. Your cravings don’t mean you’re failing—just that your body and brain are used to old patterns. Let’s build new ones that actually lead to peace, confidence, and freedom.
 
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If this episode resonated with you, I’d love for you to share it with a friend who might need to hear it too. And if you’re enjoying The Shannon McCabe Show, it would mean the world if you could take a moment to rate and review the podcast—it helps more people find these conversations and start their own journey to living alcohol-free.
Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode! And if you share on social media, tag me—I’d love to hear your thoughts and connect with you. 💛