Shows
Rewired SoberEP 53: Why Overachievers Drink: You’re Not Addicted to Alcohol — You’re Addicted to Avoiding PainIn this unfiltered, real-as-hell episode, Kate sits down —makeup-free and bra-free, with her messy podcast editing skills — to talk about something she sees in nearly every woman she coaches:The Overachiever Wound.If you grew up being compared, dismissed, or made to feel less-than… your nervous system learned that safety comes from performance.So you overachieved, excelled, got the degrees, the gold stars, the promotions, the “good girl” identity — all because your body believed: “If I achieve, I’m safe. If I slow down, I’m exposed.”Kate breaks down why high-achieving women...
2025-12-2339 min
The Sober Mom LifeThe Best of 2025I love taking a look back at the end of each year, so today I’ve compiled some of my favorite moments from this year’s episodes to share with you! Get ready to hear some standout moments from all of our fantastic guests in 2025.If you’d like to go deeper into any of these conversations, be sure to visit the full episodes! In this episode you'll hear highlights from:Celebrating Five Years of Sobriety (Episode 227) Gillian Tietz (Episode 232) Liza Feilner (Episode 238) Jyoti Chand (Episode 244)Amanda E. White...
2025-12-2216 minRewired SoberEP 52: The Patriarchy, and Women’s Erasure: Why Sobriety Needs Intersectional FeminismIn today's episode, Kate goes deep into why women’s drinking has never been a personal failure and why sobriety is, at its core, a feminist act. Drawing from neuroscience, history, spirituality, and lived experience, she unpacks how women were conditioned to numb themselves instead of trust themselves and why quitting alcohol often becomes the first moment a woman stops being manageable and starts becoming sovereign.This episode challenges patriarchy, recovery dogma, spiritual gatekeeping, and the idea that women need to humble themselves even more than they already have.In this episode, Kate dives into:
2025-12-1638 min
Rewired SoberEP 51: Managing ADHD in Long-Term Sobriety: One Woman’s Story with Amy Liz HarrisonIn today's episode, Kate sits down with Amy Liz Harrison, a sobriety and recovery mentor who spent years feeling disconnected, overwhelmed, and stuck in patterns that kept her exhausted. Amy shares how she slowly lost herself inside motherhood, marriage, people pleasing, and perfectionism, and how alcohol became the nightly escape valve she used to cope with stress she didn’t know how to name.Amy opens up about her moment of reckoning, her early sober days, and the emotional unraveling that came when she finally stopped drinking and had to face herself honestly for the first time in...
2025-12-0946 minRewired SoberEP 50: ADHD, Midlife, and the Female Brain: Why We Overthink, Why We Drink, and Why We’re Finally Waking UpIn today's episode, Kate pulls apart one of the biggest topics showing up in women’s recovery circles right now: ADHD in women, late diagnoses, masking, and why so many sober women suddenly “realize” they weren’t anxious or lazy. They were neurodivergent.Kate breaks it all down with her signature mix of neuroscience, honesty, and unapologetic feminist fire.She dives into:Why ADHD in women has exploded in awareness and why it is not a trend.How ADHD presents internally for women and why that led to decades of misdiagnosis.The neuroscience behind dopamine...
2025-12-0245 min
Rewired SoberEP 49: Codependency & Alcohol: Understanding the Fear, Control, and Recovery Cycle with Dr. Sarah MichaudWhy do so many sober women still struggle with people pleasing and codependency, even after years of recovery?In this powerful episode, Kate sits down with Dr. Sarah Michaud, clinical psychologist, author of Co-Crazy, and more than four decades sober, for a brutally honest conversation about the invisible emotional patterns that quietly drive addiction. Together, they explore the fears, childhood wounds, and survival strategies that keep women trapped in the cycle of pleasing, fawning, shutting down, and drinking to cope.Dr. Sarah brings compassion, science, and humor to this massive topic, breaking down why codependency...
2025-11-2545 min
Rewired SoberEP 48: A Teacher's Lesson Plan: Boundaries First, Burnout Last with Jennifer MathieuWhat happens when your public self looks polished and high-functioning, but your private life is quietly unraveling?In this vulnerable and insight-packed guest episode, Kate sits down with Jennifer Mathieu, award-winning author of Moxie and The Faculty Lounge, longtime educator, and sober mom. Jennifer opens up about her ten-year spiral into “problematic drinking,” how alcohol became her nightly form of fake self-care, and the moment she became more curious than afraid about getting sober.Drawing parallels between teaching and nursing, Kate and Jennifer explore the emotional weight of public-facing professions, the pressure to perform, and the...
2025-11-1848 minThe Sober Mom LifeYou Are Allowed to Change with Kate VitelaRegistered Nurse and Sobriety Coach Kate Vitela is here to remind you that no matter where you are on your sobriety journey, you are always allowed to change. Kate shares the story of how alcohol became a way of life for her as a young nurse and how her attempt at switching to cannabis wound up unraveling her life in a way that led to full sobriety. She also shares about her experiences with AA. Originally a program that changed her life, Kate felt after a couple of years of...
2025-11-1744 min
Rewired SoberEP 47: PTSD, Moral Injury, Cognitive Dissonance & Drinking with Phillip VitelaIn this powerful Veterans Day episode, Kate sits down with her husband, Phillip, a 20-year Army veteran and nearly four years sober, for an unfiltered conversation about PTSD, moral injury, institutional betrayal, and healing through recovery.Together, they unpack what really happens inside the brain and body after trauma, how hypervigilance, anxiety, and moral conflict can take root long after the uniform or scrubs come off, and why alcohol often becomes the coping tool of choice for soldiers, nurses, and first responders alike.Blending lived experience with neuroscience, Kate and Phillip explore what healing looks...
2025-11-1139 minRewired SoberEP 46. The Truth About Boredom in Sobriety: It’s Not What You ThinkEver find yourself sober and wondering, is this it?In this refreshingly honest solo episode, Kate dives into one of recovery’s least talked about stages: boredom. Through personal stories, neuroscience, and real talk, she explores why life can feel flat in early sobriety and how that “blah” feeling isn’t failure—it’s your brain and nervous system recalibrating after years of artificial stimulation.Kate shares what happens when dopamine levels drop, why we confuse stillness for boredom, and how to rebuild a sense of excitement, identity, and curiosity without reaching for the old quick hits...
2025-11-0440 minRewired SoberEP 45: Why I Don't Call Myself An Alcoholic AnymoreWhat happens when a word that once saved you stops fitting?In this raw and deeply personal solo episode, Kate opens up about one of the most controversial topics in recovery: why she no longer calls herself an alcoholic. After years in 12-step rooms and studying addiction as a psychiatric nurse, she’s unpacked what this label means medically, psychologically, and spiritually, and why it no longer reflects who she is today.Kate explores the evolution of her own recovery, the science behind addiction and neuroplasticity, and how healing changes not just your habits but yo...
2025-10-2833 min
Rewired SoberEP 44. Being a "Functional" Drinker & Hiding Behind it with Rachel Mack MartinCan being too high-functioning actually keep you stuck in your drinking?In this episode, Kate sits down with Rachel Mack Martin, author of Functional: A High Performer’s Guide to Freedom from Alcohol, to talk about what it really means to look like you “have it all together” while quietly struggling with alcohol.Rachel, a director in financial services with an MBA and a life that appeared picture-perfect from the outside, opens up about how intelligence, success, and achievement can become tools of denial. Together, she and Kate unpack the hidden costs of being “functional,” why rock b...
2025-10-2140 minRewired SoberEP43. Family Dynamics & The Domino Effect of SobrietyWhat happens when one person in the family gets sober? The whole system shifts.In this solo episode, Kate unpacks what really goes down when you walk into family gatherings clear-headed for the first time. From side-eyes at the dinner table to Aunt Linda clutching her Riesling like an emotional support animal, Kate blends humor, compassion, and psychology to help you understand why your family reacts the way they do, and how to stay grounded through it.She explores family systems theory, the emotional minefield of the holidays, and how to set boundaries without losing...
2025-10-1434 min
Rewired SoberEp 42. Sobriety, Divorce, and Self-Love with Kathryn SabellaWhat if getting sober didn’t just change your habits, but changed the entire life you thought you wanted?In this episode, Kate sits down with Kathryn Sabella, a divorced mom of two, recovery leader, and co-facilitator of The Sober Mom Collective. Kathryn shares how removing alcohol brought not only clarity but the courage to face the truth about her marriage and herself. Together, they unpack what it means to trust your intuition, navigate change, and choose self-love even when it disrupts everything around you.In this episode, you’ll hear:How sobriety gave Kath...
2025-10-0749 min
That's Where I'm AtEP 61: The Power of Sobriety & Self-Discovery with Kate VitelaIn this episode of That's Where I'm At, host Laura sits down with Kate, a nurse of more than 20 years and a personal development coach, to talk about sobriety, self-worth, and healing after narcissistic relationships. Together, they explore how alcohol, food, and limiting beliefs can leave women vulnerable to toxic dynamics—and how breaking free requires courage, boundaries, and a new story. Kate shares her personal journey of getting sober, healing from toxic relationships, and reclaiming her power through coaching and self-discovery. With a focus on mental health and sobriety in her nursing career, Kate now runs a...
2025-10-0154 min
Rewired SoberEP 41. Stop Asking for Permission & Start Shifting: Suzanne Warye from "The Sober Mom Life"What if sobriety wasn’t about recovery, but about reclaiming your whole self?From fashion blogger to sobriety advocate, Suzanne Warye is challenging mommy wine culture, dismantling the myth of moderation, and showing women that sobriety is not deprivation but transformation. In this conversation, she and Kate dive into motherhood, identity, personal style, and what it really means to create The Sober Shift.In this episode, you’ll hear:Why Suzanne doesn’t use labels like “alcoholic” or “in recovery”How she built The Sober Mom Life podcast and communityThe subtle ways alcohol steals from women’s l...
2025-09-3042 min
Health, Fitness & Personal Growth Tips for Women in Midlife: Asking for a FriendEp.174 The Cost of the Nightly Wine Habit: Sobriety, Neuroplasticity & Midlife FreedomWhat’s the Real Cost of That Evening Glass of Wine? A Sobriety Journey with Kate VitelaKate Vitela, a registered nurse, shares her powerful journey from physical alcohol dependence to over seven years of sobriety. Her story isn’t defined by a dramatic rock-bottom moment but by a gradual awakening to how daily drinking eroded her sleep, career, and relationships. Now, Kate offers a hopeful perspective on recovery through neuroplasticity—the brain’s incredible ability to rewire itself and form new neural pathways. “Our brains can reorganize,” she says. “We can completely transform as h...
2025-09-3052 min
Rewired SoberEP 40. Trying Sobriety On for Size: From Sober Curious to Sober—and Rediscovering NYC with Melissa McGovernIn this episode, Kate sits down with Melissa McGovern, better known as The Sober New Yorker. After decades of drinking, woven into everything from Wisconsin’s drinking culture to New York’s nightlife, Melissa hit a turning point when her best friend died from alcohol-related illness. A devastating loss, paired with a harsh wake-up call from her doctor, pushed her to stop negotiating with moderation and start living fully alcohol-free.Now two years sober, Melissa is a coach, podcaster, and speaker helping women “try sobriety on for size” because sometimes what doesn’t fit at first becomes the thing...
2025-09-2345 min
Rewired SoberEP 39. Making sobriety "The New Cool" - When One Mom called her Own Bluff with Kim BellasWhat if one promise to your child completely rewired your life?In this episode, Kate sits down with Kim Bellas, founder of Sober Is the New Cool and the White Heart Initiative, to explore how motherhood, resilience, and a little white heart turned into a global recovery movement. Inspired by her son’s epilepsy diagnosis, Kim ditched alcohol “for three months”, and never went back. Now 12 years sober, she’s built a worldwide community dedicated to smashing stigma, creating connection, and showing that sobriety isn’t boring—it’s powerful.Kim shares how she reinvented herself in mid...
2025-09-1648 min
Rewired SoberEP 38. Book Club Gold with a Gulp of Truth: Jessica Guerrieri on Writing What We’re All Too Afraid to SayIn this episode, Kate sits down with Jessica Guerrieri, author of Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea—a novel that has taken sober and sober-curious communities by storm. Jessica blends raw honesty, lived addiction, and the messy truths of motherhood into a work of “book club fiction” that’s reaching women where memoirs sometimes can’t.With over 12 years of sobriety, Jessica opens up about why she chose fiction over memoir, how writing became both a refuge and a mirror, and what happens when you say the scary things out loud. Together, Kate and Jessica dive into...
2025-09-0951 minRewired SoberEP 37: How We Rewire Sober: The Mindset + The Mechanics of Kate's 8 (Part 2)In this episode of Rewired Sober, I continue breaking down Kate’s 8—the eight core practices that help us rewire our brains in recovery. Last time, we covered the first four, and today I walk you through the final four practices that create lasting change. Sobriety isn’t just about not drinking; it’s about building a new identity, new thought patterns, and a life that feels like your own.In this episode, I cover:Confidence + Compassion — Why practicing self-compassion (instead of shame) is essential for resilience, and how confidence grows when we let ourselves be human.
2025-09-0236 minRewired SoberEP 36: How We Rewire Sober: The Mindset + The Mechanics of Kate's 8 (Part 1)Sobriety isn’t just about putting down the drink; it’s about retraining the thoughts, loops, and behaviors that kept us stuck in the first place. In this solo episode of Rewired Sober, I’m walking you through the first four practices in what I call Kate’s 8—the eight core ways we actually rewire our brains in recovery. Thanks to the science of neuroplasticity, we know that real change is possible—and I’ll show you how it happens.In this episode, I cover:Interrupting old loops — How to identify the destructive thou...
2025-08-2629 min
The Sober New YorkerSobriety, science, and a second chance - Kate's StoryKate Vitela is a Certified Addiction and Mental Health Nurse and the founder of Rewired Sober. As a sobriety coach and podcast host, she helps people rewire their brains and thrive in recovery. After struggling with alcohol herself and receiving a DWI while working as a psychiatric nurse, Kate turned her life around and is now seven years sober. With medical expertise, lived experience, and deep empathy, she offers transformational coaching, supporting clients in building tools for lasting sobriety. A proud sober woman, Kate is a dedicated advocate for mental health, harm reduction, and long-term healing.Follow...
2025-08-2043 min
Rewired SoberEP 35. Michelle Folan - Menopause, Mindless drinking, and Taking your Power Back in MidlifeIn this episode of Rewired Sober, I sit down with Michelle Folan, certified health and nutrition coach and host of the globally ranked podcast Asking for a Friend. Known for her no-BS, sassy approach to midlife wellness, Michelle helps women over 50 lose fat, build strength, and reclaim their vitality using evidence-based fitness, nutrition, and lifestyle strategies.Michelle shares her personal journey with alcohol, from corporate entertaining and pandemic drinking to her realization that moderation wasn’t serving her anymore. Together, we dive into the intersection of sobriety, menopause, and midlife health—and the empowering freedom that comes when...
2025-08-1946 minRewired SoberEP 34. Procrastination in Recovery: Why We Stall and How To Start MovingWhy do we procrastinate so much in recovery?In this episode, I unpack the six key reasons why procrastination shows up during sobriety and how we can gently work through it:Six Reasons We Procrastinate in Recovery:1) Low Dopamine ToleranceOur brains are used to quick dopamine hits from alcohol. Without that, even basic tasks feel boring and unrewarding. I share ways to build motivation through small wins and habit stacking.2) Nervous System DysregulationSobriety means feeling everything again. Overwhelm can trigger a freeze response, making even si...
2025-08-1236 min
Rewired SoberEP 33: The Rewrite: Andrea Kaplan’s Sobriety Story (with a Little Help from Kate)In this episode, I sit down with Andrea Kaplan, founder of Rewriting Sober, midlife mom of two, writer, and walking proof that it’s never “too late” to rewrite your story. At 48, Andrea hit one year sober, not from a dramatic rock bottom—but from the quiet, heavy hell of anxiety, shame, and soul-numbing routine.We unpack the real transformation: moving from people-pleasing and control to clarity and confidence. Andrea shares how she survived early sobriety while parenting teens, traveling to Italy, going to Vegas (yeah, Vegas), and hosting milestone family events—all without pouring a drink.In th...
2025-08-0546 minRewired SoberEP 32: Why You Crave Booze, Then Hate It: The Opponent Process Theory ExplainedEver wonder why you want alcohol so badly—only to feel like absolute garbage afterward? You’re not broken. Your brain is just doing its job. In this episode, I want to share more about the neuroscience of addiction, diving deep into the opponent process theory, neurotransmitter chaos, and the real reason that 5 p.m. craving feels like a freight train.In this episode I cover:The brain’s “AB Process” and how it wires us to crave booze and crash afterWhy the wine witch hour isn’t about willpower—it’s about biologyGABA, glutamate, dopamine & cortisol: what’s...
2025-07-2928 minRewired SoberEP 31: How Storytelling Rewires Our Brain Through RecoveryEver wonder why telling your story in recovery feels so powerful? It’s not just emotional—it's biological. In this solo episode, I talk about how storytelling activates empathy, builds emotional safety, and rewires your brain for change.From mirror neurons to narrative psychology, learn why your messy truth is the medicine—and how sharing it might be the most powerful recovery tool you have.Today I cover:Why “stories go where science can’t” (but neuroscience is catching up!)The magic and messiness of early AA storytelling circlesHow mirror neurons and narrative psychology help us chan...
2025-07-2235 min
Rewired SoberEP 30: Recovery Begins With Connection - with Leah Fulton-EngIn this episode of Rewired Sober, I sit down with Leah Fulton Eng, a nurse, and the heart behind the Sober Mom Collective. Leah shares the truth about what it really looks like to get sober while parenting—and why community may be the most important part of recovery.Together, we unpack how the illusion of “mommy wine culture” keeps so many women stuck, and how the simple act of showing up—being seen—can be the first step toward lasting change.In this episode we talk about:Leah’s story of addiction, denial, and finally...
2025-07-1549 min
The Begin Again Podcast🏥EP 105 - From Party Girl to Sober Coach: Kate Vitela's Incredible JourneyIn this heartfelt narrative, Kate Vitela shares her raw and unfiltered experience with addiction and her initial struggles with sobriety. She describes a poignant moment of clarity at a support meeting, where she felt a deep sense of belonging for the first time. Acknowledging the importance of personal responsibility in recovery, this story encapsulates a critical point in Vitela's journey that led her to find the strength and self-worth needed to overcome her addiction. This insightful reflection offers a glimpse into the emotional and transformative experiences that define the path to sobriety.🎧 Listen to he...
2025-07-1539 min
Sober Curator PodcastThe Sober Curator Goes B-A-N-A-N-A-SIn this hilariously unfiltered episode of The Sober Curator, the crew peels back the layers (yep, banana pun intended) on what it’s really like being a sober influencer in today's social media circus. Hosts Alysse Bryson and Tamar Routly — joined by Jason Mayo, Dr. Sarah Michaud, Megan Swan, and Kate Vitela — get vulnerable about dopamine fixes, chasing likes, authenticity and the wild quirks of sober life. The key takeaway? Sobriety isn’t boring — it's bananas (in the best way), and sometimes the best way to serve is to keep it weird and keep it real. Timestamps: [00:00...
2025-07-0954 min
Sober is Dope!Rewiring the Addicted Brain: Dopamine, Healing, and Hope with Kate Vitela, RNIn this powerful episode of the Sober is Dope Podcast, host POP Buchanan sits down with Kate Vitela, RN, Certified Addiction and Mental Health Nurse, founder of Rewired Sober, and a passionate sobriety coach helping people rebuild their lives from the inside out.Kate shares her deep medical knowledge and lived experience to break down how alcohol affects the brain and nervous system, how to heal dopamine pathways, and how neuroplasticity can be your greatest ally in long-term recovery.You will learn:How dopamine dysfunction plays a role in addiction and recovery
2025-07-0823 minRewired SoberEP 29: Unsexy in the CityIn this episode, I take you on a raw and unfiltered ride through New York City—from gritty Canal Street lofts to unexpected moments of insecurity on the Upper East Side. I recorded this on the fly during a spring trip, reflecting on identity, recovery, and the unexpected ways old wounds still show up—seven years sober. What begins as a rant about bad hotel decor becomes a powerful story of self-awareness, self-talk, and rediscovering joy (and a little magic) on the sidewalks of Manhattan. Key Takeaways:Even years into sobriety, old insecurities can resurface—and that’s...
2025-07-0835 min
Rewired SoberEP 28: From Numbing to Knowing - Tammy Pozerycki Shares Her Sobriety StoryIn today's episode I am speaking with a former coaching client and dementia specialist Tammy Pozerycki. With 551 days of sobriety under her belt, Tammy opens up about her long history of addiction—from food and smoking to alcohol—and the emotional roots that kept her stuck for years. She shares how body image issues, disordered eating, and generational trauma shaped her coping mechanisms.Tammy reflects on the internal pain that motivated her to change, the chronic health conditions that reinforced her decision, and the role of coaching in helping her face the truth, shed the victim mindset, and...
2025-07-0146 min
TheWillpowerPodcast with Will GordonAn Honest Talk About Women, Alcohol & Shame (And How to Get Through It)From DUI and fake pee to a thriving sobriety coaching practice, Kate Vitela’s recovery story is as raw and real as it gets. In this emotional episode of the Willpower Podcast, Kate shares how she lost everything — her job, her license, her identity — and rebuilt her life through honesty, support, and the power of neuroplasticity.
🔥 Kate is a nurse, sobriety coach, and host of the podcast Rewired Sober. She opens up about her hidden struggles with alcohol, her time in a psychiatric facility, the turning point that led her to AA and community support, and how s...
2025-06-2653 min
VIA: Love & Evolution PodcastHustling for Wholeness: Our conversation with Sobriety Coach Kate VitelaIn this episode, Sarah and Katrina sit down with Kate Vitela — registered nurse, sobriety coach, and fellow podcaster — for a raw and resonant conversation about addiction, healing, and realizing your worth.
Kate opens up about her personal journey through alcoholism and the profound changes that came with sobriety. With disarming honesty and humor, she shares the often-overlooked struggles of hustling through adulthood, chasing the feeling of being "good enough," and finally choosing a path of self-compassion and self-acceptance.
Her insights into the neurobiology of sobriety and recovery are illuminating — offering both science and soul to those...
2025-06-251h 10Rewired SoberEP 27. Welcome to REWIRED SOBERWelcome to the first official episode of Rewired Sober — formerly You’ve Been Selected. In this episode I pull back the curtain on the real reasons for the name change, what I've learned about ego, identity, and Instagram, and how getting lost in vanity metrics nearly derailed the heart of my mission — to help women recover through neuroscience, storytelling, and soul-deep honesty.If you’re craving a sober space that’s about rewiring your brain — not reposting filtered versions of your rock bottom — you’re in the right place.Why the Name Change MattersThe o...
2025-06-2428 min
Rewired SoberEP 26. Sobriety, Simplicity & Letting Sh*t Go with Beate PilgreenIn today's episode, I sit down with Beate Pilgreen — a professional organizer, sober powerhouse, and all-around life declutterer — to talk about the connection between getting sober and clearing the damn clutter — both emotionally and physically.Beate shares her journey from growing up in Germany to making a "geographic" move to the U.S., thinking a new zip code could fix her heartbreak (and her drinking). Spoiler: it didn’t. But the story didn’t end there. After years of struggle, a 20-year marriage, and a full life reset, Beate found her way into sobriety — and, unexpectedly, into a whole new...
2025-06-1747 min
Rewired SoberEP 25. Style Is Not a Makeover—It’s a Mirror with Solita C. RobertsIn this episode, I sit down with the brilliant Solita Roberts, founder of Style to Impact and a true catalyst for transformation—one wardrobe at a time.We go deep on how style isn't about playing dress-up for the world. It's about dressing in alignment with who you actually are. Whether you're stepping into sobriety, into leadership, or just into a new era of self, your closet shouldn't be holding you hostage to an outdated version of you.Solita shares how getting dressed during the darkest season of her life became an act of self-care—and...
2025-06-1043 min
Rewired SoberEP 24. "Finding My Voice" with Celeste YvonneIn this beautifully candid conversation, Kate sits down with writer and recovery advocate Celeste Yvonne to talk about sobriety, identity, motherhood, and what it really takes to step into the light after years in the shadow of shame.Celeste shares the powerful backstory behind her book It's Not About the Wine, and what it was like navigating early recovery with a deep fear of being “found out.” From unpacking inherited narratives around addiction to co-founding the transformative Sober Mom Squad, Celeste opens up about finding her voice—and using it to help others find theirs.If you...
2025-06-0351 min
Rewired SoberEP 23. NLP & The Power of Reframing with Marsha VanwynsbergheIn this powerful conversation, I sit down with author, speaker, NLP trainer, and coach Marsha Vanwynsberghe. Marsha is a six-time bestselling author, host of the Own Your Choices, Own Your Life Podcast, and founder of several transformational coaching programs. She shares openly about her journey as a parent navigating teen substance abuse and how that experience catalyzed her mission to help others reframe their stories and reclaim their power.This episode is an honest, wide-ranging look at the realities behind building a meaningful business, facing personal breaking points, and evolving through discomfort. Marsha and I discuss what...
2025-05-2753 min
Rewired SoberEP 22. What Do Sober Couples Do For Fun?In today's episode, I am joined once again by my husband, Philip, to talk about something they’re frequently asked: What do sober couples do for fun?Together we share how our social life has evolved in sobriety—from bar brawls and boring nights in to a packed calendar filled with live music, fashion shows, comedy, art events, photography gigs, and spontaneous "treasure hunts" at flea markets.Not only that, our marriage and personal interests have flourished, and being sober has enhanced our ability to enjoy and explore life. From mocktails to night drives, downtown adve...
2025-05-2045 minRewired SoberEp 21. Introducing The Gut Check: A Private Course for Self-InquiryIn this episode, I want to share a little bit about a new course called The Gut Check—a private self-inquiry course designed for those stuck in the space between “not rock bottom” and “not free.”This episode is both a behind-the-scenes look at why The Gut Check course was created and an invitation to explore what happens when we pause before the pivot.Whether you’re questioning your relationship with alcohol, stuck in comparison traps, or simply wondering “Is this working for me anymore?”, this episode and course are designed to meet you in that sacred spac...
2025-05-1334 min
Rewired SoberEP 20. How to Love Yourself No Matter F*cking What with Artist Catherine JustIn this episode, I sit down with my dear friend, artist, and sober mentor Catherine Just — a visual powerhouse whose photography gives voice to the unspoken: love, loss, desire, and transformation.Catherine celebrates 37 years of continuous sobriety, and her life’s work is a testament to what happens when you listen to the inner whisper that says, “There’s more to life than what you’re living.” From battling meth addiction at 18 to gracing the walls of galleries in Paris, Milan, and Los Angeles, Catherine shares the raw truth of what it takes to own your space, your voice...
2025-05-0642 minRewired SoberEP 19. Get Sober, Get a Life, Get DressedWhat started as a silly reel (complete with banana phone and bathrobe chic) evolved into a powerful reflection on identity, transformation, and fashion as a mirror of recovery. In this episode I unpack how sobriety shattered the illusion of what I once thought was a “fabulous” drinking life and how, ironically, my style and confidence actually blossomed in recovery.I discuss:The real meaning behind “get a life” after getting soberHow fashion helped Kate find her footing in recoveryThe identity crisis of ditching wine-soaked glam for authentic styleFrom "Hollywood Kate" to conscious consumer — the evolution of a personal...
2025-04-2944 min
Rewired SoberEP 18. Kate's Husband Phillip is Back - Sharing His Sobriety StoryMy husband Phillip is back, and this time he is sharing his story about getting sober. From his career in the military, to binge drinking, blackouts, and rock-bottom moments—this is his story, 4 years after I decided to quit drinking.In this episode Phillip shares:The night he wrecked his car—and how it saved his lifeThe emotional toll of transitioning out of the militaryBinge drinking, masculinity, and cultural expectations around alcoholHow relationships can grow together even when recovery looks differentThe stigma (and silence) around sobriety in certain families and communities and the work he gets to d...
2025-04-2242 minRewired SoberEp 17. Staying Sober When Your Partner Still DrinksIn this episode, I’m diving into the truth that no one tells you about getting sober: the real work starts after you put down the drink.For many of us, the next layer of recovery is learning how to navigate our relationships without numbing, fixing, or losing ourselves in other people.This one is for anyone who is navigating sobriety with a partner who still drinks.What happens when your nervous system finally stops buzzingWhy peace can feel threatening after a lifetime of survival modeThe sneaky ways people-pleasing and codependency show up post-sobrietySetting bo...
2025-04-1529 minSober Curator PodcastThe (Real) Sober Housewives at The Sober CuratorIn this episode of "The Sober Curator," host Alysse Bryson and co-host Tamar Routly chat with contributors Kate Vitela, Alexandra Nyman, Amy Liz Harrison, Megan Swan, and Anne Marie Cribbin about the portrayal of sobriety on reality TV, particularly "The Real Housewives." They tackle the good and bad of staying sober in the spotlight and discuss how we’re ready for authentic storytelling in media that supports wellness and recovery.Timestamps:[00:00:00] - Welcome to The Sober Curator Podcast[00:04:25] - Kyle’s Sobriety Storyline in "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills"[00:06:49] - Emot...
2025-04-0951 minRewired SoberEP 16: My Journey Through Disordered EatingIn this solo episode, I crack open the conversation around disordered eating and substance use disorder — and how they can so often co-exist behind closed doors. I'm not an expert, just a woman in recovery sharing what helped me heal. I talk through the shame, the secrecy, and the sticky-note moment that became my turning point. This is my story of getting radically honest — with myself, my husband, and eventually, the world.What I cover in this episode:The painful intersection of sobriety and bulimia: why getting sober didn’t magically “fix” everything.My personal wake-up call: how...
2025-04-0838 min
Rewired SoberEP 15. Loving an Addict: A Husband's PerspectiveWhat is it like to love someone through active addiction? In this raw and deeply personal episode, I sit down with my husband, Philip—a combat veteran and mental health advocate—to talk about our journey through addiction, codependency, and survival. What we cover:Our honest, unfiltered truth about love, recovery, and the hidden battles that we both faced throughout the yearsPhillip openly shares how he felt during my rock-bottom momentsPhilip shares his own struggles, the myths he believed about addiction, and the hard-earned lessons he learnedWhere we are today and how through our experiences we can s...
2025-04-0143 minSober Curator PodcastLifestyles of the Sober (& Wanna Be Famous?)In this lively episode of "The Sober Curator," host Alysse Bryson and Sober Curator contributors Jason Mayo, Megan Swan, and Kate Vitela, dive into the vibrant world of living a sober lifestyle. They tackle personal challenges, share insightful stories, and discuss the various ways to balance life post-addiction. From colonoscopy humor to sugar cravings, this episode reveals the humorous, real, and sometimes raw aspects of sobriety while emphasizing that life without substances can be joyous and fulfilling. Timestamps: [00:00] - Kicking off with colonoscopy confessions [02:31] - Exploring Sober Lifestyle & Creative Outlets [05:30] - Sobe...
2025-03-2641 min
Rewired SoberEP 14. Rewired for Recovery: Dr. Robb Kelly on Beating Addiction for GoodDr. Robb Kelly is a quick-witted, no-nonsense addiction expert who doesn’t sugarcoat the truth. He takes recovery seriously because people are dying, and there’s no time for excuses. In this episode, we go deep into his journey, his methods, and why he believes full recovery is possible.What We Cover:Dr. Kelly’s personal struggle – Losing custody of his children to addiction and fighting his way back.Building a recovery empire – How he turned his pain into a powerful business that changes lives.The science of rewiring the brain – Addiction isn’t a life sentence if yo...
2025-03-2557 minRewired SoberEP 13. Sober in the City: Celebrating 7 Years in NYCEvery year, I take a trip to New York City for my soberversary, and this year marks 7 years. NYC has always been a magical place, but in sobriety, it’s taken on an even deeper meaning—it’s shown me that I can accomplish bucket list dreams sober instead of just being a drunken dreamer who never follows through.What I Share in This Episode:The power of experiencing NYC sober – How this city has become proof that I can do anything without alcohol.Break Free Fashion Show – How being part of this mental health and recovery m...
2025-03-1827 minRewired SoberEP 12. Gratitude: A Love-Hate Relationship and Reframing It as RebellionIn this solo episode, Kate gets real about her complicated relationship with gratitude. Spoiler alert: it wasn’t always her favorite concept. She dives into why the typical “gratitude fixes everything” mantras used to make her roll her eyes and how she found a way to embrace gratitude without spiritually bypassing the real pain that life throws at us.Kate unpacks how gratitude, when done authentically, is less about ignoring pain and more about reframing it as an act of rebellion against a world that constantly tells us we’re not enough, don’t have enough, or need more...
2025-03-1128 min
Rewired SoberBonus Episode: What it Takes to Be A Sober Gangster with Kate Vitela on the Own Your Choices Own Your Life PodcastIn this episode, I speak with Kate Vitela, a board-certified nurse coach and certified addiction RN with over two decades of nursing experience. Kate has been sober since 2018. She has empowered women in recovery with humour, science, and spiritual growth. Her podcast, "You Been Selected," inspires transformation through real talk and actionable tools for sobriety and personal development. Throughout our conversation, we explored the misconceptions surrounding addiction, particularly the stigma that often accompanies it. Kate emphasized the importance of understanding addiction as a complex issue rooted in pain and trauma rather than a moral failing. She highlighted t...
2025-03-0753 min
Rewired SoberEP 11. This One’s for Jenny: A Deeper Dive into Sisterhood and Jenny’s StoryIn this episode, Kate continues her heartfelt conversation with Nurse Coach Sarah Morgando as they take a deeper dive into the story of Sarah’s sister, Jenny. They explore the complex relationship between gastric bypass surgery and addiction—a journey that ultimately led to Jenny’s untimely death.Together, Kate and Sarah discuss the profound impact this experience had on Sarah’s mission to create a space where women feel seen, heard, and safe. This inspired her to form a women’s group centered on sisterhood, self-awareness, and emotional safety—a place where vulnerability can flourish and healing begi...
2025-03-0441 min
Own Your Choices Own Your Life822 | What it Takes to Be A Sober Gangster with Kate VitelaIn this episode, I speak with Kate Vitela, a board-certified nurse coach and certified addiction RN with over two decades of nursing experience. Kate has been sober since 2018. She has empowered women in recovery with humour, science, and spiritual growth. Her podcast, "You Been Selected," inspires transformation through real talk and actionable tools for sobriety and personal development. Throughout our conversation, we explored the misconceptions surrounding addiction, particularly the stigma that often accompanies it. Kate emphasized the importance of understanding addiction as a complex issue rooted in pain and trauma rather than a moral failing. She highlighted...
2025-02-2751 min
Own Your Choices Own Your Life822 | What it Takes to Be A Sober Gangster with Kate VitelaIn this episode, I speak with Kate Vitela, a board-certified nurse coach and certified addiction RN with over two decades of nursing experience. Kate has been sober since 2018. She has empowered women in recovery with humour, science, and spiritual growth. Her podcast, "You Been Selected," inspires transformation through real talk and actionable tools for sobriety and personal development. Throughout our conversation, we explored the misconceptions surrounding addiction, particularly the stigma that often accompanies it. Kate emphasized the importance of understanding addiction as a complex issue rooted in pain and trauma rather than a moral failing. She highlighted t...
2025-02-2751 min
Rewired SoberEP 10. Sisterhood Rising with Sarah Morgando, RNIn this episode of "You Been Selected," Kate honors the incredible work of Nurse Coach Sarah Morgando and her group Sisterhood Rising, formed in loving memory of Sarah’s sister, who lost her battle with addiction. This powerful group is rooted in the concept of healing the sister wound—the deep societal patterns of judgment, comparison, and competition that often divide women.Kate explores how Sisterhood Rising creates a space where women in recovery can come together to dismantle these wounds and foster authentic connection. This concept is especially vital in female sober circles, where fears of judg...
2025-02-2540 min
Rewired SoberEP 9. The Sober Curator: Fashion, Sobriety, and Adventures with Alysse BrysonIn this entertaining episode, Kate sits down with Alysse Bryson, founder of the online magazine The Sober Curator, to talk about how it all began. Alysse shares the story behind creating this much-needed space—a BuzzFeed-style hub for sober people—and how Kate got involved writing a fashion column, despite having no clue what she was doing at first.From humble beginnings to walking the runway at NYFW, Kate and Alysse recount their adventures in NYC, their shared passion for sober creativity, and their plans to bring even more entertaining content to The Sober Curator.Tune...
2025-02-1841 min
Rewired SoberEp 8. Addiction Expert Veronica Valli: Navigating the Sober Social Media LandscapeIn this enlightening episode, Kate welcomes the renowned Veronica Valli—esteemed author, podcast host, and addiction expert with decades of sobriety. Veronica shares her seasoned perspective on the ever-evolving sober landscape on social media, diving into the rise of sober influencers, the cult of online personalities, and the importance of critical thinking in recovery.Key highlights from the episode include:The Sober Social Media Boom: Veronica explores the positive and negative impacts of social media on the recovery community, including how it fosters connection but can also spread misinformation.Sober Influencers and the “Guru” Effect: Why it’s c...
2025-02-1144 minRewired SoberEp 7. Post-Acute Withdrawal: The Hidden Challenge of SobrietyIn this episode of "You Been Selected," Kate breaks down the often misunderstood experience of Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS) and how it can impact your sobriety journey. Many people think the hardest part of recovery is the initial detox—but PAWS, which can last much longer than expected, presents its own set of challenges.Kate explains how PAWS symptoms like mood swings, self-doubt, and emotional instability can leave you feeling frustrated and discouraged, especially if you’re navigating recovery without a supportive community. She also shares why understanding this phase of recovery is crucial for building resilience and...
2025-02-0438 minRewired SoberEP 6. Kate’s Faucets of Freedom: WHAC Your Way to RecoveryIn this episode of "You Been Selected," Kate dives deep into her transformative framework for recovery: the Faucets of Freedom. Designed to help you build a life of resilience, self-awareness, and lasting sobriety, this framework breaks down six essential principles using the acronym WHAC:Willingness: The courage to take the first step and remain open to growth.Humor: Finding the light in dark moments to stay grounded and keep perspective.Honesty: Embracing radical truth with yourself and others, even when it’s hard.Humility: Recognizing your limitations and embracing the strength in asking for help.Abstinence: Staying committed to...
2025-01-2834 minRewired SoberEP 5. Kate Unpacks the Road to Recovery Meetings, Surrender and Finding a Path of Her OwnIn this episode, Kate shares her journey of navigating recovery meetings and finding the support she needed along the way. It all started with a book that opened her eyes to the possibility of sobriety, inspiring her to attend her first meeting. But when live meetings closed during the pandemic, Kate faced a new challenge: staying connected to recovery in isolation.Key highlights from this episode include:The Early Days of Recovery: How reading a book inspired Kate to take the first brave step toward sobriety by attending recovery meetings.The Pandemic Shift: Navigating the closure...
2025-01-2133 min
Recovery Discovery by Show Up and StaySober Positive Workplace | First responders and recovery w/Kate VitelaDeAnn interviews Kate Vitela, a board-certified nurse coach and addiction specialist, about her journey in sobriety and career. Kate, a registered nurse for over two decades, discusses her transition from various healthcare settings to behavioral health after getting sober in 2018. She shares her experiences with a state monitoring program for nurses with substance use issues and her eventual success in leadership roles. Kate emphasizes the importance of evidence-based practices, self-care, and creativity in recovery, including her involvement in fashion and her newly released podcast, "You've Been Selected."You can find Kate on Instagram https://www.instagram.com...
2025-01-1431 min
Rewired SoberEP 4. Kate sits down with Jessica Landon to Discuss Eleven Years of SobrietyIn this inspiring episode, Kate sits down with the incredible Jessica Landon, who celebrates an incredible milestone—11 years of sobriety. Jessica shares her deeply personal journey, humbly reminding us that healing isn’t linear and that recovery is a lifelong process. As a self-proclaimed “forever student” of self-discovery, Jessica dives into the lessons she’s learned along the way and the challenges she continues to navigate.Key highlights from the episode include:Healing as a Lifelong Journey: Why Jessica embraces the idea that there is no final destination in recovery, only growth and learning.Spirituality as a Foundati...
2025-01-1449 minRewired SoberEP 2. Kate’s Story Part 2 "Rock Bottom, Redemption, and Getting “Selected"In this episode, Kate shares her powerful story of hitting rock bottom and rebuilding her life after addiction. From a psych ward to a DUI, a failing marriage, and being busted by the nursing commission, Kate faced it all. Unemployable in her community and at the lowest point of her career, she entered the monitoring program for nurses with substance use disorders.Kate recounts how the monitoring program worked, including the infamous app that would show “You Been Selected” in red letters on days she was summoned for a UA. Despite the challenges, Kate found her turning poin...
2025-01-0735 minRewired SoberEP 3. Resilience: Embracing the SuckIn this episode, Kate goes on a raw and relatable rant about resilience after being laid off from her job. Reflecting on her journey, she shares how hitting rock bottom in the past has equipped her to face challenges like this with perspective and strength. Kate dives into the tools she’s learned to stay resilient in hard times, proving that growth comes from leaning in, not running away.This episode explores:Why hitting rock bottom taught her everything.The importance of humor in facing life’s challenges.How adaptability and community foster resilience.Sisterhood as a so...
2025-01-0726 minRewired SoberEP 1. Kate’s Story Part 1 "Body Image, Booze, and the ‘Pick Me’ Trap"In this episode of "You Been Selected," Kate dives into her struggles with body image, eating disorders, and the need for external validation that led her down the path of being a "pick me girl." She opens up about how these experiences ultimately paved the way for her reliance on alcohol. This raw and honest conversation explores:Battling self-worth issues tied to body image.The intersection of disordered eating and control.How the search for validation can lead to self-destruction.The pivotal moment when alcohol became her escape.This story is To Be Continued……(Hint...
2025-01-0733 minRewired SoberYou've Been SelectedHi, I'm Kate. I'm a nurse with over two decades in the field. And for a long time, I thought I had things pretty dialed in in my life.So this podcast is about when life flipped the script on me. I went from being a nurse and what I thought was a high functioning professional to someone whose entire life revolved around alcohol.The next thing I knew, I was in a monitoring program for nurses with substance use disorders.I was checking this app every single day to see if I...
2025-01-0604 min
THE M2 THE ROCK SHOW - Michael MolthanThe Recovered NURSE's Shocking TruthKate Vitela has been a highly respected and accomplished registered nurse for over two decades, with a wealth of experience and expertise. However, her personal journey has been one of immense struggle and triumph. In 2018, after hitting rock bottom, Kate found the strength and determination to get sober and turn her life around. In a remarkable transformation, she shifted her focus to psychiatric nursing, using her own experiences to connect with and support her patients on a deep and profound level. Her dedication and passion have earned her board certifications in mental health, addiction, and nurse coaching. But Kate's impact...
2024-11-1640 min
King County Recovery ConversationsFrom Recovery to Connection: Exploring The Sober Curator's JourneyIn this episode of King County Recovery Conversations, host Heather Venegas is joined by podcast contributor Alysse Bryson, founder of The Sober Curator, and Sober Curators Kate Vitela and Tamar Medford.
Alysse shares her journey to sobriety and how she turned her passion for content creation into a hub for all things sober. From beverage reviews to fashion columns, The Sober Curator covers various aspects of the sober lifestyle and is the ultimate resource for all things related to recovery and zero-proof living. Kate and Tamar joined the team as content contributors in September 2021 and March 2022, respectively. ...
2023-09-1854 min
Eternally AmyFeeding the Body, Feeding the Spirit: Recovery Beyond Addictions and Eating DisordersIn this episode of the "Eternally Amy" podcast, Amy Liz Harrison and Kate Vitela delve into the often overlooked connection between eating disorders and addiction, particularly focusing on the concept of 'Drunkorexia.' Through their own experiences, they show how disordered eating and drinking too much can be linked in unexpected and sneaky ways. The discussion shows how social pressure, shame, and keeping secrets can keep these problems going. By talking about their own experiences, the hosts emphasize how important it is to talk about these problems openly and to understand them. They tell people to meet people where...
2023-09-0655 min
Nurse Connect with Jenn Maul, RN17. Kate Vitela's StoryNurse Connect Podcast Episode No. 16
Meet Sally! She shares her incredible journey from a burned out Nurse Director having panic attacks and taking an LOA to learning how to regulate her nervous system and resolving her chronic pain through using varied energetic and somatic practices. She now coaches others on their healing journey!
Video avail. on You Tube: https://youtu.be/4B6CB3HRKjk
2023-08-2229 min
Friend Request119 - Kate VitelaKate Vitela is a sober fashion model, nurse, and wife. She discusses growing up as a middle child and constantly moving around as a kid. Kate also talks about losing her step-father and the guilt she felt from that loss, thinking it should have been her instead. She then discusses drinking to the point of getting a DUI and how she finally got sober and became a fashion model in her 40s. Dry January is sponsored by Dry-Hopped IPAs like the one you can get from Bravus Brewing! Their Double Dry-Hopped IPA is back...
2023-01-091h 11
Decidedly Dry - Sobriety, Alcohol-Free Living, Quit Drinking, Sober CuriousFashion Editor Shares About How Sobriety Can Be Fabulously Stylish // Kate VitelaIn this episode, I have the pleasure of interviewing my beautiful friend, Kate Vitela. Kate is a mental health professional, a sober badass, and a fashion editor for The Sober Curator. Her column, Walk Your Talk, is entertaining, inspiring, and absolutely fabulous. More about Kate: Kate has been an RN in the Pacific Northwest for over 20 years. After getting sober she shifted her nursing career towards mental health and dug in hard into the recovery space. Kate gets creative every morning curating a look from her “cloffice” that says capable, confident, and stylish AF. She converted an extra...
2022-05-1037 min
Recovery Revolution LiveRecovery Revolution Live with Kate VitelaMy name is Kate Vitela and I’m a wife, a daughter, a sister, a step-mom and a nurse…. But most importantly I am a sober freakin warrior. My sober date is 2-10-18. I speak, write and advocate for sobriety all in the hopes to tear down stigma and bring some love and laughter into the journey. I recover out loud through various social media platforms and I love meeting new people in the recovery community. I work in behavioral health and I feel like every single story is impactful. I got sober in the rooms of AA and...
2021-11-091h 08