About this episode
On this episode of Sisters in Sobriety , Sonia sits down with Kaitlin Henry, wellness advocate and host of the Step Zero podcast, to bust the myth that you need to hit rock bottom before making a change. Kaitlin shares her story of choosing sobriety not from crisis but from clarity — and how her decision to quit drinking started with a juice cleanse and a broken foot. From wine-mom culture to the shame-fueled cycles we normalize, this episode is a vulnerable, powerful conversation about reclaiming your life before it falls apart. What is “gray area drinking”? How do societal messages keep women stuck in patterns that don’t serve them? How do you navigate sobriety when everyone around you still drinks? Sonia and Kaitlin dig into these questions and more — discussing sober curiosity, emotional sobriety, and how self-worth plays a central role in long-term recovery. This is an honest, eye-opening episode about the moments before you quit — and why they matter just as much. Kaitlin also shares insight into how programs like AA and Al-Anon supported her healing, the value of community in early sobriety, and how motherhood, identity, and relationships evolve on the other side of alcohol. She shares the deep inner work that came through step nine of AA, and the hard decisions she had to make — including ending her marriage — to protect her sobriety. This is a must-listen if you’ve ever felt like your story wasn’t “bad enough” to change your life. This is Sisters in Sobriety , the support community that helps women change their relationship with alcohol. Check out our Substack for extra tips, tricks and resources. Highlights 00:00:00 – Sonia introduces the episode and guest Kaitlin Henry, opening the conversation around the myth of "rock bottom." 00:02:40 – Kaitlin shares how alcohol was normalized in her childhood and used as an emotional crutch. 00:05:20 – She discusses the progression from casual drinking to a pattern of dependency in her adult life. 00:08:00 – The story of her personal “rock bottom” begins with a juice cleanse and an unexpected injury. 00:10:40 – Kaitlin reflects on how breaking her foot catalyzed her decision to stop drinking for a short time. 00:13:20 – She discovers the terms “gray area drinking” and “sober curious” during her research online. 00:16:00 – Kaitlin opens up about her father’s alcohol use and how it mirrored her own issues. 00:18:41 – Her early experiences in Al-Anon and the growing realization that she, too, had a problem. 00:21:21 – Sonia and Kaitlin discuss the power of comparison and denial in identifying a drinking problem. 00:24:01 – Kaitlin details her resistance to AA and eventual surrender to deeper personal work. 00:26:41 – She finds support and connection in her first AA meeting, where she finally feels seen. 00:29:21 – Kaitlin shares how emotional release and crying became a huge part of her healing in early sobriety. 00:32:01 – A conversation about how media, pop culture, and “wine mom” culture distort what’s normal. 00:34:41 – Kaitlin talks about the social stigma of being a mom in recovery and how she shifted her narrative. 00:37:22 – Finding new, supportive friendships and making mocktails part of her sober life. 00:40:02 – She explains how sobriety gave her space to rediscover identity and purpose beyond motherhood. 00:42:42 – A reflection on her time in grad school, realizing she wanted to work with people ready to change. 00:45:22 – Kaitlin describes how she began showing her kids what sobriety and purpose can look like. 00:48:02 – She shares how her sobriety impacted her marriage and eventually led to a major fork in the road. 00:50:42 – The power of step nine, doing deep amends work, and the emotional shift that followed. Links Get In Touch With Kaitlin 💌 Sisters In Sobriety Substack – where the magic (and the mocktail recipes) happen 📬 Sisters In Sobriety Email 📸 Sisters In Sobriety Instagram 🌐 Kathleen’s Website Kathleen does not endorse any products mentioned in this podcast 📸 Kathleen’s Instagram Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sisters-in-sobriety/donations Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.