In this debut episode, Ashley Young, founder of Fizzy and Free, shares her honest relationship with alcohol, how drinking quietly escalated through motherhood, and why the “just quit” approach to sobriety doesn’t work when you’re already exhausted, overwhelmed, and carrying the mental load of everything.
This episode introduces Stability Before Sobriety, a different path for moms who feel stuck in the day-one cycle and unseen in traditional sobriety spaces.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
How drinking can quietly sneak up on moms
The mental load, identity loss, and emotional overwhelm behind the habit
Red flags, moderation rules, and constant mental bargaining
Why so many moms don’t feel represented in traditional sobriety spaces
What led to creating an approach that actually meets moms where they are
Resources & Support:
Take the Which Sitcom Mom Drinking Style Quiz to discover your drinking pattern and what it’s really telling you. If you’re ready for support, reach out:
Email: hello@fizzyandfree.com
Instagram: @fizzyandfree
Facebook: Fizzy and Free
Don’t forget to follow, leave a review, and share this episode with a mom who’s ready to keep raising kids, not glasses.
Sometimes the wake-up call is louder than we expect. For me, it came in the form of a pancreatitis diagnosis—a moment that forced me to take a hard look at my relationship with alcohol and my health.
In this deeply personal episode of Fizzy and Free, I’m sharing a real-time journal entry written during my recovery. Whether you’re a casual drinker, navigating alcohol withdrawal exhaustion, or reflecting on your own journey toward emotional sobriety, this honest glimpse into my story is here to remind you: healing is possible.
🔑 In this episode, you’ll hear:
How I processed my diagnosis through journaling
The emotional rollercoaster of early sobriety
How alcohol impacted my body and mental health
Why I’m grateful I documented the moment I decided to change
✨ Your story matters—even the hard parts. Especially the hard parts.
💌 Ready to take your first step? Grab my free 3-Day Video Series: Why You Keep Going Back to Day One (and How to Break the Cycle) — perfect for overwhelmed moms looking for clarity and support.👉 Grab it here!
💌 Ready to go a step further?
Join the waitlist for Flourish, my monthly membership for moms who are ditching the wine and finding their way back to joy, calm, and connection—without the overwhelm. You don’t have to do this alone. 💛 Join the waitlist here
💬 Let’s Connect: Instagram: @fizzyandfree
👩💻Website & Resources: www.fizzyandfree.com
⭐ Rate + Review: If this episode made you laugh, feel seen, or just helped you take one step forward, please take a second to rate and review the show. Your words help more moms find this podcast and start their own journey. 💕
In motherhood, it’s easy to feel isolated, overwhelmed, and stuck in survival mode—especially when alcohol has been your go-to way to cope. But what if you didn’t have to rely on mommy wine culture to feel connected?
In this episode of Fizzy and Free, I’m sharing how I shifted out of victim mentality and started creating my own emotional connections—without numbing out with alcohol. Whether you’re a casual drinker, navigating white knuckling in early sobriety, or simply craving something deeper than surface-level scrolls and sips, this episode is for you.
🔑 Inside this episode, you’ll learn:
Why alcohol keeps moms feeling disconnected and emotionally depleted
The link between alcohol and depression in motherhood
How to build real connection without relying on drinking culture
A powerful mindset shift to take back your power and stop waiting to be “rescued”
✨ Emotional sobriety isn’t just about removing alcohol—it’s about reconnecting with yourself and others in a way that actually feels good.
💌 Ready to take your first step? Grab my free 3-Day Video Series: Why You Keep Going Back to Day One (and How to Break the Cycle) — perfect for overwhelmed moms looking for clarity and support.👉 Grab it here!
💌 Ready to go a step further?
Join the waitlist for Flourish, my monthly membership for moms who are ditching the wine and finding their way back to joy, calm, and connection—without the overwhelm. You don’t have to do this alone. 💛 Join the waitlist here
💬 Let’s Connect: Instagram: @fizzyandfree
👩💻Website & Resources: www.fizzyandfree.com
⭐ Rate + Review: If this episode made you laugh, feel seen, or just helped you take one step forward, please take a second to rate and review the show. Your words help more moms find this podcast and start their own journey. 💕
We know alcohol is everywhere in motherhood—from mommy wine memes to girls’ nights out—but do we actually understand what it is and what it’s doing to our bodies?
In this eye-opening episode of Fizzy and Free, I’m joined by Registered Dietitian Emily Tills of Nourished with Emily to break down what alcohol really is, how it affects your body, and why it often leaves moms feeling anxious, exhausted, and stuck in a cycle of guilt and shame.
Whether you're a casual drinker, sober curious, or navigating the emotional toll of white knuckling through early sobriety, this conversation is packed with insights you won’t hear in mainstream wellness spaces.
🔑 In this episode, you’ll learn:
What alcohol actually is (spoiler: it’s not harmless)
How alcohol affects your metabolism, hormones, and mental health
The connection between alcohol and depression, anxiety, and burnout
Why understanding alcohol is a game-changer for moms trying to cut back or quit
✨ Knowledge is power—and this episode will help you make informed, empowered choices about what you’re putting in your body.
💌 Ready to take your first step? Grab my free 3-Day Video Series: Why You Keep Going Back to Day One (and How to Break the Cycle) — perfect for overwhelmed moms looking for clarity and support.👉 Grab it here!
💌 Ready to go a step further?
Join the waitlist for Flourish, my monthly membership for moms who are ditching the wine and finding their way back to joy, calm, and connection—without the overwhelm. You don’t have to do this alone. 💛 Join the waitlist here
💬 Let’s Connect: Instagram: @fizzyandfree
👩💻Website & Resources: www.fizzyandfree.com
⭐ Rate + Review: If this episode made you laugh, feel seen, or just helped you take one step forward, please take a second to rate and review the show. Your words help more moms find this podcast and start their own journey. 💕
How many times have you said, “I’m fine,” when you were actually exhausted, anxious, or one sip away from pouring another glass of wine? For so many moms, “fine” is code for burnout, overwhelm, or emotional numbness—especially when alcohol is involved.
In this episode of Fizzy and Free, I’m unpacking the real meaning behind “I’m fine” and sharing one of my favorite alcohol-free emotional tools: the Feelings Wheel. Whether you’re a casual drinker, stuck in white knuckling sobriety, or just tired of pretending everything’s okay, this tool can help you reconnect with your emotions—and yourself.
🔑 In this episode, we explore:
Why “I’m fine” often masks anxiety, sadness, and alcohol-related depression
How wine culture encourages moms to ignore their feelings
How to use the Feelings Wheel to check in emotionally (instead of checking out with a drink)
A simple way to teach emotional intelligence to your kids, too
✨ Emotional sobriety isn’t just about quitting alcohol—it’s about learning how to actually feel again. And that starts with getting honest.
💌 Ready to take your first step? Grab my free 3-Day Video Series: Why You Keep Going Back to Day One (and How to Break the Cycle) — perfect for overwhelmed moms looking for clarity and support.👉 Grab it here!
💌 Ready to go a step further?
Join the waitlist for Flourish, my monthly membership for moms who are ditching the wine and finding their way back to joy, calm, and connection—without the overwhelm. You don’t have to do this alone. 💛 Join the waitlist here
💬 Let’s Connect: Instagram: @fizzyandfree
👩💻Website & Resources: www.fizzyandfree.com
⭐ Rate + Review: If this episode made you laugh, feel seen, or just helped you take one step forward, please take a second to rate and review the show. Your words help more moms find this podcast and start their own journey. 💕
If you’ve ever poured a drink to take the edge off—only to feel worse later—you’re not alone. Whether you consider yourself a casual drinker, feel stuck in the cycle of white knuckling sobriety, or just want to be more mindful, this episode introduces a powerful mindset tool to help you pause, reflect, and make a different choice.
In this episode of Fizzy and Free, I share the “Play the Movie Forward” technique—one of my favorite tools for reducing alcohol use, staying grounded, and even helping kids build emotional awareness and self-regulation.
🔑 In this episode, you’ll learn:
How this simple technique can help you say no to that next drink
Why it’s especially helpful during moments of stress, overwhelm, or mom guilt
How alcohol often worsens anxiety, depression, and burnout
Why this is a tool worth passing on to your kids as part of emotional sobriety
✨ This is more than a sobriety trick—it’s a mindset shift that supports long-term change, clarity, and peace.
💌 Ready to take your first step? Grab my free 3-Day Video Series: Why You Keep Going Back to Day One (and How to Break the Cycle) — perfect for overwhelmed moms looking for clarity and support.👉 Grab it here!
💌 Ready to go a step further?
Join the waitlist for Flourish, my monthly membership for moms who are ditching the wine and finding their way back to joy, calm, and connection—without the overwhelm. You don’t have to do this alone. 💛 Join the waitlist here
💬 Let’s Connect: Instagram: @fizzyandfree
👩💻Website & Resources: www.fizzyandfree.com
⭐ Rate + Review: If this episode made you laugh, feel seen, or just helped you take one step forward, please take a second to rate and review the show. Your words help more moms find this podcast and start their own journey. 💕
Feeling stretched thin this holiday season? If you usually reach for a glass of wine to cope with the chaos, you’re not alone. But here’s the truth: there are better ways to fill your cup—and actually feel better.
In this episode of Fizzy and Free, I’m sharing simple, powerful ways to recharge without alcohol, so you can show up for your family without falling into the cycle of mommy wine culture, burnout, or emotional exhaustion.
Whether you're a casual drinker, sober curious, or navigating alcohol withdrawal exhaustion, this episode will help you stay grounded and present through the holidays.
✨ You deserve a holiday that nourishes you—mind, body, and soul. Let’s ditch the mommy wine and make space for real joy.
💌 Ready to take your first step? Grab my free 3-Day Video Series: Why You Keep Going Back to Day One (and How to Break the Cycle) — perfect for overwhelmed moms looking for clarity and support.👉 Grab it here!
💌 Ready to go a step further?
Join the waitlist for Flourish, my monthly membership for moms who are ditching the wine and finding their way back to joy, calm, and connection—without the overwhelm. You don’t have to do this alone. 💛 Join the waitlist here
💬 Let’s Connect: Instagram: @fizzyandfree
👩💻Website & Resources: www.fizzyandfree.com
⭐ Rate + Review: If this episode made you laugh, feel seen, or just helped you take one step forward, please take a second to rate and review the show. Your words help more moms find this podcast and start their own journey. 💕
Ever wonder what it really feels like in the early days of sobriety? In this vulnerable episode, I’m reading two real journal entries from November 2022, just months into my alcohol-free journey. You’ll hear my raw thoughts on white knuckling sobriety, emotional triggers, and what it felt like to be navigating early motherhood without alcohol for the first time in years.
I also share reflections on how far I’ve come—and how these entries remind me why I keep choosing this path.
🔑 What you’ll hear:
Honest reflections from early sobriety
My personal experience with alcohol withdrawal exhaustion
How I processed anxiety, overwhelm, and alcohol-related depression
The mindset shifts that helped me move from surviving to thriving
✨ Whether you're a casual drinker questioning your habits or deep in the messy middle of quitting, this episode is a reminder that healing is possible—and you’re not alone.
💌 Ready to take your first step? Grab my free 3-Day Video Series: Why You Keep Going Back to Day One (and How to Break the Cycle) — perfect for overwhelmed moms looking for clarity and support.👉 Grab it here!
💌 Ready to go a step further?
Join the waitlist for Flourish, my monthly membership for moms who are ditching the wine and finding their way back to joy, calm, and connection—without the overwhelm. You don’t have to do this alone. 💛 Join the waitlist here
💬 Let’s Connect: Instagram: @fizzyandfree
👩💻Website & Resources: www.fizzyandfree.com
⭐ Rate + Review: If this episode made you laugh, feel seen, or just helped you take one step forward, please take a second to rate and review the show. Your words help more moms find this podcast and start their own journey. 💕
Tired of carrying the crushing weight of mom guilt? You’re not alone. So many moms turn to alcohol to cope with anxiety, overwhelm, and emotional exhaustion—but it often leaves us feeling even worse.
In this episode of Fizzy and Free, I’m sharing how I began to shift from daily anxiety and guilt to a space of grace, self-compassion, and emotional freedom—without white-knuckling my way through sobriety.
If you’re navigating early sobriety, feeling like you're barely hanging on, or constantly stuck in a loop of self-blame, this episode will help you break that cycle.
🔑 In this episode, we cover:
How alcohol impacts anxiety and emotional exhaustion
Why white knuckling through sobriety isn’t sustainable
What “Mom Grace” really looks like in real life
Gentle mindset shifts that reduce guilt and build resilience
✨ Sobriety isn’t just about quitting drinking—it’s about healing how you talk to yourself.
💌 Ready to take your first step? Grab my free 3-Day Video Series: Why You Keep Going Back to Day One (and How to Break the Cycle) — perfect for overwhelmed moms looking for clarity and support.👉 Grab it here!
💌 Ready to go a step further?
Join the waitlist for Flourish, my monthly membership for moms who are ditching the wine and finding their way back to joy, calm, and connection—without the overwhelm. You don’t have to do this alone. 💛 Join the waitlist here
💬 Let’s Connect: Instagram: @fizzyandfree
👩💻Website & Resources: www.fizzyandfree.com
⭐ Rate + Review: If this episode made you laugh, feel seen, or just helped you take one step forward, please take a second to rate and review the show. Your words help more moms find this podcast and start their own journey. 💕
When you stop drinking, one of the hardest (and most unexpected) questions to answer is: “What do I even like to do for fun?” If alcohol has been your go-to for relaxing, socializing, or unwinding, it's totally normal to feel a little lost at first.
In this episode of Fizzy and Free, I’m opening up about my own journey of rediscovering who I am without alcohol—and how I started finding joy, passion, and purpose in new, authentic ways.
🔑 In this episode, we explore:
Why sobriety can trigger an identity crisis (and how to move through it)
How to answer the question “What are your hobbies?” as a sober mom
The surprising things I now enjoy that I never even considered before
Encouragement for moms feeling bored, stuck, or unsure of who they are without drinking
✨ You’re not just removing alcohol—you’re reconnecting with yourself. And trust me, that version of you? She’s worth getting to know
💌 Ready to take your first step? Grab my free 3-Day Video Series: Why You Keep Going Back to Day One (and How to Break the Cycle) — perfect for overwhelmed moms looking for clarity and support.👉 Grab it here!
💌 Ready to go a step further?
Join the waitlist for Flourish, my monthly membership for moms who are ditching the wine and finding their way back to joy, calm, and connection—without the overwhelm. You don’t have to do this alone. 💛 Join the waitlist here
💬 Let’s Connect: Instagram: @fizzyandfree
👩💻Website & Resources: www.fizzyandfree.com
⭐ Rate + Review: If this episode made you laugh, feel seen, or just helped you take one step forward, please take a second to rate and review the show. Your words help more moms find this podcast and start their own journey. 💕
Thinking about trying Sober October? Whether you're sober curious or ready to take a break from drinking, having the right tools can make all the difference—especially when the cravings hit.
In this episode of Fizzy and Free, I’m sharing one of my favorite alcohol-free tools: NA (non-alcoholic) beverages. These go-to drinks helped me through the early days of sobriety and continue to support me when I want to unwind without the buzz.
✨ Whether you're doing Sober October for the first time or just looking for fresh ideas, this episode is full of easy swaps and encouragement for moms on an alcohol-free journey.
💌 Ready to take your first step? Grab my free 3-Day Video Series: Why You Keep Going Back to Day One (and How to Break the Cycle) — perfect for overwhelmed moms looking for clarity and support.👉 Grab it here!
💌 Ready to go a step further?
Join the waitlist for Flourish, my monthly membership for moms who are ditching the wine and finding their way back to joy, calm, and connection—without the overwhelm. You don’t have to do this alone. 💛 Join the waitlist here
💬 Let’s Connect: Instagram: @fizzyandfree
👩💻Website & Resources: www.fizzyandfree.com
⭐ Rate + Review: If this episode made you laugh, feel seen, or just helped you take one step forward, please take a second to rate and review the show. Your words help more moms find this podcast and start their own journey. 💕
Are you a mom who keeps pouring that evening drink—even when you know it’s not really helping? You’re not alone. And here’s the truth: it’s not just about the alcohol.
In this episode of Fizzy and Free, we’re digging into the emotional reasons moms drink—like stress, resentment, boredom, and burnout—and why alcohol often feels like the easiest way to cope. If you’ve tried to quit or cut back but keep finding yourself back at Day One, this episode is for you.
Whether you’re sober curious or seriously ready for change, we’ll talk through what’s really going on beneath the surface—and how to create real, lasting momentum.
🔑 What you’ll learn:
Why alcohol isn’t the core issue (and what is)
Common emotional triggers for moms
Why willpower alone won’t work
Simple mindset shifts to move forward without shame
✨You’re not broken—and you’re not alone. Let’s talk about what’s really going on.
💌 Ready to take your first step? Grab my free 3-Day Video Series: Why You Keep Going Back to Day One (and How to Break the Cycle) — perfect for overwhelmed moms looking for clarity and support.👉 Grab it here!
💌 Ready to go a step further?
Join the waitlist for Flourish, my monthly membership for moms who are ditching the wine and finding their way back to joy, calm, and connection—without the overwhelm. You don’t have to do this alone. 💛 Join the waitlist here
💬 Let’s Connect: Instagram: @fizzyandfree
👩💻Website & Resources: www.fizzyandfree.com
⭐ Rate + Review: If this episode made you laugh, feel seen, or just helped you take one step forward, please take a second to rate and review the show. Your words help more moms find this podcast and start their own journey. 💕
For nearly 20 years, alcohol was part of my daily life—through college, marriage, motherhood, and everything in between. In this episode, I’m sharing the full picture: how my drinking started, how it evolved over time, and what finally pushed me to make a change.
If you’re a mom questioning your relationship with alcohol or wondering if it’s “bad enough” to stop, this honest conversation will help you feel seen and less alone.
🔑 What you’ll hear in this episode:
My 20-year history with alcohol—from social drinking to daily habits
The emotional and mental toll it took (even when things looked fine from the outside)
The turning point that led me to choose an alcohol-free life
Why sobriety gave me more than I ever expected as a mom
✨ You don’t have to hit rock bottom to make a change. Sometimes the quiet knowing that you’re meant for more is enough.
💌 Ready to take your first step?
Grab my free 3-Day Video Series: Why You Keep Going Back to Day One (and How to Break the Cycle) — perfect for overwhelmed moms looking for clarity and support.
👉 Grab it here!
💌 Ready to go a step further?
Join the waitlist for Flourish, my monthly membership for moms who are ditching the wine and finding their way back to joy, calm, and connection—without the overwhelm. You don’t have to do this alone. 💛 Join the waitlist here