Alcohol-Free Healing Tools with Brandi Babb / EP 111

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Healing, Sobriety, and Grief: Riding Life’s Waves with Presence

Insights from Brandi Babb on the Sober and Lit Podcast: Navigating Alcohol-Free Living, Nervous System Regulation, and the Sacramental Power of Grief

Beyond Quitting Alcohol

Getting sober is often just the opening chapter to a much deeper journey of self-discovery and healing. In a recent episode of the Sober and Lit podcast, Brandi Babb—a certified coach and somatic experiencing practitioner—joined hosts Ruby Williams and Susan Larkin to share her story and the transformative power of somatic work in sobriety. Together, they explored not just the process of letting go of alcohol, but also the vital work of inhabiting your body, feeling your feelings, and being present for the full range of the human experience—including profound grief.

The Hidden Struggles Behind a "Perfect" Life

Brandi Babb recounted how her initially “normal” drinking, which increased during her professional and married life, eventually became her go-to tool to manage everything from daily stress to overwhelming grief after losing her father. Outwardly, her life looked successful—a good career, supportive husband, fun vacations—but inside, she felt a growing sense of separation from herself and others. “There’s a good face on the outside, and there’s just this brokenness inside,” Brandi shared.

Her wake-up call came after her mother received a dire health diagnosis, and Brandi realized she was sacrificing meaningful connections for alcohol. She eventually committed to a 30-day alcohol break—which became nearly seven years and counting—uncovering layer after layer of the issues alcohol had been masking.

Sobriety Reveals Deeper Work: The Role of the Nervous System

As many in recovery know, removing alcohol doesn’t automatically resolve the issues that drinking was temporarily fixing. For Brandi, early sobriety revealed unhealthy relationship patterns, a lack of boundaries, and deep emotional wounds. “I realized I’d been using alcohol as a management tool until it was no longer working.”

This led Brandi to the world of somatic experiencing—a field that sees healing as a whole-person process involving mind, body, and nervous system. She explained, “Somatic really just means us in our wholeness. It’s our body and our wholeness.” Instead of just focusing on behavioral change or mindset, somatic work invites us to notice our physical sensations, emotions, and thoughts, recognizing that trauma and stress often lodge themselves in the body.

Simple Somatic Tools for Emotional Overwhelm

For those new to somatic practices, Brandi offered accessible tools. First, the “find your feet” exercise: simply noticing the sensations in your feet, the feeling of gravity, and any shifts in breath or bodily tension. Another is “orienting”—resting your gaze on a spot in the room, allowing your eyes and nervous system to settle. Both practices bring you into the present moment and signal to the body that it’s safe, reducing overwhelm and emotional reactivity.

Importantly, Brandi acknowledged that not everyone feels connected to their body—or might even feel too much. For beginners, she suggested building awareness with a “physical sensations list,” and for those highly sensitive, gently narrowing focus to one sensation at a time. “There’s no perfect way,” said Brandi. “It’s lifelong work.”

Allowing Grief: Navigating Loss Without Numbing

Sobriety opened the door for Brandi to face life’s most painful moments—most recently, the loss of her mother—with presence and compassion. She contrasted her experiences: grieving her father while drinking left her stuck and disconnected, while being alcohol-free through her mother’s illness and passing allowed her to be “fully present” for both her mother and herself. 

Brandi described riding waves of grief as they rose and fell, allowing emotions like sadness or anger to move through her body. “Now, when those waves come up… I let myself acknowledge that’s there.” Instead of getting stuck or shutting down, she’s learned to trust that the waves will pass.

Living Lit: Choosing Joy in Sobriety

Even in the midst of hardships, Brandi finds joy in life’s simple, real moments—like spending time with her young niece and nephew. Their presence and laughter remind her to stay present, embracing joy as it comes.

The Power of Somatic Presence

The journey of recovery is ongoing, moving far beyond putting down the bottle. As Brandi and the Sober and Lit hosts discussed, somatic practices open the door to feeling more alive, resilient, and connected. Through presence, self-compassion, and a willingness to ride life’s waves, it’s possible to experience both the pain and the beauty of being fully human—lit from within. 🧡
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Website for Ruby Williams at Freedom Renegade Coaching https://www.freedomrenegadecoaching.com/

Follow Coach Ruby: @rubywilliamscoaching
Email: [email protected]

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