Ep. 84 The #1 Mindset Hack That Helped Thousands Get Sober: Scott Pinyard Wisdom

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Unlocking Lasting Change: Mindset, Consciousness, and the Alcohol-Free Journey

Moving beyond alcohol isn’t just about stopping a behavior—it’s about fundamentally rewiring the way we think, feel, and interact with the stories we tell ourselves. On this episode of the Sober & Lit podcast hosts Ruby Williams and Susan Larkin spoke with coach and mentor Scott Pinyard, a leader in the alcohol-free movement who’s empowered thousands through his work with This Naked Mind and his own programs. Their conversation illuminated profound truths about mindset, self-awareness, and the ongoing journey of personal growth. Here, we expand on the key insights and strategies that emerged from their rich discussion.

The Foundation: Creating Awareness

One of the first and most powerful tools Scott introduces to clients is the practice of cultivating awareness—specifically around emotions and thoughts. In the early days of Susan’s alcohol-free journey, Scott encouraged her to set a timer several times a day as a check-in: *What am I feeling? What am I thinking?* In Scott’s experience, most of us drift through life only loosely attuned to our emotions, defaulting to broad labels like happy, sad, or angry.

By intentionally pausing to tune into our internal experience, we break the cycle of unconscious responses. This, Scott explains, not only builds emotional intelligence but becomes a primary lever in shifting behaviors like drinking. After all, many of us drink in response to uncomfortable feelings we don’t fully understand. By naming—and therefore normalizing—what’s really going on, we create a crucial space between stimulus and response, empowering ourselves to choose differently.

Beyond Surface Thoughts: Understanding Our Stories

Deeper than moment-to-moment thoughts, there are the core stories and beliefs we hold about ourselves and the world. Scott’s coaching reveals that these narratives—often inherited or unconsciously adopted in childhood—steer our actions, reactions, and expectations.

In his programs, Scott helps participants uncover these stories, assess their utility, and, when necessary, gently dismantle them. As an example, he shared the transformative experience of a client who’d spent years grieving lost loved ones, anchored by a narrative that mourning was her only way to honor them. With compassionate guidance, she realized this belief was unnecessary and self-limiting. Recognizing and releasing this story brought about a profound shift in her emotional world.

Changing these underlying stories doesn’t happen overnight, but the process opens the door to new possibilities, freeing us from patterns that no longer serve.

Consciousness and the “Beyond Thought” Approach

For those ready to go deeper, Scott brings in the concept of consciousness and our relationship to thoughts themselves. Drawing inspiration from spiritual and neuroscience thinkers like Michael Singer, Sam Harris, and Rupert Spira, he challenges clients to view their thoughts as passing phenomena—not directives demanding obedience, but transient experiences we can simply observe.

This perspective can be both liberating and daunting. Instead of being swept up in every urge or craving, we can step back, cultivating a mindful distance. Scott notes that this approach blends science and spirituality, meeting individuals where they are—be it through logic, faith, or personal introspection.

As Ruby and Susan both attested, the journey moves from mere behavior change to a deepened sense of agency and peace—a shift that’s both practical and, at times, spiritual.

The Ongoing Nature of Growth and Change

Importantly, Scott is clear that personal growth isn’t a one-time event but a lifelong practice. He describes it as a process of continual learning, drawing on the wisdom of Carl Sagan: “We are the universe getting to know itself.” The more we observe, discover, and challenge our own patterns, the richer and more authentic our experience becomes.

This evolution touches all parts of life. For Scott, music has been a vibrant practice that supports his journey, providing creative energy and joy outside the structured work of self-improvement.

Conclusion: Everyone Has the Capacity to Change

Above all, Scott reassures us that change—no matter how elusive it may seem—is available to everyone. Through small steps of awareness, gradual untangling of our stories, and a willingness to engage with the deeper aspects of consciousness, we can move from struggle to freedom. Whether it’s leaving alcohol behind or simply seeking to live more consciously, the journey is possible, profound, and, Ruby wants to remind you, full of color and possibility. 🚀
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Ruby Williams at Freedom Renegade Coaching https://www.freedomrenegadecoaching.com/

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