Ep. 98 Intoxicating Alcohol Lies with Meg Geisewite

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Unpacking Intoxicating Lies and the Freedom of Emotional Sobriety

Challenging the Narrative of Drinking and Motherhood

The normalization of alcohol use among women—especially mothers—has reached an epidemic level, quietly fueled by social media memes, “wine o’clock” tea towels, and the pervasive myth that a glass (or bottle) of wine is a badge of self-care and survival. On the Sober and Lit Podcast, Meg Geisweit, author of "Intoxicating Lies," joins Ruby and Susan to share not only her personal transformation away from "gray area drinking," but also tools and wisdom for those seeking freedom from alcohol’s grip. Meg’s story and the emotional sobriety movement she founded, The Healing Hive, offer a new narrative filled with hope and empowerment for women questioning their relationship with alcohol.

Understanding Gray Area Drinking: The In-Between Space

Society often frames alcohol use on a binary: “normal drinkers” versus “alcoholics.” But as Meg reveals, there is a vast spectrum—the gray area—where millions of women live. This isn’t the stereotypical rock bottom of addiction, but nor is it balanced moderation. Gray area drinking captures those whose consumption is problematic but not catastrophic, those who struggle in silence, rationalize nightly glasses of wine, and feel alone amidst a culture that rewards alcohol as self-care.

Meg describes her journey: highly successful at work and outwardly a “together” mom, yet privately suffocating in the cycle of using alcohol as reward, connection, and relief. When she turned to her therapist for help, she was dismissed, which delayed her journey to sobriety—and highlights the dangerous lack of awareness around these in-between struggles.

Gray area drinking is not about counting bottles, but about noticing how alcohol shapes your life, your energy, and your joy.

The Intoxicating Lies We Tell Ourselves

Meg’s work exposes five intoxicating lies centered around alcohol and self-worth, with the most powerful being the myth that “I deserve it”—the idea that wine is a consolation prize for hard-working women. This belief is deeply rooted in hustle culture and an external search for validation. As Meg notes, “What a shitty consolation prize for women, right? Because it’s only making us sick.” The culprit isn’t just a nightly glass—it’s a societal permission slip to tune out, disconnect from intuition, and perpetuate shame, secrecy, and comparison.

This normalization means that, even among accomplished women, drinking to excess is comforted and upheld within peer groups. Yet, beneath the surface, many are trapped in self-blame, unable to reach their own inner knowing.

Reconnecting With Your Inner Voice

Freedom begins not on the outside, but within. Meg guides women toward reconnecting with their inner voice through simple practices: intentional journaling, moments of silence, and meditative presence in nature. She urges listeners to turn inward—asking “What would you have me know today?”—to hear the answers and guidance that are drowned out by alcohol and busyness.

Practical techniques such as grounding (standing barefoot in the grass), meditating with a candle or sound bowl, and creative expression through journaling help women slow down, silence the “monkey mind,” and unlock the powerful intuition that’s often numbed by drinking.

Emotional Sobriety: The True Journey to Healing

Moving beyond alcohol reveals glimmers—moments of gratitude, beauty, and alignment in daily life. Nature, spirit animals, and “angel numbers” become affirmations that the journey is unfolding for one’s highest good.

Conclusion: Embracing an Alcohol-Free, Lit Life

The process Meg describes is not just about quitting alcohol, but about awakening to life’s vibrancy, reconnecting with purpose, and reclaiming the agency — the ability to become the “creator” of your own story. It’s an invitation to explore your relationship with alcohol, challenge cultural narratives, and embrace a life that’s truly lit—from the inside out.

Ready to start your journey? Meg’s book, "Intoxicating Lies," and is a powerful resource for anyone feeling stuck or curious about what lies on the other side of the wine glass. You deserve a life of beauty, joy, and freedom—no intoxicating lies required.
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Ruby Williams at Freedom Renegade Coaching https://www.freedomrenegadecoaching.com/

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

Grab your copy of our FREE WineFree Weekend Guide to help you on your alcohol free journey. https://www.freedomrenegadecoaching.com/WineFreeWeekend