Podcast host, author, and coach Dupe Witherick describes herself as a “normal drinker.” Unlike common stereotypes, her relationship with alcohol didn’t involve a dramatic rock bottom—instead, she had seamlessly woven drinking into her daily life and identity. Dupe joins Ray to share how alcohol shaped her university years, professional life, and social interactions. It wasn’t until a personal loss and the upheaval of the COVID-19 pandemic that she began to question her reliance on alcohol. What started as a 21-day alcohol-free challenge blossomed into nearly five years of sobriety, renewed well-being, and a deep connection to faith and a higher power.

Dupe’s Toolkit:

• Pause and reflect on why you’re drinking

• Ask yourself what emotion you’re feeling

• Replace drinking with productive activities

• Embrace new activities

• Believe in yourself

• Find supportive communities

• Have faith or believe in a higher power

• Pursue new passions and dreams

• Self-worth is critical

• Listen to your intuition

Dupe’s details

Instagram: @thrivealcoholfree

TikTok: @thrivealcoholfree

Thrive Alcohol Free Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/thrive-alcohol-free/id1707202708

Thrive Alcohol Free: https://www.thrivealcoholfree.com/

Book - A Cocktail of Clarity: How to Ditch Drinking, Embody a Joyful New Identity and Thrive Alcohol Free: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C3MNVZQS

Connect with the show

Website:⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.stackndays.com/⁠⁠⁠

Apply to be a guest:⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.stackndays.com/rsvp-1⁠⁠⁠

Instagram and Tiktok: @stackndays

YouTube:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCC-IqvFJ2SlufC6KuyiztjQ⁠⁠⁠

Resources

⁠⁠⁠https://www.samhsa.gov/⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠https://www.joinreframeapp.com/⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠https://www.theluckiestclub.com/⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠https://www.aa.org/

Ray sits down with Jasmine Rogers, whose journey to becoming two years sober from alcohol, has been anything but straightforward. The duo explores what it truly means to live authentically — the challenges, the triumphs, and the unexpected moments of growth. This is Jasmine’s second time in sobriety. Her first lasted a year, and then when she thought she was “cured,” she relapsed even worse. The staying factor is she always remembered the clarity sobriety gave her. So she started seeing a therapist, was encouraged to go to AA. Raising her son gave her a higher purpose to continue living alcohol-free. She went from being the life of the party to encouraging others through her own actions to seek a life unhindered by substances. It’s raw, inspiring, and filled with moments that will leave you rethinking what it means to live on your own terms.

Jasmine’s Toolkit:

• Reflect on what makes you genuinely happy

• Set boundaries

• Advocate for yourself

• Embrace solitude as a way to grow

• Prioritize mental and emotional health

• Try new things

• Try old things you forgot you loved

• Reach out to community

• Jasmine’s details

• Instagram: @soulfully_sober

  TikTok: @soulfully_sober

  Connect with the show

  Website:⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.stackndays.com/⁠⁠⁠

  Apply to be a guest:⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.stackndays.com/rsvp-1⁠⁠⁠

  Instagram and Tiktok: @stackndays

  YouTube:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCC-IqvFJ2SlufC6KuyiztjQ⁠⁠⁠

  Resources

  ⁠⁠⁠https://www.samhsa.gov/⁠⁠⁠

  ⁠⁠⁠https://www.joinreframeapp.com/⁠⁠⁠

  ⁠⁠⁠https://www.theluckiestclub.com/⁠⁠⁠

  ⁠⁠⁠https://www.aa.org/
  

Ray connects deeply with guest Andry Rakotoniaina as they share experiences from the food and beverage industry. Andry opens up about how, as the eldest in an immigrant family, he faced immense pressure, especially after his father’s passing. Alcohol became an escape from these heavy responsibilities, but over time, it took control of his life. With a career in the restaurant industry, where alcohol was always within reach, the journey wasn’t easy. Today, Andry is co-founder of the Kentucky chapter of Ben’s Friends, supporting hospitality workers in sobriety. This powerful conversation dives into addiction, the strength to break free, and how recovery can transform lives.

Andry’s Toolkit:

• Recognize Industry Risks

• Acknowledge the Allure

• Address Family Pressures

• Honesty is Key

• Watch for Normalized Habits

• Find the activities that bring you joy

• Embrace Your Cultural Identity

• Seek Sober Role Models

• Accept That Change is Gradual

• Celebrate Sobriety

Andry’s details

Instagram: @willpedal4brew

Ben’s Friends Hope: https://www.bensfriendshope.com/

Connect with the show

Website:⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.stackndays.com/⁠⁠⁠

Apply to be a guest:⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.stackndays.com/rsvp-1⁠⁠⁠

Instagram and Tiktok: @stackndays

YouTube:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCC-IqvFJ2SlufC6KuyiztjQ⁠⁠⁠

Resources

⁠⁠⁠https://www.samhsa.gov/⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠https://www.joinreframeapp.com/⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠https://www.theluckiestclub.com/⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠https://www.aa.org/