In this episode of Sisters in Sobriety, Sonia sits down with veteran broadcaster, journalist, and advocate Catt Sadler for a deeply honest conversation about identity, ambition, and choosing an alcohol-free life without hitting rock bottom. Best known for her more than decade-long career at E! Entertainment—Catt has long been a familiar face on red carpets and awards-season coverage. Today, she is the host and executive producer of her weekly podcast CATT SADLER Now and a leading voice in conversations about women, power, and authenticity.
Throughout the conversation, Catt reflects on pivotal questions many women quietly ask themselves: What role has alcohol played in my stress, success, and social life? What happens when I stop numbing and start listening? Can I change my relationship with alcohol even if everything “looks fine” on the outside? Together, they unpack themes of high-functioning drinking, midlife reflection, identity shifts, nervous system regulation, and how wellness, meditation, and journaling can open the door to clarity and self-trust.
You'll walk away with practical and educational insights around mindful sobriety, habit change, and emotional regulation. Catt shares how meditation, breathwork, journaling, and intentional morning routines supported her decision to stop drinking—and why removing alcohol created more energy, better sleep, deeper presence, and emotional resilience. The episode also explores the role of shame in keeping women stuck, how cravings and discomfort actually pass, and why modeling alcohol-free coping skills matters—especially for our children and communities.
In a powerful personal segment, Catt opens up about the spiritual nudges that ultimately led her to quit drinking, the internal resistance she felt despite “not having a problem,” and the moment she realized that alcohol no longer aligned with the highest version of herself. She shares what it was like navigating social situations, holidays, college football weekends, and emotional lows without alcohol—and how staying with herself, rather than escaping, changed everything. Her story offers a compassionate roadmap for women who sense a quiet inner knowing that it might be time to turn the page.
Episode Highlights
00:00 – Welcome and introduction to Catt Sadler
01:15 – Growing up around alcohol and early beliefs about drinking
03:45 – College, ambition, and “normal” social drinking
05:30 – Life at E!, pressure, motherhood, and survival mode
07:10 – When healing began before alcohol changed
08:40 – Reading Quit Like a Woman and early nudges
09:55 – Dating someone who could take alcohol or leave it
11:20 – Spiritual moments that clarified her decision
13:10 – Choosing to stop drinking at 51
14:45 – Alcohol not being “the problem,” but no longer fitting
16:10 – Meditation as a gateway to self-trust
18:05 – How to start meditating without overwhelm
20:40 – Early benefits of going alcohol-free
22:30 – Handling cravings, discomfort, and emotional waves
24:50 – Ice cream, Netflix, and self-compassion
26:10 – Morning routines and sacred mornings
28:20 – Gratitude journaling and manifestation
30:40 – Different journaling styles and creative play
33:15 – Letter writing, boundaries, and emotional processing
36:00 – Writing a memoir and revisiting the past
38:40 – Holidays, NA drinks, and social pressure
41:00 – Being sober around kids and modeling behavior
43:30 – Navigating parties, work events, and college campuses
46:10 – Sharing her sobriety publicly and community response
48:20 – Advice for women who haven’t hit “rock bottom”
50:00 – Closing reflections on staying with yourself
Catt's Links
SIS Links
💌 Sisters In Sobriety Substack – where the magic (and the mocktail recipes) happen
📸 Sisters In Sobriety Instagram
🌐 Kathleen’s Website Kathleen does not endorse any products mentioned in this podcast
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