How to restart sobriety differently in 2026 | Dry January is just the beginning
Happy January 1st—and happy Day 1 of Dry January (if you’re doing it). I love that this episode drops on the very first day of 2026 because if you’ve been thinking, “I can’t do another year like last year…” this is your sign.
In today’s episode, I’m joined by two of my favorite humans (and two of my best sober friends): Gill Tietz from the Sober Powered Podcast and Suzanne Wayre from The Sober Mom Life Podcast. The three of us have been “text buddies” for over five years (yes, it’s basically a full-time job), and we wanted to get together to help you make this Dry January different—especially if you’ve tried before and found yourself back in the drinking cycle by Day 4… or Day 14… or the infamous second Friday in January (aka “Quitter’s Day”).
We’re talking about what actually helps you keep going when motivation fades, real life hits, and your usual reasons for drinking show up (stress, boredom, parenting, work, relationships, feelings… and yes, even IKEA furniture).
If you want 2026 to feel better, calmer, clearer, and more like you—this episode is for you.
💛 In This Episode, We Talk About…
💫 Why Dry January is the beginning, not the finish line
Dry January is a powerful start, but if you treat it like a “challenge” you just survive… the natural next step is going back to drinking when it’s over. Instead, we talk about using this month as a runway to a different relationship with alcohol—and maybe even a full sober life.
💫 The real reason so many people quit around January 9th
Motivation disappears. Life happens. And when you start feeling a little better, your brain starts whispering, “See? You’re fine. You can totally handle a drink.” (Spoiler: that voice is a liar with great timing.)
💫 Why beating yourself up won’t help you change
If shame worked, you would’ve been “fixed” years ago. We talk about compassion, curiosity, and learning from what’s happening—without spiraling into “What’s wrong with me?”
💫 The difference between a 30-day break and real momentum
Gill shares what happens after 30, 60, and 90 days alcohol-free—and why the best benefits often come after the first month.
💫 The “commuter flight vs. flying to Europe” analogy you won’t forget
A 30-day break can feel like gritting your teeth until it’s over. But longer stretches require you to “settle in”—build routines, prep for turbulence, and actually learn how to live differently.
💫 The truth about “resetting” your relationship with alcohol
We talk about why “I’ll just drink tonight” is rarely just tonight—and why most people pick up right where they left off (and ramp up fast).
💫 What to do differently this time (so you don’t repeat the same loop)
- Don’t stack Dry January with a massive health overhaul (you don’t need to suffer recreationally)
- Change your routines so you’re not recreating your drinking life without the alcohol
- Get support early—especially if this isn’t your first attempt
- Focus on understanding why you drink (stress relief? reward? escape? loneliness? habit?)
🌟One Mistake To Avoid If You Want This Time To Stick
We each share the biggest “Dry January mistake” we see all the time:
- Gill: Dabbling in support only when you feel ashamed or panicked—then disappearing (support works when you’re consistent).
- Me: Not telling anyone because you’re afraid you’ll fail again (this is exactly when you need support most).
- Suzanne: The countdown trap—counting the days until you “get to drink again,” which turns sobriety into a punishment instead of freedom.
✨ If You Want 2026 To Feel Different…
The goal isn’t to “white-knuckle” a month.
The goal is to build momentum, learn what you actually need, and create a life that doesn’t require wine to tolerate it.
And if you want support beyond willpower, you can join me in Sober New Year 100 (100 days of structure, coaching, and support to keep you going—especially after the initial motivation wears off).
Dry January Podcasts, Articles + Free Resources
New York Times Article
As a life and sobriety coach I’ve helped thousands of women take a break from drinking and I shared my top 3 tips with Catherine Pearson to help New York Times readers get ready to start the year alcohol-free.
Good Morning America Interview
I stopped drinking after being a “red wine girl” for most of my adult life. In my first month alcohol-free I saved $550 by not buying wine! Over 8 years those savings have grown to over $48,000. Good Morning America asked me to share my story with their viewers for Dry January.
NPR life kit – How To Cut Down On Drinking
If you want to drink less or give up alcohol completely, it’s natural to feel scared or anxious at first. What do you do at parties? What if people think you’re boring? And how can you deal with temptation? Casey Davidson, sobriety coach and host of the Hello Someday podcast, has tips for those starting a sobriety journey.
CNBC News Article
Engaging in a month-long challenge like Dry January often serves as a catalyst for lasting change. Check out this CNBC News Article where I discuss how a month-long challenge like Dry January can help improve your finances.
NPR All Things Considered
How do you make it through the month of January alcohol-free? Mary Louise Kelly, Marielle Segarra and Sober Coach Casey McGuire Davidson share tips for staying sober in the new year.
NPR Life Kit’s Guide To Dry January
Giving up alcohol for a month can be a challenge, both personally and socially. To help you understand what to expect and how Dry January works, Life Kit talked to Casey Davidson, a sobriety coach and the host of The Hello Someday Podcast for Sober Curious Women.
Ep. 90 Dry January: Start The New Year Alcohol-Free | Hello Someday Coaching
The Smerconish Podcast
Dry January has been gaining a lot of momentum and recognition on various forms of media, so I was thrilled for the opportunity to chat with Michael Smerconish on his podcast about setting up for success with Dry January.
Ep. 142 How To Make Sobriety Stick | Hello Someday Coaching
I’m A Sober Coach And Here Are The Dry January Tips I Gave The New York Times
Ep. 195 Sober Coach Advice On How To Do Dry January Right
Rewiring Health Podcast: 114 Dry January: How to Stop Drinking When You’re Stressed (Casey McGuire Davidson)
Shameless Mom Academy Podcast: Casey Davidson: Women, Alcohol, Anxiety (and Dry January!)
Dry January + The Sober Yoga Girl Podcast
Are you considering Dry January? In this podcast interview with Alex McRobs, host of the Sober Yoga Girl podcast, we talk about rocking Dry January and how it can be a great starting off point for quitting drinking.
Midlife Makeover Podcast
What comes after Dry January? I joined Wendy to explore the stark reality behind New Year’s resolutions and why so many of us abandon our quests for a healthier, happier existence. We dig into the physical and emotional toll that even moderate drinking can take on our bodies, and why a 100-day alcohol-free challenge might be right for you.
Sober Bliss Podcast
Who doesn’t want to feel inspired, uplifted and motivated about Dry January? Join me and Gayle Macdonald of the Sober Bliss podcast as we share some of our top tips and most supportive advice on how to Rock Dry January and beyond.
Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff Podcast: Dry January With Casey Davidson from the Hello Someday Podcast
Connect with Gillian Tietz
Gillian Tietz, MS, CPRC is the host of the Sober Powered Podcast and a certified sober coach. Since getting sober in 2019, she’s been on a mission to help others understand the why behind their drinking, and why it has nothing to do with being a weak-willed loser. With a background in biochemistry and lived experience in recovery, Gill teaches how alcohol changes the brain and how real freedom comes from self-awareness, coping skills, and doing “the work.”
Listen and Subscribe to the Sober Powered Podcast
Connect with Suzanne Warye
Suzanne Warye is a sobriety influencer (@suzannewarye and @thesobermomlife) and the host of the popular podcast The Sober Mom Life. As the founder of The Sober Mom Life Cafe, she has created a supportive digital community for women to explore their relationships with alcohol and find freedom in sobriety. Her writing has been featured in Scary Mommy and the Huffington Post. Residing on the North Shore of Chicago with her husband and three kids, Suzanne spends most of her time reheating her coffee and rocking her “whole heart, half ass” parenting philosophy.
Suzanne Warye | The Sober Mom Life (@suzannewarye) • Instagram
https://suzannewarye.com/podcast
✨ Sober New Year 100 (100 days of structure, coaching + support)
sobrietystarterkit.com
Inside The Sober New Year 100: Why 100 Days (Not Just Dry January) Changes Everything
If you’ve been stuck in the loop of:
🔁 4 days off, then a “screw it” night
🔁 Dry January that ends in a wet February
🔁 Starting over on Monday again and again
…I created Sober New Year 100 to give you more than just a month of willpower.
In this episode, I walk you through:
Why Dry January is the Warm-Up, Not the Transformation
We talk about how:
✅ The first 2 weeks alcohol-free are often the hardest — you’re tired, irritable, and your sleep is still a mess.
✅ Around 30 days, you’re just starting to notice the real benefits.
✅ The identity shift — where being a woman who doesn’t drink starts to feel normal — tends to land between 60–100 days.
Thirty days proves you can take a break.
One hundred days starts to transform your relationship with alcohol.
What You Get Inside The Sober New Year 100
I walk through everything included in the program, like:
- Lifetime access to the Sobriety Starter Kit® — my complete coaching program that’s helped over 1,500 women go from “I can’t imagine my life without wine” to “I can’t imagine going back.”
- A January 4th kickoff call to map out your 100 days, meet the other women, and know exactly what to expect.
- Monthly live group coaching and Q&A calls in January, February and March so I can coach you directly through real-life stuff: parties, triggers, vacations, kids, work, marriage.
- The Sober New Year Circle — a group of women starting at the same time as you plus a larger community of women further along to cheer you on and share what worked for them.
- A First Month Alcohol-Free Roadmap (videos, playbooks, planners, and a 30-day calendar) so you’re not guessing your way through the hardest phase.
- A private podcast feed and app, so you can listen to coaching, tools and pep talks on the go.
- A Partner Support Playbook to help your loved ones understand what you’re doing and how to support you — and tools for navigating situations where they aren’t supportive.
- A 100-Day Graduation & Celebration to mark what you’ve done and help you decide what’s next.
We also talk about how to handle slips without spiraling into shame, and why you absolutely do not have to be perfect to be successful.
If you want to wake up on January 1st, and then on Day 100, feeling clear, proud and excited for what’s next — this is for you.
📌 If You’re New Here
About me: I’m Casey McGuire Davidson, a sobriety and life coach for sober-curious, high-achieving women and host of The Hello Someday Podcast. Around here we talk stress, careers, kids, marriages—and all the messy, beautiful parts of building a life you don’t need to escape from.
If you’re ready for structure, tools, and a community that actually gets you, you’re in the right place. 💛
You’ve got this. And I’m right here with you. 💛
More Ways I Can Support You In Drinking Less + Living More
Save your seat in my FREE MASTERCLASS, 5 Secrets To Successfully Take a Break From Drinking
Grab the Free 30-Day Guide To Quitting Drinking, 30 Tips For Your First Month Alcohol-Free.
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ABOUT THE HELLO SOMEDAY PODCAST FOR SOBER CURIOUS WOMEN
Are you looking for the best sobriety podcast for women? The Hello Someday Podcast was created specifically for sober curious women and gray area drinkers ready to stop drinking, drink less and change their relationship with alcohol.
Host Casey McGuire Davidson, a certified life and sobriety coach and creator of The 30-Day Guide to Quitting Drinking and The Sobriety Starter Kit® Sober Coaching Course, brings together her experience of quitting drinking while navigating work and motherhood, along with the voices of experts in personal development, self-care, addiction and recovery and self-improvement.
Whether you know you want to stop drinking and live an alcohol-free life, are sober curious, or are in recovery this is the best sobriety podcast for you.
A Top 100 Mental Health Podcast, ranked in the top 0.5% of podcasts globally with over 1 million downloads, The Hello Someday Podcast is the best sobriety podcast for women.
In each episode, Casey will share the tried and true secrets of how to drink less and live more.
Learn how to let go of alcohol as a coping mechanism, how to shift your mindset about sobriety and change your drinking habits, how to create healthy routines to cope with anxiety, people pleasing and perfectionism, the importance of self-care in early sobriety, and why you don’t need to be an alcoholic to live an alcohol-free life.
Be sure to grab the Free 30-Day Guide To Quitting Drinking right here.
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