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What do you replace drinking with?

For Tommie Runz, the answer was miles, discipline, honesty, and community.

In this powerful episode of The Sober Butterfly Podcast, host Nadine Mulvina sits down with Tommie Runz — a sober endurance athlete, father, podcast host, and community builder — to talk about what nine years of sobriety has taught him about living with intention and pushing toward your next level.

Tommie shares the pivotal moments that led him to Alcoholics Anonymous, why truth-telling was the real beginning of his recovery, and how long-distance running became a tool for healing, clarity, and purpose. Together, Nadine and Tommie explore the deep parallels between endurance running and long-term sobriety, the role of community in recovery, and how sharing your story can help others feel less alone.

This episode is especially meaningful for anyone in early sobriety wondering “what now?” — and for those years into recovery who are still discovering who they’re becoming.

You’ll hear about:

• Tommie’s turning point and early days in AA
• Why honesty is foundational in sobriety
• The mental and emotional parallels between running and recovery
• How fatherhood shaped the way he shows up in sobriety
• The importance of community, service, and visibility as a Black sober athlete
• Using storytelling and social media to support others on their journey
• How to find your “thing” after quitting alcohol

Whether you’re sober, sober-curious, or years into your recovery journey, this conversation will inspire you to build a life you don’t want to escape from.

🎥 This episode is also available to watch on YouTube.

🔗 Connect with Tommie Runz

Instagram: @tommie_runz

🔗 Connect with Nadine & The Sober Butterfly

Instagram: @the.soberbutterfly

⭐ If this episode resonated with you:

Please share it with a friend, post it to your stories, and leave a rating and review. This is how we grow the sober community together.

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Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services refereed to in this episode.

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In this episode of The Sober Butterfly Podcast, host Nadine Mulvina sits down with writer and traveler Melissa Rodway, author of The People You Meet: Luxury, Leeches, Love, and Lao Lao with a Host of Interesting Characters in Southeast Asia, for a thoughtful, story-driven conversation about how travel shapes identity, purpose, and connection.

This episode goes far beyond bucket lists and destinations. Nadine and Melissa explore the deeper, often unspoken layers of travel—how movement through the world changes us emotionally and spiritually, the people who leave lasting imprints on our lives, and the difference between simply taking a vacation and truly traveling with intention.

Melissa opens up about the realities of travel burnout, travel ego, and knowing when it’s time to come home. She shares how her relationship with travel has evolved with age, why purpose matters more than pace, and how adventure doesn’t disappear as we grow—it simply changes form. The conversation also touches on routine versus freedom, rest versus movement, and how travel can act as both a mirror and a teacher.

Listeners will also hear about unforgettable people Melissa has met on the road, powerful moments from her global travels, and a memorable trip to Jordan that left a lasting impact. Throughout the episode, travel is framed not as an escape, but as a tool for self-discovery, discernment, and deeper connection.

This episode is perfect for anyone who has ever felt changed by a trip, struggled with the tension between adventure and stability, or wondered what they’re really searching for when they book the ticket.

✨ In This Episode, We Discuss:

• How travel reshapes identity over time
• The people we meet on the road who stay with us long after the trip ends
• Travel ego, comparison, and letting go of “travel hierarchy”
• Recognizing travel burnout and knowing when it’s time to come home
• The difference between vacations and meaningful travel
• How purpose and priorities shift as we age
• Why adventure still matters—even when life changes
• The inspiration behind The People You Meet

📖 Melissa’s Book

You can find Melissa’s book here:
👉 The People You Meet: Luxury, Leeches, Love, and Lao Lao with a Host of Interesting Characters in Southeast Asia
https://www.amazon.com/People-You-Meet-Interesting-Characters-ebook/dp/B0F3V7NPW3

🎧 About The Sober Butterfly Podcast

The Sober Butterfly Podcast explores identity, connection, and what it looks like to rebuild a meaningful life after big change. Through honest solo episodes and thoughtful conversations, Nadine Mulvina invites listeners into nuanced discussions about growth, relationships, purpose, and becoming aligned—without needing to burn everything down.

Support the show

Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services refereed to in this episode.

Send us a text

In this honest and educational solo episode of The Sober Butterfly Podcast, host Nadine Mulvina explores why Dry January isn’t the same as sobriety—and why that distinction matters for anyone questioning their relationship with alcohol.

Drawing from personal experience and years of conversations within the sober and sober-curious community, Nadine breaks down the two biggest pitfalls of Dry January: the “fuck it” mindset when the challenge feels too hard, and the false reassurance that completing 30 days automatically means alcohol isn’t an issue. She explains how both can keep people stuck in the same drinking patterns long-term.

This episode reframes Dry January as a starting point—not a finish line—and offers practical, compassionate guidance for those attempting Dry January, as well as tools and reminders for people who are already sober and navigating January with clarity and intention.

Whether you’re sober, sober-curious, taking a break, or supporting someone who is, this episode invites you to prioritize honesty, self-trust, and sustainable change over perfection or willpower.

🦋 In This Episode, Nadine Discusses:

• Why Dry January is not the same as long-term sobriety
• The difference between a 30-day alcohol break and an identity shift
• How the “fuck it” mindset can sabotage Dry January attempts
• Why completing Dry January doesn’t automatically mean alcohol isn’t a problem
• White-knuckling Dry January vs. white-knuckling sobriety
• How sobriety removes distortion and builds clarity
• Practical tips for doing Dry January in a supportive, self-aware way
• Why willpower alone isn’t a plan
• How to create replacements instead of just restrictions
• The importance of having a post-January plan
• Guidance for sober listeners navigating January
• Why sobriety isn’t a trend—it’s a lifestyle

🧠 Key Takeaways:

• You don’t attract change by forcing it—you create it through honesty
• Dry January can reveal patterns, but reflection is what creates growth
• Sobriety is about alignment, not deprivation
• White-knuckling is a signal—not a failure
• Support, systems, and self-trust matter more than perfection

💛 Support & Resources

If this episode brings up questions or concerns about your relationship with alcohol, you are not alone, and support is available.

🇺🇸 United States

• SAMHSA National Helpline
  📞 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
  🌐 https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline
  
  Free, confidential support available 24/7 for individuals and families

🌍 International

• Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
  🌐 https://www.aa.org
  
  Meetings available worldwide (in-person & online)
• SMART Recovery (science-based, non-12-step)
  🌐 https://www.smartrecovery.org
  
  Tools and meetings for people seeking a balanced approach
• Women for Sobriety
  🌐 https://womenforsobriety.org
  
  Supportive community specifically for women
• Sober Curious / Moderation Support
  🌐 https://www.alcoholchange.org.uk
  
  Evidence-based resources around alcohol awareness and change

Support the show

Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services refereed to in this episode.

Send us a text

In this reflective, end-of-year solo episode of The Sober Butterfly Podcast, host Nadine Mulvina invites listeners into the quiet, liminal space between Christmas and New Year’s to explore quantum physics, manifestation, and intentional identity shifts for 2026.

Recorded the day after Christmas, this episode slows things down and reframes manifestation through a grounded, logical lens: connecting quantum physics, nervous system regulation, sobriety, visualization, and embodiment. Nadine explains why manifestation isn’t about asking or wishing, but about becoming the version of yourself who already lives the life you want.

Listeners will learn how sobriety sharpens your energetic signal, why most people are “manifesting wrong,” and how to align with the timeline where your dream life already exists. Nadine also shares a 6-step framework for creating a powerful 2026 vision board—one rooted in identity, habits, regulation, and daily embodiment rather than aesthetics or pressure.

This episode is perfect for anyone who is sober, sober-curious, or intentionally designing their next chapter with clarity, self-trust, and purpose.

🎧 Best enjoyed slowly—on a walk, while cleaning, or resting your nervous system.

🦋 In This Episode, Nadine Covers:

• Why the days between Christmas and New Year’s are a powerful quantum window
• How quantum physics explains manifestation and timeline shifts
• Why reality responds to what you embody, not what you want
• The role of the nervous system in shaping your lived experience
• How sobriety removes distortion and accelerates clarity
• Why “trying” to manifest creates resistance
• How visualization collapses timelines faster than intention
• Why identity shifts matter more than goals
• How to protect your quantum field and move in silence
• A step-by-step framework for creating a 2026 vision board that actually works
• How to design a “random Tuesday” in your dream 2026 life
• Why manifestation starts today, not January 1st

🧠 Key Takeaways:

• You don’t attract what you want—you attract who you are
• Manifestation is feedback, not magic
• Clarity collapses timelines faster than force
• Sobriety sharpens your energetic signal
• Identity + repetition = inevitability
• Small shifts, practiced daily, create quantum leaps

✨ Listener Reflection Prompt:

📅 Important Announcement:

New episodes of The Sober Butterfly Podcast will return on January 9th, 2026, after Nadine returns from a family cruise—rested, grounded, and ready to step into the next chapter with you.

💛 Gratitude:

Thank you for listening this year. Thank you for choosing clarity, self-trust, and an alcohol-free or alcohol-conscious life. This community is built together—one intentional step at a time.

Connect with Nadine on Instagram @the.soberbutterfly https://www.instagram.com/the.soberbutterfly/?hl=en

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Support the show

Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services refereed to in this episode.

Send us a text

In this reflective and honest episode of The Sober Butterfly Podcast, host Nadine Mulvina—sober since July 5th, 2021—shares her 2025 Sober Wrapped, inspired by Spotify Wrapped but rooted in real life.

Rather than focusing on perfection or aesthetics, Nadine breaks down her year quarter by quarter, rating and reviewing her experiences across travel, dating, goals, and mental health. This episode is a candid look at how sobriety can hold you through both expansion and emotional contraction.

Nadine reflects on pivotal moments throughout the year, including speaking at Podfest in Orlando, performing her first stand-up set sober, taking a solo healing trip to Barbados, and experiencing her favorite trip of the year in Iceland during the summer solstice with her mom. She also shares the behind-the-scenes reality of burnout, overworking, and navigating major life transitions.

On the dating front, Nadine opens up about long-distance heartbreak, emotional lows, minimal dating, and the clarity that came from stepping back and practicing discernment. She explains why there wasn’t enough dating content for a full Sober Dating Wrapped episode—and what she learned instead about intuition, peace, and self-trust.

The episode also highlights career milestones and redirections, including Pilates teacher training, unexpected endings that became blessings, and lessons around time, boundaries, and alignment. Ultimately, Nadine reminds listeners that growth isn’t always glamorous—and that a “good year” doesn’t always feel good while you’re living it.

This episode is for anyone navigating sobriety, transitions, heartbreak, burnout, or a season of becoming—and learning to trust themselves through it all.

✨ In This Episode, You’ll Hear:

• Nadine’s 2025 Sober Wrapped breakdown by quarter
• How travel became a stabilizing force during emotional lows
• Lessons from solo travel, including Barbados and El Salvador
• Why this year didn’t warrant a full Sober Dating Wrapped episode
• The emotional impact of detachment and discernment in dating
• Career wins, burnout warning signs, and redirections
• Why mental health and alignment matter more than momentum
• How sobriety supports growth even when life feels messy

🎯 Key Takeaways:

• You can be sober, successful, and still grieving parts of your life
• Not every year is aesthetic—but every year can be meaningful
• Intuition is data
• Peace is a form of progress
• Growth often looks like slowing down and choosing yourself

🦋 Connect with Nadine on Instagram @the.soberbutterfly https://www.instagram.com/the.soberbutterfly/?hl=en

Partnership
Classpass
https://classpass.com/refer/MQ30HIPH11

exclusive free trial (with 20 bonus credits!)

Episodes debut every Friday :) Please follow the show and leave a 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review!

Follow along for more conversations on sobriety, travel, dating, and personal growth.
If this episode resonated, share it with a friend, leave a review, or DM Nadine your own Sober Wrapped categories.

🎧 New episodes weekly on The Sober Butterfly Podcast

Support the show

Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services refereed to in this episode.

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In this reflective and relatable episode of The Sober Butterfly Podcast, host Nadine Mulvina shares how sobriety has completely transformed the way she travels — both solo and with groups.

Celebrating over three years sober since 2021, Nadine opens up about discovering new layers of her personality through travel, including realizing she’s both introverted and extroverted depending on the environment. She breaks down two recent trips that couldn’t have been more different: a solo sober trip to El Salvador and a group trip to Art Basel in Miami.

Through honest storytelling, Nadine explores why solo travel can be deeply empowering and grounding in sobriety, offering freedom, clarity, and self-discovery. She also dives into the realities of sober group travel — from meaningful connection to unexpected tension — including a candid story about navigating conflict with a “birthday girl” during the Miami trip.

This episode is packed with practical tips for traveling sober, especially if you’re the only non-drinker in the group. Nadine shares strategies like separating checks, avoiding alcohol-related expenses, finding quiet moments to recharge, and setting realistic expectations to protect your peace while traveling.

Whether you’re sober-curious, newly sober, or years into your alcohol-free journey, this episode offers reassurance, humor, and actionable advice for navigating travel — and relationships — without alcohol.

✨ Plus, Nadine teases an upcoming fan-favorite episode: 2025 Sober Wrapped.

🔑 Topics Covered

• Life in sobriety since 2021
• Solo travel vs. group travel while sober
• Traveling sober in El Salvador
• Art Basel Miami trip reflections
• Navigating group dynamics without alcohol
• Managing conflict and expectations in sobriety
• Introvert vs. extrovert energy in sober life
• Tips for sober travelers
• Protecting your peace on group trips

Support the show

Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services refereed to in this episode.

Send us a text

In this powerful episode of The Sober Butterfly, host Nadine Mulvina sits down with Ash Meredith, an Australian mum, fitness creator, and wellness influencer whose life has radically transformed since quitting alcohol. Ash opens up about her struggles with body image, disordered eating, food noise, emotional drinking, and the constant pressure to “look healthy” while feeling anything but.

Ash shares how alcohol quietly affected her digestion, metabolism, mental health, sleep, self-talk, and relationship with food—and how removing it helped her finally feel connected to her body in a healthy, nourishing way. Her journey offers an honest look at what sustainable wellness really means, far beyond diets or trends.

Listeners will learn:
✨ How alcohol impacts food cravings, stress, bloating, and body composition
✨ What “food noise” actually is & how to quiet it
✨ Simple, science-backed health habits for more energy
✨ The morning routine that changed Ash’s life
✨ Why nourishing breakfasts matter for hormone balance
✨ Tips for better digestion, sleep, and mindful eating
✨ How sobriety can unlock true self-optimization
✨ Practical ideas for navigating social drinking pressure
✨ How to build wellness habits that last (even as a busy mum)

Whether you're sober-curious, working on your wellness, or trying to heal your relationship with food and body image, Ash’s story is empowering, relatable, and full of actionable nuggets you can start using today.

Watch the full episode on YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUpRzgdzsys

Connect with Ash on Instagram @ashmeredith11 https://www.instagram.com/ashmeredith11/

Connect with Nadine on Instagram @the.soberbutterfly https://www.instagram.com/the.soberbutterfly/?hl=en

Partnership
Classpass
https://classpass.com/refer/MQ30HIPH11

exclusive free trial (with 20 bonus credits!)

Episodes debut every Friday :) Please follow the show and leave a 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review!

Support the show

Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services refereed to in this episode.

Send us a text

In this powerful episode of The Sober Butterfly Podcast, Nadine sits down with Bryan Power to explore how attachment styles, childhood wounds, emotional triggers, and deep inner work can transform relationships from the inside out.

Bryan shares his remarkable journey—from a sudden breakup and restraining order to rebuilding a healthier, stronger marriage through self-awareness and integrated attachment theory. Together, they unpack the six pillars of emotional healing inspired by Thais Gibson’s work: core wounds, needs, emotions, boundaries, communication, and behaviors.

This episode offers actionable tools for anyone navigating relationship challenges, breaking toxic patterns, or healing from trauma. Whether you’re partnered, single, or somewhere in between, Bryan’s story is a reminder that change is possible—and love can be rebuilt when we learn to understand ourselves.

Resources Mentioned:
📌 Book a Free 60-Minute Relationship Strategy Call with Bryan:
https://www.myrelationshipfail.com/

📌 Mel Robbins x Thais Gibson Episode:
“Why Do I Love the Way That I Love: The 4 Attachment Styles Explained”

📌 Follow Bryan on Social Media:
Instagram: @myrelationshipfail

📌 Follow Nadine / The Sober Butterfly:
Instagram: @the.soberbutterfly
TikTok: @thesoberbutterfly
YouTube: The Sober Butterfly

Support the show

Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services refereed to in this episode.