The Truth About Sober Dating, Sex, and Love - WE TURN THE TABLES

This week on Sisters in Sobriety, Sonia and Kathleen turn the tables on their popular mini-series about sober dating, sex, and relationships. After hearing from past guests on what dating without alcohol looks like, the sisters are sitting down to answer the same ten questions themselves. From green flags and red flags to playlist picks and sober date ideas, they’re bringing personal reflections, and honest takes.

How do you navigate dating someone who drinks when you don’t? What’s the go-to answer when someone asks why you’re not drinking? And how do you build connection without the lubrication of alcohol? Sonia and Kathleen unpack the real-life challenges and unexpected joys of dating while sober.

Find out why communication and emotional regulation are the new sexy, how to set boundaries around alcohol in relationships, and how to create connection without compromising sobriety. The episode also explores cultural norms around drinking, coping strategies for first sober dates, and what "choosing each other" really means in long-term partnerships.

This is Sisters in Sobriety, the support community that helps women change their relationship with alcohol. Check out our Substack for extra tips, tricks and resources.

Episode Highlights

[00:01:10] Sonia’s power washer as a symbol of freedom post-divorce

[00:02:30] Setting the scene for the mini-series wrap-up: 10 questions revisited

[00:04:00] Kathleen's first sober date: a nuanced look at alcohol vs. drug sobriety

[00:05:45] Dating someone who drinks—how Kathleen navigated early discomfort

[00:07:15] Caitlin’s story: being 90 days sober and her date ordering her favorite drink

[00:08:45] NA beer and whether it fits into Sonia’s sober lifestyle

[00:09:30] Food and body issues on early dates—what Ally Shapiro shared

[00:10:25] What do you say when someone asks why you don’t drink?

[00:11:15] The challenge of drinking cultures within a partner’s family

[00:12:45] Green flags: emotional regulation, curiosity, and thoughtful check-ins

[00:15:00] Red flags: love addiction, criticism, and white lies

[00:17:50] Favorite sober date ideas: hiking, kayaking, concerts, and coffee

[00:19:30] Advice for your first sober date: have a plan, tell someone, and stay present

[00:21:00] How much drinking is too much in a partner? Setting comfort levels

[00:22:15] Alcohol in the house—yes, no, or it depends?

[00:23:15] Who do you call after a fight or a great first date? (Hint: it’s not always your sister)

[00:24:30] The breakup playlist that kept them going—hello, Florence + the Machine

[00:26:15] From "dicked down in Dallas" to Taylor Swift: the love life soundtrack

[00:28:00] “I used to think love was a fairytale, now I know it’s a choice.”

[00:30:15] Romantic love is conditional—and why that’s actually a good thing

Links

💌 Sisters In Sobriety Substack – where the magic (and the mocktail recipes) happen

📬 Sisters In Sobriety Email

📸 Sisters In Sobriety Instagram

🌐 Kathleen’s Website Kathleen does not endorse any products mentioned in this podcast

📸 Kathleen’s Instagram

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