Sign up for the September 40 Day Fast here: https://butjesusdrankwine.myflodesk.com/septemberfast

In this powerful opening to our six-part Monday series, we’re diving into Love Life Sober: A 40 Day Alcohol Fast to Rediscover Your Joy, Improve Your Health, and Renew Your Mind—starting with Days 1 through 7.

Whether you’re reading along, curious about taking a break, or preparing to join the September live-coached fast, this episode lays the foundation for a Spirit-led, grace-filled approach to changing your relationship with alcohol.

We explore how to shift from striving to surrender, why curiosity matters more than willpower, and how to begin reframing your beliefs about alcohol through the lens of faith, neuroscience, and identity in Christ.

You’ll hear why you don’t need to hit rock bottom to make a change, how to set feeling-based goals that align with your values, and what it looks like to move from white-knuckling to walking in freedom with God.

This is the mindset shift that changes everything—and it all starts here.

📘 This week covers:

🌿 Day 1: Starting with Grace
Why you don’t have to get it all right on Day 1—and how grace changes everything.

👭 Day 2: You're Not Alone
You’re not the only Christian woman who struggles with this. And you don’t have to walk this alone.

⛰️ Day 3: Rock Bottom Not Required
You don’t have to lose it all to make a change. Sobriety can be a proactive and empowered choice.

🧠 Day 4: Renewing Your Mind
Why this fast is about so much more than quitting alcohol—it’s about transformation from the inside out.

🧬 Day 5: Cracking the Code
How brain chemistry, habits, and identity all intersect—and what it means for your alcohol story.

⚔️ Day 6: The Battle in Our Brains
Understanding the real spiritual and neurological tug-of-war—and how to win with God.

🔍 Day 7: Find Your Why
How to anchor your fast in God’s purpose for your life—and keep going when it gets tough.

💌 Resources & Links:

📣 Join the September 40 Day Fast
Registration is open now for the next live-coached 40 Day Alcohol Fast starting September 8! Walk through the fast in real time with coaching, community, and the support you need to finish strong.
👉 Sign up here

🎙️Past episodes mentioned:

Episode 30: You Don’t Have to Count Days

Episode 45: You Don’t Have to Say Forever

📖 Order your copy of Love Life Sober: A 40 Day Alcohol Fast to Rediscover Your Joy, Improve Your Health, and Renew Your Mind

🤝 Join our community: https://butjesusdrankwine.com/community

📲 Connect on Instagram: @butjesusdrankwine

🎥 We’re on YouTube too—come hang out!

The creators, hosts, and producers of the But Jesus Drank Wine podcast are not healthcare practitioners and therefore do not give medical, psychological or professional advice nor do they intend for the podcast, any communication on behalf of BJDW or otherwise to be a substitute for such. Additionally, the views and opinions expressed in any mention of and/or linked resources are those of the authors/owners of those resources and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the But Jesus Drank Wine podcast team or guests of the show.

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

What if the darkest chapters of your life became the very place where God’s love met you most powerfully?

In today’s raw and redemptive episode, Cristina Baker shares her jaw-dropping testimony of addiction, trauma, homelessness, and the overwhelming grace of God that broke through it all.

From growing up in chaos to nearly overdosing, Cristina recounts the moment she cried out to a God she didn’t yet believe in—and how He answered her with love, rescue, and purpose.

Now a speaker and the author of A Minute of Hope, Cristina knows firsthand the power of prayer and surrender.

Her story will stir your spirit, shake your soul, and remind you that no one is too far gone for the love of Jesus.

Cristina Baker has seen the power of prayer in her own life and knows God is listening and longs to hear our voices. After a 10-year battle with drug addiction, Cristina had a radical encounter with the love and power of God and immediately answered the call on her life to minister the Gospel.

In her new book, A Minute of Hope: 100 Prayers for Staying Steadfast Through Challenges and Change, she offers 100 one-minute prayers for readers yearning to feel God’s presence and experience His peace and strength.

✨ What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• How God can meet you in your lowest moment and radically change your life
• The difference between partial surrender and full surrender
• How prayer became her lifeline (and why it still is)
• Why vulnerability is the key to healing and freedom

💌 Resources & Links:

📘 Order Cristina’s book:
👉 A Minute of Hope: 100 Prayers for Staying Steadfast Through Challenges and Change

📣 Join the September 40 Day Fast
Registration is open now for the next live-coached 40 Day Alcohol Fast starting September 8! Walk through the fast in real time with coaching, community, and the support you need to finish strong.
👉 Sign up here

📖 Order your copy of Love Life Sober: A 40 Day Alcohol Fast to Rediscover Your Joy, Improve Your Health, and Renew Your Mind

🤝 Join our community: https://butjesusdrankwine.com/community

📲 Connect on Instagram: @butjesusdrankwine

🎥 We’re on YouTube too—come hang out!

The creators, hosts, and producers of the But Jesus Drank Wine podcast are not healthcare practitioners and therefore do not give medical, psychological or professional advice nor do they intend for the podcast, any communication on behalf of BJDW or otherwise to be a substitute for such. Additionally, the views and opinions expressed in any mention of and/or linked resources are those of the authors/owners of those resources and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the But Jesus Drank Wine podcast team or guests of the show.

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

You don’t need a rock bottom to change.

Today we explore a powerful reframe: what if rock bottom isn’t a place of shame or destruction, but a moment of surrender? A moment when you realize that Jesus is the Rock at the bottom, and that He’s been there all along.

This conversation dismantles the common story that things need to get “bad enough” before you're allowed to change your relationship with alcohol.

We share vulnerable moments from our own journeys and unpack how letting go of the “I have to hit bottom” mindset can actually open the door to freedom, clarity, and deeper connection with God.

Whether your life “looks fine” on the outside or you’re wrestling with the quiet ache of disconnection, this episode invites you to choose better—not because you have to, but because you get to.

Journaling Questions To Try:

• Is alcohol still serving me?
• Is alcohol helping me get closer to who God is calling me to be?
• Is this choice leading me toward peace or away from it?
• Am I waiting for things to get worse before I believe I’m allowed to want more?

💌 Resources & Links:

I Surrender All by Priscilla Shirer Available on Amazon

📣 Join the September 40 Day Fast
Registration is open now for the next live-coached 40 Day Alcohol Fast starting September 8! Walk through the fast in real time with coaching, community, and the support you need to finish strong.
👉 Sign up here

📖 Order your copy of Love Life Sober: A 40 Day Alcohol Fast to Rediscover Your Joy, Improve Your Health, and Renew Your Mind

🤝 Join our community: https://butjesusdrankwine.com/community

📲 Connect on Instagram: @butjesusdrankwine

🎥 We’re on YouTube too—come hang out!

The creators, hosts, and producers of the But Jesus Drank Wine podcast are not healthcare practitioners and therefore do not give medical, psychological or professional advice nor do they intend for the podcast, any communication on behalf of BJDW or otherwise to be a substitute for such. Additionally, the views and opinions expressed in any mention of and/or linked resources are those of the authors/owners of those resources and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the But Jesus Drank Wine podcast team or guests of the show.

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

This week, we’re tackling one of the most important identity questions in the Christian sobriety space: Do we really need to call ourselves “alcoholics”?

In this heartfelt and truth-packed episode, we dive into why we believe that label doesn’t line up with our identity in Christ. We reflect on our own stories of what happened when we stopped letting shame define us.

We explore what Scripture says about who we are in Jesus, why carrying labels from our past may keep us stuck, and how embracing our identity as beloved daughters of God opens the door to real transformation.

We also get honest about generational patterns, the role of neuroplasticity in changing our behaviors, and the power of renewing our minds with God’s Word.

This conversation is an invitation to get curious, be intentional, and replace the world’s labels with God’s truth.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why we don’t use the labels “alcoholic” or “addict”
• How identity in Christ changes everything
• The difference between secular freedom and freedom in Jesus
• The impact of generational narratives on our self-identity
• How neuroplasticity and biblical truth work together in our healing
• Why it matters what we speak over ourselves

Resources Mentioned:
📘 Download our free “Who I Am in Christ” identity guide.

📣 Join the September 40 Day Fast
Registration is open now for the next live-coached 40 Day Alcohol Fast starting September 8! Walk through the fast in real time with coaching, community, and the support you need to finish strong. 👉 Sign up here

📖 Order your copy of Love Life Sober: A 40 Day Alcohol Fast to Rediscover Your Joy, Improve Your Health, and Renew Your Mind

🤝 Join our community: https://butjesusdrankwine.com/community

📲 Connect on Instagram: @butjesusdrankwine

You can find this episode on YouTube HERE.

The creators, hosts, and producers of the But Jesus Drank Wine podcast are not healthcare practitioners and therefore do not give medical, psychological or professional advice nor do they intend for the podcast, any communication on behalf of BJDW or otherwise to be a substitute for such. Additionally, the views and opinions expressed in any mention of and/or linked resources are those of the authors/owners of those resources and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the But Jesus Drank Wine podcast team or guests of the show.

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Moderation is exhausting. Let’s talk about what’s possible when you stop playing the game.

In this listener-favorite list-style episode, we share the 10 best things about never having to moderate alcohol again, and trust us, it’s more freeing than you think.

From the relentless mental gymnastics (“Should I? Shouldn’t I?”) to the emotional fallout of breaking yet another promise to yourself, moderation often becomes more of a burden than a solution. So what happens when you stop trying to control your drinking and start living in true freedom?

Spoiler alert: more headspace, less shame, deeper joy, better boundaries, and a whole lot more time for Jesus (and wildflowers ).

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why moderation takes more time, energy, and mental space than we realize
• The sneaky ways alcohol was stealing our joy—even in “small” amounts
• How living alcohol-free helps us show up more fully as moms, wives, and women of faith
• What shifts when you no longer have to plan, justify, or recover from drinking
• The role of curiosity, compassion, and truth in breaking the cycle
• How ditching moderation leads to deeper peace, clearer boundaries, and surprising laughter

🎧 Love our list-style episodes? Go back and listen to:

• Ep 15: The 10 Best Things About Never Having to Drink Again
• Ep 32: 10 Things We No Longer Spend Money On
• Ep 74: 10 Things We Wish Someone Had Told Us the First Year
• Ep 89: 10 Reasons Living Alcohol-Free Has Made Us More Confident

Sign up for the September 40 Day Fast here:

Order Christy’s book: Love Life Sober, A 40 Day Alcohol Fast To Rediscover Your Joy, Improve Your Health and Renew Your Mind

Join the conversation in our community at But Jesus Drank Wine Community.

Connect with us on Instagram! @butjesusdrankwine

You can find this episode on YouTube HERE.

The creators, hosts, and producers of the But Jesus Drank Wine podcast are not healthcare practitioners and therefore do not give medical, psychological or professional advice nor do they intend for the podcast, any communication on behalf of BJDW or otherwise to be a substitute for such. Additionally, the views and opinions expressed in any mention of and/or linked resources are those of the authors/owners of those resources and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the But Jesus Drank Wine podcast team or guests of the show.

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Join the conversation in our community at BJDW Community!

Episode 134. What if this is the summer it all changes—for the better? ☀️

Today we dive into what it means to experience summer without alcohol, and why that might be the very thing your soul is craving.

Whether you’re newly sober-curious, starting your first alcohol-free summer, or coming back to this journey after a break, this conversation is packed with grace, encouragement, and practical tools.

We talk about everything from mom culture and rosé memes to airplane triggers, BBQ season, and how to handle your first AF vacation.

Plus, why starting now (not in September) might just be the best decision you make all year.

You’ll walk away with encouragement, mindset shifts, and a whole new way of seeing summer, not as something to survive, but something to savor.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why summer can be the time to start your sober journey
• How to spot your summer triggers & plan ahead
• How to prep for your first alcohol-free trip or poolside hang
• The problem of "I’ll just wait until September"
• Why alcohol might be taking up more space than you think—and how to take it back
• The joy of sunsets, sparkling water, and technicolor memories

Join our private, small-group coaching space, The Missing Peace, and get BJDW all-community access for free! BJDW Coaching

Order Christy’s book now available! Love Life Sober, A 40 Day Alcohol Fast To Rediscover Your Joy, Improve Your Health and Renew Your Mind

Learn More about Coaching with Christy

Learn More about Coaching with Meade

Connect with us on Instagram! @imnotsoberimfree @lovelifesoberwithchristy @butjesusdrankwine

You can find this episode on YouTube HERE.

The creators, hosts, and producers of the But Jesus Drank Wine podcast are not healthcare practitioners and therefore do not give medical, psychological or professional advice nor do they intend for the podcast, any communication on behalf of BJDW or otherwise to be a substitute for such. Additionally, the views and opinions expressed in any mention of and/or linked resources are those of the authors/owners of those resources and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the But Jesus Drank Wine podcast team or guests of the show.

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

To help you reflect and dig deeper, we’ve created a free guided journaling booklet that goes hand-in-hand with this episode. You can download it here.

Join the conversation in our community at BJDW Community

Today we tackle a topic that hits close to home for many women of faith: Has wine—or any other comfort—become more important than your relationship with God?

Using a biblical lens, they explore the concept of idolatry: anything that takes up too much of our time, energy, money, or mental space—ultimately distracting us from intimacy with Jesus. While idolatry may sound like an Old Testament word, the truth is, modern-day idols are everywhere. And for many of us, alcohol quietly takes up far more space than we realize.

We share personal experiences and spiritual insights into how alcohol once affected our own walks with God—and how letting it go made space for peace, presence, and purpose. We also walk listeners through introspective questions and journal prompts designed to help you examine your own relationship with alcohol with grace, curiosity, and truth.

If you’ve ever wondered why alcohol feels so important—or if life without it might feel more aligned with the life God has for you—this episode will guide you gently but boldly toward freedom.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• What idolatry looks like in the modern world—and how alcohol fits in
• How to identify when something has taken God’s place in your heart or habits
• The spiritual, emotional, and relational costs of holding on to alcohol
• Why curiosity and compassion matter more than shame in this process
• How to take the next step toward freedom, one brave question at a time

Join our private, small-group coaching space, The Missing Peace, and get BJDW all-community access for free! https://butjesusdrankwine.com/coaching

Order Christy’s book now available! Love Life Sober, A 40 Day Alcohol Fast To Rediscover Your Joy, Improve Your Health and Renew Your Mind

Learn More about Coaching with Christy

Learn More about Coaching with Meade

Connect with us on Instagram! @imnotsoberimfree @lovelifesoberwithchristy @butjesusdrankwine

You can find this episode on YouTube HERE.

The creators, hosts, and producers of the But Jesus Drank Wine podcast are not healthcare practitioners and therefore do not give medical, psychological or professional advice nor do they intend for the podcast, any communication on behalf of BJDW or otherwise to be a substitute for such. Additionally, the views and opinions expressed in any mention of and/or linked resources are those of the authors/owners of those resources and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the But Jesus Drank Wine podcast team or guests of the show.

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Join the conversation in our community at BJDW Community.

We’re re-releasing one of our most popular episodes—Episode 13: Did Jesus Drink Wine? With Pastor David—because some truths are worth hearing twice. Or ten times.

This episode gets to the heart of a phrase many of us used to justify the habit: “But Jesus drank wine.” It’s not just the name of our podcast—it was a story that kept us stuck in a nightly-ish drinking cycle.

So today, join us in the studio as they welcome a very special guest: Meade’s pastor, David Walters, who joins us as our resident biblical scholar to tackle the burning question:

Did Jesus really drink wine—and does it matter?

David bravely and graciously unpacks this question and so many more, including:

• What does Scripture actually say about wine and drinking?

• What does it mean to “take our thoughts captive”?

• Why is the heart mentioned over 800 times in the Bible—and what does that have to do with the lies we believe?

• What are false idols, and how do they relate to alcohol or anything else we turn to for comfort?

• How do we uncover the deeper truth beneath the stories that keep us stuck?

• And yes… what do kids and CrossFit have to do with any of this?

This episode is packed with spiritual depth, practical wisdom, and powerful applications for anyone on the journey to freedom—from alcohol, or anything else taking up too much space in your life.

And don’t miss the end of the episode—this week’s “tiny TINA” might just be the most brilliant yet.

Whether you’re new to the pod or you’ve heard this one before, hit play with fresh ears. Because this might be the replay your heart needs right now.

#ButJesusDrankWine #FreedomFromAlcohol #BiblicalTruth #FaithAndFreedom #TheMissingPeace #RenewYourMind #ChristianWomen #ReRelease

Join our private, small-group coaching space, The Missing Peace, and get BJDW all-community access for free! https://butjesusdrankwine.com/coaching

Order Christy’s book now available! Love Life Sober, A 40 Day Alcohol Fast To Rediscover Your Joy, Improve Your Health and Renew Your Mind

Learn More about Coaching with Christy

Learn More about Coaching with Meade

Connect with us on Instagram! @imnotsoberimfree @lovelifesoberwithchristy @butjesusdrankwine

You can find this episode on YouTube HERE.

The creators, hosts, and producers of the But Jesus Drank Wine podcast are not healthcare practitioners and therefore do not give medical, psychological or professional advice nor do they intend for the podcast, any communication on behalf of BJDW or otherwise to be a substitute for such. Additionally, the views and opinions expressed in any mention of and/or linked resources are those of the authors/owners of those resources and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the But Jesus Drank Wine podcast team or guests of the show.

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.