Celeste is the popular writer and personality behind andwhatamom.com who writes about choosing sobriety and all things parenting.
In March of 2018 her “Dear Husband” post went viral to tens of millions of readers around the world. Later in 2018, Celeste openly spoke about her struggles with alcohol, and announced her commitment to becoming a sober mom for the sake of her health and her family. Her piece about a playdate that went sideways when another mom started serving mimosas, has reached over 6 million people.
You can find her work in US Weekly, The Huffington Post, The Washington Post, The Today Show, Good Morning America, and Refinery 29. Celeste lives in Reno, Nevada with her husband and two boys ages 3 and 5.
SUPPORT THE PODCAST ON PATREON
IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:
“Mommy Wine Culture”
Alcohol is the only drug you have to explain NOT using
Alcohol marketing geared towards women & parents
How her friendships has changed since she quit drinking
How she has chose sobriety and has maintained it without AA
Removing decision fatigue with choosing sobriety
The internal & external stigma that can come with identifying as an alcoholic
To her alcoholism means not wanting to stop at just one drink
“Sober-curious”
“I wish I didn’t let the stigma of the word ‘alcoholic’ keep me from quitting sooner”
Alcohol fatigue vs. hitting rock-bottom (you don’t have to hit a rock-bottom to be tired of alcohol and drinking culture)
The stigma of “not being fun” that comes with choosing not to drink
The mixed messages that come from events like “Vino & Vinyasa”
The parallels between eating disorders and alcoholism
Celeste opens up about her history and her 20+ year battle bulimia
“All I wanted to do was fit in, and I felt like I had to use an eating disorder to get there”
BOOKS MENTIONED:
This Naked Mind: Control Alcohol, Find Freedom, Discover Happiness & Change Your Life
Allen Carr’s Easy Way for Women to Quit Drinking: The original Easyway method
CONNECT WITH CELESTE:
Website
Popular Articles She’s Written
Facebook
Instagram
Twitter
CONNECT WITH ENGRID
Instagram: @livengproof
Liveng Proof Podcast
Website
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Email | Support
1 Comment
Megan
October 23, 2019 at 3:27 pmAs a 33 yr old female in recovery for alcoholism and an eating disorder this episode was brutal. I freakin loooove your podcasts!! They make my heart sing, I’m obsessed! I typically love the guests also, and if I don’t, I have no problem turning it off and waiting for a new episode. I have no problem taking what I can from the podcast and leaving the rest behind. I send them to friends in recovery and tell them the same, like take what you can and forget the rest. I’m not a hot head, I dont leave reviews, and I don’t get “triggered” easily anymore in regards to alcoholism. I did today though because I am passionate about my sobriety and ED recovery and I am passionate about helping others. My recovery depends on the constant thought of others. So when I first started listening, I was thrilled because I wanted to hear it all and was going to send it to my girlfriend who is a new mom and new to sobriety. I am very passionate about AA, it saved my life (and launched my eating disorder recovery into another dimension while in the process). Knowing what I now know about the disease of alcoholism, I could never send this episode to my friend or any real alcoholic newcomer. Ever.
Celeste does not understand AA. And does not understand that there is a difference between a heavy drinker and an alcoholic, as out lined in our Big Book. What works for a heavy drinker, like the cute little promises we make to ourself that we are going to “quit,” don’t stand a chance with a real alcoholic. Maybe she didn’t find herself in the Big Book because she’s not an alcoholic. Maybe she’s a potential alcoholic who hasn’t crossed the line into alcoholism. There is a difference. She hasn’t thoroughly followed the process or read the book as suggested (WITH someone that has been armed with some facts about their own alcoholism) you can’t make your own definition and place judgement and opinion on AA and make it right by saying “no judgement.” It’s hurts as bad as someone looking at us and saying “no judgment but you’re actually going to eat that cheeseburger, and fries??”
I will end with this- I do have compassion for her though. I too once said “I don’t have time” or “im not that bad” “reading a Big Book won’t help” I was miserable and finally reached a new level of desperation. I just worry that a real alcoholic may be listening and subconsciously forming a negative opinion on AA and think they can do it on their own, when it’s not reality.
-Megan, Alcoholic