Why is alcohol so normalized in church spaces? In this episode of Love Life Sober, Lauren Windle shares her alcohol-free journey, faith-based sobriety, and why alcohol can become a stumbling block to real connection, healing, and belonging in Christian communities.

Christy Osborne is joined by Lauren Windle, writer, speaker, and long-time alcohol-free woman who loves Jesus deeply, for a vulnerable and soul-stirring conversation about faith, sobriety, and belonging.

Lauren shares her honest alcohol-free testimony—from social anxiety and drinking from her early teens, to hiding in plain sight as the “fun party girl,” to finally laying it all down and finding freedom through sobriety, faith, and community. Together, they explore why alcohol often feels like the solution for anxiety and connection, how it slowly shrinks our world instead of expanding it, and what it looks like to sit with pain without numbing.

They also courageously asks why alcohol is being served in church spaces, how sobriety environments often feel more like church than church itself, and how God meets us powerfully in discomfort, honesty, and renewal of the mind.

If You’ve Ever Thought… 
“I drink to feel less anxious and more myself.”
“I’m scared of who I’ll be without alcohol.”
“I want real connection, not small talk.”

Babe, this episode will meet you right where you are

What You’ll Learn in This Episode
How social anxiety and the desire to belong fueled Lauren’s drinking from a young age
Why alcohol felt essential to her identity—and how that belief slowly unraveled
Why learning to sit with pain is one of the greatest gifts of sobriety
How cravings and “escape thoughts” still show up years later—and how to respond
Why alcohol in church can be a stumbling block and distraction from Jesus
How neuroscience, Scripture, and renewing the mind beautifully overlap
Why deep, honest relationships form faster in sobriety spaces

Links & Resources

Connect with Lauren:
Website: https://laurenwindle.com
Instagram: @laurenwindle_

Join the Love Life Sober Community
https://lovelifesober.co.uk/community

Join the Lent 40-Day Fast
https://lovelifesober.co.uk/the-fast

Order Christy’s book, Love Life Sober: A 40 Day Alcohol Fast to Rediscover Your Joy, Improve Your Health, and Renew Your Mind
https://lovelifesober.co.uk/book

Connect with Christy on Instagram: @lovelifesoberwithchristy


Disclaimer
The creators, hosts, and producers of the Love Life Sober podcast are not healthcare practitioners and therefore do not give medical, psychological, or professional advice nor intend for the podcast or any Love Life Sober communication to substitute for such. Views and opinions expressed in any referenced or linked resources do not necessarily reflect those of the Love Life Sober team or guests.

Why is alcohol so normalized in church spaces? In this episode of Love Life Sober, Lauren Windle shares her alcohol-free journey, faith-based sobriety, and why alcohol can become a stumbling block to real connection, healing, and belonging in Christian communities.
Christy Osborne is joined by Lauren Windle, writer, speaker, and long-time alcohol-free woman who loves Jesus deeply, for a vulnerable and soul-stirring conversation about faith, sobriety, and belonging.
Lauren shares her honest alcohol-free testimony&mdash;from social anxiety and drinking from her early teens, to hiding in plain sight as the &ldquo;fun party girl,&rdquo; to finally laying it all down and finding freedom through sobriety, faith, and community. Together, they explore why alcohol often feels like the solution for anxiety and connection, how it slowly shrinks our world instead of expanding it, and what it looks like to sit with pain without numbing.
They also courageously asks why alcohol is being served in church spaces, how sobriety environments often feel more like church than church itself, and how God meets us powerfully in discomfort, honesty, and renewal of the mind.
If You&rsquo;ve Ever Thought&hellip;&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">&ldquo;I drink to feel less anxious and more myself.&rdquo;</li>
<li aria-level="1">&ldquo;I&rsquo;m scared of who I&rsquo;ll be without alcohol.&rdquo;</li>
<li aria-level="1">&ldquo;I want real connection, not small talk.&rdquo;</li>
</ul>
Babe, this episode will meet you right where you are
What You&rsquo;ll Learn in This Episode
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">How social anxiety and the desire to belong fueled Lauren&rsquo;s drinking from a young age</li>
<li aria-level="1">Why alcohol felt essential to her identity&mdash;and how that belief slowly unraveled</li>
<li aria-level="1">Why learning to sit with pain is one of the greatest gifts of sobriety</li>
<li aria-level="1">How cravings and &ldquo;escape thoughts&rdquo; still show up years later&mdash;and how to respond</li>
<li aria-level="1">Why alcohol in church can be a stumbling block and distraction from Jesus</li>
<li aria-level="1">How neuroscience, Scripture, and renewing the mind beautifully overlap</li>
<li aria-level="1">Why deep, honest relationships form faster in sobriety spaces</li>
</ul>
Links &amp; Resources
Connect with Lauren: Website: <a href="https://laurenwindle.com/">https://laurenwindle.com </a>Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/laurenwindle_/?hl=en">@laurenwindle_</a>
Join the Love Life Sober Community <a href="https://lovelifesober.co.uk/community">https://lovelifesober.co.uk/community</a>
Join the Lent 40-Day Fast <a href="https://lovelifesober.co.uk/the-fast">https://lovelifesober.co.uk/the-fast</a>
Order Christy&rsquo;s book,&nbsp;Love Life Sober: A 40 Day Alcohol Fast to Rediscover Your Joy, Improve Your Health, and Renew Your Mind <a href="https://lovelifesober.co.uk/book">https://lovelifesober.co.uk/book</a>
Connect with Christy on Instagram:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/lovelifesoberwithchristy/?hl=en">@lovelifesoberwithchristy</a>
 Disclaimer The creators, hosts, and producers of the Love Life Sober podcast are not healthcare practitioners and therefore do not give medical, psychological, or professional advice nor intend for the podcast or any Love Life Sober communication to substitute for such. Views and opinions expressed in any referenced or linked resources do not necessarily reflect those of the Love Life Sober team or guests.

Love Life Sober is a Christian podcast for women questioning their relationship with alcohol and sensing God might have more for them beyond the wine glass.

Have you felt that nudge from God to put down the wine glass, but the thought of relaxing, having fun, or even coping with life feels impossible without it? Are you waking up each morning vowing not to drink tonight, only to find that by five p.m., all bets are off?

Love Life Sober is for sober and sober-curious women who love Jesus, or who are longing to reconnect with Him, and who know deep down that alcohol is no longer serving them.

Hosted by Christian sobriety coach and author Christy Osborne, author of Love Life Sober: A 40 Day Alcohol Fast to Rediscover Your Joy, Improve Your Health, and Renew Your Mind, this podcast blends Scripture, neuroscience, and practical coaching to help you understand what’s happening in your brain, your nervous system, and your heart, and how lasting freedom from alcohol is actually possible.

You’ll hear expert conversations and powerful testimonies for women exploring Christian sobriety, faith-based recovery, mindful drinking, and alcohol-free living. Each episode gently invites you to step away from wine and toward deeper connection with God, without shame, pressure, or the need to decide forever.

At the heart of Love Life Sober is a simple truth. Love, joy, peace, and connection were never meant to be found in a wine bottle. They are found in Jesus.

This is a grace-filled, shame-free space for women seeking freedom from alcohol through faith, neuroscience, and compassionate coaching. You don’t have to hit rock bottom. You don’t have to white-knuckle your way through sobriety. And you don’t have to do this alone.

If you’re ready to loosen alcohol’s grip and live the life God is inviting you into, you’re in the right place.
Welcome to Love Life Sober. Want more? Visit lovelifesober.com. 

Love Life Sober is a Christian podcast for women questioning their relationship with alcohol and sensing God might have more for them beyond the wine glass.
Have you felt that nudge from God to put down the wine glass, but the thought of relaxing, having fun, or even coping with life feels impossible without it? Are you waking up each morning vowing not to drink tonight, only to find that by five p.m., all bets are off?
Love Life Sober is for sober and sober-curious women who love Jesus, or who are longing to reconnect with Him, and who know deep down that alcohol is no longer serving them.
Hosted by Christian sobriety coach and author Christy Osborne, author of <a href="https://lovelifesober.co.uk/book">Love Life Sober: A 40 Day Alcohol Fast to Rediscover Your Joy, Improve Your Health, and Renew Your Mind</a>, this podcast blends Scripture, neuroscience, and practical coaching to help you understand what&rsquo;s happening in your brain, your nervous system, and your heart, and how lasting freedom from alcohol is actually possible.
You&rsquo;ll hear expert conversations and powerful testimonies for women exploring Christian sobriety, faith-based recovery, mindful drinking, and alcohol-free living. Each episode gently invites you to step away from wine and toward deeper connection with God, without shame, pressure, or the need to decide forever.
At the heart of Love Life Sober is a simple truth. Love, joy, peace, and connection were never meant to be found in a wine bottle. They are found in Jesus.
This is a grace-filled, shame-free space for women seeking freedom from alcohol through faith, neuroscience, and compassionate coaching. You don&rsquo;t have to hit rock bottom. You don&rsquo;t have to white-knuckle your way through sobriety. And you don&rsquo;t have to do this alone.
If you&rsquo;re ready to loosen alcohol&rsquo;s grip and live the life God is inviting you into, you&rsquo;re in the right place. Welcome to Love Life Sober. Want more? Visit <a href="https://lovelifesober.com/">lovelifesober.com</a>.&nbsp;

Love Life Sober is a Christian podcast for women questioning their relationship with alcohol and sensing God might have more for them beyond the wine glass.  Have you felt that nudge from God to put down the wine glass, but the thought of relaxing, having fun, or even coping with life feels impossible without it? Are you waking up each morning vowing not to drink tonight, only to find that by five p.m., all bets are off?  Love Life Sober is for sober and sober-curious women who love Jesus, or who are longing to reconnect with Him, and who know deep down that alcohol is no longer serving them.

Love Life Sober

Why Are We Serving Alcohol at Church? | Lauren Windle 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/2dc9e032-92aa-4d18-9059-b3e001523e3f/transcript