What if the story you’ve been telling yourself about alcohol… isn’t actually true?

In the final part of this powerful 3-part conversation, licensed psychotherapist Merrilee Burke, LMFT, and I dive deep into identity, labels, shame, self-awareness, and the stories so many of us unconsciously carry about who we are when it comes to drinking.

Because so many women are walking around believing:
“I have an addictive personality.”
“I’ll never be someone who can just have one.”
“I’m just the party girl.”
“This is simply who I am.”

But what if those are learned identities… not permanent truths?

In this episode, we explore:

• Why labels can sometimes keep us stuck
• The problem with all-or-nothing thinking
• How identity shapes your drinking habits
• Why progress matters more than perfection
• The role shame plays in overdrinking
• How tracking can actually build empowerment instead of guilt
• Rewriting your story around alcohol, yourself, and your future

We also have a beautiful conversation around self-worth, nervous system safety, healing old conditioning, and what it really means to evolve as a person without abandoning who you used to be.

This episode is compassionate, honest, empowering, and such an important reminder that you are not broken — and you are not required to stay the same forever.

Drinking less isn’t about becoming someone new.
It’s about reconnecting with who you already are underneath the coping, conditioning, and shame.

Connect with Merrilee:
merrileeburke.com

If this series resonated with you, please share it with a friend, leave a review, or tag me on social. Your support helps more women realize they are not alone in this journey.

And don't forget: Drink on PURPOSE.

Want that support? Start the Drink Less RESET now!

Learn more at: https://www.shameover.me/

What if the hardest part about drinking less… isn’t actually the alcohol?

What if it’s the fear that life will become boring without it?

In Part 2 of this powerful conversation with licensed psychotherapist Merrilee Burke, LMFT, we dive into the emotional connection between alcohol, fun, identity, creativity, and play — especially for women who have spent years using wine as their “off switch” after constantly taking care of everyone else.

We unpack:

• Why alcohol becomes tied to fun, relaxation, and connection
• The surprising reason many women struggle to “just relax”
• How productivity culture disconnects us from play
• Why creativity and hobbies can help calm the nervous system
• The fear of changing socially when you start drinking less
• How to reconnect with yourself without becoming “boring”

We also talk about the very real identity shifts that happen when alcohol has been woven into your friendships, relationships, routines, and social life for years.

This episode is validating, eye-opening, and full of practical ways to start creating more joy, fun, and presence without relying on alcohol to create the experience for you.

Because the goal isn’t to become less fun.... It’s to stop needing alcohol to access the fun that was already inside of you.

This is Part 2 of a 3-part series.

Connect with Merrilee:
merrileeburke.com

If this episode resonated with you, share it with a friend, leave a review, and make sure you’re subscribed so you don’t miss Part 3 — where we dive into labels, identity, addictive personalities, and rewriting your story around alcohol and yourself.

Need more support? Join my cohort starting June 1!

Learn more at https://www.ericamallery.com/group-coaching

In this powerful conversation, I sit down with licensed psychotherapist Merrilee Burke, LMFT, to unpack what’s really going on underneath overdrinking, urges, self-sabotage, and the “why can’t I just stop at one?” cycle.

Spoiler: it’s not because you’re weak, broken, or lacking willpower.

We dive into:

• Why “sober or bust” messaging keeps so many people stuck
• The truth about mindful drinking + moderation
• How rebellion and people-pleasing can show up in your drinking
• The surprising role childhood conditioning can play
• Why tracking your drinking is awareness — not punishment
• The simple mindset shifts that can completely change your relationship with alcohol

If you’ve ever felt frustrated because you KNOW you want to drink less… but part of you still keeps reaching for the wine anyway… this episode is for you.

This is Part 1 of a 3-part conversation.

Connect with Merrilee Burke, LMFT:
Website: merrileeburke.com

If this episode helped you, share it with a friend, leave a review, and make sure you’re subscribed so you don’t miss Part 2 next week — where we dive into alcohol, identity, fun, creativity, and why so many women feel like they forgot how to play without wine.

And remember:
You do not need more shame. You need support, awareness, and tools that actually work in real life.

Want that support? Join my cohort starting June 1!

Learn more at https://www.ericamallery.com/group-coaching