November 25, 2024 50:33 E49

S1 E S49 The Real Sober Stories with Katie Bongard, California Mom, Counselor and Founder of Untamed Guidance for Girls

Jane sits down with Katie Bongard, an inspiring voice in the alcohol-free community, school counselor and empowerment coach for tween and teen girls. Katie shares her journey from early alcohol use, influenced by grief and a desire to numb pain, to her current life alcohol-free. She reflects on her experiences with alcohol, the impact of losing her father unexpectedly at a young age, and how her relationship with drinking evolved over the years. Katie discusses the challenges of sobriety, the clarity it brings, and the importance of modeling healthy behaviors for her children. She emphasizes the profound changes in her life since becoming alcohol-free and the tools available for navigating social situations without alcohol. In this conversation, Katie shares her profound experiences with grief, loss, and the awakening to life's fragility after losing loved ones. She discusses the impact of alcohol on her relationships and how choosing to live alcohol-free has transformed her life. Katie emphasizes the importance of empowering young girls in today's digital age, providing them with a safe space to express themselves and build self-compassion. The conversation highlights the significance of mental health, self-love, and the need for open dialogues about emotional well-being.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Katie's journey to sobriety began with a dry January seven years ago.
The loss of her father at a young age led to early alcohol use as a coping mechanism.
Sobriety has allowed Katie to reconnect with her emotions and live life fully.
Therapy is most effective when the individual is ready to engage with it.
Katie's experience with alcohol was characterized by binge drinking rather than daily use.
She emphasizes the importance of self-compassion in personal growth.
Katie's husband also stopped drinking after witnessing the impact of alcohol on his health.
The social aspect of sobriety can be supported by friends and family.
Katie aims to create a safe space for young girls to express themselves and find support.
The difference between counseling and coaching lies in the depth of time and focus on solutions.

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LEARN MORE ABOUT KATIE

We’re thrilled to welcome Katie, an inspiring voice in the alcohol-free community. After starting her journey with a Dry January seven years ago, Katie’s commitment to living alcohol-free deepened over time, culminating in her last drink on January 6, 2023. Since then, Katie has embraced the fullness of life without numbing its raw, beautiful moments. As a former school counselor of nine years and a mother, Katie felt a powerful calling to create something bigger—leading to the birth of Untamed Guidance, a movement dedicated to empowering tweens and teens to find confidence, connection, and joy in a disconnected world. Katie’s passion for helping young girls navigate life’s challenges is rooted in her belief that every individual is beautifully imperfect and capable of thriving. We’re so excited to dive into her story and hear how sobriety and purpose have shaped her incredible journey.

Connect with Katie at https://untamedguidance.org/ or on Instagram @untamed_guidance!

Creators and Guests

Host

Jane W Ballard

Jane Ballard, LCSW-S, CEDS, PMH-C, is a licensed psychotherapist and Alcohol Free Life coach. She is the founder of Jane Ballard Wellness, a private practice offering in-person counseling services in Dallas, TX and virtual individual and group coaching to women in the United States and beyond. After waking up to the realization that alcohol was a barrier to living her purpose, she set out to make information, support and connection more accessible to like minded women.

Guest

Katie Bongard

Hiya! I'm Katie and my alcohol free journey started after a dry January about 7 years ago and eventually morphed into longer and longer breaks until January 6, 2023, when I had my last drink :) Life is sooooooo good and I am so happy I am no longer numbing myself from the raw amazing-ness that is life ;) So many opportunities have manifested and after serving as a school counselor for the past 9 years, and becoming a mother myself, the internal nudge to bring my vision and true purpose to life was overwhelming. I could no longer sit still because the needs of our young girls in this dynamic world are too big to ignore. Untamed Guidance was born in an effort to bring Radical Guidance to girls around the world. I believe every tween and teen is a perfectly, beautifully flawed individual in search of confidence and deep connection in a rather disconnected world. And it’s my passion and purpose, to help lead her home to HERSELF. To empower HER to make healthy decisions, so she can experience true joy and cultivate a happy fulfilling life. xo -Katie