LIVE! Catherine Gray in conversation with Janey Lee Grace

In this live episode of the Alcohol-Free Life Podcast, host Janey Lee Grace welcomes Catherine Gray, author of The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober, for an intimate and inspiring conversation at the Hello Love venue. The discussion traces Gray’s journey from a dramatic arrest at 27 due to drunk and disorderly conduct—complete with a mysterious pink child’s hairbrush found in her belongings—to years of failed moderation attempts and eventual sobriety. Gray shares how she discovered unexpected joy, emotional balance, and deep contentment in sobriety, challenging the myth that quitting alcohol means losing fun or identity. She reflects on her evolution as a writer, from nonfiction to fiction, and her new book, Little Addictions, which explores the psychological underpinnings of compulsive behaviors beyond alcohol, including phone use, people-pleasing, and dopamine-driven habits. The conversation also touches on the importance of emotional regulation, the neurobiology of addiction, and the need for more joyful, future-focused narratives in media about recovery. Gray’s vulnerability, humor, and deep research make the episode a powerful testament to the transformative potential of sobriety and self-awareness.