About this episode
In this episode of The Art of Imperfect Adulting, Amy Stone speaks with Lesley Jones about the journey of ditching alcohol and embracing sobriety without waiting for a traditional "rock bottom." Lesley offers candid insights on redefining what it means to have a problem with drinking, the invisible emotional battles behind high-functioning adulthood, and how choosing sobriety has transformed her sense of peace and purpose. The episode provides real strategies for navigating social situations as a non-drinker and explores the power of community support, including Lesley's own work building connections through storytelling.About Lesley Jones: Lesley Jones lives in Dayton, Ohio where she is a wife, mother or 3, writer and entrepreneur. She filled up with cocktails for a very long time, and now she fills up with connection. Lesley is the founder of Traveling Pendants, a jewelry-plus-tech company built on the belief that no one should feel alone in their journey. What began as a simple pendant passed among family members during times of illness has grown into a patent-pending digital storytelling platform where every pendant holds real stories of strength, resilience, and connection. Each time a pendant is worn and shared, its story log grows—creating a living chain of human connection.Main Topics Covered:Redefining "rock bottom" and why waiting for loss is a misconception in recovery.The role of New Year's resolutions and personal motivation in lasting change.Recognizing the emotional and mental weight of addiction—even in high-functioning lives.Sober curiosity, societal judgments, and shifting cultural norms around drinking.Strategies for handling anxiety and stress without substances.Navigating social situations and relationships while staying alcohol-free.The importance of support communities, connection, and sharing your story.Lesley’s entrepreneurial journey: creating Traveling Pendants to foster strength and connection.Quote from the Episode: "I always say quit before you lose because I hate losing. So I did the quitting before I did the losing." — Lesley JonesTimestamps: [00:00:04] Welcome & Lesley’s Ohio roots [00:00:38] New Year's resolutions and how they sparked Lesley's sobriety journey [00:01:53] Discussing the January cultural “reset” and indulgence cycles [00:03:09] Early relationship with alcohol, experimenting with sobriety, and family context [00:05:19] Breaking down the “rock bottom” myth and personal definitions of loss [00:07:05] Misconceptions that keep people stuck and the invisible cost of shame [00:08:38] Making the choice before crisis—internal motivation versus societal expectation [00:10:27] The danger of comparing drinking habits, self-negotiation, and feeling out of control [00:13:01] The mental energy devoted to planning and thinking about drinking [00:14:01] Parallels between food noise,
