Skip to main content

Search TrendsNew Ads Appearances Podcasts API

We value your privacy

We use cookies to understand how you use our platform and to improve your experience. Click “Accept All” to consent, or “Decline non-essential” to opt out of non-essential cookies. Read our Privacy Policy.

Love Monday with Katy Ripp

Love Monday with Katy Ripp

Being Available for Your Own Life

Sep 2, 2026 · 8 min · 7 segments

This week held a little bit of everything: coming home from Alaska, Dale’s birthday, my mom’s first heavenly birthday, the funeral of a friend, the beginning of another school year and Miles’s last…

This week held a little bit of everything: coming home from Alaska, Dale’s birthday, my mom’s first heavenly birthday, the funeral of a friend, the beginning of another school year and Miles’s last first day of school. Oh, and I celebrated five years alcohol-free. Five years ago, I thought quitting drinking meant giving something up. I couldn’t have known how much of my life I was about to get back. In this episode of *Love Monday*, I’m talking about beginnings and endings, grief and celebration, kids growing up, people we love leaving us, and what it means to actually be present for all of it. Being alcohol-free didn’t make my life easier. **It made me available for it.** And after a week like this one, I’m more grateful for that than ever.

This week held a little bit of everything: coming home from Alaska, Dale’s birthday, my mom’s first heavenly birthday, the funeral of a friend, the beginning of another school year and Miles’s last…

Speakers: Katy RippHost

Top entities: Alaska×8 Sobriety Dolly Parton Kenny Rogers God

Show signals: SuitabilitySafeBiasNot politicalAudience≈2k followers

A Week of Big Emotions0:01 – 1:08

0:01

Good Monday morning.

0:03

I have a special talent for packing an emotionally dramatic amount of life into a very short period of time.

0:09

This week might have been a personal record for me.

0:12

We started it in Alaska, where I slept in a bunk bed and read two books, soaked up every ounce of sunshine I could find, and did a version of a vacation that isn't necessarily the version I would normally choose, but it was good.

0:25

Not life-changing, not I'm selling everything and moving to Alaska good, but still great.

0:30

I slowed down.

0:31

I went to bed early.

0:32

I watched people I love do things they love, fish, golf, all the things.

0:37

And I had nowhere particularly important to be and very little need to accomplish.

0:42

So it was great.

0:44

Then we came home and apparently decided to experience every other human emotion available to us before the week was over.

0:50

My mom had her first heavenly birthday.

0:53

Dale had his very much earthly birthday.

0:56

We attended the funeral of a friend who left this world far too soon.

1:01

And today I am five years alcohol free.

1:05

And tomorrow is September.

1:07

Casual week, like no big deal.

Read the full transcript.

Create an account to read the whole episode, search across every transcript, and follow the shows you care about.

Sign up Already have an account? Log in

AlaskaAdministrative AreaUS state
90%8 mentions
SobrietyEntity
70%1 mention
Dolly PartonPersonAmerican singer-songwriter and actress
50%1 mention
Kenny RogersPersonAmerican singer-songwriter
30%1 mention
GodEntitySupreme being
10%1 mention

Mental HealthHealth
Personal GrowthFamily > Parenting > Life Transitions > Grief
Life ChangesLifestyle > Personal Development > Alcohol Awareness
MindfulnessLifestyle > Personal Development > Alcohol Awareness > Life Changes
CelebrationsSociety > Cultural Reflections > Life Events
Grief and LossSociety > Cultural Reflections > Life Events > Celebrations
MilestonesEducation > School Life > Parenting Challenges
Life LessonsEducation > School Life > Parenting Challenges > Milestones
Substance UseHealth > Mental Health > Grief Processing
Recovery JourneyHealth > Mental Health > Grief Processing > Substance Use
Society
Lifestyle
Life EventsSociety > Cultural Reflections
School LifeEducation
Personal DevelopmentLifestyle
Grief ProcessingHealth > Mental Health
Cultural ReflectionsSociety
GriefFamily > Parenting > Life Transitions
Life TransitionsFamily > Parenting
Health
Education
Parenting ChallengesEducation > School Life
Family
ParentingFamily
Alcohol AwarenessLifestyle > Personal Development

A Week of Big Emotions0:01 – 1:08

0:01

Good Monday morning.

0:03

I have a special talent for packing an emotionally dramatic amount of life into a very short period of time.

0:09

This week might have been a personal record for me.

0:12

We started it in Alaska, where I slept in a bunk bed and read two books, soaked up every ounce of sunshine I could find, and did a version of a vacation that isn't necessarily the version I would normally choose, but it was good.

0:25

Not life-changing, not I'm selling everything and moving to Alaska good, but still great.

0:30

I slowed down.

0:31

I went to bed early.

0:32

I watched people I love do things they love, fish, golf, all the things.

0:37

And I had nowhere particularly important to be and very little need to accomplish.

0:42

So it was great.

0:44

Then we came home and apparently decided to experience every other human emotion available to us before the week was over.

0:50

My mom had her first heavenly birthday.

0:53

Dale had his very much earthly birthday.

0:56

We attended the funeral of a friend who left this world far too soon.

1:01

And today I am five years alcohol free.

1:05

And tomorrow is September.

1:07

Casual week, like no big deal.