A Different Way of Letting Go

In this solo episode of The Sober Edge, Teri shares a powerful story from Mark Nepo about a simple monkey trap: a coconut filled with rice that monkeys refuse to release, even when letting go would set them free. It's a striking metaphor for many of the beliefs we hold about alcohol. For many of us, alcohol begins as something that feels helpful—relief, belonging, confidence, a way to take the edge off life. But over time, what once felt like a gift can quietly become the thing that keeps us stuck. Often the hardest part isn't stopping the behavior; it's releasing the beliefs wrapped around it. Teri explores why letting go can feel so difficult through the lens of neuroscience and nervous system safety. Our brains prefer familiar discomfort over unfamiliar freedom, which can make even healthy change feel risky. This episode invites you to gently examine the "rice" you may still be gripping—whether that's alcohol, identity, perfectionism, or long-held beliefs about what life is supposed to look like. Because sometimes freedom doesn't require force or discipline. Sometimes it simply requires opening your hand.