Sharing With Out Shame

What happens when you get a second chance at life but still struggle to cope with pain, grief, and addiction? In this episode of Sharing Without Shame, host Donna Marston sits down with Matt Sisneros, author of The Devil Lost Another One, to discuss his journey from addiction and a 13-year federal prison sentence to faith, personal transformation, and recovery. Matt opens up about his experience w...

What happens when shame has shaped the way you see yourself for years, and recovery begins to change that? In this episode of the Sharing Without Shame Podcast, Donna Marston sits down with Tanya D., a woman in long-term recovery who shares her deeply personal journey from alcohol misuse and shame to sobriety, self-compassion, spiritual growth, and helping others thrive in recovery. Tanya opens up...

In this episode of the Sharing Without Shame Podcast, Donna Marston welcomes Amy Tostenson, a nurse with more than 20 years of experience, trauma-informed life coach, and founder of Rise of the Phoenix Coach. Amy opens up about her personal journey through childhood trauma, addiction, recovery, and rebuilding her life. She shares how destructive behaviors can take many forms and how, for her, addi...

What happens when alcohol becomes more than something you drink—and starts becoming the way you cope, connect, escape, and survive? In this conversation, Donna Marston sits down with Lisa Van Slyke, speaker, veteran, author, and creator of the Three Moves Rule, to talk openly about addiction, sobriety, shame, relationships, identity, and the difficult but transformative journey of healing. Lisa sh...

"Never give up. It's never too late. And no one's ever too far gone.” In this episode of the Sharing Without Shame Podcast, Donna Marston welcomes author, interventionist, life coach, and recovery coach Jamie McKibben-Reese for an honest conversation about addiction, recovery, family dynamics, codependency, and the healing that happens when we learn to use our voices. Jamie openly sha...

What does it take to rebuild your life after decades of addiction, mental illness, and unimaginable loss? In this episode of the Sharing Without Shame podcast, host Donna Marston sits down with author Robert Rickelman to discuss his deeply personal journey through childhood trauma, severe anxiety, alcoholism, psychiatric hospitalization, and ultimately, lasting recovery. Robert shares how growing...

Many people believe recovery is simply about quitting alcohol or drugs. But true healing goes much deeper. In this powerful episode of Sharing Without Shame, Donna Marston sits down with therapist, life coach, recovery support worker, and motivational speaker Kimberly Deziree to discuss how childhood trauma, unresolved emotional wounds, and unhealthy relationship patterns shape our lives—and how d...

Family addiction doesn't only affect the person using drugs or alcohol—it impacts every person who loves them. In this episode of Sharing Without Shame, Donna Marston welcomes Dr. Rita Renee, TEDx speaker, author, coach, and founder of Ultimate Powerhouse. While Dr. Rita never struggled with addiction herself, she grew up surrounded by it. Her mother battled alcoholism, her brother struggled w...

What happens when addiction, mental illness, and unresolved trauma collide within a family? In this episode of Sharing Without Shame, Donna Marston welcomes Burton Fischler, a trauma survivor, Certified Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counselor, life coach, and author of The Gift: From Trauma to Triumph. Burton shares the unimaginable losses that reshaped his life—including the murder of his wife by h...

In this episode, Donna Marston sits down with Bonnie Tisdale, mother, business owner, recovery advocate, and author of Messy in the Middle: Love, Addiction, and All the Rest. Bonnie shares the heartbreaking story of losing her son, Frankie, to addiction in 2021 and the lessons she learned navigating years of uncertainty, hope, recovery attempts, relapse, and grief. Together, Donna and Bonnie discu...

In this episode of Sharing Without Shame, Donna Marston sits down with author, speaker, and recovery advocate Ashley Jo for an honest conversation about addiction, grief, recovery, and resilience. Ashley shares her unique experience of living on both sides of addiction — first as the wife of someone battling opioid addiction and later as someone navigating her own substance use disorder and recove...

In this episode of the Sharing Without Shame podcast, Donna Marston sits down with recovery coach and author Jeannie Miller to discuss addiction, grief, mindfulness, and the lifelong journey of healing. Jeannie shares her powerful story of becoming alcohol-free after years of functioning alcoholism, unresolved grief, and emotional pain following the loss of her first husband to cancer. Together, D...

In this episode of Sharing Without Shame, Donna Marston sits down with psychotherapist and global movement founder Cătălina Popoveniuc to explore the deep impact of shame, toxic relationships, and the silence that keeps so many people stuck. Drawing from both personal experience and years of professional work, Cătălina shares how shame is often rooted in childhood and reinforced by culture—leaving...

In this episode, Donna Marston sits down with Dr. Janelle Martin—licensed counselor, functional medicine practitioner, and founder of The Mind Connection—to unpack the raw reality of parenting a child through addiction. Janelle bravely shares her story of navigating divorce, parental alienation, and the devastating discovery of her daughter’s drug use. From denial and desperation to treatment and...

In this episode, Donna sits down with Jacqueline Williams to explore the realities of healing, resilience, and the emotional journey that comes with navigating addiction and its ripple effects. Jacqueline shares her personal story with vulnerability and strength, offering listeners insight into what it truly means to face pain, process trauma, and choose healing, even when it’s uncomfortable. This...

What happens when a mental health expert has lived the very pain they now help others overcome? In this deeply honest episode of Sharing Without Shame, Donna Marston sits down with Jamie Hughes—author, trauma specialist, and mental health advocate—who shares his powerful journey through childhood trauma, depression, and a suicide attempt at 18. Jamie opens up about what it really feels like to liv...

In this episode of Sharing Without Shame, Donna dives into the raw realities families face when addiction enters the home. This conversation explores the emotional toll, the misconceptions that keep families stuck, and the critical shift from waiting for “rock bottom” to recognizing when enough is enough. Through honest storytelling and lived experience, this episode challenges stigma, breaks down...

In this powerful and heartfelt conversation, Donna sits down with Kerry Norton, co-founder and Executive Director of Hope on Haven Hill, a recovery residence program serving pregnant and parenting women. Kerry shares her personal journey as a mother navigating her son’s heroin addiction, the heartbreak of trying to access treatment, and the hard lessons learned about boundaries, family unity, and...

Shame, guilt, and addiction don’t have to define your story. In this episode, Donna Marston welcomes Dr. Tom Horvath, a board-certified clinical psychologist, co-founder of SMART Recovery, and pioneer in science-based addiction support. Together, they explore the role of shame and guilt, why recovery is not one-size-fits-all, and how families can support a loved one without losing themselves in th...

In this episode of Sharing Without Shame, Donna Marston sits down with Anne Peshka to explore how trauma, shame, addiction, and grief can be transformed into healing, purpose, and gratitude. Anne shares her powerful life story, including childhood trauma, addiction, recovery, motherhood, grief, and the moment she realized she was worth fighting for. Together, Donna and Anne have a compassionate, r...

In this episode of Sharing Without Shame, Donna Marston welcomes Darlene Lancer, licensed marriage and family therapist, author, and internationally recognized expert on codependency, shame, and emotional healing. With over 30 years of clinical experience, Darlene shares how shame often sits at the core of addiction, codependency, anxiety, depression, and unhealthy family dynamics—and why healing...

In this episode of Sharing Without Shame, Donna sits down with Karrie Mitten, CEO and founder of Uplevel Your Life Consulting, a transformational life-mastery consultant, speaker, and empowerment coach. Karrie opens up about growing up in an addicted household, becoming a perfectionistic “fixer,” and facing her son’s addiction—only to discover that the real healing had to begin within herself. Tog...

In this heartfelt episode of Sharing Without Shame, Donna sits down with Dion Miller, counselor, recovery advocate, and host of Trudging Together. Dion opens up about his journey from addiction and absentee fatherhood to healing and rebuilding trust with his children. Together, Donna and Dion dive into the family side of addiction, the importance of taking responsibility, and what it truly means t...

In this episode, I had the privilege of speaking with Lauren Sisler, an ESPN sports broadcaster, motivational speaker, and author of the memoir "Shatterproof." Lauren's work focuses on breaking the stigma around addiction and mental health, particularly within communities of athletes, the military, and faith groups. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: The Power of Truth and Vulnerabil...

In this episode of the Sharing Without Shame podcast, host Donna Marston welcomes Ian McLoone, a licensed addiction psychotherapist, educator, and co-founder of Expanse in Minnesota. Together, they dive into the realities of addiction treatment, the importance of family healing, and the hope that recovery brings. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: - Why methadone and other medications for opioid u...