Bottomless to Sober

In this episode: I dive into a heartfelt exploration of the complex dance of forgiveness, boundary-setting, and finding community that accompanies recovery with fellow sober traveler Dana White-Guerrie, owner of the Yarn Consolery LLC. We highlight how forgiveness sometimes involves crafting the space we need to heal rather than rekindling harmful ties. Listen in to learn about where we go to heal...

In This Episode: Let's explore the complex emotions that come with the turn of the new year. This week, we reflect on self-forgiveness and the often unspoken struggle with guilt and shame, particularly when it comes to our New Year resolutions. With wisdom from Brené Brown, and Brianna Wiest, I break down the distinction between feeling bad about an action versus feeling unworthy as a person....

In this episode: I explore the emotional toll of navigating the holiday season while staying sober—a beautiful yet daunting tightrope walk. We talk about the importance of reframing the experience of guilt, so it's more tolerable and discuss looking ahead at 2024 including a new book study opportunity! Resources : New Book Study on The Body Keeps the Score Writing to Heal Course Bottomless to...

In this episode: We've all heard of post-traumatic stress disorder, so listen in as Jasmine Vatuloka from Rising Rooted Wellness, a post-traumatic growth coach with a counseling background, discusses the transformative nature of post-traumatic growth. We discuss relationship struggles and the importance of defining what "safe enough" means for each individual. Resources : Connect wit...

In this episode: I share a recent talk I gave at a treatment facility for women about finding and using your voice to recover. I discuss the terrifying experience of almost being exposed by a former friend/love interest and how I turned that fear into courage. I also share the effects of intergenerational silence on mental health, and I emphasize the power of breaking the generational silence, enc...

In this episode: I reflect on my personal experience with addiction and how storytelling helped me after years of keeping my drinking a secret as a teacher. I share my viral op-ed article, which was published in the Louisville Courier-Journal, and got me on Red Table Talk. I touch on the fear and shame surrounding addiction, reminding you that if you ever feel alone, you're not. I also discuss...

In this episode: Kiola Raines takes us beyond getting sober. As a Black woman, her recovery journey unfolds against a backdrop of unique challenges that fuel her mission to establish safe havens for individuals like herself. Join us as we explore the distinct hurdles Black women encounter when seeking support for addiction, from the glaring lack of representation to the enduring impact of the &quo...

In this episode: Listen in as I discuss the challenging and sometimes very uncomfortable decisions I've made that led me to recovery and, ultimately, saved my life. The journey to recovery has not been easy, as I share about selling my beloved house and moving into my sister's guest room in Tampa. I also recount how I had to quit my prestigious teaching job and switch to working an entry-l...

In this episode: Content Warning: Discussion of pregnancy loss and abortion As I sat down with Kenneth Watson, known as 12 Faces of Sober, a rush of raw emotions filled the room. His story of struggle, transformation, and the joy of fatherhood took me on a journey that deeply resonated with me. From his past experiences with abortion and miscarriage fueling his addiction, to finding strength and h...

In this episode: Join me as I tackle the challenges of navigating the holidays while maintaining sobriety. This episode takes a hard look at our programmed thoughts, particularly those we've clung onto since childhood, and how they might not truly resonate with us. To help you combat these, I introduce a simple, yet profound question to ask yourself: "So what?" This question is a han...

In this episode: How do you transform your life from a crippling addiction to a beacon of inspiration? What if you could redefine your future, regardless of your past? Join me for an incredibly raw and inspiring conversation with Nico Morales as we explore his tumultuous journey from addiction to recovery. Nico bravely shares his experiences growing up in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and takes us thro...

In this episode: In this episode, I explore the intricate journey of letting go, which looks different depending on where you are at in your life journey. I dive into a personal story of letting go of a romantic connection, who, after waiting for a year of sobriety to get serious with them, their response - a suggestion to "focus on your recovery" - prompted a deeper examination of what...

In this episode: In this emotionally powerful episode of Bottomless to Sober, I delve into the inspiring and heart-wrenching story of Ana, a young woman whose life was deeply impacted by addiction and mental health challenges. Ana's journey is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the importance of shedding light on the hidden struggles that many individuals face. At the end I...

In this episode: Ever been on the receiving end of a hateful glare from your partner's ex? We're uncovering empowering ways to navigate such awkward encounters, emphasizing the power of stepping back to weigh our options and potential consequences, reshaping our mindset to construct a more positive narrative, and taking action without shouldering the responsibility for others' emotions...

In this episode: I discuss maturity as presented in the context of a poem by Diego Perez, aka Yung Pueblo, how it's different from "adulting," and when to choose to use one's word based on possible outcomes. Resources Yung Pueblo's Poetry Bottomless to Sober – Coaching, Writing Classes, and Workshops Transcript

In this episode: Link to Spotify Do your loved ones make decisions you don't feel are best for them? This episode is for you. to help you manage your frustrations. Resources: Bottomless to Sober – Coaching, Writing Classes, and Workshops Transcript

In this episode: I share some insights about feeling jealous and how to shift the experience of jealousy into something either practical or into an opportunity to practice acceptance. Resources : Bottomless to Sober – Coaching, Writing Classes, and Workshops Transcript

In this episode: Content Warning - drug use and death September is National Recovery Month. I always tell the story of meeting and falling in love with Ian so that his story lives on through me. Ian isn’t here anymore, but every person I have touched by sharing my story is someone he has touched, too. He always wanted to help others, but his life ended on April 28, 2020, due to an overdose from us...

In this episode: I review the top three things I say to myself in the middle of a crisis/natural disaster to protect my sobriety as I prepare to go into a hurricane shelter with my students for Hurricane Idalia. Resources: Bottomless to Sober – Coaching, Writing Classes, and Workshops Transcript

In this episode: I reflect on 1,000+ days of sobriety and two lessons learned. One, it's a lot easier to "just" be myself. Two, quitting can be great, and I don't mean just alcohol. Resources : Bottomless to Sober – Coaching, Writing Classes, and Workshops Transcript

In this episode: Content Warning: Discussion of sexual assault. Sara, a survivor of sexual assault, struggled with substance abuse to escape her pain. But realizing its temporary relief and the dark path she was on, she eventually embarked on her recovery journey. (Sara shared her story anonymously with me and asked that I change her name to protect her privacy.) Resources : Ian's Dedication O...

In this episode: I discuss my experience of having alcoholic liver disease (ALD) and answer common questions. How did I know that I had it? What was the treatment? What were the signs of ALD? Resources : TikTok on ALD NPR - Sharp, 'Off The Charts' Rise In Alcoholic Liver Disease Among Young Women Bottomless to Sober – Workshops, Writing Classes, and Coaching Transcript

In this episode: In this episode, I discuss the power of looking at your past as full of learning experiences rather than letting shame and guilt overpower you. You're the best source of knowledge for how to navigate decision-making moving forward. It's a matter of tapping into yourself to be able to do so. Resources : Poem - I have been a thousand different women Bottomless to Sober – Wor...

In this episode : You don't have to be a sober person in recovery to have a history of making poor choices. In this episode, I discuss coping with the highs and lows of dealing with other humans being flawed individuals and how you can extract information from your experiences to keep you mindful and not jaded. People only show us what they choose to reveal, so how can we be kind to ourselves...

In this episode: In this episode, I sit down with Brian, a school administrator with a remarkable journey to share. Brian opens up about his past as one of the few Black male elementary school teachers he knew. On top of that, he shares how he battled alcohol addiction and navigated the challenging road to sobriety. Listen to learn about educators' struggles as they balance teaching responsibi...