Michelle Smith joins me for a conversation about breaking the stigma of sobriety and recovery.  Michelle is a best-selling author, keynote speaker, and the founder of Recovery is the New Black, a digital community for women living or exploring an alcohol-free life. In this episode, we highlight the importance of seeking help and support and how practicing self-awareness and setting boundaries can go a long way in the journey toward sobriety.

This episode marks the end of the theme of recovery. Thank you so much for tuning into all of the themed episodes we’ve explored over the last year.  Next week we return to episodes featuring guest interviews covering various areas of personal development. Stay tuned! 

Featured topics:

• Some alcohol truths that no one talks about such as alcohol does not discriminate - alcohol dependency can affect anyone (4:28)

• The first steps someone can take towards sobriety such as practicing awareness and curiosity about why you are drinking, as well as taking a look at your social circle (8:12)

• Mother-drinking culture as “self-care”: If we are not addressing “why the grief, why the stress, why, the pain, why the overwhelm?” women are going to keep drinking (16:11)

• Why are boundaries so important in sobriety (33:39)

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As I draw closer to the end of the theme on recovery, author Annie Grace joins me on the show! Annie is the author of "This Naked Mind: Control Alcohol, Find Freedom, Discover Happiness & Change Your Life" and "The Alcohol Experiment: A 30-day, Alcohol-Free Challenge to Interrupt Your Habits and Help You Take Control." Her work has made a significant impact on the way many approaches living an alcohol-free life.

In this episode, we cover a range of topics, including why willpower isn't effective when trying to stop drinking, the backstory behind her work, "This Naked Mind," and how Annie's approach to changing the role of alcohol in her life differs from traditional recovery programs. We also delve into the ways alcohol increases anxiety and the societal trend of "mommy wine drinking." 

This is a must-listen episode for anyone interested in rethinking their relationship with alcohol or supporting loved ones who are navigating their own recovery journey. 

Featured topics:

• Why willpower does not work if you want to stop drinking (11:51)
• The origin story of “This Naked Mind” (12:51)
• How does changing the role of alcohol in Annie’s life differ from other recovery programs (15:32)
• Some of the ways that alcohol increases anxiety (24:55)
• The culture of mommy wine-drinking (35:43)
• Misconceptions and stigma about non-drinkers (42:48)

http://andreaowen.com/515

In today’s minisode episode, I’m bringing you the summary of a coaching session I had with a woman named Lisa (not her real name). She came to the session wanting coaching around confidence– it was something she wanted more of, especially around her career. 

Listen in to this short episode as I walk you through the questions I asked her, that hopefully you will ask yourself to be able to work on your own level of confidence. Spoiler…confidence is the end goal, and the path to get there needs to be intentional and specific. 

I’m sure you’ll see bits of yourself in this minisode, and find some guidance in the questions and tools I give here.

http://andreaowen.com/514

Ambery Lago, all around badass lady, is on the podcast this week! In this episode, she shares her incredible story of how she got into a terrible accident, went through unimaginable physical pain, and decided to get sober. We also explore the importance of asking for help and not feeling ashamed of one's struggles, as well as the need to confront shame and practice radical acceptance in order to heal.

For those new to Amberly and her work, she is a Peak Performance Coach, TEDx Speaker, Podcaster, and a leading expert in the field of resilience and transformation. 

Some of the topics we discussed include:

• Amberly shares her story of how she started drinking wine to cope with pain which led to her alcohol addiction (4:35)

• Confronting shame and embracing radical acceptance (17:47)

• The difference between grit and resilience (29:55)

• What it means to live life from a place of ease and flow (36:36)

http://andreaowen.com/513

The Sober Body Builder Brad Jensen is on the show this week! Brad is a former client of mine who has a tremendous redemption story. He is the founder of Key Nutrition, where he works with his clients to help them live healthy lives and understand how food and fitness can change your life for the better. In this episode, Brad shares his journey of overcoming addiction and finding wellness through fitness, nutrition, and personal development. 

Some of the topics we discussed include:

• Brad shares his downward spiral into addiction and later recovery, which spanned  six treatment centers between 2005 and 2012 and 17 bookings in the county jail (5:37)

• “The gift of desperation often offers a moment of clarity. The gift is to be desperate enough to do something different.” (31”08)

• How Brad handles triggers today and employs better coping mechanisms following his recovery (34:57)

http://andreaowen.com/512

Warning, this episode contains talk of attempted suicide and harm to children. 

The Lindsay Clancy story may not have made national news, but you’ve probably seen it if you live in the eastern U.S. 

Lindsay was a mother of three, who allegedly killed her three young children while suffering from postpartum psychosis. This is an absolutely unimaginable and tragic case, and one that opens up a bigger conversation about women’s mental health. As well as a personal one for me, as I struggled greatly with postpartum anxiety and some psychosis after the birth of my son in 2007. 

Lindsay was being treated for her mental illness, and allegedly was on several medications. A recent article quotes an OB/GYN nurse and perinatal mental health advocate by the name of  Melissa Anne DuBois, where she explains, “The rhetoric coming from the prosecution and other people in authority hazardously distort the medical complexity of this disorder. When they paint Lindsay as a monster who carried out an elaborate, premeditated murder, instead of as someone suffering from a serious mental illness that wasn’t properly treated and who subsequently had a psychotic break, it sends a message to all the struggling parents out there [that] nothing can help me.”

This episode shares Linday’s tragic story, my own personal journey here, touches on how privilege is operating here, as well as what we can do.

http://andreaowen.com/511

Laura Cathcart Robbins returns to the podcast to share her story of addiction and recovery from prescription pills. Her forthcoming Atria/Simon & Schuster memoir, STASH, comes out next month, and I am thrilled to have her back to talk about her journey. 

The episode continues our current podcast theme on recovery, which features guests who have struggled with addiction in different areas of their lives. Even if you don't identify as an addict, Laura’s journey (and memoir) is a great story. I hope you tune in!

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• Laura recounts her addiction to prescription pills and how it impacted her life (7:20)

• What Laura means when she says addiction is a disease of “not enough” (7:56)

• The effects of hiding your addiction from loved ones (13:33)

• Laura’s experience with “doctor shopping” as a means to satisfy her addiction to benzos (28:02)

• The point of no return; what happened when the pills ran out (43:28)

• Some of the hard truths of recovery, including the fact that “You can’t take everyone with you.”(51:08)
  

http://andreaowen.com/510

Laura McKowen returns to the show! Laura opens up about the turning point that led her to sobriety and the underlying issues she had to confront. She also shares some insights and teachings from her latest book, Push Off From Here: Nine Essential Truths to Get You Through Sobriety (and Everything Else). She is also the Founder of The Luckiest Club, an international sobriety support community. 

We also discuss how drinking is often just one symptom of deeper issues and the importance of honesty and vulnerability in the healing journey. Whether you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, this episode offers insight and hope for anyone seeking a life in recovery and offers a compassionate perspective for understanding and overcoming these challenges.

Some of the topics we discussed include:

• Laura's sobriety and the turning point that made her realize she had to get sober (5:24)

• How alcohol can be a red flag for underlying issues (7:03)

• Substance addictions are only a tiny part of a more significant issue of addiction that is almost always rooted in trauma (21:16)

• Honesty is the foundation for developing healthier coping mechanisms and relationships (23:51)

http://andreaowen.com/509

I’ve talked about what I refer to as “the point of no return” many times in my books and on the podcast, and I’m talking about it again today. This is a point in our lives that we reach many different times, and everyone does to varying degrees. 

Today I’m referring to when you’re in transition. You decided you’re done with your ultra-stressful job and you have to quit– but you’re not sure what’s next. You can’t go back to feeling like you can just trudge through, but you’re not ready yet to take the next step. Or maybe that’s happened in a relationship. You leave a partner (or make the decision to leave) and you can’t go back, but are nervous for what’s next. 

This is such an important time in our lives and one that doesn’t get talked about enough. So, I'm talking about it today! 

Even if this isn't where you are right now, make sure you save this episode in case you need to listen to it again, or share it with someone who you know who's going through a transition in their life. 

http://andreaowen.com/508

We have another thrilling and exciting interview for you today around recovery. Melissa Bond joins me to discuss her story of addiction and recovery from benzodiazepines, more specifically, Ativan. Melissa is a narrative journalist and poet. In the years of her dependence on benzodiazepines, she has blogged and become a regular contributor for Mad in America. She is also the author of the memoir Blood Orange Night where she writes about becoming dependent upon and then withdrawing from benzodiazepines. 

Some of the topics we discussed include:

• Melissa shares her story of addiction to benzodiazepines and how it affected her life with her family (5:53)

• “Benzos are the thieves that take everything.” (21:29)

• How Melissa decided to withdraw from benzos and took it upon herself to do it (24:19)

• Identifying as an addict and why as a culture we must ask, “What is addiction?” (38:12)

http://andreaowen.com/507

This week, we explore how to stop overdrinking with special guest Sherry Price. Sherry helps women moderate their drinking and as someone who identifies as an addict, I was a bit skeptical of her work. However, after our conversation, I have new insight into her expertise and her thoughts on alcohol and addiction. We also discussed the stigma around addiction, different paths to recovery, and the importance of having the right support network during your journey. 

Sherry is a certified life coach, pharmacist, and creator of the Drink Less Lifestyle podcast and EpicYOU program. Using empowerment-based tools, she helps women to stop overdrinking, lose weight, improve relationships, and live as their most epic self.

Some of the topics we discussed include:

• Drinking for the experience versus self-medication (12:09)
• The joy of saying, “No.” (14:28)
• Overdrinking: what it is and some reasons women may do it (18:24)
• We explore the question, “Is alcoholism a disease or not?” (29:01)
• Why “you can’t punish addiction out of somebody.” (32:49)
• The importance of figuring out the “why” for your overdrinking or addiction (34:40)

http://andreaowen.com/506

I’m going back to my roots today and giving you a pep talk of sorts around following your dreams. I know, I know, follow my dreams? In this economy!? Stay with me…

So, a dear friend of mine is turning 50 at the end of this year, and she posted on Facebook about bucket list items she wants to do before she turns 50. She wants to have 50 things to do and needed more ideas to fill her list. As I was reading through all her comments, things like skydiving, volunteering at a shelter, and traveling to Europe, it got me thinking about all of you. 

Listen to this episode as I give you some coaching questions to ask yourself as you think about your own bucket list, small action steps to take, obstacles to look for, as well as giving you a good old fashioned motivational speech about going after your dreams. You may want to listen to this one more than once and send it to your friends!

http://andreaowen.com/505

This episode marks the introduction to the recovery theme of the podcast.  Betsy Byler, LPC-SAS, ICS, LPCC,  joins me to talk about substance addiction, love addiction, and the difference between the two. We also discuss addiction from the perspective of brain science and how the brain actually changes the addicted person. It’s a fascinating and insightful conversation. 

Before you turn the episode off or think this theme might not be applicable to you - there's a saying in recovery, “Everyone's recovering from something.” So even if you don’t have a dysfunctional relationship with alcohol or another substance, throughout this series we'll be talking about recovery in general. If you are interested in personal development, I really do think that you will walk away with some nuggets of wisdom. If nothing else, you will understand what it's like to be a person in recovery. I hope you do tune in. 

For those of you new to Betsy, she is a mental health therapist, substance abuse counselor, clinical supervisor, and host of the All Things Substance podcast.

Some of the topics we discussed include:

• The signs that substance use is moving from recreational to problematic and what it means to be an addict (6:16)
• Why addicts do the things they do based on how the brain changes the addicted person (14:24)
• Trauma is highly correlated with substance (32:01)
• How love addiction is biologically different than substance addiction (37:48)

http://andreaowen.com/504

This week, Dr. Teralyn joins me to discuss what she believes is the missing link for improving mental health. Together we also explore brain health and talk about topics related to health autonomy, including taking a functional medicine approach to your health and more. 

Dr. Teralyn has been practicing as a therapist for almost 2 decades. It wasn't until she went into private practice that she noticed clients (primarily women) were getting sicker and sicker despite therapy and medication. Listen as she helps us to think about our health in a broader way and encourages us to uncover the root of the issues to help us feel better.

Some of the topics we discussed include:

• Some of the things women have been told about their health when they try to seek help (5:50)
• What is stress? What is emotional stress versus physiological stress? (9:49)
• Staggering statistics about women's prescriptions for depression/anxiety and even menopause that we may not know about (10:46)
• What is brain health and how we can maintain it (29:40)
• Four of the most helpful things a person can do to take charge of their mental well-being: eat, sleep, move, and meditate (40:19)

http://andreaowen.com/503

Several days ago I came across THIS TikTok video by creator The Black Shea. She was commenting on the docuseries Harry and Meghan, saying that in her opinion, Harry is trying to do for Meghan what he could not do for his mother, Princess Diana. I agree with this opinion, and not only that, but it got me thinking about people trying to heal generational “curses” in their families and lives. 

While I don’t love the term “generational curse”-- maybe we can call it “generational dysfunction” – I do think many of you are doing this type of work, whether you know it or not. Seeing patterns in your families and trying to heal them by digging into your own personal work and stopping those patterns. This minisode talks about a few things you can do while you’re on that journey.

http://andreaowen.com/502

This week I have another conversation about women’s health, specifically about topics or issues we don’t always think to discuss with our healthcare providers.  Dr. Kerry-Anne Perkins (Dr. P), a board-certified and dynamic Obstetrician and Gynecologist joins me for a conversation about what women need to know about urinary tract infections (UTIs), the seven supplements women should take for reproductive health, and tips for having a healthy vagina.  

Dr. Perkins has extensive expertise in global maternal health needs, problems of the female reproductive tract, contraceptive care, and minimally invasive surgery. She also has a burning passion and commitment to fitness and a holistic approach to a healthy mind, body, and spirit. 

Some of the topics we explore include:

• UTIs: how and why women get them, as well as, how can we prevent getting them (3:52)
• The symptoms of PCOS or Uterine Fibroids (10:15)
• Five signs of fertility or that you are in your fertile window (21:26)
• Supplements and nutrients for better health, aging bodies, as well as a healthy reproductive system. Necessary supplements Dr. P suggests include: B-complex, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, Vitamin K, Calcium, Iron, and Folic Acid (28:24)
• Dr. P’s tips for having a ‘healthy vagina’ (38:38)

http://andreaowen.com/501

We’ve made it to Episode 500! This week I welcome Kimberly Johnson for a conversation about somatic experiences for healing, the practice of sexological bodywork, and the fourth trimester of motherhood. We also discuss discerning between being proactive versus reactive in life and activating what Kimberly refers to, in her work, as the “Inner Jaguar.”. 

Kimberly is a Sexological Bodyworker, Somatic Experiencing trauma resolution practitioner, postpartum advocate, birth doula, author, and single mom. 

Some of the topics we explore include:

• Somatic Experiencing: what it is, how to find a practitioner, and some tools women can use to heal (4:18)
• Activating your “Inner Jaguar” is not about being an Alpha female, it’s about being comfortable in your own skin, helping you to go after what you want or don’t want, and letting go rather than burnout (10:18)
• What is sexological bodywork?
• The fourth trimester of motherhood and why is it important for women/mothers to shift their experience of being and mothering (17:09)
• “What you need post-partum is also what this culture needs to move in a direction that actually honors life.” (38:00)

Happy New Year 🥳 With the new year comes endless options for NEW YEAR, NEW YOU, am I right? It can feel a bit overwhelming, and then sometimes we might grab onto one particular ritual, get excited, and then it falls apart. Things like setting new year's resolutions, starting a new fitness program, or if you’re like me, deciding you’re going to learn how to shuffle dance, realize it takes more work than you thought, then quit. 

For this first minisode of 2023, I thought I’d walk you through a simple ritual I did a few weeks ago for Winter Solstice, and it’s something you can do any time of the year! 

Listen in to follow along and do your own new year's ritual!  

Here’s to your BEST YEAR YET!

http://andreaowen.com/499

Welcome, 2023! As we start the new year, we are continuing the Women's Health theme with a conversation about functional nutrition and the impact of a healthy diet on the body, autoimmunity, and Epigenetics. My guest is podcast host and functional nutrition counselor, Andrea Nakayama. 

Andrea is the host of the 15-Minute Matrix podcast and the founder of the Functional Nutrition Alliance. Her aim is to offer better solutions to the growing chronic illness epidemic by highlighting the importance of systems biology, root cause methodology, and therapeutic partnerships. She also helps historically underserved individuals reclaim ownership of their health.  

Some of the topics we explore include: 

• Medical gaslighting and why so many women navigating symptoms of chronic illness struggle to get an accurate diagnosis or receive sufficient care (6:36)
• The circle of influence and how it relates to healing our body (16:06)
• What is Functional Nutrition and how a functional nutrition counselor helps fill the gaps between what the doctor knows and what the patient knows (36:59)
• The non-negotiable anchors that are universal for all of us (49:59)

http://andreaowen.com/498