Sharing With Out Shame

Donna Marston

Have you ever felt judged, shamed, or hopeless because of your child’s addiction? When my son was in active addiction, I felt like I was going to die from the pain of my broken heart. Addiction forces families into crisis mode, facing overdoses, legal issues, and impossible decisions. I’m Donna Marston, founder of Sharing Without Shame, CRSW, and Family Recovery Strategist. Through my podcast, coaching, workshops, and books, you'll learn about boundaries, coping skills, and why self-care isn’t selfish. If you're ready to move past your pain, join me and start your healing journey today!

  1. A First Responder’s Journey Through Addiction, Trauma, and Healing | Sharing Without Shame | Ep50

    JUL 4

    A First Responder’s Journey Through Addiction, Trauma, and Healing | Sharing Without Shame | Ep50

    In this episode of Sharing Without Shame, host Donna Marston sits down with Richard Evans, a former firefighter and paramedic turned addiction counselor, to explore the emotional weight and trauma that often go unseen in high-stress professions. With brutal honesty, Richard shares his journey from the rush of saving lives to the depths of addiction, burnout, and a near-suicidal spiral—all while juggling the roles of husband, father, and first responder. Richard opens up about the cultural silence around trauma in the emergency services world, the dangers of “stuffing it down,” and how a lifetime of hard work and service couldn’t save him from the pain he refused to acknowledge. From 48-hour shifts and liters of vodka to a psychiatric hospital at Christmas, Richard’s story is a raw reminder of what happens when society fails to support its frontline heroes. Together, Donna and Richard unpack the weight of shame, the importance of peer support, and the urgent need for trauma-informed recovery tools for those who risk their lives to protect others. This conversation shines a light on hope, redemption, and the long road back from the edge—with a powerful reminder that healing is possible when we stop hiding and start sharing. Connect with Richard Evans Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/richardthecounsellor2/# Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/richardthecounsellor2/# Website: https://www.rootedrising.ca/ Sponsors: Experience Inner Peace with Calming Therapy Bracelets Website: ⁠https://snappbandz.com/ Use SWOS or SharingWithoutShame code Learn more: ⁠https://linktr.ee/Sharingwithoutshame⁠ Thank you for tuning in! May your faith and strength heal your heart.

    44 min
  2. Why I Stopped Hiding My Story and Started Reclaiming My Voice | Sharing Without Shame | Ep49

    JUN 27

    Why I Stopped Hiding My Story and Started Reclaiming My Voice | Sharing Without Shame | Ep49

    In this episode of Sharing Without Shame, host Donna Marston welcomes Jennifer Young — mother of three and founder of the ConnectMio app — to talk about the raw reality of living with a partner struggling with alcohol use disorder. Jennifer opens up about the isolation, emotional exhaustion, and hidden grief that came with loving someone through active addiction.Jennifer opens up about her decision to stay with her partner despite the stigma, the emotional weight of parenting through addiction-fueled chaos, and the quiet unraveling of boundaries she didn’t realize she had crossed. Together, Donna and Jennifer unpack what it really means to live day-to-day in survival mode—navigating sleepless nights, silent suffering, and the crushing absence of resources for families.From losing her social circle to finding her voice, Jennifer shares how her lived experience led to the creation of ConnectMioo, an app designed to support families dealing with a loved one’s addiction. With raw honesty, the two discuss the urgent need for community, trauma-informed support, spiritual grounding, and tools—like brainwave therapy and behavioral aids—that helped them both get through the darkest times.Connect with Jennifer Young:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/connectmioInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/connectmio/Website: https://www.connectmio.com/Sponsors: Experience Inner Peace with Calming Therapy BraceletsWebsite: ⁠https://snappbandz.com/Use SWOS or SharingWithoutShame code Learn more: https://linktr.ee/Sharingwithoutshame Thank you for tuning in! May your faith and strength heal your heart.

    35 min
  3. This Conversation Will Change How You See Shame Forever | Sharing Without Shame | Ep48

    MAY 30

    This Conversation Will Change How You See Shame Forever | Sharing Without Shame | Ep48

    In this episode, we sit down with Jennifer Ginty — a survivor, mother, and the voice behind Moody Monster, a page dedicated to mental health, emotional expression, and self-compassion. Jennifer shares her powerful story of surviving childhood sexual abuse, navigating toxic shame, and the long road to healing. She opens up about the years of dissociation, depression, and feeling unseen, and how reconnecting with her inner child and creating safe spaces transformed her life. We also talk about Moody Monster, the vulnerable and creative outlet where Jennifer gives language and imagery to the emotional rollercoaster many survivors feel but rarely name. Her content gives permission to feel, and to heal. If you’ve ever carried shame that wasn’t yours, or you’ve struggled to find your voice after trauma, Jennifer’s story will meet you with truth, compassion, and hope. Resources & Links: Jen is offering a coupon code for people to receive a 15% discount on Moody Monster. Coupon code is pod15 My Moody Monster is a pull-apart plush doll helping kiddos better cope with their BIG Feelings in a safe way. Moody is helping families; therapists and teachers communicate with children to help them understand their Emotions. Moody is an inclusive Monster who loves to help kids feel empowered with their emotions. They can purchase a moody monster at www.MyMoodyMonster.com People can watch My Moody Monster YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/@mymoodymonster Instagram: instagram.com/mymoodymonster Facebook: facebook.com/my-moody-monster TIkTok: tiktok.com/@mymoodymonster Threads: threads.net/@mymoodymonster Sponsors: Experience Inner Peace with Calming Therapy Bracelets Website: ⁠https://snappbandz.com/ Use SWOS or SharingWithoutShame code Thank you for tuning in! May your faith and strength heal your heart.

    39 min
  4. Sharing With Out Shame - Donna and Barb Nagle - Ep 47

    MAY 2

    Sharing With Out Shame - Donna and Barb Nagle - Ep 47

    In this episode of the Sharing Without Shame podcast, host Donna Marston sits down with Barb Nangle, a former people-pleaser turned boundaries coach, who shares her deeply personal journey from codependency to empowerment. Barb opens up about a pivotal moment in her life when helping a homeless friend led her to hit a codependent bottom, ultimately guiding her into the world of recovery through Codependents Anonymous (CODA) and later Adult Children of Alcoholics and Dysfunctional Families (ACA). She describes the transformative impact of understanding codependency and relational trauma, and how discovering the concept of “reparenting” changed her life. As a podcast host herself, Barb brings heartfelt insight and wisdom, especially for those who find themselves over-giving, rescuing, or enabling loved ones—often under the guise of care. She unpacks the difference between healthy helping and unhealthy rescuing, shares tools for self-care, and explains how boundaries rooted in personal values can lead to emotional freedom. Whether you're a parent of someone in active addiction or someone struggling with boundaries, Barb's story offers a compassionate yet practical roadmap to healing and wholeness. Links: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/higherpowercoaching/ Website: https://higherpowercc.com/ Sponsors: Experience Inner Peace with Calming Therapy Bracelets Website: ⁠https://snappbandz.com/ Use SWOS or SharingWithoutShame code Thank you for tuning in! May your faith and strength heal your heart.

    42 min
  5. Sharing With Out Shame - Donna and Scarlett Lewis - Ep 46

    APR 21

    Sharing With Out Shame - Donna and Scarlett Lewis - Ep 46

    In this episode of the Sharing Without Shame podcast, host Donna Marston welcomes Scarlett Lewis, founder of the Choose Love Movement. Scarlett shares the heartbreaking story of losing her six-year-old son Jesse in the Sandy Hook Elementary tragedy and how his final message—“nurturing, healing, love”—became the foundation for a global mission. Through her personal journey, Scarlett explains how she transformed her unimaginable pain into a movement that now reaches over 16,500 schools in 120 countries. She discusses the importance of social-emotional learning, post-traumatic growth, and teaching children and adults alike how to choose love in the face of fear, anger, and adversity. Together, Donna and Scarlett dive deep into the healing power of sharing personal stories without shame, highlighting how pain can be turned into purpose. Scarlett talks about the impact the Choose Love curriculum is having in prisons, schools, and recovery communities—offering essential life skills to those who’ve never been taught they have a choice. The conversation touches on the courage it takes to live life with compassion, especially in a world often driven by fear. This episode is a heartfelt reminder that healing is possible when we lean into love, take responsibility for our part in the world, and support one another in becoming our highest and best selves. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, like, and leave a review. For more information about Donna and the services she offers, visit Sharing Without Shame or email her at donna4support@comcast.net Links: Choose Love Movement: https://chooselovemovement.org/ Sponsors: Experience Inner Peace with Calming Therapy Bracelets Website: ⁠https://snappbandz.com/ Use SWOS or SharingWithoutShame code Thank you for tuning in! May your faith and strength heal your heart.

    48 min

Ratings & Reviews

4.9
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

Have you ever felt judged, shamed, or hopeless because of your child’s addiction? When my son was in active addiction, I felt like I was going to die from the pain of my broken heart. Addiction forces families into crisis mode, facing overdoses, legal issues, and impossible decisions. I’m Donna Marston, founder of Sharing Without Shame, CRSW, and Family Recovery Strategist. Through my podcast, coaching, workshops, and books, you'll learn about boundaries, coping skills, and why self-care isn’t selfish. If you're ready to move past your pain, join me and start your healing journey today!

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