The Sober Edge Teri Patterson

"Everyone has a story or a struggle that will break your heart. And if we’re really paying attention, most people have a story that will bring us to our knees".  Brene Brown shared this quote in a 2018 article. The other part of this truth is that sharing our stories can help us heal. 
* Please be aware: this episode touches on suicide and suicidal ideation 
I recently sat down with a new friend, certified recovery coach Jessica Duenas. Jessica offers writing and reading workshops to help those in recovery learn to tell their own story. She believes that storytelling is a way to help us heal and process our recovery journey. Jessica has her own healing story; she was the Kentucky State Teacher of The Year in 2019, but she was living a double life. Her alcohol addiction had become life-threatening, and she ended up in rehab multiple times in 2020. 
Her 'break-free' moment came when she wrote a story for the local paper sharing her alcohol-use disorder with the public for the first time.  Jessica admits it was a vulnerable move. She was unsure of how her story would be received and realized that, finally, it didn't matter what anyone else thought, it was time to share her truth.
To hear more of Jessica's story and the work she does in the world, visit the SHOW NOTES page HERE
Childless Not By Choice - my friend and colleague, Maureen Benkovich is offering support with those of us who might be struggling with the upcoming Mother's Day Holiday. This special event, United In Experience: A Mother's Day Alternative takes place on Thursday May 9th. You can register to attend HERE

If you have every felt tired of 'doing the work' (of getting sober, bettering yourself, growing as a human...) you are not alone.
 
In today's episode I share how to re-frame 'Recovery Fatigue' and gain back any lost momentum or motivation. If you are wondering how to 'keep going' on this journey to being AF and living AF, listen in for 4 tips on how to beat Recovery Fatigue!
Full Show Notes Here
Interested in a REFRESH? Small group video support, prompts and coaching. Apply HERE
 
 

This is an extra special episode of The Sober Edge Podcast - we are inviting ALL of you to meet author Laura Cathcart Robbins.
 
First, you will meet Laura in this special podcast episode. Robbins is the author of Stash: My Life In Hiding. This powerful book takes us on the emotional journey of Laura's addiction to sleeping medication and alcohol. I must share that I was riveted as I read her account of navigating being a Hollywood wife and mother and board president of the private school her children attended WITH sourcing extra refills of Ambien. 
 
I know that many of us had a relationship with alcohol that included 'hiding', whether it was hiding the amount you drank, or the fact that you were drinking again. This is part of why Laura's story is so powerful. Her honest telling of her story includes the parts of her past that she was hiding from everyone in her life. 'My Life In Hiding' is about so much more than hiding one's addiction, it includes learning how to be honest with ourselves.
 
During this interview, Laura and I were careful not to divulge any 'spoilers' as the book is full of twists and turns. The one 'spoiler' is that we know Laura is ultimately triumphant over her addiction and, like many of us, her life looks completely different now. This book is ultimately a love story, with her children, a surprise relationship but, most importantly, with herself.
 
Laura Cathcart Robbins is the best-selling author of the Atria/Simon & Schuster memoir, Stash, My Life In Hiding, and host of the popular podcast, The Only One In The Room. She will be joining us in our Author Spotlight Special inside The Sober Edge Book Club.
 
Show Notes HERE
Register to attend our Author Spotlight and meet Laura HERE

When we stop drinking and over drinking we have so many possibilities. 
 Have you dreamed about what's next? Perhaps you have thought about writing a book? Starting a podcast? Or maybe you have a product in mind that you want to create and bring into the world to share with your AF community?
My podcast guest today, Tawny Lara, has done all of these things. I first met Tawny when she joined us in The Sober Edge Book Club to share her brand-new book: Dry Humping: A Guide to Dating, Relating and Hooking Up, Without the Booze.  Tawny is known as 'the sober sexpert'. While the title of the book is meant to be provocative, the book is written as a recovery resource; a resource for sexual liberation, sexual empowerment, and empowering women to get to know their own bodies.It’s about communication and boundaries. There is even a chapter about sober breakups. Ultimately, it's about creating better relationships, especially with yourself.
Tawny is also the co-founder of (parentheses) a vinegar-based botanical beverage she produces with her husband, and the co-host of the Sobriety Rocks podcast. 
Tawny shares her unique take on life and her creative style in this interview.
Learn more about Tawny's work in the Show Notes HERE
 

Do you believe that 'with sobriety anything is possible'? When you hear the story of Todd Crandell, you will. Todd is the founder of Racing for Recovery, a  non-profit center to help people move away from addiction and towards recovery. Todd is the Original Sober Ironman and is also known as Sober Ultra Man on Instagram.
Todd is a living, breathing example of a sober life and lifestyle. He believes that exercise can be a big component of healing from addiction and, while some may consider his devotion to running (113 Ironman competitions on 6 different continents) to be an addiction to running, Todd doesn't see it that way. He believes that, for him, running is a healthy passion that leads to a vibrant and healthy life.
Highlights from our conversation include:
What's missing in traditional recovery models How he discovered the Ironman triathlons A different kind of 'war story' Quitting drinking is like a pizza The communication menu  
Full Show Notes

Have you ever felt 'stuck'? Chances are, the answer is yes. We can feel stuck in circumstances, situations that feel beyond our control. We can feel stuck when we are trying to manage other peoples feelings or reactions. Let's face it, feeling stuck can suck!
If you have ever asked yourself these questions, you are not alone. Becky Vollmer is the author of "You Are Not Stuck" and she shares on the podcast exactly how we move from feeling stuck to feeling empowered by choice.
Becky is more than an author; she is a yoga teacher, a retreat leader and a spiritual guide who coaches women to take back their power. Becky's mission is "... to empower people to pursue the lives they dream of instead of settling for the ones they feel stuck in..."
Our podcast conversation moves from the success of her book to her 'prescription' for moving from fear to freedom to her take on 'Thelma and Louise'ing it'!
 
Show Notes HERE (find out more about Becky; see previous podcast episodes and sign up for The Sober Nutritionist newsletter)