The Bubble Hour

The Sober Lush authors Amanda Eyre Ward and Jardine Libaire share their personal stories of recovery and explain how their friendship unfolded into a writing partnership. The Sober Lush is not your average recovery memoir, but a collection of essays and reflections on how life's beauty and decadence can be heightened by sobriety. For resources discussed in this episode, click here Visit host Jean McCarthy's blog UnPickled at www.unpickledblog.com and learn about her latest book releases at www.jeanmccarthy,ca/books

Margaret shares her story as part of her double celebration: 50 years old and 1000 days sober! As a kid who felt awkward but just wanted to fit in and be liked, Margaret lost herself into the expectations of others, choosing a career she wasn't passionate about and allowing her own wishes to fade into the background in an effort to stay agreeable. When she discovered wine, it seemed like a solution to her discomfort. As her pattern with alcohol became problematic, she had to overhaul her thinking completely. Links for resources mentioned in this episode are listed here: https://jeanmccarthy.ca/2020/06/01/s8e21-the-bubble-hour-margarets-celebration/   Host Jean McCarthy's blog UnPickled is at www.unpickledblog.com. Check out Jean's latest book releases at www.jeanmccarthy.ca/books 

Lynn Matti is a therapist who has been sober since 2010 when she checked herself into Hazelden Betty Ford to free herself from alcohol and benzodiazepines for good. She hosts a weekly podcast called The Sober Therapist and is the author of 5 Weeks to Self Confidence. Learn more about Lynn at www.sobersoulrecovery.net and follow her on Instagram at Sober Soul Recovery.   Host Jean McCarthy's blog UnPickled is here and her latest books are at www.jeanmccarthy.ca/books

Kara epitomized the image of a good girl. She was brought up in a deeply religious family, followed the rules, and helped to care for her younger siblings. She did not drink alcohol until her 21st birthday, and even then it was an innocent experience. After she was married and became a mother, she discovered that a bit of wine helped her get through hard days with little ones and things quickly unravelled. Resources discussed in this episode: Educated by Tara Westover We are the Luckiest by Laura McKowen But It's Your Family by Sherrie Campbell Jean's blog UnPickled is at www.unpickledblog.com. Learn about Jean's latest book releases here

  Audrey reflects on the effects that her dysfunctional family of origin dynamics have had relative to her slide into a problematic relationship with alcohol and subsequent sobriety. Resources discussed in this episode include: Information on codependency and narcissism from Sherry Gaba "Embrace" body image documentary https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4862478/ Body Kindness Podcast  "This Naked Mind" by Annie Grace Stages of Change explained on Jean's blog UnPickled "Drinking: A Love Story" by Caroline Knapp    Host Jean McCarthy's blog UnPickled is here. Be sure to watch for her newest book releases at www.jeanmccarthy.ca/books  

Jill spent her life trying to control her sensitive emotions and reactions. The demands of being a military wife and mom added extra pressure, and she found that alcohol helped. After the 911 attacks, her relationship will alcohol escalated, as the aftermath of that day impacted her family. When Jill quit drinking, she learned about the concept of the 'highly sensitive person' and understood herself differently. Resources discussed in this episode include: Allen Carr's "Easy Way to Quit Drinking"  Elaine Aron's book "The Highly Sensitive Person" "Drink" by Ann Dowsett Johnston and Soberistas.com Host Jean McCarthy's blog UnPickled is at www.unpickledblog.com  and information about her latest book release be will be posted here when available: www.jeanmccarthy.ca/books

Leslie's growing reliance on alcohol was her main way to cope with the overwhelming emotions of having a son struggling with a drug addiction. His tragic death made it even harder to have clarity around her own relationship with alcohol, as she experienced grief along with guilt and shame. Now 18 months alcohol free, Leslie looks back on these difficult times and shares how sobriety has allowed her to find greater healing and a deeper connection to her son's memory. Resources discuss in this episode include The Unruffled Podcast and SheRecovers Meetups and Sharing Circles. Follow host Jean McCarty's blog UnPickled here and watch for news of her latest book releases here

GIgi Langer is a presenter, retreat leader, and author of the award-winning book, "50 Ways to Worry Less Now: Reject Negative Thinking to Find Peace, Clarity, and Connection." Gigi is also a woman in successful long-term recovery with over 34 years of sobriety. Learn more about Gigi at www.gigilanger.com. Gigi has generously offered a free audiobook for listeners of this show! Just visit her website and use the contact form to request, mentioning this Bubble Hour episode. Host Jean McCarthy's blog UnPickled is at www.unpickledblog.com and watch for her latest book releases at www.jeanmccarthy.ca/books

When Adirenne went into rehab eight years ago, it was not exactly a joyful experience. But Adrienne came to learn that she had so much more power than she ever knew and that her recovery could be full of happiness and positive intentions in ways she'd never imagined.  Learn more about Adrienne at www.mayyouknowjoy.com   Host Jean McCarthy's blog UnPickled is at www.unpickledblog.com and you can keep an eye out for her latest books at www.jeanmccarthy.ca/books

Today's guest uses the name "Winged Victory" to honour her anonymity. Under this name, she has created a wealth of recovery resources including a blog site called "Booze Musings" and an online community called BOOM ReThink the Drink. She reminds us of this message: "The spirit is not in the bottle. It's in YOU."  Other sites discussed in this episode include: Hello Sunday Morning Article: Coming Out Sober  Video about Winged Victory statue: https://youtu.be/TPM1LuW3Y5w Host Jean McCarthy's blog UnPickled is at www.unpickledblog.com. Visit www.jeanmccarthy.ca/books to learn about her latest book releases.

Kristie began using drugs and alcohol as a teen to help her escape from the unhappiness of her difficult life. The partying habits stayed with her into adulthood and eventually began to interfere with the things she valued more. Recovery wasn't a straight line though, and she had many "day ones" before she was able to make sobriety stick for good. Kristie recently celebrated a year of sobriety and shares her story as a way to mark the milestone.  Online meetings from "In The Rooms" mentioned in this episode can be accessed here: https://www.intherooms.com/home/category/community-and-meetings/ Host Jean McCarthy's blog UnPickled is available here https://unpickledblog.com/ and be sure to watch for her latest book releases here: https://jeanmccarthy.ca/books/  

Kathy Robbins is a psychotherapist who is in successful long-term recovery. She has been alcohol-free for 31 years and is also in recovery from codependency, and food addiction. Kathy shares openly about what is it like for her to be a mental health professional in recovery and answers questions from listeners. Kathy encourages others to see "The Three C's" : commitment, change and celebration. She hosts recovery retreats for women and is a SheRecovers Sharing Circle facilitator. Visit Kathy's website at https://www.lifecoachtherapy.com/ to learn about upcoming events or to contact Kathy directly.   Host Jean McCarthy's blog "UnPickled" is here: www.unpickledblog.com Learn about Jean's latest book releases at www.jeanmccarthy.ca/books

Gayle and her husband moved to a village in Spain in search of a safer, quieter life. The tranquillity and isolation of their new location were wonderful in many ways, but also set off an escalation of alcohol use that eventually seemed to take over their lives. Hear how Gayle and her husband made positive changes and how she is now helping others through her website Sober Bliss at www.soberbliss.com   Host Jean McCarthy blogs about her own recovery at UnPickled www.unpickledblog.com. Stay up to date on her latest book releases at www.jeanmccarthy.ca/books

Clare Pooley began writing about her sobriety in 2015 and her blog, "Mommy Was a Secret Drinker," became a book in 2017, "The Sober Diaries." Clare's latest publication is a novel, "The Authenticity Project." Clare shares her story of acknowledging a dependency on alcohol and finding recovery, plus chats about her life as a writer and mom.   Host Jean McCarthy's blog UnPickled is here: www.unpickledblog.com Learn about Jean's latest book releases here: www.jeanmccarthy.ca/books    

Jen started a blog to document the party life she enjoyed in 2007 and it became a huge hit. So what happened years later when she gave up alcohol and settled down? Listen in to learn how she incorporated her new lifestyle into her work. Learn more at www.shedoesthecity.com   Host Jean McCarthy's blog UnPickled is www.unpickledblog.com and you can learn about her latest books at www.jeanmccarthy.ca/books

Heidi Busche is a woman in recovery, as well as a relationship expert, podcaster, coach and author of the book "Relationship Ready."    To learn more about Heidi, visit her website www.heidibcoaching.com   Bubble Hour host Jean McCarthy writes the blog UnPickled - visit www.unpickledblog.com. Learn about Jean's latest book releases on her website: www.jeanmccarthy.ca/books

Kendra Ogdon is a woman in successful long-term recovery who is shining a light for others in her work as an IOP counsellor. She joins us to share her story and explain what outpatient programs are and who are the best candidates for this type of treatment.   Host Jean McCarthy's blog UnPickled is here: www.unpickledblog.com  Learn about Jean's latest books here: www.jeanmccarthy.ca/books Follow Jean on Instagram at www.instagram.com/jeanmccarthy_writes

Last summer, Natalie decided to take charge of her relationship with alcohol. Now in her sixth month of sobriety, she reflects on her decision and explains how her life is different today. Visit Bubble Hour host Jean McCarthy's blog UnPickled at www.unpickledblog.com and learn about her latest book here: www.jeanmccarthy.ca/books

When Linda Parmar embraced a life of sobriety more than five years ago, she thought she was putting her worst impulses behind her. However, not only did her time in active addiction result in enormous debt, but she also spent money impulsively in early recovery as a means of comfort and distraction. Eventually, Linda's recovery lifestyle had to expand to include financial recovery as well as sobriety. Linda now helps others navigate similar situations in her role as a Certified Money Coach, Professional Recovery Coach, and a SheRecovers Coach. Her website is www.lindaparmar.com   Host Jean McCarthy's blog UnPickled is at www.unpickledblog.com and info about Jean's most recent book is available here: www.jeanmccarthy.ca/books

Linda is a woman in successful long-term recovery from alcohol addiction. She got sober in 2011 together with her husband and the pair have stayed alcohol-free together since. Linda shares that alcohol took her to many places that "weren't pretty" but hopes that her story will help others take charge of their lives, too.   To read Jean's blog UnPickled, visit www.unpickledblog.com Jean's book is available via www.jeanmccarthy.ca/books