The Bubble Hour

Many of us spend our time in active addiction keeping secrets and staying silent. We feel like the WORST thing that could happen would be to tell someone, only to find in recovery that it feels GREAT to talk to others about the things we kept locked away. Guest Julie has been recovering on her own and recently connected with a group of other sober women. She has also discovered the joys of writing funny pieces about her experiences and observations.Get The Bubble Hour book, "Take Good Care" at www.jeanmccarthy.ca/booksJoin us on Patreon at https://patreon.com/thebubblehour

(Due to a glitch, some listeners did not receive the full finale - reposted to ensure everyone hears it all!) Get the tissues! This is it. What an amazing decade it has been. How can we possibly say enough thanks yous for all of the heartfelt goodness we've experienced this past decade? Loving messages of gratitude from Ellie, Lisa, Amanda, Catherine and Jean. Presenting this show has been the honor of a lifetime. Thank you for joinging us on this amazing journey. We will miss you! *** Get The Bubble Hour book:   Take Good Care: Recovery Readings Inspired by The Bubble Hour podcast  The Bubble Hour website www.thebubblehour.com Tiny Bubbles podcast https://sites.libsyn.com/448419 Host Jean McCarthy www.jeanmccarthy.ca Support us on Patreon https://patreon.com/thebubblehour

Get the tissues! This is it. What an amazing decade it has been. How can we possibly say enough thanks yous for all of the heartfelt goodness we've experienced this past decade? Loving messages of gratitude from Ellie, Lisa, Amanda, Catherine and Jean. Presenting this show has been the honor of a lifetime. Thank you for joinging us on this amazing journey. We will miss you! *** Get The Bubble Hour book:   Take Good Care: Recovery Readings Inspired by The Bubble Hour podcast *(affiliate link) The Bubble Hour website www.thebubblehour.com Tiny Bubbles podcast https://sites.libsyn.com/448419 Host Jean McCarthy www.jeanmccarthy.ca Support us on Patreon https://patreon.com/thebubblehour

There is so much love between the hosts, guests, and listeners of this show! In this episode, you'll hear some of the powerful messages listeners sent to thank The Bubble Hour team for a deacde of recovery encouragement.  Get The Bubble Hour book:   Take Good Care: Recovery Readings Inspired by The Bubble Hour podcast *(affiliate link) The Bubble Hour website www.thebubblehour.com Tiny Bubbles podcast https://sites.libsyn.com/448419 Host Jean McCarthy www.jeanmccarthy.ca Support us on Patreon https://patreon.com/thebubblehour

Host Jean McCarthy shares some of the moments that most affected her as a host, plus listener favorites. Of course, every single episode had numerous golden moments. It was not easy to decide on a handful when there are litterally hundreds of incredible interviews in the archives! These represent them all, and are presented with gratitude and appreciation for every guest that shared their time and for every listener who reached out. Recovery Research Institute: https://www.recoveryanswers.org Get The Bubble Hour book:   Take Good Care: Recovery Readings Inspired by The Bubble Hour podcast *(affiliate link) The Bubble Hour website www.thebubblehour.com Tiny Bubbles podcast https://sites.libsyn.com/448419 Host Jean McCarthy www.jeanmccarthy.ca Support us on Patreon https://patreon.com/thebubblehour

Over the past decade, The Bubble Hour has featured more than 50 authors! We looks at some memorable interiews, and offers insights about what it's like to prepare for an author interview.  Affiliate links: The Authenticity Project by Clare Pooley Drink by Ann Dowsett Johnston The Sober Lush by Amanda Eyre Ward and Jardine Libaire The Sober Curious Reset by Ruby Warrington Quitter by Erica C Barnett The Wine O'Clock Myth by Lotta Dann Highlight Real by Emily Lynn Paulson One Good Reason by Sean McCann and Andrea Argon The Do-Over by Karlyn Pipes Through a Sober Lens by Michael Blanchard Hope Dealer by Lucy Hall CLICK HERE FOR BOOK LINKS Take Good Care: Recovery Readings Inspired by The Bubble Hour podcast  www.thebubblehour.com  https://sites.libsyn.com/448419  www.jeanmccarthy.ca  https://patreon.com/thebubblehour

After nearly four years, the hosts of The Bubble Hour had to make some hard decisions. Was it time to end the show? Utlitimately, we decided to continue but with some big shifts. We look at how, and why, the podcast transitioned from four hosts to one.   Get the book:   Take Good Care: Recovery Readings Inspired by The Bubble Hour podcast *(affiliate link) The Bubble Hour website www.thebubblehour.com Tiny Bubbles podcast https://sites.libsyn.com/448419 Host Jean McCarthy www.jeanmccarthy.ca Support us on Patreon https://patreon.com/thebubblehour

This episode focuses on a special weekend when Ellie, Amanda, Catherine, and Jean met up in Boston. They recorded a live show together and got to know each other in person. Listen to some highlights from the recorded conversation and hear Jean's insights about meeting her co-hosts in person for the first time. Get the book:   Take Good Care: Recovery Readings Inspired by The Bubble Hour podcast *(affiliate link) The Bubble Hour website www.thebubblehour.com Tiny Bubbles podcast https://sites.libsyn.com/448419 Host Jean McCarthy www.jeanmccarthy.ca Support us on Patreon https://patreon.com/thebubblehour

Where we would be without a little imperfection and a whole lot of laughs? The Bubble Hour podcast usually ran smoothly, but we certainly had our share of goof-ups and giggles! Technical issues, tongue twisters, dropped calls, on-air surprises. No matter what happened we took it in stride and the show carried on. This episode is a bit of fun as we look back on the lighter side of podcasting over the years. Somehow we still managed to turn those moments of calamity into a reminder that we stay sober, nomatter what!   Get the book:   Take Good Care: Recovery Readings Inspired by The Bubble Hour podcast *(affiliate link) The Bubble Hour website www.thebubblehour.com Tiny Bubbles podcast https://sites.libsyn.com/448419 Host Jean McCarthy www.jeanmccarthy.ca Support us on Patreon https://patreon.com/thebubblehour

Over the past decade, Bubble Hour listeners came to know our five hosts like old friends. Ellie and Lisa started the show and were soon joined by Amanda. Catherine and Jean joined at the end of Season 2. The five voices appeared in various combinations over the years, with Jean hosting solo for the past few seasons.  This epsiode looks back on the evolution of the show, the hosts, and their relationships with one another and the listeners and guests over the history of the show.   Get the book:   Take Good Care: Recovery Readings Inspired by The Bubble Hour podcast *(affiliate link) The Bubble Hour website www.thebubblehour.com Tiny Bubbles podcast https://sites.libsyn.com/448419 Host Jean McCarthy www.jeanmccarthy.ca Support us on Patreon https://patreon.com/thebubblehour

As the show finds its legs in the early years, incredible conversations about life after alcohol unfold. Listen through a tapestry of insights and sentiments about recovery, a scrapbook of treasures from the archives. Recovery from alcohol use disorder is about more than just staying sober, it's about finding conenction and hope to sustain inner growth and healing. The Bubble Hour grows into a source of strength and hope for listeners everywhere. Get the book:   Take Good Care: Recovery Readings Inspired by The Bubble Hour podcast *(affiliate link) The Bubble Hour website www.thebubblehour.com Tiny Bubbles podcast https://sites.libsyn.com/448419/TinyBubbles Host Jean McCarthy www.jeanmccarthy.ca Support us on Patreon https://patreon.com/thebubblehour

The final season of The Bubble Hour begins by looking back at the orgins of the show. Ellie and Lisa unfolded this project in 2012 with no idea if anyone would even listen. Soon pal Amanda helped out on and off the air, and many others joined as callers and guests. What started out as a bit of fun soon grew into a recovery tool helping people around the globe feel connected. Staying sober is a little easier with friends to lean on, and The Bubble Hour hosts and guests became allies in recovery to listeners everywhere. Get the book:   Take Good Care: Recovery Readings Inspired by The Bubble Hour podcast *(affiliate link) The Bubble Hour website www.thebubblehour.com Tiny Bubbles podcast https://sites.libsyn.com/448419/TinyBubbles Host Jean McCarthy www.jeanmccarthy.ca Support us on Patreon https://patreon.com/thebubblehour  

Jean shares a new poem to encourage anyone starting fresh for the new year, and reflects on important milestones and decisions for The Bubble Hour. Download a copy of Jean's poem, 'The Pivot' at https://unpickledblog.com/2021/12/30/new-year-new-beginnings/ Learn more about host Jean McCarthy at http://www.jeanmccarthy.ca and order her books at http://www.jeanmccarthy.ca/books

This is a special episode intended for listeners in recovery to share with normie friends and family who want to understand how to make us more comfortable at their events. The list of tips is directed towards people who are not in recovery, but it can also be a resource for sober folks looking for ways to self-advocate. Listen alone and take notes. Or listen together, hit pause after each tip, and discuss. Forward to a friend or share on social media. Let's talk about sober socializing--what helps and what doesn't? The list can be downloaded as an image from Jean's blog, UnPickled. Click here: https://unpickledblog.com/2021/12/20/10-tips-for-hosting-a-sober-guest/ Learn more about Jean McCarthy at www.jeanmccarthy.ca Order books via www.jeanmccarthy.ca/books

Whether it's your first year of sobriety or you have decades of experience, the holidays can be a trying time. Here are a few things to consider as you make your way through the weeks ahead. This is an audio version of a post on Jean McCarthy's blog UnPickled. You can find the original post here: http://unpickledblog.com/2021/12/12/encouragement-for-the-holidays/

Host Jean McCarthy returns from an extended break and reflects on ways that sobriety has served her during her various adventures. Visit Jean's blog UnPickled at www.unpickledblog.com and order her books via www.jeanmccarthy.ca/books

Victoria Vanstone examines the lighter side of life after alcohol on her blog Drunk Mummy Sober Mummy and podcast Sober Awkward. "Me and booze don't go well together, its like bunk beds and ceiling fans – the two just don't work," says Victoria. "There are always disastrous results and it's just taken me a million hangovers to realise that I was always the drunkest person in the room."  

"I know now that alcohol was not my friend," says Kim Bellas. Kim quit drinking to model alcohol-free living for her teenaged son, who has a medical condition that will require him to do the same. She didn't think her drinking was problematic until she experienced how great she felt with alcohol out of her life.  Kim created a website www.soberisthenewcool.org to spread positive messages and encouragement to others who endeavor to be sober. Sales of merchandise support The Douglas Foundation IG: https://www.instagram.com/sober.is.the.new.cool/ * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/soberisthenewcool.org/ * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_tmHjBMjRmRj-HECQ3_Feg * Email: sober.itnc@gmail.com * Learn more about host Jean McCarthy, plus check out her books, and blog UnPickled by visiting her website at www.jeanmccarthy.ca  

Betsy Byler is a woman in successful long-term recovery who is also a therapist. Betsy hosts a podcast aimed at educating therapists about addiction and recovery, "All Things Substance with Betsy Byler". Betsy's website is www.betsybyler.com - links are there to contact Betsy and hear the podcast. * Host Jean McCarthy's website is www.jeanmccarthy.ca and includes links to her blog UnPickled and her latest book releases, as well. For more episodes, visit www.thebubblehour.com

Sherry Hoppen is the founder of She Surrenders, a ministry encouraging women into faith-based recovery. As a Christian woman who has lived through the nightmare of addiction to alcohol, she helps others battling addiction through writing, speaking, coaching. Sherry leads weekly meetings for faith-based recovery in the group she started, Joyful Surrender. She regularly shares her journey with her trademark honesty and humor at women's events, Bible studies, recovery retreats, and podcasts. In her book, Sober Cycle (New Hope Publishing, 2021), she shares her personal story of alcohol addiction and the nonsensical things she did to escape it.  An avid reader and cyclist, Sherry and her husband enjoy traveling and loving on their three grandsons. * Visit host Jean McCarthy's website www.jeanmccarthy.ca for more links and information about this episode and The Bubble Hour.

Host Jean McCarthy returns from an unplanned 3-week break and shares stories and insights from her time away. Plus information from Recovery Research Institute on the effectiveness of various recovery programs, celebrating and recognizing Bubble Hour milestones, listener letters, and thoughts on the one-year anniversary of the release of The Ember Ever There by Jean McCarthy.

Jenny's path to recovery included several "fasts" from alcohol - planned, supported breaks for 30 or more days as she worked to envision her life without drinking. When her father died, she longed to honor her grief by feeling it fully. She now sees how living alcohol-free allows her to live engage more actively in her life. As a writer, Jenny feared that alcohol was entwined with creativity--but has discovered the very opposite is true! She has used the down time during the covid pandemic to turn her attentions to a novel she wrote decades earlier. Of Butterflies and Bullies is loosley based on Jenny's experience of being bullied in her pre-teen years, and the project has been healing and gratifying. Visit https://www.butterfliesbullies.com to learn more and purchase the book. Follow Jenny on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/dalton_jen  * Host Jean McCarthy's website is https://jeanmccarthy.ca and her blog UnPickled is at http://www.unpickledblog.com  

Beverly Sartain is a Psyche Strategist who helps helpers heal their wounds so that they can serve Self and humanity from wholeness. Image of Healing Roadmap created by Bev Sartain: https://holisticcoachtraininginstitute.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/HCTI+-+A+Healing+Roadmap.pdf  Website - https://holisticcoachtraininginstitute.com/ Book - Transcending Trauma: How I Use Spiritual Psychology To Heal My Life Workbook - Spiritual Psychology Healing Workbook Course - Spiritual Psychology Healing Course FB Group - Holistic Coach Network Podcast - Holistic Coach Legacy Podcast

Nicole has overcome great losses and built a life full of joy, but it was not an easy path to arrive where she is today. Grief was all too present in her life, even as a child. Nicole was just 11 when her mother died unexpectedly. Then, as newlyweds, Nicole and her husband suffered multiple pregnancy losses. Though she didn't necessarily see alcohol use as a coping strategy, her dysfunctional drinking patterns escalated throughout her teen years and into adulthood as life became more and more complicated. Nicole is now 13 years sober and her passion is to help others develop the skills to change the direction of their lives. She says, "My mission is simple. I help successful people create change. Change in their stories, change in narrative, and change in their relationship with themselves, others and substance, by providing solutions in healing their worth, practicing self compassion, living into core values, identifying character strengths and creating healthy and positive thought life." Learn more at http://www.coachwithnicole.ca Join Nicole's Mindful Recovery Community on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/mindfulrecoverycommunity For more books and resources discussed in this episode, extended shownotes are here : https://jeanmccarthy.ca/2021/04/26/the-bubble-hour-s9e16-nicole-cameron/

Cybele Botran of Wide Awake Recovery shares her story of recovery and healing. Cybele believes that each of us can be our own healers once we get past the judgement, guilt, and shame that hold us back. She teaches transformative practices of self-love, self-compassion, and self-forgiveness to help others find the powers within to let go of unconscious beliefs and embrace joy. Website: www.wideawakerecovery.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/wideawakerecovery Facebook: www.facebook.com/wideawakerecovery (Pleae note: This conversation includes discussion of adverse childhood experiences including sexual trauma.)

Lori Massicot is a sober woman on a mission to help women over 40 create a life they love alcohol-free. For thirty years, Lori thought that alcohol was the solution to her anxiety and shyness, and on August 11, 2013, she decided to quit drinking and become the solution she had always been. Lori uses a simplistic approach to sobriety and helps women create a deeper relationship with themselves as they age through connection, self-care, and self-compassion. Lori is a Life and Sober Coach, Nutrition Coach, and host of the To 50 and Beyond podcast, where she talks openly with her guests about aging sober and creating overall wellbeing in midlife and beyond. www.lorimassicot.com She's lived in Southern California her whole life and is a mom and wife and a dog lover who strives to live a simplistic lifestyle in recovery.   * Host Jean McCarthy's website is www.jeanmccarthy.ca and her blog is www.unpickledblog.com

Founder of Recovery Buddha and woman in recovery, Penni Moussa is also a Clinical Psychologist, intuitive healer, writer, creative & mother of 3 young adults; the youngest of whom is on the Autism Spectrum. Having travelled a journey which includes recovery from addiction, eating disorders, depression, anxiety, trauma & grief, Penni’s lived experience informs her work as a trauma therapist within the recovery community. Website: https://www.recoverybuddha.com  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/RecoveryBuddha Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RecoveryBuddha  * Host Jean McCarthy's website is www.jeanmccarthy.ca

Will Black is a young man in recovery who shares his passion for wellness through his expertise in yoga and meditation. Will relates his experiences with using alcohol to alleviate symptoms of social anxiety and depression, only to realize drinking then became a problem of its own. Will is now three years sober and lives life to the fullest while inspiring others to do the same. https://www.willowenblack.com/ https://www.reddit.com/r/stopdrinking/  Episode website: https://jeanmccarthy.ca/2021/03/29/the-bubble-hour-s9e12-will-black/ Host Jean McCarthy's blog, books and links to other Bubble Hour info are available at www.jeanmccarthy.ca  

In Broken Open, parenting and family consultant Maureen Towns shares her journey through her teenage kids’ mental health and addiction issues to help parents find freedom in chaos.  Maureen Towns BScN, MA is a relationship mentor with over 25 years of nursing experience in both public and private health care across Canada. After experiencing mental illness and addiction with her own children, she founded Maureen Towns Consulting to help families struggling to care for their own loved ones. Her work with parents inspires them to rediscover themselves within chaotic and challenging situations. Website: www.maureentowns.com  Broken Open Podcast: https://maureentowns.com/podcast/ More links and show notes at https://jeanmccarthy.ca/2021/03/22/the-bubble-hour-s9e11-maureen-towns/ * Host Jean McCarthy's website is www.jeanmccarthy.ca with links to her blog Unpickled, more Bubble Hour epsiodes, her books, and more  

Ruby Warrington is the author of Sober Curious (2018) and The Sober Curious Reset (2020). Her books have given voice to a movement that embraces an alcohol-free lifestyle as a choice, and encourages people to explore their relationship with alcohol proactively. Ruby shares her personal story and digs deep into some unexpected results in her personal life, like deeper intimacy and greater authenticity. Ruby's website is www.rubywarrington.com  More links and shownotes here *** Host Jean McCarthy's blog is www.unpickledblog.com Her latest books are available through her website www.jeanmccarthy.ca/books

Host Jean McCarthy hosts a solo show with updates on her recovery, a big upcoming milestone, reflections on grief and celebration, plus heaps of encouragement for YOU! Learn more about Jean at www.jeanmccarthy.ca where you can link to her blog UnPickled, buy her books, and hear more episodes of The Bubble Hour.

Dr Alice Kerby is a Doctor of Physical Therapy, Health Consultant, Holistic Health Practitioner, and Somatic Experiencing Practitioner in training. She uses her decades of experience and training  to focus on the stress response from an autonomic nervous system and physiological perspective. She helps her clients to identify areas where they feel stuck, and provides a well regulated and supportive environment for them to begin gently touching past trauma or overwhelm, and heal these states through presence and awareness of the body in the present moment. She specializes in working with sober and sober curious women who are seeking additional tools to manage stress, increase a sense of calm, and move forward in creating their lives.  Learn more at www.kerbymethodconsulting.com and checkout her podcast Beyond The Pink Cloud For links to resources mentioned in this episode, click here Host Jean McCarthy blogs at UnPickled. Her latest books are available at www.jeanmccarthy.ca/books

Sean McCann and Andrea Aragon are the husband and wife team who co-wrote the recovery memoir “One Good Reason.”  Sean McCann rose to fame as a founding member of the multimillion selling folk group Great Big Sea. But all of that performing and partying allowed Sean’s alcoholism to flourish in plain sight, as he drank to cope with the long-buried pain of childhood abuse by a trusted family priest—a secret he kept until 2014 when he shared his truth and began using his music and stage presence as a mental health advocate. “One Good Reason” includes the parallel narrative of Sean’s wife, Andrea Aragon. Her balancing insights give this memoir extraordinary insights into the nuanced and complex effect of addiction on the family.  For more information visit www.seanmccannsings.com Host Jean McCarthy's blog UnPickled is at www.unpickledblog.com and her latest books are available at www.jeanmccarthy.ca/books For more episodes of The Bubble Hour please visit www.thebubblehour.com

Looking back, Deb can see that she was self-medicating mental health problems with alcohol. When she entered a partial hospitalization program to assess and treat her symptoms of anxiety and depression, it was necessary to address the issue of alcohol use disorder that had developed as a result. She describes quitting alcohol as 'low hanging fruit' that made way for prescription drugs and therapy to work more effectively. Deb's diagosis is Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), sometimes called 'emotional hypersensitivity.' She says that with BPD, "every emotion feels like a knife to the chest."   (To hear another Bubble Hour interview about BPD, check out "Michelle's Story" Season 5, Episode 5) For links to resources mentioned in this episode, click here. Host Jean McCarthy's books and blog can be linked to through her website www.jeanmcarthy.ca

Kelly created a self-image as a party girl that became eventually an uncomfortable way to live. Self-centered partners who also drank problematically appeared one after another. She leaned on others for her self-worth and thought, “if you like me then I’m less broken." Now she realizes that her biggest relationship problem was with herself. Today Kelly is standing in her authenticity and learning to love and appreciate herself as a sober woman. “It’s one of the best things that I’ve ever done for myself.” “Therapy is like peeling the layers back trying to get to the root issue, because if you don’t get to the root out you’re likely to relapse. It’s really painful drudging up all of the old stuff but after suppressing it for so long, there was just so much to work through…” “I’ve gotten comfortable in my own skin and actually enjoy being around myself so I don’t have this desperate need to be with somebody like I always had.” Click here for links for the resources mentioned in this episode: https://jeanmccarthy.ca/2021/02/01/the-bubble-hour-s9e5-kellys-story/ Host Jean McCarthy's blog and books are available through her website www.jeanmccarthy.ca

Matt Salis shares his story and insights on recovery. Matt and his wife Sheri have co-authored a book about marriage and recovery, Sober Evolution: Evolve into Sobriety and Recover Your Alcoholic Marriage. They also host a podcast together called UnToxicated. Visit www.soberevolution.org to learn more about their work, download free resources, and connect to Matt's blog Sober and Unashamed. Learn more about their recovery programs SHOUTSobriety and its partner program Echoes of Recovery at www. shoutsobriety.org Host Jean McCarthy's blog is www.UnPickledBlog.com and her latest books are available at www.jeanmccarthy.ca/books

As a little girl, Nichol was not protected the way a child should be. The abuse she suffered left emotional wounds that she kept hidden from the world. Through her teens and adult years, she leaned on alcohol to cope and, despite a strong work ethic and deep love for her daughters, dependency unfolded. Her pattern was unpredictable and she suffered frightening blackouts frequently. Then came an experience that changed everything. Nichol woke up one morning caked in blood and did not recognize the disfigured face in the mirror. A drunken fall the night before nearly ended her life, but she summoned her strength to use the experience as a catalyst for change. Nichol recently celebrate her 50th birthday and a 3-year milestone of sobriety. She shares her story in hopes of taking away some of the stigma and shame others might feel who have been through similar experiences. For links to resources mentioned in this episode, click here: https://jeanmccarthy.ca/2021/01/18/the-bubble-hour-s9e3-nichols-story/ * Host Jean McCarthy's blog is UnPickledBlog.com and her latest books are at www.jeanmccarthy.ca/books

Getting sober is just the beginning for recovery coach and therapist Shelby John, who believes that we can then go on to reach higher for a more joyful, fulfilling life than we ever imagined.  Now 18+ years sober, Shelby recognizes that she not only hit a bottom with her addiction but also then hit what she calls a "sober bottom"; a point at which she saw a need to live differently. Learn more about Shelby at www.shelbyjohncoaching.com and check out her podcast https://confidentsoberwomen.buzzsprout.com. Shelby has created a Facebook group for women in recovery here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/confidentsoberwomen * Host Jean McCarthy's blog is UnPickled and her latest books are available at www.jeanmccarthy.ca/books

Welcome to Season 9 of The Bubble Hour! Host Jean McCarthy shares some thoughts about this special time of year, looks back over 9 years of this podcast and offers inspiration for the days ahead. Recovery is better together and The Bubble Hour is honoured to be part of your recovery toolkit! Jean shares excerpts from her books, which are available at www.jeanmccarthy.com/books. Jean's blog is www.unpickledblog.com.

Darcy noticed she was becoming increasingly reliant on alcohol to relax after her twin boys were born. Then came the double trauma of a miscarriage followed by a devastating decision to end another ill-fated pregnancy.  Darcy tried to push through her emotions, carrying on with her job and meeting the demands of parenting her young sons. She began using alcohol to cope, and the progression took off. She began to question her own value and when she wondered if her family might be better off without her, she knew it was time to ask for help. After some time of being alcohol-free, as well as a joyfully successful pregnancy, Darcy contemplated moderation and found that her drinking returned to previous patterns. It was alarming and quick. Soon she was back in care and determined to do whatever it might take to be free of the hold that alcohol had over her. * Host Jean McCarthy's blog is UnPickled and her lastest books are available via www.jeanmccarthy.ca/books  

Kathy's busy, active life was disrupted abruptly when her husband was diagnosed with a dibilitating and ultimately fatal disease at a young age. The stress of being a caregiver led her to lean on alcohol and the pattern continued into her second marriage, which also ended in tragic loss. Grief and lonliness fuelled Kathy's reliance on alcohol even more, until the day she decided to take her power back. https://jeanmccarthy.ca/2020/12/21/the-bubble-hour-s8-e47-kathy-l * Learn more about host Jean McCarthy through her blog UnPickled and find her latest book releases at www.jeanmccarthy.ca/books

Danielle is a multiple suicide attempt survivor, a kidney cancer survivor, and a stroke survivor. She started writing about her sobriety publicly in 2018 after she suffered a massive stroke four months into her sobriety journey. That stroke took away her ability to speak, read, and write. Her speech therapist suggested that she write to stimulate her brain function to regain these abilities. She began writing in the early morning, each and every day. She wrote authentically and raw about her struggles with sobriety, marriage, and motherhood. Writing quickly became therapeutic and played a crucial role during her first year of sobriety. During her first year of sobriety, she overcame multiple struggles and obstacles. Sobriety did not come easily for Danielle, but she 'embraced the suck' of sobriety, with faith and hope that she would experience the miracle and the promises. She is an active member in the recovery community and currently works at a treatment center. She is a public speaker sharing her experience, strength, and hope any time she gets the opportunity to do so. She wrote Stroke of Sobriety - The Essential Daily Guide - Embracing the suck of sobriety in hopes that she will inspire someone to not give up before the miracle.    To learn more visit https://oneandonlydg.com * Host Jean McCarthy's books and blog UnPickled are available via www.jeanmccarthy.ca

Michael Blanchard's work combines photography and personal essays to illuminate the recovery experience and show the beauty and hope beyond the darkness of addiction. His books include Fighting for My Life: Finding Hope and Serenity on Martha's Vineyard and Through a Sober Lens: A Photographer's Journey.  Michael is a gallery owner on Martha's Vineyard who sees his storefront as more than a place to present art; it is also a way to connect with others and share his message of hope. Visit Michael's website to purchase his books and learn more about his story at www.blanchardphotomv.com * Host Jean McCarthy's blog is UnPickled and her lastest books are available at www.jeanmccarthy.ca/books

"This was a T-intersection. This was not a crossroads. If I carried on drinking, I knew exactly where I was going to go." Louise A. shares her story of reluctant participation in the recovery process. It took some time for her to accept that she was like the other people in the meetings that she'd been attending. "It was like waking up on a rollercoaster every single day," she says. "Full speed. Strapped in. Tied down. Unable to do anything or think about anything until it stopped." Now Louise sees those meetings as "a place where we are able to practice being ourselves" and explore what it feels like to live more authentically. Louise's poetry page is on Instagram @mypoetryismytherapy * Host Jean McCarthy's blog UnPickled is at www.unpickledblog.com and her latest books are at www.jeanmccarthy.ca/books

Michael Gallagher is an author, speaker and coach, whose recovery has involved peeling back layers of childhood trauma and family instability while examining the effects of highly controlling religious teachings. His book, Waking Up: A Guide for Transformation, is part memoir and part self-help guide. In it, Michael details dramatic events that shaped his early life and how being disfellowed and shunned from his mother's religion fuelled his mental and physical decline into addiction.  For more information, visit www.michaelgallagherspeaks.com  * Host Jean McCarthy's blog is UnPickled, and her latest books are available at www.jeanmccarthy.ca/books  

Julie could feel the way that alcohol was creeping into her life in unwanted ways. She knew all too well what it's like to worry about a parent's drinking and didn't want her own children to live with that burden. Julie pre-empted her relationship with alcohol before it could go any further and celebrates the freedom this choice has given her. Visit Julie's website to learn more about her and to connect: www.juliedereshinsky.com   Find more info and other episodes at https://jeanmccarthy.ca/the-bubble-hour/ Host Jean McCarthy's latest book releases are at www.jeanmccarthy.ca/books and her blog is www.unpickledblog.com

Dr Maureen is a diagnostic radiologist whose work often includes the devastating effects of alcohol on the human body in the form of liver disease and cancer. She is also a woman in recovery, which allows her to have great compassion and understanding about the patient experience when having difficult conversations about the role of alcohol in her patient's lives. In this episode, Dr. Maureen explains the many ways that alcohol impacts health and why we need to think differently about drinking as a normal activity. *** Be sure to check out host Jean McCarthy's blog UnPickled at www.unpickledblog.com. Jean's latest book releases are available at www.JeanMcCarthy.ca/books.

Kate Baily and Mandy Manners of www.loversober.com share their personal stories and chat about their new book Love Yourself Sober. Their website includes links for personal coaching, an online community for women in recovery and tons of resources. Kate and Mandy are dedicated to helping others find a workable recovery plan that makes sense for the individual. *** The Bubble Hour is hosted by Jean McCarthy www.jeanmccarthy.cawww.unpickledblog.com Jean's books are available here: www.jeanmccarthy.ca/books

Jennifer had begun to question her relationship to alcohol when her body started to show some strange symptoms. Even though both Jennifer and her husband are medical professionals, it took a while to realize that alcohol was the root cause of her episodes of muscle weakness. Jennifer shares her story as a way to celebrate her one-year milestone and to give back to the podcast that helped her so much throughout the journey. Host Jean McCarthy's blog is UnPickledBlog.com and here latest books are available at www.jeanmccarthy.ca/books

Lotta Dann talks about her latest book "The Wine O'Clock Myth," which takes a look at the way alcohol seeps into all aspects of life and why we need to take a strong stand against the persuasion of the alcohol industry. Lotta's blog is Mrs. D is Going Without. She is the author of two other books as well, Mrs. D. is Going Without and Mrs. D is Going Within. Lotta runs an online recovery community called Living Sober Host Jean McCarthy's blog is UnPickled and you can find her books here.

MaryBeth Murphy is a registered nurse and a holistic wellness and recovery coach. Her style as a integrative nurse coach is to combine her medical training with alternative therapies such as reiki, craniosacral therapy, crystal healing and armoatherapy to develop strategies to heal the body, mind and spirit and restore balance to the nervous system. To learn more about MaryBeth's heart-centred care, visit her website at www.marybethmurphy.net For links to the books and resources mentioned in this episode, please click here Host Jean McCarthy's books are available at www.jeanmccarthy.ca/books and to read her blog UnPickled click here