Podcast appearances and mentions of mary beth o'connor

Learn more about Mary Beth O'Connor and her new book From Junkie to Judge: One Woman's Triumph Over Trauma and Addiction: https://junkietojudge.com/ Ace (Adverse Childhood Experience) Score - https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2015/03/02/387007941/take-the-ace-quiz-and-learn-what-it-does-and-doesnt-mean Life Ring Recovery - https://lifering.org/ Rational Recovery is now Smart Recovery - https://smartrecovery.org/ She Recovers - https://sherecovers.org/ Alcoholics Anonymous - https://www.aa.org/ Narcotics Anonymous - https://na.org/ Best piece of Recovery (Quit-Lit) reccomendation: The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma by by Bessel van der Kolk M.D. Best piece of Recovery advice: It's OK to find your own path to Recovery Song that symbolizes Recovery to Mary Beth: Refugee by Tom Petty - https://youtu.be/fFnOfpIJL0M?si=vUW3pBH2KTdoEGIF Don't forget to check out “The Way Out Playlist” available only on Spotify. Curated by all our wonderful guests on the podcast! https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6HNQyyjlFBrDbOUADgw1Sz   (c) 2015 - 2024 The Way Out Podcast | All Rights Reserved Theme Music: “all clear” (https://ketsa.uk/browse-music/) by Ketsa (https://ketsa.uk) licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd) --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-way-out-podcast/message

Mary Beth O'Connor joins us to share her journey from addiction to methamphetamine to being appointed a federal Administrative Law Judge.

When you're in the deepest parts of addiction, it is hard to see any hope of relief from this habit that has now taken over one's life. Yet, there is something better for you if you genuinely want to change. Baby steps make a difference in one's life when trying to change one's life around. And luckily for me, I had Mary Beth on my show to share her success from junkie to judge.

From junkie to judge is quite the phrase and my guest this week Mary Beth O'Connor has certainly lived quite the life. We start with being left at a nunnery as an infant, being pick back up 6 months later by a preoccupied mother, to then deal with an abusive stepfather throughout her childhood. Like to many troubled teens Mary Beth turned to drugs and alcohol to lessen the burden of home. This addiction was one that she fell deeper and deeper into throughout her teens and twenties where at 32 she decided it was time to get sober. After that we go on a journey of taking her own path in the recovery world and when she was on stable ground going to law school. She then later became a federal judge! This is quite a journey and one that we can all learn a lot from. Junkie to judge...sounds improbable, but that is Mary Beth O'Connor and nothing is impossible._____________________________________Mary Beth's Website: https://junkietojudge.com/Pick up the book here: https://www.amazon.com/Junkie-Judge-Womans-Triumph-Addiction/dp/B0BSLXGH8C/_____________________________________Link to all things Not in a Huff Podcast: https://linktr.ee/notinahuffpodcastPlease follow/subscribe to the podcast to be the first to see new episodes when they come out each week. Be extra awesome and rate us on Apple Podcast and Spotify! :)

It is time for another special Sleepover episode! Mama D is joined by Mary Beth O'Connor who rode a roller coaster journey in life. Childhood abuse led to substance abuse...first with alcohol and eventually to methamphetamine. Yet despite years of dulling her pain as a junkie, she discovered her path to recovery by piecing together ideas from many sources. She returned to college, became a lawyer, and eventually a federal Administrative Law Judge. After retiring she has written her award-winning memoir, From Junkie to Judge: One Woman's Triumph Over Trauma and Addiction.Hear her journey to achieve both tangible and intangible goals as well as 6 different recovery methods. Check out her website at...junkietojudge.comPetals of Support is brought to you by Spreaker Prime Please be sure to Rate and Review this episode.Subscribe and Share Email me at: petals.s@aol.com Twitter: @PetalsofSupportInstagram: @PetalsofSupport https://linktr.ee/petalsofsupport Please consider donating throughhttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/petalsofsupport Petals of Support is a member of the Unfiltered Studios Networkhttps://www.unfpod.com This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/5614807/advertisement

Interview with Mary Beth O'Connor. Her new book is "From Junkie to Judge: One Woman's Triumph Over Trauma and Addiction". We discuss Drugs, abuse, rape and much more on her journey from addition to recovery.Investing Skeptically: The "All Weather Fund" does it work? Also, Hedge Funds and the Million dollar bet.

According to the National Institutes of Health, 20 million Americans suffer from substance abuse at some point in their lives. Mary Beth O'Conno was one of those, but since 1994 has been sober from methamphetamine use disorder. She wrote about her journey in an award-winning memoir, “From Junkie to Judge: One Woman's Triumph Over Trauma and Addiction.” Mary Beth shares her story with us in this episode of the Lean to the Left podcast and answers the question: how does a junkie get clean & become a judge?Within a week of being born, Mary Beth was dropped off at a convent. Eventually, she moved in with her mom, but she -- her mom -- was more focused on her own needs and desires than her young child. At age nine, her stepfather kicked her in the stomach for spilling milk, beat her when she displeased him, and molested her at age twelve. A few months later, she took a sip of Boone's Farm Strawberry Hill wine, which made her feel euphoric and relaxed. So, she drank as much as possible, added pot, then pills, then acid. At sixteen, she found methamphetamine and experienced joy, but when this high was no longer sufficient, she turned to the needle and shot up. That began 16 years of severe addiction, resulting in destroyed relationships, problems at work, and damage to her physical and emotional health. But, today, Mary Beth O'Connor is a retired federal administrative law judge. She is director, secretary, and founding investor for the She Recovers Foundation, a director for Life-Ring Secular Recovery, and a member of the advisory council for the Hyer Calling Foundation. Her opinion pieces have appeared in The Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, Philadelphia Inquirer, Recovery Today, and other publications. Six years into her recovery, Mary Beth attended Berkeley Law. She worked at a large firm, then litigated class actions for the federal government leading to her appointment as a federal administrative law judge in 2014, a position from which she retired in 2020.Here are some questions we discussed with Mary Beth as she answers the question: How does a junkie get clean & become a judge?Q. Tell us more about your background and what made you to turn to meth.Q. What happened that prompted you to seek help?Q. The Alcoholics Anonymous 12-step program didn't work for you. Why not? What did you do?Q. What peer support options are available to those seeking recovery, and why is that important for the recovering addict?Q. How can your book, “From Junkie to Judge,” help those individuals win their battle against addiction?Q. Tell us about the She Recovers Foundation. Why was it started and what does it do?Q. How about LifeRing Secular Recovery?Q. Back when you were struggling as a drug addict, did you ever think you would be in this position today – a published author, counselor, and retired federal judge?Q. How can your story inspire others? Q. I just interviewed a guest who spent five years in prison for a white collar crime. After his experience in prison where most inmates were incarcerated because of illegal drugs, he now believes all such drugs should be legalized; that this would drastically reduce crime and save billions by ending an unwinnable war against illegal drugs. How do you feel about that?Q. Where can people learn more about your work and obtain your book?This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/4719048/advertisement

To watch the video of this episode, please go to: https://youtu.be/mvDBBFVS5vI   What is the link between trauma and addiction? How do you find a recovery program that will work for you? What is the joy of recovery?   Discover the many paths to recovery, inspiration, and hope in the latest episode of Kaleidoscope of Possibilities: Alternative Perspectives on Mental Health, in which Dr. Adriana Popescu talks with Director of She Recovers Foundation and LifeRing Secular Recovery, author of From Junkie to Judge: One Woman's Triumph Over Trauma and Addiction, and retired judge Mary Beth O'Connor.   You will hear about the power of doing trauma work and how it contributes to the recovery process, the contribution of support groups and how you can create a self-empowered recovery program that works for you.   In this episode: Mary Beth's experience of trauma and abuse growing up Trauma and substance abuse Self-empowered recovery Group therapy  Alternatives to 12-Step programs Online versus in-person groups and sessions Relapse in the recovery process Relapse triggers Isolation, depression, and shame Fellowship Getting away from day zero The joy of recovery Drug courts and drug laws The future of addiction treatment Reducing substance abuse rates   Resources mentioned in this episode:  Mary Beth's book: From Junkie to Judge: One Woman's Triumph Over Trauma and Addiction: https://junkietojudge.com/ Twitter: @MaryBethO_ LifeRing:  https://lifering.org/ She Recovers: https://sherecovers.org/ Women For Sobriety: https://womenforsobriety.org/   About Mary Beth: Mary Beth O'Connor describes her journey in her new memoir From Junkie to Judge: One Woman's Triumph Over Trauma and Addiction. Six years into her recovery, Mary Beth attended Berkeley Law and was appointed a federal administrative law judge in 2014, from which she retired in 2020. Mary Beth is on the board of directors for She Recovers Foundation and for LifeRing Secular Recovery.   “There is a way out and there is a way forward.” – Mary Beth   Would you like to continue this conversation and connect with other people who are interested in exploring these topics? Please join us on our Facebook group! (https://www.facebook.com/groups/kaleidoscopeofpossibilitiespodcast/)   About your host: Dr. Adriana Popescu is a clinical psychologist, addiction and trauma specialist, author, speaker and empowerment coach who is based in San Francisco, California and practices worldwide. She is the author of the new book, What If You're Not As F***d Up As You Think You Are?   For more information on Dr. Adriana, her sessions and classes, please visit: https://adrianapopescu.org/ To find the book please visit: https://whatifyourenot.com/ To learn about her new trauma treatment center Firebird Healing, please visit the website: https://www.firebird-healing.com/   You can also follow her on social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrAdrianaPopescu/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dradrianapopescu/?hl=en LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adriana-popescu-ph-d-03793 Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/dradrianapopescu Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCflL0zScRAZI3mEnzb6viVA TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dradrianapopescu?   Disclaimer: This podcast represents the opinions of Dr. Adriana Popescu and her guests. The content expressed therein should not be taken as psychological or medical advice. The content here is for informational or entertainment purposes only. Please consult your healthcare professional for any medical or treatment questions. This website or podcast is not to be used in any legal capacity whatsoever, including but not limited to establishing “standard of care” in any legal sense or as a basis for legal proceedings or expert witness testimony. Listening, reading, emailing, or interacting on social media with our content in no way establishes a client-therapist relationship.

Mary Beth sits down and talks openly about literally going from Junkie to Judge.Hear her story about childhood abuse and other traumas led to substance use disorder and addiction.Beginning with alcohol at age 12, she spent several years abusing various drugs. She found methamphetamine at 16 and started shooting up at 17. Mary Beth struggled with meth until she was 32 years old.Hear in depth on the path she took to turn her life around and become a Judge and a best selling author.For more info see https://junkietojudge.com/ Help us help others by joining our Patreon...Why not become a Patron of the Two Norries to help us help you and others? We're always happy to receive donations which all go towards bills, production costs, maintenance and everything else it takes to keep the podcast alive. Two Norries Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this edition of Clean and Sober Radio, host Gary Hendler and cohost Mark Sigmund welcome Mary Beth O'Connor, the author of the book, “Junkie to Judge.” Mary Beth is a retired federal judge who at an early age experienced untold trauma caused by a home full of violence. This led to years of methamphetamine abuse. So, how did she become a federal judge? Listen to find out.

Mary Beth O'Connor has been sober from methamphetamine and other substances since 1994. She also is in recovery from abuse and trauma. The details of her story can be found in her memoir, From Junkie to Judge: One Woman's Triumph Over Trauma and Addiction. Mary Beth is a Director for LifeRing Secular Recovery. She also is a Director and Secretary for She Recovers Foundation.  She develops relationships with organizations supportive of the multiple pathways approach, such as working on joint projects with Women for Sobriety. Mary Beth regularly speaks about her personal story, on behalf of LifeRing and She Recovers, about multiple paths to recovery, and shares her expertise on other substance use and recovery topics. She's appeared on podcasts, radio, and television. She has presented keynotes and workshops at a variety of conferences and events. Mary Beth writes opinion pieces and has been published in The Wall Street Journal, the Los Angeles Times, the Philadelphia Inquirer, and Recovery Today, among others. She's also had numerous memoir writings published. Professionally, 6 years into her recovery, Mary Beth attended Berkeley Law. She worked at a large firm in Silicon Valley, then litigated class actions for the federal government. In 2014 Mary Beth was appointed an Administrative Law Judge. She retired early in 2020 and now devotes her time to her writing and recovery advocacy. What You'll Learn in This Episode: The interconnectedness of trauma and substance abuse Mary Beth's multi-pronged approach to recovery The challenges she faced in relationships during her recovery Debunking outdated ideas of substance abuse and addiction How Mary Beth went from substance abuse to federal administrative law judge How to combat the stigma of addiction and find hope and healing Links Mentioned in This Episode: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Linked In

My guest today is Mary Beth O'Connor. She's a retired judge now, but in January she published a personal memoir that was far from legalese. The title kind of covers it: From Junkie to Judge: One Woman's Triumph Over Trauma and Addiction. The language is frank and the story has got compelling built in. ◘◘◘Mary Beth's Websitehttps://junkietojudge.com/The Bookhttps://www.amazon.com/Junkie-Judge-Womans-Triumph-Addiction/dp/0757324568/

Mary Beth is the author of FROM JUNKIE TO JUDGE This is an amazing story of her life as a meth addict at age 16 and living with substance use disorder many years to recovery at age 32 Mary Beth talks about her trauma and ptsd and anxiety and abuse all being factors in her substance use disorder She talks about how the 12 steps did not work for her in its entirety she did not believe in a higher power or other elements of the program she was told she would not make it that 12 step was the only way she refused to accept that and searched and found other options for her She incorporated many things to make recovery work for her and has worked for her for the last 29 years She is a board member for LifeRing Secular Recovery As well as on the board for She Recovers Foundation She is a graduate of Berkley Law School and was appointed a federal administrative law judge in 2014 and retired in 2020 She lives in the San Francisco Bay area Mary Beth has her website you can follow her there there is a list of where she will be appearing for book signing in the USA and Eastern Canada We hope one day to welcome her to western Canada Follow her on twitter @MaryBeth_O please listen subscribe leave a rating or comment Most important please pass along on social media so others can hear Mary Beth's amazing story full of hope --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/denise-mcdougall/message

  My guest this week is an extraordinary woman – she was drinking alcohol at the age of 12 and shooting up with meths at the age of 17.  Not only did she get clean but she went on to qualify as a lawyer and eventually she was appointed a federal judge! In this episode:- Mary Beth has a traumatic childhood which included an abusive stepfather She felt instant relief when she picked up her first alcoholic drink at the age of 12 While still at school she was smoking pot, taking pills and acid and by 17 was shooting up meths In spite of this hectic drug use she managed to get accepted at college She was at college and working part time when everything fell apart – due to the combination of a life threatening rape and an abusive boyfriend Mary Beth used meths for the next decade, not getting clean until the age of 32 During this decade she was working her way “down” the corporate ladder as she puts it Due to her drug use she was working in jobs way below her ability She hit rock bottom when she lost yet another job and couldn't raise the energy to put together her resume to get another one Her partying days were long gone and most of her drug use took place when she was alone….at the kitchen table She had tried some therapy but as she puts it “the drugs had put a wall between me and myself” so therapy was ineffective. Her partner was also threatening to leave her so she decided to go to rehab The rehab was based on the 12 steps and was not a good fit for Mary Beth – she was an atheist and certainly wouldn't agree that she was powerless Whenever she raised her objections to any of the 12 steps she was closed down and told that this was the only way she could recover As a result she kept quiet and became very selective in the ideas that she took on board. She became master of the reframe so instead of Step One which is I am powerless over my addiction she would agree that she was powerless to moderate. So many of us spend years stuck in the “moderation trap” so accepting that we are powerless to moderate will save a lot of heartache, it's a major step forward! I referred to the podcast interview I did with British journalist Sam Delaney who built his own hybrid recovery model. That podcast was episode 153  Exactly what Mary Beth did…and in fact what she recommends to others I loved what she said about recovery being hard but it gets easier… whereas active addiction is much harder and can last forever! We agreed that this journey is about progress not perfection and that very few people get is right from day one – Mary Beth certainly had a couple of slip ups during the early months Of course the secret is to keep trying, to remember that there is no such thing as failure, only feedback. Mark up your Sober Stretches and never question the decision. If you'd like a copy of our Annual Tracker just email membership@tribesober.com and we'll send you one Early sobriety was an emotional rollercoaster for Mary Beth and it was a couple of years before she felt stable She had trauma to deal with, severe anxiety and PTSD If 2 years seems a long time then remember the rule that it takes a month of recovery for every year that we drank – for more on that go Tribe Sober episode 61 – there you'll find my interview with rehab doctor Dr Dawn In spite of the long road to recovery Mary Beth began to get her career back on track within a few months She started with a part time admin job, then a higher level full time admin role and then a supervisory role  At six and a half years sober she was accepted back into Berkeley Law School. She went on to work as a lawyer in a big law firm and in 2014 was appointed a Judge. She took early retirement in 2020 and these days she gives her time to advocacy in the recovery space. As she says we need to be patient – everybody expects recovery to be faster than it is but we need to remember that:- Just as addiction rewires our brains in a negative way the positive habits we build in recovery will build new pathways. Mary Beth's book is called from Junkie to Judge and is available from Amazon The book is a memoir which includes guidelines as well as some advice for families. Please follow Mary Beth on TW – I'll put her handle in the shownotes but its @MaryBethO_ Her TW feed is great and packed with useful info Episode Sponsor This episode is sponsored by the Tribe Sober Membership Program.  If you want to change your relationship with alcohol then sign up today Read more about our program and subscribe HERE Help us to Spread the Word! We made this podcast so that we can reach more people who need our help.  Please subscribe and share. If you enjoyed the podcast, then please leave us a 5-star review on Apple podcasts. Take a screenshot of your review, and DM it to Tribe Sober's Instagram page – see PS below for instructions. We'll send you something special to say thank you! We release a podcast episode every Saturday morning. You can follow Tribe Sober on Facebook, Twitter, TikTok and Instagram. You can join our private Facebook group HERE. PS: How to Leave a Rating/Review in Apple Podcasts (on an iOS Device) Open the Podcasts app. EASY. Choose “Search” from the bottom row of icons and enter the name of the show (e.g. Recover Like a Mother) into the search field. Select the show under Shows (not under Episodes). Scroll down past the first few episodes until you see Ratings & Reviews. Click Write a Review underneath the displayed reviews from other listeners. You'll then have the option to rate the show on a 5-star scale and write a review (you can rate without writing too but it's always good to read your experience).

TRIGGER WARNING** Today Jeannine interviews Mary Beth O'Connor, retired federal judge, author and recovering addict. Mary Beth's book "From Junkie to Judge: One Woman's Triumph over Trauma and Addiction" chronicles the extreme abuse of her childhood, early drug use and ultimately is a guide book for anyone looking to find a recovery that is not centered around a Higher Power concept. About Mary Beth: For Mary Beth, childhood abuse and other traumas led to substance use disorder (addiction).  Beginning with alcohol at age 12, she spent several years abusing various drugs. She found methamphetamine at 16 and started shooting up at 17. Mary Beth struggled with meth until she was 32 years old. By incorporating ideas from multiple sources to build a secular (not 12-step or faith based) recovery plan that works for her, Mary Beth has been sober since 1994. She used similar techniques to address the trauma and related anxiety as well. Mary Beth is a board member for LifeRing Secular Recovery and She Recovers Foundation.  She speaks on behalf of these organizations, about multiple paths to recovery, and about all topics related to substance use disorder and recovery. She also speaks about sexual abuse and rape, child abuse, domestic violence, ptsd, anxiety, and recovering from these as well. Professionally, 6 years into recovery, Mary Beth attended Berkeley Law. She worked at a large firm in Silicon Valley, then litigated class actions for the federal government. In 2014, Mary Beth was appointed a federal Administrative Law Judge, a position from which she retired in 2020. **depiction of sexual assault and physical and emotional childhood abuse throughout episode Mary Beth website Chasing Heroine IG Jeannine IG

In this episode of the Landmark Recovery Podcast, we are joined by the inspiring Judge Mary Beth O'Connor, who shares her incredible journey from addiction to the bench. We delve into her life story, discussing how she has recovered not only from substance abuse but also from trauma and anxiety. Judge O'Connor provides insight into the importance of addressing multiple issues to sustain recovery and highlights the power of determination in achieving goals and dreams once held back by addiction. After the break, we explore the significance of proper evaluations and learn about LifeRing Secular Recovery, an alternative approach to recovery that emphasizes "Recovery by Any Means for Anyone." - Mary Beth O'Connor has been sober since 1994 and has used her recovery as a foundation for remarkable achievements. Six years into her recovery journey, she attended Berkeley Law, went on to work at a large firm, and then litigated class actions for the federal government. In 2014, she was appointed a federal administrative law judge, a position she held until 2020. Mary Beth is a director, secretary, and founding investor for She Recovers Foundation and a director for LifeRing Secular Recovery. She is a passionate advocate for multiple paths to recovery and frequently speaks to groups such as Women for Sobriety. Mary Beth's op-ed, "I Beat Addiction Without God," describes how she combined ideas from several secular programs to create a robust recovery foundation and has been featured in the Wall Street Journal. - Follow Landmark Recovery on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok for more content! https://www.facebook.com/LandmarkRecovery/ https://www.instagram.com/landmarkrecovery/ https://twitter.com/landmarkrecover

12-step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous dominate the recovery space. In fact, when most people think of someone in recovery, they typically assume they are part of a 12-step program. But, what if the traditional 12-step programs don't work for you? For example, if you are an atheist, don't like the idea of a sponsor, or want a program driven by self-empowerment, are there other options? Join us as today's guest, Mary Beth O'Connor, shares with us that 12 steps are not the only choice when it comes to peer support recovery programs. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page. Guest Bio Mary Beth O'Connor has been sober since 1994. She has also been in recovery from abuse, trauma, and anxiety. Six years into her recovery, Mary Beth attended Berkeley Law. She worked at a large firm, then litigated class actions for the federal government. In 2014, she was appointed a federal administrative law judge, a position she held until 2020. Mary Beth is a director, secretary, and founding investor for She Recovers Foundation and a director for LifeRing Secular Recovery. She regularly speaks about multiple paths to recovery to groups such as Women for Sobriety. Mary Beth's op-ed, "I Beat Addiction Without God," where she described combining ideas from several secular programs to create a robust recovery foundation, appeared in the Wall Street Journal. Inside Mental Health Podcast Host Gabe Howard is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can't imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mary Beth O'Connor has been sober since 1994. She has also been in recovery from abuse, trauma, and anxiety. Six years into her recovery, Mary Beth attended Berkeley Law. She worked at a large firm, then litigated class actions for the federal government. In 2014, she was appointed a federal administrative law judge, a position she held until 2020.Mary Beth is a director, secretary, and founding investor for She Recovers Foundation and a director for LifeRing Secular Recovery. She regularly speaks about multiple paths to recovery, to groups such as Women for Sobriety. Mary Beth's op-ed, “I Beat Addiction Without God,” where she described combining ideas from several secular programs to create a robust recovery foundation, appeared in the Wall Street Journal. Her new book, "From Junkie to Judge, One Woman's Triumph Over Trauma and Addiction" will be released January 24th.In This EpisodeMary Beth's websiteFrom Junkie to Judge, One Woman's Triumph Over Trauma and Addiction, Mary Beth O'Connor.---What's new with The Trauma Therapist Project!The Trauma 5: gold nuggets from my 600+ interviewsThis show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/5739761/advertisement

This week on Dopey! TRIGGER WARNING!!!! We are joined by Federal Judge, recovery advocate and author, Mary Beth O'Connor - and she hits us full force with the unfiltered Dopey. From shooting meth, sexual abuse, cutting, draining abscesses and much more. Mary Beth delivered the diabolically debauched Dopey - and still explained her non 12 step style of recovery and how she made it out! It is a not to be missed episode! PLUS! Emails, Voicemails, My Dad vs. Seymour, the return of Joey Pepper and much more on this new classic of that good old Dopey show. More on Dopey: Dopey Podcast is the world's greatest podcast on drugs, addiction and dumb shit. Chris and I were two IV heroin addicts who loved to talk about all the coke we smoked, snorted and shot, all the pills we ate, smoked, all the weed we smoked and ate, all the booze we consumed and all the consequences we suffered. After making the show for 2 and a half years, Chris tragically relapsed and died from a fentanyl overdose. Dopey continued on, at first to mourn the horrible loss of Chris, but then to continue our mission - which was at its core, to keep addicts and alcoholics company. Whether to laugh at our time in rehab, or cry at the worst missteps we made, Dopey tells the truth about drugs, addiction and recovery. We continually mine the universe for stories rife with debauchery and highlight serious drug taking and alcoholism. We also examine different paths toward addiction recovery. We shine a light on harm reduction and medication assisted treatment. We talk with celebrities and nobodies and stockpile stories to be the greatest one stop shop podcast on all things drugs, addiction, recovery and comedy!  

Show Notes  Today's guest, Judge Mary Beth O'Conner has recently released her new book, From Junkie to Judge, where she offers, not only hope, but tactics to create your own Robust Recovery Program.  Mary Beth O'Connor has been sober since 1994. She has also been in recovery from abuse, trauma, and anxiety. Six years into her recovery, Mary Beth attended Berkeley Law School. She worked at a large law firm, then litigated class actions for the federal government. In 2014, she was appointed a federal administrative law judge, a position she held until 2020. Mary Beth is serious about sobriety and helping others recover from addictive substance abuse. She is a director and founding investor for She Recovers Foundation, and a director for LifeRing Secular Recovery. She speaks regularly about multiple paths to recovery. Mary Beth's Wall Street Journal op-ed, "I Beat Addiction Without God," is where she describes how to combine ideas from several secular programs to create a robust recovery foundation. As you might imagine, this is a subject we discuss on the show. LINKS Please enjoy Judge Mary Beth O'Conner's new book, From Junkie to Judge. Also check out Mary Beth's recommended recovery workbook: Recovery by Choice, A LifeRing Workbook

From a junkie addicted to methamphetamines to a federal judge, Mary Beth O'Connor's memoir shares her inspiring journey from rock bottom to resilience as she forged a personal path to recovery from trauma and addiction. Mary Beth O'Connor has been sober since 1994. She has also been in recovery from abuse, trauma, and anxiety. Six years into her recovery, Mary Beth attended Berkeley Law. She worked at a large firm, then litigated class actions for the federal government. In 2014, she was appointed a federal administrative law judge, which position she held until 2020. Mary Beth is a director, secretary, and founding investor for She Recovers Foundation and a director for LifeRing Secular Recovery. She regularly speaks about multiple paths to recovery, to groups such as Women for Sobriety. Learn More at: https://junkietojudge.com/

Breaking The Silence with Dr Gregory Williams Guest, Mary Beth O'Connor, Author Director of She Recovers Foundation

Mary Beth O'Connor has been clean and sober since 1994. She also is in recovery from abuse and trauma. The details of her story can be found in her memoir, From Junkie to Judge: One Woman's Triumph Over Trauma and Addiction, where she describes the child abuse that led her to use methamphetamine beginning at 17, the chaos of her 15-year addiction, and building an individual recovery plan that worked for her. Mary Beth is a Director and Secretary for She Recovers Foundation and is a Director for LifeRing Secular Recovery. She regularly speaks on behalf of LifeRing, She Recovers, and multiple paths to recovery. She also develops relationships with organizations supportive of the multiple pathways approach, such as participating in San Francisco's Methamphetamine Task Force, and working on joint projects with Women for Sobriety. Mary Beth has had numerous essays and memoir writings published, such as in The Wall Street Journal, the Los Angeles Times, the Philadelphia Inquirer, and Recovery Today. Professionally, six years into her recovery, Mary Beth attended Berkeley Law. She worked at a large firm in Silicon Valley, then litigated class actions for the federal government. In 2014, Mary Beth was appointed an Administrative Law Judge. She recently retired, so she could devote her time to her writing and recovery advocacy. Her new book is From Junkie to Judge: One Woman's Triumph Over Trauma and Addiction. From a junkie addicted to methamphetamines to a federal judge, Mary Beth's memoir shares her inspiring journey from rock bottom to resilience as she forged a personal path to recovery from trauma and addiction. Within a week of being born, O'Connor was dropped off at a convent. When she was brought into her home, her mother focused on her own needs and desires, ignoring her young child. When she was nine years old, her stepfather kicked her in the stomach for spilling milk, beat her when she didn't clean a plate to his satisfaction, and molested her when she was 12. A few months later, with her first sip of Boone's Farm Strawberry Hill wine, her life changed. She felt euphoric and relaxed. So she got drunk as often as possible, adding pot, then pills, then acid. At 16, she found her drug of choice--methamphetamine. With her first snort, she felt that she experienced true joy for the first time. When this high was no longer sufficient, she turned to the needle and shot up. During the next 16 years, she descended into a severe meth addiction, working her way down the corporate ladder, destroying relationships, and shattering her physical and emotional well-being. At 32, she entered rehab, where she was ordered to submit to the 12-steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. As an atheist, turning her will and her life over to a higher power was not an option, and she refused to agree she was powerless. Told to comply or fail, she bravely created a new path that combined ideas from multiple programs and even incorporated some AA concepts. Clean and sober now for nearly three decades, she is proof that anyone can find their sober self, their best self, no matter how far they have fallen. Along with her inspiring story, she offers a comprehensive checklist of questions for readers to ask themselves, as they take the brave steps toward recovery, offering a powerful blueprint for personal change. To become her best version, she uses patience and prioritizing. Learn more at the links below: From Junkie to Judge: One Woman's Triumph Over Trauma and Addiction junkietojudge.com @MaryBethO_ (LinkedIn and twitter) --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/maria-leonard-olsen/support

Mary Beth O'Connor went from running from the law as a methamphetamine abuser to handing down the law as a judge. Now twenty nine years in recovery, Mary Beth chronicles her incredible story in her new memoir,  From Junkie to Judge: One Woman's Triumph Over Trauma and Addiction.   In this episode, Mary Beth talks about her perspective on multiple pathways to recovery, her work for LifeRing Secular Recovery and She Recovers Foundation, why she claims "Junkie" as part of her identity, and the ultimate beauty of serving those in recovery.  

My guest today is Mary Beth O'Connor. Mary Beth is an author, attorney, and speaker and has also incorporated multiple sources to build a secular, non-12-step, or faith-based recovery plan. In this episode, we talk about dealing with toxic family relationships and the importance of doing a self-analysis to understand your own emotions and behaviors.Highlights:The impact of toxic family dynamicsThe importance of setting boundariesThe role of self-analysis in recovery and in understanding and managing your emotionsTechniques for emotion control and finding inner peaceLinks:Mary Beth's WebsiteEmail her at marybeth@junkietojudge.comBuy her book here!

Kathryn interviews Author Betsy Hill.Every parent of a school-aged child knows students are struggling. Seventy percent of students aren't performing sufficiently at grade level. The National Center for Educational Statistics reports that reading and math scores for fourth graders in 2022, following the pandemic, dropped to levels not seen in two decades, with the greatest decline in students with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs). Award-winning 'Neuroeducator Betsy Hill is committed to helping children achieve their fullest learning potential by using tested and proven neuroscience. She and co-author Roger Stark bring forth the guide to helping parents understand how brains learn and how their child's brain learns best, empowering parents like never before. Hill teaches strategic thinking at Lake Forest Graduate School of Management holds an MA in Teaching and an MBA from Northwestern University.Kathryn also interviews Author Mary Beth O'Connor.Meet former meth addict-turned-federal judge Mary Beth O'Connor, author of From Junkie to Judge who details her inspiring journey from rock bottom to resilience as she forged a personal path to recovery from trauma and addiction. Mary Beth shares her remarkable three-phase journey: the abuse and trauma that drove her to teenage drug use, the chaos that ensued from her addiction; and how she developed a personalized secular recovery plan that led to 29+ years of sobriety. After attending Berkeley Law, in 2014 she was appointed a federal administrative law judge, which position she held until 2020. She's a director, secretary, and founding investor for She Recovers Foundation and a director for LifeRing Secular Recovery.

Kathryn interviews Author Betsy Hill.Every parent of a school-aged child knows students are struggling. Seventy percent of students aren't performing sufficiently at grade level. The National Center for Educational Statistics reports that reading and math scores for fourth graders in 2022, following the pandemic, dropped to levels not seen in two decades, with the greatest decline in students with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs). Award-winning 'Neuroeducator Betsy Hill is committed to helping children achieve their fullest learning potential by using tested and proven neuroscience. She and co-author Roger Stark bring forth the guide to helping parents understand how brains learn and how their child's brain learns best, empowering parents like never before. Hill teaches strategic thinking at Lake Forest Graduate School of Management holds an MA in Teaching and an MBA from Northwestern University.Kathryn also interviews Author Mary Beth O'Connor.Meet former meth addict-turned-federal judge Mary Beth O'Connor, author of From Junkie to Judge who details her inspiring journey from rock bottom to resilience as she forged a personal path to recovery from trauma and addiction. Mary Beth shares her remarkable three-phase journey: the abuse and trauma that drove her to teenage drug use, the chaos that ensued from her addiction; and how she developed a personalized secular recovery plan that led to 29+ years of sobriety. After attending Berkeley Law, in 2014 she was appointed a federal administrative law judge, which position she held until 2020. She's a director, secretary, and founding investor for She Recovers Foundation and a director for LifeRing Secular Recovery.

Welcome guest Mary Beth O'Connor! Author of Junkie to Judge: One Women's Triumph Over Trauma and Addiction, available here https://amzn.to/3DTWtND For Mary Beth, childhood abuse and other traumas led to substance use disorder (addiction). Beginning with alcohol at age 12, she spent several years abusing various drugs. She found methamphetamine at 16 and started shooting up at 17. Mary Beth struggled with meth until she was 32 years old. By incorporating ideas from multiple sources to build a secular (not 12-step or faith based) recovery plan that works for her, Mary Beth has been sober since 1994. She used similar techniques to address the trauma and related anxiety as well. Mary Beth is a board member for LifeRing Secular Recovery and She Recovers Foundation. She speaks on behalf of these organizations, about multiple paths to recovery, and about all topics related to substance use disorder and recovery. She also speaks about sexual abuse and rape, child abuse, domestic violence, ptsd, anxiety, and recovering from these as well. Mary Beth's book-length memoir, From Junkie to Judge: One Woman's Triumph Over Trauma and Addiction, is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Bamm, Indie Bound, and other sites, and at your local bookstore. She also has placed essays in publications such as The Wall Street Journal, the Los Angeles Times, and Recovery Today. Professionally, 6 years into recovery, Mary Beth attended Berkeley Law. She worked at a large firm in Silicon Valley, then litigated class actions for the federal government. In 2014, Mary Beth was appointed a federal Administrative Law Judge, a position from which she retired in 2020. https://junkietojudge.com/ If you like the Podcast, you may also like my other offerings! Check out my Coaching Courses, my Webinars, my Tiktoks, my Book, 1:1 sessions, etc. available here https://linktr.ee/cloudedcompass

Mary Beth, retired Federal Judge, discusses her journey through Substance Use Disorder, Harm Reduction and other topics.

With wit and unabashed honesty, Mary Beth O'Connor shares her remarkable three-phase journey: the abuse and trauma that drove her to teenage drug use, the chaos that ensued from her addiction; and how she developed a personalized secular recovery plan that led to twenty-nine years of sobriety. Her story proves any addict can recover and anyone can build a productive and happy life, no matter how low the bottom or how deep the pain. Within a week of being born, O'Connor was dropped off at a convent. When she was brought into her home, her mother focused on her own needs and desires, ignoring her young child. When she was nine, her stepfather kicked her in the stomach for spilling milk, beat her when she didn't clean a plate to his satisfaction, and molested her when she was twelve. A few months later, with her first sip of Boone's Farm Strawberry Hill wine, her life changed. She felt euphoric and relaxed. So she got drunk as often as possible, adding pot, then pills, then acid. At sixteen, she found her drug of choice--methamphetamine. With her first snort, she experienced true joy for the first time. When this high was no longer sufficient, she turned to the needle and shot up. During the next sixteen years, she descended into a severe meth addiction, working her way down the corporate ladder, destroying relationships, and shattering her physical and emotional well-being. At thirty-two, she entered rehab, where she was ordered to submit to the 12-steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. As an atheist, turning her will and her life over to a higher power was not an option, and she refused to agree she was powerless. Told to comply or fail, she bravely created a new path that combined ideas from multiple programs and even incorporated some AA concepts. Clean and sober now for more nearly three decades, she is proof that anyone can find their sober self, their best self, no matter how far they have fallen.

Author of "From Junkie to Judge: One Woman's Triumph Over Trauma and Addiction", Mary Beth O'Connor tells her story of how she had to find her own way back to herself using a mix of methods for her recovery. You're gonna love her spunk! Here's where to find her book full of practical advice and exercises you can do, intertwined with her personal story: Amazon Barnes and Noble   Bookshop      

(CW: includes a discussion of violence and sexual assault)Mary Beth O'Connor is the author of the new memoir, “From Junkie to Judge: One Woman'sTriumph Over Trauma and Addiction.” The abuse and traumas she experienced as a child,including sexual assaults, led Mary Beth into substance use disorders. She started drinking at 12years old and by 17 she was shooting up methamphetamine. When Mary Beth got sober at age 32, 12-step was not a fit. She decided to develop her own way of recovering, incorporating ideas from multiple sources to build a secular recovery plan that works for her. Six years into her recovery, she went to law school, then worked at a big firm before being appointed a federal Administrative Law Judge.The programs Mary Beth draws on include:Women For Sobriety -- https://womenforsobriety.org/Life Ring Secular Recovery -- https://lifering.org/She Recovers -- https://sherecovers.org/Music Minute features Pharell's “Happy.” Check out the video for “24 hours of Happy.” -https://24hoursofhappy.com/Find Mary Beth and the book at: https://junkietojudge.com/On IG: @marybetho_This episode is sponsored by the sober entrepreneurs at Sour Humanoid vinegar! Add a splash of these artisanal vinegars to your dinner to brighten up the flavor of your protein and veggies. Order a bottle (or two!) today at sourhumanoid.com and follow them at @sourhumanoid.

Today's guest is going to share her advocacy and her experience in recovery and addiction. She'll have some insightful words of inspiration with her journey to recovery. So listen in, take note and get into action or share this information with someone you know. Episode --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/keepingitrealonpurpose/message

From Junkie to Judge with Mary Beth O'Connor Untapped Keg Ep 134Do you want to be a part of the show? Go to www.UntappedKeg.com/Community and let us know what your daily mantra or affirmation is to help you get through tough times! You can do so anonymous or read it yourself to hear your voice on the show!Mary Beth has been sober from a meth use disorder since 1994. She also is in recovery from abuse and trauma. Her history and her recovery are chronicled in her memoir From Junkie to Judge: One Woman's Triumph Over Trauma and Addiction. Mary Beth is a Director, Secretary, and Founding Investor for She Recovers Foundation. She also is a Director for LifeRing Secular Recovery. She regularly speaks on behalf of these organizations and about multiple and secular paths to recovery. Mary Beth also has had opinion pieces published, including in the Wall Street Journal. Professionally, 6 years into her recovery, Mary Beth attended Berkeley Law. She worked at a large firm, then litigated class actions for the federal government. In 2014 she was appointed a federal Administrative Law Judge from which position she retired early in 2020. The very FIRST endorsement for a coach is Jake Yoder of Natural High's Recovery! You can schedule a FREE call with Jake to see if you both would be a fit to work together here: https://calendly.com/naturalhighs/untapped-keg-podcastCheck out Mary Beth's links here:WebsiteLinkedINBookCheck out Untapped Keg's website where you can find all the episodes and social media at: Join The Community: Be Part of the SHOW!!!WebsiteTwitterInstagramYouTubeTime Stamps:0:00 Intro5:00 Mary Beth's Story12:00 Mary Beth's Recovery15:00 Finding Mary Beth17:00 Finding Your Passion25:00 Mary Beth's Mental Health Recovery34:00 Mary Beth, Boundaries, and Giving Yourself Permission43:00 Mary Beth the Author47:00 Mary Beth's Final MessageIf you want some Untapped Keg merch be sure to check out:MerchNeed Help? Dial 988 or:Call Foundations Recovery Networks:confidential and private line at: 877-714-1318 Nationwide Residential & Outpatient Facilities:National Suicide Prevention Hotline 800-273-8255 Games and Online Harrassment Hotline: Just text "SUPPORT" to 23368

Mary Beth has been sober since 1994, after spending many years as an IV meth addict. She also is in recovery from abuse, trauma, self-harm, ptsd, and anxiety. Her history and her recovery are chronicled in her memoir From Junkie to Judge: One Woman's Triumph Over Trauma and Addiction. In August 2020, Mary Beth had an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal, I Beat Addiction without God, where she described combining ideas from several secular programs to create a robust recovery foundation. Mary Beth is a Director, Secretary, and Founding Investor for She Recovers Foundation. She also is a Director for LifeRing Secular Recovery. She also develops relationships with other organizations, such as Women for Sobriety. She regularly speaks on behalf of these organizations and about multiple and secular paths to recovery. Professionally, 6 years into her recovery, Mary Beth attended Berkeley Law. She worked at a large firm, then litigated class actions for the federal government. In 2014 she was appointed a federal Administrative Law Judge from which position she retired early in 2020.

Mary Beth's Rountable Last week's interview with retired federal judge, Mary Beth O'Connor, who had to overcome a fierce addiction to methamphetamine to get her life on track led to a further exploration into the topics of self-awareness and individualized recovery. Hear how she was able to carve out her own path for recovery and why she thinks others should as well. Should we strictly adhere to a well-established recovery program because it is proven to be effective? How does self-awareness play into this decision? Listen to your Rock the Bottom hosts and Mary Beth delve deep into these concepts. Purchase Judge O'Connor's book here: https://www.amazon.com/Junkie-Judge-Womans-Triumph-Addiction/dp/0757324568 Follow Judge O'Connor on Twitter @MaryBethO_

Before she was the Honorable Mary Beth O'Connor, administrative law judge, she was a woman who struggled mightily with an addiction to methamphetamine for over a decade. This was the result of prolonged childhood abuse that was never acknowledged or treated, leaving her to fend for herself in trying to cope. Drugs became that mechanism. After initially being introduced to the 12-Step model, Mary Beth was resistant to buy in completely because she was an atheist who did not like the idea of relying on a higher power for her recovery; thus, she carved out a path that suited her needs and provided her with recovery tools that were personalized. Mary Beth became Judge O'Connor years later and became a staunch proponent advocate, and board member of treatment programs that encourage personalized treatment goals, plans, and strategies. She retired from the bench in 2020 but still serves on the board of She Recovers Foundation and LifeRing Secular Recovery. Purchase Judge O'Connor's book here: https://www.amazon.com/Junkie-Judge-Womans-Triumph-Addiction/dp/0757324568 Follow Judge O'Connor on Twitter @MaryBethO_

Guests, Mary Beth O'Connor and Therina Blackwell

Guests, Mary Beth O'Connor and Therina Blackwell

Making her first appearance with Rick Flynn on the Rick Flynn Presents podcast is a woman with a captivating and true story of her life entitled "From Junkie To Judge." Mary Beth O'Connor started with cigarettes at age 9, moved on to alcohol at age 12, and soon became a meth addict at age 16 and continued to be one until age 32 when she decided it was finally time to get, and most importantly time to stay, sober. This amazing show is one of the best shows now available anywhere to highlight the life of a woman who, quite literally, went from Junkie To Judge. Our hat is off to Mary Beth for an outstanding appearance which will provide guidance and courage to others. Email: Mary Beth: MaryBeth@JunkieToJudge.com Web: www.JunkieToJudge.com Mary Beth is also on Facebook. LinkedIn and Twitter --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/rick-flynn/support

In this podcast we are with Ms. Mary Beth O'Connor who is an author and inspiration to other who are recovering. In this podcast she tells her story on how she made it to where she is now by being herself and understanding when enough is enough.

Feeling extremely helpless? Be inspired by Mary Beth O'Connor's successful recovery story as she takes us through her journey from falling deep into the spiral addiction to becoming a federal judge.

Join Alex as she speaks to one of LifeRing's Board Members, Mary Beth O'Connor to learn more about what LifeRing Secular Recovery is, what is has to offer, and how it differs from 12 step programs.

I'm not going to lie…this episode will blow you away. Today Adrienne Miller and Mary Beth O'Connor join me to share their powerful stories about their journey to a substance-free life. And equally as important the joy found on the other side of their courageous journeys.Leaders in the national movement to change the faces and stigmas of recovery, this conversation focuses on women's empowerment. We also explore:  Adrienne started using alcohol and other drugs to cope with childhood trauma, severe stress, and lifelong mental health challenges at the age of 14. She spent the next 16 years drug-hopping and at 30 years old, found herself divorced, failing out of college, and severely dependent on alcohol and marijuana. Finally recognizing that her drug use had changed from being the solution to all her problems to becoming a problem itself, she joined Women for Sobriety (WFS) in 2009. After some initial false starts, she has been living a substance-free life since 2010. In recovery, Adrienne rediscovered the joy of volunteerism through Seattle Area Support Groups (SASG – now Peer Seattle). She served as a peer support group facilitator for both SASG and WFS before becoming a Peer Recovery Coach. She returned to university and received her BA in Psychology, then went on to receive additional education in chemical dependency counseling. Adrienne was invited to serve on the Board of Directors of WFS and SASG and has served as Vice President for both organizations. She was appointed President/CEO of Women for Sobriety in 2018 and has dedicated herself to empowering the women that use the New Life Program to help run the organization and expand its reach, bringing WFS back into the national recovery conversation.Adrienne has used her New Life confidence in public speaking, including giving the Keynote Address at the 2013 Seattle AIDS Walk to thousands of rain-soaked walkers. She has appeared on multiple podcasts on behalf of WFS, including the Beyond Addiction Show, Soberful, and SoberSoul Recovery. Adrienne appeared on Mental Health Mondays by She Recovers has presented multiple webinars through the Cigna Behavioral Awareness Series: Coping with Substance Use Disorders.For Mary Beth, childhood abuse and other traumas led to substance use disorder (addiction). Beginning with alcohol at age 12, she spent several years abusing various drugs. She found methamphetamine at 16 and started shooting up at 17. Mary Beth struggled with meth until she was 32 years old.By incorporating ideas from multiple sources to build a secular (not 12-step or faith based) recovery plan that works for her, Mary Beth has accrued 27 years of sobriety. She used similar techniques to address the trauma and related anxiety as well.Mary Beth is a board member for LifeRing Secular Recovery and She Recovers Foundation. She speaks on behalf of these organizations and about multiple paths to recovery.In 2020, Mary Beth published two opinion pieces about substance use disorder and recovery in major national publications.She has published memoir pieces and completed a book-length memoir.  Professionally, 6 years into recovery, Mary Beth attended Berkeley Law. She worked at a large firm in Silicon Valley, then litigated class actions for the federal government. In 2014, Mary Beth was appointed a federal Administrative Law Judge, a position from which she retired in 2020.To learn more about Mary Beth and Adrienne and the organizations they work with check out: www.womenforsobriety.orghttps://wfsonline.orgwww.facebook.com/WomenForSobriety/www.instagram.com/womenforsobriety/https://twitter.com/wfs4ccontact@womenforsobriety.orgMary Beth's website: www.junkietojudge.comLifeRing: www.lifering.orgShe Recovers Foundation: www.sherecovers.org

Mary Beth O'Connor from Life Ring Secular Recovery and the She Recovers Foundation, teams up with Adrienne Miller from Women for Sobriety to discuss the importance of respecting multiple paths to recovery, and issues specific to women in recovery. Topics Discussed The origins and purpose of Women for Sobriety. Life Ring Secular Recovery. The She Recovers Foundation. The importance of […]

Mary Beth O'Connor is a retired Administrative Law Judge who has been clean and sober for 27 years. Substance use disorder is only part of her story as she is also in recovery from abuse and trauma. Mary Beth currently serves as the Director and Secretary for She Recovers Foundation and is a Director for LifeRing Secular Recovery.In August 2020, Mary Beth had an op-ed published in the Wall Street Journal, I Beat Addiction without God. And in November 2020 she had an op-ed published in the Philadelphia Inquirer in support of a safe injection site, I was a federal judge, and I support Safehouse. Here's why.Mary Beth's memoir writings have been published in Memoir Magazine, Awakenings, The Noyo River Review, The Fault Zone, Carry the Light, and Ravens Perch. She is working on a full-length memoir with the working title From Junkie to Judge: Recovery without God.Mary Beth can be reached at marybeth@junkietojudge.com and her website is junkietojudge.com.Episode ResourcesShe Recovers Foundation | sherecovers.orgLife Ring Secular Recovery | lifering.orgSecular Organizations for Sobriety | www.sossobriety.orgI Beat Addiction Without God  | www.wsj.com/articles/i-beat-addiction-without-god-11597360535?mod=article_inlineI Was a Federal Judge  and I Support Safehouse, Here's Why | www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/safehouse-safe-injection-site-philadelphia-opioids-overdose-20201127.htmlConnect with Mary Beth O'ConnorJunkie to Judge Website |  junkietojudge.comConnect with The Courage to ChangePodcast Website | lionrock.life/couragetochangepodcastPodcast Instagram | @couragetochange_podcastPodcast Facebook | @thecouragetochangepodcastPodcast Email | podcast@lionrock.lifeYouTube | The Courage to Change PlaylistLionrock ResourcesLionrock Life Mobile App | lionrock.life/mobile-appSupport Group Meeting Schedule | lionrock.life/meetings

Mary Beth O'Connor is a Berkeley Law graduate, a retired federal judge, Board member and secretary for She Recovers Foundation and is a board member of LifeRing Secular Recovery. Mary Beth started using Methamphetamine in high school and was an addict for sixteen years. She was ordered to surrender to a higher power on her first day in rehab, even though she didn't believe in God. Being an atheist in a 12-step world forced her to forge her own path out of addiction. She believes the saga of how she transitioned from junkie to judge can provide hope and guidance in this time of increasing secularity and with the streets again flooded with meth. https://junkietojudge.com/ Special Thanks To Our Sponsors: Voyage et Cie: Voyage et Cie's curator Melanie Apple has cultivated a passion for notable moments using the sense of smell. Voyage et Cie is the ultimate luxury blend of travel, fragrance, and design. Each original fragrance is created by Melanie, 100% organic and natural which will transport you on a journey. Visit https://www.voyageetcie.com/ and enter the code: theonlyone to get your 10% off your purchase! Be sure not to miss our weekly full episodes on Tuesdays, Scott Talks on Wednesdays and our brand new series On My Nightstand on Fridays by subscribing to the show wherever you listen to podcasts.  Join our Only One In The Room Facebook Group if you'd like to ask a question of any of our upcoming guests for this series.  Also visit the website www.theonlyonepod.com for the latest from our host Laura Cathcart Robbins like featured articles and more. We love hearing from you in the comments on iTunes and while you're there don't forget to rate us, subscribe and share the show! All of us at The Only One In The Room wish you safety and wellness during this challenging time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Recovery from meth is hard and it is possible to come back from the dark place that is meth addiction. Today we get to hear from Mary Beth, a woman in long-term recovery from meth who rebuilt her life.  Tune in to this week's episode to hear her story.