Becoming Sound

What if balance isn’t actually about keeping every part of your life perfectly together?

In this episode of Oversharing with Shannon, we’re coming to you from our annual girls’ getaway and talking about something we’ve both spent a lot of our lives chasing: balance.

For years, balance meant trying to do everything well. Work, family, relationships, health, friendships, the house and somehow ourselves too. And when we couldn’t keep all those plates spinning? We assumed we were the problem.

Turns out, maybe the idea of balance was the problem.

We talk about what balance looks like to us now in our fifties, why some things are allowed to sit on the back burner, the wellness industry and all the things women are constantly being sold, learning to listen to our own bodies, becoming more open to receiving and finding a whole lot more joy in the simple stuff.

And this episode is extra special because Becoming Sound is officially TWO years old! I honestly wasn’t sure I’d make it six months, so two years feels pretty damn good.

Thank you to every guest, every listener and every person who has shared an episode, sent me a message or stuck around for this ride. I’m incredibly grateful.

You may not hear from me next week as I give myself a little more permission to practice exactly what we talk about in this episode. But I’m not going anywhere. I have some fantastic conversations and episodes coming up.

Thanks for sticking around. 🤍

Connect with Us:

🔗 Website:  https://kristazaft.com/

🔗 Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/zaftkrista/

🔗 Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/krista.zaft/

🔗 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kristazaft

👉 Grab the free Self Love guide at kristazaft.com to start unlearning the patterns of over-functioning and begin building a life where you're supported, seen, and thriving.

Please Note: The views, information and opinions expressed during the Becoming Sound podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved. The content of this podcast is to educate, inform and for entertainment purposes only. This podcast series  and the content presented does not constitute for medical or other professional advice or services. If you are in crisis or in need of help, please contact your medical or professional provider.

What happens when the things you love start to feel like one more thing on your list?

In this solo episode of Becoming Sound, I’m talking about something I’ve been feeling lately: I have too much on my plate.

Life is full right now. Both of my daughters are getting married within the next couple of months, Unfiltered continues to grow, I have my day job, other projects I want to explore and, of course, this podcast.

And somewhere in all of that, I realized I need to take some of my own advice.

Because burnout doesn’t always look like completely falling apart. Sometimes it looks like constantly running in go mode, having a million things in your head, struggling to truly rest or noticing that something you genuinely love has started to feel like another thing you have to get done.

And here’s the big one:

You can burn out doing things you love.

You can be grateful for your life and still feel overwhelmed by it.

You can love something and need some space from it.

And changing the pace doesn’t mean you’ve failed.

So in this episode, I’m sharing why I’m taking my foot off the gas for a little while and what that means for Becoming Sound over the next few months.

I’m not quitting the podcast, and I’m not going anywhere.

There are still some incredible interviews coming, along with solo episodes and conversations I want to share. You just might not hear from me every single week for a while.

Maybe there are seasons when growth is about doing more.

And maybe there are seasons when growth is having enough self awareness to say:

Something has to give. Not forever. Just for now.

If you’ve been stretched thin, running on autopilot or telling yourself you should be able to handle everything on your plate, I hope this episode reminds you that you don’t have to completely burn yourself into the ground before you’ve earned the right to slow down.

Thank you for continuing to listen, share and be part of Becoming Sound. 💛

Listen to Becoming Sound wherever you get your podcasts.

Connect with Us:

🔗 Website:  https://kristazaft.com/

🔗 Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/zaftkrista/

🔗 Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/krista.zaft/

🔗 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kristazaft

👉 Grab the free Self Love guide at kristazaft.com to start unlearning the patterns of over-functioning and begin building a life where you're supported, seen, and thriving.

Please Note: The views, information and opinions expressed during the Becoming Sound podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved. The content of this podcast is to educate, inform and for entertainment purposes only. This podcast series  and the content presented does not constitute for medical or other professional advice or services. If you are in crisis or in need of help, please contact your medical or professional provider.

What if anxiety isn’t simply something happening in your mind, but something your body learned in order to survive?

In this episode of Becoming Sound, Krista sits down with author and recovery advocate Caroline Beidler for an open conversation about anxiety, childhood trauma, panic attacks, addiction recovery, and what it can look like to build a life where anxiety no longer runs the show.

Caroline shares how anxiety showed up early in her childhood, long before she had language for what she was experiencing. Growing up in an alcoholic home and experiencing trauma, bullying, and instability left her feeling constantly on edge. Eventually, drugs and alcohol became a way to cope with the discomfort she felt inside herself. Years into addiction recovery, another layer surfaced: severe panic attacks that forced her to recognize that she needed more support.

Together, Krista and Caroline talk about recognizing the early signs of anxiety, creating emotional safety for our children and loved ones, and changing the question from “What’s wrong with you?” to “What happened to you?”

Caroline also shares the combination of supports that helped her heal, and what she calls her “recovery rhythms.”

They also discuss Caroline’s book, When Anxiety Won’t Let Go, From Panic to Peace and why small, consistent practices can become an important part of changing our patterns and caring for our mental health.

In This Episode, We Talk About:

• How childhood trauma and adverse experiences can show up as anxiety
• Recognizing when anxiety has moved beyond everyday stress
• Why language matters when someone we love is struggling
• The power of asking “What happened?” instead of “What’s wrong?”
• Panic attacks and learning to recognize early warning signs
• Therapy, medication, faith and community as complementary supports
• Creating “recovery rhythms” that support mental health
• Why real human connection matters

Caroline’s message throughout this conversation is hopeful: our patterns are not necessarily permanent. With support, tools and consistent care, things can change.

About Caroline Beidler

Caroline Beidler is an author, recovery advocate and Managing Editor at Recovery.com. Drawing from both lived experience and her work in the recovery field, Caroline speaks openly about addiction recovery, anxiety, mental health and the importance of connection.

Her book When Anxiety Won’t Let Go is part of The Grit and Grace Project’s Smart Living in Small Bites series and offers practical reflections, journaling opportunities and tools for people navigating anxiety.

Connect with Caroline: 

CarolineBeidler.com

@CarolineBeidler_Official

CarolineBeidler.substack.com

https://recovery.com/

https://thegritandgraceproject.org/guidebooks/when-anxiety-wont-let-go

Connect with Us:

https://kristazaft.com/

https://www.instagram.com/zaftkrista/

https://www.facebook.com/krista.zaft/

https://www.youtube.com/@kristazaft

👉 Grab the free Self Love guide at kristazaft.com to start unlearning the patterns of over-functioning and begin building a life where you're supported, seen, and thriving.

Please Note: The views, information and opinions expressed during the Becoming Sound podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved. The content of this podcast is to educate, inform and for entertainment purposes only. This podcast series  and the content presented does not constitute for medical or other professional advice or services. If you are in crisis or in need of help, please contact your medical or professional provider.

What if recovery wasn't about giving something up...

What if it was about getting yourself back?

In this powerful episode of Becoming Sound, Krista sits down with Alcohol Freedom and Transformation Coach Jacki Fleniken to explore her journey from quietly drinking up to a dozen beers a day to living a life she never thought was possible.

Jacki shares how alcohol slowly became woven into her everyday life, the shame of hiding her drinking, the physical and emotional warning signs she ignored, and the moment she realized she wanted something different for herself.

Together, Krista and Jacki unpack why so many people silently struggle with alcohol, especially women, and why recovery is about so much more than simply quitting drinking. They explore identity, self trust, emotional healing, subconscious patterns, and what it means to truly become free.

Whether you're questioning your own relationship with alcohol, supporting someone you love, or simply interested in understanding addiction and recovery through a compassionate lens, this conversation offers hope, honesty, and practical insight.

If this episode resonated with you...

Please subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who may need a reminder that change is possible. Every conversation helps reduce shame and reminds us that none of us have to heal alone. 

Connect with Jacki Fleniken

🔗 Website:https://www.coachingbyjacki.com/index.html 

🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jackifleniken/

🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jacki.fleniken.2025/

Connect with Us: 

🔗 Website:  https://kristazaft.com/

🔗 Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/zaftkrista/

🔗 Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/krista.zaft/

🔗 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kristazaft

👉 Grab the free Self Love guide at kristazaft.com to start unlearning the patterns of over-functioning and begin building a life where you're supported, seen, and thriving.

Please Note: The views, information and opinions expressed during the Becoming Sound podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved. The content of this podcast is to educate, inform and for entertainment purposes only. This podcast series  and the content presented does not constitute for medical or other professional advice or services. If you are in crisis or in need of help, please contact your medical or professional provider.

Friendships change.

Sometimes they grow stronger. Sometimes they quietly drift apart. And sometimes healing changes us so much that the relationships we once held onto no longer fit.

In this replayed episode of Oversharing with Shannon, we're having an honest conversation about female friendship, the impact of growing up in dysfunction, and how healing reshapes the way we connect with others.

We talk about people pleasing, outgrowing relationships, becoming more intentional with who we let into our lives, and why the friendships that last aren't usually the loudest. They're the ones where you can show up exactly as you are.

If you've ever found yourself wondering why your circle looks different than it did a few years ago, this conversation is for you.

In this episode, we explore:

• How childhood experiences influence the way we build friendships
• Why healing often changes the people we connect with
• Letting go of friendships that no longer align without carrying guilt
• The role boundaries play in healthy relationships
• How motherhood and life transitions reshape our circles
• Building deeper, more authentic connections
• Why women thrive in community
• Learning that real friendship leaves room for both laughter and the messy middle

Because the goal isn't to have the biggest circle. It's to have relationships where you feel safe enough to be yourself.

Want personalized support? Book a free strategy call to explore how coaching can help you reclaim your energy, confidence and vision for a life that actually feels good.

Connect with Us: 

🔗 Website:  https://kristazaft.com/

🔗 Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/zaftkrista/

🔗 Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/krista.zaft/

Please Note: The views, information and opinions expressed during the Becoming Sound podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved. The content of this podcast is to educate, inform and for entertainment purposes only. This podcast series  and the content presented does not constitute for medical or other professional advice or services. If you are in crisis or in need of help, please contact your medical or professional provider.

Healing doesn't happen in isolation.

It happens when we're willing to be seen, to witness others, and to reconnect with the parts of ourselves we've lost along the way.

In this replayed conversation, I sit down with Kathryn Sforcina to explore the power of community, the soul wounds we carry, and what it means to come home to ourselves after years of living beneath expectations, labels, and old survival patterns.

Together, we talk about navigating life's transitions, embracing the wisdom that comes with every season, and why healing isn't about becoming someone new. It's about remembering who you've always been.

If you've ever felt disconnected from yourself or longed for a deeper sense of belonging, this conversation is an invitation to slow down, get curious, and trust the unfolding of your own journey.

In this episode, we explore:

• Why healing is meant to happen in connection, not isolation
• How old wounds shape the way we move through life
• The "concrete" we build around ourselves and how to begin breaking it apart
• Reconnecting with the parts of ourselves we've hidden or forgotten
• The wisdom that can emerge through life's biggest transitions
• Why labels can keep us stuck long after we've outgrown them
• The importance of being witnessed and witnessing others
• Creating space for growth, authenticity, and meaningful connection

Healing isn't about having all the answers. Sometimes it's simply about finding the courage to come home to yourself, one layer at a time.

Connect with Kathryn Here:

🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kathrynsforcina/Keywords

🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathrynsforcina/?originalSubdomain=au

🔗 https://www.wildtribes.com.au/

🔗 https://books.by/kathrynsforcina

Connect with Krista: 

🔗 Website:  https://kristazaft.com/

🔗 Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/zaftkrista/

🔗 Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/krista.zaft/

🔗 TikTok:   https://www.tiktok.com/@kristazaft?lang=en

🔗 YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@kristazaft

👉 Grab the free Self Love guide at kristazaft.com to start unlearning the patterns of over-functioning and begin building a life where you're supported, seen, and thriving.

Please Note: The views, information and opinions expressed during the Becoming Sound podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved. The content of this podcast is to educate, inform and for entertainment purposes only. This podcast series  and the content presented does not constitute for medical or other professional advice or services. If you are in crisis or in need of help, please contact your medical or professional provider.

Growing up in a home impacted by addiction changes you in ways you often don't recognize until adulthood.

The people pleasing. The hypervigilance. The fear of speaking up. The feeling that you have to hold everything together.

In this replayed conversation, I sit down with author Jody Lamb as she shares what it was like growing up with an alcoholic mother and the journey of healing that followed. Together, we explore the lasting impact of childhood dysfunction, the power of community, and why sharing our stories can become one of the most healing things we ever do.

Whether you're an adult child of addiction, love someone who struggles, or are working to break generational patterns for your own family, this conversation is a reminder that your past may shape you, but it doesn't have to define you.

In this episode, we explore:

• Growing up as an adult child of alcoholism and its lasting impact
• Why telling your story can be a powerful part of healing
• Learning to set boundaries without guilt
• The role community plays in recovery and growth
• Releasing shame and understanding addiction isn't your fault
• Small daily choices that support long term healing
• Breaking generational cycles for yourself and future generations
• Finding your voice after years of staying quiet

Healing isn't about pretending the past didn't happen. It's about understanding it, learning from it, and choosing a different path forward.

Connect with Jody Here:

🔗 https://www.jodylamb.com/

🔗 https://www.youtube.com/jodylamb

🔗 https://www.instagram.com/jodymlamb

Connect with Us Here:

🔗 Website: https://kristazaft.com/

🔗 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kristazaft

🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zaftkrista/

🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/krista.zaft/

💬 Want personalized support? Book a free strategy call to explore how coaching can help you reclaim your energy, self-trust, and vision for a life that actually feels good.

Please Note: The views, information and opinions expressed during the Becoming Sound podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved. The content of this podcast is to educate, inform and for entertainment purposes only. This podcast series  and the content presented does not constitute for medical or other professional advice or services. If you are in crisis or in need of help, please contact your medical or professional provider.

Divorce isn't just the end of a relationship. For many people, it's the loss of an identity, a future they imagined, and the version of themselves they thought they were supposed to be.

In this replayed conversation, I sit down with Jeff Kolez to talk about what happens after everything changes. We explore grief, rebuilding your sense of self, emotional resilience, and why vulnerability is one of the greatest strengths we can develop, especially for men who have often been taught to carry their struggles in silence.

Whether you've experienced divorce yourself, are navigating a major life transition, or simply find yourself wondering, "Who am I now?", this conversation is an honest reminder that healing isn't about becoming who you were before. It's about discovering who you're becoming next.

In this episode, we explore:

• Why divorce often feels like an identity crisis
• The grief that comes with letting go of the life you expected
• Why emotional intelligence is a skill worth developing
• How relationships reflect the parts of ourselves that still need healing
• The importance of vulnerability and asking for support
• Teaching resilience by modeling it for our children
• Taking ownership of your healing without carrying shame
• Rebuilding confidence and creating a meaningful next chapter

This is a conversation about loss, growth, and the courage it takes to begin again. If you're in a season of transition, this episode is a reminder that sometimes the hardest endings become the beginning of the life you were meant to build.

Connect with Jeff:

🔗 Website: https://jeffkolez.com/

🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeffkolez/

Connect with Us: 

🔗 Website:  https://kristazaft.com/

🔗 Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/zaftkrista/

🔗 Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/krista.zaft/

🔗 YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@kristazaft

✨ If this episode resonated with you, hit follow and share it with someone who needs to hear it. Subscribe on YouTube and your favorite podcast platform for more real talk and messy middles that lead to becoming sound.

Please Note: The views, information and opinions expressed during the Becoming Sound podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved. The content of this podcast is to educate, inform and for entertainment purposes only. This podcast series  and the content presented does not constitute for medical or other professional advice or services. If you are in crisis or in need of help, please contact your medical or professional provider.

100 episodes.

Honestly...we're still a little shocked.

For this milestone episode, Shannon and I decided to skip the "look how far we've come" speech and instead have the conversation we've actually been having lately.

The things we simply don't have the energy for anymore.

From people pleasing, one sided friendships and chasing unrealistic beauty standards to uncomfortable bras, winter driving and explaining ourselves...nothing was off limits.

But this episode isn't just about what we're leaving behind.

It's about what we've discovered actually matters.

Peace.
Connection.
Kindness.
Boundaries.
Being present.
Finding your people.
Learning to listen.
Choosing yourself without guilt.

Somewhere along the way, we realized that growing older isn't about becoming less...

It's about becoming more yourself.

Thank you for being part of these first 100 episodes. Whether you've listened from the beginning or just found Becoming Sound recently, we're incredibly grateful you're here.

Here's to the next 100.

In this episode we talk about:

• Celebrating 100 episodes of Becoming Sound
• Why our tolerance for drama gets lower with age
• Letting go of people pleasing and over explaining
• One sided friendships and learning when to walk away
• Why authenticity becomes more important than approval
• The beauty of slowing down and being fully present
• What actually matters most in this season of life
• Gratitude, growth and what this podcast has taught us

Resources we talked about:

https://poppyseedsoapco.ca/

https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/peaceful-warrior

Connect with Us

If this episode resonated with you, We’d love to hear from you.

Please subscribe, leave a review and share this episode with someone who needs the reminder that life gets lighter when we stop carrying what was never ours to begin with.

And if you're local to the Edmonton, Spruce Grove or Stony Plain area, come join us at Unfiltered AF, where we create space for real conversations, real growth and real connection. You’ll find the event details Here

🔗 Website:  https://kristazaft.com/

🔗 Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/zaftkrista/

🔗 Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/krista.zaft/

🔗 TikTok:   https://www.tiktok.com/@kristazaft?lang=en

🔗 YouTube: https://youtu.be/_S3OBA0fSO8

Please Note: The views, information and opinions expressed during the Becoming Sound podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved. The content of this podcast is to educate, inform and for entertainment purposes only. This podcast series  and the content presented does not constitute for medical or other professional advice or services. If you are in crisis or in need of help, please contact your medical or professional provider.

In this solo episode of Becoming Sound, Krista reflects on powerful questions that emerged from the May Unfiltered AF mental health event. Drawing from her personal experience of loving a child through addiction, she shares honest insights about people pleasing, control, guilt, boundaries, and what it really means to come home to yourself after years of survival mode.

Krista explores the difference between helping and enabling, why so many of us become fixers and rescuers, and how self abandonment often happens so gradually that we don't even notice it. She also shares the lessons that changed her life as a parent, including the importance of support groups, self awareness, boundaries, and learning to care for yourself without guilt.

If you've ever felt responsible for someone else's choices, struggled with people pleasing, or wondered how to support a loved one without losing yourself in the process, this conversation is for you.

5 Key Takeaways

• Helping and enabling are not the same thing.
• Guilt and shame thrive in isolation.
• Self abandonment rarely happens all at once.
• Boundaries are an act of love.
• Recovery isn't just for the person struggling.

Resources Mentioned

Al-Anon Family Groups

Support for anyone affected by someone else's drinking or substance use.

Al-Anon Family Groups Official Website

PEP Society (Parents Empowering Parents)

A Canadian organization supporting families impacted by substance use and addiction.

PEP Society of Alberta

Brandi Mac

Recovery advocate, speaker, and author of Do What You Can Live With.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_original_brandi_mac/

Website: Brandi Mac Official Website

Connect with Krista

🔗 Website:  https://kristazaft.com/

🔗 Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/zaftkrista/

🔗 Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/krista.zaft/

🔗 TikTok:   https://www.tiktok.com/@kristazaft?lang=en

🔗 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kristazaft

Follow along for conversations about addiction, recovery, boundaries, self trust, mental health, and becoming the most authentic version of yourself.

If This Episode Resonated With You...

Please subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who may need to hear it. Every conversation helps break the silence around addiction, mental health, and healing.

Because none of us were meant to carry it all alone. 💛

Please Note: The views, information and opinions expressed during the Becoming Sound podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved. The content of this podcast is to educate, inform and for entertainment purposes only. This podcast series  and the content presented does not constitute for medical or other professional advice or services. If you are in crisis or in need of help, please contact your medical or professional provider.