Bottomless to Sober

Bottomless to Sober

By Jessica DueñasEducationSelf-Improvement
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Bottomless to Sober episodes

  • 66. "You are not a before and after photo."

    In this episode:

    In this episode, I reflect on how sobriety reshaped my relationship with my body, and why I now lean on neutral affirmations to speak to myself with honesty and care.

    Resources:

    Just Eat It by Laura Thomas - The book I got the quote from in the episode

    Coaching Information

    Bottomless to Sober – Coaching, Classes, and Workshops⁠⁠

    Transcript

    12 min
  • 65. Fall Down Seven Times, Get Up Eight

    In this episode:

    Imagine being at the pinnacle of your career, celebrated as Kentucky State Teacher of the Year, while secretly battling severe addiction. That's the reality I faced, living a double life until a car accident shattered my illusions and forced me to confront my need for recovery. Inspired by Paulo Coelho's wisdom, "The secret of life is to fall seven times and to get up eight," I share my tumultuous journey through multiple treatment stints over 14 months, debunking the myth that recovery is a simple, linear path. Join me as I open up about the painful truths and the resilience needed to continually rise after each fall.

    Resources:

    Coaching Information

    Bottomless to Sober – Coaching, Classes, and Workshops⁠⁠

    Transcript

    11 min
  • 64. Breaking Free From The 'Good Girl' Mask

    In this episode:

    Jessica explores the emotional cost of people-pleasing and the liberation found in breaking the “good girl” script. Reflecting on her own experiences before and after sobriety, she shares how unlearning the need to be liked led to deeper self-worth and authentic healing. This episode speaks directly to women in recovery who are learning to say no, set boundaries, and reclaim their truth—without apology. Jessica leaves listeners with heartfelt reflection questions and a bold reminder: you are still good, even when you're no longer the “good girl.”

    Resources:

    Coaching Information

    Bottomless to Sober – Coaching, Classes, and Workshops⁠⁠

    Transcript

    10 min
  • 63. Shame Is a Liar: Reclaiming Your Worth and Breaking Free

    In this episode:

    Shame is sneaky—it twists our thoughts and keeps us stuck. In this episode, Jessica gets real about how shame shaped her struggles with addiction, relapse, and self-worth. She shares personal stories, unpacks common shame traps, and offers powerful questions to help you shift your narrative.

    Ready to rewrite your story? Tune in for a raw, honest conversation and take your first step toward self-compassion. You are not defined by your past—you define you.

    Resources:

    Coaching Information

    Bottomless to Sober – Coaching, Classes, and Workshops⁠⁠

    Transcript

    20 min
  • 62.The Hidden Reason Tough Conversations Set You Off – And How to Fix It

    In this episode:

    You ever have a conversation that immediately sets you off? Like, your whole body tenses up, your heart starts racing, and suddenly, you’re 10 years old again? Yeah, same. In this episode, I’m sharing a personal story about my late mother, a comment about my body that sent me, and what I wish I had realized in the moment.

    Resources:

    Bottomless to Sober – Coaching, Classes, and Workshops⁠⁠

    Values Assessment

    Transcript

    10 min
  • 61. Teaching People How to Treat Us

    In this episode:

    I dive into the powerful quote by Nedra Glover Tawwab: "We teach people how to treat us by how we treat ourselves," reflecting on a moment at work when I had to assert my boundaries with a student and contrasting it with my past struggles as a teacher battling alcohol addiction and self-doubt.

    Resources:

    Bottomless to Sober – Coaching, Classes, and Workshops⁠⁠

    ⁠Six-Week Writing to Heal Program – Starts March 3⁠

    Transcript

    10 min
  • 60. You Can't Save Them

    In this episode:

    In this episode, I shares my personal journey with addiction and the painful realization that no amount of love or intervention can save someone struggling with addiction—only the individual can choose to change. Drawing on my own experiences and a listener’s inquiry, I explain that while setting healthy boundaries is essential for those who support someone in recovery, self-care must come first. Ultimately, recovery is an inside job and that while support is available, the decision to heal must come from within.

    Resources:

    Bottomless to Sober – Coaching, Classes, and Workshops⁠⁠

    ⁠Six-Week Writing to Heal Program – Starts March 3⁠

    Transcript

    10 min
  • 59. Love, Lies, and Liquor: How Sobriety Helped Me See Red Flags Clearly

    In this episode:

    Valentine’s Day once amplified my feelings of lack and low self-worth, fueling my drinking and poor relationship choices. In this episode, I share how alcohol blurred red flags in dating and the moment I first admitted, “I think I might be an alcoholic.” Sobriety gave me clarity—red flags stay red now. Let’s reframe this season as a reminder of what we do have: self-worth, clarity, and choice.

    Resources:

    Bottomless to Sober – Coaching, Classes, and Workshops⁠⁠

    ⁠Six-Week Writing to Heal Program – Starts March 3⁠

    Transcript

    14 min
  • 58. Identity, Atomic Habits, and the Power of Self-Perception

    In this episode:

    How we see ourselves shapes the choices we make every day. In this episode, I dive into the game-changing concept from James Clear’sAtomic Habits: the power of identity-based habits. I share how fully embracing the mindset of “I’m a non-drinker” can become a turning point in anyone's sobriety journey—helping me push past societal pressures and self-doubt.

    We’ll explore how shifting your self-perception can make or break your personal growth, and why the key to lasting change isn’t just about what you do, butwho you believe you are. Plus, we’ll discuss why there’s no one-size-fits-all approach and how to create strategies that truly resonate with your unique path.

    Resources:

    Bottomless to Sober – Coaching, Classes, and Workshops⁠⁠

    ⁠Six-Week Writing to Heal Program – Starts March 3⁠

    Transcript

    14 min
  • 57. The Most Complicated Person I Ever Loved

    In this episode:

    Can joy and grief coexist? In this episode, I reflect on welcoming my daughter, Amara, while mourning my mother, Amable Rojas Vargas. From her journey from Costa Rica to Brooklyn to the complexities of our relationship, I explore the beauty in duality through the lens of sobriety and recovery.

    I also dive into the grip of fear—how it shapes our choices, from plane crashes to everyday risks—and the dangers of isolation. Let’s navigate these emotions together, finding strength in connection and shared experiences.

    Resources:

    Bottomless to Sober – Coaching, Classes, and Workshops⁠⁠

    ⁠Atomic Habits Book Study With The Luckiest Club⁠ - Starts February 6

    ⁠Six-Week Writing to Heal Program – Starts March 3⁠

    Transcript

    19 min

About Bottomless to Sober

From the publisher's feed

Bottomless to Sober is an 85-episode podcast archive for anyone navigating sobriety, recovery, or life after alcohol. Host Jessica Dueñas, mom, writer, life coach, and former Kentucky State Teacher of the Year, shares raw and honest stories about addiction, healing, relapse, grief, motherhood, and rebuilding your life with compassion and clarity.