Bottomless to Sober

Bottomless to Sober

By Jessica DueñasEducationSelf-Improvement
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Bottomless to Sober episodes

  • 16. Sara's journey. From surviving to thriving.

    In this episode:

    Content Warning: Discussion of sexual assault.

    Sara, a survivor of sexual assault, struggled with substance abuse to escape her pain. But realizing its temporary relief and the dark path she was on, she eventually embarked on her recovery journey. (Sara shared her story anonymously with me and asked that I change her name to protect her privacy.)

    Resources:

    Ian's Dedication

    Original Blog Piece Cited

    Old Printer Sounds

    Bottomless to Sober – Coaching, Writing Classes, and Workshops

    Transcript

    32 min
  • 15. My experience with alcoholic liver disease (ALD)

    In this episode:

    I discuss my experience of having alcoholic liver disease (ALD) and answer common questions. How did I know that I had it? What was the treatment? What were the signs of ALD?

    Resources:

    TikTok on ALD

    NPR - Sharp, 'Off The Charts' Rise In Alcoholic Liver Disease Among Young Women

    Bottomless to Sober – Workshops, Writing Classes, and Coaching

    Transcript

    22 min
  • 14. Practicing Self-Compassion Part 2 - You're Your Own Best Source of Wisdom

    In this episode:

    In this episode, I discuss the power of looking at your past as full of learning experiences rather than letting shame and guilt overpower you. You're the best source of knowledge for how to navigate decision-making moving forward. It's a matter of tapping into yourself to be able to do so.

    Resources:

    Poem - I have been a thousand different women

    Bottomless to Sober – Workshops, Writing Classes, and Coaching

    Transcript

    14 min
  • 13. Practicing Self-Compassion Part 1 - When Others Let Us Down

    In this episode:

    You don't have to be a sober person in recovery to have a history of making poor choices. In this episode, I discuss coping with the highs and lows of dealing with other humans being flawed individuals and how you can extract information from your experiences to keep you mindful and not jaded. People only show us what they choose to reveal, so how can we be kind to ourselves when we miss red flags?

    Resources:

    Jessica's Instagram

    Bottomless to Sober – Workshops, Writing Classes, and Coaching

    Transcript

    19 min
  • 12. Back to School Chat with Sober Educator Brian

    In this episode:

    In this episode, I sit down with Brian, a school administrator with a remarkable journey to share. Brian opens up about his past as one of the few Black male elementary school teachers he knew. On top of that, he shares how he battled alcohol addiction and navigated the challenging road to sobriety. Listen to learn about educators' struggles as they balance teaching responsibilities with personal demons and what tools you can take for your journey.

    Resources:

    Sign Up for the Free Sober Educator Pop Up Support Group Meeting

    Follow Brian: @teacherhootnhowl on TikTok, Threads, B-R-I-A-N Linktree

    Explore Brian's Support Groups: Sober Together Facebook Group and Sober Together Marco Polo

    Bottomless to Sober - Workshops, Writing Classes, and Coaching

    Transcript

    51 min
  • 11. Finding Purpose Through Pain: Martin Lockett's DUI Manslaughter Story

    Content warning - Description of a car crash and death

    In this episode:

    I connect with Martin Lockett, who recently reached the second anniversary of his release from prison after serving 17.5 years for a DUI manslaughter charge. Martin provides an insightful reflection on his childhood, particularly the mindset of a teen trapped in a cycle of making poor choices and how an environment can impact an individual. Martin also discusses how the experience of causing a tragedy and subsequently going to prison, instead of cementing the ceiling placed over his head by society, enabled him to shatter it.


    Resources:

    Martin Lockett - Public Speaker, Author, Counselor

    Follow Martin on Instagram

    Bottomless to Sober – Coaching, Writing Classes, and Workshops

    My apologies, I had tech issues and was unable to pull the transcript for this conversation.

    53 min
  • 10. My Sister's Love Through My Addiction

    In this episode:

    I share my recovery story a lot, but in this episode, I sit down with my big sis, Sofia, to have a raw conversation about her part in my story of addiction and recovery. Several key things we discuss in this episode:

    1. Professional help. The person with the addiction isn't the only one who benefits from it.
    2. Managing guilt.
    3. Understanding what is in your locus of control.
    4. Setting boundaries.
    5. Current worries.
    6. If this episode touches your heart, you MAY feel inspired to follow my sister Sofia or say hello. Sofia's boundary is she will not welcome strangers following her/adding her as a friend, so if you listen to this and want to send her a message, please message me, and I'll pass it on to her. :)

      Resources:

      Op-Ed That Went Viral

      Bipolar I vs Bipolar II: Breaking Down The Differences

      What is the Baker Act?

      Bottomless to Sober – Coaching, Writing Classes, and Workshops

      Link to Transcript


      47 min
    7. 9. It's been a hard day, and I will not drink with you

      In this episode:

      I share about navigating through a day of feeling triggered after a disagreement in a personal relationship, and share specific strategies for getting through the tough days without a drink.

      Resources:

      Poem From Agridulce - Dhayana Alejandrina

      Bottomless to Sober – Coaching, Writing Classes, and Workshops

      Transcript

      18 min
    8. 8. What is in my control?

      In this episode:

      I talk through the process of identifying that which is in our control (or not) in order to help alleviate stress. I also walk through a journal exercise you can do on your own, or you can grab a free worksheet if you prefer to print and do this exercise on a handout. 

      Resources:

      What Is In My Control Worksheet

      Bottomless to Sober – Coaching, Writing Classes, and Workshops

      Transcript

      15 min
    9. 7. My Life Since Sobriety: From Wanting to Willing

      In this episode:

      Content Warning - language

      I discuss how I went from wanting to get sober (but still drinking) to actually becoming willing to do the work to get sober, including information on how I got my bipolar II diagnosis, being willing to use medication, deciding to get off prescription medication, and what I do today to maintain sobriety. 

      Resources:

      National Institute of Mental Health - Bipolar Disorder

      Bottomless to Sober - Blog, Writing Classes, Workshops, and Coaching Support

      Transcript

      35 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.