Confident Sober Women

This conversation with Dr. Dawnmarie Risley-Childs stays with you. Not because it’s easy to hear, but because it’s real.

Dawnmarie shares her story of growing up in severe abuse and how that shaped her path into psychiatry, and eventually into a much deeper kind of healing. What stands out isn’t just what she’s been through, it’s how she talks about responsibility, boundaries, and what it actually takes to move forward when your past feels overwhelming.

There’s an honest look at things many women in recovery quietly wrestle with. The difference between coping and healing. The weight we carry in our bodies. The complicated truth about family, especially when safety and love don’t exist in the same place.

You’ll also hear a grounded perspective on newer approaches to trauma recovery, including psychedelic-assisted therapy, and why some people turn to it after trying everything else.

A few things we get into:

• What long-term trauma can do to your sense of self
 • Why boundaries can feel so uncomfortable, especially with family
 • The connection between trauma recovery and the body
 • Letting go of what you’ve been carrying for years
 • What real emotional healing can look like over time

This episode speaks directly to sober women and women in recovery who are doing the deeper work. The kind that goes beyond just removing alcohol and into rebuilding a life that actually feels steady and honest.

If you’ve ever felt stuck in your sobriety journey, or like you’ve done a lot of work but something still feels heavy, this conversation might land in a meaningful way.

About the Host
 Shelby John is a licensed therapist and founder of Wholistic Living. Through the Confident Sober Women podcast, she explores sobriety, mental health, nervous system regulation, and emotional healing for women building a life after alcohol.

Connect with Shelby
 Website: https://shelbyjohn.com

Podcast: Confident Sober Women

Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

Support the show

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate & share this episode with a sober woman or someone suffering from anxiety, depression, ADHD, sleep problems and negative thought patterns who needs to hear she is not alone. 

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, my remote Neurofeedback Therapy program is up and running. Learn more here! Learn more about EMDR therapy, EMDR Intensives and Remote Neurofeedback.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

Some stories stay with you, not because they’re dramatic, but because they’re honest.

In this conversation, Shelby sits down with Vivian Moyo, a trauma-informed life coach, to talk about what it really means to heal after deep loss. Vivian shares her experience of losing her mother at a young age, growing up without her father, and navigating layers of grief that followed her into adulthood.

What stands out isn’t just the pain, but the patterns that formed around it. People pleasing. Overgiving. Losing yourself while trying to take care of everyone else.

They talk openly about how trauma can shape identity, relationships, and emotional habits, and what it looks like to slowly come back to yourself. Not through quick fixes, but through awareness, boundaries, and doing the uncomfortable work of facing what’s been avoided.

There’s also a strong focus on emotional sobriety. Not just staying away from alcohol, but learning how to sit with your feelings without escaping them.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• The impact of early childhood trauma and unresolved grief
 • How people pleasing and overhelping can become coping mechanisms
 • The role of creativity as a tool for emotional healing
 • Letting go of relationships, habits, and identities that no longer fit
 • Building boundaries and learning to choose yourself
 • What emotional sobriety looks like in everyday life

This is a grounded, real conversation for women in recovery, sober curious women, and anyone working through trauma, loss, or major life transitions.

About the Guest
Vivian Moyo is a qualified life coach and trauma-informed therapist who helps individuals heal from their past, overcome emotional challenges, and build a life rooted in clarity and confidence. Her work is shaped by both professional training and lived experience.

Website: https://moyowellnesstherapy.com/

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@moyowellnesstherapy

Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/76edyttlLES02qLHBdHrTH

TikTok: @moyowellnesstherapy

About the Host
Shelby John is a licensed therapist and founder of Wholistic Living. Through the Confident Sober Women podcast, she explores sobriety, emotional healing, nervous system health, and personal growth for women building lives rooted in clarity, confidence, and true freedom.

Website: https://shelbyjohn.com

Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

Support the show

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate & share this episode with a sober woman or someone suffering from anxiety, depression, ADHD, sleep problems and negative thought patterns who needs to hear she is not alone. 

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, my remote Neurofeedback Therapy program is up and running. Learn more here! Learn more about EMDR therapy, EMDR Intensives and Remote Neurofeedback.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

What if sobriety is less about labels and more about how you live, think, and feel each day?

In this episode, Shelby sits down with transformation coach Heather Simco to talk about a more honest and grounded approach to recovery. With over a decade of sobriety and more than 20 years in entrepreneurship, Heather shares how high-achieving women can move beyond burnout, alcohol, and self-sabotage by focusing on emotional sobriety, not just abstinence.

They explore the patterns that often go unnoticed, including shifting addictions, perfectionism, overconsumption, and the constant search for relief. This conversation looks beyond quitting alcohol and focuses on what it actually takes to feel well in your daily life, mentally, physically, and emotionally.

Heather also shares her personal story, including rebuilding relationships, navigating motherhood, and the level of awareness it takes to stay grounded in recovery. If you have ever questioned your habits, your coping mechanisms, or what real freedom looks like, this episode offers a clear and practical perspective.

In this episode, you will hear about:

• Reframing sobriety and removing the stigma around the word “addict”
• Emotional sobriety and its role in long-term healing
• Hidden addictions such as food, control, and productivity
• Nervous system regulation and mental health in sobriety
• Building a balanced and sustainable life after alcohol

This conversation is for sober women, sober curious women, and anyone on a sobriety journey who is focused on emotional healing, mental health, and building a more stable and clear life.

About the Guest
Heather Simco is a transformation coach and founder of Complete Concierge Solutions and Sober Boss Babe. She helps high-achieving women break free from burnout, alcohol, and self-sabotage through mental, physical, and emotional sobriety. Her work focuses on helping women reclaim their energy, strengthen their leadership, and build aligned lives and businesses.

Connect with Heather:

Website: www.heathersimco.com
Instagram: @heathersimco
TikTok: @heathesimco
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@heathersimco

About the Host

Shelby John is a licensed therapist and founder of Wholistic Living. Through the Confident Sober Women podcast, she explores mental health and sobriety, trauma recovery, and personal growth for women who are building lives rooted in clarity, confidence, and real freedom.

Website: https://shelbyjohn.com

Support the show

If this episode was helpful, consider subscribing, rating, or sharing it with someone who might need it. This could be a sober woman, someone exploring life after alcohol, or anyone working through anxiety, depression, or emotional challenges.

Shelby also offers remote neurofeedback therapy and EMDR as part of her work in trauma recovery and nervous system regulation. You can learn more on her website.

Her memoir, Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety, is available wherever books are sold.

Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

Support the show

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate & share this episode with a sober woman or someone suffering from anxiety, depression, ADHD, sleep problems and negative thought patterns who needs to hear she is not alone. 

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, my remote Neurofeedback Therapy program is up and running. Learn more here! Learn more about EMDR therapy, EMDR Intensives and Remote Neurofeedback.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

In this episode of Confident Sober Women, Shelby sits down with Colette Baron-Reid for an honest conversation about what long-term sobriety really looks like in real life.

With more than 40 years of sobriety, Colette shares her experience with addiction, recovery, and the deeper emotional work that followed. This conversation moves beyond quitting alcohol and focuses on what it takes to stay well over time. They talk about trauma, identity, and the ongoing commitment to growth that comes with living in recovery.

Shelby and Colette also explore the realities of 12-step recovery, the role of humility, and how patterns shaped by the nervous system and past experiences can continue to show up even after getting sober. Colette speaks openly about her healing journey, including her experience with EMDR, and how her understanding of recovery has evolved over the years.

This episode will resonate with women in recovery who are asking what comes next after sobriety and how to build a life that feels steady, clear, and grounded.

In this episode, you will hear about:

• The difference between early sobriety and long-term recovery
• Emotional healing and trauma recovery after addiction
• Nervous system regulation and mental health in sobriety
• The role of community, structure, and humility
• Letting go of identity patterns that no longer serve you

Colette Baron-Reid is an internationally respected author, artist, educator, and spiritual intuitive. She is the co-author of The Art of Manifesting: A Meditative Drawing Practice to Rewire Your Brain and Create Your Reality and has been in recovery for over four decades.

Connect with Colette:

Website: https://www.colettebaronreid.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/ColetteBaronReid/featured
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/colettebaronreid
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colettebaron_reid/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colettebaronreid/

About the Host:

Shelby John is a licensed therapist and founder of Wholistic Living. Through the Confident Sober Women podcast, she explores sobriety, emotional healing, nervous system regulation, and personal growth for women who are building lives rooted in clarity, confidence, and real freedom.

Website: https://shelbyjohn.com

Support the show

If this episode resonated with you, consider subscribing, rating, or sharing it with someone who may need it. This could be a sober woman, someone in a sobriety journey, or anyone navigating mental health challenges, anxiety, or emotional healing.

Shelby also offers remote neurofeedback therapy and EMDR sessions as part of her work in trauma recovery and nervous system regulation. You can learn more on her website.

Her memoir, Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety, is also available wherever books are sold.

Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

Support the show

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate & share this episode with a sober woman or someone suffering from anxiety, depression, ADHD, sleep problems and negative thought patterns who needs to hear she is not alone. 

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, my remote Neurofeedback Therapy program is up and running. Learn more here! Learn more about EMDR therapy, EMDR Intensives and Remote Neurofeedback.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

In this episode of Confident Sober Women, Shelby sits down with entrepreneur, podcast host, and author Sarah Barnes Humphrey for a conversation about identity, resilience, and rebuilding life after everything falls apart.

Sarah shares the story of what she calls the worst day of her life. Just days before her 37th birthday, her family’s logistics company suddenly closed, leaving her without the career path she had spent nearly two decades building. What followed was a period of grief, uncertainty, and deep reflection about self-worth, purpose, and what comes next.

Sarah talks about the emotional reality of starting over and the messy middle that many women experience when life does not go according to plan. Through that process, she began to redefine success, rebuild her confidence, and eventually grow the podcast and platform that she leads today.

Shelby and Sarah explore how experiences like loss, career shifts, and personal setbacks can challenge our sense of identity but also create space for growth and emotional healing.

If you are navigating change, rebuilding confidence, or exploring life after alcohol, this conversation offers a grounded look at resilience and the power of finding your voice.

In this episode you will hear:

• How losing her family business forced Sarah to rebuild her identity
 • The emotional impact of sudden career and life changes
 • How self-worth can shift during difficult life transitions
 • The reality of entrepreneurship and the “messy middle” of growth
 • Why healing work and self-reflection matter for women in recovery

This episode speaks to many women on a sobriety journey or navigating life after alcohol, where personal growth often requires rebuilding confidence, addressing mental health and sobriety, and learning how to move forward after difficult experiences.

About the Host

Shelby John is a licensed therapist and founder of Wholistic Living. Through the Confident Sober Women podcast, she explores sobriety, emotional healing, nervous system health, and personal growth for women who are building lives rooted in clarity, confidence, and true freedom.

Connect with Shelby

Website
 https://shelbyjohn.com

Podcast
 Confident Sober Women

Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

Support the show

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate & share this episode with a sober woman or someone suffering from anxiety, depression, ADHD, sleep problems and negative thought patterns who needs to hear she is not alone. 

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, my remote Neurofeedback Therapy program is up and running. Learn more here! Learn more about EMDR therapy, EMDR Intensives and Remote Neurofeedback.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

In this episode of Confident Sober Women, Shelby sits down with recovery advocate and mindfulness teacher Lane Kennedy for an honest conversation about long-term sobriety, nervous system regulation, and what it really takes to build a stable life after alcohol.

Lane shares her journey of 29 years in recovery and reflects on the unexpected lessons that come with staying sober across decades. From early recovery to parenting, global travel, career shifts, and the challenges of navigating stress in modern life, this conversation explores how recovery continues to evolve over time.

Shelby and Lane talk openly about the role of spirituality in long-term sobriety, the reality of nervous system dysregulation, and how stress can quietly shape our habits, relationships, and health. They also explore the subtle ways addiction patterns can resurface even years into recovery and why awareness, humility, and daily practices remain essential.

Together they discuss how sobriety is not just about removing alcohol, but about building a life that feels grounded, connected, and sustainable.

If you are navigating your own sobriety journey or working on emotional healing and nervous system regulation, this episode offers both perspective and encouragement from two women who have lived the process.

In this episode you will hear:

• What long-term sobriety actually looks like after decades
 • How nervous system regulation supports emotional healing
 • Why spirituality often becomes a foundation in recovery
 • The impact of stress, parenting, and life transitions on sobriety
 • How community and connection support women in recovery

This conversation is a reminder that recovery is not a one-time event. It is a lifelong process of growth, awareness, and learning how to live with clarity and confidence.

About the Host

Shelby John is a licensed therapist and founder of Wholistic Living. Through the Confident Sober Women podcast, she explores sobriety, emotional healing, nervous system health, and personal growth for women who are building lives rooted in clarity, confidence, and true freedom.

Connect with Shelby

Website
 https://shelbyjohn.com

Podcast
 Confident Sober Women

Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

Support the show

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate & share this episode with a sober woman or someone suffering from anxiety, depression, ADHD, sleep problems and negative thought patterns who needs to hear she is not alone. 

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, my remote Neurofeedback Therapy program is up and running. Learn more here! Learn more about EMDR therapy, EMDR Intensives and Remote Neurofeedback.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

In this episode of Confident Sober Women, Shelby sits down with writer and journalist Carly Schwartz to talk about addiction, emotional sobriety, and the complicated path to recovery.

Carly is a former editor in chief of the San Francisco Examiner and a founding editor of HuffPost San Francisco. Her upcoming memoir, I’ll Try Anything Twice: Misadventures of a Self-Medicated Life, shares the honest and often surprising story of her journey through depression, drug use, and eventually sobriety.

What makes Carly’s story powerful is her ability to talk about difficult experiences with honesty, humor, and perspective. In this conversation, Shelby and Carly explore the deeper emotional work of recovery and the role community plays in healing.

Together they discuss how many women in recovery struggle with belonging, self-criticism, and the belief that their pain is not “bad enough” to count. Carly shares how sobriety helped her move from self-medication and isolation toward connection, emotional healing, and a more grounded life.

In this episode you will hear about:

• Carly’s sobriety journey and the moment she realized her relationship with substances needed to change
 • The connection between depression, addiction, and self-medication
 • Why humor and storytelling can help reduce stigma around mental health and recovery
 • The role of community and belonging in the recovery process
 • Letting go of people pleasing and learning to live authentically

This conversation is a reminder that recovery is not just about stopping alcohol or drugs. It is about rebuilding a relationship with yourself and finding confidence in sobriety.

If you are a sober woman, sober curious, or navigating life after alcohol, this episode offers an honest look at the emotional layers of healing and growth.

About the Host

Shelby John is a licensed therapist and founder of Wholistic Living. Through the Confident Sober Women podcast, she explores sobriety, emotional healing, nervous system health, and personal development for women building lives rooted in clarity, confidence, and true freedom.

Connect with Shelby

Website
 https://shelbyjohn.com

Podcast
 Confident Sober Women

Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

Support the show

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate & share this episode with a sober woman or someone suffering from anxiety, depression, ADHD, sleep problems and negative thought patterns who needs to hear she is not alone. 

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, my remote Neurofeedback Therapy program is up and running. Learn more here! Learn more about EMDR therapy, EMDR Intensives and Remote Neurofeedback.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

In this solo episode of Confident Sober Women, Shelby John returns after a period of personal and professional growth to share what’s evolving in her life, her work, and the direction of the podcast.

Shelby opens up about a season of transition—navigating motherhood, major life changes, and expanding her therapy practice—while reflecting on how these experiences deepen her understanding of healing. She shares why sobriety, while powerful, is only the starting point for many women.

This episode explores what it really means to move beyond just removing alcohol and begin addressing the deeper patterns that keep women feeling stuck. Shelby introduces a more expanded focus on emotional healing, nervous system regulation, and trauma recovery—key elements in building a grounded and meaningful life after alcohol.

If you are a sober woman, sober curious, or navigating your own sobriety journey, this episode offers a real and honest look at what comes next.

In this episode you will hear:

• Why sobriety is only the first step in lasting change
 • The connection between mental health and sobriety
 • How nervous system regulation supports emotional healing
 • What trauma recovery can look like beyond talk therapy
 • Why many women in recovery still feel stuck after quitting alcohol

This conversation is for women who are ready to move beyond coping and start building confidence in sobriety, creating lives rooted in clarity, emotional resilience, and true freedom.

About the Host

Shelby John is a licensed therapist and founder of Wholistic Living. Through the Confident Sober Women podcast, she explores sobriety, emotional healing, nervous system health, and personal growth for women who are building lives rooted in clarity, confidence, and true freedom.

Connect with Shelby

Website
 https://shelbyjohn.com

Podcast
 Confident Sober Women

Support the show

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate & share this episode with a sober woman or someone suffering from anxiety, depression, ADHD, sleep problems and negative thought patterns who needs to hear she is not alone. 

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, my remote Neurofeedback Therapy program is up and running. Learn more here! Learn more about EMDR therapy, EMDR Intensives and Remote Neurofeedback.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

In this episode of the Confident Sober Women podcast, Shelby John sits down with Beth McDonough, a former television crime reporter with more than 30 years of experience covering major news stories across the United States.

Beth shares her powerful and deeply personal recovery story. She speaks openly about addiction, trauma, shame, incarceration, and the long process of rebuilding her life after losing her career and public reputation. This conversation focuses heavily on personal responsibility and what it truly takes to get sober and stay sober.

Throughout the episode, Beth reflects on how unprocessed grief, career pressure, and untreated trauma contributed to her addiction. She explains how recovery required accountability, trauma-informed therapy, and ongoing commitment to healing through tools such as 12-step programs and EMDR.

This episode is especially meaningful for women navigating sobriety, career loss, or major life transitions. Beth’s story offers hope to anyone who feels stuck in shame or believes they have gone too far to start over. Her journey is a reminder that recovery is not about returning to who you once were, but about building a stronger and more authentic version of yourself.

If you are interested in addiction recovery for women, sober living, trauma healing, and rebuilding confidence after hitting rock bottom, this episode will resonate deeply.

📘 Book Mentioned by Beth McDonough

Standby
Beth’s memoir explores addiction, recovery, chronic illness, and resilience. The book speaks to today’s cultural conversation around mental health, sober curiosity, chronic illness awareness, and female empowerment.

🔗 https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/standby-beth-mcdonough/1148126303?ean=9798894278186

Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

Support the show

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate & share this episode with a sober woman or someone suffering from anxiety, depression, ADHD, sleep problems and negative thought patterns who needs to hear she is not alone. 

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, my remote Neurofeedback Therapy program is up and running. Learn more here! Learn more about EMDR therapy, EMDR Intensives and Remote Neurofeedback.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.

In this eye-opening episode of The Confident Sober Women podcast, host Shelby John sits down with award-winning investigative journalist Shoshana Walter, author of Rehab: An American Scandal. Together, they uncover the shocking realities of America’s addiction treatment industry—where compassion and healing sometimes collide with corruption, exploitation, and profit.

Shoshana shares the powerful stories behind her groundbreaking reporting for The Marshall Project and Reveal, which exposed how some court-ordered rehab programs forced people struggling with addiction into unpaid labor—working in factories, warehouses, and even processing plants under the guise of “treatment.” Her work sheds light on the systemic failures in the U.S. recovery landscape and the human cost of unregulated programs that prey on the most vulnerable.

Shelby and Shoshana explore:

• How the opioid epidemic reshaped America’s rehab industry—and where it went wrong
• The dark history of “tough love” recovery programs rooted in Synanon and behavioral modification
• Why unregulated and for-profit treatment centers continue to thrive today
• The legal and ethical gray zones surrounding work-based rehab programs
• The critical role of “recovery capital”—the internal and external supports that make lasting sobriety possible
• The devastating gap in treatment options for mothers and families, and what real reform could look like

This conversation is a must-listen for anyone in recovery, professionals in the mental health and addiction fields, and families seeking treatment for a loved one. It’s a raw, informed, and deeply compassionate discussion about what’s broken—and what hope still exists for creating an addiction recovery system that truly heals.

📘 Learn more about Shoshana Walter and her book on her website https://www.shoshanawalter.com/

🌿 Want to take control of your anxiety and build emotional resilience in recovery?
Download Shelby’s free guide, Is Neurofeedback Right for You? at www.shelbyjohn.com
Discover how remote neurofeedback can help you regulate your emotions, sleep better, and feel confident in your sober life.

Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

Support the show

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate & share this episode with a sober woman or someone suffering from anxiety, depression, ADHD, sleep problems and negative thought patterns who needs to hear she is not alone. 

Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, my remote Neurofeedback Therapy program is up and running. Learn more here! Learn more about EMDR therapy, EMDR Intensives and Remote Neurofeedback.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.