In this episode of Sharing Without Shame, host Donna Marston welcomes Jennifer Young — mother of three and founder of the ConnectMio app — to talk about the raw reality of living with a partner struggling with alcohol use disorder. Jennifer opens up about the isolation, emotional exhaustion, and hidden grief that came with loving someone through active addiction.Jennifer opens up about her decision to stay with her partner despite the stigma, the emotional weight of parenting through addiction-fueled chaos, and the quiet unraveling of boundaries she didn’t realize she had crossed. Together, Donna and Jennifer unpack what it really means to live day-to-day in survival mode—navigating sleepless nights, silent suffering, and the crushing absence of resources for families.From losing her social circle to finding her voice, Jennifer shares how her lived experience led to the creation of ConnectMioo, an app designed to support families dealing with a loved one’s addiction. With raw honesty, the two discuss the urgent need for community, trauma-informed support, spiritual grounding, and tools—like brainwave therapy and behavioral aids—that helped them both get through the darkest times.Connect with Jennifer Young:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/connectmioInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/connectmio/Website: https://www.connectmio.com/Sponsors: Experience Inner Peace with Calming Therapy BraceletsWebsite: ⁠https://snappbandz.com/Use SWOS or SharingWithoutShame code

Learn more: https://linktr.ee/Sharingwithoutshame

Thank you for tuning in! May your faith and strength heal your heart.

In this episode, we sit down with Jennifer Ginty — a survivor, mother, and the voice behind Moody Monster, a page dedicated to mental health, emotional expression, and self-compassion.

Jennifer shares her powerful story of surviving childhood sexual abuse, navigating toxic shame, and the long road to healing. She opens up about the years of dissociation, depression, and feeling unseen, and how reconnecting with her inner child and creating safe spaces transformed her life.

We also talk about Moody Monster, the vulnerable and creative outlet where Jennifer gives language and imagery to the emotional rollercoaster many survivors feel but rarely name. Her content gives permission to feel, and to heal.

If you’ve ever carried shame that wasn’t yours, or you’ve struggled to find your voice after trauma, Jennifer’s story will meet you with truth, compassion, and hope.

Resources & Links:

Jen is offering a coupon code for people to receive a 15% discount on Moody Monster.

Coupon code is pod15

My Moody Monster is a pull-apart plush doll helping kiddos better cope with their BIG Feelings in a safe way. Moody is helping families; therapists and teachers communicate with children to help them understand their Emotions. Moody is an inclusive Monster who loves to help kids feel empowered with their emotions.

They can purchase a moody monster at www.MyMoodyMonster.com

People can watch My Moody Monster YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/@mymoodymonster

Instagram: instagram.com/mymoodymonster

Facebook: facebook.com/my-moody-monster

TIkTok: tiktok.com/@mymoodymonster

Threads: threads.net/@mymoodymonster

Sponsors:

Experience Inner Peace with Calming Therapy Bracelets

Website: ⁠https://snappbandz.com/

Use SWOS or SharingWithoutShame code

Thank you for tuning in! May your faith and strength heal your heart.

In this episode of the Sharing Without Shame podcast, host Donna Marston sits down with Barb Nangle, a former people-pleaser turned boundaries coach, who shares her deeply personal journey from codependency to empowerment.

Barb opens up about a pivotal moment in her life when helping a homeless friend led her to hit a codependent bottom, ultimately guiding her into the world of recovery through Codependents Anonymous (CODA) and later Adult Children of Alcoholics and Dysfunctional Families (ACA). She describes the transformative impact of understanding codependency and relational trauma, and how discovering the concept of “reparenting” changed her life.

As a podcast host herself, Barb brings heartfelt insight and wisdom, especially for those who find themselves over-giving, rescuing, or enabling loved ones—often under the guise of care. She unpacks the difference between healthy helping and unhealthy rescuing, shares tools for self-care, and explains how boundaries rooted in personal values can lead to emotional freedom. Whether you're a parent of someone in active addiction or someone struggling with boundaries, Barb's story offers a compassionate yet practical roadmap to healing and wholeness.

Links:

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

Website: https://higherpowercc.com/

Sponsors:

Experience Inner Peace with Calming Therapy Bracelets

Website: ⁠https://snappbandz.com/

Use SWOS or SharingWithoutShame code

Thank you for tuning in! May your faith and strength heal your heart.

In this episode of the Sharing Without Shame podcast, host Donna Marston welcomes Scarlett Lewis, founder of the Choose Love Movement. Scarlett shares the heartbreaking story of losing her six-year-old son Jesse in the Sandy Hook Elementary tragedy and how his final message—“nurturing, healing, love”—became the foundation for a global mission. Through her personal journey, Scarlett explains how she transformed her unimaginable pain into a movement that now reaches over 16,500 schools in 120 countries. She discusses the importance of social-emotional learning, post-traumatic growth, and teaching children and adults alike how to choose love in the face of fear, anger, and adversity.

Together, Donna and Scarlett dive deep into the healing power of sharing personal stories without shame, highlighting how pain can be turned into purpose. Scarlett talks about the impact the Choose Love curriculum is having in prisons, schools, and recovery communities—offering essential life skills to those who’ve never been taught they have a choice. The conversation touches on the courage it takes to live life with compassion, especially in a world often driven by fear. This episode is a heartfelt reminder that healing is possible when we lean into love, take responsibility for our part in the world, and support one another in becoming our highest and best selves.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, like, and leave a review. For more information about Donna and the services she offers, visit Sharing Without Shame or email her at [email protected]

Links:

Choose Love Movement: https://chooselovemovement.org/

Sponsors:

Experience Inner Peace with Calming Therapy Bracelets

Website: ⁠https://snappbandz.com/

Use SWOS or SharingWithoutShame code

Thank you for tuning in! May your faith and strength heal your heart.

In this episode of the Sharing Without Shame podcast, Donna Marston sits down with Scott Strode, founder of The Phoenix—a sober active community that's transforming recovery through connection and movement. Scott shares his inspiring personal journey from addiction to long-term recovery, highlighting how fitness, community, and purpose became the cornerstones of his healing. He opens up about the moment he discovered the impact of surrounding himself with people who believed in him before he could believe in himself, and how that sparked a vision to help others find the same strength.Scott and Donna explore the emotional layers of recovery, the importance of peer support, and how The Phoenix is creating spaces where sobriety is celebrated. Scott’s story is one of resilience, purpose, and radical hope—offering listeners a reminder that no one is beyond healing, and that connection can be a catalyst for change. Whether you're in recovery, love someone who is, or are seeking inspiration, this episode offers deep insight and practical encouragement.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, like, and leave a review. For more information about Donna and the services she offers, visit Sharing Without Shame or email her at [email protected]: Experience Inner Peace with Calming Therapy BraceletsWebsite: ⁠https://snappbandz.com/Use SWOS or SharingWithoutShame code Thank you for tuning in! May your faith and strength heal your heart.

In this episode of Sharing Without Shame, host Donna Marston sits down with Kohdi Rayne, the visionary founder of Beyond Sober Clothing Company, Beyond Sober Nation, and Beyond Sober. Kohdi shares his deeply personal journey through addiction, recovery, and transformation, shedding light on the emotional and psychological battles many face when struggling with substance dependency. With unfiltered honesty, he discusses the misconceptions surrounding addiction, the impact of shame and guilt, and the importance of viewing past experiences objectively rather than emotionally. Kohdi’s insights challenge traditional narratives, emphasizing that overcoming addiction is about more than just abstinence—it’s about rewriting our beliefs and stepping into self-empowerment.

Throughout the conversation, Donna and Kohdi explore the role of language, perspective, and support in the recovery process. Kohdi highlights the damaging effects of tough love, explaining that those battling addiction are often surviving not just their circumstances, but also the well-intended but sometimes harmful support from loved ones. He advocates for an approach rooted in understanding, patience, and genuine connection, illustrating how small shifts in language and attitude can create profound change. This episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking to better understand addiction and support their loved ones with compassion and clarity.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, like, and leave a review. For more information about Donna and the services she offers, visit Sharing Without Shame or email her at [email protected]

Sponsors:

Experience Inner Peace with Calming Therapy Bracelets

Website: ⁠https://snappbandz.com/

Use SWOS or SharingWithoutShame code

Thank you for tuning in! May your faith and strength heal your heart.

In this episode of the Sharing Without Shame podcast, Donna Marston welcomes Carla Preston Boyer, author of I Drank and Chasing the Light: Finding a Way Out of the Shadows. Carla opens up about her journey from addiction to sobriety, shedding light on the deep-rooted shame, trauma, and self-destructive patterns that fueled her struggles. She bravely shares how childhood sexual abuse, coupled with a lifelong feeling of not fitting in, led her to alcohol at the young age of 12. Through candid reflections, Carla discusses how the 12-step program, journaling, and spiritual connection helped her uncover her inner strength and begin the process of healing.Throughout the conversation, Donna and Carla explore the resilience of the human spirit and the importance of breaking the silence surrounding addiction and trauma. They emphasize how sitting in discomfort, seeking support, and rewriting self-limiting narratives can lead to profound transformation. This episode is a testament to the power of vulnerability, showing that even in life's darkest moments, hope and healing are possible—one breath at a time.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, like, and leave a review. For more information about Donna and the services she offers, visit Sharing Without Shame or email her at [email protected]: Experience Inner Peace with Calming Therapy BraceletsWebsite: ⁠https://snappbandz.com/Use SWOS or SharingWithoutShame code Thank you for tuning in! May your faith and strength heal your heart.

In this episode of Sharing Without Shame, host Donna Marston welcomes Sabrina, an author and therapist specializing in anxiety management and core belief transformation. Sabrina discusses how core beliefs, often shaped in childhood, significantly impact self-worth and emotional well-being. She explains that many people suppress their emotions from an early age, leading to unhealthy coping strategies such as addiction, overworking, or avoidance behaviors. Through her book Not Good Enough, she provides a roadmap for uncovering and transforming these negative self-perceptions to build confidence and resilience. The conversation delves into the relationship between anxiety and core beliefs, highlighting how unresolved emotions can accumulate over time and manifest in self-sabotaging behaviors.Donna and Sabrina also explore the generational shifts in emotional awareness, emphasizing how past generations were conditioned to suppress emotions, whereas younger generations may be more open but lack coping skills. Sabrina shares insights on how individuals in addiction often struggle with deep-seated feelings of unworthiness, fueling cycles of self-medication. She stresses the importance of identifying and challenging negative core beliefs as a foundational step toward healing. The episode closes with practical strategies for managing anxiety, establishing healthier coping mechanisms, and fostering self-compassion, providing listeners with valuable tools for personal growth and emotional resilience.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, like, and leave a review. For more information about Donna and the services she offers, visit Sharing Without Shame or email her at [email protected]: Experience Inner Peace with Calming Therapy BraceletsWebsite: ⁠https://snappbandz.com/Use SWOS or SharingWithoutShame code Thank you for tuning in! May your faith and strength heal your heart.

On this episode of Sharing Without Shame, host Donna Marston welcomes psychologist and author Faust Ruggiero to discuss the deep-rooted impact of addiction on individuals and families. Faust shares his personal experience growing up in a home affected by addiction, shedding light on the importance of breaking secrecy and fostering open conversations. He also introduces his Fix Yourself Empowerment Series, including his latest book, The Fix Your Addiction Handbook, which provides actionable steps for recovery. Together, Donna and Faust explore the emotional toll of addiction on families, the power of self-awareness, and how embracing humility and gratitude can lead to healing.

In this episode of Sharing Without Shame, host Donna Marston welcomes Dr. Laura Ellick, a licensed psychologist specializing in eating disorders, addiction, and chronic medical conditions. Together, they dive into the complexities of addiction, including misconceptions, gaslighting, and the role of families in recovery. Dr. Ellick shares her personal and professional evolution in understanding addiction, moving from judgment to empathy.