I'm all by myself for a special episode here today as you will be the first to hear the Audible Recording of the soon-to-be-released, all-new, 

Sober Cycle-Pedaling My Way Through Recovery One Day At a Time. 

As the soft hum of bicycle wheels on pavement echoes through my memories, I welcome you to an episode that pedals through the gritty terrain of recovery. Embark with me, Sherry, as I vulnerably unearth Chapter 1 of the newly revised edition of "Sober Cycle." You will hear the fear in my voice and the resolve in my spirit as I share a narrative steeped in both the despair and the ironic humor that addiction sprinkles throughout my journey. 

Here is the pre-order link for the hardcover and Audible Versions. https://a.co/d/i5q5mjD , which will be available on April 30! Head to shesurrenders.com and subscribe to our newsletter for all the fun details I discussed today. Thank you!

About the She Surrenders Podcast:

On the She Surrenders podcast we are talking about women, faith and addiction all on the same platform. There are many podcasts for women and sobriety, but very few for women seeking information and stories from others about faith-based recovery.

Help us reach more listeners: like, subscribe, review, and share.

Find us on Instagram @shesurrenders_sherry, on Facebook @shesurrenderssherry, and online at www.shesurrenders.com.

When Ericka first confided her struggle with alcohol with a small group gathered in her church basement, she shared her addiction bravely and honestly. Her voice beckons us to walk alongside her as she navigates sobriety through the lens of her faith as a Christian woman. Today, we're honored to share the microphone with Ericka, who gives a raw and truthful account of her path from high school warning signs to the pressures of social drinking that escalated into motherhood. It's not just about the cautionary tales but finding a balance in educating without instigating rebellion, all while upholding the values that are the bedrock of our lives. Her story is one of bravery that will resonate with anyone grappling with the complexities of being open and honest as a Christian woman in recovery. The episode culminates with a look at the indispensable role of the church in nurturing spiritual growth and supporting those in recovery.
Ericka and I met when she reached out to me via Instagram last November for an interview she was working on for Christianity Today. We had a great connection immediately. We are both women of faith leading a life of sobriety, and that interview turned into a very long conversation as we shared our experiences with each other. I knew she would be a great guest on the She Surrenders podcast!
Ericka is also the author of the Book;
Reason to Return-Why Women need the Church and the Church Needs Them. We will talk a little bit more about the book here too and of course I will link the book in the notes as well. So welcome Ericka, I am so glad we finally made this happen! 

BIO
Ericka Andersen is a freelance writer in Indianapolis, Indiana. She's a mom of two and the author of Reason to Return and Leaving Cloud 9 https://www.amazon.com/Leaving-Cloud-Resurrected-Poverty-Illness/dp/1400208270. You can follow her on Instagram @ericka_andersen and learn more at ErickaAndersen.com

Book Links
By Ericka Andersen:
Reason to Return-Why Women need the Church and the Church Needs Women.
http://reasontoreturn.co/
Leaving Cloud Nine-The True Story of a Life Resurrected from the Ashes of Poverty, Trauma, and Mental Illness
https://amzn.to/3xh5XSI

Mentioned in the Podcast
Downstairs Church -Finding Hope in the Grit of Addiction and Trauma Recovery by Caroline Beidler
https://amzn.to/43DlhVu
Sober Spirituality-The Joy of a Mindful Relationship with Alcohol https://amzn.to/3xcVuYt

*note from Sherry
"I have not personally read the books Mentioned in the Podcast so I do not place them here as a personal recommendation but as a resource for you to pursue as they were mentioned by our guest. I do plan on reading them myself but at the time of publication of this podcast I have not. "

About the She Surrenders Podcast:

On the She Surrenders podcast we are talking about women, faith and addiction all on the same platform. There are many podcasts for women and sobriety, but very few for women seeking information and stories from others about faith-based recovery.

Help us reach more listeners: like, subscribe, review, and share.

Find us on Instagram @shesurrenders_sherry, on Facebook @shesurrenderssherry, and online at www.shesurrenders.com.

When the person you love becomes a stranger consumed in the grip of addiction, the world can feel upside down. Deb's bravery shines as she recounts her experience of supporting her husband, a pastor, through his harrowing battle with prescription pain medication dependency. Our conversation delves into the heart of a marriage tested by the silent war of addiction, offering a compassionate perspective on a struggle that is far more common than many dare to admit. Deb's journey, marked by resilience and faith, provides an intimate look at the complexities of loving someone through their darkest times.
This episode doesn't shy away from confronting the uncomfortable silence that often surrounds addiction in faith communities. We discuss the church's role in the healing journey, examining the stigmas and challenges faced when seeking support. Addiction within the walls of a church can be a lonely battle, but it's a story that needs to be told, and I am grateful to Deb for telling it here.  I can honestly say the book they wrote about their story is one of the best I have ever read.  
Bio
Deborah Beddoe is a writer and editor who lives in the Pacific Northwest with her pastor husband, Dave. She is the author of The Heart of Recovery: How Compassion and Community Offer Hope in the Wake of Addiction (Revell, 2019). Deb is in her last year of studies for a Masters in Theopoetics and Writing from Bethany Theological Seminary. Dave, whose story is central to their book, has led recovery groups since 2009. For many years, Deb also led groups for spouses and mothers of loved ones caught in addiction or recovery. Dave and Deb are newly empty-nesters whose four children left them with a big codependent dog and a bothersome cat for entertainment. 
Order their amazing book; The Heart of Recovery!
https://amzn.to/49NhIP1

About the She Surrenders Podcast:

On the She Surrenders podcast we are talking about women, faith and addiction all on the same platform. There are many podcasts for women and sobriety, but very few for women seeking information and stories from others about faith-based recovery.

Help us reach more listeners: like, subscribe, review, and share.

Find us on Instagram @shesurrenders_sherry, on Facebook @shesurrenderssherry, and online at www.shesurrenders.com.

New York Times best-selling author Karen Ehman shares her deeply personal narrative of growing up with an alcoholic father. Her courage in exposing the raw emotions of her childhood not only touches the heart but also opens the door to understanding the complexity of addiction's impact on families. Within these revelations lie powerful lessons of forgiveness and the indomitable strength found in surrendering to God those things we cannot change in those we love.
 As Karen's story unfolds, we probe the silent battles faced by those raised in homes marred by addiction. It's a discussion that uncovers the lasting effects of maintaining a veneer of normalcy amidst internal turmoil and the toxic relationship patterns that can emerge from such chaos. But there's hope—mentorship, community support, and choices- leading away from pain toward a healthier future. Karen's experiences shine a light on the importance of these lifelines in breaking free from the cycles of secrecy and addiction.
 Thank you, Karen, for your willingness to be vulnerable so that others will be encouraged as they listen to your story. May they find renewed hope in your story and trust that God is loving them through it. 

Karen Ehman is a New York Times bestselling author, a Proverbs 31 Ministries speaker and a contributing writer for Encouragement for Today online devotions and a teacher in the First 5 Bible study app which has over 2 million daily users. She has written 19 books and Bible studies including Keep It Shut: What to Say, How to Say It, and When to Say Nothing at All and the 2020 ECPA devotional book of the year Settle My Soul: 100 Quiet Moments to Meet with Jesus.
She is a Cum Laude graduate of Spring Arbor University with a major in Social Science. Karen has been featured on TODAY Parenting, Redbook.com, Foxnews.com, Crosswalk.com, YouVersion.com, and is a monthly columnist for HomeLife Magazine. Her passion is to help women live their priorities as they reflect the gospel to a watching world. She is married to her college sweetheart, Todd, and is the mother of six children—three biological and three in-laws by marriage—although she forgets which ones are which. Karen enjoys collecting vintage Pyrex kitchenware, cheering for the Detroit Tigers, and spending her days feeding the many people who gather around her mid-century dining table to process life and enjoy her county fair blue-ribbon winning cooking.

About the She Surrenders Podcast:

On the She Surrenders podcast we are talking about women, faith and addiction all on the same platform. There are many podcasts for women and sobriety, but very few for women seeking information and stories from others about faith-based recovery.

Help us reach more listeners: like, subscribe, review, and share.

Find us on Instagram @shesurrenders_sherry, on Facebook @shesurrenderssherry, and online at www.shesurrenders.com.

Picture yourself in the shoes of a man who has lost his brother to suicide and succumbed to the depths of alcohol addiction. That's the raw and heart-wrenching journey of our guest, Jared Zimmerman, whose courage led him to ultimate recovery. Today's podcast with Jared Zimmerman will impact you no matter who you are.  Both Jared and his wife’s family are what we affectionally call a “grove family.”  That means that both of their families went to school with ours at the little country school called Forest Grove.  Heartache still finds its way into beautiful families raising kids out in the country, as you will soon hear.  God has woven together a story of suicide, addiction, family, and strength that, as painful as it is, Jared is using that story for God's purpose. Jared and Summer are a living testimony of what it looks like to live your faith out loud to encourage and walk alongside others in their pain.   As he paints a vivid picture of his struggles, from the anguish of losing his brother to the stigma of mental health, we can't help but be moved by his resilience and determination.
We'll introduce you to the amazing business they recently launched,  "Inspire One Life," a beacon of hope for those battling mental health challenges. Driven by their personal experiences, they are turning their pain into a platform for spreading positivity and mental health awareness. As we discuss the poignant messages conveyed by their merchandise, you'll be inspired by their resilience and determination. Summer shared a verse with me that seemed very fitting as I sat with them. 
Proverbs 27:17 As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. Knowing these two lovely people since they were very young made it even more special to sit and share our stories together; even more special is that these are things that the fingerprints of God are all over. 
There's a special meaning to that last sentence; listen for it in the podcast!
You can find out more about Inspire 1 Life!

Website: www.inspire1life.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inspireonelife/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/inspireonelifeapparel 

About the She Surrenders Podcast:

On the She Surrenders podcast we are talking about women, faith and addiction all on the same platform. There are many podcasts for women and sobriety, but very few for women seeking information and stories from others about faith-based recovery.

Help us reach more listeners: like, subscribe, review, and share.

Find us on Instagram @shesurrenders_sherry, on Facebook @shesurrenderssherry, and online at www.shesurrenders.com.

A decade can drastically change a life – especially when it's a decade of triumph over addiction. Join me as I celebrate this significant milestone and share the transformation I've gone through these last ten years, from battling alcoholism to becoming a warrior in the Lord’s army. In this Joyful Surrender meeting, I commemorate the miracles, the challenges, and the triumphs that punctuate these past 10 years and give God the glory for every single one.

I share my testimony here with you and the ladies from JS follow it with some Q & A and discussion. It was a beautiful way to celebrate my ten year milestone and I am honored to share it with you. 
Love, Sherry

About the She Surrenders Podcast:

On the She Surrenders podcast we are talking about women, faith and addiction all on the same platform. There are many podcasts for women and sobriety, but very few for women seeking information and stories from others about faith-based recovery.

Help us reach more listeners: like, subscribe, review, and share.

Find us on Instagram @shesurrenders_sherry, on Facebook @shesurrenderssherry, and online at www.shesurrenders.com.

In this episode, Paulette Kengg shares with us her recovery story. Her spiral into alcohol addiction came as a surprise to her but like most of us who find ourselves in its grip, we are already in trouble.  Paulette shares how she found her way out and why God gets the glory. . Paulette has written a book Spirit Led Sobriety and we discuss her book with some of my friends from Joyful Surrender on the podcast as well. 

Paulette Kengg is a Christian wife, mother, and grandmother. She enjoys writing, reading, worshiping, learning to make candles, bingeing on HGTV House Hunters, and is trying to become someone who thinks working out is fun. Happily remarried for 15 years, she and her husband live in Texas.

Instagram: spiritledsobriety22
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/huberman-lab/id1545953110?i=1000576901433

About the She Surrenders Podcast:

On the She Surrenders podcast we are talking about women, faith and addiction all on the same platform. There are many podcasts for women and sobriety, but very few for women seeking information and stories from others about faith-based recovery.

Help us reach more listeners: like, subscribe, review, and share.

Find us on Instagram @shesurrenders_sherry, on Facebook @shesurrenderssherry, and online at www.shesurrenders.com.

We are back for Part II of Stephanie's inspiring journey. Today, we delve into life in recovery and the invaluable lessons Stephanie has gleaned from her own experiences. Leading her to wisdom and insights that are shaping the foundations of Selah House Recovery. 
"Adderall addiction is a real and challenging issue that affects many individuals. Let's shed light on this issue to raise awareness and provide support. If you or someone you know is struggling, know that help is available. Recovery is possible, and you're not alone in this journey. 


https://www.selahhouserecovery.org
https://americanaddictioncenters.org/adderall
https://genesight.com

About the She Surrenders Podcast:

On the She Surrenders podcast we are talking about women, faith and addiction all on the same platform. There are many podcasts for women and sobriety, but very few for women seeking information and stories from others about faith-based recovery.

Help us reach more listeners: like, subscribe, review, and share.

Find us on Instagram @shesurrenders_sherry, on Facebook @shesurrenderssherry, and online at www.shesurrenders.com.

This podcast, while being one of the hardest ones I've ever done as far as getting through it without letting my emotions get the best of me, was also the podcast where I was pinching myself that this was happening. Steph is sharing her story, and I have the privilege of sitting here at the table with her while she shares. I don't care who you are; this is never an easy assignment, and I say assignment because that is what it is. God handed it out, and completing it is up to you. I recall that feeling well when I shared my story for the first time. I had no desire to, but I did, having no idea the freedom I would experience on the other side of the telling when I was released of the guilt and shame that kept me quiet for so long. I do not know who will hear Stephanie's story, but I know this. We only tell our hard stories for one purpose: so others can be blessed with the hope that the same miracle awaits them.

All it takes is that moment of Surrender.

Thank you, Loren and Stephanie, for using your pain for God's purpose.

About the She Surrenders Podcast:

On the She Surrenders podcast we are talking about women, faith and addiction all on the same platform. There are many podcasts for women and sobriety, but very few for women seeking information and stories from others about faith-based recovery.

Help us reach more listeners: like, subscribe, review, and share.

Find us on Instagram @shesurrenders_sherry, on Facebook @shesurrenderssherry, and online at www.shesurrenders.com.

Kristen McAvoy is a little over two years sober from a dual addiction to Xanax and alcohol. Her story of how close she came to losing everything and how she fought back will inspire you. 

Using substances for years to cope with her anxiety, she has found freedom in recovery and faith in God. 

"Sobriety lets me be the best big sister, daughter, girlfriend, and new puppy mom to my mini Goldendoodle."

Kristen is recovering out loud on Instagram at  https://www.instagram.com/sobergirltribe/

Look her up! 

Thank you, Kristen, for being on the She Surrenders Podcast, and we look forward to seeing more of you in the faith & recovery community! 

About the She Surrenders Podcast:

On the She Surrenders podcast we are talking about women, faith and addiction all on the same platform. There are many podcasts for women and sobriety, but very few for women seeking information and stories from others about faith-based recovery.

Help us reach more listeners: like, subscribe, review, and share.

Find us on Instagram @shesurrenders_sherry, on Facebook @shesurrenderssherry, and online at www.shesurrenders.com.