Jessica can attest to the generation effects of addiction, having seen her parents' lives spiral as a consequence. She can also tell you what it is like to break the cycle and take charge of her own relationship with alcohol, and how her life in recovery is a story of strength and hope.

You can hear Jessica's podcast about motherhood here: www.mwatpodcast.com

Sometimes guests hang up after an interview and remember something they meant to say. Sometimes they want to touch base months or even years later to give an update on their progress. Here is a voice memo from Courtney following her interview the day before (Season 7, Episode 16).

Courtney returns to The Bubble Hour to reflect on the aftereffects a recent accident that left her in casts on BOTH arms.  How does an over-acheiving, fast-moving, SuperMom manage with she is forced to ask for help to even brush her own hair? She draws on the lessons of recovery and turns it into an opportunity for growth. You can hear Courtney's original BubbLe Hour interview here: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/bubblehour/2016/09/27/courtneys-story

Sober in the Country is an online grassroots initiative led by one passionate woman bringing a positive, peer-led culture shift to what has been the traditionally-worshipped rural Australian booze-culture.

It all began when SITC founder and NSW/ACT AgriFutures Rural Woman of the Year finalist Shanna Whan decided to break stigmas and go public with her story of recovery from trauma, PTSD, interfility and subsequent alcoholism.

Today Shanna is a public figure, sought-after motivational speaker, health-coach, rural advocate; and now official country ambassador for leading national alcohol awareness charity and ally, Hello Sunday Morning.

She has volunteered full-time for 4 years while establishing a profile that's since seen her travel extensively, address Parliament House, and deliver a TEDx talk.

She is seeking funding and Government support to get this real, relatable, information and education to all rural and remote working Australians who struggle to access adequate support and services locally into this gap.

Liz realized quite some time ago that she had a problematic relationship with alcohol, and it took several stops and starts before she dug into sobriety and began living alcohol free. Now into her seventh month of recovery, Liz reflects on her experiences and shares her insights.

Your precious story deserves to be told thoroughly and well.

In this bonus episode of The Bubble Hour, Jean introduces a special person in her life who has been helping her learn the ropes of writing and publishing. 

Catherine Greer is an author, blogger and educator who believes that everyone has a story to tell. Based in Australia, Catherine writes a Happiness Blog, teaches an online writing course and has just celebrated the release of her newest publication, "Love, Lie, Repeat".

Catherine and Jean share a special connection as cousins and pig-tailed childhood playmates, who have reconnected as adults to discover they have even more in common as time goes on.

Sam is a drug addict and alcoholic in recovery who is using his sobriety to help others. He is a public speaker and author of "Hands Like You're Praying" - a memoir co-written with his wife Rachel about his long journey from addiction to a life of service. To learn more about Sam visit his website www.samanthonyspeaks.com

Anna works in the criminal justice system and sees all kinds of dysfunction on a regular basis. This is likely why is was hard for her to face a growing problem in her own life which, though troublesome, was not creating the kind of consequences she saw in others. Now at six months sober, she joins us to discuss how her transition to living alcohol free has taken place and why she decided it was time.

Host Jean McCarthy reads some of the stories and letters sent in from sober and sober-curious Bubble Hour listeners. All material used with permission. Be sure to check out Jean's blog at www.unpickledblog.com and visit www.blogtalkradio.com/bubblehour to see all the back episodes of the show

Patrick is married with three children, just a regular Irish guy living his life. When he realized he needed to deal with a growing addiction to alcohol, Pat found that one size does not fit all. Now nearing his first sober-birthday, Pat joins us to reflect on finding the right combination of support and information to help him stay alcohol-free in a culture that is alcogenic.