The final season of The Bubble Hour begins by looking back at the orgins of the show. Ellie and Lisa unfolded this project in 2012 with no idea if anyone would even listen. Soon pal Amanda helped out on and off the air, and many others joined as callers and guests. What started out as a bit of fun soon grew into a recovery tool helping people around the globe feel connected. Staying sober is a little easier with friends to lean on, and The Bubble Hour hosts and guests became allies in recovery to listeners everywhere. Get the book:   Take Good Care: Recovery Readings Inspired by The Bubble Hour podcast *(affiliate link) The Bubble Hour website www.thebubblehour.com Tiny Bubbles podcast https://sites.libsyn.com/448419/TinyBubbles Host Jean McCarthy www.jeanmccarthy.ca Support us on Patreon https://patreon.com/thebubblehour

Jean shares a new poem to encourage anyone starting fresh for the new year, and reflects on important milestones and decisions for The Bubble Hour. Download a copy of Jean's poem, 'The Pivot' at https://unpickledblog.com/2021/12/30/new-year-new-beginnings/ Learn more about host Jean McCarthy at http://www.jeanmccarthy.ca and order her books at http://www.jeanmccarthy.ca/books

This is a special episode intended for listeners in recovery to share with normie friends and family who want to understand how to make us more comfortable at their events. The list of tips is directed towards people who are not in recovery, but it can also be a resource for sober folks looking for ways to self-advocate. Listen alone and take notes. Or listen together, hit pause after each tip, and discuss. Forward to a friend or share on social media. Let's talk about sober socializing--what helps and what doesn't? The list can be downloaded as an image from Jean's blog, UnPickled. Click here: https://unpickledblog.com/2021/12/20/10-tips-for-hosting-a-sober-guest/ Learn more about Jean McCarthy at www.jeanmccarthy.ca Order books via www.jeanmccarthy.ca/books

Whether it's your first year of sobriety or you have decades of experience, the holidays can be a trying time. Here are a few things to consider as you make your way through the weeks ahead. This is an audio version of a post on Jean McCarthy's blog UnPickled. You can find the original post here: http://unpickledblog.com/2021/12/12/encouragement-for-the-holidays/

Host Jean McCarthy returns from an extended break and reflects on ways that sobriety has served her during her various adventures. Visit Jean's blog UnPickled at www.unpickledblog.com and order her books via www.jeanmccarthy.ca/books

Victoria Vanstone examines the lighter side of life after alcohol on her blog Drunk Mummy Sober Mummy and podcast Sober Awkward. "Me and booze don’t go well together, its like bunk beds and ceiling fans – the two just don’t work," says Victoria. "There are always disastrous results and it’s just taken me a million hangovers to realise that I was always the drunkest person in the room."

"I know now that alcohol was not my friend," says Kim Bellas. Kim quit drinking to model alcohol-free living for her teenaged son, who has a medical condition that will require him to do the same. She didn't think her drinking was problematic until she experienced how great she felt with alcohol out of her life. 

Kim created a website www.soberisthenewcool.org to spread positive messages and encouragement to others who endeavor to be sober. Sales of merchandise support The Douglas Foundation

IG: https://www.instagram.com/sober.is.the.new.cool/ * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/soberisthenewcool.org/ * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_tmHjBMjRmRj-HECQ3_Feg * Email: [email protected]

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Learn more about host Jean McCarthy, plus check out her books, and blog UnPickled by visiting her website at www.jeanmccarthy.ca

Betsy Byler is a woman in successful long-term recovery who is also a therapist. Betsy hosts a podcast aimed at educating therapists about addiction and recovery, "All Things Substance with Betsy Byler". Betsy's website is www.betsybyler.com - links are there to contact Betsy and hear the podcast. * Host Jean McCarthy's website is www.jeanmccarthy.ca and includes links to her blog UnPickled and her latest book releases, as well. For more episodes, visit www.thebubblehour.com

Sherry Hoppen is the founder of She Surrenders, a ministry encouraging women into faith-based recovery. As a Christian woman who has lived through the nightmare of addiction to alcohol, she helps others battling addiction through writing, speaking, coaching. Sherry leads weekly meetings for faith-based recovery in the group she started, Joyful Surrender. She regularly shares her journey with her trademark honesty and humor at women’s events, Bible studies, recovery retreats, and podcasts. In her book, Sober Cycle (New Hope Publishing, 2021), she shares her personal story of alcohol addiction and the nonsensical things she did to escape it.  An avid reader and cyclist, Sherry and her husband enjoy traveling and loving on their three grandsons. * Visit host Jean McCarthy's website www.jeanmccarthy.ca for more links and information about this episode and The Bubble Hour.

Host Jean McCarthy returns from an unplanned 3-week break and shares stories and insights from her time away. Plus information from Recovery Research Institute on the effectiveness of various recovery programs, celebrating and recognizing Bubble Hour milestones, listener letters, and thoughts on the one-year anniversary of the release of The Ember Ever There by Jean McCarthy.