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

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

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

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

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.

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.

Today, I sit down with Renae Van Roekel, founder of Connecting to Cope, to explore the journey from childhood trauma and people-pleasing to accountability, healing, and helping others. If you’ve ever felt stuck under shame, guilt, or perfectionism, you’re not alone.

What You’ll Learn

• How early trauma and being told “you’re bad” became Renae’s internal narrative
• The cost of people-pleasing addiction, perfectionism, and hiding shame
• Her pivotal moment: why she chose to turn herself in rather than stay silent
• What happens when unhealed trauma collides with family, career, and relationship demands
• Tools she uses now to rewrite her brain: EMDR therapy, Rational Evaluations, journaling, self-care routines
• How negative thinking patterns show up & how to rewrite them with new core beliefs
• Rebuilding difficult family relationships, and how honesty, patience & courage can mend the past

Spotlight on Tools & Modalities

• EMDR therapy – how it helped Renae release trauma beyond talk therapy and regain mental focus
• Rational Evaluations (RSA) & cognitive-behavioral work she learned in prison’s RDAP program
• Daily practices: journaling, self-check-ins, inner dialogue shifts, patience with self

Visit her at www.connectingtocope.com
https://www.facebook.com/connectingtocope/
https://www.instagram.com/connectingtocope/

If you've struggled with addiction, people-pleasing, perfectionism, or inherited shame, Renae’s story shows you can transform your life by facing truth, doing the healing work, and choosing purpose. You can reclaim your identity, your integrity, and your power to choose.

Ready to do the next work on healing your past & reclaiming your voice? Learn more at www.wholisticlivingtherapy.com

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.

Join host Shelby John as she sits down with Meg Gluth, a confident sober woman, successful business owner, and advocate for long-term recovery. In this inspiring episode, Meg shares her transformative journey from struggling with alcohol as a coping mechanism to building a thriving life rooted in sobriety, purpose, and authentic living.

Episode Highlights:

Meg discusses her recovery story, from her Midwest upbringing and challenges with early sobriety to finding her path through AA and personal growth work. She opens up about losing her first wife to cancer while in law school and how functional alcoholism masked deeper pain for years.

Learn about the four essential pillars Meg built in her first five years of sobriety: building community through sober social activities, establishing spiritual practices like yoga and meditation, working with a therapist on emotional baggage, and prioritizing physical health through exercise and mindful consumption.

Meg shares practical strategies for maintaining confidence and emotional sobriety, including the power of personal accountability, keeping promises to yourself, and understanding that small, consistent habits create lasting transformation. She emphasizes humility as central to her approach, recognizing that your best thinking got you into trouble, and that there's always more to learn.

About Meg Gluth:

Meg is the owner and operator of a manufacturing company headquartered in Seattle with locations nationwide. Her business does approximately $100 million in annual revenue, supplying raw materials and components to industries ranging from home improvement to oil and gas. Meg is also a yoga instructor and passionate advocate for women in recovery.

Connect with Meg:

Visit www.megangluth.com for more information.

Resources Mentioned:

Laura McKowan's "We Are the Luckiest," personal therapy, yoga practice, AA fellowships, and remote neurofeedback therapy for anxiety and sleep support.

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.