Is Addiction Written in the Stars? With Astrologist Jessica Lanyadoo

Addiction, astrology, and emotional healing take center stage in this episode of Sisters in Sobriety, as Sonia sits down with humanistic astrologer Jessica Lanyadoo. Together, they unpack how addiction isn’t just about substances—it’s about emotional patterns, coping mechanisms, and the ways we abandon ourselves. Jessica brings a grounded, no-nonsense approach to astrology, helping Sonia explore how tools like astrology, community, and self-awareness can support sobriety and long-term healing. What role does emotional regulation play in addiction? Can astrology reveal patterns behind compulsive behaviors or anxiety? How do dopamine-driven habits like scrolling or shopping mirror substance use? Sonia and Kathleen guide the conversation through big questions around fate vs. free will, the psychology of addiction, and whether spiritual tools—like astrology—can become coping mechanisms themselves. The discussion also explores the complexities of recovery spaces, including the benefits and challenges of 12-step programs, shame, and accountability. The conversation weaves together concepts like harm reduction, emotional processing, and the neuroscience of addiction. Jessica introduces the idea that addiction is often rooted in an inability to tolerate feelings, rather than a lack of willpower. She breaks down how different types of anxiety and coping behaviors can manifest, and how misdiagnosis—both psychologically and personally—can keep people stuck. The idea of “momentum” becomes a powerful framework: how addictive behaviors build quickly, while healing and self-connection require slower, intentional practice. Through personal reflections, Sonia shares moments from her own sobriety journey—navigating divorce, resisting the urge to drink, and recognizing how other behaviors can mimic addiction. The episode shifts into a deeper, more vulnerable space as they explore recovery tools like AA, the concept of “dry drunk” vs. true sobriety, and the emotional weight of making amends. Jessica offers a nuanced take on “living amends,” boundaries, and why healing doesn’t always require direct reconciliation—sometimes it requires protecting yourself while still taking accountability. This is Sisters in Sobriety, the support community that helps women change their relationship with alcohol. Check out our substack for extra tips, tricks and resources. Highlights 00:00 – Introduction to Jessica Lanyadoo and her humanistic approach 01:15 – What humanistic astrology actually means 03:00 – Addiction beyond substances: emotional and behavioral patterns 05:30 – Astrology’s perspective on different types of addiction 08:15 – Dopamine, escapism, and modern-day addictive behaviors 09:30 – Can astrology become a coping mechanism? 10:45 – Is addiction fate or free will? 12:30 – Physiological vs. emotional components of addiction 14:00 – Different types of anxiety and how they show up 16:30 – Misdiagnosis and why some treatments don’t work 17:45 – The concept of momentum in addiction vs. healing 19:00 – “Dry drunk” vs. true sobriety 20:00 – Why AA works (and why it doesn’t for everyone) 22:00 – Shame, community, and healing in recovery spaces 24:00 – The complexity of group dynamics in AA 26:30 – Boundaries, triggers, and navigating recovery communities 28:00 – The truth about making amends 29:30 – What are “living amends”? 31:30 – Trauma, safety, and when not to reconnect 34:00 – Self-abandonment and taking personal accountability   Jessica's Links Ghost of a Podcast  Access free horoscopes + other goodies and classes available for purchase at lovelanyadoo.com   SIS Links 💌 Sisters In Sobriety Substack – where the magic (and the mocktail recipes) happen 📬 Sisters In Sobriety Email 📸 Sisters In Sobriety Instagram 🌐 Kathleen’s Website Kathleen does not endorse any products mentioned in this podcast 📸 Kathleen’s Instagram

Sonia sits down with Dr. Emma Kay, professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Nursing and a nationally recognized researcher focused on HIV care, substance use, harm reduction, and recovery. Together, they unpack the intersection of addiction, stigma, and healthcare systems, and explore how a more compassionate, whole-person approach can change outcomes. Sonia guides this conversation to help reframe how we think about recovery, disclosure, and what meaningful care actually looks like in practice. The discussion moves beyond surface-level conversations about addiction and into the realities people face navigating HIV, substance use, and medical systems that often prioritize one condition over another. Questions emerge around why patients don’t disclose substance use, how stigma subtly shows up in healthcare settings, whether abstinence-only models are limiting recovery options, and what happens when providers assume noncompliance. It also touches on the gap between medical innovation and lived patient experience, especially when it comes to trust, access, and education. The conversation highlights how recovery is often non-linear, why patient autonomy matters, and how small behavioral shifts can represent meaningful progress. It also sheds light on systemic barriers including cost, lack of education in medical training, and disparities tied to race, geography, and socioeconomic status. The contrast between rapid advancements in HIV treatment and the slower evolution of addiction care reveals where healthcare systems are still falling short. Sonia and Dr. Kay also talk about—what it actually looks like when patients feel seen, heard, and respected versus judged or dismissed. From early moments in an HIV clinic filled with unexpected vulnerability to broader reflections on stigma and resilience, the episode brings forward the emotional and relational side of care that often gets overlooked in clinical conversations. This is Sisters in Sobriety, the support community that helps women change their relationship with alcohol. Check out our substack for extra tips, tricks and resources. Highlights 00:00 Introduction to Dr. Emma Kay and her work 01:00 Dr. Kay’s non-traditional path into social work and research 02:30 First experiences in an HIV clinic and shifting perspectives 04:00 Understanding HIV as a chronic condition vs stigma 05:30 The overlap between HIV and substance use 06:30 Risk factors and misconceptions about HIV transmission 07:30 Early experiences with patient vulnerability and resilience 09:00 Abstinence-based models vs harm reduction realities 10:30 Lack of harm reduction resources in certain regions 11:30 Why patients don’t disclose substance use 12:30 Gaps in education around harm reduction 13:30 What relational harm reduction actually means 15:00 Key principles: autonomy, humanism, pragmatism 16:30 Incremental progress and redefining success in recovery 17:30 Why recovery is rarely linear 19:00 Whole-person care and addressing underlying needs 21:00 Subtle stigma in healthcare settings 22:30 Misconceptions about adherence and drug use 24:00 Harm reduction vs abstinence models 25:30 Aging population with HIV and comorbidities 27:00 Treating HIV like any other chronic condition 28:30 Innovation in HIV care vs addiction care 30:00 Disparities in overdose rates and access to care 32:00 Trust gaps in marginalized communities 34:00 The role of community-led solutions 35:00 Cost barriers and access to life-saving resources Dr. Emma's Links https://scholars.uab.edu/5926-emma-kay https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmasophiakay/ SIS Links 💌 Sisters In Sobriety Substack – where the magic (and the mocktail recipes) happen 📬 Sisters In Sobriety Email 📸 Sisters In Sobriety Instagram 🌐 Kathleen’s Website Kathleen does not endorse any products mentioned in this podcast 📸 Kathleen’s Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Conflict avoidance and people-pleasing show up in so many women's stories around alcohol — yet they rarely get the airtime they deserve. In this episode of Sisters in Sobriety, Sonia and Kathleen sit down with Anna Lecat, intimacy and conflict consultant, global speaker, and author of Loving Conflict: Creating Collaboration Where Others See Division. Anna has spent decades across cultures, continents, and boardrooms persuading people that learning to conflict well is one of the most loving things we can offer each other. What does it actually mean to fight kindly? Why do so many women reach for a drink before a hard conversation — or avoid it entirely? And what is it about anger that feels so unbearable to sit with? Anna unpacks the tango metaphor at the heart of her work — conflict as tension plus connection, not threat plus danger. She walks through a practical spectrum for building conflict confidence, starting with low-stakes settings like restaurants and working up to the relationships that flood us most. The conversation explores emotional responsibility, nervous system regulation, and how early experiences with anger shape us as adults — often leading us to read conflict as rejection when it's really someone else's old wound surfacing. Then things get personal. Sonia opens up about pouring a glass of wine before calling her mother — and how that glass became a bottle. Kathleen shares her own story of returning to her hairdresser with honest, gentle feedback and what that small act revealed about the difference between avoiding conflict and moving through it with care. This is Sisters in Sobriety, the support community that helps women change their relationship with alcohol. Check out our Substack for extra tips, tricks, and resources. Highlights [00:01:00] Anna reframes conflict as a doorway rather than a threat [00:02:00] Her mission: persuading people to fight kindly [00:03:00] People who are deeply loved don't need to wage war [00:05:00] Connection and uplift extend beyond romance to friends, parents, and coworkers [00:06:00] Why women are socialized to avoid conflict [00:07:00] Conflict as a tango — listening, suggesting, responding in turn [00:08:00] Using nonverbal tango exercises in corporate workshops [00:11:00] Men in Beijing end up in tears during a two-minute eye contact meditation [00:13:00] Why sending food back at a restaurant is the perfect place to start [00:14:00] "If you think you're enlightened, go spend a week with your parents" [00:15:00] Kathleen's hairdresser story becomes a master class in kind conflict [00:18:00] Sonia's glass of wine before calling her mother — and how it became a bottle [00:20:00] Why anger is the most stigmatized emotion across every culture [00:21:00] Anger reveals a person's deepest fears and values — slow down and listen [00:22:00] How Anna navigates her own anger — consent first, then curiosity [00:27:00] It only takes one person to shift the dynamic of a relationship [00:29:00] People-pleasing as a conflict strategy — and how to tell it from self-protection [00:33:00] Practice conflict in low-stakes settings before the ones that flood you [00:37:00] Anna's nightly practice: revisiting hard moments and calming her nervous system [00:43:00] Start small, start outside, get good at it. It becomes a superpower. Links: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1966629974 https://annalecat.com/ SIS Links 💌 Sisters In Sobriety Substack – where the magic (and the mocktail recipes) happen 📬 Sisters In Sobriety Email 📸 Sisters In Sobriety Instagram 🌐 Kathleen’s Website Kathleen does not endorse any products mentioned in this podcast 📸 Kathleen’s Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Conflict avoidance and people-pleasing show up in so many women's stories around alcohol — yet they rarely get the airtime they deserve. In this episode of Sisters in Sobriety, Sonia and Kathleen sit down with Anna Lecat, intimacy and conflict consultant, global speaker, and author of Loving Conflict: Creating Collaboration Where Others See Division. Anna has spent decades across cultures, continents, and boardrooms persuading people that learning to conflict well is one of the most loving things we can offer each other.What does it actually mean to fight kindly? Why do so many women reach for a drink before a hard conversation — or avoid it entirely? And what is it about anger that feels so unbearable to sit with?Anna unpacks the tango metaphor at the heart of her work — conflict as tension plus connection, not threat plus danger. She walks through a practical spectrum for building conflict confidence, starting with low-stakes settings like restaurants and working up to the relationships that flood us most. The conversation explores emotional responsibility, nervous system regulation, and how early experiences with anger shape us as adults — often leading us to read conflict as rejection when it's really someone else's old wound surfacing.Then things get personal. Sonia opens up about pouring a glass of wine before calling her mother — and how that glass became a bottle. Kathleen shares her own story of returning to her hairdresser with honest, gentle feedback and what that small act revealed about the difference between avoiding conflict and moving through it with care.This is Sisters in Sobriety, the support community that helps women change their relationship with alcohol. Check out our Substack for extra tips, tricks, and resources.Highlights[00:01:00] Anna reframes conflict as a doorway rather than a threat[00:02:00] Her mission: persuading people to fight kindly[00:03:00] People who are deeply loved don't need to wage war[00:05:00] Connection and uplift extend beyond romance to friends, parents, and coworkers[00:06:00] Why women are socialized to avoid conflict[00:07:00] Conflict as a tango — listening, suggesting, responding in turn[00:08:00] Using nonverbal tango exercises in corporate workshops[00:11:00] Men in Beijing end up in tears during a two-minute eye contact meditation[00:13:00] Why sending food back at a restaurant is the perfect place to start[00:14:00] "If you think you're enlightened, go spend a week with your parents"[00:15:00] Kathleen's hairdresser story becomes a master class in kind conflict[00:18:00] Sonia's glass of wine before calling her mother — and how it became a bottle[00:20:00] Why anger is the most stigmatized emotion across every culture[00:21:00] Anger reveals a person's deepest fears and values — slow down and listen[00:22:00] How Anna navigates her own anger — consent first, then curiosity[00:27:00] It only takes one person to shift the dynamic of a relationship[00:29:00] People-pleasing as a conflict strategy — and how to tell it from self-protection[00:33:00] Practice conflict in low-stakes settings before the ones that flood you[00:37:00] Anna's nightly practice: revisiting hard moments and calming her nervous system[00:43:00] Start small, start outside, get good at it. It becomes a superpower.Links:https://www.amazon.com/dp/1966629974https://annalecat.com/SIS Links💌 Sisters In Sobriety Substack – where the magic (and the mocktail recipes) happen📬 Sisters In Sobriety Email📸 Sisters In Sobriety Instagram🌐 Kathleen’s Website Kathleen does not endorse any products mentioned in this podcast📸 Kathleen’s Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Sisters in Sobriety, Sonia sits down with Chef Whitney Aronoff, founder of Starseed Kitchen and creator of High Vibration Living, to explore the powerful connection between food, energy, and emotional wellbeing. Together, they unpack how supportive nutrition goes far beyond what’s on your plate—and how small, intentional shifts can help women feel more aligned, energized, and connected in sobriety and everyday life.The conversation weaves through questions many women quietly ask themselves: Why do cravings—especially for sugar or alcohol—feel so intense? How does what we eat impact our mood, clarity, and intuition? Is “clean eating” actually helping, or could it be contributing to digestive issues and burnout?Whitney introduces the concept of “high vibration” foods—fresh, seasonal, whole ingredients that support both physical health and energetic balance. She challenges common wellness myths (like relying on raw foods or pre-packaged “healthy” meals) and emphasizes simple, traditional cooking methods like roasting, steaming, and slow cooking. The episode also explores how alcohol impacts blood sugar and cravings, why intuitive eating requires removing distractions and calming the nervous system, and how quality over quantity applies to everything from pantry staples to indulgences like chocolate or ice cream.Whitney shares her personal journey of healing chronic digestive issues by becoming her own advocate—moving beyond conventional advice and learning to listen to her body. The discussion expands into emotional and energetic health, touching on how food choices can influence clarity, identity, and even spiritual awareness.This is Sisters in Sobriety, the support community that helps women change their relationship with alcohol. Check out our substack for extra tips, tricks and resources.Highlights00:00 – Introduction to Chef Whitney Aronoff and High Vibration Living01:30 – Early relationship with food and chronic digestive issues03:00 – Becoming your own advocate in health and nutrition04:30 – The role of whole foods vs processed foods05:30 – Why simplicity in cooking supports digestion07:00 – The “fireplace” analogy for digestion and cold foods08:30 – Eating seasonally and adjusting food to climate10:00 – Why one hot meal a day matters11:00 – Food as a gateway to emotional and spiritual awareness12:30 – How diet changes can shift identity and intuition13:30 – Understanding cravings through energy and environment15:00 – What “high vibration” food actually means16:30 – Grocery store vs farmers market choices18:30 – Navigating food access and making better choices19:30 – Reconnecting with hunger cues and intuitive eating21:00 – How environment and stress affect digestion22:30 – Alcohol, sugar cravings, and blood sugar cycles24:00 – Rethinking sugar as “treats” instead of restriction26:00 – Quality over quantity when it comes to indulgences29:00 – Physical vs emotional cravings explained31:00 – Essential pantry staples for supportive nutrition34:00 – Adapting food philosophy to different lifestyles and cultures36:00 – Perfectionism, control, and emotional imbalance38:00 – Making cooking easier with planning and batch meals41:00 – Practical shortcuts: frozen foods, curry pastes, and bone broth44:00 – Carbs, rice, and personalized nutrition approaches47:00 – Building community through food and shared meals48:30 – Prioritizing joy and intentional livingWhitney's Linkshttps://starseedkitchen.com/https://www.instagram.com/whitneyaronoff/SIS Links💌 Sisters In Sobriety Substack – where the magic (and the mocktail recipes) happen📬 Sisters In Sobriety Email📸 Sisters In Sobriety Instagram🌐 Kathleen’s Website Kathleen does not endorse any products mentioned in this podcast📸 Kathleen’s Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Sisters in Sobriety, Sonia sits down with Chef Whitney Aronoff, founder of Starseed Kitchen and creator of High Vibration Living, to explore the powerful connection between food, energy, and emotional wellbeing. Together, they unpack how supportive nutrition goes far beyond what’s on your plate—and how small, intentional shifts can help women feel more aligned, energized, and connected in sobriety and everyday life. The conversation weaves through questions many women quietly ask themselves: Why do cravings—especially for sugar or alcohol—feel so intense? How does what we eat impact our mood, clarity, and intuition? Is “clean eating” actually helping, or could it be contributing to digestive issues and burnout? Whitney introduces the concept of “high vibration” foods—fresh, seasonal, whole ingredients that support both physical health and energetic balance. She challenges common wellness myths (like relying on raw foods or pre-packaged “healthy” meals) and emphasizes simple, traditional cooking methods like roasting, steaming, and slow cooking. The episode also explores how alcohol impacts blood sugar and cravings, why intuitive eating requires removing distractions and calming the nervous system, and how quality over quantity applies to everything from pantry staples to indulgences like chocolate or ice cream. Whitney shares her personal journey of healing chronic digestive issues by becoming her own advocate—moving beyond conventional advice and learning to listen to her body. The discussion expands into emotional and energetic health, touching on how food choices can influence clarity, identity, and even spiritual awareness. This is Sisters in Sobriety, the support community that helps women change their relationship with alcohol. Check out our substack for extra tips, tricks and resources. Highlights 00:00 – Introduction to Chef Whitney Aronoff and High Vibration Living 01:30 – Early relationship with food and chronic digestive issues 03:00 – Becoming your own advocate in health and nutrition 04:30 – The role of whole foods vs processed foods 05:30 – Why simplicity in cooking supports digestion 07:00 – The “fireplace” analogy for digestion and cold foods 08:30 – Eating seasonally and adjusting food to climate 10:00 – Why one hot meal a day matters 11:00 – Food as a gateway to emotional and spiritual awareness 12:30 – How diet changes can shift identity and intuition 13:30 – Understanding cravings through energy and environment 15:00 – What “high vibration” food actually means 16:30 – Grocery store vs farmers market choices 18:30 – Navigating food access and making better choices 19:30 – Reconnecting with hunger cues and intuitive eating 21:00 – How environment and stress affect digestion 22:30 – Alcohol, sugar cravings, and blood sugar cycles 24:00 – Rethinking sugar as “treats” instead of restriction 26:00 – Quality over quantity when it comes to indulgences 29:00 – Physical vs emotional cravings explained 31:00 – Essential pantry staples for supportive nutrition 34:00 – Adapting food philosophy to different lifestyles and cultures 36:00 – Perfectionism, control, and emotional imbalance 38:00 – Making cooking easier with planning and batch meals 41:00 – Practical shortcuts: frozen foods, curry pastes, and bone broth 44:00 – Carbs, rice, and personalized nutrition approaches 47:00 – Building community through food and shared meals 48:30 – Prioritizing joy and intentional living Whitney's Links https://starseedkitchen.com/ https://www.instagram.com/whitneyaronoff/ SIS Links 💌 Sisters In Sobriety Substack – where the magic (and the mocktail recipes) happen 📬 Sisters In Sobriety Email 📸 Sisters In Sobriety Instagram 🌐 Kathleen’s Website Kathleen does not endorse any products mentioned in this podcast 📸 Kathleen’s Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mental health routines don’t have to be complicated to make a real difference. In this episode, Sonia and Kathleen sit down with Cameron Rogers to talk about the small, realistic practices that help regulate anxiety, quiet racing thoughts, and support emotional wellbeing. Cameron Rogers is the founder and host of the Conversations with Cam podcast and uses her unfiltered voice and humor to create a safe space online for honest conversations about motherhood, mental health, and personal growth. As a mental health advocate, community curator, and mom, Cameron’s audience connects with her authentic approach to navigating life’s challenges. She is also the creator of Quiet Your Mind and Busy Your Hands, a product that blends journaling prompts, coloring affirmations, and reflection to help people reconnect with creativity and calm—an idea inspired by her recovery from a concussion that forced her to step away from screens and rediscover the power of simple, analog practices. In this conversation, Sonia, Kathleen, and Cameron explore the realities of caring for mental health in a busy world. They discuss anxiety, ADHD, productivity culture, and how motherhood can reshape the way we think about self-care. The episode touches on questions many women are asking: how journaling can interrupt spiraling thoughts, why hydration and movement affect mood, and how creating small rituals—like journaling spaces or “calm corners”—can help regulate the nervous system during stressful moments. The discussion also highlights practical tools Cameron uses regularly. Journaling becomes a central theme as a way to release thoughts onto paper and reduce anxiety. Cameron shares how simple prompts, gratitude practices, and even word-dump journaling can make the habit approachable. They also explore how environment affects emotional regulation through lighting, texture, and calming spaces, and how modern wellness culture can sometimes create unrealistic pressure to maintain the “perfect” routine. Later in the episode, the conversation shifts to substance use and mindfulness. Cameron explains why she stepped away from alcohol after noticing it worsened her anxiety, and mindful cannabis use, dopamine-seeking behaviors linked to ADHD, and Cameron’s experience with microdosing and a guided psychedelic journey that helped her process lingering stress and identity shifts after leaving her corporate career. This is Sisters in Sobriety, the support community that helps women change their relationship with alcohol. Check out our substack for extra tips, tricks and resources. Episode Highlights 00:00 Introduction to Cameron Rogers and her work 01:40 The concussion that changed Cameron’s mental health practices 03:00 Growing up in a high-performance environment 05:00 When self-care becomes obsessive 07:10 How journaling became Cameron’s core practice 10:00 Using journaling to calm anxiety 12:15 Gratitude practices for shifting mindset 13:30 Creating “calm corners” for nervous system regulation 15:00 Sensory elements that create calm spaces 18:00 Hydration and mental clarity 22:30 Mindful cannabis use and creativity 24:00 Cameron’s decision to stop drinking alcohol 26:30 Addiction, dopamine, and ADHD 32:00 Cameron’s psychedelic therapy experience 39:30 Using affirmations to shift inner dialogue 43:00 Reframing exercise as mental health support 47:00 Letting go of the “perfect” wellness routine Cameron's Links Instagram: @cameronoaksrogers Substack: Fill Your Cup SIS Links 💌 Sisters In Sobriety Substack – where the magic (and the mocktail recipes) happen 📬 Sisters In Sobriety Email 📸 Sisters In Sobriety Instagram 🌐 Kathleen’s Website Kathleen does not endorse any products mentioned in this podcast 📸 Kathleen’s Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Licensed clinical psychologist and bestselling author Dr. Sherrie Campbell joins us for a powerful conversation about toxic family dynamics, emotional abuse, and the complicated path toward family estrangement. In this episode, Sonia and Kathleen explore how unhealthy family relationships can shape self-worth, boundaries, and coping mechanisms—including substance use—and how women can begin to reclaim their lives. Dr. Campbell is a nationally recognized expert on family estrangement, author of Adult Survivors of Toxic Family Members, a TEDx speaker, and host of the top 1% podcast Sherapy Sessions: Cutting Toxic Family Ties. Together, they unpack the realities of emotionally abusive parenting, boundary setting, and the courage it takes to choose healing. The conversation explores difficult but deeply relatable questions: What actually qualifies as emotional abuse in a family system? Why do so many adult children struggle to recognize toxic dynamics while they’re living inside them? How do manipulation, triangulation, guilt, and silent treatment shape a child’s development—and how do those patterns follow people into adulthood? The episode also examines how family trauma can intersect with coping behaviors like alcohol use, why estrangement is often misunderstood, and how protective distance can become an act of self-respect rather than rejection. Dr. Campbell shares parts of her own story of growing up in a deeply dysfunctional family system and the decades-long process that ultimately led her to cut contact with her mother. She walks through the moment that finally broke the cycle, the years of boundary setting that preceded it, and the grief that often accompanies estrangement. The conversation closes with reflections on healing, journaling as a lifelong practice, and what it means to build a chosen life outside of family dysfunction. This is Sisters in Sobriety, the support community that helps women change their relationship with alcohol. Check out our substack for extra tips, tricks and resources. Episode Highlights 00:00 – Introducing Dr. Sherrie Campbell and the topic of toxic family relationships 02:30 – Why family estrangement is often misunderstood 04:10 – The difference between single-incident conflict and chronic family dysfunction 05:40 – Why parents are responsible for repairing relationships with their children 07:20 – How boundaries are meant to preserve relationships, not destroy them 08:10 – The common behaviors of emotionally abusive parents 10:15 – Why emotional abuse can be difficult to recognize inside families 11:00 – A personal example of subtle emotional humiliation 12:30 – Emotional abuse vs. emotional neglect explained 14:00 – What “protective estrangement” really means 15:30 – The metaphor of the house, yard, and fence for setting boundaries 18:30 – Why estrangement usually follows decades of boundary violations 21:00 – How long many adult children try to repair relationships before cutting ties 24:00 – The intersection of childhood trauma and substance use 25:00 – Why people turn to alcohol or other coping behaviors 27:30 – Lessons learned from working with addiction recovery groups 29:30 – What changes internally when someone gets sober 31:00 – Why addiction recovery requires responsibility and self-respect 33:30 – The first steps toward healing from family trauma 36:30 – Rebuilding self-trust after toxic parenting 39:00 – Dr. Campbell’s personal healing practices and journaling ritual 41:00 – Breaking generational cycles through love and conscious parenting Dr. Sherrie's Links Link to TEDx talk: https://youtu.be/deyHwDkG7oc?si=vy7p-wD6MvgwCfR- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.sherrie/ SIS Links 💌 Sisters In Sobriety Substack – where the magic (and the mocktail recipes) happen 📬 Sisters In Sobriety Email 📸 Sisters In Sobriety Instagram 🌐 Kathleen’s Website Kathleen does not endorse any products mentioned in this podcast 📸 Kathleen’s Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sonia and Kathleen sit down with Heather Francis, host of the Midlife Moves Podcast. Heather is an entrepreneur and mom of four who brings a lived-experience perspective to conversations around identity, self-trust, and personal growth. She speaks as a woman who has learned, often through trial and error, what it means to evolve, recalibrate, and choose herself more intentionally. Together, they explore what really happens in our forties and fifties: shifting identities, perimenopause, strength training, sleep disruption, protein intake, and the unexpected grief that can come when children grow up and roles change. Together, they unpack how to move through midlife with intention rather than fear—and how movement, community, and curiosity can help women feel strong, clear, and empowered in this next chapter. The conversation weaves through questions many women are quietly asking: Why does anxiety spike in perimenopause? Why does sleep suddenly fall apart at 1:00 AM? Why does cardio stop working the way it used to? How much protein do women actually need in midlife? What role do magnesium, creatine, and recovery days play in hormonal health? How do friendships, identity, and self-definition evolve when the “mom” role begins to shift? Heather shares practical insights around strength training versus excessive cardio, mobility work, rest days, over-exercising, wearable technology, alcohol’s impact on sleep, sugar spikes, and the importance of fueling the body with whole-food protein sources. The discussion touches on cognitive health in midlife, research around creatine for women, bloodwork-guided supplementation, anxiety management, and why connection is foundational for both brain health and emotional resilience. Rather than extreme reinvention, the theme becomes small, intentional adjustments that support longevity, muscle preservation, sleep quality, and overall wellness. Heather opens up about her identity crisis when her children began leaving home, the depression that followed, the isolation of rediscovering herself alone, and the courage it took to ask: Who am I beyond caretaker, wife, and mother? The conversation moves into friendship shifts, gym communities, saying yes to coffee dates, and redefining confidence outside of labels. In a powerful closing reflection, Heather offers a reframe for midlife: not as decline, but as possibility—a second act that doesn’t require blowing up your life, just choosing more intentionally within it. This is Sisters in Sobriety, the support community that helps women change their relationship with alcohol. Check out our substack for extra tips, tricks and resources. Highlights 00:00 – Introduction to Heather Francis and Midlife Moves 02:00 – Identity crisis when children grow up 04:00 – Realizing midlife is a second act, not an ending 05:00 – Perimenopause conversations we wish existed 06:00 – Hormones, anxiety, and 1:00 AM wakeups 07:00 – Why movement helped anxiety more than medication 08:00 – Cardio vs. strength training in midlife 09:00 – What strength training actually looks like 13:00 – Yoga, mobility, and emotional release 15:00 – Signs you may be over-exercising 17:00 – Magnesium, meditation, and sleep hygiene 19:00 – Alcohol’s impact on sleep quality 20:00 – Wearables, tracking, and number obsession 21:00 – Sugar’s effect on sleep and recovery 23:00 – Nutrition, fueling, and hormone support 27:00 – Protein myths and whole-food sources 34:00 – Creatine, cognitive health, and supplements 38:00 – Friendship shifts and loneliness in midlife 44:00 – Redefining identity beyond “mom” 46:00 – The message of midlife: possibility and intentional change Heather's Links https://www.instagram.com/themidlifemovespodcast/ midlifemoves.co SIS Links 💌 Sisters In Sobriety Substack – where the magic (and the mocktail recipes) happen 📬 Sisters In Sobriety Email 📸 Sisters In Sobriety Instagram 🌐 Kathleen’s Website Kathleen does not endorse any products mentioned in this podcast 📸 Kathleen’s Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sonia sits down with Sean Dadashi, co-founder of Rosebud, an AI-guided journaling app built to deepen self-reflection, emotional awareness, and intentional healing. Together, they explore how journaling can move beyond venting and become a powerful tool for insight — helping you recognize emotional patterns, understand triggers, and reshape the internal narratives that shape sobriety and personal growth. The conversation expands into the evolving role of AI in mental health and self-development. They discuss how guided prompts, voice journaling, emotional tagging, and pattern recognition can make reflection more accessible — especially for those intimidated by a blank page. At the same time, they examine the importance of keeping therapy, community, and real human connection at the center of healing, while using technology as a supportive tool rather than a replacement. Sonia and Sean also walk through specific journaling practices, including Rose-Bud-Thorn reflections, somatic journaling, gratitude work, boundary-setting exercises, and intention setting. They explore how Rosebud can support therapy preparation, unsent letters, difficult conversations, and voice-based emotional processing. Throughout the episode, they highlight how digital journaling can help expand emotional vocabulary, identify recurring behavioral patterns, and deepen therapeutic work between sessions. On a more personal note, Sonia shares her love of pen-to-paper journaling — the colored pens, the bedside rituals — and reflects on what it means to shift from analog habits to digital tools in a way that enhances, rather than replaces, the reflective experience. This is Sisters in Sobriety, the support community that helps women change their relationship with alcohol. Check out our substack for extra tips, tricks and resources. Highlights00:00 — Introduction to Sean Dadashi and the mission behind Rosebud 01:45 — Sean’s early relationship with journaling during family divorce 04:10 — Moving from handwritten journals to digital reflection 06:20 — Recognizing emotional and behavioral patterns over time 08:05 — The “blank page problem” and barriers to starting journaling 09:40 — How the “Go Deeper” function guides layered reflection 11:30 — AI summaries, emotional tagging, and weekly reports 13:05 — Metrics, character tracking, and narrative insights 14:10 — Naming emotions and therapist-informed AI design 15:20 — How Rosebud differs from generic chatbots 16:40 — AI memory and long-term pattern recognition 17:25 — Asking big-picture life questions through journal history 18:50 — Year-end reflection archetypes and narrative mapping 20:10 — AI personas: nurturing vs. direct reflection styles 21:05 — Preventing AI from replacing human connection 22:30 — Platform limits and ethical guardrails 24:00 — Crisis response and safety considerations 28:40 — Using journaling alongside therapy and coaching 31:10 — Preparing for therapy sessions through reflection insights 32:15 — Pen-and-paper vs. digital journaling debate 34:05 — Voice journaling and emotional expression 36:10 — Importing handwritten journals via photo transcription 38:15 — Rose-Bud-Thorn framework and evening reflections 40:20 — Somatic journaling and body-based awareness 41:10 — Letter writing, boundary setting, and hard conversations 43:00 — Facilitating real-life conversations using AI support 44:05 — Intention setting and future-self visualization 45:50 — Creating mantras and symbolic yearly totems 46:40 — Building sustainable daily reflection practices 47:30 — Closing thoughts and episode wrap-up Rosebud https://my.rosebud.app/ SIS Links 💌 Sisters In Sobriety Substack – where the magic (and the mocktail recipes) happen 📬 Sisters In Sobriety Email 📸 Sisters In Sobriety Instagram 🌐 Kathleen’s Website Kathleen does not endorse any products mentioned in this podcast 📸 Kathleen’s Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.