Sharing With Out Shame

Have you ever felt judged, shamed, or hopeless because of your child’s addiction? When my son was in active addiction, I felt like I was going to die from the pain of my broken heart. Addiction forces families into crisis mode, facing overdoses, legal issues, and impossible decisions.I’m Donna Marston, founder of Sharing Without Shame, CRSW, and Family Recovery Strategist. Through my podcast, coaching, workshops, and books, you'll learn about boundaries, coping skills, and why self-care isn’t selfish. If you're ready to move past your pain, join me and start your healing journey today!

Sharing With Out Shame is a kids podcast hosted by Donna Marston, with 64 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Donna Marston hosts Sharing With Out Shame, a kids show with 64 episodes published.

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  Episode #76

  Navigating Trauma, Breaking Cycles and Rising with Confidence with Amy Tostenson | Ep76

  Sep 21, 202639 min

  In this episode of the Sharing Without Shame Podcast, Donna Marston welcomes Amy Tostenson, a nurse with more than 20 years of experience, trauma-informed life coach, and founder of Rise of the Phoenix Coach. Amy opens up about her personal journey through childhood trauma, addiction, recovery, and rebuilding her life. She shares how destructive behaviors can take many forms and how, for her, addiction shifted over the years from cigarettes and alcohol to other substances, food, over-exercising, sex, and other behaviors. Amy also explains why simply stopping one addictive behavior isn't always enough. She discusses the concept of cross-addiction and the importance of addressing the underlying trauma, emotional pain, and unmet needs that can fuel destructive behaviors. In This Episode, Donna and Lisa Discuss: Amy's experience with childhood trauma and addiction How addictive and destructive behaviors can change over time Cross-addiction and replacing one behavior with another Why addressing the root causes of addiction can be important for lasting recovery Amy's experience with homelessness and rebuilding her life The connection between trauma, addiction, and self-esteem Learning self-love, self-worth, and self-respect Amy's experience with AA and Recovery Dharma Why recovery isn't one-size-fits-all The role of mindfulness and meditation in recovery Nervous system regulation and healing Breathwork, grounding, mindful movement, and Tai Chi Developing healthy habits and making them part of everyday life Vulnerability, accountability, and asking for help Why a slip doesn't have to mean giving up Finding hope during difficult seasons About Amy Tostenson Amy Tostenson is a nurse with more than 20 years of experience, a trauma-informed life coach, and the founder of Rise of the Phoenix Coach. Drawing from her own experiences with trauma, addiction, recovery, and personal transformation, Amy works with people who want to heal from trauma, maintain recovery, and create greater peace, clarity, purpose, and happiness in their lives. Links: Website: https://riseofthephoenixcoach.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RiseofthePhoenixCoach/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/riseofthephoenixcoach Substack: https://riseofthephoenixcoach.substack.com/ Grab my free "5 Boundaries and Breakthrough" Guide here: ⁠ https://swos.sharingwithoutshame.com/5-boundaries Learn more: ⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/Sharingwithoutshame⁠⁠ Thank you for tuning in! May your faith and strength heal your heart.

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  Episode #75

  What Happens When Alcohol Becomes Your Coping Mechanism with Lisa Van Slyke | Ep75

  Sep 4, 202637 min

  What happens when alcohol becomes more than something you drink—and starts becoming the way you cope, connect, escape, and survive? In this conversation, Donna Marston sits down with Lisa Van Slyke, speaker, veteran, author, and creator of the Three Moves Rule, to talk openly about addiction, sobriety, shame, relationships, identity, and the difficult but transformative journey of healing. Lisa shares that she is six years sober and opens up about a time when alcohol had become her “best friend.” Despite continuing to function as a parent and participating actively in her children's lives, she describes the physical, emotional, and mental toll that drinking was taking on her. In This Episode, Donna and Lisa Discuss: What it felt like to be “crying for help” while believing nobody was listening How normalized alcohol use can make recognizing a drinking problem more difficult Her experience with alcohol culture in and around the military How childhood expectations and societal pressure contributed to her struggle to discover who she really was What finally helped her move away from alcohol and toward sobriety Why recovery requires more than simply stopping a substance—it requires healing and changing behaviors How alcohol affected her relationships and her sense of self The importance of recognizing when a relationship or situation is “complete” How shame, guilt, and the desire to avoid failure can keep people stuck Why parents and loved ones can become addicted to rescuing, fixing, or controlling outcomes The concept of the “messy middle”—the uncertain space between who you were and who you're becoming Lisa's Three Moves Rule, a practical framework for moving forward when you're overwhelmed Why taking one small action can be more powerful than overthinking the entire future How Lisa continues to intentionally train her mindset around being alcohol-free Her powerful realization that she had been waiting for herself all along About Lisa Van Slyke: Lisa Van Slyke is a speaker, transformation coach, Army veteran, and creator of the Three Moves Rule™, a practical framework designed to help people stop spiraling, manage overwhelm, and take their next clear step forward. Links: Website: https://stan.store/thelisav Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheLisaV/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelisav Grab my free "5 Boundaries and Breakthrough" Guide here: ⁠ https://swos.sharingwithoutshame.com/5-boundaries Learn more: ⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/Sharingwithoutshame⁠⁠ Thank you for tuning in! May your faith and strength heal your heart.

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  Episode #74

  Finding Your Voice, Healing Family Patterns & Helping Others Heal with Jamie McKibben-Reese | Ep74

  Aug 18, 202642 min

  "Never give up. It's never too late. And no one's ever too far gone.” In this episode of the Sharing Without Shame Podcast, Donna Marston welcomes author, interventionist, life coach, and recovery coach Jamie McKibben-Reese for an honest conversation about addiction, recovery, family dynamics, codependency, and the healing that happens when we learn to use our voices. Jamie openly shares that she is in recovery from alcoholism and has been sober since 2017. Rather than presenting recovery as a destination, she describes it as a continually evolving lifestyle that requires self-awareness, accountability, support, and a willingness to keep growing. In This Episode, Donna and Jamie Discuss: Jamie's personal journey of recovery from alcoholism and what sobriety has taught her Why recovery is a lifestyle rather than simply abstaining from alcohol or substances Jamie's experience with SMART Recovery, cognitive behavioral approaches, mindfulness, yoga, Bible study, and other tools How anxiety contributed to Jamie's drinking and why changing thought patterns became an important part of her recovery The importance of surrounding yourself with safe people who will provide honest accountability Why people in the helping professions also need permission to struggle and give themselves grace About Jamie McKibben-Reese Jamie McKibben-Reese is an author, interventionist, life coach, recovery coach, and motivational speaker. She draws from her own experience with alcoholism and recovery to help individuals and families navigate difficult seasons and move toward healing and restoration. Jamie has been in recovery since 2017 and incorporates a variety of approaches into her own recovery journey, including 12-step principles, SMART Recovery concepts, mindfulness, yoga, Bible study, and community support. She is also the author of I Never Left You, I've Been Here the Whole Time and God, This Is Your Story Workbook. Links: Website: https://authorjmreese.com/ Books: https://books.by/jm-reesebookstore Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lifegivinglife/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/author_jmreese Grab my free "5 Boundaries and Breakthrough" Guide here: ⁠ https://swos.sharingwithoutshame.com/5-boundaries Learn more: ⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/Sharingwithoutshame⁠⁠ Thank you for tuning in! May your faith and strength heal your heart.

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  Episode #73

  Navigating Mental Health, Alcohol Use Disorder and a Broken System with Robert Rickelman | Ep73

  Jul 31, 202645 min

  What does it take to rebuild your life after decades of addiction, mental illness, and unimaginable loss? In this episode of the Sharing Without Shame podcast, host Donna Marston sits down with author Robert Rickelman to discuss his deeply personal journey through childhood trauma, severe anxiety, alcoholism, psychiatric hospitalization, and ultimately, lasting recovery. Robert shares how growing up with an alcoholic mother shaped his early life, why alcohol became his way of coping, and how addiction nearly cost him everything—including his health, relationships, and future. After years of detox programs, suicide attempts, hospitalizations, and searching for answers, Robert was diagnosed with serious mental health conditions that finally helped explain the struggles he had faced for most of his life. Together, Donna and Robert also explore: How childhood trauma and anxiety can contribute to addiction The connection between mental illness and substance use disorders What alcohol cravings really feel like The challenges within today's mental health and recovery systems The impact addiction has on families and loved ones The importance of compassion, persistence, and never giving up on recovery Finding purpose by sharing your story with others Whether you're struggling with addiction, supporting a loved one, or searching for hope after years of setbacks, this conversation offers encouragement, honesty, and the reminder that it's never too late to change your life. About Our Guest Robert Rickelman is the author of Jumping to the End, a memoir chronicling his lifelong battle with alcoholism, mental illness, and recovery. Through candid storytelling, he offers readers hope, resilience, and proof that healing is possible—even after decades of struggle. Website: https://robertrickelman.com/ Book: https://robertrickelman.com/books/jumping-to-the-end Grab my free "5 Boundaries and Breakthrough" Guide here: ⁠ https://swos.sharingwithoutshame.com/5-boundaries Learn more: ⁠⁠ https://linktr.ee/Sharingwithoutshame⁠⁠ Thank you for tuning in! May your faith and strength heal your heart.

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  Episode #72

  How Childhood Trauma Fuels Addiction and the Path to Lasting Recovery with Kimberly Deziree | Ep72

  Jul 17, 202646 min

  Many people believe recovery is simply about quitting alcohol or drugs. But true healing goes much deeper. In this powerful episode of Sharing Without Shame, Donna Marston sits down with therapist, life coach, recovery support worker, and motivational speaker Kimberly Deziree to discuss how childhood trauma, unresolved emotional wounds, and unhealthy relationship patterns shape our lives—and how doing the inner work can lead to lasting freedom. Kimberly shares her deeply personal recovery journey, from addiction and destructive relationships to becoming a therapist who now helps others reclaim their lives. Together, she and Donna explore why boundaries are essential, how childhood experiences influence adult behavior, and why healing yourself is one of the greatest gifts you can give both yourself and your family. In This Episode You'll Learn: 💠 Why addiction is often rooted in unresolved childhood trauma 💠How unhealthy relationships mirror unhealed emotional wounds 💠The importance of boundaries in recovery and emotional health 💠Why healing begins with taking responsibility—not blame 💠How faith, therapy, self-reflection, and inner child work can transform your life 💠Breaking generational cycles of addiction and dysfunction 💠Why recovery is about treating the nervous system—not just stopping substance use 💠The difference between awareness and acceptance 💠How forgiveness creates freedom 💠Why showing up for yourself is the foundation of healing About the Guest: Kimberly Deziree is a New Hampshire-based licensed therapist, Certified Life Coach, Certified Recovery Support Worker (CRSW), motivational speaker, and retreat facilitator. With more than a decade of experience helping individuals recover from addiction and trauma, Kimberly combines lived experience with professional expertise to guide others toward healing, personal transformation, and self-actualization. She is currently writing a book focused on reclaiming your life and becoming who you were meant to be. Facebook: ⁠ https://www.facebook.com/kimberly.naya/⁠ Grab my free "5 Boundaries and Breakthrough" Guide here: ⁠ https://swos.sharingwithoutshame.com/5-boundaries Learn more: ⁠⁠ https://linktr.ee/Sharingwithoutshame⁠⁠ Thank you for tuning in! May your faith and strength heal your heart.

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