Shame, guilt, and addiction don’t have to define your story.

In this episode, Donna Marston welcomes Dr. Tom Horvath, a board-certified clinical psychologist, co-founder of SMART Recovery, and pioneer in science-based addiction support. Together, they explore the role of shame and guilt, why recovery is not one-size-fits-all, and how families can support a loved one without losing themselves in the process.

Dr. Horvath shares decades of insight on self-empowered recovery, alternatives to the traditional “rock bottom” narrative, and practical tools families can use to create healthier dynamics. This conversation offers hope, clarity, and reassurance for anyone navigating addiction, whether personally or through someone they love.

Topics Covered:

- The difference between shame and guilt and how each impacts recovery

- Why there are many valid pathways to recovery

- SMART Recovery vs. 12-step programs

- The importance of choice and self-empowerment in healing

- How families can support recovery without controlling it

- Common myths about addiction and “rock bottom”

- Practical ways to communicate with a loved one in treatment

- Building a meaningful life beyond addiction

About the Guest

Dr. Tom Horvath is a board-certified clinical psychologist, Navy veteran, and internationally recognized expert in addiction recovery. He is the co-founder and former president of SMART Recovery, a science-based, self-empowering recovery network, and the founder of Practical Recovery in San Diego. Dr. Horvath is also the author of Sex, Drugs, Gambling, and Chocolate, a practical workbook for overcoming addictive behaviors.

Quotes:

“A little guilt can help us change, but too much shame keeps us stuck.”

“Recovery works best when people have a choice.”

“There isn’t one right way to recover, only the way that works for you.”

🔗 Guest Resources:

Website: https://smartrecovery.org/

👉 Learn more about Donna’s work and resources at ⁠sharingwithoutshame.com⁠

Grab my free "5 Boundaries and Breakthrough" Guide. here: ⁠https://sharing-with-out-shame.kit.com/690016dc78⁠

Sponsors:

Experience Inner Peace with Calming Therapy Bracelets

Website: ⁠⁠https://snappbandz.com/⁠

Use SWOS or SharingWithoutShame code

Learn more: ⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/Sharingwithoutshame⁠⁠

Thank you for tuning in! May your faith and strength heal your heart.

In this episode of Sharing Without Shame, Donna Marston sits down with Anne Peshka to explore how trauma, shame, addiction, and grief can be transformed into healing, purpose, and gratitude.

Anne shares her powerful life story, including childhood trauma, addiction, recovery, motherhood, grief, and the moment she realized she was worth fighting for. Together, Donna and Anne have a compassionate, real conversation about letting go of labels, releasing shame, and learning how to truly hold space for ourselves and the people we love.

✨ Topics Covered:

- How childhood trauma fuels shame and addiction

- Why substances are a Band-Aid—and healing starts with the “why”

- Releasing labels like “addict,” “victim,” and “survivor”

- Grieving the living and loving without control

- The importance of boundaries vs. unhealthy helping

- What it really means to “hit your enough”

- Turning pain into purpose and trauma into wisdom

- Learning to believe you are worthy of a good life

💛 Key Takeaway:

Healing begins when shame is brought into the light—and when you start believing you are worth the fight.

🔗 Guest Resources:

Book: Trauma, Recycled (available in print and audiobook) https://annepeshka.com/book/

Website: https://annepeshka.com/

👉 Learn more about Donna’s work and resources at ⁠sharingwithoutshame.com⁠

Grab my free "5 Boundaries and Breakthrough" Guide. here: ⁠https://sharing-with-out-shame.kit.com/690016dc78⁠

Sponsors:

Experience Inner Peace with Calming Therapy Bracelets

Website: ⁠⁠https://snappbandz.com/⁠

Use SWOS or SharingWithoutShame code

Learn more: ⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/Sharingwithoutshame⁠⁠

Thank you for tuning in! May your faith and strength heal your heart.

In this episode of Sharing Without Shame, Donna Marston welcomes Darlene Lancer, licensed marriage and family therapist, author, and internationally recognized expert on codependency, shame, and emotional healing.

With over 30 years of clinical experience, Darlene shares how shame often sits at the core of addiction, codependency, anxiety, depression, and unhealthy family dynamics—and why healing symptoms alone isn’t enough.

Together, Donna and Darlene explore how childhood experiences shape adult relationships, how families unintentionally pass down shame, and why setting boundaries is essential for both recovery and peace.

In this episode, we discuss:

- The difference between shame and guilt and why it matters

- How childhood emotional suppression fuels codependency

- Why addiction is often a form of self-soothing, not rebellion

- The connection between shame, anxiety, and perfectionism

- How families absorb and carry shame around addiction

- Why enabling feels like love but often causes harm

- Detachment, boundaries, and letting others experience consequences

- Gaslighting, loss of self-trust, and emotional survival in addiction

- Why healing must address the emotional, mental, spiritual, and physical self

Darlene also shares practical insights on recognizing inner criticism, rebuilding self-esteem, and beginning the process of releasing long-held shame.

About the Guest:

Darlene Lancer, JD, MFT is the author of Codependency For Dummies, Conquering Shame and Codependency, Dating, Loving, and Leaving a Narcissist, and several workbooks and healing resources.

Connect with Darlene:

Darlene Lancer: https://darlenelancer.com/

What is Codependency: https://whatiscodependency.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/codependencyrecovery/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darlenelancerlmft/

👉 Learn more about Donna’s work and resources at ⁠sharingwithoutshame.com⁠

Grab my free "5 Boundaries and Breakthrough" Guide. here: ⁠https://sharing-with-out-shame.kit.com/690016dc78⁠

Sponsors:

Experience Inner Peace with Calming Therapy Bracelets

Website: ⁠⁠https://snappbandz.com/⁠

Use SWOS or SharingWithoutShame code

Learn more: ⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/Sharingwithoutshame⁠⁠

Thank you for tuning in! May your faith and strength heal your heart.

In this episode of Sharing Without Shame, Donna sits down with Karrie Mitten, CEO and founder of Uplevel Your Life Consulting, a transformational life-mastery consultant, speaker, and empowerment coach.

Karrie opens up about growing up in an addicted household, becoming a perfectionistic “fixer,” and facing her son’s addiction—only to discover that the real healing had to begin within herself.

Together, Donna and Karrie explore:

- Breaking generational cycles and perfectionism

- How addiction affects the whole family

- The journey from enabling to empowering

- Creating a vision when your loved one can’t see one

- Setting boundaries rooted in love

- What it means to “walk through” instead of staying stuck

- How to come home to yourself spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and physically

- The choices that turn struggle into strength

Karrie shares how her own unraveling became the doorway to her purpose, and why taking responsibility for our own healing changes everything—our families, our future, and generations to come.

Connect with Karrie Mitten: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uplevelyourlifeconsulting/Podcast: https://uplevelyourlifeconsulting.com/PodcastWebsite: https://uplevelyourlifeconsulting.com/

👉 Learn more about Donna’s work and resources at ⁠sharingwithoutshame.com⁠

Grab my free "5 Boundaries and Breakthrough" Guide. here: ⁠https://sharing-with-out-shame.kit.com/690016dc78⁠

Sponsors:

Experience Inner Peace with Calming Therapy Bracelets

Website: ⁠⁠https://snappbandz.com/⁠

Use SWOS or SharingWithoutShame code

Learn more: ⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/Sharingwithoutshame⁠⁠

Thank you for tuning in! May your faith and strength heal your heart.

In this heartfelt episode of Sharing Without Shame, Donna sits down with Dion Miller, counselor, recovery advocate, and host of Trudging Together. Dion opens up about his journey from addiction and absentee fatherhood to healing and rebuilding trust with his children. Together, Donna and Dion dive into the family side of addiction, the importance of taking responsibility, and what it truly means to break the cycle of shame.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Rebuilding trust after addiction
• Why labels like “addict” and “alcoholic” cause harm
• Understanding triggers and taking ownership of healing
• How trauma shapes behavior and recovery
• Breaking family patterns and embracing truth
• Why recovery is about more than abstinence—it’s about transformation

“There are no more excuses left. All that’s left now is the truth and the solution.”Connect with Dion Miller:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trudging_together/Podcast: https://trudgingtogether.podbean.com/👉 Learn more about Donna’s work and resources at ⁠sharingwithoutshame.com⁠Grab my free "5 Boundaries and Breakthrough" Guide. here: ⁠https://sharing-with-out-shame.kit.com/690016dc78⁠Sponsors: Experience Inner Peace with Calming Therapy BraceletsWebsite: ⁠⁠https://snappbandz.com/⁠Use SWOS or SharingWithoutShame code Learn more: ⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/Sharingwithoutshame⁠⁠Thank you for tuning in! May your faith and strength heal your heart.

In this episode, I had the privilege of speaking with Lauren Sisler, an ESPN sports broadcaster, motivational speaker, and author of the memoir "Shatterproof." Lauren's work focuses on breaking the stigma around addiction and mental health, particularly within communities of athletes, the military, and faith groups.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• The Power of Truth and Vulnerability – Lauren’s story reminds us that healing begins when we stop hiding our pain and start speaking honestly about it.

• Grief and Shame Are Intertwined – Understanding how shame can deepen grief helps us approach both with compassion and self-awareness.

• Addiction Has No Boundaries – From athletes to military members, Lauren sheds light on how addiction can affect anyone, regardless of background or success.

• Healing Is a Continuous Journey – Recovery isn’t about hitting “rock bottom” but about reaching a point of “enough” and choosing hope and progress each day.

• Turning Pain into Purpose – Through her memoir Shatterproof and motivational speaking, Lauren shows how embracing your story can transform deep wounds into a message of strength and freedom.

Lauren's story is a powerful reminder that healing begins the moment we choose to stop hiding and start sharing without shame. Her journey from grief and denial to acceptance and advocacy is an inspiration to anyone dealing with the impact of addiction and loss.

Connect with Lauren Sisler

• Website: laurensisler.com⁠

• Book: "Shatterproof" available on her website and major retailers

👉 Learn more about Donna’s work and resources at sharingwithoutshame.comGrab my free "5 Boundaries and Breakthrough" Guide. here: https://sharing-with-out-shame.kit.com/690016dc78Sponsors: Experience Inner Peace with Calming Therapy BraceletsWebsite: ⁠https://snappbandz.com/Use SWOS or SharingWithoutShame code Learn more: ⁠https://linktr.ee/Sharingwithoutshame⁠Thank you for tuning in! May your faith and strength heal your heart.

In this episode of the Sharing Without Shame podcast, host Donna Marston welcomes Ian McLoone, a licensed addiction psychotherapist, educator, and co-founder of Expanse in Minnesota. Together, they dive into the realities of addiction treatment, the importance of family healing, and the hope that recovery brings.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

- Why methadone and other medications for opioid use disorder save lives, despite stigma.

- The myths of “rock bottom” and why tough love can do more harm than good.

- How families can heal alongside their loved ones—and why ignoring family recovery is toxic.

- A compassionate explanation of harm reduction and why it’s essential in saving lives.

- Practical ways to set healthy, loving boundaries without enabling.

The hopeful truth: most people struggling with substance use disorder do recover.

Resources & Links

Connect with Ian: https://www.ianmcloone.com/ | https://expansemn.com/

Grab my free "5 Boundaries and Breakthrough" Guide. here: https://sharing-with-out-shame.kit.com/690...

Sponsors:

Experience Inner Peace with Calming Therapy Bracelets

Website: ⁠https://snappbandz.com/

Use SWOS or SharingWithoutShame code

Learn more: ⁠https://linktr.ee/Sharingwithoutshame⁠

Thank you for tuning in! May your faith and strength heal your heart.

In this episode, Donna welcomes Katie Anderson, a proud mom and a woman in long-term recovery with over 9 years of sobriety. Katie shares her journey from addiction to healing, the role of family, and the powerful lessons she’s learned about resilience, spirituality, and breaking generational cycles.

Topics Covered:

- Katie’s path into addiction and what led her to recovery

- The role of family dynamics in both addiction and healing

- Honest conversations with children about substance use

- Overcoming shame and asking for help

- Tools, faith, and daily practices that support long-term recovery

- Advice for parents and loved ones navigating a child’s addiction

💛 “Recovery is a process, and you don’t have to do it alone.”

👉 Learn more about Donna’s work and resources at sharingwithoutshame.com

Grab my free "5 Boundaries and Breakthrough" Guide. here: https://sharing-with-out-shame.kit.com/690016dc78

Sponsors:

Experience Inner Peace with Calming Therapy Bracelets

Website: ⁠https://snappbandz.com/

Use SWOS or SharingWithoutShame code

Learn more: ⁠https://linktr.ee/Sharingwithoutshame⁠

Thank you for tuning in! May your faith and strength heal your heart.