Interview with Sherri VandenAkker - Creator of the Film "My Name Was Bette"

On this episode, we interviewed Sherri VandenAkker and her sister, Krystyn White.

Sherri is the creator of the film My Name Was Bette:  The Life and Death of an Alcoholic. This stunning documentary offers a shocking yet moving look at women's alcoholism.  The film chronicles the progression of the disease in Sherri and Krystyn's mother, Bette VandenAkker -- a nurse, wife, and mother -- who died in September, 2007.   The film, which was also created by Josh WE Hays, employs interviews, family photographs, medical records and graphics, and court documents to provide a personal and detailed look at the physical, emotional, and mental toll of alcoholism.  The film also also offers hope to those affected by the disease who seek to heal their pain and strained relationships.

On this show we will talk with Sherri and Krystyn about their personal journeys with their mother's alcoholism, as well as discuss what it was like to create the film.  If you have ever loved someone who struggled with alcoholism, you understand the challenges of loving someone with this disease.

Sherri, who is  Co-producer, Director, and Writer of the film -- was raised in central Massachusetts.  She now lives north of Boston.  She is a graduate of Mount Holyoke College and the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where she earned her doctorate in English.  She is a Professor at the Springfield  College, School of Human Services, Boston.

This film is avaialble to rent on Amazon; to view the film click HERE.  Visit the film's website by clicking HERE.

Listen to the show below, or follow the tab above for how to subscribe to our podcast!  

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Re-Broadcast: Let's Talk About Rehab

Thinking of going to rehab?  Wonder what it might be like?  How you get in? Whether or not you need to go? What to expect once you're there?

Co-Hosts Amanda and Ellie discuss their own experiences going to detox and/or rehab, answer the questions above, and also discuss the common symptoms of alcohol withdrawal, the difference between inpatient and outpatient rehab, the difference between a detox and a rehab, and more.

Please note:  we are not addiction therapists, counselor or medical professionals.  The information we share on the show is based on our collective experiences only.  If you are concerned about your drinking or think you may need a detox or rehab facility please contact your physician, go to an emergency room or seek professional help.

We are also honored to have four women who shared their experiences with rehab, detox, interventions, and other alcohol education programs.

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Rebroadcast: The Power of Truth & Story ... Drinking and Shame

One major issue that keeps people stuck in the cycle of alcoholism, even when they know they have a problem, or a niggling doubt that their drinking is getting worse, is SHAME.

On this episode we will hear from six women who are brand new to sobriety, have had more than one Day One recently, but who are still out there swinging, talking to people, becoming part of community, and telling their story - bravely - to offer hope to others and to help heal themselves.

The antidote to shame is truth.

Through the power of story we share our truths; we're not trying to give answers, or how-to's.   They are sharing their stories to demonstrate that the only thing anyone can do wrong is not try at all, not reach out for help, not love yourself enough to face their drinking head-on.

You can listen through the widget below, or look in the tab above to find out how to subscribe to our podcast!   

Thank you!  

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Special Guest - Dawn from She Recovers

After surviving colon cancer in 2005, a breakdown from workaholism and a subsequent layoff from a job that she loved in 2011, it didn't take much soul-searching for Dawn Nickel to decide that what she really wanted to do for a living was help other women to recover.

Dawn has been in recovery from addiction to drugs and alcohol since 1989 and is well-qualified to work with women who want to recover their lives and pursue their passions. Building on her degrees in women's studies, women's history and a PhD in health care policy (all earned in recovery), Dawn is currently completing life coach training with Crossroads Recovery Coaching.

Dawn’s true passion is for the community that she has helped to create on her Facebook page, She Recovers and for other online communities like it. 

What started out as a daily meditation practice using social media coupled with a heartfelt belief in her own life's purpose has since turned into a business called She Recovers that, at the present time, offers yoga retreats and workshops for women in recovery (click on the link in this paragraph to learn more about the recovery retreats!).

Please listen to our conversation with Dawn where we talk all things recovery, including different pathways to recovery, recovery resources and the importance of a sober community online and/or offline.

Thank you, Dawn! We are so inspired by you and all you do.

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Story Time - Co-Host Lisa Reads Selected Posts from Crying Out Now

Co-Host Lisa reads posts about alcoholism and recovery from our sister site, Crying Out Now.

Click below to listen, or subscribe to our podcast through the link on the right hand sidebar (or read the instructions in the tab above:

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Special Guest - Amy Hatvany, Author of Best Kept Secret

Amy Hatvany graduated with a degree in Sociology only to discover most sociologists are unemployed. Soon followed a variety of jobs – some of which she loved, like decorating wedding cakes; others which she merely tolerated, like receptionist. In 1998, Amy finally decided to sell her car, quit her job, and take a chance on her true love - writing books.

Since then, she has authored five novels, and last year, her book OUTSIDE THE LINES was selected by Target’s book club and Costco as a Buyer’s pick. Her latest, HEART LIKE MINE, explores the complicated dynamics within blended families. To learn more about Amy go to:  www.amyhatvany.com.

Listen to our discussion of Amy's book Best Kept Secret, a novel about a Mom struggling with alcoholism and early recovery, as well as a down-to-earth, frank and funny conversation about motherhood, life, alcoholism, recovery and much more.

To listen, click on the widget below, or subscribe to our podcast by clicking on the link in our right hand sidebar or following the instructions in the tab above.

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Episode 12: Let's Talk About Rehab!

Thinking of going to rehab?  Wonder what it might be like?  How you get in? Whether or not you need to go? What to expect once you're there?

Co-Hosts Amanda and Ellie discuss their own experiences going to detox and/or rehab, answer the questions above, and also discuss the common symptoms of alcohol withdrawal, the difference between inpatient and out patient rehab, the difference between a detox and a rehab, and more.

Please note:  we are not addiction therapists, counselor or medical professionals.  The information we share on the show is based on our collective experiences only.  If you are concerned about your drinking or think you may need a detox or rehab facility please contact your physician, go to an emergency room or seek professional help.

We are also honored to have four women who shared their experiences with rehab, detox, interventions, and other alcohol education programs.


Listen to the show through the widget below, or click on the link on our right hand sidebar (on the picture) to subscribe to our podcast:

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Episode 10 - Special Guest Andrea Owen from Your Kick-Ass Life

Listen to a lively, fun and informative conversation with Andrea Owen, sober woman, life coach and author of the blog Your Kick Ass Life.

Andrea's bio:

Life coach. Mom. Writer. Roller Derby Rebel. Hellraiser. She is passionate about empowering women to value themselves and fiercely love who they are.

She helps women get what they want by managing their inner-critic, leveraging the Law of Attraction and stepping into their own kick-ass version of themselves. You can learn more at www.yourkickasslife.com.

Andrea, Lisa and Ellie discuss Andrea's story of alcoholism and recovery, with a focus on people with "high bottoms", like Andrea, who make the decision to get sober before they have a lot of external losses, but who are still every bit an alcoholic as people with "low bottoms".   

We discuss some of the signs and symptoms we saw in our own drinking that led us to understand we had a growing problem.  Even though our drinking stories aren't the same, our feelings are so similar, which is a common phenomenon people find in recovery - that they aren't alone and that there are many, many people understand exactly how they feel.

We also talk about some issues that revolve around motherhood and sobriety, shame, guilt and facing down the stigma of alcoholism.  

Thank you, Andrea, for being such a lively, funny, compassionate, loving voice of sobriety!  We are so grateful to have you on our show!

Listen to Episode 10 on the widget below, or click on the picture in the right hand sidebar to subscribe/listen to The Bubble Hour's Podcast.

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Episode 8 - The Power of Truth and Story - Shame and Alcoholism

One major issue that keeps people stuck in the cycle of alcoholism, even when they know they have a problem, or a niggling doubt that their drinking is getting worse, is SHAME.

On this episode we heard from six women who are brand new to sobriety, have had more than one Day One recently, but who are still out there swinging, talking to people, becoming part of community, and telling their story - bravely - to offer hope to others and to help heal themselves.

The antidote to shame is truth.

Through the power of story we share our truths; we're not trying to give answers, or how-to's.   They are sharing their stories to demonstrate that the only thing anyone can do wrong is not try at all, not reach out for help, not love yourself enough to face their drinking head-on.

What we hear in their stories is the commonalities we face - some of the things we do when we're still drinking, the ways we try desperately to hide it from loved ones, from ourselves, and then the freedom and community we feel when we finally tell our stories, talk about our feelings and find people who understand. 

It doesn't matter what stage you're at with your own drinking.  If you're still drinking, wondering about your drinking, newly sober or been sober awhile; we ALL have something to contribute through the power of our truths.

A common theme we heard was that when we finally told our truth, whether it was to an online community, a real-life community, a friend or family member (or even a doctor), we felt a weight lift off our shoulders.  That is the weight of shame and secrecy.  

The old adage is true, that the truth will set you free. Our mission at The Bubble Hour is to provide stories to help people know they aren't alone; that there IS hope, and if you join a recovery community - either online or offline (or both .. see tab above for resources) you will feel a PART OF, instead of stuck and alone. 

Here's tonight's powerful episode: 

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