Episode Details

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

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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.

If you aren't part of the Confident Sober Women Facebook group, it's a great place to be. There are over a thousand other sober women there building lives they don't want to escape from. Come on over and join us.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy today and maybe a second one for a friend. There is so much hope in recovery, and I shared my story so raw and vulnerable so that others would know they aren't alone and that there is a way to live well, manage relationships, parent your kids, and have a healthy body, all while staying sober. Grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.