Episode Details

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In this episode of The Art of Imperfect Adulting, Amy Stone speaks with Lisa Manzo about unraveling childhood trauma, the path to sobriety, and the courage it takes to claim one's voice in adulthood. Lisa calls Las Vegas home. This episode delivers actionable insights for anyone navigating recovery, boundary-setting, and the journey of self-love after years of people-pleasing and perfectionism.

Lisa Manzo is an emotional trauma coach who helps others process and heal from deeply embedded childhood wounds. Drawing on her own story of recovery and resilience, Lisa guides clients toward peace and joy through mindset shifts, self-reflection, and energetic healing modalities. She is host of The Phoenix Mind podcast and offers programs for those looking to step into their own transformative journey.

Main Topics Covered:

1. The connection between sobriety and healing childhood trauma.
2. Growing up emotionally parentified and feeling unseen by parents.
3. How early experiences with perfectionism, people-pleasing, and compliance shape adult relationships and behavior.
4. The impact of family dynamics, divorce, and generational messaging (“be seen and not heard”) on self-worth.
5. Using personal development, NLP, and energetic healing as tools for recovery and rewiring.
6. The emotional residue of childhood stories—why memories like picture day or first communion can shape lifelong beliefs.
7. Navigating support through therapy, 12-step programs, and finding community after isolation.
8. Lisa’s journey from deep depression to peace, offering hope that joy is possible after transformation.

Quote from the Episode: "My voice didn't matter. What I had to say doesn't mean anything. And it still shows up in the fact that I have to really assert myself and people still aren't listening. Then I'll walk away and something bad will happen because they didn't listen to me." — Lisa Manzo

Timestamps: [00:00:06] Welcome & intros; Lisa shares her NYC roots and new home in Las Vegas

[00:01:33] The choice to get sober—and why ending drinking wasn’t enough

[00:02:28] The 12-step process: resentment, personal responsibility, and origins of trauma

[00:03:02] White-knuckling sobriety alone vs. seeking help and surrendering

[00:04:47] Family structure growing up: extended family, alcoholism, divorce, and its impact

[00:06:46] The “Pink Dress” story: picture day, parental control, lost joy, and lifelong emotional residue

[00:09:07] Reflecting as an adult on parentification, people-pleasing, and worth tied to compliance

[00:12:22] First communion and the struggle to belong; family choices eclipsing childhood desires

[00:17:56] Impact: Lisa’s voice and feelings not mattering—effects lasting into adulthood

[00:19:12] Early substance use, from childhood wine in soda to buzz-seeking at clubs

[00:20:57] When drinking becomes problematic: post-divorce stress management and unhealthy cycles

[00:22:19] The lack of coping tools, isolation, and why therapy and help are vital

[00:24:28] Beginning origin work: personal development, N