Bottomless to Sober
Bottomless to Sober is the podcast where I, Jessica Dueñas, talk about anything and everything related to life since my transition from my addiction to bottomless drinking to a sober life. I gained recognition as Kentucky’s state teacher of the year in 2019, which was at the peak of my addiction to alcohol. I didn’t get sober until I summoned the courage to tell my story, and now I’m here to continue to tell the tale. Welcome!
Episodes
In this episode:
I reflect on a passage from The Pivot Year by Brianna Wiest and what it means to truly be where your feet are. I share how recovery has taught me to embrace stillness, simplicity, and the quiet moments that used to feel empty. Life doesn’t have to be loud or flashy to be full, and sometimes, the real transformation happens in the most unglamorous routines. If you’ve ever wondered whether your peaceful, sober life i...
In this episode:
So, what is ego, anyway? In this episode, I talk about how ego shows up in everyday life, especially in recovery, and how choosing presence over control can bring more peace and connection. I share personal insights, a favorite quote, and a few reflection questions to help you soften and stay curious.
Resources:
Six-Week Writing for Healing Program Is Open for Enrollment!
In this eposode:
I sit down with Robert Marino, founder of Rolling Hills Recovery Center and Novara Recovery Center, to talk about what really happens inside a treatment facility. We explore how to know when it’s time to seek help, what to expect from a 30-day program, and why not all treatment centers are created equal. Robert also opens up about his own journey from addiction to long-term recovery and I speak about my own experien...
In this episode:
In this episode, I open up about breaking the cycle of people-pleasing, learning to trust discomfort as a boundary, and why I’ll never force my daughter to smile, hug, or perform for anyone. If you’ve ever silenced your inner “no” to keep the peace, this one’s for you.
Resources:
Six-Week Writing for Healing Program Is Open for Enrollment!
In this episode:
In this episode, I talk with debut author Jessica Guerrieri about her novel Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea, a raw, honest story about addiction, motherhood, and recovery. We dive into why she chose fiction over memoir, how mommy wine culture harms more than it helps, and what it took for her to leave teaching.
If you’ve ever felt ashamed, stuck, or unsure how you got here, this one’s for you. Jessica’s story...
In this episode:
In this episode, I unpack the sneaky ways dopamine keeps us chasing more, whether it’s achievements, shopping, or relationships, and why it never actually brings peace. I share personal stories from my own recovery and offer reflection questions to help you step off the treadmill of ‘never enough.’
Resources:
Six-Week Writing for Healing Program Is Open for Enrollment!
In this episode:
What if recovery isn’t a finish line, but a place we learn to live in? In this deeply personal episode, I sit down with journalist, professor, and author Mallary Tenore Tarpley to talk abouther upcoming book, SLIP: Life in the Middle ofEating Disorder Recovery.
Mallary shares how losing her mother at age 11shaped her relationship with food, and why chasing “full recovery” can sometimes feel like chasing a mirage.
We ...
In this episode:
I’m exploring how true strength comes from letting others in. I’m sharing powerful stories about motherhood, recovery, and the beauty of asking for help. I hope you walk away feeling inspired to lean into connection and let love flow both ways.
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In this episode:
Sobriety helped me stop blaming my mom and start healing. This episode is about grief, generational pain, and the peace I found—without ever getting an apology.
Resources:
The Mastery of Love by Don Miguel Ruiz
Mother Hunger by Kelly McDaniel
In this episode:
Whether you’re raising kids, teaching, or questioning your own drinking—this one’s for you.
Addiction isn’t about being bad. It’s about being human—and healing is possible. I share some powerful stats from author Jessica Lahey, and reframe the shame with truth and compassion.
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In this episode:
In this episode, I reflect on how sobriety reshaped my relationship with my body, and why I now lean on neutral affirmations to speak to myself with honesty and care.
Resources:
Just Eat It by Laura Thomas - The book I got the quote from in the episode
In this episode:
Imagine being at the pinnacle of your career, celebrated as Kentucky State Teacher of the Year, while secretly battling severe addiction. That's the reality I faced, living a double life until a car accident shattered my illusions and forced me to confront my need for recovery. Inspired by Paulo Coelho's wisdom, "The secret of life is to fall seven times and to get up eight," I share my tumultuous ...
In this episode:
Jessica explores the emotional cost of people-pleasing and the liberation found in breaking the “good girl” script. Reflecting on her own experiences before and after sobriety, she shares how unlearning the need to be liked led to deeper self-worth and authentic healing. This episode speaks directly to women in recovery who are learning to say no, set boundaries, and reclaim their truth—without apology. Jessica leav...
In this episode:
Shame is sneaky—it twists our thoughts and keeps us stuck. In this episode, Jessica gets real about how shame shaped her struggles with addiction, relapse, and self-worth. She shares personal stories, unpacks common shame traps, and offers powerful questions to help you shift your narrative.
Ready to rewrite your story? Tune in for a raw, honest conversation and take your first step toward self-compassion. You are no...
In this episode:
You ever have a conversation that immediately sets you off? Like, your whole body tenses up, your heart starts racing, and suddenly, you’re 10 years old again? Yeah, same. In this episode, I’m sharing a personal story about my late mother, a comment about my body that sent me, and what I wish I had realized in the moment.
Resources:
In this episode:
I dive into the powerful quote by Nedra Glover Tawwab: "We teach people how to treat us by how we treat ourselves," reflecting on a moment at work when I had to assert my boundaries with a student and contrasting it with my past struggles as a teacher battling alcohol addiction and self-doubt.
Resources:
Bottomless to Sober – Coaching, Classes, and Workshops
In this episode:
In this episode, I shares my personal journey with addiction and the painful realization that no amount of love or intervention can save someone struggling with addiction—only the individual can choose to change. Drawing on my own experiences and a listener’s inquiry, I explain that while setting healthy boundaries is essential for those who support someone in recovery, self-care must come first. Ultimately, recover...
In this episode:
Valentine’s Day once amplified my feelings of lack and low self-worth, fueling my drinking and poor relationship choices. In this episode, I share how alcohol blurred red flags in dating and the moment I first admitted, “I think I might be an alcoholic.” Sobriety gave me clarity—red flags stay red now. Let’s reframe this season as a reminder of what we do have: self-worth, clarity, and choice.
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In this episode:
How we see ourselves shapes the choices we make every day. In this episode, I dive into the game-changing concept from James Clear’sAtomic Habits: the power of identity-based habits. I share how fully embracing the mindset of “I’m a non-drinker” can become a turning point in anyone's sobriety journey—helping me push past societal pressures and self-doubt.
We’ll explore how shifting your self-perception can make o...
In this episode:
Can joy and grief coexist? In this episode, I reflect on welcoming my daughter, Amara, while mourning my mother, Amable Rojas Vargas. From her journey from Costa Rica to Brooklyn to the complexities of our relationship, I explore the beauty in duality through the lens of sobriety and recovery.
I also dive into the grip of fear—how it shapes our choices, from plane crashes to everyday risks—and the dangers of isolat...
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