Bottomless to Sober
Bottomless to Sober is an 85-episode podcast archive for anyone navigating sobriety, recovery, or life after alcohol. Host Jessica Dueñas, mom, writer, life coach, and former Kentucky State Teacher of the Year, shares raw and honest stories about addiction, healing, relapse, grief, motherhood, and rebuilding your life with compassion and clarity. What began as a way to tell the truth about getting sober has become a living record of transformation. If you’re sober-curious, newly sober, or seeking real conversations about recovery, you’ll find support, tools, and hope inside this archive.
Episodes
Thank you for trusting me with your time and your attention. That has never been something I take lightly.
This chapter of the podcast is closing, but the work and the conversation continues in other ways.
You can find me sharing more day-to-day over on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/jessicaduenas24/
And for deeper storytelling and reflection, you’re always welcome to join me on Substack:
https://jessicaduenas.substack.com...
In this episode:
I talk about the physical warning signs I ignored while drinking, including my experience with alcoholic liver disease, and the stories I told myself to keep drinking. I share how sobriety forced me to actually listen to my body instead of overriding it with fear, minimization, or control.
Resources:
Watch Jessica’s TEDx Talk – What’s Success Without Self-Worth
In this episode:
In this episode of Bottomless to Sober, I talk with trauma-informed life coach and author Priscilla María Gutiérrez about breaking generational cycles and healing from trauma in sobriety. We dive into what recovery looks like beyond putting down the bottle—unpacking childhood abuse, eating disorders, and the pressures of the American Dream. We also explore Latina body image, self-worth, and the courage it takes to c...
In this episode:
In this episode of Bottomless to Sober, I open up about navigating grief during the holidays while staying committed to my sobriety. After losing my mother earlier this year and experiencing past losses connected to pregnancy, partnership, and family—I share the tools that have helped me stay grounded, present, and alcohol-free.
Resources:
Watch Jessica’s TEDx Talk – What’s Success Without Self-Worth
In this episode:
In this episode of Bottomless to Sober, I’m talking about how to say no to alcohol during the holidays and protect your boundaries when others don’t respect them. In my near five years sober, I’ve been to countless parties, family gatherings, and work events where alcohol was front and center—and I know how uncomfortable it can feel when people question your choices or push you to drink. I’ll share how I navigate th...
In this episode:
I share a deeply personal reflection inspired by a quote I saw online: “If you have daughters, you can’t be a bitch to yourself about your looks anymore.” As a sober mom raising my daughter, Amara, I talk about what it means to model peace instead of self-criticism and how recovery has helped me redefine beauty, strength, and worth. This episode is for anyone learning to replace self-judgment with compassion and to ...
In this episode:
In this episode of Bottomless to Sober, I talk about why “rock bottom” is a myth and how recovery doesn’t have to wait for a crisis. I share how I kept finding new lows in my own journey and what it really means to stop digging and start healing. I also offer guidance for those watching someone they love struggle—how to protect your peace when their “bottom” isn’t enough for them to change.
Resources:
In This Episode:
In this deeply moving episode of Bottomless to Sober, I sit down with Navy veteran, men’s coach, and fellow TEDx speaker Alex Lange, a man in recovery who opens up about losing his 18-month-old son, Liam, and how grief reshaped his life. Alex shares his process for healing and how he transformed unimaginable pain into purpose. We also talk about breaking the stigma around death, redefining masculinity through vulner...
In this episode:
In this episode, I sit down with Abigail Teixeira for a powerful conversation on sobriety, generational healing, and parenting with intention. Abigail opens up about the courage it took to share the parts of her story that had been “silenced for too long” and what reclamation and decolonization look like in her daily life. In our conversation, we address breaking cycles of trauma and addiction, how recovery connects...
77. An Interview with Investigative Journalist Shoshana Walter, Author of Rehab: An American Scandal
In this episode:
I sit down with award-winning investigative journalist Shoshana Walter, author of Rehab: An American Scandal, to discuss the hidden truths of America’s rehab industry and what her reporting reveals about treatment, recovery, and justice.
Resources:
Purchase Rehab: An American Scandal via Shoshana Walter's Site
NY Times Magazine Article Referenced
Also mentioned...
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.
Resources:
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.
Resources:
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