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’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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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...
In this episode:
Motherhood, success, and relationships often come with rigid societal expectations, but I've chosen a different route—one that prioritizes authenticity and personal growth over conventional norms. Living with 650 college students while navigating parenthood and sobriety was never on my life plan, yet here I am, embracing this unconventional journey. Listen in as I've learned to redefine societal norms and c...
In this episode:
I share how my once-social relationship with alcohol turned into a hidden struggle during my early years as a teacher. We’ll explore the intense pressures of the classroom, the risks of unhealthy coping mechanisms, and the urgent warning from the U.S. Surgeon General about alcohol. Drawing comparisons to the historical shift in tobacco awareness, I highlight the importance of informed choices and self-care in the e...
In this episode:
In this episode of Bottomless to Sober, I return after a long (super long) hiatus to share life updates, including the birth of my daughter, Amara, and my journey into motherhood. I reflect on how sobriety has equipped her to navigate the fear and uncertainty of major life changes, from her early delivery due to health concerns to the sleepless nights of newborn care. I also revisit into the importance of setting a...
In this episode:
Feeling like you might be the odd one out at social gatherings because you've chosen sobriety? You’re not alone. In this episode, I share tips to help you decide if navigating social events where alcohol is often front and center is something you are ready for.
Resources:
Bottomless to Sober – Coaching, Classes, and Workshops
In this episode:
Preventing substance use in children starts earlier than you might think—right from kindergarten. In this eye-opening episode, I welcome Jessica Lahey, an educator, New York Times bestselling author, and speaker, who shares insights from her book The Addiction Inoculation: Raising Healthy Kids in a Culture of Dependence. Jessica highlights the developmental differences in how young people respond to substances and ...
In this episode:
Join me as I share a deeply personal journey through grief and family dynamics in this heartfelt episode. Through the lens of my own story, I explore the impact of my oldest sister Sandra's sudden passing and the intricate relationships among siblings with significant age and cultural differences. Despite these gaps, the bond we share as our mother's children remains a powerful common thread. Sobriety, thou...
In this episode:
When my patience was pushed to its limits by a friend who saw the glass perpetually half empty, I stumbled upon a profound truth about standing firm in who you are. That's what this episode is all about: peeling back the layers to be our authentic selves and find the places where we belong without pretense.
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