Sharing With Out Shame

What happens when addiction, mental illness, and unresolved trauma collide within a family?In this episode of Sharing Without Shame, Donna Marston welcomes Burton Fischler, a trauma survivor, Certified Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counselor, life coach, and author of The Gift: From Trauma to Triumph.Burton shares the unimaginable losses that reshaped his life—including the murder of his wife by her son who struggled with severe mental illness and addiction, and the suicide of his second stepson just one year later. Together, Donna and Burton explore the devastating impact addiction has on families, why shame keeps so many people suffering in silence, and how healing begins when we learn to set boundaries, practice self-compassion, and reconnect with our authentic selves.Burton also explains the role trauma plays in addiction, the science of neuroplasticity, and why recovery is less about punishment and more about love, connection, and taking small actions toward change. If you've ever wondered whether healing is possible after profound loss, this conversation offers hope, wisdom, and practical tools for moving forward.In This Episode You'll Learn:💠Why addiction is a biopsychosocial-spiritual disease rather than a moral failing💠How shame influences enabling behaviors in families💠 The difference between supporting and enabling a loved one💠 How neuroplasticity allows the brain to heal and rewire itself💠 Why changing actions often leads to healthier thinking💠 The connection between childhood wounds, trauma, and substance use💠 How self-love and re-parenting practices can support recovery💠 Why connection, purpose, and compassion are essential components of healing💠 Burton's journey from surviving tragedy to helping others overcome trauma and addictionAbout The Guest:Burton Fischler holds a Master's degree in Psychology and is a Certified Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC), Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, and life coach.After enduring the tragic loss of his wife and stepsons, Burton transformed his pain into purpose. Today, he works at a medically supervised outpatient treatment center in New York City, helping individuals navigate substance use disorders, trauma, and mental health challenges. He also facilitates trauma recovery and self-love workshops and is the author of The Gift: From Trauma to Triumph.Resources and Links:(Book) The Gift: From Trauma to Triumph: https://www.amazon.com/GIFT-TRIUMPH-Survivors-Suicide-Addiction-ebook/dp/B0DZK87JFJGrab my free "5 Boundaries and Breakthrough" Guide here: ⁠ https://swos.sharingwithoutshame.com/5-boundariesLearn more: ⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/Sharingwithoutshame⁠⁠Thank you for tuning in! May your faith and strength heal your heart.

In this episode of Sharing Without Shame, Donna Marston welcomes Darlene Lancer, licensed marriage and family therapist, author, and internationally recognized expert on codependency, shame, and emotional healing.With over 30 years of clinical experience, Darlene shares how shame often sits at the core of addiction, codependency, anxiety, depression, and unhealthy family dynamics—and why healing symptoms alone isn’t enough.Together, Donna and Darlene explore how childhood experiences shape adult relationships, how families unintentionally pass down shame, and why setting boundaries is essential for both recovery and peace.In this episode, we discuss:- The difference between shame and guilt and why it matters- How childhood emotional suppression fuels codependency- Why addiction is often a form of self-soothing, not rebellion- The connection between shame, anxiety, and perfectionism- How families absorb and carry shame around addiction- Why enabling feels like love but often causes harm- Detachment, boundaries, and letting others experience consequences- Gaslighting, loss of self-trust, and emotional survival in addiction- Why healing must address the emotional, mental, spiritual, and physical selfDarlene also shares practical insights on recognizing inner criticism, rebuilding self-esteem, and beginning the process of releasing long-held shame.About the Guest:Darlene Lancer, JD, MFT is the author of Codependency For Dummies, Conquering Shame and Codependency, Dating, Loving, and Leaving a Narcissist, and several workbooks and healing resources. Connect with Darlene:Darlene Lancer: https://darlenelancer.com/What is Codependency: https://whatiscodependency.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/codependencyrecovery/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darlenelancerlmft/👉 Learn more about Donna’s work and resources at ⁠sharingwithoutshame.com⁠Grab my free "5 Boundaries and Breakthrough" Guide here: ⁠ https://swos.sharingwithoutshame.com/5-boundariesSponsors: Experience Inner Peace with Calming Therapy BraceletsWebsite: ⁠⁠https://snappbandz.com/⁠Use SWOS or SharingWithoutShame code Learn more: ⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/Sharingwithoutshame⁠⁠Thank you for tuning in! May your faith and strength heal your heart.

In this heartfelt episode of Sharing Without Shame, Donna sits down with Dion Miller, counselor, recovery advocate, and host of Trudging Together. Dion opens up about his journey from addiction and absentee fatherhood to healing and rebuilding trust with his children. Together, Donna and Dion dive into the family side of addiction, the importance of taking responsibility, and what it truly means to break the cycle of shame.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Rebuilding trust after addictionWhy labels like “addict” and “alcoholic” cause harmUnderstanding triggers and taking ownership of healingHow trauma shapes behavior and recoveryBreaking family patterns and embracing truthWhy recovery is about more than abstinence—it’s about transformation“There are no more excuses left. All that’s left now is the truth and the solution.”Connect with Dion Miller: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trudging_together/Podcast: https://trudgingtogether.podbean.com/👉 Learn more about Donna’s work and resources at ⁠sharingwithoutshame.com⁠Grab my free "5 Boundaries and Breakthrough" Guide here: ⁠ https://swos.sharingwithoutshame.com/5-boundariesSponsors: Experience Inner Peace with Calming Therapy BraceletsWebsite: ⁠⁠https://snappbandz.com/⁠Use SWOS or SharingWithoutShame code Learn more: ⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/Sharingwithoutshame⁠⁠Thank you for tuning in! May your faith and strength heal your heart.

In this episode of the Sharing Without Shame podcast, host Donna Marston welcomes Ian McLoone, a licensed addiction psychotherapist, educator, and co-founder of Expanse in Minnesota. Together, they dive into the realities of addiction treatment, the importance of family healing, and the hope that recovery brings.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:- Why methadone and other medications for opioid use disorder save lives, despite stigma.- The myths of “rock bottom” and why tough love can do more harm than good.- How families can heal alongside their loved ones—and why ignoring family recovery is toxic.- A compassionate explanation of harm reduction and why it’s essential in saving lives.- Practical ways to set healthy, loving boundaries without enabling.The hopeful truth: most people struggling with substance use disorder do recover.Resources & LinksConnect with Ian: https://www.ianmcloone.com/ | https://expansemn.com/Grab my free "5 Boundaries and Breakthrough" Guide here: ⁠ https://swos.sharingwithoutshame.com/5-boundariesSponsors: Experience Inner Peace with Calming Therapy BraceletsWebsite: ⁠https://snappbandz.com/Use SWOS or SharingWithoutShame code Learn more: ⁠https://linktr.ee/Sharingwithoutshame⁠Thank you for tuning in! May your faith and strength heal your heart.

In this episode of Sharing Without Shame, Donna Marston welcomes author and journalist Mallary Tenore Tarpley to talk about her ongoing recovery journey from an eating disorder. Mallory shares how her disorder began after the loss of her mother, how shame kept her silent, and how she now embraces the "middle place"—a space between illness and full recovery that so many experience but few talk about.Topics We Cover:- What recovery really looks like (not always a finish line)- Slips vs. relapses: learning to shift perspective- The importance of language, honesty, and support- How parents can approach conversations without blame- Small, powerful ways to celebrate progressMallory’s new book Slip releases August 5 and explores the complexity of healing with empathy, truth, and grace.Connect with Mallary Tenore Tarpley: https://www.mallarytenoretarpley.com/contactBooks: https://www.mallarytenoretarpley.com/Grab my free "5 Boundaries and Breakthrough" Guide here: ⁠ https://swos.sharingwithoutshame.com/5-boundariesSponsors: Experience Inner Peace with Calming Therapy BraceletsWebsite: ⁠https://snappbandz.com/Use SWOS or SharingWithoutShame code Learn more: ⁠https://linktr.ee/Sharingwithoutshame⁠Thank you for tuning in! May your faith and strength heal your heart.

In this episode of Sharing Without Shame, host Donna Marston sits down with Richard Evans, a former firefighter and paramedic turned addiction counselor, to explore the emotional weight and trauma that often go unseen in high-stress professions. With brutal honesty, Richard shares his journey from the rush of saving lives to the depths of addiction, burnout, and a near-suicidal spiral—all while juggling the roles of husband, father, and first responder.Richard opens up about the cultural silence around trauma in the emergency services world, the dangers of “stuffing it down,” and how a lifetime of hard work and service couldn’t save him from the pain he refused to acknowledge. From 48-hour shifts and liters of vodka to a psychiatric hospital at Christmas, Richard’s story is a raw reminder of what happens when society fails to support its frontline heroes.Together, Donna and Richard unpack the weight of shame, the importance of peer support, and the urgent need for trauma-informed recovery tools for those who risk their lives to protect others. This conversation shines a light on hope, redemption, and the long road back from the edge—with a powerful reminder that healing is possible when we stop hiding and start sharing.Connect with Richard EvansFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/richardthecounsellor2/#Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/richardthecounsellor2/#Website: https://www.rootedrising.ca/Sponsors: Experience Inner Peace with Calming Therapy BraceletsWebsite: ⁠https://snappbandz.com/Use SWOS or SharingWithoutShame code Grab my free "5 Boundaries and Breakthrough" Guide here: ⁠ https://swos.sharingwithoutshame.com/5-boundariesLearn more: ⁠https://linktr.ee/Sharingwithoutshame⁠Thank you for tuning in! May your faith and strength heal your heart.

In this episode, we sit down with Jennifer Ginty — a survivor, mother, and the voice behind Moody Monster, a page dedicated to mental health, emotional expression, and self-compassion.Jennifer shares her powerful story of surviving childhood sexual abuse, navigating toxic shame, and the long road to healing. She opens up about the years of dissociation, depression, and feeling unseen, and how reconnecting with her inner child and creating safe spaces transformed her life.We also talk about Moody Monster, the vulnerable and creative outlet where Jennifer gives language and imagery to the emotional rollercoaster many survivors feel but rarely name. Her content gives permission to feel, and to heal.If you’ve ever carried shame that wasn’t yours, or you’ve struggled to find your voice after trauma, Jennifer’s story will meet you with truth, compassion, and hope.Resources & Links:Jen is offering a coupon code for people to receive a 15% discount on Moody Monster. Coupon code is pod15My Moody Monster is a pull-apart plush doll helping kiddos better cope with their BIG Feelings in a safe way. Moody is helping families; therapists and teachers communicate with children to help them understand their Emotions. Moody is an inclusive Monster who loves to help kids feel empowered with their emotions. They can purchase a moody monster at www.MyMoodyMonster.comPeople can watch My Moody Monster YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/@mymoodymonster Instagram: instagram.com/mymoodymonsterFacebook: facebook.com/my-moody-monsterTIkTok: tiktok.com/@mymoodymonsterThreads: threads.net/@mymoodymonsterGrab my free "5 Boundaries and Breakthrough" Guide here: ⁠ https://swos.sharingwithoutshame.com/5-boundariesSponsors: Experience Inner Peace with Calming Therapy BraceletsWebsite: ⁠https://snappbandz.com/Use SWOS or SharingWithoutShame code Thank you for tuning in! May your faith and strength heal your heart.

In this episode of the Sharing Without Shame podcast, host Donna Marston welcomes Scarlett Lewis, founder of the Choose Love Movement. Scarlett shares the heartbreaking story of losing her six-year-old son Jesse in the Sandy Hook Elementary tragedy and how his final message—“nurturing, healing, love”—became the foundation for a global mission. Through her personal journey, Scarlett explains how she transformed her unimaginable pain into a movement that now reaches over 16,500 schools in 120 countries. She discusses the importance of social-emotional learning, post-traumatic growth, and teaching children and adults alike how to choose love in the face of fear, anger, and adversity.Together, Donna and Scarlett dive deep into the healing power of sharing personal stories without shame, highlighting how pain can be turned into purpose. Scarlett talks about the impact the Choose Love curriculum is having in prisons, schools, and recovery communities—offering essential life skills to those who’ve never been taught they have a choice. The conversation touches on the courage it takes to live life with compassion, especially in a world often driven by fear. This episode is a heartfelt reminder that healing is possible when we lean into love, take responsibility for our part in the world, and support one another in becoming our highest and best selves.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, like, and leave a review. For more information about Donna and the services she offers, visit Sharing Without Shame or email her at donna4support@comcast.netLinks:Choose Love Movement: https://chooselovemovement.org/Sponsors: Experience Inner Peace with Calming Therapy BraceletsWebsite: ⁠https://snappbandz.com/Use SWOS or SharingWithoutShame code Thank you for tuning in! May your faith and strength heal your heart.