Ericka’s story will resonate with anyone who has ever juggled motherhood, work, faith, and the expectation to “hold it all together.” She talks about the quiet cycle of making promises to herself she couldn’t keep. The fear of telling anyone in her church community what was really happening. And the way alcohol noise often drowned out the very voice she wanted to hear most.

She also names something so many feel but rarely articulate: that subtle invisibility of women who struggle at home, in the quiet, without anyone noticing until the burden becomes unbearable.

A few threads we explore in this episode:

• What it means to recover out loud as a Christian woman

• The rising yet hidden crisis of alcohol use among women

• The cultural narrative that mothers “need” wine

• The gentler first steps toward change that don’t rely on self punishment

• How faith, curiosity, and small shifts helped her turn toward freedom

Ericka offers a simple encouragement for the woman listening who feels stuck: start by increasing what is good. More connection. More Scripture. More honest conversations. More space for God’s voice to rise above the static. No ultimatums. No perfect timeline.

If you’ve ever wondered whether life might feel lighter without the nightly glass that keeps getting heavier, this episode will meet you with compassion and clarity.

You can find more of Ericka’s work at erickaandersen.com and freelysober.com.

Let’s keep pulling up more chairs.

💬 Have a story to share or know someone doing meaningful work in addiction recovery or mental health? Reply or reach out. This community grows because of you. Email hello@carolinebeidler.com

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Caroline Beidler, MSW, is an author, speaker, and Managing Editor of Recovery.com, where she combines expert guidance with research to help people find the best path to healing and treatment. Her next book, When You Love Someone in Recovery: A Hopeful Guide to Understanding Addiction, is coming Spring 2026 with Nelson Books. Drawing from her own recovery journey through addiction, mental health challenges, and trauma, along with training as a clinical mental health provider and addiction recovery expert, Caroline is passionate about guiding you into seasons of greater healing. Learn more about her books here.

In this heartfelt episode of Circle of Chairs, I sit down with Shelly Young to explore the deeply personal and transformative journey of family recovery. Shelly shares the moving story of her son's ten-year recovery milestone, her mother's struggle with alcohol use disorder, and how these experiences led her to immerse herself in the world of addiction treatment. She speaks passionately about breaking the cycle of generational addiction through understanding, connection, and compassion. Shelly emphasizes the importance of community support, contrasting the outdated 'tough love' approach with the more nurturing 'Invitation to Change' model. Her story is a testament to the power of unconditional love and steadfast support in healing. Tune in to discover the inspiring work Shelly is doing with the Chris Atwood Foundation and her latest project— an empowering documentary on family recovery. This episode is a beacon of hope for families navigating the challenging waters of addiction, underscoring that with love and community, recovery is always possible.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:28 Shelly's Personal Journey into Recovery

01:01 Family Dynamics and Generational Addiction

02:27 The Role of Community and Collegiate Recovery

03:41 Facing Addiction and Changing Perspectives

05:06 Understanding and Addressing Stigma

10:20 Invitation to Change vs. Tough Love

16:58 The Power of Community Support

20:27 Shelly's Work and Future Projects

24:57 Conclusion and Gratitude

Caroline Beidler, MSW, is an author, speaker, and Managing Editor of Recovery.com, where she combines expert guidance with research to help people find the best path to healing and treatment. Her next book, When You Love Someone in Recovery: A Hopeful Guide for Understanding Addiction, is coming Spring 2026 with Nelson Books. Drawing from her own recovery journey through addiction, mental health challenges, and trauma, along with training as a clinical mental health provider and addiction recovery expert, Caroline is passionate about guiding you into seasons of greater healing. Learn more about her books here.

Gabe Cohen's Radical Transformation and the Birth of Discovery Cafe

Join me as I converse with Gabe Cohen, founder of Discovery Cafe, about his transformative journey from addiction and incarceration to becoming a beacon of hope and support for those in recovery. Gabe shares in detail his past struggles with substance abuse, his numerous incarcerations, and how a profound spiritual awakening in 2018 led him to establish Discovery Cafe—a nonprofit offering peer-to-peer recovery support. Emphasizing service and community, Gabe discusses the importance of multiple recovery pathways, the challenges of setting up a nonprofit, and his mission to help others navigate their own recovery journeys. His story highlights the power of faith, resilience, and the impact one person can have by turning their life experiences into a source of service for others.

00:00 Introduction to Circle of Chairs

00:15 Meet Gabe Cohen: A Journey of Transformation

01:32 Gabe's Early Struggles and Turning Points

05:59 The Road to Recovery and Service

13:28 Founding Discovery Cafe

19:23 Impact and Reflections

31:09 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Caroline Beidler, MSW, is an author, speaker, and Managing Editor of Recovery.com, where she combines expert guidance with research to help people find the best path to healing and treatment. Her next book, When You Love Someone in Recovery: A Hopeful Guide for Understanding Addiction, is coming Spring 2026 with Nelson Books. Drawing from her own recovery journey through addiction, mental health challenges, and trauma, along with training as a clinical mental health provider and addiction recovery expert, Caroline is passionate about guiding you into seasons of greater healing. Learn more about her books here.