Ruthless Compassion with Dr. Marcia Sirota

210 - Letting Go of the Shame of Addiction with Jowita Bydlowska

Jowita Bydlowska is the author of Unshaming [https://www.penguinrandomhouse.ca/books/771472/unshaming-by-jowita-bydlowska/9780771020674] (March 2026). She is also the author of Monster [https://www.anvilpress.com/books/monster] (September 2024), Possessed [https://www.dundurn.com/books_/t22117/a9781459748071-possessed], the best-selling memoir Drunk Mom [https://www.penguinrandomhouse.ca/books/220334/drunk-mom-by-jowita-bydlowska/9780385677806], and the best-selling novel GUY [https://bookstore.wolsakandwynn.ca/products/guy]. She's also a prolific short-story writer, journalist and a mentor. Her favourite review on Goodreads is a review of Possessed, which reads, "Jesus Christ." Her other favourite review is a one-star review of Monster, "If someone is interested in the sexual adventures of a mentally ill woman, this book is for them." Instagram: @jowitabot  [https://www.instagram.com/jowitabot?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==] www.jowitabydlowska.com [www.jowitabydlowska.com] The author of Drunk Mom continues her "bravely and beautifully told" story of alcohol addiction in this raw, unsparing memoir about shame and relapse (Lena Dunham) Honest and grimly funny—with actionable advice for readers of addiction memoirs like Brené Brown's Daring Greatly and Sarah Hepola's Blackout It's been over a decade since Jowita Bydlowska published her lightning rod of a memoir on overcoming alcohol addiction as a young mother. Both hailed and criticized for its no-holds-barred transparency, Drunk Mom was—and continues to be—refreshing and revelatory in its gritty exploration of addiction recovery and relapse in the context of new motherhood. But what happens after the last page is turned, after the "happy ending" of an addiction the world assumes is safely in the rearview? When Bydlowska relapses after the success of her book, her overwhelming sense is one of shame. She struggles to reconcile the knowledge that she's helped bring comfort and hope to countless readers with her own frustration and mounting fear that the truth will only let others down. In prose that's by turns harsh and beautiful, tender and devastating, she writes about her ensuing spiral into alcoholism—and the climb back up and out. With the same generosity and grim humor that made Drunk Mom a standout, Bydlowska uses her own story as a vehicle to interrogate and challenge the narrative surrounding addiction, exploring the ways in which the conversation has both evolved and stayed the same over the last decade.

209 - One Man's Experiences with Psychedelics with Mark A. Michaels

Mark A. Michaels identifies as an uncontrolled experiment. He belongs to the first generation of test tube babies, as so-called sperm donor offspring were known in the 1950s. He has published in a variety of fields, from law to ornithology to self-help, and has written for theater and film. He came of age at CBGB and Max's Kansas City in the 1970s. He is coming of age again at 66. Recent work has appeared or will be appearing in The Brussels Review, The San Antonio Review, Bitter Melon Review, Closed Eye Open, Quarter(ly) Review, and TrashLight. https://instagram.com/markamichaels/ [https://instagram.com/markamichaels/]

208 - A Simple Technique for Calming an Angry Person with Doug Noll

Doug Noll, JD, MA is a Distinguished Fellow of the International Academy of Mediators, the world's most prestigious mediation organization, and recipient of IAM's Syd Leezak Award of Excellence. Named California Lawyer Attorney of the Year (2012) and Best Lawyers in America Lawyer of the Year (2013), he was as a Purpose Prize Fellow for pioneering the Prison of Peace program, teaching emotional literacy to violent offenders in maximum security facilities over 10 years (2010-2020). As Adjunct Professor at Pepperdine University's Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution (ranked #1 in the nation), Doug teaches graduate courses on decision-making under stress and conflict resolution. Doug is the author of four books, including the bestselling De-Escalate (45,000+ copies, translated into five languages). Doug will be delivering a TEDx talk entitled "How to Listen Someone into Existence" at TEDxApex in Apex, North Carolina on April 18, 2026. Website: https://dougnoll.com/ [https://dougnoll.com/]  YouTube: @DouglasNollPeacemaker [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtAHXdBT1Y0Pl7SGrM_HcFw] ( https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtAHXdBT1Y0Pl7SGrM_HcFw )  Facebook: @doug.noll.52 [https://www.facebook.com/doug.noll.52] ( https://www.facebook.com/doug.noll.52 )  Instagram: @douglasenoll [https://www.instagram.com/douglasenoll/] (https://www.instagram.com/douglasenoll/) Promoting: Doug is promoting his book "De-Escalate: How to Calm an Angry Person in 90 Seconds or Less [https://a.co/d/00XUX0l1]" Link to Book: https://www.amazon.com/Escalate-Calm-Angry-Person-Seconds/dp/1582706557/ref=sr_1_1?crid=26I0P2YY0VUN8&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.KVkOHqUANXteSdM0uyY0ufzI4KVTqesyn86T82LqWa_UOEgcJz-hr7gOJp9_nICswaH9J3gDieAovc_Ju_JXUyFbbGGjAwxCTd6QaPK4CqWqxjIR9JgIpJqy4htL2b88NBRXmnPq4d9tTduIPOYRgMGW_fcdR-MbS-P1Ro13GfU.fiZO4TYsSTU80FsM2Dc1q9b0vKN3T2t_egkekaWoy4M&dib_tag=se&keywords=doug+noll&qid=1735287953&sprefix=doug+noll%2Caps%2C323&sr=8-1 [https://www.amazon.com/Escalate-Calm-Angry-Person-Seconds/dp/1582706557/ref=sr_1_1?crid=26I0P2YY0VUN8&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.KVkOHqUANXteSdM0uyY0ufzI4KVTqesyn86T82LqWa_UOEgcJz-hr7gOJp9_nICswaH9J3gDieAovc_Ju_JXUyFbbGGjAwxCTd6QaPK4CqWqxjIR9JgIpJqy4htL2b88NBRXmnPq4d9tTduIPOYRgMGW_fcdR-MbS-P1Ro13GfU.fiZO4TYsSTU80FsM2Dc1q9b0vKN3T2t_egkekaWoy4M&dib_tag=se&keywords=doug+noll&qid=1735287953&sprefix=doug+noll%2Caps%2C323&sr=8-1]

207 - Unleashing Your Full Potential with Matt Young

MATT YOUNG: For the past 15+ years, I have earnestly studied the peak performers of both mind and body and been fortunate enough to have been coached by some of the worlds leading coaches. My background spans from having been a professional footballer for 8 years, playing with full England internationals, Premier League superstars and International managers to running 17 x Ultra Marathons (5 of which were 100+ miles) and 18 x marathons. I have studied, researched and ultimately succeeded in gaining numerous qualifications and certifications in the field of human psychology, human behaviour and anatomy. Throughout all of my experiences, my goal in life has been to add incomparable value to those I have come into contact with and leave positive lasting change with those I work with. To help people free themselves from what holds them back mentally and emotionally. My experiences in life have shaped me to where I am today. The mental, physical and emotional challenges I have overcome have lead me to become someone who lives with the mission in mind of being able to help transform people's lives. I help people revolutionise their life, from the one they live currently, to the one they crave. My life's ambition is to serve, to coach and inspire others to live life how its meant to be lived. There is a very clear mission in which I am looking to fulfil - To empower millions to UNLEASH THEIR TRUE POTENTIAL. @mattyounglc www.mattyounglc.com [www.mattyounglc.com]

206 - Creating Community with Florence Ann Romano

Florence Ann Romano is a highly sought-after keynote speaker and author, known for her ability to cultivate meaningful connections. She is passionate about helping others create their own community to be seen, heard, and understood. As an acclaimed author, Florence Ann's insights are captured in her book, Build Your Village: A Guide to Finding Joy and Community in Every Stage of Life [https://beyondword.com/products/build-your-village-a-guide-to-finding-joy-and-community-in-every-stage-of-life?srsltid=AfmBOop6wq1KbnBPSJbuk2bxXS6Ca_ffAs3NDvg1pahN2X6IC9o0Hsgg] (Beyond Words), which has been celebrated as a top 10 in its category. Her expertise and charismatic delivery have earned her features across over 500 national and local media outlets across the country, including SHERRI, ABC/CBS/ NBC and FOX TV affiliates, Home & Family, Forbes Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, and more. She is also currently a regular expert on over 10 national TV affiliates across America! Website: https://florenceann.com/  Instagram: http://instagram.com/florenceann.romano [http://instagram.com/florenceann.romano]  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FlorenceARomano/ [https://www.facebook.com/FlorenceARomano/]  Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/florenceannromano/ [https://www.pinterest.com/florenceannromano/]