Illuminated Recovery

E30: ILLUMINATING KELLY’S STORY: Sobriety, Midlife and Smashing the Patriarchy

Many women are conditioned to shrink—to stay small, quiet, and overlooked. Kelly’s journey from rock-bottom to radical self-acceptance reveals how awakening from that cycle of shame, addiction, and societal conditioning can be a game-changer. Her story is a powerful rallying cry for women tired of playing small and ready to step into their true power.  In this episode, Kelly shares the raw, unfiltered truth about her years of alcohol abuse—how she functioned through her addiction, and the pivotal moment that shattered her old identity. We talk about why “functioning” alcoholics are often the most invisible, and what it truly means to recover emotionally and spiritually—not just abstain from drinking.  We break down the importance of de-centering men and fighting the patriarchy and societal conditioning that keep women playing small—especially in midlife. Kelly discusses her journey into authentic sobriety, the lessons learned through therapy and community, and how the process of growth actually gets more exciting, not scarier, with age. Find Kelly on Instagram @kelz_living_well And on Substack: @crowsandkindred Show Notes: Book: Quit Like A Woman by Holly Whitaker You can find Lisa on Instagram @illuminatedrecoverypodcast Or by email: illuminatedrecovery@gmail.com [illuminatedrecovery@gmail.com]

E29: Well, Actually: Unpacking Wellness Culture In Pursuit Of True Well-Being

Most of us are unknowingly caught in a web of diet culture, weight stigma, and trauma responses that keep us disconnected from our true selves. In this eye-opening episode, Julie Norman joins Lisa to expose the hidden mechanisms fueling our societal obsession with shrinking and controlling our bodies—and reveal how these patterns are deeply intertwined with trauma, oppressive systems, and collective chaos. Julie has spent 30 years healing — personally and professionally. Beginning as a registered dietitian and now a yoga teacher specializing in recovery, she knows this terrain from the inside out. Together, they dissect the pervasive influence of diet culture, the rise of weight loss medications like GLP-1 drugs, and the insidious role of fawning—an often-overlooked trauma response—that pushes us to conform at the expense of our authenticity. They explore how social pressures, systemic abuse, and internalized shame foster a collective trauma that manifests as diet obsession, weight stigma, and the pursuit of safety through control. Connect with Julie Norman:  https://julienormanyoga.com/ [https://julienormanyoga.com/] On Instagram: @bodykarmahealing You can find Lisa on Instagram @illuminatedrecoverypodcast Or by email: illuminatedrecovery@gmail.com [illuminatedrecovery@gmail.com] SHOW NOTES: Minnesota starvation study: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minnesota_Starvation_Experiment [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minnesota_Starvation_Experiment] Fawning by Dr. Ingrid Clayton: https://www.ingridclayton.com/ [https://www.ingridclayton.com/] Nicole Sachs substack article: https://substack.com/@nicolesachslcsw/p-194819019 [https://substack.com/@nicolesachslcsw/p-194819019] Good Woman: A Reckoning by Savala Nolan: https://savalanolan.com/ [https://savalanolan.com/] Needy by Mara Glatzel: https://maraglatzel.com/book/

E28: Reclaiming Authenticity After Trauma

Carly Kilbourne, a licensed therapist, joins me to explore the hidden impacts of childhood emotional neglect and estrangement on adult relationships. Discover how sobriety led her to uncover deep emotional wounds and embrace authenticity. Learn practical tools to unlearn people pleasing behaviors and reconnect with your inner child, set boundaries, and reclaim your power. She brings a grounded, relatable perspective to trauma recovery, reminding us that healing isn’t about becoming someone new; it’s about coming home to who you were before survival took over. Perfect for anyone seeking genuine healing and deeper connections. Show Notes: Find Carli on Instagram @authenticaftherapy Website for therapy: thirdplacetherapy.com [http://thirdplacetherapy.com] You can find Lisa on Instagram @illuminatedrecoverypodcast Or by email: illuminatedrecovery@gmail.com [illuminatedrecovery@gmail.com]

E27: Illuminating Night Terrors
with Charity O'Reilly

Night terrors can be a terrifying experience for both the person experiencing them and their loved ones. If you or someone you know struggles with these distressing episodes, you're not alone. In this episode, Charity O'Reilly, a trauma therapist, shares her personal journey with night terrors, which began in childhood due to trauma. We explore the differences between night terrors and nightmares, delve into personal experiences, and discuss actionable strategies for managing these sleep disturbances which requires a nuanced approach, especially considering their ties to trauma. SHOW NOTES:CBTI: Cognitive behavioral therapy for Insomnia  CBTN: Cognitive behavioral therapy for Nightmares Book by Dr Matthew Walker: “Why We Sleep” Connect with Charity: https://charityoreilly.com/ On Instagram @teawithatraumatherapist Co-author of “You Will Get Through This” You can find Lisa on Instagram @illuminatedrecoverypodcast Or by email: illuminatedrecovery@gmail.com [illuminatedrecovery@gmail.com]

E26: IFS Awakening: Healing by Welcoming All Parts of You

Description: David Hilton joins me to talk all things IFS (Internal Family Systems). David is an IFS practitioner and in this episode, we explore this powerful framework for healing that starts with one radical idea: nothing inside us is wrong. We talk about how to build a relationship with yourself by welcoming the parts we’ve pushed away, ignored, or bypassed, and learning to open to the burdens we didn't even know we were holding.  Honoring the full complexity of who we are — the dualities, the contradictions, the wounds and the wisdom — is where real healing begins. And creating spaciousness within ourselves? That might just be the most transformative thing we can do. Show Notes:  Connect with David Hilton: https://www.mindfulnondualtherapy.com/ [https://www.mindfulnondualtherapy.com/] On Instagram @ifs_awakening David’s podcast: Self Led Besties Podcast On Instagram @selfledbestiespod You can find Lisa on Instagram @illuminatedrecoverypodcast Or by email: illuminatedrecovery@gmail.com [illuminatedrecovery@gmail.com]