
Bookends of Recovery
I share tools & support so others don’t learn the hard way like I did. | Clean from my DOC for 30+ years | Healed from betrayal trauma after husband’s PA disclosure. | You’re not alone. Recovery is possible. I believe in you 🌻
Episodes
64 episodes
Why Humor Belongs in Healing, Mental Health, and Recovery
Healing doesn’t have to be all tears and heavy talks. In this episode, I discuss why humor is a powerful tool in recovery, healing, and mental health, how laughter resets the nervous system, and why it’s okay to crack a smile even during challe...
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Season 1
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Episode 59
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24:33

Announcement: I'm hosting an AMA on Reddit...today! Let's talk about addiction, betrayal trauma, healing!
Just like the title says, I'm hosting an AMA today.I’ll be there 12:00 p.m.–2:00 PM EST to answer your questio...
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1:33

Unique Grounding Techniques for Anxiety and Triggers in Recovery and Healing
Anxiety and triggers can hit fast, but you don’t have to get swept away. In this episode, I’m sharing unique, next-level grounding tools you can use anywhere to stay anchored in the present. From sensory tricks and vocal grounding to body-based...
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Season 1
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Episode 58
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27:15

What Your Body’s Telling You: Triggers, Trauma & Addiction Recovery
Ever wonder why you suddenly shut down, spiral, or snap, seemingly out of nowhere? In this episode, we unpack the difference between a trigger and a response, what your nervous system is trying to tell you, and how to ground yourself when you f...
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Season 1
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Episode 57
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29:33
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How Trauma Gets Stored in the Body (and What You Can Do)
Ever feel like you’re overreacting to something small, but deep down, you know it’s not about just that moment? You’re not broken. You’re wired that way because of what you’ve lived through. In this episode, I explain the real roots of emotiona...
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Season 1
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Episode 56
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14:08
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Addiction, Trauma & the Urge to Escape Ourselves
Ever wonder why numbing out, whether with substances, scrolling, or people-pleasing, feels like the only way to survive? In this episode, I share how my own addiction began with a need for relief, not rebellion, and why so many of us learn to e...
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Season 1
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Episode 55
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12:47
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Self-Care that Sticks: Tools for Healing & Recovery
Tired of self-care tips that don’t actually help when you're deep in recovery or healing from betrayal trauma? In this episode, I share five real-life self-care tools that go beyond the basics and actually stick. Because staying emotionally sob...
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Season 1
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Episode 54
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23:31

When Urges Hit: PAUSE & BOOKENDS: Recovery Tools and Healing Tools
Feeling triggered or overwhelmed? In this episode, I walk you through two super easy-to-use recovery tools, PAUSE and BOOKENDS. One to help you slow down in the moment, check in, and the other to evaluate and prepare for another trigger.
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Season 1
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Episode 53
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18:41

Emotional Sobriety Meets Mental Health
If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Why am I still struggling when I’m not even using anymore?" this episode's for you.I’m breaking down what emotional sobriety really means, how it connects to your mental health, and why f...
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Season 1
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Episode 52
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35:05

The Life Wheel for Recovery: A Healing Tool for Addicts and Their Loved Ones
Are you feeling stuck or off-balance in your recovery journey or while supporting someone else’s? The Life Wheel is a simple yet powerful tool that helps you assess where you are emotionally, mentally, and relationally. In this episode, I'll wa...
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Season 1
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Episode 51
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30:47
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Do Affirmations Work? How They Support Recovery for You or Someone You Love
In this episode, we explore how affirmations support healing, emotional sobriety, and connection, whether you're in recovery yourself or loving someone who is.
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Season 1
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Episode 50
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28:02
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How to Support Someone With Addiction Without Pushing Them Away
Loving someone in addiction can be challenging. In this episode, I unpack how to support them without crossing into enabling or accidentally pushing them away. Learn what actually helps, what to avoid, and how to care without losing yourself in...
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Season 1
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Episode 49
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34:53
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You’re Not Broken: How Kintsugi Heals Self-Worth in Recovery
In this episode, we explore the Japanese art of Kintsugi and how it beautifully parallels the recovery journey. You are not broken! Your cracks tell a story of resilience, growth, and healing. Learn how embracing imperfections, reframing pain, ...
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Season 1
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Episode 48
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14:03
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Trusting Your Instincts After Betrayal Trauma: How to Rebuild Inner Safety and Self-Belief
Learn how betrayal trauma impacts your instincts and how to rebuild trust in yourself with real tools, insights, and encouragement.
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Season 1
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Episode 47
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27:13
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Compliments & Fingerholds: Tools for Self-Worth and Emotional Release in Recovery
Learn how to receive compliments and use fingerholds for emotional balance. Two powerful recovery tools for boosting self-worth and reducing stress.
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Season 1
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Episode 46
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23:10
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5 Unique Tools to Manage Triggers in Addiction Recovery and Healing
Struggling with triggers? Try these five unique tools to stay grounded in your recovery or healing journey.
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13:22

Stress Relief Workbook Walkthrough for Addiction Recovery & Healing
Ready to build your personal stress relief blueprint? In this episode, Laura walks you through the Stress Management in Recovery & Healing workbook—step by step. Learn how to identify stress triggers, practice emotional regulation,...
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Season 1
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Episode 44
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18:01
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How to Manage Stress in Recovery & Healing: Tools That Work
Stress doesn’t stop when recovery starts—but you can manage it. In this episode, Laura breaks down real-life stress triggers (like PAWS, HALT, and relationship strain) and shares practical tools to protect your emotional sobriety. Incl...
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Season 1
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Episode 43
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48:09
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Urge Surfing Workbook Walkthrough: Mindfulness for Recovery & Trauma Healing
In this guided walkthrough of a brand-new workbook, I teach urge surfing, a mindfulness-based technique used to manage cravings, emotional triggers, and trauma responses. Perfect for anyone in addiction recovery or emotional healing.Downloa...
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Season 1
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Episode 45
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12:17
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Managing Addiction: Emotional Sobriety Through Guided Reflection
Today’s episode is a little different. It’s a guided reflection using my Emotional Sobriety Companion Workbook. No pen needed, so sit back and relax and we dive into learning more about emotional sobriety.
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Season 1
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Episode 42
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23:37
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Mental Health & Men: Breaking the Silence
It’s time we stopped pretending that mental health is gendered. It’s time we gave men the space to feel, hurt, heal, and grow without judgment.
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Season 1
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Episode 41
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20:19

Mental Health: Healthy Boundaries & Boundary Agreement
Creating healthy boundaries is a crucial form of self-care, especially if you’re in a relationship with someone struggling with addiction. Boundaries are about emotional security, not control. Learn how to create healthy emotional boundaries, w...
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Season 1
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Episode 40
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25:14
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Preserve Mental Health: Show Up For Others Without Burning Out
Ever feel like a broken record when offering support? You share your best tools, open your heart, provide honest advice, and then the same questions pop up. It’s not that people aren’t listening. It’s that recovery, healing, and emotional growt...
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Season 1
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Episode 39
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28:17
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Addiction: How to Recognize the Signs
You may be asking yourself, “Is my partner an addict, or does he enjoy a lot of pornography and Instagram models?” It’s a valid question to ask, and it can be challenging to answer without talking to a professional, particularly because pornogr...
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Season 1
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Episode 38
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17:33
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Addiction & Mental Health: Relational Trauma: Guided Reflections; Hypervigilance
Today’s episode is a little different. It’s a guided reflection and workbook session designed to support loved ones of those struggling with addiction. It's a companion to last week's episode.If you haven’t already, grab a journal, some ...
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Season 1
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Episode 37
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13:19
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