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Announcement: The French Alps Summer Hiking Retreat is officially open for bookings! Find out more: https://sunandmoonsoberliving.com/french-alps-retreat/ _ Episode #132: Natalia Violette is a cancer survivor, writer & emerging ecosomatic practitioner. After a devastating Hodgkin’s Lymphoma diagnosis in 2019 at twenty-eight, she left behind a former life in corporate leadership to follow a path rooted in creativity and healing. Drawing on her lived experience of navigating a new normal after illness and lifelong trauma, she now devotes her work to supporting others in reconnecting with themselves and the world through embodied, ecological (nature) connection, nervous system tending, and creative expression. Topics explored in this episode include: Surviving cancerOverworking & burnoutRecovering from addictionDeciding “not yet”Finding spiritual connectionEcosomatics Recovering childlike wonderThe many types of griefWriting & poetryTo connect with Natalia and learn more about her work: Website: https://violetteinkcreative.com/  Substack: https://substack.com/@nataliaviolette3 IG: @natalia.violette _ SUN & MOON SOBER LIVING: Access a free mindfulness meditation guided by Mary Tilson to help manage cravings and regulate emotions: https://pages.sunandmoonsoberliving.com/easemeditation Follow along on Instagram: @sunandmoon.soberliving  ___ Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Donna Marston is a speaker, author, Family Recovery Support Specialist, Certified Recovery Support Worker, Harm Reduction Trainer, and founder of Sharing With Out Shame®. She is also a wife and mother of two adult sons, bringing both lived experience and professional expertise to her work with families affected by addiction. For years, Donna tried to rescue, control, and protect her son. Eventually, she learned that love alone was not enough. She had to learn how to set boundaries, stop unhealthy helping, and take responsibility for her own healing — without guilt or shame. Today, Donna guides parents who feel overwhelmed and unsure whether the way they are responding is supportive or unintentionally harmful. Through workshops, courses, private sessions, books, and the Sharing With Out Shame® podcast, she provides parents with practical tools to regain balance—even when their child is not ready to change. Topics explored in this episode: How to respond instead of reactThe importance of self-careHarm reductionMisconceptions about how to support someone through addictionHow to establish healthy boundariesTalking at versus talking withNavigating the early stages of recoverySpiritualityTo learn more about Donna's support services, visit the Sharing Without Shame website: https://sharingwithoutshame.com/ _ SUN & MOON SOBER LIVING: Access a free mindfulness meditation guided by Mary Tilson to help manage cravings and regulate emotions: https://pages.sunandmoonsoberliving.com/easemeditation Follow along on Instagram: @sunandmoon.soberliving  ___ Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Alysse Bryson is an award-winning media executive turned founder, redefining modern sobriety as an aspirational lifestyle. In November 2025, she was honored as the first recipient of the Cultural Ambassador Award from Sans Bar Academy—recognizing her work as a leading voice in the sober movement. As the creator of The Sober Curator, she’s built a trusted platform that has guided over 1.1 million unique visitors to embrace sober living with purpose and joy.  Topics explored in this episode: Alysse’s recovery journeyHow the sober world has evolved over the last 20 yearsA near death experience with workaholismThe whack-a-mole of addictionAddressing the root causeStarting The Sober CuratorInclusivity in sober spacesFind out more: https://thesobercurator.com/ _ SUN & MOON SOBER LIVING: Access a free mindfulness meditation guided by Mary Tilson to help manage cravings and regulate emotions: https://pages.sunandmoonsoberliving.com/easemeditation Follow along on Instagram: @sunandmoon.soberliving  ___ Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Aimee Frazier is a Licensed Professional Counselor and the owner of Portland Hiking Therapy. She leads mental health therapy sessions for adults on the hiking trails of Portland, Oregon, supporting them with trauma recovery by using a combination of ecotherapy and traditional therapy techniques. Aimee also writes for Psychology Today about hiking and mental health, and is a voice in the expanding field of walk and talk therapy. Outside of work she enjoys mountaineering and time with her family and kids. In this episode, we discuss: What to expect from an Ecotherapy sessionThe benefits of nature and adventure-based therapyBuilding self-efficacy, confidence & positive body image in the mountainsHow outdoor adventure supports trauma healingIdentifying avoidance in endurance sportsManaging the lows after a big expeditionEnvironmental psychology: how various landscapes evoke unique responsesPractical ways to integrate nature into daily lifeFind out more about Portland Hiking Therapy: https://www.portlandhikingtherapy.com/ Read Aimee's articles on Psychology Today: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/contributors/aimee-frazier-ma-lpc _ SUN & MOON SOBER LIVING: Access a free mindfulness meditation guided by Mary Tilson to help manage cravings and regulate emotions: https://pages.sunandmoonsoberliving.com/easemeditation Follow along on Instagram: @sunandmoon.soberliving  ___ Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Nina Pick is a somatic healing practitioner and integrative counselor dedicated to helping individuals develop healthy relationships and full, embodied lives. In private practice in Western Massachusetts, she is also a group clinician at the Berkshire Transition Network, where she facilitates groups for men in early recovery. She received an MA in counseling psychology with a focus on marriage and family therapy from Pacifica Graduate Institute and an MA in comparative literature from UC Berkeley. She is a certified NeuroAffective Touch practitioner and a Safe and Sound Protocol provider, with additional training in a range of modalities spanning psychotherapy, somatics, spiritual leadership, and energy medicine. Her books include Sober Secure: An Attachment-Based Guide to Dating, Sex, and Love in Recovery and The Mind-Body Guide to the Twelve Steps: Finding Joy, Sensuality, and Pleasure in Recovery.  In this episode, we discuss: An attachment-based approach to recoveryHow early attachment wounding influences adult relationshipsDating for secure attachmentBoundaries around a partner's substance useWhy shame intensifies in early sobrietyRethinking codependencyMoving from isolation to healthy interdependence Relationship focused recovery meetingsFor additional Sober Secure resources, including a meeting facilitator’s guide, visit ninapick.com/sober-secure _ SUN & MOON SOBER LIVING: Access a free mindfulness meditation guided by Mary Tilson to help manage cravings and regulate emotions: https://pages.sunandmoonsoberliving.com/easemeditation Follow along on Instagram: @sunandmoon.soberliving  ___ Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Emily Bingham is a Certified Spiritual Life Coach, Grief Educator and Author who helps people reconnect to the magic, meaning, and possibility in their one precious life. After losing her 32-year-old husband, Ian, she discovered how mortality can ignite purpose, authenticity, and a fierce sense of aliveness. Over the past five years, she has supported hundreds of clients, led sold-out retreats, built a global online community, and published her book Love & Grief. Trained in Dharma & Spiritual Life Coaching, grief education with David Kessler, and Temple Guide facilitation through the 13 Moon Mystery School, Emily blends somatics, ritual, and subconscious work with lived experience to guide people through the inner transformations that allow them to step into lives that feel honest, expansive, and deeply fulfilling. In this episode, we discuss: Emily's story of losing her husband Ian to cancer at 32-years oldGrief as a non-linear journeyA somatic (body-based) approach to healingHow community-based fitness helped Emily healAwe & wonder as resources for resilienceThe transformative power of nature & retreatsLearn more about Mary & Emily's upcoming retreat in Madeira, Portugal: https://www.marytilsonyoga.com/wild-magic-retreat _ SUN & MOON SOBER LIVING: Access a free mindfulness meditation guided by Mary Tilson to help manage cravings and regulate emotions: https://pages.sunandmoonsoberliving.com/easemeditation Follow along on Instagram: @sunandmoon.soberliving  ___ Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Robyn Watt is an Ecosomatic Practitioner and author with a background in Environmental Studies, Social Work, Somatics, and Forest Therapy.  After her experiences integrating nature connection into her work as a therapist and crisis counsellor in the domestic violence and addictions sectors, Robyn created the Innate Ecology Ecosomatics Framework to guide others into somatic nature connection practice. Since moving to Canada from England, Robyn has spent thousands of hours in direct communion with wilderness across Europe and North America. She is also a mother of three, and cancer survivor.  In this episode, we discuss: EcosomaticsThe Innate Ecology FrameworkInteroceptive AwarenessCultivating kinship with natureThe supports of natureNervous system tendingPost-traumatic growth & resilience Connect with Robyn and learn more about her work: Instagram: @innate.ecology Website & Resources: https://innateecology.ca/ _ SUN & MOON SOBER LIVING: Access a free mindfulness meditation guided by Mary Tilson to help manage cravings and regulate emotions: https://pages.sunandmoonsoberliving.com/easemeditation Follow along on Instagram: @sunandmoon.soberliving  ___ Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Rachel Bilski is a qualified Yoga Therapist, Senior Operations & Development Manager of the UK’s national PTSD charity, supervisor to yoga therapists in training and philosophy lecturer for The Minded Institute, one of the world’s leading yoga therapy training oragnizations.  Rachel’s adventures with yoga have led her to host retreats in Europe & Asia, manage a a yoga studio in Vietnam and facilitate the retreat program at an internationally renowned integral yoga & meditation retreat center in Cambodia. She he shared her wisdom for years as a writer for Yogapedia, and taught over 1,000 hours of studio classes, workshops, retreats and yoga festivals before turning to yoga therapy. As a yoga therapist, Rachel specializes in working with trauma, stress, depression, anxiety and chronic pain, but is experienced in offering tools to work with a wide range of physical and mental health conditions.  Topics addressed in this episode include: Rachel's healing journey with C-PTSDFundraising trek to Everest Base CampMisconceptions about trauma & the nervous systemWhat it really means to be "trauma-informed"Building capacity to be with discomfortLearning to be responsive rather than reactiveLinks to connect with Rachel & explore resources mentioned in this episode: Rachel's Website: https://www.downtoearthyogatherapy.com/ Upcoming Events: https://themindedinstitute.com/product/yoga-therapy-for-c-ptsd-polyvagal-insight-embodied-practice/ https://themindedinstitute.com/product/online-cpd-yoga-therapy-for-ptsd-c-ptsd/ ___ SUN & MOON SOBER LIVING UPDATES: We just announced our 2026 Hiking Retreat for Sober & Sober Curious Women in Banff! Find out more here: https://sunandmoonsoberliving.com/banff/ Access a free mindfulness meditation guided by Mary Tilson to help manage cravings and regulate emotions: https://pages.sunandmoonsoberliving.com/easemeditation Follow along on Instagram: @sunandmoon.soberliving  ___ Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

We just announced our 2026 Hiking Retreat for Sober & Sober Curious Women in Banff! Find out more here: https://sunandmoonsoberliving.com/banff/ Access a free mindfulness meditation guided by Mary Tilson to help manage cravings and regulate emotions: https://pages.sunandmoonsoberliving.com/easemeditation Follow along on Instagram: @sunandmoon.soberliving  __ Dr. Jennifer R. Levin is a workplace trauma expert and licensed therapist who specializes in grief after sudden or traumatic loss. She is one of fewer than 300 mental health professionals worldwide credentialed as a Fellow in Thanatology, the top distinction in the field of death, dying, and bereavement. Through her consulting firm, Traumatic Grief Solutions, she trains organizations to respond to traumatic loss with compassion and structure. Her new book, “The Traumatic Loss Workbook: Powerful Skills for Navigating the Grief Caused by a Sudden or Unexpected Death," and online course, “A Guided Path to Healing,” provide practical tools to help readers cope with grief, process trauma, and find meaning again. She developed these resources over a decade of working with clients in Therapy Heals, Inc., her private therapy practice supporting individuals living with sudden or unexpected loss. She hosts the podcast “Untethered: Healing the Pain From a Sudden Death.” Learn more at TraumaticGriefSolutions.com.  Topics explored in this episode include: The different forms of griefTraumatic loss & griefThe impact of griefHow to support a grieving personGrief in the workplaceA child's grieving processHow to restore a sense safety after traumatic lossCoping strategies & resources___ Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

We just announced our 2026 Hiking Retreat for Sober & Sober Curious Women in Banff! Find out more here: https://sunandmoonsoberliving.com/banff/ Access a free mindfulness meditation guided by Mary Tilson to help manage cravings and regulate emotions: https://pages.sunandmoonsoberliving.com/easemeditation Follow along on Instagram: @sunandmoon.soberliving  __ Topics covered in this episode with Sophie Gervais include: Eating disorder recoveryThe impact of diet cultureMisconceptions about fitnessWhy women should lift weightsDetaching exercise from weight lossEmbracing challenges as part of growthHow discipline creates freedomSophie is a Gut and Hormone Health Specialist & Personal Trainer who has been guiding her clients to their goals for nearly five years. She is passionate about helping young girls and women overcome an unhealthy relationship with food after spending years of her own life stuck in the mental prison that is disordered eating. Her education in the field began in her undergraduate years at Vanderbilt University, where she studied eating psychology and nutrition. During that time, she was also certified in the National Eating Disorder Awareness foundation’s Body Project certification program to support women’s relationships with their bodies. Her interests progressed into physique and performance evidence-based training and nutrition while maintaining a positive relationship with food and one’s body (certifications through NASM). Her coaching centers on getting women out of the rut of under-fueling and over-training, out of the yo-yo cycle, and out of the mystery of how to fuel one’s body (blocking out all the noise out there!) while building a positive outlook towards nutrition. Sophie also supports her clients who are interested in gut and hormone health. Her interest in this field started from her own experience with IBS, acne, and painful/irregular periods that she wanted to support holistically. Her approach to hormonal support and gut health focuses heavily on evidence-based lifestyle and nutrition approaches rather than excessive supplementation and overly restrictive methods. Some conditions Sophie works with include: IBS, IBD, bloating/indigestion, dysmenorrhea, PCOS, PMS, low thyroid, and chronic stress/fatigue. Please note, Sophie is not a medical professional and provides holistic support for these conditions within her scope of practice; please consult a medical professional for these conditions first. Outside of coaching, Sophie is an animal-lover and enjoys spending her free time riding her horse and hiking with her pup. She has traveled and lived abroad extensively and loves getting to enjoy cuisines from all over the world. She loves spending time getting stronger in the gym, giving it her all at trivia nights, and exploring her home base in Nashville.   See links below to follow Sophie and learn more about working with her: https://biolayne.com/coach/sophie-gervais/ IG @asophiesticatedlife ___ Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Access a free mindfulness meditation guided by Mary Tilson to help manage cravings and regulate emotions: https://pages.sunandmoonsoberliving.com/easemeditation Follow along on Instagram: @sunandmoon.soberliving  __ Ali Shapiro, MSOD, CHHC is a Holistic Nutritionist, Integrated Health Coach, cancer survivor, and the creator of the Truce with Food method. Her approach integrates adult development psychology with behavioral change strategies, refined over a decade of real-world application to help her clients achieve lasting food freedom. Ali is also the host of the top-ranked podcast, Insatiable. Her work has been widely featured in the media by Wall Street Journal, Huffington Post, Forbes, Cosmopolitan, Women’s Health and many others. In this episode, we discuss: Ali's journey to food freedomWhy eating issues are not about foodAttachment & belongingBreaking the binge cycleEmotional triggers that lead to self-sabotageSeparating exercise from weight lossHealing in communityJoin Ali's Free Workshop on Sept 3: https://alishapiro.com/why-am-i-eating-this-now-live-group/ Listen to the Insatiable Podcast: https://alishapiro.com/podcast/ ___ Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Access a free mindfulness meditation guided by Mary Tilson to help manage cravings and regulate emotions: https://pages.sunandmoonsoberliving.com/easemeditation Follow along on Instagram: @sunandmoon.soberliving  __ Eryl McCaffrey is a Registered Psychotherapist and Certified Yoga Teacher from Toronto, Canada with a Master's Degree in Counselling Psychology and 10+ years of experience in the holistic health and wellness field.  She blends mindfulness, somatics, neuroscience, and psychology with her own mental health and addiction recovery tools to offer clients a unique, holistic approach to healing. She works with individuals who are struggling with addiction, depression, anxiety, trauma, relationship issues, and grief.   Eryl uses her personal experience with addiction and her love of sobriety to help others find joy, peace, and fulfillment without substances. Topics explored in this episode include: Eryl’s recovery journeyRecovering from relapseThe Stages of ChangePerfectionism  Inner child workNervous system regulationRecovery as a daily practiceAuthenticityHealing co-dependencyBoundaries Links to access Eryl's resources & learn more: Aligned + Alcohol-Free: A 12 Week Program for women who are sober-curious or ready to break free from alcohol coming this fall -  https://www.erylmccaffrey.com/alignedandalcoholfree Sober Starter Kit: A free guide with simple tools and resources to help you start your sober journey - https://www.erylmccaffrey.com/soberstarterkit Instagram: @erylmccaffrey ___ Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Access a free mindfulness meditation guided by Mary Tilson to help manage cravings and regulate emotions: https://pages.sunandmoonsoberliving.com/easemeditation Follow along on Instagram: @sunandmoon.soberliving  __ Laura Grubb is a functional health coach who gave up alcohol 3.5 years ago and found so much more than sobriety—she found her calling. At the time, she was working as a nurse practitioner but felt something was missing in the way many chronic health symptoms, including her acne, were approached in conventional health.  A few months into her sober journey, she began studying functional medicine and started healing her own gut imbalances. Today, she helps women get to the root of their chronic gut and hormone symptoms and reconnect with their bodies using natural, sustainable tools that support real, lasting transformation. In this episode, we discuss: Laura's alcohol-free journeyEmbracing your authentic selfFunctional healthThe impact of alcohol on gut & hormonesThe benefits of walkingDaily habitsFollowing your true callingTo connect with Laura and learn more about her work: https://www.lauragrubbwellness.com/ IG: @lauragrubbwellness __ Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Topics explored in this episode include: The Nervous System through the lens of Polyvagal TheoryHow to expand your Window of Wellness & ResilienceThe impact of lonelinessTrauma healing & addiction recoveryCo-regulation & the power of communityPractices for Vagal ToningDr. Ilene Naomi Rusk received her PhD in Psychology (Neuropsychology and Psychopharmacology) in the UK with a focus on the brain circuitry involved in appetite regulation, motivation, and satiation. In Canada she completed fellowships in neuroscience + neuropsychology looking at novel treatment strategies for Alzheimer’s Disease and neuropsychiatric issues. Dr Rusk was the Parkinson’s Disease Fellow for Canada and she worked collaboratively with pharmaceutical companies authoring numerous peer-reviewed articles in neuroscience & treating brain and behavior disorders.   She is trained in somatic approaches to healing trauma and nervous system disorders, and uses numerous trauma resolution techniques (EMDR and Brainspotting, among them). Training in cognitive rehabilitation adds to her healing repertoire. Dr Rusk’s extensive trainings in Polyvagal Theory has led her incorporate vagal toning into her work with patients with anxiety, depression and stress sensitivities. She draws from decades of experience in ancestral healing, yoga, breathwork  +  mindfulness practices and uses them as an integral part of her functional nervous system health program. Spiritual guidance is intrinsic to her work. Dr. Rusk co-founded the Brain and Behavior Clinic in Boulder, CO and developed the Healthy Brain Program. While training in a functional medicine approach to cognitive + emotional health, she developed a team-based program to integrate functional and personalized brain health with trauma healing work to optimize stress resilience, anxiety and mental health. She is former Director of Community Medical Education for Grillo Health Information Resource Center and the Director of Resilience Training with Disaster Resources an international organization dedicated to healing anxiety, stress + distress in educators, children and families after natural and man-made disasters. Dr. Rusk's work focuses on blending personalized integrative healthcare and psychological wellness within a scientist-practitioner model. She has woven spirituality and mindfulness into her practice for over 35 years, and leads monthly online Embodied Brain Polyvagal Groups.  To learn more & join Dr Rusk's next Vagal Toning Practice Group visit:  https://www.ilenenaomirusk.com/events __ Access a free mindfulness meditation guided by Mary Tilson to help manage cravings and regulate emotions: https://pages.sunandmoonsoberliving.com/easemeditation Follow along on Instagram: @sunandmoon.soberliving  __ Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Learn more about our upcoming Women's Hiking Retreat in Moab, Utah: https://sunandmoonsoberliving.com/moab-retreat/ Access a free mindfulness meditation to help manage cravings and regulate emotions: https://pages.sunandmoonsoberliving.com/easemeditation Follow along on Instagram: @sunandmoon.soberliving  __ Sue Van Raes is a functional nutritionist, food psychology specialist, psycho-spiritual practitioner, and author of Food and Freedom (April 2024). With over two decades in private practice—and a personal journey of healing a lifelong struggle with food—Sue offers a holistic path to peace with your plate. Her work weaves together functional nutrition, integrative health, and soul-based self-inquiry to help women transform how they eat, think, and live. Her upcoming PBS feature shares her revolutionary approach with a national audience, inviting more women into a body, mind, heart, and soul connection with food. Sue’s teachings have been featured in People, Chopra, Livestrong, and Reader’s Digest, and her grounded, feminine voice continues to inspire women toward deeper nourishment and embodied freedom. Topics explored in this episode include: Sue’s healing journeyBalancing blood sugarFunctional nutritionHow to make peace with your plateManaging cravingsDiet cultureEmpowering women through food freedomHealing as a processFREE DOWNLOAD: https://www.bouldernutrition.com/makepeacewithyourplate WEBSITE: https://www.bouldernutrition.com/ BOOK: https://www.amazon.com/Food-Freedom-Discover-Personal-Recipe/dp/1608688747/ref INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/bouldernutrition/ PODCAST: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/satiate/id1271979730 Spotify Podcasts: https://open.spotify.com/show/5ZBL7jC4hxvQLQF2Q00SFx?si=QdnHuLzyQG6gbhUcZw_4OA&nd=1&dlsi=48fb7d688f004d68 __ Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.