Recovery Rocks
Recovery Rocks
Episode 153: Episode 153: Special Guest Mary Beth O’Connor – Author of “From Junkie to Judge.”
Episode 153: Episode 153: Special Guest Mary Beth O’Connor – Author of “From Junkie to Judge.”
Episode 153: Episode 153: Special Guest Mary Beth O’Connor – Author of “From Junkie to Judge.”
Friday 6th January 2023
Join Lisa Smith and Tawny Lara as they discuss Mary Beth O'Connor's journey from addiction to becoming a judge in this episode of Recovery Rocks.
Explicit
31 minutes
Inspiring
Empowering
Informative
Hopeful
Authentic
About this podcast
Overview:
Categories:
Sobriety Toolkit
Creative Recovery Journeys
Financial Health in Recovery
Navigating Challenges in Recovery
Empowering Recovery Journeys
Links:
Visit site
Episodes:
248 (View all)
Do you want to link to this podcast?
Get the buttons here!Mary Beth O'Connor: From Addiction to the Bench
I like the short word as sort of a few words to show the arc really of what recovery can be, and it's not even that I think being a judge was the most important part of my recovery.
Ever wondered how someone goes from battling addiction to sitting on a judge's bench? In this episode of Recovery Rocks, co-hosts Lisa Smith and Tawny Lara chat with Mary Beth O'Connor, author of 'From Junkie to Judge: One Woman's Triumph Over Trauma and Addiction'. Mary Beth's story is a gripping tale of resilience, starting with a childhood marred by abuse and sexual assault. She began drinking at just 12 and was using meth by 17.
Despite these hardships, she found her way to sobriety at 32, crafting a unique recovery plan that didn't rely on traditional 12-step programs. Instead, she pulled ideas from various sources to build a secular approach that worked for her. Six years into her recovery, she made the bold move to attend law school, eventually becoming a federal Administrative Law Judge.
In this episode, Mary Beth opens up about the stigma she faced in the legal profession due to her past and how she overcame it. She also highlights the importance of personal relationships and managing stress in recovery. Plus, she shares how music, specifically Pharell’s 'Happy', played a role in her journey. Whether you're in recovery or supporting someone who is, Mary Beth's story is a powerful reminder that change is possible, no matter how daunting the path may seem.